Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/287

Rh 2.

I vow'd I could ne'er for a moment respect you,

Yet thought that a day's separation was long;

When we met, I determined again to suspect you—

Your smile soon convinced me suspicion was wrong.

3.

I swore, in a transport of young indignation,

With fervent contempt evermore to disdain you:

I saw you—my anger became admiration;

And now, all my wish, all my hope's to regain you.

4.

With beauty like yours, oh, how vain the contention!

Thus lowly I sue for forgiveness before you;—

At once to conclude such a fruitless dissension,

Be false, my sweet Anne, when I cease to adore you! January 16, 1807. [First published, 1832.

EGOTISM. A LETTER TO J. T. BECHER.

1.

Fate should seal my Death to-morrow,

(Though much I hope she will postpone it,)

I've held a share of Joy and Sorrow,

Enough for Ten; and here I own it.