Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/314

274 11.

Such is the common lot of man:

Can we then 'scape from folly free?

Can we reverse the general plan,

Nor be what all in turn must be?

12.

No; for myself, so dark my fate

Through every turn of life hath been;

Man and the World so much I hate,

I care not when I quit the scene.

13.

But thou, with spirit frail and light,

Wilt shine awhile, and pass away;

As glow-worms sparkle through the night,

But dare not stand the test of day.

14.

Alas! whenever Folly calls

Where parasites and princes meet,

(For cherish'd first in royal halls

The welcome vices kindly greet,)

15.

Ev'n now thou'rt nightly seen to add

One insect to the fluttering crowd;

And still thy trifling heart is glad

To join the vain and court the proud.