Love

Answer to ----'s Professions of Affection

by Lord Byron 1788–1824

From Epigrams and Jeux d'Esprit

Love

In hearts like thine ne'er may I hold a place
Till I renounce all sense, all shame, all grace--
That seat,--like seats, the bane of Freedom's realm,
But dear to those presiding at the helm--
Is basely purchased, not with gold alone;
Add Conscience, too, this bargain is your own--
'T is thine to offer with corrupting art
The rotten borough of the human heart.

✦ ✦ ✦

?1814. From an autograph MS., now for the first time printed.

MLA

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “Answer to ----'s Professions of Affection.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/226/.

Chicago

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “Answer to ----'s Professions of Affection.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/226/.

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