Love
Answer to ----'s Professions of Affection
From Epigrams and Jeux d'Esprit
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.
Codex Note
?1814. From an autograph MS., now for the first time printed.
Cite this poem
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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