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To Thomas Moore ("My boat is on the shore")

by Lord Byron 1788–1824

From Epigrams and Jeux d'Esprit

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My boat is on the shore,
And my bark is on the sea;
But, before I go, Tom Moore,
Here's a double health to thee!

Here's a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And, whatever sky's above me,
Here's a heart for every fate.

Though the Ocean roar around me,
Yet it still shall bear me on;
Though a desert shall surround me,
It hath springs that may be won.

Were't the last drop in the well,
As I gasped upon the brink,
Ere my fainting spirit fell,
'T is to thee that I would drink.

With that water, as this wine,
The libation I would pour
Should be--peace with thine and mine,
And a health to thee, Tom Moore.

✦ ✦ ✦

July, 1817. First published, Waltz, London, W. Benbow, 1821, p. 29.

MLA

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “To Thomas Moore ("My boat is on the shore").” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/234/.

Chicago

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “To Thomas Moore ("My boat is on the shore").” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/234/.

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