History & Politics
Stanzas ("When a man hath no freedom")
From Epigrams and Jeux d'Esprit
When a man hath no freedom to fight for at home,
Let him combat for that of his neighbours;
Let him think of the glories of Greece and of Rome,
And get knocked on the head for his labours.
To do good to Mankind is the chivalrous plan,
And is always as nobly requited;
Then battle for Freedom wherever you can,
And, if not shot or hanged, you'll get knighted.
Codex Note
November 5, 1820. First published, Letters and Journals, 1830, ii. 377.
Cite this poem
MLA
Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “Stanzas ("When a man hath no freedom").” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/250/.
Chicago
Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “Stanzas ("When a man hath no freedom").” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/250/.
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