Social Commentaries

The Charity Ball

by Lord Byron 1788–1824

From Epigrams and Jeux d'Esprit

Social Commentaries

What matter the pangs of a husband and father,
If his sorrows in exile be great or be small,
So the Pharisee's glories around her she gather,
And the saint patronises her "Charity Ball!"

What matters--a heart which, though faulty, was feeling,
Be driven to excesses which once could appal--
That the Sinner should suffer is only fair dealing,
As the Saint keeps her charity back for "the Ball!"

✦ ✦ ✦

December 10, 1820. First published, Letters and Journals, 1830, ii. 540.

MLA

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “The Charity Ball.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/252/.

Chicago

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “The Charity Ball.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/252/.

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