History & Politics

Last Words on Greece

by Lord Byron 1788–1824

From Epigrams and Jeux d'Esprit

History & Politics

What are to me those honours or renown
Past or to come, a new-born people's cry?
Albeit for such I could despise a crown
Of aught save laurel, or for such could die.
I am a fool of passion, and a frown
Of thine to me is as an adder's eye.
To the poor bird whose pinion fluttering down
Wafts unto death the breast it bore so high;
Such is this maddening fascination grown,
So strong thy magic or so weak am I.

✦ ✦ ✦

First published, Murray's Magazine, February,. 1887, vol. i. p. 146.

MLA

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “Last Words on Greece.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/265/.

Chicago

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. “Last Words on Greece.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/byron/265/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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