Poem by George Gordon Byron

To M.S.G. (Whene'er I view those lips of thine)

Whene'er I view those lips of thine,
    Their hue invites my fervent kiss;
Yet, I forego that bliss divine,
    Alas! it were---unhallow'd bliss.

Whene'er I dream of that pure breast,
    How could I dwell upon its snows!
Yet, is the daring wish represt,
    For that,---would banish its repose.

A glance from thy soul-searching eye
    Can raise with hope, depress with fear;
Yet, I conceal my love,---and why?
    I would not force a painful tear.

I ne'er have told my love, yet thou
    Hast seen my ardent flame too well;
And shall I plead my passion now,
    To make thy bosom's heaven a hell?

No! for thou never canst be mine,
    United by the priest's decree:
By any ties but those divine,
    Mine, my belov'd, thou ne'er shalt be.

Then let the secret fire consume,
    Let it consume, thou shalt not know:
With joy I court a certain doom,
    Rather than spread its guilty glow.

I will not ease my tortur'd heart,
    By driving dove-ey'd peace from thine;
Rather than such a sting impart,
    Each thought presumptuous I resign.

Yes! yield those lips, for which I'd brave
    More than I here shall dare to tell;
Thy innocence and mine to save,---
    I bid thee now a last farewell.

Yes! yield that breast, to seek despair
    And hope no more thy soft embrace;
Which to obtain, my soul would dare,
    All, all reproach, but thy disgrace.

At least from guilt shalt thou be free,
    No matron shall thy shame reprove;
Though cureless pangs may prey on me,
    No martyr shalt thou be to love.

1. Churchill’s Grave
2. On a Change of Masters at a Great Public School
3. Lines Addressed to a Young Lady
4. To the Earl of Clare
5. Stanzas to a Lady, with the Poems of Camoëns

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