George Gordon Byron

Stanzas to a Lady, with the Poems of Camoëns

1.

This votive pledge of fond esteem,
⁠   Perhaps, dear girl! for me thou'lt prize;
It sings of Love's enchanting dream,
⁠   A theme we never can despise.

2.

Who blames it but the envious fool,
⁠   The old and disappointed maid?
Or pupil of the prudish school,
⁠   In single sorrow doom'd to fade?

3.

Then read, dear Girl! with feeling read,
⁠   For thou wilt ne'er be one of those;
To thee, in vain, I shall not plead
   ⁠In pity for the Poet's woes.

4.

He was, in sooth, a genuine Bard;
   ⁠His was no faint, fictitious flame:
Like his, may Love be thy reward,
⁠   But not thy hapless fate the same.