It is no exaggeration to say that in Byron's poems some of the mysterious incidents in his life are plainly revealed. For example, 'Childe Harold,' 'The Giaour,' 'The Bride of Abydos,' 'The Corsair,' 'Lara,' 'The Dream,' 'Manfred,' 'Don Juan,' and several of the smaller pieces, all disclose episodes connected with his own personal experience. In the so-called 'Fugitive Pieces' we get a glimpse of his school life and friendships; his pursuits during the time that he resided with his mother at Southwell; and his introduction to Cambridge. In the 'Hours of Idleness' we are introduced to Mary Chaworth, after her marriage and the ruin of his hopes. In the verse 'Remembrance' we realize that the dawn of his life is overcast. We see, from some verses written in 1808, how, three years after that marriage, he was still the victim of a fatal infatuation: 'I deem'd that Time, I deem'd that Pride, Had quench'd at length my boyish flame; Nor knew, till seated by thy side, My heart in all--save hope--the same.' After lingering for three months in the neighbourhood of the woman whom he so unwisely loved, he finally resolved to break the chain: 'In flight I shall be surely wise, Escaping from temptation's snare; I cannot view my Paradise Without the wish of dwelling there.' When about to leave England, in vain pursuit of the happiness he had lost, he addresses passionate verses to Mary Chaworth: 'And I must from this land be gone, Because I cannot love but one.' He tells her that he has had love passages with another woman, in the vain hope of destroying the love of his life: 'But some unconquerable spell Forbade my bleeding breast to own A kindred care for aught but one.' He wished to say farewell, but dared not trust himself. In the cantos of 'Childe Harold,' written during his absence, he recurs to the subject nearest to his heart. He says that before leaving Newstead-- 'Oft-times in his maddest mirthful mood Strange pangs would flash along Childe Harold's brow, As if the memory of some _deadly feud_ Or _disappointed passion_ lurked below: But this none knew, nor haply cared to know.' He mentions his mother, from whom he dreaded to part, and his sister Augusta, whom he loved, but had not seen for some time. After his return to England in 1811, he wrote the 'Thyrza' poems, and added some stanzas to 'Childe Harold,' wherein he expresses a hope that the separation between himself and Mary Chaworth may not be eternal. He then pours out the sorrows of his heart to Francis Hodgson. We cannot doubt that the 'Lines written beneath a Picture,' composed at Athens in January, 1811, 'Dear object of defeated care! Though now of Love and thee bereft,'