And who that dear lov'd one may be, Is not for vulgar eyes to see; And why that early love was cross'd, Thou know'st the best, I feel the most; But few that dwell beneath the sun Have loved so long, and loved but one. 10. I've tried another's fetters too, With charms perchance as fair to view; And I would fain have loved as well, But some unconquerable spell Forbade my bleeding breast to own A kindred care for aught but one. 11. 'Twould soothe to take one lingering view, And bless thee in my last adieu; Yet wish I not those eyes to weep For him that wanders o'er the deep; His home, his hope, his youth are gone, [iii] Yet still he loves, and loves but one. [iv] 1809. [First published, 1809.] [Footnote i: 'To Mrs. Musters.' ['MS.'] 'To----on Leaving England.' ['Imit. and Transl.', p. 227.] [Footnote ii: 'But friend or lover I have none'. ['Imit. and Transl'., p. 229.]] [Footnote iii: 'Though wheresoever my bark may run, I love but thee, I love but one.' ['Imit. and Transl.', p. 230.] 'The land recedes his Bark is gone, Yet still he loves and laves but one.' [MS.] [Footnote iv: 'Yet far away he loves but one.' [MS.] ENGLISH BARDS, AND SCOTCH REVIEWERS; A SATIRE. BY LORD BYRON. "I had rather be a kitten, and cry, mew! Than one of these same metre ballad-mongers." SHAKESPEARE. "Such shameless Bards we have; and yet 'tis true, There are as mad, abandon'd Critics, too." POPE. PREFACE [1] All my friends, learned and unlearned, have urged me not to publish this Satire with my name. If I were to be "turned from the career of my humour by quibbles quick, and paper bullets of the brain" I should have complied with their counsel. But I am not to be terrified by abuse, or bullied by reviewers, with or without arms. I can safely say that I have attacked none 'personally', who did not commence on the offensive. An Author's works are public property: he who purchases may judge, and publish his opinion if he pleases; and the Authors I have endeavoured to commemorate may do by me as I have done by them. I dare say they will succeed better in condemning my scribblings, than in mending their own. But my object is not to prove that I can write well, but, if 'possible', to make others write better. As the Poem has met with far more success than I expected, I have endeavoured in this Edition to make some additions and alterations, to render it more worthy of public perusal.