[Footnote 10: Lord Byron and his brother Sir William held high commands in the royal army. The former was general-in-chief in Ireland, lieutenant of the Tower, and governor to James, Duke of York, afterwards the unhappy James II; the latter had a principal share in many actions. ['Vide ante', p. 3, 'note' 1.]] [Footnote 11: Lucius Cary, Lord Viscount Falkland, the most accomplished man of his age, was killed at the Battle of Newbury, charging in the ranks of Lord Byron's regiment of cavalry.] [Footnote 12: This is an historical fact. A violent tempest occurred immediately subsequent to the death or interment of Cromwell, which occasioned many disputes between his partisans and the cavaliers: both interpreted the circumstance into divine interposition; but whether as approbation or condemnation, we leave to the casuists of that age to decide. I have made such use of the occurrence as suited the subject of my poem.] [Footnote 13: Charles II.] [Footnote 14: An indication of Byron's feelings towards Newstead in his younger days will be found in his letter to his mother of March 6, 1809.] [Footnote i: 'Hours of Idleness.'] [Footnote ii: 'Soon as the twilight winds a waning shade.'-- ['P. on V. Occasions'.]] [Footnote iii: '--of the laurel'd wreath.' ['P. on V. Occasions'.]] [Footnote iv: 'Howling, forsake--.' ['P. on V. Occasions']] [Footnote v: 'Fortune may smile upon a future line, And heaven restore an ever-cloudless day,' ['P. on V. Occasions.', 'Hours of Idleness.']] * * * * * * * * * HOURS OF IDLENESS TO GEORGE, EARL DELAWARR. [i] 1. Oh! yes, I will own we were dear to each other; The friendships of childhood, though fleeting, are true; The love which you felt was the love of a brother, Nor less the affection I cherish'd for you. 2. But Friendship can vary her gentle dominion; The attachment of years, in a moment expires: Like Love, too, she moves on a swift-waving pinion, But glows not, like Love, with unquenchable fires. 3. Full oft have we wander'd through Ida together, And blest were the scenes of our youth, I allow: In the spring of our life, how serene is the weather! But Winter's rude tempests are gathering now. 4. No more with Affection shall Memory blending, The wonted delights of our childhood retrace: When Pride steels the bosom, the heart is unbending, And what would be Justice appears a disgrace. 5. However, dear George, for I still must esteem you--[ii] The few, whom I love, I can never upbraid; The chance, which has lost, may in future redeem you, Repentance will cancel the vow you have made. 6. I will not complain, and though chill'd is affection, With me no corroding resentment shall live: My bosom is calm'd by the simple reflection, That both may be wrong, and that both should forgive. 7.