"Fair Albion, smiling, sees her son depart To trace the birth and nursery of art: Noble his object, glorious is his aim; He comes to Athens, and he--writes his name." BENEATH WHICH LORD BYRON INSERTED THE FOLLOWING:-- The modest bard, like many a bard unknown, Rhymes on our names, but wisely hides his own; But yet, whoe'er he be, to say no worse, His name would bring more credit than his verse. 1810. [First published, _Life_, 1830.] MAID OF ATHENS, ERE WE PART.[n] Ζωή μου, σᾶς ἀγαπῶ. [Zôê/ mou, sa~s a)gapô~.] 1. Maid of Athens,[10] ere we part, Give, oh give me back my heart! Or, since that has left my breast, Keep it now, and take the rest! Hear my vow before I go, Ζωή μου, σᾶς ἀγαπῶ. [Zôê/ mou, sa~s a)gapô~.][11] 2. By those tresses unconfined, Wooed by each Ægean wind; By those lids whose jetty fringe Kiss thy soft cheeks' blooming tinge; By those wild eyes like the roe, Ζωή μου, σᾶς ἀγαπῶ. 3. By that lip I long to taste; By that zone-encircled waist; By all the token-flowers[12] that tell What words can never speak so well; By love's alternate joy and woe, Ζωή μου, σᾶς ἀγαπῶ. 4. Maid of Athens! I am gone: Think of me, sweet! when alone. Though I fly to Istambol,[13] Athens holds my heart and soul: Can I cease to love thee? No! Ζωή μου, σᾶς ἀγαπῶ. _Athens_, 1810. [First published, _Childe Harold_, 1812 (4to).] FRAGMENT FROM THE "MONK OF ATHOS."[14] 1. Beside the confines of the Ægean main, Where northward Macedonia bounds the flood, And views opposed the Asiatic plain, Where once the pride of lofty Ilion stood, Like the great Father of the giant brood, With lowering port majestic Athos stands, Crowned with the verdure of eternal wood, As yet unspoiled by sacrilegious hands, And throws his mighty shade o'er seas and distant lands. 2. And deep embosomed in his shady groves Full many a convent rears its glittering spire, Mid scenes where Heavenly Contemplation loves To kindle in her soul her hallowed fire, Where air and sea with rocks and woods conspire To breathe a sweet religious calm around, Weaning the thoughts from every low desire, And the wild waves that break with murmuring sound Along the rocky shore proclaim it holy ground. 3. Sequestered shades where Piety has given A quiet refuge from each earthly care, Whence the rapt spirit may ascend to Heaven!