The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 3/On being asked what was the "Origin of Love"

by George Gordon Byron

ON BEING ASKED WHAT WAS THE "ORIGIN OF LOVE."^{[lower-roman 1]}

The "Origin of Love!"—Ah, why
That cruel question ask of me,
When thou mayst read in many an eye
He starts to life on seeing thee?
And shouldst thou seek his end to know:
My heart forebodes, my fears foresee,
He'll linger long in silent woe;
But live until—I cease to be.
[First published, Childe Harold, 1814 (Seventh Edition).]

 

Variants

1. To Ianthe.—[MS. M. Compare "The Dedication" to Childe Harold.]