Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/302

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262
HOURS OF IDLENESS.

QUERIES TO CASUISTS.[1]

The Moralists tell us that Loving is Sinning,
And always are prating about and about it,
But as Love of Existence itself's the beginning,
Say, what would Existence itself be without it?


They argue the point with much furious Invective,
Though perhaps 'twere no difficult task to confute it;
But if Venus and Hymen should once prove defective,
Pray who would there be to defend or dispute it?

Byron.


SONG.[2]

1.

Breeze of the night in gentler sighs
More softly murmur o'er the billow;
For Slumber seals my Fanny's eyes,
And Peace must never shun her pillow.


2.

Or breathe those sweet Æolian strains
Stolen from celestial spheres above,
To charm her ear while some remains,
And soothe her soul to dreams of love.


  1. [From an autograph MS. (watermark 1805) at Newstead, now for the first time printed.]
  2. [From the MS. now in the possession of Mr. Murray.]