The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 7/To Thomas Moore (3)

by George Gordon Byron

For works with similar titles, see To Thomas Moore.

TO THOMAS MOORE.

1.

My boat is on the shore,
And my bark is on the sea;
But, before I go, Tom Moore,
Here 's a double health to thee!

2.

Here 's a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And, whatever sky 's above me,
Here 's a heart for every fate.

3.

Though the Ocean roar around me,
Yet it still shall bear me on;
Though a desert shall surround me,
It hath springs that may be won.

4.

Were 't the last drop in the well,
As I gasped upon the brink,
Ere my fainting spirit fell,
'T is to thee that I would drink.

5.

With that water, as this wine,
The libation I would pour
Should be—peace with thine and mine,
And a health to thee, Tom Moore.^[1]

July, 1817.
[First published, The Traveller, January 8, 1821.]

1. ["This should have been written fifteen months ago; the first stanza was."—Letter to Moore, July 10, 1817.]