Lord George Gordon Byron

January 22, 1788 - April 19, 1824

 

To Woman

by Lord George Gordon Byron

Woman! experience might have told me
That all must love thee, who behold thee:
Surely experience might have taught
Thy firmest promises are nought;
But, plac'd in all thy charms before me.
All I forget, but to adore thee.
Oh memory! thou choicest blessing.
When join'd with hope, when still possessing;
But how much curst by every lover
When hope is fled, and passion's over.
Woman, that fair and fond deceiver,
How prompt are striplings to believe her.
How throbs the pulse, when first we view
The eye that rolls in glossy blue,
Or sparkles black, or mildly throws
A beam from under hazel brows!
How quick we credit every oath,
And hear her plight the willing troth!
Fondly we hope 'twill last for aye.
When, lo! she changes in a day.
This record will for ever stand,
Woman, thy vows are trac'd in sand.

First printed, December, 1806

Source:

The Complete Poetical Works Of Lord Byron
Copyright 1907
The Macmillan Company, New York