• LORD BYRON’S LAST LOVE

Lord Byron viveu toda a sua como um heterosexual, pelo menos esforçava-se por parecer que o era – contrariava a sua natureza. Nos seus últimos dias de vida caiu de amores por um jovem, um grego de quinze anos, e a quem escreveu este poema. Louco de amor, o seu sentimento não era correspondido. E sofria. Morreu apaixonado, o poeta Byron.

I WATCHED THEE...

I watched thee when the foe was at our side -

Ready to strike at him, – or thee and me –

Were safety hopeless – rather than divide

Aught with one loved – save love and liberty.

I watched thee in the breakers – when the rock

Received our prow – and all was storm and fear

And bade thee cling to me through every shock –

This arm would be thy bark – or breast thy bier.

I watched thee when the fever glazed thine eyes –

Yielding my couch – and stretched me on the ground -

When overworn with watching – ne'er to rise

From thence – if thou an early grave hadst found.

The Earthquake came and rocked the quivering wall –

And men and Nature reeled as if with wine –

Whom did I seek around the tottering Hall –

For thee – whose safety first provide for – thine.

And when convulsive throes denied my breath

The faintest utterance to my fading thought -

To thee -to thee - even in the grasp of death

My spirit turned – Ah! oftener than it ought.

Thus much and more – and yet thou lov'st me not,

And never wilt – Love dwells not in our will –

Nor can I blame thee – though it be my lot

To strongly – wrongly – vainly – love thee still.

Imagem: Goodyear excellence, Jean Louis Grig