Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-28
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
LITERARY.


LITERARY.
From the Journal Of the Conversations of Lord
Byron. by the Countess Of B'essingtou-pubsh-
ed in the London New Monthly Magazine for
August:
Byron gave me to-day MS. copy of verses.
addressed to Lady Byron, on reading in news
paper that she had been I'LL How different is
the feeling that pervades them from that Of the
| letter addressed to her which he has given me!
lurking tenderness, suppressed by pride that
was doubtful Of the reception it might meet, is
evident in one, while bitterness, unco,npromising
bitterness, marks the other. Neither were writ
ten bat with deep feelings Of pain, and should be
judged as the outpourinss OF wounded spirit,
| demanding pity more than anger. subjoin
the verses, though not without some reluctance.
| bal 'hile tn the public they are OF that value
! Ilaf any reasons for their suppression ought to be
eT5cemely strong. so, on the other hand. trust,
they cannot hurt either her feelings to whom they
are addressed, or his memory by whom they are
written. 10 her, because the very bitterness OF
I reproach proves that unconqaerabie affection
| which cannot but heal the wound il causes: 10
/ him. because who, in the shattered feelings they
he,raY, will not acknow ledge the grief that hur-
/ ries into error, and (may we add III charity y
atOneS It,
HTOsx
! a And thou vert sad-yet was not with thee;
Aad thou vert sick. and yet was not near;
Methought that Joy and health alone could De
| Where was not--and pam and sorrow here!
! Aud is il thus?-itis as toreio!d.
! And shall be more So; for the mind rac0iis
Upon itself and the wrecked heart lies cold,
! Wmle heasiness collects the SHATTERED spol!s.
| Ii IS not in the storm nor in the stiife
| We feel benumb'd, and wish to he more,
But in the aiter-silence on the shore,
| When all is lost, except little lite.
's | am too well AVENGED but 'twas my right:
Whate'er my sins might be, thou vert not sent
Ia nc the Nemesis vino should reqni.s--
Nor did t,eavcn choose so near an intrument.
g Mercy is tor the mercful:' if thou
Hast beeen of such, twill be accorded now.
| Thy nights are banishd from the realms OF
sleep
Yes! they may iiater thee, bu. thou shalt feel,
A hollow agony which will not heal
For thou art pilow'd on a curse too deep;
Thou hast sown in my sorrow, and must reap
The bitter harvest In a woe as real!
| have had many foes, but none like thee:
Fur gains, the rest myself could defend,
And be avenged, or turn them into friend;
, Hadst nousht to dread--in thy own weakness
shielded,
And III my love. which hath but too much Yielded,
And spared. for thy sake, some should NOT
spare
Aud thus upon the world-trust in thy truth
Aud she wild fame OF nv ungovern'd youth
On things that were not, aud on things that are
Even upon such basis hast thou built
A monument, whose cement hath been guilt!
The moral Ciytemnestra Of thy lord,
And hewd down. with an unsupported sword,
Fame, peace, asd bupe-and all the better life
! Which, but tor tIis cod treason Of thy heart,
Might still have risen from out the grave of strife,
And found nobler duty than TO part.
But OF thy virtues didst thou make vice,
Trafii king with them in purpose cold,
For present anger. and for future go d.
And buying others grief at any price.
And thus once enter'd into crooked vavs,
The early Truth, which was thy proper praise,
Did not still walk beside thee--but al tunes.
Aud with breast unknowing its own crimes,
Deceit, ayerDents Incompatible,
! Equvocations, and the thoughts which dwell
In Janus sp'rlts-the significant eve
Which learns 10 lie with silence the preteXt
OF Prudence, with advantages annexed
The acquiescence IN all things which tend,
No matter how. to the desired end
All found place in thy philosophy.
The means were worthy, and the end IS won
| would not do BY thee as thou hast done!''
Ii is evident that Lady Byron occupies his at.
tention continually; he introduces her name ire
quently; Is fond OF recurring to the brief period
of their living together; dwells with complacen-
cy her personal attractions, saying, that though
not regularly handsome, he liked her looks. He
is very ,nguisitNe about her; was much disap-
pointed that had never seen her, nor could give
any account of her appearance at present
In short, thousand INDISPENSABLE crcumstan.
ces have left the impressio on my mind that she
occupies much of his thoughts. and that they ap-
pear to revert continually to her and his child
He owned to me, that when he reflected on the
whole tenour Of her conduct-the refusing any
exPanation-never answering his letters or hold
Ing out even hope that in future years their
! CHILD might form Dond Of union between them,
he felt exasperated against her. and vented this
feeling IN his writings; nav more, he blushed tor