And Dost Thou Ask the Reason of My Sadness?
[To George Anson Byron (?). Dated by conjecture 1816.]
And dost thou ask the reason of my sadness?
Well, I will tell it thee, unfeeling boy!
'T was ill report that urged my brain to madness,
'T was thy tongue's venom poison'd all my joy.
The sadness which thou seest is not sorrow;
My wounds are far too deep for simple grief;
The heart thus wither'd, seeks in vain to borrow
From calm reflection, comfort or relief.
The arrow's flown, and dearly shalt thou rue it;
No mortal hand can rid me of my pain:
My heart is pierced, but thou canst not subdue it —
Revenge is left, and is not left in vain.
And dost thou ask the reason of my sadness?
Well, I will tell it thee, unfeeling boy!
'T was ill report that urged my brain to madness,
'T was thy tongue's venom poison'd all my joy.
The sadness which thou seest is not sorrow;
My wounds are far too deep for simple grief;
The heart thus wither'd, seeks in vain to borrow
From calm reflection, comfort or relief.
The arrow's flown, and dearly shalt thou rue it;
No mortal hand can rid me of my pain:
My heart is pierced, but thou canst not subdue it —
Revenge is left, and is not left in vain.
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