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

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.]