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The Love Poems of Lord Byron: A Romantic's Passion

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Early Poems: Reply to Some Verses of J.M.B. Pigot, Esq., On the Cruelty of His Mistress

Why, Pigot, complain

Of this damsel's disdain,

Why thus in despair do you fret?

For months you may try,

Yet, believe me, a 'sigh' i

Will never obtain a 'coquette'.

Would you teach her to love?

For a time seem to rove;

At first she may 'frown' in a 'pet;'

But leave her awhile,

She shortly will smile,

And then you may 'kiss' your 'coquette'.

For such are the airs

Of these fanciful fairs,

They think all our 'homage' a 'debt':

Yet a partial neglect ii

Soon takes an effect,

And humbles the proudest 'coquette'.

Dissemble your pain,

And lengthen your chain,

And seem her 'hauteur' to 'regret;' iii

If again you shall sigh,

She no more will deny,

That 'yours' is the rosy 'coquette'.

If still, from false pride, iv

Your pangs she deride,

This whimsical virgin forget;

Some 'other' admire,

Who will 'melt' with your 'fire',

And laugh at the 'little coquette'.

For 'me', I adore

Some 'twenty' or more,

And love them most dearly; but yet,

Though my heart they enthral,

I'd abandon them all,

Did they act like your blooming 'coquette'.

No longer repine,

Adopt this design, v

And break through her slight-woven net!

Away with despair,

No longer forbear

To fly from the captious 'coquette'.

Then quit her, my friend!

Your bosom defend,

Ere quite with her snares you're beset:

Lest your deep-wounded heart,

When incens'd by the smart,

Should lead you to 'curse' the 'coquette'.

October 27, 1806. vi

Footnote 1: The letters "C. B. F.J. B. M." are added, in a lady's hand, in the annotated copy of 'P. on V. Occasions', p. 14 (British Museum).

Footnote i: 'But believe me'.

Footnote ii:'But a partial'.

Footnote iii: 'Nor seem'.. 'P. on V. Occasions'.

Footnote iv:'But if from false pride.'

Footnote v: 'But form this design.'

Footnote vi:BYRON, October 27, 1806.

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