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Lord Byron's Poems

Early Poems: Adrian's Address to His Soul When Dying

Animula! vagula, Blandula,

Hospes, comesque corporis,

Quae nunc abibis in Loca -

Pallidula, rigida, nudula,

Nec, ut soles, dabis Jocos?


TRANSLATION.


Ah! gentle, fleeting, wav'ring Sprite,

Friend and associate of this clay!

To what unknown region borne,

Wilt thou, now, wing thy distant flight?

No more with wonted humour gay,

But pallid, cheerless, and forlorn.


1806.