English dramatist (1835-1884)
Life's too short for chess.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Our Boys
The gardener's rule applies to youth and age: When young 'sow wild oats'; but when old, grow sage.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
The Pilgrim of Love!
My young friend, why to poetry aspire?
Don't court the muses, but adopt a trade,
For literature is sadly underpaid.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Orpheus and Eurydice; or, the Young Gentleman who Charmed the Rocks
I'm not attractive; this, I'm quite aware,
Is not a prepossessing head of hair;
It's rough and reddy, like myself; and these
Are not the most symmetrical of knees.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Esmeralda
What is the reason that, where'er I go,
A sad sensation--not exactly woe,
Though still sometimes approaching wretchedness,
A wish for something that I can't express,
A recklessness as to my future lot,
Existence wanting--wanting--don't know what,
Should weigh me down? When I Bonabben question,
He answers shortly that "it's indigestion.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
The Pilgrim of Love!
No joys are there that can compare
With dancing, prancing everywhere;
I'd sooner wear, I do declare,
A dancer's wreath than crowns so rare.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Esmeralda
Love is compounded of pleasing palpitations.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
The Pilgrim of Love!
My temper's only like a summer storm. It's over in a minute.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Orpheus and Eurydice; or, the Young Gentleman who Charmed the Rocks
She talks of love in a most ridiculous way.
I say, affection's a swindle altogether!
Married folk,
'Neath the yolk.
Tug hard at their tether.
Love that gallops, drops to hobbling--
Husbands their wive's incomes nobbling,
That which boil'd soon sinks to wobbling,
Ne'er again to heat.
Love no longer husbands blinding,
Extra freckles they keep finding;
Wrinkles most unkind in,
Winding
Crow's crowding feet.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
The Pilgrim of Love!
What makes the birds so happy when I'm sad? The irritating creatures!
HENRY JAMES BYRON
The Pilgrim of Love!
If you love me as I love you,
No knife can cut our loves in two.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Ill-treated Il Trovatore: Or, The Mother, the Maiden, & the Musicianer
Take two from one you can't, that's very true;
But any person can take one from two.
HENRY JAMES BYRON
Ill-treated Il Trovatore: Or, The Mother, the Maiden, & the Musicianer