So we'll go no more a-roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart still be as loving,
And the moon still be as bright.
For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul outwears the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.
Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a-roving
By the light of the moon.
Notes
This poem was written in a letter to Thomas Moore and describes the weariness of age. Byron, 29 when it was written, was recovering from fatigue, probably brought on by over-indulgence.
The poem would appear to be based on the chorus of a Scottish song entitled “The Jolly Beggar” which was published in Herd’s “Scots Songs” in 1776, 41 years earlier.
http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden-wp/
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Nothing like his writings
I could just keep reading his poems all night but this is the best.
Where he says " Though the night was made for loving,
and the day returns too soon...OH!! to write like that.
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Beautiful!
Came back to visit this again...it is my favorite...
Byron lived in Venice for a couple of years and wrote tons of poetry there...that is my fantasy. -
The Martian Chronicles
From guest Sandy (contact)
Therer is a hsort story in The Martian Chronicles that sort of revolves around this poem. -
Thank you
From guest A J D (contact)
I thank you all for your opinions of this poem. They has aided in my analysis, and my english grade as well. This poem is now, hands down, my favorite poem of all time. -
Timeless!
Reminds me of the old phrase, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (sorry if I offend anyone with this reference, but it fits so well). I laughed out loud at the line,"the sword outwears it's sheath". Even for today, Byron rules! -
Very Lyrical
This definitely has the makings of a song. The meter and repetition are very musical. Aside from that, the content is beautiful.
The way that the second stanza concludes on iambic trimeter was nice. -
I've never read this one before. Simply beautiful. It just gets right to the heart of the matter without any pretences at all. Lovely old poem.
~Lyrical
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I ran across this poem while preparing a web page of children's poems. Whoa! How powerful, and humbling. I'm middle-aged and married, and I think this poem tells me I need to "get back in the saddle" with my wife. And I must re-kindle some of the magic that can exist in the night. This poem is a wake-up call to those who have descended into boredom and familiarity. Bring back the excitement of the night!
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A dear friend died today, last summer we were on the water streets of Venice. This is one of my favorite poems.
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This has got to be one of my favorite poems of all time, and definitely my fave of Byron's. For this was such a soft and utterly vulnerable piece from a man who most of his contemporaries considered to be conceived of Satan. In his life, Bryon was the devil-may-care rakehell whose excesses were legendary and whose debauchery still titillates historians. But in this exquisite piece, he shows himself to be what all men are...created from weary flesh and tired bones...and above all, merely human. And that even in the grips of the most powerful emotion, love, one still must pause for breath.
Edited on Mar 30, 5:35 p.m. because ''.
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