45. Manuscript of ‘On This Day I Complete My Thirty- Sixth Year’, in Byron’s Cephalonia Journal, 1824

Byron composed little poetry while in Greece, although his journal of that time contains his poignant reflection on his unrequited love for his 15-year-old pageboy Loukas Chalandritsanos.

January 22d. 1824
Messalonghi
On this day I complete my thirty-sixth year. –

’Tis Time this heart should be unmoved
Since others it hath ceased to move –
Yet, though I cannot be beloved
Still let me love!

My days are in the yellow leaf
The flowers and fruits of love are gone –
The worm – the canker, and the grief
Are mine alone!

The fire that on my bosom preys
Is lone as some volcanic isle,
No torch is kindled at its blaze
A funeral pile!

The hope, the fear, the jealous care
The exalted portion of the pain
And power of Love I cannot share,
But wear the chain.

But ’tis not thus – and ‘tis not here
Such thoughts should shake my Soul, nor now
Where Glory decks the hero’s bier
Or binds his Brow.

The Sword, the Banner – and the field ––
Glory and Greece around me see!
The Spartan, borne upon his shield
*Was not more free.

Awake! – (not Greece – She is awake! – )
Awake, my Spirit! Think through whom
Thy Life-blood tracks its’ parent lake,
And then Strike home!

Tread those reviving passions down –
Unworthy Manhood!; unto thee
Indifferent should the smile or frown
Of Beauty be.

If thou regret’st thy youth, why Live?
The Land of honourable Death
Is here; – Up to the Field! And Give
Away thy Breath.

Seek out – less often sought than found,
A Soldier’s Grave – for thee the best,
Then Look around, and choose thy Ground,
And take thy Rest!

*The Slain were borne on their shields witness the Spartan
mother’s speech to her son delivered with his buckler – “either
“with this or on this.”