Lord Byron on Sadness
1788–1824 England
← All quotes by Lord Byron
7 quotes
Of all tales 'tis the saddest—and more sad,
Because it makes us smile.
What gem hath dropp'd, and sparkles o'er his chain?
The tear most sacred, shed for other's pain,
That starts at once—bright pure—from Pity's mine,
Already polish'd by the hand divine!
So bright the tear in Beauty's eye,
Love half regrets to kiss it dry.
Bride of Abydos (1813)
There is a tear for all who die,
A mourner o'er the humblest grave.
Oh! too convincing—dangerously dear—
In woman's eye the unanswerable tear!
That weapon of her weakness she can wield,
To save, subdue—at once her spear and shield.
Sorrow preys upon
Its solitude, and nothing more diverts it
From its sad visions of the other world
Than calling it at moments back to this.
The busy have no time for tears.
She was a good deal shock'd; not shock'd at tears,
For women shed and use them at their liking;
But there is something when man's eye appears
Wet, still more disagreeable and striking.