"wild troops here, which remind me of "what our highlanders must have been, "are more in my way, at least as a poet. "I am not, however, come here in search "of adventures, but to assist in the re"generation of a nation, whose very de"basement makes it more honourable to "become their friend. Regular troops are "certainly necessary, but not in great "numbers: regular troops alone would not "succeed in a country like Greece; and "irregular troops alone are only just better "than nothing. Only let the loan be raised, and in the mean time let us try 66 "to form a strong national government, 66 ready to apply the pecuniary resources, "when they arrive, to the best objects"the organisation of troops, the establish"ment of internal civilisation, and the "preparations for acting defensively now, ❝and on the offensive in the next winter. "Nothing is so insupportable to me as all "these minute details, and these repeated 66 delays; but patience is indispensable, " and that I find the most difficult of all "attainments." On our return, Mavrocordato had a long conference with my Lord. We then went into Colonel Stanhope's apartment, where our whole party was assembled, and we had some excellent music from the Germans, on their flutes; besides songs, accompanied with the guitar. Byron was fond of music in general; and he was partial to German music, particularly to their national songs. January 21.-We were blockaded: ten Turkish ships of war were cruising in front of Missolonghi. We thought of some mode of driving them off. We had neither cannon, nor perhaps sailors, fit for gun-boats. As for a fireship, we had not the necessary materials; and, besides, the Turks now had began to be on their guard against that mode of attack. At last it came into our heads that we might attack them in boats by night, and at least damage their rigging, so as to drift them on the sands and rocks. All the Europeans present volunteered their services. Lord Byron insisted on being the first in the attack. He was so determined on this project, that we soon became aware of the folly of exposing such a person on such a desperate enterprise; and we did all in our power to induce him to abandon it: at last we succeeded, but it was with great difficulty, for he was now intent only upon exposing himself to danger, and was extremely jealous that any one should be more forward than himself. The Greeks had conceived a great respect for his personal prowess, to which, it must be owned, his daily amusement of pistolshooting not a little contributed; for he fired with admirable precision at considerable distances—a skill which surprised the Greeks, whose firearms are of the coarsest make, and who never hit a mark except they almost touch it with the muzzle of their pistols. January 22.-This morning Lord Byron came from his bedroom into the apartment where Colonel Stanhope and some friends were assembled, and said, with a smile, "You were complaining, the other day, that “I never write any poetry now:-this is 66 66 my birthday, and I have just finished something, which, I think, is better than "what I usually write." He then produced those noble and affecting verses on his own birthday, which were afterwards found written in his journal, with only the following introduction:-January 22: on this day I complete my thirty-sixth year. 1. "Tis time this heart should be unmoved, Since others it hath ceased to move; Yet, though I cannot be beloved, Still let me love! 2. My days are in the yellow leaf; The flowers and fruits of love are gone; 3. The fire that on my bosom preys 4. The hope, the fear, the jealous care, 5. 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. |