Sonnet I was published in Byronโs most popular tale, The Corsair in 1814.
Thine eyes blue tenderness, thy long fair hair,
And the wan lustre of thy featuresโcaught
From contemplationโwhere serenely wrought,
Seems Sorrowโs softness charmโd from its despairโ
Have thrown such speaking sadness in thine air,
Thatโbut I know thy blessed bosom fraught
With mines of unalloyโd and stainless thoughtโ
I should have deemโd thee doomโd to earthly care.
With such an aspect by his colours blent,
When from his beauty-breathing pencil born,
(Except that thou hast nothing to repent)
The Magdalen of Guido saw the mornโ
Such seemโst thouโbut how much more excellent!
With nought Remorse can claimโnor Virtue scorn.
