Scott, appear to have been a mere
anticipation of his own future proceedings; and thus,
"--Even-handed Justice
Commends the ingredients of his _poison'd_ chalice
To his own lips."
How he now likes the taste of it we do not know; about as much, we
suspect, as the "incestuous, murderous, damned Dane" did, when _Hamlet_
obliged him to "_drink off the potion_" which he had treacherously
drugged for the destruction of others.
* * * * *
(8) BYRONIANA No. 5 ('The Courier', February 19, 1814).
"He professes no keeping oaths; in breaking them he is stronger than
Hercules. He will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you would think
truth were a fool."
'All's Well that ends Well'.
We have, we should hope, sufficiently exposed the audacious levity and
waywardness of Lord Byron's mind, and yet there are a few touches which
we think will give a finish to the portrait, and add, if it be at all
wanting, to the strength of the resemblance.
* * * * *
It must be amusing to those who know anything of Lord Byron in the
circles of London, to find him magnanimously defying in very stout
heroics,
"--all the din of _Melbourne_ House
And _Lambes'_ resentment--"
and adding that he is "_unscared_" even by "_Holland's spouse_."
* * * * *
To those who may be in the habit of hearing his Lordship's political
descants, the following extract will appear equally curious:
"Mr.
Pages:
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647