Lines in the Travellers’ Book at Orchomenus
Lines in the Travellers’ Book at Orchomenus - meaning Summary
Witty Comment on Reputation
Byron records a traveller's proud note about an English youth going to Athens to study art, then adds a brief, ironic epigram. He mocks a self-effacing local poet who "wisely hides his own" name, suggesting the bard's reputation would outshine his verse. The poem compresses themes of modesty, reputation, national cultural pilgrimage, and the gap between name and achievement into a short, witty retort.
Read Complete AnalysesIn this book a traveller had written: ‘Fair Albion, smiling, sees her son depart To trace the birth and nursery of art: Noble his object, glorious is his aim; He comes to Athens, and he writes his name.’ Beneath witch Lord Byron inserted the following: The modest bard, like many a bard unknown, Rhymes on our names, but wisely hides his own; But yet, whoe’er he be, to say no worse, His name would bring more credit than his verse.
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