The Chain I Gave: from the Turkish
This poem is a lamentation of lost love and the speaker's regret over giving their beloved a chain that has become a symbol of their separation. The speaker reflects on the moment they gave the chain, realizing it was a mistake that sealed their fate. They now see the chain as a reminder of their loss and a symbol of the speaker's own foolishness.
By Lord Byron · First published 1815 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Lyric · 215 words
First lines
The chain I gave was fair to view, The lute I added sweet in sound; The heart that offer'd both was true, And ill deserved the fate it found.
These gifts were charm'd by secret spell, Thy truth in absence to divine; And they have done their duty well, Alas! they could not teach the thine.
That chain was firm in every link, But not to bear a stranger's touch; That lute was sweet, till thou could'st think In other hands its notes were such.
Let him who from thy neck unbound The chain which shiver'd in his grasp, Who saw that lute refuse to sound, Restring the chords, renew the clasp.
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The Chain I Gave: from the Turkish is listed on Textopian as a poem by Lord Byron, dated 1815 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Lord Byron
- Date: 1815 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Lyric, Tragedy, Symbolism
- Length: 215 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romantic — Themes of love, emotion, and personal reflection align with Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Tragedy — The narrative involves loss and betrayal, elements common in tragic literature.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Turkish Folklore · Byronic Hero · Love Poem · Symbolism · Metaphor · Imagery · Sensuality · Passion · Longing · Loss