This poem, written in 1816 (published in 1830) was the first of two poems titled To Thomas Moore that were in letters from Lord Byron to his good friend and biographer, the Irish poet. They would fit in as lyrics to any current music genre with elegant simplicity and bounce.


What are you doing now,
   Oh Thomas Moore?
What are you doing now,
   Oh Thomas Moore?
Sighing or suing now,
Riming or wooing now,
Billing or cooing now,
   Which, Thomas Moore?

But the Carnival's coming,
   Oh Thomas Moore!
The Carnival's coming,
   Oh Thomas Moore!
masking and humming,
Fifing and Drumming,
Guitarring and strumming,
   Oh Thomas Moore!



Here is the second same-titled poem, written in 1817 (published in 1821).


My boat is on the shore,
   And my bark is on the sea;
But, before I go,
   Here's a double health to thee!

Here's a sigh to those who love me,
   And a smile to those who hate;
And, whatever sky's above me,
   Here's a heart for every fate.

Though the Ocean roar around me,
   Yet it still shall bear me on;
Though a desert shall surround me,
   It hath springs that may be won.

Were't the last drop in the well,
   As I gasped upon the brink,
Ere my fainting spirit fell,
   'Tis to thee that I would drink.

With that water, as this wine,
   The libation I would pour
Should be---peace with thine and mine,
   And a health to thee, Tom Moore.

----Lord Byron