George Gordon Byron

“ To produce any thing entirely new, in an age so fertile in rhyme, would be a Herculean task, as every subject has already been treated to its utmost extent.—Poetry, however, is not my primary vocation; to divert the dull moments of indisposition, or the monotony of a vacant hour, urged me "to this sin;" little can be expected from so unpromising a muse. My wreath, scanty as it must be, is all I shall derive from these productions ”

“ To the dictates of young ambition, may be ascribed many actions more criminal, and equally absurd. To a few of my own age, the contents may afford amusement, I trust, they will, at least, be found harmless. ”

“ I am sensible that the partial, and, frequently, injudicious admiration of a social circle, is not the criterion by which poetical genius is to be estimated, yet, "to do greatly," we must "dare greatly;" ”

“ Their merit, if they possess any, will be liberally allowed; their numerous faults, on the other hand, cannot expect that favour, which has been denied to others, of maturer years, decided character, and far greater ability. ”