-Rome, Greece, Venice, Holland, France, America, our too short
Commonwealth--and compare it with what they did under masters." His
serious political verses are all in the strain of the lines on
Wellington-- Never had mortal man such opportunity-- Except Napoleon--or
abused it more; You might have freed fallen Europe from the unity Of
tyrants, and been blessed from shore to shore. An enthusiasm for Italy,
which survived many disappointments, dictated some of the most
impressive passages of his _Harold_, and inspired the _Lament of Tasso_
and the _Ode on Venice_. The _Prophecy of Dante_ contains much that has
since proved prophetic-- What is there wanting, then, to set thee free,
And show thy beauty in its fullest light? To make the Alps impassable;
and we, Her sons, may do this with one deed--_Unite_! His letters
reiterate the same idea, in language even more emphatic. "It is no great
matter, supposing that Italy could be liberated, who or what is
sacrificed. It is a grand object--the very poetry of politics; only
think--a free Italy!" Byron acted on his assertion that a man ought to
do more for society than write verses. Mistrusting its leaders, and
detesting the wretched lazzaroni, who "would have betrayed themselves
and all the world," he yet threw himself heart and soul into the
insurrection of 1820, saying, "Whatever I can do by money, means, or
person, I will venture freely for their freedom." He j