GEORGE GORDON BYRON

(1788-1824)

Read Byron’s biography, complete the text with the correct words:

Handsome – born – tragic – entered – life – training – published – man Switzerland – remarked – statue – independence – poems – freedom

The most outstanding of romantic poets George Gordon Byron was 1) ……………….. in London, he spent his childhood in Aberdeen, Scotland, together with his mother, Catherine Gordon. In 1798 the boy inherited the title of Lord Byron from his great-uncle.

At seventeen he 2) ………………..  Cambridge University.

Byron was lame from birth, but thanks to his strong will and regular 3) ……………….., he became an excellent rider, a champion swimmer and a boxer and took part in athletic activities. He was very 4) ………………..  , his contemporary young men tried to imitate his clothes, his manners and even his limping gait. He seemed proud, 5) ………………..   and melancholic, but he could also be very cheerful and witty.

Byron had made a considerable reputation as a poet by the time he was 25. In 1812 he 6) ………………..  first two cantos of Child Harold’s Pilgrimage. They were received by his contemporaries with a burst of enthusiasm; Byron became one of the most popular men in London. He himself 7) ………………..  : "I awoke one morning and found myself famous”.

Between 1813 and 1816 Byron composed his Oriental Tales, their hero is a rebel against society, a 8) ………………..  of strong will and passion. Proud and independent, he rises against tyranny and injustice to gain his personal 9) ………………..  and happiness.

Byron’s enemies began to persecute him because of some his poems. In 1816 Byron left England never to return.

In 10) ………………..   Byron wrote Canto the third of Child Harold’s Pilgrimage, The Prisonner of Chillon and a number of lyrical 11) ………………..  . In Italy he wrote his greatest work Don Juan, giving the broad critical pictures of the European life.

He spent the rest of his short 12) ………………..  in Greece fighting for liberation and 13) ………………..   of this country. He became ill and  died in Greece while leading a detachement of independent fighters.

The poet’s heart was buried in Greece and the Greeks erected a 14) ………………..   to Byron.

Stanzas

When a man has no freedom to fight for a home,

Let him combat for that of his neighbours;

Let him think of the glories of Greece and of Rome,

And get knocked on the head of his labours.

To be good at Mankind is the chivalrous plan,

And is always as nobly requited;

Then battle for freedom wherever you can,

And, if not shot or hanged, you’ll get knighted.

Glory - слава

Chivalrous – благородный  

Requite – отплатить, воздать

Knighte – возвести в рыцарское достоинство

My Soul is Dark

Complete with the correct words: