So, We’ll Go No More a Roving

Byron’s short lyric, written in a letter of 1817 after the Venice carnival, on giving up the late nights of youth, since even the heart must rest.

So we’ll go no more a-rovingSo late into the night,Though the heart be still as loving,And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,And the soul wears out the breast,And the heart must pause to breathe,And Love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,And the day returns too soon,Yet we’ll go no more a-rovingBy the light of the moon.

Famous lines

• So we’ll go no more a-roving
  So late into the night,
  Though the heart be still as loving,
  And the moon be still as bright.

  In context

  • Love

• For the sword outwears its sheath,
  And the soul wears out the breast,
  And the heart must pause to breathe,
  And Love itself have rest.

  In context

  • Love

• Though the night was made for loving,
  And the day returns too soon,
  Yet we’ll go no more a-roving
  By the light of the moon.

  In context

  • Love