National Poetry Day

Byron in Kefalonia

Byron spent four months in Kefalonia. In1821 the Ionian islands were governed by the British Protectorate who wanted to remain neutral in the war between Turkey and Greece. This relatively unknown verse from Byron’s journal, was written in 1823 during his four month stay on the island.  Byron came to Kefalonia to support the men who defied the 1821 decree of the British Protectorate government that denied them the right to help their fellow countrymen in their uprising against the Turkish domination of the mainland.

“The Dead have been awakened – shall I sleep?

The World’s at war with tyrants – shall I crouch?

The Harvest’s ripe – and shall I pause to reap?

I slumber not – the thorn is in my Couch –

Each day a trumpet soundeth in mine ear –

Its Echo in my heart.”