Lord Byron on Tears

“Oh! too convincing—dangerously dear— In woman's eye the unanswerable tear! That weapon of her weakness she can wield, To save, subdue—at once her spear and shield.”

“She was a good deal shock'd; not shock'd at tears, For women shed and use them at their liking; But there is something when man's eye appears Wet, still more disagreeable and striking.”

“What gem hath dropp'd, and sparkles o'er his chain? The tear most sacred, shed for other's pain, That starts at once—bright pure—from Pity's mine, Already polish'd by the hand divine!”