 G. Wilson Knight , unlike most early critics , thought the poem was worthy of response , although he says that it was from " the most indecent poet of high quality in our literature " . Grebanier believes that Colman , as " a recipient of Byron 's confidence during a crucial period of the poet 's life , and as a man who shared Byron 's hatred of pretense ... must have seen an ideal subject in presenting ruthlessly , even brutally , the basic truths about Byron 's moral dilemma , as a powerful means of blasting once more that sanctimoniousness which has always been fashionable in Britain . " Colman 's purpose was not necessarily to discuss Giraud , but to respond to those who spread rumours about Byron and criticized Byron for his failed marriage , the reason for his exile . The poem does focus on Giraud , and , as Grebanier argues , " If , the poem says , our hero 's affections were fastened upon Nicolo Giraud " then Byron 's actions are acceptable because " he was but following the custom of the country . Once he had seen a beautiful Ganymede of fifteen attending the Turkish Governor , a Grecian youth , publicly known as the Governor 's ' <unk> . ' Was it criminal to do what the Governor was doing ? " 
