Stanzas Written in Passing the Ambracian Gulf
Through cloudless skies, in silvery sheen,Full beams the moon on Actium's coast:And on these waves, for Egypt's queen,The ancient world was won and lost.
And now upon the scene I look,The azure grave of many a Roman;Where stern Ambition once forsookHis wavering crown to follow Woman.
Florence! whom I will love as well(As ever yet was said or sung,Since Orpheus sang his spouse from Hell)Whilst thou art fair and I am young;
Sweet Florence! those were pleasant times,When worlds were staked for Ladies' eyes:Had bards as many realms as rhymes,Thy charms might raise new Antonies.
Though Fate forbids such things to be,Yet, by thine eyes and ringlets curled!I cannot lose a world for thee,But would not lose thee for a World.
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