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 forsook

His 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_.