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.