The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 3/Stanzas written in passing the Ambracian Gulf

by George Gordon Byron

STANZAS WRITTEN IN PASSING THE AMBRACIAN GULF^{[lower-roman 1]}

1.

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.

2.

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.

3.

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;

4.

Sweet Florence! those were pleasant times,
When worlds were staked for Ladies' eyes:
Had bards as many realms as rhymes,^{[lower-roman 2]}
Thy charms might raise new Antonies.^{[lower-roman 3]}

5.

Though Fate forbids such things to be,^{[lower-roman 4]}
Yet, by thine eyes and ringlets curled!
I cannot lose a world for thee,
But would not lose thee for a World.^{[decimal 1]}

November 14, 1809.
[MS. M. First published, Childe Harold, 1812 (4to).]

Variants

1. Stanzas.—[1812.]
2. Had Bards but realms along with rhymes.—[MS. M.]
3. Again we'd see some Antonies.—[MS. M.]
4. Though Jove ——.—[MS. M.]

Notes

1. [Compare [A Woman's Hair] stanza 1, line 4, "I would not lose you for a world."—Poetical Works, 1898, i. 233.]