Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/41

18.

Though smile and sigh alike are vain,
⁠When severed hearts repine,
My spirit flies o'er Mount and Main,
⁠And mourns in search of thine.

October 1, 1809.
[MS. M. First published, Childe Harold, 1812 (4to).]

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:

Variants

1. Stanzas.—[1812.]