Poems of Lord Byron — Volume 3 by Lord Byron, Ernest Hartley Coleridge
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.