Stanzas Written in Passing the Ambrican Gulf

1. 1Through cloudless skies, in silvery sheen,
2. 2Full beams the moon on Actium's coast:
3. 3And on these waves, for Egypt's queen,
4. 4The ancient world was won and lost.

1. 5And now upon the scene I look,
2. 6The azure grave of many a Roman;
3. 7Where stern Ambition once forsook
4. 8His wavering crown to follow Woman.

1. 9Florence! whom I will love as well
2. 10(As ever yet was said or sung,
3. 11Since Orpheus sang his spouse from Hell)
4. 12Whilst thou art fair and I am young;

1. 13Sweet Florence! those were pleasant times,
2. 14When worlds were staked for Ladies' eyes:
3. 15Had bards as many realms as rhymes,
4. 16Thy charms might raise new Antonies.

1. 17Though Fate forbids such things to be,
2. 18Yet, by thine eyes and ringlets curled!
3. 19I cannot lose a world for thee,
4. 20But would not lose thee for a World.