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

Rh 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

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