Through cloudless skies, in silvery sheen, <br />Full beams the moon on Actium's coast: <br />And on these waves for Egypt's queen, <br />The ancient world was won and lost. <br /> <br />And now upon the scene I look, <br />The azure grave of many a Roman; <br />Where stem Ambition once forsook <br />His wavering crown to follow woman. <br /> <br />Florence! whom I will love as well <br />As ever yet was said or sung <br />(Since Orpheus sang his spouse from hell), <br />Whilst thou art fair and I am young; <br /> <br />Sweet Florence! those were pleasant times; <br />When worlds were staked for ladies' <br />Had bards as many realms as rhymes; <br />Thy charms might raise new Antonies. <br /> <br />Though Fate forbids such things to be <br />Yet, by thine eyes and ringlets curl'd! <br />I cannot lose a world for thee, <br />But would not lose thee for a world.<br /><br />George Gordon Byron<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stanzas-written-in-passing-the-ambracian-gulf/
