And who so cold as look on thee, The friend of Beauty in distress? Ah! who would think that form had past The Turkish tyrants now enclose; And though Ibid thee now farewell, Since where thou art I may not dwell, STANZAS WRITTEN IN PASSING THE AMBRACIAN GULF, NOVEMBER 14, 1809. 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, 5. Though Fate forbids such things to be, But would not lose thee for a world. STANZAS mposed October 11th, 1809, during the night, in a thunder-storm, when the guides had lost the road to Zitza, near the range of mouncains formerly called Pindus, in Albania. 2. Our guides are gone, our hope is lost, And lightnings, as they play, But show where rocks our path have crost, Or gild the torrent's spray. 3. Is yon a cot I saw, though low? 4. Through sounds of foaming waterfalls, I hear a voice exclaim My way-worn countryman, who calls 5. A shot is fired-by foe or friend? The mountain-peasants to descend, And lead us where they dwell. |