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 curl'd! I cannot lose a world for thee, But would not lose thee for a world. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO SIMPLICITY by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) AN EPITAPH ON A ROBIN REDBEAST by SAMUEL ROGERS THE HIGH-PRIEST TO ALEXANDER by ALFRED TENNYSON PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 88. AL-MUGHNI by EDWIN ARNOLD TO MRS. ANN FLAXMAN by WILLIAM BLAKE |