2. And when by thee that name is read, Reflect on me as on the dead, And think my heart is buried here. OH Lady! when I left the shore, The distant shore, which gave me birth, I hardly thought to grieve once more, Yet here amidst this barren isle, Where panting Nature droops the head, Where only thou art seen to smile, I view my parting hour with dread. Though far from Albin's craggy shore, But wheresoe'er I now may roam, On thee, in whom at once conspire All charms which heedless hearts can move, Whom but to see is to admire, And, oh! forgive the word-to love. Forgive the word, in one who ne'er With such a word can more offend; And since thy heart I cannot share, Believe me, what I am, thy friend. And who so cold as look on thee, Thou lovely wand'rer, and be less? Nor be, what man should ever be, The friend of Beauty in distress? Through Danger's most destructive path, Had brav'd the death-wing'd tempest's blast, And 'scap'd a tyrant's fiercer wrath? Lady! when I shall view the walls Where free Byzantium once arose; The Turkish tyrants now enclose; And though I bid thee now farewell, Since where thou art I may not dwell, "Twill soothe to be, where thou hast been. September, 1809. III. STANZAS Written in passing the Ambracian Gulph, 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. 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 (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, I cannot lose a world for thee, But would not lose thee for a world! |