Ah! who would think that form had past The Turkish tyrants now enclose; And though I bid thee now farewell, September, 1809. STANZAS WRITTEN IN PASSING THE AMBRACIAN GULF, NOVEMBER 14, 1809. 1. THROUGH cloudless skies, in silvery sheen, 2. And now upon the scene I look, The azure grave of many a Roman; 3. Florence! whom I will love as well (Since Orpheus sang his spouse from hell) 4. Sweet Florence! those were pleasant times, 5. 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. STANZAS Composed October 11th, 1809, during the night, in a thunder-storm, when the guides had lost the road to Zitza, near the range of mountains formerly called Pindus, in Albania. 1. CHILL and mirk is the nightly blast, The vengeance of the skies. 2. Our guides are gone, our hope is lost, But show where rocks our path have crost, 3. Is yon a cot I saw, though low? When lightning broke the gloomHow welcome were its shade!-ah, no! 'Tis but a Turkish tomb. 4. Through sounds of foaming waterfalls, My way-worn countryman, who calls 5. A shot is fired-by foe or friend? The mountain-peasants to descend, 6. Oh! who in such a night will dare To tempt the wilderness? And who 'mid thunder peals can hear 7. And who that heard our shouts would rise To try the dubious road? Nor rather deem from nightly cries That outlaws were abroad. 8. Clouds burst, skies flash, oh, dreadful hour! Yet here one thought has still the power 9. While wand'ring through each broken path, O'er brake and craggy brow; While elements exhaust their wrath, Sweet Florence, where art thou? |