Page:Hero and Leander; a poem (IA heroleanderpoem00musa).pdf/16

 Leander dashing through the surge, I see The glitt'ring Harbinger; benignant Light, Fix'd by Olympus' King thy silver ray Would grace the radiant spheres, auspicious Star, Guardian of nuptial vows, for thine the task To sooth the love-sick heart, ere hostil blasts Howl'd o'er the deep, a whirlwind of despair: Inspire the tale of woe, celestial Muse, The Torch expiring falls, the Lover dies.

Girt with the roaring Ocean Sestos fronts Abydos' neighb'ring plain; Love's Urchin-God Bends his unerring bow, the keenest dart Cull'd from his quiver pierc'd the blooming youth, Sweet Hero pierc'd, She Sestos' fairest grace, Abydos' glory He; their rival forms Smil'd with congenial semblance, brightest beams That e'er adorn'd the Hemisphere of Love.

Trav'ler, whoe'er thou art, whose steps shall roam These regions of distress, mark well the Tow'r, Where Sestian Hero's steady fondness held The flaming Pilot, while Leander's arm Brav'd the wild torrent, and the conscious Night