29.12.2010, 18:40
HERO AND LEANDER,
Or the Boy s Hellespont.
No colder local records did I crave,
Two lovers' names were all my Hellespont ;
How oft, methought, the swimming youth was wont
To kiss the waters, where the lighted wave
Came trembling out from Sestos ! When the gale
Dimm'd his fond eyes, and chill'd each supple limb,
I broke my heart for both, without avail,
I wept with her ! I sobb'd and sank with him !
And if, at times, the historic muse would fill
The strait with forms more secular and vast,
The torch of Hero lived behind them still !
And wide-spread sails of war ran glowing past
Love's watch-fire, till, again, the impassion'd light
Burst on the lonely swimmer, doubly bright.
Or the Boy s Hellespont.
No colder local records did I crave,
Two lovers' names were all my Hellespont ;
How oft, methought, the swimming youth was wont
To kiss the waters, where the lighted wave
Came trembling out from Sestos ! When the gale
Dimm'd his fond eyes, and chill'd each supple limb,
I broke my heart for both, without avail,
I wept with her ! I sobb'd and sank with him !
And if, at times, the historic muse would fill
The strait with forms more secular and vast,
The torch of Hero lived behind them still !
And wide-spread sails of war ran glowing past
Love's watch-fire, till, again, the impassion'd light
Burst on the lonely swimmer, doubly bright.