[258] Then came upon him astonishment, audacity, trembling, shame; in his heart he trembled, and shame seized him at having been made captive: yet he marvelled at the faultless form, and love kept shame away; then manfully by love's guidance he embraced audacity, and gently stepped and stood before the girl.
[259] And he within himself was glad at heart, because the maiden understood his love, and cast it not from her.
[260] Gently pressing the rosy fingers of the maiden, from the depths of his breast he sighed; but she, in silence, as though angered, drew her rosy hand away.
[261] Kissing the fair perfumed maiden's neck.
[262] The while she bent her glance upon the ground, Leander tired not with impassioned eyes of gazing at the maiden's neck.
[263] Now she, too, received into her soul the bitter-sweet sting of love, and the heart of maiden Hero was warmed with delicious fire, and before the beauty of love-inspiring Leander she quailed.
[264] A tower, beset with noises of the sea, and high as heaven, is my home: there I dwell, together with one only servant, before the city walls of Sestos, above the deep-waved shore, with ocean for my neighbor: such is the stern will of my parents. Nor are there maidens of my age to keep me company, nor dances of young men close by; but everlastingly at night and morn a roaring from the windy sea assails my ears.
[265] Minding it, I shall be a ship of love, having thy lamp for star.
[266] In their desire for the hidden lists of midnight converse they oftentimes prayed that darkness should descend and lead them to the bridal-bed.
[267] Now the dark-mantled gloom of night rose over earth, bringing to mortals sleep, but not to longing Leander.