This for Leander gentle Hero felt; But, while she downward looked, his greedy eyes Fed on her neck. With words that dew-like melt, While blossom on her cheek the moist red dies Of modesty, she says: "Such power there lies In thy sweet eloquence, that it might move The flinty rock; who taught the harmonies Of such enticing words? What impulse drove Thee hither? Who thy guide? Oh was it, was it Love?
"Perchance thou mockest me; but how canst thou, A stranger and unknown, my love enjoy? I never can be thine by open vow; My parents shut me up. Can we employ Art for our secret, love? Oh, men destroy Who trust them! ever babbling in the street Of what they do in secret. Wilt decoy A trusting heart to ruin? yet, as meet, Speak truth; thy fatherland and name to me repeat.
"My name is Hero; my abode is lonely, A tower that lifts its echoes to the sky, For so my parents will; one handmaid only Dwells with me there; no choirs e'er court mine eye, Nor friends of equal years. The shores close by Rebellow; night and day the roaring tide Rings in mine ears, and eke the clanging cry Of the sea-winds." She spake, and sought to hide, Shamefaced, her rosy cheek, her words to chide.
Leander then did with himself advise, How in love's contest he might best contend; For wily Love, though wont to tyrannise, Heals whom he wounds, and ever loves to lend His subjects wit, their counsellor and friend. He helped Leander, then, who deeply sighed, And said: "Dear virgin! for our wished-for end I dauntless on the rugged surge will ride, Tho' in it ships be whelmed, and o'er it lightnings glide.
"Seeking thy bed, I tremble not, nor cower At ocean's angry roar and frightful front: A dripping bed-mate, nightly to thy tower Will I swim o'er the rapid Hellespont; Abydos is not far from Hero's haunt. But promise me to shew a lamp, to be My nightly star; and it shall be my wont, E'en like a ship, to swim across the sea, Thy lamp the blessed star that guides my course to thee.
"And, watching it, I ne'er will turn mine eye on Setting Boötes, nor th' unwetted Wain, Nor on the sworded, storm-engirt Orion, But, guided by the lamp, I soon shall gain Safe anchorage and sweet. Strict guard maintain Against the blasts, for fear my safety-light They rudely quench, and in the howling main I perish so. Leander am I hight, And Hero's happy spouse." Thus they their love-vows plight.
She from her tower to shew a lamp agrees, And he from the swelling waves at night to cleave: Then to her tower the anxious maiden flees, While he must in a pinnace Sestos leave, And in Abydos wait till he receive The promised signal, his appointed guide, When he must swim, not sail. Till they achieve Love's celebration, rest is them denied. Haste, Night! and canopy the bridegroom and the bride.
In veil of darkness Night ran up the sky, Bringing on sleep, but not for Hero's lover; He, where the swelling waves roared mightily, For by the shore, stood waiting to discover The lamentable lamp that lured him over— To death at last. But Hero, seaward turning, Perceived the gloom, and for her ocean-rover Kindled the signal; but on his discerning Its promised flame, he burned with love, as that was burning.
At first he trembled at the ringing roar Of the mad surge, but with the soothing spell Of hopeful words took courage; "What is more Cruel than love, or more implacable Than ocean? in moist ruin this doth swell; That in the heart, a burning furnace, raves. Fear not, my soul! why shouldst thou fear the hell Of waters? Aphrodite from the waves Sprung, and rules over them, sways our love pains and saves."
He then put off his vest with playful glee, And twined it round his head; and from the shore Plunged fearlessly into the surf o' the sea; And where the signal shone, he hastened o'er, Ship, sail, and oars himself. But yet before He reached his port, how oft the Sestian flower Kept off the breezes with the robe she wore From the trimmed lamp! It is her nuptial hour— Leander comes at last, and now ascends her tower.