The Grecian Story Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd The Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems upon several Subjects. By J. H. [i.e. John Harington] |
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 | The Grecian Story |  |
On Leander drowned, swimming to Hero o're the Hellespont.
Leandro amoroso fuego ardia, &c.
Leander, burning with an amorous Fire,
Stole down in haste to th' watry Shore, attended
By one Love-thought for guard, his dear Desire;
Through whose bold force no danger apprehended,
That's flaming Light through Streams did wonder raise,
God Neptune rouz'd with angry Waves to quench it,
Whilst Cupid knew, he could have damp'd that Blaze
'Tween Hero's wish'd-for Arms; best way to drench it.
The Morning smil'd, Voyage advanc'd, as 'twere;
Night gently came, with friendliest Shades surrounded;
More kind than either Love or Fortune were;
Sad Lovers Fates! Hope oft by Death confounded!
That Love and Fortune that should Pow'rs combine,
To kill, destroy that gallant Youth Design.
Stole down in haste to th' watry Shore, attended
By one Love-thought for guard, his dear Desire;
Through whose bold force no danger apprehended,
That's flaming Light through Streams did wonder raise,
God Neptune rouz'd with angry Waves to quench it,
Whilst Cupid knew, he could have damp'd that Blaze
'Tween Hero's wish'd-for Arms; best way to drench it.
The Morning smil'd, Voyage advanc'd, as 'twere;
Night gently came, with friendliest Shades surrounded;
More kind than either Love or Fortune were;
Sad Lovers Fates! Hope oft by Death confounded!
That Love and Fortune that should Pow'rs combine,
To kill, destroy that gallant Youth Design.
| The Grecian Story | |