The Poetical Works Of James Grainger ... With Memoirs Of His Life And Writings, By Robert Anderson ... And An Index Of The Linnean Names Of Plants, &c. By William Wright |
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| TRANSLATIONS FROM OVID. |
 | The Poetical Works Of James Grainger |  |
89
TRANSLATIONS FROM OVID.
91
LEANDER TO HERO.
Health sends Leander to his Sestian Love,
Which, would the storm allow, he'd rather bear;
For if the Gods to me propitious prove,
These lines must fill your eyes with many a tear.
Which, would the storm allow, he'd rather bear;
For if the Gods to me propitious prove,
These lines must fill your eyes with many a tear.
Ah me! the Gods my fond petition slight,
Or wherefore rise the winds, or swells the main?
Wrapp'd is the pole, you see, in pitchy night,
The strongest bark can ill the storm sustain.
Or wherefore rise the winds, or swells the main?
Wrapp'd is the pole, you see, in pitchy night,
The strongest bark can ill the storm sustain.
But Love is bold, sets tempests all at naught:
I hir'd a sturdy bark to bring me o'er;
On board I went, with fond Impatience fraught,
Abydos saw, and forc'd me, loath, ashore.
I hir'd a sturdy bark to bring me o'er;
On board I went, with fond Impatience fraught,
Abydos saw, and forc'd me, loath, ashore.
92
Discretion check'd the daring of my breast;
For had I, vent'rous, risk'd the stormy sea,
Full to my sire our flame had stood confest;
That bark must therefore bear these lines to thee.
For had I, vent'rous, risk'd the stormy sea,
Full to my sire our flame had stood confest;
That bark must therefore bear these lines to thee.
“Haste, envy'd letter, to my fair one's hands,
“(I must not touch them!) pass the billowy main;
“And while her teeth shall burst your silken bands,
“A kiss from Hero haply you may gain.”
“(I must not touch them!) pass the billowy main;
“And while her teeth shall burst your silken bands,
“A kiss from Hero haply you may gain.”
In rapt'rous murmurs thus I fondly rave,
What more I think, my hand must now declare;
Yet would that hand much rather stem the wave,
Much rather waft me to the Sestian Fair!
What more I think, my hand must now declare;
Yet would that hand much rather stem the wave,
Much rather waft me to the Sestian Fair!
For though my passion it can aptly tell,
Tell aptly all the movements of my heart:
Fitter it is the billow to repel,
Fitter the stream of Hellespont to part.
Tell aptly all the movements of my heart:
Fitter it is the billow to repel,
Fitter the stream of Hellespont to part.
Yet seven long nights have muffled up the pole,
(The time seems longer than a year to me)
Since first the mountain-waves began to roll,
Since first (hard fate!) I've been divorc'd from thee.
(The time seems longer than a year to me)
Since first the mountain-waves began to roll,
Since first (hard fate!) I've been divorc'd from thee.
93
Yet all this while the God of soft repose,
Ne'er calm'd my lab'ring breast, nor shut my eyes:
'Tis true, my Fair, or may the storm that blows
Still chain me here, still louder rend the skies.
Ne'er calm'd my lab'ring breast, nor shut my eyes:
'Tis true, my Fair, or may the storm that blows
Still chain me here, still louder rend the skies.
From some wild cliff I lonely view thy tower,
And oft, in fancy, mount the bridal bed;
The flambeau lighted at th'appointed hour,
Or sheds its guiding light, or seems to shed!
And oft, in fancy, mount the bridal bed;
The flambeau lighted at th'appointed hour,
Or sheds its guiding light, or seems to shed!
Thrice though I strip me, shiv'ring on the strand,
And boldly thrice to make thy shore essay;
The adverse surge thrice bore me back to land,
Severely bruis'd, and chok'd with oozy spray.
And boldly thrice to make thy shore essay;
The adverse surge thrice bore me back to land,
Severely bruis'd, and chok'd with oozy spray.
Fierce Boreas, fiercest of the rapid winds,
Why with a lover warfare dost thou wage?
Leander, not the sea, thy fury finds,
Of love unconscious, what would be your rage?
Why with a lover warfare dost thou wage?
Leander, not the sea, thy fury finds,
Of love unconscious, what would be your rage?
Though cold you are, you cannot well deny,
But Love's hot fires have thaw'd your icy heart;
What wrath would seize you, did a stronger try
You from the object of your love to part?
But Love's hot fires have thaw'd your icy heart;
What wrath would seize you, did a stronger try
You from the object of your love to part?
94
Then spare me, Boreas, send a softer gale,
So ever gentle be thy master's sway.—
The ruffian hears not, my petitions fail;
Hark! louder tempests rock the murm'ring bay.
So ever gentle be thy master's sway.—
The ruffian hears not, my petitions fail;
Hark! louder tempests rock the murm'ring bay.
Would Crete's fam'd artist wings on me bestow,
I'd dauntless mount me in the troubled sky;
Who swam the Hellespont no fear can know,
Although th'Icarian, hapless main, be nigh.
I'd dauntless mount me in the troubled sky;
Who swam the Hellespont no fear can know,
Although th'Icarian, hapless main, be nigh.
But wings I boast not, and the tempest swells,
The hours of absence how may I deceive?
On our first stol'n delights fond Fancy dwells,
And faithful Mem'ry grants a soft reprieve.
The hours of absence how may I deceive?
On our first stol'n delights fond Fancy dwells,
And faithful Mem'ry grants a soft reprieve.
Night was beginning, I remember well,
When from my father's house I stole away;
And throwing off my clothes, and fear, repel,
With pliant arm, the gently-waving sea.
When from my father's house I stole away;
And throwing off my clothes, and fear, repel,
With pliant arm, the gently-waving sea.
The Moon, companion of my bold design,
A trembling radiance on the water cast;
I pray'd—“Unclouded, silver Goddess shine,
(Remember Latmos) till the seas I'm past.
A trembling radiance on the water cast;
I pray'd—“Unclouded, silver Goddess shine,
(Remember Latmos) till the seas I'm past.
95
“O shine unclouded, to stol'n love a friend,
Let fair Endymion warm your icy breast;
You for a mortal did from Heaven descend,
I through these waters to a Goddess haste.
Let fair Endymion warm your icy breast;
You for a mortal did from Heaven descend,
I through these waters to a Goddess haste.
“For sure her manners, may I truth declare,
Her form bespeak her of celestial race;
Next thee, next Venus, Hero claims to bear
The palm of beauty, elegance, and grace.
Her form bespeak her of celestial race;
Next thee, next Venus, Hero claims to bear
The palm of beauty, elegance, and grace.
“Nor trust Leander, but look down and see,
For as thy beams surpass the starry train
In argent lustre, so you'll own, that she,
Or blind you are, surpasses all the plain.”
For as thy beams surpass the starry train
In argent lustre, so you'll own, that she,
Or blind you are, surpasses all the plain.”
Thus pray'd I, while I wan my liquid way;
The Moon propitious heard my tender prayer;
She heard, and pour'd a radiance like the day;
No sound, save of my strokes, stole on the air.
The Moon propitious heard my tender prayer;
She heard, and pour'd a radiance like the day;
No sound, save of my strokes, stole on the air.
Save of the Halcyon's sweetly-plaintive strain,
For sweetly-plaintive seem'd the gentle song;
Officious Tritons smooth'd their watery reign,
And sea-nymphs ey'd me as I shot along.
For sweetly-plaintive seem'd the gentle song;
Officious Tritons smooth'd their watery reign,
And sea-nymphs ey'd me as I shot along.
96
At last Fatigue each lab'ring nerve unbrac'd,
Supine I float—but when thy torch I spy'd,
With strength renew'd, I cut the watery waste,
“Swift make the shore, my flame is there,” I cry'd.
Supine I float—but when thy torch I spy'd,
With strength renew'd, I cut the watery waste,
“Swift make the shore, my flame is there,” I cry'd.
Now softer at each stroke the water seem'd;
No cold I feel, what lover can be chill?
My every labour past I nothing deem'd;
As I approach'd, I grew the stronger still,
No cold I feel, what lover can be chill?
My every labour past I nothing deem'd;
As I approach'd, I grew the stronger still,
But on the tower when I could thee descry,
The sight new vigour on each nerve bestow'd;
By bolder strokes I strove to catch thine eye,
And, all I could, the dex'trous swimmer show'd.
The sight new vigour on each nerve bestow'd;
By bolder strokes I strove to catch thine eye,
And, all I could, the dex'trous swimmer show'd.
Scarce could your nurse your eager steps restrain
From plunging in the deep, your Love to meet;
I saw her strive—her efforts all were vain,
The foremost billows kiss'd your snowy feet.
From plunging in the deep, your Love to meet;
I saw her strive—her efforts all were vain,
The foremost billows kiss'd your snowy feet.
Around my neck you threw your willing arms,
Imprinting kisses on my dripping face;
Who would not swim the sea for Hero's charms?
My toil was all o'erpaid by that embrace.
Imprinting kisses on my dripping face;
Who would not swim the sea for Hero's charms?
My toil was all o'erpaid by that embrace.
97
A modest mantle, which your shoulders wore,
You flung around me; and with hasty care,
Expressing from my locks the briny store,
You bade me fly th'unwholesome midnight air.
You flung around me; and with hasty care,
Expressing from my locks the briny store,
You bade me fly th'unwholesome midnight air.
What joys we tasted! those the conscious night,
Those we, the friendly tower that held us, know;
Yet I no more their number can recite
Than count the weeds that in yon waters grow.
Those we, the friendly tower that held us, know;
Yet I no more their number can recite
Than count the weeds that in yon waters grow.
The less the time assign'd to secret bliss,
The more each precious moment we employ;
But when the morning sprung, we rapt'rous kiss,
And chide the envious night, too short for joy.
The more each precious moment we employ;
But when the morning sprung, we rapt'rous kiss,
And chide the envious night, too short for joy.
Too soon the Nurse forbade my longer stay;
To the cold beach in tears I slow repair;
Your tower now glisten'd with Morn's dewy ray,
Yet oft I stop, and eye the weeping Fair.
To the cold beach in tears I slow repair;
Your tower now glisten'd with Morn's dewy ray,
Yet oft I stop, and eye the weeping Fair.
On the cold beach arriv'd, (believe thy Swain)
I seem'd one wreck'd, who came a swimmer here;
The way to thee is pleasant, short, and plain,
Back to Abydos, long, and rough, and drear.
I seem'd one wreck'd, who came a swimmer here;
The way to thee is pleasant, short, and plain,
Back to Abydos, long, and rough, and drear.
98
I stem unwilling back my native tide;
My native towers unwilling me detain;
Since join'd in heart, ah, why do seas divide!
Since one in love, why not one land contain!
My native towers unwilling me detain;
Since join'd in heart, ah, why do seas divide!
Since one in love, why not one land contain!
In Sestos or Abydos I could stay,
Either with thee would charm my love-sick soul;
Why then do winds our happiness delay?
Or why's my bosom rack'd when tempests roll?
Either with thee would charm my love-sick soul;
Why then do winds our happiness delay?
Or why's my bosom rack'd when tempests roll?
The sportive dolphins now my passion know,
I'm not unnotic'd by the scaly fry;
The track I swim, the waters seem to show,
As worn by use, like that where chariots ply.
I'm not unnotic'd by the scaly fry;
The track I swim, the waters seem to show,
As worn by use, like that where chariots ply.
How oft, my Fair, did I complain of Fate,
That us dividing, made me swim the sea?
Yet now I wish the tempest would abate,
That I may swim again, and gaze on thee.
That us dividing, made me swim the sea?
Yet now I wish the tempest would abate,
That I may swim again, and gaze on thee.
The length of waters I no longer chide,
The wonted passage now I fondly court;
But, see! enormous heaves the foaming tide,
Scarce are the trembling vessels safe in port.
The wonted passage now I fondly court;
But, see! enormous heaves the foaming tide,
Scarce are the trembling vessels safe in port.
99
Such was the storm which harrow'd up the main,
When Helle in its fatal waves was drown'd;
Whence it the name of Hellespont did gain,
A name the sea, a grave the virgin found.
When Helle in its fatal waves was drown'd;
Whence it the name of Hellespont did gain,
A name the sea, a grave the virgin found.
Yet safe the ram her princely brother bore,
Boldly the youth bestrode its golden fleece.
Ye Gods, to me the Colchian ram restore,
Or rather hush the Hellespont to peace.
Boldly the youth bestrode its golden fleece.
Ye Gods, to me the Colchian ram restore,
Or rather hush the Hellespont to peace.
Once more, O let me cut its glassy waves!
Once more the dolphins sporting round me see!
Nor ram, nor ship, the fond Leander craves,
Myself will steersman, sail, and sailor be.
Once more the dolphins sporting round me see!
Nor ram, nor ship, the fond Leander craves,
Myself will steersman, sail, and sailor be.
No stars I court that gild the vivid pole,
Those let the Tyrian mariner behold;
Vainly to me in solemn pomp they roll,
And vainly fill their urns with beamy gold.
Those let the Tyrian mariner behold;
Vainly to me in solemn pomp they roll,
And vainly fill their urns with beamy gold.
What though the loves of Perseus, Bacchus, Jove,
Fix'd in the starry firmament appear!
By other fires, superior fires, I move,
Thy torch is more than Helyx or the Bear.
Fix'd in the starry firmament appear!
By other fires, superior fires, I move,
Thy torch is more than Helyx or the Bear.
100
Directed by its never-erring beam,
My vent'rous passage, darkling, ne'er can stray;
By it I'd stem old Ocean's farthest stream,
Wherever ship can sail, make good my way.
My vent'rous passage, darkling, ne'er can stray;
By it I'd stem old Ocean's farthest stream,
Wherever ship can sail, make good my way.
The young Palæmon cannot swim so well,
Though him their god sea-faring people name;
The very nimble Glaucus I excel,
Who, chang'd by wond'rous herbs, a god became.
Though him their god sea-faring people name;
The very nimble Glaucus I excel,
Who, chang'd by wond'rous herbs, a god became.
But Ino's son, and Glaucus, feel no toil,
Whilst length of waters does my strength impair;
“Arms, let no length, I cry, your vigour foil,
“Soon shall ye clasp ('twill pay your pains) my Fair.”
Whilst length of waters does my strength impair;
“Arms, let no length, I cry, your vigour foil,
“Soon shall ye clasp ('twill pay your pains) my Fair.”
New strength inspires them, such is Beauty's force;
O'er every billow they superior rise;
Not swifter beats the steed th'Olympic course,
Than they the Deep, impatient for the prize.
O'er every billow they superior rise;
Not swifter beats the steed th'Olympic course,
Than they the Deep, impatient for the prize.
Let others fondly court a heavenly Fair,
The Sestian Hero only I adore:
The bliss of Gods, 'tis true, you ought to share,
Yet, oh, content thee on this nether shore!
The Sestian Hero only I adore:
The bliss of Gods, 'tis true, you ought to share,
Yet, oh, content thee on this nether shore!
101
But if thou rather dost affect the sky,
Show me how also I may Heaven attain;
Then freed from every sublunary tie,
Though tempests vex'd the seas, I'd feel no pain.
Show me how also I may Heaven attain;
Then freed from every sublunary tie,
Though tempests vex'd the seas, I'd feel no pain.
What though such narrow seas our hopes divide!
Though narrow, still they interrupt our love;
Did'st thou on Ocean's farthest verge abide,
'Twere better,—Distance would my hopes remove.
Though narrow, still they interrupt our love;
Did'st thou on Ocean's farthest verge abide,
'Twere better,—Distance would my hopes remove.
The nearer now you are, I burn the more;
Though you are absent, still in hope you're here;
And though I almost touch the Sestian shore,
That fatal almost causes many a tear.
Though you are absent, still in hope you're here;
And though I almost touch the Sestian shore,
That fatal almost causes many a tear.
The cruel fate of Tantalus is mine,
Still, still to grasp you, yet my grasp you fly:
'Mid fruits, how hard, of hunger still to pine!
How hard, of thirst, 'mid waters still to die!
Still, still to grasp you, yet my grasp you fly:
'Mid fruits, how hard, of hunger still to pine!
How hard, of thirst, 'mid waters still to die!
Must I ne'er see thee, but when seasons will?
Ne'er clasp thee, but when waters condescend?
And though both waves and seasons vary still,
Upon their faithfulness must I depend?
Ne'er clasp thee, but when waters condescend?
And though both waves and seasons vary still,
Upon their faithfulness must I depend?
102
Yet Summer still appears in youthful pride,
Gay verdure still bedecks the blooming trees;
What shall I do when wint'ry stars preside,
And pour out all their fury on the seas!
Gay verdure still bedecks the blooming trees;
What shall I do when wint'ry stars preside,
And pour out all their fury on the seas!
Trust me, I'll plunge amid the wint'ry wave,
I know myself, and bold the tempest dare;
Firm proof of what I write you soon shall have;
Who loves, adores like me, no perils scare!
I know myself, and bold the tempest dare;
Firm proof of what I write you soon shall have;
Who loves, adores like me, no perils scare!
For, if the tempest does not soon decline,
To stem th'unwilling sea thy lover tries;
Success shall either crown my bold design,
Or Disappointment close Leander's eyes.
To stem th'unwilling sea thy lover tries;
Success shall either crown my bold design,
Or Disappointment close Leander's eyes.
Then may my corpse be wafted to thy shore;
My corpse thou'lt touch, and heave the grateful sigh;
With genuine grief my hapless fate deplore,
And, “Oh, I caus'd his death,” incessant cry.
My corpse thou'lt touch, and heave the grateful sigh;
With genuine grief my hapless fate deplore,
And, “Oh, I caus'd his death,” incessant cry.
But stop, my hand—the omen must offend,
For here my letter must the Fair displease;
Yet, weep not; rather to dread Neptune bend,
Join vows to mine, and bid him calm the seas.
For here my letter must the Fair displease;
Yet, weep not; rather to dread Neptune bend,
Join vows to mine, and bid him calm the seas.
103
A little calm is all thy lover craves,
Till he can, swimming, reach thy friendly shore;
When there, let tempests burst their rocky caves,
And with redoubled rage the billows roar.
Till he can, swimming, reach thy friendly shore;
When there, let tempests burst their rocky caves,
And with redoubled rage the billows roar.
No other quay my vessel suits so well;
In naval pomp I ride at anchor there:
Then, Boreas blow! ye restless billows, swell!
No more I'll weigh; the slightest breeze I fear.
In naval pomp I ride at anchor there:
Then, Boreas blow! ye restless billows, swell!
No more I'll weigh; the slightest breeze I fear.
No more th'unhearing billows I'll upbraid,
Nor sad complain that I must swim the sea;
By Hero, by the winds, Leander staid,
A captive glad, will bless the winds and thee.
Nor sad complain that I must swim the sea;
By Hero, by the winds, Leander staid,
A captive glad, will bless the winds and thee.
Soon as the storm abates, I'll try the Deep;
Let still your torch propitious blaze on high;
Meanwhile with you may this epistle sleep,
Soon at your feet its writer hopes to sigh.
Let still your torch propitious blaze on high;
Meanwhile with you may this epistle sleep,
Soon at your feet its writer hopes to sigh.
104
HERO TO LEANDER.
The health you send, that I may truly know,
O haste, Leander, cut the briny tide;
Each hour of absence is an age of woe:
I'm all impatience, can Leander chide ?
O haste, Leander, cut the briny tide;
Each hour of absence is an age of woe:
I'm all impatience, can Leander chide ?
Alike we burn, but how unlike our force?
Patience and Strength the soul of man supply;
Our frame is weaker, so our mind of course
Is feebler too; then haste thee, or I die!
Patience and Strength the soul of man supply;
Our frame is weaker, so our mind of course
Is feebler too; then haste thee, or I die!
With sports and business men the time deceive,
Now track the game, or in the forum plead;
As wrestlers shine, the stubborn fallows cleave
With patient plough, or curb the flying steed:
Now track the game, or in the forum plead;
As wrestlers shine, the stubborn fallows cleave
With patient plough, or curb the flying steed:
105
Or birds ye snare, or hook the scaly fry;
Or should your sorrows still superior prove,
One cure remains, the friendly bowl ye ply,
While all our business, all our sport, is love.
Or should your sorrows still superior prove,
One cure remains, the friendly bowl ye ply,
While all our business, all our sport, is love.
Beyond belief I doat, my sole Delight!
And oft in anxious whispers pour my soul:
“Sweet Nurse! what now detains him from my sight!
“Hush, odious Storm! ah me, what billows roll!”
And oft in anxious whispers pour my soul:
“Sweet Nurse! what now detains him from my sight!
“Hush, odious Storm! ah me, what billows roll!”
Or if its fury it a while forego,
“Leander might, but will not come,” I cry:
From my fond love-sick eyes my sorrows flow,
Which she, with trembling hand, essays to dry.
“Leander might, but will not come,” I cry:
From my fond love-sick eyes my sorrows flow,
Which she, with trembling hand, essays to dry.
Oft for your feet I trace the sandy shore,
As if the sand th'impression could retain;
Oft ask my nurse, “What Lesbian ships unmoor?
“I long to write Leander all my pain.
As if the sand th'impression could retain;
Oft ask my nurse, “What Lesbian ships unmoor?
“I long to write Leander all my pain.
“Are any vessels from Abydos here?
“I long to learn the cause of his delay.”
Then kissing oft, bedew with many a tear,
The vest you leave, when forc'd from me away.
“I long to learn the cause of his delay.”
Then kissing oft, bedew with many a tear,
The vest you leave, when forc'd from me away.
106
Thus pass my days—when evening shadows fall,
And friendly star-shine casts a tim'rous gleam,
The wakeful torch soon blazes on my wall,
To guide my lover through the well-known stream.
And friendly star-shine casts a tim'rous gleam,
The wakeful torch soon blazes on my wall,
To guide my lover through the well-known stream.
To cheat the minutes as they tardy roll,
The distaff sometimes does my hand employ;
Meanwhile to Nurse I pour out all my soul,
For all my converse is of you, of joy.
The distaff sometimes does my hand employ;
Meanwhile to Nurse I pour out all my soul,
For all my converse is of you, of joy.
“Nurse, do you think my love has stol'n away?
“Or wakes his sire? perhaps some spy he dreads!
“Ah, no! Leander strips him on the bay,
“And suppling fragrance on his body sheds.”
“Or wakes his sire? perhaps some spy he dreads!
“Ah, no! Leander strips him on the bay,
“And suppling fragrance on his body sheds.”
O'ercome with age, and careless of my pain,
She nods assent, with Sleep's soft pow'r oppress'd.
“Sure now, I cry, he cuts the billowy main!
“When shall I press him to my faithful breast?”
She nods assent, with Sleep's soft pow'r oppress'd.
“Sure now, I cry, he cuts the billowy main!
“When shall I press him to my faithful breast?”
Scarce has the whirling thread the spindle bound,
When I, “Now half Leander's toil is o'er,
“Let's to the tow'r.” In vain I gaze around,
Then pray, “Soft Breezes, waft him to the shore.”
When I, “Now half Leander's toil is o'er,
“Let's to the tow'r.” In vain I gaze around,
Then pray, “Soft Breezes, waft him to the shore.”
107
Each distant noise we catch; my flutt'ring breast
Thinks every distant noise proceeds from thee!
When thus I've robb'd the weary hours of rest,
Haply bland Sleep his influence sheds on me.
Thinks every distant noise proceeds from thee!
When thus I've robb'd the weary hours of rest,
Haply bland Sleep his influence sheds on me.
In dreams I see you to the beach draw nigh,
Around my neck your dripping arms you throw!
“O fling these vestments round your limbs,” I cry;
“Let's to the dome! ah, wherefore staid you so?”
Around my neck your dripping arms you throw!
“O fling these vestments round your limbs,” I cry;
“Let's to the dome! ah, wherefore staid you so?”
Perhaps you loath me, yet I hold you fast,
And in fond vision banquet on your charms:—
Stop Hand, nor loosely tell of pleasure past;
Though lov'd, the tale a modest ear alarms.
And in fond vision banquet on your charms:—
Stop Hand, nor loosely tell of pleasure past;
Though lov'd, the tale a modest ear alarms.
Wretch that I am! with Sleep Leander flies!
The vision yields but insincere delight!
In Love's soft folds, in unideal ties,
Still, still, let lovers such as we unite.
The vision yields but insincere delight!
In Love's soft folds, in unideal ties,
Still, still, let lovers such as we unite.
How many widow'd nights must Hero lie!
And yet last night was calm, ah, wherefore stay?
For now again the winds blend seas and sky,
And not ev'n you must tempt th'uncertain way.
And yet last night was calm, ah, wherefore stay?
For now again the winds blend seas and sky,
And not ev'n you must tempt th'uncertain way.
108
Last night, indeed, you might have made the land,
Calm were the winds, and I was sure you came;
You Dastard, loiter on your native strand;
When first you lov'd me, you through tempests swam.
Calm were the winds, and I was sure you came;
You Dastard, loiter on your native strand;
When first you lov'd me, you through tempests swam.
“I'll snatch the first fair gleam,” perhaps you said;
The first, as best, Leander should have chose;
You add, perhaps, “Ere I the strand had made,
“I must have sunk by squalls, the tempest blows.”
The first, as best, Leander should have chose;
You add, perhaps, “Ere I the strand had made,
“I must have sunk by squalls, the tempest blows.”
And yet erewhile, few minutes would suffice
To waft you to me; then your love was new!
What plaints, excuses, can you now devise?
Clasp'd in my arms, past dangers could you rue?
To waft you to me; then your love was new!
What plaints, excuses, can you now devise?
Clasp'd in my arms, past dangers could you rue?
The storm I'd laugh at, lock'd in your fond arms,
I'd pray, “No calm might still the wat'ry roar.”
Once you were bold—ah, whence these new alarms?
Why dread the passage you contemn'd before?
I'd pray, “No calm might still the wat'ry roar.”
Once you were bold—ah, whence these new alarms?
Why dread the passage you contemn'd before?
Yet I remember, when with vent'rous art,
You swam across—scarce milder rag'd the sea;
Yet then I cried, “Oh, ease my frighted heart,
“Gods! should he sink, what would become of me?”
You swam across—scarce milder rag'd the sea;
Yet then I cried, “Oh, ease my frighted heart,
“Gods! should he sink, what would become of me?”
109
Whence this new dread? and where's thy courage flown;
The swimmer where, that did the winds deride?
Yet I applaud, you now are cautious grown;
O still be cautious, till the waves subside.
The swimmer where, that did the winds deride?
Yet I applaud, you now are cautious grown;
O still be cautious, till the waves subside.
If, as of old, your love burn strongly bright,
(And strongly bright it burns, your letters say;)
Though winds detain you, me they less affright,
Than if its flame should, like their blasts, decay.
(And strongly bright it burns, your letters say;)
Though winds detain you, me they less affright,
Than if its flame should, like their blasts, decay.
To fix your passion, would I matchless were!
I fear the peril now the worth o'erpays;
I dread, lest you, an Abydenian heir,
Against my country nuptial scruples raise.
I fear the peril now the worth o'erpays;
I dread, lest you, an Abydenian heir,
Against my country nuptial scruples raise.
Did that detain you, it would grieve me less,
Than if a harlot should your hours employ;
To your dear bosom, none but Hero press,
Nor waste on others what you owe me,—joy.
Than if a harlot should your hours employ;
To your dear bosom, none but Hero press,
Nor waste on others what you owe me,—joy.
Before your passion thus unfaithful end,
Your perfidy thus fling the fatal dart;
Me to the shades may Jove in pity send;
Death will release me from a broken heart.
Your perfidy thus fling the fatal dart;
Me to the shades may Jove in pity send;
Death will release me from a broken heart.
110
Nor fear I this, as if or Fame proclaim'd,
Or your lines menac'd many a future sigh;
And yet I fear, (can jealous Love be blam'd?)
Oh, frantic fear—I know not whom, or why.
Or your lines menac'd many a future sigh;
And yet I fear, (can jealous Love be blam'd?)
Oh, frantic fear—I know not whom, or why.
More happy they, who see the woes they fear,
Th'ideal dread not; every fancied pain
Tears my rack'd soul with sorrow as sincere,
As if it rankled in Affliction's train.
Th'ideal dread not; every fancied pain
Tears my rack'd soul with sorrow as sincere,
As if it rankled in Affliction's train.
Then come, Leander, to my love-sick soul;
The Sestian beach I long to see you tread;
And may your sire, the winds, your steps controul,
But let no mistress keep you from my bed.
The Sestian beach I long to see you tread;
And may your sire, the winds, your steps controul,
But let no mistress keep you from my bed.
Say One detains you, frantic Hero dies;
If true my terrors, you have err'd too lon
But you are constant—these inclement skies,
That envious tempest, causes all my wrong.
If true my terrors, you have err'd too lon
But you are constant—these inclement skies,
That envious tempest, causes all my wrong.
Ah, wretched me! how loud the billows roar!
What horrid darkness clouds the face of day!
Does Nephele
her daughter's death implore?
Or frantic Ino vex this hated bay?
What horrid darkness clouds the face of day!
111
Or frantic Ino vex this hated bay?
Here Helle sunk; and here my peace is drown'd;
No friend to gentle maids this ocean flows!
“O thou, dread monarch of the vast profound,
“Thy loves remember, and the sea compose .”
No friend to gentle maids this ocean flows!
“O thou, dread monarch of the vast profound,
“Thy loves remember, and the sea compose .”
For many favourites, (or the poets feign)
Their maiden-charms have yielded up to thee!
Then hush the winds, and smooth thy wat'ry reign;
My lovely swimmer keep no more from me.
Their maiden-charms have yielded up to thee!
Then hush the winds, and smooth thy wat'ry reign;
My lovely swimmer keep no more from me.
You, who so oft have known the force of love,
With storms why interrupt Leander's way?
Your mighty power on mighty waters prove,
Let powerful navies feel your powerful sway.
With storms why interrupt Leander's way?
Your mighty power on mighty waters prove,
Let powerful navies feel your powerful sway.
Should Ocean's God affright a swimming boy?
A narrow frith feel dreadful Neptune's rage?
For some mean Nereid scarce a fit employ!
Unmeet for thee!—the tempest then assuage.
A narrow frith feel dreadful Neptune's rage?
For some mean Nereid scarce a fit employ!
Unmeet for thee!—the tempest then assuage.
112
Noble he is, and of an ancient race,
Yet not descended from Laertes' heir;
O save two lovers, smooth the billowy space,
Leander swims, yet I the peril share.
Yet not descended from Laertes' heir;
O save two lovers, smooth the billowy space,
Leander swims, yet I the peril share.
Meanwhile the taper ('tis the midnight hour
At which I write) affords a prosp'rous sign;
And as my Nurse the gift of wine did pour
On flames, and drank, she spoke this happy line:
At which I write) affords a prosp'rous sign;
And as my Nurse the gift of wine did pour
On flames, and drank, she spoke this happy line:
“Ere the next sun declines, we'll number more.”
Increase our numbers! haste, the billows part!
Increase Leander! make the Sestian shore!
Surmount the tempest, Sovereign of my heart!
Increase our numbers! haste, the billows part!
Increase Leander! make the Sestian shore!
Surmount the tempest, Sovereign of my heart!
From Love's soft banners you too long have fled;
Return;—ah wherefore do I lie alone?
Venus the seas will calm, no danger dread;
From seas she sprung, and you her empire own.
Return;—ah wherefore do I lie alone?
Venus the seas will calm, no danger dread;
From seas she sprung, and you her empire own.
By Venus led, I could the billows ride!
Yet suits the manly breast that action more:
Why else was Helle whelmed in the tide,
While Phryxus landed on the nether shore?
Yet suits the manly breast that action more:
Why else was Helle whelmed in the tide,
While Phryxus landed on the nether shore?
113
Perhaps you fear your strength will not suffice
To bear you to your native dome again;
Half way I'll meet you, the vast surge despise,
And mingle kisses on the wond'ring main!
To bear you to your native dome again;
Half way I'll meet you, the vast surge despise,
And mingle kisses on the wond'ring main!
There each will safe regain our native land;
Better than none is this odd interview!
Now check'd by Shame, now fir'd by Love, I stand,
Would Heaven that one the other would subdue!
Better than none is this odd interview!
Now check'd by Shame, now fir'd by Love, I stand,
Would Heaven that one the other would subdue!
Fond Love, and timid Shame, but ill agree!
Sweet, Love invites, Shame does respect command?
Yet know I not whose slave I'd wish to be,
Or of the tender, or the decent band.
Sweet, Love invites, Shame does respect command?
Yet know I not whose slave I'd wish to be,
Or of the tender, or the decent band.
Scarce had bold Jason touch'd the Colchian shore,
When with the fair he spread his flying sails;
In Sparta, scarce his ship did Paris moor,
Ere he, with Helen, woo'd returning gales!
When with the fair he spread his flying sails;
In Sparta, scarce his ship did Paris moor,
Ere he, with Helen, woo'd returning gales!
Yet what you fondly seek, you oft desert,
Swim back, when vessels scarce dare put to sea;
Yet though the ridgy surge you boldly part,
Though bold, ah shun, my Love! temerity.
Swim back, when vessels scarce dare put to sea;
Yet though the ridgy surge you boldly part,
Though bold, ah shun, my Love! temerity.
114
The tightest barks oft founder in the main:
Can one who swims contend with one that rows?
From what you court, all mariners abstain,
Nor swim, unless the ship asunder goes.
Can one who swims contend with one that rows?
From what you court, all mariners abstain,
Nor swim, unless the ship asunder goes.
Prudence and passion combat in my soul;
For you I languish, yet your swimming dread;
Yet come, Leander, though the billows roll,
On my fond bosom lean your dripping head.
For you I languish, yet your swimming dread;
Yet come, Leander, though the billows roll,
On my fond bosom lean your dripping head.
Oft as my eyes behold yon stormy Deep,
A boding coldness shivers through each vein;
And ah, last night, sad visions broke my sleep,
And, though I sacrific'd, still give me pain!
A boding coldness shivers through each vein;
And ah, last night, sad visions broke my sleep,
And, though I sacrific'd, still give me pain!
For just at dawn, what time the taper dies,
Sleep slack'd my nerves, down dropp'd the woolly thread;
(At dawn, 'tis said, true dreams are wont to rise)
And on my pillow sunk my nodding head.
Sleep slack'd my nerves, down dropp'd the woolly thread;
(At dawn, 'tis said, true dreams are wont to rise)
And on my pillow sunk my nodding head.
I seem'd to see (what vision can do more?)
A youthful dolphin on the surges ride;
But soon a billow dash'd him on the shore,
Back flew the sea, the gasping dolphin died.
A youthful dolphin on the surges ride;
But soon a billow dash'd him on the shore,
Back flew the sea, the gasping dolphin died.
115
Whate'er it means, I fear, nor you deride,
Nor swim, Leander, if not calm the sea;
If not yourself, ah spare, ah spare your bride!
I in your safety only safe can be!
Nor swim, Leander, if not calm the sea;
If not yourself, ah spare, ah spare your bride!
I in your safety only safe can be!
For yet, I hope, the skies will shortly smile,
With every nerve then cut th'unruffled main:
Your long, long absence, to deceive the while,
I send this answer; may it soothe your pain.
With every nerve then cut th'unruffled main:
Your long, long absence, to deceive the while,
I send this answer; may it soothe your pain.
| The Poetical Works Of James Grainger | |