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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LEANDER TO HERO. |
 | The Poetical Works Of James Grainger |  |
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.
| The Poetical Works Of James Grainger | |