At last the twilight came, followed by the darkness of night, and the
bright star of Venus alone looked down on the expectant lover. He saw not
the dark rush of Helle's wave, he heard not the fierce sweep of its waters;
he thought only of the beautiful bride, who had sate watching, and waiting
for the weary sun to go down; when, lo
"Her turret torch was blazing high,
Though rising gale and breaking foam,
And shrieking sea birds warned him home;
And clouds aloft, and tides below,
With sighs, and sounds, forbade to go;
He could not see, he would not hear,
Or sound or sign foreboding fear;
His eye but saw that light of love,
The only star it hailed above;
His ear but rang with Hero's song,
'Ye waves divide not lovers long!'"
With a strong hand and anxious heart, the husband-lover dashed aside the
impetuous waves; and sought and gained in safety the shore which the
blazing light had signalled. And, oh! the tenderness of that meeting; the
obstacles which intervened added an additional zest, and the waves seemed
to have nerved the youth to a higher excitement, as he gazed on Hero. But
the sorrowful morning came, and
------------------"They parted, but they met again--
The blue sea rolled between them--but in vain!
Leander had no fear, he cleft the wave,
What is the peril fond hearts will not brave!
Delicious were their moonlight wanderings,
Delicious were the kind, the gentle things
Each to the other breathed; a starry sky,
Music and flowers, this is earth's luxury.
The measure of its happiness is full,
When all around, like it, is beautiful.
There were sweet birds to count the hours, and roses,
Like those on which a blushing cheek reposes,
Violets as fresh as violets could be;
Stars over head, with each a history
Of love told by its light; and waving trees
And perfumed breathings upon every breeze."