Hero and Leander (Greene)/Dedication
TO THE MEMORY OF
MR. WILLIAM FALCONER,
AUTHOR of the *SHIPWRECK, a POEM,
THE FOLLOWING VERSION OF
MUSÆUS's HERO AND LEANDER
IS INSCRIBED.
*"Quis Talia sando
Temperet a lacrymis?"—
SAY! blessed Shade, while wrapt in Ocean's womb
Thy lost Aurora yields an early Tomb,
Say! shall the Bard on Merit's awful bier
Steal, though unknown, the sympathetic Tear?
The Tear thy Notes of Pity taught to flow,
And court the solemn luxury of Woe?
Musæus calls Thee; venerable Name,
By Phœbus seated on the heights of Fame;
Calls Thee, enamor'd of the Classic Lore,
Who sing'st the lost delights of [1]Asia's Shore.
Oh! Thou, whose social, thrilling heart could prove
The piercing anguish of Palemon's Love,
Could tend amidst the Wreck his parting groan,
And for his Tale of Grief forget thy own,
Oh! if the Sacred Nine can sooth the Dead,
In Fancy's Realm the paths of Sorrow tread;
From Anna's Charms an Hero's picture take,
And mourn Leander for Palemon's sake.
- ↑ Shipwreck, p. 106 to 117, 4th Edit.