Page:Hero and Leander; a poem (IA heroleanderpoem00musa).pdf/25

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[ 11 ]

Plays with subsilient motion, ev'ry sigh
Avows her passion, Silence more than speaks
An heart just yielding to the nuptial bliss.

Oh! Love, thou honey'd anguish, Hero's soul
Feels thy sharp point enamor'd, thrilling fires
Throb in each vein tumultuous, to the ground
Her eye declining bows; Leander hangs
Gazing her charms intranc'd, he cannot quit
The fascinating object; the warm blush
Melts on her cheek, as dew-drops on the rose,
While bursts the silver note from Hero's tongue.
'Say, lovely Youth, what means the magic voice,
'Whose sound would soften adamant? What Pow'r
'Taught the commanding accent? Stranger, speak,
'Whence first thy course to Sestos? but in vain
'Thy eloquence of love; seducing Youth,
'Would'st thou unknown aspire to Hero's arms,
'To wishes, thou can'st never taste? The torch
'Of Hymen, if thy Hero yield her hand,
'Beams with no parent's favor; should thy stay
'Claim their protective smile, thou vainly tempt'st
'The secret union, Slander's busy tongue
'Will blaze the scene of Love to noon-tide air.

'Yet