Page:Hero and Leander; a poem (IA heroleanderpoem00musa).pdf/26

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'Yet speak thy name, thy country, well thou know'st,
'Know'st from my traytor tongue thy Hero's race;
'Fast by the roaring surge, yon rev'rend tow'r,
'Whose summit mates the sky, my gloomy home,
'For such my Parents' will; the neighb'ring main,
'And fair Abydos' shore to Hero's eye
'Limit the scanty prospect; far from me
'The friend coeval, or th' associate choir
'Of youths, and maids enchanted; day or night
'No found of melody, but winds and waves
'Jar, one eternal discord.' Hero ends,
Nor checks the rising blush, her conscious vest
Receives once more within its silken veil
The streak of virgin-innocence, which blames
The love, it most betrays; Leander's soul,
Midst all a lover's pangs, burns unappall'd
To brave the mighty conflict; subtle Pow'r,
Whose stroke deals sharpest poison, thine the skill
To pour the balm medicinal, thy wiles
Heal, as they wound; thy tutelary aid
Inspires Leander's thought, the quick resolve
Wakes in his lab'ring breast.—'Hero, for Thee,
'For Thee, thou fair Perfection, my brave arm
'Shall stem the madden'd deep; from pole to pole
'Though flames the livid lightning, and despair

'Chills