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Leander dashing through the surge, I see
The glitt'ring Harbinger; benignant Light,
Fix'd by Olympus' King thy silver ray
Would grace the radiant spheres, auspicious Star,
Guardian of nuptial vows, for thine the task
To sooth the love-sick heart, ere hostil blasts
Howl'd o'er the deep, a whirlwind of despair:
Inspire the tale of woe, celestial Muse,
The Torch expiring falls, the Lover dies.
Girt with the roaring Ocean Sestos fronts
Abydos' neighb'ring plain; Love's Urchin-God
Bends his unerring bow, the keenest dart
Cull'd from his quiver pierc'd the blooming youth,
Sweet Hero pierc'd, She Sestos' fairest grace,
Abydos' glory He; their rival forms
Smil'd with congenial semblance, brightest beams
That e'er adorn'd the Hemisphere of Love.
Trav'ler, whoe'er thou art, whose steps shall roam
These regions of distress, mark well the Tow'r,
Where Sestian Hero's steady fondness held
The flaming Pilot, while Leander's arm
Brav'd the wild torrent, and the conscious Night
Drop'd
