Hero and Leander
T. L. Stone

Hero, hold high your beacon, love.
Your torch lights my path through the waves.
I'll hold it high, Leander, love,
Come to me - you're all my heart craves.

Hold high your beacon, Hero, love,
Guide me through the waves to Sesto.
Without ceasing when you swim thereof
I pray Aphrodite bless you.

Hold high your beacon, Hero, love,
Tonight all the sea runs to storm.
Worry strikes, I know not what of,
Leander, my hearth will be warm.

Hold high your beacon, Hero, love,
I fear tonight I might fail you.
See the beacon, Leander, love,
Although the rough seas assail you.

I've lost your beacon, Hero, love,
Tired and with eyes full of salt,
I see not your beacon above.
My efforts this night come to nought.

I don't see you, Leander, love,
From shore far out into the sea
I find not a trace of my love,
Out swimming, returning to me.

Hold high your beacon, Hero, love,
But hoist it in my memory.
I've gone under the waves, beloved,
Zeus and Dione preserve thee.

With clouds surrounding my tower
I search the sea for Leander.
Cold moonlight falls over the bower
The taste of my fear is bitter.

Look there on the rocks below me!
Selene shows me with such candor
A crumpled gleam 'midst the seaweed
Lifeless is my brave Leander.

Help me, I pray Aphrodite,
For you are both beauty and love.
For ten years now have I served thee,
I pray thee, oh, bring back my love.

The wise and great Goddess I serve,
Says love is a double-edged sword.
To lose what comfort we deserve,
Is human, the Goddess accords.

No more my beacon, Leander,
Will light your great path through the waves.
What's now to do but surrender?
My death is all that my heart craves.

And down with the torch threw Hero,
And down from the tower she leapt.
The morn found the sad-faced Eros
Who knelt by the lovers and wept.

Hero and Leander
Copyright © 2003 T. L. Stone
All rights reserved

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