Night after night he dared the dark and crossed The surging Hellespont,—lured by a light That o'er the tumbling waves shone far and bright Where love her vigil kept lest he be lost. This lowering eve he seemed as one engrossed With noble thoughts, which glory lend the face, And hoped to gain yon tower,—love's trysting place, Though winds came down, though billows pitched and tossed. But ere the farther shore was won, a gale Blew out the torch held by that maiden's hand: Across his lane of light storm's demon sprang; So when the morning lifted from the strand The veil of night, there lay Leander pale: While the spent sea a low, sad requiem sang. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH by ROBERT HERRICK THE NAME OF JESUS by JOHN NEWTON THE MOURNER A LA MODE by JOHN GODFREY SAXE PASSED BY by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS THE BOBBIN-WINDER by JOSEPHINE ELIZABETH ARCHER THE OLD HOUSE by GRACE DUFFIE BOYLAN THE WIDOWER by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |