Poems of Madison Cawein Vol. 4 — Parting of Leander and Hero

II

Nay, love!

thou wilt undo me When in the heavy waves!

-- Come, smile!

and make unto me The billows' backs as slaves To bear me and indue me With strength o'er ocean's graves.

III

Weep not, as heavy-hearted Before I go!

lest thou Shouldst follow as we parted.

-- Come, gaze at me glad-hearted!

Not with sweet lips distorted With fear; and eyes tear-smarted!

-- Let me remember how Thy face looks when thou smilest And with soft words beguilest My soul.

--From feet to brow, Come, strengthen thy strong lover To breast the waves that cover Deep caves where sea-nymphs hover, Eager to seize him now.

IV

Thy image, love, shall follow With breast pressed close to mine: With arms from out whose hollow No death can tear me.

Follow, Come, light me through the brine, Dark eyes, fixed bright on mine, And mouth as red as wine!

-- Yea, give me wine of kisses, Whose fire shall help me home, Sweetheart, through foam that hisses, The long wild miles of foam.

V

Sweet!

cease thy sighs and weeping!

'Tis time for rest and sleeping, And Venus-vestured dreams, Where thy Leander, stooping, Thou'lt see as now, undrooping, With eyes all unaccusing: Not as thou saw'st, it seems, In sleep last night, in dreams, His curls with ocean oozing, And wan of cheek and brow: But, Hero, even as now, Fair-favored as can make him Thy smile, which is a might, A hope, a god, to take him Safe through this hell of night.

VI

Here in thy throat's white hollow One last long kiss.

--I go.

-- Ah, Sweet!

a kiss to follow Down from thy throat's white hollow Unto thy breast that's whiter:-- Thine arms, that clasp me tighter;

One kiss then on thy mouth, Warmer than all the South;

And eyes, than waters brighter Wherein the far stars glow.

Smile on me now I leave thee!

-- And kiss me on the brow!

-- Smile on me, love, nor grieve thee!

No thing can harm me now!