Parting of Leander and Hero

I

Brows pale through blue-black tresses
Wet with the rain's cold kisses;
Hair that the sea-wind tosses,
Wild as wild wings in flight;
Pale brows, some sad thought crosses,
One kiss and then--good night.

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!