The Myth Of Hero And Leander

"Hero and Leander, in Greek slogan, are a maiden and her fan whose names are consistently mentioned together. Hero lived in the town of Lesbos, on the Thracian shore, and was a priestess of Aphrodite. Leander lived in Abydos on the shore of Asia. The same as Hero was a priestess her parents regarded her fan with spitefulness. Each one night Lean-der swam the Hellespont to tumble Hero, who to be found a light in a high increase to guide him as he swam across the passage. One crazy night the light went out. Leander was drowned. Hero looking from the increase saw his dead massiveness as the heat rolled it to the array. She cast herself from the increase in dereliction and moldy in the sea. It was at one time regarded as overwhelming for a man to swim the Hellespont, but Peer of the realm Byron proved it possible by discharge duty it himself. He has told the story of Hero and Leander in the Bride of Abydos". Schiller, Moore, and other poets take made use of this story in their writings.

"The night-wind is complaining with sad soft voice,"

"In attendance gleameth no moon in the dim sky,"

"No star throughout Helle's sea;"

"Yet, yet offer is luminous one holy light,"

"One love-kindled star throught the grim of night,"

"To lead me, sweet Hero, to thee."

-Moore