THE author of the following poem was not the ancient Musæus, (as some have conjectured him to be,) but a grammarian of that name, who lived in the fifth century. "Nor let the English reader" says the translator, "look upon the title of grammarian as a term of reproach,

though now frequently used as such. The profession, styled by the ancients Пpauμarıxŋ, was the same as that of Belles Lettres among the moderns; and the appellation of grammarian was particularly applied to those who excelled in every kind of polite learning."

THE LOVES OF HERO AND LEANDER. SING, Muse! the conscious torch, whose nightly

ray

Led the bold lover through the watery way,
To share those joys which mutual faith hath
seal'd,

Joys to divine Aurora unreveal'd.
Abydos, Sestos, ancient towns, proclaim,
Where gentlest bosoms glow'd with purest flame.
I hear Leander dash the foaming tide!
Fix'd high in air, I see the glimmering guide!
The genial flame, the love-enkindling light,
Signal of joy that burn'd serenely bright;
Whose beams, in fair effulgency display'd,
Adorn'd the nuptials of the Sestian maid:
Which Jove, its friendly office to repay,
Should plant, all-glorious, in the realms of day,
To blaze for ever 'midst the stars above,
And style it gentle harbinger of Love.

Against Abydos sea-beat Sestos stood,
Two neighb'ring towns, divided by the flood:
Here Cupid prov'd his bow's unerring art,
And gain'd two conquests with a single dart:
On two fond hearts the sweet infection prey`d.
A youth engaging, and a beauteous maid:
Of Sestos she, fair Hero was her name;
The youth, Leander, from Abydos came.
Their forms divine a bright resemblance bore,
Each was the radiant star of either shore.

Blest in retreat, she shunn'd the vain delight
Of daily visits, and the dance at night,
Content in sweet tranquillity to screen
Her blooming beauty from malignant spleen;
For where superior beauty shines confest,
It kindles envy in each female breast.
To soften Venus oft with prayer she strove,
Oft pour'd libations to the God of Love;
Taught by th' example of the heavenly dame,
To dread those arrows that were tipp'd with
flame.

Vain all her caution, fruitless prov'd her prayer;
Love gains an easy conquest o'er the fair.

For now the sacred festival appear'd, By pious Sestians annually rever'd, At Venus' fane to pay the rites divine, And offer incense at Adonis' shrine. Vast crowds from all the sea-girt isles repair, The day to rev'rence, and the feast to share. From flowery Cyprus, circled by the main, And high Hæmonia, hastes the youthful train; Not one remain'd of all the female race Thy towns, Cythera, and thy groves to grace; Afar from spicy Libanus advance The throngs unnumber'd, skill'd to lead the dance;

From Phrygian plains they haste in shoals away, And all Abydos celebrates the day.

To Sestos all the mirthful youths repair,

stray,

Awhile the turret's eminence survey;
Thence Hero held the blazing torch, to guide
Her lover rolling on the boisterous tide;
The roaring Hellespont, whose wave-worn strait
Still in loud murinurs mourns Leander's fate.
Say, heav'nly Muse, had Hero charms to move,
And melt the Abydinian into love?
Say, with what wiles the amorous youth inspir'd,
Obtain'd the virgin whom his soul admir'd?

For amorous swains, when rumour'd feasts in

vite,

Joy at the news, and follow with delight,
Not to the gods to pay the rites divine,
Or offer incense at some sacred shrine;
Few are their offerings, and concise their prayer,
Who give their whole devotion to the fair.

As through the temple pass'd the Sestian maid,
Her face a soften'd dignity display'd;
Thus silver Cynthia's milder glories rise,
To glad the pale dominion of the skies.
Her lovely cheeks a pure vermilion shed,
Like roses beautifully streak'd with red;
A flowery mead her well-turn'd limbs disclose,

She seem'd a new-born Venus of the main; But, nice of conduct, prudently withdrew

Far from the follies of the female crew:

But when she mov'd, in radiant mantle drest, Flowers half unveil'd adorn'd her flowing vest, And numerous graces wanton'd on her breast.