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ROBARTS

HERO AND LEANDER

IN MEMORIAM H. A. T.

^ Wlui^eu^ the grAifr)(yy<^rian

HERO & LEANDER

TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK OF MUSAEUS

BY

E. E. SIKES

METHUEN & CO. LTD.

36 ESSEX STREET W. C.

LONDON

First Published in igao

HERO AND LEANDER

NOTHING is known of the author of Hero and Leander, except that he was a "gram- marian " or schoolmaster, named Musaeus. He probably lived at Alexandria, in the middle of the fifth century a.d. In the uncritical age of the Renaissance, he was naturally confused with his famous namesake — the legendary Musaeus whom the Greeks believed to be older than Homer ; and so a romance, well called the dying swan-note of Greek poetry, was antedated by at least twelve centuries. There was this much excuse for the error, that the poem is a close imitation of Homeric metre, diction and tone. But it is Homer with a difference. Apart from changes in the language and structure of the hexameter — for example, the influence of the stress-accent is beginning to be felt— a new spirit has crept into Greek litera- ture. The naive simplicity of the old Epic has been lost. Between Homer and Musaeus, Sappho and Euripides and ApoUonius have lived ; and, coming after Phaedra and Medea, Hero must needs

6 HERO AND LEANDER

be more self-conscious, more " modern," than Nausicaa. But this is not all. When Hero and Leander was written, Apollonius and Theocritus — whose age we are accustomed to call the even- ing of Greek poetry — were already ancient classics, as remote from Musaeus as Chaucer from Keats or Morris. A fresh form of Greek hterature — the romantic novel — had risen with a new emphasis on the psychology of love, and the " parallel passages," collected by German industry, show how deeply the erotic writers — Heliodorus, Longus and the rest — had sunk into the mind of Musaeus. In actual poetry, again, there had just been a striking, if not very happy development in the new epic of Nonnus, an Egyptian Greek who, with painstaking impartiality, versified the Gospel of St John, after relating the myths of Dionysus in forty-eight books. To this latter poem, perhaps, Musaeus owes most of all ; but he has paid his debt with interest, for, while few readers have begun and still fewer have finished the Dionysiaca, the Hero and Leander belongs to that class of poetry which is " not only admired but read."

The story is not found in early Greek literature, and cannot well be older than Alexandrine times. German scholars have suggested an " aetiological " origin, in two towers that faced each other across

HERO AND LEANDER r

the Dardanelles. This theory does not explain how the towers fell in love, or how one crossed the water to visit the other ; and it seems more helpful to account for the so-called " myth " of Hero and Leander by human nature rather than by aetiology. I agree with those who regard the poem as based on fact ; there is no difficulty in supposing a real Leander, who anticipated Byron in the Hellen- istic age.

The distance of his swim — from one harbour to the other — was about three miles and a half, although Strabo says that the actual width of the straits near Abydos is less than a mile. Both Sestos and Abydos have been completely destroyed, but the site of the former was at or near Jallova, half-way between Crithia and Gallipoh, while the latter must have been at Nagara Point. Byron, describing his own swim, remarks that " the whole distance from the place whence we started to our landing on the other side, including the length we were carried by the current, was com- puted by those on board the frigate at upwards of four English miles, though the actual breadth is barely one."

The story — whatever its origin or date— was popular in the later Greek and Roman periods. Virgil is the first extant authority, in a fine passage 2

8 HERO -\XD LEAXDER

of the Georgics (iii. 25S) ; and CK-id found the theme

to his taste, and in a pair of poetic letters {Heroides,

18, 19) did justice to the pathos of the two lovers

parted by the stormy Dardanelles. One of his

lines —

" idem nmngium^ nantm^ vector tro '' —

is so remarkable a coincidence with the curious conceit of Musaeus —

aiTO? ct>K epenjs, avrdoroXo?, avro/iaros n/is —

that both O^id and Musaeus have been thought to borrow from some lost Alexandrine original. But the Greek poet, as a schoolmaster, may well have known and followed Ovid, with whom indeed he has much in common.

Musaeus himself may not have been a great poet, but he could at least inspire a greater than he. Had Mariowe "translated" Hero and Leander, the present version would have been a needless impertinence. But Marlowe, while he began with a free rendering of the Greek, soon forgot his original and went his own magnificent way.^ His famous line —

•• Who ever loved that loved not at first sight? " —

1 Only tbe first two "Sestiads" were by Marlowe, Chapman (who also translated Musaeus) wrote the rest.

HERO .\XD LEAXDER 9

has no equivalent in Musaeus, although one might think that the Greek poet would have welcomed it as the text of his tale. But, as a matter of fact, Musaeus would have thought it a mere common- place. The Alexandrines had already exploited the theme of love at first sight. Medea, in Apol- lonius, Simaetha, in Theocritus, had both been sudden \-ictims. Greek ladies, in their Oriental seclusion, had Httle opportunity for a slow court- ship. Even in the age and city of H\-patia, their retired life, before a mcirriage of convenience, was mainly broken by some religious procession or festival, where, as Ovid sa^-s, ladies could see the spectacle and be seen. Musaeus looks elsewhere for his text, and finds it more tragicallv : there are two powers that work their will in human life — Love and Fate. When they work in harmony, life is straightfon\-ard, perfect ; but they often clash ; and then, though Love is strong. Fate is stronger —

So, at least, it would seem to the ordinan,- Greek, with his unquestioned belief in the overlordsbip of Fate. But the poet sees deeper. The victory is but a defeat disguised. There is a tragedy, but as in all true tragedies, nothing is here for tears.

10 HERO AND LE.INDER

Even among the ruins of their Uves, the love of Hero and Leander is triumphant :

" In death itself they had joy of one another."

The poem suggests an inevitable comparison with its counterpart — the Pervigilium Veneris — in which Latin poetn.' may be said to close. There are differences, of course, in subject, in style, in metre ; but both are informed \nth something of the same spirit — the spirit that mourns the death of Love and Spring, and can yet feel and communicate the beauty of sorrow. As Leander and Hero are

" Two stars equal to each other."

these two poems are a splendid pair ; and, wth them, the lamps handed on by Homer and Virgil, long flickering and exhausted, seemed suddenlj- to have burst into a last brilhant flame, just before their lights were finally quenched, like Hero's lamp, by the winds of barbarism.

The follo\%'ing translation is based, though not slavishly, on the text of Ludvsich (Musaios, Hero and Leattder, Boim, 1912). It is as hteral as the difference between Greek and Enghsh modes of poetic expression will permit. I have not attempted to render the very rhetorical introduction of fifteen lines, in which the poet invokes the Muse, and

HERO AND LEAXDER 11

apostrophizes the lamp, that Zeus should have added to the stars. This preface is so frigid that one mav beUeve Musaeus to have \Mitten it a*, grammarian rather than poet. Its only value is to lay stress on the part played by the lamp in the tragic story : like Meleager's torch, it is the tene- ment of the soul, and on its safety the life of Leander depends. But Musaeus is no folklorist, to understand the nature of this mystic union. He would have preferred to be judged by his poetry, and I can onl}' hope that something of his poetic gift may be dimly seen in this translation.

HERO AND LEANDER

NEIGHBOURS that faced across the narrow- ing seas, Lay Sestos and Abydos, and on these Love bent his bow ; a single arrow flamed. Piercing two mortals : one, Leander named, A youth who gave Abydos her renown, One, Hero, a fair^irl of Sestos-town, — Twin-stars of those two cities ; and either shone As splendid as its bright companion. Still may the traveller see the high tower stand, Where once the lamp in Sestian Hero's hand Pointed her lover's path ; and still there ring. From old Abydan walls re-echoing, The voices of the melancholy tide, That tell how young Leander loved and died.

How came the Abydan youth to long for her Who lived apart in Sestos, and to stir An answering passion ? Hero, of noble blood, Served Aphrodite, in pure maidenhood, A lovel}' priestess, where her ancestry

Had built a tower that overtopped the sea.

13

14 HERO AND LEANDER

And there, a second Cytherean queen.

She dwelt, with shamefastness and modest mien,

Never consorting with the girHsh throng,

Nor ever dancing, other maids among.

Lest the fine flower of beauty should be soiled

In spiteful hands. By jealousy undespoiled,

She worshipped Cytherea, and adored

Eros, the archer, and often heavenward

Offered atoning gifts ; but even so.

She learned the anguish of his fiery bow.

For now was due the holy Cyprian feast, Wherein the Sestian folk, greatest and least. Honour Adonis and queen Aphrodite ; all Gathered, astir to keep high festival. From every island sea-engarlanded. From plains Thessalian, and the rocky head Of Cyprus ; none remained of womankind In all Cythera ; nor was left behind On Lebanon, in any odorous glen, A worshipper ; no one of neighbouring men Lagged, whether Phrygian or Abydan gates Poured out their citizens to cross the straits. And many a gallant came — love-smitten youth Cares little for the sacrifice, in truth. But much for the maidens sacrificing there. Now up the temple-aisle went Hero fair. And from her perfect face a radiancy

HERO AND LEANDER 15

Shone, as the clear moon in a cloudless sky.

The snow upon her cheek was blent with red.

Like tinges of the blush-rose ; you had said

" Her body is a garden of red roses

Breaking in blossom, for her robe discloses

Each limb a flower, till, when she walks, there meet

The white hem and the roses of her feet."

There are three Graces only, say the wise ?

Nay, but in either of Hero's lucent eyes

A hundred laughter-loving Graces proved

The servant worth her mistress. So she moved

Fairer than woman, and herself appeared

The avatar of the deity she revered.

And the hearts of men were fluttered, and beat fast

With ecstasy ; for as her light feet passed

Over the marble pavement, in her train

All eyes and minds and eager souls were fain

To follow ; and one cried, marvelling, " I have

known The city that is famed as Helen's own. Where maiden vies with maiden in beauty rare. But I saw none at Sparta who might dare Accept the challenge of that flawless face. Surely a youthful goddess — a new Grace — Ministers to Aphrodite. I have gazed Till vision is weary, and am still amazed. Let me but win her, and then quickly die ! —

16 HERO AND LEANDER

I grudge no god his immortality Should I make Hero mine. And if I pray An impious prayer, O Goddess, filching away Thine own, give me her equal ! " Thus he cried. But most were silent, spell-bound and tongue- tied. Not so Leander : passionately, he brooked No tame concealment of his love. He looked. And life, without her, seemed a thing of nought : Such burning fire shot from her eyes, and caught His heart defenceless. Beauty's arrows fly Swifter than any archer's : eye strikes eye And penetrates by this pathway to the goal. Where waits the prize of an enraptured soul. Even so by turns he wonders, blushes, trembles. And plucks up courage, blushing, as he dissembles The hope his stammering tongue dares not unfold ; Then Passion checks the blush, and Love grows

bold, Bidding the youth come near and greet the maid With tender looks, more eloquent to persuade Than spoken words. And she, his guile per- ceiving, Rejoiced in silence, but her bosom's heaving Sent him the message of her soft-drawn sighs. As she would glance, and turn away her eyes, And glance again. Thus joyfully he learned

HERO AND LEANDER 17

That his love-signs were read, his love not spurned.

But while he sought for secrecy, to gain His full desire, daylight began to wane Westward, and in the east horizon dim The evening star silvered the heaven's rim. Then, as the train of Night was sweeping near, Leander, venturous with abated fear, Came, and just touched her rosy finger-tips, And looked, with no word uttered ; and Hero's

lips Were silent, and the fingers that he had seized She quickly drew away, as if displeased. But he, observing marks of willingness Beneath the anger, caught her fair-wrought dress, To lead her toward the temple's deepest shade. And Hero followed, faltering and afraid, With such reproaches as are woman's use ; " Others — not I — may do thy pleasure : loose My dress from thy rough lust-emboldened clutch. Respect my parents' anger ; nay, to touch Aphrodite's priestess is an evil thing, And virgins may not yield to wantoning."

Her words were wrathful, but a gentler mood Was heralded, and the lover understood Love's hidden augury, and he kissed the maid Upon her white and fragrant neck, and said :

18 HERO AND LEANDER

" O mirror of the Cyprian queen divine,

Athena's other self, who dost outshine

All shining excellence of mortal birth.

Daughter of Jove, a visitor upon earth !

Happy thy father, happy she who bare,

In thee, a wonder ! Hearken to my prayer.

Pity my plight, show thyself in true deed

The votary of thy Goddess. Thou shouldst heed

Her ordinance, and the mysteries— darkly sealed

To maidenhood — wherein she stands revealed,

Commanding an initiate minister

To love. Therefore, if thou dost worship her,

Bear the delightful yoke she lays on thee.

And follow her sweet laws. Receive from me

My vows, and — if thou wilt — my love, and take

The booty Eros captured for thy sake.

Thou knowest how Hermes of the Golden Rod

Brought the strong Hercules beneath the nod

And lightest whim of Lydian Omphale.

Me Cytherea brings more urgently

Than Hermes. And by another be forewarned

— Arcadian Atalanta — when she scorned

Meilanion, her suitor, prizing more

Her maidenhood. But Aphrodite, sore

At slighted honour, sent infatuate

Desire upon disdain. Of such a fate.

Dearest, beware ; stern is the punishment."

HERO AND LEANDER 19

' So with soft passion-luring words he bent The will that struggled with her heart. But

shame Covered her ; with eyes downcast and cheeks

aflame And face that feared to encounter him, she beat The floor with tappings of her nervous feet, And drew her cloak closelier to her side. And still was silent — tokens that betide The nearness of love's self-abandoning. For now she felt the sweet-and-bitter sting Fixt by the goad that Aphrodite plies. And loved Leander, though her modest eyes Looked down, and shunned his countenance set

fast On the bright vision of her neck. At last, With changeful flushes, and virginal cheeks aglow In crimson-eddying flood, she murmured low :

" Sir, such fine talk as this would surely turn A stone to weeping ! How camest thou to learn Subtlety, and clever phrase of argument ? Ah me ! who brought thee hither, vainly sent ? How dost thou hope, a wanderer unknown, Untestified, to have me for thine own ? By ceremony, and the sacred marriage-tie ? My kinsfolk would forbid it. Or wilt thou try, As a pretended stranger, travel-worn,

20 HERO .A^'D LEAXDER

To linger here, seeking the pleasure bora In stolen love ? Not so may I be won. Tongues wag ; a secret thing in darkness done Is soon the gossip of the market-place. And yet ... I would be told thy name and race : My name— thou knowest— is Hero, and I dwell Where a tall tower, before the citadel Of Sestos, hangs upon the sounding sea. There, \sith one maiden, for all my company. Harsh parents keep me, sorrowing for dearth Of fellowship, and the joy of friendly mirth And song ; but to my ears cometh alone The v^indy water's never-ceasing moan."

She ended, and would gladly have unsaid The words for very shame, and veiled her head Beneath her cloak. But his turbulent passion

drove Leander towards the hoped-for meed of love. For guileful Eros, once ha\ing pierced his prej^ Himself wUl heal the wound, and show the way WTiereby his slaves learn %nsdom from distress. So now he taught his \ictim craftiness. Prompting a plan — but, aU too late for rueing, Leander 's wisdom turned to his undoing. " Lady," he said, " for such a sweet reward, I'd brave the ocean, though it beat and roared And foamed vsith fire. Nightly, to thy dear bed.

HERO AND LEANDER 21

A lover sea-drenched and wave-buffeted,

I'll swim the Hellespont, from where my home

Lies in Abydos — no long way to come.

One thing I ask — that on the other side

Thy tower shall hold a lamp, my beacon-guide ;

So shall I be love's ship, and sail aright.

Shaping my dark course by that starry light.

I shall not watch the slow Arcturus set,

Nor mark Orion's piloting, nor yet

The Wain that never sinks ; for my own star

Will lead me safe across Love's harbour-bar.

Only take care, lest some wind's violent breath

Put out the light, and drag me to my death ;

For know, that in the constancy of that flame

I live. And now, — if thou wouldst learn my

name — Thy husband is Leander."

Thus their troth Was plighted, and a covenant made for both. For her, to hold the shining lamp, for him. Over the flame-lit waterpath to swim. So with their love declared, their trysting sped. But \nth desire still to be perfected. They went their ways — she, back to the tower ;

but he Noted the landmarks round him carefully. Lest his night-wandering feet might lose the road,

22 HERO .A^'D LE.\NDER

And then sailed homeward to his own abode In great Abydos. Wistfully they went, Longing for their love's full accomplishment, \Mien, much entreated, tardy night should rise. At length a robe of darkness wrapped the skies. And all men, save Leander, turned to sleep ; But he stood wakefully by the unquiet deep. Impatient, till the fatal lamp should bring His marriage-hour with happy summoning. And Hero, when the last sunbeam had dwindled. Lighted the lamp, and straightway love was

kindled Within Leander's heart. He, on sohd ground, Heard the wild thunder-throated waves resound, And shrank from plunging. But new hopes were

near, To feed his soul with comfort : " Love I fear, And fearful is the Ocean ; yet the waves Are only water ; and in my heart there raves A burning flame. Heed thou the deadlier fire, My heart ! nor let the sea foil thy desire. What harm can water work thee, being the home Of Aphrodite, bom from the sea-foam? Hers is the Ocean, hers my agony." So saving, he threw off him speedily His tunic, and rolled it close about his hair, Then leapt into the sea — his only care

HERO AXD LEAXDER 28

To reach the lamp — voyaging in strange guise. Himself the ship, mariner, and merchandise.

But in the high tower Hero, at her task Of safeguarding the lamp, would often mask Its flame from the wind-quarter, and with her

dress Would screen it against a sudden gustiness. Until Leander fought his perilous way To the calm anchorage in the Sestian bay. And thence she brought him breathless to her

door. Still flecked with spray of frothy water hoar. And with a mute embrace led her bridegroom To the dear welcome of her maiden-room. Therein, she bathed his body, and sprinkled him With oil rose-scented on each quivering limb, That washed away the pungent-savoured brine. And leaned across the bed, to intertwine Her arms \s-ith his, speaking soft words of love : " Husband, my husband ! Thou has laboured

above All others who have toiled to earn their brides ; Thou hast had full surfeit of the salty tides And rankness of the monster-peopled seas. Now let my arms bring to thy labour ease." So Hero spoke, and suffered him to imtie Her girdle, and they essa\-ed the mysten.-

24 HERO AND LEANDER

Of Aphrodite's grace, in wedlock true, Though without marriage-hymn or dances due, Or music round the bridal bed, or prayer That the Queen of Gods might smile upon the

pair. No torches lit the room, no nimble feet Of maidens whirled in the swift dance, to greet Their homecoming. Father or mother none Sang songs to Hymen ; by the bed alone Silence was bridesmaid, and the priestess Night, Dark celebrant, performed the holy rite. Nor dared the bridegroom linger till the morn ; In haste, with broken joys, untimely torn From Hero, and still fragrant with the breath Clinging to those whom Cypris favoureth. He rose, and swam to his own countrymen. But Hero stayed, escaping her parents' ken, A wedded wife by night, a maid by day ; And many prayers these two were wont to pray That the high sun might quicken to the west.

So for a little while, safe and unguessed. The secret prospered, and the Cyprian spell. With its sweet working ineluctable, Gave their far-sundered loves a happy boon In darkness. But wild winter came, full soon, When by strong blasts, tumultuously driven. The sea's foundations were upheaved and riven.

HERO AND LEANDER 25

And the huddled waves fled from the tempest- whips, And sailors trembled, drawing their painted ships High on the thirsty sands above the wrack. But no mad sea, Leander, could bend back Thy stubborn purpose, when from Hero's tower The bright lamp beckoning at the appointed hour . Flashed out its faithless, merciless command. Ah ! had she been content, and stayed her hand. Nor kindled that brief star, too quickly cooled ! But tyrant Fate and Passion overruled. And the witched lamp, promising Love's delight, Brought only death.

In that dark watch of night. When winds are fiercest, flinging at the sea The deadliest javelins of their armoury, Leander, all-impetuous for his bride. Started to breast the swollen surf, and ride The storm-foot horse of the unmastered main. That carried him helpless, a rider without rein. Wave curled on wave ; the sea and heavenly vault Were mixed, and all the winds in savage assault Shrieked as they fought — the West wind with the

East, South with the terrible North ; nor ever ceased The thunder of the unforgiving surge. And pitifully Leander called, to urge

26 HERO AND LEANDER

The aid of Her, who rose from the sea-spray — Pitifully cried to Him, whom seas obey, The lord Poseidon. Often would he entreat Boreas, not to forget those kisses sweet Of Attic Oreithyia ; but all failed : Love had confronted Fate, and Fate prevailed. On every side a barrier of waves stood Unscalable, and then broke in a great flood. That swept him hither and thither, till at length His feet grew impotent, and all the strength In his unresting arms was spent in vain. And the waves gripped his throat, that he should

drain A bitter draught. And then a violent gust Blew out the lamp, unequal to its trust. And, with the flame, Leander's love and life. Meanwhile, with dull foreboding thought, his wife Watched, leaden-eyed, in sleepless vigilance. Till the day came— ^but on the wide expanse Came no sight of Leander, though her gaze. This way and that, ranged the long water-ways — If the swimmer might have missed the landing- place. The lamp being lost.

And there, at the tower's base. Beneath her on the rocks, she saw him bleeding,

I

HERO AND LEANDER 27

And beaten into a mangled thing unheeding. Frenzied, she rushed, and with her garments rent, Leapt desperately from the high battlement To draw her last breath at her husband's side.

So Love, in Death itself, was satisfied.

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