Tragic story of
doomed lovers from
greek mythology. The subject of works by
Christopher Marlowe,
John Donne, and
A.E. Housman.
Tarry, delight, so seldom met,
So sure to perish, tarry still; Forbear to cease
or languish yet,
Though soon you must and will.
By Sestos town, in Hero's tower;
On Hero's heart Leander lies; The signal torch
has burned its hour
And sputters as it dies.
Beneath him in the nighted firth,
Between two continents complain
The seas he swam from earth to earth
And he must swim again.
-A. E. Housman