Classic Poem

Who will hear the song sung over,
Of a beauty and her lover?

She will not heed her father's voice,
And take a husband of his choice.

All in vain does he command her;
Too dear is her own dear Leander.

In great rage, that very hour,
Her father shuts her in a tower.

When the sun rose the next day,
The noble youth came by that way.

“O noble youth, your heart is brave,
To come and seek for me and save.

“Now, if to save my life you came,
Wait till you see the torches flame.

“When I have given you that sign,
Come and break down these doors of mine.”

The evening of the second day
The noble youth came by that way.

He threw him down beneath an oak;
'T was the next night when he awoke.

The gallant youth awoke in shame:
He saw the tower all aflame.

And when he saw it burning, he
Threw himself into the sea.

The beauty watched from far away
The place where her Leander lay.

When in the sea she saw him drown,
From the high tower she cast her down.