Hero and Leander

"Hero and Leander" is an unfinished poem that tells the story of Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite, and Leander, a young man who falls in love with her.

Leander swims across the Hellespont every night to be with Hero, guided by a torch she holds aloft.

One stormy night, the torch is extinguished, and Leander drowns.

Hero, upon discovering his body, throws herself into the sea to join him.

The poem explores themes of love, beauty, and the power of fate.