Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (1).pdf/14

14 who must beg leave to subscribe himself your entirely devoted.’ ‘LEANDER.’ When the princess read this letter, she was transported with joy, and called Amorissa to consult what was best to be done, and it was agreed between them that Amorissa should go in search of him with the following letter:

‘Sir, though you are a stranger with whom I never had any conversation, yet the fame of Leander’s virtues and renowned deeds, which have taken up the discourse of all the world, cannot, you may well imagine, but have reached the ears of Hero, and created in her an esteem worthy of so deserving a person; but how you could conceive so great a passion as you expressed in your letter, upon so slight a view, I cannot hastily believe, since the greatest queen on earth would be proud of Leander’s courtship, and set a diadem on his head for love; I think, if I mistake not, I owe my life, at least my liberty and honour, which is dearer to me than both, to your valour, and, therefore, in gratitude return you my thanks, and cannot but declare, that it is just when I am an enemy to myself that I will be so to Leander. The rest I leave to the bearer, in whom you may repose any confidence, and so take leave to subscribe myself yours in friendship and good wishes.’

‘HERO.’

And as she was riding by the side of a wood, she got information of such a person as she described having entered the said wood a few hours before. Amorissa immediately pursued the