Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (1).pdf/5

5 embarked his army on board the ships which lay ready to transport him into Greece, when setting sail with a fair wind, whilst Neptune and his Tritons danced before him, he at length reached the joyful shores, filled with the people from all parts who came to welcome him with music, songs, &c., and thronged after him to his palace of Abidos, where his father and mother with open arms received him, and all the states of Greece came to congratulate his success, proclaiming aloud his victories, and held ten day’s festival in their capital cities, in honour of his brave exploits and achievements over so many nations.

Leander, during the general rejoicing, was very thoughtful in disposing his army, and settling his affairs, which being done, he thought to betake himself to repose after the tedious toil of war, but beauteous Hero opposed it; he thought she was always in his sight, for sleeping or waking his fancy and all her dreams represented her unto him all lovely and charming, so that he could no longer stifle his flame, but signally showed by the alteration of his countenance, that something inwardly disturbed him; his parents and friends wondering at so sudden a change, and not knowing the cause, urged him to discover it, but he, being very prudent, put them off with fictions.

While Leander was at this pass, the fair Hero no less surprised at the sight of him represented to herself all that was great and worthy to be admired in mankind, in him, so that their flames and passions were equal: though either was ignorant of it, she was so taken up with the thoughts of him, that it deprived her of her natural rest, and was pleased with nothing more than to hear of the great actions he had done, the relation of which was music to