Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (1).pdf/8

8 the forest, whereupon mounting his horse which he had brought with him, he came up to the miserable person, and demanding who had misused him? to whom, with a faint voice he replied, certain pirates lying in ambush in the forest, had set upon prince Armelious and his train, and had killed many of them, yet those that remained valiantly defended their prince, therefore, for goodness-sake, said he to Leander, if you are generous, hasten to their assistance ere it is too late.

Leander, who had always a noble soul, and took great delight to relieve the distressed, needed not to be incited to such an enterprise, set spurs to his horse, being directed to the place by the continued cries, and found the prince, most of whosowhose [sic] men were slain, valiantly defending himself, his back being to a tree, against nine or ten of the villains: he easily perceived who the oppressors were, and flying in amongst them like a tempest, beat all down before him, cutting off the heads of some, and the arms of others as they were about to strike, making their swords drop useless from their hands; this put new courage into Armelious and his wounded men, who yet survived their fellows, so that lustily laying about them, all but three of these pirates were slain, who, being likewise wounded, escaped among the trees; Armelious had scarce time to thank the generous Leander, when hearing the cries of his daughter, whom others of this rout were carrying away prisoner, he besought him on his knees to bend his course to her assistance. Leander now all covered with the blood of his enemies, turned his horse to the path, followed the cry, and soon overtook them; but oh! how astonished was he, when he saw, and knew the lady, though in tears and disordered, to be the beauteous