Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (1).pdf/9

9 Hero, lie lifted up his hands to heaven for directing him to this forest, at a time when the fairest of creatures was in danger, and being excited by love and revenge, fell upon them like a thunderbolt breaking from a cloud, dying afresh his sword, not dried from the former blood, at which the trembling lady died away to see such fatal strokes, which at every blow brought death to one or other of them, so that despairing to carry off their precious prize, when defended by one whom they supposed to be much more than man, those that could, fled, and those that could not, left their lives behind them.

By this time Armelious and his company were come to lend what assistance they could, and seeing fair Hero rescued, they would have fallen at the feet of their deliverer, but he generously withheld them from doing it, alledging that he had done nothing but what all good and just men ought to hazard in such cases, to rescue the oppressed, and punish the oppressor; by this time the alarm being taken, a great crowd of people came flocking from the neighbouring parts, with such weapons as came to their hands, and hearing what wonders this stranger had done, and that it was to his valour alone they owed the safety of their prince and his fair daughter, they saluted him with shouts of joy, but his thoughts were so perplexed for Hero, that he little regarded their applauses, for she, by the fright, and seeing so much blood shed, was fallen into a swoon, but reviving at length, she was put into a chariot that stood by the forest side, and conveyed to the castle of Sestus; Leander being in this encounter unknown to her, by reason his face was all covered with the blood of his enemies; Armelious entreated him to go with him to the