Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (2).pdf/18

18 to take up his abode, seeing the sun was near set, in that lodge till the next morning ; when, after many thoughts coming into his head, he fell asleep, and fancied he had fair Hero in his arms, dancing on the waves, and riding triumphant in Neptune’s chariot, as if commanding the seas, when Æolus, the god of the wind, conspired with all his force, to raise a mighty and prodigious storm, which overset his chariot; whereat, for fear of losing Hero, who seemed to roll with him on the watery surge, he started and awoke much troubled at such an unusual dream ; but concluded it only the fancy of the night, and of his extraordinary love, he hushed those eares, and considered how to dispose of himself next day. Morning being come, he laid his armour in a safe place, and took only his horse, and went to the castle of Sestus, where the bridge being down, and the gates opened, he entered, and took a secret lodging in a littlo house in the remotest place, where Amorissa often visited him, and divers letters passed betwixt him and Hero, who some- times admitted him into her lodgings. At length Hero resolved, that if she could not gain her father’s consent, she would without farther delay marry Leander, and pass over into Greece with him ; but just as these thoughts filled her breast, her father came to charge her to entertain Alteman- sor’s love, laying before her the advantage of such an alliance, the power and riches of that prince, &c., but she answered him with tears and entreaties, that she might not have a man she could not love ; this put the old man in a great rage, protesting not only to disown her, but disinherit her for ever, if she disobeyed him. This news she sent Leander in a letter all blotted with tears, which mado him