Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (2).pdf/4

4 Sestus, situato upon the banks of the Hellespont, or narrow sea, of about two miles over, which parts Europe from Asia; she that day was adorned in the richest attire that gold, silks, and jewels; could set out to the highest illustration, glittering like the morning star, or a goddess in a radient cloud. She was in a chariot drawn by four white horses, in silver trappings, and shadowing plumes of feathers of various colours, attended by a train of servants dressed in the richest garments that could be got, and with her, as her companions, were divers beautiful virgins, so that she appeared like Diana surrounded with her nymphs, yet outshining them as far as the sun does the glittering stars. This object soon made Leander fix his eyes upon it with admiration, and though he devoted himself to the god of war, and gave laws to nations, yet now the god of love put in to gain a victory over him, who before had been esteemed unconquerable, the queen of love seemed to guide his thoughts, and tako up his cogitations; he wished he might lay his laurels and trophies at this fair lady’s feet, and found an inward firo kindled, that made him lovo this fair stranger before he knew what sho was, or what quality, yet could guess by all that appeared, she was no less than noble. When his triumphant chariot had passed her, he could not but turn his eyes back to behold her; and, like the love sick son to his fair Lancothe, was both to go out of her sight; he thought once or twice to order his atten- dants to enquire who she was, but then other thoughts countermanded them, when he considered that his fame and glory would be eclipsed, if, just returned from the wars of Mars, he should be sus- pected to incline to the soft tents of Venus ; so that without any inquiry, coming to the sea-side, ho