Page:History of the destruction of Troy (2).pdf/4

 4             The famous History of

ing king, who, after he had conquered the Thrigians, his neighbours, in a mighty battle, and annexed their country to it; named it Troy, and commanded his sub- jefts to call themselves Trojans.

This king reigned successfully many years, and dying left the kingdom and great riches to Leomedon, his Son, who enlarged the wails of Troy, built strong towers, and had many fair children; so that he was a liranger to adversity, till an odd adventure happened, viz. A mortal plague having wasted his country, and thou sands of his subjects daily dying of it, he sent to enquire of the Oracle, to know the cause of it, and how it might be removed Having answer returned, that Apollo and Neptune, the gods of the sun and sea, were angry with him for his breach of promises in neglecting to build them a new temple with the money they had taken out of the old one, seeing they had so much contribut- ed to the advantage of his country, and the building of the walls of his city ; and that the plague should not be stayed till it had wasted his whole people, unless a virgin a bove sixteen years, was daily offered up to a sea monster which Neptune would lend to devour her, if no valiant knight in single combat could kill the monster.

This, to save the general destruction was agreed on; till at last all the virgins but