“ 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 Altemansor’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. ”

“ At length her father resolved to marry her to Altemansor’s brother within three days, though she opposed it with her tears and prayers, to prevent a war, and to atone for his brother’s death. This fatal decree possessed Hero with mortal fears; so that she seeing no hope but either to destroy herself, or be forced into the arms of a man she hated, for Leander’s proffered aid, in case of war, would not be accepted by her father, she consented that the next night he should come with a small ship to fetch her and Amorissa with all her jewels and treasures into Greece. ”

“ This woman being of a ready and quick understanding, found by the young lady’s often changing colour, and sometimes hearing a sigh escape when she spoke of Leander, that she had more than ordinary concern for him, resolving to dive more deeply into her thoughts, she urged her many times to know why she so earnestly enquired into the fame and welfare of his person above all others? ”

“ These men planted themselves in a wood he was to pass, and when he came opposite them, they all rushed out upon him with their drawn swords, and gave him a furious assault; but he who was never used to fear, drew his trusty sword that had never failed him, and laid about him so furiously, that in a very short time he sent eleven of them to keep company with the dead, while he that remained, fell on his knees and begged his life, which he generously gave him, upon his confessing who employed them; on hearing which, Leander could not but wonder how any nobleman could be guilty of such baseness ”

“ When Greece flourished in riches and renown, becoming by virtue and valorous achievements, tho glory of the whole world, having subdued to itself not only the Persian empire, but almost all India, and indeed tho most part of Asia, then it was that the famed Leander, after many warlike exploits, and bringing into subjection divers countries, as general of the Grecian forces, coming back with his victorious army, adorned with laurels and trumpets, had his praises sung every where, whilst the crowding spectators flowed from all parts to behold him as he passed in a triumphal chariot ”

“ This speech satisfied the prince, in that he ever held, that a man of honour was always punctual to his word: But the prince of Persepolis inwardly grieved at this stranger’s carrying away the glory of the day, and fearing he might prove a rival in his love, (he being passionately enamoured of the fair Hero) sent twelve of his followers after him to murder him, and then to bury him privately that it might not be known. ”

“ How Leander won a rich diamond in a tournament, which he presents to Hero, with a letter in it manifesting his love; and overthrew a great many men that lay in ambush to take his life. Hero being pretty well come to herself, made a strict enquiry after her deliverer, and when she was told he had secretly withdrawn himself, her eyes could not refrain from tears, that she had not a convenient opportunity to thank him for her deliverance ”

“ Going one day as usual, and finding a small bark in a private harbour between two rocks, he, without the knowledge of any one, agreed with the master to transport him to the farther shore, which he did with a favourable gale, and landed him by the side of a forest, some distance from Sestus, the castle of his beloved Hero, and having dismissed the master of the bark with a reward suitable to his labour, he set him down to consider the best method to be taken without giving offence. ”

“ She most modestly refused, and said it was the prize of his valour. But he entreated her in so particular a manner, that at length she accepted it, declaring she would keep it for his sake. Many admiring this, some with wonder, and others not without jealousy; prince Armelious was well pleased with it, as imagining this stranger could be no other than his gallant deliverer; and the jests being ended, he caused a lord near him to go and invite him into the hall, where a sumptuous entertainment was provided ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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 little house in the remotest place, where Amorissa often visited him, and divers letters passed betwixt him and Hero, who sometimes admitted him into her lodgings. ”

“ He had not been there long before ho heard dismal cries as of people in distress, and presently a man all bloody and wounded came running out of 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? ”