Page:Famous history of the two unfortunate lovers, Hero & Leander (1).pdf/3

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THE

FAMOUS HISTORY

OF

TWO UNFORTUNATE LOVERS,

HERO AND LEANDER.


CHAP. I.

How Leander, returning in triumph from his eastern victories, fell in love with the beauteous Hero and she with him; and of the strange vision of the Goddess Venus, appearing to Hero, and what she represented.

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; and among tho rest of the Asian beauties, the fairest of her sex, and even the very mirror of beauty, Hero, daughter of a prince who had a stately castle called