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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; but Leander, who had his face all the while covered, and not yet willing to discover himself, returned the prince his humble thanks in the most obliging exprcssions imaginable, and desired to be cxcused, saying, He had taken his repost already, and obliged himself by promise to return as soon as the sport is cndcd.
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 strangers carrying away the glory of the day, and fearing hc might prove a rival in his love (he being passionately enamour'd 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.
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 hc that remained: fell on his knees and begged his life, which he generously gave him, upon his confessing who employed them; at hearing which, Leander could not hut wonder how any nobleman could be guilty of such baseness; and then commanding him to
