[Illustration]
Hero was a priestess of Venus, at Sestos, whom Leander met during one of
the festivals held annually at the fane of the goddess, in honour of
Adonis.
"As thro' the temple passed the Sestian maid,
Her face a softened dignity displayed;
And as she shone superior to the rest,
In the sweet bloom of youth and beauty dress'd,
Such softness, tempered with majestic mien,
The earthly priestess matched the heavenly queen."
The appearance of Hero inflamed the bosom of Leander, nor was he long in
expressing his love to the beautiful being who had won it. In the very
temple of the goddess, whose priestess she was, and while warmed with the
rites at which she had been assisting, Leander avowed his passion.
"Her lily hand he seized, and gently pressed,
And softly sighed the passion of his breast,
Then to the temples last recess conveyed
The unreluctant, unresisting maid,
Silent she stood, and wrapt in thought profound,
Her modest eyes were fixed upon the ground,
Her cheeks she hid, in rosy blushes drest,
And veiled her lily shoulders with her vest."