Page:History of the destruction of Troy (2).pdf/6

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6 The famous History of

but with mighty strokes of his club he re- pelled him, and at last battered his skull quite into his brains, when with a terrible roaring he died : Whereupon the fea with- drew and left him upon the sands, and so: hideous was his form, that the Trojans trembled to behold him tho’ dead. Here- upon Hercules released the lady with great joy, leading her to the city, where he was received in triumph with several noble Greeks his accomplices, and feasted many, days. Then he demanded as his reward,: king Leomedon’s two milk-white horses that drew his chariot; but the perfidious king, finding the plague ceased, and his daughter preserved, grew unmindful of his promise, and the mighty obligation laid ’ upon him, yet dissembled the matter; till Hercules one day going a hunting, at his return found the city gates shut against him, and upon demanding entrance, Leomedon from the wall denied it, saying. He went about to move his subjects to rebel against him, and charging him and his Greeks im- mediately to depart the land.

Then Hercules desired the horses accord- ing to his oath and promise, as the reward; ‘ but he with threats refused to deliver them. Whereupon the mighty warrior thus vented his anger: “ False and ungrateful king, “ doft thou deny me the reward of my la- " bour, requiting me evil for good ? By

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