AFter the angr [...]e Gréekes has [...] the chiefest Cittie in Phrigi [...], and turn [...] King Priams glorious buildinges to a [...] and desolate wildernes, Duke Aenzas exempted from his natiue habi­tation, with manie of his distressed countrimen ( [...] Pilgrims) wandered the world to [...] some happie r [...]gion, where they might erect the Image of their late subue [...]ted Troy, but before that labour could [...] accomplished, Aenaeas ended his dayes in the con [...]i [...]s of Italie, and left his sonne Askanius to gouerne in his [...], Askanius dying [...] Siluius to rule, Siluius deceasing, le [...]t [...]he noble and [...]ent [...]rous Brutus, which Brute (being the [Page 2] [...] [Page 3] [...] [Page 4] and hollow trées, wherein they were entertained with such a dismall croking of night Rauens, hissing of Serpents, b [...]l­lowing of Bulles, and roaring of monsters, that it rather seemed a wildernesse of furies, than any worldly habitati­on: by which they knew it to be the inch [...]ted vale of Ka­lyb the Lady of the woodes: So pacing [...] the middle of the thicket, they came to a Ca [...]e whose gate and entrey was of Iron, whereon hung a mightie brasen borne for them to winde that would speake with the Sorceresse, first offering their Lambe with great humlitie before the po­st [...]rne of the Caue, then exempting all feare they winded the brasen horne, the sounde whereof séemed to shake the foundation of the earth, after which they heard a loude and hollow voice that vttered these wordes following.

THis da [...]ke Ri [...]le or rather misticall Oracle being thrice repeated in this order, so much amazed them that they stood in doubt whether it were b [...]st to returne, or to winde the br [...]en borne the second time: but being per­swaded by the other Knight not to mo [...]ue the impatience of Kalyb, hee rested satisfied with that answere.

Thus le [...] he the i [...]chaunted Caue to the gouernement of Kalyb, and with all sp [...]de dispatched his iourney to his [...] hab [...]tation, but in the mean [...] time his Lady b [...]ing o­uerch [...]rged with extr [...]me paine and bitter anguish of her laborsome wombe, [...] forced either to the spoyle of her Infant, or decay of her owne life: But regarding more [Page 5] the benefit of her countrie, than [...]er own safetie, and for the preseruation of her childe, [...]hee most willingly committed her tender wombe to be opened, that her Infant might bée taken forth aliue.

Thus with the consent of many learned Chirurgions, this most Noble and Magnanimious Ladie was cast into a dead sl [...]epe, her wombe cut vp with sharpe razers, and the Infant taken from the bed of his creation: Upon his brest nature had picturde the liuely forme of a Dragon, vpon his right hand a bloody Crosse, and on his left leg a golden gar­ter, they named him George, and prouided him thrée nur­ses, one to giue him sucke, another to kéepe him a sleep, and the third to prouide him foode, not manie dayes after his na­tiuitie, the fell Inchantresse Kalyb béeing the vtter enemy to true Nobilitie, by charmes and witchcrafts st [...]le the In­fant from his car [...]les Nurses: At which time (though all too late) her Noble Lord and Husband returned in g [...]d hope to he [...]re a ioyfull deliuerie of his Lady, and a comfort of a So [...]ne: but his wished ioy, was turned into a lasting sor­row, for hee founde not onely his Lady dismembred a [...] her wombe, but his yong Sonne wanting, without [...] of his abode; which wofull spectakle berea [...]d [...] of his wi [...], that for a time hee stood s [...]ncele [...] like weeping N [...]obe, but a [...] l [...]st brake into these bitter e [...]clamations.

O heau [...]n [...]! why couer you not earth with euerlasting night? or why doe these accursed eye [...] b [...]hold the sunne? O that the wo [...]s of Oedipus might end my da [...]es, or like an exile ioy in banishment, where I may warble forth my sor­rowes to the whispering woods, tha [...] senceles tr [...]s may re­cord my losse, & vn [...]ame [...] beasts grieue at my want. What monster hath ber [...]aud [...] me of my Childe? or what Tyrant hath béene glutted with his Tragedie? [...] that the winde would be a messenger and bring me happie newes of his a­bode, if hee bee drenched in the déepest Seas, [...]ether will I diue to fetch him [...] hee bee hidden in the [...] earth, th [...]ther will I digge to se [...] my sonn [...] ▪ or if he like a [Page 6] scathered foule lye houering in the ayre, yet thether will I flie, and imbrace him that neuer [...] eyes behold [...]: But why doe I thunder foorth my excla [...]ations thus in [...], when neyther heauen, nor earth, nor seas, nor [...] heauen, in earth, nor seas will leud mee comfort for [...] couerie?

Thus complayned he many mon [...]hs for the los [...] of his sonne, and sent messengers into euery C [...]rcuite of the Land, but no man pro [...]e so fortunate as to returne him happie tydings: He then b [...]eing frustrate of all good hopes, stored himselfe with Iewels, and so intended to trauaile the wide world, eyther to speed in his iournie, or to leaue his bones in some forraine region: T [...]ns leauing his natiue Coun­trie, wandred from place to place, till the hair [...]s of his head were growne as white as siluer, and his beard like to the thistle downe, but at l [...]st he ended his trauaile in Bohemia, where what for age and excessiue griefe, laide him selfe downe vnder a ruinate Monasterie wall & dyed, the Com­mons of that countrie hauing knowledge of his name (by a Iewel he wore in his bosome) ingraued it in Marble stone right ouer his sepulchre, where we leaue him sleeping in peace, and returne to his sonne remayning with Kalyb the Lady of the woods in the inchaunted Caue.

Now twice seauen yeares were fully finished since Ka­lyb first had in kéeping the Noble Knight Saint George of England, whose minde many times thirsted after honora­ble aduentures, and often attempted to set him selfe at li­bertie, but the f [...]ll inchantresse tendring him as the apple of her eye, appointed twelue sturdy Satiers to attend his per­son, so that neyther force nor pollicie could further hys in­tent: shee kept him not to triumph in his Tragedie, nor to spend his d [...]yes in slauerie, but féeding his fancie with all the delightes and pleasures that Arte or Nature could [...]: For in him she fixed her chiefest felicitie, and luste [...] after his be [...]tie: But he séeking to aduance his name by Martiall Discipline and Knightly attempts, vtterly refu­sed [Page 7] her preffered curtesies, and highly disdainde to affect so wicked a creature: who seeing her loue bestowed in vaine, vpon a time beeing in the secretst corner of her Caue, began [...] him in this manner.

[...]hou knowest (Sir Knight) how worthily I haue de­serued thy Loue, and how for thy sake I haue kept my Uir­ginity vnstainde▪ yet thou more cruell than the Tigers bréed in Libia, reiect [...]th me. Deare Knight fulfill my desi­ers, and at thy pleasure my charmes shall practise woon­drous thinges, as to mooue the heauens to rayne a shower of stones vpon thy enemies, to conuert the Sunne to f [...]re, the Moone to blood, or make a desolation of the whole world.

The Noble Knight Saint George considered in his mind that Loue would make the wisest blind: Therefore by her faire promises he hoped to obtaine his liberty, the which moou [...]e him to make her this answers.

Most wise and learned Kalyb, the woonder of the world, I condiscend to all thy desiers vpon this condition, that I may be sole Proiector and Gouernour of this Inchaunted Caue, and that thou discribe to me my birth, my name, and Parentage, wherto she willingly consented, and began her discourse in this manner. Thou art by byrth said shee, son to the Lord Albert high Steward of England, and to this day haue I kept [...] within these solitary woods: So taking him by the hand she led him [...] ▪ wherin remayned as prisoners, fire of the [...] k [...]ghts in the world: These are sayd she six of the [...]orthiest [...] of Christendome, the first is Sain [...] Dennis of France, the second Saint Iames of Spaine, the third Saint A [...]ho [...]ie of Italie, the fourth Saint Andrew [...] [...]cotland ▪ [...] Pattricke of Ireland, the sixt Saint Dauid of Wales [...] of thou art borne to bee the [...], and thy [...] Sa [...]t George of England, for so thou shalt bee [...] to come▪ Then leading hym a [...] further she brou [...]t him into a large faire [...] whe [...] s [...]ood seauen of the [...] [Page 8] Stéedes that [...]uer the world behold, [...]ixe of these (sayd shée) belong to the sixe Champions, and the seauenth will▪ be­stowe on thée, whose name is Ba [...]ard: likewise shee lead him to another roome, where hung the richest Armour that [...]uer eye beheld, so choosing out the strongest Cor [...]let [...] Armorie, shee with her owne handes buckled it on hys brest, laced on hys Hel [...]ne, and attyred him with rich Capa­rison, then fetching forth a mighty [...]a [...]chion, shée put it like­wise in hys hand, (now sayd shée) art thou Armed in richer furniture than was Ninus the first Monarke of the worlde: thy stéed is of such force and inuincible power, that whilst thou art mounted on hys backe, there can be no Knight in all the world so hardy as to conquere thée: Thy Armour of the purest Lidian stéele, that neyther weapon can pearce, nor Battail axe bruse, thy sword which is called Ascalon is framed of such excellent mettle by the curious workman­ship of the Ciclops, that it will seperate and cut the hardest [...]lint, and how in sunder the strongest stéele, for in the pum­mell lies such pretious vertue, that neyther treason, witch­crafts, nor any violence can bee proffered thée, so long as thou wearest it.

Thus the lustfull Kalyb béeing so blinded in her owne conceit, that she not only bestowed the riches of her Caue vpon him, but gaue him power and authoritie through a siluer wand which shee put in his hand to worke her owne destin [...]tion for comming by a huge great rocke of stone, this valiant minded Knight stroke his charming r [...]d there­on, whereat it opened, and sh [...]wed apparantly before his eyes a number of sucking Babes which the Inchauntress [...] had mirthered by her witchcrafts and sorceries: O said she this is [...] place of horror, where nought is heard but scrikes and [...] grones of dead mens soules, but if thy eares can ind [...]re [...] heare them, and thy eyes behold them, I wil lead the [...] So the Lady of the woodes boldly stopping in be­fo [...]e▪ [...] mistrusting the pr [...]tended pol [...]icie of S. George, [...] in her owne practises, for no sooner entred the [Page 9] the rocke, but he stroke his siluer wand thereupon, and im­mediatly it closed, where shee bellowed foorth exclamati­ons to the senceles stones without al hope of deliuery.

Thus this Noble Knight deceaued the wicked Inchan­t [...]esse Kalyb, and set the other sixe Champions likewise at libertie, who rendred him all Knightly curtesies, & gaue him thankes for their safe deliuerie, so storing themselues with all thinges according to their desiers, tooke their iour­nies from the Inchanted groue, whose procéeding fortunes and heroicall aduentures shall bee shewed in this Chapter following.

BUT after the departure of the seauen worthy Champions, Kalyb seeing her selfe fast closed in the rocke of stone, by the pollicie of the English Knight, grew into such extreame passion of minde, that she cursed the houre of her creation, and bitterly b [...]nned all motions of coniuration, the earth she wearied with her cries, whereby the verie stones séemd to relent, and as it were, wept cristall teares, & sweat with verie anguish of her griefe: the blasted Oakes that grewe about the Inchaunted rocke, likewise seemde to rue at her exclamations, the blustering windes were silent, the mur­muring [Page 10] of Birds still, and a soli [...]rie dumbnes tooke posses­sion of euery [...] within the [...] of the woods, to heare h [...]r wofull Lamentation, which she vtte­red in this man [...].

O miserable Kalyb! accu [...]sed be thy desteny, for [...] thou art incl [...]sed within a desolate & darkesome den, where neyther sunne can lend thée comfort with his bright beams, nor aire extend his breathing coolenes to thy wofull soule,: for in the déepe foundations of the earth, thou art for euer­more inclosed: I that haue beene the woonder of my time for Magicke, I that by Arte haue made my iournie to the déepest dungeons of hell, where multitudes of vglie blacke and fearefull spirits hath trembled at my charmes: I that haue bound the furies vp in beds of steele, and caused them to attend my pleasure like swarmes of hornets, that ouer­spreads the mountaines in Egipt, or the flies vpon the par­ched hilles, where the tawnie tanned Mores doo inhabite▪ am now constrained to languish in eternall darkenes: woe to my soule: woe to my charmes, and woe to all my Ma­gicke spels: for they haue bound me in this hollowe rocke: pale bee the brightnes of the cleare sunne, and couer earth with euerlasting darkenesse, skyes turne to pitch, the ele­ments to flaming fire, ror [...] hell, quake earth, swell seas, blast earth, rockes rend in twaine, all creatures mourne at my confusion, and sighe at Kalybs wofull and pittifull ex­clamations.

Thus wearied she the time away, one while accusing Fortune of t [...]rrany, another while bl [...]ming the falsehood & trechery of the English Knight, sometimes fearing her cur­led locks of bris [...]led haire, that like a wreath of s [...]kes hung dangling downe her deformed necke, then beating her breasts, another while rending her ornaments, whereby shée séemd more liker [...] fury than an earthly creature, so im­pacient was this wicked inchantres Kalyb being [...]u [...]trate of all hope of recou [...]ry, began a fresh to thund [...] forth these tearmes of coniuration: C [...]me, c [...]me you Princes of the [Page 11] elements, c [...]me, come and teare this rocke in peeces, and let me be inclosed vp in the eternal languishment: appea [...]e you shadowes of blacke missie nigh [...]: Mag [...]ll, C [...]math, Helueza, Zontomo: Come when I call, venite [...]estinate inquam: At which wordes the earth began t [...] quake, and the verie elements to tremble: for all the spirits both of aire, of earth, of water, and of fire were obedient to her charmes, and by multitudes cam fl [...]cking at her call: some frō the fire in the likenes of burning Dragons, breathing f [...]om their tearefull nostrels, sulphu [...]e and flaming Brim­stone, some from the water in shape of Fishes, with other d [...]formed creatures, that hath their abiding in the Seas, some from the aire the purest of the ellements, in the like­nes of Angels and other bright shadowes, and other some from the grose earth most vglie, bl [...]ke and dreadfull to behold: So when the legions of spirits had incompast the wicked Inchantresse, hell began to rore such an infer­nall and harsh mellodie, that the Inchanted rocke burst in twaine, and then Kalybs ch [...]rmes tooke no effect, for her Magick no longer indured, than the tearme of an hundred yeares, the which as then were fullie finished and brought to end: for the Obligation which shee subscribed with her dearest blood, and sealed with her own hands, was brought as a witnes against her, by which she knew and fullie per­swaded herselfe that her life was fully come to end: there­fore in this fearefull manner she began to make her Will & latest Testament.

First welcome (said shée) my sad Executors, welcome my graue and euerlasting toombe, for you haue di [...]d [...] it in the fierie lakes of Phlegethon my winding shéet wherein to shrowde both my body and condemn [...]d soule, is a Cal­derne of boyling l [...]d and brimstone, and th [...] wor [...]es that should consume my Car [...]sse, are the fiery forkes which tosse burning fire [...]ands from place to place, from furnace to furnace, and from calderne to calder [...] ▪ therefore attend to Kalybs wofull testament▪ a [...]d ingra [...]e the Legacies she [Page 12] giues in brasse rolles vpon the burning bankes of Ache­ron. First these eyes that now too late wéepe helples teares I giue vnto the watrie spirits, for they haue rakt the trea­sures hidden in déepest Seas to satisfie their most insatiate lookes: next I bequeath th [...]se hands which did subscribe the bloody Obligation of my perpetuall banishment from ioy, vnto those spirits that houer in the Aire: my tongue that did con [...]pire against the Maiestie of Heauen, I giue to those spirits which haue their b [...]ing in the fire: my earthly hart I bequeath to those gr [...]ce Daemons that dwell in the [...]un­geons of the earth: and the rest of m [...] condemned body, to the torments due to my deseruings: which straunge and fearefull Testament, being no sooner ended, but all the spi­rits generally at one instance ceazed vpon the Inchantresse and dismembred her bodie to a thousand peeces, and deui­ded her limbes to the corners of the earth, one member to the Aire, another to the water, another to the fire, and ano­ther to the earth, which was carried away in a moment by the spirits, that departed with such a horror, that all things within the hearing thereof sodainely died, both Beastes▪ Byrds, and all creeping wormes which remayned within the compasse of those inchanted woodes, for the trées which before was wont to flourish with greene leaues, withered away and died, the blades of grasse perished for want of naturall moysture, which the watrie cloude denied to nou­rish in s [...] wicked a place.

Thus by the iudgments of the heauens, sensles things p [...]rished for the wickednes of Kalyb, whom wée leaue to hir endles torments both of body and soule, and returne to the seauen worth [...] Champions of Christendome, whose lau­dable aduentures fame hath in [...]old in the bookes of memo­rie.

AFter the seauen Champions departed frō the Inchaunted Caue of Kalib, they made their abode in the C [...]tie of Co­uentrie, for the space of nine monthes, in which time they erected vp a sumptu­ous & costly monument ouer the herse of Saint Georges Mother, and so in that time of the yeare, when the spring had ouerspred the earth, with the mantles of Flora, they Armed themselues like wandring Knights, and tooke their iournie to seeke for for­raine aduentures, accounting no dishonour so great, as to spend their dayes in idlenes atchiuing no memorable acci­dent: So trauailing for the space of thirtie dayes without any aduenture worthie the noting, at length came to a large broad Plaine, wheron stood a brasen piller, whereat seauen seuerall waies deuided, which caused the seauen Knights to forsake each others companie, and to take eue­ry one a contrary way, where we leaue sixe of the Cham­pions to their contented trauailes, and wholly discourse vpon the fortunate successe of our worthy English knight, who after some few months trauaile, happily ariued with­in [Page 14] the [...]eretories of Egipt, which countrie as then was greatly annoyed with a dangerous D [...]gon but before hee had iournied fullie the distance of a [...], the silent night approched, and solitary stil [...]es tooke poss [...]ssion of all liuing thinges, at last he espied [...], wherein he purposed to rest his ho [...]se, and to take so [...]e repast after his wearie iournie, til the [...] had renewed his mornings light that he might f [...]l to [...] [...]rauaile ag [...]ine: but entring the Cottage, hee found [...] Hermit ouerworne with yeares, and almost consumed with griefe: to whome hee beg [...]n in this manner to conferre.

Father (said hee) for so you seeme by your grauety, may a trauailer for this night craue entertainment within your Cottage, not onely for himselfe but his horse, or is there some Cittie neare at hande, whetherto I may take my iournie without daunger: The oldman starting at the so­daine approch of Saint George, replyed vnto him in this order.

Sir Knight (quoth hee) of thy countrie I néede not de­maund, for I know it by thy Burgonet, (for indeed thereon was grauen the Armes of England,) but I sorrow for thy [...]ard fortune that it is thy destenie to ariue in this our coun­trie of Egipt: Wherein is not left sufficient aliue to burie the dead, such is the distresse of this land, through a dange­rous and tirrible Dragon now ranging vp and downe the countrie: which if hee bee not euery day appeased with a pure and true virgin, which he deuoureth downe his vene­mous bowels, but that day so neglected will he breath such a stench from his nostrels, whereof will grow a most grie­uous plague and mortallity of all thinges, which vse hath beene obserued for these foure and twentie yeares, but now there is not left one true virgin but the Kings only daugh­ter throughout Egipt, which D [...]msell to morrow must bée offered vp in Sacrifice to the Dragon: Therefore the King hath m [...]de Proclam [...]tion, that if any Knight dare proue so aduenterous as to combat with the Dragon, and [Page 15] preserue his daughters life▪ shall in reward haue her to his wife, and the Crowne of Egipt after his dis [...]ase.

This large proffer so incouraged the English Knight that hée vowde eyther to redeeme the Kinges Daugh­ter, or els to loose his life in that honourable enterprise: So taking his repose and nightly rest in the olde mans Hermi­tage, till the chearefull Cocke béeing the true messenger of day, gaue him warning of the Sunnes vp-rise, which causd him to bu [...]kle on his Armour, and to furnish his Stéed with strong habilliments of war, the which being done he tooke his iournie guided onely by the olde Hermit to the valley where the kinges Daughter should bee offered vp in Sacri­fice: But when he approched the sight of the valley, he es­pied a far off a most fair and beautifull Damsell, [...]ttired in pure Arabian silke going to sacrifice, guarded to the place of death onlie by s [...]ge & modest Matrons, which wofull sight so encouraged the English Knight to such a forwardnesse, that he thoght euery [...] a day til he had redéemed the Damsell from the Dragons tyrran [...]e: So approching th [...] Lady, gaue her comfort of deliuerie, and returnde her back to her Fathers Pallace againe.

After this the Noble Knight like a bold aduenterous Champion entred the valley, where the Dragon had his residence, who no sooner had a fight of him, but hee gaue such a tir [...]able y [...]ll as though it had thundered in the [...]lle­ments, the bignes of the Dragon was fearef [...] to behold, for betwixt his shoulders and his tayle were fiftie foote in distance, his scales glistered brighter than siluer, but farre more harder than brasse, his belly of the coloure of gold, but more bigger than a Tun. T [...]us weltred he from his hideo [...]s denne, and fi [...]rcely assailed the stu [...]die Champion with his burning winges, that at the first encounter, hée had alm [...]st fell [...]d him to the ground, but the Knight nimbly recouering him selfe, gaue the Dragon such a thrust with his [...], t [...]at it shiuerd in a thousand péeces, whereat the furious Dragon so [...]iercely smote him with his venemous [Page 16] tayle, that downe fell man and horse, in which fall two of Saint Georges ribs were sore brused, but yet stepping back­ward, it was his chaunce to leape vnder an Orringe trée, which trée had such pretious vertue, that no venemous worme durst come within the compasse of the braunches, nor within seauen foote thereof, where this valiant Knight rested himselfe vntill he had recouered his former strength: who no sooner féeling his spirits reuiued, but with an eger courage smote the burning Dragon vnder his yellow bur­nisht bellie with his trustie sworde Askalon, whereout came such abundance of venome, that it sprinkled vpon the Champions Armour, whereby immediatly through the impoysoned strength of the venome his Armour burst in twaine, and the good Knight fell into a gréeuous and dead sound, that for a time he lay breathles: but yet hauing that good memorie remayning, that he tumbled vnder the bran­ches of the Orringe trée; in which place the Dragon could proffer him no further violence. The fruit of the trée was of such an excellent vertue, that whosoeuer tasted thereof should presently bee cured of all manner of diseases and in­firmities whatsoeuer: So it was the Noble Champions good and happie fortune, a little to recouer through the ver­tue of the trée, and to espie an Orringe which a little before had dropped downe wherwith he so refreshed himselfe, that hee was in short time as sound as when hee first began the incounter: Then knéeled hee downe and made his diuine supplication to heauen, that God would send him (for his deare sonnes sake) such strength and agillity of body as to slay the furious and tirrable monster, which béeing done, with a bold and couragious heart, hee smote the Dragon vnder the wing, where it was tender without scale, wher­by his good sworde Askalon with an easie passage went to the verie hilts through both the Dragons heart, liuer, bone and blood, whereout issued such aboundance of purple gore, that it turned the grasse which grewe in the valley into a crimson colour, & the ground which before partched through [Page 17] the burning stinch of the Dragon, was now drenched with ouermuch moysture which voyded from his venemous bowels, where at last through want of blood, and long con­tinuance in fight, the Dragon yéelded his vitall spirits to the mercy of the conquering Champion. The which béeing happely performed, the Noble Knight Saint George of England, first yéelding due honour to Almighty God for the victorie, then with his good sword Askalon he cut off the Dragons head and pitcht it vpon the trunchion of a speare, which at the beginning of the battaile hee shiuered against the Dragons scalie backe: During this long and dange­rous Combat, his trustie Stéede lay altogether in a sounde without any moouing, which caused the English Champi­on with all spéed to crush the ioyce of an Orringe into hys cold mouth: the vertue whereof, presently expelled the ve­nemous poysons, and recouered his former strength a­gaine.

There was as then remayning in the Egiptian Court, one Almidor the blacke King of Moroco, who long had prosecuted (in the way of marriage) the Loue of Sabra the Kinges daughter, but by no pollicie, meanes, nor manhood, could hée accomplish what his har [...] desired: But now find­ing opportunitie to expresse his trecherous minde, intended to robbe and spoyle Saint George of his victorie, whereby he thought to attaine the gratious fauour, and singuler g [...]d liking of his Lady and Mistresse, who lothed his companie like the detested Crokadiles, but euen as the Wolfe though all in vaine barkes at the Moone: So this fantasticall and cowardly Almidor, through many rich gifts and faire pro­mises, hired twelue Egiptian Knights to beset the valley where Saint George slue the burning Dragon, & by force bereaue him of his conquest: But when this magnani­mious Champion of England came ryding in triumph from the valley, [...]spected to haue beene entertained like a Con­querour with Drums and Trumpets, or to haue heard the belles of Egipt rung a ioyfull sound of victorie, or to haue [Page 18] haue séene the str [...]etes beautified with bonefires: but con­trary to his imagination was he met with Troupes of Ar­med Knights, not to conduct him peacefullie to the Egipti­an Court, but by falshood and trechery to dispoyle him of his life and honour: For ne sooner had he ridden past the entry of the valley, but he espi [...]d how the Egiptian Knights bran­di [...]hed their weapons, and deuided themselues to inte [...]c [...]pt him in his iournie to the Court: By which he knew them to be no faithfull friendes, but vowed enemies: So tying his Horse to a Hatkorne trée, he intended to try his fortune on foote for feare of disaduantage, they béeing twelue to one, but in the skirmish Saint George so valiantly behaued himselfe with his trustie sword Askalon, that at one stroke he slue thrée of the Egiptian Knights, and before the golden Diamond of heauen had wandred the zo [...]iack th [...] compasse of an houre: but some he dismembred of thei [...] heads: some had their limbes lopt off: some their bodies cut in twaine, & some their intrayles trayling downe, so that not one was left aliue to carrie news to Almidor the black King, which stood (during all the time of skirmish) a far off vpon a moun­taine toppe, to behold the successe of his hired Champions: But when he saw the Egiptians bloodie Tragedies, & howe the happie fortune of the English Knight had wonne the honour of the day: hée accursed his destenie, and accused the Quéene of chaunce with crueltie, for disapointing hys pretended enterprise, but hauing a heart fr [...]ught with all wicked motions▪ s [...]cretlie vowed in his soule, to practise by some other trechery S. Georges vtter confusion: So [...]un­ning before to the Court of King Ptolomie, not reueali [...]g what had hapned to the twelue Egiptian Knights, but [...]ry­ing in euery place as he went, Victoria, Victoria, the ene­mie of Egipt is slaine. Then Ptolomie commaunded euer [...]e stréet of the Citty to be hung with rich Ar [...]as & imbrothere [...] Tapestry, and likewise prouided a sumptu [...]us Charriot of gold, the wheeles and other timb [...] worke of the purest [...] ­bonie, the couering thereof was made of purple silke, crosse [Page 19] b [...]rde with sta [...]es of gold: Likewise a hundred of the Noblest Péeres of Egipt, attired in Crimson Ueluet and white, mounted on milke white Coursers with rich Capa­rison attended the cōming of S. George: Thus all things apopinted for his Honourable intertainement, which they performed in such solemne order, [...]hat I lacke memorie to discribe it: For when he first entered the gates of the Cit­tie, he heard such a mellodious h [...]rmonie of heauenly soun­ding Musicke, that it séemed in his conceite to surpasse the sweetnes of the Cherubins, or the holy company of Angels: Then they most Royally presented him with a sump­tuous and co [...]ly Pale of gold, and after inuested him in that Iuorie Charriot, wherin he was conducted to the Pal­lace of King Ptolomie, where this Nobl [...] [...]nd Princeli [...] minded Champion, surrendred vp his conquest and victorie to the séemelie handes of the beautious Sabra: where shée with like curtesie and more humillity requited his bountie: For at the f [...]st sight of the English Knight, she was so ra­uished with his Princely countenance, that for a time shée was not able to speake: Yet at last taking him by the hand she led him to a rich pauillion, where she vnarmed him, and with most precious sal [...]s imbalmed his woundes, & with her [...]eares washed away the blood, which being done she fur­nished a table with all manner of dillicates for his repast, where her Father was present, who demaunded his Coun­try▪ P [...]rentage & name: after the banq [...]et was ended, he in­sta [...]d him with the hon [...]ur of Knighthood, and put vpon his féete a paire of golden spurres: But Sabra who féeding vp­pon the banquet of his loue, conducted him to hys nightes repose, where she sate vpon hys bed and wa [...] bl [...] forth most heauenly melody vppon her Lute, till his sences were ouer­come with [...] asweet and silent sléepe, where she left hym for that night after [...] dangerous battaile: But no sooner did Auroraes [...]adi [...]nt blush, distaine the beauty of the East, and the sun shew his morning countenance, but Sabra repayred to the English Champions lodging, and at his fi [...]st vpri­sing [Page 20] presented him with [...] Diamond of most rare and excel­lent vertue, the which he wore vpon his finger: The next that entered his lodging, was the Trecherous Almidor the blacke King of Moroco, hauing in his hand a boule of Greeki [...]h Wine▪ which hee offe [...]ed to the Noble Champion Saint George of England ▪ but at the receaite thereof, the Diamond the Lady gaue him which he wore vpon his fin­ger waxed pale, and from his nose felt thrée droppes of blood, whereat he started: which sodaine accident caused the kings daughter to suspect some secret poyson compounded in the Wine, and thereupon so vehemently s [...]riked, that a sodaine vprore presently ouerspread the whole Court, whereby it came to the Kinges intelligence of the proffered Trecherie of Almidor against the English Champion: But so beare was the loue of the Egiptian King, to the blacke King of Moroco, that no beliefe of Trecherie could enter into hys minde.

Thus Almidor the second time was preuented of hys pr [...]ctise, whereat in minde he grew more inraged than the chafed Bore: yet thinking the third should pay for all· So [...] spying a time wherein to worke his wicked purpose, which he brought to passe in this manner.

Many a day r [...]mained Saint George in the Egiptian Court, sometimes reu [...]lling am [...]ngst Gentlemen, dancing and sporting with Ladies, other s [...]m [...] in Tilts and Turni­m [...]nts, with other Honourable exercises: Likewise long and extreame was the loue that beautious Sabra bore to the English Champion, of the which this Trecherous A [...]mi­dor had intelligence by many secret practises, and manie times his eares were witnes of their discourses: So vpon an Euening, when the gorgious Sunne lay l [...]uell with the ground, it was his fortune to walke vnder a Garden wall, to take the coolenes of the Euenings aire, where vnseene of the two Louers, hee heard their amorous discourses a [...] they sate dallyin [...] in the bower of Roses, Courting [...] [...] ­nother in this manner.

[Page 21]My soules delight, my hearts choose comfort▪ swéet [...] George of England, saide the loue-séeke Sabra! Why art thou more obdurate than the Flint: which the teares of my true heart can neuer mollifie? How many thousand sighes haue I breathde for thy sweete sake, which I haue sent to thée as true messe [...]gers of loue, yet neue [...] wouldst thou re­quite mée with a smiling countenance. Refuse not her deare Lord of England, that for thy loue will forsake hir Parents, Countrie and Inheritance, which is the Crowne of Egipt, and like a Pilgrime f [...]llowe thee throughout the wide world. O therefore knit that gordion knot of wed­locke, that none but death can afterwards vnty, that I may say the Sunne shall loose his brightnesse, the Moone her splē ­dant be [...]mes, the Sea her [...]ides, and all thing [...]s vnder the cope of heauen grow contrarie to kinde, before Sabra the Heire of Egipt prooue vnconstant to her deare S. George of England.

Th [...]se wordes so fiered the Champions heart, that hée was almost intangled in the snares of loue, which before time onlie aff [...]cted Martiall discipline: But yet to trie pa­tience, a littl [...] more, made her this a [...]swere. Ladie of Egipt, cans [...] thou not bee content that I haue ventured my [...] to set thée free from death, but that I should linke my f [...] ­ture fortunes in a womans l [...]ppe, and so burie all my Ho­nours in Obliuion? No, no Sabra George of England is a Knight borne in a Countrie where tru [...] C [...]iualrie is n [...]u­risht, and hath sworne to search the world so far as euer the Lam [...]e of Heauen doth lend his light, before he tie himselfe to the troublesome state of marriage▪ therefore attempt me no more, that am a stranger and a wanderer from place to place, but s [...]k to aime at higher States, as the [...]ing of Mo [...]roco, who will attempt to climbe the [...]e [...]uens [...] gayn [...] [...] loue and good liking: at which spéeches shee sodainely [...] in this manner.

The King of Moroco is as bloody minded as a Serpent, but thou more gentle th [...]n a Lamb, his tongue as ominous [Page 22] as the scriking night Owle▪ but thine more swéeter than the morninges Larke, his kind imbracinges like the sting­ing Snakes, but thine more pleasant than the creeping vine: [...]at if thou béest a Knight of a strange countrie? thy bo­dy is more precious to myne eyes than Kingdomes in my heart. There stay (replyed the English Champion,) I am a Christian, thou a Pagan: I honour God in heauen, thou earthly shadowes below: therefore if thou wilt obtaine my loue and liking, thou must forsake thy Mahomet and bée christned in our Christian faith. With al my soule (answe­red the Egiptian Lady) will I forsake my country Gods, & for thy loue become a Christian, and therewithall she burst a ring in twaine, the one halfe she gaue to him in pledge of Loue, & kept the other halfe her selfe: and so for that time departed the Garden.

But during all the time of their discourses, the Treche­rous minded Almidor stood listning to their spéeches, [...] fret­ted inwardly to the verie gall to heate the Mistresse of hys hart, reiect hys former curtesies: Therfore intending now or neuer to infringe their plighted band, went in all hast to the Egiptian King, and in this maner made his suplication.

Know great M [...]narke of the East, that I haue a secret to vnfold, which toucheth nerely the sauegard of your coun­trey: It was my chance this Euening at shutting vp of Titons golden gates, to take the comfort of the Western [...] breathing aire vnder your priuate Garden walkes, where I heard (though all vnséene) a déepe pretended Treason be­twixt your Daughter and the English Knight, where shée hath vowde to forsake her God and beléeue as the Christi­ans doo, and likewise shée intendes to flye from her natiue Countrie, and to goe with this wandring trauailer, which hath béene so highly honoured in your Court.

Now by Mahomet, Apollo, and Termagaunt, thrée Gods we Egiptians commonly ador [...] (sayde the King) this damned Christian shal not gaine the conquest of my daugh­ters loue, for hée shall loose hys head, though not by vio­lence [Page 23] in our Egiptian Court: Therefore Almidor bee se­cret in my intent, for I will send him to my cosen the Persi­an Soldan, from whence he neuer shall returne to Egipt a­gaine, except hys Ghost bring newes of bad successe vnto my Daughter, and thereuppon they presentlye contriued this Letter.

WHich Letter béeing no sooner subscribed & sealed with the great Seale of Egipt, but Saint George was dis­patched with Embassage for Persia, with the bloody sen­tence of hys owne destruction: to the true deliuery where­of, he was sworne by the honour of his Knighthood, and for hys pawne he left behinde hym his good Steede, and hys trusty sword Askalon in the kéeping of Ptolomie the E­giptian King, only taking for hys puruay & easie trauayle [...] of the Kinges horses.

[Page 24]Thus the Innocent Lambe betrayed by the willie Foxe was sent to the hungerstarued Lyons den, beeing s [...]ffered not once to giue his Lady and Mistris vnderstanding of hys sodaine departure, but trauailde day and night through ma­ny along and solitarie Wildernes without any aduenture worthy the memorie, but that hee heard the dismall crie of Night-Rauens thundring in his eares, and the fearefull sound of Crickets in the creueses of the earth, and such like messengers of mischance, which foretelled some fatall acci­dent to be at hand: yet no feare could daunt his noble minde, nor danger hinder his intended trauaile, till he had a sight of the Soldians Pallace, which seemed more liker a Para­dice than any earthly habitation for as the Historie reports the walles and towers of the Pallace was of the purest Marble stone, the windowes of caued siluer worke, inami­led with Indian Pearle, beset with lattine and christall glas, the outward walles and buildings painted with gold, the pillers and gates were all of brasse, about the Pallace was a mighty ditch of a woonderfull bredth and depth, ouer the ditch stoode a stately bridge, erected vp with s [...]mp [...]uous workemanship of grauen Images, vnder the bridge a hun­dred siluer Belles were hung by Arte, so that no creature might passe into the Pallace, but they gaue warning to the Soldans Guard, at the end of the bridge was built an Al­lablaster Tower, whereon stoode an Eagle of gold, hys eyes of the richest precious stones, the brightnesse whereof glisterd somuch, that al the Pallace did shine with the light thereof.

Uppon the day (Saint George entered the Soldians Court) when the Persians solemnelie sacrificed to their Gods Mahomet, Apollo, Tirmigaunt, which vnchristian Procession so mooued the impatience of the English Cham­pion, that he tooke the ensignes and streamers whereon the Persian Gods were pictured, and trampled them vnder hys féete: whereupon the Pagans presently fled to the Soldan for succour, and shewed him how a straunge Knight had de­spised [Page 25] their Mahomet and trampled their banners in the dust, then presently he sent a hundred of his Armed knights, to know the cause of that sodaine vprore, and to bring the Christian Champion bound vnto his Maiestie: but the Per­sian Knights, were in [...]inde with such a [...] banquet, that same of their heads run tumbling in the stréetes, and the Channels ouerflowde with streames of blood: the Paue­ments of the P [...]ll [...]ce were ouer [...]ed with slaughtered men and the walles besprinkled with purple gore: so victorious­ly he behaude himselfe agaynst the enemies of Christ, that [...]re the Sun had declined in the West, he brought to ground a hundred of the Soldans Souldiers, and inforced the rest like flockes of shéepe to flye to the Soldan for ayde and suc­cour, which as then remained in his Pallace with the guard of thrée thousand souldiers: Who at the report of this vn­spected vprore, furnished hys Souldiers with habilliments of warre, and came marching from hys Pallace with such a mightie power as though the strength o [...] C [...]rist [...]ndome had béene come to inuade the te [...]retories of Asia: But such was the inuincible courage of Saint George, that he encountred with them all, and made such a Massaker in the Soldans Court, that the Pauements were ouerspread with slaugh­tered Persians, and the Pallace gates stuffed with heapes of murdered Pagans: At the last the larum bels was cau­sed to be rung and the Beacons s [...]t on fire, wherat the com­mons of the Countrie rose in Armes, and came slocking a­bout the English Champion like swarmes of Bees, where at last through his long encounter, and the multitude of his enemies, his neuer daunted courage was forced to yéelde, & hys restles Arme wearied with fight, constray [...]ed to let hys weapons fall to the ground.

Thus he whose fortitude sent thousandes to wander on the bankes of Acharon, stood now obedient to the mercies of ten thousands, which with their brandishing weapons, and sharpe edged [...]auchions inuironed him about.

Now bloody minded monster (said the Soldan) what coū ­try [Page 26] man [...]o euer▪ [...], Iew, Pagan, or misbeléeuing Christian: [...]ke for a sentence of seuere punishment for e­uery dropp [...] of blood thy vnhappie hande hath shed. First, thy skin with sharpe razers shall bee pared from thy fleshe [...]liue: [...] fle [...] with burning Irons [...] frō thy bones, & lastly thy accursed [...]mbes [...]rawne in y [...]eces ioynt from ioynt with vntamed horses. This blo [...]dy Iudgement pronounced by the [...] not a little m [...]oued S. George to reply in this maner. Great Potentate of Asia, I craue the liberty & law of Armes, whereto all the kings of the earth by [...]th are ho [...]nd: Fr [...] my discent in [...] natiue Country [...] of Royall blood, and therefore challenge I a combat: se­condly an Embassador I am from Ptolmoie the King of Egipt, & therefore no violence must be proffe [...]ed [...]e, las [...]lie, the lawes of Asia graunts me safe conduct back to Egipt: therefore what I hau [...] done Ptolomie must answere, and thereuppon hee deliuered the Letter seeled with the great seale of Egipt, the which was no sooner broken vp and read, but the Soldans eyes sp [...]rkled like vnto [...], and vpon his countenance appea [...]ed the Image of wrath and discontent.

Thou art by the report of Ptolomie (said the Soldan) a great contemner of our Gods, 12 despis [...] of our Lawes: Therefore his pleasure is that I should ende th [...] daies by some inhum [...]ne de [...]th: the which I swe [...]re by Mahomet, Apollo, and Term [...]gaunt to accomplish, and therevpon [...]e gaue [...]im in ke [...]ping to a hundred of his Ianisaries till the day of cre [...]tion, which was appointed within thi [...]tie da [...]s f [...]ll [...]wing: So they [...] him of his apparrell and attired him in simple and bate [...]tray: His aimes that late was imployed to wilde the mighty T [...]rget, and fesse [...]he wai [...]hty [...], they stron [...]ly [...]et [...]ered vp in iron bolts▪ and those handes which were want to be [...] garnished with stéel [...] Gauntlets, they bound vp fast in hemp [...] bands, that the purple blood tric [...]l [...]d downe from his fingers ends, and so beeing dispoylde of all Knightl [...] dignit [...]e, they co [...] ­paide him to a déepe, darke and des [...]late dungeon: wherein [Page 27] the golden Sunne did neuer shewe his splendant beames, nor neuer could the comfortable light of heauen be seene: be­twixt the day and night no difference could bee made, the the summers▪ partching heate & winters freezing cold were both al [...]ke, his chiefest comfort was to number the Persians he had slaine in the conflic [...] ▪ one while ponde [...]ing in his rest­les thoughtes the ingratitude of Ptolomie the Egiptian King another whil [...] remembring his loue, his vow, & déepe affection that he bore to the Egiptians daughter, and [...]ow [...] vnkindlie shee tooke his departure, caruing her picture with the na [...]les of his fingers vpon the wall [...]s of the dungeon: to which sensles substance he many times we [...] thus com­plai [...]e.

O cruell destenies! Why is this grieuous punishment allotted to my pennance? Haue I conspired against the maiestie of [...]auen, that they haue throwne this vengeance on my [...]ea [...] shall I neuer recouer m [...] fo [...]er libertie, that I may be reuenged vpon the ca [...]sers of my imprisonment▪ frowne angry heauens vpon these blo [...]dy minded Pagans, those daring miscreants, & professed enemies of Christ, and may the pl [...]gues of Pharo light vpon their countries, & the miserie of Oedipus vpon their Princes: that they may bée eye witnesses of their d [...]ughters rauishments, and beholde their Citties fl [...]ming like the burning ba [...]tail [...]mentes of Troy. Thus lamented be the l [...]sse of his libertie, accur­sing his birth day, and houre of his cre [...]tion, wishing that it neuer might be numbred in the yeare, but coun [...]ed [...]min [...]s to all insuing ages: His sighes exceeded the number of the Ocian landes, and his teares the water [...] in a ray­nie day, and as one deminished, ano [...]her pres [...]ntl [...] appearde.

T [...]us sorrow was his companion, and dispaire his chiefe [...], till Hiperion with his golden C [...]ch had thirtie times rested in Thetis purple Pall [...]ce, & Ciniliia thirtie times daunst vppon the Christall waues: which was the verie time his compleat mones should ende, according to the seuere and cruell Iudgment of the Soldan of Persia: [Page 28] Bu [...] by what extraordenary meanes he knew not: So loo­king euery minnute of an houre to entertaine the wished messenger of death, he heard a farre off the tirrable roring of two hunger starued Lyons, which for the space of four­téene dayes had beene restrayned from their foode, and natu­rall sustinance, onely to deuoure and staunch their hunger starued bowels with the bodie of this thrice renowned Chā ­pion: which crie of the Lyons so terrified hys minde that the haire of his head gr [...]w stiffe, & hys browes sweat blood through anguish of hys soule, so extreamely bee feared the remorceles stroke of death: that by violence hee burst the chaines in sunder wherewith he was bound, and rent the curled tresses from hys head, that was of the colour of Am­ber, the which hee wrapped about hys armes against the Assault of the Lyons, for he greatly suspected them to be the ministers of hys Tragedie, which indéede so fell out, for at that same instant they descended the dungeō, being brought thither by the Guard of Iam [...]saries, onely to make a ful pe­riod of the Champions life: But such was the inuincible fortitude of Saint George, and so polliticke hys defence, that when the starued Lyons came running on him with open Iawes, he valiantly thrust hys sinnewed Armes into their throats (beeing wrapped about with the haire of hys head) whereby they presently choaked, and so he pulled out their bloody harts.

Which sp [...]ctakle the Soldans Iannsaries beholding, wer so amazed with feare, that they ran in all haste to the Pallace, and certified the Soldan what had hapned, who commaunded euery part of the Court to be strongly guar­ded with Armed Souldiers, supposing the English Knight rather to be some monster ascended from the Sea, than any creature of humane substaunce, or els one possessed with some diuine inspiration, that by force of Armes hath ac­complished so manie aduenterous stratagems: such a ter­rour assayled the Soldans heart, sé [...]ing hee had slaine two Lyons, and slaughtered two thousand Persians with hys [Page 29] owne hands, and likewise ha [...] intelligence how he slew [...] a burning Dragon in Egipt: caused the dungeon to be closed vp with bars of Iron, lest he should by pollicie or fortitude recouer his libertie, and so indanger the whole countrie of Persia: where he remayned in want, pennury, and great necessitie, for the tearme of seauen winters, feeding onelie vpon rats and mice, with other créeping wormes which he caught in the dungeon.

During which time hee neuer tasted of the bread of Corne, but of wheate branne and Channell water, which daylie was serued him through the Iron grates, where now we leaue Saint George, languishing in great misery, and returne againe into Egipt, where wee left Sabra the C [...]ampions betrothed Lady, lamenting the want of hys companie, whome she loued dearer than any Knight in all the world.

Sabra that was the fairest maide that euer mortall eye beheld, in whom both Arte and nature séemed to excell in [...]urious workemanship, her body béeing comlier than the stately C [...]der, and her beautie purer than the Paphian Quéenes: the one with ouer burthened griefe was quite al­ter [...]d, and the other stayned with flouds of brackish teares, that daylie trickled downe her christall chéekes: wherby she found the very Image of discontent, the nap of woe, and the only mirrour of sorrow, she accounted all companie loath­some to her sight, and excluded the fellowship of all Ladyes, onely betaking her selfe to a solitarie Cabbinet, where shée sate sowing many a wofull storie vpon a crimson Sampler: whereon sometimes bathing a wou [...]ded heart with luke warme teares, that fell from the Conduits of her eyes, then presently with her crisped lockes of haire which dangled downe her Iuorie necke, dry vp the moysture of her sorrow­full teares: then thinking vpon the plighted promises of her deare beloued Knight, fell into these passionate and pittifull complaints.

O Loue (said shée) more sharper than the pricking Bri­er! [Page 30] with what vnequallity dost thou torment my wounded heart, not [...]cking my deare Lorde in the like affection of minde? O Venus! if thou be imperious in thy Deitie, to whom both Gods and men obay, commaund m [...] wandred Lorde to returne againe, or that my soule may flee into the clowds, that by the winds it may be blowne into his sweet bosome, where liues my bleeding hart: But foolish fond­ling that I am, he hath reiected me, and s [...]uns my company like the Syrens, else had hee not refused the Court of Egipt where hee was honoured like a king, and wandered the world to seeke another loue: No, no it cannot be: he beares no such inconstant minde, for I greatly feare some treache­rie hath bereaude me of his sight, or els soone s [...]onny prison includes my George from me: If it be so sweet Morpheus thou God of golden dreames, reueale to me my loues abi­ding, that in my sleepe his shaddow may appeare and report the cause of his departure. After this pa [...]on was breathed from th [...] mansion of her soule, she committed her watchfull eyes to the gouernement of sweete s [...]eepe, which being no sooner closed, but there appeared as she thought, the shadow and very shape of her dearely beloued Lord Saint George of England, not as hee was wont to bee, flourishing in his grauen Burgonet of stéele, or mounted on a stately Genet, deckt with a watchet Plume of spangled [...]eathers, but in ouerworne and simple attyre, with pale looks and leaue▪ bo­dy, like to a Ghoast risen from some hollow graue, breath­ing as it were these sad and wofull passions:

This strange and tragicall discourse b [...]ng no sooner en­de [...], but she awaked from her sléepe, and presently [...]each [...] forth her séemely handes [...] k [...]ng to [...] him, but shee catched nothing but the bri [...]le [...], which caus [...]d [...] to renew her former c [...]mplaints; O wherefore [...] in this my troubl [...]some dreame▪ [...] that my Ghost might ha [...]e haunt [...]d th [...] [...] m [...]nsters which falsely betr [...]yed the brauest Champion vnder the cope of heauen? [...]et for his sake will I [...] ag [...]inst the ingratitude of Egypt, and like t [...]e [...] Philom [...] [...] fill euery corner of the land with ecchoes of his [...]: any woes shall excéede the sorro [...]s of Dido qu [...]ne of C [...]tha [...], mourning for the ingratitude of Aeneas: with [...] like passions wearied she the time away, [...]till twelue mont [...]s were fully finished: at last her father vnderstanding what feruent affection she bore to the English Champion began [...]n this manner to dilate.

[Page 32]Daughter (saide the Egiptian King) I charge shée by the hands of nature, and the true obedience thou oughtest to beare my age, to banish and ex [...]lude all fond affections from thy minde, & not to settle thy loue vpon a wandr [...]ng Knight that is vnconstant, and without habitation: thou séest hée hath forsaken thee, and returnde into hys owne Countrie, where hee hath wedded a wife of that Land and Nation: Therefore I charge thée vpon my displeasure, to affect and loue the blacke King of Moroco, that rightfully hath d [...]s [...]r­ued thy loue, which shall bee Honourably holden to the Ho­nour of Egipt, and so departed without any answere at all: By which Sabra knew hee would not bee cro [...]t in hys will and pleasure: therefore shee sighed out these lamentable wordes.

O vnkinde Father to crosse the affection of hys childe! and to force loue where no liking is: Yet shall my minde continue true vnto my deare betrothed Lord, although my body be forst against nature to obay, and Almidor haue the honour of my marriage bed: Yet English George shall enioy my true Uirginity, if euer he returne againe to Egipt ▪ and therewithall she pulled forth a chaine of gold, and wrapt it seauen times about her Iuorie necke. This (said shee) hath seauen dayes beene stéept in Tygers blood, and seauen nights in Dragons milke, whereby it hath obtainde such excellent vertue, that so long as I weare it about my necke, no man on earth can enioy my virginitie: though I bee for­ced to the state of marriage, and lie seauen yeares in wed­locks bed: yet by the vertue of this chaine I shall continue a true virgin.

Which wordes being no sooner ended, but Almidor en­tered her sorrowfull Cabbinet, and presented her with a wedding garment, which was of the pure vnspotted silke, imbost with Pearle, and rich refined gold, perfumed with swéet Si [...]rian powders▪ it was of the colour of the Lillie when Flora had be deckt the field in May with natures or­niments, so glorious and costly her vestures séemed, and so [Page 33] stately were hir Nuptiall rights solemnized, that Egipt ad­mired the bountie of her wedding▪ which [...] dayes was [...] in the Court of King [...] re­mooued [...] T [...]ipoli [...], the [...] Al­midors forced Bride was Crowned Queene of Moroco: at which Coronation the Conduits ra [...]ne with Greekish Wines, and the streets of Tripolie were beauti [...]ed with Pageants and delightfull showes. The Court resounded such melodious Harmonie as though Apollo with his sil­ [...]er Har [...]e had de [...]cended from the heauen [...] ▪ such Tilts and Turniments were performed betwixt the Egiptia knights, and the Knights of Barbarie, that they exceeded the Nupti­als of Hec [...]uba, the beautious Queene of Tro [...]: which Honourable procéedings, wee leaue for this time to their owne contentments: some [...]: some dancing: some reuelling: some Tilting▪ and some banqueting▪ [...] the Champion of England Saint George, [...] in the Dungeon in Persia as you heard [...], and [...] to the other six Champions of C [...]ristendome, which [...]epar­ted from the brazen pille [...], euery one h [...]s s [...]ueral way, whose Knightly and Noble aduentures, if the Muses graunt mee the bountie of [...]aier [...] springes, I will most [...] discouer, to the honour of Christendome.

CAlling now to memorie the long & weary trauailes S. Dennis the Champion of Fraunce indured after his departure frō the other sixe Champions at the brazen piller, as you heard in the beginning of the former Chapter, from which he wā ­dred through many a desolate groue and wildernes, without any aduenture worthy the noting, till he arriued vppon the borders of Thessalie, (béeing a Land as then inhabited with wilde beasts): wherein he indured such a pennurie & scarcitie of victualles: that hee was forced for the space of seauen yeares to feede vpon the hearbes of the fields, & the fruits of trées, till the haires of his head were like to Egles feathers, and the nayles of his fingers to birds clawes: his drink the dew of heaue [...], the which he licked from the flow­ers in the meadows, the attire he cloathed his bodie with­all, bay leaues and broad dockes, that grew in the woodes: his shooes the barke of trées, whereon hee trauailde through many a thornie brake: But at last it was his fortune and cruell destinie, (béeing [...]rpressed with the extreamitie [...] hunger) to taste & féede vpon the berries of a Mulberie tree, [Page 35] whereby he lost the liuely forme and Image of hys humane substance, and was transformed into the shape and like [...]es of a w [...]lde Hart: Which strange & sod [...]ine transformati­on, this Noble Champion little mistrusted, till he espied his mishapen forme in a cleare fountaine, w [...]i [...]h [...]ature [...] in a toole and [...] villey [...] but when he behelde the shadow of his deformed substaunce, and howe hys heade late Honoured with a Burgonet of steéle, no [...] di [...]onoured with a paire of [...] hornes: his face whereon the coun­tenance of true Nobilitie l [...]te car [...]red, now couered with a beastlike similitude, and [...] body late [...] true Image of magnanimity, now ouerspread with a hea [...]e hide, in colour like to the fallow fieldes: which strange alteration not a little perple [...]ed the minde of S. Dennis, that it [...]am [...]d him with all speed (hauing the natu [...]all reason of man still remai­ning) to repaire backe to the Mulberie tree againe, suppo­sing the b [...]rries he had eaten to be the cau [...]e of h [...]s transfor­mation, vnder which tree the distressed [...]night laid [...] for­med limbs [...]pon the bare ground, and thus wofully began to complaine.

What Magicke charmes (said hee) or rather bewitching spels, remaynes within this accursed trée▪ whose wicked fruite hath confounded my future fortunes, & conu [...]ted mée to the tipe of miserie▪ O thou celestiall dir [...]ter of the world▪ & all you pitteo [...]s powers of heauen: Looke downe with kindely lookes vpon my haplesse transformation, and bende your b [...]owes to heare my wofull lamentation; I was of late a man but now a [...]orned beast; I was a souldier & my Countries Champion: but now a loathsome creature and a pray for dogs; my glistring Armour is exchaunged into a hid [...] of haire: my braue array more baser than the lowlye earth: henceforth in stéed of Princely Pallaces, these shadie woods must serue to shrowde me in: wherein my Bedde of downe must bee a hea [...]e of sunbu [...]nde mosse: my swéete re­cording Musicke the blustering of the windes, that with T [...]mpestious guste [...] doe make the Wildernes to tremble▪ [Page 36] [...]

The voice in the Mulber [...]e tree.

After the [...] had breathed these speeches from the Mul­berie trée, he stood so much amazed at the straungnes of the words, that for a time his sorrowes bereaued him of [...] spéech, and his long appointed punishment constrayned hys thoughts to loose their naturall vnderstanding: But yet at last recouering his senses, though not hys humane lik [...]nes, bitterly complayned hys hard misfortunes.

O vnhapp [...] creature (said the wof [...]ll Ch [...]mpion) mor [...] miserable than Prog [...]e, in her transfor [...]tion, had more di­stressed than Acte [...]n was, whose perfect im [...]tation I am made: His miserie [...]ntinued but a short season, [...] owne dogges the same day▪ tore him in a thousand péeces▪ & [Page 38] buried his transformed carkasse in their hungrie bowels: mine is appointed by the angry destenies, till seauen times the summers sun hath replenisht his radient brightnesse, and seauen times the winters rayne hath washt mee with the showers of heauen. Thus complained the transformed Knight of Fraunce: sometimes remembring hys former fortunes, and [...] he had spent hys dayes in the Honour of hys countrey: sometimes thinking vpon the place of hys Natiuity, renowned Fraunce the Nur [...]e and Mother of his life: sometimes treading with his feete (as for hands hee had none) in sandy ground, the print of the wordes the which the Mulberie tree had repeated, and many times numbering the min [...]utes of hys long appointed punishment, with the Flowers of the field. Ten thousand sighes he [...] dayly brea­thed from hys breast, and when the blacke and pitchy man­tles of darke nyght had ouerspred the az [...]rde firmamentes, and drawne her sable Curtaines, before the brights [...]me windowes of the heauens, all creatures tooke their swéet re­posed rest, and committed their tyred eyes to quiet [...]pes: All thinges were silent except the murmering of the run­ning waters: which sounding musicke was the chiefest comfort this distressed Champion enioyed: the glistering Quéene of night [...]lad in her christall robes, three Hundred times a yeare, was witnes of his nightly lamentations: the wondring Howla [...], that neuer singes but in the night, sate yelling ouer his head: the ruf [...]ll wéeping Nightingale with mournefull mellodie, chearefully att [...]ding [...]n hys person: for during the limitation of his seauen yeares mi­serie, his tru [...]tie Stéede neuer forsoke him, but with all di­ligence and true loue attended vpon him day and night, ne­uer wandring away, but euer k [...]ping him companie: I [...] the extream [...] heate of Summer were intollerable, or the pinching colde of Winter violent, his Horse woulde bee a shelter to defend him

Thus when the tearme of seauen yeares were fully fi­nished, and that hee should recouer his former substaunce, [Page 39] and humane shape, his good Horse which he tendred as the Apple of hys eye, clambered a high and steepy Mountaine, which nature had beautified with al kinde of fragrant flow­ers, as odorifferous as the garden of Hesperides: from whence he pulled a braunch, of purple Roses and brought them betwixt his téeth to hys distressed Master, beeing in hys former passions of discontent, vnder the Mulberie Tree: The which the Champion of Fraunce no sooner beheld, but he remembred that by a purple Rose hee should recouer hys former similitude, and so ioyfully receaued the Roses from hys trustie Stéede: then casting hys eyes vp to the celestial throne of heauen, hee conuayed these consecrated flowers into his emptie stomack [...].

After which he laid him downe vpon the bosome of his m [...]thers earth, where he fell into such a sound sleep, that all his senses and vitall spiri [...]s were without moouing, for the space of foure and twenty houres: In which time the win­dowes and the doores of heauen were opened, from whence descended such a shower of rayne, that it washed away his hairie forme and beastlike shape▪ his horned head and long visage, was turned againe into a liuely countenance, and al the rest of his members, both armes, legges, handes, féete, fingers, toes, with all the rest of natures giftes, receaued their former shapes.

But when the good Champion awaked from hys sléepe, [...] perceauing the wonderfull workmanship of the Heauens, in transforming him to hys humane likenes: First gaue honour to Almightie God: next kissing the ground where­on he had liued so long in miserie: then beholding hys Ar­mour which s [...]oode hard by hym best a [...]nde and almost spoild with rust, hi [...] Burgonet and kine edged Curtl [...]-a [...]e be­ [...]indered ouer with dust: then l [...]stlie pondring in his minde of the faithfull seruice his trustie Stéed had done him during the time of his calamitie, whose sable coloured ma [...] hung [...] downe his brauny neck, which before was wont to [Page 40] be pleyted curiously with artificiall knots, and his foreheade which was wont to bee beautified with a tawnie plume of feathers? [...]ow disfigured with ouergrowne haire, where­at the good Champion Sain [...] Dennis of Fraunce so much grieued, that he stroaked downe his Iettie [...]acke, fill the haire of his body lay as smooth as Arabian silke, then pulled he du [...] his trustie Fa [...]ch [...]on, which in many fierce assaults and dangerous Combats, had béene b [...]thed in the blood of hys enemies, which by the long continuance of idle time was almost consumed with cank [...]red [...], but by his labour and industrious paines, he recouered the former beauty and brightnes againe.

Thus both his sword his horse, his Martiall furniture, & other habilliments of warre, bee [...]ng brought to their first and proper quallities, the Noble Champion intended to per­seuer and goe forwarde in the aduenture in cutting downe the vnhappie Mulberie trée: So taking his sworde which was of the purest Spanish stéele, gaue such a stroake at the roote therof, that at one blow he cut it quite in sunder, wher­out presently flashed such a migh [...]ie flame of fire, that the mane from his horse necke was burned, and likewise the haire of his owne head had beene fiered; if hys Helmet had not preserued him: for no sooner was the flame extingui­shed, but there ascended from the hollow trée, a naked Uir­gin, in shape like Daphnie which Apollo turnde to Bay: fairer then Pigmalions Iuorie Image, or the Northen dri­uen snow, her eyes more clearer than the I [...]e mountaines, her cheekes like Roses dipt in milke, her lips more louelier than the Turkish [...], her Alablaster teeth like Indian Pearles, her séemely necke an Iuorie Tower, her daintie breasts a Palladice where milke white Doues may fit and [...]ng, the rest of natures liniaments a staine to Iuno Queene of heauen: at whose most excellent beautie this valiant & vndaunted Champion more admired, then at her woonder­full transformation: For his eyes were so rauished with such excéeding pleasure, that his tongue could indure no lon­ger [Page 41] silent, but was forced to vnfold the secrets of his heart, and in these tearmes began to vtter hir minde.

Thou most diuine and singuler ornament of nature, (said hee) fairer than the feathers of the siluer Swannes, that swim vpon Maeanders Christall streame [...] farre more beautifull than Auroraes morning countenance, to thee the fairest of all f [...]ers, most humblie therefore to thy beautie doe I onelie submit my affections: Also I sweare by the Honour of my Knighthood, and [...]y the loue of my Countrie Fraunce: which vow I will not violate for all the Trea­sures of rich Ameria, nor the golden Mines of higher Indi­a: Whether thou béest an Angell descended from the Hea­uens, or a Furie ascended from the dominions of Proser­pine: whether thou béest some Fayrie or siluaine Nimph; which inhabits in these fatall woodes, or els an earthly crea­ture for thy sin transformed into this Mulberie trée, I may not iudge: Therefore swéete Saint in whome my heart must pay his deuotion, vnfold to me thy Birth, Parentage, and [...]am [...], that I may the bolder pr [...]sume vppon thy curte­sies: At which demaunde this newe borne Uirgin with a shamefaste looke, modest gesture, sober grace and blushing countenance, [...]gan thus to reply.

Sir Knight by whome my life, my loue, and fortunes, are to be comm [...]nded, and by whome my humane shape & naturall forme is recouered: First know thou Magnanimi­ous Champion, that I am by birth the King of Thessalies Daughter, and my name was called for my beauty, proude Eglantine: For which contemptuous pride, I was trans­formed into this Mulberie tree: in which greene substance I haue continued f [...]urtéene yeares; as for my loue thou haste deserued it before all other Knights in the world, and to thée doo I plight that true promise before the Omnipo­tent Iudge [...] of all thinges, & before that secret promise shall be infringed, the S [...]n shal cease to shine by day, & the M [...]ne by night, & all the Pl [...]nets forsake their proper natares.

[Page 42]At which wordes the Champion gaue her the courtesie of his countrie, and sealed her promises with a louing kisse: After which the beautifull Eglantine beeing ashamed of her nakednes, weaued her such a garment of [...] rushes inter [...]i [...]ed with such variet [...] of sundr [...] flowers; that it sur­passed for workmanship the Indian maidens curious webs: her crisped lockes of haire continued still of the colour of the Mulberie tree: whereby shée séemde like Flora in her greatest royaltie, when the f [...]elds were be deckt with na­tures tapestrie.

After which she washed her Lillie handes, and Rosy co­loured face in the dewes of heauen, which she gathered frō a bed of violets. Thus in her gréene vestments, shee in­tendes in companie of her true Louer (the valiant Knight of Fraunce) to take her iournie to her Fathers Court, beeing as then the King of that countrie: where after some fewe daye [...] trauaile they arriued safely in the Court of Thessa­lie: whose welcomes were to their owne wishes, & their entertainements most Honourable: for no sooner did the King behold his Daughters safe approch, of whose strange transformation he was euer ignorant, fell into such a dead sound through the excéeding ioy of her presence, that for a time his sences were without vitall moouing, and his hart imbraced so kindly her dainty body, and proffered such cur­tesie to the straunge Knight, that Saint Dennis accounted him the mirrour of all c [...]rtesie, and the patterne of true No­bilitie.

After the Champion was vnarmed, his stifle and weary limbes were bathed in new milke and white wines, he was conuaied to a swéet smelling fire made of Ginniper, and the faire Eglantine conducted by the Maidens of Honour to a priuate chamber, where she was disrobed of her Siluaine attire, & apparriled in a Pall purple silke: In which Court of Thessalie we will leaue this our Champion of Fraunce with his Ladie, and goe forward in the discourses of the o­ther Champions, discouering what aduentures hapned to [Page 43] them during the time o [...] s [...]auen yeares: But first how [...] Saint Iames the Champion of Spaine fell in loue with a faire Iew, and how for her sake he continued seauen yeares dumb, and after if Apollo graunt my Muse the gift of Sco­lorisme, and dip my pen in the inke of Arte: I will not rest my wearie hand, till I haue explainde the Honourable procéedings of the Knights, of England, Fraunce, Spaine, I­talie, Scotland, Wales, and Ierland, to the Honour of Chri­stendome, and the dishonour of all the professed enemies of Christ.

NOw must my Muse speake of the strange aduentures of Saint Iames of Spaine, the third Champion and renow [...]ed Knight of Christendome, and what hap­ned vnto him in his seauen yeares tra­uailes through manie a straunge coun­trie, both by Sea and land, where hys Honourable actes were so dangerous and full of wonder, that I want memorie to expresse, and Arte to subscribe, al­so I am forced for breuities sake, to passe ouer his fea [...]efull and dangerous battaile with the burning Drake vpon the [Page 44] flaming mount in Sicill, which terrible Combat continu­ed for the space of seauen dayes and seauen nights: Like­wise omitting his trauell in Capadocia thorough a wilder­nes of Monsters, with his passage ouer the red seas, where his ship was deuoured with wormes, his Marriners drow­ned, and himselfe his horse and furniture safely brought to land by seanymphs and Meremaids, where af [...]er his long trauels, passed perrils, and dangerous tempests, amongst the boysterous billowes of the raging seas, arriued in the vnhappy dominions of Iuda; vnhappy by reason of the long and troublesome misery hee indured for the loue of a fayre Iew: For comming to the rich and beautifull Citty of Ierusalem, (being in that age the woonder of the world for braue buildings, Princely Pallaces, gorgeous Monu­ments, and time woondering Temples) hee so admired the glorious scituation thereof, (being the richest place that euer his eyes beh [...]ld) that he stoode before the walles of Ierusa­lem one while gazing vppon her golden gates glistering a­gainst the Suns bright countenance, another while behol­ding her stately P [...]nnacles, whose lofty péering tops seemde to touch the Clouds; another while woondring at her tow­ers of Iasper, Iett, and Ebony, her strong and fortefied walles thrée times doubled about the Citty, the glistering Spires of the Temples of Sion built in the fashion and si­militude of two Piramides the auncient monument of Greece, whose battlements were couered with stéele, the walles burnished with siluer, and the ground paued with tinne. Thus as this inobled and famoused knight at A [...]m [...]s stood beholding the scituation of Ierusalem, there sodainely thundred such a peale of Ordinance within the Citty, that it séemed in his rauished conceit, to shake the vales of heauen and to mooue the déepe foundations of the fastned earth, whereat his horse gaue such a sodaine start, that he le [...]t for­ty foote from the place whereon he stood: After this he heard the chearefull sound of Drums, and the ecchoes of brazen Trumpets, by which the good Champion exspected some [Page 45] honorable pastime, or some great t [...]rnament to be at hand, which indeede so fell out, for no sooner did he cast his vigilant eyes toward the East side of the City, but he beheld a troope of well appointed horse come marching through the Gates, after them twelue Armed Knights mounted on Warlike Coursees, bearing in their handes twelue blood red strea­mers, wheron was wrought in silke, the picture of Adonis wounded with a Bore, after them the King drawne in a Charriot by Spanish Genets, (which be a certaine kind of Steeds ingendred by the winde.) The Kings Guard were a hundred n [...]ked Moores, with Turkish Bowes and Darts feathered with Rauens quilles, after them marched Ce­lestine the [...]ing of Ierusalems faire Daughter, mounted on a t [...]me Unicorne, in her hand a Iauelin of siluer, & Armed with a breast plate of gold, artificially wrought like the skales of a Porcupine, her Guard were a hundred Amazo­nian Dames [...]lad in greene [...], after them foll [...]wed a [...]um­ber of [...]quiers▪ Gentlemen, some vpon Barbarian Stéeds, some vpon Arabian Palfray [...]s▪ and some on foote, in pace more nimbler than the tripping D [...]are, [...] more swifter than the tameles Harts v [...]on the mountaines of Thessalie.

Thus N [...]buzaradan great King of Ierusalem (for so was he called,) solemnely [...]unted in the Wildernes of Iuda, b [...]e­ing a countrie verie much anoyed with wilde beasts, as the Lyon, the Leopard, the Bore and such like: In which ex­ercise the King apointed as it was procl [...]imed by his chiefe Harrold at Armes: (the which he heard repeated by a shéep­heard in the fieldes,) that whosoeuer s [...]ewe the first wilde beast in the Forrest▪ shuld haue in reward a Cors [...]et of stéele so richlie ingraued, that it shuld be worth a thousand sickles of siluer. Of which Honorable enterprise when the Cham­pion had vnderstanding, & with what liberall bountie th [...] aduent [...]rus Knights should bee rewarded, his heart was [...]ang [...]ted with inuincible courage, thirsting after glorious attempts, not onely for hope of gaine, but for the desire of Honour: At which hys illustrious and vndaunted [...] [Page 46] aymed at to internize his déedes in the memorable records of Fame, and to shine as a Christall mirrour to all insuing times: So closing downe his Beuer, and locking on his furniture, scoured ouer the plaines before the Hunters of Ierusalem, in pa [...]e more swifter than the winged windes, till he aproched an olde solitarie and vnfrequented Forrest, wherein he espied a huge and mighty wilde Bore lying be­fore his mossie den, gnawing vpon the mangled ioynts of some passenger which hee had murthered as hee trauailed through the Forrest.

This Bore was of a wonderfull length and bignes, & so tyrrable to behold, that at the first sight, hee almost daun­ted the courage of this Spanish Knight: for his monstrous head séemed vgly and deformed, hys eyes sparkeled like a [...]irie furnace, hys tuskes more sharper than picks of ste [...]le, and from hys nostrels fumed such a violent breath, that it séemed like a tempestious whirle winde, his brissels were more harder than seauen times milted brasse, and his tayle more loathsome than a wreath of Snakes: N [...]re whom [...] when Saint Iames approched, and beheld how he drank the blood of humane creatures, and deuoured their fleshe, hée blew hys siluer horne▪ which as then hung at the pummell of hys saddle in a scarfe of gréene silke: whereat the furious monster roused himselfe, and most fiercely assailed the No­ble Champion, which most nimbly leaped from his horse, & with his speare stroke such a violent blow against the brest of the Bor [...], that it shiuered into twentie péeces: Then drawing hys good Fauchion from hys side, gaue him a se­cond incounter: but all in vaine, for hee stroke as it were on a Rocke of stone, or a piller of Iron nothing hurtfull to the Bore: but at last with staring eies (which sparkled like bur­ning stéele,) and with open Iawes the gréedy monster assai­led the Champion, intending to swallow him aliue, but the nimble Knight as then trusted more vpon pollicie than to fortitude, and so for aduantage skipped from place to place, till on a sodaine he thrust his kéene edged [...]-a [...]e downe [Page 47] his intestine throate, and so most valiantly split his hart in sunder: The which beeing accomplished to his own des [...]ers he cut off the Bores head, and so presented the Honour of his Combat to the king of Ierusalem, (who as then with his mightie traine of Knights, were but now en [...]red the Forrest: but ha [...]ing gratiously accepted the gi [...]t and boun­tifullie fulfilled his promises, demaunding the Champions Countrie, his Religion & place of Natiuitie: who no sooner had intelligence how he was a Christian Knight, and borne in the territories of Spaine: but presently his patience ex­chaunged into extreame furie, and by these wordes he [...] ex­pressed his cankered stomacke towardes the Christian Champion.

Knowst thou not bold Knight (said the King of Ierusa­lem) that it is the law of Iuda to harbour no vncircumsiced man, but eyther bannish him the land, or end his dayes by some vntimel [...] death: Thou art a Christian and therefore shalt thou die, not all thy countries treasure, the wealthie Spanish mines, nor if all the Alphes which deuide the coun­tries of Italie and Spaine were turned to hilles of burnisht gold, and made my lawfull heritage, they shuld not redéeme thy life: Yet for the Honour thou haste done in Iuda, I grant thée this loue by the law of Armes to choose thy death, els hadst thou suffered a timmerous torment: which se­uere Iudgment amazed the Champion, that desperately he would haue gorgde him selfe vppon his owne sworde, but that he thought it an honour to hys countrie, to die in the defence of Christendome: So like a true innobled Knight fearing neyther the threates of the Iewes, nor the imparti­all stroake of the fa [...]all sisters gaue this sentence of his own death: First he requested to bee bounde to a pine tree with his breast laid open naked against the Sun: then to h [...]ue an [...]owers respite to make his suplication to his Creator, and afterwardes to be shot to death by a pure Uirgin.

Which wordes were no sooner pronounced▪ but they dis­armed him of hys furniture, bound him to a Pine trée, and [Page 48] laide his breast open readie to entertaine the bloody str [...]ke of some vnrelenting maiden: but such pittie, m [...]ke mercy, and kinde len [...]ty lodged in the heart of [...]rie maiden, that none would take in hand to be the bloody Executioner of so braue a Knight: At last the tyrranous Nabuzaradan gaue strickt commandement vpon paine of death, that lot [...] shuld be cast amongst the maidens of Iuda that were there pre­sent, and to whome the lot did fall should be the fatall execu­tioner of the condemned Champion: But by fortune the chaunce fell to Celestine the Kinges own Daughter, beeing the Parragon of beautie, and the fairest Maide then liuing in Ierusalem, in whose heart no such deede of crueltie coulde be harboured, nor in whose hand no blood [...] weapon could be entertained. In stéede of deathes fatall Instrument, she [...] shot towards his breast, a déepe strained sigh the true mes­senger of loue, and afterward to heauen she thus made her humble supplication.

Thou great commaunder of celestiall moouing powers, conuert the cruell motions of my Fathers minde, into a spring of pittifull teares, that they may wash away the blood of this innocent Knight from the habitation of his stained purple soule. O Iuda and Ierusalem! within whose b [...]somes liues a Wildernes of Tygers, degenerate from natures kinde, more cruell than the hungrie Canibals, and more obdurate than vntamed Lyons: what merciles Ty­ger can vnrip that breast, where liues the Image of true Nobilitie, the verie patterne of Knighthood, and the map of a Noble minde? No, no, before my handes shall be stained with Christians blood, I will like Scilla against all nature sell my countries safetie, or like Maedea wander with the golden Fléece to vnknowne Nations.

Thus, and in such manner complained the beautious Celestine the Kings Daughter of Ierusalem, till her sighes stopped the passage of her spéech, and her teares stai­ned the naturall beautie of her Rosie Cheekes, her haires which glistered like to golden wiers, she b [...]sm [...]de in dust, [Page 49] and dis [...]obed her selfe from her costly garments, and then with a traine of her Amazonian Ladies, went to the King her Father, where after a long [...] ▪ she not onely obtainde his life, but libertie, yet therwithall hys perpetuall banish­ment from Ierusalem, and from all the border [...] of Iuda, the want of whose sight more grieued her hart, than the losse of her owne life: So this Noble & praise worthie Celest [...]ne returned to the Christian Champion, that expected euerie minnute to entertaine the sentence of death, but his ex­pectation fell out contrarie: for the good Ladie, after shee had sealed two or three kisses vpon his pale lips, beeing ex­chaunged through the feare of death, cut the [...]andes that bound hys body to the trée in a hundred péeces, & [...] with a [...]oud of fault teares, the motions of true loue, she thus re­uealed her minde.

Most Noble Knight and true Champion of Christen­dome, thy life and libertie I haue gainde, but therewithall thy banishment from Iuda, which is a hell of horror to my soule: for in thy bosome haue I built my happines, and in thy hart I account the Paradice of my true loue: thy first [...]ght and louely countenance did so rauish mee, when these eyes beh [...]ld thée mounted on thy Princely Pa [...]fray, that e­uer since my hart hath burnde in affection: therefore deare Knight in reward of my loue, be thou my Champion, and for my sake weare this ring with this pos [...]e ingrauen in [...]. Ardio affectione: and so giuing him a ring from her fin­ger, and there withall a kisse from her mouth, shee departed with a sorrowfull sigh, in compani [...] of her Father and the rest of hys Honourable traine, backe to the Citty of Ieru­salem, béeing as then néere the setting of the Sunne: But now Saint Iames the Champion of Spaine, hauing passed the danger of death, and at full libe [...]e to depart from that vnhappie Nation, hee fell into a hundred cogitations, one while thinking vp [...]n the t [...]ue loue of Celestine, (whose name as yet he was ignorant of.) another while vpon the cruel [...]ie of her father: then [...]ntending to depart into h [...]s [Page 50] his owne countrie, but l [...]king [...] to the Towers of Ie­rusalem his minde sodainely alt [...]red, for thither hee purpo­sed to goe, hoping to haue a sight of hy [...] Ladi [...] and Mistresse, and to liue in some disguised [...]ort [...] her presence, and bee her loues true Champion against all [...]: So gathering certaine blackberies from the trées, he coloured his body all ouer like a Bla [...]kamoore: But yet considering that hys spéech would discouer him, intended likewise to continue dumbe all the time of his residence in Ierusalem ▪ So all thinges ordered according to his desire, he tooke his iournie to the Cittie, where with signes and other motions of dumbnes, he declared his intent: which was to bée enter­tained in the Court, and to spend his time in the seruice of the King: But when the King behold [...] his countenance, which seemed of the naturall colour of the Moore little mi­strusted him to be the Christian Champion whome before he greatly enuied, but accounted him one [...] the brauest Iu­dean Knights that euer his eye behelde: therefore hee in­stauld him with the honou [...] of Knighthood, [...] [...]ppointed him to bee one of his Guard▪ and likewise his Daughters onlie Champion [...] ▪ But wh [...] Saint Iames of Spaine saw [...] himselfe in [...]ested in that honoured place, his soule was ra­ [...]ished with such excéeding ioy, that he thought no pleasure comparable to hys, no place of Elisium but the Court of Ierusalem, and no Goddesse [...] hys beloued Celestine.

L [...]ng continued he [...], casting foorth manie a louing sigh in the presence of his Ladie and Mistresse, not knowing how to reueale the secrets of his minde.

So vppon a time there ariued in the Court of Nabuza­radan the King of Arabia, with the Admirall of Babilon, both presuming vpon the loue of Celestine, and crauing her in the way of marriage: but shée exempted all motions of loue from her chaste minde, onlie building her thoughtes vpon the Spanish Knight, which shée supposed to bee in hys owne Countri [...].

At whose melancholie passions her importunate sutors [Page 51] the King of Arabia, and the Adm [...]all of Babilon [...]: and therefore intended vpp [...] [...]n Euening to pr [...]sent her with some rare deuised Maske: [...]o choosing out fi [...] con­sorts for their Courtly pastimes: Of which number the King of Arabia was chiefe and first leader of [...] traine, the great Admirall of Babilon was the second, and her own [...] Champion Saint Iames the third, who was called in the Cou [...]t by the name of the dumb Knight, and in this man­ner the Maske was performed.

First entered a most excellent Consort of M [...]sicke, after them the aforesaid Maskers in cloth of gold, most curiously imbrothered, and danced a course about the hall, at the end [...] whereof, the King of Arabia presented Celestine with a costly sword, at the hilt whereof hung a siluer Globe, and vpon the point was erected a golden Crowne: then the Mu­sicke sounded another course, of which the Admirall of Ba­bilon was leader, who presented her with a vesture of pur­ple silke, of the colour of the rainebow; brought in by Dia­na, Venus, and Iuno: which being done the Musicke [...]un­ded the third time, in which course Saint Iames (though vn­knowne) was the leader of the daunce, who at the ende whereof likewise presented Celestine with a garland of Flowers, which was brought in by the thrée Graces, and put vpon her head: Afterwarde the Christian Champion intending to discouer himselfe to his Ladie and Mistress [...], tooke her by the séemely hand and led her a stately Morisco daunte: which béeing no sooner finished, but hee [...]ffered her the Diamond ring which she gaue him at his departure in the woodes, the which shee presently knew by the pos [...]e, and shortly after had intelligence of his long [...]ontinued dumbnesse, his counterfe [...] colour, his chaunging of na­ture, and the great daunger that hee put himselfe in for her sake, which caused her with all the spéede shee coulde possiblie make, to break [...] off c [...]m [...]anie, and to retire into a Cabbinet which shee h [...]d h [...]rd by, wher [...] the same Eue­ning she had a long conf [...]rence [...]ith [...]er true and faithfull [Page 52] louer and aduenterous Champion▪ and to conclude, they made [...] ag [...]ment be [...]wixt them▪ that the s [...]me night vnknowne to anie in the Court, she bad Ierusalem a due, & by the light of Cinthias glistering beames, stole from her Fathers Pallace, where in companie of none but S. Iames shee t [...]ke her iournie toward the countrie of Spaine: But this noble Knight by pollicie preuented all insuing daun­gers, for he shodde his horse backewar [...]s, whereby when they were missed in the Court that they might be followed the contrarie waie.

By this meanes escaped the two Louers from the furie of the Iewes, and ariued safely in Spaine in the Cittie of Ciuill, wherin the g [...]d Champion Saint Iames was bo [...]ne: where as now we leaue them for a time to their owne con­tented mindes: Also passing ouer the hurly burly in Ieru­salem for the losse of Celestine, the vaine pursutes of ad­uenterous Knights, in stopping the Ports and Hauens, the preparing of fresh horses to follow them, and the mustering of souldiers to pursue them, the franticke passions of the King for hys daughter, the melanchollie mon [...] of the Ad­mirall of Babilon for his Mistris, and the wofull lamenta­tions of the Arabian King for his Ladie and Loue, and re­turne to the aduentures of the other Christian Champi­ons.

IT was at that time of the yeare, when the earth was newly deckt with a sum­mers liuerie, when the Noble and Hero­icall minded Champion Saint Anthonie of Italie ariued in Thrasia, where he [...] spent his seauen yeares trauailes to the honor of hys countrie, the glory of God, and to hys owne lasting memorie: For after he had wan­dred through many a wear [...]some waie both by Sea and Land, through woods and wildernesses, by hilles and dales, by caues and dens, and other vnknowne passages, he ariued at last vpon the top of a high and steep [...]e mountaine, wher­on stood a woonderfull huge and strong Castell, which was kept by the most mightiest Giant vnder the cope of heauen, whose puissant force all Thrasia could not ouercome, nor once attempt to withstand, but with the danger of their whole countrie. The Giants name was Blanderon, hys Castell of the purest Marble stone, his gates of yellowe Brasse, and ouer the principall gate was graued in Letters of gold these verses following.

After he had read what was written ouer the gate, de­sire of Fame so incouraged him, and the thirst of honour so imboldned his valiant minde, that he eyther vowed to re­deeme the Ladies from their seruitude, or die with honour by the furie of the Giant: So going to the Castell gate, he stroke so vehemently thereon with the pummell of hys sword, that it sounded like a mightie thunder clap: Wher­at Blanderon sodainely started vp, béeing fast a sléepe close by a Fountaines side, and came pacing foorth at the Gate with a mightie Oake vppon his necke: which at the fight of the Italian Champion, so lightly flourished it about hys head, as though it had béene but a light Dimmilaunce, and with these wordes gaue the Noble Champion entertaine­ment

What Furie hath incenst thy ouer boldned minde (proude Princockes) thus to aduenture thy féeble force a­gainst the violence of my strong arme: I tell thée haddest [Page 55] thou the strength of Hercules, who bore the mountaine Atlas on his shoulders, or the pollicie of Vlisses, by which the Cittie of Troy was ruinated, or the might of Xerxes, whose multitudes drunke huge riuers as they passed: yet all too feeble, weake, and impudent, to encounter with the mightie Giant Blanderon: thy force I estéeme like a blast of winde, and thy strokes as light as a few drops of water: Therefore betake thée to thy weapon, which I compare vnto a bulrush, for on this ground will I measure out thy graue, and after cast thy féeble Palfray in one of my handes headlong downe this strep [...]e mountaine.

Thus boasted the vaine glorious Gyant vpon his owne strength: During which time, the valerous and hardie Champion had alighted from his horse: where after hee had made hys humble supplication to the heauens for hys good sp [...]ede, and committed his Fortune to the impartiall Quéene of destenie, hee approached within the compasse of the Giants reach, who with his great Oake so nimbly be­sturde him with such vehement blowes, that they séemed to shake the earth, and to rattle against the walles of the Ca­stell like mighty thunder claps, and had not the polliticke Knight continually skipped from the furie of his blow, hee had béene brused as small as flesh vnto the potte, for euerie stroke that the Giant gaue, the roote of hys Oake entered at the least two or thrée foote déepe into the ground [...]. But such was the wisedome and pollicie of the worthie Cham­pion, not to withstand the force of his weapon, till the Gi­ant grew breathles, and not able through his long labour to lift the Oake aboue his head, and likewise the heate of the Sunne was so intollerable, (by reason of the extreame haight of the Mountaine, and the mightie waight o [...] hys I­ron coate) that the sweat of the Gyants browes ran into hys eyes, and by the reason that hee was so extreame fat, hee grewe blinde, that hee coulde not see to indure Combat with him any longer, and as farre as hee coulde perceiue, woulde haue retired or runne backe againe [Page 56] into hys Castell; but that the Italian Champion with a bold courage assailed the Giant so fiercely, that he was for­ced to let his Oake fall, and stand gasping for breath, which when the noble Knight beheld, with a fresh supplie hee re­doubled his blowes so couragiously, that they battered on the Giants Armour like a storme of winters ha [...]le: where­by at last Blanderon was compelled to aske the Champion mercie, and to cra [...]e at his hands some respite of breathing, but his demaunde was in vaine, for the valiant Knight supposed now or neuer to obtaine the honour of the day, & therefore neuer resting his wearie arme, but redoubling blow after blow, till the Gyant for want of breath, and through the anguish of his deepe gashed wounds, was for­ced to giue the world a farewell, and to yéelde the riches of his Castell to the most renowned Conquerour S. Anthonie the Champion of Italie: But by that time the long and dangerous encounter was finished, and the Giant Blande­rons head disseuered from his bodie, the Sunne sate moun­ted on the highest part of the Elements, which caused the day to be extreame hote and sulthie, whereby the Champi­ons Armour so extreamely scalded him, that hee was con­strained to vnbrace his Corslet, and to lay aside his Burgo­net, and to cast his body on the cold earth, onely to mitti­ga [...]e his ouerburthened heate: But such was the vnnatu­rall coolen [...]s of the earth, and so vnkindely to his ouerlabo­red hart, that the melted grease of his inward parts was ouercooled sodainely, wherby his bodie receiued such vnnatu­rall distemperature, that the vapors of the cold earth stroke presently to hys heart, by which hys vitall aire of life was excluded, and hys body without sence or moouing: where­in the mercie of pale death he lay bereaued of féeling for the space of an houre.

During which time faire Rossalinde (one of the Daugh­ters of the Thracian Kinges, beeing as then Prisoner in the Castell,) by chaunce looked ouer the walles, and espied the bodie of the Giant headles, vnder whose subiection shée had con­tinued [Page 57] in great seruitude for the time of seauen monthes, likewise by him a Knight vnarmed, as she thought panting for breath, the which the Ladie Iudged to bee the Knight that had slaine the Giant Blanderon, & the man by whome her deliuerie should be recouered, she presently descended the walles of the Castell, and ran with all speed to the aduen­terous Champion, whome she found dead: But yet béeing nothing discouraged of his recouerie, féeling as yet a warme blood in euerie member, retired backe with all spéede to the Castell, and fetcht a box of pretious Balme, the which the Giant was wont to poure into hys woundes after his en­counter with any knight: with which Balme this curte­ous Ladie chafed euerie part of the breathles Champions bodie, one while washing his stiffe limbes with her salt teares, the which like pearles fell from her eyes, another while drying them with the tresses of her golden haire, which hung dangling in the winde, then chafing hys li [...]e­les bodie againe with a Balme of a contrarie nature, but yet no signe of life could she espie in the dead Knight: which caused her to growe desperate of all hope of his recouerie: Therefore like a louing, méeke, and kinde Lady, considering he had lost his life for her sake, shee intended to beare him companie in death, and with her owne handes to fin [...] vp her dayes, and to die vpon his breast, as This be died vpon the breast of her true Pyrramus: therfore as the Swanne singes a while before her death, so this sorrowfull Ladie warbl [...]d foorth this Swan-like song ouer the bodie of the Noble Champion.

[Page 59]This wofull Dittie béeing no sooner ended, but the des­perate Ladie vnsheathed the Champions sword, which as yet was all besprinkled with the Gyants blood, and béeing at the verie point to execute her intended Tragedie, and the bloody weapon directly placed against her Iuorie breast, but shee heard the distressed Knight giue a grieuous & t [...]rrible grone: whereat she stopped her remorc [...]les [...]and, & with more discreation tendered her owne safetie, for by this time the Balme wherewith she anoynt [...]d hys bodie, by wonder­full operation rec [...]uered the dead Champion, insomuch that after some few gaspes and earnest sighes, hee raised vp hys stiffe limbes from the cold earth, where like one cast into a trance, for a time gazed vp and downe the Mountaine: but at the last hauing recouered hys lost senses, espied the Thra­cian Damsell standing by, not able to speake one word her ioy so abounded: But after some continuance of time, hee reuealed to her the manner of hys dangerous Encounter, and successefull victorie, and she the cause of his recouerie, & her intended Tragedie: Where after manie kinde saluta­tions, she curteously tooke him by the hand & led him into the Castell, where for that night he lodged hys wery limbs in an easie bed stuffed with Turtles feathers, & softest thi­stle downe, the chamber had as manie windowes where he lay, as there were dayes in the yeare, and as many dores as there were minutes in a day, and to discribe the curious architecture and the [...]rificiall workmanship of the place, wore too tedious and a worke without end,

But to be short, the Noble minded Knight slept soundlie after his dangerous battaile, without mistrust of Treason, or such Rebellious cogitations, till golden Phoebus [...]ad him good morrow, then rising from his slouthfull bed, bee attired himselfe, not in his wonted habilliments of warre▪ but in purple garments according to the time of peace, and so in­tended to ouerview the Nobilities of the Castell: But the Ladie Rossalinde all the night was busied in looking to hys Horse preparing dilicates for hys repast, and in making a [Page 60] fire against his vprising, where after he had refreshed hys wearie spirites with a a daintie banket, & caroused downe two or thrée bowles of Greekish Wines, hee after by the counsell of Rossalinde, stripped the Giant from hys Iron furniture, and lest his naked bodie vpon a craggie Rocke to bée deuoured of hungrie Rauens: which béeing done the Thracian Uirgin discouered all the secrets of the Castell to the aduenterous Champion: First shee led him to a leaden Tower, where hung a hundred well approoued Corslets, with other Martiall furniture, which were the spoyles of such Knights as he had violently slaine, after that shee brought him to a stable, wherein stoode a hundred pampered Iades, which daylie fed vpon nothing but humane flesh: Against it was directly placed the Gyants owne lodging, his bed was of Iron, corded with mightie bars of stéele, the testerne and couering of carued brasse, the curtaines were of leaues of gold, and the rest of a straunge and wonderfull substance of the colour of the Elements: after this shee led him to a broad pond of water, more clearer than quicksiluer, the streames wherof lay continually as smooth as Christall Ice, whereon swam six mike white Swans with Crownes of gold about their neckes.

O here saide the Thracian Lady, begins the hell of al my griefe! At which wordes a pearled shower of teares ran from the Conduits of her eyes, that for a time they staide the passage of her tongue, but hauing discharged her heart from a few sorrowfull sighes, she began in this manner to tell her passed fortunes.

These sixe milke-white Swans most honoured Knight, you behold swimming in this riuer (quoth the Ladie Rossa­linde) be my naturall sisters, both by birth and blood, and all Daughters to the King of Thrace, béeing now Gouernour of this vnhappie Countrie, and the beginning of our im­prisonment befell in this vnfortunate manner.

The King my Father ordayned a solemne hunting to be holden through the land, in which Honourable pastime, [Page 61] my selfe in companie of my sixe sisters were present: [...]o in the middle of our sportes, when the Lords and Barrons of Thracia were in chace after a mightie shée Lyon, the hea­uens sodainely began to lower, the firmaments ouer cast, and a generall darkenesse ouerspread the face of the whole earth, then presently rose such a storme of lightning and thunder, as though heauen and earth had met together-by which our mightie troupes of Knights and Barrons were seperated one from another, and we poore Ladies for­ced by misfortune to séeke for shelter vnder the bottome of this high and steepie mountaine: where when this cruell Gyant Blanderon espied vs as hee walked vpon his Bat­tailements, sodainely descended the mountaine, and fetcht vs all vnder hys Arme vp into his Castell, where euer since we haue liued in great seruitude, and for the woonder­full transformation of my sixe sisters, thus it came to passe as followeth.

Upon a time the Gyant béeing ouercharged with wine, grew innamored vpon our beauties, and desired much to enioy the pleasures of our virginities, our excellent gifts of nature so inflamed hys minde with iust, [...]hat he would haue forced vs euerie one to satisfie hys sinfull desires: but as he tooke my sisters one by one into hys lodging thinking to de­flowre them, their earnest praies so preuailed in the sight of God, that he preserued their chasteties by a most straunge and woonderfull miracle, and turned their comely bodies into the shape of milke-white Swannes, euen in the same forme as heere you see them swimming: So when this monstrous Gyant sawe that hys intent was crost, and howe there was none left behinde to supplie hys want, but my vnfortunate selfe, hee restrained hys filthie lust, not violating my Honour with any staine of infamie, but kept mee euer since a most pure Uirgin, onlie vvith svvéet inspiring mu [...]sike to bring him to his sléepe.

Thus haue you heard (most Noble Knight) the true dis­course of my most vnhappy fortunes, and the wonderfull [Page 62] transformation of my sixe sisters, whose losse to this day is greatly lamented throughout all Thrace, and with that word she made an end of her Tragicall discourse, not able to vtter the rest for weeping: whereat the Knight being op­pressed then with like sorrow, imbraced her about the slen­der waste, and thus ki [...]dely began to comfort her.

My most deare and kinde Ladie, within whose counte­nance, I see how vertue is inthronized, and in whose minde liues true Magnanimitie, let these few wordes suffice to comfort thy sorrowfull cogitations: First thinke that the Heauens are most beneficiall vnto thée in preseruing thy chastity from the Giants insatiate desires, then for thy de­liuerie by my meanes from thy slauish seruitude: Thirdly and lastly, that thou remaining in thy naturall shape & like­nes, mayest liue to bee the meanes of thy sisters transfor­mations: Therefore drie vp those Cristall pearled teares, and b [...]d thy long continued sorrowes adue: for griefe is companion with dispaire, and dispaire a procurer of an in­famous death.

Thus the wofull Thracian Ladie was comforted by the Noble Christian Champion: where after a fewe kinde gréetings they intended to trauaile to her Fathers Court, there to relate what had hapned to her sisters in the Castel, likewise the Gyants confusion, and her owne safe deliuery by the illustrious prowesse of the Christian Knight: So taking the keyes of the Castell, which was of a wonderful waight, they locked vp the gates and paced hand in hand downe the stée [...]ie mountaine, till they aproached the Thra­ci [...]n Court, which was distant from the Castell some tenne miles: but by that time they had a sight of the Pallace the Sunne was wandred to the vnder world, and the light of heauen, sate [...]fled vp in cloudes of pitch, the which not a little discontented the wearie trauailers: but at last com­ming to her Fathers Gates, they heard a solemne sound of belles, ringing the funerall knell of some Noble estate: the cause of which solemne ringing they demaunded of the Por­ter, [Page 63] who in this manner expressed the truth of the matter vnto them.

Faire Ladie, and most renowned Knight, (said the Por­ter) for so you séeme both by your speeches and Honourable demaundes, the cause of this ringing is for the losse of the Kinges seauen daughters, the number of which Belles be seauen, called after the name of the seauen Princes, which neuer yet hath ceased their dolefull melodie, since the depar­ture of the vnhappie Ladies, nor neuer must vntill ioyfull newes be heard of their safe returne.

Then now their taskes be ended, (said the Noble mind­ded Rossalinde) for we bring happie newes of the seauen Princes abidings: At which wordes the Porter beeing ra­uished with ioy, in all hast ranne to the steeple, and caused the Belles to cease: whereat the King of Thrace beeing at hys Royall supper, and hearing the Belles to cease their wonted melodie, sodainely started vp from hys Princelie seate, and like a man amazed ran to the [...]allace gate, where as he founde hys Daughter Rossalinde in companie of a strange Knight, which when he beheld hys ioy so excéeded, that hee sounded in his daughters besome, but beeing reco­uered to his former sence, he brought them both vp into his Princely Hall, where their entertainements were so hono­rable, and so gratious in the eyes of the whole Court, that it were too tedious and ouerlong to describe, but their ioy continued but a short season, for it was presently dasht with Rosalindes tragicall discourse: for the good old King when he heard of his daughters transformations, and how they liude in the shapes of milke-white Swans, hee rent his lockes of siluer haire, which time had died with the pledge of wisdome, his rich and imbrothered garments he tore in­to a thousand p [...]eces, and clad hys aged limbes in a dismall blacke, and sable mantle, more discontented than the wof [...] King of Troy, when he beheld hys owne Sonnes by the haire of the heads dragged vp and downe the stréetes, also he commaunded that his Knights and aduenterous Cham­pions [Page 64] in stéede of glistring Armour should weare the wéeds of death, more blacke in h [...]w than winters darkest nights, and all the Courtly Ladies and gallant Thracian maydens in stéede of silken vestments he commaunded to weare both heauy sad and melancholly ornaments, and euen as vnto a solemne funerall, so to attend him to the Giants Castell, & there obsequiously to offer vp vnto the angry Destenies, many a bitter sigh and teare in remembrance of his trans­formed daughters: Which decrée of the sorrowfull Thra­cian King was performed with all conuenient spéede, for the next morning no sooner had Phoebus cast his beauty vn­to the Kinges bed-chamber, but hee apparrelled himselfe in mourning garments, and in company of his melancholly trayne set forward to his wofull Pilgrimage: But now we must not forget the Princely minded Champion of Italie, nor the Noble Lady Rossalinde who at the Kinges depar­ture towardes the Castell crau [...] leaue to slay behinde, and not so sodainely to beginne a newe trauell, whereunto the King quickly condiscended, considering their late iourney the euening before, so taking the Castell keyes from the Champion, he bid his Pallace adew, and committed his for­tune to his sorrowfull iour [...]: where wee lea [...] him in a world of discontented passions, and a while discourse what hapned to the Christian Champion and his beloued Lady, for by that time the Sunne had thrice measured the world with his restles stéedes, and thrice his sister Luna wandred to the west, the Noble Italian Knight grewe weary of his long continued rest, and thought it a great dishonour & a scandall to his valiant minde, to remayne where naught but Chamber sportes were resident, desired rather to abide in a Court that entertaynde the dolefull murmuring of tra­gedyes, where the ioyfull sound of Drums and Trumpets shoulde bee heard, therefore taking Rossalinde by the hand, being then in a dumpe for the want of her father, to whome the good Knight in this manner expressed his secrete intent▪ My most deuoted Lady and Mistris (sayd the Champion) a [Page 65] second Dido for thy loue, a staine to Venus for [...]y beautie, Penelopes compare for constancie, and for c [...]astetie the wonder of all maides: the faithfull loue that hitherto I haue found since my arriuall, for euer shall be [...]ined in my hart, and before all Ladies vnder the cope of h [...]uen, thou shalt liue and die my soules true gouernesse, an [...] for thy sake [...]e stand as Champion against all Knights i [...] the worlde: But to impaire the honour of my Knighthoo [...], and to liue like a carpet dancer in the laps of Ladies I will not, though I can tune a Luts in a Princes Chamber, I can sounde as well a fierce alarum in the field: honour ca [...]l [...]s mee foorth deare Rossalinde, and fame intendes to burkle on my Ar­mour, which now lies rusting in the idle Court of Thrace: Therefore I am constrained (though most vnwilling) to leaue the comfortable sight of thy beautie, and commit my fortune to a longer trauaile, but I protest wheresoeuer I become, or in what Region soeuer I [...]e harboured, there will I mainetaine to the losse of my life, that both thy loue, constancie, beautie, and Chastetie▪ surpasseth all Dames a­liue, and with this promise my most diuine Rossalinde, I bid thée farewell: But before the honorable minded Cham­pion could finish what he had purposed to vtter, the Ladie béeing wounded inwardly with exstreame griefe, not able to indure to kéepe silent any longer, but with teares falling from her eyes, brake off his speeches in this manner.

Sir Knight (said shée) by whome my libertie hath bin obtained: Therefore the name of Ladie & Mistresse wher­with you intitle me, is to high and proude a name, but ra­ther call me handmaid, or [...]eruile slaue, for on thy Noble person will I euermore attend: It is not Thrace can har­bour me when thou art absent, and before I doo forsake thy companie and kinde fellowship, the heauen shall be no hea­uen▪ the sea no sea, nor the earth no earth: but if thou pro­ [...]est vnconstant, as Ninus did to Scilla, who for hys sake stole her Fathers purple haire, whereon depended the safe­tie of his countrie, or like wandring Aenaeas flie from the [Page 66] Quéene of Carthage: yet shall these tender handes of [...] which neu [...]r shal vnclaspe, but hang vpon thy horse bridle, till my bode like Thesius sonnes be dasht in sunder against hard flintie stones: Therefore forsake me not deare knight of Christendome. If euer Camma was true to her Sina­tus, or euer Alsione to her Ce [...]x, so Rossalinde will bee to thée, & with t [...]is plighted promise shée caught him fast about the necke, from whence shee would not vnclose her handes, till he had vos [...]de by the Honor of true Chiualrie, to make her sole companion, and onely partner in hys treuailes, and so after this order it was accomplished.

Thus béeing both agréed, shee was most trimlye attired like a Page in greene sarcenet, her hair [...] bounde vp most cunningly with a silken list, & so artificially wrought with curious knots, that she might trauaile without suspition or blemmish of her honour, her Rapier was a Turkish blade, and her Po [...]ard [...] of the finest fashion, the which shée wore at her backe tyed with an Orringe tawnie coloured scarfe, beautefied with tassels of vnwouen silke, her Bus [...]ns of the smoothest Kiddes skinnes, her Spurres of the purest Lid­dian stéele: In which when the Noble and beautifull La­dy was attired, shee séemed in stature like the God of loue, when he sate dandled vpō Didos lap, or rather Ganemede, Ioues minnion, or Adonis when Venus shewde her sil­uer skin, to intrappe hys eyes to her vnchaste desires: But to bée briefe, all thinges béeing got in readines for their de­parture from Thrace, this famous worthie Knight moun­ted vppon hys [...]ger Stéede, and [...] magnanimious Rossa­linde on her gentle Palfray, in pace more easter than the winged windes, or a Cockbo [...]e floting vpon the Christall streames, they both bid adue to the Countrie of Thra­cia, and committed their iournie to the Quéene of chaunce: Therefore smile heauens and guide them with a most hap­pie starre, vntill they ariue where their soules doe most de­sire. The brauest and boldest Knight that euer wandred by the way, and the most loueliest Ladie that euer anye eye [Page 67] beheld: In whose trauailes my Muse must lea [...] them for a season, and speake of the Thracian mournes, which by this time had watered the earth with abunda [...]ce of their ceremonious teares, and made the elements [...] witnes­ses of their sad laments, as hereafter followeth in thys next Chapter.

NOW of the Honourable aduentures of Saint Andrew the famous Champion of Scotland must I discourse, whose sea­uen yeares trauailes were as straunge as any of the other Champions: For after hee had departed from the Brazen Piller, as you heard in the beginning of the Historie. He trauailed through many a strange and vn­knowne Nation, beyond the cercuit of the sunne, where but one time in the yere she shews her brightsome beames, but continually darkenes ouerspreads the countrie, & there is a kind of people that haue heads like dogs, & in the extrea­mity of hunger doe deuoure one another: from which peo­ple this Noble Champion was woonderfull strangelie [Page 68] deliuered, or after he had wandred some certain dayes, nei­ther seeing [...]he gladsome brightnes of the Sunne, nor the comfortabl [...] countenance of the Moone, but only guided by duskie pale [...]es of the elemen [...]s, he hapned to a vale of wal­king spirits: which he supposed to bee the verie dungeon of burning A [...]aron: For there he heard blowing of vnséene fiers, boyling of furnases, ratling of Armour, trampling of horses, g [...]ling of chaines, l [...]mbring of t [...]bbes, roring of spirits, and such like horrible hearinges, that it made the Scottish Champion almost at hys wits end: But yet ha­uing an vndaunted courage, exempting all feare, he humblie made his supplcation to heauen, that God woulde deliuer him from that discontented place of terrour: and so present­ly as the Champion knéeled vpon the barren ground (wher­on grew neyther hearbe, flower, grasse, nor any other gréene thing,) he beheld a certaine flame of fire walking vp and downe before him, whereat he grew into such an exta­sie of feare, that he stood for a time amazed whether it were best to goe forward, or to stand still: But yet recalling his sences, he remembred himselfe, howe hee had read in passed times of a going fire called Ignis fatuis, the fire of destenie, or some Will with the wispe, or Will with the lanthorne, & likewise by some simple countrie people, the faire maide of Ireland, which commonly vsed to lead wandring trauai­lers out of their wayes. The like imagination entered the Champions minde: So encouraging himselfe with hys owne conceits, and chearing vp his dull sences late oppres­sed with exstreame feare, he directly followed the going fire which so iustly went before him, that by the time the gui­der of the night had climbed twelue degrées in the zodiacke, hee was safelie deliuered from the vale of walking spi­rits, by the direction of the going fire.

Now began the Sunne to daunce about the firmament, which he had not séene in many monthes before: whereat hys dull sences so much reioyced, beeing so long [...]ouered before with darkenes, that euerie step he troad was as plea­surable, [Page 69] as though he had walked in a garden bedeckt with all kinde of fragrant flowers.

At last without any further molestation he ariued with­in the territories of Thracia, a countrie as you heard in the former Chapter, adorned with the beautie of many faire Woodes and Forrestes, through which bee trauailed with small rest, but lesse sléepe, till hee came to the foote of the mountaine, wherevpon stoode the Castell wherein the wo­full King of Thrace in companie of hys sorrowfull subiects, still lamented the vnhappie destenies of hys six daughters turnde into Swannes, with Crownes of gold about their neckes: But when the valiant Champion Saint Andrew beheld the loftie scittuation of the Castell, and the inuinci­ble strength it séemed to be of, expected some straunge ad­uenture to befall him in the said Castell: So preparing his sword in readines, and buckling close hys Armour, which was a shirt of siluer maile for lightnes in trauaile: Hée climbed the Mountaine, wherevpon he espied the Giant ly­ing vpon a craggie Rocke, with limbes and members all to be rent and torne, by the furie of hunger starued foules: which loathsome spectakle was no little woonder to the worthie Champion, considering the mightie stature & big­nes of the Giant: So leauing his putrified bodie to the windes, he approached the gates: where after he had read the superscription ouer the same, without any interruption entred the Castle where hee expected a fierce encounter by some Knight that should haue defended the same, but all things fell out contrary to his imagination, for after he had found many a straunge nouelty and hidden secrete closed in the same, chaunced at last to come where the Thracians du­ly obserued their ceremonious mournings, which in this order was dayly performed: for vppon sondayes which in that Country is the first day in the wéeke, all the Thracians attyred themselues after the manner of Bacchus Priestes, and burned perfumed incence and sweete Arabian francum­sence vpon a religious shrine which they offered to the [...] [Page 70] as chiefe gouernour of that day, thinking thereby to ap­pease the angrie destenies, and so recouer the vnhappie La­dies to their former shapes: vpon Mundaies clad in gar­ments after the manner of Syluanes, & colour like to the waues of the sea, they offered vp their wofull teares to the Moone, beeing the g [...]t [...]er and mistresse of that day: vpon Te [...]sdayes like Souldiers trayling their Banners on the dust, and Drums sounding sad and dolefull melody in signe of discontent, they committed their proceedings to the plea­sure of Mars, beeing ruler and guider of that day: vppon Wensday like schollers vnto Mercurie: vppon Thursday like Potentates to Ioue: vpon Fridayes like louers with sweet sounding Musicke to Venus: and vpon Saterdaies like Manuall professors to the angry and discontented Sa­turne.

Thus the wofull Thracian King with his sorowful sub­iects, consumed seauen months away, one while accusing fortune of dispite, another while the heauens of iniustice: the one for Childrens transformations, the other for their long limited punishments: But at last when the Scottish Champion heard what bitter mone the Thracians made a­bout the riuer, he demaunded the cause, and to what purpose they obserued such vaine ceremonies, contemning the Ma­iestie of high Iehoua, and only worshipping but outward & vaine Gods: to whome the King after a few sadde teares strained from the Conduits of his aged eies replied in this manner.

Most noble Knight for so you seeme, both by your gesture and other outward appearance, (quoth the King,) if you de­sire to know the cause of our continuall griefe, prepare your eares to heare a tragicke and wofull tale, whereat I sée the elements begin to mourne, and couer their azurde coun­tenance, with sable cloudes. These milk-white Swannes you sée, whose neckes be beautified with golden Crownes, are my sixe naturall Daughters, transformed into thys Swan-like substance, by the appointment of the Gods: for [Page 71] of late this Castell was kept by a cruell Giant named B [...]ā ­deron, who by violence would haue rauished them: But the heauens to preserue their chasteties, preuented his lust­full desires, and transformed their beautifull features to those milk-white Swannes: And nowe seauen times the chearefull spring hath renewed the earth with a S [...]mmers liuerie, and seauen times the nipping Winters [...]ostes, hath bereaued the trées of leafe and bud, since first my Daugh­ters lost their Uirgins shapes: Seauen sommers haue they swamme vpon this Christall streame: where in stéede of ric [...] attire, and imbrothered Uestments, the smooth siluer coloured feathers adornes their comelie bodies: Princelie Pallaces wherein they were wont like vnto tripping Sea-nimphes daunce their measures vp and downe, are now ex­changed into cold streames of water: wherein their chie­fest m [...]lodi [...], is the murmuring of the liquid bubbles; and their ioyfullest pleasure, to heare the harmonie of humming Bees, which the Poets ca [...] the Muses birds.

Thus haue you heard most worthie Knight the rufull Tragedies of my Daughters, for whose sakes I will spend the remnant of my dayes, chearefully complaining of their long appointed punishments, about the Bankes of t [...]ys vnhappie riuer. Which sad discourse béeing no sooner ended, but the Scottish Knight (hauing a minde furnished with all Princely thoughts, & a tongue washt in the Foun­taine of Eloquence), thus replied to the comfort and great reioycing of all the companie.

Most noble King (quoth the Champion) your heauie and dolorous discourse, hath constrained my [...]eart to a wō ­derfull passion, and compelled my very soule [...]o [...]ue your Daughters miseries: But yet a greater g [...]ief [...] [...] a déep­er sorrow then that, hath taken possession in my [...], wher­of my e [...]es hath bin witnes, and my eares vnhappy [...]earers of your misbeliefe, I meane your vnchristian faith: For I haue séene since my first ariuall into th [...]s same Castell your prophane & vaine worshipping of [...] and fals [...] [Page 72] Gods, as to Phoebus, Luna, Mars, Mercurie, and such like Poeticall names, which the Maiestie of high Iehoua vtter­ly contemnes: but magnificent gouernour of Thracia; if you séeke to recouer your Daughters happinesse by humble praiers, and to obtaine your soules content by true teares, you must abandon all such vaine Ceremonies, and with true humillity beléeue in the Christians God, which is the God of wonders, and chiefe commaunder of the rouling Elements, in whose quarrell this vndaunted arme, and this vnconquered hart of mine shall fight: and now be it known to thée great King of Thrace, that I am a Christian Cham­pion, and by byrth a Knight of Scotland, bearing my coun­tries Armes vpon my breast (for indéede thereon he bore a siluer Crosse set in blue silke) and therefore in the honour of Christendome I challenge forth thy prowdest Knight at Armes, against whom I will mayntaine that our God is the true God, and the rest fantasticall and vayne cerem [...] ­nies.

Which sodaine and vnexspected challenge so daunted the Thracian Champions that they stoode amazed for a time; gazing one vpon another, like men dropt from the cloudes: but at last consulting together, howe the challenge of the strange Knight, was to the dishonour of their Countrie, & vtter scandall of all Knightly dignitie: therefore with a generall consent they craued leaue of the King that the chal­lenge might bee taken, who as willingly condiscended as they demaunded: [...]o the time and place was appoynted which was the next morning following by the Kings com­mandement vpon a large and playne meadowe close by the riuer side, whereon the sixe Swans were swimming, and so after the Christian Champion had cast downe his stéely Gaun [...]let and the Thracian Knights accepted thereof, eue­ry one departed for that night, the Challenger to the E [...]st side of the Castell to his lodging, and the Defendants to the west, where they slept quietly till the next morning, who by the breake of day were wakened by a Harrold at armes, [Page 73] but all the passed night our Scottish Champion neuer [...]n­tertaynde one motion of rest, but busied himselfe in trim­ming his horse, buckling on his Armour, lacing on his Burgonet, and making his prayers to the Diuine Maiesty of God for the conquest and victory, till the mornings beau­ty chaced away the darkenes of the night, but no sooner was the windowes of the day fully opened, but the valiant and Noble minded Champion of Christendome entred the Li [...]t, where the King in company of the Thracian Lordes were present to beholde the Combat: and so after saint Andrew had twice or thrice traced his horse vp & downe the Listes brauely florishing his Launce, at the toppe whereof hung a pendant of golde, whose Posie was thus written in siluer letters: This day a Martyr or a Conquerour. Then en­tered a Knight in exceeding bright Armor, mounted vpon a Courser as white as the northerne snow whose caparison was of the colour of the elements, betwixt whom was a firc [...] encounter, but the Thracian had the foyle, and with disgrace d [...]parted the Listes: Then secondly entred ano­ther Knight in Armor varnished with greene varnish, his Stéede of the colour of an Iron gray, who likewise had the repulse by the worthie Christian: Thirdly entred a knight in a blacke cor [...]let, mounted vpon a bi [...] bonde Palfray, coue­red with a vale of sable silk, in his hand he bore a Lance n [...] ­led round about with plates of stéele: which Knight a­mongst the Thracians was accounted the strongest in the world, except it were those Giants that discended from a monstrous linnage: But no sooner encountred these hardy Champions, but their Launces shiuered in sunder, and flew so violently into the Aire, that it much amazed the behol­ders: Then they alighted from their Steedes, and so vali­antly besturd them with their kéene edged Fauchions, that the fierie sparkles flew as fierc [...]ly from these Noble Cham­pions steelie Helmets, as from an Iron Anuill: But the Combat indured not verie long before the most hardie Scottish Knight espied an aduantage, wherein he might [Page 74] shew hys matchles fortitude: then he stroke such a violent bl [...]w vpon the Thracians Burgonet, that it cleaued hys head iustly downe to the shoulders: whereat the King so­dainely started from hys seate, and with a wrathfull coun­tenance, threatned the Champions death in this manner.

Proude Christian (said the King) thou shalt repent hys death, and curse the time that euer thou camst to Thracia: hys blood we will reuenge vpon thy head, and quit thy com­mitted crueltie with a sodaine death: and so in company of a hundred Armed Knights, he incompassed the Scottish Champion, intending by multitudes to murder him: But when the valiant Knight Saint Andrew saw how hee was supprest by trecherie, and inuironed with mightie Troups, he called to heauen for succour, and annimated him selfe by these wordes of incouragement: Now for the Honour of Christendome, this day a Martyr or a Conquerour, and therewithall he so valiantly behaued himselfe with his tru­stie Curtleaxe, that he made Lanes of murthered men, and feld them downe by multitudes, like as the haruest man doth mo [...]e downe eares of ripened corne: whereby they fell before his face like leaues from trées, when the Som­mers pride declines her glorie: So at the last after much blood shed, the Thracian King was compelled to yeeld to the Scottish Champions mercie, who swore him for the saue­garde of hys life, to forsake his prophaned religion and be­come a Christiā, whose liuing true God the Thracian king vowde for euermore to worship, and thereupon hee kist the Champions sword.

This conuersion of the Pagan King, so pleased the Ma­iestie of God, that he presently gaue end to his Daughters punishments, & turned the Ladies to their former shapes: But when the King behelde their smooth feathers, which were whiter than the Lilly, exchanged to a naturall faire­nes, & that their blacke bils and slender necks were conuer­ted to their first created beauties, (where for excellent faire­les, the Quéene of loue might builde her Parradice,) bee [Page 75] bad adue to hys griefe and long continued sorrowes, pro­testing euer hereafter to continue a true Christian for the Scottish Champions sake: by whome and by whose di­uine Orrizons hys Daughters obtained their former fea­tures: So taking the Christian Knight in company of the sixe Ladies, to an excellent rich Chamber, prepared with al thinges according to their wishes: where first the Christi­an Knight was vnarmed, then his woundes washed with white Wine, new Milke, and Rose-water, and so after some daintie repast, conuayed to hys nights repose. The Ladies beeing the ioyfullest creatures vnder heauen, neuer entertainde one thought of sleepe, but passed the night in their Fathers companie, (whose minde was rauished with vnspeakeable pleasure,) till the mornings messengers bad them good morrow.

Thus all thinges being prepared in a readines, they de­parted the Castell, not like mourners to a heauie Funerall: but in triumphing manner marching backe to the Thracian Pallace, with streaming Banners in the winde. Drums and Trumpets sounding ioyfull melodie, and with sweet in­spiring musicke, causing the aire to resound with harmony: But no sooner were they entred the Pallace, (which was in distance from the Giants Castell, some ten miles) but their triumphes turned to exceeding sorrow, for Rossalinde with the Champion of Italie as you heard before was departed the Court: which vnexpected newes so daunted the whole companie, but especially the King, that the triumphes for that time were deferred, and messengers dispatcht in pur­sute of the aduenturous Italian, and the [...]o [...]ely Rossalinde.

But when Saint Andrew of Scotland had intelligence, how it was one of the Knights that was imprisoned with him vnder the subiection of the wicked [...] Ka­lyb, as you heard first of all in the beginning of the Hi­storie, his heart thirsted for hys most Honourable com­panie, and hys eyes neuer closed quietly, nor tooke any rest at all vntill hee was likewise departed in the pursute [Page 76] of hys sworne friend, which was the next night following, without making any acquainted with his intent: likewise when the six Ladies vnderstood the secret departure of the Scottish Champion, whome they affected dearer than any Knight in all the world, stored themselues with sufficient treasure, and by stealth tooke their iournie from their Fa­thers Pallace: intending eyther to finde out the victorious and approued Knight of Scotland, or to end their liues in some forraine Region.

The rumor of whose departure, no sooner came to the Kinges eares, but he purposed the like trauaile, eyther to obtaine the sight of his Daughters againe, or to make his toombe in a countrie beyond the cercuite of the Sunne: So attyring himselfe in a homely russet, like a Pilgrime with an [...]bon staffe in his hand tipt with siluer, tooke his iour­nie all vnknowne from hys Pallace, whose s [...]d [...]ine and se­cret departure, stroke such an extreame & intollerable hea­uines in the Court, that the Pallace gates were sealed vp with sorrow, and the walles be-hung with sable mourning cloth. The Thracian Lordes exempted all pleasure, and like a flocke of shéep strayed vp and downe without a shep­heard, the Ladies and Courtly gentles, sate sighing in their priuate chambers: where we leaue them for this time, & speake of the successe of the other Champions, and howe Fortune smiled on their aduenterous procéedinges.

BUT now of the valiant & hardie Knight at Armes Saint Pattrick the Champion of Ireland must I speake, whose aduen­terous accidents were so Noblie perfor­med, that if my pen were made of stéele, yet should I weare it to the stumpes, sufficiently to declare hys prowesse and worthie aduentures. When he departed from the brazen P [...]ller, from the other Champions, the heauens smiled with a kinde aspect, and sent him such a happie starre to bée hys guide, that it lead him to no Courtly pleasures, nor to vaine delights of Ladies beauties, but to the throne of fame, where honour sate instauld vpon a seat of gold: The­ther trauailed the warlike Champion of Ireland, whose illustrious battailes the northen Iles hath Chronicled in leaues of brasse: therefore Ireland be proude, for from thy bowels did spring a Champion, whose prowesse made the enemies of Christ to tremble, and watered the earth with streames of Pagans blood: witnes whereof the Ile of Rhodes, the key & strength of Christendome was recoue­red from the Turkes, by hys Martiall and inuincible pro­wesse: where hys dangerous battailes, fierce encounters, bloodie skirmishes, and long assaults, woulde serue to fill a [Page 78] mightie volume, all which I passe ouer, & wholly discours [...] of things appertaining to this History: for [...] warres at Rhodes were fully ended, which continued some two yeares the worthy Champion saint Pattricke (accounting idle ease the nurse of cowardise) bad Rhodes farewell, be­ing then strongly fortefied with Christian Souldiers, and tooke his iourney thorough many an vnknowne Countrey, where at last it pleased so the Quéene of chance to direct his steppes into a solitary wildernesse, inhabited onely by wilde Satyrs, and a people of inhumane quallities, giuing theyr wicked mindes onely to murther, lust and rape, wherein the noble Champion trauelled vp and downe many a weary steppe, not knowing how to sustaine his hunger, but by his owne industry in killing of wild venison, and pressing out the blood betwixt two mighty stones, dayly r [...]sted it by the heate of the Sunne, his lodging was in the hollow truncke of a blasted trée, which nightly preserude him from the dropping showres of heauen, his chiefe companion was the swéete resounding eccho, which commonly reanswered the Champions wordes: In this manner liued saint Pattrick the Irish Knight in the woods, not knowing how to set him selfe at liberty, but wandring vp and downe as it were [...] a maze wrought by the curious workemanship of some excel­lent Gardner, it was his chaunce at last to come into a dis­mall shady thicket beset about with bal [...]full misselto, a place of horror wherein he heard the cryes of some distressed La­dies, whose bitter lamentations seemd to pierce▪ the clowds, and to craue succour at the hands of God, which vnexspected cryes not a little daunted the Irish Knight: so that it causde him to prepare his weapon in readines, against some sodain incounter: So couching himselfe close vnder the roote of an olde withered Oake, (which had not flourished with gréene leaues in many a yeare) hee espied a farre off a crew of bloo­dy minded Satyrs, hauling by the hayre the sixe vnhap­py Ladies thorough many a thorny brake and bryer, where­by the beauty of theyr crimson chéekes, was all to besprent [Page 79] with purple gore, and theyr eyes (within whose cleare glas­ses one might behold the God of loue dancing) all to be rent & torne by the fury of the bryers, whereby they could not sée the light of heauen, nor the place of theyr vnfortunate aby­ding: which wofull spectacle forced such a terror in the heart of the Irish Knight, that he presently made out for the res­cue of the Ladies, against the bloody fury of the mercilesse Satyrs which were in number about some thirty, euery one hauing a mighty clubbe vpon his necke, which they had made with roots of yong Oakes and Pine trées, yet this ad­uenterous Champion being nothing discouraged, but with a bold and resolute minde he let driue at the sturdiest Satyr, whose Armour of defence was made of a Buls hide, which was dryed so hard against the Sunne, that the Champions Curtle-axe little preuayled: after which the fell Satyrs in­compassed the Christian Knight round about, and so migh­tely opprest him with downe right blowes, that had he not by good fortune leapt vnder the boughes of a mighty trée, his life had béene forst to giue the world a spéedy farewell: But such was his nimblenes and actiue pollicy, that [...]re long he sheathed his sharpe pointed Fauchion in one of the Satyrs breasts, which wofull sight caused all the rest to fly from his presence, and left the sixe Ladyes to the pleasure & disposition of the most Noble and couragious Christian Champion.

Who after he had sufficiently breathed and cooled himself in the chill Ayre (being almost windles through the long in­counter and bloody Skyrmish▪) he demaunded the cause of the Ladyes trauels, and by what meanes they hapned into the handes of those m [...]ciless [...] Satyrs, who most cruelly and tyrannically attem [...]ed the vtter ruine and endlesse spoyle of their vnspotted [...]ginity: To which curteous demand one of the Ladies a [...]er a déepe fetcht sigh or two (being con­strained from the b [...]tome of her most sorrowfull hart) in the behalfe of her selfe and the other distressed Ladies, repli­ed in this order.

[Page 80]redéemed vs distressed Ladies from a double death: the one in preseruing our chasteties from the lustfull desires of the Satiers, the other in sauing our liues from the threatning furies of the monsters.

Know braue minded Knight, that wee are the vnfortu­nate Daughters of the King of Thrace, whose liues hath béene vnhappie euer since our creations: For first wee did indure a long imprisonment vnder the handes of a cruell Giant, and after the heauens to preserue our Chasteties from the wicked desires of the said Gyant, transformed vs into the shape of Swans, in which likenes we remayned seauen yeares, but at last recouered by a worthy Christian Knight, named S. Andrew the Champion of Scotland, af­ter whom we haue trauailed many a wery step, neuer crost by any violence, vntill it was our angry fates to ariue in this vnhappy Wildernes, where your eyes haue béene true witnesses of our wofull misfortunes: Which sad discourse béeing no sooner finished, but the worthy Champion began thus to comfort the distressed Ladyes.

The Christian Champion after whom you take in hand this wearie trauaile (said the Irish Champion) is my ap­prooued friend, for whose companie and wished sight, I wil goe more weary miles, than there be trées in this accursed Wildernes, and number my steppes with the multitude of sands hidden in the seas: therefore most excellent Ladies, true ornaments of beautie, bee sad companions in my tra­uailes, for I will neuer cease til I haue found our honorable friend the Champion of Scotland, or some of those braue Knightes whome I haue not séene these seauen Som­mers.

These wordes so contented the sorrowfull Ladies, that without any exception they agréed, and with as much wil­lingnes consented, as the Champion demaunded: So af­ter they had recouered their sights, eased their wearines, and cured their woundes: which was by the secret vertues of certaine hearbes growing in the same woodes, tooke their [Page 81] iournies anew, vnder the conduct of this worthie Champi­on Saint Pattrick, where after some dayes trauaile, obtained the fight of a broade beaten way, where committing their fortunes to the fatall sisters, and setting their faces toward the east, merrilie iournied together: In whose fortunate trauailes we leaue, and speake of the seauenth Christian Champion, whose aduenterous exployts and Knightly Ho­nours, deserues a golden pen, dipt in the inke of true Fame to discourse at large.

SAint Dauid the most Noble Champion of Wales, after his departure from the brazen piller where as the other Cham­pions of Christendome deuided them­selues seuerally, to séeke for forraine aduentures, he atchiued many memora­ble thinges, as well in Christendome, as in those Nations that acknowledge no true God: which for this time I omit, and only discourse what hapned vnto him amongst the Tartarians: For béeing in the Emperour of Tartaries Court (a place very much honoured with vale­rous Knights, and highlie grac [...]e with a trayne of beaute­ous Ladies) where the Emperour vpon a time ordayned a [Page 82] solemne Ioust and Turnament to be holden in the honour of hys birth day: whether resorted at the time appointed, (from all the borders of Tartarie) the best and hardiest Knights there remayning: In which honorable & Prince­ly exercise, the Noble Knight Saint Dauid was appointed Champion for the Emperour, who was mounted vppon a Moroco Steede, betrapped in a rich Caparison, wrought by the curious workmanship of the Indian women, vppon whose shield was set a golden Griffon rampant in a fielde of blew.

Against him came the Countie Palatine, Sonne & heire aparant to the Tartarian Emperour, brought in by twelue Knights, richly furnished with all habilliments of honour, and paced thrée times about the Lists, before the Emperor and many Ladies that were present to behold the honoura­ble Turnament: The which béeing done, the twelue Knights departed the Lists, and the Countie Palatine pre­pared himselfe to encounter with the Christian Knight: be­ing then appointed chiefe Champion for the day: who like­wise locked downe his Beuer, and at the Trumpets sound by the Harrolds appointment, ran so fiercely one against the other, that the ground seemed to thunder vnder them, & the skies to resounde ecchoes of their mighty strokes.

At the second race the Champions ran, Saint Dauid had the worse, & was constrained through the forcible strength of the Countie Palatine, to fall backwarde almost beside hys saddle: whereat the Trumpets began to sound in signe of victorie: but yet the valiant Christian nothing dismay­ed, but with a courage (within whose eyes saie Knightlie reuenge) ran the third time against the County Palatine, and by the violent force of hys strength, he ouerthrew both horse & man, wherby the Counties body was so exstream­ly brused with the fall of hys horse, that hys heart blood is­sued foorth from hys nostrels, and hys vitall spirits pressed from the mancion of hys breast, that he was forced to giue the world a timeles farewell.

[Page 83]This fatall ouerthrow of the Countie Palatine, abashed the whole company: but especially the Tartarian Empe­rour, who hauing no more sonnes but him, caused the Lists to be broken vp, the Knights to be vnarmed, and the mur­thered Countie to bee brought by foure Squiers into hys Pallace: where after he was dispoyled of hys furniture, & the Christian Knight receaued it in the honour of hys vic­torie. The wofull Emperour bathed the Tartarians bodie with teares which dropped like Christall Pearles vpon his congealed blood, where after many sadde sighs hee breathed forth this wofull lamentation.

Now are my triumphs turnd to euerlasting woes, from a commicall pastime, to a dierefull and bloody tragedy: O most vnkinde fortune, neuer constant but in change! Why is my life deferde to sée the downefall of my deare Son, the Noble County Palatine? why rends not this accursed earth whereon I stand, and presently swallow vp my body into her hungrie bowels: Is this the vse of Christians for true Honour, to repay dishonour, could no bace blood serue to staine hys deadly handes withall, but with the precious blood of my deare Sonne, in whose reuenge the face of the heauens is stained with blood, and cryes for vengeaunce to the Maiesty of high eternall Ioue, the dreadfull furies, the direfull daughters of darke night, and all the balefull companie of burning Acharon, whose loynes be girt with Serpents, and haire be hangde with wreathes of Snakes▪ shall haunt, pursue and followe tha [...] a [...]cursed Chrstian Champion, that hath bereaued my Countrie Tartarie, of so precious a Iewell as my deare Sonne the Countie Palatine was, whose magnanimious prowesse, did surpasse all the Knights of our Countrie.

Thus sorrowed the wofull Emperour for the death of his Noble sonne: sometimes making the ecchoes of his la­mentations pearce the elements: another while forcing his bitter curses to sinke to the déepe foundation of Acharon: one while intending to bée reuenged vpon Saint Dauid the [Page 84] Christian Champion, then presently his intent was crost with a contrary imagination, that it was against the Lawe of Armes, and a great dishonour to his Country, by vio­lence to oppresse a strange Knight, whose actions hath euer béene guided by true honour, but yet at last this firme reso­lution entred into his minde.

There was adioyning vppon the borders of Tartary, an inchaunted garden kept by Magicke art, from whence ne­uer any returned that attempted to enter; the Gouernour of which garden was a notable and famous Nigromancer named Ormondine, to which Magitian the Tartarian Em­perour intended to sende the aduenterous Champion saint Dauid, thereby to reuenge the County Pallatines death: So the Emperour after some fewe dayes passed▪ and the Obsequies of his sonne being no sooner perfourmed▪ but he caused the Christian Knight to be brought into his presente, to whom he committed this heauy taske and weary labour. Proude Knight (sayd the angry Emperour) thou knowest since thy ariuall into our Territories howe highly I haue honoured thee, not onely ingraunting liberty of life, [...] making thée chiefe Champion of Tartarie, which high ho­nour thou haste repaide with great ingratitude, and blemi­shed true Nobilitie, in acting of my deare sonnes Tragedy: For which vnhappie déede thou rightly haste deserued death: But yet know accursed Christian, that mercie harboureth in a Princely minde, and where honour sits inthronize [...], there Iustice is not too seuere. Although thou hast deserued death: yet if thou wilt aduenture to the Inchaunted gar­den, and bring hether the Magitians head, I graunt thée not only thy life, but therewithall the Crowne of Tartarie after my discease: because I sée then haste a minde furni­shed with all Princely thoughtes, and adornde with true Magnanimitie.

This heauie taske, and strange aduenture, not a little pleased the Noble Champion of Wales, whose minde e­uer thirsted after straunge aduentures: and so after some [Page 85] considerate thoughts, in this manner he replied.

Most high and magnificent Emperour (said the Cham­pion) were this taske which you inioyne me to, as wonder­full as the labors of Hercules, or as fearefull as the inter­prise which Iason made for the golden [...]le [...]ee: yet would I attempt to finish and returne with more triumph to Tarta­rie, than the Macedonian Monark [...] did to Babilon, when he had conquered the Angels of the world: Which words béeing no sooner ended, but the Emperour [...] by hys oath of Knighthood, and by the loue he beares vnto hys natiue countrie, neuer to follow any other aduenture, till he had performed hys promise, which was to bring th [...] Ma­gitian Ormondines head into Tartarie: And so the Empe­rour departed from the Noble Knight Saint Dauid, [...] [...]uer to sée him returne, [...]ut rather [...]eare his vtter confusi­on, or euerlasting imprisonment.

Thus this valiant Christian Champion, being bounde to a heauie taske, within thrée dayes prepares all necessa­ries in readines for hys departure: and so trauailed west­ward, till he approach to the sight of the Inchaunted Gar­den, the scittuation whereof somewhat daunted his valiant courage: for it was incompassed with a hedge of withered thornes, and briers, which séemed continually to burne: vp­on the toppe thereof, sate a number of straunge and defor­med thinges, some in the likenes of night Owles, that woondered at the presence of Saint Dauid: some in the shape of Progines transformation, foretelling hys infor­tunate successe: and some like Rauens, that with their harsh throuts ring foorth a balefull knell of some wofull Trage­die: the elements which couered the Inchaunted Garden, séemed to bee [...]uerspread with [...], from whence continually shot [...]ames of fire, as though the skies had bin [...]led with blazing Commets: which [...], or rather the very patterne of hell, stroke such a terror into the Champions hart, that twice he was in minde to returne without performing the aduenture; but for hys oath and [Page 86] Honor of Knighthood, which he had pawnde for the accom­plishment thereof: So laping hys body on the bare earth, beeing the first nurse and mother of his life, her made hys humble petition to God, that hys minde might be neuer op­prest with cowardize, nor his heart daunted with any faint feare, till he had performed what the Tartarian Emperour had bound him to, the Champion rose from the ground, and with chearefull lookes beheld the elements, which seemed at hys conceit to smile at the enterprise, and to foreshew a luc­kie euent.

So the Noble Knight Saint Dauid with a valiant cou­rage went to the Garden gate, by which stoode a Rocke of stone, ouerspread with mosse: In which Rock by Magicke Art was inclosed a sworde, nothing outwardly appearing but the h [...]t, which was the richest to hys iudgement that euer hys eyes beheld, for the steele worke was ingraued ve­ry curiously, beset with Iasper and Saphier stones, the pum­mell was in the fashion of a Globe, of the purest siluer that euer the mines of rich America brought foorth: about the pummell was ingrauen in Letters of gold these verses fol­lowing.

These verses draue such a conceited Imagination into the Champions minde, that hee supposed himselfe to bée the Northen Knight, by whome the Nigromancer should bée conquered: Therefore without anye further aduisement he put hys hand into the hilt of the rich swor [...]e, thinking presently to pull it out from the Inchaunted Rocke of Or­mondine: [Page 87] But no sooner did hee attempt that vaine enter­prise, but hys valiant courage and inuincible fortitude fay­led him, & all hys sences was ouer taken with a sodayne & heauie sléepe, whereby he was forced to let goe hys hold, and to fall flatte vppon the barraine ground, where hys eyes were so fast locked vp by Magicke Arte, and hys wa­ [...]ing sences drowned in such a dead [...]umber, that it was as much impossible to recouer himselfe from hys sléepe, as to pull the [...]unne out of the firmament: For through the secret misterie of the Nigromancers skill, hee had intelli­gence of the Champions vnfortunate successe: who sent from the Inchaunted garden foure spirits, in the similitude and likenes of foure beautifull Damsels, which wrapped the drousie Champion in a shéete of the finest Arabian silke, and conuayed him into a Caue, directly placed in the middle of the Garden, where they laide him vpon a soft bed, more softer than the downe of Culuers: where these beautifull Ladi [...]s through the Artes of wicked Ormondine, con­tinually kept him sléeping for the tearme of seauen yeares: one while singing with sugered songes, more swéeter and delightfuller than the Syrens mellodie: another while with rare conceited Musicke, surpassing the swéetnes of Arions Harpe, which made the mightie Dolphins in the Seas, to daunce at the sounde of hys swéet inspiring Me­lodie: or like the Harmonie of Orpheus when he iournied downe into hell, where the diuelles reioyst to heare hys admired notes, and on earth both [...]rées and stones did leap when he did but touch the siluer stringes of hys Iuorie Harpe.

Thus was Saint Dauids aduenture crost with a w [...]on­derfull bad successe, whose dayes trauailes was turned in­to a nights repose: whose nights repose, was made a heauy sléepe, which indured vntill seauen yeares were fullie fi­nished: where wee le [...]e Saint Dauid to the mercie of the Nigromancer Ormondine sleeping, and returne now to the most Noble and magnanimious Champion S. George, [Page 88] where we left him imprisoned in the S [...]ldans Court: But now gentle Reader thou wilt thinke it straunge, that all these Christian Champions should meete together agayne, [...] that they bee seperated into so many borders of the world: For Saint Dennis the Champion of Fraunce, [...] maineth now in the Court of Thessalie, with hys Ladie Eglantine: Saint Iames the Champion of Spaine, in the Citty of Ciuell with Celestine, the faire Lady of Ierusa­lem: Saint Anthonie the Champion of Italie, trauailing the world, in the companie of a Thracian maiden, attired in a Pages apparrell: Saint Andrew the Champion of Scotland, séeking after the Italian: Saint Pattricke the Champion of Ireland, after the Champion of Scotland, Saint Dauid of Wales, sléeping in the Inchaunted garden adioyning to the Kingdome of Tartarie, and Saint George the famous Champion of England, imprisoned in Persia: of whome, and of whose noble aduentures, I must a while discourse, till the honoured Fame of the other Champions, compelles mée to report their Noble and Princelie atchiue­mentes.

NOW seauen times had frosty bearded winter couered both hearbes and flow­ers with snow, & behung the trées with Christall I sickles, seauen times had La­die Vir beautified euerie field with na­tures ornaments, and seauen times had withered Autum robbed the earth of springing flowers, since the vnfortunate Saint George be­held the chearefull light of heauen, but obscurely liued in a dismall dungeon, by the Soldan of Persias commaunde­ment, as you heard before in the beginning of the Historie [...] His vnhappy fortune so discontented hys rest [...]es thoughtes, that a thousand times a yeare he wisht an end of his life, & a thousand times he cursed the day of his creation, his sigh [...] in number did counteruaile a heape of sand, whose top [...] might séeme to reach the skies, the which he vainely breath­ed forth against the walles of the Prison: Many times ma­king his humble supplication to the heauens, to redéeme him from that vale of miserie, and many times séeking occa­sion desperatly to abridge hys dayes, whereby to triumph in hys owne Tragedie.

But at last when seauen yeares were fully ended, it was [Page 90] the Champions luckie fortune to finde in a secret corner of the dungeon, a certaine Iron Engin, which time had al­most cōsumed with rust: wherwith by long labor, he digged himselfe a passage vnder the ground, till he ascended iust in the middle of the Soldans Court, which was at that time of the night when all thinges were silent: the heauens hée then beheld beautified with stats, & bright Cinthia, whose glistering beames he had not séene in many a hūdred nights before séemed to smile at hys safe deliuerie, and to stay her wandring course till the noble English Champion found [...] meanes to get without the compasse of the Persian Cours, where danger might no longer attend him, nor the strong [...] Gates of the Cittie hinder hys flight, which in this manner was performed: For the Noble Knight b [...]ing as fearefull as the Birde newlie escaped from the Fowlers nets, gazed round about, and listned where he might heare the voice of people: At last he heard the Groomes of the Soldans sta­ble, furnishing forth Horses against the next morning for some Noble atchiuement: then the valiant Champion S. George taking the Iron Engin, wherewith hee redéemed himself out of prison & burst opē the dores, where he slew all the Groomes in the Soldans stable, which béeing done hée tooke the strongest Palfray, and the richest furniture, with other necessaries appertayning to a Knight at Armes, & so rode in great maiestie to one of the Citty Gates, where hee saluted the Porter in this manner.

Porter, open thy Gates, for S. George of England is escaped, & hath murdered his warders, in whose pursute the Citty is in Armes: which wordes the simple Persian be­léeued for a truth, and so with all spéede opened the Gates, whereat the Champion of England departed and left the Soldan in hys dead s [...]éepe, little mistrusting hys sodaine es­cape.

But by that time the purple spotted morning had parted with her gray, and the Suns bright countenaunce appeared [Page 91] on the mountaine toppes, Saint George had ridden twentie leagues from the Persian Court, and before hys departure was bru [...]ed in the Soldans Pallace, the English Champi­on had recouered the sight of Grecia, past all danger of the Persian Knights, that followed him with a swift pursute: By which time the extreamity of hunger so sharpely tor­mented him, that he could trauaile no further, but was con­strained to suffise himselfe with certayne wilde Chesnuts in stead of bread, and sewer oringes in stead of drinke, & such fainte food that grew by the wayes as he trauelled, where the necessity and want of victualles compelled the Noble Knight Saint George to breath forth this pittifull complaint.

O hunger, hunger, (said the Champion) thou art more sharper than the stroake of death, and the extreamest pu­nishment that euer man indured: if I were now King of Armenia & cheife Potentate of Asia, yet would I giue my Diadem my Scepter with al my pr [...]uinces for one shiuer of browne breade oh that the earth would be so kind, as to rippe hir bowells, and to cast vp some food, to sustaine my want, or that the ayre might bée choakt with mistes, whereby the fethered foules for want of breath might fall and yeald me some succour in this my [...]nishment, and exstreame penurye, or that the Oceans would outspread their braunched armes and couer those sunburnd [...]llyes with their treasures, that I might suffice my hunger: but now I sée both heauen and earth, the hilles and da [...]es, the skyes and seas, the fish and foules, the birdes and Siluan [...] beastes, & all things vnder the cope of heauen, conspires my vtter ouerthrow: better had it béene it I had [...]ded my dayes in Persia, than to bee famish [...] in the broa [...] [...] wh [...]e all things by natures appointment is ordained for mans vse: now in stéed of Courtly dillicates, I am forced to eat the fruit of trées, and in stéed of Gréekish wines, I am compelled to quench my thirst with the mo [...]nings dew, that nightly falles [...] the blades of grasse.

[Page 92]Thus complained Saint George, vntill glistering Phoe­bus had mounted the top of heauen, and drawen the mistie vapors from the ground, where hee might behold the pro­spects of Grecia, and which way to trauaile for most safe­tie, he espied directly before his face a Tower standing vp­on a chalkie clift, in distance from him some thrée miles, whether the Champion intended to goe, not to séeke for a­ny aduenture, but to rest himselfe after hys long iournie, & to get such victuals as therein hee could finde to suffice his want.

So setting forward with an easie pace, the heauens sée­med to smile, and the birds to ring such a cherping peale of mellodie, as though they did prognosticate a fortunate e­uent: The way he found so plaine, and the iournie so easie, that within halfe an houre hee approached before the saide Tower: where vpon the wall st [...]de a most beautifull wo­man, her attire after the manner of a distressed Ladie, and her lookes as heauie as the Quéenes of Troy, when she be­held her Pallace set on fire. The valiant Knight S: George, after he had alighted from his horse, he gaue her this curte­ous saluta [...]ion.

Lady (said the Knight) for so you séeme by your outward appearance, if euer you pittied a trauailer, [...] graunted suc­cour to a Chrstian Knight, giue to mee one me [...] le [...] meate, n [...]w almost famished: To whome the Lady after a [...]urst frowne or two, answered him in this order.

Sir Kn [...]ght (quoth shée) I aduise thée with all spéede to depart, for here thou gets a cold dinner▪ my Lord is a migh­tie Giant, and beleeueth in Mahomet, [...] Terinag [...]unt, and if he onc [...] vnderstand how thou art a Christian Knight: [...]t is not all the gold of higher India, nor the riches of wealthy Babilon that can preserue thy life. Now by the honour of my Knighthood, (replied Saint George) and by the God that Christendome adores: were thy Lord more stronger than was mightie Hercules, that bore a mountaine on hys backe: here will I either obtaine my [...], or die by hys [Page 93] accursed hands.

These wordes so abashed the Lady, that shee went with all speed from the Tower, and told the Gyant how a Chri­stian Knight remayned at hys Gate, that had sworne to suffice hys hunger in dispite of hys will: whereat the furi­ous Gyant sodainely started vp, béeing as then in a sound sléepe, for it was at the middle of the day: who tooke a bat of Iron in hys hand, and came downe to the Tower Gate: his stature was in haight fiue yeardes: hys heade brisled like a Bores, a foote there was betwixt each brow, his eies hollow, hys mouth wide, hys lippes were like two flaps of steele, in all proportion more like a diuell than a man: Which deformed monster so daunted the courage of Saint George, that he prepared himselfe to death: not through feare of the monstrous Gyant, but for hunger and féeble­nes of body: but God so prouided for him, and so restored the Champions decayed strength, that hee indured battaile till the closing vp of the Euening, by which time the Gy­ant was almost blinde, through the sweate that ran down [...] from hys monstrous browes, whereby Saint George had the aduantage, and wounded the Giant so cruelly vnder the short ribs, that hee was compelled to fall to the ground, and to giue end to hys life.

After which happie euent of the Gyants slaughter, the inuincible Champion Saint George: first gaue the honour of hys victorie to God, in whose power all hys fortune con­sisted: Then entering the Tower, whereas the Lady pre­sented him with all manner o [...] dillicates, and pure wines: but the English Knight inspecting some trecherie to be hid­den in her proffered curtesie, caused the Ladie first to taste of euerie daintie dish: Likewise of his wine, lest some vio­lent poyson shoulde bee therein commixt: So [...]nding all thinges pure and halsome as nature required, hee suffized hys hunger, rested hys wearie body, and refreshed his horse: And so leauing the Tower in kéeping of the Ladie, he com­mitted hys fortune to a new trauaile: where hys reui [...]ed [Page 94] spirits neuer entertained longer rest, but to the refreshing of himselfe and hys horse: So trauailed he through the parts of Grecia, the confines of Phrigia, and so into the borders of Tartarie, within whose Territories he had not long iourni­ed, but he approached the sight of the Inchaunted Garden of Ormondine, where S. Dauid the Champion of Wales had so long slept by Magicke Art. No sooner did he behold the woonderfull scituation thereof, but hee espied Ormon­dines sword inclosed in the Inchaunted Rocke: where after he had read the superscription written about the pummell, he assaied to pull it out by strength: where he no sooner put hys hand into the hilt, but he drew it forth with much ease, as though it had béene hung but by a thred of vntwisted silke: but when hee beheld the glistring, brightnesse of the blade, and the wonderfull richnes of the pummell, hee ac­counted y^e prize more worth than the Armour of Achilles, which caused Aiax to runne mad, and more richer than Me­deas golden Fléece: But by that time Saint George had circumspectly lookt into euerie secret of the sword, he heard a straunge and dismall voice thunder in the skyes, a tyrrible & mighty lumbring in the earth, whereat both hils & moun­taines shooke, Rockes remooued, and huge Oakes rent into péeces: After this the Gates of the Inchaunted Garden flew open, whereat incontinently came foorth Ormon­dine the Magitian, with hys haire staring on hys head, hys eyes sparckling, hys chéekes blushing, hys hands quiuering hys legs trembling, and all the rest of hys body distempe­red, as though legions of spirits had incompast him about: he came directly to the worthy English knight that remay­ned still by the Inchaunted Rock [...], from whence hee had pulled the Magitians sword, where after the Nigromancer had sufficiently beheld hys Princely countenance, whereon true honour sate inthronized, and viewed hys portly perso­nage, the Image of true Knighthood, the which séemed in the Magitians eyes, to be the rarest work that euer na­ture framed: First taking the most valiant and magnani­mious [Page 95] Champion Saint George of England by the steélie Gauntlet, and with great humilitie kissed it, then proffering him the curtesies due vnto strangers, which was perfour­med verie graciously: hee after conducted him into the In­chaunted Garden, to the Caue where the Champion of Wales was kept sléeping by the foure virgins delightfull songes, and after setting him in a chaire of Ebonie, Or­mondine thus began to relate of wonderfull things.

Renowned Knight at Armes (saide the Nigromancer) Fames worthiest Champion, whose straunge aduentures, all Christendome in time to come shall applaude: therfore be silent till I haue told my Tragicke tale, for neuer after this my tongue shall speake againe: The Knight which thou seest here wrapped in this sheete of gold, is a Christian Champion as thou art, sprung from the auncient feede of Troian warriours, who likewise attempted to drawe this Inchaunted sword, but my Magicke spels so preuailed, that he was intercepted in the enterprise, and forced euer since to remaine sléeping in this Caue: but now the houre is almost come of hys recouery, which by thée must be accomplished: thou art that aduenterous Champion, whose inuincible hand must finish vp my detested life, and send my fléeting soule to draw the fatall Charriot vppon the banckes of bur­ning Acharon: for my time was limited to remaine no longer in this Inchaunted Garden, but vntill that from the North should come a Knight that should pull this sword from the Inchaunted Rocke, which thou happilie hast now per­fourmed: therefore I know my time is short, & my houre of destenie is at hand: what I report write it vp in brazen lines, for the time will come when thys discourse shall high­ly benefit thee. Take héed thou obserue thrée thinges: first that thou take to wise a pure maide: next that thou erect a Monument ouer thy Fathers graue, and lastly that thou continue a professed foe to the enemies of Christe Iesus, hearing Armes in the Honour and praise of thy Coun­trie. These thinges beeing truely and iustly obserued, thou [Page 96] shalt attaine to such honour, that all the Kingdomes of Chri­stendome shall admire thy dignitie▪ What I speake is vp­pon no vaine imagination sprung from a franticke braine, but pronounced by the misticall and déepe Art of Nigro­mancie.

These words being no sooner ended, but the most honou­red and fortunate Champion of England requested the Magitian to describe his passed fortunes, & by what meanes he came first to be gouernour of that inchaunted garden.

To tell the discourse of mine owne life (replied Orman­dine) will bréede a newe sorrowe in my heart, the remem­brance whereof will [...]end my very soule: but yet most (No­ble Knight) to fulfill thy request, I will force my tongue to declare what my hart denies to vtter: therefore prepare thy eares to entertayne the wo [...]lst tale, that euer any tongue deliuered, and so after saint George had a while sate silent expecting hir discourse, the Magitian spake as followeth.

This discourse pronounced by the Nigromancer Or­mondine was no sooner finished, but the worthie Champi­on Saint George heard such a tyrrible ratling in the skyes, & such [...] in the earth, that be exspected some strange euent to follow [...] then casting his eies aside, he saw the In­chaunted Garden to vanish, and the Champion of Wales to awake from hys dead sléepe, wherein hee had remayned [...]: who like one newly risen from a sounds, for a [...] stood spéechles, not able to vtter one word, till he beheld the Noble Champion of England, that stedfastly gazed vpon the Nigromancer: who at the vanishing of the Inchauntment, presently gaue a most tyrrible grone & died.

The [...] Champions after many curteous imbrasinges and kinde gréetings reuealed each to other the straunge ad­uentures they had passed, and how Saint Dauid was bound by the oath of hys Knighthood to performe the aduenture of Ormondine: to which Saint George presently condescen­ded, who deliuered the Inchaunted sword, with the Nigro­mancers head into the handes of Saint Dauid the which he presently disceuered from hys dead body: Here must my wearie Muse leaue Saint Dauid trauailing with Ormon­dines [...]ead to the Tartarian Emperour, and speake of the following aduentures that hapned to Saint George; after his departure from the Inchaunted Garden.

SAint George after the recouerie of Saint Dauid, as you heard in the former Chapter, dispatched his iourny towards Christend [...], whose pleasant bankes he long desired to behold, and thought euerie day a yeare till hys eyes enioyed a swéete sight of hys Natiue Countrie England, vpon whose Chalkey cliffes he had not treade in many a wearie Sommers day: therefore committing his iournie to a fortunate successe, trauailde through many a dangerous countrie: where the people were not only of a bloody disposition giuen to all manner of wickednes, but the s [...]yle greatl [...] anoyed with wilde Beasts, through which he could not well trauaile without danger: therefore hee car­ried continually in one of hys handes▪ a weapon ready [...] charged to [...] with the Heathen people if occasion should serue, and in the other hande, a bright burning blaze of fire, to defend him from the fur [...]e of the wilde Beasts, [...] by violence they assayled h [...]m.

Thus in extreame daunger trauailed the Noble and ad­uenterous Champion Saint George, till [...]ee ari [...]ed in the Territories of o [...] Barbarie, in which Countrie he purposed [Page 107] for a time to remaine, and to séeke for some noble atchiue­ment, whereby hys [...] [...]ight be [...] and hys hono­red [...] through all the King [...] of the world▪ and b [...]ing incouraged with this Princely [...]gitation, the Noble Champion of England, climbed to the top of a huge moun­taine, where he vnlocked hys Beuer, which before had not beene lifted vp in many a day, and beheld the wide and spa­cious Countrie how it was beautified with loftie Pines, & a [...]rnde with many goodly Pallaces: But amongst the number of the Townes & Cities which the English Cham­pion beheld, there was one which séemed to excéede the rest, both in s [...]ituation and braue buildinges, which he supposed to be the chiefest Cittie in all the Countrie, and the place where the King vsually kept hys Court: to which place S. George intended to trauaile, not to furnish himselfe with any needfull thinge, but to accomplish some Honorable ad­uenture, whereby hys worthy deedes might bee enternized in the Bookes of memorie: So after he had descended from the top of the stéepy mountaine, and had trauailed in a low valley about some two or thrée miles, he approched an olde and almost ruinated Hermitage ouer growne with mosse▪ & other wither [...]d wéedes: before the entrie of which Hermi­tage sate an auncient Father vpon a rounde stone▪ taking the heate of the warme Sun, which cast such a comfortable brightnes vpon the Hermits face, that hys white [...]eard sée­med to glister like siluer, and hys head to excéed the white­lies of the Northen [...] Of whom after Saint George had giuen the due reuerence that belonged vnto age, de­maunded the name of the Countrie, and the Cittie hee tra­uailed to, & vnder what King the Countrie was gouerned: to whom the curteous Hermit thus replyed.

Most Noble knight, for so I g [...]sse you are by your [...] and outward appearance (laid the Hermit) you are now in the confines of Barbarie, the Cittie oppos [...]e b [...]fore your eyes is called Tripolie, [...] the [...] of Almidor the blacke King of Moroco: in which Cittie [Page 108] he now kéepeth hys Court, attended on by as many valiant Knights, as any King vnder the [...]ope of heauen.

At which wordes the Noble Champion of England so­dainely started, as though hee had intelligence of some [...]al [...] ­full newes, which d [...]epely discontented hys Princely mind, hys heart was presently incenst with a spéedy reuenge, and his minde so extreamely thirsted after Almidors Tragedy, that hee could scarce make answere againe to the Hermit [...] wordes: But yet brideling hys furie, the angry Champion spake in this manner.

Graue father (said he) through the trechery of that ac­cursed King, I indured seauen yeares imprisonment in Per­sia, where I suffered both hunger, cold, and extreame mise­ry: but if I had my good sword Aaskalon, and my trusti [...] Pa [...]ray which I lost in the Egiptian Court, where re­maines my betrothed Loue the Kinges Daughter of Egipt, I would bee reuenged vppon the heade of proude Almidor, were his Guard more stronger than the Armie of Xerxes, whose multitudes dranke Riuers drie: Why said the Her­mit, Sabra the Kinges Daughter of Egipt is now Quéene of Barbarie, and since her Nuptials were solemnely perfor­med in Tripolie, are seauen Sommers fullie finished.

Now by the Honour of my Countrie England (replied Saint George) the place of my Natiuitie, and as I am true Christian Knight, these eyes of mine shall neuer close, nor this vndaunted hart neuer entertain one thought of peace, nor this vnconquered hand receaue one minutes rest, vntill I haue obtained a fight of that swéet Princesse, for whose sake I haue indured so long imprisonment: therefore deare Father bee thus kinde to a trauailer, as to exchaunge thy clothing, for this my rich furniture and lustie Stéede which I brought from the Soldan of Persia: for in the Habit of a Palmer I may enioy the fruition of her sight without suspi­cion: otherwise I must néeds be constrained by violence, with my trustie Fauchion to make way into her Princelie Pallace: where I knowe shée is attended on most careful­ly [Page 109] by [...] valiant and couragious Champions: th [...]re­fore curteously deliuer me thy Hermit [...] gowne, and I will [...] with my Horse and Armour, this Boxe of precious Iewels▪ which when the graue Hermi [...] be­hold, he humbly thanked the Noble Champion, and so with all the spéede▪ they could possiblie ma [...]e, exchaung [...] apparrell▪ and in this manner departed.

The Palmer being glad, repaired to his Hermitage with Saint Georges furniture, and Saint George in the Palmers apparrell trauailed towards the Cittie of Tripolie: who no sooner came neare to the sumptuous buildinges of the Court, but he espied a hūdred pore Palmers knéeling at the Gate, to whome Saint George spake in this manner, not with loftie and Heroicall spe [...]ches, beséeming a Princely Champion: but with méeke and humble worde like to an aged Palmer.

My deare brethren (said the Champion) for what intent remaine you here, or what exspect you from this Honora­ble Court.

Wee abide here (answered the Palmers) for an [...] which the Quéene once a day hath giuen this seauen yeares, for the sake of an English Knight, named Saint George, whome shee affecteth aboue all the Knights in the worlde. But when will this be giuen (said Saint George ▪)

In the after-noone (replie [...] the Palmers) vntill which time vppon our bended knees wee hourely pray for the good Fortune of that most Noble English Knight: which spéeches so highlie pleased the valiant minded Champion Saint George, that hee thought euery minute a whole yeare, till the Golden [...] had past away the middle part of Heauen: for it was but newlie risen from Auro­raes bed, whose light as▪ [...]t with a [...] radiant blush distained the Easterne skie.

During which time the most valiant and Magnan [...] ­ous Champion Saint George of England, one while re­membring of the extreame miserie hee endured in Persia [Page 110] for her sa [...]e, wherat [...] many [...] teares from [...] another [...] thinking vpon the tyrible [...] a [...] ­ [...]ail [...] he had [...] burning Dragon in Egipt, where [...] redéemed her from the fatall [...] of death: But at [...] it was hys chance to walke about the Court, beholding the sumptuous buildings, and the curious ingrauen works by the atchiuement of man bestowed vpon the glistering win­dowes: where he board to h [...]s excéeding pleasure the hea­uenly voice of hys beloued Sabra descending from a win­dow vpon the West side of the Pallace▪ where she warbled forth this sorrowfull Dittie vpon her Iuorie Lute.

Which sorrowfull Dittie béeing [...] so [...]ner ended [...] she departed the window, quite from the hearing of the Eng­lish Champion that stoode gazing vp to the casements, pre­paring his eares to enterta [...]e her sweet [...] tuned mellody the second time, but his expectation was in vaine: whereat he grew into more perplexed passions, than A [...]u [...]as when hee had lost hys beloued Crus [...] amongst the [...]ruite of the Graecians: sometimes wishing the day to vanish in a mo­ment, that the houre of hys beneuolence might approch, o­ther times comforting his sad cogitations with the remem­brance of her true chastetie and long continued constancy for hys sake: comparing her loue vnto Thisbes, her cha­ste [...]e to Dianaes, and her constancie to Penelopes.

Thus spent he the [...] away▪ till he [...] began to decline to the westerne parts of the earth, and the Palmers should reca [...]e her w [...]nted beneuolence: against which time the English Champion placed himselfe in mid­dest of the Palmers, that expected the wished houre of her comming, who at the time appointed came to the Pallace [...] vesture, like Poli [...]a King Pri­ams D [...]ght [...] [...] she went to sacrifice: her haire after [...] almost [...], to the colour of siluer, thee and [...] her long [...] (to whose excellent fairenes all the [...]adies in the world did sometimes yéelde [...]) was now stay­ned with the Pearled dew that trickled downe her chéekes: where after the sorrowfull Quéene had iustly numbred the Palmers, and with vigilant eies beheld the Princely coun­tenance [Page 112] of saint George, her colour beganne to exchange from red to white, [...] white to redde, as though the Lilly and the Rose had [...] for superiority, but yet colou­ring her cogitations vnder a smooth browe, first deliuered her almes to the Palmers, then taking saint George aside, to whom shée thus kindly began to cou [...]er: Palmer (sayde sh [...]) th [...] resemblest [...] Prince [...] [...], and curteous behauiour, that thrice honoured Champion of England, for whose sake I haue daily bestowed my [...] for this seauen yeares, his [...] George, his fame I know thou hast heard reported in many [...] country, to bée the brauest Knight that [...]uer buckled steeled He [...]t, therefore for his sake will I grace thée with the chiefest ho­nour in this Court: In stéede of thy [...], I will cloth thée in purple sil [...]e, and in stéede at thy [...]ban staff [...], thy hande shall wielde the richest sworde that euer Princely eye behelde, to whom the Noble Champion saint George, replied in this curteous manner.

I haue heard (quoth he) the Princely atchieuements and magnanimious aduentures of that honoured English Knight which you so dearely affect, bruted through many a Princes Court: and how for the loue of a Lady he hath in­dured along imprisonment, from whence he neuer looketh to returne but to spe [...] the remnant of his dayes in lasting misery [...] At which wordes the [...] let fall from her eyes such a showre of Pearled teares, and sent such a num­ber of strained sighes from her grieued hart, that her sor­row séemed to excéede the Quéenes of Carthage, when sh [...] had for euer l [...]st the sight of her beloued Lorde: But the braue minded Champion saint George, purposed no longe [...] to continue secrete, but with his discouery to conuert her sorrowfull meanes to smiling [...]oy: And so [...]sting off his Palmers weede, acknowledged himselfe to the Quéene, and therewithall shewed the halfe Ring, whereon was ingra­uen this Pos [...]e, ardeo affectione: which Ring in [...] [...] (as you may reade before) they had most equally [Page 113] deuided betwixt them, to be kept in remembraunce of their plighted faithes: which vnsuspected sight highly pleased the beauteous Sabra, and her ioy so excéeded the bounds of rea­son, that she could not speake one word, but was constrai­ned through the new conceaued pleasure, to breathe a sad sigh or two into the Champions bosome: who like a true innobled Knight, entertained her with a louing kisse: But after these two louers had fullie disco [...]rsed each to other the secrets of their soules: Sabra how shee continued for his loue a pure Uirgin, through the secret nature of a golden chaine stéept in Tygers blood, the which shee wore seauen times doubled about her Iuorie necke: tooke him by the portly han [...], and led him to her husbands stable, where stood hys approued Palfray, which shée for seauen yeares had [...]ed with her owne handes: who no sooner espyed the returne of his master, but hee grewe more prouder of his presence, than Bucephalus of the Macedonian Monarches, when he had most ioyfully returned in triumph from any victorious Conquest.

Now is the time (said the excellent Princesse Sabra) that thou mayest seale vp the quittance of our former louest therefore with all conuenient spéed, take thy approued Pal­fray, with thy trustie sword Askalon, which I will pre­sently deliuer into thy handes, and with all celeritie conuay mee from this vnhappy countrie, for the King my husband, with all his aduenterous Champions, are nowe rode forth on hunting, whose absence wil [...]urther [...]ur flight: But if thou stay till his returne, it is not a hundred of the hardiest Knights in the worlde can beare mee from this ac­cursed Pallace. At which worde Saint George hauing a minde gra [...]e with all excellent vertues, replyed in this manner.

Thou knowest my diuine Mistresse, that for thy lo [...]e I would indure as many dangers, as Iason suffered in the Ile of Calcos, so I might at last enioy the pleasures of true Uirginitie: But howe canst thou remayne a pure m [...]ide. [Page 114] when thou haste béene a Crowned Quéene for these [...] yeares, and euerie night haste entertained a King [...]nto thy bed? If thou findest me not a true mayde in all that thou canst say or doo, [...]end me backe againe hither vnto my [...], whose bed I account more loathsome, th [...]n [...] [...]f snakes, and his fight more [...]inous than the Crocodiles: As for the Moroco Cr [...]wne, which by force of [...] was set vpon my head, I wish that it might be turnd into a blaze of quenchles [...]er, so it might not indanger my body, and for the name of Quéene, I account it a vayne [...], for I had rather be thy English Lady, than the greatest Empresse in the world.

At which spéeches (saint George) willingly condiscen­ded, and with all speede purposed to goe into England▪ and therewithall sealed an assurance with as sweete a kisse, as Paris gaue to louely Hellena when shée consented to forsake h [...]r natiue count [...]y, and to trauell from her husband Mene­laus into Troy: So loosing no time lest delay might breede danger: Sabra furnished her selfe with sufficient treasure, and spéedily deliuered to saint George his trusty sworde, which she had kept seauen yeares for his sake, with all the furniture belonging to his approoued Steede, who no sooner receaued her pr [...]ffered gifts, which hee accounted dearer than the Asian Monarchy, but presently sadled his horse, and beautified his strong limbes with rich caparison. In the meane time Sabra through fayre spéeches and large premi­ses, obtained the good will of an Euenuke, that was ap­poynted for her guard in the Kings absence, to accompany them in theyr intended trauailes, and to serue as a trusty guide if occasion required: which with the Lady stoode rea­dy at the Champions commandement: who no sooner had furnished himselfe with sufficient habilliments of warre▪ belonging to so dangerous [...] iourney, but he pla [...] his be­loued Mistris vpon a gentle Palfray, which alwaies knée­led downe vntill shée had ascended the saddle: And likewise her Euenuke was mounted vpon another Stéede, whereon [Page 115] all their rich furniture with costly Iewels and other trea­sure was borne:

So these thr [...]e worthy Personages committed their tra­uels to the guide of fortune, who preserued them from the dangers of pursuing enemies, which at the Kinges returne from h [...]ting, followed amayne to euery Port and Ha [...]n that deuided the kingdome of Barbarie from the Confines of Christendome: But kind destenie so guided their steps that they trauailed another way, contrarie to their e [...]specta­tions: for when they looked to ariue vpon the Territories of Europe, they were cast vppon the fruitfull bankes of Graecia: in which Countrie we must tell what hapned to the thrée traua [...]lers, and omit the vaine pursute of the Mo­roco Knights: the wrathfull melancholy of the King, and the bruted rumour that was amongst the Commons of the Quéenes departure: who caused the L [...]rum-belles to bée rung out, and the Beacons to be set on fire, as though the e­nemie had entred their Countrie.

But nowe Melpomine, thou Tragicke Sister of the Muses, report what vnluckie cro [...]s hapned to these three trauailers in the Con [...]nes of Graecia, and howe theyr smiling C [...]m [...]die was by ill fortune turned into a wéepin [...] Tragedie: For when they had iournied some three or four [...] Leagues ouer many a loftieh [...]ll, they approached into a mightie and fearefull Wildernes: through which the waies séemed so long, and the [...] excéeding­ly glo [...]ed, that Sabra what for wearines in trauaile, and the extreame heate of the day, was constrained to res [...] vnder the shelter of a mightie Oake, whose braunches had not béene lopt in many a yeare: where shee had not long remayned, but her heart began to fain [...] for hunger, and her colour that was but a little before as [...] as any La­dies in the world, beganne to chaunge for want of some drinke: whereat the famous Champion Saint George halfe dead with griefe, comforted her as well as hee could after this manner.

[Page 116]Faint not my deare Lady (said the Champion) here i [...] that goodsword, that once preserued thée from the burning Dragon, and before thou die for want of sustenance, it shall make wa [...] to euery corner of this wildernes: where I will eyther kill some venis [...]n to refreshe thy hungry stomacke, or make my toomb in the bowels of some monstr [...]us beast: therefore abide thou here vnder this trée in company of thy faithfull Euenuke, till I returne eyther with the fleshe of some wilde Deare, or els some [...]lying Birde to refreshe thy spirits to a new trauaile.

Thus left he hys beloued Lady with the Euenuke to the mercy of the woods, and trauailed vp and downe the Wil­dernes, till he espyed a Heard of faited Deare, from which company he [...]gled out the fayrest, and like a tripping Sa­tire coursed her to death: then with hys keene edged sword cut out the goodlyest haunch of venison, that euer Hunters eye beheld: which gi [...]t he supposed to bee most welcome to his beloued Lady. But marke what hapned in his absence to the two wearie trauailers abiding vnder the [...]ra: where after Saint Georges departure, they had not long sit [...]n dis­coursing, one while of their long iournies, another while of their safe deliuerie from the Blackamoore King, spending the stealing time away with many an auncient storie: but there appeared out of a thicket two huge and m [...]nstrous Lyons, which came directly pacing towardes the two tra­uailers: which fearefull spectakle wh [...] Sabra beheld, ha­uing a hart oue [...]charged with the extreame feare of death, wholy committed her soule into the [...]ands of God, and her body almost famished for foode, to suff [...]ce the hunger of the two furious Lyons: who by the appointment of heauen, pro [...]red not so much as to lay their wrathfull pawes vpon the smallest part of the Ladies garment: but with eger moode assailed the Euenuke till they had buried hys body in the emptie vaults of their hungry bowels: then with their téeth lately imbrued in blood, r [...]nt the Euenukes Stéed [...] a thousand péeces: which béeing done they came to [...] [Page 117] Lady which sate quaking [...]lfe dead with feare, & like two Lambs couched their [...] vpon her la [...]: where with her handes she stroked downe their brisled haire, not daring almost to breath, till a heauie sleepe had ouer-mastered their refreshed sences: by which time the Princely minded Cham­p [...]on Saint George returned with a péece of venison vppon the point of hys sword: who at that vnexpected fight, stood in a maze whether it were best to flye for sauegard of hys life, or to venture hys fortune against the furious Lions: But at last the loue of hys Lady so incouragde him to a for­wardnes, which he beheld quaking before the dismal gates of death: So laying downe hys v [...]nison, he presently like a victorious Champion, sheathed hys approued [...]auchion most furiously into the bowels of one of the Lyons. Sabra kept the other sléeping in her lappe till hys prosperous hand like wise dispatched him: which aduenture béeing perfor­med, he first thanked heauen for the victorie, and then in this kinde manner saluted his Lady.

Now Sabra (said he) I haue by this sufficiently prou [...] thy true virginitie: for it is the nature of euerie Lyon, be he neuer so furious, not to harme the vnspotted virgin, but humbly to lay his bri [...]ed heade vppon a ma [...]dens lappe. Therefore diuine Paragon; thou art the worldes chiefe woonder for loue and chastetie▪ whose honoured vertues shall ring as farre as euer Phoebus lends hys light, & whose constancie I will mainetaine in euery Land where as I co [...], to be the truest vnder the cercuit of the Sunne: At which word he cast hys eye aside, and beheld the bloody spe [...] ­takle of the Euenukes Tragedy, which [...]y Sabra was wo­fully discoursed, to the great griefe of Saint George: whose sad [...]ighes serued for a dolefull knell to bewaile hys vn­t [...]eles death: but hauing a Noble minde not subiect to vaine sorrow, where al hope of life is past, ceased his griefe, [...] pr [...]pared the venison in readines for hys Ladies repast: which in this order was dressed.

He had in hys pocket a fire-looke, wherewith he stroke [Page 118] fire▪ and kindled it with sun- [...], and increased the [...] with other drie [...] hee gathered in the Wildernes: against which they rosted the venison and s [...]ff [...]ed themselues to their owne contentments. After which ioyfull repast, these two Princely persons set for­ward to their wonted trauailes, whereby the happie guide of heauen [...]o conducted their steppes, that before manie dayes passed, they ariued in the Graecian Court, euen vpon that day when the marriage of the Graecian Emperour should bee solemnely holden: which Royall Nuptials in former times had bin bruted into euery Natiō in the world, as well into Europe as Affrica and Asia: At which Ho­norable marriage the brauest Knights that euer liude on earth were present: for golden fame had bruted the report [...] of to the eares of the seauen Champions: into Thes­lie to saint Dennis the Champion of Fraunce, there remai­ning with hys beauteous Eglantine: into Ciuillia to saint Iames the Champion of Spaine, where he remained with hys louelie Celestine: to saint Anthonie the Champion of Italie then trauailing in the borders of Scythia with hys Lady Rossalinde: likewise to saint Andrew the Champion o [...] Scotland: to saint Pattricke the Champion of Ireland: and to saint Dauid the Champion of Wales: who atchieued many memorable aduentures in the Kingdome of Tarta­ [...]ie as you haue heard before discoursed at large.

But nowe Fame and smiling Fortune consented to make their Knightlie atchiuement [...] to shine in the eyes of the whole world: therefore by the conduction of Heauen, they generally ariued in the Graecian Emperours Court: Of whose Tilts and Turnaments there in performed, to the honour of hys Nuptials, my weary Muse is bounde to discourse.

TO speake of the number of Knights that assembled in the Graecian Court toge­ther, were a labour ouer tedious▪ requi­ring the pen of a second Homer: Ther­fore will I omit the Honorable frame of Knights and Ladies that attended him to the Church: their costly garmentes and glistring ornaments, excéeding the Royaltie of Heccuba the beaute­ous Queene of Troy ▪ Also I passe ouer the beauteous ban­quets: the Honourable seruices and delicious cheare that beautified the Emperours Nuptials: with the statelye Maskes and Courtly daunces, performed by many Noble personages, and chiefely discourse of the Knightly atchiue­ments of the seauen Champions of Christendome, whose honourable procéedings, and magnanimious Encounters hath deserued a golden penne to relate: for after some few dayes spent in Chamber sports, to the great pleasure of the Graecian Princes: the Emperour presently proclaimed [Page 120] [...] [...]usting to bee holden for the space of seauen [...] in the honour of his marriage, and appointed for hys names [...] Champions the seauen Christian Knights: whose [...] were not knowne by any one except their owne attendants.

Against the appointed day the Turnaments should be­gin, the Emperour caused a woonderfull large frame of timber worke to bee erected: whereon the Empresse & her Ladies might stand for the better view of the Tilters, and at pleasure behould the Champions Encounters m [...]st Nobly performed in the Honour of their Mistresses: likewise in the compasse of the Li [...]es were pitcht seuen Tentes of seuen seuerall colours, wherein the seuen Champions might remayne till the sound of siluer Trum­pets summoned them to appeare.

Thus euery thing prepared in readines fitting so great a Royaltie: the Princes and Ladies placed in theyr seates: the Emperour with his new married Empresse inues­ted on theyr loftie throanes strongly garded with a hun­dred Armed Knights, the Kings Harrolds solemely proclai­med the Turnaments, which in this most Royall manner began.

The first day Saint Dennis of Fraunce was appointed chiefe Champion against all commers, who was called by the title of the golden Knight, who at the sounde of the Trumpet entered the Lists: hys Tent was of the colour of the Marigold, vpon the top an artificiall Sunne framed, that séemed to beautefie the whole assemblie: hys Horse of an Iron Gray, gra [...]te with a spangled plume of feathers: before him rode a Page in purple silke, bearing vpon hys crest thrée golden Fl [...]re-d [...]-luces, which did signifie hys Armes: Thus in this Royall maner entered Saint Den­nis the Listes: where after he had traced twice or thrice vp and downe to the open view of the whole company, he pre­pared himselfe in readines to begin the Tournament: a­gainst whome ranne many Graecian Knights, which were [Page 121] [...]oyled by the French Champion, to the woonderfull admi­ration of all the beholders: but to be briefe, he so worthe­lie behaued himselfe, and with such fortitude, that the Em­perour applauded him for the brauest Knight in all the world.

Thus in great Royaltie to the excéeding pleasure of the Emperour, was the first day spent, till the darke Euening caused the Knights to breake off company, and repaire to their nights repose: But the next Morning no sooner did Phoebus shewe his splendant brightnesse, but the King of Harrolds vnder the Emperour, with a noyse of Trumpets awaked the Champions from their silent sléepe, who with all spéede prepared for the second dayes exercise. The chiefe Champion appointed for that day, was the victorious Knight saint Iames of Spaine: which (after the Emperor with hys Empresse had seated themselues with a statelie traine of beautifull Ladies) entred the Listes vpon a Spa­nish Gennet betrapt with rich Caparison, his Tent was pitcht directly ouer against the Emperors Throane, which was of the colour of quick-siluer, whereon was portrayed many excellent deuices: before the Tent attended foure Squiers, bearing foure seuerall scutchions in their hands, whereon were curiously paynted the foure Elements: like­wise he had the tytle of the siluer Knight, who behaued him­selfe no lesse worthy of all Princely commendations, than the French Champion the day before: The third day saint Anthony of Italy was chiefe challenger in the Turna­nament▪ whose Tent was of the colour of the Skyes, his Stéede furnished with costly Habilliments: his Armour after the Barbarian manner, his shield plated round about with stéele, whereon was paynted a golden Eagle in a field of blew: which signified the auncient Armes of Rome: likewise hee had the Tytle of the Azurde Knight, whose matchlesse Chiualrie for that day, wan the Prize from all the Graecian Knights, to the great reoysing of his Lady Rossalinde, the King of Sycils Daughter, that still remai­ned [Page 122] in Pages a [...]tyre, wherein (for the deare loue shee bore saint Anthonie) disguisedly stole from the Court, whose discouerie shall hereafter be expressed: The fourth day by the Emperours appointment, the valiant and worthie Knight saint Andrew of Scotland obtained that Honour, as to be chiefe challenger for the Turnament: hys Tent was framed in the manner of a ship swimming vppon the waues of the Sea, inuironed about with Dolphins Tri­tous, and many strange contriued Mearemaides: vppon the toppe stoode the picture of Neptune, the God of the Seas, bearing in hys hand a Streamer, where on was wrought in crimson silke a corner Crosse, which seemed to bee hys countries Armes, hee was called the red Knight, because his horse was couered with a bloody vale: hys worthie atchiuements obtained such fauour in the Empe­rours eyes, that hee threw him his siluer Gauntlet which was prized at a thousand Portegues, and with hys owne hands conducted him to a rich Pauilion, where after his no­ble encounters hee enioyed a swéete repose: The fift day saint Pattricke of Ireland, as chiefe Champion entred the Lists, vpon an Irish Hobbie, couered with a val [...] of gréene, attended on by sixe siluane Knights: euery one bearing vp­on his shoulder a blooming trée: hys Tent resembled a som­mers bower, at the entrie whereof stoode the picture of Flora, beautefied with a wreath of swéet smelling Roses: he was named the gréene Knight, whose worthie prowesse so daunted the defendants, that before the Turnament be­gan they gaue him the honour of the day: vppon the sixt day the Heroicall and Noble minded Champion of Wales obtained such fauour at the Emperours handes, that hee was likewise chiefe challenger: who entred the Lists vpon a Tartarian Palfray, couered with a vale of blacke, to sig­nifie a blacke and Tragicall day should befall to those Grae­cian Knights that durst approue his inuincible fortitude: hys Tent was pitcht in the manner and forme of a Castell in the west side of the Listes: before the entrie whereof, [Page 123] hung a golden shield: whe [...] [...] was liuelie portraied a sil­uer Griffon rampant vppon a golden Helmet, which sig­nified the auncient Armes [...] of Brittaine: hys Princelye atchiuements, not onely obtained due commendations at [...]he Emperours handes, but of the whole assemblie of Graecian Ladies, whereby they applauded him to bee the most Noblest Knight that euer shiuered Launce, and the most fortunates Champion that euer entred into the Grae­cian Court: vppon the seauenth and last day of these Ho­nourable Turnaments and most Noble procéedinges, the famous and valiant Knight at Armes saint George of England as chiefe challenger entred the Listes, vppon a [...]able coloured Stéed, betrapt with barres of burnisht gold, hys forehead beautefied with a gorgeous plume of purple feathers, from whence hung many pendants of gold, his Armour of the purest Lidian stéele, nayled fast together with siluer plates, hys Helmet ingrauen verie curiouslie, beset with Indian Pearle, and Iasper stones: before hys breast plate hung a siluer Table in a dammaske scarfe, whereon was pictured a Lyon rampant in a bloody fielde, bearing thrée golden Crownes vppon hys head, be­fore hys Tent stood an Inorie Charriot guarded by twelue coleblacke Negars, wherein hys beloued Lady and Mi­strsse Sabra, sate inuested vppon a siluer Globe to beholde the Heroicall Encounters of her most Noble and Magna­nimious [...]hampion saint George of England: his Tent was as white as the Swannes feathers, glistring against the Sun, supported by foure [...]eyntles Elephants framed of the purest brasse, about his Helmet he tied a wreath of Uir­gins haire, where hung his Ladies gloue, which he wor [...] maintaine her excellent gifts of nature to excéede al [...] on the earth. These costlie habilliments rauished the be­holders with such vnspeakeable pleasure, that they stood ga­zing at hys furniture, not able to withdrawe their eyes from so heauenlie a sigh [...]: But when they beheld his vic­torious Encounters against the Graecian Knightes, they [Page 123] supposed him to be the [...] tamer of that seauen hea­ [...]ed monster that clambred [...] the elements, offring to pull Iupiter from hys throne. His [...]éede neuer gaue Encoun­ter with any Knight, but hee tumbled horse and man to the ground, where they lay for a time bereaft of sence. The Turnament endured for that day, from the Suns rising, till the cole blacke Euenings Star appeared: in which time he conquered fiue hundred of the hardiest Knights then li­uing in Asia, and shiuered a thousand Launces, to the woon­derfull admiration of the beholders.

Thus were the seauen dayes brought to ende by the sea­uen worthy Champions of Christendome, in rewarde of whose Noble atchieuements the Graecian Emperour (being a man that highly fauoured knightly procéedinges, gaue them a golden trée with seauen branches to be deuided equally amongst them. Which Honourable Prize they conuayed to saint Georges Pauilion, where in deuiding the braunches, the seauen Champions discouered themselues each to other, and by what good fortune they ariued in the Graecian Court, whose long wished sights so reioyced theyr harts, whereby they accounted that happy day of méeting, the ioyfullest day that euer they beh [...]ld: But now after the Turnaments were fully ended, & the Knights res [...]ed them­selues some few dayes, recouering their wonted agillitie of body, they fell to a new exercise of pleasure: not appearing in glistring Armour before the Tilt, nor following the loud sounding Drums & siluer Trumpets, but spending away the time in Courtly daunces amongst their beloued Ladies and Mistress [...]s, in more Royaltie than the Phrigian knights, wh [...]n they presented the Paragon of Asia with an Inchan­ted [...]aske. There wanted no inspiring Musicke to delight their eares, no heauenly Sonets to rauish their sences, nor no curious daunces to please their eyes. Sabra she was the Mistresse of the Reuels: who gra [...]e the whole Court with her excellent beautie, which séemed to excéede the rest of the Ladies, as farre as the M [...]ne surpasseth her attending [Page 124] Stars in a frostie night: & when shee daunst, shee séemde like Thetis tripping on the siluer sandes, with whom the Sun did fall in loue: and if shee chaunst to smile, the cloudy ele­ments would cleare & drop downe heauenly dew, as though they mournde for loue. There likewise remayned in the Court, the six Scythian Uirgins, that in former times liued in the shape of Swans, which were as beautifull Ladies as euer eye beheld: also many other Laidies attended the Empresse, in whose companies the seauen Champions day­lie delighted: sometimes discoursing of amorous conceits: other times delighting themselues with swéete tuned Mu­sicke: then spending the day in banqueting, reuelling, dan­cing, & such like pastimes, not once iniuring their true be­trothed Ladies. But their Courtly pleasures continued not long, for they were sodainely dashed with a present newes of open Warres proclaymed against Christendome, which fell out contrarie to the expectations of the Christian Knights. There ariued in the Graecian Emperours Pal­lace, a hundred Harrolds of a hundred seuerall Prouinces, which proclaimed vtter defiance to all Christiā kingdomes by these words.

Wee the high and mighty Emperours of Asia and Affrica, great commaunders both of land & seas, pro­claime by generall consent of all the Easterne Potentates, vtter ruine and destruction to the Kingdomes of Christen­dome, & to all those Nations where any Christian Knights are harboured: First the Soldan of Persia in reuenge of a bloody slaughter done in hys Pallace, by an English Cham­pion: Ptolomie the Egiptian King in reuenge of his daugh­ter violently taken away by the sayd knight: Almidor the blacke King of Moroco in reuenge of his Quéene likewise taken away by the sayde English Champion: The great Gouernour of Thessaly in reuenge of his daughter taken away by a French Knight: The King of Ierusalem in re­uenge of his daughter taken away by a Spanish Knight: The Tartarian Emperour in reuenge of his Sonne the [Page 126] Countie Palatine, slaine by the vnhappy hand of the Cham­pion of Wales: The Sicillian Monarke in reuenge of hys vaine trauaile after his seauen daughters, now in the kéep­ing of certaine Christian Knights: in reuenge of which in­iuries, all the Kingdomes from the furthest part of Prester Iohns Dominions to the borders of the red Seas, hath set downe their handes and seales to bee ayders in this bloodie Warre.

This Prolamation béeing no sooner ended, but the Grae­cian Emperour likewise consented to their bloody determi­nation, and thereupon gaue spéedy commandement to mus­ter vp the greatest strength that Graecia could afforde, to ioyne with the Pagans, to the vtter ruine and confusion of Christendome: which bloody edict, or rather inhumane Iudgement pronounced by the accursed Infidels, compelled the Christian Champions to a spéedy departure, and euerie one to haste into his owne countrie, there to prouide for the Pagans entertainment: So after due considerations the seauen Champions departed from Graecia in companie of their betrothed Ladies: who chose rather to liue in the bo­soms of their husbands, than in the armes of their misbe­léeuing Parents: where after some few dayes they ariued in the spacious bay of Portingale, in which Hauen they vowed by the Honour of true Knighthood, to méete againe within sixe monthes insuing: there to conioyne all their Christian Armies into one Legion: vpon which plighted resolution the worthie Champions departed one from ano­ther: Saint George into England: Saint Dennis into Fraunce: Saint Iames into Spaine: Saint Anthonie in­to Italie: Saint Andrew into Scotland: Saint Pattrick into Ireland: Saint Dauid into Wales: whose pleasant bankes they had not beheld in many a yeare before: where their entertainments were as Honorable as their harts de­sired: But to speake of the mustring vp of Souldiers in e­uerie Christian Kingdome, and what strength ariued at the appointed time in the bay of Portingale, shall be discoursed [Page 127] in the sequell of this Historie, and how troublesome warres ouerspread the whole earth, where the Heroicall déedes of these Noble Champions shall at large be discribed: Also of the [...]uerthrow of many Kings, and Kingdomes, ruines of Townes, and Citties, and the decay of many flourishing Common weales: Likewise of the bloody Tragedies of many vnchristian Princes: whereat the heauens will mourne to sée the effusion of blood trickle from the breasts of murthered Infants, the heapes of slaughtered Damsels trampled to péeces by souldiers horses, and the stréetes of manye a Cittie sprinckled with the blood of reuerent age: Therefore gentle Reader accept of this my labour with a smooth brow & a kinde countenance, and my wearie Muse shall neuer rest, till I haue finished the true Historie of these Heroicall Champions.

AFter the seauen Champions of Christen­dome ariued in their Natiue Countries, and by true reportes had blazed abroade to euerie Princes eare the bloody resolu­tion of the Pagans, & how the Prouin­ces of Affrica and Asia, had mustered vp their forces to the inuasion of Europe. All Christian Kinges then at the intreatie of the Champions, appointed mighty Armies of wel approoued soldiers both by sea & land, [Page 125] to intercept the Infidels wicked intention: likewise by the whole consent of Christendome, the Noble and Fortunate Champion of England saint George, was appointed chiefe Generall, and principall leader of the Armies, and the other sixe Champions elected for hys Councell, and chiefe assistants in all attempts that appertained either to the benefit of Christendome, or the furtherance of their for­tunate procéedings. This Honorable warre so fired the hearts of many youthfull Gentlemen, and so incouraged the mindes of euery common Souldier, that some mor­gagde their lands, and at their owne proper charges furni­shed themselues: Some sold their Patrimonies to serue in this Honorable warres: and other some forsooke Parents, Kindred, Wife, Children, friends and acquaintance, and without constraint of pressing, offered themselues to fol­low so Noble a Generall, as the renowned Champion of England, and to spend their blood in the iust quarrell of their Natiue Countrie. To be briefe, one might beholde the stréetes of euerie Towne and Cittie throughout all the Dominions of Europe, beautefied with Troupes of Soul­diers, which thirsted after nothing but Fame and Honour. Then the ioyfull sound of thundring Drums, and the ec­choes of siluer Trumpets summoned them to Armes, that followed with as much willingnes, as the Graecians fol­lowed Agamemnon to the wofull ouerthrow of Troy: for by that time the Christian Champions had sported them­selues in the bosomes of their kinde Mistresses▪ the forward Captaines taken leaue of their Courtly pastimes, and the willing Souldiers bidden adue to their friendes & acquain­tance, the spring had couered the earth with a newe li­uerie: which was the appointed time, the Christian Ar­mies should méete in Portingale, there to conioyne their se­uerall Troupes into one Legion: which promise caused the Champions to bid adue to their Natiue Countries, and with all spéed to buckle on their furnitures, and to hoyst vp sayles: where after a short time, the winde with a calme [Page 126] and prosperous gale, cast them happely into the bay of Por­tingale. The first that ariued into that spacious Hauen, was the Noble Champion saint George, with a hundred thousand of couragious English Souldiers, whose for­wardnes betokened a fortunate successe, and their willing mindes a ioyfull victorie [...]. Hys Armie béeing set in Bat­taile ray, seemed to counteruaile the number of the Mace­donian Souldiers, wherewith worthy Alexander conque­red the Westerne world: hys Horsemen being in number twenty thousand, were Armed all in blacke Corslets: their Launces bound about with plates of stéele: their Stéedes couered with Ma [...]le thrée times doubled: their colours were the sanguine Crosse, supported by a golden Lyon: hys sturdy bowmen, whose conquering Gray-goose wing in former times hath terrified the cercled earth: béeing in number likewise twentie thousand, clad all in red Ma [...]dilli­ans, with Caps of the same colour, bearing thereon like­wise a sanguine Crosse, béeing the true badge and honor of England: their Bowes of the strongest Ewe, and their Ar­rowes of the soundest Ash, with forked heads of stéele, and their feathers bound on with gréene wax, and twisted silke: his Musketters being in number ten thousand, their Mus­kets of the widest bore, with firelocks wrought by curious workemanship, yet of such woonderfull lightnes, that they required no rest at all, to ease their headdy ayming armes, hi [...] Caliuer shotte likewise ten thousand of the smaller tim­bred men, but yet of as couragious a minde as the tallest souldier in his Army, his Pikes and Bill [...]s, to guard the wauing Aunsients thirty thousand strong, clad all in gliste­ring bright Armour, likewise followed ten thousand labou­ring Pioners, if occasion serued to vndermine any towne or castell, to intrench Forts or Sconses, or to make a passage thorough hilles and mountaines, as worthy Hanniball did when as he made away for hys souldiers through the loftie Alphes, that deuide the Countries of Italie and Spaine: The next that ariued within the bay of Portingale, was [Page 127] the Princelie minded Champion saint Dauid of Wales with an Armie of fiftie thousand of true borne Brittaines, furnished with all habilliments of Warre to so Noble and valiant a seruice, to the high renowne of hys countrie and true Honour of hys Progenie: their Armour in richnes nothing inferiour to the Englishm [...]ns: their colours were a golden Crosse, supported by a siluer Griffon: which Scutchion signified the auncient Armes of Wales: For no sooner had saint George a sight of the valiant Brittaines, but hée caused his Musketters presently to entertaine them with a voll [...] of shotte, to expresse their happie and ioyfull welcome to shore, which spéedely they performed so coura­giously with such a ratling noyse as though the firmaments had burst in sunder, and the earth made eccho to their thun­dring mellodie.

But no sooner were the skeyes cleared from the smoake of the reaking powder, and that saint George might at pleasure deserue the Noble and Magnanimious Champion of Wales: who as then rode vppon a milke-white Hob­bie in siluer Armour, guarded with a trai [...]e of Knights in purple vest [...]res, but hee gréeted saint Dauid with kinde curtesies, and accompanied him to the English Tent, which they had erected close by the Port side, where for that night these two Champions remayned spending the time with vnspeakeable pleasure, and so vppon the next day after saint Dauid departed to hys owne Tent, which he had caused to be pitcht, a quarter of a League, from the English Armie: The next that ariued on the fruitfull bankes of Portin­gale, was saint Pattrick the Noble Champion of Ireland, with an Armie likewise of [...]iftie thousand, attired after a straunge and woonderful [...] manner: their furnitures were of the skynnes of wilde Beasts: but yet more vnpearce­able than the strongest Armour of proofe: they bore in their handes mightie Dartes, [...]ipt at the end with pricking stéele, which the couragious and valiant Irish [...] by the agillitie of their armes could throw a [...] [Page 128] mile, and with such a forcible strength, that they woulde strike three or foure inches into an Oake, and with such a certaine ayme that they woulde not misse the bredth of a foote.

These aduenterous and [...]ardie Souldiers no [...] ari­ued on the [...], but the English M [...]sketters gaue them a Princely entertainement, and presently conducted the No­ble minded Champion saint Pattrick to the English Tent: where the three Champions of England, Wales, and Ire­land passed away the time with [...] great Royaltie: saying downe plots how to pitch their Campes to the most disaduantage of the m [...]beléeuing enemie, and setting downe▪ perfect directions which way they were best [...] martch, and such like deuicies for their owne safeties and the benefit of Christendome: The next that landed on the banckes of Portingale, was saint Andrew the worthie Champion of Scotland, with thréescore thousand of well approued Souldiers, hys horsem [...]n the [...]olde aduent [...]us Gallowayes, clad all in [...]uilted Iacke [...]s, with la [...]es of the Turkish fashion, thicke and short, bearing vpon their B [...]a­uers th [...] Armes of Scotland, which was a corner C [...]sse supported by a naked Uirgin▪ his Pikemen the [...] hardie men of Or [...]die, which continually vseth to [...] vp­on the freezing Mountaines, the Is [...]e Rock [...] & the Snowie Uallyes: hys shot the light footed Callidonians, that if oc­sion serue, can climbe the highest hill, and [...]ee nimblenes in running▪ ouer got the swift footed Sta [...].

These bold aduenterous Scottishmen in al forwardnes, deserued as much honor at the English Champions hands▪ as any of the other Nations before: therefore he comman­ded hys shot at the first entrie on land to giue them a Noble entertainement: which they [...] most Royall▪ & also conducted saint Andrew to the English Tent: where after he had giued S. George ▪ the curtesie of his [...], departed to his Tent, which was distant from the English Tent a mile: The next that ariued was S. Anthony the Champion [Page 129] of Italie with a hand of foure score thousand braue Italian Souldiers mounted on warlike Coursers, euerie Horse­man attended on by a naked Neger, bearing in hys hand a Streamer of watchet [...]ilke, with the Armes of Italie there­on set in gold, euery footeman furnished with approoued fur­niture, in as stately a manner as the Englishmen: who at their landing receaued as Royall an entertainment, as the other Nations, and likewise saint Anthonie was as highly honoured by the English Champion, as any of the other Christian Knights: The next that ariued was saint Dennis the victorious Champion of Fraunce, with a ba [...]d of foure score thousand: After him marched twelue Dukes, of twelue seuerall Dukedomes, béeing then vnder the gouernement of the French King, euery one at hys owne proper cost and charges, mainetaining two thousand souldiers in these Christian warres: their entertainments were as glorious as the rest: The last of all the Christi­an Champions that ariued vppon the fruitfull bankes of Portingale, was the Magnanimious Knight saint Iames of Spaine, with a bande likewise of foure score thousand: with him he brought from the Spanish Mines ten tunne of refined gold, onely to mainetaine Souldiers in the defence of Christendome: who no sooner landed with his Troups▪ but the other sixe Champions gaue him the Honourable welcome of a Souldier, and ordained a solemne banket for the generall Armies, whose number iustly surmounted to fiue hundred thousand: which Legions they conioyned in­to one Campe Royall, and after placed their winges and squadrons Battaile wise, chiefely by the direction of saint George, béeing then chiefe Generall by the consent of the Christian Kinges: who after hee had ouerviewd the Chri­stian Armies, hys co [...]t [...]nance séemed to pognosticate a Crowned victorie, and to foretell [...] fatall ouerthrow to the misbeléeuing Potentates: Therefore to incourage hys Princely followers to perseuer in their wonted willing­nes, pronoun [...]ed this Princely Oration.

[Page 130]You men of Europe (said he) & my country men, whose Conquering fortunes neuer yet hath feared the enemies of Christ: you sée we haue forsooke our Natiue Lands, and committed our destenies to the Quéene of chaunce, not to fight in any vniust quarrell, but in the true cause of Israels annoynted, not against nature to climbe the heauens as Nemrod and the Gyants proffered in former times: but to preuent the inuasion of Christendome, the ruines of Eu­rope, and the intended ouerthrow of all Christian Prouin­ces: the bloody minded Infidels, haue mustred vp Legions in numbers like the blades of grasse, that growe vppon the flourishing Downes of Italy, or the starres of heauen in the coldest winters night, protesting to fill our Countryes with seas of blood, to scatter our stréets with mangled limbs and conuert our glorious Citties into flames of quenchles fier: Therefore deare Countrimen liue not to sée our Chri­stian Uirgins spoyld by lustfull Rape, nor dragde along our stréetes like guiltles Lambes to a bloody slaughter: Liue not to sée our harmeles Babes with brused braynes dasht against hard flinty stones, nor liue to sée our vnlusty age, whose hayres resemble siluer Mynes, lye bléeding on the Ma [...]ble pauements: But like true Christian souldiers fight in the quarrell of your Countries: What though the Pa­gans be in number ten to one: yet heauen I knowe will fight for Christendome, and cast them downe before our faces, like drops of Aprill showers. Bee not dismaied to see their men in ordered rankes, nor feare not when you behold the streamers houering in the wauing winde, when as their stéeled Pikes like to a thornie Forrest will ouer­spread whole Countries: thousands of them I know will haue no hearts to fight, but flye with cowardly feare like flockes of shéepe before the gréedie Wolfe. I am the leader of your Noble mindes, that neuer fought in vaine, nor ne­uer entered battaile but returnde with Conquest. Then euery one with me build vpon this Princely resolution: for Christendome fight, for Christendome we liue and die.

[Page 131]This Souldierlike Oration being no sooner finished, but the whole Armie with a generall voice cried, to Armes, to Armes with the victorious George of England: which Noble resolution of the Souldiers, so reioyced the English Champion, and likewise incouraged the other Christian Champions with such a forwardnes of minde, that they gau [...] speedy▪ commandement to remoue their [...]ents and to ma [...]tch with easie iournies towards Tripolie in Barberie, where Almidor the blacke King of Moroco had hys resi­dence: In which trauaile wee must leaue for a while the Christian Armie, and speake of the innumerable Troups of Pagan Knights that ariued at one instant in the King­dome of Hungarie, and how they fell at varience in the e­lection of a Generall: which ciuell mutenie caused much effucion of blood, to the great hurt both of Affrica and Asia, as here after followeth.

THE [...] Pagans after they had leuie [...] their Martiall forces both by Sea and Land, repaired to their generall place of méeting, thereto conclude of the vtter co [...]fusion of Christendome: for no soo­ner co [...]l [...] Winter withdrawe his chil [...] frosts from the earth, and Flora tooke [Page 132] possession of hys place: but the Kingdome of Hungarie suffered excessiue pennurie through the number [...]es Armies of the accursed Infidels, béeing their appointed place of méeting: For though Hungarie of all other Countries both in Affrica and Asia, then was the richest, and plenti­fullest of victuals to mainetaine a Campe of men: yet was it mightely [...]uerprest & greatly burthened with mul­titudes: not onely with want of necessaries to releeue souldiers, but with extreame crueltie of those bloody mind­ed miscreants, that through a ciuell discorde which hapned among [...] them, abou [...] the [...]lection of a Generall, they con­uerted their vnitie to, a most inhumane slaughter, and their triumphant victorie to a dismall bloody Tragedy: For no sooner ar [...]ed thier Legions vpon the plaines of Algernos b [...]eing in length and breadt [...] one and twentie L [...]agues: but the King of Hungarie caused their muster Rolles to bee publikely read, & iustly numbred in the hearing of the Pa­gan knights, which in this maner was proclaimed through the Campe.

First be it knowne vnto all Nations that fights in the quarrell of Affrica and Asia vnder the conduct of our three great Gods, Mahomet, Termigaunt, and Apollo: what inuincible forces be now ariued in this renowned King­dome of Hungarie, a Land Honoured through the worlde, not only for Armes: but curious buildings, and plentif [...]ed with all manner of riches. First we haue from the Em­perour of Constantinople two hundred thousand Turkes. From the Emperour of Graecia two hundred and fiftie thousand. From the Emperour of Tartarie a hundred thréescore and thrée thousand. From the Soldan of Persia two hundred thousand. From the king of Ierusalem foure hundred thousand. Of Moores one hundred & twenty thou­sand. Of coleblacke Negars one hundred and fortie thou­sand. Of Arabians one hundred and sixtie thousand. Of B [...]bilon [...]ans one hundred thirtie thousande and [...]dd [...]. Of Armenians one Hundred and fiftie Thousande. [Page 133] Of Macedonians two hundred and ten thousand. Of Saracusians fifteene thousand sixe hundred. Of Hunga­rians three hundred and sixe thousand. Of Sissillians sea­uenteene thousand thrée hundred. Of Scythians one hun­dred and fiue thousand. Of Parthians ten thousand and three hundred. Of Phrigians seauen thousand and two hundred. Of Ethiopians sixtie thousand. Of Thracians a eleauen thousand: Likewise from the Prouinces of Pre­ster Iohn thrée hundred thousand of vnconquered Knights, with manye other pettie Dominions and Dukedomes: whose numbers I omit for this time, lest that I shoulde séeme ouer tedious to the reader: But to conclude, such a Campe of Armed souldiers ariued in Hungarie, that might in one month haue destroyed Christendome, had not God defended them from those barbarous nation, and by his in­uincible power confounded the Pagans in their owne prac­tises: For no sooner had the Harrolds proclaimed through the Campe what number of Nations ioyned their bandes together, but the souldiers fell at discention one with ano­ther about the election of a Generall: some vowe [...] to fol­low none but the king of Ierusalem: some Ptolomie the Egiptian King: and some the Soldan of Persia, euerie one protesting either to perse [...]er in their own willes or to loose their liues in the same quarrell.

Thus in this manner parties were taken on all sides, not only by the meaner sort, but by leaders and commaunders of bandes: whereby the King [...] and Potentates, were forced to commit their willes to the souldiers pleasure. This ciuell broyle so d [...]scouraged the whole Armie, that manye with drew their forces, and presently marched homewards: As the King of Moroco with hys tawnie Moores and cole­blacke Negers: Likewise the Soldan of Persia: Ptolo­mie the Egiptian King: The Kinges of Arabia and Ieru­salem euery one departed into their owne countries, cur­ [...]ng the time they attempted first so vaine an enterprize: The rest not minding to pocket vp abuse, [...]ell from brauing [Page 134] boastes, to downe right blows, wherby grew such a sharp and bloody war, that it cost more souldiers liues, than the ci­uell mutenie at the destruction of Ierusalem: which bat­taile by the irefull Pagans, continued without ceasing for the space of three monthes: In which Encounters: the murthered Infidels like scattered corne ouerspred the fields of Hungarie: the fruitfull valleyes lay drowned in purple gore: the fieldes of Corne consumed with flames of fire: their Townes and Citties ruinated with wasting warre: wherein the Fathers were sad witnesses of their Childrens slaughters, and the Sonnes beheld their Parents reuerent haires, more whiter than trye [...] siluer, besmeered with clod­ded blood: there might the Mothers sée their harmelesse Babes b [...]rne vp and [...]owne the streets vpon souldiers Lan­ces: there might they sée their silken ornamentes and riche attire in pooles of blood lye swimming vp and downe: there might the [...] see the braines of honest Dames and pure Uir­gi [...]s da [...]t against hard [...]intie stones: there might they [...] the [...] C [...]urts & Pallace [...] by souldi [...]rs burned to the ground: there might they sée howe Councellers in their Scarlet gownes lay burning in the fire: there might they see how Kings & Queenes were arme in arme consumed to ashes: there might they behode and sée howe melted gold in cho [...] ­ked sinkes lay euerie where: there might they see the bloo­diest tragedies that euer eye beheld, and the woful [...] newes that euer Christians eare heard tolde: In this long and bloody warre, one sucking child was not left aliue to report the story to insuing ages: No not a souldier to carry Armes throughout the Kingdome of Hungaria, so [...]ustly was the vengeance of God throwne vpon the heads of these misbe­léeuing miscreants▪ that durst attempt to lift their handes against hys true anoynted Nations: for no doubt but the inuincible Armie of the Pagans, had ru [...]ted the borders of Europe, had not the mightie hand of God with hys vn­speakeable mercie, béene Christendomes defence, and con­founded the Infidels in their owne ciuell warres: which [Page 135] bloody and strange ouerthrow of those vnchristian people, let vs for euer burie in the lake of obliuion, and perseuer in the fortunate procéedinges of the seauen Champions [...] Christendome, who had entred the borders of Barberie, be­fore Almidor the blacke king of Moroco with hys scatte­red Troupes of Moores and Negars returned from Hun­garie, and by fire and sword, had wasted [...]any of his chiefest T [...]wnes and Fortes, whereby the Countrie was much weakned, and the Common [...] compelled to sue for mercie to the Champions hands: who bearing [...] Christian minds within their hearts continuall [...] h [...]boured, vouchsaf­ed to graunt me [...]cie to those that yeelded their li [...]es to the pleasure of the Christian Knights: But when S. George had intelligence of Almidors approach with his weakned Troupes, presently prepared hys Souldiers in readines to giue the Moores a bloody banquet: which was the next mor­ning by breake of [...]ay perfourmed to the high honour of Christend [...]me: but the night before the Moores knowing the countrie better than the Christians, got the aduantage both of winde and Sunne: whereat Saint George being something displeased, but yet nothing discouraged, imbold­ned hys souldies with many Heroicall spéeches, proffering them franklie the enemies spoyles, and so with the Sunnes vprising entred battell, where the Moores fell before the Christians swords, as eares of corne before the reapers f [...] ­kle: During this conflict, the seauen Champions still in the fore [...]runt of the battell, so aduenturously behaued them selues, that they slew more Negars than a hundred of the brauest Knights in the Christian Armies: At last Fortune intending to make saint Georges prowesse to shin [...] brighter than the rest, singled out the Moroco King, betwixt whom and the English Champion, was a long & dangerous fight: But saint George so couragiouslye behaued him with his trustie sword, that Almidor was constrained to yeeld [...] his mercie. The Armie of the Moores séeing their King taken prisoner, presently would haue fled: but that the Christians [Page 136] béeing the lighter of foote, ouertooke them, and made the greatest slaughter that euer hapned in Barberie.

Thus after the battell ended, and the ioyfull sound of vic­torie rung through the Christian Armie, the souldiers fur­nished themselues with the enemies spoyles, and martched by saint Georges direction to the Cittie of Tripolie, being then almost vnpeopled through the late slaughter: In which Cittie after they had r [...]sted some few dayes, and re­freshed themselues with holsome food, the English Champi­on in reuenge of his former proffered iniuries by the Mo­roco King, gaue hys seuere sentence of death: First hee commaunded a brazen cauldron to bee filled with boyling Lead and Brimstone: then Almidor to be brought to the place of death by twelue of the Noblest Pieres in Barbe­rie, therein to be consumed, flesh, blood, and bone: which was duelie performed within seauen dayes following, the brazen cauldron was erected by the appointment of saint George, directlie in the middle of the chiefest Market place, vnder which a mightie hot fire continually burned, for the space of of eight and fortie houres: whereby the boyling Lead and B [...]imstone seemed to sparckle like the fierie fur­naces in hell, and the heate to e [...]ceede the burning Ouen at Babilon. Thus all thinges béeing no sooner prepared in a readines, & the Christian Champions present to behold the wofull spectakle; but the condemned Black [...]more King came to the place of Execution, in a shirt of the finest Indi­an silk, his hands pinniond together with a chaine of gold, & his face couered with a Damske Scarfe, his attendants, & chiefe conducters, twelue Moroco Pieres, clad in Sabl [...] gownes of Taffetie, carring before him the whéele of for­tune, with the picture of a Usurper climbing vp, with this Motto on his breast: I will be king in spite of Fortune: vp­on the top of the whéele, the picture of a Monarke vaunt­ing with this Motto on his breast: I am a King in spite of Fortune: Lastly on the other side of the Wheele, the picture or perfect image of a deposed Potentate, falling with [Page 137] hys head downewards, with this Motto on hys breast: I haue beene a King so pleaseth Fortune: which plainelie signified the chaunce of warre, and the constancie of deste­nie: hys guard was a thousand Christian souldiers, hold­ing fortune in disdaine: after them attended a hundred of Moroco virgins in blacke ornaments, their haire bounds vp with siluer wiers, and couered with vales of black silke, signifiing the sorrow of their countrie for the losse of their Soueraigne. In this mournefull manner came the vn­fortunate Almidor to the boyling C [...]ulderne: which whē he beheld, hys heart waxed cold, and his tongue d [...]ueide of vtterance for a time: yet at last he brake foorth into thes [...] earnest protestations, proffering more for his life than the whole Kingdome of Barberie can performe.

Most mightie & inuincible Champion of Christendome (quoth he) let my life be ransomed, and thou sh [...]l [...] yearely receaue ten tunnes of [...]ried gold, a hundred inchs of wouen silke, the which our Indian maides shall sit and spinne [...]ith siluer whéeles: a hundred Arguses of spices and [...]efined suger, shal be yearely paid thee by our Barberie [...]: a hundred waggons likewise richly laden wit [...] [...] a [...]d Iasper stones, which by our cunning Lapidisies [...]hall [...] yearelie chosen foorth and brought [...]hee home to England, [...]o make that blessed countrie the richest land within the Do­minions of Europe: Likewise I will [...]eliuer vp my Dia­dem, with all my Princely dignities, and in companie of these Moroco Lordes, like bridled Horses drawe thée daylie in a siluer Charriot vp and downe the ser [...]led earth, til death giues end to our liues Pilgrimage: Therefore most admi­red Knight at Armes, let these salt teares that trickle from the Conduits of my eyes, obtaine one graunt of comfort at thy handes, for on my bended knées I beg for life, that neuer before this time did kneele to any mortallman.

Thou speakst in vaine (replyed saint George) it is not the treasures hidden in the déepest seas, nor all the golden mines of rich America that can redéeme thy life: thou [Page 138] knowest accursed Homicide, thy wicked practises in the E­gyptian Court, where thou profferedst wrongfully to be­reaue me of my life: Likewise through thy treachery, I end [...]red a long imprisonment in Persia: where for seauen yeares I dranke the Channell water, and suffizde my hun­ger with the breads of branne meale: My foode the loath­some flesh of Rats and Mice, and my resting place a dismall dungeon, where neither sunne nor the chearefull light of heauen lent me comfort during my long continued misery: For which inhumane dealing and proffered iniuries, the h [...]auens inforceth mee to a spéedy reuenge, which in this manner shall be accomplished. Thou seest the Engine pre­pared for thy death, this brazen Caldron fild with boyling lead and brimstone, wherein thy cursed body shall be spéedi­ly cast, and boyled till thy detested limbs bee consumed, to a watry s [...]bstance, by this sparckling lickour: therefore pre­pare thy selfe to entertaine the violent stroake of death, and willingly byd all thy kingly dignities farewell: But yet I let thée vnderstand, that mercy harboreth in a Christians hart, and where mercy dwels there faults are forgiuen vp­pon some humble penetence, though thy trespasse deserues [...] pitty, but seuere punishment, yet vpon these considerati­ons I will graunt thée liberty of life: First that thou wilt forsake thy false Gods Termagaunt, Mahomet, and Apol­lo: which he but the vayne imaginations of man: and be­léeue in our true and euer liuing God, vnder whose banner we Christians haue taken in hande this long warre: Se­condly thou shalt giue commandement, that all thy barba­rous Nations be christened in the faith of Christ: Third­ly and lastly, that thy thrée Kingdomes of Barbary, Moro­co & India, sweare true alleagance to all Christian Kings, and neuer to beare Armes, but in the true quarrell of Christ and his annoynted Nations. These things duly obserued, thy life shall be preserued, and thy liberty obtayned, other­wise looke for no mercy, but a spéedy and most [...]yr [...]ible death.

[Page 139]These wordes more displeased the vnchristian King of Morco, than the sentence of his condemnation, and in these briefe spéeches set downe his resolution.

Great Potentate of Europe (replied Almidor) by whose mightines fortune sits fettered in the chaines of power, my golden Diadem and regall Scepter by constraint I must deliuer vp: but before I forsake my countrie Gods, I will indure a hundred deathes, and before my conscience be re­formed to a new faith, the earth shall be no earth, the sea no sea, nor the heauen no heauen. Thinkest thou now proud Christian, by thy threatned tormentes to make mee forget my creator, and beléeue in thy false God, which was but the sonne of a Carpenter, and bacely borne vnder an Oxe stall: No, no, accursed Christians, you ofspringes of Cayne ▪ you generations of Iesmaell, you séede of Uipers, and ac­cursed through the world, looke for a spéedie shower of ven­geance to raine from heauen vppon your wicked Nations, your bloodie practises hath pearst the Battlements of Ioue, and your tyrranies beaten open the ga [...]es of mightie Ma­homet, who hath prouided whips of burning wier to scourge you for your cruelties, proffered against his blessed worshippers, and now with this deadlie curse I bid you all farewell: the plagues of Egipt light vpon your kingdomes: the curse of Cayne vpon your children: the famine of Ie­rusalem vpon your friends, and the miserie of Oedipus vppon yourselues.

This wicked resolution and balefull curse béeing no soo­ner ended by the desperate minded Almidor, but the impa­tience of saint George was so highly mooued, that he gaue present commandement to the appointed Executioners, to cast him into the boyling cauldron, which incontinentlie they performed to the terror of all the beholders: to behold this wofulll spectakle the Battlements of Temples we [...]e so thronged with people, the houses couered with women & children, and the stréetes filled with Armed Souldiers, that it was a woonder to beholde: amongst which multitudes [Page 140] there were some perticular persons, that at the sight of Al­midors death fell downe and broake their neckes: But the generall number, as well of Pagans as Christians, cryed with chearefull voyces, Honour and victory followe saint George of England, for he hath redéemed Barbary from a miserable seruitude. Which ioyfull hearing so delighted the seauen Champions of Christendome, that they caused the Conduits to runne with wine, the stréets to be beaute­fied with bonefiers, and a sumptuous banquet to be pro­claimed through the Citty, which after continued for the space of seauen dayes, in more magnificent Royaltie, than the banquet at Babilon, when the Macedonian Monarke returned from the worlds Conquest.

The Champions liberality procured such faithfull lo [...]e in the harts of the Moroco Pieres, that with a generall consent, they chose saint George for theyr lawfull King: where after they had inuested him in the Princely seate of the Moroco Potentates, they set the Crown vpon his head▪ and after presented him with an imperious Pall which the Kings of Barbary vsually wore vppon their Coronation day, protesting to forsake theyr prophane Religion, and [...] christened in the fayth of Christ.

This promised conuertion of the Infidels, more deligh­ted the English Champion, than to haue the whole worlds honour at commaund, for it was the chiefeest poynt of his Knightly oath to aduaunce the faith of Christe and to in­large the boundes of Christendome: after his Coronation was solemlie performed, the other six Champions conduct [...] him to a Princely Pallace, where he tooke the true alegance of the Moroco Lordes by plighted oath to bee true to hys Crowne: after this he established Christian lawes, to the benefit of the whole countrie: then he commaunded al the ceremonious rites of Mahomet to be trodden vnder foote, & the true Gospell of Christ to be preached: likewise he caused all that did remaine in Barberie to be Christned in the new faith: But these obseruations continued but a time as shall [Page 141] hereafter shall be discoursed at large: For fame not intend­ing to let the worthie Champions long to remaine in the idle bowers of peace: but summoned them to perseuer in their Noble atchiuements; and t [...] muster vp a new their souldiers, whose Armour, canckered ease had almost staind with rust: therefore saint George committed the gouern­ment of hys countrie, to foure of the principall Peares of Moroco, and martched towardes the Countrie of Egipt, where liued trecherous Ptolomie, the Father of hys be­loued Lady Sabra, whome hee had left in the Kingdome of England: In which iournie and happie ariuall in Egipt, w [...] will leaue the seauen Champions for a time, and speake of the faithles Infidels in Barberie, after the departure of the Christians, whose former Honours they slightly regarded: For no sooner had saint George with hys martiall Troupes bidden their countrie adue, but the faithles Moores reconci­led themselues to their former Gods, and purposed a spéedie reuenge for the death of Almidor, against all Christians that remained within the limmets of that Heathen Nation: For there were many souldiers wounded in the late bat­taile: Likewise a number oppressed with sicknes, had the Christian Champions left behinde for their better recoue­ries: vppon whome the barberous Moores committed their first tyrranie: for they caused the distressed souldiers to be drawen vpon [...]lids to the outermost part of the Cittie, and there put them into a large and old Monestarie, which they presently set on fire, and most inhumanely burned the Chri­stian souldiers, and after conuerted the place into a filthie leastall: many women and succourles children they drag­ged vp and downe the stréetes, till their braines were dasht against the stones, and the blood had couered the earth with a purple hue: Many other cruelties were committed by the wicked Infidels against the distressed Christians, which I [...]urpose to pa [...]e ouer, and wholie discourse of the wo­full and bloody murther of an English Marchant and hys wife in the same Cittie of Tripolie, the report whereof [Page 142] may force the merciles Tygers to relent, and those eyes to shed a spring of teares that neuer wept before. The bloodie minded Negars violating both oath and promise before plighted to saint George: by violence set vppon the Mar­chants house, where first they made a massaker of his ser­uants, and before hys face cast their dead bodies to hunger starued Dogges: then comming to the Marchant, they bound him fast with hempen cordes to the strongest post in his house, and after tooke hys children, béeing seauen of the goodliest boyes, that euer nature [...]amed, and likewise tied round about him: Then one of the Moores béeing crueller than the rest, proffered to deflowre the Marchants wife be­fore hys face: but she in chastetie like Camma, chose rather an honourable death▪ than an infamous life, spit in the Ne­gars face, and most bitterly reuiled him▪ yéelding neyther to hys force, nor hys bloodie threates: but snatching a knife from hys girdle, vowed to sheath it in her bosome before she would loose that precious Gemme of honour, that once bee­ing gone cannot bee recouered for all the worldes trea­sure.

This resolution of the English Marchants wife, caused the sterne Negars to excéede in crueltie: but the principall of that wicked companie, béeing a bloody and merciles Ty­rant, stabbed one of the sillie Children before the mothers face.

Now stubborne Dame (quoth he) wilt thou yéeld to my desires, and preserue the liues of thy other sixe Children, otherwise shalt thou beholde them butchered in the same manner. To sell my honour for the liues of my Children (replied shee) will be an offence to God, and a continuall corrasiue to my husbands heart if we liue together: There­fore accursed monsters prosecute your tyrranie: It is not all your threates and bloodie dealinges shall conuert my chaste minde, nor once inforce my thoughtes to giue any consent thereunto.

These wordes béeing no sooner ended, but the lu [...]full [Page 143] Moore tooke an other of her children and stabed before h [...]r husbands face, thincking therby to fore the Marchant to in­treate his wife to consent to the wicked N [...]gars determina­tions, but he beeing as resolute as his vertuous wife (spake in this manner.

O you cursed blacke Dogges of Barberie! more worse in quallitie than the bloody Tygers, and more merciles than the wicked Cannibals: thinke you that the murther of our children shall inforce our hearts to yéelde to your lustful de­siers: N [...] no, perseuer in your tyrranies: if I had a hun­dred children, twice the number of King Priams, yet would I loose them all, before I will indure to see my wiues dis­honor: children may be gotten agayne but hir honor neuer recouered.

These words pricked the Negars to the gall and caused them to commit the wickedst déede that euer was practised vnder the celestiall Globe of heauen: First they sheathed there Poniards in the breastes of all the Marchantes chil­dren, whose guiltles blood stay [...]d all the chamber with a crimson colour, then with there Fauchions did they cu [...] there bodies all in sunder, and caused seauen P [...]es to be made of there flesh, and after serued in a banquet to there wofull Parents, whome the merciles Moores set at a square table, the Marchant placed directly opposite against his wife, wher they were constrained either to féede vpon there owne chil­dren, or starue for want of other sustenance.

This wofull spectakle stroke such a griefe into the Eng­lish Marchants heart, that hee could scarce indure to speake for wéeping: hys wife when shee behold the heades of her louelie sonnes lying vpon the table, as it were looking to heauen for reuenge, breathed fort [...] this woful dying lamen­tation.

O sillie Babes, I would you had béene strangled in my wombe at your first conception: then should not these ac­cursed Infidels haue triumpht thus in your [...]nhappie Tra­gedies: Nor your vnfortunate Parentes beh [...]ld this luck­les [Page 144] day: whereon I pray that neuer S [...]nne may shine a­gaine, but bee accounted an ominous day throughout the whole earth, for heauen I hope (poore Babes) will raigne a showre of vengeance on their heades that hath caused this your vntimelie death, and with this praier I bit the world [...] fa [...]well.

At which wordes her griefe so excéeded the boundes of reason, that it stayed the passage of her spéech: whereby she was forced to yéeld her soule to the Paradice of peace. Shée béeing no sooner dead but the sorrowfull Marchant likewise biterly exclaimed against the iniustice of Fortune, and the tyrranie of the barbarous Moores, accounting his deste­nie more ha [...]les than the Thracian Kinges, that buried his children in hys owne Bowels: and the cruelties of the In­fidels to excéed the tyrranie of Nero, that caused hys Mo­thers wombe to be opened, that hee might beholde the place of hys creation: but when the Marchant had sufficiently bewailed the murther of hys children, the death of his wife, and hys owne miserie, he yéelded hys soule likewise to the furious stroke of death: The end of whose long languish­ments when the wicked Moores had intelligence▪ they cau­sed their dead bodies to be carried to the top of a hi [...]h moun­taine, and there left for the pray of hungrie Rauens: But God most miraculously preserued them both from the furie of Foules, and the violence of rauenous beasts, for the su [...] consumed their bodies like the morninges dew, and by the w [...]nderfull workemanship of heauen, in the s [...]me place sprung a bower of Roses, to signifie the vnspotted honour of the Marchant and his vertuous wife: which miracle wee leau [...] to the woonder of the Moores, and speake of the Chri­stian Champions procéedinges, that by this time were ari­ued in the Kingdome of Egipt.

DUring the time of the bloodie murther wrought by the barbarous Moores vpon the English Marchant and hys Wife, with his seauen Children as you hearde in the former Chapter, the Champi­ons of Christendome ariued vppon the Territories of Egipt, where they supposed to haue met with Legions of Armed Souldiers, and to haue aduentu­red their liues vpon the chaunce of Warre: but all things fell out contrarie to their expectations, for they founde the Gates of euerie Cittie set open, and euerie Uillage and Towne vnpeopled: for the Commos at the report of the Christians ariuall, secretly hid their treasure in the Caues of the earth, in déepe Welles, and such like obscure places, and a generall feare and extreame terrour assailed the E­giptians: as well the Pieres of the Land, as the simple countrie people: Many fled into woods and wildernesses, & closelie hid themselues in hollow trées: Many digged caues in the ground, where they thought best to remaine in safe­tie, and many fled to high mountaines, where they long tim [...] liued in great extreamity, féeding vppon the grasse of [Page 146] the ground: So greatly the Egiptians feared the Armie of Christians, that they expected nothing but the ruine of their owne countrie, with the losse of their owne liues, and the murther of their wiues and Children.

But to speake of the Christian Champions: who find­ing the countrie desolate of people, suspected some déepe pollicie of the Egiptians, thinking them to haue mustered their generall forces to bid them battaile: therefore Saint George gaue commaundement through the whole Campe, that not a man vpon paine of death shuld breake his ranke, but martch aduisedlie with thrée weapons ready prest to en­ter battaile, as though the enemie had directly plast them­selues opposite against them: which speciall charge the Christian Souldiers dulie obserued, looking neyther after the wealth of Citties, nor the spoyle of Uillages, but cir­cumspectly martched according to their leaders directions, a­long the Countrie of Egipt, till they approached the sight of King Ptolomies Court: which when the noble Cham­pion of England beheld, in this manner incouraged hee hys followers.

Behold (saide hée) you inuincible Captaines of Chri­stendome yonder cursed Towers where wicked Ptolomie kéepes hys Court, those Battlements I say, were they as richlie built as great Piramides of Greece, yet shoulde they be subuerted and laid as leuell with the ground, as the Cittie of Carthage: there hath that accursed Ptolomie hy [...] residence, that for preseruing his Daughter from the burning Dragon, trecherouslie sent me into Persia, where for seauen yeares I liued in great extreamie in a dismall dungeon, where the Sunne did neuer lend me light, nor the companie of people comfort: In reuenge wherof, my hart shall neuer rest in quiet till I sée the buildinges of his Pal­lace set on fire, and conuerted into a place of desolation, like [...]o the glorious Cittie in Phrigia, nowe ouerspread with [...] stin [...]king wéedes and loathsome puddles: Therefore let a [...] Christian Souldiers, that fights vnder the banner of Chri­stendome, [Page 147] and all that loues George of England your cho­sen Generall, draw forth their warlike weapons, and like the angry Greekes ouerturne these glistring Battlements, leaue not one stone vpon another, but lay it as leuell with the ground, as the haruest reapers [...]at the fields of ripened corne: let your wrathfull furies fall vppon these Towers like droppes of Aprill showers, or like a storme of winters haile, that it may be bruted through the world, what lustful vengeance did light vpon the pride of Egipt: Leaue not (I say) as [...]ou loue your Generall, when you haue subuerted the Pallace not one man aliue, no not a sucking babe, but let them suffer vengeance for the wickednes of their King. This is my decrée braue Knights of Christendome: there­fore martch forward, Heauen and Fortune bee your good spéede.

At which wordes the souldiers gaue a generall shoute in signe of their willing mindes. Then began the s [...]ken strea­mers to flourish in the aire, the Drums chearefully to sound forward, the siluer Trumpets recorded ecchoes of victorie, the barbed Stéedes grew proude of this attempt, & would [...]and vpon no ground, but leapt and daun [...]t with as much courage as did Bucephalus the horse of Macedonian Alex­ander alwaies before any notable victorie, yea euery thing [...] gaue an euident signe of good successe, as well sensles things as liuing creatures.

With this resolution martched the Cstristians, purpo­sing the vtter confusion of the Egiptians, and the wofull ruine and destruction of Ptolomies sumptuous Pallace: but when the Souldiers approached the gates with wrath­full weapons, ready to assault, there came pacing out there­at the Egiptian King, with all the chiefest of his Nobles attired in blacke and mourn [...]full ornaments, bearing in their hands Oliue branches: next them the brauest souldi­ers in Egipt, bearing in their handes broken weapons, shi­uered Launces, and t [...]rne Auncients: Likewise followed thousands of women & children, with Lawrell wreathes a­bout [Page 148] their heads, & in their handes Oliue braunches crying for mercie to the Christians, that they would not vtterlie destroy their declining countrie, but shew mercie to vnhap­pie Egipt. This vnexspected sight, or rather admirable woonder, caused saint George to sound retreate, and gaue commandement through the Christian Armie, to withhold their former vowed vengeance from the Egiptians, till hee vnderstoode what they required: which charge being giuen and o [...]ely obserued, saint George with the other six Cham­pions came together, and admitted the Egiptian king wi [...]h their powers to their presence, who in this manner began to speake for hys countrie.

You vnconquered knights of Christendome, whose wor­thie victories & Noble atchiuements, the whole worlde ad­mires, let him that neuer knéeled to any man t [...]ll nowe, and in former times disdained to humble hims [...]lfe to the greatest Potentate on the earth: Let him I say, the most vnfortu­nate wretch aliue craue mercie, not for my selfe, but for my countrie: my Common [...] blood wil be required at my ha [...]d [...]: our murthered Infants will call to heauen for reuenge, and our slaughtered Widdowes cryes s [...]nk [...] downe to hel for re­uenge: so will the vengeaunce of heauen light vppon my soule, and the curse of hel vpon [...] renowned Cham­pions of England, vnder whose cu [...]todie my deare daugh [...]er is kept, e [...]n for the loue of her be mercifull to Egipt: The former wronges I proffered thee, when I sent thée like a guiltles Lamb into Persia was contrarie to my will: For I was incenst by the flatterie of that accursed Blackamon [...]e King: whose soule for euermore hee scourged with whips of wier, and plagued with the punish [...]t of Tantalus in hell: If my life will serue for a [...] re [...]enge, here is my na­ked breast: let my hart blood st [...]ine some Christian-sword, that you may beare the bloody wi [...]hes of my [...] into Christendome or let me be torn [...] into a thousand p [...]eces, by [...] vntamed Stéeds, as was Hippolitus the Son of The­ [...]s in hys charmed Charriot.

[Page 149]Most mightie controulers of the worlde, commaund the dearest thinges in Egipt, they be at your pleasures, we will forsake our Gods, and beléeue in that God which you com­monly adore, for he is the true and liuing God, ours false & hatefull in the sight of heauen.

This penitent lamentation of the Egiptian King caused the Christian Champions to relent, but especially Saint George: who hauing a hart beautified with the welspring of pittie, not onely graunted mercie to the whole Country, but vouchsafed Ptolomie libertie of life, vppon condition that he would performe what he had promised: which was to forsake hys false gods, & beleeue in our true God, Christ Iesus.

This kindenes of saint George almost rauished Ptolo­mie with ioy, and the whole land, both Pieres and Com­mons more reioyced at the friendshippe of the Christians, than if they had béene made Lordes of the westerne world. The newes of this happie vnetie, was bruted into all the partes of Egipt: whereby the commons that before fled for feare into woods and wildernesses, dens and caues, hils and mountaines, returned ioyfully to their own dwellings, and caused bonefires to be made in euerie Cittie, Towne, & Uillage, the Bels of Egipt rung day and night, for the space of three monthes: in euerie place was séene banquetting▪ dauncing and masking, sorrow was banished, warres for­gotten, and peace proclaimed.

The King at his owne charges ordained a sumptuous & costlie banquet for the Christian Champions: wherein for bountie it excéeded that which the Troianes made when Paris returned from Greece with the conquest of Menalaus Quéene. The banquetting house was built with Cipresse wood, couered with the purest Adamant stone: so that nei­ther stéele nor bace Iron could come therein, but it was pre­sently drawen to the top of the rooffe: as for the varietie of seruices, which graced forth the banquet, it were too tedi­ous to repeate: but to be briefe, what both the Land & Sea▪ [Page 150] could afford b [...]re there present [...] The [...] that at­tende [...] the C [...]ampions a [...] the banquet, wer [...] [...] in da [...] ­maske vestments wrought with the purest [...] Indian virgins spin vpon their siluer whéeles: at euerie course the seruit [...]rs brought in, a Consort of Egiptian Ladies vppon their Iuorie Lu [...]es, strayned forth such admired Harmonie, that it surpassed Arions musicke [...] when hee was cast into the Se [...], caused the [...] himsa [...]e on the [...] swéetnes of Orpheus [...], which made both [...] and trées to daunce, or the mel [...]odie of Apollos inspiring musicke, when he descended from heauen for the loue of D [...]aphne.

These pleasures so rauished the Christian Champions, that the [...] forg of the sound of warlike Drummes that were wont [...] call them forth to bloody battailes: But these de­lightes continued but a short time, for there ariued a knight from England that brought such vnexspected newes to saint George, which chaunged his ioyes into extreame sorrowe, for af [...]er this manner began the messenger to tell hys woful tale.

Faire Englands Champion (said he) in stéede of Armes get Swallowes winges and flye to England, if euer thou [...] sée thy beloued Lady, for she is iudged to bee burned at a [...]take for murthering the Earle of Couentrie: whose lustfull desires would [...] stayned her honour with infa­mie, and made her the [...] of vertuous women: Yet this [...]ercie is graunted by th [...] [...]ing of England, that if within [...]oure and twenty mon [...] [...] Champion may be found, that for her sake will ventu [...] [...] life, and if it be his happie for­tune to ouercome the cha [...]nger of her death, she shall liue: But if it b [...] his fatall destenie to bee conquered, then must she suffe [...] the heauie iudgement before pronounced: there­fore as [...] loue the life of your chaste and beloued Ladie, hai [...]e into [...]ngland, delay no time, for delay is dangerous, & her lif [...] in hazard to be lo [...].

This wofull disourse stroke such a terror to S. Georges [Page 151] hart, likewise to the Egyptian King her father, that for a [...] they stoode gazing [...] [...] face, as though they had b [...]n [...]raught of their wit [...], n [...]t able to speak one word, but at last saint George recouered his former sences, and breathed forth this sorrowfull lamentation.

O▪ England, vnkinde England, haue I aduentured my life in thy defende, an [...] fo [...] thy safety haue layn [...] in the fields [...] Ma [...] [...], in many a partching [...] day, and ma [...] a fréezing winters night, when you haue taken your quiet sléepes in beds of Downe: and will you repay me with this discurtesie, or rather vndeserued wrong, to adiudge her spotles body to consuming [...] ▪ whos [...] bl [...]d if it [...] before I co [...]e, I vowe neuer to draw my trusty sword in Englands quarrell more, nor neuer account my selfe her Champion, but I will rend my warli [...]e colours into a thousand péeces, the which I weare vpon [...] Bur­gonet (I meane the crimson Crosse of England) and wan­der vnknowne Countries, obscurely from the sigh [...] of any Christians eye: Is it possible that England is so ingrate­full to her friend? Can that renowned Country harbour such a lustfull monster, to seeke to dishonour her, within whose hart the fountaine of vertue springes? Or can that Noble Citty, the Nurse and Mother of my life, entertayne so vile an Homeside, that will offer violence to her, whose chastety and true honour hat [...] caused tamelesse Lyons to sléepe in her lap?

In this sorrowfull mam [...] wearied saint George the time away, vntill the Egyp [...]ian King, whose sorrowes be­ing as great as his, put [...] from his complaint [...]s, and re­quested the English Knight to tell the true discourse of Sa­braes proffered violence, and how she mu [...]t [...]red the lustfull Earle of Couentry, to whom after a bitter sigh or two, the wofull messenger replyed in this manner.

Most Noble Princes and Potentates of [...]he ear [...]h, pre­pare your eares to entertaine the wofulst [...]ale▪ that euer English Knight [...], and your eyes to wéepe a sea of [Page 152] brackish teares: I would I had no tongue to tell it, nor hart to remember it: But seeing I am compelled through the loue and duty I owe to the Noble Champions of Chri­stendome to expresse it, then thus it was.

It was the fortune, nay I may say vnhappie destenie of your beloued Lady: vppon an Euening when the S [...]ne had almost lodged in the West, to walke without the wals of Couentrie to take the pleasures of the sweet fields, and flowring meadowes, which Flora had beautefied in a Som­mers liuerie: but as she walked vp and downe, sometimes taking pleasure to heare the mellodie of chirping Birdes, how they strained their siluer notes: other times taking de­light to sée howe nature had couered both hilles and dales with sundrie sortes of Flowers: then walking to sée the Christal running Riuers, the murmuring Musicke of whose streames excéeded the rest for pleasure: But she (kinde La­die) delighting her selfe by the Riuers side, a sodaine and strange alteration troubled her minde: for the Cha [...]ne of gold that shée did weare about her necke presently chaunged colour, from a yellow burnisht brightnes to a dimme pale­nes: her Kinges flew from her fingers, and from her nose fell three dro [...]s of blood: whereat her hart began to throb, her eares to glow, and euerie ioynt to tremble with feare. This strange accident caused her spéedilie to haste home­ward: but by the way she met the noble Earle of Couen­trie, walking at that time to take the pleasure of the Eueninges Ayre, with such a traine of worthie Gentle­men, as though he had béene the greatest Piere in all Eng­land: whose sight when shee behelde a farre off, her heart beg [...]nne to misgiue, thinking that Fort [...]ne had alotted th [...]se Gentlemen to pro [...]ar her some iniurie [...] [...] vp­pon her cheekes feare had set a vermillion [...], whereby [...]er beautie grew admirable: which when the Earle beheld hee was rauished therewith, and déemed her the excellents crea­ture that euer nature had framed: their méeting was [...] ­lent, shee shewed the h [...]militie of a [...] Lady [...] [Page 153] [...]he curtesie of a kinde Gentleman, shee departed home­ward [...], and [...] into the [...] thinking all danger past, but h [...] [...]actised in his mind her vtter [...] & downefall: for the dart of loue had shot from her beauteous chéekes into his heart, not true loue, but lust: so that nothing might quench his desir [...], but the conquest of her chastetie, such ex­t [...]eame passion bewitched his minde, that hee caused hys s [...]uants eu [...]ry one to depart, and then like a discontented man he wandred vp and downe the [...]eldes, beating in hys minde a thousand sundrie waies how to obtaine hys desire, for without he inioyed her loue, he was likelie to liue in end­les languishment: but [...]t last he [...] [...]ighed out this passion of loue.

O you immortall powers, why haue you transported her from an earthly Lady, to a heauenly Angell: Sabra is no worldly creature, but a diuine substance, her beautie is a staine vnto the Queene of loue, and her countenance of more ma [...]e [...]ie than Iunos grace: her twinckling eyes, that gli­ste [...] like to flaming starres, and her beaut [...]ous chéekes more pleasant than Roses dipt in milke, hath p [...]erst my hart with the prickes of loue, and her loue I will enioy or loose my life: O but there is a barre which thwartes kinde affecti­ons, and hinders my desires: Saint George I meane her true and lawfull husband, the honour of whose bed she will not violate for all the Kingdomes in the world: Tush faint harted foole that I am, Sabra is b [...]autefull, and therefore to be tempted: shée is wise, and therefore easie to bee woone: Her husband he is sporting in the fields of Mars ▪ then why may not shée take pleasure in the Chamber of Venus: I [...] many flattering glose [...], many kind spéeches, & many [...] ▪ but I will croppe that budde, which but to taste, I would giue my whole [...] and [...]: I will tell her saint George is a wandere [...], and one that neuer will returne: where as I am a mighty Piere in England, and [...] that [...] acc [...]mplish whatso [...]uer shée desiers: [...] this lustf [...]ll [...] vsed, to flatter [Page 154] himselfe in his vayne conceite. At last the scouling night with pitchy clowdes beganne to ouerspread the brightsome heauens, wherby he was forced to repayre homewards, and to smother vp his loue in silence, no quiete sléepe that night could enter in his eye, but fond and restles dreames, some­times he thought hee had his louely Mistresse in his Armes, dallying like the Paphian Quéene vpon her Minnions knée, but presently awaking, he found it but a glyding shadowe, which added newe griefe to his louesicke passions: then by and by hee thought he sawe howe the wrathfull Champion with dreadfull bloody Fauchion, came to reuenge his Ladies rauishment, whereat the troubled Earle started from his bed, and with lowde voyce cryed to his Chamberlayne for helpe, and howe saint George was come to murther him: which sodaine outcry not onely awaked the Chamberlayne but the whole house: which generally came to beare him company, they set vp Camphire Tapors to giue light, and made him Musicke to comfort him, and to driue all fond [...] fancies from his minde: but no sooner c [...]ased the Musicke, but he fell into his former cogitations, pondering in his minde, which way he might obtaine his purpose, whereat a dismall night Rauen beat her winges against his Chamber window, and with a harsh voyce, gaue him warning of a bad successe: then presently began the Tapors to burne blue as though a troope of ghastly spirits did encompasse his lod­ging, which was an euident signe, that some straunge and vnhappy murther would shortly follow: All which coulde nothing withdrawe the lustfull Earle from his wicked en­terprise, nor conuert his minde from the spoyle of so swéete a Lady. In this manner spent he the night away, till the Sunnes bright countenance summoned him [...]om his re [...] ­lesse bed, from whence béeing no sooner risen, [...]ut he [...] the Steward of his house, and gaue him a charge to prouide a most sumptuous and costly banquet, for he intended to in­uite thereunto all the principall Ladyes in Cou [...]try: what bountefull cheare was [...]rouided, I thinke it [...] to re­peat, [Page 155] but to be short, at the time and houre appointed the in­uited Ladies repayred: the banquet was brought in by the Earles seruants, and placed vppon the table by the Earle himselfe▪ who after manie welcomes giuen, began thus to moue the Ladies delight.

I thinke my house most highlie honoured (said hee) that you haue vouchsafed to grace it with your presence: for mée thinkes you beautefie my hall, as the twinckling starres beautefie the vale of heauen: but amongst the number of you all▪ you haue a Cinthia, a glistring siluer Moone, that for brightnes excéedeth all the rest: for she is fairer than the Quéene of Cipresse: louelier than Dido when Cupid sat [...] vppon her knee, wiser than the Prophetesse of Troy: Of personage more comlier than the Graecian Dame, and of more Maiestie than the Quéene of heauen: so that all the Muses with their Iuorie pens, may write eternallie, and yet not sufficiently discribe her excellent ornaments of na­ture. This commendation caused a generall smile of the Ladies, & made them looke one vpon another whome it should bée: Many other Courtlike discourses pronounced the Earle, to moue the Ladies delight, till the vanquet end­ded: which béeing finished, there came in certaine Gentle­men, by the Earles appointment with most excellent Mu­sicke: other s [...]me that daunced most curiously, with as much Maiestie as Paris in the Graecian Court: At last the Earle requested one of them to choose out hys beloued Mistris, and lead her some stately Caranta: likewise requesting that none would be offended what Lady soeuer hee did affect to grace with that Courtly pastime: at which request all of them were silent, and silence is commonly a signe of consent­ment: therefore hee imboldned himselfe the more, to make his desires knowne to the beholders: then with excéeding curtesie and great humilitie, he kissed the beauteous hand of Sabra, who with a blushing countenance and bashfull looke accepted his curtesie, and like a kinde Lady disdained not to daunce with him: So when the Musitians stra [...]ed forth [Page 156] their inspiring mellodie, the lustfull Earle lead her the first course about the Hall, in as great Maiestie as Ma [...]ors did the Quéene of Paphos to gayne her loue, and shee followed with as much grace, as if the Quéene of pleasure had beene present to behold their Courtly delights: and so when the first course was ended, he found a fit opportunitie to vnfold hys secret loue, and reueale vnto the Lady his exstreame passion of minde, which were in these spéeches expressed.

Most Diuine and Piereles Paragon (said he) thou onlie wonder of the world, for beautie and excellent ornaments of nature: know that thy two twinckling eyes that shine more brighter than the lightnes of heauen, beeing the true Darts of loue, hath pearced to my heart, and those thy Crimson cheekes as louely as Auroraes countenance, when shée drawes the Curtaines of her purple bed to entertaine her wandring Louer: those cheekes I say hath wounded me with loue, therefore except thou graunt mee kinde com­fort, I am like to spend the remnant of my life in sorrowe, care, and discontent: I blush to speake what I desire, be­cause I haue setled my loue where it is vnlawfull, in a bo­some where Kings may sleepe and surfet with delight: thy breast I meane my most diuine Mistres, for there my heart is kept a prisoner, beautie is the kéeper, and loue the key, my ransome is a constant minde: thou art my Venus, I will be thy Mars: thou art my Hellen, and I wil be thy Paris: thou art my Hyren, I will be thy Mahomet: thou art my Cressida, I will be thy Troylus: thou art my loue, and I will be thy Parramour: Admit thy Lord and Husband be aliue, yet hath he most vnkindely left thée to spend thy young yeares in sollitarie widdowhood: he is vnconstantlike Ae­neas, and thou more haples than Dido: hee martcheth vp & downe the world in his glistring Armour, & neuer doth in­tend to returne: he abandoneth thy presence, & lieth sporting in strange Ladies laps: therefore deare Sabra liue not to consume thy youth in singlenes, for age will ouertake thée too soone and conuert thy beautie to wrinckled frow [...]es.

[Page 157]To which wordes Sabra woulde haue presently made answere, but that the musicke called them to daunce the [...] ­ [...]and course, which being [...] replied in this manner.

My Noble Lord (said she) for our bounteous banquet & curteous entertainment, I giue the humble thankes of a poore Ladie: but for your sute and vnlawfull desire, I d [...] detest as much as the sight of a Crokadile, and your flat­tering glozes I estéeme as much, as doth the Ocean of a dri [...]ling shower of raine: your Sirens songes shall neuer intice me to listen to your fond requests: but I will like V­lisses stop my eares, & burie all your flattering inticementes in the lakes of forgetfulnes▪ Thinke you that I will staine his marriage bed with the least spot of infamie, that wil not proffer me one thought of wrong for all the treasures of the wealthie seas: therefore the gorgeous sunne shall loose his light by day, the siluer Moone by night, the skyes shall fall, the earth shall sinke, and euerie thing shall chaunge from his kinde and nature, before I false [...]e my faith, or prooue disloyall to my beloued George: attempt no more my No­ble Lord to batter the fortresse of my good name, with the Gunshot of your flatterie, nor séeke to staine my honour with your lustfull desires. What if my Lord and Husband proue disloyal, and choose out other loues in forraine Lands: yet will I proue as constant to him, as did Penelope to her Vlisses: and if it bee hys pleasure neuer to returne, but spend hys dayes amongst straunge Ladies, then wil I liue in single solitarines like to the Turtle Doue, when shee hath lost her mate, abandoning all companie, or as the mournefull Swan that swimmes vppon Maeanders siluer streames, where she recordes her dying tunes to raging bel­lowes: so will I spend away my lingring dayes in griefe and die.

This resolution of the vertuous Ladie daunted so the Earle, that he stoode like a sensles image gazing at the Sun, not knowing how to replie, but yet when they had daunced the third course, he began a new to assault her vnspotted cha­stetie [Page 158] in these tearmes.

Why my deare mistresse, haue you a heart more harde than Flint, that the teares of my true loue can neuer mole­fie? can you behold him plead for grace that hath beene s [...]de vnto by many worthie Dames? I am a man that can com­maund whole countries: yet can I not command thy stub­burne heart to yéeld. Diuine Sabra if thou wilt graunt me loue, and yéelde to my desier: Ile haue thee clad in sliken Robes and damaske U [...]stures, imbost with Indian Pearles and rich refined gold, perfumed with Camphier Bisse, and Syrrian swéet perfumes: by day a hundred Uirgins like to Thetis tripping on the siluer sands, shall euermore attend thy person: by night a hundred Euenukes with their strai­ned Instruments shall bring thy sences in a golden slum­ber: If this suffizeth not thy swéet content, I will pre­pare a sumptuous Charriot made of gold, wherein thou shalt be drawne by Sable spotted Stéedes along the fieldes and gallant pastures adioyning to our Cittie walles, wher­as the Euening ayre shall breath a coolenes▪ far more swée­ter than Balme vpon thy cheekes, and make thy beautie glister like the purple Pallace of Hiperion, when he leaues Aurora blushing in her bed, whereby the heauens and all the powers therein shall stand and woonder at thy beautie▪ and quite forget theyr vsuall courses: All this my deare, diuine and daintie Mistresse, is at thy commaund, and more, so that I may enioy thy loue and fauour: which if I haue not, I will discontentedly end my life in woodes and desert places, Tygers and vntamed beasts shall be my chiefe com­panions.

These vaine promises and flattering inti [...]ents caused Sabra to blush with bashfulnes, and to giue him this sharpe answere. Thinke you my Lorde with golden [...], to obtaine that precious Gem, the which I will not loose for Europes treasurie: henceeforth be silent in that enter­pr [...]e▪ and neuer after this attempt to practise [...] dishonour which if you doe, I vowe by heauen to make it knowne to [Page 159] euery one within the Cittie, and fill all places with rumors of thy wilfull lust: A Troupe of modest maidens I will procure to haunt thée vp and downe the stréetes, and woon­der at thee like an Owle, that neuer comes abroade but in the darkest nights: this I am resolued to doe and so fare­well.

Thus departed Sabra with a frowning countenance, whereby the rest of the Ladies suspected that the Earle had attempted her dishonour by secret conference, but they all assuredly knew that she was as farre from yéelding to hys desires as is the aged man to become young againe, or the azurde firmament to be a place for siluaine beastes to inha­bit: In such like imaginations they spent awaie the day, till the darke night caused them to breake off companie. The Earle smothering his griefe vnder a smiling counte­nance, till the Ladies were euerie one departed, whome hee curteously caused his seruants to conduct homewards with Torch lightes, because it began to be verie darke: After their departure he accursed his owne Fortune, and like a Lyon wanting foode, raged vp and downe his Chamber, fil­ling euerie corner with bitter exclamations, rending hys garments from his backe, tearing his haire, beating hys breast, and vsing all the violence he could deuise against himselfe.

In this manner spent hee away the night, suffering no sléepe to close the windowes of his body: such a melancho­ly and extreame passion discontented his minde, that he [...] purpose [...] to giue an end to hys sorrowes by some vntimelie death: So when the morning appeared hee made hys re­paire to an Orchard [...], where Sabra commonlie once a daie walked to take the Ayre. The place was verie melancholy, and farre from the noyse of people: where after hee had spent some certaine time in exclaiming against the vnkind­nes of Sabra, he pulled his Poyniard from his backe, & pre­pared hys breast to entertaine the stroke of death: but be­fore the pretended Tragedie, with his dagger hee ingrau [...]d [Page 160] these verses following vpon the barke of a walnut trée.

These verses béeing no sooner finished; and ingrauen a­bout the Barke of the Walnut trée, but with a grisly looke and wrathfull countenance he lift vp hys hand, intending to strike the Poyniard vp to the hil [...]s in his breast: but at that same instant hee beheld Sabra entring the Orchard to take her wonted walkes of pleasure, whose sight hindred his purpose, and caused other bloody cogitations to enter into his minde. The Furies did incense him to a wicked déede, the which my trembling tongue faints to report: for after shé [...] had walked to the furthest side of the melancholie Or­chard, he rigerously ran vnto her with hys dagger drawne, and catching her about the slender waste, thus spitefulli [...] threatned her.

Now stubburne Dame (quoth hee) will I obtaine my long desired purpose, and reuenge by violence thy former proude denials: First will I wrappe this dagger in thy lo [...]kes of haire, and nayle it fast into the ground: then wil I rauish thée by force and violence, and triumph in the con­quest of thy chastetie: which beeing done, Ile cut thy tong out of thy mouth, because thou shalt not reueale nor discrie thy bloody rauisher: Likewise with this Poyniard will I chop off both thy hands: whereby thou shalt neither write with pen thy staine of honour, nor in Sampler sowe this proffered disgrace: Therefore except thou willingly yéelde to quench my desired loue with the pleasures of thy marri­age bed, I will by force and violence inflict these vowed pu­nishments vppon thy dellicate body: be not too resolute in thy denials, for if thou béest, the gorgious Sunne shall not [Page 162] glyde the compasse of an houre, before I obtaine my longe desired purpose, and thereupon hee st [...]pped to the Orchard [...] doore, and with all expedition locked it, and put the key in­to hys pocket: then returned hee like the hunger starued Wolfe to cea [...]e vppon the sillie Lambe, or like the chased Bore when he is wounded with the hunters Launce, came running to the helples Ladie, intending her present Rape, & foule dishonour: But shée thinking all hope of ayde or suc­cour to bee voyde, fell into a dead sound, béeing not able to mooue for the space of a quarter of an hower: But yet at last hauing recouered her dead senses to their former vitall moouing, she began in this pittifull maner to defende her as­sayled chastetie, from the wicked Earle that stoode ouer her with hys bloodie dagger, threatning most cruelly her small confusion.

My Lord of Couentrie (said shée with wéeping teares, & knéeling vppon the bare ground) is vertue banished your breast? haue you a minde more tyrranous than the Tygers of Hercania, that nothing may suffi [...]e to satisfie your lust­full desires, but the staine of my honour, and the conquest of my chastetie? if it bée my beautie that hath intised you, I am content to haue it conuerted to a loathsome Leprosie, whereby to make mee odious in your eyes: If it bée my rich and costly garments that makes me beautifull, and so intangles you, henceforth I will attire my body in poore & simple aray, and for euermore dwell in countrie Caues and Cottages, so that I may preserue my chastetie vnspotted: If none of these may suffice to abate your tyrranous intent, but that your lust will make me times wonder, and a point­ing stocke and scorne of vertuous Ladies: then will the hea­uens reuenge my wronges, to whome I will vncessantlie make my petitions: the birdes in the aire after their kinde will euermore [...] against your wickednes: the sil­uane beastes that abides in woodes and deserts, will breath forth clamors of your wickednes: the créeping wormes that liue within the creuc [...]es of the earth, will giue dumbe [Page 163] signes [...] tokens of your wickednes, the running Riuers they [...] at your wickednes, the wo [...]ds and trées, both hearbes and flowers, with euerie sensles thing will soun [...]some motions of your wickednesse: Returne, re­turn [...], my Noble Lord vnto your former vertues: bannish such [...]nde de [...]res out of your minde: staine no [...] the honor of your house with such blacke scandales and disgrace, beare this in minde before you doe attempt so vile a sinne. What became of Hellens rauishment, but the destruction of re­nowned Troy? What of Romaine Lucresiaes Rape, but the banishment of Tarquin? and what of Prognies soule deflowrement by her sisters husband, the lustfull King of Thrace, but the bloody banquet of his young Sonne I [...]is, whose tender body they serued to his table baked in a Pye? At which spéeches the irefull Earle wrapped hys handes within her lockes of haire, which was couered with a cost­ly Caule of gold, and in this manner presently replied vnto her.

What tellest thou me of Poets tales (said he) of Prog­nies Rape, and Terius bloody banquet: thy rauishment shall be an Induction to thy Tragedie, which if th [...] yéelde not willingly, I will obtaine by force and violence: there­fore prepare thy selfe eyther to entertaine the sentence pro­nounced, or yeelde thy body to my pleasure. This vnre­canting and vowed resolution of the Earle, added griefe vpon griefe, & heaped mountaines of sorrow vpon her soule: twice did the haples Ladie cast her eyes to heauen, in hope the Gods would pittie hir distresse, & twice vnto the earth, wishing the ground might open and deuoure her, & so deliuer her from the furie of the wicked Homecide: but at last whē shée saw that neyther teares, praiers, nor wishes could pre­uaile, shee gaue an outward signe of consentment vppon some conditions, vnder colour to deuise a present me [...]nes to preserue her chastetie, and deliuer hir selfe from his lustfull assailements. There is no condition saide the Earle, but I will yéeld vnto, so thou wilt graunt my desire, and make me [Page 164] chiefe commaunder of thy loue.

First my Lord (quoth she) shall you suffer me to fit some certaine houres vpon this bed of violets, and bewaile the losse of my good name, which shortly shall bee yéelded vp to your pleasure: then shall you lie and dallie in my lap there­by to make my affections, yet fréezing cold, to flame with burning brandes of loue: that béeing done you shall re­ceaue your wished desires. These wordes caused the Earle to conuert his furious wrath to smiling toy, and so casting downe his dagger, he gaue her a curteous kisse, which shee in his conceite graciously accepted: whereby hys mind was brought into such a vaine opinion, that he thought no Hea­uen but in her presence: no comfort but in her sight: and no pleasure but in her loue: then caused he Sabra to sit downe vpon a bed of violets, beset about with diuers sorts of flow­ers, whose lay hée made his pillow, whereon he laide hys head, intending as he thought to increase desire: But as women in extreamitie haue the quickest wittes: So Sabra busied her selfe by all meanes possible, eyther now or neuer to remooue the cause of her déepe distresse by practising hys death, and so quit her selfe from her importunate sutor: one while she told him pleasant tales of loue, in hope to bring his sences to a slumber, the better to accomplish her desires: other whiles shee played and sported with hys haire that hung dangling below his shoulders like to threds of silke: But at last when neyther discoursing tales, nor her [...]ally­ing pastime with his haire could bring him a sléepe, she strai­ned forth the Organs of her voice, and ouer his heade song this wofull Dittie.

This delightfull song rocked hys sences to such a careles and heauie slumber, that [...]e slept as soundly vpon her lappe, as if he had béene couched in the softest bed of downe, where­by she found a fit opportunitie to [...] her vndefiled body from his lustfull desires: So taking the Poyniard in her hand, which he had cast a little aside, and gazing thereon with an irefull looke, she made this sad complaint.

[Page 166]Graunt you immortall powers of heauen (said she) that of these two extreames I choose the best, either must I yeeld my body to bée dishonored by his vnchast desires, or staine my handes with the trickling streames of his heart blood▪ If I yéeld vnto the first, I shall be then accounted for a visci­ous Dame in euerie place: but if I commit the last I shall be guiltie of a wilfull murder, and for the fame the law will adiudge me to a shamefull death. What shall I feare to die and loose my vertue and renowne? No, my heart shall bée as tyrranous as Danaus Daughters, that slewe their fiftie husbands in a night, or as Medeas crueltie, which scattered her brothers bloodie ioynts vpon the sea shore, therby to hin­der the swift pursute of her father, when Iason got the gol­den Fléece from Calcos Ile: Therefore stand still you gli­string Lampes of heauen, stay wandring time and let him sléepe eternally. Where art thou sad Melpomene, that speakst of nothing but of murthers and Tragedies? Where be those Dames that euermore delights in blood? Come, come, assist me with your cruelties, let me excéede the hate of Progne, for her rauishment: rage hart, and take delight in blood, banish all thoughts of pitty from thy breast, be thou as mercilesse as King Priams Quéene, that in reuenge of fiue and twenty murthred sonnes, with her owne hands staynd the pauements of Agamemnons Court with purple gore: these words being no sooner ended, but with wrathfull and pale countenance, she sheathed the Poyniard vp to the hilts in the closure of his breast, whereat he started, and woulde haue got vpon his féete, but the streame of blood so violent­ly gushed from his wound, that hee declined immediatly to the earth, and his soule was forced to giue the world a dole­full adue.

But when Sabra behold the bedde of violets stainde with blood, and euery flower conuerted to a crimson colour, shée sighed grieuously, but when she saw her garments all to be sprinckled with her enemies blood, and he lay wallowing at her féete in purple go [...]e she ran spéedily vnto a flowing foun­taine [Page 167] that stoode on the further side of the Orchard, and be­gan to wash the blood out of her clothes, but the more shee washed, the more it increased, a signe that heauen will ne­uer suffer wilfull murder to be hid, for what cause soeuer it is done.

This straunge spectakle or rather wonderfull accident, so amazed the sorrowfull Lady, that shee began a newe to complaine. O that this wicked murther neuer had bin done (said shée) or that my hand had béene stroken lame, by some vnluckie Plannet, when first it did attempt the déede! whe­ther shall I flie to shrowde me from the company of vertu­ous women, which will for euermore shun me as a detested murtherer? If I should goe into some forraine Countrie, there heauen will cast downe vengeance for my guilt: If I should hide my selfe in woods and solitarie wildernesses, yet would the winde discouer me, and blow this bloody crime to euery corner of the world: or if I should goe liue in Caues or darkesome Dennes, within the déepe foundation of the earth, yet will his Ghost pursue me there, and haunt mee day and night: so that in no place a murtherer can liue in rest, such discontented thoughts shall still oppresse his mind. After shée had breathed forth this comfortles lamentation to the aire, she tore her blood stayned Garment from her backe and cast it into the fountaine, where it turned the water in­to the colour of blood: so heynous is murther in the sight of heauen.

Thus béeing disrobed into her Petticote, she returned to the slaughtered Earle, whome shee founde couered with mosse, which added more griefe vnto her sorrowfull soule, for she greatlie feared her murther was discried, but it fell not out as she mustrusted: for it is the nature and kind of a Robbin Red-brest and other birdes, alwaies to couer the bodie of any dead man, and them it was that br [...]d this feare in the Ladies heart: by this time the day began to shut vp his bright windowes, and sable night entred to take pos­session of the earth: yet durst not the wofull and distressed [Page 168] Sabra make her repaire homewards, lest she should bee dis­cried without her vpper garment.

During which time there was a generall search made for the Earle by his seruauntes, for they greatly suspected some daunger had befallen him, considering that they heard him the night before so wofullie complaine in his Cham­ber: At last with Torch light they came to the Orchard gate, which they presently burst open: wherein no sooner entring, but they found their murthered Master, lying by a bed of violets couered with mosse, likewise searching to find out the murtherer: At last they espied Sabra in her naked Petticote, her handes & face besprinckled with blood, & her countenance as pale as ashes: by which signes they sus­pected her to be the bloody bereauer of their Lord & Masters life: therefore because she descended from a noble linnage, they brought her the same night before the King, which did then keepe hys Court in the Cittie of Couentrie: who im­mediatly vpon the Confession of the murther, gaue this se­uere iudgment against her: First to be conueied to Prison, there to remaine for the tearme of twelue moneths, and at the end whereof, to be burned like a most wicked offender: yet because she was the Daughter of a King, and loyall La­dy to so Noble a Knight, his Maiesty in mercie graunted her this fauour: that if she could get any Knight at Armes before the time were expired, that would be her Champion, and by Combat redéeme her from the fire, she should liue: otherwise, if her Champion were vanquished, then to suffer the former Iudgement. Thus haue you heard the true dis­course of all things which hapned, till my departure from England, where I left her in Prison, and since that time, fiue monthes are fullie exspired: Therefore most renow­ned Champion, as you loue the life of your Ladie and wish her deliuerie make no tarriance, but with all spéed post into England, for I greatly feare before you ariue vppon that blessed shore, the time will be finished, and Sabra suffer death for want of a Champion to defend her cause.

[Page 169]This doleful discourse draue saint George with the other Knights and Champions to such an e [...]tasie of minde, that euery one departed to their lodging Chambers with dumbe signes of sorrow, being not able to speake one word, where for that night they lamented the mishap of so vertuous a La­dy: The Egyptian King her father, he abandoned the sight of all companies, and repayred to the toppe of an high Tow­er built of Marble stone, wherein hee barred himselfe fast with yron bolts, so that none could come within the hearing of his lamentations: then raged hee vp and downe like franticke Oedipus, tearing his eyes from their naturall Celles, accusing heauen of iniustice, condemning earth of iniquity, and accursing man for such an execrable crime, one while wishing his daughters byrth hower, had béene her buriall day, another while, that some vnlucky Plannet would descend the firmament, and fall vppon his miserable head: being in this extreame passion, hee neuer hoped to sée his daughters countenance againe, and so about midnight, being a time when desperate men practise their owne destru­ctions, he cast himselfe headlong from the toppe of the Tow­er and broake his necke, and all besprinckled the flinty paue­ments with his blood and braines.

No sooner was the night vanished, and bright Phoebus entred the Zodiacke of heauen, but his bruised body liueles and senseles, was found by his seruants lying in the Pallace yard, all to be beaten in péeces against the grounde. The wofull newes of this selfe-wild murtherer, they presently told to certaine Egyptian Knights, who tooke his scattered limbs and carryed them to saint Georges Chamber; where they found him arming himselfe for his departure towardes England: But at this wofull spectackle, he tooke a seconde conceited griefe, in such extreame manner, that it had almost cost him his life, but that the Egyptian Knights gaue him many comfortable spéeches, and by thē consent of many Dukes Earles, Lords, and Barrons, with many other of the late Kings priuy Councell, they el [...]cted him the true suc­céeding [Page 170] King of Egipt by the marriage of Ptolomies daugh­ter: which Royall proffer saint George refused not, but took vpon him the Regiment of the whole Country, so that for that day his iourney toward England was stayed, and vp­pon the third day following, his Coronation was appoyn­ted, which they solemnely perfourmed, to the high honour of all the Christian Champions: For the Egyptian Pieres caused saint George to be apparralled in Royall U [...]stures like a King, he had on a sute of flaming greene like an Eme­rauld, and a Mantle of scarlet very richly furd, and wrought curiously with gold, then the other sixe Champions lead him vp to the Kings Throane, and set him in a Chayre of Ebo­ny with pummells of siluer, which stood vpon an Allablaster Elephant: then came thrée of the greatest Lords in Egypt and set a Crowne of gold vpon his head, then followed two Knights with a Scepter and a naked S [...]rde, to signefie that he was chiefe Champion of all the R [...]alme, and Lord of all that appertained to the Crowne of Egypt: This being performed in most sumptuous and stately manner▪ the Trumpets with other Instruments began to sound, wher­at the generall company▪ with ioyfull voyces, cryed all to­gether, Long liue saint George true Champion for Eng­land, and King of Egypt: Then was he conducted to the Royall Pallace, where for ten dayes he remayned amongst his Lords and Knights, spending the time in great ioy and pleasure: the which béeing finished, hys Ladyes distresse constrayned him to a sodaine departure, therefore he left the guiding of his Lande to twelue Egyptian Lordes, binding them all by oath, to redeliuer it at his returne, likewise charging them to interre the body of Ptolomie in a sumptu­ous Tombe, befitting the body of so Royall a Potentate: Also appoynting the sixt Champions to rayse their Tents, and muster vp anewe their souldiers, and with all spéede march into Persia, and there by dynt of bloody warre, re­uenge his former iniuries vpon the cursed Soldan. This change being giuen, the next morning by breake of day, [...] [Page 171] buckled on his Armour, mounted on his swift footed Stéed, and had hys friends in Egipt for a season adue, and so in companie of the Knight that brought him that vnluckie newes, hee tooke his iournie with all spéed toward Eng­land: In which trauaile we leaue him for a time: Also passing ouer the spéedy prouision made by the Christian Champions in Egypt for the inuasion of Persia, and re­turne to sorrowfull Sabra béeing in priosn, awayting each minute to receaue the finall stroke of impartiall death: for now had the rowling Plannets brought their yeares tra­uailes to an end: yet Sabra had no intelligence of any Chā ­pion that would defend her cause: therefore shee prepared her dilicate bodie to receaue her latest breath of life: the time beeing come shee was brought to the place of exe­cution: whether she went as willinglie, and with as much ioy, as euer shée went before time vnto her marriage, for she had made her humble submission to the world, and vnfai­nedly committed her soule to God. She béeing at the stake (where the king was present with many thousands, as wel of Noble personages, as of Common people to behold this wofull Tragedie) the deaths-man stripped off her Gar­ment, which was of blacke sarce [...]et, & in her snow-white smocke, bound her with an Iron chaine vnto the stake, then placed they round about her tender body, both Pitch, Tur­pentine and Gunpowder, with other merciles things, ther­by to make her death the more easier, and her paine the shorter. Which béeing [...]one the King caused the Harrold to summon in the Challenger: who at the sound of the Trū ­pet came trasing in vpon a Rone coloured Stéede, without any kinde of marke, and trapped with rich trappinges of gold & precious stones of great price: there came foorth at the Horse mouth, two tuskes like vnto an Elephants, hys nostrelles were verie large and bigge, his heade little, his breast some what broad, well pitcht, and so [...]ard that no sword were it neuer so sharpe, was able to enter in thereat. The Champion was called the Barron [...] Chester, a hold▪ [Page 172] and hardier Knight they thought liued not then vpon the face of the whole earth: he so aduanced himselfe vp & downe as though hee had béene able to Encounter with a hundred Knights: then the King caused the Harrold to summon in the Defendant, if there were any to defend her cause both Drums and Trumpets sounded thrée seuerall times vp & downe the fieldes, betwixt euerie rest was full a quarter of an houre, but yet no defendant did appeare: therefore the King commaunded the Executioner to set the stake on fire presently.

At which words Sabra began to grow as pale as ashes and hir Ioyntes to tremble like to Aspen-leaues, hir toung that before continewed silent began to recorde a swanlike dying tale, & in this manner vttered she the passion of hir heart. Be witnes heauen, and all you bright celestiall An­gells: bee witnes sun and moone the true beholders of my [...]act: be witnes thou cleare firmament and all the world be witnes of my innocence: the blood I shed was for the sauegard of my honor and vnspotted Chastety: Great God of heauen, if the praiers of my vnstained heart may assaile thy mighty Maiestie, or my true innocence preuaile with thy immortall power. Commaund that eyther my Lorde may come to be my Champion, or sad beholder of my death: But if my hands were stained with blood about some wick­ed enterprise: then heauen shew present vengeance vppon me by fire, or els let the earth open & deuoure my bodie vp a­liue. At which instance she heard the sound of a shrill and lowd horne, the which S. George winded: (for as then hée was néere) which caused the Execution a while to bee deferred: At last they beheld a farre off a stately Ban­ner wauering in the Ayre, the which the Knight carried be­fore saint George: then they espied nere vnto the Banner a most valiant Armed Knight mounted vpon a cole blacke Palfray, with a mightie great Launce set charged in his Rest, by which sodaine approach they knewe him to bée some Champion that would defende the distressed Ladyes cause.

[Page 173]Then the King commanded the Drums and Trumpets to sound, whereat the people gaue a generall sh [...]w [...], and the poore Lady halfe dead with feare, began to reuiue, and her blushing cheekes to be as beautefull, as redde Roses dipt in milke, & blood mingled with snowe: but when saint George approached the sight of his true and constant L [...]d [...], whom he found chayned to a stake, incompassed with many instru­ments of death, his hart so relented with griefe, that he al­most fell beside his horse: yet remembring wherefore hée came, he recalled his courage, and intended to try his for­tune in the Combat, before he would discouer himselfe vnto his Lady: And so when the Trumpets sounded deaths A­larum, the two Knights set spurres to their horses, & made them run so fiercely, that at the first encounter, they shiue­red both theyr Launces to their hands, then rushed they to­gether so rigorously with their bodies and Helmets, that they fell downe both to the earth: But saint George who was the more lustier Knight, nimbly leapt vppon his féete without any hurt, but the Barron of Chester lay still with his h [...]ad downewards, casting from his mouth abundance of blood, he was so mightely bruised with the fall, but when he reuiued from his traunce, he tooke his shield, drawing out a mighty Fawchion, and with a wrathfull countenance ran at saint George: Now prowde Knight (quoth he) I sweare by all the Saints in heauen, to reuenge the blood which thou hast shed, and therewithall he stroke so violently vpon saint Georges shield, that it cleaued quite a sunder: then be­gan he to waxe angry, and tooke his sword in great wrath, and gaue the Barron of Chester such a stroke, that he cut away arme and shoulder, and all the flesh of his side to the bare ribs, and likewise cut his legge almost cleaue a sunder, in the thichest place of his thigh, and yet for all that the sword entred halfe a foote into the earth, then fell the Bar­ron of Chester to the ground, and breathed forth this lamen­table cry: Nowe frowne you fatall starres eternally, that did predominate at my byrth, for he is slaine and vanquished [Page 174] that neuer st [...]pt to any Knight before this day, and thereup­pon the blood st [...]pped the passage of his speech, and his soule went flying to Elizium, whereat the whole company re­ioyced, and applauded saint George for the most fortunates Knight in the world: then the King deliuered Sabra with his owne hands to saint George, who most curteously re­ceiued her, and like a kinde Knight cast a scarlet Mantle o­uer her body, the which a Lady standing by bestowed vpon him, yet he minding not to discouer himselfe, but set her vp­on his portly Stéede, (that presently grew prowde in carry­ing so rich a burthen) and with his owne hands lead him by the brydle raynes: so great was the ioy throughout the Ci­ty, that the belles rung without ceasing, for thrée dayes together, the Citezens thorough euery place that saint George should passe, did hang forth at their windowes, and on their walles cloth of gold and silke, with rich Carpets, Cushions, and couerings of gréene veluet lay abroad in e­uery window: the Cleargy in Copes of gold and silke met them with solemne Processions: The Ladyes and beaute­full Damsels strowd euery stréete where as hee past with Roses and most pleasant flowers, and Crownd him with a wreath of gréene bayes, in signe of his triumphant victory and Conquest.

In this manner went hee vnto the Kinges Pallace, not known by any what he should be, but that he was a Knight of a strange Country, yet Sabra many times as they walk­ed by the way, desired to see his face, and knowe his name, in that he had aduentured so farre for her sake, and that for her deliuery had vanquished the brauest knight in England. Yet for all her perswasions hee kept himselfe vndiscouered, till a troupe of Ladies in company of Sabra got him into a chamber richly hung with Arras cloth, and there vnlaced his Beuer, whose countenance when she beheld, and sawe that it was her Lord and husband which had redeemed her from death▪ shée fell into a deade sounde for very ioy: But saint George sprinckled a little colde water on her face, and reui­ued [Page 175] her presently: After this he gaue he [...] many a kinde and louing kis [...]e, calling her the most truest, and the most loyal­lest Lady that euer nature framed, that to the very death would not loose one iote of her vnspotted honour: Likewise she accounted him the truest Knight and the loyall [...]st hus­band, that euer heauenly Hymen kne [...] in ban [...]s of marri­age with any woman. But when the King had notice that it was saint George, his Countries Champion, which atchieued that Noble Conquest in vanquishing the Barron of Chester▪ he was rauished with such ioy, that he came run­ning small hast to the Chamber, and most kindly imbraced him▪ and after he was vnarmed, & had washed his woundes in white wine and new milke, the King conducted him with his Lady in his banquetting [...] where they feasted for that euening, and after he kept open Court for all commers so long as saint George continued there, which was for the space of one month: At the end whereof he tooke his Lady and one Page with him, and had England [...], and then he trauelled towards Persia, to the other Christian Cham­pions, whose dangerous iourney and straunge aduentures you may reade in this Chapter following,

AFter saint George with his vertuous Ladie departed from England, and had trauailed through many Countries, ta­king their direct courses towards Egipt, and the Confines of Persia, where the other si [...]e Champions remayned with their warlike Legions: At last they ariued in the Country of the Amazonians, a land inhabited by none but women: In which Region saint George atchiued many braue and Princely aduentures, which are most wonderful to rehearse, as after shall bee declared: For trauelling vp and downe the Countrie, they found euery Towne and Cittie desolate of people, yet very sumptuosly builded: the earth likewise vntilled: the pastures vncherished, and euerie field ouer­growne with wéeds: whereby he déemed that some strange accident had befallē the country, either by war, or immorta­litie of some grieuous plague, for they could neyther let eye of man, woman, nor childe, whereby they were forced to féede on Berries▪ Ro [...]tes, and in stéede of braue [...]as [...]ces, they were constrained to lie in broad pastures, vpon bankes of masse, & instéede of Curtens of silke, they had the blacke and scowling [...] to couer them.

[Page 177]In this extreamety they trauelled vp and downe for thir­ty dayes, but at last it was theyr happy fortunes to ariue before a rich Pauillion, scituate and standing in the open fields, which seemed to be the most glorious sight that euer they beheld, for it was wrought of the richest worke in the world, all of gréene and crimson satten, bordred with golde and azure, the posts that [...] was of Iuory, the cordes of greene silke, and on the toppe thereof there stoode an Ea­gle of gold, and at the two corners, two great siluer Grif­fons shining against the sunne, which seemed in richnes to exceede the monument of Mausalus being one of the worlds twelue wonders. They had not there remayned long, admiring at the beauty of the workemanship, but at the en­try of the Pauillion, there appeared a mayden Quéene Crowned with an imperiall Diademe, who was the most fayrest creature that euer hee sawe: on her attended twenty Amazonian Dames, baring in theyr handes siluer bowes of the Turkish fashion, and at theyr backes hung quiuers full of golden Arrowes: vppon theyr heades they wore siluer Coronets, beset with Pearles and precious stones: theyr attire comelie and gallant: theyr faces faire and gentle to behold, theyr foreheads playne and white, the tramels of theyr hayrelike burnisht golde, theyr browes small and proper, somewhat drawing to a browne colour: theyr visages plaine, neither too long, nor too round, but co­loured like Roses and Lillies mixt together, theyr noses long and strait, their ruddy mouths somewhat smiling, their eyes louely, and all the rest of theyr parts and liniaments by nature framed most excellent, who had made them in beauty without compare: The Quéene her selfe was cloa­thed in a gowne of gréene, straight gyrt vnto her body with a lace of gold, so that somewhat her rounde and Lilly white breast might be séene, which became her wonderfull well, beside all this, shee had on a crimson Kertle, lined with vio­let veluet, and her wide sléeues were likewise of gréene silk unbrothred with flowers of golde, and with rich Pearles: [Page 178] when saint George had sufficiently beheld the beauty of this mayden Quéene, hee was almost intrapped in her loue, but that the deare affection he bare to his owne Lady preuented him, whome hee woulde not wrong for all the treasures be­twixt the highest heauens, and the lowest earth: At last he alighted from his horse, and humbled himselfe vnto her Excellence and thus curteously began to question with her after this manner.

Most diuine and fayer of all fayers, Quéene of swéete beauty (sayd he) let a trauelling Knight obtaine this fauor at your hands, that both himselfe and his Lady whome you behold here wearied with trauell, may take our rest within your Pauillion for this night: For wee haue wandred vp and downe this Country many a day, neither séeing man to giue vs lodging, nor finding foode to cherrish vs, which made vs woonder that so braue a Country, and so beautefied with natures ornamenes as this is, should be left desolate of people, the cause whereof is straunge I knowe and full of woonder,

This question beeing curteously demaunded by saint George, caused the Amazonian Quéene as kindly to reply: Syr Knight quoth she, (for so you séeme both by your beha­uiour, and galiant stature) what fauour my Pauillion may afford be assured of: But the remembrance of my Countries desolation which you speake of, bréedes a sea of sorrowe in my soule, and makes me sigh when I remember it, but be­cause you are a Knight of a strange Land, I will report it though vnto my griefe: about some twelue yeares since, it was a Nigromancers chaunce to ariue within this Coun­try, his name is Osmond, the cunningst Artist this day li­uing vpon the earth, for he can at his call raise all the spirits out of hell: and with his charmes make heauen to raine continuall showers of bloode, my beauty at that instance tempted him to loue, and drowned his senses so in desire, that hee assayed by all perswasions that either wit or Art could deuise, to winne me to his will: but I hauing vowde [Page 179] my selfe to Dianaes chasteti [...], to liue in singlenes among the Amazonian maides, [...] loue, disp [...]sed his per­son, and accounted his [...] as the his­sing of v [...]n [...]mous snakes▪ fo [...] which hee br [...]ught the de­struction of this my Realme and Kingdome: for by hys Magicke [...] and damned Charmes, [...]ee r [...]ysed from the earth a mightie Tower, the morter whereof hee mingled with virgins blood: wherein are such Inchantmentes wrought, that the light of the Sunne, and the brightnes of the Skye is quenched, and the earth blasted with a tyrrible vapour, and blacke mist, that ascendeth from the Tower, whereby a generall darkenes ouerspreades our Land, the compasse of foure and twentie Leagues: so that this coun­trie is cleane wasted and destroyed, and my people fled out thereof. This Tower is haunted day and night with gastlie f [...]ends: and at hys departure into Persia, where hee now by Inchauntment aides the Soldan in hys Warres a­gainst the Christians, hee left the guarding of the same to a mightie and tyrrible Gyant: In shape the vgliest monster that euer eye beheld, or [...]are heard tell: For hee is thirtie f [...]te in length: his head three times larger than the head of an Oxe: his eyes bigger than two pewter dishes, and hys téeth standing out of hys mouth more than a foote: where­with he will breake both Iron and Stéele: his armes big and long without any measure, and all his bodie as blacke as any coale, and as hard as brasse: Also of such a strength that he is able to carrie awaie at once, thrée Knights Ar­med, and he neuer eateth any other meat but raw flesh of mankinde: he is so light and swift that a horse cannot run from him, and oftentimes hee hath béene assayed with great Troups of Armed men, but all of them could ne [...]er doe him any harme, neyther with sword, speare, crosbow, nor any other weapon.

Thus haue you heard most noble and curteous Knight, the true discourse of my vtter r [...]ine, and the vengeance shewed vppon my Countrie by this wicked Nigromancer: [Page 180] for which I haue remayned euer since in this Pauilion a­mongst my maydes, where wee pray both day and night, that some vnhappie fortune, or tyrrible vengeance may fall vpon this wicked Coniurer.

Now as I am true English Knight (replied S. George) no sooner shall the morninges Sunne appeare but I wil take my iournie to that inchaunted Tower: in to which Ile enter in despite of the Gyant, and breake the Inchant­ment, or make my graue within the Monsters bowelles: which if I happely perfourme, then will I trauaile into Persia, and feltes vp the most wicked and damned Nigto­mancer, and like a blood hound lead him vp and downe the world in Chaynes▪

Most dangerous is the aduenture (quoth the Amazoni­an Quéene) from whence as yet did neuer Knight returne: But if thou be so resolute and Noble minded as to attempt the enterprise, then happie bee your fortune. And knowe braue Knight, that this tower lieth westward, from hence some thréescore miles, and thereupon shée tooke him by the hand, and caused Sabra likewise to alight from her Palfray and led them both into her Pauilion: where they were feasted most royally, and for that night slept securely: But when the dayes bright windowes opened, and the Mor­ning Sunne began to glister, in all the haste saint George that valiant minded Champion, arose from his swéet con­tent, and Armed him selfe: where after hee had taken hys leaue of the Quéene, and gaue her thankes for hys curte­ous entertainement, and also taken hys leaue of Sabra: whome he left in companie of the Quéenes maides, till hys returne with conquest, and so rode foorth till it was Noone, and then he entred into a déepe Ualley, and euer hee rode lower and lower. It was then a faire day, and the Sun shined cleare: but by that time he had ridden two miles and a halfe, he had lost both the light of the Sunne, and also the sight of heauen: for it was there as darke as night, & more dismall than the déepest dungeon▪

[Page 181]At last he found a mighty riuer with streames as blacke as pitch, and the bankes were so high, that the water coulde scarce bee séene running vnderneath, and it was so full of Serpents, that none could enter amongst them that euer re­turned backe with life: Abou [...] his heade flewe monstrous byrds and diuers Griffons, who were able to beare away an Armed Knight horse and all, and were in as great multi­tudes, as though they had béene Starlings: Also there were flyes as bigge as nuts, and as blacke as pitch, which s [...]ung him and his horse so grieuously, that there issued downe such store of bloode, that it changed his horse from a sable to a crimson colour: likewise the Griffons strook at saint George with theyr talents so furiously, that had not hee defended himselfe with his shield, which couered his whole body, hée had béene pierced to the hart.

In this dangerous manner rode he on, till he came to the gates of the inchaunted Tower, where as the Gyant sate in his yron coate vpon a blocke▪ with a mace of steele in his hand, who at the first sight of saint George, beate his téeth so mightely together, that they rung like the strokes of an Anuile, and ran raging like a Fiende of hell, thinking to haue taken the Champion horse and all in his long téeth, that were as sharpe as stéele, and to haue borne them pre­sently into the Tower: But when saint George perceiued his mouth open, he tooke his sword and thrust therein so far, that it made the Gyant to roare so lowd, that the Elements séemed to thunder, and the earth to tremble, his mouth smoakt like a fiery Furnace. and his eyes rowled in his head lik [...] brands of flaming fier: the wounde was so great, and the blood issued so fast from the Gyants mouth, that his cou­rage began to quayle, and against his will, he was forced to yéeld to the Champions mercy, and to beg for life, to which saint George agreed, but vppon condition, that the Gyant would discouer all the secrets of the Tower, and euer after [...]e sworne his true seruant, and to attend on him with all dilligence: To which the Giant swore by hys own soule, [Page 182] neuer to leaue him in extreamitie, & to answere him truely to all questions whatsoeuer: Then saint George demaun­ded the cause of the darkenes, and how it might be ceased, to which the Gyant answered in this manner.

There was within this Countrie about some twelue yeares since, a cunning Nigromancer that by Inchaunt­ment built this Tower, the which you nowe beheld, and therein caused a tyrrible fire to spring from the earth, that cast such a smoake ouer the whole land: whereby the peo­ple that were wont to dwell therein are fled and famished for hunger: Also this Inch [...]unter by his Arte, made the Riuer that you haue passed, the which did neuer man be­fore this time without death: Also within the T [...]wer nere vnto the fire, there standes a faire and plentifull fountaine: to which if euer any Knight be able to attaine, and cast the water thereof into the fire: then shall the darkenes euer af­ter cease, and the Inchantment end: for which cause I haue béene bound to guard and kéepe this Tower from the at­chiuement of any Knight.

Thus when the Giant had ended hys discourse, saint George commaunded him to remaine at the Gat [...], for hee would aduenture to end the Inchauntment, and deliuer the Countrie from so grieuous a plague: Then went hee close by the windowes of the Tower, the which were sixteene speares in length and breadth, til he came to a little wicket, through which hee must néedes enter▪ yet was it set as thicke with pickes of stéele, as the pricks of an Urchens skinne, to the intent that no Knight should approach neare vnto the dore, nor once attempt to enter the Tower: yet with great danger he opened the wicket: whereout came such abundance of smoake, that the darkenes of the coun­trie doubled: so that neyther Torch nor Candle woulde burne in any place: yet neuertheles saint George entred, and went downewardes vpon stayers, where hee could sée nothing: but yet felt so many great blowes vpon his Bur­gonet, that he was constrayned to knéele vpon his knées, & [Page 183] with his shield to defend himselfe, or els he had beene brused to peeces: At last hee came to the bottome, and there hee found a faier great vault, where he felt so tyrrible a heate, that he sweat excéedingly, and as he felt about him, hee per­ceaued that he approached néere the fire, and going a little further he espied out the Fountaine, whereat hee greatlie reioyced: and so he tooke his shield, and bore therein as much water as he could and cast it into the fire: In conclusi­on, labouring so long till the fire was cleane quenched, then began the skyes to receaue their perfect lightnes, and the golden Sunne to shine most clearelie about him, whereby hee plainely perceaued how there stoode vppon the stayers many great Images of Brasse, holding in their handes mightie Maces of stéele, the which had done him much trou­ble at his comming downe: but then their power was en­ded, the fire quenched, and the Inchauntment finished.

Thus when saint George through hys inuincible forti­tude had performed this dangerous aduenture, hee grew wearie of trauaile: what with heate and sweating, and the mightie blowes he receaued from the Br [...]zen Images, that he returned againe to the little wicket: whereas the deformed Gyant still remayned: who when he beheld the Champion returne both safe and sound, hee fell vppon hys knée before him and said.

Sir Knight you are most welcome, and happilie retur­ned: for you are the flower of Chiualrie, and the brauest Champion in the world. Commaund my seruice, dutie and obedience: for whilst I liue I doe protest by the burning Banckes of Acharon, neuer to follow any Knight but you, and thereupon I kisse your golden spurre, which is the No­ble badge of Knighthood.

This humble submission of the Gyant caused the Cham­pion to reioyce, not for his ouerthrow, but that he had got­ten so mighty a seruant: then vnlaced he his Helmet, and laie downe after hys wearie Encounter, where after hee had sufficiently rested himselfe, he tooke his iournie in com­panie [Page 184] of the Gyant to the Amazonian Quéene: where he left hys Lady, in companie of her virgins: who like a kinde, modest, and vertuous wife, during all the time of her husbands absence, continually praied to the immortal pow­ers of heauen, for his fortunate successe, and happy returne, otherwise resoluing her selfe, if the lowring destenies should crosse hys intent, and vnluckilie end his dayes before the ad­uenture were accomplished: then to spende the remnant of her life, amongst th [...]se happie virgins: But on the sodaine before the Queene and her virgins were a ware, S. George ariued before the Pauillion, dutifully attended on by the Giant: who bore vpon his shoulder the body of a tal Oake, by which the Quéene knewe that his prowesse had redée­med her country from darkenes, and deliuered her from sor­row, care, and trouble: so in companie of he [...] maides ve­ry gorgeously atired, she conducted the Champion to a bow­er of Roses, intermingled with créeping vines, the which in his absence, they had planted for hys Ladies delight: there found he Sabra at her diuine prayers, like a solitarie Widdow, clad in mourning habilliments: but when shee beheld her Lord returne in saftie, she banished griefe, & in al haste ran vnto him, & in his bosome rauished her selfe with pleasure: But to speake how the Amazonian Queene feasted them, and in what maner shée and her Maides deui­sed pastimes for their contents, were too tedious to repeate: but when night gaue end to their pleasures, & sléep summo­ned all things to a quiet silence, the Queene brought them to a very sumptuous lodging: wherein stood a bed framed with Ebon wood ouerhung with manye pendants of gold, the Tik [...] was stuft with Downe of Turtle-Doue, the shéetes of Maedian silke: thereon lay a rich quilt wrought with cotten, couered with dammaske, and sticht with threds of gold. The Quéene bestowed on saint George at hys go­ing to bed, an imbrothered shirt, curiouslie wrought with many rare deuises, as the labors of Hercules, the triumphs of Mars, & the loues of many Potentates wrought in such [Page 185] curious manner, as though Arte her selfe had béene the con­tri [...]er. Sabra at her going to bed was likewise presen­ted by the Quéenes maidens, with a light Kirtle of chaung­able [...]iolet, somewhat blushing on a red colour: Also they put a white Kerchiefe of silke vpon her head, somewhat lose and vntied: so that vnder the same her Iuorie throat might be easilie seene, and her faire golden haire flying about her necke: ouer them was cast a mantle of gréene silke, which made the bed seeme more beautifull, than Floraes richest or­nament: By them the Quéene and her virgins fate make­ing sweete musicke vpon their siluer tuned Lutes, till gol­den sléepe had closed vp their eyes: The which béeing done the Quéene with her Ladies departed likewise to their na­turall restes: But all this while the Giant neuer entered the Pauilion, but slept as soundly vnder the roote of a Pin [...] trée, as saint George did in his imbrothered bed, for he knew not what pleasures belonged thereunto, nor neuer before that time behelde any womans face: At last the night withdrew her blacke Curtens, and gaue the morning leaue to appeare, whose fearefull light caused saint George to for­sake hys bed, and to walke some few miles to ouerview the Countrie: In which iournie hée tooke such excéeding plea­sure, that hee thought it the goodliest Realme that euer hee saw: for he perceiued well, how that it was full of world­lie wealth.

At last hee climbed vp to the toppe of a high Mountaine béeing some two miles from the Queenes Pauilion: where­on he stood and beheld many stately Townes and Towers, high and mightie Castels, many large woods & meadowes, and manie pleasant Riuers, and about the Townes faire Uines, goodlie Pastures and fields: At last he behelde the Cittie of Argenia shining against the Sun, the place where the Quéene in former time was wont to keepe her Court: which Cittie was inuironed with déepe Ditches, the wals strongly builded, & more than fiue hundred Towers made of lime and stone: also he saw many faire Churches couered [Page 186] with Lead, hauing toppes and fyiers of gold, shining most gorgeously with weather Cockes of siluer glistring a­gainst the Sun: also he saw the Burgesses houses stande like Pallaces closed with high and strong walles, barred with chaines of Iron from house to house: whereat in his hart he praised much the Noblenes and richnes of the Cit­tie, and saide to himselfe that it might well be called Arge­nia, for it séemed to be of Argent, that is as much to say of siluer.

During the time of the Champions pleasurable walke, which continued from the breake of day, to the closing of the euening, behapned a wofull Tragedie nere vnto the Quéenes Pauilion, committed by the monstrous Gyant, whome S. George brought from the Inchaunted Tower: For that same morning when the Sun had mounted some few degrées into the firmament: Seauen of the Quéenes Uirgins in Sabraes companie, walked into a pleasant thic­ket of trees adioyning to her Pauilion, not onely to take the pleasure of the mornings aire: but to heare the chirping mellodie of birdes: In which thicket or groaue vnder a Pyne trée this Giant lodged the passed night: for no sooner came these beautiful Ladies vnder the branches of the trées, but the Giant cast his eye vpon them, whose rare perfecti­ons so fired the heart of the lustfull Gyant, that hee must eyther quench his desires with the spoyle of their chasteties, or end hys dayes in some monstrous manner: Therefore he starts vp from the place where he lay, and with a wrath­full countenance ran amōgst the Ladies▪ and catching them all eyght at once betwixt hys Armes, hee bore them to the furthest side of the groue, where hee rauished seauen of the Quéenes Maidens, and afterward deuoured them aliue in­to his loathsome bowels: But Sabra beeing the eighth of that wofull number, [...]hich in her sight she beheld butchered by that bloodie wolfe: still continuing the time of their ra­uishments, making h [...]r supplication to the Gods, that they would in mercie defend her chastetie from the lustfull ra [...]e [Page 187] of so wicked a monster, and immediatly vpon these wordes she saw an vglie toade come crauling before her: through which by pollicie shee saued her life, and preserued her Ho­nour: For she tooke the toade betwixt her hands, & crushed the venome from her impoysoned bowels, wherewith shee all to be sprinckled her face: so that presently her saier beau­tie, was chaunged into loathsome blisters: for she then see­med more like [...] a creature deformed with Leprosie, than a Ladie of excellent feature. At length shée beeing the last of all, her time came that she should be deflowred, and the lust­full Gyant came to fetch her: but when hee beheld her vi­sage so inuenomed, he loathed her sight, seeking neyther to rauish her, nor proffering to deuoure her: but disconten­tedly wandred away, greatly greeuing at the committed crime, and sorely repenting himselfe of so wicked a déede: not onely for the spoyle of the seauen Uirgins, but for the wronges proffered to so Noble a Knight: who not onelie graunted him libertie of life, but receaued him into his ser­uice: therefore he raged vp and downe the groaue, making the earth to tremble at hys exclamations: one while cursing his fortune and houre of creation: another while banning hys Sire and diuelish Dam: But when hee remembred the Noble Champion saint George, whose angry frowne he would not sée for all the world: therefore to preuent the same, he runne his heade most furiously against a knobbed Oake and brayned himselfe: where wee will leaue him now weltring in hys blood, and speake what became of Sa­b [...] after this bloody accident: for after she had wandred vp and downe the thicket many a wearie steppe, incensing heauen against the Giants crueltie: the Sunne began to set, and the darke night drew on, which caused her thus to complaine.

O you immortall powers of heauen, and you celestiall Planets, béeing the true guiders of the firmaments! o­pen your bright celestiall gates, and send some fatall Plan­net, or some burning thunderbolt, to rid mee from the vale [Page 188] of miserie, for I will neuer more returne to my beloued Lord, sith I am thus deformed, and made an vglie creature, my loathsome face will proue a corasiue to his hart, and my bodie a torment to his soule, my sight will be displeasant, my company hated, my presence loathed, and euery one will shun my sight as from a Crocadiles: therefore I will re­maine within this groue, till the heauens either bring mee to my former beauty, or ende my languishing misery▪ yet witnesse heauen of my loyalty vnto my Lorde, and in what extreamity I haue maintained my chastety, in remem­brance of my true loue here will I leaue this chaine of gold, for my beloued Lord to finde, that he may knowe, for his sake I haue indured a world of woe: At which spéeches she tooke her Chayne (which was doubled twenty times about her necke) and left it lying all be smeard in the blood of those virgins whome the Gyant had rauished and slayne, and so betooke her selfe to a sad and solitary life, intending neuer to come in the sight of men, but to spend her dayes wandring in the woods: where we will likewise leaue her for a time & speake of saint George, who by this was returned to the Quéenes Pauillion, where hee missing his Lady, and had intelligence how that shee in company of seauen other La­dies, walked in the morning into a pleasant groue, to heare the mellody of byrdes, and since that time no newes hath béene heard of them: for as then it grewe towardes night, which caused saint George greatly to mistrust that some mischance had befalne his Lady: then he demaunded what was become of the Giant, but answere was made that hee was neyther séene nor heard off since morning, which caused him greatly to suspect the Gyants treachery, and how that by his meanes the Ladyes were preuented of theyr purpo­sed pleasures.

Therefore in all hast like a franticke man he ran into the thicket, filling each corner with clamours and resounding ecchoes of her name, and calling for Sabra through euery bramble bush: but there he could neyther heare the voyce of [Page 189] Sabra, nor the answere of any other Ladie, but the wofull eccho of his exclamations, which ratled through the leaues of trees: then began he to waxe something melancholie & passionate, wearing the time away with wofull lamenta­tions, till bright Cinthia mounted on the Hemispheeres: by whose glistring beames, he saw the ground besprinckled with purple gore, & found the chaine that Sabra was wont to weare about her necke all be smeerde in blood▪ he bitterlie complained against his owne fortune, and his Ladies hap­les destenie, for he supposed then that the Gyant had mur­thered her.

O discontented sight (said he) heere lies the blood of my beloued Ladie, the truest woman that euer Knight inioyed: that bodie which for excellence deserued a Monument of gold, more richer than the Toombe of Angelica, I feare lyes buried in the bowels of that monstrous Gyant, whose life vnhapps [...]ie I graunted. Héere is the chaine besmeered with blood, which at our first acquaintance I gaue her in a Courtlie Maske. This golden chaine I say stained with the blood of my deare Ladie, shall for euermore bee kept within my bosome, ne [...]e vnto my bleeding hart, that I may st [...]ll remember her true loue, faith and constancie: but fond foole that I am, why doe I talke in vaine? It will not re­compence her murthered soule, the which me thinks I heare howe it calles for reuenge in euerie corner of this groane: It was I that left her careleslie within the daunger of the Gyant, whome I little m [...]strusted: therefore will I méete her in the Elizian shades, and craue remission for my com­mitted trespasse, for on this Oake I will abridge my life, as did the worthie Knight Melmerophon for the loue of his Ladie Sillera: which lamentation béeing no sooner en­ded, but he tooke the chaine of gold and fastned one ende to the Arme of a great Oake, and the other end to hys own necke, intending presentlie to strangle himselfe, but hea­uen preuented his desperate intent after a straunge manner: For vnder the sam [...] trée the brayned Gyant lay not yet fully [Page 190] dead, who in this manner spake to saint George.

O stay thy hand most Noble and inuincible Knight the worlds chiefe wonder for admired Chiualrie, and let my dying soule conuer [...] thee from so wicked a deed: Seauen vir­gins in this Thicket haue I rauished, and buried all their bodyes in my accursed bowelles: but before I could deflow­er, the eighth, in a straunge manner hir bright beauty was conuerted in to a loathsome leprosie, whereby I detested hir sight, and lost hir chastetye vndefiled: but by hir sad com­playnts I since haue vnderstood, how that she is your Ladie and Lo [...], and to this hower she hath hir residence with in the c [...]uite of this thicket, and thereuppon with a dolefull grone which seemed to shake the ground he had a due to the world▪ then saint George being glad to heare such tydings reuerted from his desperate intent, and searched vp and downe the Groue, till he found Sabra where shee sate, sor­rowing vnder the braunches of a mulberie trée, betwixt whome was a sad and heauie greeting, and as they walked backe to the Queenes Pauillion, shee discoused to him the truth of this bloody stratagem: where shee remayned till the Amazonian Quéene had cured her leprosie by the secret vertue of her skill: of whome after they had taken leaue, & giuen her thankes for her kinde curtesies, saint George with hys Ladie tooke their iournie towards Persia, where the Christian Armies lay incampt: At whose ariuall you shall heare strange and woonderfull thinges, the like was neuer done in any age.

SAint George hauing atchiued the aduen­ture of the Inchaunted Tower, and Sa­bra the Furie of the lustfull Gyant: they tooke their iournie towards Persia, where the Christian Champions lay incamped before the Seldans great Cit­tie of Graund Belgor, a place most straungely fortefied with spirits and other gastlie illusions by the Inchauntment of Osmond, whome you heard be­fore in the last Chapter, to bee the rarest Nigr [...]mancer in the world: But as the English Champion with his La­die trauiled thetherward, they hapned into a D [...]sart, and mightie Wildernes, ouergrowne with loftie Pines, & Ce­der trées, and many huge and mightie Oakes, the sprea­ding braunches whereof, séemed to withold the light of hea­uen from their vntroden passages, and the toppes for excee­ding height to reach into the Elements: the Inhabitantes were Siluaines, Satiers, Faieries, and other woodie Nimphes, which by day sported vp and downe the Forrest, and by night tended the pleasure of Proserpine the Fayrie Quéene. The musicke of siluer sounding birds, so cheare­fullie [Page 192] resounding through the woodes, and the whistling winde made [...]uch m [...]l [...]die amongst the leaues of trees, that it rauished their [...]eces like the harmonie of Angels, & made them thinke they had entred the shades of gladsome Elizi­an: one while they wondred at the beautie of the Woods, which nature had ornefied with a Sommers liuerie: ano­ther while at the gréene and fragrant grasse, drawne out in round circles by the Fayries daunces: so long till they had lost themselues amongst the vnknown passages, not know­ing how nor by what meanes to recouer the per [...]ect path of the [...]e intended iournie, but were constrained to wander in the Wildernes like solitarie Pilgrims, spending the daie with wearie steps, and the night with vaine imaginations, euen as a childe when hee hath lost himselfe in a populous Citt [...]e, runneth vp and downe not knowing how to retur [...]e to his natiue dwelling: Euen so it hapned to these two lost and disconsolate trauailers: for when they had wandred ma­ny dayes one waie, and finding no end to their toyles, they retired backeward to the place of their first setting foorth: where they were wont to heare the noyse of people resound in Countrie Uillages, and to méete trauailers posting from place to place: but now they heard nothing but blustring of windes▪ ratling in the woods, making the brambles to whi­stle, and the trées to groane, and now and then to méete a speckled beast like to the rainebow, weltring from his Den to séeke his naturall sustenance: In their trauaile by night they were wont to heare the crowing Cocke, recording glad tydings of the chearefull dayes approach, the naying of horses in pasture fields, and the barcking of dogs in Far­mers houses: but now they were affrighted with the ro­ring of Lyons, yelling of Caues, the crooking of Toades in rootes of rotten trées, and the rufull sound of Prognies rauishment, recoroded by the Nightingale.

In this solitarie manner wearied they the rouling time away, till thrice thrée times the siluer Moone had renewed her borrowed light: by which time the burthen of Sabraes [Page 193] wombe began to grow painefull, [...]nd the fruite of her bodie to waxe ripe, the houre of her deliuerie drew on, wherein she required Lucinaes help to make saint George the father of a Princely Sonne: time called for Midwiues to aide & bring her Babe into the world, and to make her a happ [...]e mother: but before the painefull houre of her deliuerie ap­proacht, Saint George had prouided her a bower of [...] braunches, which he erected betwixt two pleasant Hilles▪ where in steede of a Princely Cabbinet, be hung with Ar­ras and rich Tapestrie, shee was constrained to suffice her selfe with a simple lodging, couered with Roses and other fragrant flowers: her bedde hee made of greene mosse and thistle Downe, béeset curiously rounde about with Oliue braunches, and the sprigges of an Orring trée, which made it séeme more beautifull than Floraes Pauillion, or Dianaes Mansion: but at the last when shée felt the paynes of her wombe grow intollerable, and the seed readie to be reaped, and how she was in a Wildernes deuoyde of womens com­pany, that should be readie to assist her in so secret a matter, shée cast her selfe downe vppon her mossie bed, and with a blushing countenance she discouered her minde in this order to saint George.

My most deare and louing Lord (quoth shée) my true & onely companion at all times and seasons except at this houre, for it is the painefull houre of my deliuerie: there­fore depart from out the hearing of my cryes, and commit my fortune to the pleasures of the heauens: for it is not conuenient for any mans e [...]e to behold the secrets of a wo­man in such a case: stay not I say deare Lorde to sée the In­fant now sprawling in my wombe to be deliuered from the bed of his creation, forsake my presence for a time, and let mée like the Noble Quéene of Fraunce, obtaine the fauour of some Fayrie to be my Midwife, that my Babe may be as happily borne in this Wildernes, as was her valiant Sons Vallentine and Orson: the one of them was cherrisht by a King, and the other by a Beare; yet both of them grew fa­mous [Page 194] in their déedes: My paine is great deare Lord, there­fore depart my Cabbinet, and before bright Phoebus lodg­eth in the W [...]st, I shall eyther be a happie mother, or a liue­les body: thou a ioyfull Father, or a sorrowfull Widdower. At which wordes Saint George sealed agreement with a kisse and silently departed without any reply: but with a thousand sighes he had her adue, and so tooke his way to the top of a Moūtaine, being in distance frō hys Ladies abyding a quarter of a mile: there kneeled hee during the time of her trauailes, with hys bare knées vpon the bowels of the earth, neuer ceasing prayer, but continually soliciting the M [...]estie of God, to graunt his Lady a speedy deliuerie: at whose diuine orizons the heauens seemed to relent, and all the time of her paine, co [...]ered the worlde with a vale of darkenes: whole flights of birdes, with Troupes of vnta­med beasts [...]ame flocking round about the Mountain where he knéeled, and in their kindes assisted his celestiall contem­plations: where I will leaue him for a time, and speake what hapned to Sabra in the middle of her paynes and ex­treamitie of her trauailes: for after saint Georges depar­ture, the furie of her griefe so raged in her wombe, that it exceeded the boundes of reason, whereby hys hart was con­strained to breath so many scortching sighes, that they sée­med to blast the leaues of trées, and to wither the flowers which beautefied her Cabbinet: her burthened tormentes caused her star-bright eyes like fountaines to distill downe siluer drops, and all the rest of her bodie to tremble like a Castle in a tyrrible earthquake: so grieuous was her paynes, and rufull was her cryes, that shee caused the mercilesse Tygers to relent, and vntamed Lyons with other wilde Beastes, like sillie Lambes to sit and bleate: her grieuous cryes and bitter moanes, caused the Heauens as it were to bleede their vapours downe, and the earth to wéepe a spring of teares: both hearbes and trées did s [...]eme to droope, hard stonie Rockes to sweate when shee complayned.

[Page 195]At last her pittifull cries pearced downe too the lowest vaults of direfull Di [...], where Proserp [...]e [...]is Crowned a­mongst her Fayries, and so preuailed: that in all haste she ascended from her regiment to worlde this Ladies [...] deli­uerie, and [...]o make her mother of [...]: who [...] the du­tie of [...] her wombe, and safe­lie brought her [...] into the wor [...]d: At whose first sight the heauens began to smile, and the earth to reioyce, as a signe and token that in time to come, they would proue thrée of the Noblest Knights in the world.

This [...]urteous déede of Proserpine ▪ béeing no sooner per­formed: but she laide the three boyes in three most rich and sumptuous Cradles, the which she caused her Fayries to fetch inuicible from thrée of the richest kinges in the world, and therewithall mantles of silke, with other things ther­vnto belonging: Likewise she caused a winged S [...]er to fetch from the furthiest borders of India, a couering of dam­maske Ta [...]tie imbrodered with gold, the most richest or­nament that euen mortall eye behelde: for thereon was wrought and [...] portraied by the curious skill of Indian [...], how God created heauen and earth, the w [...]ndring courses both of Sunne and Moone, and likewise howe the golden Plannets daylie doe prodominate: Also there is no Storie in anye age remembred since the beginning of the world, but it was thereon most p [...]fectly wrought: So ex­cellent it was that Art herselfe could neuer deuise a cuning­er. With this rich and sumptuous ornament shee couered the Ladies Childe-bed: whereby it seemed to surpasse in brauerie the gorgeous bed of Iuno Queene of heauen: whē first she entertained imperious Ioue. After this Proser­pine laid vnder euerie childes pillow a siluer Tablet, wher­on was written in letters of gold, their good and happy for­tunes. Under the first were these verses caractered, who at that time lay frowning in hys Cradle like the God of Warre.

Under the pillow of the second Babe was caractered these verses following: who lay in his cradle smil [...]g like Cupid vpon the la [...]e of Dido, whome V [...]nus [...] to the liknes of As [...]nius.

Lastly, vnder the pillow of the third were these verses likewise caractred, who blushed in his cradle like Pallas when her stroue for the golden aple with Venus and the Quéene of heauen.

[Page 197]Thus when the Fayrie Quéene had ended her Prophe­sie vpon the Children, and had left their golden Fortunes lying in their Cradles, she vanished away, leauing the La­dy reioycing at her safe deliuerie, and woondred at the gifts of Proserpine; which she coniectured to bée but shadowes to dazell her eyes, and thinges of a va [...]ing substance: but when shée had laide her b [...]ndes vppon the riche couering of Dammaske Taffatie which couered her mossie bed, and felt that it was the selfe same forme that it séemed: shée cast her eyes with a chearefull looke vp to the Maiestie of heauen, and not onely gaue thankes to immortall Ioue for her rich receaued benefits: but for his mercifull kindnes in make­ing her the happie Mother of three such goodly children: but we will now returne againe to the noble Champion Saint George, whome we left praying vppon the mountaine top: and as you heard before, the skies were ouerspred with Sa­ble Cloudes, as though they had béene mourning witnesses of hys Ladies torments: but before the golden Sunne had diu'de into watry The [...]is lap, the [...]lemen began to cleare, & to withdraw her former mourning Mantles: by which he supposed that heauen had pi [...]ied his Ladies paines, & gran­ted her a safe deliuerie: therefore in all hast he retired back to the Siluaine Cabbinet, the which he found most strange­ly deckt with sumptuous habilllments, hys Lady lying in her Child-bed as glorious, as if shee had béene the greatest Empresse in the world, and three Princely boyes swéetlie sléeping in their seuerall Cradles: At whose first sight hys hart was so rauished with ioy, that for a time it with-held the passage of his tongue: but at last when hee found the siluer Tablets lying vnder the pillows, and had read the happie fortunes of his Children, he ran vnto his Ladie, im­braced her most louinglie, and kindely demaunded the true discourse of that strange accident, and by whose meanes the bower was beautefied so gorgeouslie, and the prop [...]under of his Childrens Prophesie: who with a countenance blush­ing like the purple Morning, replied in this manner.

[Page 198]My most deare and welbeloued Lord, the paynes I haue indured to make you the happie Father of thrée louelie boyes▪ hath béene more tyrrible than the str [...]ake of death: but yet my deliuerie more ioyfull than the pleasures of Eli­zian: the windes carried my groanes to euerie corner of this Wildernes, whereby both trées and hearbes assisted my complaints, beasts, birdes, and feathered foules, with euerie sensses thinge that nature framed on this earth, see­med to agrauate my mones: but in the middle of my tor­ments, when my soule was readie to forsake this worldlie habitation: there appeared to me a Quéene Crowned with a golden Diadem, in state and gesture, like imperious Iu­no, and in beautie to diuine Diana: her garments for bra­uerie seemed to staine the Raine-bow in her brightest hue, and for diuersitie in colours, to surpasse the Flowers in the fieldes: On her attended many beautifull Nimphes, some clad in garments in colour like the marble Ocean, some in attire as gallant as the purple Rose, and some more glo­rious than the azurde firmaments: her wisedome might compare with Apolloes ▪ her iudgement with Pallas, and her skill with Lucinaes: for no sooner entred she my presence but my trauailes ceased, and my wombe deliuered vp her grieuous burthen: my Bab [...]s béeing brought to light by the vertue of her skill, she prepared these rich and sumptu­ous Cradles, the which were brought inuisible to my Cab­binet: Likewise these Mantled & this imbrothered Co­uerled she franckly bestowed vpon me, and so immediatlie vanished away.

At which wordes saint George gaue her so many kinde imbraces, and kissed her so louingly, as though it had bin the first day of their Nuptials: At last her hunger increased, and her desires thirsted so much after foode, that except shée receaued some comfortable sustenance, her life were in dan­ger. This extreame desire of Sabra, caused S. George to burkle on his Armour, & to vnsheath his trustie sword, rea­dy to gorge the intrails of some Deare: who swore by the [Page 199] honor of true Knighthood, neuer to rest in peace, till he had purchased his hearts content. My Loue (quoth he) I will aduenture for thy sake, more daungers than Iason [...]id for Medeas loue: Ile search the thickest Groues, and chase the nimble Doe to death: the flying Foule Ile follow vp & downe from tree to trée, till ouer wearied they doe fall and die: For loue of thee and these my tender Babes, whome I estéeme more dearer than the Conquest of rich Babilon: I will aduenture more daungers than di [...] Hercules for the loue of Dianaria, and more extreames than Turnus did in hys blody battels, & thereupon with hys Fanchion readie charged, he traced the woods, leauing no thornie brake nor mossie Caue vnsearcht, till he had sound a heard of fallow Deare: from which number hee singled out the fattest to make hys Lady a bountifull banquet: but in the time of his absence there hayned to Sabra a straunge and wonder­full accident: for there came weltring into her Cabbinet thrée most wilde and monstrous beastes, a Lyon, a Tyger, and a shée Wolfe, which tooke the Babes out of their cra­dles, and bore them to their secret Canes.

At which sight, Sabra like one distraught of sence, star­ted from her bed, and to her weake power offered to follow the Beastes: but all in vaine: for before shee coulde get without her Cabbinet, they were past sight, and the Chil­drens cryes without her hearing: then like a discontented woman she turned backe, beating her breasts, re [...]ding her haire, and raging vp and downe her Cabbinet, vsing all the rigour she could deuise against her selfe, and had not Saint George returned the sooner, she had most violently com­mitted her owne slaughter: but at his returne when he be­held her face stayned with teares, her head disrobde of or­naments, and her Iuorie breastes all to bee rent and torne, he cast downe his venison, and in all haste asked the cause of her sorrow.

O (said she) this is the wofullest day that euer hapt to [...]e: for in the time of your vnhappie hunting a Lyones, a [Page 200] Tygresse, and a Wolfe came into my Cabbinet and tooke my Children from their Cradles, what is become of them I know not: but greatly I feare by this time, they are in­toombed within their hungry bowels.

O simple Monuments (quoth he) for such swéet Babes! Well Sabra, if the monsters haue berea [...]ed mee of my children: this bloody sword that diu [...]de into the intrailes of fallow Deare, shall riue my wofull heart in twaine. Ac­cursed be this fatall day: the Planets that predominate, & Sunne that shines thereon: Heauen blot it from the yere, and let it neuer more be numbred, but accounted for a dis­mall day through all the world: let all the trees bee blasted in these accursed woods: let hearbes and grasse consume a way and die, and all thinges perish in this Wildernes: but why breath I out these curses in vaine, when as me thinks I heare my Children in vntamed Lyons dens crying for help and succour: I come swéet Babes I come, eyther to redéeme you from the Tygers wrathfull Iawes, or make my graue within their bowels: then tooke hee vp [...]s sword besméered all with blood, and like a man bereau [...]e of wit and sence raged vp and downe the Wildernes, search­ing euerie corner for hys Children: but hys Lady remay­ned still in her Cabbinet lamenting for their losse▪ washing their Cradles with her Pearled teares that trickled downe her stayned chéekes like siluer drops.

Many waies wandred saint George: sometimes in val­lies where W [...]lfes and Tygers lurke: sometimes on mountaine toppes where Lyons whelpes doe sporte and play, and many times in dismall thickets where Snakes and Serpents liue.

Thus wandred S. George vp & downe the Wildernes for the space of two dayes, hearing no newes of hys vnchri­stened Children: At last he approached the sight of a plea­sant Riuer, which smoothlie glided downe betwixt two Mountaines: into whose streames be purposed to cast him­selfe, and so by a desperate death giue end to hys sorrowes: [Page 200] But as hee was committing his bodie to the mercie of the waters, and his soule to the pleasure of the heauens, hee heard a farre off the rufull s [...]rike as he thought of a comfort­les Babe: which sodaine noyse caused him to refraine hys desperate purpose, and with more discreation tender his owne safetie: Then casting his eye aside, it was his hap­pie destenie to spie the thrée inhumane beastes lying at the foote of the hill, tumbling themselues against the warme Sunne, and his thrée prettie babes sucking from their wombes their most vnkindly milke: which spectackle so in­couraged the Champion, that without further aduisement, with his single sword he assayled at one time the thrée Mon­sters, but so furiously they pursued him, that he little preuai­led, and being almost breathlesse, was forced to leape into an Oringe trée, else had hee béene buried in theyr mercilesse bowels: but when the thrée wilde beasts perceiued him a­boue theyr reaches, and that by no meanes they could come néere him, with theyr wrathfull iawes they so rent and tore the roote of the trée, that if by pollicie hee had not preuented them, the trée had béene puld in pieces, for at that time it was so full of ripe Oringes, and so ouerloden, that the bran­ches séemed to bend, and the boughes to breake: of which frute he cast such abundance downe to the beastes, whereby they restrained theyr furies, and fedde so fast thereon, that in short time they grew drunke, and quite ouercome with a dead and heauy sléepe, this good and happy fortune caused S. George nimbly to leape from the trée, and with his kéene edged sword, deliuered theyr monstrous heades from theyr bodies the which being done he went to his children, lying comfortlesse vppon a mossy banke, who so pleasantly smiled in his face, that they made him greatly to reioyce, and to receiue as great pleasure in theyr sights, as though hee had béene honoured with the Conquests of Caesar, or the Royal­ty of Alexander, therefore after he had giuen them his bles­sing, he tooke them vp in his Armes, and spake these wordes following.

[Page 201]Come, come my pretty Babes, your safe deliueries from these inhumane Monsters, will adde long life vnto your mo­ther, and hath preserude your father from a desperate death: from henceforth let heauen be your guides, and send you as happy fortunes as Remus and Romulus, the first founders of imperious Rome, which in theyr infancies were nurced with the milke of a rauenous Wolfe: and as prosperous in your aduentures, as was that Persian Potentate which fed vppon the milke of a Bitch: At the ende of which spéeches he approached the Cabbinet, where he left his Lady mourn­ing for the losse of her children: but at his returne, he found her almost without sence or moouing, being not able to giue him a ioyfull welcome, whereat hee fell into this extreame passion of sorrow.

O fortune, fortune (quoth hee) how many griefes heap­est thou vppon my heade? wilt thou néedes inioyne me to an endles sorrow? Sée, Sabra see, I haue redéemed our sonnes and freed them from the Tygers bloody iaws, whose wrath­full countenance did threaten death: Which comfortable speeches caused her presently to reuiue, and to take the silly Infants in her Armes, laying them sweetly vpon her yuo­rie bosome, at which they seemed to smile as [...]easantly, as Cupid vpon the lappe of Dido, when Aeneas sported in the C [...]u [...]t of Carthage, the kinde imbraces, louing spéeches, and ioyfull conference that past betwixt the Champion and his Lady, were now too long to be discoursed: But to be short, they remayned in the wildernesse without fu [...]ther distur­bance either of wilde beasts or other accident, till Sabra had recouered hir Child-bed sicknes: and then beeing conducted b [...] a happie starre, they returned backe the readie way to Christendome▪ where after some few dayes trauaile they ariued in the Bohemian Court, where the King of that Countrie, [...] two other bordering Princes, most Royal­ly Christned [...] Children: The eldest they named Guy: the second Alexa [...]der ▪ and the third Dauid: the which be­ing performed, and the Triumphes ended: which in most [Page 202] sumpteous manner continued, for the space of one month: then the Bohemian King for the great loue hee bare vnto S. George, prouided most honourably for his childrens bringing vp: First, he appoynted thrée seuerall Embassa­dours, with all things necessary for so Princely a charge, to conduct the thrée Infants to thrée seuerall Countries: the first and eldest, whose fortune was to be a souldier, he sent to the imperiall Citty of Rome, (being then the wonder of the world for Martiall discipline) there by the Emperour to bee trayned vp. The seconde, whose fortune was to bee a Courtly Prince, hee sent to the rich and plentifull Country of England, being the pride of Christendome for all delight­full pleasures: The third and last, whose fortune was to prooue a Scholler, he sent into Germany, to the Uniuersity of Wittenberge, beeing thought at that time to bee the ex­cellenst place of learning, that remayned throughout the whole world.

Thus were saint Georges Children prouided for by the Bohemian King: For when the Embassadours were in a readinesse, the ships for theyr passage furnished, and their attendance appoynted, saint George in the company of his Lady, the King of Bohemia with his Quéene, and a trayne of Lords, gentlemen, and Ladyes, conducted them to ship­bord, where the winde serued them so prosperously, that in short time they bid adew to the shore, and sayled chearefully away: But as saint George returned backe to the Bohe­mian Court, it was his chaunce to come by an olde ruina­ted Monastery, vnder whose walles in former time his Fa­ther was buried, the which he knewe by certaine verses that was carued in stone ouer his graue by the Commons of the Country (as you may reade before in the beginning of this History.) Ouer the same, he requested of the King, that hée might erect a stately Monument, that the remembra [...]ce of his name might liue for euer, and not be buried in the graue of obscurity.

To which reasonable demaund, the King most willingly [Page 203] consented, and in all hast gaue speciall commandement, that the cunningest Architectors that remayned within his Do­minion, should forthwith be sent for, and withall gaue a tun of gold forth of his owne treasury towards the performance thereof.

The sodaine report of this memorable déede, being bru­ted abroade, caused workemen to come from euery place of their owne accord with such willingnes, that they in short time finished it. The foundation of the Toombe, was of the purest Marble, whereon was ingrauen the frame of the earth, and how the watry Ocean was deuided: with woods groues, hilles and dales, so liuely portrayed, that it was a wonder to behold: the props and Pinacles of Allablaster, beset with knobs of Iasper stone, the sides and Pillers of the clearest Iette, vpon the topp stoode foure golden Lions, holding vp as it were an Elemen [...], therein was curiously contriued the golden Sunne and Moone, & how the heauens haue vsuall courses, with many other excellent thinges wrought both in gold and siluer, which for this time I omit, because I am forced at large to discouer the Princely procée­dings of saint George, who after the Monument was fini­shed, he with his Lady most humbly tooke their leaue of the King, thanking him for his loue, kindnes, and curtesie, and so departed towards Egypt and Persia, of whose aduentures you shall heare more in this Chapter following.

MAny straunge accidents, and dangerous aduentures saint George with his La­dy passed, before they ariued within the territories of Egipt, that I want me­morie to relate them, and A [...]te to dis­cribe them: But at last when fortune smiled, which before had long time crossed their intents with her inconstant chaunces, and had cast them happilie vpon the Egiptian shore, being the nurse and mother of Sabraes first creation: The twelue Pieres with whome saint George before time had committed the guiding of the Land, and kéeping of his Crowne, as you heard before discou [...]sed, now met him and his Ladie, at the Sea side, most richly mounted vppon their costlie trapped Stéedes, and willingly surrendred vp his Scepter, Crowne and Regiment: and after in companie of manie Princelie Estates, both of Dukes, Earles, Lordes, Knights, & Roy­all Gentlemen. They attended th [...]m to the rich Cittie of Graund Caier, being then vnder the subiection of the Egip­tian Monarchie, and the greatest Cittie in the world: For it was in breadth and compasse full threescore miles, and had by iust account within the walles twelue thousande Churches, besides Abbies, Priories, and houses of Religi­on