CHAP. I. An Account of his Birth, Education and early Valour, &c.

IN times paſt, there was Born in the Famous County of Cheſter, a young Man of excellent Beauty, promiſing very great things, even in his Infancy; to promote which, his Parents being wealthy, ſpaxed not to educate or bring him up in the beſt manner the Country would afford, nor did he as he grew up fail in any thing their expectation. In Learning he was well ſeen, and in many other matters, but nothing ſo enflamed his mind as the deſire of exerciſing himſelf in feats of Arms, and was the more incited thereto by Reading the Famous Adventures of Knight-Errants, how ſucceſsful they were in overcoming Gyants and Monſters, and reſcuing beauteous Ladies from death and miſery; and as theſe Heroick thoughts encreaſed, ſo he found his ſtrength abound. Nature not ſparing to give him many Limbs and an able Body, ſo that in his Childiſh Encounters thoſe that far ſurpaſſed him in years, were not able to reſiſt his force, nor come near him in Wreſtling, Iumping, Running, cutting the Bar, Stone or Dart; which made not his Parents but a little proud of ſuch a bleſſing, whom they had named Aurelius, as one that promiſed great things.

CHAP. II. An Account of his firſt Adventures and Enterprizes, where he won the Virgins Hearts, &c.

WHen Aurelius was at the Age of fourteen, he went to a Wake or Merry-meeing, to recreate himſelf with other Youths of the Country; where he ſo well behaved himſelf, that his courage, activity, ſtrength and beauty, gained great applauſe, and took ſo mainly with the Virgins, that ſome of them began to feel a Fever in their Minds, which Cupid, who at ſuch Merry-meetings is ſeldom wanting in promoting the Buſineſs of Love, failed not to increaſe: but he as yet not capable of feeling the Flame of Paſſion that way, regarded not their amorous glances, nor underſtood the ſilent Language of enflamed Hearts, though it notwithſtanding, created him thoſe Enemies that were cauſeleſsly jealous of him, as a moſt dangerous Rival, and who gathered their Reaſon for it, from the many praiſes their Miſtreſſes beſtowed on him in his abſence.

CHAP. III. How the fair Lucinda fell in Love with him; how thoſe ſhe deſpiſed for his ſake, conſpired againſt him.

OVr Youth increaſing his Strength and Beauty with his years, and continuing, as occaſion offered, to appear in publick amongſt thoſe admiring Virgins, that in a manner doated on him, and often wiſhed to be Miſtriſs of his Affections; Lucinda the fair Daughter of a Wealthy Shepherd was the chief, who ſought by many ways to oblige him, and to let him underſtand her Paſſion; but Modeſty ſealing her Lips, he did not, nor would not Interpret her Dumb Signs, but kept on his Merriment, without any regard of her Paſſion; which made her ſigh and grow melancholy, refuſing to entertain the Addreſs of thoſe that adored her, and doated on her Beauties, more than ſhe did on thoſe that adorned our Heroick Youth. This ſuddain alteration made them reſtleſs till they knew the Cauſe of it, which was not long e'er they did from her Virgin Companions, to whom ſhe had dropped ſome words of her Paſſion, as likewiſe by a Letter ſhe had written in order to ſend to him, by a truſty hand, but had accidentally dropped it, in which were theſe words:

Dear Aurelius,

ſeeing you do not underſtand the language of a Love-ſick Virgins Eyes, pardon my boldneſs if with Bluſhes I have taken the liberty to let you know Lucinda doats on you, and begs you would requite her Love with Love, who for your ſake renounces the reſt of mankind: then have compaſſion, or Lucinda muſt be miſerable.

Subſcribed Lucinda.

This giving the Amoriſts a full knowledge, upon whoſe account they found ſuch cold entertainment from their beloved Miſtriſs, whom every one of them feared to loſe, they bent their ſtudy how to remove that Screen that ſtood between them and their much deſired happineſs: ſome were of Opinion, that nothing but the death of Aurelius could effect it; but others of a milder diſpoſition, declared, That it would not only be too much Cruelty, but bring their own Lives in queſtion; therefore conſidering Woman-kind was generally more taken with the Beauty of the Body, than with that of the Soul, they thought it fit to Deform him with Poyſon; but where to get it they knew not, and ſo came to a reſult, that to disfigure his Face with Wounds might work the ſame effect, and put an end to the paſſion of their Dear Lucinda, which they knew not any other ways to extinguiſh.

CHAP. IV. How they attempted to deſtroy Aurelius, but were overcome and left naked in the Wood.

THe Plot thus lay'd againſt our Valiant Youth many ways were ſought for an opportunity to put it in practice, till at laſt they underſtood he was gone to pay a viſit to an Aunt of his, who lived at a Village about two Miles from his Father's Houſe, and that he muſt return by a Wood: This lucky opportunity, as they imagined it, made them all leap for Ioy, there being four in number, they armed them with miſchievous Weapons, and in diſguiſe, placed themſelves in Ambuſh under a Thicket of Trees, in the way he muſt paſs, each Swearing to the other to keep the thing ſecret; though they kept not their Oaths, as you will hear. Long they had not ſtayed, but as they wiſhed, our valiant Youth not dreaming of ſuch Treachery came on; but hearing the Buſhes ruſſle he made a halt to ſee what it meant, when out leaped the 〈◊〉 and incompaſſing him, after they had uttered many his words, and reviled him at an unſeemly rate, they made in to grapple with him; who ignorant of their intent, and ſcorning to ſtoop to fear, took the two foremoſt in either hand, and by main force brought their Heads together, that they rung like a Barber's Baſon: ſo that ſtunn'd with the valiant knocks, after ſtaggering ſome paces down they fell; and having, by this time wreſted a Weapon from one of them, he ſet upon the other two with ſuch fury, that giving them ſeveral Wounds, they, when they found the blood run about their Ears, fell on their Knees, and cried for mercy, as did the other, who by this time were recovered from their Trance; yet could not they obtain their Wiſh till he had Thraſhed them into a Confeſſion of the whole matter, and thereby became ſenſible of the Love Lucinda bore him; and that ſhe might come to the knowledge of what had happened on this occaſion, and that their treachery might be rewarded with diſgrace, he cauſed them to unſtrip, and with ſuch tackling as their Garments afforded, he bound them to four ſeveral Trees ſtark naked, where theſe hot-brain'd Lovers took a fit of Tooling till the morning, which diſcovering the whole Intriegue, their raſh Valour became for ſome time after the mirth of the Country; but moſt of all, it pleaſed the fair Lucinda, whoſe favour they loſt thereby.

CHAP. V. How his Father put him an Apprentice to a Merchant, and the leave he took of Lucinda.

THe Father of Young Aurelius having received an exact account of all that had happened, and fearing theſe Lovers might ſtudy a further Revenge to repair their Diſgrace, as alſo to prevent any amours that might happen between him and Lucinda, to whom he was not willing he ſhould be married; he took an opportunity to diſcourſe him about putting himſelf in a way that might vender him capable of living in Credit in the World: When finding him pliable and ready to ſubmit to what he ſhould propoſe, he told him it was his pleaſure he ſhould go to London, and there be put an Apprentice to ſome Honourable Calling that he might be a comfort to him in his old days; and that it ſhould be in his power to chuſe him a Maſter of any profeſſion. He had not long conſidered e're he reply'd, That ſeeing it was his pleaſure, he was contented; and for the deſire he had to travel and ſee ſtrange Countries he could fancy none better than a Merchant: To this the old Man agrees, and ſhortly after he was ſent up to London, and placed to a Turkey-Merchant upon London-Bridge, and upon his departure directed theſe Lines to Lucinda.

Pardon me Beauteous Maid, if Love as yet No power a Conqueſt o'er me has to get; That you deſerve what e'er Love can beſtow, I muſt confeſs, but I alas! muſt go And wander o'er the world e're I can love, Then be contented & for me ne'er grieve. Subſcribed Aurelius.

This flat denial made the fair Lucinda ſhed many tears, and bewail her hard fortune, in loving where ſhe was not repayed with an equal paſſion; but ſoon after a Rich Farmers Son offering Service to her, ſhe having with much ſtrugling overcome her former affections, ſhe changed her Paſſion, and ſacrificed her Virginity to the pleaſure of this newcome Lover, where Revelling in exceſs of joy, we will leave them, and follow Aurelius to his new preferment.

CHAP. VI. How he gained the Love of his Maſter, and became enamoured of Dorinda his ſair Daughter.

OUr Youth upon his Tryal, proved ſo diligent and reſpectful, that it was not long e're he was Bound, according to the cuſtom of the City, and then doubling his Diligence, he won the love of the whole Family, not doubting any thing that might pleaſe or be for his Maſter's Intereſt, and what time he had to ſpare, he imployed in Manly Exerciſe of recreating himſelf in the Fencing-School, and in Martial Exploits, gaining every where the name of a bold and and hardy Youth, and one that promiſed great things. In this happy State he lived near three years; when Fortune (who is as unconſtant as the wind) conſpired to give him ſome di •••• bance, for Dorinda his Maſter's daughter a beautiful Virgin, of about 14 Years of Age, returning from the School where ſhe had been brought up at Board, her Modeſty, winning Behaviour, and Charming Graces, by his often gazing on her, prompted him to admire her, and by degrees, to conceive ſuch a Paſſion for that excellent Creature, that he was no longer Maſter of his Heart, which his Eyes had given away: A while he ſmothered the Flame, but in the end it broke out the fiercer, and then he knew experimentally what Lucinda had ſuffered often; he attempted to diſcover his Paſſion, and as often fear'd to offend, ſtayed the words at his Tongues end, and all he could do, was to ſigh and ſtand confounded in her preſence; whilſt the Innocent Lady would frequently ask the Reaſon, but had no anſwer, but what his Eyes delivered in burning glances. Thus he continued for a Month or more; at the end of which, he reſolved one way or other to make his Paſſion known, and ſoon found an opportunity to drop a Letter in the way of the lovely Dorinda, containing theſe words:

Beauteous Dorinda,

after many ſighs and eager looks, I have preſumed to let you know, if this come to your fair Hand, that I love you dearer than my own life, and to be requited with your love, there is not any thing ſo hazardous that I would not undertake for your ſake; the inequality I muſt confeſs, is great, yet Love is a Power obedient to no law but his own: pity me then as a Lover, that love you above all Earthly things, and look not on me as your Father's Servant, but as your Devoted Slave, by whoſe Smiles I live, and without which, my life muſt needs be miſerable.

Subſcribed Aurelius.

This did not a little ſurprize the beauteous Maid, who conſidered, that altho' he being as then a Servant, ſhe might for all that have cauſe to love him, yet highly viſpleaſing to her Parents, if ſhe ſhould countenance his affections; wherefore preferring her Duty and Obedience before her Fancy, or the Paſſion of Aurelius, the next time ſhe met him, her words were, That ſhe could not but wonder, he ſhould preſume to make Love to her, who was his Maſter's Daughter, e're half his time was expired, and wiſhed him not to make mention of it any more by Letter or word, leaſt her Father were made acquainted with it, to his prejudice; and ſo with a kind of a ſcornful frown, left him as one in a maze of Grief.

CHAP. VII. How he got leave to go for Turkey, and what enſued.

Aurelius being thus repulſed in his firſt Love, found himſelf altogether reſtleſs, and that as often as he beheld his beautiful Miſtreſs, his Flame encreaſed, and his Torture was more and more augmented; and though he tryed many ways to give way to his labouring mind, he found them in vain, and therefore concluded, unleſs he were removed from the lovely Object, he muſt be always miſerable; and perceiving her looks and carriage every day more and more ſcornful towards him, he reſolved to requeſt his Maſter that he might go for Turkey as his Factor in the next Fleet: which Requeſt of his, was granted whthout much difficulty, and in a gallant Equipage took leave; though not without ſome tears of his ſcornful Miſtreſs, who by this time, began ſomewhat to relent, that ſhe had ſo unkindly repulſed his Addreſs, but being young and beautiful, and conſidering, that to thoſe advantages her indulgent Father would add in large Portion, her thoughts of a higher advancement, huſhed that care and ſo they parted; the valiant Aurelius to the Ship, and he Lady to her Chamber; where we muſt leave her (who ſhortly after Married a Rich Merchant) and follow him into Turkey.

CHAP. VIII. How he arrived in Turkey, and of his Reception: How he overthrew the Turks and killed a Turkiſh Prince.

THe gallant Aurelius having paſſed the danger of the Seas, and a while contended with the Storms of Winds and Love, Landed at Conſtantinople, where he was received with much reſpect, by the Engliſh Merchants and Factors reſiding there, and behaved himſelf ſo well, in the management of his Affairs, that he gained a general Eſteem; and in all this he forget not to exerciſe his Valour, as occaſion requir'd; and being by this tim • grown to his full ſtrength, he found notable to encounter him, though he was too modeſt to boaſt of his own Abilities: Now it ſo fell out, that upon the Marriage of one of the Turk's Daughters, great Sports and Shows were prepared, and all the valiant Knights ſummoned to exerciſe at Tilt and Turnament, in honour of the Ladies and their Countries. This News pleaſed Aurelius ſo well that he reſolved to make one amongſt them, and ſhew his Proweſs for the Honour of the Engliſh Nation, againſt the proud Infidels, and thereupon provided Armour, a Horſe, Sword and Launce, bearing in his Shield a Golden Phoenix, to ſignifie he was in Subject to a Virgin Queen; and under it Neptune Brideling the Ocean; ſhewing, that the Seas Soveraignty depended on her Will: • s for his Armour it was White, ſignifi • ng Innocence.

Thus bravely Acc •• red, he haſted to • he Liſt, to await the Trumpets ſound, where all the Nobles and Ladies were • eated in their Degrees, clad in Gold and Gems, when on a ſudden, three Turks • ell mounted, and richly armed, advan • ed with their Mooned Shields, and with loud voice, did Defiance as the Bridegroom's Champions, to all the Knights of Chriſtendom; which made Aurelius mad to let them know what Engliſh Valour was; but perceiving the Champions of other Nations preparing for the Encounter, he forbear till he might be a witneſs, of their Fortune, and that his Honour might be the greater, in overcoming their overcomers: nor did he miſs, for the Turks being of a Monſtrous ſize, and well managed to ſuch Fears of Arms, at the firſt encounter caſt them from their Saddles, and ſo paſſed on, and did the like to three others, which made the bold Aurelius believe it was time for him to advance, and thereupon, ſetting Spurs to his Horſe, he met the foremoſt with a full ſtroke on his Breaſt, that he tumbled him with his Heels upward, quite over the Crup, and paſſing on, ſtruck the ſecond on the Creſt, with ſuch forre that he broke it, and the Launce entring his Brain, he fell breathleſs to the ground, which the thrid perceiving, who was of a Giant like Statuce, came upon him with his Sword, and with a full blow, cut through his Shield and much bruiſed him, but he charging furiouſly upon the Infidel, ſoon made him give ground, and after divers Wounds obliged him to kiſs the Earth, and beg quarter for his Life.

To revenge this diſgrace of his Champions, the Turkiſh Prince, with the leave of his Father in-Law, entred the Liſt in great rage, and defied the bold Aurelius, Swearing by Mahomet, he would Chaſtiſe the great Affront, and with many reproachful words, bid him to come on, upon which they ſet Spurs to their Horſes, and met with ſuch fury, that their Launces hurſt, and ſhivered in the Air, when the Turkiſh Prince drew his Sword: but Aurelius neglecting to do the like, made at him with the Truncheon of his Spear, with which he gave him ſuch a weighty blow on the top of his Helmet, that broke his Neck in ſunder, and down he fell in a mortal Trance, after which the Turks ſtrained Complement, and none durſt undertake the valiant Engliſh Champion.

CHAP. IX. How he deſtroyed two Lyons prepared to devour him, and had the King's Daughter in Marriage.

THe Great Turk upon notice that Prince Grodam his Son-in-law, whom he thought had only been ſtunn'd, was dead, vowed that Aurelius, whom he called Engliſh Boy, ſhould dye the cruelleſt Death that ever Man dyed, and thereupon ſent a ſtrong Guard to ſieze him, and convey him to Priſon, till he conſulted what manner of Teach to put him to; which in the end was concluded, that he ſhould be caſt alive to two Lyons, who (to be the greedier in devouring) were kept faſting many days.

The day of his death, as by appointment being come, and the King his Nobles, and all his Ladies, ſeated to behold the Execution, the brave Aurelius was brought forth in a Shirt of Cambrick, and Drawers of white Sattin, Imbroidered with Gold and a Crimſon Cap on his Head, but had ſcarce time to vow reſpectfully to the Ladies, who greatly praiſed his manly Beauty, and began highly to pity his misfortune, e're the Lyons were let looſe, who at the ſight of their Prey, caſting their Eyes upon him, began to rore horridly, inſomuch that the Spectators trembled; and behold Aurelius, whom Death could not daunt laying aſide all fear as they came fiercely to him with open Mouth, charged his Hands into their Throats, and e're they had power to get from his ſtrong Arms, forc'd out their Hearts, and lay'd them dead at his feet, demanding of the King what other dangerous Enterprizes they had to put him on, and he would gladly do it for the Honour of his Queen and Countries ſake; when immediately the Emperor deſcending from his Throne, tenderly Embracing him, ſwearing he was ſome Angel; withal Pardoning him, and gave him Beauteous Teoraza his Daughter in Marriage, with great Riches, who for his ſake, became a Chriſtian: and after ſpending ſome time in that place, they both returned to England with great joy, where they lived many Years very Loving and Happy.

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