Leaders directions along the Countrey of Egypt till they approach'd the sight of King Ptolomy's Court Which when the Noble Champīon of England beheld in this manner encouraged he his Followerss Behold said he you invincible Captains of Christendom yonder those cursed Lowers where wicked Ptolomy keeps his Court Those Battlements I say were they as richly built as the great Pyramids of Greece yet should they be subverted and laid as level with the Ground as the City of Carthage there hath that accursed Ptolomy his Residence that for preserving his Daughter from the burning Dragon Treacherously sent me into Persia where for seven years I lived in great extremity in a dismal Dungeon where the Sun did never give me light nor the company of People comfort In Revenge whereof my heart shall never rest in quiet till I see the Buildings of his Palace set on fire and converted into a place of Desolation like to the Glorious City in Phrygia now over spread with stinking weeds and loathsome puddles Therefore let all Christian Soldiers that fight under the Banner of Christendom and all that love George of England your chosen General draw forth your Warlike Weapons and like the angry Greeks overturn those glistring Battlements leave not one stone upon another but lay it as level with the ground as the Narvest Keapers do Fields of ripened Corn let your wrathful Furies fall upon these Towers like drop◠of April Showers or like Storms of Winters Nail that it may be bruited through the whole World what just Uengeance did light upon the Pride of Egypt Leave not I say as you love your General when you have subverted the Palace one Man alive no not a sucking Babe but let them suffer Uengeance for the wickedness of their King This is my Decree brave Knights of Christendom therefore March forwards Heaven and Fortune be your good speed At which words the Soldiers gave a general shout in sign of their willing minds Then began the silken Streamers to flourish in the Air the Drums chearfully to sound forward the Silver Trumpets recorded Ecchoes of Uictory the barbed Steeds grew proud of this Attempt and would stand upon no Ground but leapt and danced with as much Courage as did Bucephalus the Horse of the Macedonian Alexander always before any notable Uictory yea every thing gave an evident sign of good success as well senseless things as living Creatures With this Resolution marched the Christians purposing the utter confusion of the Egyptian and the woful Ruine and Destruction of Ptolomy's sumptuous Palace But when the Soldiers approached the Gates with wrathful Weapons ready to assault there came pacing out thereat the Egyptian King with all the chiefest of his Nobles attired in black and mournful Ornaments bearing in their hands Olive-branches Next them the bravest Soldiers in Egypt bearing in their hands broken Weapons shivered Launces and torn Ancients Likewise followed thousands of Women and Children with Cypress Wreaths about their heads and in their hands Olive-branches crying for Mercy to the Christians That they should not utterly destroy their declining Countrey but shew mercy to unhappy Egypt This unexpended fight or rather admirable wonder caused St. George to sound a Retreat and gave commandment through the Christian Army to with-hold their former vowed Uengeance from the Egyptians till he understood what they required Which Charge being given and duly observed St. George with the other six Champions came together and admitted the Egyptian King with his Nobles to their Presence who in this manner began to speak for his Countrey You unconquered Knights of Christendom whose worthy Victories and Noble Atchievements the whole World admires let him that never kneeled to any Man till now and in former times disdained to humble himself to any Potentate on Earth let him I say the most unfortunate Wretch alive crave mercy not for my self but for my Countrey my Commons Blood will be required at my hand Our Murthered Infants will call to Heaven for Revenge and our slaughtered Widows sink down to Hell for Revenge so will the Vengeance of Heaven light upon my Soul and the Curse of Hell upon my Head Renowned Champion of England under whose Custody my dear Daughter is kept even for the love of her be merciful to Egypt The former Wrongs I proffered thee when I sent thee like a guiltless Lamb into Persia was contrary to my Will for I was incensed by the slattery of that accursed Black-moor King whose Soul for ever be scourged with whips of wyre and plagued with the punishment of Tantalus in Hell If my life will serve for a just Revenge here is my naked Breast let my heart-blood stain some Christian's Sword that you may bear the bloody Witness of my death into Christendom or let me be torn into a thousand pieces by mad untamed Steeds as was Hippolitus Son of Theseus in his charmed Chariot Most Mighty Controulers of the World command the dearest things in Egypt they be at your pleasures we will forsake our Gods and believe in that God which you commonly adore for he is the true and living God ours false and hateful in the sight of Heaven This penitent Lamentation of the Egyptian King caused the Christian Champions to relent but especially St. George who having a heart beautified with a well-spring of Pity not only granted Mercy to the whole Country but vouchsafed Ptolomy liberty of Life upon condition that he would perform what he had promised which was to forsake his false Gods and believe in our true God Christ Iesus This kindness of St. George almost ravished Ptolomy with joy and the whole Land both Peers and Commons more rejoyced at the friendship of the Christians than if they had been made Lords of the Western World The News of this happy Union was bruited in all the parts of Egypt whereby the Commons that before fled for fear into Woods and Wildernesses Dens and Caves Hills and Mountains returned joyfully to their own Dwellings and caused Bonefires to be made in every City Town and Uillage the Bells of Egypt rung day and night for the space of a week in every place was seen Banketting Dancing and Masking Sorrow was Banished Wars forgotten and Peace Proclaimed The King at his own Charges ordained a sumptuous and costly Banket for the Christian Champions wherein for Bounty it excéeded that which the Trojans made when Paris returned from Greece with the Conquest of Menciaus's Queen The Banquetting-House was built with Cypress wood covered with the pure Adamant stone so that neither Steel nor base Iron could come therein but it was presently drawn to the top of the Roo◠As for the variety of Services which graced forth the Banquet it were too tedious to repeat but to be brief what both the Land and Sea could afford was there present The Servitors that attended the Champions at the Banquet were attired in Damask Uestments wrought with the purest Silk the Indian Uirgins spun upon their silver Wheels
that thy glistering Beauty may have such force and power whereby the shining beams thereof may take revengement of the dishononr of thy Mother give ear dear Child I say unto thy dying Mother thou that art born in the Dishonour of thy Generation by the loss of my Virginity here do I charge thee upon my Blessing even at my hour of Death and swear thee by the band of Nature never to suffer thy Beauty to be enjoyed by any one until thy disloyal Father's Head be offered up in Sacrifice unto my Grave thereby somewhat to appease the fury of my discontented Soul and recover part of my former Honour These and such like words spake the as afflictes Queen to the wonderful amazement of the thrée young Knights which as yet intended not to discover themselves but still to mark the event for they conjectured that her woful Complaints were the indualon of some strange Accident Thus as they stood obscurely behind the Trees they saw the young and beautiful Damsel give unto her dying Mother Payer Pen and Ink the which she pulled from her fair Bâ—som with which the grieved Queen subscribed certain sorrowful Lines unto him that wâ—â— the causer of her Bamâ—tment and making an end of her Writing then heard her with a dying Breath speak unto her Daughter these sorrowful Words following Come Daughter quoth she behold thy Mother at her latest Gasp and imprint my dying Request in thy Heart as in a Table of Brals that it never may be forgotten time will not give longer respite that with Words I may shew unto thee my deep Affections for I feel my Death approaching and the fatal Sisters ready to cut my thread of Life asunder between the edges of their Shears insomuch that I most miserable Creature do feel my Soul trembling in my Flesh and my Heart quivering at this my last and fatal Hour but one thing my sweet and tender Child do I desire of thee before I die which is That thou wouldest procure that this Letter may be given to that cruel Knight thy disloyal Father giving him to understand of this my troublesome Death the occasion whereof was his unreasonable Cruelty and making an end of laying this the miserable Queen fell down not having any more strength to sit up but let the Letter fall out of her hand the which her sorrowful Daughter presently took up and falling upon her Mother's Breast she replied in this sorrowful manner O my sweet Mother tell me not that you will die for it adds a Torment more grievous unto my Soul than the Punishment which Danaus his Daughters feel in Hell I had rather be torn in pieces by the fury of some merciless Monster or to have my Heart parted in twain by the hands of him that is my greatest Enemy than to remain without your company Sweet Mother let these my youthful Years and this green budding Beauty encourage you still to revive and not to leave me comfortless like an Exile in the World but if the gloomy Fates do triumph in your Death and abridge your breathing trunk of Life and your Soul must needs go wander in the Elizian Shades with Trula's Shadow and with Dido's Ghost here I protest by the great and tender Love I bear you and by the due Obedience that I own unto your Age either to deliver this your Letter into the hand of my unkind Father or with these my ruful Fingers to rend my Heart in sunder and before I will forget my Yow the silver streamed Tygris shall forsake her Course the Sea her Tydes and the glistering Queen of Night her usual Changes neither shall any Forgetfulnesâ— be an occasion to withdraw my Mind from performing your dying Requests Then this weak Queen whose Power and Strength was wholly decayed and her hour of Deaâ—h grew near aâ— hand with a feeble Uoice she said O you sacred and immortal Gods and all you bright celestial Powers of Happiness into your divine Bosomes now do I commend my dying Soul asking no other Revengement against the causer of my Death but that he may die lâ—ke me for want of Love After this the dâ—ing Queen nâ—vâ—r spake word more for at that instant the cruel â—estinâ—es gave an end unto her Life but when Rosana peâ—ceived her to be Dead and she left to the World devoid of Comfort shâ— began to tear the golden Trammels from her Head and most â—uâ—iouâ—ly to beat her where 〈◊〉 Breast filling the empty Air with â—lamours of her Mâ—aâ—s making tâ—e Skâ—eâ— like an Eccho to resound her Lamentations and at last taking her Mâ—ther's Letter into her hands washing it with floods of Tears and puâ—tâ—ng it next unto her naked Breast she said Here lie thou near adjoyning to my bleeding Heart never be removed until I have performed my dying Mother's Testament Oh Works and the last Work of those her dying Hands here do I swear by the Honour of true Virgins not to part it from my grieved Bosome until such time as Love has rent the disloyal Heart of my unkind Father and speaking this she kissed it a tâ—ousand times breatâ—ing forth millions of Sighs and so with a bluâ—â—ing Countenance as red as Aurora's glistering Beams she â—ose and said to herselâ— What is this Rosana dost thou think to recal thy Mother's Life with ceremonious Complaints and not perform that which by her was commanded thee Arise arise I say gather unto thyself Strength and Courage and wander up and down the World till thou hast found thy disloyal Father as thy true heart hath promised to do Theâ—e words were no sooner finished but St. George's Sons like Men whose Hearts were almost overcome with Gâ—ief came fâ—oâ— the Pine-trées and discovered themselves to the Damsel and courteously requested her to discourse the Story of all her pâ—ssed Mâ—series and as they were true Christian Kâ—ights they promised her if it lay in their Power to releaâ—e her Sorrows and to give end unto her Miseries Rosana when she beheld these courteous anâ— well dâ—meanoâ—'d Knâ—ghts which in her conceit carried relenting Minds and considering how kindâ—y they dâ—sired to be paâ—tners in her Greifs she stood not â—â—en curious Terms nor upon Exceptions but most wiâ—â—ingly condescended to their Requests so when they had prepared their Ears to entertain her sad and sorrowful Discourse with a sober Countenance she began in this manner Lately I was quoth he whilst Fortune smiled on me the only Child and Daughter of this liveless Queen that you behold here lying Dead and she before my Birth whilst Fortune granted her Prosperity was the Maiden Queen of a Country called Armenia adjoyning near unto this unhappy Island whom in her young Years when her Beauty began to flourish and her high Renown to mount upon the wings of Fame she was so intrapped with the golden Bait of blind Câ—pid and â—o intangled with the Love of a disloyal Knight called the Knight of the Black Castle who after he had flourisht in the
that it was wonderful to Discourse The first thinking to exceed his Brothers in the strangeness of his Gift made repair unto a cunning Enchantress which had a biding in a secret Cave adjoyning to the City whom he procured through many rich Gifts and large Promises by Art to devise a means to get the Honour from his Brethren and to give a Gift of that strange nature that all the World might wonder at the report thereof The Enchantress being won with his Promises by Art and Magick Spells devised a Garland containing aâ—l the diversity of Flowers that ever grew in earthly Gardens and though it were then in the dead time of the Winter when as the silver Iâ—cleâ— had diâ—â—obâ—d both Herbs and Flowers of their Beauties and the Snow lay freezing on the Mountain tops yet was this Garland contrived after the fashion of a rich Imperial Crown with as many several Flowers as ever Flora plated upon the Towns of rich Arcadia in diversity of colours like the glistering Rainbow when it shineth in greatest Pride and casting such an odoriferous Scant and Sanour as tho the Heavens had rained down showers of Champhire Biss or sweet smelling Ambergâ—eece This rare and exceeding Garland was no sooner framed by Enchantment and delivered in his hands but he left the Enchantress sitting in her Ebon-Chair upon a block of Steel practising her fatal Arts with her Hair hanging about her Shoulders like wâ—eaths of Snakes or invenomed Serpents and so returned to his Mother's Tomb where he hung it upon a Piller of Silver that was placed in the middle of the Monument The second Brother also repaired to his Mother's Tomb and brought in his hand an Ivory Lute whereon he plaid such inspiring melody that it seemed like the harmony of Angels or the celestial Musick of Apollo when he descended Heaven for the Love of Daphne whom he turned into a Bay-Tree the Musick being finished he tyed his Lute in a Damask-Scarf and with great humility he hung it at the West-end of the Tomb upon a knob of a Iasper-stone Lastly The third Brother likewise repaired with no outward Devotion or worldly Gift but clad in a Uesture of white Silk bearing in his hand an Instrument of Death like an innocent Lamb going to Sacrifice or one ready to be offered up for the love of his Mother's Soul This strange manner of repair caused his other Brothers to stand attentively and with diligent Eyes to be hold his purpose First After he had submissively and with great humility let fall a showre of silver Tears from the â—isters of his Eyes in remembrance of his Mother's timeless Tragedy he prick'd his naked Breast with a silver Bodkin the which he brought in his hand from whence there trickled down some thirty drops of Bloud which he after offered to his Mother's Tomb in a silver Bason as an evident sign that there could be nothing more dear nor of more preâ—ious price than to offer up his own Bloud for her Love This ceremonious Gift caused his two other Brothers to swell in hatred like to chased Lyons and run with fury upon him intending to catch him by the hair of the Head and drag him roâ—nd 〈◊〉 their Mother's Tomb till his Brains were dashed against a Marble Pavement and his Bloud sprinkled upon her Grave but this wicked Enterprize moved the Majesty of Heaven that e'er they could accomplish their Intents or stain their hands with his Bloud they heard as it were the noise of dead Mens Bones ratling in the ground whereupon looking fearfully about them the Tomb seemed of itself to open and thereupon to appear a most terrible gastly Shape pale like unto ashes in Countenance resembling their Mother with her Breast besmeared in Bloud and her Body wounded with a number of Scars and so with a dismal and ruful look she spake unto her desperate Sons in this manner Oh you Degenerate from Nature's kind why do you seek to make a Murther of yourselves can you indure to see my Body rent in twain my Heart split in sunder and my Womb dismembred Abate this fury stain not your Hands with your own Blouds nor make my Tomb a Spectacle of more Death Unite yourselves in Concord that my discontented Soul may sleep in Peace and never more be troubled with your unbridled Humours Make hast I say arm yourselves in steel Corslets and follow your valiant Father to Ierusalem he is there in danger and distress of Life away I say or else my angry Ghost shall never leave this World but hunt you up and down with gastly Visions This being said she vanished from their sight into the brittle Air whereat for a time they stood amazed and almost distraught of Wits through the terrours of her Words but at last recovering their former Senses they all vowed a continual Unity and never to proffet the like Iniury again but to live in brotherly Concord till the dissolution of their earthly Bodies So in haste they went unto the King and certified him of all things that had hapned and falling upon their Knées before his Majesty â—eâ—uelled at his hands the honour of Knight hood with leave to depart in pursuit of their Father and the other Champions that were fallen into great â—isteess The King purposing to aâ—complish their Desires and to fulfil their Requests presently condescended and not only gave them the honour of Knight-hood but furnished them with â—iâ—h Habiliments of War answerable to their magnanimous Minds First be frankly bestowed upon them three stately Palsâ—yes bred upon the bright Mountains of Sardinia in colour of an Iron-gray beautified with silver Hairs and in â—ate switer than Spanish Iennets which are a kind of Horse ingendred by the Winds upon the Alpes certain cragged Mountains that divided the Kingdoms of Italy and Germany for boldness and courage like to Bucephalus the Horse of Alexander the Macedonian or Caesar's Steed that never danted in the Field and they were trapped with rich Crapyings of Gold After the Morocco Fashion with Saddles framed like unto Iron-chairs with backs of Steel and their Fore-heads were beautified with spangled Plumes of purple Feathers whereon hung many golden Pendants the King likewise bestowed upon them three costly Swords wrought of purest Lybian Steel with Lances bound about with Plates of Brass at the tops where of hung silken Streamers beautified with the English Cross being the crimson Badge of Knighthood and Honour of Adventurous Champions Thus in this royal manner rode these three young Knights from the City of London in company of the King with a train of Knights and gallant Gentlemen who conducted them to the Sea-side where they left the young Knights to their future Fortunes and returned back to the English Court. Now are St. George's Sons floating upon the Seas making their first Adventures in the World that after Ages might applaud these Atchietements and enroul their Fames in the Records of Honour Fate prosper them successfully and gentle Fortune
her Sister's Wedding The Ceremonies being no sooner performed and the day spent in pleasures fitting the Honour of so great and Mighty a Train but Castria requested the use of the Country which was â—his that the first night of every Maidens Marriage a known Uirgin should lie with the Bride which Honourable task was committed to Castria who provided against the hour appointed a silver Bodkin and hid it secretly in the â—amels of her hair wherewith she intended to prosecute Revenge The Bride's Lodging-Chamber was appointed far from the hearing of any one lest the noise of People should hinder her quiet sleep But at last when the hour of her wishes approached that the Bride should take leave of her Ladies and Maidens that attended her to her Chamber the new-Married Floridon in company of many Scythian Knights committed Marcilla to her quiet Rest little mistrusting the bloody purpose of her Sisters mind But now behold how every thing fell out according to her desires The Ladies and Gentlemen were no sooner departed and silence taken possession of the whole Court but Castria with her own hand locked the Chamber-door and secretly conveyed the Keys under the Beds-head not perceived by the betrayed Marcilla which poor Lady after some speeches departed to Bed wherein she was no sooner laid but a heavy sléep over-mastered her Senses whereby her tongue was forced to bid her Sister good-night who as then sate discontented by her Bed-side watching the time wherein she might conveniently Act the Bloody Tragedy upon a Court-Cupboard stood two burning Tapers that gave Light to the whole Chamber which in her conceit seemed to burn blue which fatal spectacle encouraged her to a more spéedy performance and by the light of the two Lamps she unbraced her Uestures and stripped her self into her Milk-white Smock having not so much upon her head as a Caul to hold up her golden hair after this she took her Silver Bodkin that before she had secretly hidden in her hair and with a wrathful Countenance upon whose brows sate the Image of pale death she came to her new Married Sister being then overcome with a heavy slumber and with her Bodkin pierced her tender Breast who immediately at the stroke thereof started from her sleep and gave such a pitiful shriek that it would have awakened the whole Court but that the Chamber stood far from the hearing of Company except her bloody-minded Sister whose hand was ready to redouble her Fury with a second stroak But when Marcilla beheld the Sheets and Ornaments of her Bed bestained with purple gore and from her Breast ran streams of Crimson blood which like to a Fountain trickled from her bosom she breathed forth this cruel exclamation against the cruelty of Castria O Sister quoth she hath Nature harboured in thy Breast a Bloody mind what Fury hath incensed thee thus to commit my Tragedy In what have I misdone or wherein hath my Tongue offended thee What cause hath been the occasion that thy remorsless band against Nature hath converted my joyful Nuptials to a woful Funeral This is the cause Replyed Castria and therewithal shewed her Womb grown big through the burthen of her Child that I have bathed my hands in thy detested Blood See see Marcilla said she the unhappy Bed wherein thy accursed Husband hath sown his Seed by which my Virgins honour is for ever stained this is the spot which thy heart blood must wash away and this is the shame that nothing but death shall finish therefore a sweet Revenge and a present Murther likewise will I commit upon my self whereby my loathed Soul in company of my unborn Babe shall wander with my Ghost along the Stygian Lakes Which words being no sooner finished but she violently pierced her own Breast whereby the two Sisters Blood were equally mingled together but now Marcilla being the first wounded and the nearer drawing toward Death she wofully complained with this dying Lamentation Draw near said she you blazing Stars you Earthly Angels you embroidered Girls you lovely Ladies and flourishing Dames of Scythia behold her woful end whose Glories mounted to the Elements behold my Marriage-bed here beautified with Tapestry converted to Death's Bloody Habitation my brave Attire to Earthly Mould and my Princely Palaces to Elizium shades being a place appointed for those Dames that lived and dy'd true Virgins for now I feel the pains of Death closing my Life's Windows and Heart ready to entertain the stroke of Destiny Come Floridon come instead of Arms get Eagles Wings that in thy Bosom I may breathe my murdered Ghost World fare thou well I was too proud of thy inticing pleasures thy Princely Pomp and all thy glistring Ornaments I must for ever bid adieu Father farewell with all my Masking Train Courtly Ladies Knights and Gentlewomen my Death I know will make thy Palace Death's Gloomy Regiment and last of all farewell my Noble Floridon for thy sweet sake Marcilla here is Murdered At the end of which words the dying Lady being faint with the abundance of Blood that issued from her wounded Breast gave up the Ghost No sooner had pale Death seized on her liveless body but Castria through the extremity of her wounds was ready to entertain the stroke of her fatal Sister who also complained in this manner Hearken to me you Loving Girls said she to you I speak that know what endless grief disloyal and false Love breeds in constant minds the thought whereof is so intolerable to my Soul that it exceeds the Torments of Danae's Daughters which continually fill Water in bottomless Tubs in Hell Oh that my Ears had never listened to his sugared spéeches nor never known what Courtly pleasures meant where Beauty lives a bait for every lustful eye but rather to have lived a Country Lass where sweet content is harboured and Beauty shrowded under true Humility then had not Floridon bereaved me of my sweet Uirginity nor had this accursed hand committed this cruel Murder But Oh! I feel my soul passing into Elizium shades where Croesus's shadow and Didoe's Ghost have their abidings thither doth my spirit flie to be entertained amongst those unhappy Ladies whom unconstant Love hath murdered Thus Castria not being able to speak any longer gave a very grievous sigh and so bad adieu to the World Now when the Morning Sun had chased away the darksome Night Floridon who little mistrusted the Tragedy of the two Sisters repaired to the Chamber-door with a Consort of skilful Musicians where the inspiring Harmony sounded to the Walls and Floridon's Morning Salutations were spent in vain For Death so stopped the two Princesses Ears that no resound of thanks at all re-answered his words which caused Floridon to depart thinking them to be asleep and to return within an hour after who without any Company came to the Chamber-door where he again found all silent at which suspecting some future event he burst open the Door where being no sooner entred but he sound the
to which place St. George intended to Travel not to furnish himself with any needful thing but to accomplish some Honourable Adventure whereby his worthy Deeds might be eternized in the Books of Memory So after he had descended from the top of the steepy Mountain and had Travelled into a low Ualley about some two or three Miles he approached an old and almost Ruinated Hermitage over-grown with Moss and other Weeds before the entry of this Hermitage sate an Ancient Father upon a round Stone taking the heat of the warm Sun which cast such a comfortable brightness upon the Hermit's face that his white Beard seemed to glister like Silver and his Head to exceed the whiteness of the Northern Isicles to whom after St. George had given the due Reverence that belonged unto Age he demanded the name of the Countrey and the City he Travelled to and under what King the Countrey was Governed To whom the Courteous Hermit thus replyed Most Noble Knight for so I guess you are by your Furniture and outward appearance you are now in the Confines of Barbary the City opposite before your eyes is called Tripoly remaining under the Government of Almidor the black King of Morocco in which City he now keepeth his Court attended on by as many gallant Knights as any King under the Cope of Heaven At which words the Noble Champion of England suddenly started as though he had intelligence of some baleful news which deeply discontented his Princely mind his heart was presently incensâ—d with a speedy Revenge and his mind so extreamly thirsted after Almidor's Tragedy that he could scarce answer again to the Hermit's words But bridling his Fury the angry Champion spake in this manner Grave Father said he through the Treachery of that Accursed King I endured seven years Imprisonment in Persia where I suffered both hunger cold and extream misery But if I had my good Sword Ascalon and my trusty Palfrey which I lest in the Egyptian Court where remains my betrothed Love the King's Daughter of Egypt I would be Avenged on the Head of Almidor were his Guard more strong than the Army of Xerxes whose multitudes drank Rivers dry Why said the Hermit Sabra the King's Daughter of Egypt is Queen of Barbary and since her Nuptials were solemnly performed in Tripoly are seven Summers fully finished Now by the honour of my Country England replied St. George the place of my Nativity and as I am a true Christian Knight these eyes of mine shall never close this undaunted heart never entertain one thought of Peace nor this unconquered hand receive one minutes rest untill I have obtained a sight of the sweet Princess for whose sake I have endured so long Imprisonment Therefore dear Father be thus â—â—nd to a Travellor as to exchange thy Cloathing for this my Rich Furniture and lusty Stéed which I brought from the Souldan of Persia for in the habit of a Palmer I may enjoy the fruition of her sight without suspicion Otherwise I must néeds be constrained by Uiolence with my trusty Falchion to make way into her Princely Palace where I know she is attended on most carefully by many a Ualiant and Couragious Knight therefore courteously deliver me thy Hermit's Gown and I will give to boot with my Horse and Armour this Box of costly Iewels Which when that grave Hermit beheld he humbly thanked the Noble Champion and so with all the speed they could possible make exchanged Apparel and in this manner departed The Palmer being glad repaired to his Hermitage with St. George's Furniture and St. George in the Palmer's Apparel towards the City of Tripoly who no sooner came to the sumptuous Buildings of the Court but he espied a hundred poor Palmers kneeling at the Gate to whom St. George spake after this manner not with lofty and Heroical speeches beseeming a Princely Champion but with meek and humble words like an aged Palmer My dear Brethren saidâ— the Champion for what intent remain you here or what expert you from this honourable Court We abide here answered the Palmers for an Alms which the Queen once a day hath given this seven years for the sake of an English Knight named St. George whom she affecteth above all the Knights of the World But when will this be given said St. George In the afternoon replied the Palmers until which time upon our bended knees we hoâ—rly pray for the good Fortune of that most noble English Knight Which Speeches so pleased the Ualiant-minded Champion St. George that he thought every minute a whole year till the Golden Sun had passed away the middle part of Heaven for it was but newly risen from Aurora's Bed wheâ—e light as yet with a shamefac'd radiant blush distained the Eastern Skie During which time the most valiant and Magnahimous Champion St. George of England one while remembring the extream misery he endured in Persia for her sake whereat he let fall many Crystal Tears from his Eyes another while thinking upon the Terrible Battel he had with a Burning Dragon in Aegypt where he Redeemed her from the Fatal Iaws of Death at last it was his chance to walk about the Court beholding the sumptuous Buildings and the curious engraven works by the atchievement of Man bestowed upon the glistring Windows where he heard to his exceeding pleasure the heavenly Uoice of his beloved Sabra descending from a Window upon the West-side of the Palace where she warbled forth this sorrowful Ditty upon her Ivory Lute Die all desires of Joy and Courtly Pleasures Die all desires of Princely Royalty Die all desires of Worldly Treasures Die all desires of stately Majesty Sith he is gone that pleased most mine Eye For whom I wish ten thousand times to die O that mine eyes might never cease to weep O that my tongue might evermore complain O that my Soul might in his Bosome sleep For whose sweet sake my Heart doth live in pain In Woe I sing with brinish Tears besprent Out worn with Grief Consum'd with Discontent In time my Sighs will dim the Heaven's fair Light Which hourly flie from my tormented Breast Except Saint George that Noble English Knight With safe return abandon my unrest Then careful cries shall end with deep annoy Exchanging weeping Tears for smiling Joy Before the Face of Heaven this Vow I make Tho unkind Friends have Wed me to their Will And Crown'd me Queen my ardent flames to slake Which in despite of them shall flourish still Bear witness Heavens and Earth what I have said For George's sake I live and die a Maid Which sorrowful Ditty being no sooner ended but she departed the Window quite from the hearing of the English Champion that stood gazing up to the Casements preparing his ears to entertain her sweet tuned Melody the second time but it was in vain whereat he grew in more perplexed passions than Aenea when he had lost his beloved Creâ—sa amongst the Army of the Grecian sometimes wishing the day to
which always kneeled down untill she had ascended the Saddle and likewise her Eunuch was mounted upon another Steed whereon all their rich Furniture with costly Iewels and other Treasures was born So these three worthy Personages committed their Travels to the Guide oâ— Fortune who preserved them from the dangers of pursuing Enemies which at the King's return from hunting sollowed a main to every Port and Haven that divided the Kingdom of Barbary from the Confines of Christendom but kind Destiny so guided their steps that they Travelled another way contrary to their expectations for when they looked to arrive upon the Territories of Europe they were cast upon the fruitful Banks of Grecia In which Countrey we must tell what hapned to the three Travellers and omit the vain pursuit of the Morocco Knights the wrathful Melancholy of the King and the bruited Rumor that was amongst the Commons at the Queens departure who caused the Larum Bells to be Rung out and the Beacons set on Fire as though the Enemy had entred their Countrey But now Melpomene thou Tragick Sister of the Muses report what unlucky Crosses hapned to these three Travellers in the Confines of Grecia and how their smiling Comedy was by ill hap turned into a weeping Tragedy for when they had journeyed some three or four Leagues over many a lofty Hill they came nigh unto a Mighty and Uast Wilderness through which the way seemed so long and the Sun-Beams so exceedingly glowed that Sabra what for weariness in Travel and the extream heat of the Day was constrained to rest under the shelter of a mighty Oak whose Branches had not been lopt in many a year Where the had not long remained but her heart began to faint for hunger and her Colour that was but a little before as fair as any Ladies in the World began to change for want of a little drink Whereat the most famous Champion St. George half dead with very grief comforted her as well as he could after this manner Faint not my dear Lady said he here is that good Sword that once preserved thee from the burning Dragon and before thou shalt die for want of Sustenance it shall make way to every corner of the Wilderness where I will either kill some Venison to refresh thy hungry Stomach or make my Tomb in the Bowels of some Monstrous Beast Therefore abide thou here under this Tree in company of thy faithful Eunuch till I return either with the flesh of some wild Deer to else some flying Bird to refresh thy Spirits for a new Travel Thus left he his beloved Lady with the Eunuch to the mercy of the Woods and Travelled up and down the Wilderness till he espied a Herd of fatted Deer from which company he fingled out the fairest and like a tripping Satyr coursed her to Death then with a keen-edged Sword cut out the goodliest Haunch of Uenison that ever Hunters eye beheld which Gift he supposed to be most welcome to his beloved Lady But mark what hapned in his absence to the two weary Travellers under the Tree Where after St. George's departure they had not long sitten discoursing one while of their long Iourneys another while of their safe Delivery from the Blackamoor King spending the stealing time away with many an ancient Story but there appeared out of a Thicket two huge and monstrous Lions which came directly pacing towards the two Travellers Which fearful spectacle when Sabra beheld having a heart over-charged with the extream fear of Death wholly committed her Soul into the hands of God and her Body almost Famished for want of Food to suffice the hunger of the two furious Lions who by the appointment of Heaven proffered not so much as to lay their wrathful paws upon the smallest part of her Garment but with eager mood assailed the Eunuch until they had buried his Body in the empty Uaults of their hungry Bowels Then with their Teeth lately imbrued in Blood rent the Eunuch's Steed into small pieces Which being done they came to the Lady which sate quaking half dead with fear and like two Lambs couched their Heads upon her Lap where with her hands she stroaked down their bristled hairs not daring almost to breathe till a heavy sleep had over-mastered their furious Senses by which time the Princely-minded Champion St. George returned with a piece of Uenison upon the point of his Sword Who at that unexpected sight stood in a Maze whether it was best to flie for safeguard of his Life or to venture his Fortune against the Furious Lions But at last the Love of his Lady encouraged him to a forwardness whom he beheld quaking before the dismal Gates of Death So laying down his Uenison he like a Uictorious Champion sheathed his approved Faulchion most furiousty in the Bowels of one of the Lions Sabra kept the other sleeping in her Lap till his prosperous hand had likewise dispatched him Which Adventure being performed he first thanked Heaven for Uictory and then in this kind manner saluted his Lady Now Sabra said he I have by this sufficiently proved â—â—iy true Virginity for it is the Nature of a Lion be he never so furious not to harm the unspotted Virgin but humbly to lay his bristled Head upon a Maidens Lap. Therefore Divine Paragon thou art the World 's chief wonder for Love and Chastity whose honoured Vertues shall ring as far as Phebus sends his Lights and whose Constancy I will maintain in every Land where I come to be the truest under the Circuit of the Sun At which words he cast his eyes aside and beheld the bloody spectacle of the Eunuch's â—â—agedy which by Sabra was wofully discoursed to the grief of St. George where sad sighs served for a doleful Knell to bewail his untimely death But having a noble mind not subject to vain Sorrow where all hope of Life is past ceased his grief and prepared the Uenison in readiness for his Ladies Repast which in this order was dressed He had in his Pocket a Firelock wherewith he struck fire and kindled it with Sun-burnt Moss and encreased the Flame with other dry wood which he gathered in the Wilderness Against which they Roasted the Uenison and sufficed themselves to their own contentments After which joyful Repast these two Princely Persons set forward to their wonted Travels whereby the happy Guide of Heaven so conducted their steps that before many days passed they arrived in the Grecian Court even upon that day when the Marriage of the Grecian Emperor should be solemnly holden Which Royal Nuptials in former times had been bruited into every Nation in the World as well in Europe as Africa and Asia At which honourable Marriage the bravest Knights then living on Earth were present For Golden Fame had bruited the Report thereof to the Ears of the Seven Champions In Thessaly to S. Denis the Champion of France there remaining with his beauteous Eglantine into Sevil to St. James the Champion of
whom they likewise tyed round about him then one of the Moors being crueller than the rest proffened to desloue the Merchant's Wife before his face but she in Chastity like Camma choosing rather an honourable death than an infamous life spit in the Negro's â—ace and most bitterly reviled him yielding neither to his force nor his bloody threats but snatching a Knife from his Girdle vowed to sheath it in her Bosom before the would lose her precious Gem of Honour that once being gone could not be recovered for all the Worlds Treasure This Resolution of the English Merchant's Wife caused the stern Negro to exceed in Cruelty but the Principal of that wicked company being a bloody and merciless Tyrant stabbed one of the silly Children before the Mother's face Now stubborn Dame quoth he wilt thou yield to my desires and preserve the lives of the other six Children Otherwise shalt thou behold them Butchered in the same manner To sell my Honour for the lives of my Children replyed she will be an Offence to God and a continual corrosive to my Husband's heart if we live together Therefore accursed Monster prosecute your Tyranny it is not all your threats and bloody dealings shall convert my chaste mind nor once enforce my thoughts to give any consent thereunto These words being no sooner ended but the lustful Moor took another of her Children and stabbed before her Husband's face thinking thereby to force the Merchant to intreat his Wife to consent to the wicked Negro's determinations but he being as resolute as his vertuous Wife spake in this manner O you cursed black Dogs of Barbary more worse in quality than bloody Tygers and more merciless than wicked Canibals think you that the Murder of our Children shall enforce our hearts to yield to your Lustful desires No no persevere in your Tyrannies Iâ— I had an hundred Children twice the number of King Priam's yet would I lose them all before I would endure to see my Wife's Dishonour Children may be begotten again but her honour never recovered These words pricked the Negro's to the gall and caused them to commit the wickedest Deed that ever was practised under the Celestial Globe of Heaven First they sheathed their Poniards in the Breasts of all the Merchant's Children whose guiltless blood stained all the Chamber with a crimson colour then with their Faulchions did they cut their Bodies in sunder and caused seven Pies to be made of their flesh and after served in a Banquet to their woful Parents whom the merciless Moors set at a square Table the Merchant placed directly opposite against his Wife where they were constrained either to feed upon their own Children or starve for want of other Sustenance This woful spenacle struck such a Grief into the English Merchant's heart that he could scarce endure to speak for weeping his Wife when she beheld the heads of her lovely Sons lying upon the Table as it were looking to Heaven for Revenge breathed forth this dying Lamentation O silly Babes would you had been strangled in my Womb at your first conception then should not these accursed Infidels have triumph'd thus in your unhappy Tragedies nor your unfortunate Parents beheld this luckless day whereon I pray that never Sun may shine again but be accounted an ominous day throughout the whole World for Heaven I hope poor Babes will Rain a showre of Uengeance on their heads that have caused this our untimely death and with this Prayer I bid the Word farewel At which words her Grief so exceeded the bounds of Reason that it stayed the passage of her breath whereby she was forced to yield her Soul to the Paradice of Peace She being no sooner dead but the sorrowful Merchant likewise bitterly exclaimed against the Injustice of Fortune and the Tyranny of the Barbarous Moors accounting his Destiny more hapless than the Thracian Kings that buried his Children in his own Bowels and the cruelty of these Infidels to exceed the Tyranny of Nero that caused his Mother's Womb to be opened that he might behold the place of his conception But when the Merchant had sufficiently bewail'd the murder of his Children the Death of his Wife and his own Misery he yielded his Soul to the furious stroke of Death The end of whose long languishments when the wicked Moors had intelligence of they caused their dead Bodies to be carried to the top of a high Mountain and there left for the prey of hungry Ravens But the Sun consumed them like the morning dew And by the wonderful Workmanship of Heaven in the same place sprung a Bower of Roses to signifie the unspotted honour of the Merchant and his Uertuous Wife which Miracle we leave to the wonder of the Moors and speak of the Christian Champions Proceeding that by this time were arrived in the Kingdom of Aegypt CHAP. XV. How the Christians arrived in Egypt and what hapned to them there The Tragedy of the Lustful Earl of Coventry How Sabra was bound to a Stake to be burnt And how St. George Redeemed her Lastly How the Egyptian King cast himself from the top of a Tower and broke his Neck DUring the time of the bloody Murder wrought by the Barbarous Moors upon the English Merchant and his Wife with his seven Children as you heard in the former Chapter the Champions of Christendom arrived upon the Territories of Egypt where they supposed to have adventured their lives upon the chance of War but all things fell out contrary to their expectations they found the Gates of every City set open and every Uillage and Town unpeopled for the Commons at the report of the Christians arrival secretly hid their Treasure in the Caves of the Earth in deep Wells and such like obscute places and a general fear and extream terror assailed the Egyptians as well the Peers of the Land as the simple Country People Many fled into Woods and Wildernesses and closely hid themselves in hollow Trees many digged Caves in the Ground where they thought best to remain in safety and many fled to high Mountains where they long time lived in great extremity fooding upon the Grass of the Ground so greatly the Egyptâ—ans feared the Army of the Christians that they expected nothing but the Auine of their Countrey with the loss of their own lives and the murder of their Wives and Children But to speak of the Christian Champions who finding the Countrey desolate of People suspected some deep policy of the Egyptian thinking them to have Mustred their Warlike Forces to bid them Battel Therefore St. George gave commandment through the whole Camp that not a Man upon pain of Death should break his Rank but March Advisedly with their Weapons ready prest to encounter Battel as though the Enemies had directly placed themselves opposite against them Which special charge the Christian Soldiors duly observed looking neither after the Wealth of Cities nor the Spoil of Uillages but circumspectly Marched according to their
sumptuous Habiliments his Lady lying in her Child-bed as glorious as if she had been the greatest Empress in the World and thrée Princely Boys swéetly sleeping in their several Cradles at whose first fight his heart was so Ravished with joy that for a time it with-held the passage of his Tongue but at last when he found the Silver Tablets lying under the Pillows and read the happy Fortunes of his Children he ran unto his Lady embracing her lovingly and kindly demanded the true discourse of this Accident and by whose means the Bower was beautified so gorgeously and the propounder of his Childrens Prophesie who with a countenance blushing like purple morning replied in this manner My most dear and well beloved Lord the pains I have endured to make you the happy Father of three lovely Boys hath not been more painful than the stroke of Death but yet my Delivery more joyful than the pleasures of this World the Winds carried my groans to every corner of this Wilderness whereby both Trees and Herbs assisted my complaints Beasts Birds and feathered Fowls with every seâ—sless thing that Nature framed on this Earth seem'd to pity my moans but in the midst of my Torments when my Soul was ready to forsake this worldly habitation there appeared to me a Queen Crowned with a Golden Diadem in State and Gesture like Imperious Iuno and in Beauty to Divine Diana her Garments for Bravery seemed to stain the Rain-Bow in her brightest hue and for diversity of Colours to surpass the Flowers of the Field on her attended many beautiful Nymphs some clad in Garments in colour of the Crystal Ocean some in Attire as gallant as the pleasant Rose and some more glorious than the Azured Firmaments her Wisdom might compare with Apollo's her Judgment with Pallas and her skill with Lucina's for no sooner entred she my presence but my Travels ceased and my Womb delivered up my grievous Burden my Babes being brought to light by the virtue of her skill she prepared these rich and sumpthou Cradles the which were brought invisibly to my Cabine likewise these Mantles and this Imbroidered Coverlet she frankly bestowed upon me and so immediately vanished away At which words St. George gave her so many kind imbraces and kissed her so lovingly as though it had been the first day of their Nuptials At last her hunger increased and her desire thirsted so much after food that except she received some comfortable sustenance her life were in danger This extream desire of Sabra caused St. George to buckle on his Armour and to unsheath his trusty sword ready to goar the Intrails of some Deer who swore by the honour of true Knighthood never to rest in peace till he had purchased her hearts content My Love said he I will adventure for thy sake more dangers then Iason did for Medea 's Love I will search the thickest Groves and chase the nimble Doe to Death the flying Fowl I 'll follow up and down from Tree to Tree till over-wearied they do fall down and die for love of thee and these my tender Babes whom I esteem more dear than the Conquest of rich Babylon I will adventure more dangers than did Hercules for the Love of Dejanira and more extreams than Turnus did in his bloody Battels And thereupon with his Fauchion ready charged he traced the Woods leaving no Thorny Brake nor Mossie Cave unsearched till he had found a Herd of Fallow Deer from which number he singled out the fattest to make his Lady a bountiful Banquet but in the time of his absence there hapned to Sabra a strange and wonderful Accident for there came weltring into the Cabine three most Wild and Monstrous Beasts a Lioness a Tygress and a she Wolf which took the Babes out of their Cradles and bore them to their secret Dens At which sight Sabra like one berest of Sense started from her Bed and to her weak power offered to follow the Beasts but all in vain for before she could get without her Cabine they were past fight and the Childrens cry without her hearing then like a Discontented Woman she turned back beating her Breast rending her Hair and Raging up and down her Cabine using all the Rigour she could devise against her self and had not St. George return'd the sooner she had most violently committed her own slaughter but at his return when he beheld her face stained with tears her head disrobed of Ornaments and her Ivory Breast all to be-rent he cast down his Uenison in all hast and asked the cause of her Sorrow Oh said she this is the wofullest day that ever hapned to me for in the time of your unhappy Hunting a Lioness a Tygress and a Wolf came into the Cabin and took my Children from their Cradles what is become of them I know not but greatly I fear by this time they are intombed within their hungry Bowels Oh simple Monuments quoth he for such sweet Babes Well Sabra if the Monsters have bereaved me of my Children this bloody Sword that dived into the Entralls of the fallow Deer shall rive my woful heart in twain Accursed be this fatal day the Planets that predominate and Sun that shines thereon Heaven blot it from the year and let it never more be numbred but accounted for a dismal day throughout the World let all the Trees be blasted in those accursed Woods let Herbs and Grass consume away and die and all things perish in this Wilderness But why breathe I out these Curses in vain when as methinks I hear my Children in untamed Lions Dens crying for help and succour I come sweet Babes I come either to redeem you from Tygers wrathful Jaws or make my Grave within their hungry Bowels Then took he up his Sword besmeared all in blood and like a man bereaved of Wit and Sense ranged up and down the Wilderness searching every corner for his Children but his Lady remained still in her Cabine lamenting for their loss â—â—ashing their Cradles with her pearled Tears that run down her stained Cheeks like silver drops Many ways wandred St. George sometimes in Ualleys where Wolves and Tygers lurk sometimes in Mountain tops where Lyons whelps do sport and play and many times in dismal Thickets where Snakes and Serpents live Thus wandred St. George up and down the Wilderness for the space of two days hearing no news of his unchristened Children At last he approached the sight of a pleasant River which smoothly glided down betwixt two Mountains into whose streams he purposed to cast himself and so by a desperate death give end to his Sorrows but as he was committing his body to the mercy of the Waters and his Soul to the pleasure of the Heavens he heard afar off the rusul shriek as he thought of a comfortless Babe which sudden noise caused him to refrain from his desperate purpose and with more discretion to tender his own safety then casting his eyes aside it was his happy
changed their pleasant Pastime to a sad and bloody Tragedy for Sabra proffering to keep pace with them delighted to behold the valiant Encounters of her young Sons and being careless of herself through the over swiftness of her Steed she slipped beside her Saddle and so fell directly vpon a thomey brake of Brambles the pricks whereof more sharp than Spikes of Iron entred to every part of her delicate Body some pierce the lovely closets of her star-bright Eyes whereby instead of cristal pearled Tears there issued drops of purest Blood her Face before that blushed like the Morning 's radiant Countenance was now changed into a Crimson-red her milk white hands that lately strained the ivory Lute did seem to wear a bloody scarlet Glove and her tender Paps that had often sed her Sons with the Milk of Nature were all becent and â—orâ— with those accuâ—sed Brambles from whose deep Wounds there issued such a stream of purple Gore that it converted the Grass from a lively green to a crimson-hue and the abundance of Blood that trickled from her Breast began to enforce her Soul to give the World a woful Farewel Yet notwithstanding when her beloved Lord her sorrowful Sons and all the rest of the waful Champions had washed her wounded Body with a spring of Tears and when she perceived that she must of force commit herself to the fury of imperious Death she breathed forth this dying Exhortation Dear Lord said she in this unhappy Hunting must you lose the truest Wife that ever â—ay by any Prince's side yet mourn not you nor grieve you my Sons nor you brave Christian Knights but let your warlike Drums convey mâ— royally to my Tomb that all the World may write in brazen Books how I have followed my Lord the Pride of Christendom through many a bloody Field and for his sake have left my Parents Friends and Country and have travelled through many a dangerous Kingdom but now the cruel Fates have wrought their last spight and finished my Life because I am not able to perform what Love he hath deserved of me And now to you my Sons this Blessing do I leave behind even by the Pains that forty Weeks I once endured for your sakes when as you lay enclosed in my Womb and by my Travels in the Wilderness whereas my Groans upon your Birth-day did in my thinking cause both Trees and Stones to drop down Tears when as the merciless Tygers and tameless Lyons did stand like gentle Lambs and mourned to hear my Lamentations and by a Mother's Love that ever since I have born you imitate and follow your Father in all his honourable Attempts harm not the silly Infant nor the helpless Widow defend the Honour of distressed Ladies and give freely unto wounded Souldiers seek not to stain the unspotted Virgins with your Lust and adventure evermore to redeem true Knights from Captivity live evermore professed Enemies to Paganism and spend your Lives in the Quarrel and Defence of Christ that Babes as yet unborn in time to come may speak of you and record you in the Books of Fame to be true Christian Champions This is my Blessing and this is the Testament I leave behind for now I feel the chilness of pale Death closing the Closets of mine Eyes Farewel vain World dear Lord farewel sweet Sons you 'r famous Followers of my George and all true Christian Knights adieu These words were no sooner ended but with a heavy sigh she yielded up the Ghost whereat St. George being impatient in his sorrows fell upon her liveless Body tearing his Hair and rending his Hunter's Attire from his back into many pieces and at last when his Griefs were some what diminished he burst out into these bitter Lamentations Gone is the Star quoth he that lighted all the Nothern World whithered is the Rose that beautified our Christian Fields dead is the Dame that for her beauty stained all Christian Women for whom I 'll fill the Air with everlasting Mones Let this day henceforth be fatal to all times and counted for a dismal day of Death let never the Sun shew forth his Beams thereon again but Clouds as black as pitch cover the Earth with fearful Darkness let every Tree in this accursed Forrest henceforth be blasted with unkindly Winds let Brambles Herbs and Flowers consume and wither let Grass and blooming Buds perish and decay and all things near the place where she was slain be turned to dismal black and ghastly colour that the Earth itself in mourning Garments may lament her loss let never Bird sing chearfully on tops of Trees but like the mournful Musick of the Nightingale fill all the Air with fatal Tunes let bubling Rivers murmure for her loss and silver Swans that swim thereon sing doleful Melody let all the Dales belonging to these fatal Woods be covered with green bellied Serpents croaking Toads hissing Snakes and sigh-killing Cockatrices in blasted Trees let fearful Ravens shrick let Howlets cry and Crickets sing that after this it may be called a place of dead Mens wandring Ghosts But fond Wretch why do I thus Lament in vain and bath her bleeding Body with my Tears when Grief by no means will recal her Life yet this shall satisfie her Soul for I will go a Pilgrimage unto Ierusalem and offer up my Tears to Jesus Christ upon his blessed Sepulchre by which my stained Soul may be washt from this bloody Guilt which was the cause of this sorrowful day's mishap These sorrowful words were no sooner ended but he took her bleeding Limbs between his fainting Arms and gave a hundred kisses upon her dying coloured Lips retaining yet the colour of Alabaster new wash'd in Purple-blood and in this â—â—taâ—â—e a while lying gave way to others to unfold their Woes But his Sons whose Sorrows were as great as his protested never to neglect one day but daily to weep some Tears upon their Mother's Grave till from the Earth did spring some mournful flower to beav remembrance of her Death as did the Uiolet that spâ—â—ng from chast Adonis's Blood where Venus wept to see him slain Likewise the other six Champions that all the time of their Lamentations stood like Men drowned in the depth of Sorrow began now a little to recover themselves and after protested by the honour of true Knight hood and by the Spuâ— and golden Garter of St. George's Leg to accompany him unto the Holy Land bare footed without either Horse or Sâ—ooe only clâ—â—â— in russet Gaberdines like the usual Pilgrims of the World and never to return till they had paid their Uows at that blessed Sepulchre Thus in this sorrowful manner wearied they the time away filling the Woods with echoes of their Lamentations and recording their Dolours to the whistling Winds but at last when black Night began to approach and with her cable Mantle to overspread the crystal Firmament they retired with her dead Body back to the City of London where the report of
giving me to understand that he would carry her to his Wife for whose sight she had so much desired and at whose coming she would receive so great Ioy and Contentment her suddain Departure bred such Sorrows in my Heart being the only Stay and Comfort of my declining Agâ— that the fountains of my Eyes rained down a showre of saâ—â— Tears upon my aged Breast so dear is the Love of a Father unto his Child but to be short when this lustful minded Câ—â—tiffe with his pompious Train came in sight of his Castle he commanded his Followers to ride forwards that with my Daughter he might secretly coutec of serious Matters and so staâ—d lingring behind till he saw his Company almost out of sight and they two alone together then he found opportunity to accomplish his Iustful Desire and so rode into a â—ittle Grove which was hard at hand close by a River's side where without any more carrying he carried her into the thickest part thereof where he thought it most conveâ—ent to perform so wicked a Deed. When â—e beheld the Branches of the thick Tree to with-hold the Light of Heaven from them and that it seemed a place as it were over-spread with the sable mâ—ntles of Night he alighted from his Horse and willed my well-beloved Daughter that she would likewise alight she in whose Heart reigned no kind of suspision presently alighted and sat her down by the River siâ—e and washed her fair white Hands in the Streams and refreshed her Mouth with the Crystal Waters Then this dissembling Traytor could not longer resâ—ain but with a Countenance like the lustful King of Thrace when he intended the Ravishment of Progne or like Tarquinus of Rome when he defloured Lucretia he let her understand by some outward Shews and dark Sentences the kindâ—ed fire of Love that burned in his Heart and in the end he did wholly declare his devillish Pretence and determined Purpose So my unmarried Daughter being troubled in mind with his Iustful Assailments began in this manner to reprchend him Will you said she destle my Sister's Bed and stain the Honour of your House with Lust will you bereave me of that precious Iewel the which I hold more dear than my Life and blot my true Uirginity with your false Desires brought you me from the comfortable sight of my Father to be joy unto my Sister and will you flourish in the spoiling of my true Chastity Look look immoderate Knight I will not call thee Brother look I say how the Skies blush at thy Attempts and see how chaste Diana sits upon the winged Firmament and threatens Uengeance for her Uirgin's sake wash from thy Heart these lustful Thoughts with showers of repentant Tears and seek not in this sort to wrong thy Marriage bed the which thou oughtest not to violate for all the Kingdoms in the World Then this accursed Knight seeing the chaste and vertuous Maiden to stand so boldly in the defence of her Uirginity with his rigorous Hand he took fast hold by her neck and with a wrathful Countenance he delivered these Words Do not think stubborn Damsel to preserve thy Honour from the purpose of my Desires for I swear by the Crystal Tower of Jupiter either to accomplish my Intents or put thee to the cruellest Death that ever was devised for any Damsel or Maid At which Words the most sorrowful and distressed Uirgin with a shower of pearled Tears trickling down her seemly blushing Cheeks replyed in this order Think not false Traytor quoth she that fear of Death shall cause me to yield to thy filthy Desires no no I will account that stroak ten times more happy and welcom to my Soul then the joys of Wedlock then might I walk in the Elizian Fields among those Dames that died true Uirgins and not live to hold the bud of my Maiden's Glory whithered with the nipping Frosts of thy unnatural Desires Those Words being well understood by the lustful Knight who with a Countenance more furious then savage Lyons in the Deserts of Libia took her by the slender wast and rigorusly dasht her Body against the ground and there withal spake these Words Understand said he and be well perswaded thou unrelenting Damsel that eithere living or dead I will perform my Will and intended Purpose for in my heart there burns a fire that all the Waters in the Seas can never quench nor all the driâ—â—ing clouds of Rain if they should drop eternal Showers but it is the Water of thy sweet Uirginity that must quench my furious burning Love and thereupon in a madness he cut a great part of the Train of her Gown and bound it very fast to the Hair of her Head which glistered like golden Wyers and bragged her up and down the Grove till the Griâ—ss turned to a Purple colour with the Blood that issued from her Body by which trueâ—ty he thought to enforce her to his pleasure but she respected not his wicked Cruelty and she more he proceeded to â—orment her the more earnestly the defended her Honour When this cruel and inhumane Monster saw that neither slaâ—tering Speeches nor his cruel threats were of sufficiency to prevail began to forget all Faith and Loyalty he owed unto the honour of Knight-hood and the respect he should bear unto Women-kind and blasphemed against Heaven tearing her Cloaths all to pieces he stripped her stark naked and with the Reins of the Bridle of his Horse iâ—e cruelly whipped and scouâ—ged her white and tender Back that it was full of blew Spots and horrible circles of black and setled Blood with such extream cruelty that it was a very grievous and sorrowful sight to behold And yet this did profit him nothing at all for she continued in her former Resolutions He seeing that she still persevered in the defence of her Honour he straight-ways like to a bloody Monster heaped Cruelty upon Cruelty and so took and bound her well proportioned Legs crystalline Arms straightly unto a withered Tree saying Oh cruel and more cruel than any Woman in the World hath ever been why dost thou suffer thy self to be Tormented and not give consent to procure thy Ease Dost thou think it better to endure this torment than to live a most loving sweet and contented Life and therewith his Anger so encreased that he staring on her Face with his accursed Eyes fixed in such sort that he could not withdraw them back The which being perceived by this distressed Uirgin as one far more desirous of Death than of Life with a furious Uoyce she said Oh Traytor thou wicked Monster thou utter Enemy to all Humanity thou shameless Creature more cruel than the Lyons in the Desarts of Hircania thou stain of Knight-hood and the bloodiest Wretch that ever Nature â—ramed in the World wherein dost thou contemplate thus thyself thou fleshly Butcher thou unmerciful Tyger thou leâ—herous Hogg and dishonourer of thy Progeny make an end I say of these my Torments for now
side unto the other without taking any ease or having any power or strength to declare the inward grief which at that time he felt but with lamentation which did torment his heart he called continually on the Armenian Queen and in that Devilish fury wherein he was drew out his Dagger and lifting up the skirt of his shirt of Mail he thrust it into his Body and giving himself this unhappy death with calling upon his wronged Lady he finished his life and fell to the ground This sad and heavy Lady when she beheld him so desperately to gore his Martial Breast and to fall lifeless to the Earth she greatly repented her self that she had not discovered her Name and revealed to him how that she was his unfortunate Daughter whose face before that time he had never beheld and as a Lion though all too late who seeing before her Eyes a young Lioness evil intreated of the Hunter even so she ran unto her murthered Father and with great speed pulled off his Helmet from his wounded head and unbraced his Armour the which was in colour according to his passion but yet as strong as any Diamond made by Magick Art Also she took away his Shield which had on it a Russet Flag and in the midst thereof was pourtrayed the God of Love with two faces the one was very fair and baund with a cloth about his eyes and the other was made marvellous fierce and furious This being done with a fair linnen cloath she wiped off the blood from his wounded Body And when she was certain that it was he after whom she had travelled so many steps and that he was without life with a furious madness she â—â—re her Artyre from her Head and all to rent her golden hair tearing iâ— in pieces and then returned again and wiped his bleeding Body making such sorrowful lamentation that whosoever had seen her would have been moved to compassion Then she took his Head betwixt her hands striving to lift it up and to lay it upon her Lap but seeing for all this that there was no moving him she joyned her face unto his pale and dead Cheeks and with sorrowful Words she said Dear Father open thine eyes and behold me open them sweet Father and look upon me thy sorrowful Daughter If Fortune be so favourable let me receive some contentment whilst Life remaineth Oh strengthen thy self to look upon me wherein such delight may come to me that we may one accompany the other Oh my Lord and only Father seeing that in former times my unfortuate Mothers â—ears were not sufficient to reclaim thee make me satisfaction for the great travel which I have taken in seeking thee out Come now in death and joy in the sight of thy unhappy Daughter and die not without seeing her open thine eyes that she may gratifie thee in dying with thee This being said Rosana began again to wipe his Body for that it was again all to be bathed in blood with her white hands she felt his eyes and mouth and all his Face and Head till such time as she touched his Breast and put her hand on the mortal Wound where she held it still and looked upon him whether he moved or no. But when she felt him without sense or feeling she began anew to complain and crying out with most terrible Exclamations she said Oh my hapless Father how many Troubles and great Travels hath thy Daughter passed in seeking thee watering the Earth with her Tears and always in vain calling for thee Oh how many times in naming thy name hath she been answered with an Ercho which was unto her great dolor and grief And now that Fortune hath brought her where thou art to rejoyce her self in thy presence the same Fortune hath converted her wishes into grief and dolour O cruel and unconstant Queen of Chance hath Rosana deserved this to be most afflicted when she expected some joy O Leoger if ever thou will open thine eyes now open them or let the glasses of mine be closed eternally Herewith she perceived his dim eyes to open and his senses now a little gathered together and when he saw himself in her Arms and understood by her Words that she was his Daughter whom he had by the unfortunate Queen of Armenia he suddenly strove against Weakness and at last recovering some strength he cast his yielding Arms about the milk-white neck of the fair Rosana and they joined their Faces the one with the other distilling betwixt them many salt and bitter Tears in such sort that it would have moved the very wild Beasts unto compassion and then with a feeble and weak voice the wounded Knight said O my Daughter unfortunate by my Dissoyalty let me recreate and comfort my self in injoying this thy mouth the time that I shall remain alive and before my silly Soul doth depart the company of my dying Body I do confess that I have been pittiless unto thy Mother and unkind to thee in making thee to travel with great sorrow in seeking me and now thou hast found me I must leave thee alone in this sorrowful place with my dead Body pale and wan yet before my death sweet Girl give me some few gentle kisses this only delight I crave for the little time I have to carry and afterwards I desire thee to intomb my Body in thy Mothers Grave though it be far in distance from this unlucky Country O my dear Lord answered she do you request me to give your Body a Sepulchre I think it more requisite to seek some to give it unto us both for I know my life cannot continue long if the angry Fates deprive me of your living company And without strength to proceed any further in Speeches she kissed his Face with many sobbings and sighs and having within her self a terrible conflict she carryed for the answer of her dying Father who with pain and great anguish of Death said O my Child how happy should I be that thus imbracing one in anothers Arms we might depart together then should I be joyful in thy company and account my self happy in my death but alas I must leave thee unto the World Daughter farewel good Fortune preserve thee and for ever may she take thee into her Favour And when he had said these Words inclining his neck upon the Face of Rosana he dyed When this sorrowful Lady saw that the Soul had got the victory and departed from the Body she kissed his pale lips and giving deep and dolorous sighs she began a marvellous and most heavy lamentation calling her self unhappy and unfortunate and laid her self upon the dead Body cursing her destinies so that it was lamentable to hear O my dear Father said she what small benefit have I received for all my travel and pain the which I have suffered in seeking thee and now in the finding of thee the more is my grief for that I came to see thee die O most unhappy
thy hands 〈…〉 Boâ—y to use 〈…〉 to thy will and pleasure requesting only this thing at thy hand that as thou loveâ— me â—iâ—ing thou wil◠〈…〉 and like a merciful Champion suffer me to receive a Pâ—incely Funeral At last of all to thee Divine Diana do I speak â—câ—ept of this my bâ—eeâ—ing Soul that with so much Blood is offered unto thee So in finishing this sorrowful Speech she drew out a fair and bright shining Sword which she had â—â—â—oden secretly under her â—own and setting the Hâ—â—â— against the Scaffâ—â—d 〈◊〉 looked for of her Father and those that were present she suddenly threw her self upon the point of that Sword in such fuâ—iouâ— manner that it parted her bâ—oody heart in sunder so rendeâ—ed her Son to the tâ—ition of her unto whom she offered her moâ—â— bloody 〈◊〉 sacrifice What shall I here declare the lamentable sorrows and pitiful lamentation that was there made by her Father and other Roman Knights that were present at this unhappy mâ—â—chance to great it was that the Wall of the Monastery Ecchoed and their piâ—tiful shrieks ascended to the Clouds But none was more grieved in mind than the afflicted English Champion who like a man distraught of sense in great fury rushed amongst the â—eoâ—le throâ—ing them down on every side till he ascended upon the Scaâ—â—old and approaching the dead Body of Lucina he took her up in his arms and with a sorrowful and passionate voice â—e said O my belovâ—d 〈…〉 hearts delight is this the Sacrifice wherein through thy despâ—rateness thou hast deceived me who loved thee more thâ—n my life 〈…〉 respite that thou requirest for seven days wherein thâ—â— haâ—t conclude 〈…〉 and my utter Confusion O Noble Lucina and my 〈…〉 were thy intention why didst thou not first Sacrifice me thy Servant 〈◊〉 â—ove wholly subjected unto thy Divine Beauty Woe be unto â—e 〈…〉 unto my unhappy enterprize for by it is she lost who was mâ—de Soverâ—gâ— Lady of my heart O Diana accursed be this Chance because thou hast consented to so bloody a Tragedy for I do here protest that never more shalt thou be worshipped but in thy stead every Land and Country where the English Champion cometh shall Lucina be adored For from henceforth will I seek to diminish thy Name and blot it from the Godral of the Firmament yea and utterly extinguish it for ever so that there shall never more memory remain of thee for this thy bloody Tyranny in suffering so lamentable a Sacrifice No sooner had he delivered these Speeches but incensed with fury he drew his Sword and parted the Image of Diana into two pieces protesting to ruinate the Monastery within whose Wall 's the device of this bloody Sacrifice was concluded The Sorrow and extream Grief of the Roman Emperour so exceeded for the murther of his Daughter that he fell to the Earth in a senseless swound and was carried by certain of his Knights half dead with grief home to his Palace where he remained speechless by the space of thirty days The Emperour had a Son as valiant in arms as any born Italian except S. Anthony This young Prince whose Name was Lucius seeing his sisters timeless death and by what means it was committed he presently intended with a Train of an hundred armed Knights which continually attended upon his Person to assail the discontented Champions and by force of arms to revenge his Sisters death This resolution so encouraged the Roman Knights but especially the Emperors Son that betwixt these two companies began as terrible a Battel as ever was fought by any Knights the fierceness of their blows so exceeded the one side against the other that they did resound Ecchoes which yielded a terrible Noise in the Neighbouring Woods This Battel did continue betwixt them both sharp and sierce for the space of two hours by which time the valour of the incensed Champions so prevailed that most of the Roman Knights were discomfited and slain some had their Heads parted from their shoulders some had their Arms and Legs lopped off and some lay breathless weltring in their own blood in which encounter many a Roman Lady lost her Husband many a Widow was bereaved of her Son and many a Child left Fatherless to the great sorrow of the whole Country But when the valiant Poung Prince of Rome saw his Knights discomfited and he left alone to withstand so many Noble Champions he presently set spurs to his Horse and fled from them like a heap of dust forced by a Whirle-wind After whom the Champions would not pursut accounting it no glory to their Names to triumph in the overthrow of a single Knight but remained still by the Scaffold where they buryed the sacrificed Uirgin under a Marble stone close by the Monastery Wall The which being done to their contentments S. George engraved this Epitaph upon the same Stone with the point of his Dagger which was in this wise following Under this Marble Stone interr'd doth lye Luckless Lucina yet of Beauty bright Who to maintain her spotless Chastity Against the assailment of an English Knight Upon a Blade her tender Breast she cast A bloody Offering to Diana chaste So when he had written this Epitaph the Christian Champions mounted upon their swift-footed Steeds and bad adue to the unhappy confines of Italy hoping to find better Fortunes in other Countries In which Travel we will leave them for a time and speak of the Prince of Rome who after the discomfiture of the Roman Knights fled in such haste from the furies of the Warlike Champions After which he like a raging Lyon traversed along by the River of Tybris filling all places with his melancholy passions untill such time as he entred into a thick Grove wherein he purposed to rest his weary Limbs and lament his misfortunes After he had in this solitary place unlaced his Helmet and hurled it scornfully against the ground the infernal Furies began to visit him and to sting his Breast with motions of fiery revenge In the end he cast up his wretched Eyes unto the Skies and said O you fatal Torches of the Elements why are you not clad in mournful Habiliments to cloak my wandring steps in eternal darkness Or shall I be made a scorn in Rome for my Cowardize Or shall I return and accompany my Roman Friends in death whose Blood methinks I see sprinkled about the Fields of Italy Methinks I hear their bleeding Souls fill each corner of the Earth with my base flight therefore will I not live to be termed a fearful Coward but die couragiously by mine own hands whereby those accursed Champions shall not obtain the Conquest of my Death nor triumph in my Fall This being said he drew out his Dagger and clave his heart in sunder The News of whose desperate Death after it was bruited to his Fathers ears he interred his Body with his sister Lucina's and erected over them a stately Chappel wherein the Nuns and ceremonious
Monks during all their lives sung Dirges for his Childrens Souls After this the Empero made Proclamations through all his Dominions that if any Knight were so hardy as to travel in pursuit after the English Champion and by force of Arms to being him back or deliver his head unâ—o the Empero he should not only be held in great estimation through the Land but receive the Government of the Empire after his deceâ—se Which rich proffer so encouraged the minds of many adventurous knights that they went from fundry Provinces in the pursuit of S. George but their attempts were all vain CHAP. XV. Of the Triumphs Tilts and Turnaments that were solemnly held in Constantinople by the Grecian Emperor and of the honourable Adventures that were there atchieved by the Christian Champions with other strange accidents that hapâ—ed IN the Easâ—ern parts of the World the fame and valiant déeds of the Champions of Christendom was noised with their Heroical Acts and feats of Arms naming them the Mirrour of Nobility and the Types of bright honour all Kings and Princes to whose ears the report of their Ualours were bruited desired much to behold their noble Personages And when the Emperor of Grecia keeping then his Court in the City of Constantinople heard of their mighty and valiant deeds he thirsted after their sights and his mind could never be satisfied with content until such time as he had devised a means to Train them unto his Court not only in y e he might enjoy the benefit of their Companies but to have his Court honoured with the presence of such renowited Knights and therefore in this manner it was accomplished The Emperor dispatched Messengers into divers parts of the World gave them in châ—â—ge to publish throughout every Country and Province as the went of an honourable Turnament that should be 〈…〉 in the City of Constantinople within six months following therein to accomplish his 〈◊〉 and to bring the Christian Championâ— whose company he so much desâ—â—ed unto his Court. This charge of the Grecian Emperour as he commanded was speedily performed with such diligence that in a short time it came to the ears of the Christian Knights as they travelled betwixt the Provinces of Asia and Africa who at the time appointed came in great Pomp and Majesty to Constantinople to furnish forth the honourable Triumphs At the Fame whereof likewise resorted thither a great number of Knights of great valour and strength among whom was the Prince of Argier with a goodly company of Noble Persons and the Prince of Fez with many well proportioned Knights likewise came thither the King of Arabia in great state and with no less Maiesty came the King of Sicilia and a Brother of his who were both Giaâ—ts Many other brave and valiant Knights whose Names I here 〈◊〉 came thither to honour the Grecian Emperour for that he was very well esteemed of by them all And as they came to honour the Triumphs so likewise they came to prove their Foritudes and to get Fame and Name and the praise that belongeth to adventurous Knights It was supposed of all the company that the King of Sicilia would gain by his Prowess the Dignity from the rest for that he was a Giant of very big Limbs although his Brother was taken to be the more furious Knight who determined not to just for that his Brother should get the honour and praise from all the Knights that came but it fell out otherwise as hereafter you shall understand For when the day of Turnament was come all the Ladies and Damsels put themselves in places to behold the justing and attired themselves in the greatest bravery that they could devise and the great Court swarmed with People that came thither to behold the triumphant Turnament What shall I say here of the Emperours Daughter the fair Alcida who was of so great beauty that she seemed more like a Divine substance than an earthly Creature and sate glistering in rich Drnaments amongst the other Ladies like unto Phoebus in the Crystal Firmament and was noted of all beholders to be the fairest Princess that ever mortal eye beheld so when the Emperour was seated upon his Imperial Throne under a Tent of green Uelver The Knights began to enter into the Lists and he that first entred was the Knight of Arabia mounted upon a very fair and well adorned Courser he was armed with black Armour all to bespotted with silver knobs and he brought with him fifty Knights all apparelled with the same Livery and thus with great Majesty he rode round about the Palace making great obedience unto all the honourable Ladies and Damsels After him entred the Pagan Knight who was Lord of Syria and armed with Armour of Lions Colour accompanied with an hundred Knights all apparâ—lled in Uelver of the same Colour and passed round about the Pallace shewing unto the Ladies great friendship and courtesie as the other did Which being done he beheld the King of Arabia tarrying to receive him at the Iust and the Trumpets began to sound giving them to understand that they must prepare themselves ready to the encounter whereto these two Knights were nothing unwilling but spurred their Couriers with great fury and closed together with couregious Ualour The King of Arabia most strongly made his Encounter and strook the Pagan without missing upon his breast but the Pagan at the next Race being heated with fury strook him so surely with his Lance that he heaved him out of his Saddle and he sell presently to the ground after which the Pagan Knight rode up and down with great pride and gladness The Arabian King being thus overthrown there entred into the Lists the King of Argier armed with no other Furniture but with silver Mail and a Breast-plate of might steel before his Breast his pomp and pride exceeded all the Knights that were then present but yet to small purpose his pride and arrogancy served for at the first Encounter he was overthrown â—o the ground in like sort did that Pagan use fifteen other Knights of fifteen several Provinces to the great wonder and amazement of the Emperour and all the Assembly During all these valiant Encounters S. George with the other Christian Champions stood afar off upon a high Gallery beholding them intending not as yet to be seen in tho Tilt. But now this valiant Pagan after he had rode some siâ— Courses up and down the place and seeing none entred the Tilt-yard he thought to bear all the fame and honour away for that day But at the same instant there entred the noble minded Prince of Fez being for courage the only pride of his Country he was a marvellous well-proportioned Knight and was armed all in white Armour wrought with excellent knots of Gold and he brought in his company a hundred Knights all attyred in white Satâ—en and riding about the place he shewed his obedience unto the Emperour and to all the Ladies and thereupon the
end our Names in obscurity let not chill fear the Cowards companion pull us back from the golden Throne where the adventurous Souldier sits in glory deservedly we are to trample in a Field of death and dead mens Bones and to buckle with an Enemy of great strength a Pagans power that seeks to over-run all Christian Kingdoms and to wash our Cambrian Fields with innocent Blood To Arms I say brave followers I will be the first to give death the onset and for my Colours or Ensign do I wear upon my Burgonet you see a green Leek beset with Gold which shall if we win the Victory hereafter be an honour unto Wales and on this day being the first of March be for ever worn by the Welsh-men in remembrance hereof Which Words were no sooner spoken by the Champion but all the Royal Army of every degree and calling got themselves the like Recognizance which was each of them a green Leek upon their Hats or Bravers which they wore all the time of the Battel and by that means the Champions followers were known from the others This was not long a doing before S. David and his Companie beheld descending from the Mountains an Army of Pagans as it seemed numberless people of such mighty Statures whole sight might even have daunted their noble Resolutions had not the brave Champion still animated them forward with Princely incouragements Time stayed not long e're the Battels joyned and the Pagans with their Iron Clubs and Bats of Steel so laid about them that had not our Christian Army been preserved by miracle such a slaughter had been made of the Champion and the Knights that well might have caused the whole World to wonder at But the Queen of Chance so favoured St. David and his Followers that what with their nimble Lances keen Darts and Arrows shot from their quick Bows and Welsh Hooks in great abundance the Sun also lying in the Pagans Faces to their great disadvantage that in short time the Noble Champion won a worthy Uictory The ground lay all covered with mangled Carkasses the Grassie Fields changed from green into red colour with the mingled Blood that ran from Horse and Man thus murthered A Noble Policy was it for all our Christians in that Battel to wear green Leeks in their Burgonets for their Colours by which they were all known and preserved from the slaughter of one anothers Swords only St. David himself excepted who being Uictor in the highest pride of his Glory was at last vanquished O unhappy fate to cut off his honour that was the only darling of Honour Help me Melopemene to bewail his loss that having won all lost his dear life a life that 〈◊〉 whole World might well have miss of Oh fatal Chance for coming from the Battel over-heated in Blood a sudden cold congealed in all his lives Members that without Recovery he was forced to yield unto death to the great grief of all Knights and Followers who for the space of forty days mourned for him in great heaviness and after attended him unto his Grave with much sorrow Which being done in the honour of his Name they ordained a custom that the day of his Uictory should be canonized and called in all after Ages S. David's day being holden still upon the first of March and in remembrance thereof upon the same day should likewise he worn by all well-willers to the same Country certain green Leeks in their Hats or on their Bosoms in true honour of this Noble Martialist which is still a praise worthy Custom in these our Northern Climates which time beloved Souldier we will now leave sleeping in his Tomb in peace and go forward in our other intended Tragical Discourses CHAP. XIX How Saint Dennis was Beheaded in his own Countrey and how by a Miracle shewed at his Death the whole Kingdom of France received the Christian Faith SAint Denis being the third in this our Pilgrimage of Death was likewise desirous of the sight of his own Country which he had not seen in many years and purposing a toilsom Travel to the same took leave of the other Champions who not altogether willing to leave so Noble a Champion yet considering the desire of his mind they quickly condescended wishing him the best well-face of Knight-hood and so parting they to their Princely Pavillions and be to his restless Iourney as well mounted and as richly furnished with habiliments of Knight-hood as any Martialist in all Arabia in which Country he was then but leaving that place to satisfie his desires he travelled day by day toward the Kingdom of France without any Adventure worth reporting till he arrived upon the borders of that fair Country that he had so long wished to behold But now see how Fare frowned the welcome he expected was suddenly converted into a deadly hatred for there was remaining in the French Kings favour a Knight of St. Michaels Drder who in former times hearing of the hourable Adventures of this Noble Champion St. Dennis and thinking this same to be a disparagement to his Knight-hood and the rest of that Drder conspired to betray him and to bring all his former Honours with his life to a final overthrow Whereupon this envious Knight of Saint Michaels goes unto the King being as then a Pagan Prince one that had no true knowledge of the Deity and said There was come into his Kingdom a strange Knight a false Believer one that in time would draw the love of his Subjects from him to the Worship of a strange God and that in despight of him and his Country he would establish a falufyed Opinion and that he wore upon his Breast the Christian Cross With many other things contrary to the Laws of his Kingdom Upon these aforesaid false informations the King grew so enraged that without any more consideration he caused the good Knight Saint Denis to be attached in his Bed-chamber otherwise a score of the best Knights in all France had not been sufficient to bring him Prisoner to the Kings presence before whom being no sooner come but with more than humane sury without cause he adjudged him a speedy Death and by Martial Law without any further Tryal to receive the same The good Champion Saint Denis even in Death having a most noble resolution nothing at all dismayed and knowing his cause to be good and that he should suffer for the Name of his sweet Redeemer he most willingly accepted of the same Iudgment saying Most mighty but yet cruel King think not but yet this exceeding Tyranny will be requited in a strange manner thy censure I take with much joy in that I die for him whose Colours I have worn from mine Infancy and this my Death seals up the obligation of all my Comforts And thou sweet Country where I first took life receive it again a Legacy due unto thee for this my Blood which here I offer up into thy Bosom is the best gift I can
deliver up his Pole-axe which the Centaur accordingly did so they both marched towards the Golden Cave where they met St. George St. Anthony and St. James and relating to each other their saveral successes they presently fell in hand to the finishing the adventure and approaching the Cestern they each of them filled their Helmets with water and being guided by the Dwarf who now was obedient to the Champions they came to the fire into which they threw the water and never left until such time as they had quenchtâ—it which being done the Cave and all about it vanisht out of sight and the thick Grove or Wilderness about it was all level and even So returning to the Messenger whom they leâ—t walking their Horses they mounted on them to return back to the â—ged Palmers meeting by the way with multitudes of people who by the finishing the adventure were now restored to their former shapes In this manner they marched along to the Aged Palmers who entertained them with great joy as also they were by the thrée other Champions St. Denis St. Andrew and St. David and after they had refreshed themselves with some Uictuals they were conducted to a spacious room where they had their wounds bathed with Wine Milk and other precious Oyntments The next morning the people were assembled together to whom St. George made a pithy Oration exhorting them thereafter to lead a better Life and not to have their Natures addicted to such beastly vices as made them though not in shape yet to differ not from beasts in their actions with many other words to the like effect all which they promised to perform And afterwards taking leave of their Hast the Aged Palmer they returned to their Ship and having a gentle gale of Wind set sail towards Christendom CHAP. XI How St. Georges Three Sons were separated by a Tempest and how Sir Alexander lighted on the Ship wherein were tâ—â—e Seven Champions How he was Married to the Princess Mariana and Crowned King of Thessaly The Tragical Story of Duke Ursini and the Death of the Seven Champions NOT long after the departure of the Seven Champions St. Georges three Sons resolving also to see their Native Country in order thereunto embarked themselves with their Companies in thrée seperat Ships and for the space of eight or ten days sailed with a prosperous gale of wind the courteous Sea all that time smoothing his wrinkled brow and the winds only whispered musick to the déep but about the eleventh day the Wind and Sea contended in a robustious rage the beaten Ships tost like a forceless feather now riding up on the mountain waves as if their top Masts tilted at the Moon anon falling again with such a precipitate low descent as if they were sinking into Hells low abyss In this furious storm they were separated one from the other where we will leave two of them and speak only of Sir Alexander who after the storm was over directed their Course as near as they could towards the Coasts of Christendom and having sailed the space of thrée days they saw before them a Ship in fight with two Gallies or Men of War to whom they made up with all the spéed they could and coming near to them they perceived by the Streamers wherein was woven the Red Cross of England that it was the same Ship wherein the Seven Champions were embarked which when they knew they sent forth such a loud and lengthened shout and hollow as reverberated upon the Waves or as the Sea makes when it trembles underneath his banks to hear the replication of his sounds They in the other Ship answered them with the like hollow and then joyntly setting upon the two Gallies they with Pikes Bills and Darts plyed Deaths fatal task sending many hundreds of the Turks souls to be transported in Charons Ferry So that the two Gallâ—es which at first were assailants could no longer hold out defendants but yielding themselves craved for mercy which the Christian Champions were the more willing to grant them in regard that many of their Company had been sore wounded before Sir Alexander came to their rescue So entering the two Gallies they took from them such things as they needed amongst which they found some Hogsheads of Greekish Wines which very much refreshed the â—ainting souldiers they also took from them their Armour that they might not be able to offend others and setting free those few Prisoners they had taken they let them go and having stayed a while in mending the â—aâ—ter d Cordage of their Ships which was much shattered in the sight with a prosperous wind they set saâ—l and in a few days arrived on the pleasant banks of fruitful Thessaly and sending a Messenger to the Court to give notice of their arrival the message was so welcome to the Princess Mariana who nâ—w was become Queen of that Country her Father being lately deâ—â— that she caused the Bells to be rung and Bonfires to be made as at a publick rejoycing And sending some of the chiefest of her Nobles to invite them to the Court with such accommodations as she judged most needful for them at present in the mean time she prepared to entertain them in the best manner she could which at their coming they found to be so costly and splendid as it raised great wonder in them to behold it the streets all the way they passed to her Palace being raiâ—ed in and guarded on both sides with Companies of foot Soldiers The Conduits ran Wine and from the Belconies was heard all manner of Musick that could be imagined And first before them marched a Compleat Troop of Horse having between each four Ranks a Trumpeter sounding with a silver Trumpet the Troopers were all in their Buff-coats with silver Belts and the Pummels of their Swords inlayed with glistering Stones which sparkled like Diamonds Next followed four Heralds in four distinct Goats of Arms After them the Nobility of the Land in rich Robes with Coronets on their Heads Then came the Seven Champions and St. Georges thrée Sons in five rich Chariots lined with Cloth of Gold and studded with studs of Massy Silver After them followed the Colonels Majors and Captains with silken Streamers waving before them being ranked two by two each English Officer with a Thessallan and mounted on prancing Barbary steeds And lastly the under Officers with the Army in goodly Arms and accoutered most richly In this order they marched to the Palace where they were met by the Queen attired in a rich Robe of Ermine with the Crown Imperial upon her Head who with a smiling Countenance entertained them in these words Thrice welcom hither most Renowned Champions whom the Gods have appointed for the relief of the distressed and the chastisement of the vicious Fames Golden Trumpet hath sounded the renown of your Honourable Actions and by quelling the force of the Pagan Armies given us great hopes hereafter for to enjoy Halcyon dayes of peace
raising such clouds of dust as covered the face of the darkned Sky when presently Pikes Bills and Darts like a moving Wood rushed against each other The Horses angry in their Masters anger with love and obedience brought forth the effects of hate and resistance and with winds of servâ—tude did as if they affected glory And now all hands were busied in killing and the poor Soldiers stood with fear of death as dead struck the thirsty Earth drank up whole streams of blood and mounts were made of slaughtered Carcases Sir Guy did wonders that day with his Sword sending thousands of souls to the Infernal Regions As thus he made lanes of his Enemies dead Bodies he came at last to meet with Grimaldo with whom he entered into combat and notwithstanding his Body was enclosed about with glittering walls of Steel yet made he such breaches therein as Death had many ways to enter and Life as many holes whereby to creep out and now Grimaldo craved for Mercy which Sir Guy refused saying No Varlet thou mightest have taken it when it was proffered thee but now nothing but death can satisfie for thy disloyalty and therewithal reacht him such a blow as brought him headlong to the ground and redoubling the same the second sent him post hast to Prince Pluto to keep company with his fellow Rebels Grimaldo being thus killed the whole Army betook themselves to flight whom Sir Guy and his Company persued in eager wise killing and destroying whomsoever they overtook without any remorse or pity so that there was more slain in the chase then in the fight Having obtained this signal victory Sir Guy ordered a part of the Army to persue the residue of the Rebels whilest he with the rest marched back unto the City and now was such a universal joy amongst the Citizens as was not to be crediâ—ed all the way as Sir Guy passed along the streets the people sending forth such loud Acclamations as the vast Air was deasited therewith and that their joy should resound to the Antipodes When they came to the Palace Gate they were met by the Queen accompanied with a great Train of Ladies and Nobles that attended on her before all which the Queen could not forbear but taking Sir Guy about the Neck gave him a kiss My dearest Love said she what recompence can our Country afford thee in retribution of such inestimable benefits as the Divine Powers by thy victorioâ—s Arms have bestowed upon us how had our Weal beee bâ—ried in woe our Plenty in penury our Riches in ruine hadst not thou rescued us from Rake-hells and Rebels Consider this my Honoured Nobles and so submit to him as your King whom I intend very speedily to make my Husband And so hand in hand they marched up to her Palace were he was entertained with a stately Banquet Sir Guy behaving himself so affably and courteously to the Nobles and Ladies that he wone their applause they accounting him to be the very mirrour of true Magnanimity and pattern of noble Chevalry And now all things being thus quieted and the two Princely Lovers assured of each others real affection towards one another their hearts and minds were very well satisfied The Thessalian Army being richly rewarded were sent home and wiâ—h them an Honourable Messenger to King Alexander to return him thanks for his aid as also to invite him to the Wedding of Sir Guy and the Quéen Urania the prefixed day whereof was suddenly to be And now till that long wished for day came did they mix Times wings with pleasant discourses and delightful Sonâ—ess amongst others Sir Guy contemplating the perfections of his Mistress breathed forth her Praises in this Sonnet Appelles like when Nature did thee make Slâ—e view'd the Beauties of the Earth each one And from them all the best of all did take That thou should'st not excelled be by none And for to make thee super excellent She joyn'd in one what many Beauties lent And thus with Uenus beauty she endow'd thee And Pallas like she wisdom to the gave The Learning of Cornelia she allow'd thee That thou no lack of any thing shouldst have And more then thus thy better parts to grace Infused a divine Soul to a fair face Some though but few as beautiful may be Others and those not many may as wise Others may be as Learned but in thee All Natures Jewels in one Casket lies That who so views thy looks a Lover makes him Either thy Vertues or thy Beautie takes him The appointed day being now near at hand the Nobles and Knights prepared a solemn Iusts to be holden against all comers and many costly Pageants and delightful shews were prepared by the Citizens the Ladies got them many costly Iewels and other rich Ornaments to adorn themselves against that day and to compleat the solemnity King Alexander with a splendid Train of followers came to Sicily who were most magnisicently entertained by Sir Guy and the Queen Urania On the Marriage Morning the Bride and Bridegroom were saluted up with most sweet sounding Musick the Palace was hung round about with Garlands and rich perfumes cast into fires which gave a most odoriferous smell melodious Harps and Songs tickled the Ears with delight In brief every thing was so well ordered as befitted such a Royal Solemnity All the way as they went to the Temple the ways were strowed with Flowers of Flora's chiefest pride and the Priest having joyned them in Hymens Nuptial bands as they returned there was great store of money thrown amongst the poorer sort of people that they also might participate the gladness of the day the Bells rang Trumpets sounded Cornets flourisht and the Acclaimations of the people were so great as would have silenced the 〈◊〉 of thunder shot from a divided Cloud In this stately manner they marched back to the Palace where was provided for them a most magnificent Dinner which for variety of Dishes and most artful Dressing is far beyond my skill to express the variety of the Dishes being so many as if this Feast would as the Floud destroy all sorts of Fowls and Beasts The Afternoon was spent in Dancing Masking Rebelling and other Delightful sports until such time as Morpheus the drowsie Sergant of the Night summoned them to Bed there to take their Repose Next Morning no sooner had Aurora from the East displayed her purple dedrâ—â—â— and the rosie Morning drawn away his sable Curtain and let in the day but the Knights and Nobles prepared themselves to Iust Sir Guy King Alexander and the Queen Urania with divers Ladies and Péers seating themselves on Scaffolds to behold the same The first that entered the Lists was a Sicilian Knight named Sir Albert mounted on a Horse of a fiery sorrel colour with black féet and black list on his back who with open Nostrils breathed forth War before he could see an Enemy His Armour was Green like to the Earth when it begins to put on its Summer Livery
was great store of Beefs Muttons Hares Conies and other sort of Beasts so gentle that when they had any mind to take them they would come to them at their first call never making any resistance but submiting to any thing you would do to them and of every thing such plenty as was sufficient to maintain a multitude of people Being thus extraordinarily well satisfied in beholding the curiâ—sities of this incomparable Island they drew down to the Sea side where they sat beholding how the Oceans frie were playing on the briny face of Neptune and casting their Eyes a little further they might behold a Boat come rowing towards them wherein sat an old man whose hairs did wear the sober hue of gray and whose wrinkled Countenance did seem to cast the account of many cares They came rowing directly towards them and being landed the old Gentleman desired to speak with the chiefest of their Company and being brought unto Sir David he spake to him in this manner Most worthy Knight whose Fame resounds as far as Phoebus darts his Golden Rayes and whose valiant Acts are memorized all the world over let melting pity creep into your heart to give some comfort to my Calamity Know then most worthy Chieftain that in my Native Country being an Island hard by there liveth a cruel Tyrant one whose will is his Law and who seldom sleeps soundly unless he hath Blood for his Bolster thinking no thing unlawful that makes for his advantage and to that intent keeping a constant kennel of Blood-Hounds to accuse whom he pleaseth and who are so desperately wicked for his purpose that they will dispose whatsoever he would have them by these men was I accused to have conspired against his Life and though there were neither plain Evidence nor and circumstance conducible thereunto yet being Judge in his one Cause I was condemned and presently had my Estate siezed on which indeed was the main cause of my Accusation I was then blest with a Beautiful Daughter named Tremelia of whom this Tyrant burned in Lust who took her from me pretending to keep her as a pledge of my fidelity but having her in his keeping sought to deflower her but she resisting his unchaste desires and giving him some opprobrious words he in a great rage stuck her to the heart with his Dagger I having notice of what was passed thought it high time to provide for my self and daring trust no body I lay hid for two or three dayes and nights amongst Bushes Thorns and Brakes when disguising my self I went to a village hard by where I heard of your notable Atchievments in conquering this Island the Garden of Ceres and Orchard of Pomona hoping according to your former favours to others in distress that you will afford me some succour in redressing my wrongs Sir David hearing this sad Relation of the ancient Gentleman was moved to great pity towards him so that he vowed by the Honour of Knighthood to which all that bear Arms are sworn unto either to revenge him of the Tyrant or to lose his Life in the attempt and so giving the ancient Gentleman some of the water of the Fountain to drink and some of the Apples to eat which to that purpose they alwayes carried about them he was so refreshed as he seemed to forget his former sorrows and to have new life and vigour inspired into him as had old Eson when the sage Medea infused young Blood into his aged Ueins Next they began to consult which wayes to accomplish this enterprize for should they take too great a strength along with them they might endanger the losing of the Island for well they wist that when the fellows of those who were slain came to hear of it they would endeavour not only to revenge their Friends blood but also if possible to recover again so fruitful an Island they therefore agréed to send for more succour to Sir Davids Country intending to stay there until their return but in the mean time this ambitious Tyrant whose name was Almantor having heard how this Island was conquered by a few persons and of the rare qualities belonging thereunto he thought in an instant to surprize it and to that purpose manned out what force he could make and with great bravery and ostentation sailed towards this fruitful Island having conquered it in conceit before he came thither Sir David séeing this Fleet of Ships which upon a smooth Sea danced Levalto's on the briny Main not tossed by any rage of Eolus he therefore having laid an ambush to surprize them upon their first landing séemed to sly until he had brought them into the Net prepared for them when turning head he gave them such a brisk charge as gave them a total rout not sparing any in the chase but by several wayes of deaths made passages for their Souls into the other World so that all the way as they were chased the spectacle was ugly and griefly to behold here lay Bodies torn in pieces mangled Limbs cut and hackt in divers manners so that a man beholding such a sight might say that War is an eâ—ercise not of Manhood but of Inhumanity Almantor himself fought most valiantly doing what in him lay to have obtained the Uictory and as if he had had a spirit that durst War against the Fates seemed to dread no danger but with an undaunted Courage to meet pale Death with triumph in a Tomb but all his Ualour would not bear him out against the unresistable force of Sir David who coming up to him with handy blows after a smart fight took him Prisoner few was saved alive besides for the Soldiers were so enraged against them that all compassion was for the present banished their Breasts The Uictory being thus clearly obtained and the Soldiers swords glutted in blood they led Almantor towards the Fountain where first they refreshed themselves with some of those healing Fruits and afterwards sat in Iudgment upon him where was laid to his charge all the Tyrannâ—ea Cruelties Murthers and Rapines which he had committed all which he could not excuse nor very well deny and therefore he was adjudged for his crimes to be put to death And now did the horrour of a guilty Conscience plainly appear in Almantor repenting not so much for his crimes as exclaiming against the punishment of them and yet in that punishment might he behold what cruelty he used to others although the greatest smart to him was to think that he justly deserved it whereas they suffered innocently And now to save his Life what did he not promise what Protestations use what Nows what Oaths what Asseverations that he would hereafter use Iustice mixed with Clemency not doing nor suffering any wrong to be done by others that he would deliver up to the ancient Gentleman his former Cstate and repossess him in all his Inheritance with many other flattering speeches to move their hearts to be inclinable to pity but his crimes were of too