nimbly slipt the Ring from off his Finger and as nimbly put it on his own whereby the Tinker again became visible but Ricardo was no where to be seen The Hostess seeing such Juggling tricks began to call out for her Money with such a loud voice as waked also the Bedlam who asking for his Master I think said she your Master is the Devil for the Tinker and he are in Dock out Nettle sometimes seen and sometimes not and here is Seven Shillings and six pence to pay and now the Young Devil is fled which I much marvel at for I think none of you both have any Crosses about ye to scare him away Whilst they were thus arguing the case Ricardo slipt away from them taking his course directly towards Billerecay where how he sped we shall declare in the next Chapter CHAP. 7. Hap Ricardo delivered his Letter to Jone Grumball with her Answer to it And several exploits performed by Ricardo with his Invisible Ring IT was at such time of the day when the Curl pate Waggoner of Heaven had well near finisht his Diurnal Course and was driving his panting Steeds down towards the Western Hill when the Renowned Squire Errant Ricardo entred into the Town of Billerecay bending his course directly towards the House of Jone Grumball to whom he delivered Sir Billy's Letter with much obsequiousness telling her such Stories of his Master's Valour his Honour of Knight-Hood and of the great affection he bore to her that her heart began to melt towards him even as a pound of Butter melts before the Sun But being she could not read her self she sent for a Journey-man Shoomaker to the further end of the Town to read it one who bore good will unto her and was at that present inditing a Letter to make her know the affection he bore her Crispin having read it over and understanding he had a Knight to his Rival was very much troubled but Jone Grumball was so well pleased with the Sugar-Candy Words he sent unto her that she vowed her self unto him both Body and Breeches asking Ricardo many questions concerning him all which he answered in such lofty Language amplifying his prowess the respects all people shewed unto him with the faithful Love he bare unto her that she was more and more entangled in the Lime-Twigs of Love vowing and protesting her self his for ever Crispin by these presages finding his Suit like to have but a cold reception to avenge himself on Ricardo by whose speeches he thought Jone's Heart was estranged from him he therefore ran to old Thomasio telling him his Son's partner in stealing away his Horses was at that instant at Jone Grumball's whom he might easily take and by that means know what was become of his Son as also of his Horses Thomasio quick as lightning taking a Constable along with him went to Jone Grumballâ— and seizing upon Ricardo threatned him with all the punishments he could reckon up as Hanging Burning Drowning Killing Stabbing and twenty other kinds of Death besides if he told him not where his Son and Horses were Ricardo nothing daunted at his Domineering but intending to put a trick upon him told him that his Son was become one of the greatest Lord in the World that Kings and Queens craved his Assistance and Lords and Ladies implored his help that he commonly kill'd half a dozen Gyants for his Breakfast and bathed his Sword in the Blood of Monsters and Dragons every day That his Master was at that present in the Sage Freston's Castle where the most excellent Princess Tantabilus courted his Love but that he had vowed himself only to the Service of his Beautiful Dulcina In sum that his Master was a Knight and he was his Squire and that therefore by the Laws of Knight Errantry they were not to be troubled nor molested wheresoever they came But Thomasio being minded not to be put off with such Noninoes charged the Constable to carry him before a Justice of Peace to which Ricardo willingly consented whether they immediately address'd themselves The Justice having heard the Allegations on both sides perswaded Thomasio to go along with Ricardo and see by fair means to bring his Son home again and if he were so obstinate he would not return to take away their Horses which would be a means to spoil their Knight-Errantry and that they might go the more lovingly together he called for a Bottle of Sack to drink them into Unity The Bottle was no sooner set on the Table but Ricardo vowed himself Master thereof and thereupon slipping on his Invisible-Ring he boldly steps to the Table and clapping the Bottle of Sack under his Coat marched away with it not being descerned by any The Justice and Thomasio were stricken into a wonderful Amazement to see the Bottle go away without hands as they thought but much more when they missed Ricardo And now remembring what strange stories he had told of Billy they concluded that both the Master and the Man were turned Conjurers and therefore dreaded what further mischief might by â—is means be shewed unto them In the mean time Ricardo was walked to Jone Grumballs with his Bottle of Sack never pulling off his Ring till he came within the House that not any one might take any Notice of him Here did he tell her what a trick he served the Justice and that therefore he must make all the hast he could to his Master Jone was very well pleased with the Jest but much more with her part she had in the Sack and having drank a Health to Billy she desired Ricardo to stay so long till she got a Letter in answer to his Master which by the School-Master of the Town was performed for her in these words My dearest Knight WIth what Joy I Jone Grumball the Lady of thy affections received your Letter may better be exprest by Imagination than words for hearing of the ardent Love that you beare unto me set forth in such Rhetorical Elocution it fared with me as with a Beggar who on a sudden finding a rich Treasure can scarce believe his own Eyes but fears it is a Dream or some fond Illusion Even so my dearest Knight did it happen unto me hardly could I believe my one Ears much less imagine that so Heroick Renowned a Champion as thou art wouldest become the Loadstone of my Affections But know that I am as much over Head and Ears in Love as thou Nor do not think me light for yielding so soon for what Heart can hold out at the Battery of thy Eloquence thou being a Conqueror of Affections as well as Gyants I shall think the time long till I hear from thee again much more till such time I see thee till when I subscribe my self Thine in indeared Friendship Jone Grumball Ricardo having received the Letter of her promised to be very careful in the delivery of it and she for her part promised him that when she came to be his Knights
follow my first resolution in pursuance of Knight Errantry that after ages may read with admiration the deeds performed by my invincible Arm and Babes unborn speak of the Matchless atchievements done by my Valour CHAP. 13. The Woful story of a Taylor and his Sweet-Heart how they were Hanged in a Barn and how the Murtherers were taken by he means of Sir Billy and a Constable RIcardo was not so attentive to his Master's discourse as he was solicitous for his future safety 〈…〉 assuredly that the Constable having gotten more aid would return again afresh in pursuit of them and then began to mistrust that Knight-Errantry would not protect them from the Constables Whip so imparting his mind to old Gerion the Beggar what he should do therein was by him told of a more secret place as free from search as it was from beholding the Sun-beams to which it was never visible since first it was made a Naskin for the Canting-Crew But Sir Billy by no means would be perswaded to remove resolved he said to see the utmost of his Famous Adventure which put Ricardo into a great consternation not knowing what to do for to tell him of danger was but to cast Oyl into Fire and made him more furious to stay he therefore resolved to sooth him up in his folly and to catch this Buzard in the Woodcocks springe wherefore slipping on his Invisible-Ring and clapping him on the shoulder he uttered forth these Words Sir Knight whose Fame about is Hurl'd Throughout the Vniversal World Whose praises to the skies do Mount And Babes unborn shall it Recount The wise Urganda doth by me Command that thou from hence do Flee Therefore make hast use no delay But with Ricardo pack away Sir Billy hearing a voice and seeing no body was verily perswaded this was some Messenger from the wise Vrganda to have him depart and therefore calling hastily to Ricardo he said unto him My trusty Squire I shall now condescend to thy request in going away from this same-place having received a Command from the wise Urganda therefore whose Words to me I esteem as Oracles and whose Commands as Laws unviolably to be observed Ricardo therefore making no delay mounted his Master on Bellerophon and taking old Gerion up behind him on his own Horse away they marched directed by the old Beggar until such time as they were clear out of danger from all pursuers It was then at such time of the day when as the high pitch'd Sun invades the Earth with his hottest Beams bearing an equal distance betwixt foregoing and ensuing light The scorching Rayes of Heavens Charioteer beating so hotly upon them made them desirous to take shade under the Coverture of some leavy Canopyâ— when looking about for the fittest place they spyed an old Barn encompassed about so with Trees as scarce discernable through their leavy branches Hither being come they entred the same which they had no sooner done but there ran out thereof a lusty young Man with such swiftness as if each step strived to overgo the other so that he was soon vanisht from their eyes which attended him so long as he was discernable wondring what should be the cause of this hast when casting their eyes they saw a Maid stanged onâ— beam whose Soul had taken a final farewel of her body and over her a young Man newly hang'd whose soul was ready â—o dislodge and to sink into the House of Death but Ricardo and old Gerion perceiving some motion in his Body gathere'd by thence that he was not as yet quite rake'd up in deaths cold embers and therefore cutting the rope they by chasing him and some other means which they used brought him to Life and at last to such a degree of Life as to digest his thoughts in words which the first he used were to desire their help to take down that Maid and see if any means might recover her which yet he doubted was impossible whereupon they cut her down but all their endeavours about her were fruitless for cold-faced Death Natures bold pursivant had closed up her eyes in an everlasting sleep which when the young Man perceived fetching a deep sigh he breathed forth this sorrowful lamentation And what can fortune add more to the compleating of my miseries who cannot look beyond the prospect of my consuming grief being one whom the fates have marked out for a feeler of the extreams of miseries miserable below the reach of pitty whose heart is nothing but a Stage of Tragedies all the happinâ—â—â— I have being this that Fortune cannot throw me in a degree of being more miserable Sir 〈◊〉 took great notice of all which â—â—ssed imagining thereby some Famous adventure would fall out 〈◊〉 â—â—erformed by him and therefore spake thus unto the young Man Distressed Knight said he for soâ—â—â—â— see mest by thy sorrowful lamentation do out inform me what humane Wretch hath thus wrong 〈◊〉 â—ee and thy vertuous Lady and let him be Gyant Monster or Devil he shall be chastized by my 〈…〉 Arm for to this end have I taken upon me the profession of Knight Errantry to right 〈…〉 Knights and Ladies and to rid the World of such Monsters of Nature whose delight is 〈…〉 mischief and whose Trades are continued Acts of cruelty The 〈…〉 an who was but as it were newly revived out of a Trance hearing Sir Billy's discourse replyed 〈…〉 either Knight Squire nor yet good Gentleman but a Taylor by Trade living in a village hard by 〈◊〉 this Maiden who is here dead the Daughter of a wealthy Farmer in the same Parish both of 〈…〉 misfortune and sorrow In our very infancy we contracted an indissolvible bond of 〈…〉 be 〈◊〉 and as our years further increased so our affections grew more and more and arriviâ—â—â— to those years wherein the God of Love maketh the hearts of his subjects to dote more upon a Mistress â—an an olâ— man on his heaps of Gold I then began to râ—â—eal my affections unto her which found such a Friendly reception that by mutual vows and promises we contracted our selves each to other 〈◊〉 the foul paâ—e Hog envy that banquets her self in others miseries repining at our happiness had caused 〈◊〉 heart of a certain Smith of our Town to be Captivated by the charming looks of my Rosaro foâ—â—â— wâ—â— my Love caâ—â—â— who with much earnestness declared his affection unto her using many vowâ—◠〈◊〉 protestations of the reality of his Love â—our her heart was so deeply linked to me that whatsoâ—â—â—â— she was was only mine she â—â—ve him so sharp a denial that his Love converting to hatred he 〈◊〉 with revengful fury against her and from thenceforth waited only for an opportunity to put his 〈◊〉 in execution which at last he brought to pass as â—ou see for confederating himself with a coupâ—â—â—â— Fellows the Devils Factors for all wickedness and such whom an honest Man can neither see nor speak 〈◊〉 withoâ—◠〈◊〉 These having intelligence
they emptied the remainder of the two Bottles and now having their Spirits heightned with the generous Wine they went Merrily on 〈…〉 came to the House where the Wedding was kept Here the Bridegroom and Bride entertained 〈◊〉 do right heartily and a great Company being met together there was Fidding Dancing Siâ—ging Kissing and Playing which so delighted the Heart of Ricardo that now he forgot both the affrightment of the Justice Freston and also the necessity which his Master Billy might be in for the Amorous smiles and Odoriferous Kisses of those Country Wenches were such inticing Châ—rms 〈◊〉 Ricardo that he thought himself in Elizium being in their Company And now the Nuptial Couple were goâ—ng to Chuâ—â—◠〈…〉 with their Tongues which afterwards 〈◊〉 could not â—â—tye 〈…〉 having the 〈◊〉 playing before 〈◊〉 and all the way thither 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 though â—â—â—â—wards Netâ—les 〈◊〉 â—ore properly serve the 〈◊〉 Now inmost parts of Essex where this 〈◊〉 was kept it is a common Custom when Poor People Marry to make 〈◊〉 of a Dog-Hanging or Mony-gathering which 〈…〉 a Wedding-Dinner â—o which they invite Tag and Rag all that will come â—here after Dinner upon Summonâ— of the Fiddler who setteth forth his voice like a Town â—â—â—yer a Table being set forth and the Bride set simpering at the upper and of it the Bridegroom â—â—anding by with a White Sheet overthwart his shoulders as if he did 〈…〉 Folly he had committed that day 〈◊〉 the people invited to it like the Soldiers of a Country Train-Banâ— Maâ—â—h up to the Bride â—â—â—sent their Mony and Wheel about After this offerâ—â—â—â— over that is a pair of Gloves â—â—ld on the Table most monstrously bedaubed about with Ribben which by way of Auction is set to Sale at who gives most and he whose hap is for to have them shall withal have a Kiss of the Brâ—â—â— which many â—â—â—es is not much worth because her breath is not so sweet-scented as her Gloves Ricardo who had some Mony still left of that which 〈◊〉 had taken from the Usurer was very liberal at this Wedding and very bounâ—ful amongst the Maids of his Kisses two things which inâ—eared him very much to 〈◊〉 Company And now the juice of the Malt began to work in 〈…〉 and every Coridon had selected his Lass to conferr with Amongst 〈…〉 Batchellor whose Head was covered with an Hoary Fleece 〈…〉 one would have thought to have had nothing but â—ce in his veins and earth in his Vissage had gotten in his Arms a brisk 〈◊〉 as youthful as the early 〈…〉 and Kissing her as if he meant to maâ—â—e a perpetual feast of her â—ips 〈…〉 beheld this with an envious Eye and thinking it unequal that January and â—ay should so twine together he resolved to hinder their Conjunction and to that end having put on his Invisible-Ring sat down close by them to hear their discourse where unperceiv'd he could here the Old Letcher make great 〈◊〉 of his affection to her colouring all under the notion of Love although his thoughts were as lustful and as libidinous as a Goat The Wench a crafty Baggage one well skill'd in Veâ—â—â— School seem'd with some Coy words to push him away from her and then with a flattering smile to allure him again He seeing his words not prevalent enough to batter the Fort of her supposed Chastity gave her Golden promises remembring what he had read in the Poet. Nor less may Jupiter to Goâ—â—â—scribe For when he turâ—d himself into a Bribe Who can blame Danaae or the Brazen Tower That they withstood not the Almighty Shower Never till then did Love make Jove put on A form more bright and noble than his own O the powerful oratory of a Golden Tongue his gifts prevails with the Damosel she consents so it may be done privately Si câ—ste non caute a fit place they agree upon and he being hot upon the spur will admit of no delay Ricardo heard all their discourse and followed them as close as the shadow doth the Sun until they came to the place appointed And now a new parley began betwixt them for the Wench belike having had false dealings before would do nothing without Mony in hand with that the old Letcher told her out twenty Shillings being the price agreed on betwixt them which the Wench very wary in her bargaining would likewise tell over if it were right which whilst she was doing Ricardo laid hold of it and snatching it out of her hands bellowed forth these Words Thou Rogue and VVhore must go with me Away to Limbo presently These words struck them into a panick fear so that instead of an Amorous heat a chilling sweat over-run their trembling Joynts and a sudden amazement made their Hair to stand an end whereupon they betook them to their Heels and fear adding VVings to their Feet in an instâ—nt they were out of sight Ricardo was well pleased with their flight he leaving behind him his Cloak and she her Scarf besides the Mony he had gotten before so that now he thought himself well satisfied for what he had spent at the Wedding besides the pleasure he had in spending his Mony whereupon he resolved to proceed on in his Journey where how he found his Master and what besel Sir Billy after his parting from him shall be declared in the next Chapter CHAP. 10. Sir Billy's encounter with a Dancer on the Ropes how he was carried before a Justice of the Peace and set free by Richardo by the help of his Invisible-Ring SIR Billy after he had parted from Ricardo was in a very bad condition for Mony he had none without which it is but bad Travelling either amongst Friends or Foes and though he had read that Knights Errant never carried any Mony about them but that they were to be entertained Gratis where-ever they came yet it troubled him not a little that he was equipped neither like a Knight nor Squire having left both his Horse and Armor behind him at the Sage Frestons yet had he still his trusty Sword Rosero which sword he prized at a very high rate as that wherewith he was to obtain all his future Conquests In this disconsolate posture he marched along both weary and hungry until such time as night with his black shade began to shut in the day and Phoebus with his Golden locks went to rest himself upon the pillow of fair Thetis Bed when to his comfort he came to a sumptuous Inn adorned 〈…〉 which he according to the Fantasies of Knight Errantry that always 〈…〉 took to be a Castle for the relief of those of his 〈◊〉 into which he â—â—â—dly entred and meeting with the Host who 〈…〉 was big 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 an Host of men encounter'd him in this manâ—â—â— Most worthy Governour of this â—â—mous Castle know that I am one who for the good of my Country have devâ—ted 〈…〉 to the exercise of Armâ— for the relief of distressed Knights and 〈…〉 which Honourable intentions
think long to hear of your Atchievements Besides it was always the Custom of Knights Errant to imploy their Squires on such Embassies therefore you having such a peerless Non-parelia to your Lady cannot in Civility to her omit such a thing Now by the Honour of my Knighthood said Sir Billy next Morning no sooner shall Phoebus guild the Mountain tops with his refulgent beams but I shall send my Squire Ricardo with a Letter to that Queen of Love the beauteous Dulcina And thereupon borrowing Pen Ink and paper of the Justice because Knights Errant never carry any thing about them but only Mouths to Eat and Swords to fight he writ to her in these Words Sir Billy's Letter to Dulcina MOST Beauteous Dulcina the joy of my Heart and Goddess of my Affections by whose influence my Arm becomes Irresistable so that Gyants fall down at the first stroak of my Valour I make no question but the fame of my deeds will arrive to your knowledge before this my Letter by which thou maist understand how victoriously I proceed And all by the power of your incomparable Beauty which I have and will maintain to be unmatchable As for the Particulars of my Adventures I leave them to be related by my trusty Squire Ricardo as also how for thy sake I suffered Imprisonment by a wicked Negromancer with an Inchanted staff and how I was delivered from his damned Spells by the help of the Sage Freston in whose Castle I now remain till I receive an answer from thee which I shall expect with all Impatience till then farewell thou Elixar of all Peauty the first and best original of all fair Copies thine ever constant Knight Sir Billy of Billerecay Having finished his Letter he shewed it to the Justice whom with Sir Billy we must now call the Sage Freston who applauded it exceedingly as the highest piece of ingenuity that Art ever contrived telling him that that Ladies heart must be more obdurate than Marble whom such language could not molify Billy was mightily pleased with his expressions and calling his Squire Ricardo unto him he thus exprest himself My trusty Squire I must now imploy thee upon a weighty affair which I am the more willing to do knowing thy abilities answerable to thy good intentions hereupon I have deputed thee my Ambassador Nuncio or Messenger to deliver this Letter into the hands of that abstract of true Beauty whose radient look strikes every gazing eye stark blind and keeps the amazed beholder under the stupid tyranny of Love and wonder I mean the Beautyful Dulcina the Mistress of my Affections and Sole Commandress of my undertakings and see thou do it in a garb and posture worthy the Servant of so illustrious a Knight that afterwards it may be Inroled by him that shall Write my History with Commendations to thy Eternal Fame Ricardo was much surpriz'd at his Masters superabundant Rhetorick but loath to lose a place of so good entertainment where instead of fighting was full feeding and no gashing nor slashing but only of Loins of Beef Shoulders of Mutton and good fat Capons all which suited extraordinary well with his Stomach But what most of all troubled him was that he was to go he knew not whether to deliver a message to he knew not who and therefore grumbling told his Master that he Commanded him impossibilities to find out a Lady of which there was none such but only in Imagination O thou lump of Ignorance said Sir Billy knowest thou not Joan Grumball whose form is such as might call the World to Wars and make it hazard all its Valour for her Beauty she it is that is the Dulcina thou art to go unto and offer up my Service at the shrine of her Beauty Jone Grumball said Ricardo why she is the lustiest Lass in all our Town either to fill Dung-Cart drive a Wheel-Barrow or carry grains to serve the Hogs but for Beauty in my opinion shee 's no more to be compar'd to Betty our Parsons Maid than is Mr Offly's white Hinde unto your Fathers brindled Cow however I will carry the Letter to her and doubt not but I will Complement with her as well as the best Squire that ever Served Knight Errant since Knight Errantry was in Fashion CHAP. 5. Ricardo is sent with a Letter to Dulcina in the mean time Sir Billy encountreth with a monstrous Gyant in defence of the Tantabilan Princess whom he Manfully overthrows NExt Morning no sooner had Aurora arose from Aged Tithonas Bed and scattered the light from off her Saffron Wheeles but the nimble Knight Ricardo shaking off sleep from those silken Fumes that do bind the Senses arose from his Bed and having taken a lusty Breakfast he then told his Master he was ready to perform his Commandment in delivering his Letter to the fair hands of his beautiful Lady Dulcina alias Joan Grumball and question not but to bring you an Answer according to your desires Nor shall I arrogate any of the Honour of your Atchievements to my self though in many of the Encounters I bore equal blows with you but whatsoever is due to your praise therefore it shall be wholly and solely yours Had not Sir Billy's mind been wholly taken up on thoughts of Knight Errantry he might easily have perceived how grosly his Squire had abus'd him but he impuring it all to duty and respect which he bore to his Valour was contented with praise though never so rediculous And therefore delivering him the Letter with many Commendations reiterated to the Mistress of his Affections he took his leave of him who mounting on Pugnoto his trusty Steed leaving his Armor behind him to the care of his Master who promised to stay till his return he took his Journey towards Billerecay where weleave him for a time the whilst our Pen shall wait upon his Master The Justices Servants minding to put a trick upon this our Knight Errant dressed up the Foot-Boy in Womans Apparel adorning him with Rings Bracelets and other Jewels so that he seemed to be a compleat Princess which part he was to act attended on by two youths who went to School in the Town and were to personate her Brothers These being accoutred in this manner were by the Steward of the House conducted to Sir Billy who was walking in a Garden Contemplating of the perfections of his Dulcina Being come before his Princess Nicosia for so was she called kneeling upon her knees thus spake to him Most Renowned Knight whose Valiant Acts the World both admires and dread who were 't born for the comfort of all in distress and for the Terror and punishment of presuptuous Offenders If ever pitty that poor comfort of Calamity creep into your Heart I beseech you take Compassion of a distressed Princess whom unjust Tyranny hath banish't from my Native Habitation Having proceeded so far Sir Billy who was as courteous as he was valiant would not permit her any longer to kneel but raising her from
succeeding Ages when they have once read the History that shall be written of my Life And therefore Ricardo let it be your Care to provide for our sudden departure since Knights Errant were not born to sleep out their time in the Beds of Ease but to be still seeking out for Adventures as Men made all of Fire of such undaunted high erected Spirits as to make the Dead quake in their Graves to think of them Ricardo who was always more addicted to feeding than fighting as one who had indented with the Grave to bring all his Limbs thither and not to lose one Joynt of them by Quarrelling liked not at all of this proposal having found better Entertainment from the Gentleman than he could expect from his Master yet trusting to the vertue of his Invisible Ring by which he questioned not but to help himself in all his extremities he freely condescended unto it But the Sage Freston desirous to see what was contained in Jone Grumball's Letter thus spake to Sir Billy I make no question most Heroick Knight but the Lady of your affections who is so much Honour'd in having such 〈◊〉 Servant has so pleased your expectation in her most gracious Answer as hath given you satisfaction in her Love and Loyalty unto you and were it not an high presumption in me to beg such a boon I should think my self happy in the perusal os such lines as must needs fall from such a mellifluous Pen. I were very unworthy said Sir Billy of such transcendent Favours I have received from you should I deny you such a small request and thereupon he shewed him her Letter which when the Sage Freston had read as it were in admiration he brake forth into these expressions O the excellency of Natural Wit the Magazine of Eloquence rich Soul of Language a tenth Muse whom all the Muses Court the whole Monopoly of Wit a branch of Minerva's Olive well worthy the Affections of the most Heroick Knight in the whole World How happy art thou Sir Billy in the Choice of such a Mistress whose parts are so transcendent she may well be stiled the epitomy of all Perfections Sir Billy was not a little proud of his Ladies praises verily conceiting her to be such a one as the Sage Freston had painted her forth the Wonder of Nature and Quintessence of perfection saying he would have a Solemn Justs proclaimed in the next Prince's Court he came at wherein by the strength of his Invincible Arm he would maintain his Lady Dulcina to be the Phaenix of Beauty and the Non-parelia of this Age and accordingly gave order to be gone the next Morning but that Ricardo stayed his Journey by a new devised Trick which he brought to pass in this manner Sir Billy used every Evening to walk in the Garden with his hands indented one with another as melancholy as a Gyb'd Cat his Thoughts of Chevalry being made so habitual to him as it was now become part of his Nature In this posture as he was walking his trusty Squire slipping on his Invisible-Ring saluted him with a Crab-Tree Cudgel overthwart his shoulders laying it on so lustily that Sir Billy thought himself engaged in one of those imaginary fights which he had read in his Books of Knight-Errantry and drawing his Sword began to strike but knew not at what at last he heard a Voice which spake to him in this manner Sir Knight before thou dost depart From forth the place whereas thou art Thou must maintain thy Ladies Fame ' Gainst any shall oppose the same Which if thou dost refuse then know Thou shalt receive full many a blow Sir Billy hearing a voice but seeing no Body might have thought it an illusion but that the blows which he felt assured him the contrary wherefore to avoid receiving any more he thus said whosoever thou art that thus speakest unto me know thy mind shall be fulfilled But let me desire to know from whence this message came that when I have finished the Adventure I may know by whose appointment I undertook it To whom the voice answered I am a Spirit sent from the wise Urganda the Lady of the Woods to warn thee not to stir whilst thou hast performed my Command else shall I haunt thee with revenge whethersoever thou goest And having thus said he withdrew himself without the Garden Gate and slipping off his Invisible-Ring came walking towards his Master who with great earnestness told him of this Adventure and so both of them together went to the Sage Freston and acquainted him with it wherefore it was agreed on all sides that a Challenge should be written and Messengers sent abroad into all parts to publish the same which Challenge Sir Billy himself would needs endite which he did in these words Whereas the renowned Knight at Arms Sir Billy of Billerecay hath by the Command of the wise Urganda the Lady of the Woods taken upon him to Justifie and Maintain his Lady Dulcina to be the Paragon of Beauty above all others These are to certifie that the said Sir Billy is ready by force of Arms to maintain the same at the Castle of the Sage Freston against any that shall oppose it either by Justs Turnament or any other Martial Exercise belonging to Knight Errantry Signed Sir Billy Eight days after was the time appointed when those Martial Exercises should be performed in the mean time Messengers were sent abroad to publish the same in all the Towns thereabouts which caused much Wondring amongst many people who this Sage Freston should be and of Justs and Turnaments which few could remember ever to have heard of but the Messengers soon resolved the Riddle informing them of the mad Whimzies of Sir Billy and how all was intended by their Master for sport and divertisement whereupon many Gentlemen thereabouts promised to come and to bring some of their Servants accoutred like Knights Errant to Encounter with Sir Billy but how they sped in their enterprize you shall hear in the next Chapter CHAP. 9. How Sir Billy was forced to run from his Challenge the Mirth Ricardo had at a Wedding what a Trick he served an Old Fornicator and how he went in persuit of his Master AMongst other places whether the Fame of this Challenge did spread was the Town of Billerecay wherein dwelt Thomasio the Father of Sir Billy who hearing of his Sons challenge resolved to encounter him with a Justices Warrant for the recovery of his two Horses and if it were possible to change his Son from a Knight Errant to a Plough-Man again and withal threatning to have Ricardo severely punished to which purpose he easily obtained a Warrant of the same Justice from whom Ricardo before had taken away the Bottle of Wine And being thus armed with better Authority than his Son had for his Knight-Errantry he took his way directly to the Sage Frestons where he had taken Sir Billy Napping had not Ricardo by chance heard of his coming