the second Course which being ended she replyed in this manner Most Noble Lord said she for our bounteous Banquet courteous Entertainment I give the humble thanks of a poor Lady but for your Suit and unlawful desire I do detest as much as the sight of a Crocodile and your flattering Glosses I esteem as much as doth the Ocean of a drisling shower of Rain your Syrens Songs shall never enrice me to listen to your fond Requests but I will like Ulyffes stop my ears and bury all your flattering inticements in the Lake of Forgetfulness Think you that I will stain my Marriage-Bed with the least spot of Infamy that will not proffer me one thought of wrong for all the Treasures of the wealthy Seas Surely the gorgeous Sun shall lose his light by Day and the silver Moon by Night the Skies shall fall the Earth shall sink and every thing shall change from Kind and Nature before I will falsifie my Faith or prove Disloyal to my beloved George attempt no more my Noble Lord to batter the Fortress of my good Name with the Gun-shot of your Flattery nor seek to stain my Honour with your Lustful desires What if my Lord and Husband prove Disloyal and chose out other Loves in Foreign Lands yet will I prove as constant to him as Penelope to her Ulysses and if it be his pleasure never to return but spend his days among strange Ladies yet will I live in single Solitariness like to the Turtle Dove when she hath lost her Mate abandoning all company or as the mournful Swan that swims upon Meander 's Silver Streams where she records her dying tunes to raging Billows so will I spend away my lingering days in grief and die This Resolution of the vertuous Lady so daunted the Earl that he stood like a senseless Image gazing at the Sun not knowing how to reply but yet when they had danced the third Course he began anew to assault her unspotted Chastity in these terms Why my dear Mistriss have you a heart more hard than flint that the tears of my true Love can never mollifie Can you behold him plead for grace that hath been sued unto by many worthy Dames I am a Man that can Command Countries yet can I not command thy stuboorn heart Divine Sabra if thou wilt grant me thy Love and yield to my desire I will have thee clad in Silken Robes and Damask Vestures imbost with Indian Pearls and rich Refined Gold perfumed with Camphire Biss and Syrian sweet Persumes by day a hundred Virgins like to Thetis tripping on the silver Sands shall usually attend thy Person by night a hundred Eunuchs with their strained Instruments shall bring thy Senses into a golden slumber If this procureth not thy sweet content I will prepare a sumptuous Chariot made with Gold wherein thou shalt be drawn by sable sported Steeds along the Fields and gallant Pastâ—res adjoyning to our City Walls whereas the Evening Air shall breathe a coolness â—ar more sweet than Balm upon thy Cheeks and make thy Beauty glister like the purple Pillar of Hyperion when he leaves Aurora blushing in her Bed whereby the Heavens and all the Powers therein shall stand and wonder at thy Beauty and quite forget their usual Courses All this my dear Divine and dainty Mistriss is at thy command and more so that I may enjoy thy Love and Favour which if I have not I will discontentedly end my Life in Woods and Desart places Tygers and untamed Beasts being my chief Companions These vain Promises caused the beauteous Sabra to blush with bashfulness and to give him this sharp Answer Think you my Lord with Golden Promises to obtain the precious Gem the which I will not lose for Europe's Treasury Henceforth be silent in that Enterprize and never after this attempt to practise my dishonour which if you do I vow by Heaven to make it known to every one within the City and to fill all places with the rumour of thy wilful Lust A troop of modest Maids I will procure to haunt thee up and down the streets to wonder at thee like an Owl that never comes abroad but in the darkest night this I am resolved to do and so farewel Thus departed Sabra with a sad Countenance whereby the rest of the Ladies suspected the Earl had attempted her dishonour by secret conference but they all assuredly knew that she was as far from yielding to his desires as is the aged man to be young again or as the Azure Firmament to be a place for Silvane Swains to inhabit In such like Imaginations they spent away the day till the dark night caused them to break off Company The Earl smothered his Grief under a smiling Countenance till the Ladies were every one departed whom he courteously caused his Servants to conduct homewards with Torch-lights because it began to be very dark After their departure he accursed his own Fortune and like a Lyon wanting food raged up and down his Chamber and filling euery corner with bitter exclamations rending his Garments from his back tearing his hair beating his breast and using all the violence he could against himself In this manner spent he away the night suffering no sleep to close the windows of his body His melancholy and extream passion so discontented his mind that he purposed to give end to his sorrows by some untimely death So when the morning appeared he made his repair to an Drchard where Sabra commonly once a day walked to take the Air. The place was very Belancholy and far from the noise of People where after he had spent some certain time in exclaiming against the unkindness of Sabra he pulled his Poimard from his back and prepared his Breast to entertain the stroke of death but before the pretended Tragedy with his Dagger he engraved these Uerses following upon the bark of a Walnut-tree Oh heart more hard then bloody Tygers fell O Ears more deaf than sensless troubled Seas O cruel foe thy rigour doth excell For thee I die thy anger to appease But time will come when thou shalt find me slain Then thy Repentance will encrease thy pain I here engrave my Will and Testament That my sad grief thou may'st behold and see How that my woful heart is torn and rent And gor'd with bloody blade for love of thee Whom thou disdain'st as now the end doth try That thus distress'd doth suffer me to die Oh Gods of Love if so there any be And you of Love that feel the deadly pain Oh Sabra thou that thus afflictest me Hear these my words which from my heart I strain E're that my Corps be quite bereav'd of breath Here I 'll declare the cause of this my death You Mountain Nymphs which in the Desarts Raign Leave off your chase from savage Beasts a while Prepare to see a heart opprest with pain Address your ears to hear my doleful stile No strength nor Art can work me any weal Sith she
called Argenia for it seemed to be of Argenâ— that is as much as to say of Silver During the time of the Champion's pleasurable walk which continued from the break of day to the closing of the Evening happened a woful Tragedy near unto the Queens Pavilion committed by the Monstrous Gyant whom St. George brought from the Enchanted Tower For that same Morning when the Sun had mounted some few Degrées unto the Firmament seven of the Quéens Uirgins in Sabra's Company walked into a pleasant Thicket of Trees adjoyning to her Pavilion not only to take the pleasure of the Morning Air but to hear the chirping melody of Birds in which Thicket or Grove under a Pine-tree this Gyant Lodged the passed Night but no sooner came these Beautiful Ladies under the Branches of the Trees but the Gyant cast his Eyes upon them whose rare Perfections so fired the heart of the Lustful Gyant that he must either quench his desires with the spoils of their Chastities or end his days in some Monstrous manner therefore he started up from the place where he lay and with a wrathful Countenance ran amongst the Ladies and catching them all eight at once betwixt his Arms he bore them to the further side of the Grove where he Ravished seven of the Queens Maidens and afterwards devoured them alive into his loathsome Bowels Sabra being the eighth of that woful number which in her sight she beheld Butchered by that bloody Wolf but continuing the time of their Ravishment she made her supplication to the Gods that they would in mercy defend her Chastity from the Lustful Rape of so wicked a Monster and immediately upon these words the saw an ugly Toad come crawling before her through which by Policy she saved her life and preserved her Honour For she took the Toad betwixt her hands and crushed the Uenom from her impoisoned Bowels wherewith she all besprinkled her Face so that presently her fair Beauty was changed into loathsome Blisters for she seemed more like a Creature deâ—ormed with Leprosie than a Lady of excellent Feature At length she being the last of all her time came that she should be Deâ—loured and the Lustful Gyant came to fetch her but when he beheld her Uisage so envenomed he loathed her sight seeking neither to Ravish her nor proffering to Devour her but discontentedly wandring away greatly grieved at the committed Crime and sorely repenting himself of so wicked a Deed not only for the spoil of the seven Uirgins but for the wrong proffered to so Noble a Knight who not only granted him liberty of Life but received him into his Service therefore he raged up and down the Grove making the Earth to tremble at his Exclamations one while cursing his Fortune and hour of Creation another while banning his Sire and Devillish Dam but when he remembred the Noble Champion St. George whose angry Frown he would not see for all the World then to prevent the same he ran his Head most furiously against a knobbed Oak and brained himself where we will leave him now weltring in his Blood and speak what became of Sabra after this bloody Accident for after she had wandred up and down the Thicket many a weary step incensing Heaven against the Gyant 's Cruelty the Sun began to set and the dark Night grew on which caused her thus to complain Oh you Immortal Powers of Heaven and you Coelestial Planets being the true Guiders of the Firmament open your bright Coelestial Gates and send some fatal Planet or some burning Thunder-bolt to rid me from the Vale of Misery for I will nevermore return to my Lord since I am thus deformed and made an ugly Creature my loathsome face will prove a Corrosive to his heart and my Body a torment to his Soul my sight will be unpleasant my Company hated my Presence loathed and every one will shun my sight as from a Crocodile therefore I will remain within this Grove till Heaven either bring me to my former Beauty or end my Languishing Misery yet witness Heaven of my Loyalty unto my Lord and in what extremity I have maintained my Chastity in remembrance of my true Love here will I leave this Chain of Gold for my beloved Lord to find that he may know for his sake I have endured a World of Woe At which Speeches she took her Chain which was doubled twenty times about her Neck and left it lying all besmeared in the blood of those Uirgins whom the Gyant had Ravished and slain and so betook her self to a sad solitary Life intending never to come in the sight of Men but to spend her days wandring in the Woods where we will likewise leave her for a time and speak of St. George who by this was returned to the Queen's Pavilion where he missed his Lady and had intelligence how that she in company of seven other Ladies walked in the Morning into a pleasant Grove to hear the Melody of Birds and since that time no News hath been heard of them for as then it grew toward night which caused St. George greatly to mistrust that some Mischance had befallen his Lady Then he demanded what was become of the Gyant but answer was made that he was never seen nor heard of since Morning which caused him greatly to suspect the Gyant 's Treachery and how by his means the Ladies were prevented of their purposed pleasures Therefore in all haste like a frantick man he ran into the Thicket filling every corner with Clamors and resounding Ecchoes of her name and calling for Sabra through every Bramble Bush but there he could neither hear the voice of Sabra nor the answer of any other Lady but the woful Ecchoes of his Exclamations which ratled through the leaves of the Trees Then began he to wax somewhat Melancholy and Passionate passing the time away till bright Cynthia mounted on the Hemisphere by whose glistring Beams he saw the ground besprinkled with purple gore and found the Chain that Sabra was wont to wear about her Neck all besmeared in Blood he bitterly complained against his own Fortune and his Ladies hapless Destiny for he supposed then that the Gyant had Murdered her O discontented sight said he here lies the blood of my beloved Lady the truest Woman that ever Knight enjoyed that Body which for Excellency deserved a Monument of Gold more rich than the Tomb of Angelica I fear lies buried in the Bowels of that Monstrous Gyant whose Life unhappily I granted Here is the chain besmeared in blood which at our first Acquaintance I gave her in a Courtly Mask this Golden Chain I say stained with the blood of my dear Lady shall for evermore be kept within my Bosome near unto my bleeding heart that I may still remember her true Love Faith and Constancy But fond fool that I am why do I talk in vain it will not recompence her murthered Soul the which methinks I hear how it calls for Revenge in every
new into the room made him young again In another Table was pourtrayed King Midas who for preferring Pans Pipe before Apollos Harp was for his pains rewarded with a pair of Asses Ears Whilst they were viewing these Pictures with delight the Enchantress Mededa came down from her Chamber who beholding Sir Guy with a fixed look thus said unto him Sir Knight return unto thy Ship Let no advantage from thee slip For now the time is nigh at hand Thou must be joyn'd in Hymens band Thy constancy to her is known Who seeks to have thee for her own But e're these things to thee betide Thou many troubles must abide Having thus said she vanished out of their sight leaving them much wondring at what they had heard Then taking their leave of the Dwarf they returned again towards their Ship but in their way as they passed along by a Rivers side which gently running made swéet musick with the enameled stones and séemed to give a gentle kiss to every sedge he overtook in his watry Pilgrimage There came crossing a Meadow towards them an antient Shepherd who by the downfal of his mellow years seemed as if Nature had brought him near to the door of death yet were not his Hairs so gray by years as made by sorrow which his blubber'd Countenance gave a doleful copy of his thoughts what he was about to speak Sir Knights said he if ever compassion harboured in noble Breasts let my aged years and extream misfortunes crave your pity who from a contented and not despicable estate am now become Fortunes Tennis-ball by the unconstancy of that blind Goddess Know then worthy Knights my name is Selindus once possessed of the Wealthy Barrony of Mompelior scituate in this Island of Micomicom a place which for the richuefs of the Soyl and pleasantness of the Scituation is scarcely parallel'd in all the Country These fair possessions of mine left unto me when I was young soon procured me a Wife of which yet I had no cause to repent being a Lady replenished with all the Ornaments and Endowments of Nature which might make her in every wise compleat Happily we lived together for some short space of time when the fruits of her Womb gave us great hopes of more future joyes but the Fates had decreed otherwise for upon her delivery the birth of the Ihfant proved the death of the Parent and she to bestow a Gem on the Earth became her self a Pearl in the starry Firmament What should I say more I lost a Wife and gained a Daughter and indeed a Daughter of such super-excellent parts as might put a cessation of sorrow for the Mother This Daughter whose name was Praxida did I bring up in all vertuous Education who in short time became the wonder of her Sex having in her such perfections as did yield subject to admiration and as she grew more in years so did she add more to her perfections which admirable Endowments attracted to her many adorers who sued for her favour amongst whom was one whom she most fancied whose name was Euphemius a knight of Placida being an Island not far off under the Queen Artemia who had made him sole Governour thereof Betwixt this Euphemius and my Daughter unknown to me had passed a solemn Contract she belike fearing to disclose it to me as doubting my consent his Estate not being answerable to my Revenues wherefore they got privately Married together Now it happened not long after upon some offence against the Queen Euphemius was committed to Prison and having layn there some few dayes was brought before the Queen to be examined who beheld him with great wonder and astonishment for indéed he was a person of a lovely Countenance and in whom Dame Nature had done her utmost to the making of him in all parts compleat which so wounded her heart with an affection towards him that instead of his being her Captive she became his and in part to manifest the same unto him she frankly gave him his freedom and with many kind words entertained him very graciously into her favour yet could not all this kindness endear her unto him but the more she shewed love to him on the one side the more was his hatred to her on the other and that not so much in respect of his to my Daughter as the mortal spite he bare to her for his Imprisonment so that having a sit opportunity offered him he fled from the Court and confederating with some friends intended to levy War against the Queen The Queen understanding of his departure fared like unto a distracted Woman wringing her hands and beating on her Ivory Breasts she cast her self upon the ground tearing the lovely Tresses from her head Her Ladies comforted her the best wise they could but that cherisht fire which blindly crept through every Uein of her fluent blood would suffer her to take no rest but being at last informed in what place he was she sent to him this following Letter COuld I in the least imagine what should cause your so sudden departure if it lay in my power the cause thereof should be removed but the fore not being known how can the remedy be administred If you think upon your restraint think also upon your free-given Liberty and do not write the one in Marble the other in Sand. That I seek for love to you impute it not to lightness but to a real affection and let your return again to me demonstrate that your heart is not inexorable when perhaps my presence may plead more in my excuse then can this Paper-Messenger so wishing you what she wants her self Health she remains ever yours Artemia This Letter she sent by a trusty Messenger but his mind was so fully bent against her that instead of liking it caused loathing Wherefore taking his Pen in hand he sent her again this bitter return WHat should cause you to dote where you are hated I cannot imagine love but lust therefore I shall not esteem of your Syrens Tongue knowing that Bees have stings as well as honey Nor think not to entrap me any more by your suger'd baits but know that none so much hates the memory of you as doth your sworn Enemy Euphemius This Answer was to Artemia as a Dagger piercing her heart so that she immediately fell into such a deadly swound as her Ladies about her could hardly recover her Unhappy Artemia then said the Queen and must I live to be despised and he to triumph in my overthrow ungrateful man can all my courtesies reap no other profit but only disdain Is it possible that I can continue to love thee that deservest rather to live in my hatred but why do I thus exclaim against him who perhaps doth this only to try me no no Artemia he slights thy love Then dye fond Queen defer not to live any longer yet dear Euphemius in my death shall I make it known how near thy love was to my heart and how
about with old withered and hollow Trees wherein they were entertained with such dismal croaking of Night-Ravens hissing of Serpents bellowing of Bulls and roaring of Monsters that it rather seemed a Wilderness of Furies than a Worldly Habitation By which they knew it to be the Inchanted Uale of Kalyb the Lady of the Woods so pacing to the middle of the Thicket they came to a Cave whose Gate and Entry was of Iron whereon hung a Brazen Horn for them to wind that would speak with the Sorceress First Offering their Lamb with great Humility before the Postern of the Cave then exempting all fear they winded the Brazen Horn the sound whereof seemed to shake the Foundation of the Earth after which they heard a loud and hollow voice that uttered these words following Sir Knight from whence thou cam'st return Thou hast a Son most strangely born A Dragon that shall split in twain Thy Ladies Womb with extream pain A Champion bold from thence shall spring And practise many a wondrous thing Return therefore make no delay For it is true what I here say This dark Riddle or rather Mystical Oracle being thrice repeated in this Order so much amazed them that they stood in doubt whether it were best to return or to wind the Brazen Horn the second time but being perswaded by the other Knight not to move the impatience of Kalyb he rested satisfied with the Answer Thus he left the Enchanted Cave to the Government of Kalyb and with all speed dispatched his journey to his Native Habitation but in the mean time his Lady being overcharged with extream pain and bitter anguish of her laboursome Womb was forced either to the spoil of her Infant or decay of her own Life but regarding more the benefit of her Country than her own safety and for the preservation of her Child she most willingly committed her tender Womb to be opened that her Infant might be taken forth alive Thus with the consent of many Learned Chirurgions this most Noble and Magnanimous Lady was cast into a dead sléep her Womb cut up with sharp Rasors and the Infant taken from the Bed of his Creation Upon his Breast Nature had Pictured the lively form of a Dragon upon his right hand a blood-red Cross and on his left Leg a Golden Garter they named him George and provided him thrée Nurses one to give him suck another to keep him asleep and the third to provide him Food Not many days after his Nativity the fell Enchantress Kalyb being the utter Enemy to true Nobility by Charms and Witchcrafts stole this Infant from the careless Nurses At which time though all too late her Noble Lord and Husband returned in good hope to hear a joyful Delivery of his Lady and a Comfort of a Son But his wished Joy was turned into an unlook'd-for Sorrow for he found not only his Lady dismembred of her Womb but his young Son wanting without any news of his abode which woful spectacle bereaved him of his Wits that for a time he stood sensless like weeping Niobe but at last brake into these bitter Exclamations O Heavens why cover you not the Earth with Everlasting Night Why do these accursed Eyes behold the Sun O that the Waves of Oenipus might end my days or like an Exile joy in Banishment where I may warble forth my Sorrows to the whispering Woods that sensless Trees may Record my Loss and untam'd Beasts grieve at my want What Monster hath bereaved me of my Child or what Tyrant hath been glutted with this Tragedy O that the wind would be a Messenger and bring me happy News of his abode if he be drench'd in the deepest Seas thither will I dive to fetch him up if he be hid in the Caverns of the Earth thither will I dig to see my son or if he like a feathered Fowl lie hovering in the Air yet thither will I flie and embrace him that never yet mine Eyes beheld But why do I thunder forth my Exclamations thus in vain when neither Earth nor Seas nor any thing in Earth nor Seas will grant me Comfort for his Recovery Thus complained he many Months for the loss of his Son and sent Messengers into every circuit of the Land but no Man proved so fortunate as to return him happy tydings He thus being frustrate of all good hopes stored himself with Iewels and so intended to Travel the wide World either to speed in his Iourney or leave his Boues in some Foreign Region Thus leaving his Native Country he wandred from place to place till the Hairs of his Head were grown as white as Silver and his Beard like the Thistle-down but at last he ended his Travel in Bohemia where what for Age and excessive Grief he laid himself down under a Ruinated Monastery Wall and died the Commons of that Countrey having knowledge of his name by a Iewel he wore in his Bosom engraved it in Marble stone right over his Sepulchre where we leave him sleeping in peace and return to his Son remaining with Kalyb the Lady of the Woods in the Inchanted Cave Now twice seven years were fully finished since Kalyb first had in kéeping the Noble St. George of England whose mind many times thirsted after Honourable Adventures and often attempted to set himself at Liberty but the fel Enchantress tendering him as the apple of her Eye appointed twelve sturdy Satyrs to attend his Person so that neither Force nor Policy could further his intent She kept him not to Triumph in his Tragedy nor to spend his days in Slavery but feeding his Fancy with all delights that Art and Nature could afford for in him she fixed her chief Felicity and Lusted after his Beauty But he seeking to advance himself by Martial Discipline and Knightly Attempts utterly refused her proffered Courtesie and highly disdained to affect so wicked a Creature She seeing her Love bestowed in vain upon a time being in a secret corner of the Cave began to flatter him in this manner Thou knowest my dear George how worthily I have served thy Love and how for thy sake I have kept my Viginity unstained yet thou more cruel than the Tygers bred in Libya rejectest me Dear Knight fulfill my desires and at thy pleasure my Charms shall practice wondrous things as to move Heaven to Rain Showers of Stones upon thy Enemies to convert the Sun to Fire the Moon to Blood or make a Desolation of the whole World The Noble Knight St. George considered in his mind that Love would make the wisest blind Therefore by these her fair promises he hoped to obtain Liberty the which moved him to make her this Answer Most Wise and Learned Kalyb thou Wonder of the World I condescend to all thy desires upon this condition that I may be sole Protector and Governor of this Inchanted Cave and that thou describe to me my Birth my Name and Parentage Thereto the willingly consented and began her Discourse in this
and other timber-work of the purest Ebony the covering thereof of pure Silk cross-barr'd with pure staves of Gold likewise an hundred of the Noblest Peers of Egypt Attired in Crimson Uelvet Mounted on Milk-white Coursers with Rich Caparisons attended the coming of St. George Thus were all appointed for his Honourable Entertainment which they performed in such Solemn Order that I lack Eloquence to describe it for when he first entred the Gates of the City he heard such a melodious Harmony of Heavenly sounding Mulick that it seemed in his conceit to surpass the sweetness of all that ever he had heard before Then they most Royally Presented him with a sumptuous and costly Ball of Gold and after invested him in that Ebony Chariot wherein he was Conducted to the Palace of King Ptolomy where this Noble and Princely-minded Champion surrendred up his Conquest and Uictory to the hands of the Beauteous Sabra where she with like Courtesie and more Humility requited his Bounty For at the first sight of the English Knight she was so Ravished with his Princely Countenance that for a time she was not able to speak Yet at last taking him by the hand she led him to a Rich Pavillion where she Unarmed him and with most Precious Salves imbalmed his Wounds and with her Tears washed away the Blood which being done she furnished a Table with all manner of Delicates for his repast where her Father was present who enquired of his Country Parentage and Name After the Banquet was ended he enstalled him with the Honour of Knighthood and put upon his feet a pair of Golden Spurs But Sabra who fed upon the Banquet of his Love conducted him to his Nights Repose where she sate upon his Bed and warbled forth most Heavenly Melody upon her Lute till his Senses were overcome with a swéet and sileÌ„nt sleep where she left him for that Night after his late dangerous Battel No sooner did Aurora's Radiant Blush display the Beauty of the East and the Sun shew his Morning Countenance but Sabra repaired to the English Champion's Lodging and at his first uprising presented him with a Diamond of most rare and excellent Uertue the which he wore upon his finger The next that entred his Lodging was the Treacherous Almidor the Black King of Morocco having in his Hand a Bowl of Graekish Wine which he offered to the Noble Champion St. George of England but at the receit thereof the Diamond the Lady gave him which he wore upon his finger waxed pale and from his Nose fell three drops of Blood whereat he started which sudden Accident caused the King's Daughter to suspect some secret Poison compounded in the Wine and thereupon so vehemently shrieked that a sudden Uproar presently overspread the whole Court whereby it came to the King's Intelligence of the proffered Treachery of Almidor against the English Champion but so dear was the Love of the Egyptian King to the Black King of Morocco that no belief of Treachery could enter into his mind Thus Almidor the second time was prevented of his practice whereat in Mind he grew more enraged than a chased Bore yet thinking the third should pay for all he expected a time wherein to work his wicked purpose which he brought to pass in this manner Many a day remained St. George in the Egyptian Court sometimes Revelling among the Gentlemen Dancing and Sporting with Ladies other times in Tilts and Tournaments with other Honourable Exercises Likewise long and extream was the Love that Beauteous Sabra bore to the English Champion of the which this Treacherous Almidor had Intelligence by many secret practises and many times his Ears were witnesses of their Discourses So upon an Evening when the Gorgeous Sun lay level with the Ground it was his Fortune to wander under a Garden Wall to take the coolness of the Evenings Air where unseen of the two Lovers he heard their Amorous Discourses as they sate dallying under a Bower of Roses Courting one another in this manner My Soul's delight my Heart 's chief comfort sweet George of England said the Love-sick Sabra Why art thou more obdurate than the Flint whom the Tears of my true Heart can never mollifie how many thousand sighs have I breathed for thy sweet sake which I have sent to thee as true Messengers of my Love yet never wouldst thou requite me with a smiling Countenance Refuse not her dear Lord of England that for thy Love will forsake Parents Country and Inheritance which is the Crown of Egypt and like a Pilgrim follow thee throughout the wide World On therefore knit that Gordian knot of Wedlock that none but Death can afterwards untie that I may then say The Sun shall lose his brightness the Moon her splendant beams the Sea her tydes and all things under the Cope of Heaven grow centrary to Kind before Sabra the Heir of Egypt prove Unconstant to sweet George of England These words so fired the Champion's heart that he was almost intangled in the snares of Love which before-time only affected Martial Discipline he yet to try her Patience a little more made her this Answer Lady of Egypt Can'st thou not be content that I have ventured my Life to free thee from Death but I should link my future Fortunes in a Woman's Lap and so bury all my Honours in Oblivion No no Sabra George of England is a Knight born in a Country where true Chivalry is nourisht and hath sworn to search the World so far as ever the Lamp of Heaven doth lend his Light before he tie himself in the troublesome State of Marriage therefore attempt me no more that am a Stranger and a Wanderer from place to place but seek to aim at higher states as the King of Morocco who will attempt to climb to Heaven to gain thy Love and good Liking At which speeches she suddenly replied in this manner The King of Morocco is as bloody minded as a Serpent but thou more gentle then a Lamb his Tongue as ominous as the screeching Night Owl but thine more sweet than the Morning Lark his kind embracings like the stinging Snakes but thine more pleasant than the creeping Vine What if thou beest a Knight of a strange Country thy Body is more precious to mine Eves than Kingdoms to mine Heart There stay Reply'd the English Champion I am a Christian thou a Pagan I Honour God in Heaven thou Earthly Shadows here below therefore if thou â—â—ilt obtain my Love and Liking thou must forsake thy Mahomet and be Christned in our Christian Faith With all my Soul answered the Egyptian Lady I will forsake my Countrey Gods and for thy Love become a Christian and therewithal she burst a Ring in twain the one half she gave to him in pledge of Love and kept the other half for her self and so for that time departed the Garden During all the time of their Discourse the Treacherous minded Almidor stood listning to their speeches and fretted inwardly to
true Champion of Christendom thy Life and Liberty I have gained but therewith thy Banishment from Iuda which is a Hell of Plorror to my Soul for in thy bosome have I built my happiness and in thy heart I account the Paradise of my true Love thy first sight and lovely Countenance did ravish me for when these eyes beheld thee mounted on thy Princely Palfry my heart burned in Affection towards thee therefore dear Knight in reward of my Love be thou my Champion and for my sake wear this Ring with this Poesie engraven in it Ardeo affectione and so giving him a Ring from her Finger and therewithal a Kiss from her Mouth she departed with a sorrowful sigh in company of her Father and the rest of his honourable Train back to the City of Jerusalem being as then near the Setting of the Sun But now St. James the Champion of Spain having escaped the danger of Death and at full liberty to depart from that unhappy Nation he fell into many cogitations one while thinking upon the true Love of Celestine whose name as yet he was ignorant of another while upon the cruelty of her Father then intending to depart into his own Country but looking back to the Towers of Jerusalem his mind suddenly altered for thither he purposed to go haping to have sight of his Lady and Mistriss and to live in some disguised sort in her presence and be his Loves true Champion against all Comers So gathering certain Black-berries from the Trees he coloured his Body all over like a Blackmoor but yet considering that his Countrey Speech would discover him intended likewise to continue dumb all the time of his Residence in Jerusalem So all things ordered according to his desire he took his Iourney to the City where with signs and other motions of dumbness he declared his intent which was to be entertained in the Court and to spend his time in the Service of the King Whose Countenance when the King beheld which seemed of the natural colour of the Moors he little mistrusted him to be the Christian Champion whom before he greatly envied but accounted him one of the bravest Indian Knights that ever his eye beheld therefore he installed him with the honour of Knighthood and appointed him to be one of his Guard and likewise his Daughters only Champion Thus when St. James of Spain saw himself invested in that honourable place his soul was ravished with such exceeding joy that he thought no pleasure comparable to his no place of Elysium but the Court of Jerusalem and no goodness but his beloved Celestine Long continued he dumb casting forth many a loving sigh in the presence of his Lady and Mistress not knowing how to reveal the secrets of his mind So upon a time there arrived in the Court of Nabuzaradan the King of Arabia with the Admiral of Babylon both presuming upon the Love of Celestine and craving her in the way of Marriage but she exempted all their motions of Love from her chast mind only building her thoughrs upon the Spanish Knight which she supposed to be in his own Countrey At whose melancholy passions her importunate Suitors the King of Arabia and the Admiral of Babylon marvelled and therefore intended upon an Evening to present her with some rare devised Mask So choosing out fit Consorts for their Courtly Pastimes of which number the King of Arabia was chief and first Leader of the Train the great Admiral of Babylon was the second and her own Champion St. James the third who was called in the Court by the name of the Dumb Knight in this manner the Mask was performed First entred a most excellent Consort of Musick after them the aforesaid Maskers in cloath of Gold and most curiously imbroidered and daunced a course about the Hall at the end whereof the King of Arabia presented Celestine with a costly Sword at the Hilt whereof hung a Silver Glove and upon the point was erected a Golden Crown Then the Musick sounded another Course of which the Idmiral of Babylon was Leader who presented her with a Uesture of pure Silk of the colour of the Rain-bow brought in by Diana Venus and Juno which being done the Musick sounded the third time in which course St. James tho' unknown was the Leader of the Dance who at the end thereof presented Celestine with a Garland of sweet Flowers which was brought in by the three Graces and put upon her head Afterwards the Christian Champion intending to discover himself unto his Lady and Mistress took her by the lilly-hand and led her a stately Morisco Dance which was no sooner finished but he offered her the Diamond Ring which she gave him at his departure in the Woods the which she presently knew by the Poesic and shortly after had intelligence of his long continued Dumbness his counterfeit Colour his changing of Nature and the great danger he put himself to for her sake which caused her with all the speed she could possibly make to break off Company and to retire into a Chamber which she had by where the same Evening she had a long Conference with her true and faithful Lover and adventurous Champion and to conclude they made some agreement betwixt them that the same night unknown to any in the Court she bad Jerusalem adieu and by the light of Cynthia's glistering Beams stole from her Father's Palace where in company of none but St. James she took her Iourney towards the Countrey of Spain But this Noble Knight by Policy prevented all ensuing Dangers for he shod his Horse backwards whereby when they were missed in the Court they might be followed the contrary way By this means escaped the two Lovers from the Fury of the Jews and arrived safely in Spain in the City of Sevil wherein the brave Champion St. James was born where now we leave them for a time to their own contented minds Also passing over the hurly-burly in Jerusalem for the loss of Celestine the vain pursuits of adventurous Knights in sâ—opping the Ports and Havens the preparing of fresh Horse to follow them and the Bustering of Soldiers to pursue them the frantick passions of the King for his Daughter the mèlancholy moan of the Admiral of Babylon for his Mistris and the woful Lamentation of the Arabian King for his Lady and Love we will return to the Adventures of the other Christian Champions CHAP. VI. The terrible Battel betwixt St. Anthony the Champion of Italy and the gyant Blanderon and afterwards of the strange Entertainment in the Gyant 's Castle by a Thracian Lady and what hapned to him in the same Castle IT was the same time of the year when the Earth was newly deckt with the Summer's Livery when the Noble and Heroical minded Champion St. Anthony of Italy Arrived in Thracia where he spent his seven years Travels to the Honour of his Country the Glory of God and to his own still lasting Memory for after he had
almost equally with the King for which there ingendered in the Kings heart a secret rancour and hatred towards him The Magician cast his love upon the young Princess Angelica and it was ordained by destiny that she should repay him with the same affection so that both their hearts being wounded with love the one to the other they indured sundry great Passions Then Love which continually seeketh occasions did on a time set before this Magician a Waiting Maid of Angelica's named Fidelia the which thing seemed to be wrought by the immortal power of the Goddess Venus Oh in what fear the Magician was to discover unto her all his heart and to bewray the secrets of his love-sick Soul but in the end by the great industry and diligence of the Waiting-maid whose Name was answerable unto her mind there was order given that these two Lovers should meet together This fair Angelica for that she could not at her ease enjoy her true Lover she did determine to leave her own natural Country Father and with this intention being one night with her Love she cast her Arms about his neck and said Oh my sweet and well-beloved Friend seeing that my Destinies have been so kind to me as to have my heart linked in thy Breast let no man find in thee ingratitude for that I cannot live except continually I enjoy thy sight and do not muse my Lord at these my Words for the intire love that I bear to you constreineth me to make it manifest And this believe of a certainty that if thy sight be absent from me it will be an occasion that my heart will lack his vital recreation and my soul forsake her Earthly habitation You know my Lord how that the King my Father doth bear you no good Will but doth hate you from his soul which will be an occasion that we cannot enjoy our hearts contentments for the which I have determined if you think well thereof to leave both my Father and my native Country and to go and live with you in a strange Land And if you deny me this you shall very quickly see your loving Lady without life but I know you will not deny me for thereon consisteth the benefit of my welfare and my chiefest prosperity And therewithal sheding a few tears from her Crystal Eyes she held her peace The Magician as one half ravished with her earnest desires answered and said My Love and sweet Mistress wherefore have you any doubt that I will not fulfill and accomplish your desire in all things therefore out of hand put all things in readiness that your pleasure is to have done for what more benefit or contentment can I receive than to enjoy your sight continually in such sort that neither of us may depart from the others company till the fatal Destinies give end to our lives Or if it so fall out that Fortune frown upon us that we be espied and taken in our enterprize and suffer death together what more glory can there happen unto me than to die with thee and to end my life betwixt thy arms therefore do not trouble your self dear Lady and Mistress but give me leave for â—o depart your presence that I may provide all things in readiness for our departures And so with this conclusion they took leave one of the other and departed away with as great secresie as might possibly be devised After this within a few days the Magitian by his Enchantment caused a Chariot to be made that was drawn by the flying Dragons into the which without being espyed of any one they put themselves together with their trusty Waiting-Maid and in great secresie they departed out of the Kings Pallace and took their journey towards the Country of Armenia into the which Country in a short time they arrived and came without any misfortune unto a place where as deep Rivers did continually strike upon a Rock upon the which stood an old ancient building wherein they intended to inhabit as a most convenient place for their dwelling whereas they might without all fear of being found live peaceably enjoying each others love Not far from that place there was a small Uillage from whence they might have necessary provision for the maintaining of their bodies Great joy and pleasure these two Lovers received when they found themselves in such a place whereas they might take their fill of each others loves The Magician delighted in no other thing but to go a hunting with certain Country Dwellers that inhabited in the next Uillage leaving his sweet Angelica accompanied with her trusty Fidelia in that house so in this order they lived together four years spending their days in great pleasure but in the end time who never â—ested in one degree did take from them their â—est and repayed them with sorrow and extream misery For when the King her Father found her missing the sorrow and grief was so much that he received that he kept his Chamber a long time and would not be comforted of any body Four years he passed away in great heaviness filling the Court with Ecchoes of his beloved Daughter and making the Skies to resound his lamentations sorrow was his food salt tears his drink and grief his chief Companion But at last upon a time as he sate in his Chair lamenting her absence with great heaviness and being over-charged with grief he chanc'd to fall into a troublesome dream for after quiet sleep had closed up the closers of his Eyes he dreamed that he saw his Daughter standing upon a Rock by the Sea-side offering to cast her Body into the Waves before she would return to Babylon and that he beheld her Lover with an Army of Satyrs and Wild-men ready furnished with habiliments of War to pull him from his Throne and to deprive him of his Kingdom Out of this Uision he presently started from his Chair as though it had been one frighted with a Legion of Sâ—irits and caused four of the chief Peers of his Land to be sent for to whom he committed the Government of his Country certifying them that he intended a Uoyage to the Sepulchre at Memphis thereby to qualify the fury of his Daughters Ghost whom he dreamed to be drowned in the Seas and that except he sought by true Submission to appease the angry Fates whom he had offended he should be deposed from his Kingdom None could withdraw him from his Determination though it was to the prejudice of the whole Land therefore within twenty Days he furnished himself with all necessaries as well of Armour and Martial Furniture as of Gold and Treasure and so departed from Babylon privately and alone not suffering any other though many desired it humbly and very earnestly to bear him company But he travelled not as he told his Lords after any Ceremonious Order but like a Blood Hound searching Country after Country Nation by Nation and Kingdom by Kingdom that after a barbarous manner he might be
of her Children compared to this deserve not the names of grief At last having vented their sorrows through the Conduits of their Eyes and that a lovely beauty began again a little to dress her self in her Face the Peerless Urania brake silence and said My Dearest Guy I must confess the excess of my sorrow doth scarce give way to the relief of words being anchored down with cares in the Seas of woe so that I am in effect but a living Coarse for which I can only blame your unkindness Hath my Prayers prevailed so far with the Divine Powers to bring you unto me again in safety and now will you leave me to enter again into fresh dangers Did you not swear by all that is Divine and Humane sooner should Phaebus cease to shine by day or Luna lend us her light by night then that your heart should be separated from mine which then you pretended to be dearer unto you then victuals to the almost famisht Soul or drink to those whose Throats are parcht with thirst If my Love was so dear unto you then what change have you found in me that after the accomplishment of your Thessalian Journey we should not then enjoy the fruition of our Loves but that you will adventure again on new engagements preferring your honour and desire of Fame before my unstained Love which hath been as true and constant to you as ever was that of the chast Penelope to wandering Ulysses Sir Guy after many protestations of his constant affection and how nearly this imminent danger wherein all Christendom was involved concerned his honour which would be for ever stained should he decline such an honourable action at last drew her consent although with much reluctancy So giving her a sweet kiss for a farewel leaving her in tears for his departure he went to accompany his two Brothers and those other Martial Heroes who were now ready prepared to joyn with him against the enemies of Christendom and having with great Ceremony taken their leave of the Sicilian King they took Ship and Coasting along the fruitful banks of Italy befriended both by Neptune and Eolâ—s they in short time arrived in England the happy Port whereto their desires tended At that time of their arrival the whole â— and was in mourning hearing of those vast Forces prepared against them whom the three Brothers comforted in the best manner they might and with what expedition they could make went to the Court where the Noble King Edgar then resided who entertained them in most sumptuous manner being overjoyed for their arrival at such an exigent Then having consulted together they sent Messengers unto all the rest of the Countries of Christendom to raise what Forces they could make and to be ready to joyn together in the Country of Naples against the common enemy and this to be done within one Moneth at the farthest who accordingly raised great Forces in each Country and with them marched into Naples at the time appointed But now Calliope the sacred Sister of the Muses assist my Pen in setting forth the Ualiant Acts of these Renowned Knights which they performed to their own Eternal Fame and Honour and the general good and benefit of all Christendom CHAP. VI. How the Christians Army Assembled together in Naples The Oration of Sir Guy unto the Souldiers and how they marched against the Pagan Army YOU heard in the last Chapter how Messengers were sent into all Countries of Christendom for the raising of Forces against the Infidels which severally arrived at the place of Randezvous in the fruitful Country of Naples and first as being nearest was an Army of thirty thousand Italians conducted by the valiant Knight Sir Orlando whom the Renowned Champion St. Anthony had begotten on the Princess Rossalindo Daughter to the King of Thrace This Martial Knight marching before his Companies in as much state as Hector when he traced the fields of Ilium pitched up his Tent in a large Plain near unto the City of Nicosia His Pavilion was of a silver colour adorned with a silken streamer waving in the Air wherein was pourtrayed a Lyon rampant beating his back with his tail and from his mouth proceeded these Uerses Incensed with an anger just For Victory we hope and trust The very next day after these Italians had thus encamped themselves came marching into the field twenty five thousand Spaniards conducted by a valiant Knight named Sir Predo Son unto St. James the Champion of Spain whom he begat on the Princess Celestine the beautiful Daughter of the King of Jerusalem After courteous embracements betwixt him and Sir Orlando he pitched his Camp on the West side of the Italians His Pavilion was blew and for his device he had a Griffen siezing on his prey with this Motto Thus Griffen-like I do oppose Defend my self offend my foes The third Nation that appeared in these Warlike preparations was twenty thousand gallant Frenchmen mounâ—ed on Warlike Horses and most bravely accouÌ„tered with offensive and defensive Weapons They had for their Commander a most Heroick Knight named Sir Turpin begotten by St. Denis the Renowned Champion of France on Eglantine the Kiâ—gs Daughter of Thessaly and who for her pride was transformed into a Mulberry-Tree He was with more then ordinary Complements entertained by Sir Orlando and Sir Pedro and pitched his Camp on the East-side of Sir Orlando His Pavilion was oronge tawny embroidered with a purple and for his device he had the Lillies the arms of France with this Motto The Lilly's glory of the Field Unto the Lilly all must yield The fourth Nation that engaged in this quarrel for the honour of Christendom was the hardy Scottish-men who to the number of fifteen thousand arrived on the fruitful Banks of Naples conducted by that valiant and renowned Knight Sir Ewin Son to St. Andrew the famous Champion of Scotland and by him begotten on Artesia one of the six Daughters of the King of Thrace who were transformed into the likeness of Swans as you may read in the first part of this Honourable History At his first arrival he was highly entertained and feasted by the other Captains and pitched his Camp next to the Spaniards His Pavilion was of a red colour fringed with blew whercout hung a golden streamer in which was pourtrayed the Effigies of Mars looking with a stern countenance and breathing forth these words Armed for Victory The next that arrived on the fruitful Banks of Naples were a Band of valiant Irishmen to the number of ten thousand attired in quilted Fackets and slops of blue Cotten being so swift of fâ—â—â— that few Horses could out run them These were conducted by a valiant Knight named Sit Phelim whom the Irish Champion St. Patrick begat on another of the six Thracian Ladies whom he had redeemed out of the hands of thirty bloody Satyrs as is declared in the first part This couragious Knight was of stature somewhat more than ordinary and withal of such
in exorable as this Monster of Mankind whose Adamantine hearts will not hearken to my request Come Gentle Death O come come for it is thou alone who canst ease my misery When they had opened the door he seeing the Keys in Sir Owens hand thinking they were come to forment him a fresh with a wrathful Countenance thus spake unto them Monsters of Nature whose wanton cruelty knows no end and who please your selves in making others to feel the effects of your Tyranny now satiate your selves in cruelty for you shall not be readier to inflict then I to suffer what the utmost of your malice can lay upon me Whilst thus he was proceeding in his exclamation the young man who was taken Prisoner with him came towards him as fast as his trembling Legs would carry him and falling on his knees he said Most Gracious Soveraign blame not these matchless Heroes whose invincible Manhood hath gained our freedom and whose peerless Prowess hath overcome our insulting Enemy making his Carcase become food for hungry Ravens who used to feast his Eyes in beholding our miseries VVhat Thanks can we render to those Persons equal to the benefits they have bestowed upon us The King seeing young Clodius for so was the Gentleman named was in a strange kind of amaze not thinking any Humane Power possibly able to overcome the Gyant but being by them assured that he was slain to confirm their words they carried him to a Window out of which he might behold his dead Carcase and at that time it was when as Sir Pandrasus came unto them Great was the joy amongst these valiant Knights for their so happily meeting together but being informed by the King that there were many more Prisoners behind they resolved not to take any repast until they had set them all at liberty and so entering into several Rooms and setting free divers Prisoners they came at last to a Room alone by it self wherein was enclosed a beautiful Uirgin whom grief had almost made distracted who at their entrance into the Room took no notice of them but like to an intranced soul stood as one with ghosts affrighted The miseries said the King that this Uirgin hath endured might move a heart of stone to pity and cause the most obdurate soul to lament She is the only Daughter of a Wealthy Knight endued as you see with Natures chiefest Ornaments so that before gaief had made a transmigration of her the Quéen of Love might have served as a foyl unto her It was her chance a fatal chance to fall in Love with a young Gentleman that waited on her Father one answerable to her in all respects had his Estate been equal with his parts and he answering her love with like reciprocal affection but as it is incident to Lovers to meet with crosses so did these at the very beginning thereof for her Father coming to have knowledge of it this young Gentleman whose name was Matheo was soon turned away and forbid ever after front coming near unto the House and she confined to a Chamber without any other liberty but as Love will creep where it cannot go so did he find means to persue his suits in Love unto her and as he thought in a safe way and that in this manner There was growing just by the Chamber window where she lay a stately Tree upon which in the dead of the night he used to ascend and there had parly with his Love This they continued for some time to their great content and satisfaction but it so chanced upon a night he was espyed by one of the Servants who immediately informed his Master thereof which when he heard he was so transported with rage as if all his humours had turned choller and kindled up in agonies as hot as flames of burning Sulpher like to the chased Boat whom eager Bounds have at a Bay and being thus transported with rage he takes a Cross-bow and aided with a glimmering light by Madam Cynthia the pale faced Lady of the night he sent a Bullet into his Belly which wrought such effect that tumbling from off the Tree he only said my dearest I dye for love of thee and presently expired But when the Lady saw what had happened she fared like unto mad Orestes or like unto Progne when she knew of her Sisters rape impatience louring in her Face so that had she not been prevented by a Maid that came into the Chamber at that present she had by a knife given her self a period to the race of her loathed Life but being hindered of her design she fell into such a swound as if her Soul had made a total separation from hea Body Lying in this trance the Maid who came to her ran and cryed out for more help but not withstanding all the means they could use it was long before her sullen Soul would reenter her Body or that any hopes of Life was perceived yet could not all this mitigaâ—e the rage of her incensed Father but commanded she should be confined still to her Chamber and not any one suffered to remain with her wherefore in the night she uncorded the Bed and tying the Line to a Piller of the Window by the help thereof the slid down to the ground and wandring she cared not whither so she were out of the reach of her Fathers cruelty she chanced to come near to this Castle whom the Gyant spying caught her flying from his loathed sight and brought her into the Castle where ever since she hath remained in this deplorable condition which you see CHAP. XVIII How Sir Phelim and Sir Owen with Sir Pandrasus fought with the Gyant Curlo who came to be revenged for the death of his Brother Briomart How they flew him and all the rest that came with him with other things which happened THE King having ended his Discourse it wrought great compassion in all them that heard it especially Sir Pandrasus who muth pityed her sad condition and therefore to comfort her he having brought a bottle of the healing Wine from that precious Fountain whereof Sir Wonder was now Governour he gave her some part thereof to drink which she no sooner had received but her Spirits revived and her colour came to her as if fresh Roses budded in her Cheeks so that she seemed of so divine a feature that Envies self could not but dote upon her and now as it were revived out of a Trance she breathed forth these words Am I awake or is this only some santastical vision Can Fortune afford one smile unto me or may I hope to see one serene day in my Life Oye Immortal Powers that Govern the affairs here below give me one spoonful of sweets to those many Gallons of bitterness which I have swallowed But they telling her that now all danger was past that the Gyant was killed and she at freedom joy began by little and little to enter in at the crannies of her heart And now
The Famous HISTORY OF THE Seven Champions OF Christendom St. George of England St. Denis of France St. James of Spain St. Anthony of Italy St. Andrew of Scotland St. Patrick of Ireland and St. David of Wales SHEWING Their Honourable Battels by Sea and Land Their Tilts Justs Turnaments for Ladies Their Combats with Gyants Monsters and Dragons Their Adventures in Foreign Nations Their Enchantments in the Holy Land Their Knighthoods Prowess and Chivalry in Europe Africa and Asia with their Victories against the Enemies of Christ. Also the true manner and places of their Deaths being Seven Tragedies and how they came to be called The Seven Saints of CHRISTENDOM The First Part. LONDON Printed for Ric. Chiswell M. Wotton G. Conyers and B. Walford 1696. To all Courteous Readers RICHARD JOHNSON wisheth increase of Vertuous Knowledge GEntle Readers in Kindness accept of my Labours and be not like the chattering Cranes nor Momus's Mates that Carp at every thing VVhat the simple say I care not what the Spiteful speak I pass not only the Censure of the Conceited I stand unto that is the Mark I aim at whose good likings if I obtain I have won my Race if not I faint in the first Attempt and so lose the quiet of my happy Goal Yours in Kindness to Command R. J. The Author's MUSE upon the HISTORY THE Famous Facts O Mars deriv'd from thee By weary Pen and painful Authors toyl Enroll'd we find such Feats of Chivalry As hath been seldom seen in any Soil Thy Ensigns here we find in Field Display'd The Trophies of thy Victories erected Such Deeds of Arms as none could have essay'd But Knights whose Courage Fear hath ne'er dejected Such Ladies saved such Monsters made to fall Such Gyants slain such Hellish Furies quell'd That Humane Forces few or none at all In such Exploits their Lives could safely shield But Virtue stirring up their Noble Minds By Valiant Conquest to enlarge their Fames Hath caus'd 'em seek Adventures forth to find Which Registreth their never-dying Names Then Fortune Time and Fame agree in this That Honour's Gain the greatest Glory is THE Honourable HISTORY OF THE Seven Champions OF CHRISTENDOM CHAP. I. Of the Wonderful and strange Birth of St. George of England How he was cut out of his Mothers Womb and after stoln from his Nurse by Kalyb the Lady of the Woods Her Love to him and her Gifts And how he enclosed her in a Rock of Stone and Redeemed Six Christian Knights out of Prison AFter the angry Greeks had Ruined the Chief City in Phrygia and turned King Priam's Glorious Buildings to a Waste and Desolate Wilderness Duke Aeneas exempted from his Native Habitation with many of his Distressed Countrymen like Pilgrims wandred the World to find some happy Region where they might erect the Image of their subverted Troy but before that labour could be accomplished Aeneas ended his dayes in the confines of Italy and left his Son Ascanius to Govern in his stead Ascanius dying left Silvius to Rule Silvius Deceasing left the Noble and Adventurous Brutus which Brute being the fourth Descent from Aeneas first made Conquest of this Land of Britain then inhabited with Monsters Gyants and a kind of Wild People without Government but by Policy he overcame them and established good Laws where he found the first Foundation of New Troy and named it Troynovant but since in process of time called London Thus began the Isse of Britain to flourish not only with Sumptuous Buildings but also with Couragious and Ualiant Knights whose Adventureus and Bold Attempts in Chivalry Fame shall describe what Oblivion buried in Obscurity After this the Land was Replenished with Cities and divided into Shires and Countries Dukedome Earâ—doms and Lordships were the Patrimony of high and Noble Minds wherein they lived not then like Cowards in their Mothers Bosoms but merited Renown by Martial Discipline For the Famous City of Coventry was the place wherein the first Christian of England was born and the first that ever sought for Foreign Adventures whose name to this day all Europe highly hath in regard and for his Bold and Magnanimous Deeds at Arms gave him this Title The Valiant Knight St George of England whose Golden Garter is not only worn by Nobles but by Kings and in Memory of his Uictories the Kings of England Fight under his Banner Therefore Calâ—ope thou Sacred Sister of the Muses guide so my Pen that it may write the true Discourse of this worthy Champion When Nature by true Consanguinity had recreated him in his Mothers Womb she dreamed to be conceived of a Dragon which should be the cause of her Death Which Dream she long concealed and kept secret untill her painful Burthen grew so heavy that her Womb was scarce able to endure it so finding opportunity to reveal it unto her Lord and Husband being then Lord High-Steward of England she revealed her Dream after this manner My Honourable Lord you know I am by Birth the King of England's Daughter and for these one and twenty years have I been your True and Lawful Wife Yet never was in hope of Child till now or that by me your Name should survive Therefore I conjure you by the pleasure of your Youth and the dear and natural Love you â—ear to the Infant conceived in my Womb that either by Art Wisdom or some other Inspiration you Calculate upon my troublesome Dreams and tell me what they signifie For these thirty Nighâ—s past my â—ilent slumbers have been greatly hindred by grievous Dreams for night by night no sooner could sweet sleep take possession of my Senses but methought I was conceived with a Dreadful Dragon which would be the cause of his Parents Death Even as Hecuba the Beauteous Queen of Troy when Paris was in her Womb Dreamed to be Conceived of a Firebrand which indeed was truly verified For Paris having Ravished the Paragon of Greece and brought Helena into Troy in Revenge thereof the Grecians turned the Towers of Ilium into Blazes of Fire Therefore most dear and well beloved Lord prevent the like danger that I be not the Mother of a Viperous Son These words struck such terrour to his heart that for a time he stood speechless but having recovered his lost Senses he answered her in this manner My most dear and beloved Lady what Art or Learning can perâ—orm with all convenient speed shall be accomplished for never shall Rest take possession of my Heart nor Sleep close the Closets of mine Eyes till I understand the signification of these thy troublesome Dreams So leaving her in her Chamber in company of other Ladies that came to comfort her in her Melancholy Sadness he took his Iourney to the Solitary Walks of Kalyb the Wise Lady of the Woods without any Company except another Knight that bore under his Arm a white Lamb which they intended to Offer unto the Enchantress So travelling for the space of two days they came to a Thicket beset
said she more sharp than the pricking Bryer with what inequality dost thou torment my wounded heart not linking my dear Lord in the like Affection of Mind O Venus if thou be imperious in thy Deity to whom both Gods and Men obey command my wandring Lord to return again or grant that my Soul may flie into the Clouds that by the Winds it may be blown into his sweet Bosom where now lives my bleeding heart But foolish Fondling that I am he hath rejected me and shuns my Company as the Syrens else had he not refused the Court of Egypt where he was Honoured as a King and wandred the the World to seek another Love No no it cannot be he bears no such unconstant mind and I greatly fear some Treachery hath bereaved me of his sight or else some stony Prison excludes my George from me If it be so sweet Morpheus thou God of Golden Dreams reveal to me my Love 's Abiding that in my sleep his shadow may appear and report the cause of his departure After this Passion breathed from the mansion of her Soul she committed her watchful eyes to the Government of sweet sleep which being no sooner closed but there appeared as she thought the shadow and very shape of her dearly beloved Lord St. George of England not as he was wont to be flourishing in his glittering Burgonet of Steel nor Mounted on a stately Iennet deckt with a crimson Plume of spangled Feathers but in over-worn and simple Attire with pale Looks and lean Body like to a Ghost risen from some hollow Grave breathing as it were these sad and woful Passions Sabra I am Betrayed for Love of thee And lodg'd in hollow Caves and dismal Night From whence I never more shall come to see Thy loving Countenance and Beauty bright Remain thou True and Constant for my sake That of thy Love they may no Conquest make Let Tyrants think if ever I obtain What e're is lost by Treason's cursed guile False Egypt's Scourge I surely will remain And turn to streaming blood Morocco's smile That damned Dog of Barbary shall rue The doleful Sâ—ratagems that will ensue The Persian Towers shall smoak with fire And lofty Babylon be tumbled down The Cross of Christendom shall then aspire To wear the proud Egyptian tripple Crown Ierusalem and Iudah shall behold The fall of Kings by Christian Champians bold Thou Maid of Egypt still continue chast A Tyger seeks thy Virgins Name to spill Whilst George of England is in Prison plac'd Thou shalt be forc'd to Wed against thy will But after this shall happen Mighty things For from thy Womb shall spring three Wondrous Kings This strange and woeful spéech was no sooner ended but she awaked from her Sleep and presently reached forth her white hands thinking to imbrace him but she catched nothing but brittle Air which caused her to renew her former Complaints Oh wherefore died I not in this my troublesome Dream said the sorrowful Lady that my Ghost might have haunted those inhumane Monsters which have thus falsly betrayed the bravest Champion under the Cope of Heaven for his sake will I exclaim against the ingratitude of Egypt and like Ravished Philomel fill every corner of the Land with Ecchoes of his wrong my Woes shall exceed the Sorrows of Dido Queen of Carthage mourning for Eneas With such like Passions wearied she the time away till twelve Months were fully finished At last her Father understanding what fervent Affection she bore to the English Champion began in this manner to relate Daughter said the Egyptian King I charge thee by the bond of Nature and the true obedience thou oughtest to bear my Age to banish and exclude all fond Affections from thy mind and not thus to settle thy Love upon a wandring Knight that is unconstant and without habitation thou seest he hath forsaken thee and returned into his own Country where he hath Wedded a Wife of that Land and Nation therefore I charge thee upon my Displeasure to Affect and Love the Black King of Morocco that rightfully hath deserved thee in Marriage which shall be shortly Honourably holden to the Honour of Egypt and so he departed without any Answer at all By which Sabra knew he would not be crost in his Will and Pleasure therefore she sighed out these lamentable words O unkind Father to cross the Affection of his Child and to force Love where no Liking is Yet shall my mind continue true unto my dear beloved Lord although my Body be forced against Nature to Obey and Almidor have the Honour of my Marriage-Bed English George shall enjoy my true Uirginity if ever he return again into Egypt and thereupon she pulled forth a chain of Gold and wrapped it seven times about her Ivory Neck This said she hath been seven days steept in Tygers Blood and seven nights in Dragons Milk whereby it hath obtained such excellent Uertue that so long as I wear it about my Neck no Man on Earth can enjoy my Uirginity though I be forced to the state of Marriage and lie seven years in Wedlocks Bed yet by the vertue of this Chain I shall continue a true Uirgin Which words were no sooner ended but Almidor entred her sorrowful Chamber and presented her with a Wedding Garment which was of the purest Median Silk imbossed with Pearl and rich refined Gold perfumed with sweet Syrian Powders it was of the colour of the Lilly when Flora hath bedecked the Fields in May with Natures Ornaments Glorious and Costly were her Uestures and so stately were the Nuptial Rites Solemnized that Egypt admired the bounty of her Wedding which for seven days was holden in the Court of Ptolomy and then moved to Tripoly the chief City in Barbary where Almidor's forced Bride was Crowned Queen of Morocco at which Coronation the Conduits ran with Greekish Wines and the Streets of Tripoly were beautified with Pageants and delightful shews The Court resounded such melodious Harmony as though Apollo with his Silver Harp had descended from the Heavens such Tilts and Tournaments were performed betwixt the Egyptian Knights and the Knights of Barbary that they exceeded the Nuptials of Hecuba the beauteous Queen of Troy which honourable proceedings we leave for this time to their own contentments some Masking some Dancing some Revelling some Tilting and some Banqueting Also leaving the Champion of England Saint George mourning in the Dungeon in Persia as you heard before and return to the other Six Champions of Christendom which departed from the Brazen Pillar every one his several way whose Knightly and Noble Adventures if the Muses grant me the Bounty of fair Castalian Springs I will most amply discover the Honour of all Christendom CHAP. IV. How Saint Denis the Champion of France lived Seven years in the shape of an Hart and how proud Eglantine the King's Daughter of Thessaly was transformed into a Mulberry-Tree and how they recovered their former shapes by means of Saint Denis 's Horse CAlling
numbring the minutes of his long appointed punishment with the Flowers of the Field Ten thousand sighs he daily breathed from his Breast and still when the black and pitchy mantle of dark night overspread the azured Firmamenâ—s and had drawn her Sable Curtains before the brightsome Windows of the Heavens all Creatures took their sweet reposed rest and committed their tyred Eyes to quiet sleep All things were silent except the murmuring of the running Warers whose sounding Musick was the chiefest comfort this distressed Champion enjoyed the glistering Queen of Night clad in her Crystal Robes three hundred times a year was witness of his nightly Lamentations the wandring Howlet that never sings but in the night sate yelling over his head the ruâ—ul weeping Nightingale with mournful melody chearfully attending on his Person for during the limitation of his seven years misery his trusty Stood never forsook him but with all Love and true Diligence attended on him Day and Night never wandring away but ever keeping him Company If the extream heat of Summer grew intolerable or theÌ„ pinching cold of Winter violent his Horse would be a shelter to defend him At last when the term of seven years was fully finished and that he should recover his former substance and humane shape his good Horse which he tendred as the Apple of his Eye clambred a high and steep Mountain which Nature had beautified with all kind of fragrant Flowers as Odoriferous as the Garden of Hesperides from whence he pulled a branch of purple Roses and brought them betwixt his teeth to his distressed Master and being in his former Passions of Discontent under the Mulberry-tree The which the Champion of France no sooner beheld but he remembred that by a purple Rose he should recover his former similitude and so joyfully received the Roses from his trusty Steed then casting his Eyes up to the Caelestical Throne of Heaven he conveyed these Eonsecrated Flowers into his empty Stomach After which he laid him down upon the bosome of his Mother Earth where he fell into such a sound sleep that all his Senses and vital Spirits were without moving for the space of four and twenty hours In which time the Windows and Doors of Heaven were opened from whence descended such a shower of Rain tâ—at it washed away his hairy Form and Beastlike shape his hornâ—d head and long visage were turned again into a lively Countenance and all the rest of his Members both Arms Legs Hands Feet Fingers Toes with all the rest of Nature's Gifts received their former shape But when the good Champion awaked from his sleep and perceived the wonderfull workmanship of the Heavens in transforming him to his humane likeness First he gave honour to Almighty God next kissed the Ground whereon he had lived so long in misery then beho lding his Armour which lay hard by him bestainedand almost spoiled with Rust his Burgonet and keen edged Cuttle-axbesmeared over with dust Then lastly pondring in mind thefaithful Service his trusty Steed had done him during the time ofhis Calamity whose sable-coloured Maine hung frizling down hisbrawny Neck which before was wont to be pleated curiously with artificial knots and his forehead which was wont to be beautified with a Tawny Plume of Feathers now disfigured with over-grown hair whereat the good Champion St Denis of France somuch grieved that he stroaked down his jetty back fill the hair ofhis body lay as smooth as Arabian Silk then pulled he outhis trusty Faulchion which in so many fierce Assaults and dangerous Combats had been bathed in the blood of his Enemies which by thelong continuance of time lying idle was almost consumed with Eankered Rust but by his Labour and industrious pains he recoveredthe former Beauty and brightness again Thus both his Sword his Horse his Martial Furniture and all other Habiliments of War being brought to their first and proper qualities the Noble Champion intended to persevere and go forward in the Adventure incutting down the Mulberry-tree So taking his Sword which was of thepurest Spanish Steel gave such a stroak at the Root thereof that atone blow he cut it quite in sunder whereout presently flashed such amighty Flame of Fire that the Mane from his Horse Neck was burned and likewise the Hair of his Head had been fired if his Helmet hadnot preserved him and no sooner was the flame extinguished butthere ascended from the hollow Tree a naked Uirgin in shape like Daphne which Apollo turned into a Bay-tree fairerthen Pigmalion's Ivory Image or the Northern driven Snow her Eyes more clear than the Icy-Mountains her Cheeks like Rosesdipped in Milk her Lips more Lovely than the Turkish Rubies her Alabaster Teetâ— like Indian Pearls her Neck seemed an Ivory Tower her dainty Breasts a Garden where Milk-white Doves sate and sungâ— therest of Nature's Lineamenâ—s a stain to Juno Pallas or Venus at whose excellent Beauty this Ualiant and Undaunted Champion more admired than her wonderful Transformation for his Eyes were so Ravished with such exceeding Pleasure that his Tonguecould endure no longer Silent but was forced to unfold the Secretsof his Heart and in these Terms began to utter his Mind Thou most Divine and Singular Ornament of Nature said he fairer than the Feathers of the Silvan Swans that swim upon Mâ—ander's Crystal Streams and far more Beautiful than Aurora's Morning Countenance to thee the fairest of all Fairs most humbly and only to thy Beauty do I here submit my Affections Also I swear by the Honour of my Knighthood and by the Love of my Country of France which Uow I will not Uiolate for all the Treasures of Rich America or the Golden Mines of higher India whether thou beest an Angel descended from Heaven or a Fury ascended from the vast Dominions of Proserpine whether thou beest some Fairy or Silvan Nymph which inhabits in the fatal Woods or else an Earthly Creature for thy Sins Transformed into this Mulberry-tree I am not therefore Iudge Therefore sweet Saint to whom my heart must pay its due Devotion unfold to me thy Birth Parentage and Name that I may the bolder presume upon thy Courtesies At which demand this new-born Uirgin with a shainefac'd look modest gesture sober grace and blushing countenance began thus to Reply Sir Knight by whom my Life my Love and Fortunes are to be commanded and by whom my Humane Shape and natural Form is recovered First know you Magnanimous Champion that I am by Birth the King of Thessaly 's Daughter and my Name was called for my Beauty proud Eglantine For which contemptuous Pride I was transformed into this Mulberry-tree in which green substance I have continued Fourteen years As for my Love thou hast deserved it before all Knights in the World and to thee do I plight that true Promise before the Omnipotent Judger of all things and before that secret Promise shall be infringed the Son shall cease to shine by Day and the Moon by Night and all the Planets
Honourable Fortunate Champion of England requested the Magician to describe his passed Fortunes and by what means he came to be Governor of the Enchanted Garden To tell the Discourse of my own Life replyed Ormandine will breed a new sorrow in my heart the remembrance of which will read my very Soul but yet most Noble Knight to fulfil thy Request I will force my Tongue to declare what my Heart denies to utter Therefore prepare thine Ear to entertain the wofullest Tale that ever Tongue delivered And so after S. George had sate a while silent expecting his Discourse the Magician spake as followeth The Woful and Tragical Discourse pronounced by the Necromancer Ormandine of the Misery of his Children I Was in former time so long as Fortune smiled upon me the King and only Commander of Scythia my Name Ormandine graced in my youth with two fair Daughters whom Nature had not only made Beautiful but replenisht them with all Gifts that Art could devise the Elder whose Name was Castria the fairest Maid that ever Scythia brought forth her Eyes like flaming Torches so dazled her Beholders that like attractive Adamants they conjured them to admire her Beauty Among the number of Knights that were ensnared with her Love there was one Floridon Son to the King of Armenia equal to her in all Ornaments of Nature a Lovelier Couple never â—â—od on Earth or graced any Princes Court in the whole World This Floridon so servently burned in Affection wiâ—h the admired Castria that he Lusted after her Uirginity and practised both by policy and fair promises to enjoy that precious pleasure which after fell to his own Destruction For upon a time when the Mantles of dark Night had closed in the light of Heaven and the whole Court had entertained a silent rest this Floridon entred Castria's Lodging furthered by the Chamber-maid where to her hard hap he cropped the bud of her sweet Uirginity and left such a pawn within her Womb that before many days were expired her shame began to appear and the deceived Lady was constrained to reveal her mind to Floridon who in the mean time had betrothed himself to my younger Daughter whose name was Marcilla no less Beautified with Feature 's gift than her elder Sister but when this unconstant Floridon perceived that her Belly began to grow big with the burden of his unhappy Séed he upbraided her with shame laying dishonour in her dish calling her Strumpet with many ignominious words forswearing himself never to have committed any such infamous déed protesting that he ever scorned to sink in Womans hands and counted chamber-Chamber-Love a deadly sting and a déep infection to the honour of his Knight-hood These unkind speeches drove Castria into such extream passion of mind that she with a shameful look and blushing cheeks after this manner revealed her sorrows unto him What knows not Floridon quoth the Lady her whom his Lust hath stained with Dishonour See see unconstant Knight the Pledge of Faithless Vows behold the Womb where springs thy lively Image behold this mark which stains my Father's Ancient House and sets a shamefac'd blush upon my Cheeks always when I behold the company of chaste Virgins dear Floridon shadow this my Shame with Marriage-Rites that I be not accounted a By-word to the World nor that this my Babe in time to come be termed a base-born Child remember what plighted Promises what Vows and Protestations passed betwixt us remember the place and time of my Dishonour and be not like surious Tygers that repay Love with Despite At which words Floridon with a wrathful countenance replyed in these words Egregious and shameless Creature quoth he with what brazen face darest thou out-brave me thus I tell thee Castria my Love was ever yet to follow Arms to hear the sound of Drums to ride upon a nimble Steed and not to trace a Carpet-dance like Priam's Son before the Lustful Eyes of Menelaus's Wife Therefore be gone disturbing Strumpet go sing thy harsh Melody in company of Night-birds for I tell thee the day will blush to cover thy monstrous shame Which reproachful speeches being no sooner ended but Floridon departed her Presence not leaving behind him so much as a kind look whereat the distressed Lady by being oppressed with intolerable grief sunk down dead not able to speak for a time but at last recovering her senses she began anew to complain I that was wont quoth she to walk with Troops of Maids must now abandon and utterly forsake all company and séek some secret Cave wherein I may sit for evermore and bewail my lost Uirginity If I return unto my Father he will refuse me if to my Friends they will be ashamed of me if to Strangers they will scorn me If to my Floridon Oh! he denyeth me and accounts my sight as ominous as the baleful Crocodiles O that I might in the shape of a Bird or like the Ravished Philomela flie every Wood and Wilderness with my Dishonour for now I am neither a Chaste Uirgin nor honest Wife but a shameless Strumpet and the Worlds vile scorn whereat methinks I see how Uertuous and Chaste Maidens point and term me a Uicious Dame O unconstant Floridon thou didst promise to shadow this Fault with Marriage but now Uows I see are vain thou hast forsaken me and tied thy Faith unto my Sister Marcilla who must enjoy thy Love because she continues Chaste without any spot of Dishonour Oh! woe to thee unconstant Knight thy flattering eyes deceived me and thy glozing Tongue enticed me to commit that sin which all the Ocean streams can never wash away why stand I relating thus in vain the deed is vone and Floridon will Triumph in the spoil of my Uirginity while he lies dallying in my Sisters Arms Nay first the fatal lights of Funerals shall mask about his Marriage-Bed and his Bridal-blaze I 'll quench with blood for I will go unto their Marriage-Chamber where as these hands of mine shall rend my Sisters Womb before she shall enjoy the Interest of my Bed rage heart instead of Love delight in Murder let Uengeance be ever in thy thoughts till thou hast quencht with blood the furies of disloyal Love Thus complained the woful Castria roving up and down the Court of Scythia until the Mistress of the Night had spent five Months At the end of which time the appointed Marriage of Floridon and Marcilla drew nighâ— the thought whereof proved an endless Terror to her heart and of more intolerable burthen than the pains of her Womb the which she girded in so extreamly for fear of suspicion and partly under colour to bring about her intended Tragedy which was in this bloody and execrable manner accomplished and brought about The day atlast came whereon Floridon and Marcilla should tie that Sacred knot of Marriage and the Prince and Potentates of Scythia were all present to see Hymen's Holy Rites in which Honourable Assemblies none were more busie than Castria to beautifie
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
Spain where he remained with his lovely Celestine To St. Anthony the Champion of Italy then Travelling into the Borders of Scythia with his Lady Rosalinde likewise to St. Andrew the Champion of Scotland to St. Patrick the Champion of Ireland and to St. David the Champion of Wales who all Atchieved many Memorable Adventures in the Kingdom of Tartary as you have heard before discoursed at large But now Fame and smiling Fortune consented to make their Knightly Atchievements to shine in the Eyes of the whole World therefore by the Conduction of Heaven they generally arrived in the Grecian Emperor's Court Of whose Tilts and Tournaments therein performed to the honour of his Nuptials my weavy Muse is bound to discourse CHAP. XII How the Seven Champions Arrived in Grecia at the Emperor's Nuptials where they performed many Noble Atchievements and how after open Wars were Proclaimed against Christendom by the Discovery of many Knights and how every Champion departed into his own Countrey TO speak of the number of the Knights that Assembled in the Grecian Court together were a Labour over-tedious requiring the Pen of Homer Therefore will I omit the honourable Train of Knights and Ladies that did attend them to the Church their costly Garments and glistring Ornaments exceeding the Royalty of Hecuba the Beauteous Queen of Troy And also I pass over the sumptuous Banquets the Honourable Services and Delicious Chear that Beautified the Emperor's Nuptials with the stately Masks and Courtly Dances performed by many Noble Personages and chiefly discourse of the Knightly Atchievements of the Seven Champions of Christendom whose Honourable Proceedings and Magnanimous Encounters have deserved a Golden Pen to relate For after some few days spent in Chamber-sports to the great pleasure of the Grecian Prince the Emperor presently Proclaimed a solemn Iusting to be holden for the space of seven days in the Honour of his Marriage and appointed for his chief Champions the seven Christian Knights whose Names as then were not known by any one except their own Attendants Against the appointed day the Turnaments should begin the Emperor caused a wonderful large Frame of Timber-work to be erected whereon the Empress and her Ladies might stand for the better view of the Tilters and at pleasure behold the Champions Encounters most Nobly performed in the Honour of their Mistresses likewise in the compass of the Lists were pitched seven Tents of seven several Colours wherein the Seven Champions might remain till the sound of the Silver Trumpets summoned them to appear Thus every thing prepared in readiness fitting so great a Royalty the Princes and Ladies placed in their Seats the Emperor with his new Married Empress invested on their lofty Thrones strongly Guarded with an hundred Armed Knights the King's Heralds Solemnly Proclaimed the Turnaments which in this most Royal manner began The first day S. Denis of France was appointed chief Champion against all Comers who was called by the Title of the Golden Knight who at the sound of the Trumpet entred the Lists his Tent was of the colour of the Marigold upon the top an artificial Sun framed that seemed to Beautifie the whole Assembly his Horse of an Iron-grey graced with a spangled Plume of Feathers Before him rode a Page in purple silk bearing upon his Crest three Golden Flower-de-â—uces which did signifie his Arms. Thus in this Royal manner entred St. Denis the Lists where after he had traced twice or thrice up and down to the open view of the whole Company he prepared himself in readiness to begin the Turnament Against whom ran many Grecian Knights which were foiled by the French Champion to the wonderful admiration of all the beholders But to be brief he so worthily behaved himself and with such Fortitude that the Emperor applauded him for the bravest Knight in the World Thus in great Royalty to the exceeding pleasure of the Emperor was the first day spent till the dark Evening caused the Knights to break off Company and repair to their Nights Repose And the next Morning no sooner did Phoebus shew his splendid brightness but the King of Heralds under the Emperor with a noise of Trumpets awaked the Champions from their silent sleep who with all speed prepared for the second days Exercises The chief Champion appointed for that day was the Uinorious Knight St. James of Spain Which after the Emperor and Empress had seated themselves with a stately Train of Beautiful Ladies entred the Lists upon a Spanish Gennet betrapt with a rich Caparison Directly over against the Emperor's Throne his Tent was pitcht which was of the colour of Quick-silver wherein was pourtrayed many fine Devices Before the Tent attended four Esquires bearing four several Escutcheons in their hands whereon were curiously painted the four Elements Likewise he had the Title of the Silver Knight who behaved himself no less worthy of all Princely Commendations than the French Champion the day before The third day St. Anthony of Italy was chief Challenger in the Turnament whose Tent was of the Colour of the Skies his Steed furnished with costly Habiliments his Armour after the Barbarian manner his Shield plated round about with Steel whereon was painted a Golden Eagle in a Field of Blue which signified the ancient Arms of Rome Likewise he had the Title of the Azure Knight whose matchless Chivalry for that day won the Prize from all the Grecian Knights to the great rejoycing of the Lady Rosalinde the King of 〈◊〉 Daughter that still remained in Pages Attire wherein â—or the dear Love she bore to S. Anthony disguisedly she stole from the Court whose discovery shall hereafter be expressed The fourth day by the Emperor's appointment the Ualiant and Worthy Knight St. Andrew of Scotland obtained the Honour as to be chief Challenger for the Turnament His Tent was framed in the manner of a Ship swimming upon the Waves of the Sea invironed about with Dolphins Tritans and many strange contrived Mermaids Upon the top stood the Picture of Neptune the God of the Seas bearing in his hand a Streamer whereon was wrought in Crimson Silk a corner Cross which seemed to be his Countrey 's Arms He was called the Red Knight because his Horse was covered with a bloody Ueil his worthy Atchievements obtained such favour in the Emperor's Eyes that he threw him his silver Gauntlet which was prized at a thousand Portagues where after his Noble Encounters he enioyed a sweet Repose The fifth day St. Patrick of Ireland as thief Champion entred the Lists upon an Irish Hâ—bby covered with a veil of green attended on by six Silvane Knights every one bearing upon his Shoulder a blooming Tree His Tent resembled a Summer's Bower at the entry whereof stood the Picture of Flora beautified with a wreath of sweet smelling Roses He was named the Green Knight whose worthy Prowess to daunted the Defendants that before the Turnament began they gave him the Honour of the Day Upon the sixth day the Heroical and
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
St. George I mean is her true and lawful Husband the honour of whose Bed she will not violate for all the Kingdoms of the World Tush faint-hearted fool that I am Sabra is beautiful and therefore to be tempted She is a Woman and therefore easie to be won her Husband he is sporting in the Fields of Mars then why may not she take pleasure in the Chamber of Venus I will use my flattering glosses many kind speeches and many sweet imbraces but I will crop that Bud which but to taste I would give my whole Lands and Revenues I will tell her St. George is a wanderer and one that will never return whereas I am a mighty Deer in England and one that can accomplish whatsoever she desirâ—â—â— Many other circumstances this Lustful Garâ—used to flatter himself in this vain conceit At last the scowling night with pitchy Clouds began to overspread the brightsome Heavens whereby he was forced to repair homewards and to smother up his Love in silence no quiet sléep that night could enter into his eyes but fond and restless dreams sometimes be thought he had his lovely Mistress in his Arms daslying like the 〈◊〉 Queen upon her Minions knee but presently awaking he found it but a gilded shadow which added new grief to his Love-sick passions then by and by he thought he saw how the wrathful Champion with his dreadful and bloody Fauchion came to revenge his Lady's Ravishment whereas the troubled Earl started from his Bed and with a loud voice cried to his Chamberlain for help saying That St. George was come to Murder him Which sudden Outery not only awaked the Chamberlain but the whole house which generally came to hear him company They set up Camphire Tapers to give Light and made him Musick to comfort him and to drive all â—ond santâ—fies from his mind But no sooner ceased the Musick but he 〈◊〉 into his former Cogitations pondering in his mind which way he might obtain his purpose Whereat a dismal Night-Raven beat her wings against his Chamber windows and with a harsh voice gave him warning of a sad success 〈◊〉 presently began the Tapers to â—uâ—â— bâ—â—e as though a Troop of â—hastly 〈◊〉 did encompass his Lâ—â—ging which was an evident â—â—gn that some strange and unhappy Muâ—â—â—r should worthily follow All which could not withdraw the â—ustâ—ul Earl from his wicked Enterprize nor conâ—â—â—â— his mind from the spoil of so sweet a Lady In this manner spent he the night away till the Sun 's bright conuienance summoned him from his restless Bed From whence being no sooner risen but he sent for the Steward of his House and gave him a charge to provide a most sumptuous and costly Banquet for he intended to invite thereunto all the principal Ladies in Coventry What bountiful cheer was provided I think it needless to repeat but to be short at the time and hour appointed the invited Ladies repaired the Banquet was brought in by the Earl's Servants and placed upon the Table by the Earl himself Who after many Welcomes given began thus to move the Ladies to delight I think my House most highly honoured said he that you have vouchsafed to grace it with your presence for methinks you beautifie my Hall as the twinkling Stars beautifie the Ueil of Heaven But amongst the number of you all you have a Cynthia a glistring silver Moon that for brightness exceeded all the rest for she is fairer than the Queen of Cypress lovelier than Dido when Cupid sate upon her knee wiser than the Prophetess of Troy of Personage more comely than the Grecian Dame and of more Majesty than the Queen of Love So that all the Muses with their Ivory pens may write continually and yet not sufficiently describe her excellent Ornaments of Nature This Commendation caused a general smile of the Ladies and made them look one upon another whom it should be Many other Courtlike discourses pronounced the Earl to move the Ladies delight till the Banquet was ended which being finished there came in certain Gentlemen by the Earl's appointment with most excellent musick other some that danced most curiously with as much Majesty as Paris in the Grecian Court. At last the Earl requested one of them to choose out his beloved Mistress and lead her some stately Corants Likewise requesting that none should be offended what Lady soever he did affect to grace with that Courtly pastime At which request all them were silent and silence is commonly a sign of consent therefore he emboldned himself the more to make his desires known to the beholders Then with excéeding courtesie and great humisity he kissed the beauteous hand of Sabra who with a blushing countenance and bashful look accepted his courtesie and like a kind Lady disdained not to dance with him So when the Musicians strained forth their inspiring Melody the Lustful Earl led her a first Course about the Hall in as great Majesty as Mavors did the Queen of Paphos to gain her Love and she followed with as much Grace as if the Queen of Pleasure had been present to behold their Courtly Delights and so when the first Course was ended he found fit opportunity to unfold his secret Love and reveal unto the Lady his extream Passion of mind which were in these Speeches expressed Most Divine and Peerless Paragon said he thou only Wonder of the World for Beauty and excellent Ornaments of Nature know that thy two twinkling Eyes that shine more brighter than the Lights of Heaven being the true Darts of Love have pierced my heart and those thy crimson Cheeks as lovely as Aurora's Countenance when she draws the Curtains of her purple Bed to entertain her wandring Lover those Cheeks I say have wounded me with Love therefore except thou grant me kind comfort I am like to spend the remnant of my Life in Sorrow Gare and Discontent I blush to speak what I desire because I have setled my Love where it is unlawful in a bosome where Kings may sleep and surfeit with delight thy Breast I mean most Divine Mistress for there my Heart is kept Prisoner Beauty is the Keeper and Love the Key my Ransome is a constant Mind Thou art my Uenus I will be thy Mars thou art my Helen I will be thy Mahomet thou art my Cressida I will be thy Croilus thou art my Love and I will be thy Paramour Admit thy Lord and Husband be alive yet hath he most unkindly left thee to spend thy young years in solitary Widow-hood He is unconstant like Eneas and thou more hapless than Dido He marcheth up and down the world in glistring Armour and never doth intend to return He abandoneth thy presence and lieth sporting in strange Ladies Laps therefore dear Sabra live not to consume thy youth in singleness for Age will overtake thee too soon and convert thy Beauty to wrinkled Frowns To which words Sabra would have presently made answer but that the Musick called them to Dance
of Flowers whose Lap he made his Pillow whereupon he laid his head intending as he thought to increase desire but Women in extremity have the quickest wits so Sabra busied her self by all means possible either now or never to remove the cause of her deep distress by practising his death and so quit her self from her importunate Suitor one while she told him pleasant Tales of Love in hope to bring his Senses to a slumber the better to accomplish her desires other while she play'd and sported with his hair that hung dangling below his Shoulders like to threds of Silk but at last when neither tales discourses nor dallying pastime with his hair could not bring him asleep she strained forth the Organs of her Uoice and over his head sung this woful Ditty Thou God of Sleep and Golden Dreams appear That bring'st all things to Peace and quiet Rest Close up the glasses of his eyes so clear Thereby to make my Fortune ever blest His Eyes his Heart his Senses and his Mind In Peaceful sleep let them some comfort find Sing sweet you pretty Birds in tops of Trees With warbling tunes and many a pleasant note Till your sweet Musick close his watchful eyes That on my Love with vain desires doth dote Sleep on my dear sleep on my Love's delight And let this sleep be thy eternal night You gentle Bees the Muses lovely Birds Come aid my doleful tunes with silver sound Till your inspiring melody records Such Heavenly Musick that may quite confound Both Wit and Sense and tire his eyes with sleep That on my Lap in sweet content I keep You silver streams which murmuring Musick make And fill each dale with pleasant harmony Whereat the floating Fiâ—h much pleasure take To hear your sweet recording melody Assist my tunes his slumbring eyes to close That on my Lap now takes a sweet repose Let whispering Winds in every sensless Tree A solemn sad and doleful Musick sing From Hills and Dales and from each Mountain high Let some Inspiring sound or Eccho ring That he may never walle from sleep again Which sought my Marriage Bed with Lust to stain This delightful Song rocked his Senses to such a careless slumber that he slept as soundly upon her Lap as on the softest Bed of Down whereby she found a fit opportunity to deliver her undefiled Body from his Lustful Desires So taking the Poiniard in her hand which he had cast a little aside and gazing thereon with an ireful look she made this tad Complaint Grant you Immortal Powers of Heaven said she that of these two Extreams I choose the best either must I yield my Body to be dishonoured by his unchaste desires or stain my hands with the trickling streams of his heart-blood If I yield unto the first I shall be then accounted for a Vicious Dame but if I commit the last I shall be guilty of a wilfull Murther and for the same the Law will adjudge me a shameful death What shall I fear to die or lose my Vertue and Renown No my heart shall be as Tyrannous as Danaus his Daughters that slew their Fifty Husbands in a night or as Medea 's Cruelty which scattered her Brother's bloody Joynts upon the Sea Shore thereby to hinder the swift pursuit of her Father when Iason got the Golden Fleece from Calcos Isle Therefore stand still you glistring Lamps of Heaven stay wandring Time and let him sleep eternally Where art thou sad Melpomene that speakest of nothing but of Murders and Tragedies where be those Dames that evermore delight in Blood Come come assist me with your Cruelties let me exceed the hate of Progne for her Ravishment rage heart and take delight in Blood banish all thoughts of pity from thy breast be thou as merciless as King Priam 's Queen that in Revenge of five and twenty Murdered Sons that with her own hands stained the Pavements of Agamemnon 's Court with purple Gore These words were no sooner ended but with a wrathful and pale Countenance she sheathed the Poiniard up to the Hilt in the closure of his Breast whereat he started and would have got upon his feet but the streams of blood so violently gushed from his Wound that he declined immediately to the Earth and his Soulwas forced to give the World a doleful Adieu When Sabra beheld the Bed of Uiolets stained with blood and every Flower converted to a crimson colour she sighed grievously but when she saw her Garments all to be sprinkled with her Enemies blood and he say â—allowing at her feet in purple gore she ran speedily unto a flowing Fountain that stood in the farther side of the Orchard and began to wash the Blood out of her Cloaths but the more she washed the more it encreased a Sign that Heaven will never suffer wilful Murder to be hid for what cause soever it is done This strange Spectacle or rather wonderful Accident so amazed the sorrowful Lady that she began anew to complain Oh that this wicked Murder had never béen done said she or that my hand had been struck lame by some unlucky Planet when first it did attempt the déed whither shall I flye to shrowd me from the company of Uertuous Women which will for evermore shun me as a detested Murderer If I should go into some foreign Country there Heaven will cast down Uengeance for my guilt if I should hide my self in Woods and solitary Wildernesses yet would the Winds discover me and blow this bloody Crime to every corner of the World or if I should go live in Caves or dark Dens within the deep Foundations of the Earth yet will his Ghost pursue me there and haunt me day and night so that in no place a Murderer can live in rest such discontented thoughts shall still oppress his mind After she had breathed forth this comfortless Lamentation to the Air she tore her blood-stained Garment from her back and cast it into the Fountain where it turned the water into the colour of blood so heinous is Murder in the sight of Heaven Thus being Disrobed 〈◊〉 her Petticoat she turned to the slaughtered Earl whose face she â—ound covered with Moss which added more grief unto her Soul for she greatly feared her Murder was descryed but it fell not out as she mistrusted for it is the nature and kind of Robin Red-breast and other Birds always to cover the face of any dead man and those were they that bred this fear in the Ladies heart By this time the day began to shut up his bright windows and fable night entred to take possession of the Earth yet durst not the woful distressed Sabra make her repair homewards left she should be descryed without her upper Garment During which time there was a general search made for the Earl by his Servants for they greatly suspected some danger had befaln him considering that they heard him the night before so wofully complain in his Chamber At last with Torch-lights
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
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
the Amazonian Lady took forth the Letter from her naked Breast where so long time she had kept it and she delivered it into his hands and said Is it that thou art that forgetul and disloyal Knight which left the unfortunate Queen of Armenia with so great pain and sorrow big with child among those unmeriful Tyrants her Country Men which banished her out of her Country in revenge of thy committed Crime where ever since she hath been companion with Wild Beasts that in their natures have lamented her Banishment Leoger when he heard her say these Words began to behold her and although his eyes were all to be blubbred and weary of waeping yet he most earnestly gazed in her face and answered her in this manner I will not deny to thee gentle Amazonian said he that which the very clouds do blush at and the low earth doth mourn for Thou shalt understand that I am the same Knight whom thou hast demanded after tell me therefore what is thy Will My Will is said she thou most ungrateful Knight that thou read here this Letter the last Work of the white hand of the unhappy Armenian Queen At which Words the Knight was so troubled in thought and grieved in mind that it was almost the occasion to dissolve his Soul from his Body and therewithal putting forth his hand somewhat trembling he took the Letter and set himself down very sorrowful upon the green grass without any power to the contrary his grief so abounded the bounds of reason No sooner had he opened the Letter but he presently knew it to be written by the hands of his wronged Lady the Armenian Queen and with great alteration both of heart and mind he read the sorrowful Lines which contained these Words following The Queen of Armenia her Letter TO thee thou disloyal Knight of the Black Castle the unfortunate Queen of Armenia can neither send nor wish salutations for having no health my self I cannot send it unto him whose cruel mind hath quite forgotten my true love I cannot but lament continually yea and complain unto my Fates incessantly considering that my fortune is converted from a Crowned Queen to a miserable and banished Caitiff whereas savage Beasts are my chief Companions and the mournful Birds my best Solicitors Oh Leoger Leoger why didst thou leave me comfortless without all cause as did Eneas his unfortunate Dido what second love hath bereaved me of thy sight and made thee forget her that ever shall remember thee O Leoger remember the day when first I saw thy face which day be fatal evermore and counted for a dismal day in time to come both heavy black and full of foul mischances for it was unhappy unto me for in giving thee joy I bereaved my self of all and lost the Possession of my liberty and honour although thou hast not esteemed nor took care of my sorrowful Fortunes yet thou shouldest not have mockt my perfect love and disdained the servent affection that I have born thee in that I have yielded to thee that precious Jewel the which hath been denyed to many a Noble King O love cruel and spiteful love that so quickly didst make me blind and deprived me of the knowledge that belonged to my Royal Highness Oh uncourteous Knight being blinded with thy Love the Queen of Armenia stained her honesty which she ought to have kept and preserved it from the biting canker of disloyal Love Hadst thou pretended to meck me thou shouldst not have suffered me to have lost so much as I did forgo for thy sake Tell me why didst thou not suffer me to execute my Will that I might have opened my white Breast with a piercing Sword and sent my Soul to shady Banks of sweet Elizium Then had it been better for me to have dyed than to live still and daily die Remember thy self Leoger and behold the harm that will come hereof have a care to the Pawn which thou hast sealed in my Womb and let it be an occasion that thou mayst after all thy violent Wrongs return to see me sleeping on my Tomb that my Child may not remain Fatherless in the Power of Wild Beasts whose hearts be fraughted with nothing but cruelty Do not consent that the perfect love which I bear thee should be counted vain but rather perform the Promise which thou hast made to me Oh unkind Leoger O cruel and hard heart is falshood the firm love that so unfeignedly thou didst profess to me What is he that hath been more unmerciful than thou hast been There is no furious Beast nor lurking Lyon in the Desarts of Lybia whose merciless paws are all besmeared in blood that is so cruelly hearted as thy self else wouldesâ— thou not leave me comfortless spending my days in solitary Woods whereas Tygers mourn at my distresses and the chirping Birds in their kinds grieve at my lamentations the unreasonable torments and sorrows of my soul are so many that if my Pen were made of Libian Steel and my Ink the purple Ocean yet could I not write the number of my Woes But now I determine to advertise thee of my desired Death for in writing this my last Testament the Fates are cutting asunder my thread of life and I can give thee knowledge of no more but yet I desire thee by the true love which I bear thee that thou wilt read with sorrow these few lines and now I desire the Destinies that thou mayst die the death that for thee I now do and so â—end By her which did yield unto thee her Life Love Honour Fame and Liberty WHen this sad and heavy Knight had made an end of reading this dolorous Letter he could not restrain his Eyes from distilling salt tears so great was the grief that his heart sustained Rosana did likewise bear him company to solemnize his heaviness with as many tears trickling from the conduits of her Eyes The great sorrow and lamentation was such and so much in both their hearts that for a great space the one could not speak unto the other but afterwards their griefs being somewhat extenuated Leoger began to say Oh Messenger from her with the remembrance of whose wrong my heart is wounded being undeservedly of me evil rewarded tell me even by the nature of true love if thou dost know where she is shew unto me her abiding place that I may go thither and give a discharge of this my great fault by yielding unto Death Oh cruel and without love answered Rosana What discharge canst thou give unto her that already through thy Cruelty is dead and buryed only by the occasion of such a forsworn Knight This penitent and grieved Knight when he understood the certainty of her Death with a sudden and hasty fury he struck himself on the Breast with his fist and lifting his Eyes unto the Clouds in manner of Exclamation against the Fates giving deep and sorrowful sighs he threw himself to the ground tumbling and wallowing from one
the Monuments that were erected in the honour of all their famous Emperours Councels Orators and Conquerours things which yielded him great Pleasure The next thing that his eyes delighted in was the Temple of the twelve Sibyls a most miraculous building in which Temple were all their Prophecies inroled as also the beginning and ending of the whole Catalogue of the Heathen Gods as Mars Jupiter Saturn Apollo and such like with their manner of Worship The next that he saw was the House of Remus and Romulus that builded Rome a building of much Worthiness Next unto it stood an ancient Prison can old rotten thing where the man lay that was condemned to death and could have no body come to him and succour him but was searche yet was kept alive a long space by sucking of his Daughters Breasts After this he saw Pompeys Theatre reputed one of the Nine Wonders of the World the Emperour Nero's Tomb maintained with disgrace for the offence he did in setting Rome on fire To conclude he spent many days in viewing the Martyrs Tombs and other 〈◊〉 brought from Jerusalem amongst many other delightful fights he came into a Chappel dedicated unto himself called The honour of St. Anthony Wherein was pourtrayed in Alabaster Pictures the true forms of all the Champions of Christendom with the Stories of all their Adventures Combats Turnaments and Battles their Imprisonments Dangers and Enchantments all Portrayed and Pictured up by Enchantments and Witchcraft whereupon ran a Prophesie that the Patron of this Chappel should ever live unconquered and never imbrace Death till his eyes were witness of the â—aâ—e Portraytures which in golden Letters were subscribed over the Chappel Door or Entrance All which when St. Anthony had beheld and knowing by Inspiration himself to be the Man with a meek mind embraced his own end and never after departed the Chappel but remained kneeling in the same upon the bare Marble making his Orisons of repentance to the eternal Deity till pale Destiny had cut off the threads of his old days And thus being converted to mouldy Earth the Emperour caused him to be Intombed in the same Chappel and over his Grave to be 〈◊〉 a magnificent Chair in which Chair for many years after the Roman Conquerours receive their Laurel rewards of Martial Wooly under whose Banner and Name even to this day they make their Adventures to which high Honour and Fame both lived and 〈…〉 is praise worthy Champion St. Anthony of Italy CHAP. XXII Of tâ—â— Martyrdom of St. Andrew the Scottish Champion and how his death was revenged by the King of that Countrey and by what means Scotland was brought unto the Christian Faith SAint George and Saint Andrew were the two last Champions that stayed together and as it seemed the dearest love remained between them two but yet rusty Time with his swift course would needs part them and break this their united fellowship For the summons of Honour so animated the bold heart of the Scottish Champion that he burned with desire to see his Native Country and to behold the place of his first Being For leaving Constantinople only honoured with the presence of Saint George and his three Sons in great jollity of mind he travelleth month by month week by week day by day till Time and Fate set him happily in the Kingdom of Scotland where having not been in many years before he received such Entertainment as if he had been the greatest Emperour of the World for all the streets and passages as he went were furnished with people of the best regard to give him a gracious welcome to his native home especially the King himself who for the love and honour he bore unto his Name and Knight-hood lodged him his own Pallace and proclaimed for his noble Welcome a Princely Turnament to be holden for the space of fifteen days in which time all the Nobility and Martial Knights of Scotland performed such well-approved Atchievements that not Greece Constantinople Rome nor Jerusalem could equal them in the least regard But St. Andrew being now aged and unapt for such Princely Encounters â—aâ—e as a beholder censuring of the best deserver and gave such due commendations as beâ—itted so gallant a company and for a farewel of such time honoured Pastimes he desired leave of the King to depart and to spend the remnant of his life in private contempâ—ations for the good of his Soul to wash away with the water of true penitence all that blood he had spild in his Travel about the World in the maintainance of Knight-hood a request so reasonable that the King could not refuse but give his consent So taking leave of his Majesty the rest of the Nobility Knights there present he departed up to a Mountain far remote from the Kings Court under which by Nature was erected a Cave or hollow Uault wherein he remained for the space of a year studying Divinity and the Commands of his Redeemer Scotland being theâ— a rude and Heathenish Countrey where the common sort of People inhabited by which means he was much admired and supposed to be sent from some place unknown as a Messenger to bring them evil ridings Whereupon those misbelieving people by a common consent taking him for some subtil Conspirer against their Pagan Gods which as then they worshipped put him secretly to death and after cutting off his Head in hope of reward bore it to the King deeming they had done a deed of much deserved commendations Which inhumane Cruelty when the King saw with much grief he lamented the loss of this good Man and with all speed in revenge of his Death raised a power of his best resolved Knights of War putting every one to the Sword both Man Woman and Child that in any manner consented to the Champions Martyrdom and after in process of time appointed a Monastery to be built in the same place where he died causing the whole Kingdom to be brought in subjection to a quiet Government and Christened in the right belief of this holy Father This was the last Deed of St. Andrew by whose Death Scotland received the true Faith in which it now remaineth CHAP. XXIII Of the Adventure performed by St. George how he received his Death by the sting of a venomous Dragon and of the Honours and Royalties done unto his Name being intitled our English Patron of Knighthood NOw droops my weary Muse for she is come unto her latest Tragedy S. George is summoned to the Bar of Death where magnificent honour stands ready to give his Name a Noble Renown to all ensuing Ages This illustrious Champion when he was left alone as you heard in the company of his three Sons Guy Alexander and David strange imaginations day by day possessed his mind that he could not rest nor sleep sometimes supposing his Companions were in great distress other while how they had won the chiefest Goal of Honour little needing his Knightly service and assistance sometimes
be made for joy thereof and hearing how the three Knights were coming towards him he went forth to meet them attended on in this manner First went two Trumpeters â—lad in the Arms of Sicily being two plauches argent charges with as many Eagles Sable Then followed a Band of Pensioners with golden Streamers which they displayed as they marched along After them marched fourscore Knights mounted on their Barbed Steede and armed with bright glistering Fauchions Next went the Kings Lifeguard in their Buff-coats edged with silver fringe and wearing on their shoulders Carnation Scarfs inlayed with Gold After them the King himself in a costly Chariot studded with Pillars of Silver and liâ—ed with Carnation Uelvet being followed with an innumerable Train of Lords and Gentlemen and their Attendants With this stately Train did the King go to méet the three Uictorious Knights who at his coming alighted from their Steeds whom the King courteously embrraced and after some short Discourse had them into his Chariot and so triumphantly returned back to Syracusa all the way the Bells ringing the Bonfires blazing and the people making such loud Acclamations of Ioy as the Earth rang with the noise thereof Being come to the Kings-Palace they were met by the Queen Berenice and her beautiful Daughter Urania the flower of courtesie and Paragon of rare perfection who as the excelled the other Sicilian Uirgins in Dignity and Honour so did she surpass them all in Beauty and other Ornraments of Nature to which was joyned such rare endowments of the mind as compleated her a Princess of admirable parts After they were alighted from the Chariot they were conducted to a stately Room where was provided â—oâ— them a costly Banquet which being ended their Ears were saluted with most choice Musick after which the Ladies presented them with a stately masque All this while the Princess Urania fed her Eyes with beholding of Sir Guy whose perfections she so contemplated that Love entering in at her Eyes so wounded her heart as she became wholly captivated in the Bonds of Cupid Sir Guy on the other side was so pierced with her transcendant Beauty and her other rare accomplishments that he wholly resigned up himself to her devotion she being the loadstone of his affections attracting all the faculties of his Soul in obedience to her commands Thus did these two Princely persons reciprocally bear true love to each other though neither of them knew the others mind but as fire will not be long hid under combustible matter so Love where it is ardent will show its self through all the disguises they can put upon it These Heroick Knights had not béen many weeks in the Sicilian Court feasting and revelling in all the delights and pleasures which that fruitful Country afforded but such pleasures grew tedious unto them especially to Sir Guy whose Love to the Princess Urania made sports and company distastful unto him so one Evening at such time as the Golden Charioter of Heaven had finishd his Diurnal course and driven his panting Steeds down the Western Hill he intended to fetch a solitary walk in the Garden by himself when coming under the Princess Urania's Chamber Window he heard the Musick of a Lute which with Harmonious Airs saluted his Ears and listening a while a Uoice deliver'd its self in these words Now woe is me poor hapless Virgin I Am forc'd to yield to Cupids Deity All my striving is in vain Love the Conquest he will gain And I a Vassal must to him remain Yet gentle Cupid let me thee desire To wound his Breast like mine with equal fire That so our Loves together joyn'd May settle in a quiet mind And we in them may true contentment find As Sir Guy was listening to this Harmonious Uoice there passed by him one of the Princess Uranias Ladies which put a stop unto her singing But pondering well in his mind the substance of her Sonnet gave him great hopes of her affections to him and as every Lover flatters himself in his own imagination so did he imagine himself sole Monarch of the Princesses heart That night the Ladies had provided a stately Mask which at the end of every Scene was attended with most rare Musick and excellent Dancing to which Mask the three Brothers were invited The time being come for the Mask to begin it was performed on this manner First began a most excellent Consort of Musick then enter'd sour Maskers in Cloth of Gold most richly Embroidered three of them personated the three Goddesses Juno Pallas and Venus when they strove for the Golden Apple on the Mount of Ida the fourth represented the Shepherd Paris who having heard their several Pleas which they made for the obtaining of the Apple he adjudged it to Venus and then having danced a Course about the Room they all withdrew After a little space the Musick playing again according as it was appointed the three Knights took each of them a Lady by the hand to lead them a dance and now had Sir Guy the happiness to converse with his dear Lady and Mistress for taking the Princess Urania by the hand he with great courtesie and humility kissed it and she kindly accepting his proffer he led her a Course about the Room in as great Majesty and state as did Aeneas when he reveled it in the Court of Queen Dido and she following him with as much grace as might become the Queen of Love to have acted it and so having shewed to the Spectators that he could as wâ—ll tread a measure in a dance as handle the Warlike Spear or Lance He with the Princess Urania withdrew into a corner of that spacious Room whilst Sir Alexander having associated himself with a gallant Lady named Alsatia and Daughter to the Uice Roy of Naples began a second Course to the Musick which whilst they were performing Sir Guy courted the Princess Urania in these words Most Peerless Princess said Sir Guy if the bleeding wounds of my heart could speak which you have pierced by the beams of your matchless Beauty then would it save my Tongue the labour to declare the affection which I bear to your Noble Person If I have aim'd too high blame your matchless Beauty and Vertues that have caused it Let me therefore conjure you by all the Rites and Charmes of Love and by those fair Eyes that have enthralled mine not to prove obdurate in thy Love though I must confess my self unworthy of so high a Bliss yet shall the Sun sooner cease to run his course the Stars to give light and every thing alter from his wonted course e're Guy will prove false or cease to honour the perfections of the Princess Urania Although this Speech were very welcome to the Love-sick Princess yet that she might not seem too forward with a Maidenly modesty she thus replyed Sir You must pardon me if I look before I leap That my self together with our whole Country is indebted to your Prowess we
who now though something over-worn through Grief and Age yet by the remains of her Uisage shewd she had once a Face which might have béen accounted Natures proud Master-piece and an attractive Loadstone wherein the God of Love sat Enthroned All the Company especially the King of Thessaly were very inquisitive to know what she was and by what accident she came to be Inchanted in that Castle and therefore requested she would be so courteous to them as to give them a relation thereof To which after a deep sigh setched she said although Noble Gentlemen the rehearsal of my misfortunes cannot but breed sorrow in the hearers much more in the relater yet to satisfie your curiosities and in part of retribution for the favours I have received from you I shall the more willingly impart them to you Know then that I am a Native of this Country and at such time when Fortune smiled on me Wife to a Noble Knight named Fonteious a Man Renowned through all Thrace for his Learning and Liberality two special Ornaments of a noble Mind Rich he was both in Wealth and Uertue which two though they seldom go together yet in him had they their residence At the age of sixteen years I was married unto him now whether likeness be the cause of Love or Love she cause of liking I know not but so it was that reciprocal Love passed betwixt us I loving him because he was kind unto me and he being kind to me because I loved him long time thus lovingly lived we together until Atropos cutting off the thread of his Life gave an ultimum vale to my good fortune for my Husband leaving me very rich and I being withal young and beautiful you may be sure such a Widow would not be long without suiters And indeed it was not long before I had plenty of them so that the famous Ulysses House during his ten years absence at the siege of Troy was not more thronged with them to court the chaste Penelope then was my House to gain my favour Amongst others of this gallant Crew was one Sir Vylon a man who had he been endued with internal vertues as he was adorned with a comely out-side he might have been a match fit for a Princess The multiplicity of his vows the protestations of his love his gifts upon gifts were as so many snares to entrap me To be short with the catching Oratory of his words and Language strowed with flowers he wone me and matcht me But long had not we been Married together although no cause given on my part but his smiles were returned into frowns no just pretence could he make therefore though many were pretended at last he found a means to accomplish his desire which he brought to pass in this manner He hearing of the Fame of this Inchanted Castle with the dire effects attending upon those which came near it Pretended a Letter as come from a Brother of mine who had been long absent and was thought as indeed he then was dead The Letter contained these words Dear Sister AFter many dangers and troubles passed in my peregrination it was my hap to come into this Country with great expectation of enjoying your happy Society but hearing how crosly you are matcht and how your Husband undervalues your Kindred because I cannot appear so splendid before him as stands to your credit I would desire you to come to me as privately as you can to the Castle in the Island Commanded by my especial Friend Sir Brandamore where we may conferr together in safety Thus desiring your presence as soon as possibly you can I remain Your affectionate Brother Brudo This Letter was conveyed privately to my hands and to give me the better Opportunity to go thither my Husband pretended a Journey to Boetia where he said he should stay a fortnight All things did I then think conspired to my happiness when as the Fates had decreed the clean contrary for taking only one Servant for my guide in whom I could repose Confidence coming within sight of the Castle I returned him back again with instructions how to excuse my absence from home as being gone to see a near Relation Then boldly I approached the Castle-Gate but ere I could come at it a déep Sléep siezed on me which how long it hath lasted I am ignorant of but I never awaked until both sleep and Castle were vanished away together And thus Gentlemen have you heard the sad story of my misfortunes what hath befallen at home since I am fearful to think having left behind me two young Children a Son and a Daughter the dear pledges of my first Husband who I fear may speed the worse for my sake for those who love not the stock of the Tree will never affect the Branches thereof Whilst she was thus discoursing there chanced to be there a Thracian Knight whose dwelling was not far from Sir Vylons who hearing the relation of her misfortunes Madam said he for what you are so doubtful of I can in the greatest part resolve ye know then that since the time you were missing during which space I conceive you have slept is now fully two years but what will add most Grief to your hearing is that soon after your Husband had thus subtilly disposed of you which he thought to be for a longer space he then began to revel in all sensual delights spending his Time and Coyn in such a riotous manner as if he had had the riches of Crcesus and were to have lived the years of Nestor But had his wickedness terminated in himself it had been the more tollerable but it extended to others in a mest barbarous cruelty for he being conscious of his own guilt thinking if your Children lived he might be brought to an account for his rioâ—ousness and débauchery he found a means to make them away and that in this manner He had in his House a servant named Barco one as ripe for mischief as himself and to whom he bare a special affection as being a Companion with him in lewdness these two complotting together entiâ—ed the Children to the Sea-side where they had provided an empty Boat into which putting the two innocent Babes they launched them into the Sea and so committed them to the merâ—y of the Waves which how they dealt with them is only known to the Almighty Powers But it was not long ere the Children being missing caused a suspicion amongst the Neighbours of hard usage towards them by some belonging to Sir Vylon nay there were those who sticked not openly to accuse Barco as one prompt for any villany and who would receive any impression his Master put upon him Now this was so openly buzzed abroad that at last it came to Sir Vylons Gar who fearing to be deâ—â—cted thought if Barco were put to the rack he would discover all wherefore he made means to have him poysoned a just reward for all such bloody Uillains had it
been done by a just hand that did it But see how divine vengeance persues wicked actions Sir Vylon now revelling in all excess without controul was stricken with a sudden Phrensie his Limbs also being taken from him so that he lay raving and cursing in a most fearful manner in one of which fitts he discovered all the circumstances I have related unto you and soon after in a desperate horrour of Conscience yielded up the Ghost This mournful Story moved all the company to great compassion whereupon it was determined that the Knight who had related this story and who had been taken Prisoner by the Sicilians should have his freedom and accompany the Lady to her habitation who in mournful manner took her leave of the Thessalian King and the thrée English Knights and returned homewards In which Iourney we will leave her for the present to relate the further atchievements of those Renowned Sons of Mars Sir Guy Sir Alexander and Sir David CHAP. V. How Sir Guy conducted the Army of the Sicilians into their own Country and Sir Alexander that of the Thessalians how hearing of the great preparation of the Infidels they returned into Christendom to raise Forces to withstand them SOon after the departuer of Sir Vylons Widow and that the Army were sufficiently refreshed being highly satisfied for all the pains they had taken with the rich booties which they had gained The Thessalian King and the three English Brothers thinking themselves revenged with advantage on the Thracians they determined to march home into their own Countries and having setled their affairs in Thrace Sir Guy with his Brother David marched with the Army of the Sicilians back into that fruitful Country to which Sir Guy longed to come to enjoy the company of his beloved Urania in which journey we will leave them for a time to accompany Sir Alexander home which the Thessalian Armâ— Who had as great a desire to sée his beloved Mariana and therefore having secured the chief Forts of the Kingdom they took their march carrying with them the two Gyants Predo and Pandaphilo Prisoners who for their huge stature and vast proportion were gazed on by the people with admiration wheresoever they came multitudes from all places flocking to see them Before they came to the City of Larissa where the Princess Mariana resided they were met by the Chief Magistrates of the City in their Scarlet Gowns Gold Chains and their Horses trapped with foot-cloaths of black Uelvet besides multitudes of the common people who all with one voice â—cchoed forth Long live the King of Thessalia and the Renowned Knight Sir Alexander of England The Bells rung the Bonfires blazed the Conduits ran pure Gréekish Wine the streets were hung with rich suits of Tapistry and all the windows along as they passed filled with abundance of Spectators to behold the return of their King and to have a sight of the Noble Champion Sir Alexander whom they stiled the deliverer of their Country the flower of Chivalry the darling of Mankind with all the Epithets which might conduce to his Praise and Magnanimity At the Pallace Gate they were met by the Princess Mariana who in all dutyful manner welcomed home her Royal Father and with many expressions of love and affection entertained her noble Champion Sir Alexander Here did they spend several days in feasting â—â—nqueting and all the delights that art and coâ—â— could invent but in the midst of all this jollity there came news to the Court of the great preparations which were made by the Infidels against the Christians as you heard in the first Chapter of this most excellent History This news struck a sudden damp unto their mirth for the love of his Native Country was so dear unto Sir Alexander that notwithstanding the intire affection he bare to the Princess Mariana he resolved to give what succour he could unto the place wherein his Father received his first breath and from whence his own Honour was derived So making his mind known to the Thessalian King and taking his solemn leave of his beloved Mariana with great asseverations of his fidelity to her and promise of return when those Wars were finished he prepared for his Iourney to Sicilia to aâ—quaint his two Brothers with his resolution being accompanied therein by divers of the prime Thessalian Nobility who resolâ—ed to spend their lives in the company and under the conduct of so noble a Champion In which Journey we will leave them for a time and return to speak of Sir Guy and Sir David Who having conducted their Army back to Sicily were entertained with all demonstrations of joy imaginable especially of the Pâ—â—rless Princess Urania in whose heart the love of Sir Guy was so deeply engraven that nothing but death was able to bâ—ot â—â—ouâ— But here likewise as well as to Thessaly soon câ—me news of the Infidels great preparation for the Invasion of Christendom which when Sir Guy heard he resolved â—o send to his Brother Alexander to prepare to march homewards but ere the messenger was fully dispatcht Sir Alexander with the Thessalian Lords were arrived at the Sicilian Court to the great joy of Sir Guy Sir David and other Martial Spirits only the Princess Urania was deeply melancholly that now she should part with her dear Knight whose company she prized far above all the 〈◊〉 of the Mines of America wherefore retiring her self to her Chamber taking her Lute in her hand she warbled forth this mournful ditty My mourning Mind doth crave some sweet delight And fancy sain would lend me some I see But Fortune frowns and sends me foul despight And care doth keep all comfort quite from me Such Passions strange do still perplex my mind As I despair of any ease to find But let me see I must not yet despair Dame Fortunes wheel may hap to turn again When storms are past the weather may be â—air And pleasure comes unlookt for after pain Things at the worst the Proverb saith will mend VVhy should not then my sorrows have an end But old said-saws are not yet Scripture all For things at worst are past all mending quite To pining hearts all pleasure seemeth small VVhat mirth can do the pining heart delight VVhen Fates do frown and Fortune is our foe Nought can be thought to rid the mind of woe Scarcely had she ended her Song when Sir Guy came to take his leave of her finding her sitting in such a given over manner one would have thought silence solitariness and melancholly were come under the ensign of mishap to conquer delight and drive him from his natural seat of Beauty But now to describe the grief of these two Lovers at their parting I must implore the help of Melpomene the mournfullest of the nine Muses to guide my Pen the sorrow of Orpheus for his beloved Euridice Andromache for Hector Aegens for his supposed dead Theseus Antigone leading her blind Father Oedipus or that of weeping Niobe for the loss
ordered to endure until such time two worthy Chiestains from the Confines of Christendom shall put an end unto the Inchantment which two worthy persons ordained by the Fates to put a period to their torments shall have the one of them a Cross the other a Star depicted on their left Shoulder by which they may know themselves ordained to be those for whom this adventure was allotted And having uttered these words the Tryton again sunk into the Sea leaving all the people in the two ships in great wonder and admiration The Tryton being thus vanished the two Noble Captains Sir Orlando and Sir Ewin for the better encouragement of their Souldiers stripped off their doublets and showing them their Conquest there was visible thereon the two signs of an â—ssured Souldier which was promised unto them whereupon the Souldiers gave such a shout as sounded like to the Cataracts of the River Nilus and seemed to rend the Clouds in sunder The noise being ceased the Island which before seemed to move now became fixed so that with case they approached near unto it but attempting to Land they were often put by by Spirits in the likeness of Dragons and fiery Serpents which so frighted the Souldiers that no words could induce them to joyn with them in battle whereupon Sir Orlando and Sir Ewin in whose Breasts were sown the seeds of true Magnanimity to show them an example of undaunted resolution leaped on shore and with their strong Curtle-axes made of the pureuÌ„ Lydian Steel they laid about them with as great strength and courage as did Alcides when he encountered with the Cyclops or the magnanimous Hector fighting against the Greeks in the Plains of Ilium Whilst they were thus occupied in these Martial Adventures the Magician Bandito knowing by his spells that he must quickly render up his Body a loathed Carcase to the disposal of the Infernal Furies was resolved in the mean time to do what mischief he could and first he raised up a Spirit in the likeness of a flaming fire which encompassing the two Knights so heated their Bodies as if they had been fighting in the scorching Desarts of Africa Next appeared a terrible Monster in the shape of a Lyon having Eyes as big as saucers and Teeth longer than the Tusks of a Boar bred up in the Caledonian Woods who assaulted the two Knights with great fury In the mean space the souldiers landed themselves and in a Warlike posture came to the rescue of the two Champions who by this time through the scorching heat of the fire and the strength of the Monster began to faint Wereupon a selected party of the cheifest of them being armed with Coats of Mail and haveing in their hands steeled Iavelins which would penetrate and strike through any Armour although as strong as that which Vulcan by the request of Venus made for Anchises These with a valiant resolution ran towards the Monster but coming at him he vanished away leaving behind him such a horrible stink as if it had proceeded from the Lake Avernus one of the poysoned Rivers of Hell In the mean time the loud Artillery of Thunder sent forth such loud noises as rent the Air and made the Ground whereon they stood to shake attended with dreadful flashes of Lightening when presently followed a screne Sky and a seeming Castle which stood before them immediately vanished whither approaching they found the dead Carcase of the Magician his Ioynts all dislocated and the Trunk of his Body as black as the sooty Moor or Cimerian darkness The Duke and the two Lovers were freed from their torments whom they congratulated for their happy deliverance These three persons though much amazed at what had happened yet could hardly believe themselves delivered from their persecuting Tormentors but being made sensible of their preservation by the two Noble Captains their joy was inexpressible the Duke returning thim his grateful thanks in these words Most Magnanimous Heroes to whom Iam indebted for the remainder of my unfortunate Life you have so far obliged me for this favour and that so perfectly that I must be your debtor all the days of my life All that I can offer unto you is that you would employ me in your service that I might testifie unto you in some part a requital of your favours which I acknowledge you have so undeservedly conferred upon us Most Courteous Prince replyed Sir Orlando all the requital we shall desire at your hands is that you will pardon what is past and freely bestow your Daughter on this Gentleman whose deserts did far transcend Bandito's Wealth for know we have heard all the story of their Loves and in so doing we shall think our selves sufficiently requited for that we have undertaken and performed for your fréedom Sir said the Prince your words like Musick please me so well that it shall be the greatest joy of my heart to have it so and thereupon embracing Sir Dyon as also his Daughter who humbly kneeled at his feet desiring forgiveness for what she had done Dear Daughter said he may thy joys with him hereafter be as comfortable and more during then thy troubles and afflictions have been hitherto and know it repenteth me for my unkindness to thee which forced thee unto what thou hast done After these words spoken with many other expressions of Love and forgetfulness of what is past they all went to view the Body of the Magician which they found so fearfully dismembred as cannot without horrour be expressed here lay his Brains in one place in another an Eye there a piece of his Iaw-bone here an Arm there a Leg in another place a piece of his Buttocks wrapped up with some of his rotten Guts and all stinking so abominably as the smell thereof was not possible to be endured And now there being no entertainment in that Island for so many people as they had with them they resolved upon their departure but before they went they Erected up a high Pillar near to the place where the Magician was rent in pieces on which Pillar these Uerses were inscribed VVicked Bandito bent unto all evil VVho for revenge did sell his Soul to th' Devil VVhose whole delight was Bloud and Cruelty And as he liv'd in Blood in Blood did dye VVho ere thou be that dost this writing read Of Magick Arts and wicked Acts take heed Least like Bandito that same bloody wretch The Devil for thy deeds thy Soul do fetch And a little underneath was this Written Wretched Bandito near unto this place was by the Devil all in pieces torn Thou that read'st this learn for to have more Grace or better far it were thou ne'er wert born The Pillar being Erected the two valiant Captains Sir Orlando and Sir Ewin with the Duke of Candy the Princess and Sir Dyon took Ship and having a prosperous Wind in few days arrived on the Fruitful Coast of Candy and with speed marched to Cydonia the chief City thereof where they
And applying her self more particularly to the Princely Knight Sir Alexander Sir said she how much I am bound to the Immortal Powers for your preservation my Heart is not able to conceive much less my Tongue for to express Now as Heaven has been kind to me in hearing my Prayers for your safe return so shall I account it my farther happiness that leaving off Arms you now come to enjoy the fruits of our Amours and instead of following the Camp of Mars we solace our selves in the Tents of Cupid Mistake me not Dear Sir I mean not by spending out time in wanton dalliance but in the Honourable State of Matrimony that being joyned in Hymens bands we may have our joyes crowned with the issues of an unfeigned love Most Gracious Princess replyed Sir Alexander your speeches are the sole effects of my thoughts and your desires to me absolute Commands being such as tend only to my profit and welfare wonder not then most peerless Madam if I willingly embrace what I so earnestly covet and so sealing his Love on the red Wax of her Lips they hand in hand paced it into her Palace accompanied with the Seven Champions as also with many of the chief Lords and Ladies of the Land where was provided for them a sumptuous Dinner of such costly Uiands as might teach the satiate Palate how to eat and those placed so thick and plentiful as if the Table would crack with the pile of such weighty dishes All the while they were at Dinner melodious Happs and Songs saluted their Ears which was breathed forth in such a curious harmony as charmed their very souls to an extasie After Dinner they fell to dancing tripping it so nimbly as if they had been all Air or some lighter Element In these delights they wasted about eight or nine days but the Seven Champions soon grew weary of such pastimes and desirous to go home to their Native Countries was minded to take their leaves of the Queen Mariana but Sir Alexander and she having concluded their Nuptials should be celebrated very suddenly they were with much entreaty perswaded to stay until they were over The prefixed day being come early that Morning by such time as Aurora the blushing Goddess which doth sway the dewy confines of the day and night began to appear but both Bridegroom and Bride were saluted with most sweet sounding Musick which being ended their Ears were accosted with this Epithalamium Sol thy Beams no longer hide Call the Bridegroom to the Bride Let each one rejoyce and sing Make the Air with Hymen ring May all Pleasure and Delight Crown your Day and bless your Night And the warm embrace of Love Be soft as Down or Uenus Dove May your oft repeated kisses Bring with them as many blisses And these Joys remain in state Till your end and that come late These Solemnities being over and the Bridegroom and Bride risen from their Beds they prepared themselves to go to Church the Bridegroom was apparelled in a suit of flame coloured Tabby to signifie how he burnt in the flames of a chast Love the Bride was attired all in white to denote her unspotted Uirginity and Maidenly Modesty Sir Alexander was led by two Dukes Daughters and the Princess Mariana by two of the chiefest Barons of the Realm having her Train born up by four Ladies of Honour Thus did they walk in great state unto the Temple where the Priest joyned them together in Hymens Holy Kites which being done they returned again in the same order to the Palace all the way the people showing such great demenstrations of joy as was wonderful to behold To rehearse the great Chear prepared for this Royal Dinner the Maskings Revellings and other costly showes which were solemnized by the Lords and Ladies and other Courtiers would tire the Pen of an industrious Writer The next day was appointed for the Coronation of the Prince Alexander and the Princess Mariana which was performed in great splendour the multitude of Spectators that came to behold it being so many that not withstanding great store of Money was thrown about in other stréets to divert the people from thronging so thick at the Coronation yet the people regarded the Money not at all for the great desire they had to behold their new King After the usual Ceremonies were ended which appertain to such Solemnities the Trumpets sounded and the People with a very loud shout cryed out Long live Alexander and Mariana King and Queen of Thessaly The Knights and Barons to honour the Solemnity the more appointed the whose Afternoon to be spent in Iusting and Turneying wherein was shown very much skill and valour but above them all Duke Orsin a near â—insman to the Quéen Mariana carried the chief credit having unhorsed fiftéen Knights that day for which King Alexander presented him with a rich Chain of Gold and St. George in reward of his Ualour gave him a costly Diamond Ring And now King Alexander being thus solemnly Crowned was fulfilled that Prophecy which was by the Faiery Queen predicted of him as you may read in the 14 Chapter of the first Part of this Honourable History which contained these words This Child shall likewise live to be a King Times wonder for device and Courtly sport His Tilts and Turnaments abroad shall ring To every Coast where Nobles do resort Queens shall attend and humble at his feet Thus Love and Beauty shall together meet After some few days passed in Royal Trumphs the Seven Champions resolved to stay no longer but to hasten to their own Countries in pursuance of which their resolution they acquainted King Alexander and Queen Mariana of their intentions who were very loth to have parted from their Companies but the Seven Champions were so resolute in their determinations that no perswasions could induce them to stay any longer The King and Queen seeing them so fully bent to be gone with a great Train of Lords and Ladies attended them to their Ships where they had caused a stately Banquet to be provided for them and so after many rich Presents and mutual Embracements passed betwixt them the Seven Champions took Ships and having a gentle gale of Wind had soon lost the sight of the Thessalian shore so sailing along on Neptunes watry front the wanton Mearmaids sporting by the sides of their ship and not scarce a wrinkle seen on Thetis face but the Sea as calm as when the Halcyon hatcheth on the sand they saw before them a ship all whose sails and streamers were black having black Flags and Penons sâ—uck round the sides of the ship The sight of this ship so strangely thus attired in black made them have a longing desire to know what it should mean so making up to it they halled them according to the Sea phrase when a Gentleman appearing on the Deck gave them to understand that they were of Italy and were come from Scandia bringing with them the dead Body of the Duke Ursini
highly thou wer 't prized in my Affections In this manner did the woful Queen spend her dayes until sickness coming on put the harmony of Nature out of tune in her Body which by little and little languished away in such sort that she became a meer Skelleton or Anatomy and now finding that Death by degrees began to sieze on her Uital parts she called her Nobles unto her and spake to them these words My Lords I am now taking my last leave of you the spent Hour-glass of my Life is near at hand and now at my parting ghost I do adjure ye as you will answer it before the Higher Powers whither I am now going to appear that ye invest Euphemius King when I am dead and gone and though I doubt not of your performance herein yet for my more assurance and that my ghost may quietly rest hereafter I shall desire you to take an Oath to do it which if you should fail in the performance know assuredly you will both wrong your selves and him him in depriving him of his Crown and your selves of a good King he being a Prince kind wise just and merciful and only unkind unto me The Nobles to satisfie her request freely took their Oaths to be true to Euphemius and now the Queen being fully satisfied with what was done willingly yielded up the ghost whom the Nobles buried in most sumptuous manner which being done they sent an Honourable Messenger to Euphemius to certifie him of the Queens death and how she had bequenthed her Crown to him which Messenger set forth Artemia's love in such pathetical words as wrought in him a strange alteration for when he thought upo nher unalterable affection towards him the constancy of her love her matchless beauty rare endowments and superexcellent parts he began to reflect upon himself his unkindness to her his vile ingratitude that could wrong her which dyed for love of him These considerations made him to like where before he loathed and to loath where before he loved for whereas before he used to give many private visits to my Daughter protesting all constancy and loyalty towards her now the poyson of hatred entred into his heart against her as taking her to be the chief obstacle which hindred him from the enjoyment of the Quéen and might be also the same of the Kingdom if it should be known he were married unto her wherefore he departed along with the Messenger never so much as bidding her farewel or sending any Messenger unto her The Nobles entertained him very splendidly and with great solemnity Crowned him King In the mean time the poor Praxeda was well near distracted with discontent finding her self to be with Child fearing to discover it unto me and finding such an alteration of love from him Her case being thus desperate knowing it impossible to be long concealed she sent to him this following Letter My Dear Euphemius MEN do tax our Sex for being unconstant but now I must apply that fault to you I say to you whose Oaths did give so great a Testimony of your fidelity that I duâ—st not doubt them for fear of injuring my self Ah Euphemius doth Honours change Manners can you so soon forget Praxeda whom you swore so firmly to love Now if thou hast no pity for me take some compassion on the fruit of my Womb the seal of our loves wherein thy lively Image is implanted and if thou hast any thing of Nature in thee thou canst not but deplore its condition and provide a remedy for the same we still hoping thou wilt remain constant I rest Thine own Praxeda Euphemius received this Letter with great indignation vowing revenge the Rhamnusian Nemesis possessing his vengeful breast in all her blackest formes and now his enraged blood being tickled with the thoughts of a pleasing himself for as he thought his disgrace in claiming him to be her Husband he intended the destruction not only of she but of all her Kindred and that to be pâ—â—formed as soon as he could find any pretended cause of aquatâ—◠〈◊〉 her In the mean time to deterr her from any proâ—â—â—â—tion â—â— her 〈◊〉 he returned â—o her this invective answer HAth your impudence no other person to Father your Pastard brat but upon me whose known reputation is such as will free me in the Consciences of all honest persons from the known calumnies of such a vile Strumpet was it not my vertue preferred me by a general consent to a Kingdom and do you think by detraction to bespatter my good name Cease then perverse Monster of Women-kind to prosecute any further claim unto me lest it prove the deserved destruction of thee and thine Thy deserved Enemy Euphemius But before she received this Letter feeling the burthen of her Womb to grow great she desired leave to go visit an Aunt of hers named Milesia pretending indisposition of Health to which I readily granted knowing my Sister very careful over her for her good To this her Aunt she discovered all what had passed betwixt Euphemius and she desiring her aid and secresie therein and indeed it was but high time for within three days after her coming thither she was delivered of a goodly Boy whom her Aunt named Infortunio and put him out to Nurse to one of her Tenants Soon after she received the Letter from Euphemius which when she had read her grief and sorrow were so great that she deemed her self the very Map of misery and falling into a swound it was long ere her Aunt and the other attendants could recover her to life such a sudden grief had her soul contracted that who so had beheld her would have thought her Spirit ready to descend into Charons Boat to be transported into the Elizian fields but coming a little to her self she thus began for to exclaim And is it possible such Perjury can remain in men do they think Oaths are not binding or that divine vengeance doth not follow upon breach of promise Ah Euphemius can thy heart prove so disloyal were all the protestations thou so often didst reiterate unto me only feigned baits to entrap me to my destruction Then glory in thy triumph but know accursed Caitiff my soul shall haunt thee after death as did the ghost of Queen Dido follow the Body of Perjured Aeneas and saying these words she stabbed her self to the heart with a Bodkin which she had hidden within the Trammels of her Hair and â—etching only two or three deep groans she presently dyed Praxida having acted this woful Tragedy on her self put all the Houshold in a great uproar especially my Sister Milesia who fared like to one of Bacchus frantick raging Nuns or like a Tartar when in a strange habit he prepares himself to a dismal Sacrifice Ah Praxida said she how hath thy actions straid from Reasons center thus to give thy soul a Goal-delivery Abhorred Euphemius accursed mayst thou be that wer't the causer of all this mischief Hast thou a heart more
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