that thy glistering Beauty may have such force and power whereby the shining beams thereof may take revengement of the dishononr of thy Mother give ear dear Child I say unto thy dying Mother thou that art born in the Dishonour of thy Generation by the loss of my Virginity here do I charge thee upon my Blessing even at my hour of Death and swear thee by the band of Nature never to suffer thy Beauty to be enjoyed by any one until thy disloyal Father's Head be offered up in Sacrifice unto my Grave thereby somewhat to appease the fury of my discontented Soul and recover part of my former Honour These and such like words spake the as afflictes Queen to the wonderful amazement of the thrée young Knights which as yet intended not to discover themselves but still to mark the event for they conjectured that her woful Complaints were the indualon of some strange Accident Thus as they stood obscurely behind the Trees they saw the young and beautiful Damsel give unto her dying Mother Payer Pen and Ink the which she pulled from her fair Bâ—som with which the grieved Queen subscribed certain sorrowful Lines unto him that wâ—â— the causer of her Bamâ—tment and making an end of her Writing then heard her with a dying Breath speak unto her Daughter these sorrowful Words following Come Daughter quoth she behold thy Mother at her latest Gasp and imprint my dying Request in thy Heart as in a Table of Brals that it never may be forgotten time will not give longer respite that with Words I may shew unto thee my deep Affections for I feel my Death approaching and the fatal Sisters ready to cut my thread of Life asunder between the edges of their Shears insomuch that I most miserable Creature do feel my Soul trembling in my Flesh and my Heart quivering at this my last and fatal Hour but one thing my sweet and tender Child do I desire of thee before I die which is That thou wouldest procure that this Letter may be given to that cruel Knight thy disloyal Father giving him to understand of this my troublesome Death the occasion whereof was his unreasonable Cruelty and making an end of laying this the miserable Queen fell down not having any more strength to sit up but let the Letter fall out of her hand the which her sorrowful Daughter presently took up and falling upon her Mother's Breast she replied in this sorrowful manner O my sweet Mother tell me not that you will die for it adds a Torment more grievous unto my Soul than the Punishment which Danaus his Daughters feel in Hell I had rather be torn in pieces by the fury of some merciless Monster or to have my Heart parted in twain by the hands of him that is my greatest Enemy than to remain without your company Sweet Mother let these my youthful Years and this green budding Beauty encourage you still to revive and not to leave me comfortless like an Exile in the World but if the gloomy Fates do triumph in your Death and abridge your breathing trunk of Life and your Soul must needs go wander in the Elizian Shades with Trula's Shadow and with Dido's Ghost here I protest by the great and tender Love I bear you and by the due Obedience that I own unto your Age either to deliver this your Letter into the hand of my unkind Father or with these my ruful Fingers to rend my Heart in sunder and before I will forget my Yow the silver streamed Tygris shall forsake her Course the Sea her Tydes and the glistering Queen of Night her usual Changes neither shall any Forgetfulnesâ— be an occasion to withdraw my Mind from performing your dying Requests Then this weak Queen whose Power and Strength was wholly decayed and her hour of Deaâ—h grew near aâ— hand with a feeble Uoice she said O you sacred and immortal Gods and all you bright celestial Powers of Happiness into your divine Bosomes now do I commend my dying Soul asking no other Revengement against the causer of my Death but that he may die lâ—ke me for want of Love After this the dâ—ing Queen nâ—vâ—r spake word more for at that instant the cruel â—estinâ—es gave an end unto her Life but when Rosana peâ—ceived her to be Dead and she left to the World devoid of Comfort shâ— began to tear the golden Trammels from her Head and most â—uâ—iouâ—ly to beat her where 〈◊〉 Breast filling the empty Air with â—lamours of her Mâ—aâ—s making tâ—e Skâ—eâ— like an Eccho to resound her Lamentations and at last taking her Mâ—ther's Letter into her hands washing it with floods of Tears and puâ—tâ—ng it next unto her naked Breast she said Here lie thou near adjoyning to my bleeding Heart never be removed until I have performed my dying Mother's Testament Oh Works and the last Work of those her dying Hands here do I swear by the Honour of true Virgins not to part it from my grieved Bosome until such time as Love has rent the disloyal Heart of my unkind Father and speaking this she kissed it a tâ—ousand times breatâ—ing forth millions of Sighs and so with a bluâ—â—ing Countenance as red as Aurora's glistering Beams she â—ose and said to herselâ— What is this Rosana dost thou think to recal thy Mother's Life with ceremonious Complaints and not perform that which by her was commanded thee Arise arise I say gather unto thyself Strength and Courage and wander up and down the World till thou hast found thy disloyal Father as thy true heart hath promised to do Theâ—e words were no sooner finished but St. George's Sons like Men whose Hearts were almost overcome with Gâ—ief came fâ—oâ— the Pine-trées and discovered themselves to the Damsel and courteously requested her to discourse the Story of all her pâ—ssed Mâ—series and as they were true Christian Kâ—ights they promised her if it lay in their Power to releaâ—e her Sorrows and to give end unto her Miseries Rosana when she beheld these courteous anâ— well dâ—meanoâ—'d Knâ—ghts which in her conceit carried relenting Minds and considering how kindâ—y they dâ—sired to be paâ—tners in her Greifs she stood not â—â—en curious Terms nor upon Exceptions but most wiâ—â—ingly condescended to their Requests so when they had prepared their Ears to entertain her sad and sorrowful Discourse with a sober Countenance she began in this manner Lately I was quoth he whilst Fortune smiled on me the only Child and Daughter of this liveless Queen that you behold here lying Dead and she before my Birth whilst Fortune granted her Prosperity was the Maiden Queen of a Country called Armenia adjoyning near unto this unhappy Island whom in her young Years when her Beauty began to flourish and her high Renown to mount upon the wings of Fame she was so intrapped with the golden Bait of blind Câ—pid and â—o intangled with the Love of a disloyal Knight called the Knight of the Black Castle who after he had flourisht in the
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
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
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
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
forsake their proper Nature At which words the Champion gave her the Courtesies of his Country and sealed her Promises with a loving Kiss After which Beautiful Eâ—lantine being ashamed of her Nakedness Weaved her self a Garment of green Rushes intermixed with such variety of sundry Flowers that it surpassed for workmanship the Indian Maidens curious Webs her crisped Locks of Hair continued still of the colour of the Mulberry-tree whereby she seemed like Flora in her greatest Royalty when the Fields were decked with Natures Tapestry After which she washed her Lilly-hands and Rose-coloured Face in the dew of Heaven which she gathered from a Bed of Uiolets-Thus in green Uestments she intends in company of her true Love the Ualiant Knight of France to take her Iourney to her Father's Court being as then the King of that Countrey where after some few days Travel they arrived safe in the Court of Thessaly whose Welcomes were according to their wishes and their Entertainments most Honourable for no sooner did the King behold his Daughters safe approach of whose strange Transformation he was ever ignorant but he fell in such a deadly swoon through the exceeding joy of her presence that for a time his Senses were without vital moving and his heart imbraced so kindly her dainty body and proffered such Courtesie to the strange Knight that St. Denis accounted him the mirror of all Courtesie and the pattern of true Nobility After the Champion was unarmed his stiff and wearied Limbs were bathed in new Milk and White-wine he was conveyed to sweet smelling Fire made of Iuniper and the fair Eglantine conducted by the Maidens of Honour to a private Chamber where she was Disrobed of her Silvan Attire and apparelled in a pall of purple Silk in which Court of Thessaly we will leave this our Champion of France with his Lady and go forward in the Discourse of the other Champions discovering what Adventures hapned to them during the seven years But first how St. James the Champion of Spain fell in Love with a fair Jew and how for her sake he continued seven years dumb and after if Apollo grant my Muse the gift of Scholarism and dip my Pen in the Ink of Art I will not rest my weary hand till I have explained the honourable Proceedings of the Knights of England France Spain Italy Scotland Wales and Ireland to the honour of Christendom and the dishonour of all the professed Enemies of Christ. CHAP. V. How St. Iames the Champion of Spain continued seven years dumb for the love of a fair Jew and how he should have been shot to death by the Maidens of Ierusalem with other things which chanced in his Travels NOw must my Muse speak of the strange Adventures of St. James of Spain the Third Champion and Renowned Knight of Christendom and what hapned unto him in his seven years Trauels through many a strange Country by Sea and Land where his Honourable Acts were so Dangerous and full of Wonder that I want skill to express and art to describe also I am forced for brevities sake to pass over his dangerous Battel with the burning Drake upon the flaming Mount in Sicily which terrible Combat continued for the space of seven days and seven nights Likewise I omit his Travel in Capâ—aâ—ocia through a Wilderness of Monsters with his passage over the Red Seaâ—â— where his Ship was devoured with Worms his Mariners drowned and Himself his Horse and Furniture safely brought to Land by the Sea-Nymphs and Mairmaids where after his long Travels passed Perils and dangerous Tempests amongst the boisterâ—us Billows of the raging Seas he arrived in the unhappy Dominions of Judah unhappy by reason of the long and troublesome misery he endured for the Love of a fair Jew For coming to the beautiful City Jerusalem being in that Age the Wonder of the World for brave Buildings Princely Palaces Gorgeous Mountains and time-wondring Temples he so admired the glorious situation thereof being the richest place that ever his eyes 〈◊〉 that he stood before the Walls of Jerusalem one while gazing upon her Golden Gates glistering against the Sun's bright countâ—nance another while beholding her stately Pinacles whose lofty peeping tops seemed to touch the Clouds another while wondring at her Towers of Iasper Iet and Ebony her strong and fortified Walls three times double about the City the glistering Spires of the Temple of Sion built in the fashion and similitude of the Pyramids the ancient Monument of Greece whose Battlements were covered with steel the Walls burnished with Silver the Ground paved with Tin Thus as this ennobled and famous â—ntat Arms stood beholding the situation of Jerusalem there suddenly thundred such a peal of Ordnance within the City that it seemed in his Ravished Conceit to shake the Uail of Heaven and to move the deep Foundations of the fastned Earth whereat his Horse gave such a sudden start that he leaped ten foot from the place whereon he stood After this he heard the sound of Drums and the chearful Ecchoes of brazen Trumpets by which the Ualiant Champion expected some honourable Pastime or some great Tournament to be at hand which indeed so fell out for no sooner did he cast his vigilant Eyes toward the East-side of the City but he beheld a Troop of well appointed Horse come marching through the Gates after them twelve Armed Knights mounted on twelve Warlike Coursers bearing in their hands twelve blood-red Streamers whereon was wrought in Silk the Picture of Adonis wounded with a Boar after them the King drawn in a Chariot by Spanish Iennets which being a certain kind of Steeds ingendred by the Wind The King's Guard were a 100 naked Moors with Turkish Bows and Darts feathered with Ravens wings after them marched Celestine the King of Jerusalem's fair Daughter mounted on a tame Unicorn In her hand a Iavelin of Silver and Armed with a Breast-plate of Gold artificially wrought like the Scales of a Porcupine her Guard were an hundred Amazonian Dames clad in green Silk after them followed a number of Esquires and Gentlemen some upon Barbarian Steeds some upon Arabian Palfries and some on foot in pace more nimble than the tripping Deer and more swift than the tamest Hart upon the Mountains of Thessaly Thus Nebuzaradan great King of Jerusalem for so was he called solemnly hunted in the Wilderness of Judah being a Country very much annoyed with Wild Beasts as the Lyon the Leopard the Boar and such like in which exercise the King appointed as it was Proclaimed by his chief Herauld at Arms the which he heard repeated by the Shepherd in the Fields that whosoever slew the first Wild-beast in the Forrest should have in reward a Corsset of Steel so richly engraven that it should be worth a thousand sheckles of Silver Of which honourable enterprize when the Champion had understanding and with what liberal bounty the adventurous Knight would be rewarded his heart was fraught with invincible courage thirsting after
glorious Attempts not only for hope of gain but for the desire of honour at which his illustrious and undaunted mind aimed to eternize his Deeds in the memorable Records of Fame and to shine as a Crystal Mirror to all ensuing Times So closing down his Bever and locking on his Furniture he scoured over the Plains before the Hunters of Jerusalem in pace more swift then the winged Winds till he approached an old unfrequented Forrest wherein he espied a huge and mighty Wild Boar lying before his Mossy Den gnawing upon the mangled joynts of some Passenger which he had murthered as he travelled through the Forrest This Bore was of wonderful length and bigness and so terrible to behold that at the first fight he almost daunted the Courage of the Spanish Knight for his Monstrous head séemed ugly and deformed his Eyes sparkled like a fiery Furnace his Tusks more sharp than pikes of Steel and from his Nostrils fumed such a violent breath that it seemed like a tempestuous Whirlwind his Bristles were more hard than seven times melted Brass and his Tail more loathsome than a wreath of Snakes near whom when St. James approached and beheld how he drank the blood of humane Creatures and devoured their flesh he blew his Silver Horn which as then hung at the Pummel of his Saddle in a Scarf of gréen Silk whereat the furious Monster turned himself and most fiercely assailed the Noble Champion which most nimbly leaped from his Horse and with his Spear struck such a violent blow upon the breast of the Boar that it shivered into twenty pieces Then drawing his good Fauchion from his side he gave him a second encounter but all in vain for he struck as it were upon a Rock of Stone or a Pillar of Iron nothing hurtful to the Boar but at last with staring Eyes which sparkled like burning Steel and with open Iaws the greedy Monster assailed the Champion intending to swallow him alive but the nimble Knight as then trusted more upon policy than to fortitude and so for advantage skipped from place to place till on a sudden he thrust his keen-edged Cuttle-ax down his intestine throat and so most valiantly split his heart in sunder The which being accomplished to his own desire he cut off the Boar's head and so presented the honour of the Combat to the King of Jerusalem who was then with his mighty Train of Knights but now entred the Forrest who having graciously received the gift and bountifully fulfilled his promises demanded the Champion's Country his Religion and place of his Nativity who no sooner had intelligence that he was a Christian Knight and born in the Territories of Spain but presently his patience exchanged into a great fury and by these words expressed his cankered stomach toward the Christian Champion Knowest thou not bold Knight said the King of Jerusalem that it is the Law of Iudah to harbour no uncircumcised Man but either to banish him the Land or end his days by some untimely Death Thou art a Christian and therefore shalt die not all thy Country Treasures the Wealthy Spanish Mines not if all the Alps which divide the Countries of Italy and Spain were torn'd to Hills of burnisht Gold and made my Lawful Heritage they should not redeem thy Life Yet for the honour thou haâ—â— done in Iuda I grant thee this favour by the Law of Arms to choose thy Death else hadst thou suffered a vigorous Torment Which severe Iudgment so amazed the Champion that desperately he would have killed himself upon his own Sword but that he thought it a more Honour to his Country to dye in the Defence of Christendom So like a true ennoâ—led Knight fearing neither the Threats of the Iews nor the impartial stroke of the fatal Sisters he gave this Sentence of his own Death First he requested to be bound to a Pine-tree with his Breast laid open naked against the Sun then to have an hours respite to make his supplication to his Creator and afterwards to be shot to death by a true Uirgin Which words were no sooner pronounced but they disarmed him of his Furniture bound him to a Pine-tree and laid his Breast open ready to entertain the bloody stroke of some unrelenting Maiden but such pity meekness mercy and kind lenity lodged in the heart of every maiden that none would take in hand or be the bloody Executioner of so bravea Knight At last the Tyrannous Nabuzaradan gave strict Commandment upon pain of Death that Lots should be east betwixt the Maids of Juda that were there present and so whom the Lot fell she should be the fatal Executioner of the Condemned Christian. But by chanee the Lot fell to Celestine the King 's own Daughter being the Paragon of Beauty and the fairest Maid then living in Jerusalem in whose heart no such deed of cruelty could be harboured nor in whose hand no bloody Weapon could be entertained Instead of Death's fatal Instrument she shot towards his Breast a deep strained sigh the true messenger of Love and afterwards to Heaven she thus made her humble supplication Thou great Commander of Coelestial moving Powers convert the cruel motions of my Father's mind into a spring of pitiful tears that they may wash away the Blood of this innocent Knight from the habitation of his stained purple Soul O Iudah and Ierusalem within whose Bosoms live a Wilderness of Tygers degenerate from Nature's kind more cruel than the hungry Cannibals and more obdurate than untamed Lions what merciless Tygers can unrip that Breast where lives the Image of true Nobility the very Pattern of Kinghthood and the Map of a noble Mind No no before my hand shall be stained with Christians Blood I will like Scilla against all Nature sell my Country's safety or like Medea wander with the Golden Fleece to unknown Nations Thus and in such manner complained the beauteous Celestine the King's Daughter of Jerusalem till her sighs stopped the passage of her Speech and her Tears stained the natural Beauty of her Rosie Cheeks her Hair which glistred like to Golden Wires she besmeared in dust and disrobed her self of her costly Garments and then with a Train of her Amazonian Ladies went to the King her Father where after a long suit she not only obtained his Life but Liberty yet therewithall his perpetual Banishment from Jerusalem and from all the Borders of Judah the want of whose sight more grieved her heart than the loss of her own life So this Noble and Praise-worthy Celestine returns to the Christian Champion that expected every minute to entertain the Sentence of Death but this expectation fell out contrary for the good Lady after she had sealed two or three Kisses upon his pale Lips being changed through the fear of Death cut the bands that bound his Body to the Tree into many pieces and then with a flood of salt Tears the motives of true Love she thus revealed her mind Most Noble Knight and
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
Drums and Trumpets should be heard therefore he took Rosalinde by the hand being then in a dump for want of her Father to whom the Noble Knight in this manner expressed his secret intent My most devoted Lady and Mistriss said the Champion a second Dido for thy Love a stain to Uenus for thy beauty Penelope 's compare for Constancy and for Chastity the wonder of all Maids the faithful Love that hitherto I have found since my arrival for ever shall be shrined in my heart and before all Ladies under the cope of Heaven thou shalt live and die my Love 's true Goddess and for thy sake I 'll stand as Champion against all Knights in the World but to impair the Honour of my Knighthood and to live like a Carpet Dancer in the Laps of Ladies I will not though I can tune a Lute in a Princes Chamber I can sound a fierce Alarm in the Field Honour calls me forth dear Rosalinde and Fame intends to buckle on my Armour which now lies rusting in the idle Court of Thrace Therefore I am constrained though most unwillingly to leave the comfortable sight of thy Beauty and commit my Fortune to a longer Travel but I protest wheresoever I become or in what Region soever I be harboured there will I maintain to the loss of my Life that both thy Love Constancy Beauty and Chastity surpasseth all Dames alive and with this promise my most Divine Rosalinde I bid thee farewell But before the honourable minded Champion could finish what he purposed to utter the Lady being wounded inwardly with extream grief not able to endure to keep silent any longer but with tears falling from her eyes brake off his speech in this manner Sir Knight said she by whom my Liberty hath been obtained the Name of Lady and Mistress wherewith you entitle me is too high and proud a Name but rather call me Hand-maid or servile Slave for on thy Noble Person will I evermore attend It is not Thrace can harbour me when thou art absent and before I do forsake thy company and kind fellowship Heaven shall be no Heaven the Sea no Sea nor the Earth no Earth but if thou provest unconstant as Ninus did to Scilla who for his sake stole her Fathers Purple Hat whereof depended the safety of his Countrey or like wandring Aeneas forsake the Queen of Carthage these tender and soft hands of mine shall never be unclasped but hang on thy Horse-bridle till my Body like Theseus 's Son be dashâ— in sunder against hard flinty Stone Therefore forsake me not dear Knight of Christendom If ever Camina proved true to her Sinatus or Alstone to her Lover Rosalinde will be as true to thee so with this plighted Promise she caught him fast about the Neck from whence she would not unclose her Hands till he had vow'd by the Honour of true Chivalry to make her sole Companion and only Partner of his Travels and so in this order it was accomplished They being both agreed she was most trimly attired like a Page in green Sarsenet her Hair bound up most cunningly with a Silk List artificially wrought with curious knots that she might Travel without suspition or blemish of Honour her Rapier was a Turkish Blade and her Ponyard of the finest fashion which she wore at her back tied with an Drange-tawny coloured Scarf beautified with Tasseis of unknown Silk her Buskins of the smoothest Kid-skins her Spurs of the purest Lydian Steel in which when the Noble and Beautiful Lady was attired she seemed in Stature like the God of Love when he sate dandled upon Dido's Lap or rather Animede Love's Minion or Adonis when Venus shewed her white skin to entrap his eyes to her unchast desires But to be brief all things being in readiness for their departure from Thrace this Famous Worthy Knight mounted on his eager Steed and the magnanimous Rosalinde on her gentle Palfrey in pace more easie than the winged Winds or a Cockâ—oat floating upon Crystal streams they both bad adieu to the Countrey of Thracia and committed their Iourney to the Queen of Chance Therefore smile Heavens and guide them with a most happy Star until they arrive where their Souls do most desire The bravest and boldest Knight that ever wandred by the way and the loveliest Lady that ever eye beheld In whose Travels my Muse must leave them for a season and speak of the Thracian Mourners which by this time had watered the Earth with abundance of their Ceremonious Tears and made the Elements true witnesses of their sad Laments as hereafter followeth in this next Chapter CHAP. VII How St Andrew the Champion of Scotland Travelled into a Vale of Walking Spirits and how he was set at Liberty by a going Fire after his Journey into Thracia where he recovered the Six Ladies to their natural shapes that had lived seven years in the likeness of milk-white Swans with other Accidents that befell the most Noble Champion NOw of the honourable Adventures of St. Andrew the famous Champion of Scotland must I discourse whose seven years Travels were as strange as any of the other Champions For after he had departed from the brazen Pillar as you heard in the beginning of the History he travelled through many strange and unknown Nation beyond the circuit of the Sun where but one time in the year he shews his brightsome Beams but continual darkness overspreads the whole Country and there lives a kind of People that have heads like Dogs that in extremity of hunger do devour one another from which People this Noble Champion was strangely delivered where after he had wandred some certain days neither seeing the gladsome brightness of the Sun nor the comfortable countenance the Moon but only guided by duskye Planets of the Elements he hapned to a Uale of walking Spirits which he supposed to be the very Dungeon of burning Acheron there he heard the blowing of unséen Fires boyling of Furnaces ratling of Armour trampling of Horses â—ingling of Chains â—umbring of Iron roaring of Spirits and such like horrid noises that it made the Scottish Champion almost at his wits end But yet having an undaunted Courage exempting all fear he humbly made his supplication to Heaven that God would deliver him from that discontented place of terror and so presently as the Champion kneeled down upon the barren ground whereon grew neither herb flower grass or any other green thing he beheld a certain flame of Fire walking up and down before him whereat he grew into such an extasie of fear that he stood for a time amazed whether it were best to go forward or to stand still but yet retaking his Senses he remembred himself how he had read in former times of a going Fire called Ignis fatuus the fire of Destiny by some Will with the Wisp or Jack with the Lanthorn and likewise by some simple Countrey People The fair Maid of Ireland which commonly used to lead wandring Travellors out
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-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
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
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
corner of the Grove It was I that left her carelesly within the danger of the Gyant whom I little mistrusted therefore I will meet her in Elysium shades and crave remission for my committed Trespass for on this Oak I will abridge my Life as did the worthy Knight Melmeropolion for the Love of Sillara Which Lamentation being no sooner ended but he took the Chain of Gold and fastned one end to the Arm of a great Oak and the other end to his Neck intending presently to strangle himself but Heaven prevented his desperate intent after a strange manner for under the same Tree the brained Gyant lay not yet fully dead who in this manner spake to St. George O stay thy hand most Noble and Invincible Knight the World 's chief Wonder for admirable Chivalry and let my dying Soul convert thee from so wicked a Deed Seven Virgins in this Thicket have I Ravished and buried all their Bodies in my accursed Bowels but before I could deflour the eighth in a strange manner her bright Beauty was changed into a loathsome Leprosie whereby I detested her sight and left her Chastity undefiled but by her sad complaints I since have understood how that she is your Lady and Love and to this hour she bath her Residence within this Thicket And thereupon with a doleful groan which seemed to shake the Ground he bad adieu to the World Then St. George being glad to hear such Tydings reverted from his desperate intent and searched up and down the Grove till he had sound Sabra where she sat sorrowing under the branches of a Mulberry-tree betwixt whom was a sad and heavy greeting and as they walked back to the Queens Pavilion she discoursed to him the truth of this bloody stratagem where she remained till the Amazonian Queen had cured her Leprosie by the secret vertue of her skill of whom after they had taken leave and given her thanks for her kind courtesies St. George with his Lady took their Iourney towards Persia where the Christian Armies lay Encamped at whose arrival you shall hear strange and wonderful things the like was never done in any Age. CHAP. XVII How St. George and his Lady lost themselves in a Wilderness where she was Delivered of three goodly Boys The Fairy Queen's Prophecy upon the Children's Fortunes Of St George's return into Bohemia where he Christened his Children and of finding his Father's Grave over which he built a stately Tomb. SAint George having Atchieved the Adventure of the Enchanted Tower and Sabra the Fury of the Lustful Gyant they took their Iourney towards Persia where the Christian Champions lay Encamped before the Souldan's great City of Belgor a place most strongly Fortified with Spirits and other ghastly Illusions by the Enchantment of Osmond whom you heard before in the last Chapter to be the rarest Necromancer in the World but as the English Champion with his Lady Travelled thitherward they hapned into a Desart and mighty Wilderness overgrown with lofty Pines and Cedar Trees and many huge and mighty Daks the spreading branches whereof seemed to with-hold the light of Heaven from their untrodden passages and tops for exceeding height to reach into the Elementsâ— the Inhabitants were Silvanes Satyrs Fairies and other Woody Nymphs which by day sported up and down the Forrest and by night attended the pleasures of Proserpine the Fairy Queen The Musick of silver-sounding Birds so chearfully resounding through the Woods and the whistling Wind made such Melody amongst the Leaves of Trees that it ravished their Senses like Harmony of Angels and made them think they had entred the shades of gladsome Elysium one while they wondred at the Beauty of the Woods which Nature adorned with a Summers Livery another while at the grown and fragrant grass drawn out in round Circles by Fairies Dances so long till they had lost themselves amongst the unknown passages not knowing how nor by what means to recover the perfect Path of their Iourney but were constrained to wander in the Wilderness like solitary Pilgrims spending their day with weary steps and the night with vain imaginations even as the Child when he hath lost himself in a populous City runneth up and down not knowing how to return to his native dwelling even so it hapned to these two lost and disconsolate Travellers for when they had wandred many days one way and finding no end of their Toils they retired backward to the place of their first setting forth where they were wont to hear the noise of People resounding in Country Uillages and to meet Travellers passing from place to place but now they heard nothing but blustring of wind ratling in the wood making the Brambles to whistle and the Trees to groan and now and then to meet a speckled Beast like to the Rain-bow weltring from his Den to seek his natural sustenance in their Travel by night they were wont to hear the crowing of the Cock recording glad tydings of the chearful days approach the neighing of Horses in Pasture-fields and the barking of Dogs in Farmers Houses but now they were affrighted with the roaring of Lions yellowing of Wolves the croakings of Toads in roots of rotten Trees and the ruful sound of Progne's Ravishment recorded by the Nightingal In this solitary manner wearied they the rowling time away till thrice three times the silver Moon had returned her borrowed Light by the which time the burthen of Sabra's Womb began to grow painful and the Fruit of her Body ready to wax ripe the hour of her Delivery drew on wherein she required Lucinas's help to make St. George the Father of a Princely Son time called for Midwives to aid and bring her Babe into the World and to make her a happy Mother but before the painful hour of her Delivery approached St. George had provided her a Bower of Uine-branches which he erected betwixt two pleasant Hills where instead of a Princely Cabinet behung with Arras and Rich Tapestry she was constrained to suffice her self with a simple Lodging covered with Roses and other fragrant Flowers her Bed he made of green Moss and Thistle-down beset cutiously round about with Olive-branches and the sprigs of an Orange tree which made it seem more beautiful than Flora's Pavilion or Diana's Mansion but at last when she felt the pain of her Womb grow intolerable and the Seed ready to be reaped and how she was in a Wilderness void of Womens Company that should be ready to assist her in so secret a matter she cast her self down upon her Mossie Bed and with a blushing Countenance she discovered her mind in this manner to St. George My most dear and loving Lord quoth she my true and only Champion at all times and seasons except at this hour for it is the painful hour of my Delivery therefore depart from out of the hearing of my Cryes and commit my Fortune to the pleasures of the Heavens for it is not convenient for any man's eye to behold
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
this Tragical Accident drowned their Friends in a Sea of Sorrow for the news of her untimely Death was no sooner bruited abroad but the same caused both Did and Young to lament the loss of so sweet a Lady The silver-headed Age that had wont in scarlet Gowns to meet in Counsel sat now in discontented Griefs the gallant Youth and comely Uirgins that had wont to beautifie the Streets with costly Garments went drooping up and down in mournful Uestures and those remorseless Hearts that seldom were oppressed with Sorrow now constrained their eyes like Fonutains to destil floods of brinish and pearly Tears This general Grief of the Citizens continued for the space of thirty Days at the end whereof St. George with his Sons and the other Champions interred her Body very honourably and erected over the same a rich and costly Monument in sumptuons State like the Tomb of Mausolus which was called one of the Wonders of the World or like to the Pyramids of Greece which was a stain to all Architects for thereon was portrayed the Queen of Chastity with her Maidens bathing themselves in a crystal Fountain as a witness of her wonderous Chastity against the lustful Assailments of all lastivious Attempts Thereon was also most lively pictured a Turtle dove sitting upon a Tree of Gold in sign of the true Love that she bore to her betrothed Husband Also a silver coloured Swan swimming upon a crystal River as a token of her Beauty for as the Swan excelleth all other Fowls in Whiteness so she excelled all the Ladies in the World for Beauty I leave to speak of the curious Workmanship of the Pinacles that were framed all of the purest Ieat enamelled with Silver and Iasper-stanes and I omit the Pendants of Gold the Escutcheous of Princes and the Arms of Countries that beautified her Tomb the Discourse whereof requires an Oratour's Gloquence or a Pen of Gold dipt in the Dew of Helicon flowing from Parnassus's Hill where all the Muses do inhabit Her Statue or Picture was carved cunningly in Alabaster and laid as it were upon a Pillow of green Silk like to Pigmalion's Iuory Image and directly over the same hung a silver Tablet whereon in Letters of Gold was this Epitalph written Here lies the Wonder of this Worldly Age For Beauty Wit and princely Majesty Whom spiteful Death in his imperious Rage Procur'd to Fall through ruthless Cruelty For as she sported in a fragrant Wood Upon a thorny Brake she spilt her Blood Let Ladies fair and Princes of great might With silver-pearled Tears bedew this Tomb Accuse the fatal Sisters of despight For blasting thus the Pride of Nature's Bloom For here she sleeps within this earthly Grave Whose Worth deserves a golden Tomb to have Seven Years she kept her pure Virginity In absence of her true betrothed Knight When many did pursue her Chastity Whilst he remained in Prison day and night But yet we see that things of purest Prize Forsake the Earth to dwell above the Skies Ladies come Mourn with doleful Melody And make this Monument your setled Bower Here shed your brackâ—â—h Tears eternally Lament both Year Month Week Day Hour For here she rests whose Like can ne'r be found Here Beauty's Pride lies buried in the Ground Her wounded Heart that yet doth freshly bleed Hath caus'd seven Knights a Journey for to take To fair Ierusalem in Pilgrims Weeds The fury of her angry Ghost to slake Because their Silvane Sport was chiefest guilt And only cause her Blood was timeless spilt Thus after the Tomb was erected and the Epitalph engraven on a silver Table and all things performed according to Saint George's direction he left â—is Sons in the City of London under the Government of the English King and in company of the other six Champions he took his Iourney towards Jerusalem They were attired after the manner of Pilgrims in russet Gaberdines down to their feet in their hands they bore Staves of Ebon wood tipt at the ends with silver the pikes whereof were of the strongest Lydian Steel of such a sharpness that they were able to pierce a Target of Tortoys-shell upon their Breasts hung Crosses of crimson Silk to signifie they were Christian Pilgrims travelling to the Sepulchre of Christ. In this manner set they forward from England in the spring-time of the year when Flora had beautified the Earth with Nature's Tapestry and made their Passages as pleasant as the Gardens of Hesperides adorned with all kind of odoriferous Flowers When as they crossed the Seas the silver Waves seemed to lie as smooth as crystal Ice and the Dolphins to dance above the Waters as a sign of a prosperous Iourney In travelling by Land the ways seemed so short and easie and the chirping melody of Birds made them such Musick as they passed that in a short season they arrived beyond the Borders of Christendom and had entered the Confines of Affrica There were they forced instead of Downy-beds nightly to rest their weary Limbs upon heaps of sun-burnt Moss and instead of silken Curtains and curious Canopies their had the Clouds of Heaven to cover them Now their naked legs and bare Féet that had wont to stride the stately Steeds and to trample in Fields of Pagans Blood were forced to climb the craggy Mountains and to endure the torments of pricking Bryers as they travelled through the desart Places and comfortless solitary Wildernesses Many were the Dangers that happened to them in their Iourny before they arrived in Judea Princely their Atchievements and most Honourable their Adventures which for this time I pass over leaving the Champions for a time in their travel towards the Sepulchre of Christ and speak what happened to St. George's three Sons in visiting their Mother's Tomb in tâ—â— City of London CHAP. II. Of the strange Gifts that St. George 's Sons offered at their Mother's Tomb and what happ'ned thereupon how her Ghost appeared to them and counselled them to the pursuit of their Father also how the King of England Installed them with the Honour of Knighthood and furnished them with Habiliments of War THe swift footed Steeds of Titan's fiery Car had almost finished a Year since Sabra's Funeral was solemnized in which time St. George's three Sons had visited their Mother's Tomb oftner than were Days in the Year and had shed more sorrowful Tears thereon in remembrance of her Love than are Stars in the glistering Horizon but at last these thrée young Princes fell at a civil Discord and mortal Strife which of them should bear the truest Love to their Mother's dead Body and which of them should be held in greatest Esteem for before many Days were expired they concluded to offer up their several Devotions at her Tomb and he that devised a Gift of the rarest Price and of the straugest Quality should be held worthy of the greatest Honour and accounted the Noblest of them all This Determination was spéedily performed and in so short a time accomplished
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
betwixt two running Rivers where in the mid'st of the way they found an Image of fine Crystal the picture and lively form of a beautiful Uirgin which séemed to be wrought by the hands of some most excellent Workman all to bespotted wich Blood And it appeared bâ— the Wounds that were cunningly formed in the same Picture that it was the Image of some Lady that had suffered Tormants as well with terrible cutting of Irons as cruel Whippings the Lady's legs and arms did seem as tho' they had beén martyred and wrâ—ng with cords and about the neck as though she had been forcibly strangled with a Napkin or Towel The Crystal Picture lay upon a rich adorned Bed of black Cloaths under an Arbour of purple Roses by the curious fair formed Image sat a goodly aged Man in a Chair of Cypress-wood his Attire was after the manner of the Arcadian Sheepheards not curious but comely yet of a black and sable colour as a sute sign of some deadly Discontent his Hair hung down below his Shoulders like untwisted Silk in whiteness like Down of Thistes his Beard over-grownâ— dangling down as it were frozen Isikles upon a Hawthorn tree his Face wrinkled and over worn with Age and his Eyes almost blind bewailing the griefs and sorrows of his Heart Which strange and woful spectacle when the Christian Champions earnestly beheld they could not by any manner of means refrain from the shedding some few soâ—rowful Tents in seeing before them the Picture of a Woman of such excellent Beauty which had been oppressed with Cruelty but the piâ—iful English Knight had the greatest Compassion when he beheld the counterfeit of this tormented Creature who taking Truce with his sorrowful Heart he courteously desired the old Father sitting by this woful Spectacle to tell the cause of his Sorrow and the discourse of that Lady 's passed Fortunes for whose sake he seemed to spend his days in that solitary order to whom the old Man with a number of Sighs thus kindly reply'd Brave Knights for so you seem by your Courtesies and Behaviours to tell the Story of my bitter Woes and the Causes of my endless Sorrows will constrain a spring of Tears to trickle from the conduits of my aged Eyes and make the mansion of my Heart rive in twain in remembering of my undeserved Miseries as many drops of Bloud hath fallen from my Heart as there be silver Hairs upon my Head and as many Sighs have I strained from my Breast as there be Minutes in a Year for thrice seven hundred times the Winters Frosts hath nipt the Mountain-tops since first I made those ruful Lamentations during all which time I have sat before this Crystal Image hourly praying that some courteous Knight would be so kind as to aid me in my vowed Revenge and now Fortune I see hath smil'd upon me in sending you hither to work just Revenge for the inhumane Murther of my Daughter whose perfect Image lieth here carved in fine Crystal as the continual Object of my Grief and because you shall understand the true Discourse of her timeless Tragedy I have written it down in a Paper-book with mine own Bloud the which my sorrowful Tongue is not able to reveal And thereupon he pulled from his bosom a golden covered Book with silver Clasps and requested St. George to read it to the rest of the Knights to which he willingly condescended so sitting down amongst the other Champions upon the green Grass he opened the bloudy Written-book and read over the Contents which contained these sorrowful Words following CHAP. VI. What happened to the Champions after they had found an Image of fine Crystal in the form of a murthered Maiden where St. George had a golden Book given him wherein was written in Blood the true Tragedies of two Sisters and likewise how the Champions intended a speedy Revenge upon the Knight of the Black Castle for the Deaths of the two Ladies IN former times whilest Fortune smiled upon me I was a wealthy Shepherd dwelling in this unhappy Country not only held in great Estimation for my Wealth but also for two fair Daughters which Nature had made most excellent in Beauty in whom I took such exceeding Ioy and Delight that I atcounted them my chiefest Happiness but yet in the end that which I thought should most Content me was the occasion of these my endless Sorrows My two Daughters as I say before were endued with wonderful Beauty and accompanied with no less Honesty the Fame of whose Uertues was much blazed in many parts of the World by reason whereof there repaired to my Shepherd's Cottage divers strange and worthy Knights with great desire to Mâ—â—ry with my Daughters but above them all there was one named Leoger a Knight of a black Castle wherein he now remaineth being in distance from this place two hundred Leagues in an Island encompassed with the Sea This Leoger I say was so intangled with the Beauty of my Daughters that he desired me to give him one of them in Marriage when I little mistrusting the Treason and Cruelty that after followed but rather considering the great Honour that might redound thereof for that he was a worthy Knight as I thought and of much fortitude I quickly fulfilled his Desire and granted to him my eldest Daughter in Marriage where after Hymen's holy Rites were solemnized in great Pomp and State she was conducted in company of her new wedded Lord to the black Castle more like a Princess in State than a Shepherd's Daughter of such low Degree But still I retained in my Company the youngest being of far more Beauty than her eldest Sister of which this trayterous and unnatural Knight was informed and her surpassing Beauty so excelled that in a small time he forgot his new married Wife and sweet Companion and wholly gave himself over to my other Daughter's Love without consideration that he had married her Sister so this inordinate and lustful Love kindled and increased in him every day more and more and he was so troubled with this new Desire that he daily divised with himself by what means he might obtain her and keep her in despight of all the World in the end he used this policy and deceit to get her home into his Castle When the time grew on that my eldest Daughter his Wife should be delivered he came in great Pomp with a stately Train of Followers to my Cottage and certified me that his Wife was delivered of a goodly Boy and thereupon requested me with very fair and loving Words that I would let my Daughter go unto her Sister to give her that contentment which the desired for that she did love her more dearly than her own Soul thus his crafty and subtil Perswasions so much prevailed that I would not frame an Excuse to the contrary but must needs consent to his Demands so streightway when he had in his Power that which his Soul so much desired he presently departed
spoil of her Virginity and had left his fruitful Seed springing in her Womb grew weary of her Love and most discourteously left her as a Shame unto her Countrey and a Stain unto her Kindred and after gave himself to such Lustful and Lascivious manner of Life that he unlawfully Married a Shepherd's Daughter in a Forreign Land and likewise ravished her own Sister and after committed her to a most inhumain Slaughter in a desart Wood this being done he fortified himself in his Black Castle and only consorted with a cunning Necromancer whose skill in Magick is now grown so excellent that all the Knights in the World can never conquer the Castle where ever since he hath remained in despight of the whole Earth But now speak I of the tragical Story of my unhappy Mother when as I her unfortunate Babe began first to struggle in her Womb wherein I wish I had been strangled she heard news of her Knight's ill demeanour and how he had given himself to the spoyl of Virginity and had for ever left her Love never intending to return again the Grief whereof so troubled her Mind that she could not in any wise dissemble it and so upon a time being amongst her Ladies calling to remembrance her spotted Virginity and the Seed of Dishonour placed in her Womb she fell into a wonderful and strange Trance as though she had been oppressed with sudden Death which when her Ladies and Damsels beheld they presently determined to unbrace her rich Ornaments and to carry her unto her Bed but she made Signs with her hands that they should depart and leave her alone whose Commandment was straightways obeyed not without great Sorrow of them all for their Loves were dear unto her this afflicted Queen when she saw that she was alone began to exclaim against her Fortune reviling the Fates with bitter Exclamations Oh unconstant Queen of Chance said she thou that hast wraped such strange Webs in my Kingdom thou that gaved my Honour to that Tyrant's Lust which without all Remorse hath left me Comfortless it is thou that didst constrain me to set my Life to sale and to sell my Honour as it were with the Cryer compelling me to do that which hath spotted my princely Estate and stained my bright Honour with black Infamy woe is me for Virginity that which my Parents gave me charge to have Respect unto but I have carelesly kept it and smallâ— regarded it I will therefore chastise my Body for thus forgetting of myself and be so revenged for the little regard that I have made of my Honour that it shall be an Example to all noble Ladies and Princes of high Estate in the whole World Oh miserable Queen oh fond and unhappy Lady thy Speeches be too foolish for although thy desperate Hand should pull out thy despised Heart from thy bleeding Breast yet can it not make satisfaction for thy Dishonour O you Clouds why do you not cast some fiery Thunder-bolt down upon my Head or why doth not the Earth gape and swallow my infamous Body oh false and deceived Lord I would thy loving and amorous Words had never been spoken nor thy quick-sighted Eyes ever gazed upon my Beauty then had I flourisht still with Glory and Renown and lived a happy Virgin of chaste Diana 's Train With these and other like Lamentations this grieved Queen passed away the time from Day to Day till at last she felt her Womb to grow Big with Child at the which she received double Pain for that it was impossible to cover or hide it and seeing her self in this case like a Woman hated and abhorted she determined to discover herself Publickly unto her Subjects and deliver her Body unto them to be Sacrificed unto their Gods and with this Determination one day she caused certain of her Nobles to be sent for who straight-way came according to her Commandment but when she perceived her Lords Knights and Gentlemen of Honour were come thither before her she covered herself with a rich Robe and sat upon her Bed in her private Chamber being so pale and lean that all they that saw her had great compassion upon her Sorrow being all set round about her Bed and keeping silence she revealed to them the cause of her grief in this manner My Lords quoth she I shame to entitle myself your Queen and Soveraign in that I have desamed the honour of my Country and little regarded the Welfare of my Common-wealth my glistering Crown me thinks is shaded with a Cloud of black Disgrace and my princely Attire converted into unchaste Habiliments in which I have both lost the liberty of my Heart and withal my wonted Joy and now am constrained to indure perpetual Pain and an ever-pining Death for I have lost my Honour and reaped nothing but Shame and Infamy To conclude I have foregone the liberty of a Queen and sold myself to a slavish Sin only mine own is the Fault and my own shall be the Punishment Therefore without making any Excuse I here surrender up my Body into your Powers that you may as an evil Queen sacrifice me unto our Gods for now my Lords you shall understand that I am dishonoured by the Knight of the Black Castle he hath planted a Vine within my fruitful Garden and also sown a Seed within my accursed Womb that hath made Armenia Infamous he it is that hath committed hourly Evils in the World he it is that delights in Virgins Spoyls and he it is that hath bereaved me of my Honour but with my Consent I must needs confess and left me for a Testimony of this my evil Deed big with Child by which my Virgin 's Glory is converted to a monstrous Scandal and with this she made an end of her lamentable Speech and being grievously oppressed with the pain of her burthenous Womb she fat her down upon her rich Bed and attended their Wills But when those Earls Lords and honourable Parsouages that were present had understood all that the Queen had said unto them like Men greatly amazed they changed their colours from red to white and from white to red in sign of Anger looking one upon another without speaking any Words but printing in their Hearts the Fault doue by their Queen to the great disgrace of their Country they without any further consideration deprived her from all Princely Dignity both of Crown and Regiment and pronounced her perpetual banishment from Armenia like Subjects not to be governed by such a defamed Princess that hath graâ—ted the Fruit of such a Tree within her Womb. So at the time appointed like a Woman forlorn and hated of all Companies she stored herself with sufficient Treasure and betook herself to her appointed Banishment After whose departure the Armenians elected themselves another Prince and lest their lustful Queen wandring in unknown Islands big with Childs dâ—void of Succour and relief where inflead of her princely Bed covered with Eanopies of Silk the took
revenged upon his Daughter for her Disobedience And as he travelled there was no Cave Den Wood or Wilderness but he furiously entred and diligently searched for his Angelica At last by strauge Fortune he hapned into Armenia near unto the place whereas his Daughter had her residence where after he had intelligence by the Commons of the Country that she remained in an old ruinated Building on the top of a Rock near at hand without any more delay he travelled unto that place at such a time as the Magician her Husband was gone about his accustomed Hunting where coming to the Gate and finding it lockt he knockt thereat so furiously that he made the noise resound all the House over with the redoubling Eccho When Angelica heard one knock she came unto the Gate and with all speed she did open it where when she thought to imbrace him thinking iâ—to be her Lover she saw that it was her Father and with a sudden alteration she gave a great shriek and ran with all the speed she could back into the House Her Father being angry like a furious Lyon followed her saying It doth little avail thee Angelica to run away for that thou shalt dâ—â— by this revengeful hand paying me with thy Death the Dishonour that my Crown hath received by thy Flight So he followed her till he came to the Chamber where her waiting-Maid Fidelia was who likewise presently knew the King upon whose wrathful countenance appeared the Image of pale Death and fearing the harm that might happen unto her Lady she put her self over her Ladies Body and gave most terrible loud and lamentable shrieks The King as one kindled in Wrath and forgetting the natural love of a Father towards his Child he laid hands upon his Sword and said It doth not profit thee Angelica to flie from thy death for thy desert is such that thou canst not escape from it for here mine own arm shall be the killer of my own flesh and I unnaturally hate that which nature it self commandeth me especially to love Then Angelica with a Countenance more red than Scarlet answered and said Ah my Lord and Father will you be now as cruel unto me as you had wont to be kind and pitiful Appease your Wrath and withdraw your unmerciful Sword and hearken unto this which I say in discharging my self of that you charge me withal You shall understand my Lord and Father that I was overcome and constrained by love for to love forgetting all fatherly Love and Duty towards your Majesty yet for all that having power to accomplish the same it was not to your dishonour in that I live honourably with my Husband then the King with a visage fraught with terrible â—re more like a Dragon in the Woods of Hircania than a Man by nature answered and said Thou virerous Brat degenerate from Natures kind thou wicked Traytor to thy generation what reason hast thou to make this false excuse when as thou hast committed a Crime that deserves more punishment than humane nature can inflict And in saying these Words he lift up his Sword inâ—ending to strike her into the heart and to bath his Weapon in his own Daughters blood Whereat Fidelia being present gave a terrible shriek and threw her self upon the Body of unhappy Angelica offering her tender Breast to the fury of his sharp cutting Sword only set at liberty her â—ear Lady and Mistress But when the furious King saw her in this sort make her defence he pulled her off by the hair of her Head offering to trample her delicate Body under his feet thereby to make a way that he might execute his determined purpose without resistance of any Fidelia when she saw the King determined to kill his Daughter like unto a Lioness she hung about his neck and said Thou Monstrous Murtherer more cruel than the mad Doggs in Aegypt why dost thou determine to slaughter the most chast and loyallest Lady in the World even the within whose lap untamed Lions will come and sleep Thou art thy self I say the occasion of all this evil and thine only is the fault for that thy self wert so malicious and so full of mischief that she dâ—rst not let thee understand of her Love These Words and Tears of Fidelia did little profit to molifie the Kings heart who rather like a wild Boar in the Wilderness being compassed about with a company of Dogs most irefully shook his Limbs and threw Fidelia from him in such sort that he had almost dasht her Brains against the Chamber Walls and with double Wrath he did proceed to execute his fury Yet for all this Fidelia with terrible shrieks sought to hinder him till such time as with his cruel hand he thrust his Sword into her Ladies Breast so that it appeared forth at her back whereby her Soul was forced to leave her terrestrial habitation and flie into the wide Air after those which dyed for true loves sake Thus this unhappy Angelica when she was most at quiet and content with her mean kind of Life then Fortune turned her unconstant Wheel and cast her from a glorious delight to sudden death The ireful King when he beheld his Daughters blood sprinkled about the Chamber and that by his own Hands it was committed he repented himself of the Deed and cursed the Hour wherein the first motion of such a Trime entred into his mind wishing the hand that did it ever after might be same and the heart that did contrive it to be plagued with more extremities than was miserable Oedipus or to be terrified with her Ghostly Spirit as was the Macedonian Alexander with Clitus Shadow whom he caustelly murthered In this manner the unfortunate King repented his Daughters bloody Tragedy with this determination not to stay till the Magician returned from his Hunting Exercise but to â—â—clude himself from the company of all Men and to spend the remnant of his loathsom life among untamed Beasts in some wild Wilderness Upon this resolution he departed the Chamber and withal said Farewel thou liveless Body of my Angelica and may thy blood which I have spilt crave vengeance of the Fates against my guilty Soul for my Earthly Body shall indure a miserable punishment Likewise at his departure he writ upon the Chamber Walls these Uerses following with his Daughters Blood Now unto Hills to Dales to Rocks to Caves I go To spend my Days in Shame in Sorrow Grief and Woe Fidelia after the departure of the King used such violent fury against her self both by rending the golden Tranunels of her Hair and â—earing her Rosie-coloured Face with her furious Nails that she rather seemed an infernal Fury subject to Wrath than any Earthly Creature furnished with Clemency she sate over Angelica's Body wiping her bleeding Bosom with a Damask Scarf which she pulled from her Wast and hathing her dead Body in luke-warm Tears which forcibly ran down from her Eyes like an overslowing Fountain In thâ—t woful
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
what in them lay as fighting for the Liberty of their Country yet being overpowered and bore down by the strength and valour of the Gyant Predo they received a dismal overthrow the greatest part of their Army slain and most of the rest taken Prisoners amongst whom our woful King was one who encountering Predo who had on him a Coat of Mail and over that an Armour of two hundred pound weight being on foot for no Horse was able to bear him Our King running against him with his Lance it shiver'd in a thousand pieces nor could his Sword ought avail against the Gyants Armour although he laid so on load that the sparkles flew from it as from a piece of hot Iron when a Smith is working it But the Gyant valued his blows so little finding him to be the Thessalian King and now almost spent with long fighting that he made no more adâ— but clasping his Arms about him he carried both Horse and Man together into his Tent which our men séeing fled and dispersed themselves as well as they could for their own safety And now the Thracians being absolute Uictors it was agreed amongst them that the Gyant Predo should carry our King Prisoner with him into his Castle where he lives being a place strongly Sâ—ituated in an Island having one associated with him famous for his skill in the Black Art so that what by the strength of the one and Devilish cunning of the other we despair of ever having our King again As for the King of Thrace he with the remaining of his Army marched up to the City of Larissa wherein our Princess Mariana is enclosed and so straitly besieged that without speedy help the City is in danger to be lost and with it the liberty and welfare of our whole Country which now lies a bléeding in a pittyful manner unless most Noble Prince your goodness will be pleased to lend us any aid and assistance which now both our Nobles and Commons do most humbly implore at your hands This woful Tale being finished moved great pity and compassion in all the hearers thereof especially in the three English Brothers whose Princely minds being endowed with the true séeds of Magnanimity they vowed by the honour of Knighthood and all that was most dear unto them to use their utmost endeavour were it to the spending their most precious blood for the relieving the Princess Mariana and her captivated Father The Thessalian King promising his best assistance to joyn with them they with all speed made what hast they could for the mustering up of an Army and notwithstanding the great strength and terribleness of the Gyant Predo did strike some dread and terrour into the hearts of many yet being accompanied with such invincible Knights as were these three Brothers they dreaded no danger but with a valiant courage resolved to venture their lives with them whose valiant acts and noble atchievements deserving to be recorded in the Books of Fame Calliope assisting shall be recorded in the next Chapter CHAP. III. How Sir Guy took his leave of the Princess Urania the Battle betwixt the Sicilians and Thracians The Message of the Princess Mariana to the Inchanted Castle and how Sir Alexander counted the Princess THE Captains and other Officers made such expedition in Mustering up an Army that in a fortnights time then hâ—â— gotten together twenty thousand men all which the 〈◊〉 compleatly armed out of his Royal Armory being a Magaâ—â—nâ— sufficiently stored with all necessary Habiliments of 〈◊〉 To the three Brothers he gave each of them a Silver Helmet 〈◊〉 with Gold and inlaid with precious Stones as a reward of their victorious conquering the Monster Pongo appointing to their valiant conduct the management of the whole Army Whilst thus this preparation was in hand the Couragious knight Sir Guy although his heart was full fraught with Ualour and bent to the performance of Noble Atchiveements yet had Love taken such déep Impression in his thoughts that it was Death unto him to part with his Urania Whilst thus Hâ—nour on the one hand invited him to buckle on his Armour and Love on the other side pleaded for his stay he resolved not to desist from the performance of Honourable Atchievements since the attainment of Love was by hazardous attempts in actions which were truly honourable Accordingly be bestirred himself in Mustring up of his Men shewing them how to handle their Weapons and â—o use them to the best advantage also how to gain ground in fight and when to retreat with other things belonging to Martial Discipline And now being ready for their march he went to take his solemn leave of the Princess Urania who bestowed on him a very fair Diamond Ring to wear for her sake as also a Meddal of her self very curiously wrought with great Art and exceeding cost which he afterwards constantly wore in his Bosom next his Heart But now seeing he could not have the opportunity of expressing his mind unto her as he would have done he wrote this Letter which by a waiting Gentlewoman that attended on her was delivered unto her about the time of his departing Excellent Princess BLamâ— me not that for a while I am Summoned by the highest tye of Honour to depart from you being in such a cause to help the injured which all true Knights are bound to perform Yet Madam know that no distance of place shall remove the affection I bear to your Vertues and this I swear by all that is Sacred and can make an Oath Let me desire you therefore to cherish a good Opinion of me until Crowned with Victory I return again to evidence my self to be Your Most Loyal Servant Guy This Letter wos very welcome to the Princess Urania who now began to set such a high esteem of Sir Guy as she judged him worthy of the Empire of the World And now he being the sole Monarch of her heart she could not but breathe forth some sighs to think upon his absence but then considering upon what an honourable account he was ingaged she could not but applaud his undertaking yet to give him some more clear demonstration of her affection to him upon his marching away she went in her Chariot to speak to him whom she found in the head of his Troops and kindly hid him farewel in these words Most Courteous Knight may the Heavens prosper your undertakings according to the justness of your Cause and that your return may be both speedy and honourable and for your more prosperous proceeding assure your self you shall have a Virgins Prayers day and night In the mean time let me request you to wear this Scarf for my sake that by looking on the same I may not be altogether out of your remembrance In delivering of which the tears began to flâ—w into her Eyes for grief of his departure which that they might not be espyed by Sir Guy she made the more hast back to her Palace where from one
Until three Brothers shall the same attain Whose power shall be this Castles overthrow VVho ere thou art sorbear to draw too near Thy Life 's at stake than which there 's nought more dear Near unto this Brazen Pillar stood a Rock of Alabaster in which were enclosed three swords richly enchased and beset with Precious Stones in the Pummels on the handle of the first Sword were these Lines written Hard closed in this Rock I sirmly stand Until drawn out by the first Brothers hand On the Pummel of the second Sword were these Lines inscribed The second Brother shall by Fates decree Draw from the Rock this sword and none but he On the Pummel of the third Sword which was more artificially wrought then any of the other two having a rich Saphire set therein which cast forth a most radiant Lustre on the handle thereof were these words Engraved VVhen the third Brother he shall draw me forth Then is our Negromantick skill nought worth All Magick charms and spells shall be in vain And then shall the end Gyant Predos Reign The Messenger notwithstanding he had read the writing on the Brazen Pillar yet adventured for to go forwards but coming into the Inchanted ground before he could come at the Castle Gate he fell into such a sound sleep that had twenty pieces of Ordnance béen shot off at his Ears they would not have awaked him The Negromancer who by his skill in the Black Art knew what had happened fetched his Body into the Castle laying it by the Thessalian King who also as soon as he came into the Inchanted ground had fallen into a dead sléep And now being there laid together we will leave them taking their rests and come to speak of the proceedings of the Sicilian Army at the City of Larissa The Princess Mariana hearing no news of her Messenger and doubting the worst which might befal her Father consulting with the three Brothers it was agreed amongst them to march with their Army into Thracia although at that time Love had taken so deep an impression in her heart that it was almost Death unto her to part with Sir Alexander On the other side Sir Alexander upon the first sight of the Princess was so stricken with her admirable perfections her beauty being such an attractive Loadstone as captivated his heart in the allurements of Love so that now as the Poet hath it The treasure of his heart did lie In the fair Casket of his Mistress eye Cupid having thus stricken him with his youthful dart so that he became a stranger to rest he resolved yet to declare his amours before he betook himself again to armes and to that purpose finding one day the Princess all alone he accosted her in this manner Most Gracious Princess I think the Stars could have alotted me no greater good then to behold the surpassing work of Nature in you Your Excellencies having so captivated my heart that to live without your good liking will be but a lingring death unto me I must confess my presumption great in aiming so high but who can look on such perfections without liking and who can like without loving And though the small tryal you have of the real affection wherewith I honour your Vertues may discourage you to credit my words yet I hope that in the trying of me how willing I shall be to merit your favour you will find my deserts not altogether unworthy of your regard since the utmost of my abilities is and shall be devoted to your service To which the Princess returned this answer Most Courteous Knight to whom I stand so much obliged for former courtesies that all which I can do will not stand in competition of your deserts yet the natural affection which I bear to my Aged Father compels me at this time humbly to implore your further assistance which as I doubt not the Gods being just in rightfull causes you will perform so assure your self your extraordinary kindness afforded to me in such a time of necessity shall never be razed out of my heart and therefore of this you may be ascertained that no one whatsoever hath so large a Possession therein as your self so that should you as the Gods forbid miscarry therein when I am dead as Death must assuredly ensue thereon they will find the name of Alexander written in my heart Their Minds thus made known to each other gave great contentment to them both especially to Sir Alexander who humbly kissing the hands of the Princess replyed thus unto her Madam There is no danger in the World so great which I shall not adventure on for your sake were it to perform the twelve labours of Hercules or with Aeneas to encounter with the Gyant Turnus Be pleased therefore to accept me as your Knight and Servant and I hope to behave my self so hereafter as you shall have no cause to repent you thereof To whom the Princess smiling said Sir I do accept you for my Knight and hope the Gods will be so propitious to you for my sake that you shall not have an enemy able to withstand you With which words taking a rich Diamond Ring from off her Finger and giving it him she said wear this for my sake that whensoever hereafter you look on it it may add fresh courage into your breast by the remembrance of me Much other Discourse they had but the Army being now upon their march summoned Sir Alexander to march along with them Wherefore taking a gentle farewel of the Princess having vowed constancy on both sides he joyned himself unto the Army whose Knightly adventures with those of his two Brothers we shall prosecute in the next Chapter CHAP. IV. The great Battle betwixt the three English Knights and the Sicilians on the one side and the three Gyants and Count Brandamil on the other side the finishing the adventure of the Inchanted Castle with the story of the wicked Sir Vylon THE Negromancer Soto who lived with the Gyant Predo in the Inchanted Castle knowing by his Magick spells that the Sicilian Army had given their King a total overthrow and taken him Prisoner as also how they were marching towards the Country of Thrace he acquainted the Gyant with his knowledge who thereupon bestired himself in all haste to their resistance sending for his two Brothers Brandamore the stout and Pandaphilo the cruel to come with all speed unto his assistance who no sooner had notice thereof but that with their Forces belonging unto them they hastned away In like manner he sent unto Count Brandamil whom the King of Thrace had left his Deputy at such time as he made his expedition in Thessaly to raise what power he could against the Sicilians And now nothing was heard but the loud sound of the thundering Drum and the shrill noise of the sounding Trumpet horrour and amazement siczed on the stoutest heart and the fore-boding Ravens foretold the fall of flaughtered Carcasses Whilst these things
were entertained most joyfully the Bells rung the Bonâ—ires blazed the Walls Windows Roofs Towers Steeples and Battlements all beset with people to behold the sight The Windows were hung with rich Cloaths of Arras and curious Tapestry and the Conduits ran with Greekish Wine Thus in great Triumph did they march through the streets until they came to the Dukes Palace which for stately bravery and brave stateliness was Erected according to what the height of â—ancy could express the Camfred Pillars strange Collosses Ascents and Statues were wonderful to behold Here were they entertained by the Duke with all delights imaginable each day was honoured with a Feast where nothing wanted to crown the Appetite with content the Boards were served with Princely Dishes and the Iuice of the Grape flowed in Cups of Burnisht Gold But these two valiant Captains in whose Breasts were sown the seeds of true Magnanimity soon grew weary of these Carpet delights and therefore informed the Duke of their intention to depart who though much loth do it as persons to whom he owed whatever he was yet condescended thereunto But before their departure in a grateful acknowledgment of the great kindness he had received from them he presented Sir Orlando with a rich sword the Punâ—â—el whereof was all enchafed with Diamonds Rubies and other frencs of rich price upon the Blaâ—e was this Motto Engraven The benesit receiv'd shall not By me for ever be forgot To Sir Ewin he presented a rich Silver Target beset on the sides with Emeraulds Saphires and other Stones of great value of such a Refulgent Lustre as gave a light in the Night like unto so many Wax-Candles In the middle thereof was portrayed Hector and Achilles in a single Turnament the one breathing forth these words out of his mouth In a just cause who would refuse to fight The other answering But then you must be sure your Cause is right To the other Captains and Soldiers was also given gifts of great value so that they departed away all of them very well satisfied In their way homewards they met with certain Pyrates who roving upon the Coasts of Italy took many of the Inhabitants Prisoners amongst others was the Beautiful Cyropa Sister unto Sir Orlando With these Pyrates they engaged with much resolution who made a very stout resistance so that the Air was made dark with their flying Darts and the Sea coloured with blood issuing from the scoop-holes many were slain and more wounded before the Pyrats would hearken to yielding but at last seeing themselves not able to hold out they cryed for mercy which the generous Captains Sir Orlando and Sir Ewin freely granted them And so the Pyrats delivering up their Weapons to the Conquerours hands they entered their Ships but when Sir Orlando beheld his Sister amongst the Captives he was intranced with wonder and stood like a Stag at a gaze as if his Soul had been gone upon some serious Errand and left the Corps in pawn till it came back She on the other side was as much surprised to behold her Brother and deliverer whom she ran unto and kindly embraced But if Sir Orlando was surprised with admiration Sir Ewin was stricken into an extasie in beholding of her divine perfections esteeming her to be Natures chief Masterpiece whose rare composure modellized forth the height of all Beauty so transcendantly did she show in this low estate that he esteemed her to be the Magazine or Common-Wealth of all Perfections and the very true Elixir of Beauty These Excellencies shot a thousand Darts of Cupid into the heart of Sir Ewin so that being emholdened by Love he accosted her in this manner Most Divine Lady who art inspired with all the Excellencies that the World can bestow upon your Sex I shall account it an honour to me to become your Servant my resolution herein being so Magnanimous that I suppose no ill Fortune can attend upon it Daign then Madam to accept me for such which may prove a spur to my Courage in fighting under so divine a beauty To whom the Lady Cyropa with a smiling Countenance replyed in this manner Sir I acknowledge my self doubly engaged to you as for your love so also for my liberty for which I cannot in the least make you a requital but since you do establish your Content upon my acceptance of your Service your hopes cannot deceive you much if an acknowledgment of my Affections to you may be any ways the means of making you happy These loving passages betwixt Sir Ewin and the Lady Cyropa were very pleasing unto Sir Orlando who desired nothing more then the alliance of so valiant a Knight as Sir Ewin And now was Sir Orlando minded to have inflicted severe punishment on the Captain of the Pyrats for stealing away his Sister but remembring his promise which he would not violate for all the Wealth of Asia he thereupon took the chiefest Riches of their Ships from them which he distributed amongst his Soldiers and having released all the Prisoners he put the Pyrats into one of their empty Ships and sent them away whilst their own Fleet with a merry gale of Wind set forwards for Italy whether in short space they safely arrived and to compleat their joys not long after Sir Ewin was Married unto the Lady Cyropa upon whom Sir Orlando bestowed many rich gifts and sent them away to the Country of Scotland where for a while we wiâ—â—â—ave them and return to speak of the strange Travels and Adventures of the Seven Champions of Christendom CHAP. IX How the Seven Champions came to a Land where the men for their sins were changed all into the shape of beasts and how by finishing the adventure of the Golden Cave they returned to their shapes again NOW come we to speak of the Seven Champions of Christendom who not long after the departure of Sir Orlando and Sir Ewin being desirous to return to their Native Countries to repose their Bodies where they had their Births taking their leave of St. Georges three Sons they also took shiping in a single ship and cutting the briny face of Neptune for three or four days were favoured with a gentle gale of wind which made the Sailers hearts full merry but on the fifth day notwithstanding that Phoebus sent forth his beams with much radiancy until such time as he became an equal arbiter of the fore-past and coming part of the day there then fell a mist upon the face of the Ocean which in an instant grew to such darkness that neither Men nor Masâ—s on the Deck were discernable so that the Pilot was at a loss which way to steer yet could they perceive that their ship moved with a swift motion although there was then so great a calm and such gentle Air as not to stir one hair of their heads This continued for the space of seven days so that now the whole company were given over to silence and sadness when to comfort their
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
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
give no other account but that he could give no account of them at all In the mean time some of them had posted to the Court and acquainted the young Queen where her Father was who at first could not believe their reports such an unlikelyhood did the truth of the story carry with it but being confirmed by so many at last she believed what she most desired to be true and taking with her som of the châ—â—â—est of her Maidens she hasted to him with all the speed she could but it was a most rare sight to behold into what wonder and admiration they were both stricken at the first sight of each other for she having never seen a man before that she could remember thought his long Beard and other attire most strange to behold and he on the other side having not seen her in so many years the remembrance of her was quite out of his memory However she having been instructed in the honour that Children should do to their Parents humbled her self to him on her â—nees whom he most lovingly embraced and now tears through the ever excess of joy stâ—pped for a while the passage of their speech at last the King Antenor spake as followeth Most dear Daughter in whâ—â—â— sight me thinks I behold the perfections of thy Mother the joy which I have to behold thee is enough to blot out all the story of my misfortune for what thing can there be under the Heavenly Canopy that can bring more gladness to my Soul or can present my Genius with a fuller blandishment of transportation then by pouring my self forth into Labyrinths of joy to behold the jem of my desires whom I despaired ever to have seen but now that I have seen thee I have my desire and shall the more willingly descend to my Geave when I shall lye every minute expecting deaths sad summons Much other talk had they concerning the death of the Queen and of what occurrences had passed in the mean space all which time Sir David beheld the Princess Rosetta with admiration so that Love through his Eyes stole into his Heart and there took a full possession becoming so enamoured of her that an old man doth not love his heaps of Gold with a more doting superstition then he doted on her perfections and so becoming Loves Chaplain thrust himself into that yoak which is justly termed the Harbinger of all unrest a freezing fire pleasing flame fond fancy and self chosen snare but having not an opportunity now to disclose it and the Queen inviting them to her Palace whilst they were preparing to set forwards the rest of the Ships company came up to them together with the two Thracian Children destined to destruction by Sir Vuylon and who were preserved by Antenor as you heard before All the way as they went to the Palace they were entertained with great joy a Troop of Maidens cloathed all in white going before them with Timbrels in their hands with which they played very melodiously singing of Songs and answering one another in pleasant Roundelays The people all the way as they passed came flocking about them the younger sort wondring at the Men as if they were Monsters and the Men wondring as much to behold in every place nothing but Women The Quéen Rosetta entertained Sir David with very high respects who returned her kindness with obliging Civilty The chiefest Commanders were accommodated with Tents peculiar to themselves and stored with delicious Uiands and Wines Nay the very meanest Soldiers were so well gratified and entertained that they thought themselves very much obliged both to the Queen and the rest of her Subjects In this condition we will leave them for a while to tell you what happened soon after in the Island CHAP. XV. How Sir David was Married to the Queen Rosetta how he over came the remnant of the Pagan army Sir Pandrasus with his men landing in Ancona and how they hanged a Sagittary upon a Tree COnquering and imperious Love had so wounded the heart of Sir David that he could take no rest day nor night all sports and pastimes seemed tedious to him and he gave himself over to such excessive melancholly that he seemed like a Status had not his sighs breathed from his heaved-up heart showed it to be a kind of living death yet were his afflictions so merciful to him that his very tears were of a soveraign use which as they gushed forth seemed to quench those flames his Mistresses Eyes had kindled which otherwise would have scorcht him to ashes In thislingring kind of life did he live for some time seeking to suppress those passions which Love had kindled in his Breast but the more he strove to suppress it the more it encreased so that not able any longer to contain himself finding a fit opportunity when Rosetta was alone he brake his mind to her in this manner Madam I see so many perfections residing in you that not to love you would argue a stupidity of knowledge and obliges me to honour your excellent endowments to the utmost of my power for believe me Madam my desires are good and my wishes flow from a sincere affection towards you that if you please to yield to me your Love you shall find me both constant in affection towards you faithful to deal Honourably with you and Loyal not to do any thing that shall be disagreeable to your will Most Courteous Knight replyed the Queen to whose valour we are so much indebted as we want words to express a due thankfulness for what you have done for us for your suit in love though it be a thing strange unto me as not acquainted with any Men before your coming hither so cannot I promise you any thing in it as not being at my own disposal my Father and Country claiming a knowledge thereof before I give a final consent to a thing of such consequence yet as I would not have you hope too much since your merit might command more so would I not have you to despair since you shall not find me who am most concerned in it the most obâ—oxious to your suit Account me noâ— Dear Sir over sound in my expressions since such high deservings joyned with such Manhood and Courtesie cannot but attract â—â—willing acceptance of that which is so vertuously offered â—hâ—y second self said Sir David my ambition is no higher to 〈◊〉 but by a Ladder of desert though all I can do were it far â—â—gher then what I have already done must needs come far short 〈◊〉 the enjoyment of so divine a Jewel as your self As he would cave proceeded further the King Antenor missing the company of Sir David in which he took a most special delight came unto them and linding Sir David in parley with his Daughter he pâ—â—asantly said to him Most worthy Chiefâ—ain if you are as fortunate in conquering â—â— Amours as you are at Arms it is not in the power of â—â—y Lady to withstand
at every Course the Servitors brought in a Consort of Egyptian Ladies who on their Ivory Lutes strained forth such admired Harmony that it surpassed Orion's Musick which when he was cast into the Sea caused the Dolphins to bring him safe to the shore or the swiftness of Orpheus his silver Harp which made both Stones and Trees to dance or the melody of Apollo's inspiring Musick when he descended to the lower parts for the love of Daphne These pleasures so ravished the Christian Champions that they forgot the sound of Warlike Drums which were wont to call them fortly to bloody Battels But these delights continued but a short time for there arrived a Knight from England that brought such unexpected News to St. George that changed his Ioys into extream sorrow for after this manner begun the Messenger to tell his woful Tale Fair England 's Champion said he instead of Arms get Swallows wings and flie to England if ever thou wilt see thy beloved Lady for she is judged to be burned at a stake for murdering the Earl of Coventry whose lostful Desires would have stained her Honour with Infamy and made her the scorn of Vertuous Women Yet this Mercy is granted by the King of England that if within twelve Months a Champion may be sound that for her lake will venture his life if it be his fortune to overcome the the Challenger of her Death she shall live but if it be his fatal Destiny to be Conquered then must she suffer the heavy Judgment before pronounced therefore as you love the life of your chaste and beloved Lady haste into England delay no time for delay is dangerous and her life in hazard to be lost This woful Discourse struck such a terror to St. George's heart likewise to the Egyptian King her Father that for a time they stood gazing one in anothers face as though they had been bereaved of their wits notable to speak one word but at last St. George recovered his former Sense and breathed forth this sorrowful Lamentation O England O unkind England Have I adventured my Life in thy Defence and for thy Defence have lain in the Field of Mars buckled on my Armour in many a parching Summers-day and many a freezing Winters night when you have taken your quiet sleeps on Beds of Down and will you repay me with this discourtesie or rather undeserved wrong to adjure her spotless body to consuming fire whose blood if it be spilt before I come I vow never to draw my trusty Sword in England 's Quarrel more nor never account my self her Champion but I will rend my Warlike Colours into a thousand pieces the which I wear on my Burgoneâ— I mean the crimson Cross of England and wander unknown Countries obscurely from the sight of any Christian eye Is it possible that England will be so ungrateful to her Friend can that Renowned Country harbour such a Lustful Monster to seek to dishonour her within whose heart the Fountain of Vertue springs Or can that Noble City the Nurse and Mother of my Life entertain so vile a Homicide that will offer Violence to her whose Chastity and true Honour hath caused tameless Lions to sleep in her Lap. In this sorrowful manner wearied St. George the time away untill the Egyptian King whose Sorrow being as great as his put him from his Complaints and requested the English Knight to tell the true discourse of Sabra's proffered Uiolence and how she murdered the Lustful Earl of Coventry to whom after a bitter sigh or two the Messenger thus replied in this manner Most Noble Princes and Potentates of the Earth prepare your Ears to entertain the wofullest Tale that ever English Knight discoursed and your Eyes to weep Seas of brackish Tears I would I had no Tongue to tell it nor Heart to remember it but seeing I am compelled through the Love and Duty I owe the Noble Champions of Christendom to express it then thus it was It was the fortune nay I may say unhappy Destiny of your beloved Lady upon an Evening when the Sun had almost lodg'd in the West to walk without the Walls of Coventry to take the pleasures of the sweet Fields and flourishing Meadows which Flora had beautified in a Summers Livery but as she walked up and down sometimes taking pleasure to hear the chiruing Birds how they strained their silver Notes other times taking delight to see how Nature had covered both Kills and Pales with sundry â—orâ—y of Flowers then walking to see the Crystal running Rivers the murmuring Musick of whose Streams exceeded the rest for pleasure but she kind Lady delighting her self by the River side a sudden and strange alteration troubled her mind for the Chain of Gold that she did wear about her Neck presently changed colour from a yellow burnisht brightness to a dim paleness Her Kings fâ—ll from her Fingers and from her Nose fell drops of blood whereat her heart began to throb her ears to glow and every ioynt to tremble with fear This strange Accident caused her speedily to haste homewards But by the way she met the Earl of Coventry walking at that time to take the pleasure of the Evening Air with such a Train of worthy Gentlemen as though he had been the greatest Peer in England Whose sight when she beheld afar off her heart began to misgive thinking that Fortune had alotted those Gentlemen to proffer her some Injury so that upon her Cheeks Fear had set a Uermilion dye whereby her Beauty grew admirable which when the Earl beheld he was ravished therewith and deemed her the excellentest Creature that ever Nature framed their meeting was silent She shewed the humility of a Uertuous Lady and he the courtesie of a kind Gentleman She departed homewards and he into the Fields she thinking all danger past but he practised in his mind her utter Ruin and Downfal For the Part of Love had shot from her beauteous Cheeks into his heart not true Love but Lust so that nothing might quench his desire but the Conquest of her Chastity such extream Passion bewitched his mind that he caused his Servants every one to depart And then like a discontented Man he wandred up and down the Fields beating in his mind a thousand sundry ways to obtain his desire for without he enjoyed her Love he was likely to live in endless languishment But at last he sighed out this passion of Love Oh you immortal Powers why have you transported her from an Earthly Lady to an Heavenly Angel Sabra is no worldly Creature but a Divine Substance her Beauty is a stain unto the Quéen of Love and her Countenance of more Majesty than Juno's Grace Her twinkling eyes that glister like the flaming Stars and her beauteous Cheeks more pleasant than Roses dipt in Milk have pierced my heart with the pricks of Love and her Love I will enjoy oâ— lose my self Oh! but there is a Bar which thwarts kind Affection and hinders my desires