manner Thou art by Birth said she Son to the Lord Albert High Steward of England and from thy Birth to this day have I kept thee as my Child within these solitary Woods So taking him by the hand she led him into a Brazen Castle wherein remained as Prisoners six of the bravest Knights of the World These are said she Six worthy Champions of Christendom The first is St. Dennis of France the second St. Iames of Spain the third St. Anthony of Italy the fourth St. Andrew of Scotland the fifth St. Patrick of Ireland the sixth St. David of Wales and thou art born to be the Seventh thy Name being St. George of England for so thou shalt be termed in time to come Then leading him a little farther she brought him into a large fair Room where stood seven of the goodliest Stéeds that ever Eye beheld Six of these said she belong to the six Champions and the seventh will I bestow upon thee whose Name is Bayard likewise she led him to another Room where hung the Richest Armour in the World so choosing out the strongest Corsset from her Armory she with her own hands buckled it about his Breast laced on his Helmet and attired him with a Rich Caparison then fetching forth a mighty Faulchion she put it likewise in his hand Now said she thou art Armed in Richer Furniture than was Ninus the first Monarch of the World thy Steed is of such Force and Invincible Power that whilst thou art mounted on his back there can be no Knight in all the World so hardy as to Conquer thee thy Armour is of the purest Lydian Steel that neither Weapon can pierce nor Battle-Ax bruise thy Sword which is called Ascalon is made of the Cyclops that it will separate and cut the hardest Flint and hew in sunder the strongest Steel for in the Pummel lies such precious Vertue that neither Treason Witchcraft nor any other Violence can be offered thee so long as thou wearest it Thus the Lustful Kalyb was so blinded in her own conceit that she not only bestowed the Riches of her Cave upon him but gave him Power and Authority through a Silver Wand which she put in his hand to work her own Destruction for coming by a huge great Rock of Stone this Ualiant Knight struck his Charming Rod thereon whereupon it opened and shewed apparently before his eyes a number of sucking Babes which the Enchantress had Murthered by her Witchcraft and Sorceries Oh! said she this is a place of horror where nought is heard but shrieks and ruful groans of dead Mens Souls but if thy ears can endure to hear them and thy eyes behold them I will lead thee the way So the Lady of the Woods boldly stepping in before little doubting the pretended policy of St. George was deceived in her own practices for no sooner entred she the Rock but he struck his Silver Wand thereon and immediately it closed where she bellowed forth exclamations to the sensless Stones without all hope of Delivery Thus this Noble Knight deceived the wicked Enchantress Kalyb and set the other six Champions likewise at Liberty who rendred him all Knightly Courtesies and gave him thanks for their safe delivery So storing themselves with all things fitting to their desires took their Iourneys from their Enchanted Grove whose Proceedings Fortunes and Heroical Adventures shall be shewed in the Chapters following CHAP. II. Kalyb 's Lamentation in the Rock of stone her Will and Testament and how she was torn in pieces by Spirits with other things that hapned in the Cave BUT after the departure of the Seven Worthy Champions Kalyb seeing her self fast closed in the Rock of Stone by the Policy of the English Knight grew into such extream passion of mind that she cursed the hour of her Creation and bitterly banned all motions of Conjuration the Earth she wearied with her cries whereby the very Stones seemed to relent and as it were wept pearled tears and sweat with anguish of her Grief the blasted Oaks that grew about the Enchanted Rock likewise seemed to â—ue at her Exclamations the blustring of Winds were silent the murmuring of Birds and solitary dumbness took possession of every creature that abode within the circuits of the Woods to hear her woeful lamentations which she uttered in this manner O miserable Kalyb accursed be thy Destiny for now thou art inclosed within a Desolate and darksome Den where neither Sun can lend thee comfort with his bright Beams nor Air extend breathing coolness to thy woeful Body for in the deep foundations of the Earth thou art for evermore enclosed that hast been the wonder of time for Magick I that by Art have made my journey to the deepest Dungeons of Hell where multitudes of ugly black and fearful Spirits have trembled at my Charms I that have bound up the Furies in Beds of Steel and caused them to attend my pleasure like swarms of Hornets that overspread the Mountains of Egypt or the Flies upon the parched Hills where the tawny tanned Moors do inhabit am now constrained to languish in eternal darkness woe to my Soul woe to my Charms and woe to all my Magick Spells for they have bound me in this hollow Rock pale be the brightness of the clear Sun and cover the Earth with everlasting darkness Skies turn to pitch Elements to flaming Fire Roar Hell Quake Earth Swell Seas Blast Earth Rocks rend in twain all Creatures mourn at my Confusion and sigh Kalyb's woeful and pitiful Exclamations Thus wearied she the time away one while accusing Fortune of Tyranny another while blaming the Falshood and Treachery of the English Knight sometimes tearing her curled Locks of bristled Hair that like a wreath of Snakes hung dangling down her deformed Neck then beating her Breasts another while rending her Ornaments whereby she seemed more like a Fury than an earthly Creature so impatient was this Enchantress Kalyb but being frustrate of all hopes of Recovery she began again to thunder forth these terms of Conjuration Come come you Princes of the Elements come come and tear this Rock in pieces and let me not be inclos'd in this Eternal Languishment Appear you shadows of black misty night Magol Cumoth Helveza Zontdma Come when I call venite fastinate inquam At which words the Earth began to quake and the very Elements trembled and all the Spirits both of Air of Earth of Water and of Fire were obedient to her Charms and by Multitudes came flocking at her cast some from the Fire in the likeness of burning Dragons breathing from their fearful Nostrils Sulphur and flaming Brimstone some from the Water in shape of Fishes with other deformed creatures that have their abiding in the Seas â—â—â—e from the Air the purest of the Elements in the likeness of Spirits and other bright Shadows and other some from the gross Earth most ugly black and dreadful to behold So when these Legions of Spirits had encompassed the wicked Enchantress Hell
began to roar such an infernal and harsh melody that the inchanted Rock burst in twain and then Kalyb's Charms lost their effect Her Magick no longer endured than the term of an hundred years the which as then was fully finished and brought to an end then the Obligation which she subscribed with her dearest blood and sealed with her own hands brought up a Witness against her by which she knew and fully perswaded her self that her Life was fully finished therefore in this most fearful manner she began to make her last Will and Testament First welcome said she my sad Executors welcome my Grave and everlasting Tomb for you have digged it in the fiery Lakes of Phlegeton my winding sheet wherein to shrowd both my Body and contemned Soul is a Cauldron of boiling Lead and Brimstone and the Worms that should consume my Carkass are fiery Forks which toss burning Fire-brands from place to place from Furnace to Furnace and from Cauldron to Cauldron therefore attend to Kalyb's woful Testament and engrave the Legacy she gives in Brass Rolls upon the burning Banks of Acheron First These eyes that now too late weep hapless tears I give unto the Watry Spirits for they have wrackt the treasures hidden in the deepest Seas to satisfie their most unsatiable looks Next I bequeath these hands which did subscribe the bloody Obligation of my perpetual banishment from Joy unto those Spirits that hover in the Air my Tongue that did conspire against the Majesty of Heaven I give to those Spirits which have their being in the fire my earthly heart I bequeath to those gross Demons that dwell in the Dungeon of the Earth and the rest of my Condemned Body to the Torments due to my deservings Which strange and fearful Testament beeing no sooner ended but all the Spirits generally at one instant seized upon the Enchantress and dismembred her Body in a thousand pieces and divided her Limbs to the four Elements one Member to the Air another to the Water another to the Fire and another to the Earth which were carried away in a moment by the Spirits that departed with such a horror that all things within the hearing thereof suddenly died both Beasts Birds and all creeping Worms which remained within the compass of those inchanted Woods the trees which before were wont to flourish with green leaves withered away and died the blâ—des of graâ—s perished for want of natural moisture which the watry Clouds deâ—ied to nourish in so wicked a place Thus by Iudgment of the Heavens sensless things perished for the wickedness of Kalyb whom we leave to her endless Torments and return to the Seven worthy Champions of Christendom whose laudable Adventures Fame hath inâ—olled in the Books of Memory CHAP. III. How St. George slew the burning Dragon in Egypt and Redeemed Sabra the King's Daughter from Death How he was betray'd by Elmido the black King of Morocco and sent to the Soldan of Persia where he slew two Lions and remained seven years in Prison AFter the Seven Champions departed from the Enchanted Cave of Kalyb they made their abode in the City of Coventry for the space of nine Months in which time they erected a costly Monument over the Herse of S. George's Mother and â—o in that time of the Year when the Spring had overspread the Earth with the Mantles of Flota they Armed themselves like wandring Knights and took their Iourney to seek for Foreign Adventures accounting no Dishonour so great as to spend their days in Idleness Atchieving no Memorable Accident So travelling for the space of thirty days without any Adventure worthy the noting at length they came to a broad Plain whereon stood a Brazen Pillar where seven several ways met which caused the seven Knighis to forsake each others Company and to take every one a contrary way where we leave six of the Champions to their contented Travels and wholly discourse upon the Fortunate Success of our Worthy English Knight who after some few Months Travel happily arrived within the Territories of Aegypt which Country as then was then was greatly annoyed with a dangerous Dragon but before he had Iournied fully within the distance of a Mile the silent Night approached and solitary stillness took possession of all living things at last he espied an old poor Hermitage wherein he purposed to rest his Horse and to take some repast after his weary Iourney till the Sun had renewed his Morning Light that he might fall to his Travel again but entring the Cottage he found an Ancient Hermit overworn with years and almost consumed with Grief with whom in this manner he began to confer Father said he for so you seem by your Gravity may a Traveller for this Night crave Entertainment within your Cottage not only for himself but his Horse or is there some City near at hand where unto I may take my Journey without danger The old Man starting at the sudden approach of St. George replyed unto him in this order Sir Knight quoth he of thy Country I need not demand for I know it by thy Burgonet for indeed thereon was graven the Arms of England but I sorrow for thy hard Fortune that it is thy Destiny to arrive in this our Country of Egypt wherein is not left sufficient alive to bury the Dead such is the Distress of this Land through a Dangerous and Terrible Dragon now ranging up and down the Country which if he be not every day appeased with the Body of a true Virgin which he devoureth down his Venomous Bowels that day so neglected will he breathe such a stink from his Nostrils whereof grows a most grievous Plague and Mortality of all things which use hath been observed four and twenty years and now there is not left one true Virgin but the King's Daughter throughout Egypt which Damsel to morrow must be offered up in Sacrifice to the Dragon therefore the King hath made Proclamation that if any Knight dare prove so adventurous as to Combat with the Dragon and preserve his Daughter's Life he shall in Reward have her to his Wife and the Crown of Egypt after his Decease This large proffer so encouraged the English Knight that he vowed either to Redeem the King's Daughter or else to lose his Life in that honourable Enterprize So taking his repose and nightly rest in the old Man's Hermitage till the chearful Cock being the true Messenger of Day gave him warning of the Sun's uprise which caused him to buckle on his Armour and to furnish his Steed with strong Habiliments of War the which being done he took his Journey guided only by the old Hermit to the Valley where the King's Daughter should be offered up in Sacrifice But when he approached the sight of the Valley he espied afar off a most fair and beautiful Damsel attired in pure Arabian Silk going to Sacrifice guarded to the place of Death only by â—age and modest Matrons Which woful sight encouraged the
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
terrible Vapour and black Mist that ascendeth from the Tower whereby a general darkness overspread our Land the compass of four and twenty Leagues so this Countrey is clean wasted and destroyed and my People fled out thereof This Tower is haunted day and night with ghastly Fiends and at his departure into Persia where he now by Enchantment aids the Souldan in his Wars against the Christians he left the guarding of the same to a mighty and terrible Gyant for shape the ugliest Monster that ever Eye beheld or ever Ear heard tell of for he is thirty foot in length his head three times larger than the head of an Ox his eyes bigger than two Pewter Dishes and his teeth standing out of his mouth more than a Foot wherewith he will break both Iron and Steel his Arms big and long without any measure and his Body as black as any Coal and as hard as Brass also of such a strength that he is able to carry away at once three Knights Armed And he never eateth any other meat but raw flesh of Mankind he is so light and swift that a Horse cannot run from him and oftentimes he hath hath assailed vvith great Troops of Armed Men but all of them could never do him any harm neither vvith Svvord Spear Cross-bovv nor any other Weapon Thus have you heard most Noble and Courteous Knight the true Discourse of my utter Ruine and the Vengeance shevved upon my Countrey by this vvicked Necromancer for vvhich I have remained ever since in this Pavilion amongst my Maidens vvhere vve pray both day and night that some unhappy Fortune or terrible Vengeance may fall upon this wicked Conjurer Now as I am a true English Knight replied St. George no sooner shall the Morning Sun appear but I will take my Journey to that Inchanted Tower in which I 'll enter in despite of the Gyant and break the Enchantment or make my Grave within the Monsters Bowels which if I happily perform then will I travel into Persia and fetter up the most wicked Necromancer and like a Bloud-hound lead him up and down the World in Chains Most dangerous is the Adventure quoth the Amazonian Queen from whence as yet did never Knight return but if you be so Resolute and Noble-minded as to attempt the Enterprize then happy be your Fortune and know brave Knight that this Tower lyeth Westward from hence some thirteen miles And thereupon she took him by the hand and caused Sabra likewise to alight from her Palfrey and led them both into her Pavilion where they were Feasted most Royally and for that night slept securely But when the day 's bright Windows opened and the Morning-Sun began to glister in all haste St. George that valiant-minded Champion arose from his sweet content and Armed himself where after he had taken his Leave of the Queen and gave her thanks for his courteous Entertainment he also took his leave of Sabra whom he left in company of the Queens Maidens till his return with Conquest and so rode forth till it was Noon and then he entred into a deep Ualley and ever he rode lower and lower It was then a fair Day and the Sun shined clear but by that time he had ridden ten Miles and a half he had lost both the Light and the Sun and also the sight of Heaven for it was there as dark as night and more dismal than the deepest Dungeon At last he found a mighty River with streams as black as pitch and the Banks were so high that the Water could scarce be seen running underneath and it was so full of Serpents that none could enter among them that ever returned back with Life about his head flew monstrous Birds and dâ—vers Griffons who were able to bear away an Armed Knight Horse and all and were in as great Multitudes as though they had been Starlings also there were Flies as big as Nuts and as black as pitch which stung him and his Horse so grievously that there issued down such store of blood that it changed his Horse from a Sable to a Crimson colour likewise the Griffons struck at St. George with their Talons so furiously that had he not defended himself with his Shield which covered his whole Body he had been pierced to the heart In this dangerous manner rode he on till he came to the Gates of the Inchanted Tower whereas the Gyant sate in his Iron Coat upon a Block with a Mace of Steel in his hand who at the first fight of St. George beat his Teeth so mightily together that they rang like the stroke of an Anvil and he ran raging like a Fiend of Hell thinking to have taken the Champion's Horse and all in his long Teeth that were as sharp as Steel and to have born them presently into the Tower but when St. George perceived his Mouth open he took his Sword and thrust it therein so far that it made the Gyant to roar aloud that the Elements seemed to thunder and the Earth to Tremble his Mouth smoak'd like a Fiery Furnace and his Eyes rowled in his Head like brands of flaming Fire the wound was so great and the blood issued so fast from the Gyant 's Mouth that his Courage began to quail and against his will he was forced to yield to the Champion's Mercy and to beg for Life to which St. George agreed but upon condition that the Gyant would discover all the secrets of the Tower and ever after be sworn his true Servant and attend on him with all diligence to which the Gyant swore by his own Soul never to leave him in extremity and to answer him truly to all Questions whatsoever Then St. George demanded the cause of the Darkness and how it might be ceased To which the Gyant answered in this manner There was in the Country about some Twelve years since a cunning Necromancer that by Inchantment built this Tower the which you now behold and therein caused a terrible Fire to spring from the Earth that cast such a smoak over the whole Land whereby the People that were wont to dwell therein are fled and farnished for Hunger Also this Enchanter by his Art made the River that you have passed the which did ever Man before this time without Death Also within the Tower near unto the fire there stands a fair and pleasant Fountain to which if any Knight be able to attain and cast the Water thereof into the Fire then shall the Darkness ever after cease and the Inchantment end for which cause I have been bound to guard and keep the Tower from the Atchievement of any Knight Then when the Gyant had ended his Discourse St. George commanded him to remain at the Gate for he would adventure to end the Inchantment and deliver the Country from so grievous a Plague Then went he close by the Windows of the Tower the which were sixteen yards in length and breadth till he came to a little Wicket through
which he must needs enter yet was it set as thick with Pikes of Steel as the prickles of an Urchin's skin to the intent that no Knight should approach near unto the Door nor once attempt to enter into the Tower yet with great danger he opened the Wicket whereout came such abundance of smoak that the darkness of the Country doubled so that neither Torch nor Candle would burn in that place yet nevertheless St. George entred and went downwards upon stairs where he could see nothing but yet felt so many great blows upon his Burgonet that he was constrained to kneel upon his Knees and with his Shield to defend himself or else he had been bruised to pieces At last he came to the bottom and there he found a fair great Uault where he felt so terrible a heat that he sweat exceedingly and as he felt about him he perceived that he approached near the Fire and going a little further he espied out the Fountain whereat he greatly rejoyced and so he took his Shield and bare therein as much Water as he could and cast it into the Fire In conclusion he laboured so long till the fire was clean quenched then began the Skies to receive their perfect lightness and the Golden Sun to shine most clearly about him where he plainly perceived how there stood upon the Stairs many great Images of Brass holding in their hands mighty Maces of Steel the which had done him much trouble at his coming down but then their power was ended the fire quenched and the Inchantment finished Thus when St. George through his Invincible Fortitude had performed this dangerous Adventure he grew weary of Travel what with heat and sweating and the mighty blows he received from the brazen Images that he returned again to the Wicket whereat the deformed Gyant still remained who when he beheld the Champion returned both safe and sound he fell upon his knees before him and said Sir Knight you are most welcome and happily returned for you are the Flower of Christendom and the bravest Champion of the World Command my Service Duty and Obedience for whilst I live I do profess by the burning Banks of Acheron never to follow any other Knight but you and hereupon I kiss your Golden Spur which is the Noble Badge of Knighthood This humble submission of the Gyant caused the Champion to rejoyce not for his Overthrow but that he had gotten so mighty a Seruant then unlaced he his Helmet and lay down after his weaâ—y Encounter where after he had sufficiently rested himself he took his Iourney in company of the Gyant to the Amazonian Queen where he left his Lady in company of her Uirgins who like a kind modest and vertuous Wife during all the time of her Husband's absence continually prayed to the immortal Powers of Heaven for his fortunate success and happy return otherwise resolving her self if the lowring Destinies should cross his intent and unluckily end his days before the Adventure were accomplished then to spend the remainder of her life among those happy Uirgins But on the sudden before the Queen and her Uirgins were aware St. George arrived before the Davilion dutifully attended on by the Gyant who bore upon his shoulder the Body of a tall Oak by which the Quéen knew that his Prowess had redéemed her Country from darkness and delivered her from her Sorrow Care and Trouble so in company of her Maids very gorgeously attired she conducted the Champion to a Bower of Roses intermingled with creeping Uines the which in his absence they planted for his Lady's delight There found he Sabra at her Divine Prayers like to a solitary Widow clad in mourning Habiliments but when she beheld her Lord return in safety she banished Grief and in haste ran unto him and in his bosom ravished her self with pleasure But to speak how the Amazonian Queen feasted them and in what manner she and her Maids devised Pastime for their contents were too tedious to repeat but when night gave end to their pleasures and sleep summoned all things to a quiet silence the Queen brought them to a very sumptuous Lodging wherein stood a Bed framed with Ebony-wood over-hung with many pendants of Gold the Tick was stuffed with Down of Turtle-Doves the Sheets of Median Silk thereon â—ay a rich Quilt wrought with Cotton covered with Damask and stitch'd with threads of Gold The Quéen bestowed upon St. George at his going to Bed an imbroidered shirt curiously wrought with many rare Devices as the Labours of Hercules the Triumphs of Mars and the Loves of many Potentates wrought in such curious manner as though Art it self had been the Contriver Sabra at her going to Bed was likewise presented by the Quéen's Maids with a light Kirtle of changeable Uiolet somewhat blushing on a red colour Also they put a white Kerchief of Silk upon her head somewhat loose and untied so that under the same her Ivory Throat might be easily seen and her fair Golden Hait lying about her Neck over them was cast a Mantle of green Silk which made the Bed seem more beautiful than Flora's rich Ornaments By them the Quéen and her Uirgins sate making sweet Musick upon their silver tuned Luâ—â—s till golden sleep had closed up their Eyes the which being done the Queen with her Ladies departed likewise to their natural rests But all this while the Gyant never entred the Pavilion but slept as soundly at the root of a Pine-tree as St. George did in his imbroidered Bed for he knew not what pleasures belonged thereunto nor never before that time beheld any Womans Face At last the Night withdrew her black Curtains and gave the Morning leave to appear whose pleasant light caused St. George to forsake his Bed end to walk some few miles to over-view the Countrey in which Iourney he took such exceeding pleasure that he thought it the goodliest Realm that ever he saw for he perceived well how it was full of Worldly Wealth At last he climbed up to the top of an high Mountain being some two miles from the Queens Pavilion whereon he stood and beheld many stately Towns and Towers high and mighty Castles many large Woods and Meadows and many pleasant Rivers and about the Towns fair Uines goodly Pastures and Fields At last he beheld the City of Argenia shining against the Sun the place where the Queen in former time was wont to keep her Court which City was invironed with deep Ditches the Wall strongly builded and more than five hundred Towers made of Lime and Stone also he saw many fair Churches covered with Lead having Tops and Spires of Gold shining most gorgeously with Weather-cocks of Silver glistring against the Sun Also he saw the Burgesses Houses stand like Palaces closed with high and strong Walls Barred with Chains of Iron from House to House whereat in his heart he praised much the Nobleness and Richness of the City and said to himself that it might well be
the Fields of 〈◊〉 shall henceforth for evermore be stained with Rust and themselves sâ—rnameâ— for Martial Discipline the Wondrous Champions of the World shall surfeit with delightful Loves and sleep upon the laps of the airy Spirits that descend the Elements in Virgins shapes Terror and Despair shall mightily oppress their merciless Souldiers that they shall yield the honourable Conquest to your Excellency such strange and wonderful Accidents by Art shall be accomplished that Heaven shall â—rown at my Enchantments and the Earth tremble to hear my Conjurations therefore most mighty Persian number up thy scattered Bands and to morrow in the morning set open thy Gates and march thitherward with thy armed Souldiers leave not a Man within the City but let every one that is able to bear Arms fight in the honour of Persia and before the closing of the night I 'll make thee Conquerour and yield up the braging Christians as Prisoner to thy Mightiness If this prove true renowned Osmond as thou hast promised said the Souldan Earth shall not harbour that too dear for thee for thou shalt have myself my Kingdoms Crowns and Scepters at command the wealthy River Ganges shall pay thee yearly Tribute with her Treasure the place where Midas wash'd her golden Wish away All things that Nature framed precious shall thou be Lord and sole Commander of if thou prevent the Invasion of my Country And thereupon he departed the Chamber and left the Necromancer in his Study and as he gave Commandment his Captains made in reaviness his Souldiers and furnished their warlike Horses and by the Sun 's up-rising marched into the Fields of Belgor where upon the North side of the Enemy they pitch'd their Camp On the other side when the warlike Christians had intelligence by their Courts of Guard how the Persians were entred the Fields ready to give them Battle sudâ—en alarums sounded in their Ears tumous of Conquest encouraged iâ— the Souldies that presently they were in readiness to entertain the Persians in a bloody Banquet both Armies were in fight with blood red Colours wavâ—ring in the Aâ—r the Christian Champions richly mounted on their warlike Coursers placed themselves in the fore-front of the Battle like couragâ—ous Captains fearing neither Death nor unconstant chance of Fortune But the Souldan with his petty Princes like Cowards were invironed and rompast with a ring of armed Kts where instead of nimble Steeds then sat in iron Chariots bibers heroical and many princely Encouragements past between the two Armies before they entred Battle but when the Drums began to sound alarm and the silver Tâ—umpets gave dreadful echoes of death when the Cross of Christendom began to nourish and the Arms of Mahomet to be advanced even then began so terrible and bloudy a Battle that the like was never found in any Age for before the Sun had mounted to the top of Heaven the Pagans received so great a Massacâ—ee and fell before the Christian Champions that they â—ere forc'd to wade up to the knees in bloud and their Souldiers to fight upon heaps of slaugtered Men the Fields were altered from a green colour to a purple hue the Dales were steept in crimson Gâ—re and the Hills and Mountains covered with dead Mens ratling bones And let us not forget the wicked Necromancer Osmond that during the time of that dangerous Enconter kneeled in a low Ualley near unto the Camps with his black Hair hanging down unto his shoulders like a wreath of Snakes and with his silver Wand circling the Earth where when he heard the sound of Drums in the Air and the brazen Trumpets giving dreadful sounds of War he entred into these fatal and damned Spéeches Now is the Battle quoth he furiously begun for methinks I hear the Souldan cry for help now is the time my charming Spells must work for Persia's Victory and Europe's fatal Overthrow which being said thrice did he kiss the Earth thrice beheld the Elements and thrice besprinkled the Circle with his own Blood the which with a silver Razor he let from his left Arm and after began again to speak in this manner Stand still you wandring Lamps of Heaven move not sweet Stars but linger on till Osmond's Charms be brought to full effect O thou great Demond Prince of damned Ghosts thou chief Commander of those fearful Shapes that nightly glide by misbelieving Travellers even thou that holdest the snaky Scepter in thy hand sitting upon a Throne of burning Steel even thou that bindest the Furies up in Chains even thou that tossest burning Fire-brands abroad even thou whose Eyes are like to unlucky Comets even thee I charge to let my Furies loose open thy brazen Gates and leave thy boyling Cauldron empty send up such Legions of Infernal Fiends that may in number countervail the Blades of Grass that beautifie those bloody Fields of Belgor These fatal Speeches were no sooner finished but there appeared such a similitude of Spirits both from the Earth Water Air and Fire that it is almost incredible to report the which he caused to run into the Christian Army whose burning Fauchions not only annoyed the Souldiers with fear and terror but also fired the Horses Mains burned the Trappings consumed their Banners scorcâ—â—â— Tree◠〈◊〉 Herbs and dimmed the Elements with such an extream Darkness as tho' the Earth had been covered with eternal Night he caused the Spirits likewise to raise such a Tempest that it tore up mighty Oaks by the roots removed Hills and Mountains and blow up Men into the Air Horse and all yet neither his Magick Arts nor all the Furies and wicked Spirits could any whit daunt the most noble and magnanimous Minds of the six Champions of Christendom but like unconquer'd Lyons they purchase Honour where they went colouring their Swords in Pagans Blood making the Earth true Witnesses of their vigorious and heroical Proceedings whom they had attired in a blood-red Livery and though St. George the chiefest Champion of Christendom for Martial Discipline and princely Atchievements were absent in that terrible Battle yet merited they as much Honour and Renâ—wn as tho' he had been there present for the accursed Pagans fell before their waâ— like Weapons as Leaves do from the Trees when the blustring storms of Winter enter on the Earth But when the wicked Nicromancer Osmond perceived that his Magick Spells took none effect and how in despite of his Enchantment the Christians got the better of the day he accursed his Art and banned the hour and time wherein he attempted so wicked an Enterprise thinking them to be preserved by Angels or else by some celestial Means but yet not purposing to leave off at first repulse he attempted another way by Necromancy to overthrow the Christians First he erected up by Magick Art a stately Tent outwardly in show like to the compass of Earth but furnished inwardly with all the delightsome Pleasures that either Art or Reason could invent only framed to Enchant the Christian
giving me to understand that he would carry her to his Wife for whose sight she had so much desired and at whose coming she would receive so great Ioy and Contentment her suddain Departure bred such Sorrows in my Heart being the only Stay and Comfort of my declining Agâ— that the fountains of my Eyes rained down a showre of saâ—â— Tears upon my aged Breast so dear is the Love of a Father unto his Child but to be short when this lustful minded Câ—â—tiffe with his pompious Train came in sight of his Castle he commanded his Followers to ride forwards that with my Daughter he might secretly coutec of serious Matters and so staâ—d lingring behind till he saw his Company almost out of sight and they two alone together then he found opportunity to accomplish his Iustful Desire and so rode into a â—ittle Grove which was hard at hand close by a River's side where without any more carrying he carried her into the thickest part thereof where he thought it most conveâ—ent to perform so wicked a Deed. When â—e beheld the Branches of the thick Tree to with-hold the Light of Heaven from them and that it seemed a place as it were over-spread with the sable mâ—ntles of Night he alighted from his Horse and willed my well-beloved Daughter that she would likewise alight she in whose Heart reigned no kind of suspision presently alighted and sat her down by the River siâ—e and washed her fair white Hands in the Streams and refreshed her Mouth with the Crystal Waters Then this dissembling Traytor could not longer resâ—ain but with a Countenance like the lustful King of Thrace when he intended the Ravishment of Progne or like Tarquinus of Rome when he defloured Lucretia he let her understand by some outward Shews and dark Sentences the kindâ—ed fire of Love that burned in his Heart and in the end he did wholly declare his devillish Pretence and determined Purpose So my unmarried Daughter being troubled in mind with his Iustful Assailments began in this manner to reprchend him Will you said she destle my Sister's Bed and stain the Honour of your House with Lust will you bereave me of that precious Iewel the which I hold more dear than my Life and blot my true Uirginity with your false Desires brought you me from the comfortable sight of my Father to be joy unto my Sister and will you flourish in the spoiling of my true Chastity Look look immoderate Knight I will not call thee Brother look I say how the Skies blush at thy Attempts and see how chaste Diana sits upon the winged Firmament and threatens Uengeance for her Uirgin's sake wash from thy Heart these lustful Thoughts with showers of repentant Tears and seek not in this sort to wrong thy Marriage bed the which thou oughtest not to violate for all the Kingdoms in the World Then this accursed Knight seeing the chaste and vertuous Maiden to stand so boldly in the defence of her Uirginity with his rigorous Hand he took fast hold by her neck and with a wrathful Countenance he delivered these Words Do not think stubborn Damsel to preserve thy Honour from the purpose of my Desires for I swear by the Crystal Tower of Jupiter either to accomplish my Intents or put thee to the cruellest Death that ever was devised for any Damsel or Maid At which Words the most sorrowful and distressed Uirgin with a shower of pearled Tears trickling down her seemly blushing Cheeks replyed in this order Think not false Traytor quoth she that fear of Death shall cause me to yield to thy filthy Desires no no I will account that stroak ten times more happy and welcom to my Soul then the joys of Wedlock then might I walk in the Elizian Fields among those Dames that died true Uirgins and not live to hold the bud of my Maiden's Glory whithered with the nipping Frosts of thy unnatural Desires Those Words being well understood by the lustful Knight who with a Countenance more furious then savage Lyons in the Deserts of Libia took her by the slender wast and rigorusly dasht her Body against the ground and there withal spake these Words Understand said he and be well perswaded thou unrelenting Damsel that eithere living or dead I will perform my Will and intended Purpose for in my heart there burns a fire that all the Waters in the Seas can never quench nor all the driâ—â—ing clouds of Rain if they should drop eternal Showers but it is the Water of thy sweet Uirginity that must quench my furious burning Love and thereupon in a madness he cut a great part of the Train of her Gown and bound it very fast to the Hair of her Head which glistered like golden Wyers and bragged her up and down the Grove till the Griâ—ss turned to a Purple colour with the Blood that issued from her Body by which trueâ—ty he thought to enforce her to his pleasure but she respected not his wicked Cruelty and she more he proceeded to â—orment her the more earnestly the defended her Honour When this cruel and inhumane Monster saw that neither slaâ—tering Speeches nor his cruel threats were of sufficiency to prevail began to forget all Faith and Loyalty he owed unto the honour of Knight-hood and the respect he should bear unto Women-kind and blasphemed against Heaven tearing her Cloaths all to pieces he stripped her stark naked and with the Reins of the Bridle of his Horse iâ—e cruelly whipped and scouâ—ged her white and tender Back that it was full of blew Spots and horrible circles of black and setled Blood with such extream cruelty that it was a very grievous and sorrowful sight to behold And yet this did profit him nothing at all for she continued in her former Resolutions He seeing that she still persevered in the defence of her Honour he straight-ways like to a bloody Monster heaped Cruelty upon Cruelty and so took and bound her well proportioned Legs crystalline Arms straightly unto a withered Tree saying Oh cruel and more cruel than any Woman in the World hath ever been why dost thou suffer thy self to be Tormented and not give consent to procure thy Ease Dost thou think it better to endure this torment than to live a most loving sweet and contented Life and therewith his Anger so encreased that he staring on her Face with his accursed Eyes fixed in such sort that he could not withdraw them back The which being perceived by this distressed Uirgin as one far more desirous of Death than of Life with a furious Uoyce she said Oh Traytor thou wicked Monster thou utter Enemy to all Humanity thou shameless Creature more cruel than the Lyons in the Desarts of Hircania thou stain of Knight-hood and the bloodiest Wretch that ever Nature â—ramed in the World wherein dost thou contemplate thus thyself thou fleshly Butcher thou unmerciful Tyger thou leâ—herous Hogg and dishonourer of thy Progeny make an end I say of these my Torments for now
Earthly Water may suffice but this To quench the Lamps where Art commander is No Wight alive this Water may procure But she that is a Virgin chast and pure And Nature at her Birth did so dispose Upon her Breast to print a purple Rose These Uerses being perused by the three Knights and finding them as it were contrived in the manner of a mystical Oracle they could not imagine what they should signifie but Rosana being singular well conceited and of a quick understanding presently knew that by her the adventures should be finished and therefore she encouraged them to a forwardness 〈◊〉 â—o â—eek out the enchanted fountain that by the water thereof the Lamps mighâ— be quenched and the seven Champions delivered out of Captivity This importunate desire of Rosana caused the three young Knights not to lose any time but to search in every corner of the Castle till they had found the place wherein the Fountain was for as they went towards the North-side of the Court they espyed another little door standing in the Wall and when they came to it they saw that it was made all of very strong Iron with a Portal of Steel and in the Key-hole thereof there was a Brazen key with the which they did open it whereat presently unto their wonderful amazements they heard a very sad and sorrowful voice breath forth these words following Let no Man be so fool-hardy as to enter here for it is a place of Terrour and Confusion Yet for all this they entred in thereat and would not be daunted with any ceremonious fear but like Knights of heroical estimation they went forward wherein they were no sooner entered but they saw that it was wonderful dark and it seemed unto them that it should be a very large Hall and there they heard very fearful howlings as though there had been a Legion of Hell-hounds or that Pluto's Dog had been Uicegerent of that place Yet for all this these valiant Knights did not lose any of their accustomed courage nor would the Lady leave their companies for any danger at all but they entred in further and took off their Gauntlers from their left hands whereon they wore marvellous great and fine Diamonds which were set in Rings that gave so much light that they might plainly see all things that were in the Hall the which was very great and wide and upon the Walls were painted the Figures of many furious Fiends Devils with other strange Uisions framed by Magick Art only to terrifie the Beholders But looking very circumspectly about them on every side they espyed the Enchanted Fountain standing directly in the middle of the Hall towards which they went with their shields braced on their left Arms and their good Swords charged in their right hands ready to withstand any dangerous accident whatsoever should happen But coming to the Fountain and offering to fill their Helmets with water there appeared before them a strange and terrible Griphon which seemed to be all of slanting fire who struck all the three Knights one after another in such 〈◊〉 that they were forced to recoyl back a great way yet notwithstanding with discretion they kept themselves upright and with a wonderful lightness accompanied with no less anger they threw their Shields at their backs and taking their Swords in both their hands they began most fiercely to assays the Griphon with mortal and strong blaws Then presently there appeared before them a whole Legion of Devils with flesh hooks in their hands spitting forth flames of Fire and breathing from their Nostrils smoaking Sulphur and Brimstone In this terrible sort tormented they these three variant Knights whose years although they were but young yet with great wrath redoubled force adventured they themselves amongst this Hellish Crew striking such terrible flows that in spight of them they came unto the Fountain and prossered to take of the water but all in vain for they were not only put from it by this Devilish company but the water it self glided from their hands Oh in what great travel perplexity these Knights remaineâ— amongst this wicked and devilish generation for to defend them selves that they might attain to the finishing of this Adventure according to their Knightly promise But during the time of all these dangerous encounters Rosana stood like one berest of sense through the terrour of the same but at last remembring her self of the superscription written in the silver Tablet the which the Knights pecused by the enchanted Lamps the signification of which was that the quenching of y e lights should be accomplished by a pure Uirgin that had the lively form of a Rose naturally pictured upon her breast all the which Rosana knew most certainly to be comprehended in her self therefore whilst they continued in their dangerous fight she took up a Helmet that was pulled from one of the Knights Heads by the furieus force of the Griphon and ran unto the Fountain and filled it with water wherewith she quenched the enchanted Lamps with as much case as though one had dipped a waxen Torch in a mighty River of water This was no sooner done and finished to Rosana's chiefest contentment but then the Skies began to war dark and immediately to be overspread with a black and thick Cloud and it came with great thundring and Lightnings and such a terrible noise as tho' the earth would have sunk and the longer it endured the more was the fury therefore in such sort that the Griphon with all that deluded generation of Spirits vanished away and the Knights forsook their encounters and fell upon their knees and with great humility they desired in their hearts to be delivered from the fury of that exceeding and terrible Tempest By this sudden alteration of the Heavens the Knight of the Castle knew that the Lamps were extinguished the Champions redeemed from their enchanted sleeps the Castle yielded to the pleasure of the three Knights and his own life to the fury of their Swords except he preserv'd it by a sudden flight so presently he departed the Castle and secretly fled out of the Island unsuspected by any one of whose after Fortunes Miseries and Death you shall hear more hereafter in the course of the History following The Necromancer by his art likewise knew that the Castle was yielded unto his Enemies Power and that his charms and magick Spels nothing prevailed therefore he caused two airy Spirits in the likeness of two Dragons to carry him swiftly through the Air in an Ebon Chariot Here we likewise will leave him in his wicked and devillish attempts and damned enterprizes which shall be discoursed hereafter more at large because it appertaineth to our History now to speak of the seven renowned Champions of Christendom that by the quenching of the Lamps were awakened from their Enchantments wherein they had sain in obscurity for the space of seven days For when they were risen from their sléep and had rowzed up their drowsie Spirits
deliver up his Pole-axe which the Centaur accordingly did so they both marched towards the Golden Cave where they met St. George St. Anthony and St. James and relating to each other their saveral successes they presently fell in hand to the finishing the adventure and approaching the Cestern they each of them filled their Helmets with water and being guided by the Dwarf who now was obedient to the Champions they came to the fire into which they threw the water and never left until such time as they had quenchtâ—it which being done the Cave and all about it vanisht out of sight and the thick Grove or Wilderness about it was all level and even So returning to the Messenger whom they leâ—t walking their Horses they mounted on them to return back to the â—ged Palmers meeting by the way with multitudes of people who by the finishing the adventure were now restored to their former shapes In this manner they marched along to the Aged Palmers who entertained them with great joy as also they were by the thrée other Champions St. Denis St. Andrew and St. David and after they had refreshed themselves with some Uictuals they were conducted to a spacious room where they had their wounds bathed with Wine Milk and other precious Oyntments The next morning the people were assembled together to whom St. George made a pithy Oration exhorting them thereafter to lead a better Life and not to have their Natures addicted to such beastly vices as made them though not in shape yet to differ not from beasts in their actions with many other words to the like effect all which they promised to perform And afterwards taking leave of their Hast the Aged Palmer they returned to their Ship and having a gentle gale of Wind set sail towards Christendom CHAP. XI How St. Georges Three Sons were separated by a Tempest and how Sir Alexander lighted on the Ship wherein were tâ—â—e Seven Champions How he was Married to the Princess Mariana and Crowned King of Thessaly The Tragical Story of Duke Ursini and the Death of the Seven Champions NOT long after the departure of the Seven Champions St. Georges three Sons resolving also to see their Native Country in order thereunto embarked themselves with their Companies in thrée seperat Ships and for the space of eight or ten days sailed with a prosperous gale of wind the courteous Sea all that time smoothing his wrinkled brow and the winds only whispered musick to the déep but about the eleventh day the Wind and Sea contended in a robustious rage the beaten Ships tost like a forceless feather now riding up on the mountain waves as if their top Masts tilted at the Moon anon falling again with such a precipitate low descent as if they were sinking into Hells low abyss In this furious storm they were separated one from the other where we will leave two of them and speak only of Sir Alexander who after the storm was over directed their Course as near as they could towards the Coasts of Christendom and having sailed the space of thrée days they saw before them a Ship in fight with two Gallies or Men of War to whom they made up with all the spéed they could and coming near to them they perceived by the Streamers wherein was woven the Red Cross of England that it was the same Ship wherein the Seven Champions were embarked which when they knew they sent forth such a loud and lengthened shout and hollow as reverberated upon the Waves or as the Sea makes when it trembles underneath his banks to hear the replication of his sounds They in the other Ship answered them with the like hollow and then joyntly setting upon the two Gallies they with Pikes Bills and Darts plyed Deaths fatal task sending many hundreds of the Turks souls to be transported in Charons Ferry So that the two Gallâ—es which at first were assailants could no longer hold out defendants but yielding themselves craved for mercy which the Christian Champions were the more willing to grant them in regard that many of their Company had been sore wounded before Sir Alexander came to their rescue So entering the two Gallies they took from them such things as they needed amongst which they found some Hogsheads of Greekish Wines which very much refreshed the â—ainting souldiers they also took from them their Armour that they might not be able to offend others and setting free those few Prisoners they had taken they let them go and having stayed a while in mending the â—aâ—ter d Cordage of their Ships which was much shattered in the sight with a prosperous wind they set saâ—l and in a few days arrived on the pleasant banks of fruitful Thessaly and sending a Messenger to the Court to give notice of their arrival the message was so welcome to the Princess Mariana who nâ—w was become Queen of that Country her Father being lately deâ—â— that she caused the Bells to be rung and Bonfires to be made as at a publick rejoycing And sending some of the chiefest of her Nobles to invite them to the Court with such accommodations as she judged most needful for them at present in the mean time she prepared to entertain them in the best manner she could which at their coming they found to be so costly and splendid as it raised great wonder in them to behold it the streets all the way they passed to her Palace being raiâ—ed in and guarded on both sides with Companies of foot Soldiers The Conduits ran Wine and from the Belconies was heard all manner of Musick that could be imagined And first before them marched a Compleat Troop of Horse having between each four Ranks a Trumpeter sounding with a silver Trumpet the Troopers were all in their Buff-coats with silver Belts and the Pummels of their Swords inlayed with glistering Stones which sparkled like Diamonds Next followed four Heralds in four distinct Goats of Arms After them the Nobility of the Land in rich Robes with Coronets on their Heads Then came the Seven Champions and St. Georges thrée Sons in five rich Chariots lined with Cloth of Gold and studded with studs of Massy Silver After them followed the Colonels Majors and Captains with silken Streamers waving before them being ranked two by two each English Officer with a Thessallan and mounted on prancing Barbary steeds And lastly the under Officers with the Army in goodly Arms and accoutered most richly In this order they marched to the Palace where they were met by the Queen attired in a rich Robe of Ermine with the Crown Imperial upon her Head who with a smiling Countenance entertained them in these words Thrice welcom hither most Renowned Champions whom the Gods have appointed for the relief of the distressed and the chastisement of the vicious Fames Golden Trumpet hath sounded the renown of your Honourable Actions and by quelling the force of the Pagan Armies given us great hopes hereafter for to enjoy Halcyon dayes of peace