The famous history of the seven champions of Christendom St. George of England, St. Denis of France, St. James of Spain, St. Anthony of Italy, St. Andrew of Scotland, St. Patrick of Ireland, and St. David of Wales. Shewing their honourable battels by sea and land: their tilts, justs, turnaments, for ladies: their combats with gyants, monsters and dragons: their adventures in foreign nations: their enchantments in the Holy Land: their knighthoods, prowess, and chivalry, in Europe, Africa, and Asia; with their victories against the enemies of Christ. Also the true manner and places of their deaths, being seven tragedies: and how they came to be called, the seven saints of Christendom. The first part.

CHAP. II.

How St. George's Three Sons left England to seek Adventures in Forreign Countries; how they Arrived in Sicily, and killed a terrible Monster, named Pongo; How Urania the King of Sicily's Daughter fell in love with Sir Guy, with other things which happened.

YOU may remember in the Second Part of this famous Hi∣story, we left St. Georges three Sons in the English Court, where they had not continued long after their Fathers death, but growing weary of idleness, and being more desirous to follow the

Camp of Mars, then to dally with Ladies in the Court of Venus, they resolved to betake themselves to ••ravel, and to seek out ad∣ventures in Foreign Countries, and having unparted their mind to the King, they furnished themselves with all things necessary for such a journey, and b••••ding the fruitful ••oyl of England 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they in a few weeks sailing arrived on the Coasts of Sicily; where marching up higher into the Country, they saw many Houses, but no Inhabitants, yea, whole Towns of empty Houses, but neither Man, Woman, nor Child within them; which made them mistrust some grievous Pestilence had lately overspread that Country, and made it desolate of Inhabitants; wherefore to a∣void any infection which might happen unto them, they took up their lodging in the open Fields, having only the star••y Firma∣ment for their Canopy. Thus sweetly reposeing on their Mo∣ther Earth, they slept as soundly as if they had laid on Beds of Downe, and been surrounded with Curtains of the purest Ara∣bian Silk: Thus did they sleep securely until such time as Au∣rora began to guild the Firmament with her bright Rayes, and to usher in Phoebus golden light, when suddenly they were awa∣ked with a most horrible noise, which séemed to be sent from the déep Abyss, and to be able to rend the Rocks asunder; where upon they suddenly buckled on their Armour, and stood upon their Guard, and indeed it was but high time, for at that instant they saw coming towards them a most deformed Monster, of an exces∣sive bigness, and terrible shape, having Eyes like burning saw∣cers, and Claws sharper than Eagles ••allons: He seemed to move like a high Tower or Pyramid, and with his weight to make the Earth to tremble; the sight of this ugly Monster so s••art∣led their Horses, that they would hardly endure the bit, but snort∣ing and stumping the Earth with their feet, showed the dread they had of such a sight; but these thrée valiant Knights, in whom was sown the seeds of true magnanimity, stood fearless to abide what danger soever might happen. The first whom this fierce Monster made unto was the valiant Knight Sir Guy, who no∣thing daunted at his hideous shape, having put his Spear in his Rest, ran furiously against him, but the Monster being armed with scales far harder than brass, his Spear shiver'd in a thou∣sand pieces, then drawing out his trusty Fauchion, he assailed the Monster with manly stroaks, who on his part was not back∣ward in defence, but bolting upright on his tail, stretched forth

one of his paws, and with the same grasped so hard on the arm of Sir Guy, that he had well near siezed on him, had not Sir David at that instant come in, ond with his sword cut the Mon∣sters paw quite off, leaving the claws so firmly fixt on Sir Guy's Arm, that notwithstanding the goodness of his armour, it was very hard to be gotten off; In the mean time the valiant and re∣nowned Knight Sir Alexander, with great force sot upon the mon∣ster, giving him such a blow upon the head as made him to reel, who with his tail striking of Sir Alexander, so wrapped the same about his horses legs, that not able to stand he came over and over with the Kniht; The Monster seeing him on the ground, was making towards him, whom Sir David met with such a lusty thrust on his breast, that though it pierced not the same, it laid the Monster flat on his back; which was no sooner done, but Sir Guy nimblp leaping from off his horse thrust his sword down the Monsters Throat, who lay gasping for breath, whereby he rived his heart in sunder; yet notwithstanding the same, the Monsters Teeth were so kéen, that he bit the Knights sword in∣two, leaving the one half in his Throat, and withal sent forth such a hideous yell, as surpassed the roaring of the Cataracts of Nilus, or the greatest crack of the loudest Thunder; but having received his deaths wound, with some little strugling he yielded his life up to the Uictors, who surveying his Body, found it to be from the head to the end of the tail, full ten yards in length, his bulk at least a Tun weight, having paws and claws answer∣able unto it, and each part so armed with scales, as scarcely pe∣netrable witd any sword.

The Knights having obtained this Uictory, returned thanks to the Immortal Powers, and leaving the Carcass of the hideous Monster, travel'd up higher into the Country, hoping to meet with some of the inhabitants thereof, whom now they saw had left their houses for dread of this Monster. Having travelled some few miles, and desirous of refreshment after this encounter, they saw some smoak ascending out of the tunnel of a little Cell near unto them, whither bending their course; they saw standing at the door an aged Hermit, in a Gown of Freeze, reaching to the ground; his Hair as white as the downe of Swans, or dri∣ven Snow, which in a careless manner hung dishelved down his Shoulders; in his Face you might read the Map of sorrow, cha∣ractered out in deep furrowed wrinkles, whom the Knights cour∣teously

saluted, desiring to know the reason why so fruiful a Country as they had passed was left destitute of Inhabitants; The aged Hermit having viewed them well, and perceiving by their habit they were Outlandish Knights, bent upon Martial Ad∣ventures, and seeming to be persons who dreaded no danger, he desired them to alight from their Warlike Steeds, and for a while to repose themselves in his lowly Cell, and he would endeavour to satisfie their desires, in the mean time (said he) I would desire you to take such homely refreshment as my Cell affords, and thereupon brought them forth such Country Uiands as that place afforded, which they courteously accepting, and having satis∣fied their hunger; the Hermit began to speak to them in this manner;

Sir Knights said he, for so you séem by your outward Habili∣ments, if we may judge of the goodness of the apple by the fair∣ness of the rind; know that this Country wherein you now are is the Land of Sicily, once so fruitful and abounding in all things, that it might well be called the Granary of the VVorld; and now still retaining its vertue, durst the Inhabitants manure the same; But now our plenty is turned into misery, our mirth into mourn∣ing, our streets which were wont to be replenished with throngs of people, now destitute and empty of Inhabitants, and all by reason of a most gastly dreadful Monster, sent I think from the Infernal Regions for the punishment of Mankind, whom the Country people term by the name of Pongo. This direful Mon∣ster, or rather Devil incarnate, begotten as it is thought be∣tween a Land Tyger, and a Sea Shark, so that it participates of both Elements, swimming in the Sea near our Sicilian Coasts, espyed some Heardsmen on the shore, who with great wonder be∣held this Monster as he disported himself on the waves of the Sea, but when they saw he made towards them, and beheld the mon∣strousness of his proportion, fear standing at the gates of their Eyes, put back all further perswasions of beholding him, and ad∣ding wings to their fee••, they flew away in the greatest hast•• they possibly could make, but in vain was all their speed, for he soon recovering the shore, siezed upon some of the hindmost of them, whom he made a prey to his devouring paunch; and having tasted the sweets of humane blood, he ever since hath haunted our Coasts, ranging up higher into the Country, devou••ing all wheresoever he came, and herein is his cruelty most exemplary, that he delights

more in the slaughter of Men then of Beasts; so that it is judg∣ed he hath devoured no less then five hundred persons, and for twenty miles space left all desolate and uninhabited, the dread of him being so very great, that the women to terrifie their children from crying, use to say, the Pongo cometh. Thus Ronowned Knights have you heard the cause of our Countries misery, not one of our ••••outest Champions having the heart to encounter with him; so that at freedom he wasts and destroys all before him, un∣til such time as it shall please Providence to send us some more redoubled Knights then ours to free us from him, for which our King hath promised great rewards, the spur to honourable at∣chievments, besides the great good (a Reward in it self) which it will do to Mankind, in fréeing us from so terrible an enemy.

The Hermit concluding his speech with a deep sigh for a period, the Ualiant Knight Sir Guy, with a smiling countenance thus an∣swered him; Now then (said he) are the Stars so benigne unto Sicily, that your Country is fréed from this direful misery, for the cause being taken away the effects must needs cease; Know then, that by the victorious Armes of me, and my two Brothers, the Monster is dead; and no more dread of your affrighting dead Pongo, then is to be feared from a living Grashopper or Butter∣fly. Scarcely had Sir Guy ended his speech, when the Hermit transported with an excessive joy fell down at his feet, being al∣most in as great an extasie for joy, as was that Father, who ha∣ving three Sons returned Uictors from the Olympick Games; his overjoyed spirit could not contain its self in the bounds of reason, but by the excessiveness thereof yielded up the ghost: And is our Land (said he) capable of so great a benefit, does so good Fortune attend our Country! Then thanks to the immortal powers above, who hath sent you hither to be the means of our future happiness; how is our Nation bound to your Manhood, and what victims shall we offer for your fortunate success? As the Hermit was thus dis∣coursing, there was passing by the Cell a Herald at Arms: well accontered, and attended on by four Knights clad all in mourning Armour, who were sent by the King into Forreign Countries, to proclaim in every place where they came, that if any Knight would be so hardy as to encounter with the Pongo; and overcome him, he should be made a Peer of the Realm, and have a golden Helmet for a reward. This their errand being made known to the three Knights, they declared unto them how Pongo was al∣ready

killed, which put a stop to their further journey; and send∣ing back one of the Knights to the King to inform him thereof, the rest went to view the dead Carcass of the Pongo, which having surveyed with great admiration, the three Sicilian Knights invi∣ted Sir Guy, Sir Alexander, and Sir David to the City of Sy∣racusa, where the King then kept his Court, who courteously accepting of their proffer, taking leave of the aged Hermit, who returned to his Cell, mounting their Warlike Steeds, with an easie pace they marched on: But when the King heard the news of the Monsters death, he caused the Bells to be rung, and Ban∣fires to be made for joy thereof, and hearing how the three Knights were coming towards him, he went forth to meet them, attend∣ed on in this manner: First went two Trumpeters ••lad in the Arms of Sicily, being two plauches argent, charges with as many Eagles Sable: Then followed a Band of Pensioners with golden Streamers, which they displayed as they marched along: After them marched fourscore Knights, mounted on their Barbed Steede, and armed with bright glistering Fauchions. Next went the Kings Lifeguard, in their Buff-coats edged with silver fringe, and wearing on their shoulders Carnation Scarfs inlayed with Gold. After them the King himself in a costly Chariot, studded with Pillars of Silver, and li••ed with Carnation Uelvet, being followed with an innumerable Train of Lords and Gentlemen, and their Attendants. With this stately Train did the King go to méet the three Uictorious Knights, who at his coming a∣lighted from their Steeds, whom the King courteously embrraced, and after some short Discourse, had them into his Chariot, and so triumphantly returned back to Syracusa, all the way the Bells ringing, the Bonfires blazing, and the people making such loud Acclamations of Ioy, as the Earth rang with the noise thereof. Being come to the Kings-Palace, they were met by the Queen Berenice, and her beautiful Daughter Urania, the flower of cour∣tesie, and Paragon of rare perfection, who as the excelled the other Sicilian Uirgins in Dignity and Honour, so did she surpass them all in Beauty, and other Ornraments of Nature, to which was joyned such rare endowments of the mind as compleated her a Princess of admirable parts. After they were alighted from the Chariot, they were conducted to a stately Room, where was pro∣vided ••o•• them a costly Banquet, which being ended, their Ears were saluted with most choice Musick; after which the Ladies pre∣sented

them with a stately masque. All this while the Princess Urania fed her Eyes with beholding of Sir Guy, whose perfections she so contemplated, that Love entering in at her Eyes, so wound∣ed her heart, as she became wholly captivated in the Bonds of Cu∣pid. Sir Guy on the other side was so pierced with her transcen∣dant Beauty, and her other rare accomplishments, that he wholly resigned up himself to her devotion, she being the loadstone of his affections, attracting all the faculties of his Soul in obedience to her commands. Thus did these two Princely persons recipro∣cally bear true love to each other, though neither of them knew the others mind; but as fire will not be long hid under combusti∣ble matter, so Love where it is ardent will show its self through all the disguises they can put upon it. These Heroick Knights had not béen many weeks in the Sicilian Court, feasting and re∣velling in all the delights and pleasures which that fruitful Coun∣try afforded, but such pleasures grew tedious unto them, especi∣ally to Sir Guy, whose Love to the Princess Urania, made sports and company distastful unto him; so one Evening, at such time as the Golden Charioter of Heaven had finishd his Diurnal course, and driven his panting Steeds down the Western Hill, he in∣tended to fetch a solitary walk in the Garden by himself, when coming under the Princess Urania's Chamber Window, he heard the Musick of a Lute, which with Harmonious Airs salu∣ted his Ears, and listening a while, a Uoice deliver'd its self in these words.

Now woe is me, poor hapless Virgin, I Am forc'd to yield to Cupids Deity. All my striving is in vain. Love the Conquest he will gain, And I a Vassal must to him remain.

Yet gentle Cupid let me thee desire, To wound his Breast like mine with equal fire, That so our Loves together joyn'd, May settle in a quiet mind, And we in them may true contentment find.

As Sir Guy was listening to this Harmonious Uoice, there passed by him one of the Princess Uranias Ladies, which put a

stop unto her singing: But pondering well in his mind the sub∣stance of her Sonnet, gave him great hopes of her affections to him; and as every Lover flatters himself in his own imaginati∣on, so did he imagine himself sole Monarch of the Princesses heart. That night the Ladies had provided a stately Mask, which at the end of every Scene was attended with most rare Musick, and ex∣cellent Dancing, to which Mask the three Brothers were invi∣ted. The time being come for the Mask to begin, it was perform∣ed on this manner.

First began a most excellent Consort of Musick, then enter'd sour Maskers in Cloth of Gold, most richly Embroidered; three of them personated the three Goddesses, Juno, Pallas, and Venus, when they strove for the Golden Apple on the Mount of Ida; the fourth represented the Shepherd Paris, who having heard their se∣veral Pleas which they made for the obtaining of the Apple, he adjudged it to Venus, and then having danced a Course about the Room, they all withdrew.

After a little space the Musick playing again, according as it was appointed; the three Knights took each of them a Lady by the hand to lead them a dance, and now had Sir Guy the happiness to converse with his dear Lady and Mistress; for taking the Prin∣cess Urania by the hand, he with great courtesie and humility kissed it, and she kindly accepting his proffer, he led her a Course a∣bout the Room in as great Majesty and state as did Aeneas, when he reveled it in the Court of Queen Dido, and she following him with as much grace as might become the Queen of Love to have acted it; and so having shewed to the Spectators that he could as w••ll tread a measure in a dance, as handle the Warlike Spear or Lance; He with the Princess Urania withdrew into a corner of that spacious Room, whilst Sir Alexander having associated him∣self with a gallant Lady named Alsatia, and Daughter to the Uice Roy of Naples, began a second Course to the Musick: which whilst they were performing, Sir Guy courted the Princess Ura∣nia in these words.

Most Peerless Princess, (said Sir Guy) if the bleeding wounds of my heart could speak, which you have pierced by the beams of your matchless Beauty, then would it save my Tongue the labour to declare the affection which I bear to your Noble Person: If I have aim'd too high, blame your matchless Beauty and Vertues that have caused it; Let me therefore conjure you by all the Rites and

Charmes of Love, and by those fair Eyes that have enthralled mine, not to prove obdurate in thy Love, though I must confess my self unworthy of so high a Bliss; yet shall the Sun sooner cease to run his course, the Stars to give light, and every thing alter from his wonted course, e're Guy will prove false, or cease to honour the perfections of the Princess Urania.

Although this Speech were very welcome to the Love-sick Prin∣cess, yet that she might not seem too forward, with a Maidenly modesty she thus replyed:

Sir, You must pardon me if I look before I leap; That my self together with our whole Country is indebted to your Prowess, we shall for ever acknowledge. But to love, and so to love as to make you a promise of being my Husband, for I hope you mean no o∣ther thing but what tends to my Honour) you must excuse me, ha∣ving no other assurance of your reality, but only your own verbal expressions; besides you being a Stranger, and I am Heiress to a Crown, were your Estate answerable to your (I must confess) ex∣cellent Qualifications, yet could I not be so at my own disposal to conclude of what you desire, seeing not only my Parents, but my Country have so great a••share in me.

She would have proceeded further, but Sir Alexander and the Lady Alsatia having finished their dance, the Cornets and other Wind-Musiek sounding aloud, they were called away to beheld another Scene of fresh Maskers, which in this sort entertained the beholders, First entered the likeness of a stately Fabrick, made of Paste-board, and adorned with many golden streamers, which represented the Temple of Honour; this was drawn to the further side of that spatious Room, wherein being placed, soon after entered another Fabrick, but more lower, and not so richly a∣dorned, which represented the Temple of Vertue, and was so pla∣ced, that none could enter the Temple of Honour, but must first pass through the Temple of Vertue. After entered several per∣sons who attempted to get into the Temple of Honour, but were loath to go through the Temple of Vertue, therefore they missed of their aim: Those who went through the Temple of Vertue, were richly adorned and rewarded, and greatly honoured of the people. But those who would climb up to the Temple of Honour, and not enter it by the Temple of Vertue, it was made so slip∣pery on the top, that with the least treading awry, they fell down and brake their Necks.

This shew being ended, and the Cornets, and other loud Mu∣sick ceasing, the U••ll••n•• and Renowned Knight Sir David, ta∣king a most beautiful Damsel by the hand, named Artesia, and Niece to the King of Sicily, by his Sister Redolentia, whose Husband was a Renowned Knight at Arms, and Master of the strong Castle of Angelo. This Noble Lady who had not her su∣periour for Beauty on the face of the Earth, most willingly gave her hand to Sir David, and so with as much portly Majesty as the God of War led the stately Venus, they danced a Galiard, which whilst they were doing, Sir Guy having a further oppor∣tunity to speak to the Goddess of his affections, accosted her in this manner.

Most Excellent Lady; Do not entertain a Heart more hard then Flint, which the tears of my true love cannot mollifie, nor think my affections to you to be like breath on Steel, soon on and soon off; No, I protest by all the Sacred Oaths of Religion, and by your self, that is, by all that is good, my Love shall be as durable and firm, as whatsoever is most permanent. Nor do not think be∣cause some have proved treacherous, and disloyal to their Loves, that once so unworthy a thought should ever enter into my Heart. No, although Aeneas proved false to Dido, yet will Guy be as true to his Urania, as ever was Pyramus to his beloved Thisbe, or Lean••er to Hero; what though Iason basely forsook his Me∣dea, by whose means he obtained the Golden Fleece, yet shall my Faith alwayes remain firm, and be as constant to thee as was Ulysses unto his Penclope.

The Princess hearing these asseverations, and being willing he should not be too much dejected, but that some beams of com∣fort should reflect on him, she told him, that time the Mother of Truth, would prove the reality of his affections, in the mean time that he should not despair, since being a Souldier he must needs know, that the strongest Castles by continual Batteries are forced to yield.

By this time the Night was so far spent, as summoned them all to go to their Beds, where no sooner they were laid, but Mor∣pheus the god of Sleep, closed up their eyes in Golden slumbers, Next morning no sooner did Aurora from the glowing East display her purple doors, and that Hiperion with his ruddy Kayes began to guild the Horizon with his Radious Beams, when the shrill noise of a Silver Trumpet sounding at the Court Gates, raised

them from their Beds to know what was the meaning of it; when they were quickly informed that it was a Knight of Thessaly, at∣tended on by a Squire and a Trumpeter, who desired to speak with the King of Sicily, who being admitted into the Kings pre∣sence, delivered himself in these words.

Most Noble Prince, my coming hither to you, is to desire of you assistance for our distressed Country of Thessaly, opprest, and almost desolated by the Encroachments and Tyranny of the King of Thrace: The cause of which quarrel he pretends to be, for that our King having but one Daughter named Mariana, the Heiress to his Crown and dominions: Being a Lady not only endued with excellency of Natures gifts; but withal so vertuous, affable, and every way compleat in knowledge, that she may well be said to be the darling of her Sex, and admiration of all that know her. This Peerless Princess, the King of Thrace, who is famed a Man given over to all licentiousness, and so far degenerate from Royalty, that he commits actions unbeseeming a Peasant, desired of her Father to have in Marriage; but she loathing to link her self in such Marriage Bands, where Love and true Honour did not mutually embrace each other refused so leath∣some a proffer, and that with such indignation, that upon his Embassadors return, and acquainted with his slighting, he resolv∣ed to do that by force which he could not obtain by favour, and to that end mustered up a most puiss••nt Army, which was done in such an instant, that he was marched into the midst of our Land before we were provided to méet him on the Borders: Nay, his Horse consisting of Ten Thousand well approved Souldiers, ex∣cellently armed, both with offensive and defensive Weapons, had by their incursions so affrighted our people, that our strongest Cittadels were not held sufficient to safeguard them from danger, but all left to the spoil of the enemy. At last this news arriving to our King, who held himself secure by reason there was a mutu∣al league of peace betwixt them, which at that time was not half expired, that he was altogether unprovided for the present; (a great fault in Princes, as to think any Estate so permanent, which may not be soon overturned,) But upon the news hereof, he bestirs him∣self, forti••ies his chief City of Larissa, where he kept his Court, and raises as puissant an Army as could in so short a time be pro∣vided, with which he marches against his Enemies. The King of Thrace had with him a mighty Gyant named Predo, in whom

he put great confidence: This Gyant had the strength of ten or∣dinary men, and was for stature and shape very terrible to behold. In the Ualley of Tempe they joyned battle, where notwithstand∣ing our men did 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 a∣gainst him with his Lance, it shiver'd in a thousand pieces, nor could his Sword ought avail against the Gyants Armour, al∣though 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 Gy∣ant valued his blows so little, finding him to be the Thessalian King, and now almost spent with long fighting, that he made no more ad••, 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 a∣mongst them, that the Gyant Predo should carry our King Pri∣soner with him into his Castle, where he lives, being a place strongly S••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 besieg∣ed, 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 im∣plore at your hands.

This woful Tale being finished, moved great pity and com∣passion 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 endea∣vour,

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 ter∣ribleness of the Gyant Predo, did strike some dread and terrour into the hearts of many, yet being accompanied with such invin∣cible Knights as were these three Brothers, they dreaded no dan∣ger, 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.