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.

The Honourable History of the Seven Champions of Christendom.

CHAP. I.

How St. George's three Sons were entertained into the Famous City of London, and after how their Mother was Slain in a Wood, with the Pricks of a thorny Brake; her Blessings she gave her Sons; St. George's Lamentation over her bleeding Body; and likewise of the Journey the Seven Champions intended to Ierusalem to visit the Sepulchre of Christ.

AFter St. George, with the other six Champions of Christ∣endom, (by invincible Conquests) had brought into Sub∣jection all the Eastern Parts, and by dint of bloody Wars, yoked the stubborn Infidels even to the farthest bounds of India, where the golden Sun beginneth to arise, as you heard discour••∣ed in the former part of the History, they returned with Con∣quest of Imperial Diadems, Regal Crowns, Kingly Scepters, to the rich and plentiful Country of England, where in the fa∣mous City of London they many a day sojourned, a place not only beautified with sumptuous Buildings, but graced with a number of valiant Knights, and gallant Gentlemen of courtly Behaviour, and there withal adorned with Troops of Ladies of divine and celestial Beauties, that tript it up and down the Streets like to the Grecian Queens when as they tyed the Phri∣gian Warriours in the silken Snares of Love; whereby it seem∣ed rather a Paradise for heavenly Angels, than a place for earth∣ly Iuh ••hitants.

Here the Christian Champions laid their Arms aside, here hung they up their Weapons on the Bower of Peace, here their gliste∣ring Corslets pusted in their Armories, here was not heard the warlike sound of Drums nor silver Trumpets, here stood no Cen∣tinels nor Courts of Guard, nor barbed Steeds prepared to the Battel, but all things tended to a lasting Peace. They that had went in steeled Coats to sleep in Champion-fields, lay dal∣lying

now in Beds of Silk; they that had wont with weary Arms to wield the warlike Fauchion, sat now imbracing lovely Ladies on their Knees; and they whose Ears had wont to hear the ruful cries of slaught••••ed Souldiers, were now o'er-cloy'd with Musick's pleasant Harmony.

In this delicious manner lived these Champions in the City of London, burying the remembrance of all their former Adven∣tures in the Lake of Oblivion, and spending their times in ho∣nourable Tilts, and courtly Turnaments; where St. George performed many Atchievements in honour of his beloved Lady, and the other Knights in honour of their Mistresses.

But at last, St. George's three Sons, Guy, Alexander, and David, being all three born at one Birth, as you heard before, in the Wilderness, and sent into three several Kingdoms by their careful Father to be trained up; the one in Rome, to the warlike Romans, another into Wittenburg, to the learned Germans, the third unto Britain, to the valiant English. But now being grown to some ripeness of Age, and agility of Strength, they desired much to visit their Parents, whom they had not seen from their Infancies, lying in their Cradles; and to crave at his hands the honour of true Knighthood, and to wear the gol∣den Spur of Christendom.

This earnest and princely Request so highly pleased their Tutors, that they furnished them with a stately Train of Knights, and sent them honourably into England, where they arrived all three at one time in the famous City of London, where their Entertainments were most princely, and their Welcome so ho∣nourable, that I want Art to describe, and Memory to express.

I omit what sumptuous Pageants and delightful Shows the Citizens provided, and how the Stréets of London were beauti∣fied with Tapestry, the solemn Bells that rung them joyful Wel∣comes, and the siver-strained Instruments that gave them plea∣sant Entertainment. Also I pass over the Father's Ioy, who prized their Sights more precious in his eyes, then if he had béen made sole Monarch of the golden Mines of rich America; or tha•• every hair that grew on his Head had been equalled with a Kingdom, and he to have as many golden Diadems in his arms. Also their Mother's Welcomes to her Sons, who gave them more Kisses than s••e breathed forth Groans at their De∣liveries from her painful Womb in the Wilderness.

The other Champions Courtesies were not of the least, nor of the smallest in Account; to these three young Gentlemen; but

to be short, St. George (whose Love was dear unto his Chil∣dren) in his own Perlon conducted them unto their Lodgings, whereas they spent that day and the night following in royal Banquetting amongst their princely Friends.

But no sooner appeared the Morning-sun upon the Mountain-tops, and the clear Countenance of the Elements made menti∣on of some ensuing Pastime, but St. George commanded a so∣lemn Hunting for the welcome of his Sons.

Then began his Knights to arm themselves in Troops, and to mount upon their Iennets, and some with well a••med Boa••∣spears in their hands, prepared for the Game on foot; but St. George, with his Sons clad in green Uestments, like Adonis, with silver Horns hanging at their Backs, in Scarces of co∣loured Silk, were still the foremost in this Exercise. Likewise Sabra (intending to see her Sons Ualours displayed in the Field, whether they were in courage like their Father or no, caused a gentle Paltrey to be provided, whereon she mounted her prince∣ly Person to be Witness of these Silvan Sports; she was armed with a cu••ious Breast-plate, wrought like to the scales of a Dol∣phin, and in her band she bare a silver Bow of the Turkish Fashi∣on, like an Amazonian Queen, or Diana Hunting in the Groves of Arcadia.

Thus, in this gallant manner, rode forth these Hunters to their princely Pastimes, where after they had ridden some six Miles from the City of London, there fell from St. George's Nose thrée drops of purple Blood; whereat he suddenly start∣ed, and therewithal he heard the croaking of a flight of Night-Ravens, that hovered by the Forrest's side, all which he judg∣ed to be dismal signs of some ensuing Stratagem; but having a princely Mind, he was nothing discouraged thereat, nor lit∣tle mistrusted the woful Accident that after happned, but with a noble Resolution entered the Forrest, accounting such fore-tel∣ling Tokens for old Wives Ceremonies, wherein they had not passed the compass of half a Mile, but they started a wild swift Stagg, at whom they uncoupled their Hounds, and gave Bridle to their Horses, and followed the Game more swifter than Py∣rates pursue the Merchants Ships upon the Seas; but now be∣hold how frowning Fortune changed their pleasant Pastime to a sad and bloody Tragedy; for Sabra proffering to keep pace with them, delighted to behold the valiant Encounters of her young Sons, and being careless of herself, through the over swiftness of her Steed, she slipped beside her Saddle, and so fell directly

vpon a thomey brake of Brambles, the pricks whereof (more sharp than Spikes of Iron) entred to every part of her delicate Body; some pierce the lovely closets of her star-bright Eyes, whereby (instead of cristal pearled Tears) there issued drops of purest Blood; her Face before that blushed like the Morning's radiant Countenance, was now changed into a Crimson-red; her milk white hands that lately strained the ivory Lute, did seem to wear a bloody scarlet Glove, and her tender Paps that had often sed her Sons with the Milk of Nature, were all be∣cent and ••or•• with those accu••sed Brambles, from whose deep Wounds there issued such a stream of purple Gore, that it con∣verted the Grass from a lively green to a crimson-hue, and the abundance of Blood that trickled from her Breast began to en∣force her Soul to give the World a woful Farewel. Yet notwith∣standing, when her beloved Lord, her sorrowful Sons, and all the rest of the waful Champions, had washed her wounded Body with a spring of Tears; and when she perceived that she must of force commit herself to the fury of imperious Death, she breath∣ed forth this dying Exhortation:

Dear Lord (said she) in this unhappy Hunting must you lose the tru∣est Wife that ever ••ay by any Prince's side; yet mourn not you, nor grieve you my Sons, nor you brave Christian Knights; but let your warlike Drums convey m•• royally to my Tomb, that all the World may write in brazen Books, how I have followed my Lord (the Pride of Chri∣stendom) through many a bloody Field, and for his sake have left my Parents, Friends and Country, and have travelled through many a dangerous Kingdom; but now the cruel Fates have wrought their last spight, and finished my Life, because I am not able to perform what Love he hath deserved of me. And now to you my Sons this Blessing do I leave behind, even by the Pains that forty Weeks I once endured for your sakes, when as you lay enclosed in my Womb, and by my Travels in the Wilderness, whereas my Groans upon your Birth-day did (in my thinking) cause both Trees and Stones to drop down Tears, when as the merciless Tygers and tameless Lyons did stand like gentle Lambs, and mourned to hear my Lamentations, and by a Mother's Love that ever since I have born you, imitate and follow your Father in all his honourable Attempts, harm not the silly Infant, nor the help∣less Widow, defend the Honour of distressed Ladies, and give freely unto wounded Souldiers, seek not to stain the unspotted Virgins with your Lust, and adventure evermore to redeem true Knights from Cap∣tivity, live evermore professed Enemies to Paganism, and spend your Lives in the Quarrel and Defence of Christ, that Babes (as yet unborn)

in time to come may speak of you, and record you in the Books of Fame to be true Christian Champions. This is my Blessing, and this is the Testament I leave behind; for now I feel the chilness of pale Death closing the Closets of mine Eyes: Farewel vain World, dear Lord farewel, sweet Sons, you'r famous Followers of my George, and all true Christian Knights, adieu.

These words were no sooner ended, but with a heavy sigh she yielded up the Ghost; whereat St. George (being impatient in his sorrows) fell upon her liveless Body, tearing his Hair, and rending his Hunter's Attire from his back into many pieces; and at last when his Griefs were some what diminished, he burst out into these bitter Lamentations:

Gone is the Star (quoth he) that lighted all the Nothern World; whithered is the Rose that beautified our Christian Fields; dead is the Dame that for her beauty stained all Christian Women, for whom I'll fill the Air with everlasting Mones. Let this day henceforth be fatal to all times, and counted for a dismal day of Death: let never the Sun shew forth his Beams thereon again, but Clouds as black as pitch cover the Earth with fearful Darkness: let every Tree in this accursed For∣rest, henceforth be blasted with unkindly Winds: let Brambles, Herbs and Flowers consume and wither: let Grass and blooming Buds perish and decay, and all things near the place where she was slain be turned to dismal, black and ghastly colour, that the Earth itself in mourning Garments may lament her loss: let never Bird sing chearfully on tops of Trees; but like the mournful Musick of the Nightingale, fill all the Air with fatal Tunes: let bubling Rivers murmure for her loss, and silver Swans that swim thereon sing doleful Melody: let all the Dales be∣longing to these fatal Woods be covered with green bellied Serpents, croaking Toads, hissing Snakes, and sigh-killing Cockatrices: in blast∣ed Trees, let fearful Ravens shrick, let Howlets cry, and Crickets sing, that after this it may be called a place of dead Mens wandring Ghosts. But fond Wretch, why do I thus Lament in vain, and bath her bleed∣ing Body with my Tears, when Grief by no means will recal her Life? yet this shall satisfie her Soul, for I will go a Pilgrimage unto Ierusa∣lem, and offer up my Tears to Jesus Christ upon his blessed Sepulchre, by which my stained Soul may be washt from this bloody Guilt, which was the cause of this sorrowful day's mishap.

These sorrowful words were no sooner ended, but he took her bleeding Limbs between his fainting Arms, and gave a hun∣dred kisses upon her dying coloured Lips, retaining yet the colour of Alabaster new wash'd in Purple-blood; and in this ••••ta••••e a while lying, gave way to others to unfold their Woes.

But his Sons whose Sorrows were as great as his, protested never to neglect one day, but daily to weep some Tears upon their Mother's Grave, till from the Earth did spring some mournful flower, to beav remembrance of her Death, as did the Uiolet that sp••••ng from chast Adonis's Blood, where Venus wept to see him slain. Likewise the other six Champions (that all the time of their Lamentations stood like Men drowned in the depth of Sorrow) began now a little to recover themselves, and after protested by the honour of true Knight hood, and by the Spu•• and golden Garter of St. George's Leg, to accompany him unto the Holy Land bare footed, without either Horse or S••ooe, only cl•••••• in russet Gaberdines, like the usual Pilgrims of the World, and never to return till they had paid their Uows at that blessed Sepulchre.

Thus in this sorrowful manner wearied they the time away, filling the Woods with echoes of their Lamentations, and re∣cording their Dolours to the whistling Winds; but at last when black Night began to approach, and with her cable Mantle to overspread the crystal Firmament, they retired with her dead Body, back to the City of London, where the report of 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 scar∣let Gowns to meet in Counsel, sat now in discontented Griefs; the gallant Youth and comely Uirgins, that had wont to beau∣tifie 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 sum∣ptuons 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 portray∣ed the Queen of Chastity with her Maidens, bathing them∣selves in a crystal Fountain, as a witness of her wonderous Chastity, against the lustful Assailments of all lastivious At∣tempts.

Thereon was also most lively pictured a Turtle dove sitting up∣on

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 Es∣cutcheous of Princes, and the Arms of Countries that beauti∣fied her Tomb, the Discourse whereof requires an Oratour's G∣loquence, 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 I∣uory 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 brack••••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 ••is Sons in the City of London, un∣der 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 Ga∣berdines 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 Na∣ture's Tapestry, and made their Passages as pleasant as the Gardens of Hesperides adorned with all kind of odoriferous Flow∣ers. 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 Moun∣tains, 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 Iour∣ny, 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 to∣wards the Sepulchre of Christ, and speak what happened to St. George's three Sons in visiting their Mother's Tomb in t•••• 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 Knight∣hood, 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 a••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 I••cle•• had di••••ob••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 Amber∣g••eece.

This rare and exceeding Garland was no sooner framed by Enchantment, and delivered in his hands, but he left the En∣chantress sitting in her Ebon-Chair upon a block of Steel (pra∣ctising her fatal Arts,) with her Hair hanging about her Shoul∣ders like w••eaths of Snakes, or invenomed Serpents, and so re∣turned 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 in∣spiring 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 ••isters of his Eyes, in re∣membrance 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 pre••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 ro••nd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Mother's Tomb, till his Brains were dash∣ed

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 fear∣fully about them) the Tomb seemed of itself to open, and there∣upon to appear a most terrible gastly Shape, pale like unto ash∣es, 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 Spe∣ctacle of more Death. Unite yourselves in Concord, that my discontent∣ed Soul may sleep in Peace, and never more be troubled with your unbrid∣led Humours. Make hast, I say, arm yourselves in steel Corslets, and fol∣low your valiant Father to Ierusalem, he is there in danger and di∣stress 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 reco∣vering their former Senses, they all vowed a continual Unity, and never to proffet the like Iniury again, but to live in brother∣ly 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, ••e••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 ••isteess.

The King purposing to a••complish their Desires, and to fulfil their Requests, presently condescended, and not only gave them the honour of Knight-hood, but furnished them with ••i••h Ha∣biliments of War, answerable to their magnanimous Minds: First, be frankly bestowed upon them three stately Pals••yes, bred upon the bright Mountains of Sardinia, in colour of an Iron∣gray, beautified with silver Hairs, and in ••ate switer than Spa∣nish 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 Cae∣sar's Steed, that never danted in the Field; and they were trap∣ped 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, beauti∣fied with the English Cross, being the crimson Badge of Knight∣hood 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 return∣ed 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 ap∣plaud these Atchietements, and enroul their Fames in the Re∣cords of Honour. Fate prosper them successfully, and gentle Fortune smile upon their Travels, for three braver Knights did never cross the Seas, nor make their Adventures into strange Countries.

CHAP. III.

How St. George's Sons, after they were Knighted by the English King, travelled towards Barbary; and how they redeemed the Duke's Daughter of Normandy from Ravishment, that was assailed in a Wood by three Tawny-moores; and also of the tragical Tale of the Virgin's strange Miseries, with other Accidents.

MAny days had not these three magnanimous Knights endu∣red the danger of the swelling Waves, but with a pro∣sperous and successful Wind, they arrived upon y^e Tirritories of France, where being no sooner safely set on shore, but they boun∣tifully rewarded their Marriners, and betook themselves fully to their intended Travels.

Now began their costly trapped Steeds to pace it like the scud∣ding Winds, and with their wa••like Hoofs to thunder on the beaten passages; now began true Honour to flourish in their princely Breasts, and the Renown of their Father's Atchieve∣ments to encourage their Desires. Although tender Youth sat

but budbing on their Cheeks, yet portly Man-hood triumpht in their Hearts; and although their childish Arms as yet never try∣ed the painful adventures of Knight-hood; yet bore they high and princely Cegitations in as great esteem as when the•• Fa∣ther slew the burning Dragon in Aegypt, for preservation of their Mother's life.

Thus travelled they to the farther part of the Kingdom of France (guided only by the Direction of Fortune) without any Adventure worth the no••ing, till at last riding thorow a mighty Fortess standing on the Borders of L••sitania, they hea••d (as at off as it were) the ruful cries of a distressed Woman; which in this manner filled the Air with ••••hees of her Moans:

O Heavens! (said she) be kind and pitiful unto a Maiden in Distress, and send some happy Passengers that may deliver me from these inhu∣mane Monsters.

This woful and unexpected noise, caused the Knights to alight from their Horses, and to see the event of this Accident: So af∣ter they had tyed their Steeds to the body of a Pine-tree, by the R••ins of their B••••ole••, they walked on foot into the thickest of the Forrest with their Weapons drawn, ready to withstand any assaysment whatsoever; and as they drew near to the distressed Uirgin, they heard her breathe forth this pi••iful moving La∣mentation the second time:

Come, come, some courteous Knight, or else I must forgo that pre∣cious Jewel which all the World can never again recover.

These words caused them to make the more speed, and to run the nearest way for the Maiden's Succour. Where, approaching her presence, they found her tyed by the locks of her own hair to the trunk of an Orange-tree, and three cruel and inhumane Ne∣groes standing ready to dispoil her of her pure and undefiled Cha∣stity, and with their Lusts to blast the blooming Bud of her dear and unspotted Uirginity.

But when St. George's Sons be held her lovely Countenance besmeared in Dust, that before seemed to be as beautiful as Roses in Milk, and her crystal Eyes (the perfect patterns of B••shful∣ness) imbrewed in floods of Tears, at one instant they ran up∣on the Negroes, and sheathed their angry Weapons in their loath∣some Bowels; the Leacher•• being slain, their Blonds sprinkled about the Forrest, and their Bodies cast out as a Prey for rave∣nous Beasts to feed on; they unbound the Maiden, and like courteous Knights demanded the cause of her Captivity, and by what means she came into that solitary Forrest: Most noble

Knights (quoth she) and true renowned Men at Arms, to tell the cause of my passed Misery, were a prick onto my Soul, for the Discourse there∣of will burst my Heart with Grief; but consider your Nobilities, the which I do perceive by your princely Behaviour, and kind Courtesies extended towards me, being a Virgin in Distress, under the hands of these lustful Negroes whom you have justly murthered, shall so much imbolden me, though unto my Heart's great Grief, to Discourse the first cause of my miserable Fortune:

My Father (quoth she) whilst gentle Fortune smiled upon him, was Duke and sole Commander of the State of Normandy, a Country now situated in the Kindom of France, whose Lands and Revenues in his prosperity was so great, that he continually kept as stately a Train, both of Knights and Gentlemen, as any Prince in Europe; wherefore the King of France greatly envied, and by bloody Wars deposed my Fa∣ther from his Princely Dignity, who for safeguard of his life, in com∣pany of me his only Heir and Daughter, betook us to these solitary Woods, where ever since we have secretly remained in a poor Cell or Hermitage; the which by our industrious Pains hath been Builded with plants of Vines and Oaken boughs, and covered over-head with clods of Earth, and turfs of ••ra••s: seven Years we have continued in great Extremities, sustaining our Hunger with the Fruits of Trees, and quench∣ing of our Thirst with the Dew of Heaven, falling nightly upon fra∣grant Flowers; and here instead of princely Attire, imbroidered Gar∣ments, and damask Vestures, we have been constrained to cloath our selves with Flowers, the which we have painfully woven up together; here instead of Musick, that wont each morning to delight our Ears, we have the whilstling Winds resounding in the Woods; our Clocks to tell the Minutes of the wandring Nights; are Snake and Toads, that sleep, in roots of rotten Trees; our Canopies to cover us, are not wrought of Median Silk, the which Indian Virgins Weave upon their silver Looms, but the fable Clouds of Heaven, when as the chearful day hath closed her crystal Windows up: Thus in this manner continued we in this solitary Wilderness, making both Birds and Beasts our chief Com∣panions, these merciless Tawny-moores (whose hateful Breasts you have made to water the parched Earth with streams of Blood) who as you see came into our Cell, thinking to have found some store of Treasure (but casting their gazing Eyes upon my Beauty, they were presentl•• 〈…〉〈…〉 with lustfull Desires, only to crop the sweet B••d of my Virginity then with furious and dismal Countenance, more black than the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Garments of sad Me••ponis••it, when she mourn••ully writes of bloudy Frage••hes and with Hearts more cruel than was Nero's the tyranous Roman Empe∣rour, when he beheld the Entrails of his natural Mother la••d open by

his inhumane and merciless Commandment, or when he stood upon the highest top of a mighty Mountain, to see that famous and imperial City of Rome set on fire by the remorseless hands of his unrelen••ing Mini∣sters that added unhallowed Flames to his unholy Furies. In this kind, I say these merciless and wicked minded Negroes with violent hands took my aged Father, and most cruelly bound him to the blasted, Body of a withered Oak, standing before the entry of his Cell; where neither the rever and honour of his silver Hairs, glistering like the frozen Isikles up∣on the Northern Mountains, nor the strained Sighs of his Breast, where∣in the Pledge of Wisdom was inthronized, nor all my Tears or Excla∣mations could any whit abate their Cruelties, but (grim Dogs of Bar∣bary) in they left my Father, fast bound unto the Tree, and like egregious Vipers took me by the Trammels of my golden Hair, draging me like a silly Lamb unto this flaughtering place, intending to satisfie their Luft∣with the flower of my Chastity. Being used thus, I made my humble Supplication to the highest Majesty, to be revenged upon their Cruel∣ties: I reported to them the rewards of ••••oudy Ravishments, by the Example of Tereus, sometime King of Thrace, and his furious Wife, that in revenge of her Sister's Ravishment, caused her Husband to eat the Flesh of his own Son. Likewise, (to preserve my undefiled Honour) I told them that for the Rape of Lucroce the Roman Matron, Tar∣qui••ius and his whole Name was ever banished out of Rome, with many other Examples: thus, like the Nightingale, recorded I nothing but Rape and Murther, yet neither the Fears of Heaven, nor the ter∣rible Threats of Hell could mollifie their bloudy Minds; but they pro∣tested to persevere in that Wickedness, and vowed that if all the Leaves of the Trees, that grew within the Wood, were turned into Indian Pearls, and that place made as wealthy as the golden Streams of Pa••t••∣lus, where M. das washt••her golden Wish away, yet should they not redeem my Chastity from the stain of their insatiable and lustful Desires. This being said, they bound me with the Trammels of mine own Hair to this Orange tree, and at the very instant they proffered to defile my unspotted Body, you happily approached, and not only redeemed me from their tyrannous Desires, but quit the World from three of the wick∣edest Creatures that ever Nature framed; for which (most noble and in∣vincible Knights) if ever Virgin's Prayers may prevail, humbly will I make my Supplications to the Deities that you may prove as valliant Champions as ever put on Helmet, and that your Fames may ring to e∣very Prince's Ear, as far as bright Niperion doth shew his golden Face.

This tragical Tale was no sooner ended; but the three Knights (with remorseful Hearts sobbing with Sighs) imbraced the sor∣rowful Maiden betwixt their Arms, and earnestly requested her

to conduct them unto the place whereas she left her Father bound unto the withered Oak; to which she willingly consented, and thanked them ••ighly to their kindness; but before they approach∣ed to the old Man's presente, what for the grief of his Banish∣ment, and violent Usage of his Daughter, he was forced to yield up his miserable Life to the mercy of unavoidable Death.

When St. George's valiant Sons, in company of this sorrow∣ful Maiden came to the Tree, and (contrary to their Expectati∣ons) found her Father cold and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, devoid of Sense and Feel∣ing, also his Hands and Face covered with green Moss, which they supposed to be done by the Robin Red-breast, and other lit••le Birds, who do use naturally to cover the bare parts of any Bo∣dy that they find dead in the Field, they all fell into a new confu∣sed extremity of grief; but especially his Daughter, having lost all Ioy and Comfort in this World, made both Heaven and Earth resound with her exceeding Lamentations, and mourned without Comfort, like weeping Niobe, that was turned into a Rock of Stone, Lamenting for the loss of her Children: thus when the three young Knights perceived the comfortless Sor∣row of the Uirgin, and how she had vowed never to depart from those solitary Groves, but to spend the remnant of her days in company of her Father's dead Body; they courteously assisted her to bury him under a Chesnut-tree, where they left her behind them bathing his senseless Grave with her Tears, and returned back to their Horses, where they left them at the entry of the Forrest tyed to a lofty Pine, and so departed on their Iourney, where we will leave them for a time, and speak of the Seven Champions of Christendom, that were gone on Pilgrimage to the City of Jerusalem, and what strange Adventures hapned to them in their Travel.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Adventures of the Golden Fountain in Damase••; how six of the Christian Champions were taken Prisoners by a mighty Giant, and how after they were delivered by St. George; and also how he redeemed fourteen Jews out of Prison, with divers other strange Ac∣cidents that hapned.

LEt us now speak of the favourable Clementy that smiling Fortune shewed to the Christian Champions in their Travels to Jerusalem; for after they were departed from England, and had journyed in their Pilgrims Attire through many strange Coun∣tries,

at last they arrived upon the Constnes of Damasco, which is a Country not only beautified with Cumptuous costly Build∣ings, framed by the curious Architecture of Man's Device, but also furnished with all the precious Gifts that Nature in her greatest liberality could bestow.

In this fruitful Dominion long time the Christian Champions rested their weacy Steps, and made their abode in the House of a rich and courteous Jew, a Man that spent his Wealth chiefly for the Succour and Comfort of Travelers and Wandring Pil∣grims; his House was not curiously erected up of carved Tim∣ber work, but framed with quarries of blew Stones, and sup∣ported with many stately Pillars of the purest M••rble; the gates and entry of his House were continually kept open, in sign of his bountiful Mind; over the Portal thereof did hang a brazen Table, whereon was most curiously engraven the Picture of Ce∣res the Goddess of Plenty, deck'd with Garlands of Wheat, wreaths of Oliv••s, bunches of Usnes, and with all manner of fruitful things; the Chamber wherein these Champions took their nightly Reposes and golden Sleep, was garnished with as many Windows of crystal Glass, as there were Days in the Year, and the Walls painted with as many Stories as were Years since the World's Creation; it was likewise Built four square, after the manner of Pyramids in Greece; at the East end thereof was most lively portrayed, bright Phoebus rising from Aurora's golden Bed, with a glistering Countenance distaining the Element for her departure; at the West side was likewise portrayed how Thetis tripped upon the silver Sands, when as Hiperion's Car drives to the watry Ocean, and takes his night's Repose upon his Lover's Bosom; on the North side was paint∣ted high Mountains of Snow, whose tops did seem to reach the Clouds, and mighty Woods over-hung with silver Isikles, which is the nature of the Northern Climate. Lastly, Upon the West side of the Chamber, sat the God of the Seas, riding upon a Dolphin's back, a troop of Mermaids following him, with their golden Trammels floating upon the silver Waves; there the Trytons seemed to dance about the crystal Streams, with a num∣ber of the other silver scaled Fishes that made it seem delightful for Pleasure. Over the Roof of the Chamber was most perfect∣ly portrayed the four Ages of the World which seemed to over∣hang the rest of the curious Works: First, The Golden Age was pendant over the East: The second being the Silver (a Mettle some what baser) seemed to over spread the freezing North: The

third, which was the Brazen Age, beautified the western Parts: The fourth and last of all being of Iro••, (the very ••e••••st of them all) secured to be fixed toward ••••e Southern Climate: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this Chamber tested these wear•• Champions a long 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where their Food was not delicious, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 ••••••lesome, and their Services not curious, but comely: the ••our••eous Iew their friendly Host whom Nature had honoured 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 con••••hr Sons, daily kept them company, and not only 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them the Curiasities of his Habitation, but also d••secited the pleasant Situation of his Count••y, how the Towns and Cities were a∣dorned with all manner of Delights, whereby they s••u••ed like the impe••ial Princes of Jove, where they heard most delightful Harmonies; and the pleasant Fields and flourishing M••a••ows so beautified with Nature's gladsome Ornaments, that they seemed so Pleasure to excéed the Palace of the great Turk, or ••∣ny other P••rentate whatsoever in the World.

Some days were spent away in this manner, to the exceeding great pleasure of the Christian Knights, and evermore when the dark Night approached, and the wanted time of Sleep summoned them to their silent and quiet Rests, the Iew••s Children, being s••ven as brave and comely Boys as ever Tame Nature framed, si••••ed the seven Champions Ears with such sweet and delicate Melodies, gently strained from their Ivory Lutes, that not Arion (when all the Art of sweet Musick consented with his Tune, Uoice, and Hand, when he won favour of the Dolphin, being forsaken of Men) was comparable thereto; whereby the Christians were inchanted with such Delights that their Sleeps séemed to be as pleasant as was the sweet Ioys of Elesium: but upon a time, after the courteous Iew had Intelligence how they were Chri∣stian Knights, and such admired Martial Champions, whom Fame had canonized to be the Wonders of the World for Mar∣tial Discipline and Knightly Adventures; and finding a fit op∣portunity as he walked in their Companies, upon an evening under an Arbour of Uine-branches, he revealed to them the Se∣crets of his Soul, and the cause of his so sad and solitary dwel∣ling. So standing bare-headed in the middle of the Champions, with his white Hair hanging down to his shoulders, in colour like the silver Swan, and softer than the Down of Thisties, or Me∣dian Silk untwisted, he began with a s••ber Countenance and gallant Demeanour to speak as followeth:

I am sure (quoth he) you invincible Knights, that you marvel at my solitary course of Living, and that you greatly muse, wherefore I ex∣empt

myself from the company of Worldlings, except my seven Sons, whose Sights are my chief Comfort, and the only Prolongers of my Life; therefore prepare your Ears to encertain the strangest Discourse that e∣ver Tongue pronounced, or wearied old Man in the height of his ex∣tremity delivered: I was in my former Years (whilst Fortune smiled up∣on my Happines) the principal Commander, and chief Owner of a cer∣tain Fountain, of such wonderful and precious Vertue, that it was valued to be worth the Kingdom of India; the Water thereof was so strange in the Operation, that in four and twenty Hours it would convert any Mettal, as Brass, Copper, Iron, Lead or Tin, into rich refined Gold; the stony Flint into pure Silver, any kind of Earth into excellent Met∣tal: By the Vertue thereof, I have made the Leaves of Trees a flourish∣ing Forest of Riches, and the Blades of Grass valuable to the Jewels that be found in the Country of America. The Vertue thereof was no sooner bruited through the World; but it caused many Foreign Knights to try the Adventure, and by force of Arms to bereave me of the Ho∣nonour of this Fountain. But at that time Nature graced me with one and twenty Sons, whereof seven be yet living, and the only Comfort of my Age; but the other fourteen (whom frowning Fortune hath be∣reaved me of) many a day by their valiant Prowess and matchless For∣titudes defended the Fountain from many great and furious Assailers; for there was no Knight in all the World that was found so hardy or of such invincible Courage, that if they but once attempted to Incounter with any of my valiant Sons, they were either taken Prisoners, or slain in the Combate. The Fame of their Valours, and the Riches of the Fountain run through many strange Countries, and lastly, came to the Ears of a furious Giant, dwelling upon the Borders of Arabia, who at the report thereof came armed with his steely Coat, with a mighty Bat of Iron on his neck, like to furious Hercules that burst the brazen Gates of Cerberus, and bore the mighty Mountain Atlas upon his Shoul∣ders; he was the Conqueror of my Sons, and the first Causer of my sudden Downfal••: But when I thus had intelligence of the Overthrow of fourteen of my Soils, and that he had made Conquest of my weal∣thy Fountain, I with the rest of my Children, thinking all hope of Re∣covery to be past, betook ourselves to this solitary course of Life, where ever since in this Mansion or Hermitage we have made our abode and residence, spending our Wealth to the relief of traveling Knights and wandering Pilgrims, hoping once again that smiling Fortune would ad∣vanc•• us to some be••••e•• Hap; and to be plain, r••••ht worthy Champi∣ons, since then my hope was never at the hight of full perfection till this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time, wherein your excellent Presence almost assure me that the 〈…〉〈…〉 conquered, my Fountain restored; and ••hy Son•• Deaths (for dead sure they are) revenged.

The Champions, with great Admirat••on, gave ear to the strange Discourse of this reverend Iew, and intended in requi∣tal of his extraordinary Kindness to undertake this Adventure: and the more to encourage the other, St. George began in this manner to utter his Mind, speaking both to the Iew their Host, and his valiant Fellow champions:

I have not without great wonder (most reverend and courteous old Man) heard the strange Discourse of thy admirable Fountain, and do not a little lament that one of so kind and liberal a Disposition should be dispossessed of such exceeding Riches, neither am I less sorry that so in∣humane a Monster, and known Enemy to all Courtesie and kindness, should have the Fruition of so exceeding great Treasure; for to the Wicked, Wealth is the cause of their more Wickedness. But that which most grieveth me, is, That having had so many valiant Knights to his Sons, they all were so unfortunate to fall into the hands of that relentless Monster; but be comforted, kind old Man, for I hope by the Power of my Maker, we were directed hither to Punish that hate∣ful Giant, Revenge the Injuries offered to thine Age, satisfie with his Death, the Death of thy Children, if they be Dead, and restore to thy bounteous Possession that admirable rich Fountain again.

And now to you my valiant Champions I speak, that with me through many Dangers have adventured; let us couragiously attempt this rare Adventure, wherein such Honour to our Names, such Happiness to our Friends, such Glory to God consists, in recovering Right to the Wrong∣ed, and punishing rightfully the Wrongers of the Oppressed; and that there be no Contention among us who shall begin this Adventure, for I know all you thirst after Honour, therefore let Lots be made, and to whomsoever the chief Lot falleth, let him be foremost in Assayling the Giant, and so good Fortune be our Guides.

The exceeding Ioy which the old Iew conceived at the spéech∣es of St. George, had near-hand bereft him of the use of Sense, for above measure was he over-joyed; but at length recovering use of Speech, he thus thankfully brake forth:

How infinitely I find myself bound unto you, you famous and undoubt∣ed Christian Champions, all my Ableness is not able to express, only Thankfulness from the depth of a true Heart shall to you be rendred.

The Champions without more words, discoving themselves from their Pilgrims Attire, every one elected forth an Armour fitting to their portly Bodies, then ready in the Iew's House; instead of their Ebon Staves tipt with Silver, they wielded in their Hands steeled Blades, and their Feet that had wont to in∣dure a painful Pilgrimage upon the bare Ground, were now

ready drest to mount the lofty stirrop; but as I said, they pur∣posed not generally to assail the Giant, but singly every one to try his one Fortune, thereby to obtain the greater Honour, and their Deeds to merit the higher Fame; therefore the Lots being cast among themselves which should begin the Adventure, the Lot fell first to St. Dennis the noble Champion of France, who greatly rejoyced at his fortune, and so departed for y^e night to get things in readiness; but the next morning no sooner had the gold∣en Sun displayed his Beauty in the East, but St. Dennis arose from his sluggish bed, and attired himself in costly Armour, and mounted upon a Steed of Iron-gray, with a spangled Plume of purple Feathers on his Butgonet, spangled with Stars of Gold, resembling the Azure Firmament beautified with glistering Stars. Where ofter he had taken leave of the other Champi∣ons, and had demanded of the Iew where the Giant had his re∣sidence, he departed forward on his Iourney, and before the Sun had mounted to the top of Heaven, he approached to the Giant's presence, who as then sate upon a Block of Steel direct •••• be∣fore the golden Fountain, satisfying his hunger with raw Flesh, and quenching his thirst with the Iuce of ripe Grapes.

The first sight of his ugly and deformed proportion almost daunted the valour of the French Champion, that he stood in a∣maze, whether it was better to try the Adventure, or return with dishonour back to his other Fellow-knights; but having a heart furnished with true magnanimity, he chose rather to die in the Encounter, then to return with Infamy; so committing his Trust to the unconstant Queen of Chance, he s••urred forth his Horse, and assailed the Giant so furiously, that the strokes of his Sword sounded like a weighty blow hammered upon an Anvile. But so smally regarded the Giant the puissant force of this single Knight, that be would scarce rise from the place where he safe; but yet remembring a strange Dream that a little before he had in his Sleep, which revealed unto him, how that a Knight would come from the Northern Climates of the Earth, which should a∣lone end the Adventure of the Fountain, and vanquish him by Fortitude, therefore not minding to be taken at an advantage, he suddenly started up, and with a g••i••n countenance he •• an upon St. Dennis, and took him, Horse, Armour, Furniture and all un∣der his left arm, as lightly, as a strong Man would take a suck∣ing Infant from his Cradle, and bore him to a hollow Rock of Stone, bound about with Bars of Iron, standing near unto

the Fountain, in a Ualley betwixt two mighty Mountains; in which Prison he closed the French Champion, amongst fourteen o∣ther Knights, that were Sons to the courteous Iew, as you heard before discoursed, and being proud of that Attempt, he re∣turned to the block of Steel, where we will leave him sitting glo∣rying in his own Conceit, and speak of the other Champions remaining in the Iew's house, expecting the French Knight's fortunate return; but when the sable Curtains of Darkness were drawn before the crystal Windows of the Day, and Night had taken possession of the Elements, and no news was heard of the Champion's Success, they judged presently that either he was slain in the Adventure, or else discomfitted and taken Prisoner; therefore they cast Lots again which of them the next morning should try his Fortune, and revenge the French Knight's Quar∣rel; so the Lot fell to St. James, the noble Champion of Spain, whereat his princely Heart rejoyced more than if he had been made King of the western World. So in like manner on the next morning by break of day he attired himself in rich and cost∣ly Armour like the other Champion, and mounted upon a Span∣nish Gennet, in pace most swift and speedy, and in portly state like to Bucephalus the proud Stéed of Macedonian Alexander; his Ca∣parison was in colour like to the Waves of the Sea; his Burgo∣net was beautified with a spangled Plume of sable Feathers, and upon his Breast he bore the Arms of Spain, Thus in this gallant manner departed he from the Iew's habitation, leaving the other Champions at their divine Contemplations for his happy Success; but his Fortune chanced contrary to his Wishes, for at the Giant's first Encounter he was likewise born to the Rock of Stone, to accompany St. Dennis.

This Giant was the strongest and hardiest knight at Arms that ever set foot upon the Confines of Damasco; his Strength was so invincible, that at one time durst encounter with an hun∣dred Knights: But now return we again to the other Champi∣ons, whom when night approached, and likewise missing Saint James, they cast Lots the third time, and it fell to the noble Cham∣pion of Italy, St. Anthony, who on the next morning attired himself in costly habiliments of War, and mounted upon a Ba∣barian Palfrey, as richly as did the valiant Jason, when he ad∣ventured into the Isle of Colcos for the golden Fleece, and for Me∣dea's Love; his Helmet glistered like an try Mountain deck'd with a Plume of ginger-coloured Feathers, and beautified with many silver Pendants. But his shining glory was soon ••lemish∣ed

with a cloud of mischance, for although he was as valiant ••s ever brandisht Weapon in the Fields of Mars, yet he found a disability in his fortitude, to withstand the furious blows of the Giant, in such sort that he was forced to yield himself Priso∣ner like the former Champions. The next Lot that was cast chanced to St. Andrew of Scotland, a Knight as highly honour∣ed for Martial Discipline as any of the rest; his Steed was clad with a Caparison after the manner of the Grecians; his Armour varnished with green Oyles, like the e••lour of the Summer fields, upon his Breast he bore a Cross of purple Silk, and on his Bur∣gonet a goodly Plume of Feathers; but yet Fortune so frowned upon his Enterprize, that he nothing prevailed, but commit∣ted his Life to the mercy of the Grant, who likewise imprison∣ed him with the other Knights. The fifth Lot fell to St. Pa∣trick of Ireland, as brave a Knight as ever Nature created, and as adventurous in his Atchievements: If ever Hector upon his Phrygian Steed pranced up and down the Streets of Troy, and made that Age admire his Fortitude, this Irish Knight might countervail his Ualour: For no sooner had the Moon forsook the azure Firmament, and had committed her Charge to the gol∣den burnish'd Sun; but St. Patrick approached the sight of the Giant, mounted upon his Irish Hobby, clad in a Corsser of Proof, beautified with silver Nails; his Plume of feathers of the co∣lour of Uirgin's Hair; his Horse covered with a Uail of Orange∣tawny-silk, and his saddle bound about with Plates of Steel, like an Iron Chair. The sight of this valiant Champion so dounted the Courage of the Giant, that he thought him to be the Knight that the Uision had revealed, and by whom the Ad∣venture should be accomplished; therefore with no cowardly For∣titued he assassed the Irish Knight, who with as princely Ua∣lour indured the encounter; but the unkind Destinies not intend∣ing to give him the honour of the Uictory, compelled the Cham∣pion to yield to the Giant's force, and like a Captive to accom∣pany the other imprisoned Champions. The next Lot fell to St. David of Wales, who nothing discouraged at the other Chri∣stian Knights, but at the morning Sun's uprise into the azure Firmament glistered in his silver Armour before the Fountain, with a golden Griffon shining on his Breast, where he endured a long and dangerous Combat with the Giant, making the Skies refound with ecchoes of their Stroaks; but at last when the Giant perceived that St. David began to grow almost breath∣less, in defending the huge and mighty Blows of his stéeled Bat,

and chiefly through his long Encounter, the Giant renu••d his Strength, and redoubled his Stroaks, that St. David was con∣strained like to the other Christian Champions to yield to the Giant's Mercy.

But now the invincible and heroical Champion of England, St. George, he that was Fame's true Knight, that Man of Ho∣nour, and the World's Wonder, remaining in the Iew's Pavi∣on, and pondring in his mind the bad success of the other six Champions, and that it was ••is turn to try his Fortune the next morning in the Adventure, he fell into great Contempla∣tion: (Quoth he) I that have fought for Christian Knights in Fields of purple Bloud, and made my Enemies to swim in Streams of crimson Gore, shall I not now confound this bloody and inhumane Monster, that hath discomfitted six of the bravest Knights that ever Nature fram∣ed; I slew the burning Dragon in Egypt; I conquered the terrible Glant that kept the enchanted Castle amongst the Amazonians: then Fortune let me accomplish this dangerous Adventure, that all Christi∣ans and Christian Knights may applaud my Name. In this manner spent he away the Night, hoping for the happy Success of the next Day's Enterprize, whereon he vowed by the honour of his golden Garter, either to return a worthy Conqueror, or to die with honour valiently. And when the day began to beautifie the Eastern Elements with a fair purple colour, he repaired to the Iew's Armory, and clad himself in a black Corslet, m••unting himself upon a pitchie coloured Steed, adorned with a blood red Camparison, in sign of a bloudy and tr••gical Adventure; his Plume of Feathers was like a flame of Fire quencht in Blood, as a taken of speedy Revenge; he armed himself not with a sturdy Launce, bound about with Plates of Brass, but took a Iavelin made of Steel, the one end sharpned like the point of a Need••e, at the other end a Ball of Iron in fashion of a Mace or Club. Being thus armed according to his wished desires, he took leave of the Iew and his seven Sons, all attired in black and mournful Ornaments, praying for his happy and fortunate Success, and so departed speedily to the Golden Fountain, where he found the Giant sleeping carelesly upon his block of Steel, dreading no ensuing Danger. But when the valiant Champion St. George was alighted from his Horse, and sufficiently beheld the deformed proportion of the Giant, how the Hair of his Head stood staring upright like the bristles of a wild wore, his Eyes gazing open like two blazing Comets, his Teeth long and sharp like to Spikes of Steel, the Nails of his Hands like the Tal∣lants

of an Eagle, over which was drawn a pa•••• of Iron glaves; and every other Limb huge and strongly proportioned, like to the body of some mighty Oak, the worthy Champion awakened him in this order: Arise (said he) unreasonable deformed Monster, and either make delivery of the captive Knights whom thou wrongful∣ly detainest, or prepare thy ugly self to abide the uttermost force of my warlike Arm and death prepared Weapon.

At which words the furious Giant started up, as one sudden∣ly amazed or affrighted from his sleep, and without making a∣ny reply at all, took his Iron Mace fast in both his hands, and with great terrour let drive at the must worthy English Cham∣pion, who with exceeding cunning and nimbleness defended him∣self from the Danger, by speedy avoiding the violent Blows, and withal returned on his Adversary a mighty Thrust with the pointed or sharp end of the Iavelin, which rebounded from the Giant's Body, as if it had been ••un against an Adamantine Pillar. The which the invincible Knight, St. George, percei∣ving turned his heavy round-ball-end of his Massie Iavelin, and so mightily assailed the Giant, r••doubling his heavy Blows with such couragious Fortitude, that at last he beat his Brains out of his deformed Head, whereby the Giant was constrained to yield up the Ghost, and to giue such a hi••eous Roar, as tho' the whole Frame of the Earth had been shaken with the vio∣lence of some clap of Chunder. This being done, St. George rast his loathsome Car••ass as a Prey to the Fowls and ravenous Beasts to seize upon; and after diligently searched up and down, till he found the Rock wherein all the Knights and Champions were imprisoned; the which with his steely Iavelin he burst in sundev and delivered them presently from their Servitudes, and after returned most triumphantly back to the Iew's Pavilion, in as great Majesty and Royalty as Vespasian with his Roman Nobles and Peers veturned into the Consines of flourishing Ita∣ly, from the admired and glorious Conquest of Jerusalem and Judea.

But warn the reverend Iew saw the English Champion return•• with Uictory, together with his other six Fellow champions, and likewise beheld his fourteen Sons sately delivered, his Ioy so mightily exceeding the bounds of Reason, that he suddenly Bwounded, and lay ••o•••• time in a dead Trance, with the great exceeding Pleasure he conceived. But having a little recover∣ed his decayed Senses, he gladly conducted them into th••i•• seve∣ral Lodgings, and there they were presently unarnied, and their

Wounds washed in White wine and new Milk, and after ban∣queted them in the best manner he could devise; at which Ban∣quet there wanted not all the excellency of Musick that the Iews seven younger Sons could divise, ex••olling in their sweet son∣nets the excellent fortitude of the English Champion, that had not only delivered their captivated Brethren, but restored, by that ugly Giant's deserved Death, their aged Father to the re∣possession of his Golden Fountain. Thus after Saint George with the other six Champions had soiourned there for the space of thirty days, having placed the Iew with his Sons in their former desired Dignities, that is, in the government of the Gol∣den Fountain; they cloathed themselves again in their Pilgrims Attire, and so departed forward on their intended iourney to visit the holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. Of whose noble Adven∣tures you shall hear more in the Chapter following.

CHAP. V.

Of the Champions return to Ierusalem, and after how they were al∣most famished in a Wood; and how St. George obtained them Food by his Valour in a Giant's House, with other things that hapned.

The Champions after this Battel of the Golden Fountain ne∣ver rested travelling till they arrived at the holy Hill of Si∣on, and had visited the Sepulchre, the which they found most richly Built of the purest Marble, garnished curiously by cun∣ning Architecture, with many Carbuncles of Iasper, and Pil∣lars of Ieat. The Temple where in it was erected, stood seven Degrees of Stairs down within the Ground, the Gates where∣of were of vurnisht Gold, and the Portals of refined Silver, cut as did seem out of a most excellent beautified Alabasset Rock: But in it continually burned a sweet smelling Taper, always maintained by twelve of the noblest Uirgins dwelling in Judea at∣tending still upon the Sepulchre, clad in silken Druaments, in colour like to Lillies in the flourishing pride of Summet; the which costly Attire they continually more as an evident sign of their pure and unspotted Uirginities: Many days offered up these worthy Champions their ceremonious Devotions to that sacred Tomb, washing the Marble Pavements with their true and unfained Tears, and witnessing their true and hearty Zeal, with their continual Ualleys of discharged Sighs. But at last upon an evening, when Titan's golden Beams begin to descend the western Element, as those princely minded Champions, in

company of these twelve admired Maidens, kneeled before the Sepulchre, offering up their evening Drizons, an unseen Uoice (to the amazement of them all) from a hollow Uault in the Temple uttered these words:

You magnanimous Knights of Christendom, whose true Nobilities hath circled the Earth with Reports of Fame, whose bare Feet for the love of our sweet Saviour, have set more weary steps upon the parched Earth, than there be Stars within the golden Canopy of Heaven, re∣turn, return into the bloudy Fields of War, and spend not the Honours of your time in this ceremonious manner, for great things by you must be accomplished, such as in time to come shall fill large Chronicles, and cause Babes as yet unborn to speak of your honourable Atchievements. And you chast Maidens that spend your time in the Service of God, even by the plighted Promise you have made to true Virginity, I charge you to furnish forth these warlike Champions with such approved Fur∣niture as hath been offered to this Royal Sepulchre, by those traveling Knights, which have fought under the Banner of Christendom. This is the pleasure of high Fates, and this for the redress of all wrong'd In∣nocents in Earth, must be with all immediate dispatch forthwith ac∣complished. This unexpected Uoice was no sooner ended, but the Temple (in their conceits) seemed strangely to resound, like the melody of celestial Angels, or the holy Harmony of Cheru∣bins, as a sign that the Gods were pleased at their proceeding; whereupon the twelve Uirgins arose from their Contemplati∣dus, and conducted the seven Champions to the further side of Mount Sion, and there bestowed frankly upon them, seven of the bravest Steeds that they ever beheld, with martial Furni∣ture answerable thereunto, befi••ting Knights of such esteem: thus the Christian Champions being proud of their good For∣tunes, attyred themselves in rich and sumptuous Corslets, and after mounted upon their warlike Coursers, kindly bidding the Ladies adieu, betook them to the World's wide journey. This Travel began at that time of the Year, when the Summer's Queen began to spread her beautious mantle among the green and fresh Boughs, of the high and mighty Ceda••s, when as all kind of small Birds flew round about, recreating themselves in the beauty of the day, and with their well-tuned Notes making a sweet and heavenly Melody: at which time, I say, these migh∣ty and well esteemed Knights, the seven Champions of Chri∣stendom, took their way from Jerusalem, which they thought to be most used; in which they had not many days travelled through the Desarts, and over many a Mountain-top, but they were

marvelously feeble for lack of their accustomed Uictuals, and could not hide nor dissemble their great Hunger, so that the War which they sustained with Hunger, was far greater than the Battles they had fought against their Enemies, as you heard discoursed in the first Part of this History. So upon a Sum∣mer's Evening, when they had spent the day in great extremi∣ty, and night grew on, they happned into a Th••cket of mighty Trees, when as the silver Moon with her bright Beams gli∣stered most clerly; yet to them it seemed to be as dark as pitch, for they were very so etroubled for lack of that which should su∣stain them, and their Faces did shew and declare the perplexities of their Stomachs. So they sat them down upon the green and fresh Herbs, very pensive of their extream Necessity, providing to take their rests that night; but all was in vain, for that their corporal Necessities would not consen•• the eunro; but with∣out sleeping for that night, till the next day in the morning that they turned to their accustomed Travel and Journey, thinking to find some Food for the cherishing of their Stomachs, and had their Eyes always gazing about to spie some Uillage or House, where they might satisfie their Hunger, and take their Rests. Thus in this helpless manner spent they away the next day, till the closing of the Evening-light, by which time then grew so faint, that they fell to the ground with seebleness: Oh what a sorrow it was to St. George, not only for himself to see the rest of the Champions in such a miserable case, being not able to help themselves? and so parting a little from them, be la∣mented in this manner following:

Thou that hast given me many Victories; thou that hast made me Conquerour of Kings and Kingdoms; and thou by whose invincible Power I have tamed the black fac'd Furies of dark Coritus, that mask abroad the World in Humane shapes; look down sweet Queen of Chance, I say, from thy Imperial Seat; shew me some favour, and do not consent that I and my Company perish for Hunger and want of Victuals; make no delay to remedy our great Necessity; let us not be meat for Birds hovering in the Air, nor our Bodies cast as a Prey for the ravenous Beasts ranging in these Woods; but rather, if we must needs perish, let us die by the hands of the strongest Warriors in the universal World, and not basely lose our Lives with cowardly Hunger.

These and such like Lamentations uttered this valiant Cham∣pion of England, till such time as the day appeared, and the sa∣ble curtains of coal black night were with drawn. Then turned be to the rest of his Company, where he found them very weak

and feeble; but he encouraged them in the best manner he could devise, to take their Horses and try the Chance of their ut••a••t unkind Fortune. Altho St. George as they travelled was ready to Die by the way, and in great trouble of Mind for want of Food, yet rode he first to one, then to another, comforting them and making them ride a-pare; which they might very well do, for that their Horses were not so unprovided as their Masters, by reason of the goodly Grass that grew in these Woods, where∣with at pleasure they filled them every night. By this time the golden Sun had almost mounted to the top of Heaven, and the glorious prime of the Day began to approach, when they came into a Field very plain, where in the midst of it was a little Mountain, out of the which there appeared a great smoak, which gave them to understand that there should be some Habitation in that place. Then the princely minded St. George said to the other Champions: Take comfort with yourselves, and by lit∣tle and little, come forward with an calle pace, for I will ride before to see who shall be out Host this ensuing night; and of this, brave Knights and Champions, be all assur••••, whether he be pleased or no, be shall give us Lodging and Entertain∣ment like travelling Knights; and therewithal he set spurs to his Horse, and swiftly scoured away, like to a Ship with swell∣ing Sa••is upon the marble coloured Ocean; his Beast was so speedy that in a short time he approached the Mountain where at the noise and rushing of his Horse in running, there arose from the ground a mighty and terrible Giant, of so great height, that he seemed to be a big grown Tree, and for hugeness like to a Rock of Stone; but when he cast his staring Eyes upon the English Knight, which seemed to him like two brazen Plates, or two Torches ever flaming, he laid his hand upon a mighty Club of Iron which lay by him, and came with great lightness to meet St. George; out when he approached his presence, he thinking him to be a Knight of but small Ualour and Fortitude, he threw away his Iron Bat, and came towards the Champion, intending with his fists to buffet and beat out his Brains, but the courage of the English Champion so exceeded, that he forgot the extremity of Hunger, and like a couragious Knight raised himself in his stirrops, otherwise he could not reach his Head, and gave him such a blow upon the Fore-head with his keen edg∣ed Fauchion, that he cut his Head half in sunder, and his Brains in great abundance rai••down his deformed Body, so that ama∣zed he fell to the ground and presently died: his fall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to

make the ground to shake, as though a stony Tower had been o∣verturned, for as he lay upon the Earth he séemed to be a great Oak blown up by the Roots with a tempestuo••s Whirle-wind.

At that instant the rest of the Champions came to that place with as much joy at that present, as before they were sad and sorrowful.

And so when St. Dennis with the other Knights did sée the greatness of the Giant, and the deformity of his Body, they ad∣vanced his Ualour beyond imagination, and déemed St. George the fortunatest Champion that ever Nature framed, holding that Adventure in as high Honour, as the Grecians held Jason's Prize, when he turned from Colchos with Medea's Golden Fleece, and with as great danger accomplished as the twelve fearful Labours of Hercules; but after some few Speeches passed, St. George desired the rest of the Champions to go and see what store of Ui∣auals the Giant had prepared for him.

Whereupon they concluded, and so generally entered the Giant's House, which was in the same manner of a great Barn cut out of hard Stone, and wrought out of a Rock: therein they found a very large Copper Cauldron standing upon a Trevet of Steel, the feet and supporters thereof were as big as great Iron Pillers, under the same burned such a huge flaming Fire, that it spark∣led like the fiery Furnace in burning Acheron.

Within the Cauldron were boiling the flesh of two fat Bul∣locks, prepared only for the Giant's dinner; the sight of this ensu∣ing Banquet, gave them such comfort, that every one fell to work, hoping for their Travel to eat part of the Meat; one turned the Béef in the Cauldron, another encreased the Fire, and others pulled out the Coals, so that there was not any idle in the hope of the benefit to come.

The Hunger they had, and their desire to eat, caused them to fall to their Meat before it was half rea••y, as though that it had béen over sodden; the two Knights of Wales and Ireland not intending to dine without Bread and Drink, searched in a se∣cret hollow Cave, wherein they found two great L••aves of Bread, as big in compass as the circle of a Well, and two great Flagons full of as good Wine as ever they tasted, the which with great joy and pleasure they brought from the Cave, to the great and exceeding contentment of the other Champions.

Instead of Knives to cut their Uictuals, St. George used his Curtle-axe which had lately been stained with the hateful Gi∣ant's detested Blood, and imbrewed with his loathsome Br••ins.

Thus, and after this manner qualified they the pinching pains and torments of Hunger, whereof they took as joyful a repast as if they had vanqueted in the richest King's Palace in the World.

So being joyful for their good and happy Fortunes, St. George requested the Champions to take Horse, ••nd mounted himself up∣on his Palfrey, and so they travelled from thence thorow a nar∣row Path, which séemed to be used by the Giant, and so with great delight they travelled all the rest of that Day, till Night closed in the beauty of the Heavens; at which time they had got, to the top of a high Mountain, from whence a little before Night they did discover marvelous and great Plains, the which were inhabited with fair Cities and Towns, at which sight these Christian Champions received great contentment and joy, and so without any staying, they made haste onward on their Iourney till such time as they came to a low Ualley lying be∣twixt 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 b•• 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 wr••ng with cords, and about the neck, as though she had been forcibly strangled with a Napkin or Tow∣el. 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 Sheep∣heards, 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-grown•• dangling down as it were frozen Isikles upon a Hawthorn tree; his Face wrink∣led and over worn with Age, and his Eyes almost blind, bewail∣ing the griefs and sorrows of his Heart.

Which strange and woful spectacle, when the Christian Cham∣pions earnestly beheld, they could not by any manner of means refrain from the shedding some few so••rowful Tents in seeing before them the Picture of a Woman, of such excellent Beauty, which had been oppressed with Cruelty; but the pi••iful English Knight had the greatest Compassion, when he beheld the coun∣terfeit

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 seem∣ed 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 remember∣ing 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 Moun∣tain-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 per∣fect 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 open∣ed 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 in∣tended 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 Beau∣ty,

in whom I took such exceeding Ioy and Delight, that I at∣counted 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 won∣derful 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 M••••ry with my Daughters, but above them all, there was one named Leoger, a Knight of a black Castle, (wherein he now re∣maineth) being in distance from this place two hundred Lea∣gues, 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 Mar∣riage; 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 in∣creased 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 Daugh∣ter 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 re∣quested 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 pre∣vailed, 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 pre∣sently departed, 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 Ag••) that the foun∣tains of my Eyes rained down a showre of sa•••• Tears upon my aged Breast, so dear is the Love of a Father unto his Child; but to be short, when this lustful minded C••••tiffe with his pom∣pious 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 sta••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 ••ittle Grove, which was hard at hand, close by a River's side, where without any more carrying he car∣ried her into the thickest part thereof, where he thought it most conve••ent to perform so wicked a Deed.

When ••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 m••ntles of Night, he alight∣ed 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 si••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 res••ain, but with a Countenance like the lustful King of Thrace, when he in∣tended the Ravishment of Progne, or like Tarquinus of Rome, when he defloured Lucretia, he let her understand by some out∣ward Shews, and dark Sentences the kind••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 Ho∣nour 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 Si∣ster, 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 wrath∣ful Countenance he delivered these Words: Do not think stub∣born 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 un∣relenting 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 dri••••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 Gri••ss turned to a Purple colour, with the Blood that issued from her Body: by which true••ty he thought to enforce her to his pleasure, but she

respected not his wicked Cruelty, and she more he proceeded to ••orment her, the more earnestly the defended her Honour.

When this cruel and inhumane Monster saw that neither sla••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 Wo∣men-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, i••e cruelly whipped and scou••ged her white and tender Back, that it was full of blew Spots, and horrible circles of black and setled Blood, with such extream cru∣elty 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 ••ramed in the World, wherein dost thou contemplate thus thyself? thou fleshly Butch∣er, thou unmerciful Tyger, thou le••herous Hogg, and dishon∣ourer of thy Progeny; make an end (I say) of these my Tor∣ments, for now it is too late to repent thee, gore my unspotted Breast with thy bloody Weapon, and send my Soul into the bosom of Diana whom I behold sitting in her celestial Palace, accompanied with numberless Troops of vestal Uirgins, ready to entertain my bleeding Ghost into her pleasant Mansion.

This merciless Knight seeing the steadfastness that she had in the defence of her Honour, with a cruel and infernal Heart took a silken Scarf which the Damsel had girded at her Waste, and

with a brutal anger doubled it about her neck and pinched it so s••r••it that her Soul departed from her teriestial Body. O you valiant Knights that by your Prowess come to the reading of this dis∣mal Tragedy, and come to the hearing these bloody ••ine•• contained in this Golden Book, consider the great Constan••y and Chastity of this unfortunate Malden, and let the Grief thereof move you to take Ven∣geance of this Cruelty shewed without any Desert.

So when 〈…〉〈…〉 that the was Dead, he took 〈…〉〈…〉 and in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he over∣took them, and looked with 〈…〉〈…〉 a Countenance, that there was 〈…〉〈…〉 to ask him where my Daugh∣ter was, 〈…〉〈…〉 that bore me great affecti∣on for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and co••••••elie I offered to him at his Lady's & my Daughter's Nuptials, whō ••aving a suspition by the great alteration that appeared in his Master, and being very desirous to know what was bec••me of the Damsel, for that he came a∣lone without bringing the Damsel with him, neither could he have any sight of her, he then presently withdrew himself back, and followed the footings of the Horse, and ceased not until he came to the place where this cruelty was wroth; whereas he found the Maiden Dead, at the view whereof he remained al∣most beside himself, in such sort that he had well n••ar fallen to the Ground: the sorrowful Squire remained thus a good while before he could speak; but at last when he came again to himself, he began with a dolorous Complaint to cry out against Fortune, because she had suffered so great Cruelty to be committed upon this Damsel. And making this sorrowful Lamentation, he un∣loosed her f••om the Tree, and laid her naked Body upon part of her Apparel, the which he found lying by, all be••••eared in Blood, and afterwards complained in this pitiful so••t:

O cruel Knight! (quoth he) what infernal Heart remained in thy Breasts, or what hellish Fury did bear thee Company, that thy Hands have committed this inhumain Sacrifice! was it not possible that this her surmounting Beauty might have moved thee to pity, when it is of pow∣er to move the bloody Canibal to remorse, and constrain even savage Monsters to relent? So with these, and other like sorrowful Words the woful Squire spake unto the dead Corpse, he cut down Bran∣ches from the Trees, and gathered Grass from the Ground for to cover the Body, and left it laying so, that it seemed to be a Mountain of green Grass, or a Thicket of springing Trees, and then determined with himself in the best manner that he could, to dissemble the Knowledge of the bloody Fat: so he ••ook his

Horse and rode the next way towards the Castle, in which he rode so fast, that he overtook the Knight and his Company at the entring of the Gates, whereas the lustful Tyrant alight∣ed, and without speaking to any Person, entred into his Closet, by reason whereof this kind and courteous Squire had time to declare all things he had seen to the new married Lady, and the dolorous End of the constant Damsel her Sister. This sudden and unlooked for Sorrow mixed with Anger and Wrath, was such in the Lady, that she caused the Squire not to depart from the Castle, until such time as mo••e occasion served, and to keep all things in secret that he had seen, she herself remain∣ed very sorrowful, making mavellous and great Lamentation to herself all in secret, as if she would not be perceived, yet with a soft Uoice she said:

Oh unfortunate Lady? Born in a sorrowful Hour, when some blaz∣ing and unlucky Comet raigned: oh! unhappy Destinies that made me Wife unto so cruel a Knight, whose foul Misdeeds have made the very Elements to blush; but yet I know that Fortune will not be so far un∣kind, but that he will procure a strange Revenge upon his purple stained Soul: Oh you immortal Powers! Revenge me on this wicked Homi∣cide, if not, I swear that I will with mine own Hands put in practice such an Enterprize, and so stain my unspotted Heart with Willful mur∣ther, that all the Fates above, and all the bright celestial Planets shall sit and look from their immortal Palaces, and tremble at the Terrour of my Hate. This being said, she took in her hand a Dagger of the Knights, and in her Arms her young Son, being but of the Age of forty Days, saying, Now do I wish so much Evil unto the World, that I will not leave a Son of so wicked a Father alive; for I will wash my hands in their accursed Bloods, were they in number as many as King Prsam's Children: And so in this ireful order en∣tred she the Chamber, where the Knight her Husband was, and finding him tumbling upon his Bed from one side to the other, without taking any rest, but in his fury rending and tearing the silken Ornaments, where with a sorrowful Weeping, and ter∣rible Uoice she called him Traytor, and like a ste••ce Tygress, with the Dagger that she brought in her hand, before his face s••e cut the Throat of the innocent Babe, and threw it to him on the Bed, and therewithal said, Take there (thou Traytor) the Fruit that thy wieked Seed created in my Body, and then she threw the Dagger at him also, in hope to have killed him, but Fortune would not that it should take effect, for it struck against the T••stern of the Bed, and rebounded back unto her hands, which

when the Lady saw that it nothing prevailed, she returned upon her self her out ragious fury; so taking the bloody Dagger, she thrust it into her Heart in such sort, that it parted in two pieces, and so she ••ell down dead betwixt his Arms that was occasion of all this bloody Cruelty. The great Sorrow hereat that this false and unhappy Knight received, was so strange, that he knew not what Counsel to take; but thinking upon a severe Uengeance that might succeed these cruel Acts, he straight-ways devised that the Body of the Lady should be secretly Buried; which being done by himself, in the saddest time of the Night, in a soilta•••• Garden under his Castle Wall, he heard a hollow Uoice breath from the deep Uaults of the Earth, this manner o•• sp••ech ••••••∣lo••••ing: For the bloody Fact which thou so lately hast committed, thy Life draws near to a shameful End; and thy Castle, with all thy Treasure therein shall be destroyed, or fall into the hands of him whose Daughters thou hast so cruelly Murthered. Upon this he determined to use a secret Policy, which was to set watch and w••rd in euery passage near unto his Castle, and to arrest all such Travellers as by Adventure landed upon that Island, not suffering them to pass untill such time as they had promised by Dath to ai•• and assist him, even unto Death, against all his Enemies. In the mean time, the aforenamed Squite which had seen and heard all the tragical Dealings that have been here declared, in the best wise he could, returned again unto my Cottage, and told me all that you have heard, which was unto me very sorrowful and hea∣vy News: iudge here then gentle Knights and ye beholders of this woful Tragedy, what Sorrow I unfortunate Wretch sustained, and what Anguish I received; for at the hearing thereof, I fell into a senseless Swound, and being come again to my self, I all to besmeared my milk white Hairs in Dust, that before were as Clean as tryed Silver, and with my Tears, be∣ing the true signs of sorrow, I bathed the bosome of my Mother∣earth, and my sighs passed with such abundance from my tor∣mented Heart, that they stayed the passage of my Speech, and my Tongue could not reveal the Grief that my woful Thoughts conceived. In this dumb silence and sorrow of Mind I remained three Days, and three Nights, numbring my silent Passions with the Minutes of the Day, and my nightly Griefs with the Stars when frostly bearded Winter had clad the Elements with sparkling Diamonds; but at last, when my amazed Griefs were something abated, my Eyes (almost blind with weeping) re∣quiring some sleep, thereby to mitigate the sorrows of my Heart.

I made my repair into a certain Meadow adioyning near unto my Cottage, where amongst the green springing Downs, I purposed to take some Rest, and to look up the Closets of of my fearful Eyes, with g••lden Slumbers, thinking it to be the great∣est content my sobbing Heart required; but before I could set∣tle my Senses to a quiet Sleep, I was constrained to breath this woful Lamentation from my oppressed Soul:

Oh unhappy Chance! (quoth I) oh cruel and most spightful For∣tune! why diddest thou not make me lose this bitter and sorrowful Life in my Child-hood? or why didst thou not permit and suffer me to be strangled in my Mother's Womb, or to have perished in my Cradle; or at my Nurse's Pap? then had my Heart never felt this Sorrow, my Ears heard the Murther of my Children, nor mine Eyes had never wept so many helpless Tears.

Oh you Mountains, you untamed Beasts! oh you deep Seas, and you infernal powers of revengful Hell! come, I say, and willingly assist me in this mortal Tragedy, that these my aged Hands, which never yet practised any hamous Crime, may now be stained in his accursed blood that hath bereaved me of the prop and stay of declined Age, my Daugh∣ters (I mean) whose bleeding Ghosts will never be appeased, nor never sleep in quiet upon the joyful Banks of the El••zian Fields, but wander up and down in the World, filling each corner of the Earth with fear∣ful and doleful clamou•• of Murther and Revenge, nor ever shall the furies of angry Souls be pacified, until mine Eyes behold a stream of pur∣ple gore run trickling from the detestable Breast of that accursed Ravish∣er, and that the Blood may issue from his guilty Heart like a Fountain with a number of Springs, where the Pavements of this Castle may be sprinkled with the same, and the Walls of his T••rrets coloured with a crimson hue, like to the Streets of Troy, when as her Channels ran with Blood: at the end of this sorrowful Lamentation, what for Grief, and what for want of natural Rest, my Eyes closed together, and my Senses fell into a heavy Sleep.

But as I lay slumbring in the green Meadows, I dreamed that there ••s a great and fierce Wild-man, which stood before me with a sharp Fauchion in his hand, making as though he would kill me, whereat me thought I was so frighted, that I gave (in my troublesome Dream) many terrible shrieks, calling for succour to the empty Air. Then me thoughts there appeared before my Face a company of courteous Knights which said unto me: Fear not, old Man, for we be come from thy Daughter to aid and succour thee, but yet for all this the Wild-man vanished not away, but struck with his Fauchion upon my Breast, where∣as it seemed to open, and then the wild Centaure put his hand into the

gaping Wound, and pulled out my bleeding Heart: where at the same instant, methought that one of the Knights likewise laid hold upon my Heart, and they strove together with much Contention, who should pull it from the others hands; but in the end, each of them remained with a piece in his Hand, and my Heart parted in two.

Then the piece which remained in the Wild-man's keeping, turned into a hard Stone, and the piece which remained in the power of the Knight, converted into red Blood, and so they vanished away. Then straight after this, there appeared before mine eyes the Image of my murthered Daughter, in the self same manner and form as you behold her portrayed, who with a naked Body all besmared in Blood, report∣ed unto me the true Discourse of her unhappy Fortunes, and told me what place, and where her Body lay in the Woods, dishonoured for want of Burial: also desiring me not of myself to Attempt the Revenge∣ment, for it was unpossible, but to intomb her Corpse by her Mother, and cause the picture of her Body to be most lively portrayed and wrought of fine Crystal, in the same manner that I found it in the Woods, and after erect it near unto a common Passage, where Adventurous Knights do usually Travel. And assuring me that thither would come some certain Christian Champions that should revenge this Injury and inhumain Murther. Which words being finished, me thought she va∣nished away with a grievous and heavy Groan, leaving behind her cer∣tain drops of Blood sprinkled upon the Grass: Whereat with great perplexity and Sorrow, I awaked out of my Dream, bearing it in my grieved Mind, not telling it to one, not so much as to the vast Air, but with all expedition performed her bleeding Souls request. Where ever since, most courteous and noble Knights, I have here lamented her un∣timely Death, and my unhappy Fortune, spending the time in writing her doleful Tragedy in Blood-red Lines, the which I see with great grief you have read in this Book of Gold. Therefore most curious Knights, if ever Honour encouraged you to fight in noble Adventures, I now most earnestly intreat you with your Magnanimous Fortitudes to assist me to take Revengement, for that great cruelty that hath been used against my unfortunate Daughter.

At the ••rading of this sorrowful History St. George with the other Champions, shed many Tears, wherewith there did en∣crease in them a further desire of Revengment, and being moved with great Compassion, the•• protested on their Promises made to the honour of Knight-hood, to persevere speedily on their vowed Revenge and determined Purpose; so sealing up a Pro∣mise to their p••igh••ed Oaths, protesting that sooner should the Lives of all the famous Romans be raised from Death, from the

time of Romulus to Caesar,, and all the rest unto this time, than to be perswaded to return from their Promises, and never to tra∣vel back into Christendom till they had Performed their Uows; and thus burning with Desire to see thee end of this sorrowful Adventure, St. George clasped up the bloody written Book, and gave it again to the Shepherd, and so they proceeded forwards towards the Island where the Knight of the Black Castle had his Residence, guided only by the direction of the old Man, whose aged Limbs séemed so lusty in Travelling, that it prognostica∣ted a lucky Event; in which Iourney we will leave the Cham∣pions for a time, with the wonderful provision that the Knight of the Black Castle made in his Defence, the Success whereof will be the strangest that ever was reported, and return and speak of St. George's three Sons in the pursuit of their Fa∣ther; where we left them (as you heard before) travelling from the constnes of Barbary, where they redeemed the Norman Lady from the Tawny-moors.

CHAP. VI.

A wonderful and strange Adventure that happ'ned to St. George his Sons, in the persuit of their Father, by finding certain drops of Blood, with Virgin's Hair scattered in the Field, and how they were certi∣fied of the injurous dealing of the Knight of the Black Castle against the Queen of Armenia.

MAny and dangerous were the Adventures of the three young Princes in the pursuit of their Father St. George, and ma∣ny were the Countries, Islands, and Princes Courts, that they searched to obtain a wished sight of his Martial Countenance, but all to small purpose, for Fortune neither cast them happily upon that Coast where he with his Famous Champions had their Residence, nor luckily sounded in their Ears the places of their Arrival. In which pursuit I omit and pass over many Noble Adventures that these three Princes atchieved, as well upon the raging Ocean, as upon the firm Land, and only dis∣course upon an Accident that hapned to them in an Island border∣ed upon the Confines of Armenia, near unto the Island where the Knight of the Black Castle remained, as you heard in the last Chapter; upon which Coast after they were arrived, they tra∣velled in a broad and straigh Path, until such time as they came to a very fair and delectable Forrest, whereas sundry creep∣ing Birds had gathered themselves together, to refresh and

shroud themselves from the parching Heat of the golden Sun, filling the Air with the pleasures of their sh••ill-tuned Notes. In this Forrest they travelled almost two hours, and then they w••nt up to the top of a small Mountain which was at hand, from the which they discovered very fair and well-tow••ed Towns, Prince∣ly Palaces, very sumptuous to behold; likewise they discovered from the Hill a fair Fountain wrought all of Marble like unto a Pillar, out of which did proceed tour Spouts running with Water, which fell into a great Cistern, and coming to it, they washed their Hands, refreshed their Faces, and so departed.

After they had looked round about them on every-side, and to∣ward their right hand they espied amongst a company of green Trees, a small Tent of black Cloath, towards which these young Princes directed their Courses, with an easie Pace, but when they had entred the Tent, and saw no body therein, they remained silent a while, hearkning if they could hear any stir∣ring, but they could neither see nor hear any thing, but only they found the print of certain little Feet upon the Sand, which caused them more earnestly to desire to know whose Foot-steps they were, for that they seemed to be some Ladies or Damsels: so finding the Trace they followed them, and the more the Knights followed, the more the Ladies seem∣ed to hast, so long they pursued after the Trace, that at the end they approached a little Mountain, whereas they sound scat∣tered about certain locks of yellow Hair, which seemed like threads of Gold, and stooping to gather them up, they percei∣ved that some of them were wet with drops of Blood, where∣by they well understood, that in great anger they were pul∣led from some Lady's Head: likewise they saw in divers places how the Earth was spotted with spots of crimson Blood: then with a more Desire than they had before, they went up to the top of that little Mountain, and having lost the Foot-steps, they recovered it again by gathering up the Hair, whe••e they had not travelled far upon the Mountain, but towards the Waters-side they ••eard a grievous Complaint, which seemed to be the Uoice of a Woman in great Distress, and the words which the Knights did understand, were these:

O Love! now shalt thou no more rejoyce, nor have any longer do∣minion over me, for Death I see is ready to cut my thred of Life, and finish these my sorrowful Lamentations: how often have I ask'd Re∣vengement at the Hands of Fortune against that wicked Wretch that hath been the causer of my Banishment, but yet she will not 〈◊〉〈◊〉

my Request: how oft have I made my sad Complaints to Hell, ye•• have the fatal Furies stopt their Ears against my mournful Cries. And with this she held her peace, giving a sorrowful Sigh, which being done, the three Christian Knig••ts turned their Eyes to the place from whence they heard this Complaint, and discovered among certain green Trees, a Lady who was endued with sin∣gular Beauty, being so excellent, that i•• almost dep••ived them of their Hearts, and captived their Senses in the snares of Love, which liberty as yet they never lost: she had her Hair aboue her Ears, which hung defusedly down her comely Shoul∣ders through the Uiolence she used against herself, and lean∣ing her Cheek upon her delicate white Hand that was all to be∣spotted with Blood, which was constrained by the scratching of her Nails upon her rosie coloured Face: by her stood another Damsel which they conjectured to be her Daughter, for she was clad in Uirgin-coloured Silk as white as the Lillies of the Fields, and as pleasant to behold, as the glistering Moon in a clear Winter fréezing Night; notwithstanding all this delect∣able sight the three princely Knights would not discover them∣selves, but stood closely behind three Pine trees which grew near unto the Mountain, to hear the event of this sad Accident; whereas they stood cloked in silence, they heard her thus to con∣fer with her beautiful Daughter:

Oh my Rosana (quoth she) the unhappy figure of him, that with∣out pity hath wounded my Heart, and left me comfortless with the greatest cruelty that ever Knight or Gentleman left Lady: How hath it been possible that I have had the force to bring up thee, the Child of such a Father which hath bereaved me of my Liberty! O you Sove∣raign Powers, grant that I may establish in my mind the remembrance of the Love of thy adulterous Father? O Girl, born to a further Grief, here do I desire the guiders of thy Fortunes, 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 indual∣on of some strange Accident: Thus as they stood obscurely be∣hind 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 B••som, with which the grieved Queen sub∣scribed certain sorrowful Lines unto him that w•••• the causer of her Bam••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 Cruel∣ty: 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 Tor∣ment 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 Tru∣la'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 Forgetfulnes•• be an occasion to with∣draw my Mind from performing your dying Requests: Then this weak Queen, whose Power and Strength was wholly decayed, and her hour of Dea••h grew near a•• hand, with a feeble Uoice she said. O you sacred and immortal Gods, and all you bright celesti∣al 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 l••ke me for want of Love.

After this the d••ing Queen n••v••r spake word more, for at that instant the cruel ••estin••es gave an end unto her Life; but when Rosana pe••ceived her to be Dead, and she left to the World devoid of Comfort, sh•• began to tear the golden Trammels from her Head, and most ••u••iou••ly to beat her where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Breast, filling the empty Air with ••lamours of her M••a••s, making t••e Sk••e•• like an Eccho to resound her Lamentations, and at last taking her M••ther's Letter into her hands, washing it with floods of Tears, and pu••t••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 un∣kind Father; and speaking this she kissed it a t••ousand times, breat••ing forth millions of Sighs, and so with a blu••••ing Coun∣tenance, as red as Aurora's glistering Beams, she ••ose, and said to hersel••, What is this Rosana, dost thou think to recal thy Mo∣ther'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.

The••e words were no sooner finished, but St. George's Sons like Men whose Hearts were almost overcome with G••ief, came f••o•• the Pine-trées, and discovered themselves to the Damsel, and courteously requested her to discourse the Story of all her p••s∣sed M••series, and as they were true Christian K••ights they pro∣mised her (if it lay in their Power) to relea••e her Sorrows, and to give end unto her Miseries. Rosana when she beheld these courteous an•• well d••meano••'d Kn••ghts, which in her conceit carried relenting Minds, and considering how kind••y they d••si∣red to be pa••tners in her Greifs she stood not ••••en curious Terms, nor upon Exceptions, but most wi••••ingly condescend∣ed

to their Requests; so when they had prepared their Ears to entertain her sad and sorrowful Discourse, with a sober Counte∣nance, 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 C••pid, and ••o in∣tangled with the Love of a disloyal Knight, called the Knight of the Black Castle who after he had flourisht in the 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 Coun∣trey, and a Stain unto her Kindred, and after gave himself to such Lust∣ful and Lascivious manner of Life, that he unlawfully Married a Shep∣herd's Daughter in a Forreign Land, and likewise ravished her own Si∣ster, 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, where∣in I wish I had been strangled; she heard news of her Knight's ill de∣meanour, 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 Com∣mandment 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, re∣viling 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 smal∣l•• 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 see∣ing 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 lit∣tle 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 con∣strained 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 Pu∣nishment. 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 ac∣cursed 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 con∣verted 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 un∣to them, like Men greatly amazed, they changed their colours from red to white, and from white to red, in sign of Anger look∣ing one upon another, without speaking any Words, but print∣ing in their Hearts the Fault doue by their Queen, to the great disgrace of their Country, they without any further considera∣tion, 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 gra••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 d••void of Succour and relief, where inflead of her princely Bed covered with Eanopies of Silk, the took her night∣ly Reposes upon the green Grass, shadowed with the fable Eur∣tains of the Skies, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that were provided against her Delivery were Nymphs and Fayries dancing in the night by Proserpine's Commandment. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in great Gr••ei continued s••e many days, contenting her self with her appointed Banishment, making her Lamentations to wispering Winds, which seemed

in her conceit to re-answer her Complaints: at length the glist∣ering Moon had ten times borrowed light of golden Phoebus and the nights that Candle was now almost ex••inguished, by which time approached the hour of her laboursome Travel, where without hel•• of a Woman, she was delivered of me her unhap∣py Daughter, where ever since I have been nourished in these unfrequented Woods, and many times when I came to years of Discretion, my woful Mother would discourse unto me this Ia∣mentable Story of both our Miseries, the which I have most tru∣ly declared unto you.

Likewise she told me, that many times in my Infancy, when she wanted Milk in her Breasts to nourish me, there would come a Lyoness, and sometimes a she-Beat, and gently give me suck, and contrary to the Nature of wild Beasts, they would many times sport with me, whereby she conjectured that the immortal Powers had preserved me for some strange For∣tune: Likewise at my Birth Nature had pictured upon my Breast directly betwixt my two Paps the lively form of a pur∣ple Rose, which as yet doth beautifie my Bosom with a Uermi∣lion colour, and this was the cause that my Mother named me Rosana, answerable to my Natures Mark. After this we lived many a year in great Distress, Penury and Want, intreating Time to redress our Woes, more often then we had lived Hours; the abundance of our Tears might suffice to make warry Seas, and our Sighs counterhall the Stars. But at last, the fatal Sisters listning to my Mother's Moans, and to my great Sor∣rows deprived her of Life, where now I am left a comfortless Orphan to the World, attending the time until I find some courteous Knight that may conduct me to the Black Castle, where my disloyal Father hath his Residence, that I may there perform my Mother's dying Will.

These words being finished, Rosana stood silent, for that her extream Brief hindred the passage of her Tongue, and her Eyes rained such a shower of pearled Tears upon the liveless Body of her Mother, that it constrained St. George's Sons to express the like Sorrow: where after they had le•• fall a few salt Tears down from their sad Eyes and had taken te••ce for a time with Brief, they took Rosana by the hand (which before that time never touched the hand of any Man) and protested never to de∣part from her cont••any till they had safely conducted her to the Black Castle. Thus after this when the Christian Knights had pitifully bewailed the Misery and untimely Death or her

Mother, they took their Daggers and digged a Grave under a Bay-tree, and buried her Body therein, that hungry Ravens might not seize upon it, nor furious Bears tear it in pieces, nor ravenous Harpies devour it, and after with the point of their Daggers, they engraved this Epitaph in the rinde of the Bay∣tree; which words were these that follow:

The Epitaph over the Grave of the unfortunate Queen of Armenia.

Here lies the Body of a helpless Queen, Whose great Good-will to her small Joy did Bring; Her willing Mind requited was with Teen, Though she deserv'd, for love, a Regal King: And as her Corpse inclosed here doth lie, Her luckless Fate, and Fame should never die.

So when they had made this Epitaph and covered her Grave with green Turfs, they departed forward on their Iourney, towards thee Black Castle, where we will leave them in their Travels, and return to the disloyal Leoger, and how he fortified his Castle by Magick Art, according to the learned skill of a ••unning Necromancer, and of the Adventure that hapned to St. George with the other three Christian Champions in the same Castle; therefore grant you immortal Powers of invention, that my Pen may be dipt in the Water of that learned Foun∣tain, where the nine Sisters do inhabit, that by the help of that sweet Liquor my Muse may have a delightful Uein, so that mixing the speech of Mercury, with the prowess of Mars, I may discourse the strangest Accident that ever hapned to wandring Knights.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the preparation that the Knight of the Black Castle made by Magick Art, to withstand his Enemies, and how the Seven Champions en∣tred the same Castle, where they were Enchanted into a deep Sleep so long as seven Lamps burned, which could not be quenched but by the Water of an Enchanted Fountain.

THe wicked Leoger, as you have read of before, being the Knight of the Black Castle, and one that for Wealth and Treasure; surpassed mo•••• of the Potentates, when he grew de∣tested and abhorted in every Company, as well by Noble Knights

as Gallant Ladies, for ••ne spoil and murther of those three Uirgin Iames, whose pitiful Stories you heard in the two former Chapters, and fearing sudden Uengeance to fall upon his Head, he fortified himself strongly in his Castle, and with his Treasure hired many fu••••o••e Giants to defend it? wherein if they failed, and should chance to be overcome, he consorted with a wicked Necromancer, that he with Charms and Spels should work wonders in his Castle, which Magical accomplish∣ments we will pass over till a more convenient time, because I purpose to explain the History in good order to the Reader.

First, speak we of St. George with the other Christian Knights that came in revenge of the Shepherd and his unfortunate Daughter, who with good Success arrived upon the shore of the Island, where this wicked Leoger and the M••g••can had fortified their Black Castle in which Country the Champions like the invincible Followers of Mars, fearing no danger, nor the ••rowns of unconstant Fortune, betook themselves to the readiest way towards the Castle; in which Iourney they were almost ra∣vished with the pleasure of the Island, for entring into a narrow and straight Lane, g••rnishe•• on both sides with Trees of divers sorts, they heard how the Summer Birds recorded their plea∣sant Melodies, and made their sweet and accustomed Songs without fear of any Man to molest them. In which row of plea∣sant Trees that delighted them on both sides, there wanted not the green Lawrel, so much esteemed of learned Scholars, nor the sweet Myrtle tree, loved by Ladies, nor the high Cypress, so much regarded of Lo••ers, nor the stacely Pine, which for his flourishing height is called the Prince of Trees: whereby they judged it to be rather an habitation for Gods, and Goddesses, than a terrestial Country, for that the Golden Sun with his glister∣ing Beams did pass through those green and pleasant Trees without any hindrance of black Clouds, for Skies were clear as tryed silver: likewise the Western Wind did softly shake the shivering Leaves, whereby it made as sweet a Harmony as if they had been Ce••e••tial Cherubins: A thousand little stream∣ed Brooks ran upon the enameled Ground, making sundry fine Works by their ••rooked Tu••nings, and joyning one Water with another, with a very gentle meeting, making such silver Musick, that the Champ ons with the pleasure thereof were al∣most ravished, and smally regard••d whether their Horses went right or no, and travelling in this sort, they rode forward till they came into a marvelous great and wide Meadow, being

of such exceeding fairness, that I am not able with a Pen to paint out the exceliency thereof; whereas were feeding both wild and tame Harts, adorned with great and cragged Horns: like wise the furious wild Bore, the fierce Lyon, and the sim∣ple Lambs, were altogether feeding with so great Friendship, as on the contrary, by Nature they were Enemies.

Whereat the noble Champions were almost overcome in their own Conceits, and amazed in their Imaginations, to see so strange Love, clean contrary unto Nature, and that there was no difference betwixt the love of wild Beasts and tame, in this manner they travelled along, till upon a sudden they arrived be∣fore the Buildings of the Black Castle; and casting their Eyes towards the same, they beheld near unto the principal Gate, right over the Castle, twelve marble Pinacles, of such an ex∣ceeding height, that the Pyramids of Aegypt were very low in comparison of them; in such sort that whosoever would look upon them, was scant able with his sight to comprehend the height thereof, and they were all painted most gorgerously with several Colours. Down below under the Castle there was an Arch with a Gate, which seemed to be of Diamonds, and all was compassed about with a great Moat or Ditch, being of so great a depth, that they thought it to reach to the midst of the Earth, and it was almost two hundred Paces broad, and eve∣ry Gate had his Draw-bridge, all made of red Boards, which seemed as though they had been bathed all in Blood. Af∣ter this the Champions rode to the other side of this goodly Castle, wondring at the curious and sumptuous workmanship, where they espyed a Pillar of beautiful Iasper-stone, all wrought full of precious Stones of strange Works, the which Pillar was of great value, and was garnished with chains of Gold, that were made fast unto it by Magick Art, at which Pillar like∣wise hung a very costly silver Trumpet, with certain Letters carved about the same, the which contained these Words following:

If any dare attempt this place to see, By sounding this, the Gate shall opened be; A Trumpet here enchin'd by Magick Art, To daunt with fear the proudest Champion's Heart; Look thou for blows that enterest in this Gate, Return in time, Repentance comes too late.

The which when St. George beheld, and had understood the meaning of those mystical Letters, without any more tarrying, he set the Silver Trumpet to his Mouth, and sounded such a

vehemen•• bl••st, that it seemed to Eccho in the foundation of the Castle; whereas the principal Gate presently opened, and the D••aw bringe was let down, without the help of any visible hand, which made the Champions to wonder, and to stand amazed at the strange Accident; but yet intending not to return, like Co∣wards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with a past of Wind, they alighted from their warlike 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and delivered them into the old Shepherd's han••s, to be fed upon the fragrant and green Grass, till they had performed the adventure of the Castle, the which they vow∣ed either to accomplish, or never to return: so lacking down their Beavers, and drawing forth their Keen edged Fauchions, they entred the Gates, and being safe within, the Champions looked round about them to see if they could espy any body, but they said nothing but a pair of winding Stairs, whereat they descended, then had not gone many steps, out therein was so great a darkness, that scarce they could see any light, so that it rather seemed the similitude of Hell, than any other worldly place, yet groping by the Walls, they kept their going down those nar∣row and turning Stairs, which were very dark, and at such length, that they thought they descended in the middle of y^e Earth.

They spent a great time in descending those Stairs, but in the end they came into a very fair and large Court all compassed with Iron Gates like unto a Prison, or a Pallace provided to keep untamed Lyons, wherein casting their Eyes up to the top of the Castle, they beheld the wicked Knight walking with the Ne∣cromancer upon a large Gallery, supported with huge Pillars of Brass; likewise there were attending upon them seven Giants cloathed in mighty Iron Coats, holding in their hands Bats of Steel, to whom the bold and venturous Champion of Eng∣land spake with an undaunted Courage and loud Uoyce in this manner, saying, Come down thou wicked Knight, thou spoyl of Virginity, thou that art invironed with these monstrous Giants, these the wondring works of Nature, whose daring Looks seem to scale the Clouds, much like unto the Pride of Nimrod, when he offered to build up Bavel's confused Tower. Come down I say, from they brazen Gal∣lery, and take to thee thy Armour, thou that hast a Heart to commit a Virgin's Rape, for whose Revenge we come; now likewise have a Courage is thy Defence, for we vow never to depart out of thy Castle, till we have confounded thee, or by thy Force be discomfited.

•••• which words he held his peace, expecting an Answer, where∣••••he wicked Knight when he heard these heroical Spéeches of St. Gorge, began to fret and fume like to a starved Lyon, famish∣•••• with hungar, or the cruel Tyger m••s••ing in humane Blood,

with a great desire to satisfie his Chirst, or like the Wrath of dogge•• Cerberus when as he feasted with Alcide's Flesh; even to raged Leoger the Knight of the Black Castle, throatning sorth fu∣ry from his sperkling Eyes, and in this ••••••e manner re-answered the noble Champion of England: Proud Knight (quoth be) or Pea∣sant, whatsoever thou art, I pass not the smallest Hair of my Head, for thy upbraiding me with thy unruly Tongue, I will return thy Speeches on thy self, for the Pavements of my Castle shall be sprinkled with thy cursed Blood, and the Bones of those thy unhappy Followers shall be buried in the sinks of my Channels. If thou hadst brought the Army of Crasar, that made all Lands to tremble where he came, yet were they but as a blast of wind unto my force; seest thou not my Giants which stand like Oaks upon our brazen Gallery? they at my Commandment shall take you from the places where you stand, and throw you over the Walls of this my Castle, in such fort, that they shall make you flee in∣to the Air, more then ten Fauchions high. And for that thou hast upbrai∣ded me with the disgrace done unto a Virgin, I tell thee, if I had thy Mother here, of whom thou tookest first the ayr of Life, my hand should spilt her Womb, that thou mightest see the Bed of thy Conception, as Nero did in Rome: or it thy Wife and Children were here present before thy face, I would al ridge their Lives, that thy accuried Eyes might be witnesses of their bloody Murthers, so much Wrath and Hare rageth in my Heart, that all the Blood in thy Body cannot wa•••••••• thence.

At which words the Giants, which he had hired to desend him from his Foes, came unto him very througly a••med with stur∣dy Weapons in their hands, and requested him to be qu••er, and to ab••••e his so intenled Anger, and they would fetch unto his presence all those braving Knights that were the occation of his Disquietness and Anger; and so without carrying for an answer, they departed down into the Court, and left the Knight of the Castle with the Magician, standing still upon the Gallecy to be∣hold the following Encounters. But when the Giants ap∣proached the Champions presence, and saw them so well por∣portioned and furnished, Knights of so gallant Statures, they flourished about their knotty Clubs, and purposed not to spend the time in Words but in Blows.

Then one of y^e fiercest and cruellest Giants of them all (which was called Brandamond) seeing St. George to be the forwardest in the Enterprize, and judged him to be the Knight that had so braved his Lord, he began with a stern Ceuntenance to speak un∣to him in this manner: Art thou that bold Knight (said the Giant) that with thy witless Words hast so anger'd the mighty Leoger the Lord of this Castle? If thou be, I advse thee by Submission to seek to

appease his furious Wrath before Revengement be taken upon thy Person. Also I do charge thee (that if thou wilt remain with thy Life) that thou dost leave thy Armour and yield thyself with all these Followers, with their hands bound behind them, and go and ask Forgiveness at his Feet: To which St. George with a smiling Countenance answered, Gyant (said he) thy Counsel I do not like, nor thy Advice will I re∣ceive, but rather do we hope to send thee and all thy Followers without tongues to the infernal King of fiery Phlegeton, and for that you shall not have any more time to speak such folly and foolishness, either re∣turn your ways from whence you came, and repent of this which you have said, or else prepare yourselves to a mortal Battle.

The Giants when they heard the Champions Resolutions, and how slightly they regarded their Proffers, without any lon∣gir tarrying they straight way fell upon St. George and his Com∣pany, intending with their knotty Bats of Steel to beat them as small as flesh unto the Pot, but the Quéen of Chance so smiled upon the Christian Champions, that the Giants smally prevail∣ed, for betwixt them was fought a long and terrible battle, in such danger that the victory hung wavering on both sides not know∣ing to whom it would fall; the Bats and Fauchions made such a noise upon one another's Armour, that they sounded like to the blows of the Cyclops working upon their Anvils: and at every blow they gave, fire flew from their s••etled Corllets, like spar∣kles from the flaming Furnaces in Hell, the Skies resounded back the ecchoes of their Strokes, the Ground shook as though it had been oppressed with an Earth-quake: the pavement of the Court was over spread with an intermixing of blood and sweat, and the Walls of the Castle were mightily battered with the Giants Clubs; by the time that glistering Sol, the days bright Candle, began to decline from the top of Heaven, the Giants (wearied in fight) began to faint, whereat the Christian Knights with more Courage, began to encrease in Strength, and with such vi∣gour affayled the Giants, that before the golden Sun had dived to the western World, the Giants were quite discomforted and ••••ain•• some lay with their Hands dismembred from their Bodies, weltring in purple gore; some had their Brains sprinkled against the Walls; some lay in Channels with their Intrals trailing down in streams of Blood; and some Ioyntless, with Bodies cut in pieces, so that there was not one left a live to withstand the Christian Champions.

Whereat St. George with the other six Knights fell upon their knees, and thanked the immortal Rector of all good Chance for their Uictory, But when the Knight of the Black Castle

which stood upon the Gallery during all the time of the Encoun∣ter, and saw how all the Giants were stain by the Prowess of those strange knights, he raged in great Wrath, wishing that the Ground might gape and swallow him, before he were delivered into the hands of his Enemies, and presently would have cast himself headlong from the top of the Gallery, thereby to have dasht out his Brains against the Pavement, had not the Necroman∣cer, who like wise beheld the event of the Encounter, intercepted him in his intended Drift, promising to perform by Art what the Giants could not do by Force. So the Necromancer fell to his Magick Spells and Charms, by which the Christian Champi∣ons were mightily troubled and molested, and brought in dan∣ger of their Lives, by afearful and strange manner, as shall be hereafter shown: For as they stood after their long Encounters, unbuckling their Armours to take the fresh Ayr, and their bloo∣dy Wounds received in their last conflict: the Magirian caused by his Art a Spirit in the likeness of a Lady of a marvellous and fair Beauty, to look through an Iron Grate, who seemed to lean her fair Face upon her white Hand very pensively, and distilled from her crystal Eyes great abundance of Tears. When the Cham∣pions saw this beautiful Creature, they remained in great Ad∣miration, thinking with themselves that by some hard Misfor∣tune she was imprisoned in those Iron Grates: at which this Lady did seem to open her fair and crystaline Eyes looking earnestly upon St. George, and giving a grsevous and sorrow∣ful Sigh, she withdrew herself from the Grate; which sudden departure caused the Christian Knights so have a great desire to know who it should be, suspecting that by the force of some En∣chantment, they should be overthrown: but casting up their Eyes again to see if they could see her, they could not, but they saw in the very same place, a Woman of a great and prince∣ly Stature, who was all armed in silver Plates, with a Sword girded at her Waste, sheathed in a golden Scabberd, and had hang∣ing at her Neck an ivory Bow and a gilt Quiver: this Lady was of so great Beauty, that she séemed almost to excéed the other, but in the same sort as the other did, upon a sudden she vanish∣ed away, leaving the Champions no less troubled in their thought than before they were. The Christian Knights had not long time bewailed the absence of the two Ladies, but that without seeing any body, they were stricken with such furious blows up∣on their Backs, that they were constrained to stoop with one Knee upon the ground; yet with a trice they rose again, and looking then to see who they were that struck them, they percei∣ved

them to be the likeness of certain Knights, which in great hast seemed to run in at a Door that was at one of the corners of the Court, and with the great Anger that the Champions re∣ceived, seeing themselves so hardly catrented, they followed with their accustomed lightness after the Knights, in at the same Door: wherein they had not entred three steps, but that they fell down into a day Cave, which was covered over in such sub∣••••le sort, that whoever did tread on it, straightway fell into the Cave, except he was advertized thereof before. Within the Cave, it was as dark as the silent Night, and no light at all appeared: but when the Champions saw themselves treacherously betray∣ed in the Trap, they greatly feared some further Mischief would follow, to their utter overthrow; so with their Swords drawn, they stood trady charged to make their Detence, against what∣soever should after happen: but by reason of the great darkness that they could not see any thing, neither discover wherein they were fallen, they determined to settle themselves against some∣thing, either Post, Piller, or Wall, and stoping about the Cave, they searched in every place for some other Door that might bring them forth out of the darksome Den, which they compa∣ted to the Pit of Hell.

And as they went groping and feeling up and down, they found that they did tread upon no other things but dead Mens Bones, which caused them to stand still, and not long after they espyed a secret Window, at the which entred a little clearness and gave some light into the Den, where they were, by which they espyed a Bed most richly furnished with Curtains of Silk, and golden Pendants, which stood in a secret Room of the Cave, be∣hung with rich Tapestry of a sable colour; which Bed when the Champions beheld, and being somewhat weary of their long fight which they had with the Giants in the Court of the Castle, they required some rest, and desired to sleep upon the Bed, but not all at one instant, for they feared some Danger to be at hand, and therefore St. George as one most willing to be their Watch-man, and keep Sentine•• in so dangerous a place, caused the other Cham∣pions to take their repose upon the Bed, and he would be as wake∣ful as the Cock against all dangerous Accidents, so the six Chri∣stian Knights repaired to the Bed, whereon they were no sooner laid, but presently they fell into a heavy inchanted Sléep, in such sort that they could not be awaked by any manner of violence, not all the warlike Drums in Europe if they were sounding in their Ears, nor the ratling Thunder-claps of Heaven where sufficient to recal them from their Sleeps: for indeed the Bed

was inchanted by the Necromancer's Charms in such manner that whosoever but sat upon the sides, or but touched the furni∣ture of the Bed, were presently cast into as heavy a sleep, as if they had drunk the juyce of Owaile, or the seed o•• Pop••••: where we will leave them for a time like Men cast into a Trance, and speak of the terrible Adventure that hapned to St. George in the Cave, who little mistrusting of their Enchantments, stood like a careful Guard, keeping the furious Wolf from the spoyle of the silly Sheep; but upon a sudden his Heart began to throb, and his Hair to stand upright upon his Head, yet having a Heart fraught with invincible Courage, he purposed not to awake the other Knights, but of himself to withstand whatsoever hapned; so being in these princely Cogitations, there appeared unto him as he thought, the shape of a Magician, with a Uisage lean, pale and full of wrinkles, with locks of black Hair hanging down to his shoulders, like to wreaths of envenomed Snakes, and his Body seemed to have nothing upon but Skin and Bones, who spake unto St. George in this despightful manner: In an evil Hour (said the Magician) camest thou hither and so shall thy▪ Lodg∣ings be, and thy Entertainment worse; for now thou art in a place where thou shalt look for no other thing but to be Meat unto some fu∣rious Beast, and thy surmounting Strength shall not be able to make any Defence.

The English Champion whose Heart was oppressed with ex∣tream Wrath, answered, O false and accursed Charmer (said he) whom ill Chance confound for thy condemned Arts, and for whom the Fiends have digged an everlasting Tomb in Hell, what fury hath incenst thee, that with thy false and devillish Charms thou dost prastise so much evil against travelling and adventurous Knights? I hope to obtain my Li∣berty in despight of all thy Mischief, and with the strength of this Arm to break all thy Bones in sunder.

All that thou dost and wilt do I suffer at thy hands, replyed the Necromancer; only for Revengement that I will take of thee for the slaughter of my Master's Giants, which as yet lie Murthered in the Court, and that very quickly: and therewithal he went invisibly out of the Cave: So not long after at his back he heard a sud∣den noise, and beheld as it were a window opening by little and little, whereas there appeared a clear light, by the which St. George plainly perceived that the Walls of the Cave were dasht with Blood, and likewise that the Bones whereon they did tre••d at their first entry into the Den were of humane Bodies, which appeared not to be very long since their Flesh was corn oft with hard and cruel Teeth; but this consideration could not long

endure with him for that he heard a great rushing, and look∣ing what it should be, he saw coming forth of another Den a mighty Serpent with wings, as great in Body as an Elephant, he had only two seet, which appeared out of that monstrous bo∣dy but of a span length, and each foot bad three claws of three spans in length, she came with mouth open, of so monstrous and huge bigness, and so deformed, that a whose armed Knight, Horse and all might enter in thereat: she had upon her jaws two tusks, which seemed to be as sharp as needles, and all her Body was covered with sharp scales of divers colours, and with great fury she came with her wings all abroad: St. George al∣though he had a valliant and undanted mind yet could he not choose but be troubled at the sight of so monstrous a Beast. But con∣sidering with himself, that it was then time and great need to have cour••ge, and to be expert and valliant for to make his De∣fence, he took his good cutting Sword in his hand and shroud∣ed himself under his hard and strong Shield, and carryed the com∣ing of that ugly Monster. But when the furious beast saw that there was a prey whereon she might employ her sharp teeth, she struck with her invenomous Wings and with her piercing Claws she griped, and laid fast hold upon St. George's hard shield, pretending to have swallowed whole this couragious Warriour, and fastning her sharp Tusks upon his Helmet, which she found so hard that she let go her hold, and furiously pulled at his Tar∣get with such a strength that she drew it from his Arm; With that the English Knight struck at her head a mighty and strong blow with his Sword, but in no wise it could hurt her by rea∣son of the hard Scales wherewith it was Covered, and though he gave her no Wound, yet for all that she felt the blow in such sort, that it made her to recoyl to the ground, and to fall upon her long and hideous Tail: then this valliant Knight made great hast to redouble his force to strike her another blow, but all was in vain, for that upon a sudden she stretched her self so high, that he could not reach her head: but yet kind Fortune so fa∣voured his hand, that he struck her upon the Belly, whereas she had no Defence with Scales, nor any other thing but Fea∣thers, whereout Issued such abundance of black Blood, that it sprinkled all the Den about.

This terrible and furious Serpent, when she felt her self in sore Wounded, struck at St. George such a terrible blow with her Tail, that if he had not seen it coming it had béen sufficient to have parted his body in pieces, the Knight to clear him self from the

blow, fell flat upon the ground; for he had no time to make any other defence: but that terrible blow was no sooner passed over him, but straight ways he recovered his feet, at such time as the furious Serpent came towards him. Here Saint George having a great confidence in his strength, performed such a valiant Exploit, that all former Adventures that have been ever done by any Knight, may be put in oblivion, and this kept in perpertual memory: for that he threw his Sword out of his hand, and can unto the Serpent, and caught her betwixt his Arms, and did so squeeze her, that the furious Beast could not help her self with her sharp Claws, but only with her wings she beat him on every side. This valiant Cham∣pion and noble Warriour would never let her loose, but still remain∣ed hoseing her betwixt his Arms concinuing this perilous and dan∣gerous sight, till all his bright Armour was imbrued with her be∣stial blood, by which occasion she lost a great part of her strength, and was not able long to continue.

Long indured this great and dangerous Encounter, and the in∣fernal Serpent remained fast unto the noble and valiant brest of the English Knight, till such time as he plainly perceived that the Monster began to wax faint, and to lose her strength. Likewise i•• could not be otherwise, but Saint George wared somewhat weary, considering the former sight he had so lately with the Gyant. Not∣withstanding, when he felt the great weakness of the Serpent, he did anima••e himself with courage, and having opportunity by reason of the quantity of Blood that issued from his Wounds, he took his trusty Sword and thrust it into her heart with such violence, that he clove it in two pieces: so this infernal Monster fell down dead unto the ground, and carried the Christian Champion with her, for that they were fast closed together; but by reason that the Serpent lacked strength, he quickly cleared himself of her Claws, and recovered his Sword. But when he ••aw certainly, he was clear from the Monster, and that she had yielded up her detested breath into the brittle Air, he kneeled down, and gave thanks to the happy Queen of Chance for his Delivery.

The venom was so great, that the Serpent threw out to infect the Knight, that if his Armour had not been of a precious vertue, he had been impoysoned to death.

After the Uictory was obtained, and the Monster dead, he grew very weary and unquiet, and was constrained to sit and cool himself by a Well, which was full of water, standing in a corner of the Cave, from whence the Monstrous Serpent first appeared and came ••orth. And when he found himself refreshed, he repaired to the Encham∣ed

bed, whereupon the other six Champions lay sleeping, and dream∣ed of no such strange accident that had hapned unto him, to whom he purposed to reveal the true discourse of all dangers that had befallen him in that accident.

But no sooner approached he unto that enchamed bed, and set him∣self down upon the one end thereof, and thinking to begin his dis∣course, but he presently fell into a heavy and dead slumber.

There will we leave them sleeping and dreaming upon the Eu∣chanted bed, not to be wakened by any means, & return to the Necro∣mancer, that was busied all the time of the Serpents encounter with Leoger, in burying of the dead Gyants, but he knew by his Art that the Serpent was slain, and likewise Saint George oppressed with a charmed sleep in company of the other Champions upon the Enchanted bed, from whence he purposed that they never more should awake, but spend the rest of their Fortunes in eternal sleeps.

Whereupon by his devilish Arts he caused Lamps to burn continually before the entry of the Cave, the properties whereof were so strange, that so long as the Lamps continued burning, the Cham∣pions should never be waked, and the fires should never be quench∣ed but by the water of an enchanted Fountain, the which he like∣wise by Magick Art had erected in the middle of the Court guarded most strongly with Sprights: and the water should never be ob∣tained but by a Uirgin which at her birth should have the form of a Rose lively pictured upon her breast.

These things being performed by the secrets of the Magicians skill, added such a pleasure to Leogers heart, that he thought him∣self elevated higher than the Towers of his dwelling; for he accoun∣ted no joy so pleasing unto his Soul, as to see his mortal Enemies captivated in his power, and that the Magician had done by his Art, than all the Knights in Asia could perform by Prowess. We will not now only leave the Champions in their sleeps, dreaming of no Mishap, but also the Magician with Leoger in the black Castle, spending their time securely, careless of all ensuing danger, and speak now of the old Shepherd whom the Champions at their first entering in at the Eates of the Castle, left to look unto their warlike Palfries, as they fed upon the green Grass: which old man, when he could hear no news of the Champions return, he greatly mistrust∣ed their confusion, and that by some treachery they were intercepted in their vowed revengement; therefore he protested secretly with his own Soul, if that for his sake so many brave Champions had lost their lives, never to depart out of those Fields, but to spend

his days in such sorrow as did that hapless King of Babylon, that for seven parching Summers, and as many freezing Winters was con∣strained to feed upon the flowers of the Fields, and to drink the dew of Heaven, till the hairs of his head grew as stiff as Eagles feathers, and the Nails of his Fingers like unto birds claws, the like extre∣mity he vowed to endure until he either re-obtained a wished sight of these invincible Knights (the Flowers of Chivalry) or else were constrained by course of nature to yield up his loathed life to the fury of those fatal Sisters. In this deep distress will my weary muse like∣wise leave this old Shepherd mourning for the long absence of the English Champion, and the other Christian Knights, and turn un∣to S. George's valiant Sons, whom we left travelling from the Queen of Armenia's Grave with her unhappy Daughter Rosana, to take revengment of her distoyal Land, being the Knight of the Black Castle, of whose villanies you have heard so much before.

CHAP. IX.

How Saint George's three Sons after their departure from the Queen of Armenia's Sepulchre, in company of her Daughter Rosana, met with a Wild Man, with whom there hapned a strange Adventure: and after how they entered the Black Castle, where they quenched the Lamps, and a∣waked the seven Champions of Christendom, after they had slept seven day, upon an Enchanted Bed, with other things that chanced in the same Castle.

THE budding Flowers of Chivalry, the valiant Sons of Saint George, to perform their Knightly promises, and to accomplish what they had protested to Rosana, at the Queen her Mothers grave, which was to bring her safely unto the black Castle, where her un∣kind Father had his residence. First they provided her a Palfrey or Iennet, bred upon the borders of Spain, which was furnished with black Caparisons, in sign of her heavy and discontented mind, and his fore-head beautified with a spangled Plume of Feathers.

Where in her company they travelled day and night from the Confines of Armenia, with successful Fortune, till they happily arrived upon the Island of the black Castle, where they were con∣strained to rest themselves many nights under the shadows of green leaved Trees, where the melody of silver tuned Birds brought to them sweet sleeps: and instead of delicate fare, they were forced to satisfie their hunger with sweet Oranges and ripe Pomegranets, that grew very plentifully in than Island.

But at last, upon a morning, when the Skies appeared in their sight very clear and pleasant, and at such time as when the Sun began to spread his glistering Beams upon the lofty Mountains and stately Cedars, they set forward on their Iourney, hoping be∣fore the closing in of the days bright countenance, to arrive at the Black Castle, being their long wilht for Haven, and desired Port. But entring into an unknown way and narrow path not much u∣sed, they were intercepted by a strange and wonderful Adventure.

For as they travelled in those un••rodden Passages, spending the time in pleasant conference without mistrusting of any thing that should happen to them in that pleasant Island: upon a sudden (not knowing the occasion) their Horses started, and rose up with their fore feet, and turned back ward into the Air in such sort, that they had almost uns••dled their Masters: whereat the valiant Knights upon a sudden looked round about them to see who or what it was that caused so much fear, but when they perceived nothing, nor could conjecture what should be the occasion of such Terrour, they grew wonderfully troubled in mind. Then one began to encourage the rest, saying, believe me Brethren, I much wonder what should be the cause of this alteration in our Horses, hath some Spirit gli∣ded by us? or remaineth some Devil among these Bushes? What∣soever it be, set us by the power and favour of all good luck attempt to know, and with our warlike Weapons revenge the frighting of our Horses, for our minds are not daun••ed by the Prowess of Men, nor are we afreid of the fury of Devils.

These words being spoken with great courage and Majesty, caus∣ed Rosana to smile with a chearful countenance, and to embolden her heart against all ensuing accidents: so pre••ently they came to a River which was both clear and deep, the which they judged to run quite thorow the middle of the Island: and so travelling along by the River side, where within a little while their Horses began again to startle, & to be wonderfully afraid: whereupon the Knights casting about their vigilant Eyes, to see if they could perceive what it should be, that made their Horses so timorous, they espyed a ter∣rible Moniter in the shape and form of a Satyr or a Wild Man, which did cross overt••wart the Island, of a wonderful great and strange making, who was as big and broad as any Gyant; for he was almost four squars: his face was three foot in length, and had but one Eye, and than was in his Fore-head, which glistered like a blazing Comer or a fiery Planet, his Body was covered all over with long and shagged hai••, and in his breast there was as though it had

been glass, out of the which there seemed a great and shining light to proceed.

This Monster directed his way towards certain Rocks of Stone which stood in the Island, and by reason of the stragling and great noise that the Horses made, he cast his Head a••••de, and espyed the three Knights travelling in company of the Lady: upon whom he had no sooner cast his blazing Eye, but with a Devilish fury he ran towards them, and instead of a Club, he bare in his hand a great and knotty Maple Tree.

These valiant Knights never dismay'd at the sight of this deform∣ed Creature, but against his coming, they chear'd up their Horses, and pricked their sides with their golden Spurs, giving a great shout, as in sign of encouragement, and withal drawing forth their sharp cutting Swords, they stood attending the fury of the Monster, who came roaring like a Bull, and discharged his knotty Tree a∣mongst the magnanimous Knights, who with light leaps cleared themseves from his violent Blows, so that his Club fell down to the ground with a terrible fall: as though with the violence it would have overthrown a Castle.

With that the Knights presently alighted from their Horses, thinking thereby more nimbly to defend themselves, and with more courage to assail the Satyr. Many were the Blows on both sides, and dangerous the Encounter, without sign of Uictory intiming to either party.

During the Battel, Rosana (through the grief and fear that she received) •• wounded upon her Passrey, and had fallen beside his back, if she had not first closed her hands about the pummel of the laddl••, •• being come a little unto her self, she made humble supplication unto the Lady of Chance, soliciting her that she might rather be buried in the Monsters Bowels, thereby to satisfie his Wrath, than to see such Noble Knights lose the least drop of Blood, or to have the smal∣lest Hair upon their Heads diminished: such was the love and true zeal she bore unto those three Knights.

But Saint George's Sons so manfully behaved themselves in the Encounter, bearing the Prowess of their Fathers Mind, that they made very deep wounds in the Monsters Flesh, and such terrible gash∣es in his Body, that all the green Grass was covered with his black Blood, and the ground all to besmeared and strewed with his mangled Flesh.

When the Devillish Monster felt himself wounded, & saw how his blood ••ord upon the Earth like congealed go••e, ••e s••ed from them m•••••• ••wift than a whirle-wind, or like to an Arrow forced from a 〈…〉〈…〉

and ran in great haste to the Rocks that stood thereby, where pre∣sently he threw himself into a Cave, pulling down after him a Rock of Stone, which did close up the Entry, the which was done with in great tightness, that the Knights had no time to strike him; but after a while, wandering with themselves to see such a strange and sudden thing, they assailed by strength to remove the Stone, and clear the mouth of the Cave, which they did not with∣out great difficulty.

Yet for all that, they could not find which way they might enter in thereat, but like unto Lyons fraught with anger, fre••••ing and chasing, they went searching round about the Rock, to see if they could espy any Entry, and at last they found a great Cliff on the one side of the Rock, & looking in thereat, espyed the Mon••ter lying upon the ••loor, licking of his bleeding wounds with his purple tongue.

And seeing him, one of the Knights said, O thou Traytor and Destroyer by the Highway! O thou infernal Devil and Enemy unto the world: thou that art the devourer of Humane Flesh, and drinker of Mans Blood, think not that this thy strong and fast closing up of thy self in this Rock of Stone shall avail thee, or that thy De∣vilish Body shall escape unslaughtered out of our hands: No, no, our bloody Weapons shall be sheathed in thy detested Bowels, and rive thy damned Heart asunder; and therewithal they thrust their Weapons through the Clift of the Rock, and pierced his throat in such sort, that the Monster presently dyed, the which being done, they returned in triumph like Conquerors to Rosana, where they found her half dead lying upon her Palfrey.

But when she saw them return in safety, with a joyful and loud voice, she said: O sweet Queen of Chance, how hath it pleased thy Divine Majesty, to furnish these Knights with more strength and Prowess than any other in all the World, else could they not have chosen, but have been over come by this remorseless Monster, which seemed to be of force to destroy Kingdoms? therewithal she alight∣ed in good state from her Palfrey, and sate her down under the shadow of a Pine Tree, where the three Knights likewise sate down, and laid their weary Heads upon her so••t Lap to sleep, upon whose Faces she fanned a cooling breathing Air, and wiped their swe••••y Brows with her Handkerchief, using all means she could to pro••u••s them contentment.

Long had they not reposed themselves upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lap, refresh∣ing their weary Bodies with a golden slumber, but they 〈…〉〈…〉 and mounted upon their Steeds, and the next morning by break of day, they approached the sight of the Black Castle: before w••ose

Walls they found seven portly Steeds, feeding within a green Pasture, and by them an ancient man, bearing in his face the true picture of Sorrow, and carving in the Barks of Trees the true sub∣ject of all his passed grief: this man was the old Shepherd which the seven Champions of Christendom (before their inchanted sleeps in the Castle) left without the Gates to over-see their Horses, as you heard before in the last Chapter.

But S. George's Sons (after they had a while beheld the manner of the Shepherds silent lamentations) demanded the cause of his grief, and wherefore he remained so near the danger of the Castle? to whose demands, the courteous old man answered in this manner.

Brave Knights (said he) for you seem to be no less by your Princely demeanors, within this Castle remaineth a Bloody Ty∣rant, & a wicked Homicide called Leoger, whose Tyranny & Lust hath not only ravished, but murthered two of my Daughters, with whom I was honoured in my young years, in whole revenge there came with me seven Christian Knights of seven several Countreys, that entered his accursed Castle about seven days since, appointing me to stay without the Gates, and to have a vigilant care of their Hor∣ses till I heard either news of the Tyrants confusion, or their over∣throws: but never since by any means could I learn whether good or bad were befallen them.

These words struck such a terror to their hearts, that for a time they stood speechless, imagining that those seven Knights were the seven Champions of Christendom, in whose pursuits they have travelled so many Countrys. But at last, when S. George's Sons had recovered their former speeches, one of them (though not inten∣ding to reveal what they imagined) said to the old Shepherd: that likewise they came to be revenged upon that accursed Knight, for the spoil of a beauteous and worthy Uirgin Queen, done by the same lust-inflamed Tyrant.

Then the Lady and the three Knights alighted from their Hor∣ses, and likewise committed them to the keeping of the old Shep∣herd: who courteously received them, and earnestly prayed for their prosperous proceedings. So the three Knights buckled close their Armours, laced on their Helmets, and put their Shields up∣on their Arms, and in company of Rosana they went to the Castle Gate, the which glistered against the Sun like burnisht Gold: whereat hung a mighty Copper Ring, wherewith they beat so vehe∣mently against the Gate, that it seemed to rattle like a violent tem∣pestuous storm of Thunder in the Element.

Then presently there appeared (looking out of a Marble-pillar'd

window) the Magician, newly risen from his Bed, in a wrought shirt with black Silk, and covered with a Night-gown of Damask Uelver: and seeing the Knights with the Lady standing before the Gate, he thus discourteously greeted them.

You Knights of strange Countries (said he) for so doth it appear by your strange demeanours, if you desire to have the Gates opened, and your Bones buried in the Uaults of our Castle, turn back unto the Iasper Pillar behind you, and sound the silver trumpet that hangs upon it, so shall your entry be easie, but your coming forth miracu∣lous. And thereupon the Magician left the Window.

Whereupon one of the Knights went unto the Iasper Pillar, and with a vehement Breath sounded the Enchanted Trumpet, as Sr. George did before; whereat the Gates flew open in like manner: where into (without disturbance) they entered: and coming into the same Court where the Champions had fought with the Giants, they espyed the Enchanted Lamps, which hung burning before the entry of the Cave where the Champions lay upon the Enchanted Bed. Under the Lamps hung a silver Tablet in an Iron Chain, in it was written these words following:

The fatal Lamps with their enchanted Lights, In deaths sad sleep have cast seven Christian Knights, Within this Cave they lie with sloth confounded, Whose Fame but late in every place resounded. Except the flaming Lamps extinguisht be, Their golden Thoughts shall sleep eternally:

A Fountain fram'd by Furies rais'd from Hell, About whose Spring doth fear and terrour dwell.

No 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 sin∣gular 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, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o ••eek out the enchant∣ed fountain, that by the water thereof the Lamps migh•• be quench∣ed, 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 lit∣tle 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 amaze∣ments) 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 how∣lings, 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 Hel∣mets with water, there appeared before them a strange and ter∣rible 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 Le∣gion 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 remaine•• 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 con∣tinued 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 con∣tentment, but then the Skies began to war dark, and immediate∣ly 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 de∣luded 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 at∣tempts, 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 Enchant∣ments, 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, like Men newly recovered from a Trance, being ashamed of that dishonourable enterprize, they long time gazed on each others Face, being not able to express their minds, but by blushing looks, being the silent speakers of their extream sorrows. Yet at last, St. George began to express the extremity of his grief in this manner:

What is become of you brave Europe Champions (said he,) Where is now your wonted Valours, of late so much renowned through the World? What is become of your surmounted strengths, that hath bruised enchanted Helmets, and quail'd the power of mighty Multitudes? What is become of your terrible blows, that have subdued Mountains, hewed in sunder Diamond Armours, and brought whole Kingdoms under your subjections? Now I see that all is forgotten, and nothing worth, for that we have buried all our Ho∣nours, Dignities, and Fames, in slothful flumbers, upon a silken Bed.

And thereupon he fell upon his knées, and said, Thou that art the Guider of all our Fortunes, unto th••e I invocate and call, and desire thee to help us, and do not permit us to have our Fames taken away for this disho∣nour, and let us merit Dignity by our Victories, and that our bright Renowns may ride upon the glorious wings of Fame, whereby the Babes as yet unborn may speak of us, & in time to come fill whole Volumes with our princely Atchievements.

These and such like Speeches pronounced this discontented Cham∣pion, till such time as the Elements cleared, and that golden fa∣ced Phoebus glistered with splendant brightness into the Cave through a secret hole, which seemed in their conceits to dance about the Uail of Heaven, and to rejoice at their happy Deliveries.

In this joyful manner returned they up into the Court of the Castle, with their Armours buckled fast unto their Bodies, which had not béen unbraced in seven days before, where they met with the three Knights coming to salute them, and to give them the cour∣tesies of Knighthood.

But when Saint George saw his Sons, whom he had not seen in two years before, he was so ravished with joy, that he swounded in their bosoms, being not able to give them his blessing; so great was the pleasure he took in their sights.

Here I leave the joyful greeting betwixt the Father and his Sons, to those that know the secret love of Parents to their Children, and what dear affection long absence bréedeth.

For when they had sufficiently opened the integrity of their Souls to each other, and had at large explained how many dangers every Knight and Champion had passed since their departure from England, when as they began their first intended Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as you heard in the beginning of this Book, they determi∣ned to search the Castle, and to find out Leoger with his associate the wicked Enchanter, that they might receive due punishments for their committed offences, but they like wily Foxes were fled front the Hunters traps and had left the empty Castle to the spoil of the Christian Champions: but when Rosana saw her dismist from her purpose, and that she could not perform her Mothers will against her disloyal Father, she protested by her Mothers name never to close up her chearful eyes with quiet slumbers, nor ever rest her weary Limbs in bed of Town, but travel up and down the circled Earth, till she enjoyed a sight of her disloyal Father, whom as yet her eyes did never see. Therefore she conjured the Champions by the love and honour that Knights do bear unto poor distressed La∣vie, to gran•• her liberty to depart, and not to hinder her from her intended Travel.

The Knights considered with themselves that she was a Lady of a divine Inspiration; born unto some strange Fortune, & one by the hea∣vens appointed, which had redeemed them from a wonderful misery.

Therefore they condescended to her desires, and not only gave hee leave to depart, but furnished her with all things belonging to a Lady of so brave a mind.

First, they found within the Castle an Armour fit for a Woman, the which the Enthanter had caused to be made by magick Art, of such a singular nature, that no weapon could pierce it, and so light in wearing, that it weighed no heavier than a Tygers Skin, it was contrived after the Amazonian fashion, plated before with silver plates, like the Scales of a Dolphin, and riveted together with golden Nails: so that when she had it upon her back, she seemed like to Diana, hunting in the Forrest of transformed Acteon.

Likewise they found standing in the Stable at the East side of the Castle, a lusty limbed Steed big of stature, and of a very good hair, for the half parts forwards was of the colour of a Wolf, and the other half was all black, saving that here and there it was spor∣ted with little white spors: his feet were cloven, so that he needed not at any time to be shod: his neck was somewhat long, having a little head, with great ears hanging down like a hound: his pace was with great Majesty, and he so doubled his neck, that his mouth touched his brest, there came out of his mouth two great tusks like unto an Elephant, and he did exceed all Horses in the World in lightness, and did run with an exceeding good grace. This likewise bestowed they upon the Lady, the which did more con∣tent her mind, than any thing that ever her eyes bad seen before that time: Also the ten Christian Knights gave her at her departure ten Diamond Rings, continually to wear upon her Fingers, in per∣petual remembrance of her courtesie.

This done without any longer tarryance, but only thanking them for great kindness shewed unto her in distress she leapt into the Sad∣dle without the help of stirrup or any other thing, & so rode speedily away from their sights, as a shower of rain driven by a violent Tempest.

After her departure, the Champions remembred the old Shep∣herd, whom they had almost forgotten, through the joy that they took in their happy Meetings, he as yet remained without the Castle Gates, carefully keeping their Horses; whom now they caused to come in, and not only gave him the honour due unto his age, but bestowed frankly upon him the state and government of the Castle, with store of Iewels, Pearls, and Treasure, only to be maintained and kept for relief of poor Travellers.

This being performed with their general consents, they spent the remnant of the day in banquering and other pleasant conference of their passed adventures: & when the night with her sable Clouds had over-spread the days delightful countenance, they betook them to their rests: the seven Champions in a Chamber that had as

many Windows as there were days in the year, the old Shepherd by himself in a rich furnished Parlor, and St. George's three Sons in the greatest Hall in the Castle.

CHAP. X.

How after the Christian Knights were gone to bed in the Black Castle, Saint George was awaked from his sleep in the dead time of the Night, after a most fearful manner, and likewise how he found a Knight lying upon a Tomb that stood over a flaming Fire, with other things of note that hapned upon the same.

MOst sweet were the sleeps that these Princely minded Cham∣pions took in the Castle all the first part of the night, without molestation either by disquiet dreams or disturbing motions of their minds, till such time as the Queen of Night had run half her weary journey, and had spent the better part of the night: for betwixt twelve and one, being the chiefest time of fear and terrour in the night, such a strange alteration did work in Saint George's thought, that he could not enjoy the benefit of sweet sleep, but was forced to Iye broad awake, like one disquieted by some sudden fear; but as he lay with wakeful eyes, thinking upon his passed Fortunes, and numbring the minutes of the night with his cogitations, he heard as it were a cry of Night-Ravens which flew beating their fatal Wings against the Windows of his Lodging, by which he imagined that some direful accident was near at hand: yet being not frighted with this fearful noise, nor daunted with the croking of these Ravens, he lay still silently, not revealing it to any of the other Champions that lay in the six several Beds in the same chamber: but at last being between sleeping and waking, he heard as it were the voice of a sorrowful Knight, that constrained these bitter passions from his tormented soul, & they contained these words following:

O thou invincible Knight of England, thou that art not frighted with this sorrowful dwelling, wherein thou canst see nothing but Torments, rise up I say, from thy sluggish bed, and with thy undaunted courage and strong Arm, break the charm of my Enchantment.

And therewithal he seemed to give a most terrible groan, and so ceased. This unexpected noise caused Saint George (without the knowledge of any of the other Champions) to arise from his Bed, and to buckle on his Armour, and to search about the Castle to see

if he might find the place that harboured the Knight that made such sorrowful lamentations.

So going up and down by-corners in the Castle, all the latter part of the night, without finding the adventure of this strange voice or disturbance by any other means, but that he was hindred from his natural and quiet sleep, by the break of day, when the dark night began to withdraw her sable Curtains, and to give Aurora liberty to display her purple brightness, he entered into a four square Parlor, hung round about with black cloth, and other mourn∣ful habiliments, where on the one side of the same he saw a Tomb all covered likewise with black, and upon it there lay a Man with a pale colour, who at certain times, gave most marvellous and grie∣vous Sighs, caused by burning flames that procéeded from under the Tomb, being such that it seemed that his Body therewith should be converted into Coals: the flame thereof was so stinking, that it made Saint George somewhat to retire himself from the place where he did sée that most horible and fearful spectacle.

He which lay upon the Tomb, casting his eyes aside, espyed Saint George, and knowing him to be a humane creature, with an afflicted voice he said, Who art thou Sir, Knight, that art come into this place of Sorrow, where nothing is heard but clamours of Fear and Ter∣rour?

Nay, tell me (said Saint George,) who thou art, that with so much Grief dost demand of me, that which I stand in doubt to reveal to thee.

I am the King of Babylon (answered he) which without all consideration, with my cruel hand did pierce thorow the white and delicate Brest of my beloved Daughter; Woe be to me, and woe unto my Soul therefore, for she at once did pay her offence by Death, but I a most miserable wretch, with many Torments do die living.

When this worthy Champion Saint George was about to an∣swer him, he saw come forth from under the Tomb a Damsel who had her hair of a yellow and wan colour, hanging down about her shoulders, and by her face she seemed that she should be very strange∣ly afflicted with Torments, and with a sorrowful Uoice she said:

O unfortunate Knight, what dost thou séek in this infernal lodg∣ing, where cannot be given thee anyother pleasure but mortal tor∣ment, and there is but one thing that can clear thee from it, and this cannot be told th••e by any other but by me? ••et I will not express it, except thou will grant me one thing which I will ask of thee.

The English Champion that with a sad countenance stood be∣halding of the sorrowful Damsel, and being greatly amazed at the l••ght which he had seen, answered and said: The Powers which were Governours of my liberty, will do their pleasures, but touch∣ing the grant of thy request, I never denyed any lawful thing to either Lady or Gentlewoman, but with all my power and strength I was made to fulfill the same, therefore demand what thy pleasure ••s▪ And with that the Damiel threw her self into the Sepulchre, and with a grievous voice she said: now most courteous Knight per∣••orm thy promis••, strike but three stroaks upon this fatal Tomb, and thou shalt deliver us from a world of Miseries, and likewise make an and of our continual torments.

Then the invincible Knight replyed in this order, whether you be humane creatures, said he, placed in this Sepulchre by Enchant∣ment, or furies raised from fiery Acheron, to work my confusion or no, I know not, and there is so little truth in this infernal Castle, that I stand in doubt whether I may believe thy words or not: but yet discourse unto me the truth of all your passed for∣tunes, and by what means you were brought into this place, and as I am a crue Knight and one that fights in the quarrel of Christ∣endom, I vow to accomplish whatsoever lyeth in my power.

Then the Damsel began with a grievous and sorrowful lamenta∣tion to declare as strange a Tragedy as ever was told.

And lying in the fatal Sepulchre unseen of Saint George, that stood leaning his back against the Wall, to hear her discourse a la∣mentable s••ory, with a hollow voice like a murthered Lady, whose bleeding Soul as yet did feel the terrible stroak of her Death, she repeated this pittiful Tale following:

CHAP. XI.

Of a Tragical Discourse pronounced by a Lady in a Tomb, and how her Enchant∣ment was finished by Saint George, with other strange accidents that hap∣ned to the other Six Champions of Christendom.

IN famous Babylon sometimes reigned a King, although a Hea∣ther, yet adorned with noble and vertuous customs, and had only one Daughter that was very fair, whose name was Angelica, humble, wise, and chast: Who was beloved of a mighty Duke, and a man wonderful cunning in the black ••rt, this Magi∣cian had a sage and grave countenance, and one that for wisdom better deserved the Government than any other in the Kingdom,

and was very well esteemed throughout all Babylon almost equally with the King: for which there ingendered in the Kings heart a secret rancour and hatred towards him. The Magician cast his love upon the young Princess Angelica, and it was ordained by de∣stiny that she should repay him with the same affection, so that both their hearts being wounded with love the one to the other, they in∣dured sundry great Passions.

Then Love which continually seeketh occasions, did on a time set before this Magician, a Waiting Maid of Angelica's named Fide∣lia, the which thing seemed to be wrought by the immortal power of the Goddess Venus: Oh in what fear the Magician was to disco∣ver unto her all his heart and to bewray the secrets of his love-sick Soul; but in the end, by the great industry and diligence of the Waiting-maid (whose Name was answerable unto her mind) there was order given that these two Lovers should meet together.

This fair Angelica for that she could not at her ease enjoy her true Lover, she did determine to leave her own natural Country & Father, and with this intention being one night with her Love, she cast her Arms about his neck, and said:

Oh my sweet and well-beloved Friend, seeing that my Destinies have been so kind to me, as to have my heart linked in thy Breast, let no man find in thee ingratitude, for that I cannot live, except con∣tinually I enjoy thy sight, and do not muse (my Lord) at these my Words, for the intire love that I bear to you, constreineth me to make it manifest. And this believe of a certainty, that if thy sight be ab∣sent from me, it will be an occasion that my heart will lack his vital recreation, and my soul forsake her Earthly habitation. You know, my Lord, how that the King my Father doth bear you no good Will, but doth hate you from his soul, which will be an occasion that we cannot enjoy our hearts contentments: for the which I have deter∣mined (if you think well thereof) to leave both my Father and my native Country, and to go and live with you in a strange Land. And if you deny me this, you shall very quickly see your loving Lady with∣out life: but I know you will not deny me, for thereon consisteth the benefit of my welfare, and my chiefest prosperity. And there∣withal sheding a few tears from her Crystal Eyes, she held her peace.

The Magician (as one half ravished with her earnest desires) answered and said:

My Love and sweet Mistress, wherefore have you any doubt that I will not fulfill and accomplish your desire in all things? therefore out of hand put all things in readiness that your pleasure is to have done: for what more benefit or contentment can I receive, than to

enjoy your sight continually, in such sort that neither of us may depart from the others company, till the fatal Destinies give end to our lives? Or if it so fall out, that Fortune frown upon us, that we be espied and taken in our enterprize, and suffer death together, what more glory can there happen unto me, than to die with thee, and to end my life betwixt thy arms? therefore do not trouble your self dear Lady and Mistress, but give me leave for ••o depart your pre∣sence, that I may provide all things in readiness for our departures. And so with this conclusion they took leave one of the other, and de∣parted away with as great secresie as might possibly be devised.

After this, within a few days, the Magitian by his Enchant∣ment caused a Chariot to be made, that was drawn by the flying Dragons into the which without being espyed of any one, they put themselves, together with their trusty Waiting-Maid, and in great secresie they departed out of the Kings Pallace, and took their journey towards the Country of Armenia: into the which Country in a short time they arrived, and came without any misfortune unto a place where as deep Rivers did continually strike upon a Rock, upon the which stood an old ancient building, where∣in they intended to inhabit, as a most convenient place for their dwelling, whereas they might without all fear of being found, live peaceably, enjoying each others love.

Not far from that place there was a small Uillage, from whence they might have necessary provision for the maintaining of their bo∣dies. Great joy and pleasure these two Lovers received when they found themselves in such a place whereas they might take their fill of each others loves.

The Magician delighted in no other thing but to go a hunting with certain Country Dwellers that inhabited in the next Uillage, lea∣ving his sweet Angelica accompanied with her trusty Fidelia in that house, so in this order they lived together four years, spending their days in great pleasure, but in the end, time (who never ••ested in one degree) did take from them their ••est, and repayed them with sorrow and extream misery. For when the King her Father found her missing, the sorrow and grief was so much that he received, that he kept his Chamber a long time, and would not be comforted of any body.

Four years he passed away in great heaviness, filling the Court with Ecchoes of his beloved Daughter, and making the Skies to resound his lamentations: sorrow was his food, salt tears his drink, and grief his chief Companion.

But at last, upon a time as he sate in his Chair, lamenting her

absence with great heaviness, and being over-charged with grief, he chanc'd to fall into a troublesome dream, for after quiet sleep had closed up the closers of his Eyes, he dreamed that he saw his Daugh∣ter standing upon a Rock by the Sea-side, offering to cast her Body into the Waves before she would return to Babylon, and that he be∣held her Lover with an Army of Satyrs and Wild-men ready fur∣nished with habiliments of War to pull him from his Throne, and to deprive him of his Kingdom.

Out of this Uision he presently started from his Chair, as though it had been one frighted with a Legion of S••irits, and caused four of the chief Peers of his Land to be sent for, to whom he com∣mitted the Government of his Country: certifying them that he in∣tended a Uoyage to the Sepulchre at Memphis, thereby to qualify the fury of his Daughters Ghost, whom he dreamed to be drowned in the Seas, and that except he sought by true Submission to appease the angry Fates, whom he had offended, he should be deposed from his Kingdom.

None could withdraw him from his Determination, though it was to the prejudice of the whole Land: therefore within twen∣ty Days he furnished himself with all necessaries, as well of Armour and Martial Furniture, as of Gold and Treasure, and so departed from Babylon privately and alone, not suffering any other (though many desired it humbly and very earnestly) to bear him com∣pany.

But he travelled not as he told his Lords, after any Ceremoni∣ous Order, but like a Blood Hound searching Country after Coun∣try, Nation by Nation, and Kingdom by Kingdom, that after a barbarous manner he might be 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, with∣out any more delay he travelled unto that place, at such a time as the Magician her Husband was gone about his accustomed Hunt∣ing, where coming to the Gate and finding it lockt, he knockt there∣at 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 i••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, say∣ing: It doth little avail thee Angelica to run away, for that thou shalt d•••• 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 wait∣ing-Maid Fidelia was, who likewise presently knew the King: up∣on 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 la∣mentable 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 an∣swered 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 ••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 de∣serves more punishment than humane nature can inflict? And in saying these Words, he lift up his Sword, in••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 ••ear Lady and Mistress.

But when the furious King saw her in this sort make her de∣fence,

he pulled her off by the hair of her Head, offering to tram∣ple 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 d••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 al∣most dasht her Brains against the Chamber Walls, and with dou∣ble 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 un∣constant 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 where∣in the first motion of such a Trime entred into his mind, wish∣ing 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 mi∣serable 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 Ma∣gician returned from his Hunting Exercise, but to ••••clude himself from the company of all Men, and to spend the remnant of his loath∣som life among untamed Beasts in some wild Wilderness. Up∣on 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. Like∣wise at his departure, he writ upon the Chamber Walls these Uer∣ses 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 ••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 over∣slowing Fountain.

In th••t woful manner spent the sorrowful Fidelia that unhappy day, till bright Phoebus went into the Western Parts: at which time the Magician returned from his accustomed Hunting, and finding the Door open, he entered into Angelica's Chamber, where when he found her Body westring in congealed Blood, and beheld how Fidelia sate weeping over her bleeding Wounds, he cursed him∣self, for that he accounted his negligence the occasion of her Death, in that he had not left her in more safety. But when Fidelia had certified him, how that by the hands of her own Father she was slaughtered, he began like a Frantick Tyrant to rage against black Destiny, and to fill the Air with terrible Exclamations.

Oh cruel Murtherer! (said he,) crept from the Womb of some untamed Tyger: I will be so revenged upon thee, O unnatural King, that all Ages shall wonder at thy misery.

And likewise thou unhappy Virgin shalt endure like punishment, in that thy accursed Tongue hath bruited this fatal Deed unto my Ears, the one for commit∣ting the Crime, and the other for reporting it.

For I will cast such deserved vengeance upon your Heads, and place your Bodies in such continual Torments, that you shall lament my Ladies Death, leaving alive the Fame of her with your Lamentations.

And in saying these Words, he drew a Book out of his Bosom, and in reading certain Charms, and Enchantments, that were there∣in contained, he made a great and very black Cloud appear in the

skies, which was brought by terrible and hasty winds, in the which he took them up both, and brought them into the Enchanted Castle, where ever since they have remained in this Tomb cruelly torment∣ed with unquenchable Fire, and must for ever continue in the same extremity, except some courteous Knight will vouchsafe to give but three blows upon the Tomb, and break the Enchantment.

Thus have you heard you magnanimous Knight, the true dis∣course of my unhappy Fortunes. And the Uirgin which for the true love she bore unto her Lady, was committed to this torment as my self, and this pale Body lying upon the Tomb, is the unhap∣py Babylonian King which unnaturally murthered his own Daugh∣ter: and the Magician which committed all these villanies, is that accursed wretch which by his Charms and Devillish Enchantments hath so strongly withstood your Encounters.

These Words were no sooner finished, but Saint George drew out his sharp cutting Sword, and gave three blows upon the Enchanted Tomb, whereat presently appeared the Babylonian King standing be∣fore him, attyred in rich Robes, with an Imperial Diadem upon his Head, and that Lady standing by him, with a countenance more beautiful than the Damask Rose.

When Saint George beheld them, he was not able to speak for joy, nor to utter his mind, so exceeding was the pleasure, that he took in their sights, so without any long circumstance he took them betwixt both his hands, and led them into the Chamber, whereas he found the other Knights newly risen from their Beds. To whom he revealed the true discourse of the passed Adventure, and by what means he redeemed the King and Lady from their Enchant∣ments; which to them was as great joy as before it was to Saint George.

So, after they had for some six days refreshed themselves in the Castle, they generally intended to accompany the Babylonian King into his Country, and to place him again in his Regiment.

In which Travel we will leave the Christian Knights to the con∣duct of Fortune, and return again to Rosana, who (as you heard be∣fore) departed from the Castle in the pursuit of her disloyal Father: of whose strange Accidents shall be spoken in this following Chap∣ter.

CHAP. XII.

How the Knight of the Black Castle after Conquest of the same by the Christian Champions, wandred up and down the World in great terror of Conscience, ••nd after how he was found in a Wood by his own Daughter, in whose presence he desperately slew himself, with other accidents that after hapned.

YOu do well remember when that the Christian Champions had slain the seven Giants in the Enchanted Castle, and had made conquest thereof, disloyal Leoger, being Lord of the same, secretly fled, not for anger of the loss, but for the preservation of his life. So in grief and terrour of Conscience he wandred like a fugitive up and down the World; sometimes remembring of his passed prosperity, other times thinking upon the Rapes he had commit∣ted, how disloyally in former times he had left the Queen of Armenia big with Child, bearing in her Womb the stain of honour, and the confusian of her reputation. Sometimes his guilty Mind im∣agined that the bleeding Ghosts of the two Sisters (whom he both ravished and murthered) followed him up and down, haunting his ghost with fearful Exclamations, and filling each corner of the earth with clamours of Revengement.

Such fear and terror raged in his Soul, that he thought all places where he travelled, were filled with multitudes of Knights, and that the strength of Countries pursued him to heap vengeance upon his guilty head for those wronged Ladies.

Whereby he cursed the hour of his Birth, and blamed the cause of his creation, wishing the Fates to consume his Body with a Fire, or that the Earth would gape and swallow him.

In this manner he travelled up and down, filling all places with Ecchoes of his Sorrow and Grief, which brought him into such a perplexity, that many times he would have slain himself, and have ••id his wretched Soul from a world of Miseries.

But it hapned that one morning very early, by the first light of Titans golden Torch, he entred into a narrow and straight Path which conducted him into a very thick and solitary a Forrest, where∣in with much sorrow he travelled till such time as glistring Phoebus had passed the half part of his journey.

And being weary with the long way and the great weight of his Armour, he was forced to take some rest and case under certain fresh a green Myrtle Trees; whese large leaves did shadow a very fair

and clear Fountain, whose stream made a bubling murmur on the Pibbles.

Being set, he began anew to have in remembrance his former committed Cruelty, and complaining of Fortune, he thus publish∣ed his great grief: and although he was weary of complaining, yet seeing himself without all remedy, he resolved like unto the Swan to sing a while before his death: and so thinking to give some ease unto his tormented Heart, he warbled forth these Uerses following.

MOurnful Melpomeneapproach with speed, And shew thy sacred Face with tears besprent: Let all thy Sisters Hearts with sorrow bleed, To hear my Plaints and rufull discontent. And with your mones sweet Muses all assist My mournfull Song that doth of woe consist.

That so I may at large paint out my pain, Within these Desart Groves and Wilderness: And after I have ended to complain, They may record my woes and deep distress: Except these Myrtle Trees relentless be, They will with sobs assist the sighs of me.

Time wears out life, it is reported so, And so it may, I will it not deny: Yet have I tryd so long and this do know, Time gives no end to this my misery: But rather Fortune, Time, and Fate agree, To Plague my heart with woe eternally.

Ye Silvan Nymphs that in these Woods do shrowd, To you my mournful sorrows I declare, You Savage Satyrs, let your ears be bow'd, To hear my woe your nimble Selves prepare: Trees, Herbs, and Flowers in Rural Fields that grow. While thus I mourn, do you some silence show.

Sweet Philomel, cease thou thy song a while, And will thy Mates their Melodies to leave: And all at once attend my mournful stile, Which will of mirth your sugred notes bereave: If you desire the burthen of my Song. I sigh and sob cause Ladies I did wrong.

You furious Beasts that feed on Mountains high, And restless run with rage your Prey to find, Draw near to him, whose brutish cruelty Hath cropt the bud of Virgins chast and kind: The only thing yet rests to comfort me, Repentance comes a while before I die.

Since all agree for to increase my care, What hope have I for to enjoy delight; Sith Fates and Fortune do themselves prepare, To work against my soul their full despight, I know no means to yield my heart relief, Tis only death which can dissolve my grief.

I muse, and may, my sorrows being such, That my poor Heart can't longer life sustain, Sith daily I do find my grief so much, As every day I feel a dying Pain, But alas, I live afflicted still, And have no hope to heal me of my ill.

When as I think upon my Pleasure past, Now turn'd to Pain, it makes me rue my state: And since my joy with woe is over-cast, O death give end to my unhappy fate. For only death will lasting life provide, Where living thus I sundry deaths abide.

Wherefore all you that hear my mournful Song, And tasted have the grief that I sustain, All lustful Ravishers that have done wrong, With tear fill'd eyes assist me to complain. All that have being do my being hate, Crying hast, hast, this Wretches dying state.

This sorrowful Song being d••ne, he laid himself an along upon the green grass, closing up the closers of his eyes in hope to repose himself in a quiet sleep, and to abandon all discontented thoughts, in which silent contemplations we will leave him for a while, and return to Rosana the Queens Daughter of Armenia, that bold Ama∣zonian

Lady, whom you remember likewise departed from the Black Castle (clad with Enchanted Armour) in the pursuit of her disloyal Father whom she never in her life beheld. This courteous Lady (to perform her Mothers Will) travelled up and down strange Countries with many a weary step, yet never could she meet with her unkind Father, unto whom she was commanded to give her Mothers Letter, neither could she here in any place wheresoever she came, where she might go to seek him. In which travel she met with strange Adventures, which with great honour to her Name she finished, yet still she wandred over Hills and Dales, Moun∣tains and Ualleys, and through many solitary Woods, till at last she hapned by fortune into the Wilderness whereas this discontent∣ed Knight lay sleeping upon the green grass, near to which place she likewise reposed her self under the branches of a Chess-nut Tree, desiring to take some rest after her long travel.

But upon a sudden being betwixt waking and sleeping, she heard towards her left hand a very dolorous groan, as it were of some sorrowful Knight, which was so terrible, heavy and bitter, that it made her to give an attentive car unto the sound, and to see if she could hear and understand what it should be.

So with making the least noise that she could possibly, she arose up, and went toward the place, whereas she might see who it was, and there she beheld a Knight very well armed, lying upon the green grass, under a certain fair and green Myrtle Tree, his Armour was all Russet, and full of bars of black Steel, which shewed to be a very sad, sorrowful, and heavy Enamelling, agreeable to the inward sad∣ness of his heart.

He was somewhat of a big stature of body, and well proportioned, & there seemed by his disposition to be in his heart great grief: where after she had a while stood in secret, beholding his sorrowful counte∣nance in a woful manner, he tumbled his restless body upon the green grass, & with a sad and heavy look he breathed forth this lamentation.

Oh heavy and perverse Fortune (said he) why dost thou consent that I so vile and cruel a wretch do breath so long upon the Earth, upon whose wicked head the Golden Sun disdains to shine, and the glittering Elements deny their chearful lights.

Oh that some ravenous Harpy would welter from his Den, and make his loathsome bowels my fatal Tomb, or that my eyes were sightless, like the miserable King of Thebes, that I never might again behold this Earth, whereon I have long lived and committed so many cruelties.

I am confounded with the curse of sad mischance for wronging

that Maiden Queen of Armenia, in the spoil of whose Uirginity I made a triumphant Conquest.

O Leoger, Leoger, What fury did induce thee to commit so great sin, leaving her stained with thy Lust, and dishonoured by thy dis∣loyalty? O cruel, and without Faith, thou wert nursed with some unkindly milk of Tygers, and born into the World for thine own torment. Where was thine Understanding when thou forsookest that gracious Princess, who not only yielded to thee her Liberty, Love, and Honour, but therewith a Kingdom and a golden Diadom? and therefore woe unto me Traytor, and more woes fall upon my soul than there be hairs upon my head, and may the sorrows of old Priam be my last punishment.

What doth it profit me to fill the Air with Lamentations, when that the Crime is already past, without all remedy or hope of comfort? this being said, he gave a grievous and terrible sigh, and so held his peace.

Rosana by those heavy and sorrowful Lamentations, together with his Reasons which she heard, knew him to be her disloyal Father, whom she had so long travelled after to find out: but when she re∣membred how that his unfaithfulness and unkindness was the death of her Mother, her heart endured such extream pain and sorrow, that she was constrained (without any feeling) to fall down to the ground.

But yet her couragious heart could not remain long in that pas∣sion, but straightways she rose up again upon her feet, with a de∣sire to perform her Mothers Will, but yet not intending to dis∣cover her Name, nor to reveal unto him that she was his Daugh∣ter. So with this thought and determination, she went unto the place where Leoger was, who when he heard the noise of her coming, straight ways started upon his feet.

Then Rosana did salute him with a voice somewhat heavy, and Leoger did return his salutations with no less shew of grace.

Then 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 sor∣row) 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 Banish∣ment.

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 demand∣ed 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 unhap∣py 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 sorrow∣ful 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 sor∣rowful 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 hav∣ing 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 con∣verted from a Crowned Queen to a miserable and banished Caitiff, where∣as savage Beasts are my chief Companions, and the mournful Birds my best Solicitors Oh Leoger, Leoger, why didst thou leave me com∣fortless 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 pre∣cious

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 sleep∣ing 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 con∣sent 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 un∣merciful 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 wouldes•• thou not leave me comfortless, spend∣ing my days in solitary Woods; whereas Tygers mourn at my distresses, and the chirping Birds in their kinds, grieve at my lamentations: the unreasonable tor∣ments 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 wri∣ting 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 ••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 cer∣tainty 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 sorrow∣ful sighs, he threw himself to the ground: tumbling and wallow∣ing from one side unto the other, without taking any ease, or having any power or strength to declare the inward grief which at that time he felt. but with lamentation, which did torment his heart, he called continually on the Armenian Queen, and in that Devilish fury wherein he was, drew out his Dagger, and lifting up the skirt of his shirt of Mail, he thrust it into his Body, and giving himself this unhappy death (with calling upon his wronged Lady) he finish∣ed his life, and fell to the ground.

This sad and heavy Lady when she beheld him so desperately to gore his Martial Breast, and to fall lifeless to the Earth, she great∣ly repented her self, that she had not discovered her Name, and re∣vealed to him how that she was his unfortunate Daughter, whose face before that time he had never beheld, and as a Lion (though all too late) who seeing before her Eyes a young Lioness evil intreat∣ed of the Hunter, even so she ran unto her murthered Father, and with great speed pulled off his Helmet from his wounded head, and unbraced his Armour, the which was in colour according to his passi∣on, but yet as strong as any Diamond, made by Magick Art.

Also she took away his Shield which had on it a Russet Flag, and in the midst thereof was pourtrayed the God of Love with two faces. the one was very fair and baund with a cloth about his eyes, and the other was made marvellous fierce and furious.

This being done with a fair linnen cloath she wiped off the blood from his wounded Body.

And when she was certain that it was he after whom she had tra∣velled so many steps, and that he was without life, with a furious madness she ••••re her Artyre from her Head, and all to rent her gol∣den hair, tearing i•• in pieces, and then returned again and wiped his bleeding Body, making such sorrowful lamentation, that whoso∣ever had seen her, would have been moved to compassion.

Then she took his Head betwixt her hands, striving to lift it up, and to lay it upon her Lap, but seeing for all this, that there was no moving him, she joyned her face unto his pale and dead Cheeks, and with sorrowful Words she said:

Dear Father, open thine eyes and behold me, open them sweet Father, and look upon me thy sorrowful Daughter: If Fortune be so favourable, let me receive some contentment whilst Life remain∣eth: Oh strengthen thy self to look upon me, wherein such delight may come to me, that we may one accompany the other.

Oh my Lord and only Father, seeing that in former times my unfortuate Mothers ••ears were not sufficient to reclaim thee, make me satisfaction for the great travel which I have taken in seeking thee out.

Come now in death and joy in the sight of thy unhappy Daughter, and die not without seeing her: open thine eyes that she may grati∣fie thee in dying with thee.

This being said, Rosana began again to wipe his Body, for that it was again all to be bathed in blood, & with her white hands she felt his eyes and mouth, and all his Face and Head, till such time as she touched his Breast, and put her hand on the mortal Wound, where she held it still, and looked upon him whether he moved or no.

But when she felt him without sense or feeling, she began anew to complain, and crying out with most terrible Exclamations, she said:

Oh my hapless Father, how many Troubles and great Travels hath thy Daughter passed in seeking thee, watering the Earth with her Tears, and always in vain calling for thee? Oh how many times in naming thy name hath she been answered with an Ercho, which was unto her great dolor and grief? And now that Fortune hath brought her where thou art, to rejoyce her self in thy presence, the same Fortune hath converted her wishes into grief and dolour. O cruel and unconstant Queen of Chance, hath Rosana deserved this, to be most afflicted when she expected some joy? O Leoger, if ever thou will open thine eyes, now open them, or let the glasses

of mine be closed eternally.

Herewith she perceived his dim eyes to open, and his senses now a little gathered together: and when he saw himself in her Arms, and understood by her Words, that she was his Daughter, whom he had by the unfortunate Queen of Armenia, he suddenly strove against Weakness, and at last recovering some strength, he cast his yielding Arms about the milk-white neck of the fair Rosana, and they joined their Faces the one with the other, distilling betwixt them many salt and bitter Tears, in such sort that it would have moved the very wild Beasts unto compassion; and then with a feeble and weak voice the wounded Knight said:

O my Daughter, unfortunate by my Dissoyalty, let me recreate and comfort my self, in injoying this thy mouth, the time that I shall remain alive, and before my silly Soul doth depart the com∣pany of my dying Body: I do confess that I have been pittiless unto thy Mother, and unkind to thee, in making thee to travel with great sorrow in seeking me, and now thou hast found me, I must leave thee alone in this sorrowful place with my dead Body pale and wan, yet before my death sweet Girl give me some few gentle kis∣ses: this only delight I crave for the little time I have to carry, and afterwards I desire thee to intomb my Body in thy Mothers Grave, though it be far in distance from this unlucky Country.

O my dear Lord (answered she) do you request me to give your Body a Sepulchre? I think it more requisite to seek some to give it unto us both: for I know my life cannot continue long, if the angry Fates deprive me of your living company. And without strength to proceed any further in Speeches, she kissed his Face with many sobbings and sighs, and having within her self a terrible conflict, she carryed for the answer of her dying Father, who with pain and great anguish of Death, said:

O my Child, how happy should I be, that thus imbracing one in anothers Arms, we might depart together? then should I be joyful in thy company, and account my self happy in my death: but alas, I must leave thee unto the World. Daughter farewel, good Fortune preserve thee, and for ever may she take thee into her Fa∣vour. And when he had said these Words, inclining his neck upon the Face of Rosana, he dyed.

When this sorrowful Lady saw that the Soul had got the victory, and departed from the Body, she kissed his pale lips; and giving deep and dolorous sighs, she began a marvellous and most heavy la∣mentation, calling her self unhappy and unfortunate, and laid her self upon the dead Body, cursing her destinies, so that it was lamen∣table to hear.

O my dear Father (said she) what small benefit have I received for all my travel and pain, the which I have suffered in seeking thee and now in the finding of thee, the more is my grief, for that I came to see thee die? O most unhappy that I am, where was my mind when I saw that fatal Dagger pierce thy tender Breast: Whereon was my Thoughts? Wherefore did I stand still, and did not with courage make resistance against that terrible and fatal Blow?

If my strength would not have served me, yet at the least I should then have born thee company. You furious Beasts that are hid in your Dens and deep Caves, where are you now? Why do you not come and take pity upon my Grief in taking away my life? doing so you shew your selves pittiful, for that I do abhor this dolorous Life.

Yet all this while she did not forget the promise that she made him, which was to give his Body burial in her Mothers Tomb: Which was the occasion that she did somewhat cease her lamentati∣on, and taking unto her self more courage than her sorrowful grief would consent unto, she put the dead Body under a broad branched Pine-apple Tree, and covered it with leaves and green grass, and withal hung his Armour upon the boughs, in hope, that the sight thereof would cause some adventurous Knight to approach her pre∣sence, that in kindness would assist her to in tomb him. This done, here we will leave Rosana weeping over her Fathers Body, and speak of the Necromancer after his flight from the Black Castle.

CHAP. XIII.

How the Magician found Leogers Armour hanging upon a Pine Tree, kept by Rosana the Queens Daughter of Armenia, betwixt whom hapned a ter∣rible Battel: also of the desperate-Death of the Lady: and after, how the Magician framed by Magick Art an Enchanted Sepulchre, wherein he inclo∣sed himself from the sight of all humane Creatures.

I Am sure you do well remember, when the Christian Knights had conquered the Black Castle, which was kept by Enchant∣ment, how the furious Necromancer to preserve his life, fled from the same, carried by his Art through the Air in an Iron Chariot, drawn by two flying Dragons: in which charmed Chariot, he cros∣sed over many parts and plains of the Eastern Climates.

At last, being weary of his Iourney, he put himself into the thickest of a Forrest, wherein travelling with his whirling Dra∣gons,

he never rested till he came unto a mighty and broad River, the which seemed to be an arm of the Marble-coloured Ocean: there he alighted from his Chariot for to refresh himself, and took Water with his hands and drunk thereof, and washed his face: and as he found himself all alone, there came into his mind many thoughts of his torepaised site, and how he was vanquished by the Christian Knights, for which with great anger he gave terrible sighs, and began to curse not only the hour of his Birth, but the whole World, and all the generations of Mankind.

Likewise he remembred the great sorrow and travel that he ever since had induced, and what to••l travelling Knights do endure: In these variable cogitations spent he the time away till golden Phoebus began to withdraw himself into his accustomed Lodging▪ to hide his light in the Occidental parts, and therewith drew on the dark and tenehrous Night, which was the occasion that his pain did the more encrease: all that Night he passed away with such sor∣rowful lamentations for his late disgraces, that all the Woods and Mountains did resound his woful Erclamations, till that Sol with his glistering Beams began again to recover the Earth.

The which being seen by the Magician, with a trice he arose up, and intending to prosecute his Journey, but lifting up his eyes towards the Elements, he discovered hanging upon a high and mighty Pine-apple Tree the Armour of Leoger.

This Armour was hung there by Rosana, in the remembrance of his death, as you heard in the last Chapter. And although it had almost lost the wonted colour, and began to rust through the abundance of rain that had fallen thereon, yet for all that it seem∣ed of a great value and of a wonderful richness, so without any fur∣ther circumspection or regard, he took down the Knights Armour, and armed himself therewith, and when he had lacked no more to put on but the Helmet, he heard a voice that said: Be not so hardy thou Knight as to undo this Trophie, except thou prepare thy self to win it by the Sword.

The Magician at this unexpected Nosse, cast his Head on the one side, and espyed Rosana newly awaked from a heavy sleep most richly Armed with a strong Enchanted Armour, after the manner of the Amazonians, but for all that, he did not let to make an end of arming himself, and having laced on his Burgoner, he went to∣wards the Demanvet with his Sword ready drawn in his hand, inviting her to a mortal Bartel.

Rosana, who saw his determination, did provide to defend her self, and offend her Enemy.

O my Muse! that I had but learned Eloquence for to set out and declare the noble Encounters of these two Gallant Warriours: Rosana though she was but a Feminine by nature, yet was she as bold in Heroical Adventures as any Knight in the World, except the invincible Christian Champions.

But now return we to our History. The valiant Amazonian when her Enemy came unto her, she struck him so terrible a blow upon the visour of his Helmet, that with the fury thereof she made sparkles of fire to issue out with great abundanee, and forced him to bow his head unto his Breast.

The Magician did return unto her his salutation, and struck her such a blow upon her Helmet, that with the great noise thereof, it made a sound in all the Mountains. And so began between them a marvellous and fearful Battel, Fortune not willing to use her utmost extremity, enclined the foyl to neither party, nor as yet gave the Conquest to any, all the time of the Conflict, the furious Ma∣gician and the valiant Amazonian thought on no other thing, but either of them endeavoured to bring the other to an overthrow, stri∣king each at other such terrible blows, and with so great fury, that many times it made either of them senseless, and both seeing the great force one of another, were marvellously incenst with anger.

Then the valiant Lady threw her Shield at her back, that with more force she might strike and hurt her Enemy, and therewithal gave him so strong a blow upon the Burgonet, that he fell quite a∣stonished to the Earth without any feeling.

But when the Magician came again to himself, he returned Rosana such a terrible blow, that if it had chanced to hit right upon her, it would have cloven her head in pieces, but with great ••i••∣••retion she cleared her Head in such sort, that it was strucken in vain, and with great lightness she retired, and struck the Magi∣cian so furiously, that she made him once again to fall to the ground all astonished, and there appeared at the visour of his Hel∣met, great abundance of Blood that issued out of his mouth: but presently he revived and got up in a trice, with so great anger, that the smoak which came from his mouth seemed like a mist before his Helmet, so that almost it could not be seen.

Then thus furious Devil (blaspheming against his hard hap) ha∣ving his sharp Sword very fast in his hand, ran towards his enemy, who (without any fear of his Fury) went forth to receive him: and when they met together, they discharged their ••lows at once: but it fortuned that the Amazonians Blow did first fasten, with so great strength, that for all the Helmet of the Magician,

which was wrought of the strongest Steel, it was not sufficient to make defence, but with the rigorous force wherewith it was charg∣ed, it bended in such sort that it brake into pieces: and the Magi∣cians head was so grievously wounded, that streams of blood ran down his Armour, and he was forced for want of strength to yield to the mercy of the valiant Lady, who quickly condescended to his request, upon this condition, that he would be a means to convey her Fathers dead Body to an Island near adjoyning to the Borders of Armenia, and there to Intomb it in her Mothers Grave, as she promised when that his Ayr of life fleeted from his body.

The Magician for safeguard of his life, presently agreed to per∣form her Desires, and protested to accomplish whatsoever she de∣manded.

Then presently by his Art he prepared his Iron Charriot with his flying Dragons in a readiness, wherein he laid the murthered Bo∣dy of Leoger upon a pillow of Mys••etoe, and likewise placed them∣selves therein, wherein they were no sooner entred, with necessa∣ries belonging to their Travels, but they fled thorow the Air more swift than a Whirl-wind, or a Ship sailing on the Seas in a stormy tempest.

The Wonders that he performed by the way, be so many and mi∣raculous, that I want an Orators Eloquence to describe them, and a Poets skill to express them.

But to be short, when Rosana was desirous to eat, and that her hunger encreased, by his Charms he would procure Birds (of their own accords) to fall out of the Skies, and yield themselves unto their pleasure, with all things necessary to suffice their wants.

Thus Rosana with her Fathers dead Body, carryed through the air by Magick Art, over Hills and Dales, Mountains and Ual∣leys, Woods and Forrests, Towns and Cities, and through ma∣ny both wonderful and strange Places and Countries.

And at last, they arrived near unto the Confines of Armenia, be∣ing the place of their long desired rest. But when they approached near unto the Queen of Armenia's Grave, they descended from their Enchanted Chariot, and bore Leoger's body to his burying place, the which they found (since Rosana departed) overgrown with Moss and withered Brambles: Yet for all that they opened the Sepulchre and laid his Body yet freshly bleeding) upon his La∣dies consumed Carkass: which being done, the Magician cover∣ed the Grave again with earth, and laid thereon green Turfs, which made it seem as though it never had been opened.

All the time that the Magician was performing the Ceremoni∣ous

Funeral, Rosana watered the Earth with her Tears, never with drawing her Eyes from looking upon the Grave: and when it was finished, she sell into a sorrowful lamentation, following:

Oh cruel Destinies (said she) sith your rigours have bereaved me of both my Parents, and left me to the World a comfortless Orphan, receive the Sacri∣fice to my Chastity, in payment of your Vengeance, and let my blood here shed upon this Grave, shew the singleness of my heart. And with the like So∣lemnity may all their hearts be broken in pieces, that seek the downfall and dishonour of Ladies.

As she was uttering these and the like sorrows, she took forth a naked Sword which she had ready for the fame effect, and pur••ing the Pummel to the ground, cast her Breast upon the point. The which she did with such furious violence and exceeding haste, that the Magician although he was there present, could not succour her nor prevent her from committing on her self so bloody a Fact.

This sudden mischance so amazed him, and so grieved his Soul that his Heart (for a time) would not consent that his Tongue should speak one word to express his Passion. But at last (ha∣ving taken truce with Sorrow, and recovering his former Speech,) he took up the dead Body of Rosana, bathed all in Blood, and likewise buried her in her Parents Grave: and over the same hung an Epitaph that did declare the occasion of all their Deaths.

This being done, to express the sorrows of his heart for the de∣sperate Death of such a magnanimous Lady, and the rather to ex∣empt himself from the company of all humane creatures, he erected over the Grave, by Magick Art, a very stately Tomb, which was in this order framed: First, there were fixed four Pillars, every one of a very fine Rubie: upon which was placed a Sepulchre of Crystal: within the Sepulchre there seemed to be two fair La∣dies; the one having her breast pierced thorow with a Sword, and the other with a Crown of Gold upon her Head, and so lean of body that she seemed to pine away: and upon the Sepulchre there lay a Knight all along, with his Face looking up to the Heavens, and armed with a Corsset of fine Steell of a russet Enamelling: under the Sepulchre there was spread abroad a great Carpet of Gold and upon it two Pillars of the sam••, and upon them lay an old Shepherd and his Sheep-hook lying at his féet; his eyes were shut, and out of them were diffilled many pearled tears: at ei∣ther Pillar there was a Gentlewoman of a comely Feature, the one of them seemed to be murthered, and the other ravished.

And near unto the Sepulchre, there lay a terrible great Beast, he••∣ded like a Lian, his Breast and Body like a Wolf, and his tail like a Scorpion: which seemed to spir continually flames of fire. The Sepulchre was compassed about with a Wall of Iron, with four Gates for to enter in thereat: the Gates were after the manner and colour of fine Diamonds: and directly over the top of the chiefest Gate stood a Marble Pillar, whereon hung a Table written with red Letters, the Contents whereof were as follow:

So long shall breathe upon this brittle Earth The Framer of this stately Monument, Till that three Children of a wondrous Birth Out of a Northern Climate shall be sent: They shall obscure his Name, as Fates agree, And by his fall the Fiends shall tamed be.

This Monument was no sooner framed by the assistance of Pluto's Legions, and maintained by their Devillish Powers, but the Necromancer inclosed himself within the Walls, where he consorted chiefly with Furies and walking Spirits, that continually fed upon his blood, and left their damnable seals sticking upon his left side, as a sure token and witness that he had given both his Soul and Bo∣dy to their Governments after the date of his mortal Life was finished.

In which enchanted Sepulchre we will leave him for a time con∣ferring with his damnable Mates, and return to the Christian Knights, where we left them travelling towards Babylon, to place the King again in his Kingdom.

CHAP. XIV.

How the seven Champions of Christendom restored the Babylonian King unto the Kingdom: and after how honourably they were received at Rome, where Saint George fell in love with the Emperors Daughter, be∣ing a professed Nun: of the mischief that ensued thereby, and of the desperate end of young Lucius Prince of Rome.

THE valiant Christian Champions, having as you heard in the Chapter going before, performed the Adventure of the En∣chanted Monument, accompanied the Babylonian King to his King∣dom of Assyria, as they had all solemnly promised him.

But when they approached the Confines of Babylon, and made no ••ucstion of peaceful and Princely entertainment, there was neither sign of peace nor likelihood of joyful and friendly Welcome, for all the Country raged with intestine War, four several Competitors unjust∣ly striving for what unto the King properly and of right belonged.

The unnatural Causers and stirrers up to this Blood-devouring Controversie, were four Noble men, unto whom the King unad∣visedly committed the Government of his Realm, when he went in the Tragical pursuit of his fair Daughter, after his dreamed il∣lusion that caused him so cruelly to seek her Death. And the breaking our into this hurliburly grew first to head in this manner follow∣ing:

Two years after the Kings departure, these Deputies gover∣ned the publick State in great peace, and with prudent Policy, till after no tydings of the King could be heard, notwithstanding so many Messengers as were into every quarter of the World sent to enquire of him: then did Ambition kindle in all their hearts, each striving to wrest into his hand the sole possession of the Babylonian Kingdom.

To this end, they all made several Friends: for this had they contended in many fights; and now lastly, they intended to set all their hopes upon this main chance of War, intending to fight till three fell, and one remained Uictor over the rest: whose Head should be beautified with a Crown.

But to Traytors and Treason the end is sudden and shameful, for no sooner had S. George (placing himself between the Battels) in a brief Oration shewed the Adventures of the King, and he him∣self to the People discovered his reverend Face, but they all shouted for joy, and hauling the Usurpers presently to Death, they re-in∣stalled him in his antient Dignity, their true, lawful, and long∣lookt for King.

The King being thus restored, married Fidelia for her faithful∣ness: and after the Nuptial Feasts, the Champions (at the ear∣nest request of S. Anthony) departed towards Italy: where in Rome the Emperor spared no cost honourably and mòst sumptuously to en∣tertain those never-daunted Knights, the famous Wonders of Christendom.

At that time of the year when the Summers Queen had beauti∣fied the Earth with interchangable Ornaments; S. George (in company of the Emperor with the rest of the Champions, chanced to walk along by the side of the River Tybur, to delight themselves with the pleasant Meads, and beautiful prospect of the Country.

Before they had walked half a mile from the City, they ap∣proached unto an ancient Nunnery, which was very fair and of a stately Building, and likewise encompassed about with Chrystal streams and many green Meabows, furnished with all manner of beautiful Trées and fragrant Flowers.

This Nunnery was consecrated to Diana the Queen of Chastity, and none were suffered to live therein, but s••••h chast Ladies and Uirgins as had ••owed themselves to a single Life, ••aild so keep their Uirginities for ever unsported.

In this place the Emperors only Daughter lived as a pro••••ssed Nun, and exempted her self from all company, except it were the fellowship of chast and religious Uirgins.

This vertuous Lucina (for so was she called) having intelligence before, by the Dverséers of the Nunnery, how that the Emperor her Father with many other knights, were coming to visit their Religious Havitation, against their approach she attyred her self in a Gown of white Satin, all laid over with gold Lace, having also her golden locks of Hair somewhat laid forth. And upon her head was knit a Garland of sweet smelling Flowers, which made her seem like some Celestial or Divine Creature.

Her beauty was so excellent, that it might have quailed the heart of Cupid, and her bravery excéeded the Paphi••n Quéens. Never could nature with all her cunning, stream more beauty in any one Creature, than was upon her Face: nor never could the flattering Syrens more beguile the Traveller, than did her bright counte∣nance enchant the English Champion: for at his first entrance in∣to the Nunnery, he was so ravished with her sight, that he was not able to withdraw his eyes from her beauty, but stood gazing upon her rosie coloured Cheeks, like one bewitched with Medusi's sha∣dows. And to be short, her beauty seemed so Angelical, and the burning flames of love so fired his heart, that he must either en∣joy her company, or give end to his life by some untimely means.

Saint George being wounded thus with the Dart of Love, dis∣sembled his grief, and revealed ••t not to any one, but departed with the Emperor back again to the City, leaving his heart behind him, closed in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mo••astert with his lovely Lucina.

All that ensuing night he could not enjoy the benefit of sléep, but did contemplate upon the Divine Beauty of his Lady; and slaughted his mind with a thousand several cogitations how he might attain to the love, being a chast Uirgin and a professed Nun.

In this manner spent he away the night, and no scouer appear∣ed

the mornings brightness in at the Chamber Window, but he arose from his restless Bed, and attyred himself in Watchet Uelver, to signifie his true Love, and wandred all alone unto the Monastery, where he revealed his deep affection unto the Lady, who was as far from granting to his Request, as the Skies from the Earth, or the deepest Seas the highest Elements: for she protest∣ed while life remained within her Body, never to yield her Love in the way of Marriage to any one, but to remain a pure Uirgin, and of Diana's Train.

No other resolution could Saint George get of the chaste Nun, which caused him to part in great discontent, intending to seek by some other means to obtain her love, so coming to the rest of the Christian Champions, he revealed to them the truth of all things that had hapned: who in this manner counselled him, that he should provide a multitude of Armed Knights, every one bearing in their hands a Sword ready drawn, and to enter the Monastery at such time as she little mistrusted, and first with Promises and fair and kind Speeches to seek her love, but if she yielded not, to fill her ears with cruel threatnings, protesting that if she will not grant to requite his love with like Affections, he would not leave one Stone of that Mo∣nastery standing upon another, and likewise make her a bloody offer∣ing up to Diana.

This Policy liked well Saint George, though he intended not to prosecute such Cruelty: so the next morning by break of day he went unto the Nunnery in company of no other but the Christian Cham∣pions, armed in bright Armour, with their glistering Swords rea∣dy drawn, which they carryed under their side Cloaks to prevent su∣spition.

But when they came to the Monastery, and had entered into the Chamber of Lucina (whom they found kneeling upon the bare ground at her Ceremonious Orisons) Saint George first proffered her kind∣ness by fair Promises, but finding that thereby he nothing prevail∣ed, he then made known his pretended unmerciful Purpose, and thereupon all of them shaking their bright Swords against her ver∣tuous Breast, they protested (though contrary to their intents) that except she would yield to Saint George her unconquered Love, they would bathe their Weapons in her dearest Blood.

At which Words the distressed Uirgin being overcharged with fear, sunk down presently to the ground, and lay for a time in a dead Agony, but in the end recovering her self, she lifted up her Angelical Face, shrouded under a cloud of pale sorrow, and in this manner declared her mind:

Most Renowned and well approved Knight (said she) it is as dif∣ficult to me to climb up to the highest top of Heaven, as to persuade my mind to yield to the fulfilling of your requests: The pure and chast Goddess Diana that sits now crowned amongst the go••ven Stars, will revenge my perjured promise, if I yield ••o your d••••ires, for I have long since deeply vowed to spend my days in this Re∣ligious House, in honour of her Deity, and not to yield the flower of my Uirginity to any one, which Uow I will not infringe for all the Wealth of Rome? you know brave champions, that in time the watery drops will mollifie the hardest Diamond, and time may root this resolution out of my heart. Therefore I request you by honour of true Knighthood, and by the loves you bear to your Native Countries, to grant me the liberty of seven days, that I may at full consider with my heart before I give an answer to your demands, and to the intent that I may make some publick Sacri∣fices, as well to appeafe the Wrath which the chast Goddess Diana may conceive against me, as to satisfie my own Soul for not ful∣filling my Uow.

These Words were no sooner ended, but the Champions inconti∣nently without any more delay joyfully consented, and moreover proffered themselves to be all present at the same sacrifice, and so de∣parted from the Monastery with exceeding great comfort.

The Champions being gone, Lucina called together all the rest of the Nuns, and declared to them the whole discourse of her assail∣ment, whereafter amongst this Religious company with the help of some other of their approved Friends, they devised a most strange Sacrifice, which hath since been the occasion that so many inhumane and bloody Sacrifices have been committed.

The next morning after six days were finished, no sooner did bright Phoebus shew his golden Beams abroad, but the Nuns began to prepare all things in readiness for the Sacrifice: for directly be∣fore the door of the Monastery they hired cunning Work-men to erect a Scaffold, all very richly covered with Cloth of Gold, and upon the Scaffold (about the middle thereof) was placed a fair Table, covered also with a Carpet of Cloth of Gold, and upon it a Chasing∣dish of Coals burning: all this being set in good order, the Em∣peror with the Christian Champions, and many other Roman Knights being present to behold the Ceremonious Sacrifice, little mistrusted the doleful Tragedy that after hapned.

The Assembly being alent, there was straight-ways heard a sweet and harmonious sound of Clarions and Trumpets, and sundry o∣ther kinds of Instruments: these entered first upon the Scaffold, and

next unto them were brought seven Rams, all ado••ned with fine white Wool more soft in feeling than Ar••b••••. Silk, with huge and mighty charged Horns, bound about with Garlands of Flowers; ••••••er them followed a certain member of Nuns a••••yled in black Uestm••••••, singing their accustomed Songs in the honour of Diana: after them followed an ancient Marton drawn in a Chariot by four comely Uirgins, bringing in their hands the Image of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and on either side of her two ancient Nuns of great estimation, each of them bearing in their hands rich Uessels of gold, full of most pre∣cious and sweet Wines: then after all this came the beautiful Lucina apparelled with a rich Robe of Estate, being of a great and in••••••••able Ua••••e.

Thus ceremoniously she ascended the Scaffold, where the Matron placed the Image of Diana behind the Chasing dish of Coals that was there burning: and the rest of the Nuns commned still sing∣ing their Songs and drinking of the precious Wines that were brought in the golden Uessels. This being done, they all at once brought low the necks of the R••ms by ••••••tting their Throar••, whose blood they sprinkled round about the Scaffold, •• opened their bowels, and burned the inward parts in the Chasing di•••• of Coals.

Thus with the slaughter, they made Sacrifice to the Queen of Chastity: at the sight whereof was present the surfeiting Lover S. George, with the other six Christian Knights, a••med all in bright Armour, & were all very attentive to this that I have here told you.

This Sacrifice ended, this Lucina commanded silence to be made, and when all the company were still, she raised her self upon her ••••e••, and with a heavy Uoice distilling many salt Tears, the said:

O m••••t excellent and chast Diana, in whose blessed b••••om we undetiled Virgins do recreate our selves, unto thy most Divine excellency do I now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this my last Sacrifice, calling to record all the Gods, that I have done my best to continue a sp••tless Maiden of thy most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Train.

O heavens, shall I consent to deliver my Uirginity willingly to him whose Soul desires to have the use of it? Or shall I my self consent my utter ruine and sorrowful destruction, which proceedeth only by the means of my flourishing beauty? I would it had been as the night Ravens, or like to the tawny tanned Moors in the farthest Mountains of India.

O Sacred Diana thou blessed Queen of Chastity, is it possible that thou ••ost consent that a Uirgin descended from so Royal a Race as I am, should suffer the worthiness of her Predecessours to be sported by yielding her Uirgin honour to the conquest of Love without respecting the chast Uow I made unto thy Deity?

Well, seeing it is so, that I must nee••s vi••••me my self against all humane nature, •• beseech thee to receive the so••e••nity of this my death, which I offer up in Sacrifice to thy Di••ine Excellency: for I am here con••trained with mine own trembling h••nd to cut off the flourishing Branches of these 〈…〉〈…〉. For this I swear before the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Diana, that I 〈…〉〈…〉 the society and s••cced Bosom of that great Godde••s than ••o 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Ca••••••e of my Cha••••••••y to the Conquest of any ••nig•••• in ••••e Wo••ld.

And now to thee I speak thou valiant knight of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, be••o••d here I ••ield unto thy hands 〈…〉〈…〉 Bo••y, to use 〈…〉〈…〉 to thy will and pleasure, requesting only this thing at thy hand, that as thou love•• me ••i••ing, thou wil•• 〈…〉〈…〉, and like a merci∣ful Champion, suffer me to receive a P••incely Funeral.

At last of all to thee Divine Diana do I speak, ••c••ept of this my b••ee••ing Soul, that with so much Blood is offered unto thee.

So in finishing this sorrowful Speech, she drew out a fair and bright shining Sword, which she had ••••••oden secretly under her ••own, and setting the H•••••• against the Scaff••••d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 looked for of her Father and those that were present she suddenly threw her self upon the point of that Sword in such fu••iou•• manner, that it parted her b••oody heart in sunder, & so rende••ed her Son to the t••i∣tion of her unto whom she offered her mo•••• bloody 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sacrifice.

What shall I here declare the lamentable sorrows and pitiful la∣mentation that was there made by her Father and other Roman Knights that were present at this unhappy m••••chance: to great it was, that the Wall of the Monastery Ecchoed, and their pi••tiful shrieks ascended to the Clouds.

But none was more grieved in mind than the afflicted English Champion, who (like a man distraught of sense) in great fury rush∣ed amongst the ••eo••le, thro••ing them down on every side, till he ascended upon the Sca••••old: and approaching the dead Body of Lu∣cina, he took her up in his arms, and with a sorrowful and passionate voice ••e said: O my belov••d 〈…〉〈…〉 hearts delight, is this the Sacrifice wherein through thy desp••rateness thou hast deceived me, who lo∣ved thee more th••n my life? 〈…〉〈…〉 respite that thou requirest for seven days, wherein th•••• ha••t conclude 〈…〉〈…〉, and my utter Confusion.

O Noble Lucina, and my 〈…〉〈…〉 were thy intention, why didst thou not first Sacrifice me thy Servant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ove, wholly subjected unto thy Di∣vine Beauty? Woe be unto ••e, 〈…〉〈…〉 unto my unhappy enterprize: for by it is she lost, who was m••de Sover••g•• Lady of my heart.

O Diana, accursed be this Chance, because thou hast consented to so bloody a Tragedy: for I do here protest, that never more shalt thou be worshipped, but in thy stead every Land and Country where the English Champion cometh, shall Lucina be adored. For from henceforth will I seek to diminish thy Name, and blot it from the Godral of the Firmament; yea, and utterly extinguish it for e∣ver, so that there shall never more memory remain of thee for this thy bloody Tyranny, in suffering so lamentable a Sacrifice.

No sooner had he delivered these Speeches, but incensed with fury, he drew his Sword and parted the Image of Diana into two pieces, protesting to ruinate the Monastery within whose Wall's the device of this bloody Sacrifice was concluded.

The Sorrow and extream Grief of the Roman Emperour so exceeded for the murther of his Daughter, that he fell to the Earth in a senseless swound, and was carried by certain of his Knights half dead with grief home to his Palace, where he remained speechless by the space of thirty days.

The Emperour had a Son as valiant in arms as any born Italian, except S. Anthony. This young Prince whose Name was Lucius seeing his sisters timeless death, and by what means it was commit∣ted, he presently intended with a Train of an hundred armed Knights which continually attended upon his Person, to assail the discontented Champions, and by force of arms to revenge his Sisters death.

This resolution so encouraged the Roman Knights, but espe∣cially the Emperors Son, that betwixt these two companies began as terrible a Battel as ever was fought by any Knights; the fierce∣ness of their blows so exceeded the one side against the other, that they did resound Ecchoes, which yielded a terrible Noise in the Neighbouring Woods.

This Battel did continue betwixt them both sharp and sierce for the space of two hours, by which time the valour of the incensed Champions so prevailed, that most of the Roman Knights were dis∣comfited and slain: some had their Heads parted from their shoul∣ders, some had their Arms and Legs lopped off, and some lay breath∣less, weltring in their own blood, in which encounter many a Roman Lady lost her Husband, many a Widow was bereaved of her Son, and many a Child left Fatherless, to the great sorrow of the whole Country.

But when the valiant Poung Prince of Rome saw his Knights dis∣comfited, and he left alone to withstand so many Noble Champions, he presently set spurs to his Horse, and fled from them like a heap of dust forced by a Whirle-wind.

After whom the Champions would not pursut, accounting it no glory to their Names to triumph in the overthrow of a single Knight but remained still by the Scaffold, where they buryed the sacrificed Uirgin, under a Marble stone close by the Monastery Wall. The which being done to their contentments, S. George engraved this Epitaph upon the same Stone with the point of his Dagger, which was in this wise following:

Under this Marble Stone interr'd doth lye, Luckless Lucina, yet of Beauty bright: Who to maintain her spotless Chastity, Against the assailment of an English Knight, Upon a Blade her tender Breast she cast; A bloody Offering to Diana chaste.

So, when he had written this Epitaph, the Christian Champions mounted upon their swift-footed Steeds, and bad adue to the unhap∣py confines of Italy, hoping to find better Fortunes in other Coun∣tries. In which Travel we will leave them for a time, and speak of the Prince of Rome: who after the discomfiture of the Roman Knights, fled in such haste from the furies of the Warlike Cham∣pions. After which, he like a raging Lyon traversed along by the River of Tybris, filling all places with his melancholy passions, un∣till such time as he entred into a thick Grove, wherein he purposed to rest his weary Limbs, and lament his misfortunes. After he had in this solitary place unlaced his Helmet, and hurled it scornfully against the ground, the infernal Furies began to visit him, and to sting his Breast with motions of fiery revenge. In the end he cast up his wretched Eyes unto the Skies, and said:

O you fatal Torches of the Elements, why are you not clad in mournful Ha∣biliments, to cloak my wandring steps in eternal darkness? Or shall I be made a scorn in Rome for my Cowardize? Or shall I return and accompany my Ro∣man Friends in death, whose Blood methinks I see sprinkled about the Fields of Italy? Methinks I hear their bleeding Souls fill each corner of the Earth with my base flight: therefore will I not live to be termed a fearful Coward, but die couragiously by mine own hands, whereby those accursed Champions shall not obtain the Conquest of my Death, nor triumph in my Fall.

This being said, he drew out his Dagger and clave his heart in sunder. The News of whose desperate Death, after it was bruited to his Fathers ears, he interred his Body with his sister Lucina's, and erected over them a stately Chappel, wherein the Nuns and ceremo∣nious

Monks during all their lives, sung Dirges for his Chil∣drens Souls.

After this, the Empero: made Proclamations through all his Dominions, that if any Knight were so hardy as to travel in pursuit after the English Champion, and by force of Arms to being him back, or deliver his head un••o the Empero, he should not only be held in great estimation through the Land, but receive the Government of the Empire after his dece••se. Which rich proffer so encouraged the minds of ma∣ny adventurous knights, that they went from fundry Pro∣vinces in the pursuit of S. George, but their attempts were all vain.

CHAP. XV.

Of the Triumphs, Tilts, and Turnaments, that were solemnly held in Constantinople by the Grecian Emperor; and of the honourable Ad∣ventures that were there atchieved by the Christian Champions, with other strange accidents that hap••ed.

IN the Eas••ern parts of the World the fame and valiant déeds of the Champions of Christendom, was noised with their Heroical Acts and feats of Arms, naming them the Mirrour of Nobility, and the Types of bright honour: all Kings and Princes (to whose ears the report of their Ualours were bruited) desired much to behold their noble Personages. And when the Emperor of Grecia (keeping then his Court in the City of Constantinople,) heard of their mighty and valiant deeds, he thirst∣ed after their sights, and his mind could never be satisfied with content, until such time as he had devised a means to Train them unto his Court, not only in y^e he might enjoy the benefit of their Companies, but to have his Court honoured with the pre∣sence of such renowited Knights: and therefore in this manner it was accomplished.

The Emperor dispatched Messengers into divers parts of the World, gave them in ch••••ge to publish throughout every Country and Province as the went, of an honourable Turnament that should be 〈…〉〈…〉 in the City of Constantinople within six months fol∣lowing, therein to accomplish his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and to bring the Christi∣an Champion•• whose company he so much des••••ed unto his Court.

This charge of the Grecian Emperour (as he commanded) was speedily performed with such diligence, that in a short time it came to the ears of the Christian Knights, as they travelled betwixt the Provinces of Asia and Africa, who at the time appointed, came in great Pomp and Majesty to Constantinople, to furnish forth the honou∣rable Triumphs.

At the Fame whereof likewise resorted thither a great number of Knights of great valour and strength, among whom was the Prince of Argier with a goodly company of Noble Persons, and the Prince of Fez with many well proportioned Knights: likewise came thither the King of Arabia in great state; and with no less Maiesty came the King of Sicilia, and a Brother of his, who were both Gia••ts. Many other brave and valiant Knights (whose Names I here 〈◊〉〈◊〉) came thither to honour the Grecian Emperour, for that he was very well esteemed of by them all. And as they came to honour the Tri∣umphs, so likewise they came to prove their Foritudes, and to get Fame and Name, and the praise that belongeth to adventurous Knights. It was supposed of all the company that the King of Sici∣lia would gain by his Prowess the Dignity from the rest, for that he was a Giant of very big Limbs, although his Brother was taken to be the more furious Knight, who determined not to just, for that his Brother should get the honour and praise from all the Knights that came, but it fell out otherwise, as hereafter you shall understand.

For when the day of Turnament was come, all the Ladies and Damsels put themselves in places to behold the justing, and attired themselves in the greatest bravery that they could devise, and the great Court swarmed with People that came thither to behold the triumphant Turnament.

What shall I say here of the Emperours Daughter, the fair Alci∣da? who was of so great beauty that she seemed more like a Divine substance than an earthly Creature, and sate glistering in rich Dr∣naments amongst the other Ladies, like unto Phoebus in the Crystal Firmament, and was noted of all beholders to be the fairest Prin∣cess that ever mortal eye beheld: so when the Emperour was seated upon his Imperial Throne under a Tent of green Uelver: The Knights began to enter into the Lists: and he that first entred was the Knight of Arabia, mounted upon a very fair and well adorned Courser, he was armed with black Armour, all to bespotted with silver knobs, and he brought with him fifty Knights all apparelled with the same Livery, and thus with great Majesty he rode round about the Palace, making great obedience unto all the honourable Ladies and Damsels.

After him entred the Pagan Knight, who was Lord of Syria, and armed with Armour of Lions Colour, accompanied with an hun∣dred Knights all appar••lled in Uelver of the same Colour, and pas∣sed round about the Pallace, shewing unto the Ladies great friend∣ship and courtesie as the other did.

Which being done, he beheld the King of Arabia tarrying to re∣ceive him at the Iust: and the Trumpets began to sound, giving them to understand, that they must prepare themselves ready to the encounter! whereto these two Knights were nothing unwilling, but spurred their Couriers with great fury, and closed together with couregious Ualour.

The King of Arabia, most strongly made his Encounter, and strook the Pagan without missing upon his breast: but the Pagan at the next Race (being heated with fury) strook him so surely with his Lance, that he heaved him out of his Saddle, and he sell presently to the ground, after which the Pagan Knight rode up and down with great pride and gladness.

The Arabian King being thus overthrown, there entred into the Lists the King of Argier, armed with no other Furniture but with silver Mail, and a Breast-plate of might steel before his Breast; his pomp and pride exceeded all the Knights that were then present, but yet to small purpose his pride and arrogancy served; for at the first Encounter he was overthrown ••o the ground: in like sort did that Pagan use fifteen other Knights of fifteen several Provinces, to the great wonder and amazement of the Emperour and all the Assembly.

During all these valiant Encounters, S. George with the other Christian Champions, stood afar off upon a high Gallery beholding them, intending not as yet to be seen in tho Tilt.

But now this valiant Pagan after he had rode some si•• Courses up and down the place, and seeing none entred the Tilt-yard, he thought to bear all the fame and honour away for that day.

But at the same instant there entred the noble minded Prince of Fez, being for courage the only pride of his Country, he was a marvellous well-proportioned Knight, and was armed all in white Armour, wrought with excellent knots of Gold, and he brought in his company a hundred Knights, all attyred in white Sat••en, and riding about the place, he shewed his obedience unto the Empe∣rour, and to all the Ladies, and thereupon the Trumpets began to sound.

At the noise whereof the two Knights spurred their Coursers, and made their Encounters so strong, and with such great fury, that

the proud Pagan was cast to the Ground, and so departed the Lists with great dishonour.

Straight way entred the brave King of Sicilia; who was ar∣med in a glistering Corslet of very fine steel, and was mounted up∣on a mighty and strong Courser, and brought in his company two hundred Knights, all apparelled with rich cloth of Gold, having every one a several Instrument of Musick in their hands, sounding thereon a most delightsome Melody.

And after the Sicilian King had made his accustomed compass, and courtesie in the place, he locked down his Beavor and put him∣self in readiness to just.

So when the sign was given by the chief Herald at Arms, they spurred their Horses and made their Encounters so valiantly, that the first Race they made, their Lances shivered in the air, and the pieces therefore scattered abroad like aspen leaves in a whirl-wind.

At the second course the young Prince of Fez was carryed over his Horse buttocks, and the saddle with him betwixt his Legs, which was a great grief unto the Emperour and all the company that did see him, for that he was well-beloved of them all, and he held for a Knight of great estimation.

The Sicilian King grew proud at the Prince of Fezes overthrow, and was so enraged and furious, that in a small time he left not a Knight remaining on Horse-back in the saddle that durst attempt to Just with him: but every one of what Countrey or Nation soever he unhorsed in the attempt: so that there was no question, among either Nobles or the Multitude, but that unto him the undoubted honour of the Uictory in triumph would be attributed.

But being in this arrogant Pride, he heard a great Noise in the manner of a Tumult drawing near, which was the occasion that he stood still, and expecting some strange accident, and looking about what it should be, he beheld St. George entring the Lists, as then come from the Gallery, who was armed with his rich and strong armour all of purple, full of Golden stars, and before him rode the Champions of France, Italy, Spain and Scotland, all on state∣ly Coursers, bearing in their hands four silken streamers of four several Colours; and there followed him the Champion of Wales carrying his shield, whereon was portrayed a Golden Lion in a fable Field; and the Champion of Ireland likewise carried his spear, being of knotty Ash strongly bound about with plates of steel: all which shewed the highness of his descent, in that so many b••ave Knights attended upon him.

So when St. George had passed by the Royal seat whereon

the Emperour sate invested, in whose company were many Princes of great power, he rode along by the other side, whereas Alcida the Emperours fair Daughter sate amongst many gallant Ladies and fair Damsels; richly apparalled in a Uesture of Gold, to whom he Uailed his Bonner, shewing them the Courtesie of a Knight, and so passed by Alcida, who at the sight of this noble Champion could not refrain her self, but with an high and bold voice she said unto the Emperour: Most mighty Emperour, and my Royal Father, this is the Knight in whose power and strength all Christendom do put their Fortunes, and this is he whom the whole world admires for Chivalry.

Which Words of the lovely Princess, although Saint George heard them very well, yet passed he on: as though he had heard no∣thing. Now when he was come before the Face of his adversary, he took his Shield and his Spear, and prepared himself in readiness to Iust, and so being both provided, the Trumpets began to sound, whereat with great fury these two Warlike Knights met together, and neither of them missed their Blows at their Encounter, but yet by reason that Saint George had a desire to extol his Fame, and to make his Name resound through the World, he strook the Giant such a mighty blow upon his Breast, that he presently overthrew him to the ground, and so with great State and Majesty he passed along without any shew of disdain, whereat the People gave so great a Shout, that it resounded like an Eccho in the Air, and in this manner he said: The great and furious Boaster is overthrown, and his mighty strength hath little availed him.

After this many Princes proved their Adventures against the English Champion, and every Knight that was of any estimation Iusted with him, but with great ease he overcame them all in less than the space of two hours. So at such time as bright Phoebus be∣gan to make an end of his long Iourney, and the day to draw to an end, there appeared to enter into the Lists the brave and mighty Giant, being Brother to the Sicilian King, with a mighty great Spear in his hand, whose glimmering point of steel glistered through all the Court, he brought with him but only one Squire, attyred in silver Mail, bringing in his hand another Lance.

So this furious Gyant, without any care or courtesie due unto the Emperour, or any of his Knights there present, en∣tered the place, which being done, the Squire that brought the other Spear, went unto the English Champion, and said: Sir Knight, yonder brave and valiant Giant, my Lord and Master, doth send unto thee this Warlike Spear, and therewithal he willeth thee to defend thy self to

the uttermost of thy power and strength, for he hath vowed before Sun-set, to be either Lord of thy Fortunes, or a Vassal to thy Prowess; and likewise saith, that he doth not only defie the•• in the Turnament, but also challenge thee to a mor∣tal Battel.

This braving Message caused Saint George to smile, and bred in his Breast a new desire of honour, and so returned him this answer: Friend, go thy ways, and tell the Giant that sent thee, that I do accept his De∣mand, although it do grieve my very Soul to hear his arrogant Defiance, to the great disturbance of this Royal Company, in presence of so mighty an Emperour: but seeing his Stomach is gorged with so much pride, tell him that George of England is ready to make his defence, and also that shortly he shall repent him by the pledge of my Knighthood.

In saying these Words, he took the Spear from the Squire, and delivered him his Gauntler from his hand to carry to his Master, and so putting himself to the standing, awaiting for the Encounter. At that time he was very nigh the place where the Emperour sate, who heard the Answer which the English Knight made unto the Squire, and was much displeased that the Giant in such sort would defie St. George without any occasion.

But it was no time as then to speak, but to keep silence, and to mark what event came to his great Pride and Arrogancy.

All this time the two Warriours (mounted upon their Steeds) tarryed the sign to be made by the Trumpets, which being given they set forwards their Coursers, with their Spears in their Rests, with so great fury and desire, the one to unhorse the other, that they both fail'd in their Encounter.

The Giant who was very strong and proud, when he saw that he had missed his intent, he returned against Saint George, carrying his Spear upon his Shoulder, and coming nigh unto him, upon a sudden before he could clear himself, he struck him such a mighty blow upon his Corslet, that his Staff brake in pieces, by reason of the ••••neness of his Armour, and made the English Knight to double his Body backwards upon his Horses Crupper.

But when he saw the great villany that the Giant used against him, his anger increased very much, and so taking his Spear in the same sort, he went towards the Giant and said:

Thou furious and proud Beast, thou scorn of Nature and enemy to true Knight∣hood, thinkest thou for to entrap me treacherously, and to gore me at unawanes, like to a savage Boar? Know as I am a Christian Knight, if my knotty Spear have good success, I will revenge me on thy incivility.

And in saying this, he struck him so furiously on the breast, that the Spear passed thorow the Giants body, and appeared forth at his back, whereby he fell presently down dead to the ground, and yield∣ed his life to the Conquest of the fatal Sisters: all that were present were very much amazed thereat, and wondred greatly at the strength and sorce of St. George, accounting him the fortunatest Knight that ever wielded Lance, and the very pattern of true Nobility.

At this time the golden Sun had finished his course, having no∣thing above the Horisen but his glistering Beams, whereby the Iudge of the Turnament commanded with sound of Trumpets, that the Iusts should cease, and make an end for that day.

So the Emperour descended from the Imperial Throne into the Tilting place, where all the Knights and Gentlemen were, for to receive the Noble Champion of England, and desired him, that he would go with them into his Palace, there to receive all Ho∣nours due unto a Knight of such desert: to the which he could not make any denyal, but most willingly consented: After this the Emperours Daughter (in company of many Courtly Uirgins) likewise descended from her place, where Alcida bestowed upon Saint George her Glove, the which he wore for her favour many a day after in his Burgoner.

The other six Christian Champions, although they merited no ho∣nour by his Turnament, because they did not try their Adventures therein, yet obtained they such good liking among the Grecian Ladies, that every one had his Mistress; and in their presence they long time fixed their chief delights: where we must leave the Cham∣pions in the Emperours Court for a time, surfeiting in pleasures, and return to St. George's Sons travelling the World to seek out Adventures.

CHAP. XVI.

How a Knight with two Heads tormented a beautiful Maiden, that had betrothed herself to the Emperours Son of Constantinople; and how she was rescued by Saint George's Sons; and after how they were brought by a strange Ad∣venture into the Company of the Christian Champions, with other things that hapned in the same Travels.

This Renowned Emperour within whose Court the Christian Champions made their abodes) of late years had a Son named Pollemus, in all vertues and Knightly demeanours, equal with any living. This young Prince in the spring time of his youth, through the piercing Darts of blind Cupid, fall in love with a Maiden of mean Parentage, but in beauty and other precious gifts of nature, most excellent.

This Dulcippa (for so was she called) being but Daughter to a Country Gentleman, was restrained from the Emperours Court, and denyed the sight of her beloved Pollemus, and he forbidden to set his Affection so low, upon the Displeasure of the Emperour his Father: for he being the Son of so mighty a Potentate, and she, the Daughter of so mean a Gentleman, was thought to be a match unfit and disagreeable to the Laws of the Countrey: and therefore they could not be suffered to manifest their loves as they would, but were constrained by stealth to enjoy each others beloved and much desired company.

So upon a time these two Lovers concluded to meet together in a Ualley betwixt two Hills, in distance from the Emperours Court some three miles, whereas they might in secret (devoid of all su∣spition) unite and fix both their hearts in one knot of true love, and to prevent the determination of their Parents that so unkindly thought to cross them.

And ••o when the appointed day drew an, Dulcippa arose from her careful Bed, and attired her self in rich and costly apparel, as though she had been going to perform her Nuprial Ceremonies.

And in this manner entered she the Ualley, at such time as the Sun began to appear out of his Golden Horison, and to shew himself upon the face of the Earth, glistering with his bright beams upon the sil∣ver-floating Rivers. Likewise the calmy Western Winds did very sweetly blow upon the green leaves, and made a delicate harmony at such time as the fairest Dulcippa (accompanied with high thoughts) approached the place of their appointed meeting.

But when she found not Prince Pollemus present, she determi∣ned to spend the time away till he came, in trimming of her golden hair, and decking her delicate Body, and such like delightful plea∣sures for her contentment and recreation.

So sitting down upon a green Bank under the shaddow of a Mir∣tle Tree, she pulled a golden Cawl from her Head, wherein her hair was wrapped, letting it fall and disperse it self all abroad her back, and taking out from her Cristalline breast an Ivory Comb, she be∣gan to comb her hair, her hands and fingers seemed to be of white Alabaster, her Face staining the beauty of Roses and Lillies mixed together, and the rest of her Body comparable to Hyrens, upon whose love and beauty Mahomet did somewhat do••e.

But now mark (gentle Reader) how frowning Fortune crossed her desires, and changed her wished joys into unexpected sorrows; For as she sate in this Divine and Angelical likeness, there fortu∣ned to come wandring by an inhumane Tyrant, sirnamed the

Knight with two Heads, who was a Ravisher of Uirgins, an Op∣pressor of Infants, and an utter Enemy to vertuous Ladies and strange travelling Knights.

This Tyrant was bodied like unto a man, but covered all over with locks of Hair; He had two Heads, two Mouths, and four Eyes, but all red as blood. Which deformed creature presently ran unto the Uirgin, and caught her up under his Arms, and carried her a∣way over the Mountain into another Country, where he intended to torment her, as you shall hear more at large hereafter.

But now return we to Prince Pollemus, who at the time appoint∣ed likewise prepared to meet his betrothed Love; but removing to the place, he found nothing but a silver Scarf, ••he which Dulcippa had let fall through the fearful frighting she took at the sight of the Two-headed Knight.

No sooner found he her Scarf, but he was oppressed extreamly with sorrow, fearing Dulcippa was murthered by some inhumane means, and had left her Scarf as a Token that she infringed nor her promise, but performed it to the loss of her own life: There∣fore taking it up, and putting it next his heart, he breathed forth this woful Lamentation:

Here rest thou near unto my true loving heart, thou precious Token, and re∣membrance of my dearest Lady, never to be hence removed till such time as my eyes may either behold her Body, or my ears hear certain News of her untimely Death, that I may in death consort with her.

Frown you glistring Lamps of Brightness, that gave first Light unto this fatal morning, for by your dismal Light the pride of Earthly Women is dishonoured. Come, come, you wrathful Planets, descend the luckless Horison, and rain upon my head eternal vengeance, oppress my Body with continual misery, as once you did the woful King of Thebes: for by my slothful negligence and over-long tarrying, this bloody Tragedy hath been committed.

And for her sake I vow to travel through the World, as far as ever golden Phebus lends his Light, ••illing each corner of the Earth with clamours of her Name, and making the Elements resound with Ecchoes of my Lamentation.

In which resolution, he returned home to the Emperour his Fa∣thers Palace, dissembling his grief in such manner, that none could suspect his discontented Sorrows, nor the strange accident that unto beauteous Dulcippa had hapned.

And so upon a day as he was meditating with himself, seeing the small comfort that he took in the Court, considering the want of her presence, whom he so much desired, he determined in great secrecy, as soon as it was possible, to depart the Court.

Which determination he straightways put in practice, and took out of the Emperours Armory very secretly, an exceeding good Cornet, the which was all Russet, and Enamelled with black, and embroidered round about with a gilded edge, very curiously and artificially gra∣ven and carved.

Also he took a Shield of the same making, saving that it was not graven as the Armour was; and commanded a young Gentleman that was Son to an ancient Knight of Constantinople, of a good disposition and hardy, that he should keep them safely, and gave him to understand of his determined precence.

Although it did grieve the young man very much, yet for all that, seeing the great friendship that he used towards him, in uttering his secrets unto him before any other, without replying to the con∣trary, he very diligently took the Armour and hid it, till he found convenient time to put it into a ship very secretly.

So likewise, he put into the same Ship two of the best Horses which the Emperour had; and forthwith he gave the Prince to un∣derstand, that all things were then in a readiness, and in good or∣der: Pollemus dissembling with the accustomed sorrow that he used, withdrew himself into his Chamber, till such time as the dark Night came.

Which when it was come, he made himself ready with his ap∣parel, and when all the People of the Court were at their rest and in their sleep, he alone with his Page, who was named Mercutio, departed the Palace, and went to the Sea-side. His Page did call the Marriners of the Ship, who straightway brought unto them their Boat, into the which they entred, and went straight aboard.

And being therein, for that the Wind was very fair, he comman∣ded to waigh their Anchors, and to hoise up Sails, and to commit themselves to the mercy of the Waters; as he commanded all was done, and so in short time they found themselves ingulphed in the main Ocean, far from the sight of any Land.

But when the Emperour his Father understood of his secret de∣parture, the Lamentation which he made was very much; and he commanded his Knights to go unto the Sea-side to know if there were any Ship that departed that night? and when it was told them that there was a Barque that haled Anchor, and hoised Sail, they supposed straightway that the Prince was gone away.

I cannot here declare the great grief and sorrow which the Em∣perour felt in his woful heart for the absence of his Son, which a∣long time he always suspected and feared. But when the departure of Pollemus was bruited through all Constantinople, all sports and

Feasts ceased, and all the people of the Country were overcome with a general sorrow.

So Pollemus sailed through the deep Seas three days and three nights, with a very fair and prosperous forewind.

The fourth day in the evening being calm, and no Wind at all, the Mariners went to take there relts, some on the Poop, and some on the fore Ship, for to case their weary Bodyes. The Prince (who sate upon the Poop of the Ship) asked his Page for his Lute, the which straight way was given him: and lung so sweetly, that it seemed to be a most Heavenly melody, and being in this sweet Mu∣sick, he heard a very samentable try as it were of a Woman, and leaving his delicate Musick, he gave a listning attentive ear to hearken what this sorrowful creature said, and by reason of the stil∣ness of the Night, he might easily hear as it were a Woman utter∣ing these Words:

It will little profit thee, thou cruel Tyrant, this thy bold hardiness, for that I am beloved of so worthy a Knight, as will undoubtedly revenge this tyranous Cruelty proffered me.

Then he heard another Uoice which seemed to answer:

Now I have thee in my power, there is no humane creature of strength able enough to deliver or redeem thee from the torments that (in my determination) I have purposed thou shalt endure.

Pollemus could hear no more, by reason that the Back wherein they were, passed by so swiftly; but he supposed that it was his Ladies voice which he heard, and that she was carried by force away. So (laying down his Lute) he began to fall into a great thought, and was very heavy and sorrowful, in that he knew not how to adventure for her Recovery.

Being in this cogitation, he returned to his Page which was asleep, and struck him with his foot, and awaked him, saying: What, didst thou not hear the great Lamentation that my Lady Dulcippa made (as to me it seemed) being in a small Barque that is passed by, and gone forwards along the Seas? To which the Page Mercutio answered nothing, for he was still in a sound sleep. To which the Prince called again, saying: Arise I say, bring forth my Armour, call upon the Marriners that they may launch their Boat into the Sea; for by the omni potent Iupiter, I swear that I will not be called the Son of my Father, if I do suffer such violence to be done against my Love, and not procure with all my strength to revenge the same.

Mercutio would have replyed unto him, but the furious countenance of the Prince would not give him leave, no, not once to look upon his face: so he brought forth his Armour, and buckled it on.

In the mean time the Marriners had lanched their Boat into the

sea, whereinto he leaped with a hasty fury, and carryed with him his Page and four of the Marriners for to row the Barque, and he commanded them to take their way towards the other company that passed by them.

So they laboured all the night, till such time as bright Phoebus with his glistering beams gave unto them such light, that they might dis∣cover and see the other Barque, although somewhat afar off.

So they laboured with great courage till two parts of the day was spent, at which time they saw come after them a Gally which was rowed with eight Dars upon a side, and it made so great speed, that with a trice they were with them, and he saw that there was in her three Knights, in bright Armour, to whom Pollemus called with a soud Uoice, saying: Most courteous Knights, I request you to take me into your Gally that being in her, I may the better accomplish my desire.

The Knights which were in the Gally passed by the Prince with∣out making return of any answer, but rather shewed that they made but little account of him.

These three Knights were the sons of the English Champion, who departed from their Father in his Iourney towards Babylon, to set the King again in his Kingdom.

But now to follow our History, the Prince of Constantinople see∣ing the little account they made of him, with the great anger and fury that he received, he took an Oar in one hand, and another in the other hand, and with such strength he struck the Water, that he made the slothful Barque to flie, and laboured so sore at the Oars, that with a trice they were equal with the Bally.

So leaving the Oars, with a light leap he put himself into the Gally with his Helm on, and his Shield at his Shoulder, and be∣ing within, he said: Now shall you do that by force, which before (I using great courtesie) you would not yield unto.

This being said, one of S. Georges Sons took the Encounter in hand, thinking it a blemish to the honour of Knighthood by multi∣tudes to assail him; so they two brave Knights without any advan∣tage the one of the other, made their Encounters so valiantly, that it was a wonder to all the Beholders.

The Prince of Constantinople struck the English Knight such a furious blow, that he made him decline his head to his Breast, and forced him to recoil backwards two or three steps, but he came quick∣ly again to himself, and returned him so mighty a blow upon his Helmer, that he made all his Teeth to charter in his head, which was pittiful to see.

Then began betwixt them a marvellous and well-fought Bat∣tel, that all that beheld them greatly admired: with great Policy and strength they endured the ••••ckering all day, and when they saw the dark and tan••brous night come upon them, they scrove with more courage and strength to finish their Battel.

The Prince of Constantinople, pussing and blowing like an enra∣ged Bull, lift up his Sword with both his hands, and discharged it so strongly upon his Enemy, that perforce he made him to fall to the ground, and therewithal offered to pull his Helmet from his Head. But when the English Knight saw himself in that sort, he threw his Shield from him, and very strongly caught the other a∣bout the Neck, and held him fast, so that betwixt them began a mighty and terrible Wrestling, tumbling and wallowing up and down the Galley, breaking their Planks and Dars, that it was strange to behold.

At this time the Night began to be very dark, wherefore they called for Lights, which presently were brought them by the Mar∣riners; in the mean time these Knights did somewhat breath them∣selves, although it was not much. So when the lights were brought they returned to their old combate with new force and strength.

O Heavens, said Pollemus, I cannot believe to the contrary, but that this is Mars the God of War, that doth contend in a Battel with me, and for the great envy he bears against me, he goeth about to dishonour me: And with these Words they thickned their Blows with great desperateness.

And although this last assault continued more than two hours, yet neither of them did faint, but at the last, they both together lift up their Swords, and charged them together, the one upon the others Helmet, with so great strength, that both of them fell down upon the Hatches without any remembrance.

The rest that looked upon them, did verily believe that they were both dead, by reason of the abundance of blood which came forth at their Uisours, but quickly it was perceived that there was some hope of life in them. Then presently there was an agreement made betwixt the Knights of the Gally and Marriners of the Bark, that they should conjoyn together and travel whither Fortune should con∣duct them; in this order as you have heard, carried they these two Knights without any remembrance.

But when the Prince of Constantinople came to himself, with a loud Uoice, he said: O Love, is it possible to be true, that I am overthrown in this first Encounter and Assault of my Knighthood? Here I curse the day of my Creation, and the hour when first I merited the

name of Knight; henceforth I'le bury all my honours in disgrace, and spend the remnant of my life in base Cowardize: and in speaking these Words, he cast his eye aside, and beheld the English Knight as one newly risen from a trance, who likewise breathed forth these discontented speeches: O unhappy Son of St. George, now a Coward and of little Valour, I know not how thou caust name thy self to be the Son of the valiantest Knight in the World, for that thou hast lost thy honour in this last Assault.

This being said, the two weary Knights concluded a peace betwixt them, and revealed each to the other their Names and Living, and therefore they adventured to travel; the which when it was known, they sailed forward that way whereas the dolorous Woman went, so in this sort they travelled all the rest of the Night that remained, till such time as the day began to be clear, and straight way they descryed Land, to which place with great haste they rawed.

And coming a Land, they found no used way, but one narrow path, the which they kept: wherein they had not travelled long when they met with a poor simple Country Man, with a new ground Ha••chet in his hand, and he was going to cut some Fire-wood off the high and broad spreading Trees, and of whom they demand∣ed what Countrey and Land it was?

This Countrey (said he) is called Armenia, but yet most courteous Knight, you must pardon me, for that I do request you to return again, and proceed no further, if you do esteem of your Lives, for in going this way there is nothing to be had but Death.

For that the Lord of this Countrey is a furious Monster, called the Two-headed Knight, and he is so furious in his Tyranny, that never any stranger could as yet escape out of his hand alive: And for proof of his Cruelty, no longer than yesterday he brought hither a Lady Prisoner, who at her first coming on shoar, he all to bewhipt and beat her in such sort, that it would make the most tyrannous tyrant that is, to relent and pity her distress, swearing that every day he would so torment her, till her life and body did make their separation.

Pollemus the Prince of Constantinople, was very attentive to the old Mans Words, thinking the Lady to be his Dulcippa, after whom he so long travelled; the grief he received at this report, struck such a terrour to his heart, that he fell into a swound, and was not able to go any further, but St. George's Sons, who knew him to be a Knight of much valour, encouraged him, and protested by the ho∣nour of their Knight-hoods, never to forsake his company, till they saw his Lady delivered from her torments, and he safely conducted home into his own Countrey.

So travelling with this resolution, the night came on, and it was so dark, that they were constrained to seek some convenient place to take their rests, and laying themselves down under a broad branched Oak Tree, they passed the night, pondering in their minds a thousand imaginations.

So when the morning was come, and that the Diamond of Hea∣ven began to glister with his beams upon the Mountain tops, these martial Knights were not slothful, but rose up and followed their Iourneys.

After this, they had not travelled scarce half a mile, when that they heard a pittiful Lamentation of a Woman, whose voice by reason of her low shrieks, was very hoarse: so they staid to hear from whence that lamentable Noise should come.

And presently afar off, they beheld a high Pillar of stone, out of the which there came forth a spout of fair and clear Water, and there∣at was bound a Woman all naked, her back fastned to the Pillar, her arms backwards embracing it, with her hands fast bound be∣hind her. Her skin was so fair and white, that if it had not been that they heard her lamentation, they would have judged her to have been an Image made artificially of Alabaster, and joyned to the Pillar.

These Warlike Knights laced on their Helmets, and came unto the place where she was, but when the Prince of Constantinople saw her, he presently knew her to be his Lady and lovely Mist∣ress.

For by reason of the coldness of the Night and with her great La∣mentation and Weeping, she was so full of sorrows and affliction, that she could scarce speak. Likewise the Princes heart so yerned at the sight of his unhappy Lady, that almost he could not look up∣on her for Weeping.

But yet at last, with a sorrowful sigh he said: O cruel hands: is it possible that there should remain in you so much mischief, that whereas there is such great beauty and fairness, you should use such baseness and villany? she doth more deserve to be loved and served, than to be in this sort so evil intreated.

This woful Prince with much sorrow did behold her white skin and back all to bespotted with her blood, and taking a Cloak from one of the Marriners, he threw it upon her, and covered her body, and took her in his arms whilst the other Knights unbound her.

This unhappy Lady never felt nor knew what was done unto her, till such time as she was loosed from those bands, and in

the Arms of her Lover. But yet she thought that she had been in the Arms of the Monstrous Two-headed Knight, and therefore she gave a terrible sigh, saying: Oh Pollemus, my true betrothed Husband, where art thou now, that thou comest not to succour me? and there withal ceased her Speeches.

The Prince hearing these Words, would have answered her, but he was disturbed by hearing or a great Noise of a Horse, which seemed to be in the Woods amongst the Trees.

The rest of the Knights intending to see what it should be, left the Lady lying upon the green Grass in the keeping of Prince Polle∣mus and the Marriners, and so St. George's Sons went towards the place whereas they heard that rushing Noise, and as they dili∣gently lookt about them, they beheld the Two-headed Monster mounted upon a furious and great Palfrey, who returned to see if the Lady were alive, for to torment her anew.

But when he came to the Pillar and saw not the Lady, with an ireful look he cast his eyes, looking round about him on every side, and at last he saw the three Knights coming towards him with a slow and quiet pace, and how the Lady was untied from the Pillar where he left her, and in the arms of another Knight, making her sorrowful complaint.

The Two-headed Knight seeing them in this order, with great Wrath he came riding upon his furious Horse towards them: and when he was near them, he said: Fond Knights, what wretched folly and madness hath bewitched you, that without any leave you have adventured to untye the Lady from the Pillar, where I left her, or come you to offer up your Blood in sacrifice upon my Fauchin? To whom one of the three valiant Bro∣thers answered, and said: We be Knights of a strange Country, that at the sorrowful complaint of this Lady arrived at this place, and seeing her to be a fair and beautiful Woman, and without any desert to be thus evil intreated, it moved us to put our persons in adventure against them that will seem farther to misuse her.

In the mean time that the Knight was speaking these Words the ugly deformed Monster beheld him very precisely, knitting his brows with the great anger he had received in hearing his Speeches, and with great fury he spurred his monstrous Beast, that he made him give so mighty a leap, that he had almost fallen on the English Knight: who with great lightness did deliver himself, and so drawing out his Sword, he would have strucken him, but the Beast passed by with so great swiftness that he could not reach him.

Here began as terrible a Battel between the Two-headed Knight and Saint George's Sons, as ever was fought by any Knights,

their mighty blows seemed to rattle in the Elements like a terrible thunder, and their Swords to strike sparkling fire in such abundance, as though it had been from a Smiths Anvil.

During this Conflict, the English Knights were so grievously wounded, that all their bright Armour was stained with a bloody gore, and their Helmets bruised with the terrible stroaks of the Monsters Fauchion, whereat they grew more inraged, and their strength began to increase in such sort, that one of them struck an overthwart blow with his trusty Sword upon his knee, and by rea∣son that his Armour was not very good, he cut it clean asunder, so that Leg, and all fell to the ground, and the Two-headed Knight fell on the other-side to the Earth, and with great roaring he began to rage and stare like a Beast, and to blaspheme against the Fates for this his sudden mishap.

The other two Brethren seeing this, presently cut off his two heads, whereby he was forced to yielded the mercy of imperious Death.

There was another Knight that came with this Monster, who when he saw all that had passed, with great fear returned the way from whence he came.

These Uictorious Conquerours, when they saw that with so great ease they were delivered from the Tyrants Cruelty, with joyful hearts they departed with Conquest to the Prince of Constantinople, where they left him comforting his distressed Lady.

So when they were altogether, they commanded the Marriners to provide them somewhat to eat, for that they had great need there∣of, who presently prepared it, for that continually they bore their Provision about them: of this banquet the Knights were very glad, and rejoiced much at that which they had archieved, and commanded that the Lady should be very well looked to, and healed of her harm received.

So at the end of three days, when the princely Lady had recover∣ed Health, they left the Country of Armenia, and departed back to the Seas, whereas they had left their Ships lying at road, that tarried there until their coming.

Whereinto they had no sooner entred, but the Marriners hoised sail, and took their way towards Constantinople, as the Knights commanded. The Winds served them to prosperously, that within a small time they arrived in Greece, and Landed within two days Iourney of the Court, which lay then at P••ru about a mile from Constantinople.

Being a Land, the Prince Pollemus consulted with St. George's

three Sons, what course were best to be taken for their proceed∣ing in the Court. For, saith he, unless I may with the Emperour my Fathers consent, enjoy my dearest Dulcippa, I will live unknown in her company, rather than delight in the Heritage of ten such Empires.

At last, they concluded that the Lady should be covered in a black vail for being known, and Pollemus in black Arms, and the other Knights, all suitable should ride together: which accordingly they did, and about ten in the morning entred the Pallace: where they sound the Emperour, the seven Champions, with many other Prin∣ces in the great Hall: to whom one of Saint George's Sons thus spake:

Great Emperour and Noble Knights, this Knight that leadeth the Lady, hath long loved her: in their Births there is great difference, so that their Parents croft their affections: for him she hath indured much sorrow, and for her he will and hath suffered many hazards. His coming thus to your Court is to this end, to ap∣prove her the only desertful Lady in the world, himself the faithfullest Knight, against all Knights whatsoever, which with your Imperial leave, he, my self, and these two my Associates, will maintain: desiring your Majesty to give judgment as we shall deserve.

The Emperour condescended, and on the Green before the Pal∣lace, those four overthrew more than four hundred Knights: so that Saint George and three other of the Champions entred the Lists, and ran three violent Courses against the Black Knights, with∣out moving them: who never suffered the points of their Spears to touch the Armour of the Champions: which the Emperour per∣ceiving, guessed them to be of acquaintance: wherefore giving judgment, that the Knight should possess his Lady, at his request they discovered themselves.

To describe the delightful comfort that the English Champion took in the presence of his Children, and the joy that the Empe∣rour received at the return of his lost Son, requires more Art and Eloquence than my tyred senses can afford; I am therefore here forced to leave the Flower of Chivalry in the City of Constantinople.

Of whose following Adventures I will at large Discourse here∣after: and how all these Famous Champions came to their Deaths, and for what cause they were called the seven Saints of Christen∣dom.

CHAP. XVII.

Of the renowned and praise worthy Death of Saint Patrick, how he buried his own self: and for what cause the Irish-men to this day, do wear their red Cross upon Saint Patrick's Day.

HEre must you suppose (gentle Readers) that time had ran a long Race before these aforesaid thrice honoured Champions had purchased so many Right Worthy Uictories: and being now wea∣ried with Age, Death with his gloomy countenance began to chal∣lenge an end of all their worldly Atchievements, and to draw there Noble Names to a full perfection; therefore preparing a black Stage (for honour) to act his last Scene out, thus it followed:

The Ualiant Champion S. Patrick feeling himself weakned with Time and Age, not able any longer to endure the bruises of Prince∣ly Atchievements, became an Hermite, and wandring up and down the World in poor Habiliments; he came at last to the Country of his Birth, which is now called Ireland, but in former times Hibernia, where instead of Martial Atchievements, he offered up (in the name of his Redeemer) devout Orisons, daily making petitions to the Dei∣ty of Glory, in behalf of his desired peace: a life more delightful to his aged Heart, than all his former accomplishments: And now willing to bid farewel to the World, he desired a reclosure to be made, and to be pent up in a stony Wall from the sight of all Earthly O••jects. To which request of this Holy Father (now no Souldier but a man of Peace) the Inhabitants wholly condescended, and builded him a four-square House of Stone, without either Window or Door, only a little hole to receive his Food in, wherein they closed him up, never to be seen more alive by the eyes of mortal Men. Also appointing divers of the Country to bring him at conve∣nient times Food to maintain Nature, which they delivered in at the aforesaid hole, which they thought to be a deed of more than com∣mon charity, and he (the receiver) to be an honour to their Country by the severe and strict course of life he put himself to. Thus lived he, the servant of his God day and night, kneeling on the bare ground, till thrice the Winters cold had taken departure, and as oft the Summers warmth had cheared up the cold Earth, making his knees hard with kneeling, and his eyes dim with Lamentations

for his former offences. In which time the Hairs of his Head were all over-grown and deformed, and the Nails of his Fingers (as it were) seemed like the Talons and Claws of an old Raven, with the which by little and little he digged his own Grave, prepa∣red against the hour of his death to be buried in: the which by pro∣cess of time came thus to effect as followeth.

When he had wasted (as I said before) thrice twelve months in Divine Contemplations, by Inspiration (as it seemed) he laid him down in the Grave that his own Nails had digged: and feeling his body weak and feeble, ready to deliver up the ayre of Life, he be∣gan to speak as followeth.

World (quoth he) thou hast been long my kind Friend, & hast graced my Name with many Titles of Honour, and making me Famous in thy large circumference: thou hast given me Uictories over all mine Enemies, and weakned the boldness of all my withstanders, that my Life and Name might be charactered amongst the rest of our Christian Champions, for which I have thought my self predestinated to a lasting happiness, in that the Title of my Fortunes challenge so long a Memory. World (I say) fare thou well, my life lingereth now to her last minute, which as willingly I here deliver up, as e∣ver I brandisht Wrapon against powerful Pagan. I need no Pom∣pal Train of Princes to attend my Funeral, nor solemn Chimes of Bells to Ring me to my Grave, nor Troops of Mourners in Sable Garments, to furnish out my Obsequy: my self here buries up my self, and all Offices of Lamentations belonging to so bad a business as my own hand Labour. Earth, I imbrace thee: thou gentle Mould, my Bodies covering, with humility I kiss thee: no difference is between thy cold Nature and my Lifes warm sub∣stance, we are both one, Emperours are but Earth, so am I. Thou Earth, gently do I yield my self into thy mouldy bosom. I come, I come, sweet Comforter, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. These and such like were the last Words that ever this good Cham∣pion delivered, so yielding to death, the Earth of it self as it were buried up his Body in the Grave, which his own hands had digged.

Thus being changed from a lively substance to a dead Picture, his Attenders, as their usual custom was, came with Food to re∣lieve him, and calling at the hole where he had wont to receive it, they heard nothing but empty ayre blowing in and out, which made them conjecture presently that death had prevailed, and the fatal Si∣sters finished up their labours: so calling together more company, they made an entrance thereinto, and finding what had hapned, how he had buried his own self, they reported it for a wonder up and

down the Country, being an accident of much strangeness: for be∣fore that time the like never chanced.

Whereupon, by a common consent of the whole Kingdom, they pulled down the aforesaid House or Tower, and in the same place, builded in process of time a most sumptuous Chappel, casting it St. Patricks Chappel, and in the place where this Holy Father had buri∣ed himself, they likewise erected a Monument of much richness, framed upon Pillars of pure Gold, beautified with many artificial sights, most pleasant to behold; whereunto for many years after resorted distressed People, such as were commonly molested with loathsom Diseases, where making their Orisons at Saint Patricks Tomb, they found help, and were restored to their former Healths.

By which means, the Name of Saint Patrick is grown so famous through the World, that to this day he is intituled one of our Christi∣an Champions, and the Saint for Ireland, where in remembrance of him, and of his honourable atchievments done in his life time, the Irish-men as well in England as in that Country, do as yet in honour of his Name, keep one day in the year Festival, holding upon the same a great Solemnity, wearing upon their Hats each of them a Cross of red silk, in token of his many Adventures, un∣der the Christian Cross, as you have heard in the former History at large discoursed. Whose Noble Deeds both in life and Death we will leave sleeping with him in his Grave, and speak of our next renowned Tragedy, which Heaven and Fate had allotted to Saint David, the Champion for Wales, at that time entituled Cambro-Brittanus.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of the honourable Victory won by Saint David in Wales: Of his Death, and cause why Leeks are by custom, of Welchmen, worn on Saint Davids day: with other things that hapned.

SOme certain Month after the departure of Saint Patrick from the City of Constantinople, from the other Champions, as you heard before in the last Chapter, Saint David having a heart still s••r'd with Fame, thirsted even to his dying day for honourable at∣chievements, and although age and time had almost weared him away, yet would he once more make his Adventure in the Field of Mars, and seal up his honours in the records of Fame with a Noble farewell.

So upon a morning framing himself for a Knightly Enterprize, he took his leave of the other Champions, and all alone well mounted upon a lusty Courser, furnished with sufficient Ha∣biliments,

for so brave an enterprize he began a Iourney home to∣wards his own Country, accounting that his best joy, and ••he soil of his most comfort.

But long had he not travelled, ere he heard of the distresses there∣of; how Wales was be••e•• with a people of a Savage nature, christ∣ing for Blood, and the ruine of that brave Kingdom: and how that many Battels had been fought to the disparagement of Christian Knight-hood. Whereupon arming himself with true resolution, he went forward with a couragious mind, either to redeem the same, or to lose his best blood in the honour of the Adventure.

Whereupon all the way as he travelled, he drew into his aid and assistance, all the best Knights he could find, of any Nation what∣soever, giving them promises of Noble Rewards, and entertainment as befitted so worthy a fellowship. By this means, before he came upon the Borders of Wales, he had gathered together the number of five hundred Knights, of such noble resolutions, that all Chri∣stendom could not afford better, the seven Champions excepted. And these all well furnished for Battel, entred the Country, where they found many Towns unpeopled, gallant Houses subverted, Mona∣steries defaced, Cities ruinated, Fields of Corn consumed with Fire, yea every thing so out of order, as if the Country had never been inhabited. Whereupon with a grieved mind he saw the Re∣gion of his Birth place so confounded, and nothing but up••••ars of murder and death sounded in his ears, he summoned his Knights together, placing them in Battel array to travel high up into the Country, for the performance of his desired hopes. But as they marched along with an easie pace to prevent dangers, there resorted to them people of all Ages, both young and old, bitterly complain∣ing of the Wrongs thus done unto their Country. Where when they knew him to be the Champion of Wales, whom so long they had desired to see, their joys so exceeded, that all former Woes were abolished, and they emboldened to nothing but revenge.

The rest of the Knights that came with St. David, perceiving their forces and numbers to increase, purposed a present onset; and to shew themselves before their Enemies, which lay incamped a∣mongst the Mountains, with such strength and policy, that hard it was to make an Assailment.

Whereupon the Noble Champion being then their General and Leader called his Captains together, and with a bold courge said as followeth:

Now is the time brave Martialists, to be canonized the Sons of F••me, this is the day of Dignity or Dishonour; an Enterprize to make ••s ever

live, or to end our Names in obscurity: let not chill fear, the Cowards companion pull us back from the golden Throne, where the adventurous Souldier sits in glo∣ry deservedly: we are to trample in a Field of death and dead mens Bones, and to buckle with an Enemy of great strength, a Pagans power that seeks to over-run all Christian Kingdoms, and to wash our Cambrian Fields with innocent Blood, To Arms, I say, brave followers, I will be the first to give death the onset, and for my Colours or Ensign do I wear upon my Burgonet (you see a green Leek beset with Gold, which shall (if we win the Victory) hereafter be an honour unto Wales, and on this day, being the first of March, be for ever worn by the Welsh-men in remembrance hereof. Which Words were no sooner spoken by the Champion, but all the Royal Army of every degree and calling, got themselves the like Recognizance, which was each of them a green Leek upon their Hats or Bravers, which they wore all the time of the Battel, and by that means the Champions follow∣ers were known from the others. This was not long a doing before S. David and his Companie beheld descending from the Mountains, an Army of Pagans, as it seemed numberless, people of such mighty Statures, whole sight might even have daunted their noble Resolutions, had not the brave Champion still animated them forward with Princely incouragements; Time stayed not long e're the Battels joyned, and the Pagans with their Iron Clubs and Bats of Steel, so laid about them, that had not our Christian Army been preserved by miracle, such a slaughter had been made of the Champion and the Knights, that well might have caused the whole World to wonder at.

But the Queen of Chance so favoured St. David and his Fol∣lowers, that what with their nimble Lances, keen Darts and Ar∣rows shot from their quick Bows and Welsh Hooks, in great abun∣dance, the Sun also lying in the Pagans Faces, to their great dis∣advantage, that in short time the Noble Champion won a worthy Uictory. The ground lay all covered with mangled Carkasses, the Grassie Fields changed from green into red colour, with the mingled Blood that ran from Horse and Man thus murthered. A Noble Po∣licy was it for all our Christians in that Battel to wear green Leeks in their Burgonets for their Colours, by which they were all known and preserved from the slaughter of one anothers Swords, only St. David himself excepted, who being Uictor in the highest pride of his Glory, was at last vanquished. O unhappy fate to cut off his ho∣nour that was the only darling of Honour! Help me Melopemene to bewail his loss, that having won all, lost his dear life, a life that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whole World might well have miss of. Oh fatal Chance, for

coming from the Battel, over-heated in Blood, a sudden cold con∣gealed in all his lives Members, that without Recovery he was for∣ced to yield unto death, to the great grief of all Knights and Follow∣ers, who for the space of forty days mourned for him in great heavi∣ness, and after attended him unto his Grave with much sorrow.

Which being done, in the honour of his Name they ordained a custom, that the day of his Uictory should be canonized, and called in all after Ages S. David's day, being holden still upon the first of March, and in remembrance thereof, upon the same day should like∣wise he worn, by all well-willers to the same Country, certain green Leeks in their Hats, or on their Bosoms, in true honour of this Noble Martialist, which is still a praise worthy Custom in these our Northern Climates, which time beloved Souldier, we will now leave sleeping in his Tomb in peace) and go forward in our other intended Tragical Discourses.

CHAP. XIX.

How Saint Dennis was Beheaded in his own Countrey, and how by a Miracle shewed at his Death, the whole Kingdom of France received the Christian Faith.

SAint Denis being the third in this our Pilgrimage of Death, was likewise desirous of the sight of his own Country, which he had not seen in many years, and purposing a toilsom Travel to the same, took leave of the other Champions, who not altogether wil∣ling to leave so Noble a Champion: yet considering the desire of his mind, they quickly condescended, wishing him the best well-face of Knight-hood, and so parting, they to their Princely Pavillions, and be to his restless Iourney as well mounted, and as richly fur∣nished with habiliments of Knight-hood, as any Martialist in all Arabia, in which Country he was then: but leaving that place, to satisfie his desires, he travelled day by day toward the Kingdom of France, without any Adventure worth reporting, till he arrived upon the borders of that fair Country that he had so long wished to behold. But now see how Fare frowned: the welcome he expected was suddenly converted into a deadly hatred; for there was re∣maining in the French Kings favour a Knight of St. Michaels Dr∣der, who in former times hearing of the hourable Adventures of this Noble Champion St. Dennis, and thinking this same to be a dis∣paragement to his Knight-hood and the rest of that Drder, conspi∣red to betray him, and to bring all his former Honours with his life to a final overthrow.

Whereupon this envious Knight of Saint Michaels, goes unto the King (being as then a Pagan Prince, one that had no true knowledge of the Deity) and said: There was come into his Kingdom a strange Knight, a false Believer, one that in time would draw the love of his Sub∣jects from him, to the Worship of a strange God: and that in despight of him and his Country, he would establish a falufyed Opinion, and that he wore upon his Breast the Christian Cross: With many other things contrary to the Laws of his Kingdom.

Upon these aforesaid false informations the King grew so enra∣ged, that without any more consideration, he caused the good Knight Saint Denis, to be attached in his Bed-chamber, otherwise a score of the best Knights in all France had not been sufficient to bring him Prisoner to the Kings presence: before whom being no sooner come, but with more than humane sury, without cause he adjudged him a speedy Death, and by Martial Law (without any further Tryal) to receive the same.

The good Champion Saint Denis, even in Death having a most noble resolution, nothing at all dismayed, and knowing his cause to be good, and that he should suffer for the Name of his sweet Redee∣mer, he most willingly accepted of the same Iudgment, saying: Most mighty, but yet cruel King, think not but yet this exceeding Tyranny will be requited in a strange manner: thy censure I take with much joy, in that I die for him, whose Colours I have worn from mine Infancy, and this my Death seals up the obligation of all my Comforts: And thou sweet Country, where I first took life, receive it again a Legacy due unto thee: for this my Blood which here I offer up into thy Bosom, is the best gift I can bestow upon thee. Farewel Knight∣hood, farewel honourable Adventures and Princely Atchievments. Never may this dauntless arm brandish. Weapon more in honour of the Christian Cross: For death awaiteth at my back to cut off all such noble hopes, and I by Tyranny am betrayed thereto.

These Speeches being uttered, he was forced to stand silent, and in the presence of the King, with many hundreds more, was con∣strained to yield his Body to the fatal stroak; where his Head being laid upon the Block, was by a base E••ecutioner quickly dissevered from the rest of his manly Members. Which being no sooner done, and the Champion lifeless, but the Elements beset with cloudy exha∣lations, sent down such a terrible Thunder-clap that struck present∣ly dead, the Knight of Saint Michael that accused him, the Executi∣oner, with others that were at his Attachment; at which strange and fearful spectacle the King himself grew so amazed, that he deem∣ed him to be a blessed Creature, and that he had suffered wrongfully,

and how his cause for which he so willingly rendred up his life, was the true cause, which all must have a desire to die in: Wherefore incontinent from a Pagan the King turned Christian, and caused the same to be proclaimed through all his Provinces, ordaining Churches to be built in remembrance of this great Man: And likewise in the place where he suffered, he caused with all speed to be built an Hermitage of relief for poor Pilgrims to find succour in, and such as travelled in the honour of that God, in whose Name this good Champion dyed. Thus received France the true Faith; in which we leave it flourishing, and speak of Saint James the Spanish Champion, and how he dyed.

CHAP. XX.

Of the Tyrannous Death that the Spanish Champion was put unto: and how God revenged the same in a strange manner: and of other things that hapned.

HEre gentle Reader with a sad eye, prepare to give Entertain∣ment to the dolorous manner of the Spanish Champions Death, who by Tyranny and cruel Dealing of the Intidels, was likewise made away. For Age and Time, as upon the former, grew upon him, and so enfeebled his strength, that he was no longer able to manage the Adventures of Chivalry, nor sight the Battels of his Saviour. Wherefore resolving to spend the remnant of his days in peace, he desired leave likewise to commit his Fortunes to the Queen of Chance: which as the other did, he quickly obtain∣ed, and so leaving Constantinople, he put himself to travel towards the Country of his first Being, not decked in his shining Armour, nor mounted on his Spanish Gennet: but poor and bare in out∣ward habit, though inwardly furnished with Gold and Jewels of an inestimable value, which he had sowed up in the patches of a russet Gaberdine, the better to travel with: where instead of a bright shining Curtle-Axe his Pilgrims Staff served him to walk with, and for his Burgonet of glistring Steel, he covered his head (now as white Thistle-down with Age) with a Hat of gray co∣lour, broached with a broad Scallop-shell, his Princely Lodgings were changed to green Pastures, and his Canopies to the Skies azured covering, where the Nightingale and Lark told the times passage. These were now his best contents and comforts, that time and age bestowed upon him.

In which manner travelling many days and nights, giving still

as he went the poor and needy such small pieces of Silver as he well could spare; he arrived at last upon the Consines of Spain: Where in honour of that God, for whom he had fought so many Battels, he builded up at his own charge a most sumptuous Chappel, to this day bearing the Name of Saint Jacque's Chappel: and for the main∣tenance thereof, purchased divers Lands adjoining: with Quiristers to sing a Day and Night therein Allelujah to his Redeemer.

This Celestial gift and glorious customs so prepared, begot such love of the meaner sort of People, that they esteemed him more than a Man, with a reverence of such regard bestowed upon him, that the very Name of this Noble Champion won greater admirations than the high Tilts of their Countries King, who being then a cruel Tyrant and proud King, maintaining Atheism by his Go∣vernment, grew so envious thereat, that he caused good Saint Jacques, with the whole Quire of his Celestial Singers, to be closed up together in the Chappel which the Champion had erected, & so starved them to death. Oh bloody butchery, and inhumane cruel∣ty! a death of more terrour than ever was heard of. Nero in rip∣ping up his Mothers Womb to see the Bed of his Creation, was not half so cruel. But to be short, hunger prevailed, and they dead, their Bodies purrified, and in time consumed away to dust and mould, whereupon the Lord to shew how they died in his favour, and the love of Heaven, inflicted such a light in the Chappel, that it shined Day and Night with such a glorious brightness, as if it had been the glorious Palace of the Sun: and likewise continually was heard therein (though no Creature remaining) such a Quire of melodi∣ous Harmony, as if it had been the sound of Celestial Musick. Which strange pleasures both to the eyes and ear, bred so great an a∣mazement to the whole Countrey, that all with the common consent accused their King for the tyrannous putting to death of these good men so cruelly murthered; but especially the noble S. Jacques, that they purposed to hold him for their Countrys Saint and Champion till the Worlds dissolution. The proud King perceiving now his own rashness, and his common hate against him for this deed doing, took an inward conceit of grief, that without taking any food ever after, he languished away and died: Thus have you heard the Tragedy of the Spanish Champion, whom we likewise commit to the sweet sleeps of Eternity, and pass on further to more dreadful Accidents.

CHAP. XXI.

Of the Honourable and Worthy Death of the Italian Champion, how in the height of pleasure in his own Countrey, death (by a Prophecy) seized upon him.

AFter all these aforesaid Proceedings, Nature the common Nurse of us all, so wrought in the heart of Saint Anthony the Cham∣pion for Italy, that he undertook the next Tragical Enterprize, and leaving Saint George with Saint Andrew, resting their cra∣zed Bones in the Emperours Court of Constantinople, where they lately atchieved so many Praises of Knighthood, he took his Journey towarns Italy, and knowing by the course of Nature, that his Days were not many, he purposed there to set up his lives rest, and in Death to finish up all Earthly Troubles. So coming after a long Journey to the City of Rome, where the Emperour Domitian kept his Court, and the City being then in her chiefest Pomp and Glory, won great desire in the Champions Mind, to see the Monu∣ments of the same.

So upon the Morning going from his Lodging, he walked up and down the streets with admiration, and fed his eyes with many de∣lightful Objects. First with great wonder he stood gazing upon 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 build∣ing: 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 uncon∣quered, and never imbrace Death, till his eyes were witness of the ••a••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 Mar∣ble, 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 t•••• 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 remai∣ned 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 King∣dom 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, lod∣ged 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 per∣formed such well-approved Atchievements, that not Greece, Con∣stantinople, Rome nor Jerusalem could equal them in the least regard. But St. Andrew being now aged, and unapt for such Princely En∣counters, ••a••e as a beholder, censuring of the best deserver, and gave such due commendations as be••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 con∣temp••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 reasona∣ble, that the King could not refuse but give his consent. So taking leave of his Majesty, & the rest of the Nobility & Knights there pre∣sent, 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 the•• a rude and Hea∣thenish 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 ri∣dings: 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 in∣humane 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 subjecti∣on 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 re∣maineth.

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 Re∣nown 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: some∣times one thing, sometimes another, so molested him, that he must needs make his Adventure to follow them. Whereupon calling his three Sons together, he went to the Grecian Emperour and re∣quested that they might all four depart with his leave and like∣ing, for Knightly Adventures had challenged them all to appear in some foreign Region, where Noble Atchievements were to be performed, but where and in what Countrey his Destiny had not yet revealed to him. So furnishing them all four in Habiliments of shining steel, they left Constantinople, as it were guided by Fate, until they came into England, then called Brittain, whose chalky Clifts S. George had not seen in twice twelve years, and now coming with a sweet embracement of his Native Countrey, he gave his three Sons thereinto a most joyful Welcome, shewing them (to their great comfort (the brave Situation of the Towns & Cities, & the pleasant prospects of the Fields as they passed, until they came within the sight of the City Coventry, where he was born, and received his first being: upon whose glistering Pinacles no sooner casting his eye-sight, but the Inhabitants interrupted his pleasure delights with a dole∣ful Report, how upon Dunsmore-Heath, as then remained an infecti∣ous Dragon that so annoyed the Countrey, that the Inhabitants there abouts could not pass the Heath without great danger: & how that fifteen Knights of the Kingdom had already lost their lives in adventuring to suppress the same. Also giving him to understand of a Prophecy, That a Christian Knight never born of a Woman, should

be the Destroyer thereof, and his Name in after Ages for Accomplishing the Adventure, should be holden for an eternal Honour to the Kingdom. Saint George no sooner hearing thereof, and what Wrongs his native Country received by this infectious Dragon, and knowing himself to be the Knight, grew so encouraged, that he purposed presently to put the Adventure in tryal, & either to free his Country from so great danger, or to finish his days in the attempt; so raking leave of his Sons & the rest there present, he rode forward with as no∣ble a spirit, as he did in Aegypt, when he there combared with the bur∣ning Dragon, So coming to the middle of the Plain, where his in∣fections Enemy lay couching the ground, in a deep Cave, who by a strange instinct of Nature knowing his death to draw near, made such a yelling Noise, as if the Element had burst with Thunder, or the Earth had shook with a terrible Exhalation, so coming from his Den, and spying the Champion, he ran with such fury against him, as if he would have devoured both Man and Horse in a mo∣ment, but the Champion being quick and nimble, gave the Dragon such way, that he mist him, and with his sting ran full two foot in∣to the Earth, but covering, he returned again with such rage up∣on Saint George, that he had almost born his Horse over and over, but that the Dragon having no stay of his strength, fell with his back downward upon the ground, and his feet upward, whereat the Champion taking advantage, kept him still down with his Horse standing upon him fighting, as you see in the Picture of St. George, with his lance goring him through in divers parts of the Body; and withal contrariwise, the Dragons sting annoyed the good Knight in such sort, that the Dragon being no sooner stain and weltered in his venomous Gore, but Saint George likewise took his Deaths Wound by the deep stroaks of the Dragons sting, which he received in divers parts of his Body, and bled in such a∣bundance, that his strength began to enfeeble, and grow weak; yet retaining the true Nobleness of Mind, valiantly returned Uictor to the City of Coventry, where his three Sons with the whole Inha∣bitants stood without the Gates in great Royalty to receive him, and to give him the honour that belonged to so worthy a Conqueror, who no sooner arrived before the City, and presented them with the Dra∣gons Head which so long had annoyed the Country, but what with the abundance of Blood that issued from his deep Wounds, and the long bleeding without stopping the same, he was forced in his Sons Arms to yield up his breath, for whom his three Princely Sons long lamented, making the greatest mone that ever

was made in any Kingdom, and again they were so seconded with the grief of the whole Country, that all the Land from the King to the Shepherd, mourned for him for the space of a Month: which heavy time being ended, the King of this Country being a ver∣tuous and Noble Prince, advanced Saint George's three Sons to Noble ••ssices: First the eldest of them named Guy, to be Earl of Warwick, and high Chamberlain of his Houshold. The next named Alexander, according to his Name, to be Captain General of his Knights of Chivalry. And the youngest named David, to be his Cup-bearer: and Controler of all his Revels and Delights. And likewise in remembrance of their Noble Father the Christian Champion, he ordained for ever after to be kept a solemn Procession about the Kings Court, by all the Princes and chief Nobility of the Country, upon the 23 day of April, naming it St. George's Day, upon which day he was most solemnly interred in the City where he was born, and caused a stately Monument to be erected in Honour of him, though now by the ruines of time defaced and abolished. He likewise decreed by the consent of the whole Kingdom, that the Pa∣tron of the Land should be named Saint George, our Christian Champion, in that he had fought so many Battles in the Honour of Christendom. All which we see (with many more Honours) to this day here maintained in remembrance of this good Knight, who (no doubt) resteth in eternal peace, with the other renowned Champions of Christendom: So God grant we may do all. Amen.

FINIS.