The honour of the taylors, or, The famous and renowned history of Sir John Hawkwood, Knight containing his many rare and singular adventures, witty exploits, heroick atchievements, and noble performances relating to love & arms in many lands : in the series of which history are contained likewise the no less famous actions and enterprizes of others of the same art and mystery : with many remarkable passages relating to customs, manners &c., ancient and modern : illustrated with pictures and embelished with verses and songs wonderfully pleasant and delightful : to which, as an appendix, is added a brief account of the original of the Worshipful Company of Merchant-Taylors, as to their being incorporated &c., ...

CHAP. XVIII.

How Hawkwood, Lovewell, and Bernardo, following the Chase, slew a cruel Wolfe, that had destroyed the Country: And of the strange, but pleasant Adventure, that befell Lorenzo, sleeping in the Forrest; with other matters.

BY this time Hawkwood understood, that Bernardo was one of his own Pro∣fession, raised by his merit to a good degree, and communicated as much to Lovewell, striving all he could to cheer him, who being frequently melancholly, for the supposed a••sence of his dear Lamira; they the next day resolved to ride abroad for their better Recreation, having now not only Horses at command, but Arms and Armour suitable to their wish, and were not wanting to provide the like for Lorenzo, who was highly esteemed by them both, and appeared in the Eyes (especially of those young Gentlewomen that were deceived in the Sex) one of the loveliest Youths they had ever beheld; when coming to the Border of the Forrest, they heard a great cry, whereat they stood still to listen a while; but perceiving it to draw nea∣rer, or at least grow louder, they resolved to enter, especially finding a beaten way that passed through it: When as they had not gone far, e're they perceived several of the Gentry of the Country in pursuit of a monstrous Wolfe, which had destroyed many People and Cattel, and who had now not only scattered the Dogs, but killed and wounded many of them; which made some fearful Ladies, who accompanyed the men in the Chase, cry out, dreading upon the sudden turns he made, he would fall upon them: But Hawkwood, Lovewell, and Bernardo coming in, by their Courage and Resolution secured them from that fear, putting him to plain flight; for they having giv••n him some wounds, and he perceiving himself over-matched, hasted away as fast as he could, without standing longer to contend; so that they (mindful of the Game, and in hot pursuit) left Lorenzo, who was not used to that Recrea∣tion, nor indeed to be so mounted in the intricate Mazes of the Forrest, who being weary, and not well knowing the way out, alighting, sate down by a pleasant Spring, and whilst the Horse grazed, or brouzed, upon the Trees, fell asleep upon a

Mossy Bank, enamell'd with Flowers of fragrant smell; when so it happened, a noble young Lady, who was returned from the Chase, came thither, and seeing so beautiful a Creature, could not at first believe it was mortal, till alighting from her Palfry, she with eager looks had taken a more serious view, and found the more she looked, the more her admiration encreased, thinking with herself, that if in steep such Charms appeared, how much more tempting must they be in their full Lustre; and so much enamoured was she, that she could not refrain from stealing a kiss; and upon that, fetched so loud a sigh, that Lorenzo opening her Eyes, was much surprized, to behold a beautiful Lady hovering (as it were) over her, with looks that declared a Languishment; and thereupon getting up, would have mounted, as fearing she was discovered, and that this might be some of her Relations, come in search of her; for, it seems, she had several Kindred in that Country, though indeed (as she remembred) she had never seen any of them: But, alas! the matter was far other∣ways, for the Lady being overwhelmed with a passion, (for a Beauty she had never beheld in Man, one of which Sex she supposed Lorenzo to be) she began to entreat and implore her stay, and so prevailed, that they sate down, together with the Lady whose Name was Lucrina, the fair and beautiful Lucrina, for which many a gallant Youth had sighed in vain, to divert the prevalency of her passion, began to talk of the Chase, and many other things that had happened, and were further intended for Recreation, still eying her with burning glances, not forbearing sometimes to fetch a deep sigh, which (no doubt) stole from her fair Breast before she was aware; which Lorenzo often perceiving, demanded the cause; at which Lucrina, no longer capable of stifling her passion, catching her about the Neck, and hanging down her Head, the better to hide her blushes, with a soft, but earnest tone, said: Ah! the cause is here, the sight of you, fair Youth, whoe'er you are, has made such an impression in my Breast, that forced by a prevailing passion, I must lay aside (forgive me Modesty) the silence of our Sex, and tell you I languish for the love of you, and could with Joy expect a suitable Return: Nor is she meanly b••rn who woes you; but such a one as brings a Dowry not to be despised.

Lorenzo knowing she was not furnished with Materials to answer the Ladies expectation, though she was a little surprized at this discourse, seemed to excuse the Favours she had thrown upon her, in her Praises and her Offers, but found her thereupon more urgent and pressing; so that not knowing what to say or do, unless she should discover her self, and undeceive the Lady, she (after pausing) imagined it not altogether amiss, to give her some Hope, and the rather, because she did not know but it might be a means to deliver her up into the Arms of some kind Youth, who could not only answer her expectations, but be proud of such a blessing; and so, with a promise to meet her the next day, & in that shady place, to confer further of the matter lest too long a stay so many people being abroad, might occasion a discovery, & that turn to a disappointment, Lorenzo (after many endearing Carresses) obtained her con∣sent to depart; and so mounting, soon (by enquiry) found the way to the House of Janthines; whilst the Lady took hers, to that of her Vncle, carressing her self be∣tween Hope and Fear; Hope, that the beautiful Lorenzo would keep the time ap∣pointed, and Fear that it might be neglected: However, construing things the most favourable, she passed the night in many pleasing thoughts, fancying, that if ever Adonis was found in the Woods, she had met with him now. Where leaving her to consider a while, I shall proceed to follow those that pursued the Game.

The Wolf (as I said) being put to flight, and hotly pursued, at the sight of whom notwithstanding the Shepherds and their Flocks fled: It so hap••ened, that Hawkwood and Lovewell crossing the Country a nearer way, came in with him, and after many wounds, brought him lifeless to the ground, before any of the rest came up; so that Hawkwood fastening the Head of that so much-dreaded Beast upon his Launce, met the Pursuers at the turn of a small Wood, and by demonstration assured them, the Danger and the Chace were ended; so that, al∣though some who desired to seem Valiant in the Eyes of their Mistrisses, envyed him the Glory, yet the greater part applauded his Speed and Resolution, giving equal Commendations to him and his Companions, especially the Country people, who were glad their Destroyer was destroyed; and Night coming on, they each one returned to their Habitations; where Hawkwood and Lovewell arriving, found Lorenzo, of which they were not a little glad; and p••esenting the Monsters Head to fair Clarinda, she as a Trophy of their Valour, caused it to be fixed on the highest Turret of her Fathers Castle, which stood near to his House, and over the Gate of the Castle this Inscription in Token of her own Deliverance, and the Valour of the English Champions.

IN Everlasting Memory let Fame The Worth of English Worthies here proclaim; Who freed the Innocent from guilty Hands, And Righted her: Nay more, a Trophy stands In a Memorial; They the Country freed From such a Monster as made many bleed. So that from Dread and threatning Danger now, The P••ough-men and the Shepherds safely go.

Vnder this Memorial was engraven their Names, and the Time of these At∣chievements; so that their Fame spread wide, and many came to congratulate their Success. In which Ioy and Esteem leaving them a while, I shall now speak fur∣ther of the Adventure of Lorenzo, or the disguised Lamira.