Chap. 37. How the Palatine and the King of Astopia pursu'd their design of destroying the Belgians.

VVHile the devouring Flames were thus reducing Troy-Novant to Ash∣es, the Palatine had so contriv'd it that there was at the same time a new War broke out between the Belgians and the Albionians. For it was so order'd and complotted between the Pagan Palatine and the Heathen Astopian, that Page  103 while the Belgians and Albionians were en∣gag'd in a bloody War by Sea, that the hun∣gry Flames should banquet upon the Inland Strength and Riches of Albion at the same time that the Astopian Hector was ransacking the Bowels of the lower Belgium. Which they thought the surest way to ruine both the one and the other. One thing however very much troubl'd the Palatine, that be thought to have been Archithalassus again in this same se∣cond War. But the Albi•nians offended at his ill and dishonourable Conduct of the first war, exclaim'd against him and would by no means suffer him to go. So that the King of Albion was forc'd to keep him at home under the specious pretence of his care not to hazard the Fortune of Albion. However to content him, he gave him full power to rule the roast in his Counsels at home as he pleas'd himself. But not∣withstanding this great Authority which was put into his Hands, the Palatine was not sa∣tisfi'd, but fum'd and foam'd because he was not made Archithalassus. For the Soldan of Albion had made two Archithalassus's in his stead, the Teutonic Prince and the Devonian Knight, who were right valorous Champions, which gal•'d the Palatine to that degree that he studi'd all manner of ways to eclipse their Page  104 Glory and render their Prowess and Experi∣ence ineffectual. To this purpose he consulted his grand Counsel of Loyolists, who advis'd him to divide the Albionian Navy, thereby to expose the whole to utter Ruin. For he well knew that such was the magnanimous Resolu∣tion of both the Archithalassus's, that being both united they would certainly return with Glory and Triumph to his Eternal Infamy, but being separated and overpower'd by number, they might become a prey to the Enemy, which was the only thing he wish'd for. To this purpose he goes to the famous Enchantress Circe, and Conjures her to use all her charms to lay the King of Albion in a deep Trance, which it was no difficult thing for her to do, in regard she was both beautiful and fair, and greatly admir'd by the King of Albion: and then having the Command of all things in his own power, under pretence that his Sultaness long'd, he sent away the strictest Orders imagi∣nable to the Teutonic Prince to take along with him the best half of the Albionian Navy, and sail away forthwith to the Bay of Cantabria to gather Spanish O•sters and Sea Fanns. Now so it fell out, as if the Devil and the Oracle of A∣pollo had been in the Loyolists, that the Belgi∣ans having notice of the Teutonice Prince's be∣ing Page  105 thus sent of a Sleeveless Errand, came up with their whole Navy of a suddain and sur∣rounded the Devonian Knight. Heaven's bless us! You would have thought all the whole Fa∣brick of the upper Regions had been tumbling about your Ears. For the Devonian Knight, more regarding his Honour than his safety, fought like a Dragon; but being over-power'd by number, he was forc'd to make a retreating fight, leaving one of the best of all his great Thunderers behind him; and worse it had been, but that the Teutonic Prince, being adver∣tis'd of the bloody Engagement, bid all the Spanish Periwinkles go to the Devil, and flew with all the sail he could make to the rescue of the Devonian Knight. But when the Devil and Treachery conspire together, who the Devil can help it? For when the Teutonic Prince, and the Devonian Knight were joyn'd and thought to have scour'd off the Belgians the next day, Belzebub had stole away all their Powder; and before they could get more, the Belgians were run in among their Flats and Shallows, and there lay grinning and chatter∣ing at the Albionians like so many Monkeys after they have done a Mischief, and know themselves safe. It was reported that the Pala∣tine by a Private Contract had lent the Pow∣der Page  106 long before to the Emperour of Gehenna to make Serpents and fire-works for joy of the Burning of Troy-Novant. However it were the Palatine and his two Sorceresses Medea and Circe bore all the blame. The Teutonic Knight Storm'd, the Knight of Devonia foam'd, and all the while the Palatine made grimaces at both, Which so enrag'd the Teu∣tonic Knight, that had it been any other but the Fortune of England he had spurn'd him into the Sphear of Saturn, which is the upper∣most of all the Seven.