Guy takes Earles Terryes Fathers part And kills the Duke his Foe Destroyes a cruell sauage Bore Preuenting dangers so Canto 8. NOw Titans Horses with his fiery Carre Had brought the Day to darknes in the West And Vesper that same siluer shining Starre Which doth adorne the sky at Euening best Appear'd as bright as Cynthia in her Sphaere To welcome sable Nights approaching neare When Terry Guy and Osile wanting guide Didst stray about the vnfrequented Wood Hearing the saluage noyse on eu'ry side Of Beasts that thirsted after humane blood As Bores and Beares and Lyons and the like Which to their hearts did some amazement strike On euery side they cast a heedfull eye Still doubting on the sodaine some surprize At length two Armed men they did espy That also listen to those fearefull cryes Each had his sword in hand being ready drawne Knowing that place did yeeld no Dogs would fawne Comming more neare Sir Heraud was the one The other euen as dearely Terryes friend Who with imbracements made their gladnes knowne And then the Earle demaunded to what end His louing Cousen pass'd the Defert so My Lord quoth he to bring thee newes of woe Thy noble Father is besleged now In this strong Castle by Duke Ottons power Who hath protested by a solemne vow About his eares he will pull downe the Tower In a reuenge that thou his Loue hast got He sweares thy Fathers life escapeth not His Loue quoth Terry preethee Osile speake Acquaint this Worthy man with thy soules thought Haue I procur'd thee any Faith to breake Or bin the instigater vnto ought That is vniust in righteous Heauens sight Neuer quoth Osile thou hast bin vpright That wretched man would force my Loue away In clayming that I ne're intend to giue I will bee thine vntill my dying day Thou shalt inioy me all the howers I liue And when I alter this determination Let Gods and men holde mee in detestation Well spoke said Guy Lady be constant euer And Honours blemish then thou needst not doubt Keepe Loues foundation firme alter it neuer It is for Loue I raunge the world about And doe expose my Life to mortall danger In this exiled state an vnknowne Stranger But Terry wherefore are thy lookes so sad That hast thy Loue in person to imbrace As farre as England mine is to be had And many yeares I haue not seene her face It were enough to bring my hopes to end But that my Patience is a trusty friend My Lord said Terry know you not my griefe And heard this Messenger relate the cause Oh my distressed Father wants reliefe I were a rebell vnto Natures lawes Not to condole with him in his extreame Making his troubles my true sorrowes Theame If that be all quoth hee thou art too blame There is no cause to spend a sigh thereon I le terrifie Duke Otton with my Name Let him but heare I come and he 'le be gon Something betweene vs may not be forgot He felt my Sword in France but lik't it not Since that against my life a plot hee layde By villaines that surpriz'd me in a Wood But treachery with vengeance was repayd Who euer knew a Traytors end proue good Accursed haps attend them euermore In brasen Bull Perillus first did rore I will goe with thee to defend thy Father For the oppressed I haue vow'd to right And reason moues me to it so much rather Mine owne abuses therewith to requite This oportunity wee le not omit In that occasion falleth out so fit Let 's hasten on with speed vnto the place Preuenting mischiefe ere too farre it runne Take holde of Time before he turne his face Good proueth best when it is soonest done Goe like Eneas with a filiall ioy To fetch thine olde Anchises out of Troy Couragious Knight quoth Terry thy bolde hart Cannot be daunted I perceiue with feare Compos'd of Mars his element thou art Of powerfull limbes to mannage sword and speare My melancholy thou hast banish'd hence And with strong hope arm'd me in recompence Now all in poste they speede themselues away And in short time vnto the Castle come Whereas Duke Otton with his forces lay Relying on his Soldiers ample somme But when the Captaines of Guyes comming knew They fled by night and neuer bad adew This was discouragement to all the rest To see their Leaders thus giue ground and flye Yet did the Duke most resolute protest If each man in the Castle were a Guy He would not leaue it basely and retire Though life be deare yet honours place is hyer Terry said Guy we must not tedious bee Experience often hath my tutor bin And taught that when aduantage I doe see To fasten on occasion and begin The enemie by feare himselfe subdues Adde force to that and victorie ensues We will not make our Prison of this place As long as there is Field-roome to be got T is my desire to meete the Dukes good grace And combate him because he loues me not If that you will not leaue this house of stone I le leaue you all and goe my selfe alone And with those wordes Heraud and he depart Which when the Castle-soldiers did perceiue They gaue a showte our Generall thou art Thy Honourable steps we will not leaue Wee are resolued to attend thee still Let Fortune vse vs euen as Fortune will And thus most Valiant they doe march along Giuing the onset fearelesse to their Foe Making those multitudes that seem'd so strong Retire themselues with slaughtered ouerthrow But when the Duke perceiu'd his Soldiers flye Perish quoth he base villaines heere I le dye Where is this English-man that haunts my Ghost And thus pursueth me from place to place I challenge him to come and leaue the Host And meete with resolution face to face Let equall enuy make this equall match All controuersies wee will soone dispatch Agreed quoth Guy proude Foe I yeeld consent Repent thy wrongs and make thy Conscience cleare For thou hast liu'd to see thy honour spent Which worthy men of all thinges holde most deare The noble minded censure him with shame That liues to see the Death of his good name Then toward each other they did mainely make And brake their Launces very violent Which being done their Swords in hand they take Fighting vntill great store of blood was spent For Enuy did the Duke's keene weapon whet And on Guyes sword Reuenge an edge did set At length through losse of blood the Duke fell downe And said Now fond felicity farewell I am betray'd by Fortunes angry frowne And this experience to the world doe tell There 's nothing constant that the earth containes Death deales with Monarchs as with simple Swaines Bewitching Vanities seducing blinde vs Greatnes hath great accounts thereon depending As Death doth leaue vs so shall Iudgement finde vs There is no peace vnto a happy ending My Dying houre yeelds more repentant Grace Then in my Life I euer could imbrace Th' immortall soule
That for the Combate they had singled forth When this was done the Earle demaunds his Name Pardon quoth he that were against a Vow To no man liuing I le reueale the same For I haue changed Name and Nature now Natures corruptions I doe striue to leaue A new Regeneration to receiue Farewell my friend euen as my soule would fare If we ne're meete on Earth Heauen be the place For idle howers I haue no time to spare My hayres looke gray they turne to white apace I haue great losse in short time to redeeme A minutes sorrow is of much esteeme So he departs towards Iudea ground Samarta and Galile to see Those parts by Christian Pilgrims so renown'd Because their Sauiours choyse was their to bee Where he did suffer to redeeme our losse Euen from the Cratch vnto the bloody Crosse. Much time he spends and many yeares bestowes From place to place about this Holy Land That all his friends in England doe suppose Now Death of him had got the vpper-hand For no reporter came that could relate His Life his being or his present state This put the world to silence men were mute Concerning Guy they knew not what to say The dreadfull Champion in the armed sute Was neither knowne nor fear'd in simple Gray But did endeauour all that ere he might Neuer to be reueal'd to any wight For vnto none he would his Name disclose Nor tell direct what Countrey-man he was Nor of his Noble minde make any showes But striue in all thinges most obscure to passe Vntill by natiue loue his minde was led To come and lay his bones where he was bred Guy after many yeares comes home To England for his Graue Kils Colbron that great Gyant and Dyes poorely in a Caue Canto 12. EVen as the brightest glorious shining Day Will haue a Night of darknes to succeed Which takes the pride of Phoebus quite away And makes the Earth to mourne in sable weed Presenting vs with drowsie heauy sleepe Death's memory in carefull thoughts to keepe So Youth the day of Natures strength and beauty Which hath a splendor like faire Heauens eye Must yeeld to Age by a submissiue duty And grow so darke that life of force must dye When length of yeares brings ancient euening on Irreuocable time is posting gone This cogitation in Guyes brest appeares By his returning from the Holy Land He findes himselfe to be a man in yeares And that his Glasse had but a little sand To runne before his date of life expire Therefore to England he doth backe retire There to be buryed where he had bin borne Was all the cause that did induce him backe To end his euening where he had his morne In dolefull colours of a dead-mans blacke And let that body rest in English ground which through the world no resting place had found When he arriued on his Natiue shore He found the Countrey in extreame distresse For through the Kingdome armed troupes great store Against the Foe were all in readinesse The King of Denmarke whose destroying hand A mighty Army did securely land And marched from the Coast with deuastation Destroying Townes Villages set on fire Working such terrour vnto all the Nation King Athelstone was forced to retire To Winchester which when the Danes once knew Towards that Citty all their strength they drew Which was too strong for Speare and shield to win Inuincible our walles of Stone were then They wanted Cannon-keyes to let them in Hell's pick-locke powder was vnknowne to men The Deuill had not taught such murdering smoke A Soldiers honour was his manly stroke Beholding now how they repulsed were That Winchester by no meanes could be wonne They doe conclude to summon parley there And with a Challenge haue all quarrels done An Englishman to Combate with a Dane And that King loose that had his Champion slaine Wherewith a huge great Gyant doth appeare Demaunding where the Foxes all were crept Saying if one dare come and meete me heere That hath true valour for his Countrey kept Let him come forth his man-hood to disclose Or else the English are but Coward foes Why very crauens on their dunghils dare Both crow and strike before they runne and cry Is English courage now become so rare That none will fight because they feare to dye Then I pronounce you all faint-hearted fooles Affraid to looke on manly Martiall tooles What slaunders I haue heard in forraigne Lands Of these poore men for deeds which they haue done Most false they are belyed of their hands But he sayes true that sayes their feete can runne They haue a Prouerbe to instruct them in That 't is good sleeping in a sound whole skin Thus did he vaunt in tearmes of proude disdaine And threw his Gantlet downe saying ther 's my gloue At length great Guy no longer could refraine Seeing all straine curt'sie to expresse their loue But comes vnto the King and sayes dread Lord This Combate to thy vnknowne Knight afford Although in simple habite I am hid Yeelding no showe of that I vndertake I ne're attempted ought but what I did An end of Colbrond on my soule I le make Palmer quoth Athelstone I like thy sprite God sent thee hither and hee ayde the right His pow'rfull hand lend vigor to thy blowes And grant thy foote vpon the foe may treade Amen quoth Guy and with great courage goes Forth Winchesters North-gate vnto Hide-meade Where that same Monster of a man hee found Treading at eu'ry step two yardes of ground Art thou the man quoth Colbrond art thou he On whom the King will venter Englands Crowne Can hee not finde a fitter match forme Then this poore Rascall in a thred-bare Gowne Where 's all his Knights and worthy Champions now I doe disdaine so base a Slaue as thou Guy fights to free all Englands feares With Colbrond Gyant Dane And in Hide-mead at VVinchester Was that Goliah slaine Gyant said Guy man-hood should neuer rayie To beate the ayre with blasts of idle winde A Soldiours weapon best can tell his tale Thy destiny vpon my Sword I finde T will let thee blood while thou hast drops to bleed And spell thy Death for all the Danes to reed Thus I begin and on his Armour layd That Colbronds coate was neuer cudgel'd so Who with his Club did watch to meete his blade Intending to haue broke it with a blowe But Guy was sure his Sword would holde out play It had bin trusty many a cruell fray And therefore boldly he presumes thereon Laying about as fast as he could driue Vntill the Lubbers breath was almost gone For with a weighty Club did Colbrond striue Which lighting on the ground made earth giue ways As if some Deuill did about him lay So long they held this sterne and irefull fight That the beholders knew not what to deeme Yet still some wounds to Colbronds share did light Which to the English did great comfort seeme Besides their Champion gaue encouragement By
foundation vnto Loue Corrupted hearts it drawes away by stealth These money-matches cannot happy proue For as the goods of Fortune doth decay So loue which they beget consumes away I know how Plutoes golden Treasure swayes By deuillsh and accursed false illusion I know how Womens humours now a dayes Run after riches to their owne Confusion I see the Peassant of most abiect life With Golde enough can buy a dainty Wife But Phelice if thou knew'st asmuch as I How base the Gods esteeme of such abuses When Beauty selles and Riches comes to buy Which are not made for one anothers vses Thou wouldest scorne that Maydens should be solde As Cattell are for Siluer and for Golde Loue must bee simple harmeltsse pure and plaine And take originall from true affection It must reciprocall returne againe Or else it doth discouer imperfection Loues inward thoughts concurre with outward deeds Such as from loyalty and truth proceeds Thy louer comes not for aduancement to thee In that thy Father is a worthy Earle It is not Dowry that can cause him woo thee Had'st thou th' Arabian Golde or Indian Pearle But as great Iupiter to Leda came For a sweet Face His purpose is the same Therefore kinde Virgin vse him kindly well Make much of Guy imbrace him for thine owne Affoord him Loue-roome in thy Heart to dwell Let him no longer liue in pensiue moane But the next time thou doest behold his face Giue him encouragement with kinde imbrace And with that worde imbrace hee shot and hit The very center of her tender heart Feeling the wound she starts awake with it Being taught thereby to pitty Louers smart For Cupid drew his Arrow to the head Because hee would be sure shee should be sped With that shee fetch'd a sigh a grieuous one And from her eyes a shower of teares did fall Where is quoth shee the gentle Loue-god gone Whose power I finde is powerfull vnto all Oh call him backe my fault I doe confesse I haue in Loue beene too too pittilesse Sweet Boy solicite for mee to thy Mother And at her Alters I will sacrifice From this day foorth I will adore no other No Goddesse shall bee gracious in mine eyes But shee that hath imperious rule and might To leade obdurate hearts to kinde delight Compassion now hath worthy conquest made Of that strong fort which did resistance make One shaft had bin sufficient to perswade A league for Life a truce till Death doe take Guy more then Life doth Phelice Loue prefer Phelice affects Guy deare as hee doth her But vnto him her loue is yet vnknowne Though his be made apparant long before Hee vnderstands not that shee is his owne Hee feeles no salue apply'd vnto his sore Till forc'd by passions and constrain'd laments A second suite hee boldly thus presents Phelice I was arraigned long agoe And now I looke for Iudgement at thy hand I haue beene Prisoner in a Iayle of woe So long that speedy sentence I demaund Oh speake vnto mee either Life or Death For I am tyred with my vitall breath If kindnesse dwell in that faire shape of thine Expresse it with I Loue if none there bee Then say I cannot vnto Loue incline And so thou mak'st a quicke dispatch with mee Censure me sodaine either smile or frowne I will not liue thus for this Kingdomes Crowne Phelice reply'd 't is not at my dispose To fashion Loue without my friends consent What would you wish me to bee one of those That are to Parents disobedient Shall fond affection ouer-rule the will And doe you good to bee accounted ill You know my Fathers greatnes in the Land And if he should as there 's no other like The loue of one too mean for me withstand How could we beare the stroke disgrace would strike Nothing but death could make my sorrow sweete And shame would wrap me in a winding-sheete Doubt not of Father in this case quoth he For Warwicks Earle that honourable man Shall see such deedes of valour done by me To haue dislike he neither will nor can Inioyne me what aduentures thou think'st good That wounds and scars may let my body blood Why then quoth shee Guy make thy valour shine Through-out the world as glorious as the Sunne My heart my soule my life my loue is thine When deedes of honour by thy hand are done Make thy selfe famous by a martiall life And then take Phelice for thy lawfull wife I aske no more said he to gaine thy Loue I shall esteeme it bought at easie rate Oh that I were at worke my taske to proue With Hercules or some such churlish mate Phelice farewell this kisse thou giuest mee Shall make a number kisse the ground for thee From England Guy to France doth goe Where deedes of Annes are done And thence returnes Tryumphantly With all the Prizes wonne Canto 3. INlarg'd from sorowes thraldome by Hopes bayle Guy armes his thoughts with Honours enterprize Imbarkes himselfe and into France doth sayle Leauing faire England where his comfort lyes Hee seekes for enemies hee longs for foes And now desires to bee a dealing blowes In Normandy arriu'd hee vnderstands That there was Warlike busines to bee doue For valiant Knightes of diuers Christian Lands The race of Valour did intend to runne A great aduenture was propounded there Which newes was musique to his greedy eare The Prize that drew them all vnto that place Was Daughter to the Almane Emperour Faire Blaunch with such a wondrous heauenly face It had attractiue Beauty full of power In her such graces did vnite together The Worthyes of the world came posting thither Who wonne the Damsell it was thus decreed By manly Courage and victorious might Should haue her mounted on a milke-white Steed Two Gray-hounds and a Faulcon all as white This was his Lot that could attaine the Day To beare the Honour and the Mayde away Our English Knight prepares him for the Field Where Kinges were present Princes did repaire Where Dukes and Earles a great assembly held About the Face that was so wondrous faire Though onely one must speed and hundreds misse Yet each man there imagin's Blaunch is his The spacious Field where they assembled were Hardly affoorded roome for Armed crowdes The golden glittering Armour that was there Did dart the Sun-beames backe vnto the Clowdes The pamper'd Horses proudly stampt the ground To heare the clangor of the Trumpets sound A Germaine Prince of an vndaunted sprite A first and very fierce Encounter gaue Vnto an Earle whose Valour did requite With blow for blow as resolutely braue Till by a stroake the Earle receiu'd on 's head Hee was vn-horst falling to ground for dead Then Guy came foorth with courage to the Prince And deales with him as Hercules would doe Like force hee neuer felt before nor since Such hard extreames hee ne're was put vnto Iust where himselfe had layde the Earle in swound There downe comes he both horse man to ground Duke Otton seeing
at this The newes is more then I can well indure Thy wished Company so soone to misse When I did make account I had beene sure Possest of thee at thy late trauailes end And dost thou now Iourneyes of new intend Remaine with me trust not to Fortunes power Though now shee haue so well and kindly delt Shee may alot thee an vnlucky houre That instantly her fauours so haue felt Her curtesies are most vnconstant thinges Beleeue her not shee dealeth false with Kinges Tryumphant on her wheele thou now dost sit And with Fames Trumpe thy glory doth remaine Oh doe not ouer-rashly hazard it Lost Honour is not easie got againe May not one cursed and vnhappy blow Betray thy life to thy insulting Foe May not a Monster or a sauage Beast At vnawares depriue thee of thy breath May not a Tyrant when thou thinkest least Cut off thy course by an vntimely death May not a thousand dangers on thee light Where but thy selfe thy wronged selfe mustright Quoth Guy my Lord danger hee may not feare That to aduentures doth himselfe dispose Hee must a minde of resolution beare And thinke himselfe too good for all his foes I le neuer dread I shall bee ouer-man'd While I haue hands to Fight and legs to stand Therefore in humble sort I leaue your Honour Wishing all health vnto your happy State If Fortune take a frowning moode vpon her Why shee shall see I will disdaine her hate What Starre soeuer sway'd when I was borne I beare a minde will laugh mishap to scorne Guy to the Duke of Louaine goes And ioynes with him in strength Against the Emperour Reynere Then makes his Peace at length Canto 5. NOw Guy expects a fauourable gayle Which to his hearts desire hee doth attaine And with a speedy passage he doth sayle To seeke Aduentures out in France againe Where finding none from thence away hee hyes To Louaine where in siege the Emperour lyes For Segwin Duke of Louaines hap was such At Turnament a Noble man to kill The Emperours Cousen whom hee loued much And tooke the Death of him exceeding ill So that a quarrell thereupon arose And warre ensu'de betwixt two mighty Foes Thither goes Guy to lend the Duke his ayde But in the way an accident befell For by Duke Otton hee wos false betray'd And 's life in question which he free'd well Otton in France before disgrac'd by Guy Had vow'd where ere he met him hee should dye And to that end Sixteene appointed were To lye in Ambush and surprize him so All men of resolution voyde of feare That in a Forrest did themselues bestow And set on Guy onely with three Knights more The like distresse hee ne're was in before Now Gentlemen and louing friends quoth he Shew your selues English-hearted rightly bred Heere is some ods sixteene vnto you three But I the fourth will stand you in good sted You three shall combate sixe that 's two for one And with the other Ten let me alone Wherewith hee drew his Sword and laide about That ratling Armour Eccho'd in the Sky Dealing so resolute amongst the route That downe they drop on euery side and dye Heere lyeth one that hath no legs to stand And there another wanting head and hand Guy quickly made dispatch with his halfe score Hee was not long in ridding them away But then remained halfe a dozen more Which two of his most worthy Knights did slay When hee perceiu'd them fall he stampt the ground And vtter'd forth this fearefull angry sound Ah Villaines how my soule abhorres his sight For these how my reuenging passions striues This bloody deed with blood I will requite You dye for it had each a thousand liues Two slaine out-right and Heraud wounded too Is the last cursed act that you shall doe With force as 't were exceeding humane strength Hee layes vpon them blowes to stagger vnder And brings them breathles to the ground at length Câ—t all in piece-meale for the Crowes a sunder There lye quoth he and feast Fowles of the ayre Or feede thoâ—e sauadge Beasts that will repaire But these sweet Gentlemen that haue resign'd Their dearest liues euen for the Loue of me And came from England as their Loue inclin'd Companions in my hardest haps to be I will enterre in Honourable wise With best Solemnity I can deuise From thence vnto a Hermit dwelling nye He rode and did commit that charge with care Who did performe the office carefully And Heraud home vnto his Cell he bare Who was not dead though Guy suppos'd him slaine But by the Hermit was restor'd againe Now foorth goes Guy pensiue perplexed sad Grieuing that Destiny so cruell delt For left alone no company he had To ease the torments that in heart he felt Till trauailing along at last he found A place for Honour very much renown'd There did he meete with Tilt and turnament And entertain'd both glory and delight There Fortune yeelded him her full consent To winne the best of euery valiant Knight Of all the Worthy men that did resort Not one could match him in Duke Raniers Court Then to the Duke of Millaine he repaires Where by his worth he is admir'd of all And vnderstanding that some great affaires Twixt Segwin Duke of Louaine did befall And th'Emperour Millaine he doth forsake And towards Louaine doth his Iourney take As he doth passe vpon the way he meetes A Pilgrim that with trauaile seemed faint Who in all humane curtesie he greetes And with some newes intreats him to acquaint His longing eare hee with a sigh or two Said sir with newes I little haue to doe One thing in all the world is all my care And onely that and nothing else I minde I seeke a man and seeke him in dispaire Because I long haue sought and cannot finde A man more dearely to my soules-loue tide Then all the men are in the world beside Why what art thou quoth Guy or who is hee Of kindnes bee so kinde as tell in briefe I am an English-man of Knights degree Quoth Heraud and the subiect of my griefe Is losse of one Sir Guy my Countrey-man Guy with ioyes teares lights to imbrace him than And art thou liuing Heraud my deare friend Quoth he and kindly tooke him in his armes Then chearfully let sorrowes all take end And let me know who cur'd thee of thy harmes The good olde Hermit by his skill did saue me With wholsome medicines and salues he gaue me Guy did reioyce and Herauds ioyes abound At this so good and happy accident No angry Starre in opposition found But each was owner of his owne content So poasting with good Fortune on their side Vnto the Duke of Louaine they doe ride The Citty in distresse besieg'd they finde And very small resistance could be made But Segwin was right ioyfull in his minde That worthy Guy was come vnto his ayde For now quoth he boldly presume I can We haue an Honourable valiant man Aduise me warlike Knight
ready bid thy friends adew And say thy prayers vnto thy Pagan Gods For I doe meane to vse thee like a Iew Because with Christians thou doest liue at ods Looke that thy head be set on sure and fast Or mortall man I le proue thee but a blast Then did they lend each other lusty knockes That sparkes of fire from their Helmets flye The partiall multitude about them flockes Expecting all the end and Death of Guy For Coldran whom he fought withall was strong And had beene Champion to the Pagans long At length Guy lent him such a speeding blow That downe comes Coldran his strength to ground Pagan quoth he is my Sword sharpe or no With which euen now so blunt a fault you found Rise quicke for if thy legs thou canst not feele Off goes thy head as true as this is Steele Forthwith he made him shorter by the Head And that vnto the Emperour he sent The Infidels grewe all astonished For they in Coldran were so confident They durst haue venter'd goods and life and limbe On any Combate that was fought by him Then Heraud to giue Guy some breathing space Challeng'd a Pagan called Elmadant And dar'd him and defi'd him to his face For valiant Heraud did not Courage want The Pagan somewhat hot with fury fild Did combate being quickly cool'd and kild Presently Guy vnto another comes Call'd Morgadour and soundly with his blade Layes on him and his sences so benummes He tumbles head-long like a tyred Iade The Pagans seeing their Champions thus goe downe Forsooke the Field retyring to the Towne Where a most bloody Tyrant bare the sway Who hearing what had hapned full of Ire Went armed to the Tent whereas Guy lay And did a Combate at his hands require Villaine quoth he whom like a Dog I scorne I le make thee curse the time when thou wast borne Know runagate I come to fetch thy Head For to a Lady I haue promis'd it My Curres shall with thy English flesh be fed They must deuoure thy body eu'ry bit Come I haue vow'd by Mahomet thou dy'st Thou canst not scape by trusting in thy Christ. And hast thou giuen away my Head quoth he Vnto a Lady 't is a braue intent An honest man will his wordes master be And neuer promise more then he hath meant Come on thy wayes and take it quickly off Or else the Lady will suppose you scoffe With proud disdaine together then they rush Laying it on as fast as both could driue But Eskeldart Guyes sword did so becrush That for his Head he durst no longer striue But on the sodaine for to saue his owne Put 's spurres to Horse and in all post is gone Guy then returnes to Heraud and declares What a bolde fellow came to fetch his Head Who smiling at it merrily prepares To tell of his Aduentures how he sped VVith a false Coward called Adelart That wounded him with an inuenom'd Dart. And being hurt most dangerously so Was intercepted ere hee could retire By Estellard a proude insulting Foe Compos'd of Cruelty and deuillish Ire But quoth Sir Heraud e're our fray was done I made them wish it ne're had beene begun For Adellart I wounded in the side And Estellard I curtail'd by the knees Then left them lying Death to be their guide Vnto the Iayle where wormes doe clayme their fees So when those two were seene to fall downe dead All th' other Pagans with amazement fled Why then quoth Guy all 's quiet I perceiue These miscreants like vnto Foxes flye But gentle Heraud ere wee take our leaue One Combate more I am resolu'd to try The Generall of this accursed route Shall bee the man I meane to single out They tearme him mighty Souldan friend I long To make a proofe if hee deserue the Name I am in doubt they doe him mighty wrong If might be wanting to auouch the same Titles of worth become base Cowards ill I le try what 's in him hap what euer will Nay Heraud leaue me preethee doe forbeare I will be speedy tarry in this Wood Goe to yon grassie banke repose thee there And with this Balsome stay those drops of blood Ere Phoebus in the Occident decline Death shall conclude the Souldans life or mine Said Heraud since thou wilt not let me goe But doest appoint this bed of Earth to beare me Till thou returne I will conuerse with woe And will not suffer any Bird sing neare me With longing eyes and carefull list'ning eares I le spend thy absent time in pray'rs and teares Guy poasts with speed and doth the Souldan finde And thus hee speakes Art thou the man of might Surnamed so by Tongues and peoples winde Heere is a Christian come to dare thee Fight Both Mahomet and thee I doe defie And heer 's a Sword I will maintaine it by The Souldan with a staring looke replyes Thou Christian Slaue I le chastice thee with Steele Thou art an odious Creature in mine eyes And thy presumption shall my Fury feele With that at Guy he ranne with all his force Their Launces brake and each forsooke his Horse Then by the Sword the Victor must preuaile Which manly force makes deadly wounds withall Cutting through Armour mangling shirts of Male That at the last downe did the Souldan fall Sending blasphemous Curses to the Sky And casting handfuls of his blood at Guy Who presently tooke Horse and then retir'd To Heraud whom he found in slumber layde Rise friend quoth he the time is now expir'd An end with mighty Souldan I haue made VVith that he rose with joy and loues imbrace And forth they trauaile to another place Guy takes a Princely Lyons part And doth a Dragon kill Then frees faire Osile from mishaps That else had fared ill Canto 7. PAssing the Deserts now where shady Trees Embrac'd each other in their green-leau'd armes VVhere Lady Ecchoes dwelling best agrees And little Birds sing fearelesse of their harmes They chanc'd to find a pleasant siluer Spring VVhich water to them was a welcome thing His Lady sends him forth againe Whose will hee doth obay And manfully a Dragon kils To part a cruell Fray There with the Christall streams they coole their heat And slake the thirst they had endured long There did they make the hearbes and roots their meat To satisfie for Natures hungry wrong But on the so daine at the noyse they wonder A Lyon roar'd as if great Loue did Thunder Heraud quoth Guy to Horse let 's bee prepar'd And leaue our Dinner till another day Heere is a sound I neuer was so scar'd I le seeke it out it comes from yonder way Some Monster or some Deuill makes this noyse For on my life it is no humane voyce So forth he rides and vnderneath a Hill He findes a Dragon with a Lyon met Braue sport said he I pra'y fight out your fill And then vpon the strongest I will set Which of the twaine that first aside doth start I am a friend that
will maintaine his part The Dragon windes his crooked knotted tayle About the Lyons legs to cast him so The Lyon fastens on his rugged scale And nimbly doth auoyde that ouerthrow Then toooth and nayle they crewell teare and bite Maintaining long a fierce and bloody fight At last the Lyon faintly turnes aside And lookes about as if hee would be gone Nay then quoth Guy Dragon haue at your hide Defend your Deuils face I le lay it on With that couragiously to worke he goes And deales the Dragon very manly blowes The vgly Beast with flaggie winges display'd Comes at him mainely with most dreadfull pawes Whose very lookes might make a man affray'd So terrible seemed his deuouring jawes Wide gaping grisly like the mouth of Hell More horrible then Pen or Tongue can tell His blazing eyes did burne like liuing fire And forth his smoaking gorge came sulpher smoke Aloft his speckled brest hee lifted hyer Then Guy could reach at length of weapons stroke Thus in most irefull moode himselfe he bore And gaue a cry as Seas are wont to rore With that his mortall sting he stretched out Exceeding farre the sharpest point of Steele Then turnes and windes his scaly tayle about The Horses legs more nimbly then an Eele With that Guy hewes vpon him with his blade And three mens strength to euery stroke he layde One fatall blowe he gaue him in the side From whence did issue streames of swarty blood The Sword had made a passage large and wide That deepe into the Monsters gore Guy stood Then with a second wound he ouertooke him Which made the Dragon turne to haue forsooke him Nay then quoth he thou hast not long to liue I see thou faintest at the point to fall Then such a stroake of death he did him giue That downe comes Dragon crying out withall So horrible the sound did more affright The Conqueror then all the dreadfull fight Away hee rides and lets that Hell-hound lye But looking backe espies behinde his Horse The Lyon comming after very nye Which makes him light to manage manly force But when the Beast beheld his weapon drawne He came to him and like a Dog did fawne Like to that gratefull Lyon which did free Androdus life for pulling out a Thorne When for offence he should by Lawes decree Within the Theater by Beasts be torne The Lyon came and lick'd him very kinde Bearing as seem'd an olde good turne in minde Euen so this gentle creature deales with him For that same benefit which hee had done Although by Nature cruell sterne and grim Yet like a Spaniell by his Horse did runne Continuing many dayes with great desire Till extreame hunger forc'd him to retire Now towards the Sea Guy doth his Iourney take Imbarques for France but by contrary winde Arriues in Almaine where the Nobles make Great Tryumph for him and with ioyfull minde The Emperour reioyceth he is come And bids him welcome into Christendome There he is entertain'd with Turnament With Kingly banquets Princely reuelling And multitudes to giue their eyes content Attend him with their throngs still wondering At all his worthy acts Report hath spred Wherewith their eares most strangely hath bin fed From thence he trauailes toward his louing friend The Duke of Louaine whom he long'd to see But ere he came vnto his Iournyes end A wronged Lady hee did worthy free Which violently was from her Loue bereft And he at point of Death sore wounded left Thus it befell Terry a valiant Earle With his deare Loue surnam'd Osile the faire His precious Iemme inestimable pearle Into a Forrest went to take the ayre Whereas a plot was layde to take his life And make his beautious Loue anothers wife Vpon the sodaine sixteene Villaines came Vnto the Earle and did him grieuous wound Sirra quoth one thou hast a wench wee clayme She must with vs lye thou there on the ground And the next passenger that thou doest see Intreat him make a Graue to bury thee Guy finding Terry thus hearing his plaint Doth comfort him in kindest sort hee can Who with the losse of blood doth weakely faint With face of deadly colour pale and wan Courage quoth he I le fetch thy Loue againe Or say that Guy is but a Coward swaine When Terry heard that name he did reuiue For vnto him Guyes worthy deedes were knowne And lifting vp himselfe from ground did striue For to embrace him in deepe passions groane Thanks gracious heauens qd he with soule and heart For sending thee to take my wronged part Which is the way quoth he those Villaines went That pathe said wofull Terry by yon Oke Haue after them this deed they shall repent As I am Christian Knight and as he spoke He heard a shrike which was the Ladyes cry So by that sound he did them soone descry Comming vnto them wretched slaues quoth he What doe you purpose with this Lady heere In large her presently and set her free You haue done wronges that will be rated deere Her Husband wounded shee vsde violent Will cost you liues a peece incontinent With that they laugh'd said what foole 's this same Or rather mad-man in his desp'rate minde That meanes by wilfull Death to get a name And haue the world report he hath bin kinde The fellow sure is in some franticke fit And meanes to fight without both feare or wit Like so quoth he the fit that 's on me now You all shall finde to bee a raging one With that he showes them Mars his angry brow And bids the Lady cease her pensiue mone Saying good Madam vnto ioy incline For sodainly these Rascals will be mine Then with a courage admirable bolde At euery blowe some one or other dyes Which when the gentle Lady did beholde Oh pitty worthy Knight she cryes These mortall woundes I can no longer see Be not so bloody in reuenging me Vpon my knees I doe intreate thee stay This is to me a terrifying sight Oh with their liues thou takest mine away If one dye more I fainting yeeld my sprite Thou worthily mine honour hast defended Let the reuenging of my wrongs be ended Lady quoth he I cease at thy request Depart base Rascals all but two be gon But villaines you did binde her for the rest And stroake them with his sword the scabard on That downe to ground they fell making this scuse My Lord we onely kept her to thy vse Then on his steed he lets the Lady ride To seeke her Lord whome she had left distrest And Guy vnto the place became her guide Where comming they did finde him carefull drest For in their absence came a Hermit by Which to his bleeding woundes did salue apply Terry and Osile in their ioyes abound And gracefully to Guy all thankes doe giue Be thou said they in Life and death renown'd Whom we will Honour while we breathing liue Holde heer 's my hand quoth Terry worthy Guy In fight for thee I would bee proude to dye
By this Report the onely Linguist liuing Had beene with Phelice for to make her glad Such fame and glory to her Louer giuing As neuer greater any Worthy â—ad Tels all the deedes of wonder he hath done From the first action that his hand begun Phelice impatient of his wished sight Speeds towards Lincolne like light Salmacis Where ioyfully she entertaines her Knight With Iunoes kinde imbrace and Venus kisse Guy with requitall makes his gladnes knowne And in his armes he now inioyes his owne Forgetfull Loue and too too slowe quoth she I fear'd thou didst not minde thy dearest friend What seeke a Dragon ere thou looke for me And hazard life before thou come or send To know if I remaine in happy state Some jealous woman would suppose 't were hate But sure I doe not though I speake my heart And wish I had bin first thou saw'st on shore Guy welcome to thy Phelice now thou art Thou neuer shalt goe forth a Fighting more No thou hast fought too much thy lookes bewray Sterne countenance hath stolne thy smiles away But Loue will learne thee loue to change thy face And frame it as at first when I did chuse it Thou hast almost forgotten to imbrace I like that well it seemes thou did'st not vse it In Forraigne parts abroad where thou hast bin But that lost lesson thou must new begin I will quoth he deere Loue and ply my Booke And kisse my Lesson on thy Corall lip Tell me but onely when I am mistooke In reading rashly if I ouer-skip Or be too negligent in taking paine Why turne me backe to conne my geere againe But Lady one exception I will make What line soeuer you doe put me to The Horne-booke of all other I le forsake For willingly I would not haue to doe With that Crosse-rowe crosse vnto many when Women doe teach it vnto Married men Kinde Sir quoth she content I le neuer chuse it It fits two sorts a Curtezan a Childe Once as the latter simply I did vse it But for the other rather be beguilde Then to deceiue the second Horn-booke's naught Teach it not me and it shall ne're be taught Guy smil'd and said come let vs Warwicke see Of all the world the place that I loue best Because it had the bringing vp of thee And there first with thy Beauty I was blest I loue the Castle and the Garden ground Where e'rst thy Venus-face alone I found Let 's hasten on to heare this Sacred voyce I Guy take Phelice to my wedded wife And thou repeate I likewise am thy choyse Till Death depart vs euen so long as Life And then the next will bee God giue vs Ioy And send thy Fathers Heyre agallant Boy The Marriage is Solemnized But after Forty dayes Guy Pennance vowes and Pilgrim like From England goes his wayes Canto 10. THe happy Day that Louers long expect Is now attayn'd to giue desire rest And all the honours Hymen can effect He franke bestowes to grace the wedding Feast For Athelstone and his renowned Queene At this great Nuptiall in their pompe were seene The Nobles rich and costly in Attire With worthy Knights and Gentlemen beside Ladyes of Honour as their Loues require Attend vpon the beautious faire fac'd Bride There wanted nothing wit of man could finde To please the eye or to content the minde Maskes midnight-Reuels Tilt and Turnament Acting of ancient Stories stately showes Banquets might giue great Iupiter content Where cuppes of Nector plentious ouer-flowes Aboundant all thinges with a plentious hand As if a King himselfe should feast a Land Soone after all these thinges were consummate Earle Rohand Phelice worthy Father dyes And to his Sonne bequeathes the whole estate Of Earledomes Lordships all his Land is Guyes Who is created Earle of Warwicke then In Honours rancke with Englands Noble-men But in the glory of this high applaud Enioying all that did partake delight When euery tongue his Fame and Fortunes laude Himselfe conuerts his sun-shine dayes to night Bethinking what the world may iust be thought And deeming all but vaine that he had sought Oft would hee sit and meditate alone In looking backe what steps his youth had trod Then to himselfe with sighes and grieuous grone Cry pardon me thou iust incensed God I haue done nothing for to purchase Grace But spent my time about a Womans face For Beauty bloody through the world I ran In pride of heart preferring Phelice feature For Beauty I haue ended many a man Hating all other for one mortall Creature For Beauty I haue pawn'd my vtmost power But for my sinnes not spent one weeping hower My Nunquam sera I will now begin And vowe to spend the remnant of my dayes In contrite Pennance for my former sinne That God may pardon all the erring wayes Which flesh and blood vainely deceiued by Vnto the world I will goe learne to dye Let me be censur'd euen as mortals please I le please my God in all things may be done Ambitious pride hath beene my youths disease I le teach age meeknes ere my Glasse bee runne And change my choyse wealth beauty world farwel To purchase Heauen I would passe thorow Hell Phelice perceiues his melancholy state And comming to him doth most mildely woo My Lord quoth shee why are you chang'd of late As I share ioy let mee beare sorrow too If I in ought haue mou'd you to offence I will with teares performe due recompence No my deare Loue quoth Guy no cause in thee T is with my selfe I discontented striue By light of Grace my Natures faults I see That am as dead although I seeme aliue Phelice my sinnes my countlesse sinnes appeare Crying Repent thy guilty Conscience cleere I must deale with thee as Bauarus delt A Prince of Rome with Sygunda his Wife Who from a deepe impression hee felt Vow'd Chastity perpetuall all his life Entreating thee euen as thou lou'st my soule To pardon me not vrging my controule Hast thou not heard what Ethelfrida did A Christian woman sometime Englands Queene Is Edelthrudis acte of Chaste life hid A Princesse likewise rare and matchlesse seene The first with Childe no more of lust would taste The second caus'd two Husbands both liue chaste And canst not thou the Phoenix of a Realme By immitation winne immortall praise Leauing thy vertues an admired Theme To the succeeding Age of Yron dayes I know thou canst thy greater part 's Diuine Where most is Carnall 't will to flesh incline Thou didst procure although I doe excuse it My pride by Conquests to attaine thy Loue God gaue mee Valour I did vaine abuse it My heart and thoughts aspired farre aboue The Crownes and Scepters of most potent Kings I held their Diadems inferiour thinges But now I gather in a totall somme Such follies and condemne them all to dye A man of other fashion I le become Some better Trauailes for my soule to try Not as before in Armour on my Steed But in a
doth sore possesse And sicknes gripes doe touch about my heart I feele I am not farre from happines But am in hope my foe and I shall part This aduersary which I long haue fed By whome my soule hath bin so much misled To my deare Phelice I will send my Ring Which I did promise for her sake to keepe I may no longer time deferre the thing For feare that Death preuent me with his sleepe I feele his Messenger approach apace And poore weake Nature must of force giue place So call'd a Heardsman as he passed by And said good friend doe me a speciall fauour Euen in a matter that concernes me nye My hope relyes vpon thy kinde behauiour To Warwicke Castle speedily repaire And for the Countesse aske with trusty care Deliuer this Ring to her-owne hand And say the ancient Pilgrim sent the same That lately at her Gate with Scrip did stand To beg an Almes in blessed Iesus Name And if shee aske thee where I doe remaine Direct her hither she 'le requite thy paine Sir quoth the Heardsman I shall be asham'd That ne're dust speake to Lady in my life Nay more and 't please you I may much be blam'd To carry Rings to such a great mans Wife Besides if I should loose it by the way Why what would you and Madam Phelice say Pre-thee said Guy frame not such idle doubt No preiudice can light on thee at all The acte is honest which thou goest about And for it none can thee in question call A curteous eare the Lady will thee lend Vpon my warrant feare you nothing friend With that he goes and mannerly betakes The token to the Countesse which she seeing Most admirable wonder at it makes Ah friend quoth she where is my husbands being Husband said he that newes I doe not bring From an olde Begger I receiu'd the Ring His house was made of neither Wood nor Stone But vnder ground into a hole he went And in my Conscience there he dwels alone And neuer payes his Land-lord quarters rent Ah 't is my Guy she said showe me his Cell And for thy paines I will reward thee well So he directs Warwicks faire Countesse thither Who entring in that melancholly place Her Lord and shee embracing weepe together Vnable to pronounce a word long space Long time they two had not a Tongue to speake Till Guyes discretions sorrowes doore did breake Phelice quoth he now take thy leaue of Guy That sent to see thee ere his sight decay Within thine armes I doe intreat to dye And breath my sprite from thy sweet soule away Thou gau'st me almes at Warwicke Castle late T is blessednes to pitty poore mens state Guy in repentance poorely liues Obscurely in a Caue Reueal'd to Phelice by a Ring When Death had digg'd his Graue Looke not so strange bewayle not so my Deare Ah weepe not Loue I doe not want thy teares I haue shed plenty since my comming heere Of true remorse my Conscience witnes beares Thou weep'st not now because I wept no more But to behold me friendlesse helplesse poore Wife I haue sought the place that all desire Though few endeauour for eternall rest The soule which to that Heauen doth aspire Must leaue the world and worldly thinges detest T is full of Deuils that on soules doe wayte And full of snares in euery place some bayte Ah Phelice I haue spent and then he wept Youth Natures day vpon the Loue of thee And for my God olde rotten Age haue kept The night of Nature Christ forgiue it me Sorrow lyes heauy on my soule for this Sweet Sauiour Iesus pardon my amisse In that I had destroy'd so many men Euen for one Woman to inioy thy Loue Therefore in this most solitary Den I sought my peace with that great God aboue Gainst whome by sinne I haue bin more misled Then there be hayres vpon my hoary head The other day feeling my body ill And all the partes thereof opprest with paine I did compose a Testament and Will To bee the last that euer I ordaine Loe heere it is I le reade it if I can Before I cease to bee a liuing man HIS WILL. EVen in the Name of him whose mighty pow'r Created all in Heauen and Earth contained As one to dye this very instant hower I leaue the world and all therein vnfained My soule I giue to him that gaue it mee Receiue it Jesus as I trust in thee I owe a debt of Life is due to Death And when 't is payde him he can aske no more A very vapour of a little breath Would he had had it many yeares before But heer 's my comfort though he come or stay T is ready for him if hee will to day I owe the world the stocke of wealth it lent When I did enter traffique with the same Lesse would haue giuen Nature more content T is happinesse to want a Rich mans name World leaue mee naked as I did begin I aske but one poore Sheet to wrap me in I doe bequeath more sinnes then I can number My dayly euils in a countlesse summe Euen from my cradle vnto Death's dead slumber Those past these present all that are to come To him that made them loades to burthen mee Sathan receiue them for they came from thee I giue good thoughts and eu'ry vertuous deed That euer grace hath guided me vnto To him from whom all goodnes doth proceed For onely euill Natvre taght me doe I was Conceiued bred and borne in sinne And all my Life most vaine and vile hath bin I giue to Sorrow all my sighes and cryes Fetch'd from the bottome of a bleeding heart I giue Repentance teares and watery eyes The signes vnfained of a true conuert Earth yeeld a Graue or Sea become a Tombe Jesus vnto my soule graunt Heauen-roome Phelice I faint farewell true loyall Wife Assist me with thy prayers thy Husband dyes I trust to meete thee in a better life Where teares shall all be wip'd from weeping eyes Come blessed Spirits come in Jesus Name Receiue my soule to him conuay the same And with these words his quiet sprite departs While mournfull Phelice well-nye dead for woe Her sences all to sorrowes vse conuerts And too aboundant doth her teares bestow Beating her brest till brest and heart be sore Wringing her handes till she could striue no more Then sighing said ah Death my sorrowes cause That hast depriu'd mee of my dearest Lord Since loathsome ayre my vitall spirits drawes This fauour for thy tyrannie afford Doe me a good to recompence thy ill And strike the stroke that all my cares can kill Let me not liue to see to morrowes light But make me thus colde bloodlesse pale and wan As this dead Carcasse doth appeare in fight This true discription of a mortall man Whose deedes of wonder past and gone before Haue left him now at Deaths darke prison doore Kissing his face with a farewell ef teares Shee leaues the body for the Graue to claime And from that place as 〈…〉 â—oule shee beares As euer Woman that the world can name Liuing but Fifteene dayes after his Death And then through extreame sorrow yeelded breath FINIS
doth with these words depart And leaues the breathles Body did containe it While wofull passions doe afflict Guyes heart Now wishing to himselfe he had not slaine it For true Humanity compassion showes To see Afflictions ouer-burden Woes Guy sheath'd his Sword and said remaine thou there Vntill I doe arriue on Englands shore No further quarrell to the world I beare For Loue of Phelice I will bleed no more From her I haue beene too too long away And will returne to challenge Soldiers pay So thence he rode to finde Sir Heraud out Making his Iourney through a Desart place Which was obscure enuiron'd round about With shady Trees that hid bright Phoebus face Where sodainly he met the hugest Bore That euer mortall eye beheld before The beast came at him most exceeding fell Which he preuenting stands vpon his guard And doth auoyde those dreadfull Tuskes right well Laying vpon the Swinish head so hard That dead hee left him who had many slaine For forth that Wood no man came backe againe When this was done Heraud hee ouertakes And tels him what a Christmas Brawne he slew Then with his purpose him acquainted makes Which was to bid all Forraigne parts adew And see the heauenly obiect of his heart Heraud consents and they forthwith depart To England comes Victorious Guy And doth faire Phelice wed At Yorke presenting Athelstone A dreadfull Dragons head Canto 9. ASsisted now by nimble winged Time Guy shapes his course for England and doth leaue The bolde aduentures of each Forraigne climbe Loues iust reward from Phelice to receiue As Hercules twelue Labours being past Found time for Dianiraes Loue at last Heraud and Guy no sooner doe arriue But newes thereof vnto the King was brought Who heard of all before they did atchieue Which made him much desirous in his thought To see such Subiects matchlesse men alone In honouring England and King Athelstone To Yorke they goe for there the King was then To whome they did most humble duty show Welcome quoth he renowned Martiall men My Princely loue vpon you I bestow Your fortunate successe contentment breeds Fame came before and brought vs home your deed Guy thou hast layde a heauy hand we heare Vpon the neckes of Pagâ—n Infidels And sent them home by fatall Sword and Speare To horrours vault where vnbeleeuers dwels Deuouring Beasts thou likewise hast destroy'd That humane Creatures fearefull haue anoy'd Yet worthy man I thinke thou ne're didst slay Of all those Monsters terrible and wilde More cruell Creature then at this same day Destroyes what ere it meetes Man Woman Childe Cattell and all which no man dare withstand A dreadfull Dragon in Northumberland I speake not this to animate thee on And hazard Life at setting foote a shore For diuers to destroy this Beast haue gone But to their friends neuer returned more No I expresse how happy thou hast bin To free like feares that other men were in Dread Lord quoth Guy as I am English Knight And faithfull vnto God true to my King I will goe see if that same Beast dare bite For to your Grace his Head I meane to bring I found his fellow with a Lyon fighting But made him leaue both scratching and his biting And as I dealt with him I le deale with this Onely I doe beseech your Royall grace Command me some direction where he is And to your Court I le bring his vgly face Or your milde fauour neuer let me see Dragon or Deuill what so e're he bee So taking humble leaue away he rides Vnto Northumberland to finde that Beast Hauing a dozen Knights which were his guides And brought him where the Dragon held his feast Like Canniball that feeds on flesh of men Behold quoth they to Guy you Caue's his Den. It is enough said hee doe you remaine And leaue me to goe finde out Hidra's head That neuer shall deuower man againe Who with so many bodyes hath bin fed Heere Gentlemen if you will please to stay Sit on your Horses and behold our fray Comming vnto the Caue the Dragon spyes him And forth he stalkes with lofty speckled brest Of dreadfull forme assoone as ere Guy eyes him His Launce he speedy set into his rest Then spurres to Horse and at the Dragon makes That bearing ground at the encounter shakes Then very lightly Guy retires his Horse And comes vpon him with redoubled might The Dragon meets him with resisting force And like a reede his Launce in two did bite Nay then quoth Guy if to such bites you fall I haue a toole to picke your Teeth withall Then drew his Sword a keene and massie blade And fiercely stroke with furious blowes so fell That many wide and bloody woundes he made Which causde the Dragon yawne like mouth of Hell Roaring with a most fearefull hideous sound And with his Clawes all rent and tore the ground Impatient of the smart hee did sustaine He thought with winges to raise himfelse aloft But with a stroake Guy brought him downe againe And ply'd him with the edge of Steele so oft That downe he fell in durty blood beray'd And forth his wide deuouring Ouen bray'd A flake of fire seem'd to issue thence While Guy was hewing off his vgly Head Now Fiend quoth he thou hast thy recompence For all the humane blood thy Iawes haue shed Vpon a part of this same broken Speare Thy filthy face vnto the King I le beare The Knights with ioy exceeding take a view Of that same fearefull creature strange of shape Admiring at his vgly forme of hew With wonderment that mortall man could scape Those teeth and clawes so dreadfull sharpe and long Compos'd by Nature in a Beast so strong When they had fix'd the Head vpon a Speare And measur'd out the bodyes length direct Vnto the King at Lincolne they it beare Who Guyes returne with longing did expect God shield quoth he and saue me from all euill Heere is a face may well out-face the Deuill What staring eyes of burning glasse be those That might aliue to flaming Beacons seeme What scales of harnesse arme that crookee Nose And Teeth none such had Cerberus I deeme What yawning mouth and forked Tongue is there That being Dead may make the Liuing feare Victorious Knight thy Actions we admire And place thee highly in our Kingly loue Throughout the spacious Orbe by Fame aspire More lofty then the supreme Spheare doth moue To the succeeding Ages of this Land I will remember thy Victorious hand Which shall be thus the Monsters picture wrought On cloath of Arras artificiall well And vnto Warwicke wee will haue it brought There to remaine and after ages tell That worthy Guy a man of matchlesse strength Destroy'd a Dragon Thirty foote in length And place his Head heere on the Castle wall For memory till yeares doe ruine it And Nobles make tryumphant Festiuall Affoord our Knight all honour doth befit Troy's Hector's dead and can no more atchieue But Englands Hector still remaines aliue