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 scarlet Gowns to meet in Counsel sat now in discontented Griefs the gallant Youth and comely Uirgins that had wont to beautifie 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 sumptuons 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 portrayed the Queen of Chastity with her Maidens bathing themselves in a crystal Fountain as a witness of her wonderous Chastity against the lustful Assailments of all lastivious Attempts Thereon was also most lively pictured a Turtle dove sitting upon 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 Escutcheous of Princes and the Arms of Countries that beautified her Tomb the Discourse whereof requires an Oratour's Gloquence 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 Iuory 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 brackâ—â—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 â—is Sons in the City of London under 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 Gaberdines 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 Nature's Tapestry and made their Passages as pleasant as the Gardens of Hesperides adorned with all kind of odoriferous Flowers 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 Mountains 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 Iourny 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 towards the Sepulchre of Christ and speak what happened to St. George's three Sons in visiting their Mother's Tomb in tâ—â— 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 Knighthood 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
began to roar such an infernal and harsh melody that the inchanted Rock burst in twain and then Kalyb's Charms lost their effect Her Magick no longer endured than the term of an hundred years the which as then was fully finished and brought to an end then the Obligation which she subscribed with her dearest blood and sealed with her own hands brought up a Witness against her by which she knew and fully perswaded her self that her Life was fully finished therefore in this most fearful manner she began to make her last Will and Testament First welcome said she my sad Executors welcome my Grave and everlasting Tomb for you have digged it in the fiery Lakes of Phlegeton my winding sheet wherein to shrowd both my Body and contemned Soul is a Cauldron of boiling Lead and Brimstone and the Worms that should consume my Carkass are fiery Forks which toss burning Fire-brands from place to place from Furnace to Furnace and from Cauldron to Cauldron therefore attend to Kalyb's woful Testament and engrave the Legacy she gives in Brass Rolls upon the burning Banks of Acheron First These eyes that now too late weep hapless tears I give unto the Watry Spirits for they have wrackt the treasures hidden in the deepest Seas to satisfie their most unsatiable looks Next I bequeath these hands which did subscribe the bloody Obligation of my perpetual banishment from Joy unto those Spirits that hover in the Air my Tongue that did conspire against the Majesty of Heaven I give to those Spirits which have their being in the fire my earthly heart I bequeath to those gross Demons that dwell in the Dungeon of the Earth and the rest of my Condemned Body to the Torments due to my deservings Which strange and fearful Testament beeing no sooner ended but all the Spirits generally at one instant seized upon the Enchantress and dismembred her Body in a thousand pieces and divided her Limbs to the four Elements one Member to the Air another to the Water another to the Fire and another to the Earth which were carried away in a moment by the Spirits that departed with such a horror that all things within the hearing thereof suddenly died both Beasts Birds and all creeping Worms which remained within the compass of those inchanted Woods the trees which before were wont to flourish with green leaves withered away and died the blâ—des of graâ—s perished for want of natural moisture which the watry Clouds deâ—ied to nourish in so wicked a place Thus by Iudgment of the Heavens sensless things perished for the wickedness of Kalyb whom we leave to her endless Torments and return to the Seven worthy Champions of Christendom whose laudable Adventures Fame hath inâ—olled in the Books of Memory CHAP. III. How St. George slew the burning Dragon in Egypt and Redeemed Sabra the King's Daughter from Death How he was betray'd by Elmido the black King of Morocco and sent to the Soldan of Persia where he slew two Lions and remained seven years in Prison AFter the Seven Champions departed from the Enchanted Cave of Kalyb they made their abode in the City of Coventry for the space of nine Months in which time they erected a costly Monument over the Herse of S. George's Mother and â—o in that time of the Year when the Spring had overspread the Earth with the Mantles of Flota they Armed themselves like wandring Knights and took their Iourney to seek for Foreign Adventures accounting no Dishonour so great as to spend their days in Idleness Atchieving no Memorable Accident So travelling for the space of thirty days without any Adventure worthy the noting at length they came to a broad Plain whereon stood a Brazen Pillar where seven several ways met which caused the seven Knighis to forsake each others Company and to take every one a contrary way where we leave six of the Champions to their contented Travels and wholly discourse upon the Fortunate Success of our Worthy English Knight who after some few Months Travel happily arrived within the Territories of Aegypt which Country as then was then was greatly annoyed with a dangerous Dragon but before he had Iournied fully within the distance of a Mile the silent Night approached and solitary stillness took possession of all living things at last he espied an old poor Hermitage wherein he purposed to rest his Horse and to take some repast after his weary Iourney till the Sun had renewed his Morning Light that he might fall to his Travel again but entring the Cottage he found an Ancient Hermit overworn with years and almost consumed with Grief with whom in this manner he began to confer Father said he for so you seem by your Gravity may a Traveller for this Night crave Entertainment within your Cottage not only for himself but his Horse or is there some City near at hand where unto I may take my Journey without danger The old Man starting at the sudden approach of St. George replyed unto him in this order Sir Knight quoth he of thy Country I need not demand for I know it by thy Burgonet for indeed thereon was graven the Arms of England but I sorrow for thy hard Fortune that it is thy Destiny to arrive in this our Country of Egypt wherein is not left sufficient alive to bury the Dead such is the Distress of this Land through a Dangerous and Terrible Dragon now ranging up and down the Country which if he be not every day appeased with the Body of a true Virgin which he devoureth down his Venomous Bowels that day so neglected will he breathe such a stink from his Nostrils whereof grows a most grievous Plague and Mortality of all things which use hath been observed four and twenty years and now there is not left one true Virgin but the King's Daughter throughout Egypt which Damsel to morrow must be offered up in Sacrifice to the Dragon therefore the King hath made Proclamation that if any Knight dare prove so adventurous as to Combat with the Dragon and preserve his Daughter's Life he shall in Reward have her to his Wife and the Crown of Egypt after his Decease This large proffer so encouraged the English Knight that he vowed either to Redeem the King's Daughter or else to lose his Life in that honourable Enterprize So taking his repose and nightly rest in the old Man's Hermitage till the chearful Cock being the true Messenger of Day gave him warning of the Sun's uprise which caused him to buckle on his Armour and to furnish his Steed with strong Habiliments of War the which being done he took his Journey guided only by the old Hermit to the Valley where the King's Daughter should be offered up in Sacrifice But when he approached the sight of the Valley he espied afar off a most fair and beautiful Damsel attired in pure Arabian Silk going to Sacrifice guarded to the place of Death only by â—age and modest Matrons Which woful sight encouraged the
forsake their proper Nature At which words the Champion gave her the Courtesies of his Country and sealed her Promises with a loving Kiss After which Beautiful Eâ—lantine being ashamed of her Nakedness Weaved her self a Garment of green Rushes intermixed with such variety of sundry Flowers that it surpassed for workmanship the Indian Maidens curious Webs her crisped Locks of Hair continued still of the colour of the Mulberry-tree whereby she seemed like Flora in her greatest Royalty when the Fields were decked with Natures Tapestry After which she washed her Lilly-hands and Rose-coloured Face in the dew of Heaven which she gathered from a Bed of Uiolets-Thus in green Uestments she intends in company of her true Love the Ualiant Knight of France to take her Iourney to her Father's Court being as then the King of that Countrey where after some few days Travel they arrived safe in the Court of Thessaly whose Welcomes were according to their wishes and their Entertainments most Honourable for no sooner did the King behold his Daughters safe approach of whose strange Transformation he was ever ignorant but he fell in such a deadly swoon through the exceeding joy of her presence that for a time his Senses were without vital moving and his heart imbraced so kindly her dainty body and proffered such Courtesie to the strange Knight that St. Denis accounted him the mirror of all Courtesie and the pattern of true Nobility After the Champion was unarmed his stiff and wearied Limbs were bathed in new Milk and White-wine he was conveyed to sweet smelling Fire made of Iuniper and the fair Eglantine conducted by the Maidens of Honour to a private Chamber where she was Disrobed of her Silvan Attire and apparelled in a pall of purple Silk in which Court of Thessaly we will leave this our Champion of France with his Lady and go forward in the Discourse of the other Champions discovering what Adventures hapned to them during the seven years But first how St. James the Champion of Spain fell in Love with a fair Jew and how for her sake he continued seven years dumb and after if Apollo grant my Muse the gift of Scholarism and dip my Pen in the Ink of Art I will not rest my weary hand till I have explained the honourable Proceedings of the Knights of England France Spain Italy Scotland Wales and Ireland to the honour of Christendom and the dishonour of all the professed Enemies of Christ. CHAP. V. How St. Iames the Champion of Spain continued seven years dumb for the love of a fair Jew and how he should have been shot to death by the Maidens of Ierusalem with other things which chanced in his Travels NOw must my Muse speak of the strange Adventures of St. James of Spain the Third Champion and Renowned Knight of Christendom and what hapned unto him in his seven years Trauels through many a strange Country by Sea and Land where his Honourable Acts were so Dangerous and full of Wonder that I want skill to express and art to describe also I am forced for brevities sake to pass over his dangerous Battel with the burning Drake upon the flaming Mount in Sicily which terrible Combat continued for the space of seven days and seven nights Likewise I omit his Travel in Capâ—aâ—ocia through a Wilderness of Monsters with his passage over the Red Seaâ—â— where his Ship was devoured with Worms his Mariners drowned and Himself his Horse and Furniture safely brought to Land by the Sea-Nymphs and Mairmaids where after his long Travels passed Perils and dangerous Tempests amongst the boisterâ—us Billows of the raging Seas he arrived in the unhappy Dominions of Judah unhappy by reason of the long and troublesome misery he endured for the Love of a fair Jew For coming to the beautiful City Jerusalem being in that Age the Wonder of the World for brave Buildings Princely Palaces Gorgeous Mountains and time-wondring Temples he so admired the glorious situation thereof being the richest place that ever his eyes 〈◊〉 that he stood before the Walls of Jerusalem one while gazing upon her Golden Gates glistering against the Sun's bright countâ—nance another while beholding her stately Pinacles whose lofty peeping tops seemed to touch the Clouds another while wondring at her Towers of Iasper Iet and Ebony her strong and fortified Walls three times double about the City the glistering Spires of the Temple of Sion built in the fashion and similitude of the Pyramids the ancient Monument of Greece whose Battlements were covered with steel the Walls burnished with Silver the Ground paved with Tin Thus as this ennobled and famous â—ntat Arms stood beholding the situation of Jerusalem there suddenly thundred such a peal of Ordnance within the City that it seemed in his Ravished Conceit to shake the Uail of Heaven and to move the deep Foundations of the fastned Earth whereat his Horse gave such a sudden start that he leaped ten foot from the place whereon he stood After this he heard the sound of Drums and the chearful Ecchoes of brazen Trumpets by which the Ualiant Champion expected some honourable Pastime or some great Tournament to be at hand which indeed so fell out for no sooner did he cast his vigilant Eyes toward the East-side of the City but he beheld a Troop of well appointed Horse come marching through the Gates after them twelve Armed Knights mounted on twelve Warlike Coursers bearing in their hands twelve blood-red Streamers whereon was wrought in Silk the Picture of Adonis wounded with a Boar after them the King drawn in a Chariot by Spanish Iennets which being a certain kind of Steeds ingendred by the Wind The King's Guard were a 100 naked Moors with Turkish Bows and Darts feathered with Ravens wings after them marched Celestine the King of Jerusalem's fair Daughter mounted on a tame Unicorn In her hand a Iavelin of Silver and Armed with a Breast-plate of Gold artificially wrought like the Scales of a Porcupine her Guard were an hundred Amazonian Dames clad in green Silk after them followed a number of Esquires and Gentlemen some upon Barbarian Steeds some upon Arabian Palfries and some on foot in pace more nimble than the tripping Deer and more swift than the tamest Hart upon the Mountains of Thessaly Thus Nebuzaradan great King of Jerusalem for so was he called solemnly hunted in the Wilderness of Judah being a Country very much annoyed with Wild Beasts as the Lyon the Leopard the Boar and such like in which exercise the King appointed as it was Proclaimed by his chief Herauld at Arms the which he heard repeated by the Shepherd in the Fields that whosoever slew the first Wild-beast in the Forrest should have in reward a Corsset of Steel so richly engraven that it should be worth a thousand sheckles of Silver Of which honourable enterprize when the Champion had understanding and with what liberal bounty the adventurous Knight would be rewarded his heart was fraught with invincible courage thirsting after
be the vain imagination of men and believe in our True and Everliving God under whose Banner we Christians have taken in hand this long War Secondly Thou shalt give Commandment that all thy Barbarous Nations be Christened in the Faith of Christ. Thirdly and lastly That thy three Kingdoms of Barbary Morocco and India swear true Allegiance to all Christian Kings and never to bear Arms but in the true Quarrel of Christ and his anointed Nations These things duly observed the Life shall be preserved and thy Liberty obtained otherwise look for no mercy but a speedy and most terrible death These words more displeased the unchristian King of Morocco than the Sentence of his Condemnation whereupon in these brief Speeches he set down his Resolution Great Potentate of Europe reply'd Almidor by whose Mightiness Fortune sits fettered in the Chains of Power my Golden Diadem and Regal Scepter by constraint I must deliver up But before I will forsake my Country-gods I will endure a hundred Deaths and before my Conscience be reformed to a new Faith the Earth shall be no Earth the Sea no Sea the Heaven no Heaven Thinkest thou now proud Christian by thy threatned Torments to make me forget my Creator and believe in thy God the supposed King of the Jews and basely born under an Ox's Stall No no accursed Christians you Off-spring of Cain you Generation of Ismael you Seed of Vipers and accursed through the World look for a speedy shower of Vengeance to Rain from Heaven upon you wicked Nations Your bloody practices have pierced the Battlements of Iove and your Tyrannies beaten open the Gate of Mighty Mahomet who had provided Whips of burning wyre to scourge you for your Cruelties proffered to and against his blessed Worshippers Now with this deadly Curse I bid you all farewell The Plagues of Egypt â—ight upon your Kingdom The Curse of Cain upon your Children the Famine of Ierusalem upon your Friends and the misery of Dedipus upon your selves This wicked resolution and baleful Curse was no sooner ended by the desperate minded Almidor but the impatience of St. George was so highly moved that he gave present commandment to the appointed Executioners to cast him into the bolling Cauldron which incontinently they performed to the terror of all the Beholders To see this woful Spectacle the Battlements of the Temple were so thronged with People the Houses covered with Women and Children and the Streets filled with Armed Soldiers that it was a wonder to behold amongst which multitudes there were some particular Persons that at the sight of Almidor's death fell down and brake their Necks but the general number as well of Pagans as Christians cryed with chearful voices Honour and Victory follow St. George of England for he hath Redeemed Barbary from a miserble Servitude Which joyful hearing so delighted the Seven Champions of Christendom that they caused their Conduits to run with Wines the Streets to be beautified with Bonefires and a sumptuous Banquet to be proclaimed through the City which after continued for the space of seven days in more magnificent Royalty than the Banquet of Babylon when the Macedonian Monarch returned from the World's Conquest The Champions Liberty procured such faithful Love in the hearts of the Morocco Peers that with a general Consent they chose S. George for their Lawful King where after they had invested him in the Princely Seat of the Morocco Pottentate they set the Crown upon his Head and after presented him with an Imperial Pall which the Kings of Barbary usually wore upon their Coronation-day protesting to forsake their Profane Religion and be Christened in the Faith of Christ. This promised Conversion of the Infidels more highly delighted the English Champion than to have the whole World's Honour at Command for it was the chiefest point of his Knightly Oath to advance the Faith of Christ and to enlarge the Bounds of Christindom After his Coronation was so solemnly performed the other six Champions conducted him to a Princely Palace where he took true Allegiance of the Morocco Lords by â—â—ighted Oath to be true to his Crown After this he established the Christian Laws to the benefit of the whole Country then he commanded all the Ceremonious Rites of Mahomet to be trodden under Foot and the true Gospel of Christ to be Preached likewise he caused all that did remain in Barbary to be Christened in the new Faith but these Observations continued but for a time as hereafter shall be discovered at large For Fame not intending to let the worthy Champion long to remain in the idle Bowers of Peace summoned them to pâ—rieveâ—e in the Noble Atchievements and to Muster up anew their Soldiers whose Armour Caukered Case had almost stained with Rust Therefore St. George committed the Government of the Country to four of the principal Peers of Morocco and Marched towards the Country of Egypt where lived Treacherous Ptolomy the Father of his beloved Lady Sabra whom he had left in the Kingdom of England In which Journey and happy arrival in Egypt we will leave the Seven Champions for a time and speak of the Faithless Infidels in Barbary after the departure of the Christians whose former Honours they slightly regarded For no sooner had St. George with his Martial Troops bidden their Country adieu but the Faithless Moors reconciled themselves to their formed Gods and purposed a speedy Revenge for the Death of Almidory against all Christians that remained within the Limits of that Hâ—aâ—hen Nation For there were many Soldiers wounded in the 〈…〉 likewise a number oppressed with sicknesâ— which the Christian Champions had left behind for their better recoveries upon whom the Barbarous Moors committed their first Tyranny for they caused the distressed Soldiers to be drawn upon Sleds to the uttermost parts of the City and there put them into a large and old Monastery which they presently set on fire and most inhumanely burned the Christian Soldiers and after converted the place into a filthy Lestall Many Women and succourless Children they dragged up and down the Streets till their Brains were dashed against the stones and the blood had covered the Earth with a purple hue Many other Cruelties were committed by the wicked Infidels against the distressed Christians which I purpose to pass over and wholly discourse of the woful and bloody murder of an English Merchant and his Wife in the same City of Tripoly The report whereof may force even merciless Tygers to relent and those eyes to shed springs of Tears that never wept before The bloody-minded Negro's violating both Oaths and Promises before plighted to St. George by violence set upon the Merchant's House where first they made a Massacre of his Servants and before his face cast their dead Bodies to hunger-starv'd Dogs Then coming to the Merchant they bound him fast with hempen Cords to the strongest post in his House and after took his Children being seven of the goodliest Boys that ever Nature framed
they came to the Orchard Gate which they presently burst open wherein no sooner entring but they found their Murdered Master lying by a Bed of Uiolets covered with Moss likewise searching to find out the Murderer at last they espied Sabra in her bare Petticoat her hands and face besprinkled with blood and her Countenance as pale as ashes by which â—ighs 〈◊〉 suspected her to be the bloody bereaver of their Lord and Master's Life therefore because she descended from a Noble Lineage they brought her the same night before the King which did then keep his Court in the City of Coventry who immediately upon the confession of the Murder gave this severe judgment against her First to be conveyed to Prison there to remain for the term of twelve months and at the end thereof to be burned like a most wicked Offender Yet because she was the Daughter to a King and a Loyal Lady to so Noble a Knight His Majesty in Mercy granted her this favour that if she could get any Knight at Arms before the time were expired that would be her Champion and by Combat redeem her from the Fire she should live otherwise if her Champion were Uanquished then to Suffer the former Punishment Thus have you heard the discourse of all things which happened till my departure from England where I left her in Prison and since that time five Months are fully expired therefore most Renowned Champion as you love the Life of your Lady and with her Delivery make no tarriance but with all speed post into England for I greatly fear before you arrive on the blessed Shore the time will be finished and Sabra suffer death for want of a Champion to defend her Cause This doleful discourse drove St. George with the other Knights and Champions to such an extasie of mind that every one departed to their Lodging Chambers with dumb signs of Sorrow being not able to speak one word where for that night they lamâ—â—ted the mishap of so vertuous a Lady The Egyptian King her Father he abandoned the sight of all companies and repaired to the top of a high Tower built of Marble Stone wherein he barred himself so fast with Iron Bolts that none could come within the hearing of his Lamentation then raged he up and down like frantick Oâ—dipus tearing his eyes from their Natural Cells accusing Heaven of injustice condemning the Earth of iniquity and accursing Man for such an execrable Crime one while wishing that his Daughter's Birth-day had been her Burial-day another while that some unlucky Planet would descend the Firmament and fall upon his miserable head Being in this extream Passion he never hoped to see his Daughter's Countenance again and so about midnight being a time when desperate Men practise their own Destruction he cast himself headlong from the top of the Tower and broke his Neck and all besprinkled the â—linty Pavements with his Blood and Brains No sooner was the night vanished and bright Phoebus entered the Zodiack of Heaven but his bruised body liveless and sensless was found by his Servants lying in the Palace-yard all beaten in pieces against the ground The woful News of this self-willed Murder they told to certain Egyptian Knights who took his scattered Limbs and carried them to St. George's Chamber whom they found arming himself for his departure towards England but at this woful spectacle he took a second conceited grief in such extream manner that it had almost cost him his Life but that the Egyptian Knights gave him many comfortable speeches and by the consent of many Dukes Earls Lords and Barons with many other of the late King's Privy-Council they Eleâ—ted him the true succeeding King of Egypt by the Marriage of Ptolomy's Daughter which Royal proffer St. George refused not but took upon him the Regiment of the whole Countrey so that for a short time his Iourney towards England was stayed and upon the third day following his Coronation was appointed which they solemnly performed to the high honour of all the Christian Champions for the Egyptian Peers caused St. George to be Apparelled in Royal Uestures like a King he had on a Suit of flaming Green like an Emerald and a Mantle of Scarlet very richly Furâ—'d and wrought curiously with Gold then the other six Champions led him up to the King's Throne and set him in a Chair of Ebony which had pummels of Silver which stood upon an Alabaster Elephant then came three of the greatest Lords in Egypt and set a Crown of Gold upon his Head then followed the Knights with a Scepter and a naked Sword to signifie that he was chief Governor of the Realm and Lord of all that appertained to the Crown of Egypt This being performed in most sumptuous and stately manner the Trumpets with other Instruments began to sound whereat the general Company with joyful Uoices cryed altogether Long live St. George true Champion for England and King of Egypt Then was he conducted to the Royal Palace where for ten days he remained among his Lords and Knights spending the time in great joy and pleasure the which being finished his Lady's distress constrained him to a sudden departure therefore he left the Guiding of his Land to twelve Egyptian Lords binding them all by Oath to deliver it at his return likewise charging them to interr the Body of Ptolomy in a sumptuous Tomb be fitting the Body of so Royal a Potentate Also appointed the six Champions to raise their Tents and muster up anew their Soldiers and with all speed march into Persia and there by dint of Bloody War Revenge his former Injuries upon the accursed Souldan This Charge being given the next morning by break of day he buckled on his Armour mounted on his swift-footed Steed and bad his Friends in Aegypt for a season adieu and so in company of the Knight that brought him that unlucky News he took his Iourney with all speed toward England in which Travel we will leave him for a time Also passing over the speedy provision made by the Christian Champions in Egypt for the Invasion of Persia and return to sorrowful Sabra being in Prison awaiting each Minute to receive the final stroke of impartial Death for now had the rowling Planets brought their years Iourney to an end yet Sabra had no Intelligence of any Champion that would defend her Cause therefore she prepared her delicate Body to receive her latest breath of Life The time being come she was brought to the place of Execution whither she went as willingly and with as much joy as ever she went before time unto her Marriage she had made humble submission to the World and unfeignedly committed her Soul to God She being at the Stake where the King was present with many thousands as well of woful Personages as of common People to behold this woful Tragedy the Deaths-man stripping off her Garment which was of black Sarsenet and in her Snow-white Smock bound her with an Iron
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 being 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 Enchanted Monument accompanied the Babylonian King to his Kingdom of Assyria as they had all solemnly promised him But when they approached the Confines of Babylon and made no â—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 unjustly 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 unadvisedly committed the Government of his Realm when he went in the Tragical pursuit of his fair Daughter after his dreamed illusion that caused him so cruelly to seek her Death And the breaking our into this hurliburly grew first to head in this manner following Two years after the Kings departure these Deputies governed 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 himself to the People discovered his reverend Face but they all shouted for joy and hauling the Usurpers presently to Death they re-installed him in his antient Dignity their true lawful and long-lookt for King The King being thus restored married Fidelia for her faithfulness and after the Nuptial Feasts the Champions at the earnest request of S. Anthony departed towards Italy where in Rome the Emperor spared no cost honourably and mòst sumptuously to entertain those never-daunted Knights the famous Wonders of Christendom At that time of the year when the Summers Queen had beautified 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 approached 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 sâ—â—h chast Ladies and Uirgins as had â—owed themselves to a single Life â—aild so keep their Uirginities for ever unsported In this place the Emperors only Daughter lived as a proâ—â—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 Paphiâ—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 countenance enchant the English Champion for at his first entrance into 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 shadows And to be short her beauty seemed so Angelical and the burning flames of love so fired his heart that he must either enjoy her company or give end to his life by some untimely means Saint George being wounded thus with the Dart of Love dissembled his grief and revealed â—t not to any one but departed with the Emperor back again to the City leaving his heart behind him closed in the 〈◊〉 Moâ—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 appeared 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 protested 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 Monastery standing upon another and likewise make her a bloody offering up to Diana This Policy liked well Saint George though he intended not to prosecute such Cruelty so the
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 glory 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 followers 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 Followers that what with their nimble Lances keen Darts and Arrows shot from their quick Bows and Welsh Hooks in great abundance the Sun also lying in the Pagans Faces to their great disadvantage 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 Policy 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 honour 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 congealed in all his lives Members that without Recovery he was forced to yield unto death to the great grief of all Knights and Followers who for the space of forty days mourned for him in great heaviness 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 likewise 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 willing 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 furnished 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 remaining in the French Kings favour a Knight of St. Michaels Drder who in former times hearing of the hourable Adventures of this Noble Champion St. Dennis and thinking this same to be a disparagement to his Knight-hood and the rest of that Drder conspired 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 Subjects 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 enraged 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 Redeemer 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
Lord of the fruitful Land of Campania which when St. Anthony understood this Duke Ursini having formerly béen his loving Friend he declared unto them who he was and what were his Companions and also how they were bound for Italy whereupon there was great rejoycing on both fides and the Gentleman and Captain and Master of the Italian ship were invited into the other where after some Complements past on both sides and a short Collation the Sea being calm and like a standing Pool no Waves nor Billows to arise they intreated the Gentleman now that their ships lay thus at Hull to declare unto them the manner of Duke Ursini's death and how he came to dye in so remote a Country To which the Gentleman willingly condescended and spake as followeth It is not now fully two years since that the Renowned Prince Oswy Duke of Ferrara at the Celebration of his Marriage with the famous Lady Lucinda of Mantua kept solemn Iusts and Turnaments with Royal Entertainment for all comers which invited thither not only the prime Nobility and Gallants of the Italians but also the news being spread abroad into Forreign Countries several persons of great Quality resorted thither amongst others was â—iâ—ian the Daughter of Lampasco Prince of Scandia a Lady of such glorious eye surprizing Rays that in her Faâ—e Love seemed to sit enthroned in full Majesty nor wanted 〈◊〉 theâ—â— with the helps of Art to set forth her natural perfâ—â—â—ens so that she seemed rather a Divine Goddess then a humane creature These her admirable Endowments was looked on by Duke Urâ—â—ni through a multiplying glass which rendered her to him the moll admirable of all Creatures captivating his heart such a shâ—alâ— to her Beauty that he vowed himself a servant to her vertues and to endear himself the more in her Respects by some Atchievments of Honour he entered the Lists as chief Challenger against all comets being mounted on a milk white Barbary Courser trapped with Capparisons of Silver and on his Burgonet a plume of goodly Feathers His Armour was blew resembling the Azure Firmament spangled with stars of Gold with this word for his device Vertue like the clear Heaven is without Clouds He encountered with sundry Knights of great worth against atl which he had much the better which gained him both great applause and envy Nor was he less skilful in the intrigues of Love than in the management of Arms and to court a Lady as well as encounted with an Enemy which he with much artificial Eloquence demonstrated in an address to the Lady Jilian who seemed much affected with his person and so far the matter went that there seemed nothing wanting to the consummation of their Marriage but only the consent oâ— her Parents which to obtain he sailed with her unto Scandia where he was most nobly entertained and his suit very well liked on Now it was so that a young Baron of that Country named Lamptido had formerly born a great affection unto the Princess Jilian and had so far prevailed with her that he was in great hopes of obtaining her Love but his means not being answerable to her high Dignity it was kept very close from Prince Lampascoes Ear yet hoped he in time that either by the death of Lampasco or some secret stratagem he should compass his eâ—â—s but now seeing Prince Ursini in so great â—avour he began utterly to despair in his suit unless by some means he could find a way to deprive him of his Life It happened not long after that Prince Lampasco proclaimed a general hunting of the wild Bore to which Princely exercise resorted all the flower of the Nobility and every one whose 〈…〉 â—ired with desire of glory and renown amongst others none was more forward to this Royal sport then Prince Ursini who at the appointed time came into the field armed with his Bore-â—pear and mounted on a Spanish Gennet who for their swiâ—â—ness are said to be ingendred of the Wind. Being come within view of the place where they were to hunt each man was ordered according to his â—and when a Brace of lusty Beagles were let loose to rouse the Bore In the mean time every man prepared himself for the â—antling of his Weapons and with a nimble Eye to catch all advantages that might be taken It was not long before the Beagles haâ—â—ouzed the Bore out of his 〈◊〉 who seeming to regard no danger nimbly turning round aboâ—â—â— with a kind of a wallowing running pace ran where he could see any company The first that struck at him was an Italian Knight who accompanied Prince Ursini in his Uoyage to Scandia who brake his Spear but wounded him not for his Skin was scarcely penetrable being as hard as a Bulls hide when it is tanned Leaving this Italian he ran against a valorous Knight named â—â—iastâ—r who encountered with him very couragiously yet could not his courage strength nor skill aâ— which he was in a full ineasâ—â—â— Master of prevail any thing yet was his performance so much that giving him a small wound on the Leg feeling the smart he ran towards Baron Lamprido who used his utmost strength and skill to withstand him but the smart of his wound in his Leg so exasperated him that he ran with such fury against Lamprido as turned him Horse and Man to the ground and undoubtedly had slain him had not Duke Ursini come to his rescue who with undaunted courage set upon the Bore and with great strength guided by skill so followed his blowes that he made the Bore begin to stagger who yet with open mouth came towards him which advantage Duke Ursini spying thrust his Bore Spear down his Throat and therewith rest his Heart in sunder yielding unto him the absolute Uictory By this time divers Knights were come in to him amongst others Lamprido having recovered his fall came in with the thickest but when he saw that the Bore was killed and by the hands of Ursini his blood boiled within him for anger out of envy that he had done it which he knew would more endear him in the affections of the Lady Jilian as also that his own overthrow would much lessen her opinion of him Hereupon a desire of revenge entering into his heart his study was how to effect it with privacy not only for danger of the Law but dread of Duke Ursini's valour whom he knew he could not match in single combat he therefore concluded to do it by treachery which not long after he brought to pass in this manner Amongst other exercises which Duke Ursini much delighted in one was the Art of Angâ—ing in which he would oftentimes spend many hours and that with as much privacy as he could because multitude of persons was a hinderance to the sport It to chanced one day that he accompanied only with one servant and having no other Armour but his Sword went in a Boat unto a spacious River a fishing which being known unto Lampridi he
new into the room made him young again In another Table was pourtrayed King Midas who for preferring Pans Pipe before Apollos Harp was for his pains rewarded with a pair of Asses Ears Whilst they were viewing these Pictures with delight the Enchantress Mededa came down from her Chamber who beholding Sir Guy with a fixed look thus said unto him Sir Knight return unto thy Ship Let no advantage from thee slip For now the time is nigh at hand Thou must be joyn'd in Hymens band Thy constancy to her is known Who seeks to have thee for her own But e're these things to thee betide Thou many troubles must abide Having thus said she vanished out of their sight leaving them much wondring at what they had heard Then taking their leave of the Dwarf they returned again towards their Ship but in their way as they passed along by a Rivers side which gently running made swéet musick with the enameled stones and séemed to give a gentle kiss to every sedge he overtook in his watry Pilgrimage There came crossing a Meadow towards them an antient Shepherd who by the downfal of his mellow years seemed as if Nature had brought him near to the door of death yet were not his Hairs so gray by years as made by sorrow which his blubber'd Countenance gave a doleful copy of his thoughts what he was about to speak Sir Knights said he if ever compassion harboured in noble Breasts let my aged years and extream misfortunes crave your pity who from a contented and not despicable estate am now become Fortunes Tennis-ball by the unconstancy of that blind Goddess Know then worthy Knights my name is Selindus once possessed of the Wealthy Barrony of Mompelior scituate in this Island of Micomicom a place which for the richuefs of the Soyl and pleasantness of the Scituation is scarcely parallel'd in all the Country These fair possessions of mine left unto me when I was young soon procured me a Wife of which yet I had no cause to repent being a Lady replenished with all the Ornaments and Endowments of Nature which might make her in every wise compleat Happily we lived together for some short space of time when the fruits of her Womb gave us great hopes of more future joyes but the Fates had decreed otherwise for upon her delivery the birth of the Ihfant proved the death of the Parent and she to bestow a Gem on the Earth became her self a Pearl in the starry Firmament What should I say more I lost a Wife and gained a Daughter and indeed a Daughter of such super-excellent parts as might put a cessation of sorrow for the Mother This Daughter whose name was Praxida did I bring up in all vertuous Education who in short time became the wonder of her Sex having in her such perfections as did yield subject to admiration and as she grew more in years so did she add more to her perfections which admirable Endowments attracted to her many adorers who sued for her favour amongst whom was one whom she most fancied whose name was Euphemius a knight of Placida being an Island not far off under the Queen Artemia who had made him sole Governour thereof Betwixt this Euphemius and my Daughter unknown to me had passed a solemn Contract she belike fearing to disclose it to me as doubting my consent his Estate not being answerable to my Revenues wherefore they got privately Married together Now it happened not long after upon some offence against the Queen Euphemius was committed to Prison and having layn there some few dayes was brought before the Queen to be examined who beheld him with great wonder and astonishment for indéed he was a person of a lovely Countenance and in whom Dame Nature had done her utmost to the making of him in all parts compleat which so wounded her heart with an affection towards him that instead of his being her Captive she became his and in part to manifest the same unto him she frankly gave him his freedom and with many kind words entertained him very graciously into her favour yet could not all this kindness endear her unto him but the more she shewed love to him on the one side the more was his hatred to her on the other and that not so much in respect of his to my Daughter as the mortal spite he bare to her for his Imprisonment so that having a sit opportunity offered him he fled from the Court and confederating with some friends intended to levy War against the Queen The Queen understanding of his departure fared like unto a distracted Woman wringing her hands and beating on her Ivory Breasts she cast her self upon the ground tearing the lovely Tresses from her head Her Ladies comforted her the best wise they could but that cherisht fire which blindly crept through every Uein of her fluent blood would suffer her to take no rest but being at last informed in what place he was she sent to him this following Letter COuld I in the least imagine what should cause your so sudden departure if it lay in my power the cause thereof should be removed but the fore not being known how can the remedy be administred If you think upon your restraint think also upon your free-given Liberty and do not write the one in Marble the other in Sand. That I seek for love to you impute it not to lightness but to a real affection and let your return again to me demonstrate that your heart is not inexorable when perhaps my presence may plead more in my excuse then can this Paper-Messenger so wishing you what she wants her self Health she remains ever yours Artemia This Letter she sent by a trusty Messenger but his mind was so fully bent against her that instead of liking it caused loathing Wherefore taking his Pen in hand he sent her again this bitter return WHat should cause you to dote where you are hated I cannot imagine love but lust therefore I shall not esteem of your Syrens Tongue knowing that Bees have stings as well as honey Nor think not to entrap me any more by your suger'd baits but know that none so much hates the memory of you as doth your sworn Enemy Euphemius This Answer was to Artemia as a Dagger piercing her heart so that she immediately fell into such a deadly swound as her Ladies about her could hardly recover her Unhappy Artemia then said the Queen and must I live to be despised and he to triumph in my overthrow ungrateful man can all my courtesies reap no other profit but only disdain Is it possible that I can continue to love thee that deservest rather to live in my hatred but why do I thus exclaim against him who perhaps doth this only to try me no no Artemia he slights thy love Then dye fond Queen defer not to live any longer yet dear Euphemius in my death shall I make it known how near thy love was to my heart and how
to chear up her heart overburdened with grief the King made a most sumptuous Banquet to which were invited all the Lords Knights and chief Captains then present against which time divers pastimes were devised and costly showes performed with most excellent Musick rare Dancing and other delights to provoke her to mirth but all was as Water spilt on the Ground it took no Impression upon her Soul such indelible Characters of sorrow had grief engraven on her heart And now these Warlike Knights being minded to go into their own Country took their solenm leave of the King who rewarded them with many rich gifts and presents giving them many thanks for their Ualours showed in his defence so taking Ship they lanched from shore when 〈◊〉 the Sails grew big bellyed with the wanton Wind and the 〈◊〉 glided safely on Neptunes briny face capering for joy upon the silver Waves until such time they each of them arrived in their own Countries where there wâ—re received with much joy and where we will leave them for the present to relace what beâ—el to Sir David in going to see Sir VVonder at the Fountain of Health CHAP. XIX How Sir David failed to the precious Fountain and rescued Sir Wonder How he put to death the Tyrant Almantor and setled Aged Pamdion in his Estate THE Ualourous and Renowned Champion Sir David being now well settled in his kingdom of Ancona as you heard in the fifteenth Chapter was very desirous to see Sir VVonder and to experiment the effects of the precious Fountain as Sir Pandrasus had declared unto him wherefore selecting out a choice number of approved Soldiers and taking his leave of the Quéen Rosetta he took Ship and having a prosperous Wind he in few dayes arrived in that fertile Island but quite contrary to his expectation instead of being received with great friendship and acclamation of joy no sooner was he landed but a number of Knights and armed Soldiers came marching against him bidding him either to depart the Land or to yield up his Arms into their hands or else to abide what their force could compel him to for so it was that soon after the departure of Sir Pandrasus that those of the VVarlike Island understanding the rare vertues of the Fountain and the fruit that grew on the Banks of it that they resolved to become Masters thereof and to that purpose in fâ—â—endly manner visited Sir VVonder seeming to applaud his happy fortune in being possest of so rare and precious a Iewel as was that Fountain and so far did they insinuate into his favour that he trusted them with all his secrets which they wrought unto his ruine for by a wile they locked him into an inner room and siezed on his servants by a party which they secured in a private place and to that time while Sir David landed had kept them close Prisoners But now was the time of their deliverance come about for Sir David understanding there was no way to be used but force setting his men in order gave them such lusty charge as put them all to the rout the greatest part of them being slain in the chase the residue of them that escaped flying to the Fountain raised all their whole Force who having arme dthemselves speedily marched against Sir David and now began a most terrible fight betwixt them with such a cruel slaughter of Men that the Earth which was wont to bury the dead was new its self buried with dead Bodies the clashing Armour rang the knell of many of those that wâ—re it and crimson paths of War paved all with slain Corps Sir David with hie keen Fauchion hewed his way through his Enemies until he came unto their General with whom he encountered hand to hand and after many blows exchanged betwixt them slew him out-right whereupon the residue sought to save themselves by slight but were so eagerly persued that very few of them escaped not above three persons reserved alive And then giving thanks to the Immortal Powers for this great Uictory they went the next way to the Fountain and released Sir VVonder and the rest of his men from their Captivity Great was the joy at this their meeting for Sir VVonder notwithstanding his vast strenght and invincible Courage yet was so storngly imprisoned that he despaired of ever regarding his former liberty which being so unexpected made him the highlyer for to prize it Then did Sir David with his Soldiers drink of the Wine of the Fountain when presently they felt the powerful vertue thereof being in an instant as fresh and lively as when they first began the fight Afterwards Sir Wonder banqueted them with the Fruits of the Trees thâ— grew upon the Banks thereof which were of such various tastse and yet all of them so delicious as gave great satisfaction to the most indulging Pallat. But they were not only delightful to the taste and pleasant to the appetite but also of that superexcellent vertue that who so tasted of them was immediately cured of all the hurts and wounds he had about him were they never so déep and deadly That night they slept soundly and the next Morning went forth to behold the rarities of the Country In every place they came they heard the Birds the Airs winged Choristers warbling forth their ditties most harmoniously as if with their chirping they sung Carrols to the rosie Moon and with their Musick courted the sullen Wood and invited Mortals to walk abroad The Earth was beautified with Natuers choicest Tapestry so that it seemed an Elizium or Earthly Paradise Here grew Muskmillions sweet William Time Maiden-blush Peagles Cowslips Tulips Oxlops Lady-smock sops in Wine start up and kiss me sweet Basil Marjerum tufted Daizy six leaved Primrose true love Lillies and Uiolets In another place was the Ground bedeckt with azure Hare-bell Roses yellow King-Cups tawny columbines Orange tawny Marigolds Pansies Hony-suckles Piony Monks-hood Bugloss and Pinks In a third place was Bears-foot Batchellors-Buttons Burrage Crows-foot Crows-toes Daffadils Dendelyon Priest-crown Eglantine Gelly-flowers Flowerdeluces Hearts ease London-buttons Lady-gloves Rose-parsly Liricumphancy Wake-Robin Rosemary Prick-Madam Rokcet-gallant Capons-tail Shepherds-pouch Tansie Yarrow Nose-bleed Woodbine Kiss me at the Garden-gate and a thousand other sorts of Flowers which I want both art and skill to describe At every walks end were shady-scréen Arbours whose shadows seemed to woe the Love-sick Passenger to câ—me and sit and view the beauties Nature bestowed on them Besides the singing-Birds named before there was an infinite number of Partridges Pheasants Quails and Phenixes which are not to be found in other Countries were here very plentiful all which were so tame that you might take them up in your hands and being killed and held up against the Sun would be instantly roasted needing no basting but their own fat but in the eating they were so delicious that the choicest Uiands which your curious Cooks with much art prepare came far short of their goodness There