wise and as strong as you have been mistook contemn not Age in me these arms and my just cause shall soon decide the business of the War so saying they charged upon each other with such force as made their ratling Harness Eccho in the Skies and fire like Lightning from each Helm flew the Combate being dreadful to tehâ—â—d bloody and doubtful the Dane never been so matched before wounds were received on both sides whiles shouts that rent the Sky from the Town and Danish Camp were sent but Fortune who till now had stood neuter began to turn on Guy's Victorious arm whom she had failed never so that with a full blow he cutting through Colbron's Armour gave him a wound in the left shoulder from whence the blood flowing amain he begain to faint and faulter in his strokes which Guy perceiving laid the fiercer on and redoubling his strength whilst piecemeal down his harness dropped whereupon the Giant entreated Guy for to desist and seemingly let him the Conquest gain and he would promote him in the Danish Army Fooll as thou art said Guy thy suit and Coward-fear are now to be despised thinkest thou that England's Crown I 'l lose unless I lose my Life no know presumptuous man how thou wert mistaken at the first and much more now at last with that his dreadful blade he swings about his head which in the air much like a Commet showed and with a redoubled blow which like a Thunderbolt fell on Colbron's head he broke his Helm and peirced so deep into his head that staggering ten paces back he dropped upon the ground which the Danes seeing contrary to agreement came running to his aid but all too late for Guy had hewed his Head off from the Monsterous Trunk and with his Sword drove the disordered Squadron back slaughtering them on every side so that none durst come within the reach of his Sword but to the earth fell wounded or slain The King from the walls perceiving in what danger he was in with six thousand all that he had left Sallied out of the Town and instantly came to his Rescue charging upon the formost with such bravery that he bore down all before him who for loss of their Champion were now grown fearful so that breaking through their Ranks he disordered them and the English fighting courragiously for their Lives and Liberties made a great slaughter whilst this was doing Guy who had retired to refresh himself being well mounted returned to the Battel cutting in pieces and destroying so terribly all that durst oppose him that all the place where he fought lay piled with slain so that having drawn out a thousand English Horse he marching in the Front Charged through the main Body of the Enemy whilst the King Charging their Left Wing put them to the Rout so that numbers of their Cheif Commanders and Soldiers being killed and taken Prisoners they fled towards the Sea where their Shipping lay but the King and Guy resolving to clear the Land of such a Plague pursued hard after them not without infinite slaughter for upon the News of the Overthrow all the Countries through which they fled with such Weapons as they could get fell upon them that of Thirty thousand scarce five thousand got safe to Denmark most of the Plunder they had gotten being likewise recovered so great was the Victory that day After the pursuit the King and his Army returned to Winchester where he would have made all the splendid provision for his unknown Champion that could be imagined but Guy refused it saying he had renounced all worldly Pomp entreating his Majesty to give him leave for to depart the which the King would by no means consent to till he had declared his name against which he urged many Excuses but seeing the King so desirous he taking him aside told him he was his faithful Subject Guy and that after many and various adventures which hapned in his so long wandring up and down the Earth he was come to England for his Grave and so happily arrived as to rid his Country of its cruel Foe entreating his Majesty not to discover his Arrival to any not so much as to his Queen the which the King promised to observe and with tears embracing him after a long conference gave him Licence to depart only binding him with promise to send him word privately where he resided which he afterwards did and the King without any Attendance came often to Visit him in his solitary Cave where he lived many years So humble was the Warriour whose Renown And mighty Deeds might justly claim a CROWN CHAP. XVI Of Phaelice her behaviour for the absence of her Lord how she came to have knowledgâ— of him of his and her Deaths aâ—â—uâ—als the descript on of their Tombs and Epitaph how Guy's Sword and the Trophies of his Conquests were hung up in the Castle PHaelice not all this while having heard of her Lord remains pensive and sad her only Recreation being to releive the Poor who in numbers still flock about her Gates for Alms the which she liberally distributed with her own hand often enquiring of the Pilgrims that came from the Holy Land if they had heard of one Guy her much loved Lord and they answer no she would turn away and weep concluding he was dead and then breaking out into passionate expressions complain of her hard Fate which Guy himself in disguise often hearing his eyes growing thereupon full he would turn aside and weep to bear her company many times receiving Alms at her hands and resolve not to discover himself But at last finding Valours strength decay and that death approches fast he thought fit to send the Marriage Ring according to his promise being much desirous to behold her once more before he dyed so that espying a Traveller coming towards his Cave he called to him and out of all love desired him to do so great a favour as to carry a Ring to the Countess of Warwick and if she requested of him to direct her to his Cave he doubted not but she would largely reward the utmost of his demands The man at first seemed very unwilling as not knowing what it should mean making many excuses till Guy pressing more and more affirming that he meant no ill but that the Countess would gladly receive his message he at last undertook it and Posting to Warwick Castle knocked loudly at the gate desiring to speak with the Countess in her proper person for such was his Commission no sooner she being come but bowing low he delivered her the Pledge of dear Remembrance the which she no sooner saw but knew it and wept for joy and ordering her servants to give the Messenger an Hundred Marks for the good tidings and went with him to the Cave where her Lord was who espying her though feeble and weak went out to meet her where they embraced each other not being able to speak for a â—â—md space till Guy
Knights went to a Hermits Cave not far distant thence and gave him order for to bury the two slain and to take in Herauld into his charge and care laying a grievous curse upon him if he medled with the Rest and so departed after leave taken through the Sollitary Grove bewailing much the Loss of his dear Friends yet not declining Honours search no sonner had he passed the thick shades but from a rising hill he beheld a fair and Goodly City before which on a plain were many armed Knights assembled to just at Tilt and Turnaâ—nent the which somewhat Revived his spirits as well hoping to find Duke Orion there and so revenge on him the Treachery but he was not at that time so fortunate for the Duke by his Scouts having notice of the death of his men and that Guy was approaching he feigned a suddain sickness and so withdrew from Court Guy being arrived thrust in among the thickest Ranks to seek the man he so much longed to combate with but not finding him he challenged all there presant and after having foiled the best that durst encounter him and wone the prize he departed with great applause to the Duke of Millaines's Court where no sooner arrived but the Duke embrated him in his Arms and prepared a sumptuous entertainment for him Long he had not rested there before he understood that the Duke of Lovain to whom Guy had sworn Friendship was besieged by Lorains power whereupon Guy taking leave hasted to help his Friend as he was rideing over a Moory Plain he met a Pilgrim as he supposed all Clad in Gray who seemed faint with Travell whom he kindly saluted and entreats for to acquaint him with some News News said the Pilgrim and with that he fetched a sigh Alass sir 't is a thing I now am no wayes conversant with but have renounc'd the world and all its business since I have lost my dearest Friend and on his searth have travailed and must travail with many weary steps for till I sind him my soul can take no rest I pitty thee said Guy but pray be so kind as to deelare the man perhaps I may inform you for 't is sure that I should know that voice Alass said he it is a man renowned in arms through all the spaeious world one for whose sake I left my Native land and one who saved my lift from cruel Foes with that Guy understood that it was Herauld nor could conceal himself but pulling up his Vizage discovered his sate and immediately allighting embraced him while he wept for joy Expressing these words and has kind Heaven been so propitious as to restore thy life whom I supposed dead behold me Herauld I am he you sought henceforth let cares be banished from this brest my only request is now to know how your wounds were cured to whom thus Herauld replyed with his Eyes o're flowed with tears of joy Oh how can it be am I thus unlooked for made so happy then know worthy Guy the Hermit with whom you left me in charge after having conducted me faint as I was to his Cave poured Balsoms into my wounds and with soveraign Cordialls refreshed my Fadeing Spirits So that after some continuance in his Cave I gathered strength but could not he contented in my mind for loss of you which restlessness the good old Hermit perceiving was very inquisitive to know the cause which I as freely declared upon which he delivered me this Gown to cover my Armour that so I might the more seturely Travail in thy search the which has now happily been successful so spake Herauld and Guy with joy again embraced him and thanked him for his Love and Friendship causing him to mount behind him and so they Rode discoursing of their Various adventures till they came to the beleaguered City and breaking through the Hostill ranks of foes came to the Gate where they soon found entrance the Duke no sooner hearing that Guy was come unto his Aid but he came and humbly saluted him bidding him ten thousand welcomes and each drooping souldier was revived at his Name Crying Lead on Lead on and let us sally out and charge the Foe the Duke laying hold on this opportunity thought it not convenient to let their courages coole gave order to his Commanders to prepare for the Battell and that on pain of death they should be obedient unto whatsoever Guy should think fit this being done the Gates were opened and the Souldiers with such a shout that Echoed through the Skies Issued out and charged the Foe with such bravery and courage that they with much slaughter forced them to Retreat broken and in great confusion Guy and Herauld persuing them even to their Camp cutting their way through Armed Squadrons and putting them to the rout far and near whilst all the blushing plaines lay strewed with dead and dying men so that Guy in compassion unto Christian lives vid spare the sword and stayed the Souldiers fury making slaughter cease This overthrow so vered the Duke of Lorain so sore that he immediately vowed revenge giving order that all the Millitia of his Dukedome should immediately march to retruâ—e his broken Army so that within ten dayes he sayed siege again with Thirty thousand Horse and Foot vowing not to leave the City till they had layed it as low as Earth and thereupon begirt it with his Souldiers round Resolving so by curting off communication to force it to a surrender for want of provision but the Stratagem prevailed not for Guy and the Duke from the walls observing their intention the better to disencourage them in that point like Manlius the Roman General when besieged by the Gailisenes in the Cappital gave order to throw provision in abundance down tâ—sting the Enemy that if they wanted more upon request they might be furnished for â—id Guy I would not starve my for least when overthrown in batâ—â—â— he should excuse his weakness for want of food but now you have provision feast your elves that I may find you more resolure in war then heretofore I have done fore'r the sun deseends into the Western Deean dreadful slaughter again shall rage through all the bloody field this said he gave order to his Soldiers for to Arm while Drums and Trumpets roused their drousy courages then leading forth ten thousand of the most exâ—erteâ— in three bands the first Commanded by himself the second by the Duke and the third by Herauld the two first each consisting of three thousand foot and one thousand horse and the last of two thousand foot only With these embattelâ—ed Forces Guy marching in the Van charged the Germans in the Front and with his word cut a passage for his squadrons through their pointed Ranks that shivered Spears flew cound his head like hail while this was doing the Duke and Herauld charged on the right and the left of the Enemy with such courage and bravery that the Germans finding themselves assaulted on
all sides endeavoured to fly and had left their Duke to shift for his safety amidst his fo rs had not pure shame restrained Guy observing how they fell into disorder and began to shâ—ink together pressed them the more and having made a wide gap with infinite slaughter of his foes at last came where the Duke of Lorain fought who no sooner beheld all smeered with blood and what havock he had made but by retreating amongst his own Squadrons of horse he thought sit to avoid his sury and finding shortly after that the battle went against him he caused a Retreat to be sounded so that in much confusion he withdrew leaving about ten thousand of his men dead upon the place whiles Guy and the Lovanians charged upon the flying remains t ist they stiled the ditches and fields with the slain and wounded even till Guy out of compassion stayed the souldiers from pursuing and with the spoil of the Enemies Camp marthed hack in trumph to the town where Guy was received under a Canopy and a Trophy raised in memory of his matchless valour as their chief deliverer After the Ceremonies were overpast Guy taking the Duke into a private retirement demanded of him that if after this victory he would make a League of amity with Lorain to which he joyfully replyed he was content why then said Guy I shall he more proud to establish a firm friendship between two such potentates than in innumerable victories for I hold it not convenient for Christians to war with Christians and must each other to glut the jaws of slaughter but that we rather unite our forâ—es and dend our Arms against the raging Infidels who now tiranize over the Eastern world late by Vsurpation taken from the Roman Empire Sir replyed the Duke if you will favour me so far as to conclude this friendly League what ever you shall propose I willingly will sign unto Guy thanked the Duke and with a thousand Armed men marched towards the hill where the Loranians broken forces lay Encamped or rather scattered and no sooner coming to the foot of the said Hill but he sounded a Parley at which the Duke sent down his Lieutenant General to know the cause to whom Guy â—ade known his undertaking and withal desired a personal Treaty with the Duke giving him to understand who he was this being no sooner known but the Duke mounted and attended by some of his choice Commanders came riding down towards the Plain the which Guy no sooner perceiving but giving order to his men to stand in battel array he set spurrs to his horse and hasted to meet him and in the midway they aâ—lighting embraced each other after which Guy thus began Great Prince against whom in our own defence we fought and heaven favouring the righteous cause commanded Victory to attend us which has adorned our Conquoring Arms with spoiles yet forgetting laying aside all farther enmity or Quarrels I from Lovains Great Duke here bring you terms of Peace for why should Christians war and Christians Arms shed Christians blood then let it be no longer so great Sir embrace our offered friendship and no more let us be foes we impose no difficulties as Conquerors use but desire for to embrace with equal Arms what though your Nephew was by accident slain as the Duke himself confesses much against his will which was the cause begat this war your Highness must forget it nay moreover when you consider that thirty thousand lives have made sufficient Attonement to his silent Ghost let us henceforth war against the Pagan powers to drive them back to their distant Asia and rid Europe of such a curb so said Heroick Guy to whom the Duke replyed Most honoured man whose force in Arms no mortal can resist though I am much grieved for my Nephews death by Segwins hand bereaved of life and more for these shameful overthrows yet at thy request it shall be Peace and hence forth horrid war in Janus Temple shall be locked up fast whilst bound in chains on impious arms she sits complaining with a hundred bloody mourhs Go worthy English man go tell my Brother for now enmity is banished that 's the name that a Royal Tent shall on this Plain be pitched in which an everlasting Peace shall be concluded for thy sake upon which Guy thanked the Duke and returning to the City declared to Segwin what had passed who embraced Guy and payed his labour with rich presants and a thousand thanks and then issuing out in pompous attire attended by all his Nobles Guy being placed in his Chariot on the right and Herauld on his left they drove to the Tent or Pavillion of State where Sigbert Duke of Lorain in splended Equipage attend their coming where allighting they embraced each other with such fervecy as if enmity had 〈◊〉 a stranger to them and sumpruously feasted each other for the space of six dayes so that the noise of war was turned into Ioy and delight caused by all manner of noble pastime and at last friendship so far prevaiâ—ed that at the earnest reanest of Guy Duke Sigbert of Lorain gave Segwin Duke of Lovain his eldest daughter fair Miranda in Marriage which doubly crowned the joy on all sides the which being somewhat abated Guy impatient of ease requested forces of the â—oon Dukes to go against the Sarazens who had then broke in upon the Greek Empire and laid great part of it wast to which moâ—â—on they were very unwilling to condescend desiring him out of all love to stay with them and not to hazard himself in such dangerous enterprizes but they finding him to persist in his resolution and that they in vain perswaded him to the contrary entreated him to draw out what Forces he thought sufficient and that they would furnish them with all things convenient for the war at which Grant Guy returned them thanks assuring them that he would so employ them to the honour of Christendome that after Ages should wonder at their prowess and thereupon he selected two thousand of the choicest soldiers presant one of Loranians and the other Lovanians who were willinger to goe under his command then can be imagined so he having Embarqued them upon ten ships of war took his leave of the two Dukes with promise to visit them at his return and bring them such Trophies as the fortunes of war should deal him whereupon they accompanied him to the shoar and departed not thence till his ships were quite sailed out of sight So much he honoured was where e'r he came And looked upon as the Eldest son of Fame CHAP. IX How Guy being furnished with two thousand men and ten Ships of War marched to the Relief of Bizantum then besieged by the Turks and Zarazens and being scattered from the rest of his Fleet is set upon by 3 Pirates two which he destroys and forces the third to fly Relieves the City kills many of the Pagan Champions and in his Return fights
afford and ordered the same should be done to all his Souidiers paâ—â—ing away most part of the night in various discour â—s conâ—â—â—ning the assaies of the War and what had happened since the first beginning of the siege Next morning as soon as dâ—â— light appeared the Souldian commanded the Captain of his Army to prepare for the assault ordering the Drums to bear and the Trumpers to â—ound at which the Pagans gave such a shout as made the â—ills resound the Eccho back which Rouâ—ed Guy from his slumber who starting up instantly ascended the Tower and from thence beheld an innumerable Host of Infidells marching towards the Walls with sealeing Engins whereupon he gave order to Herauld to get his men in readyness who cacefullâ— obeyed his command then turning to Albertus he said sir It behoves us this day for the honour of Christendom to make a brave defence in my opinion 't is most sit to meet those darâ—ing incâ—â—schers on yon plain and there to give them battel e're they can reach our Walls so that may be a means to check their pride Victory has stood for us you see already which will much animate our Souldiers on and disencourage our Foes and ser me â—ell you she never turn'd against me yet nor sailed to pearch upon my Arms and savour me in all my hold attempts follow Guy and fear not but Guy's fortunes will attend you so said the Warlike Hero of whose high courage Albertus much appraved cendering thanks to Heaven for sending such a Champion to defend the Town long they parâ—â—ed not because the Enemy was at hand but â—inging open the Gate sallyed our with twelve thousand men at Arms to maeâ— them according as Guy had propsed he with his Germans marching in the From â—is great Standard being a Lyon Rampant no sooner the Enemy beheld them â—â— march towards them who nor in the least expected any such thing but they made a hair and throwing down their sealeing Engins put themselves in Battalia the which Guy perceiving gave order to his Archers that were in the Front to â—egin the Battell who drawing their bows fent a shower of Arrows amongst them which galled the Turkish Horse and forced them into disorder whereupon Guy and Herauld broke into the main body and killing or wounding all that opposed them began a dreadful sight so that the Germaines following close after them still pressed them to the right and the left with short of Arrows the which struck no small terrour to the infidells the Bizantines under the command of Albeitus imitating them in a short time put the Enemies left wing to the Rout whilst Guy fought in the main body hewing his bloody way whiles death macked his Eyes and whereso e're they aimed he flew nothing but rout and run inclosed him round whilst Heaps of Slain lay like a Wall on either hand fighting on untill he came unto the Squadron that was led by Colbron Lieutenant General of the Horse he being newly come to the Battel began to wonder when he saw what havock Guy had made and how his Armes were all besmeered with blood and staring with broad and siery eyes he vowed reverge â—wearing to sacrifice Guy's life unto his Pagan Gods this Monster of a man being ten foot high and seven in circuit bearing a weighty spear and such a sword as no man in the Pagan Army himself excepted could undertake to weild so that pressing forwards confronted Guy crying aloud Uile Christian most odious to my sight hold thy murthering hand and let us two each others weapon try for e're we part I mean to sacrisice thee to the Ghost of my dear Friends whom thou hast slain at which Guy fixing his Eyes upon him smiled saying thou art the only man I long have sought therefore let us lose no time With that they charged upon each other with such fury that from rarling Armour the blows like thunder eccho'd whilst either side sent shouts up to the Skies Guy having born the brunt of the battel all that day the Pagans doubted not but that their Champion would prevail by reason of his monstrous size and strength having been often tryed in dreadful Combaâ—es but they were mistaken for Guy redoubling his strength cut through his high proofed Armour making such wide wounds that made him roar like the enraged Sea when boundins from a hollow Rock and endeavours to retire but Guy pursuing him with one full stroak cut through his Helm so deep into his head that down he fell in deaths Convulsions on the crimson Earth At this the Pagans all amazed shrunk together till Elmadant a fierce Sarazen charging formost encounâ—red Herauld who sought on the left but long they had not engaged e'r he followed his Giantick Brother to the shades beneath Morgadner another Collonel monstrous for size desperately engaged with Guy having in his hand a battel Ax which weighted about one hundred weight with which he slew several of Guy's men before he could come on that side where Guy fought but Guy no sooner encountred him but â—â—th his sword â—ut off his right arm when falling down and the loss of blood he was traden to death among the croud being unable to relieve himself Thus the Battel going against them the Pagans on all sides fled nor could the Souldian by his General possibly stay them being pursued by Guy and the Brizantines the slain fell down by the way to the number of twenty thousand such havock made they of those Insidels at which the Souldian storming cursing his gods gave order to recollect his broaken Troops to hazard â—nce more the chance of War and begin the battel but all in vain for the Soldiers dreading Guy far worse than death were fled into the woods and Marshy grounds without regard to their Coummanders at which the Souldian was so much intaged that whilst Guy was tabing the spoil he sent a Chalenge to him demanding single combate with hâ—â— to end the business of the War which message Guy most joyfully received and all things being in rediness they met with such fury as made the Earth to quake the Souldian being inraged by despair and Guy couragious for the honour of Christendome laid oâ— him such irresistable blows as made his gilded Armor fly like glass and yield a passage to mortals wound that followed thick so that with one blow on the left side that entred his heart he fell down breathing out his soul in curses loud this Eskeldath â— bloody and tyrannick Turkish Prince beholding vowed revenge and coming up to Guy defied him with disdaine cursing him by all his gods swearing he had vowed his head unto his Mistress and would hear it unto her on hi Launce hast thou so quoth Guy and drawing out his bloody sword said pray take it if thy courage will but let thee dare least the Lady think you did promise more then you are able to perform and then perhaps you lose her favour this no