Powder and that St. George might at pleasure discern the Noble and Magnanimous Champion of Wales who as then rode upon a milk-white Hobby in Silver Armour guarded with a Train of Knights in purple Uestures but he greeted St. David with kind Courtesies and accompanied him to the English Tent. which they had erected close by the Port-side where for that night these two Champions remained spending the time with unspeakable pleasure And so upon the next day after St. David departed to his own Tent which he had caused to be pitched a quarter of a League from the Englsh Army The next that arrived on the fruitful Banks of Portugal was St. Patrick the Noble Champion of Ireland with an Army likewise of Fifty thousand attired after a strange and wonderful manner Their Furnitures were of the skins of Wild-beasts but yet more unpierceable than the strongest Armour of Proof They bore in their hands mighty Darts tipp'd at the end with pricking Steel which the Couragious and Ualiant Irish Soldiers by the agility of their Arms could throw a full flight shot and with forcible strength would strike three or four Inches into an Oak and with such a certain aim they would not miss the breadth of a Foot These adventurous and hardy Soldiers no sooner arrived on the Shore but the English Musqueteers gave them a Princely Entertainment and presently conducted the noble-minded Champion St. Patrick to the English Tent where the three Champions of England Wales and Ireland passed away the time with exceeding great Royalty laying down Plots how to pitch their Camps to the most disadvantage of the misbelieving Enemy and setting perfect directions which way they were best to March and such like Devices for their own safeties and the benefit of Christendom The next that Landed on the Banks of Portugal was St. Andrew the worthy Champion of Scotland with threescore thousand of well-approved Soldiers His Horse-men the old adventurous Gallowaâ—s clad in quilted Iackâ—ts with 〈◊〉 of the Turkish fashion thick and short â—earing upon their Beâ—â—ers the Arms of Scotland which was a corner Cross supported by a 〈◊〉 Uirgin His Pikemen the sâ—iff and hardy Men o◠〈◊〉 which conâ—â—nually lye upon freezing Mountains the Iâ—â— Roâ—k and the Snowy Uallys his shot the light-â—ooted 〈◊〉 that if occasion be can climb the highest Hill and for nimbleness in running over-go the swift-sooted Stag. These bold adventurous Scottish Men in all forwardness deserved as much Honour at the Engâ—iâ—â— Champion's hands as any other Nations before therefore he commanded his shot on their first entry on Land to give them a Noble Entertainment which they performed most Royally and also conducted St. Andrew to the English Tent where after he had given S. George the Courtesie of his Countrey departed to his Tent which was distant from the English Tent a Mile The next that arrived was St Anthony the Champion of Italy with a Band of Fourscore thousand brave Italian Souldiers mounted on warlike Coursers every Horsman attended on by a naked Negro bearing in his hand a Streamer of watchet Silk with the Arms of Italy thereon set in Gold every Footman furnished with approved Furniture in as stately a manner as the English-men who at their Landing received as Royal an Entertainment as the other Nations and likewise St. Anthony was as highly Honoured by the English Champion as any of the other Christian Knights The next that arrived was S. Denis the Uictorious Champion of France with a Band of Fourscore thousand After him Marched Dukes of twelve several Dukedoms then under the Government of the French King every one at his own proper Cost and Charges maintained two thousand Soldiers in these Christian Wars their Entertainments were as Glorious as the rest The last of the Christian Champions that arrived upon the fruitful Banks of Portugal was the Magnanimous Knight St. James of Spain with a Band likewise of Fourscore thousand with him he brought from the Spanish Mines ten Tun of Refined Gold only to maintain Soldiers in the Defence of Christendom who no sooner Landed with his Troops but the Six Champions gave him the honourable welcome of a Soldier and ordained a solemn Banquet for the general Armies whose number justly surmounted Five hundred thousand which Legious they enjoyned into one Camp-Royal and after placed their Wings and Squadrons Battel-wise chiefly by the direction of St. George being then chief General by the consent of the Christian Kings who after he had over-viewed the Christian Armies his Countenance seemed to prognosticate a Crowned Uictory and to foretell a fatal Overthrow to the misbelieving Potentates Therefore to encourage his Princely Followers to persevere in their wonted willingness pronounced this Princely Oration You Men of Europe said he and my Countrey-men whose Conquering Fortunes never yet have feared the Enemies of Christ you see we have forsook our Native Lands and committed our Destinies to the Queen of Chance not to fight in any unjust Quarrel but in the true Cause of Israel's Anointed not against Nature to climb to the Heavens as Nimroâ— and the Giants proffered in former time but to prevent the Invasion of Christendom the Ruine of Europe and the intended overthrow of all Christian Provinces the Bloody-minded Infidels have Mustered up Legions in numbers like blades of Grass that grow upon the flourishing Downs of Italy or the Stars of Heaven in the coldest Winters night protesting to fill our Countries with Seas of Blood to scatter our streets with mangled Limbs and convert our Glorious Cities into Flames of quenchless Fire Therefore dear Country-men live not to see our Christian Uirgins spoiled by Lustfull Rape nor dragged along our Streets like guiltless Lambs to a bloody Slaughter nor to see our harmless Baâ—es with bruised brains dashed against hard Flinty stones nor to see our unlusty Age whose hair resembles silver Mines lye bleeding on the Marble Pavements but like true Christian Soldiers fight in the Quarrel of your Countries What though the Pagans be in number ten to one yet Heaven I know will fight for Christendom and cast them down before our faces like drops of April showers Be not dismayed to see them in ordered Ranks nor fear not when as you behold the streamers hovering in the waving wind when as their steeled Pikes like to a Thorny Forrest will overspread whole Countreys Thousands of them I know will have no heart to fight but flie with cowardly fear like Flocks of Shéep before the greedy Wolf I am the Leader of your noble Minds that never sought in vain nor ever entred Battel but returned with Conquest Then every one with me build upon this Princely Resolution For Christendom we Fight For Christendom we Live and Dâ—e This Soldierlike Oration was no sooner finished but the whole Army with a general voice cried to Arms to Arms with Uictorious George of England Which Noble Resolution of the Soldiers so reioyced the English Champion and likewise encouraged the other Christian Knights
pitied a Traveller or granted succour to a Christian Knight give to me one meals meat now almost famisht To whom the Lady aâ—ter a curst â—rown or two answered in this order Sir Knight quoth she I advise thee with all speed to depart for here thou gettest but a cold Dinner my Lord is a mighty Gyant and believeth in Mahomet and if he once do but understand that thou art a Christian Knight not all the Gold of higher India nor the Riches of wealthy Babylon can preserve thy Life Now by the honour of my Knighthood replied St. George and by the great God that Christendom adores were thy Lord more stronger than mighty Hercules that bore Mountains on his back here will I either obtain my Dinner or die by his accursed hand These words so abashed the Lady that she went with all speed from the Tower and told the Gyant how a Christian Knight remained at the Gate which had sworn to suffice his hunger in despite of his will Whereat the furious Gyant suddenly started up being as then in a sound sleep for it was the middle of the day who took a bar of Iron in his hand and came down to the Tower Gate His stature was in heighth five yards his head bristled like a Bore a foot there was betwixt each Brow his Eyes hollow his Mouth wide his Lips werelike to flaps of Steel in all his proportion more like a Devil than a Man Which deformed Monster so daunted the Courage of St. George that he prepared himself for Death Not through fear of the Monstrous Gyant but for hunger and feebleness of body but here God provided for him and so restored to him his decayed strength that he endured Battel untill the closing up of the Evening by which time the Gyant grew almost blind through the sweat that ran down from his monstrous Brows whereat St. George got the advantage and wounded the Gyant so cruelly under the short Ribs that he was compelled to fall to the Ground and to give end to his Life After which happy event of the Gyant 's slaughter the invincible Champion St. George first gave the Honour of his Uictory unto God in whose power all his Fortune consisted Then entring the Tower whereas the Lady presented him with all manner of Delicates and pure Wines but the English Knight suspecting Treachery to be hidden in her proffered Courtesie caused her first to taste of every Dish likewise of his Wine least some violent Poison should be therein commixt Finding all things pure and wholsome as Nature required he sufficed his hunger rested his weary Body and refreshed his Horse And so leaving the Tower in keeping of the Lady he committed his Fortune to a new Travel where his revived Spirits never entertained longer Rest but to the refreshing of himself and his Horse so Travelled he through part of Grecia the Confines of Phrygia and into the Borders of Tartory within whose Territories he had not long Iourneyed but he approached the sight of the Enchanted Garden of Ormandine where St. David the Champion of Wales had so long slept by Magick Art But no sooner did he behold the wonderful Situation thereof but he espied Ormandine's Sword enclosed in the Enchanted Rock where after he had read the superscription written about the Pummel he essayed to pull it out by strength where he no sooner put his hand into the Nilt but he drew it forth with much ease as though it had been hung by a Thread of untwisted Silk but when he beheld the glistering brightness of the Blade and the wonderful Richness of the Pummel he accounted the Prize more worth than the Armour of Achilles which caused Ajâ—x to run mad and more Riches than Medea's Golden Fléece But by that time St. George had circumspectly looked into every secret of the Sword he heard a strange and dismal voice Thunder in the Skyes a Terrible and Mighty Lumbring in the Earth whereat both Hills and Mountains shook Rocks removed and Daks Rent into pieces After this the Gates of the Enchanted Garden flew open whereat incontinently came forth Ormandine the Magician with his Hair staring on his Head his Eyes sparkling his Chéeks blushing his Hands quivering his Legs trembling and all the rest of his Body distempered as though Legions of Spirits had encompassed him about he came directly to the worthy English Knight that remained still by the Enchanted Rock from whence he had pulled the Magician's Sword whence after the Necromancer had sufficiently beheld his Princely Countenance whereon true Honour sat Enthronized and viewed his portly Personage the Image of true Knighthood the which séemed in the Magician's Eyes to be the rarest work that ever Nature framed First he took the most Ualiant and Magnanimous Champion St. George of England by the Steely Gauntlet and with great Humility kissed it then proffering him the Courtesies due unto Strangers which was performed very graciously he afterwards conducted him into the Enchanted Garden to the Cave where the Champion of Wales was kept sleeping by four Uirgins singing delightful Songs and after setting him a Chair of Ebony Ormandine thus began to relate of wonderful things Renowned Knight at Arms said the Necromancer Fame's worthiest Champion whose strange Adventures all Christendom in time to come shall applaud be silent till I have told my Tale for never after this must my Tongue speak again The Knight which thou seest here wrapt in this Sheet of Gold is a Christian Champion as thou art sprung from the ancient Seed of Trojan Warriours who likewise attempted to draw this Enchanted Sword but my Magick Spells so prevailed that he was intercepted in the Enterprize and forced ever since to remain sleeping in this Cave but now the hour is almost come of his Recovery which by thee must be accomplished Thou art that Adventurous Champion whose Invincible Hand must finish up my detested Life and send my fleeting Soul to draw thy fatal Chariot on the Banks of burning Acheron for my time was limited to remain no longer in this Enchanted Garden but till that from the North should come a Knight that should pull this Sword from the Enchanted Rock which thou happily hast now performed therefore I know my time is short and my hour of Destiny at hand What I report write in brazen Lines for the time will come when this Discourse shall highly benefit thee Take heed thou observe three things first that thou take to Wife a pure Maid Next that thou erect a Monument over thy Father's Grave And lastly That thou continue a professed Enemy to the Foes of Christ Iesus bearing Arms in the Honour and Praise of thy Country These things being truly and justly observed thou shalt attain such Honour that all Kingdoms of Christendom shall admire thy Dignity what I speak is upon no vain imagination sprung from a frantick Brain but pronounced by this Mystical and deep Art of Necromancy These words were no sooner ended but the most
Leaders directions along the Countrey of Egypt till they approach'd the sight of King Ptolomy's Court Which when the Noble Champīon of England beheld in this manner encouraged he his Followerss Behold said he you invincible Captains of Christendom yonder those cursed Lowers where wicked Ptolomy keeps his Court Those Battlements I say were they as richly built as the great Pyramids of Greece yet should they be subverted and laid as level with the Ground as the City of Carthage there hath that accursed Ptolomy his Residence that for preserving his Daughter from the burning Dragon Treacherously sent me into Persia where for seven years I lived in great extremity in a dismal Dungeon where the Sun did never give me light nor the company of People comfort In Revenge whereof my heart shall never rest in quiet till I see the Buildings of his Palace set on fire and converted into a place of Desolation like to the Glorious City in Phrygia now over spread with stinking weeds and loathsome puddles Therefore let all Christian Soldiers that fight under the Banner of Christendom and all that love George of England your chosen General draw forth your Warlike Weapons and like the angry Greeks overturn those glistring Battlements leave not one stone upon another but lay it as level with the ground as the Narvest Keapers do Fields of ripened Corn let your wrathful Furies fall upon these Towers like drop◠of April Showers or like Storms of Winters Nail that it may be bruited through the whole World what just Uengeance did light upon the Pride of Egypt Leave not I say as you love your General when you have subverted the Palace one Man alive no not a sucking Babe but let them suffer Uengeance for the wickedness of their King This is my Decree brave Knights of Christendom therefore March forwards Heaven and Fortune be your good speed At which words the Soldiers gave a general shout in sign of their willing minds Then began the silken Streamers to flourish in the Air the Drums chearfully to sound forward the Silver Trumpets recorded Ecchoes of Uictory the barbed Steeds grew proud of this Attempt and would stand upon no Ground but leapt and danced with as much Courage as did Bucephalus the Horse of the Macedonian Alexander always before any notable Uictory yea every thing gave an evident sign of good success as well senseless things as living Creatures With this Resolution marched the Christians purposing the utter confusion of the Egyptian and the woful Ruine and Destruction of Ptolomy's sumptuous Palace But when the Soldiers approached the Gates with wrathful Weapons ready to assault there came pacing out thereat the Egyptian King with all the chiefest of his Nobles attired in black and mournful Ornaments bearing in their hands Olive-branches Next them the bravest Soldiers in Egypt bearing in their hands broken Weapons shivered Launces and torn Ancients Likewise followed thousands of Women and Children with Cypress Wreaths about their heads and in their hands Olive-branches crying for Mercy to the Christians That they should not utterly destroy their declining Countrey but shew mercy to unhappy Egypt This unexpended fight or rather admirable wonder caused St. George to sound a Retreat and gave commandment through the Christian Army to with-hold their former vowed Uengeance from the Egyptians till he understood what they required Which Charge being given and duly observed St. George with the other six Champions came together and admitted the Egyptian King with his Nobles to their Presence who in this manner began to speak for his Countrey You unconquered Knights of Christendom whose worthy Victories and Noble Atchievements the whole World admires let him that never kneeled to any Man till now and in former times disdained to humble himself to any Potentate on Earth let him I say the most unfortunate Wretch alive crave mercy not for my self but for my Countrey my Commons Blood will be required at my hand Our Murthered Infants will call to Heaven for Revenge and our slaughtered Widows sink down to Hell for Revenge so will the Vengeance of Heaven light upon my Soul and the Curse of Hell upon my Head Renowned Champion of England under whose Custody my dear Daughter is kept even for the love of her be merciful to Egypt The former Wrongs I proffered thee when I sent thee like a guiltless Lamb into Persia was contrary to my Will for I was incensed by the slattery of that accursed Black-moor King whose Soul for ever be scourged with whips of wyre and plagued with the punishment of Tantalus in Hell If my life will serve for a just Revenge here is my naked Breast let my heart-blood stain some Christian's Sword that you may bear the bloody Witness of my death into Christendom or let me be torn into a thousand pieces by mad untamed Steeds as was Hippolitus Son of Theseus in his charmed Chariot Most Mighty Controulers of the World command the dearest things in Egypt they be at your pleasures we will forsake our Gods and believe in that God which you commonly adore for he is the true and living God ours false and hateful in the sight of Heaven This penitent Lamentation of the Egyptian King caused the Christian Champions to relent but especially St. George who having a heart beautified with a well-spring of Pity not only granted Mercy to the whole Country but vouchsafed Ptolomy liberty of Life upon condition that he would perform what he had promised which was to forsake his false Gods and believe in our true God Christ Iesus This kindness of St. George almost ravished Ptolomy with joy and the whole Land both Peers and Commons more rejoyced at the friendship of the Christians than if they had been made Lords of the Western World The News of this happy Union was bruited in all the parts of Egypt whereby the Commons that before fled for fear into Woods and Wildernesses Dens and Caves Hills and Mountains returned joyfully to their own Dwellings and caused Bonefires to be made in every City Town and Uillage the Bells of Egypt rung day and night for the space of a week in every place was seen Banketting Dancing and Masking Sorrow was Banished Wars forgotten and Peace Proclaimed The King at his own Charges ordained a sumptuous and costly Banket for the Christian Champions wherein for Bounty it excéeded that which the Trojans made when Paris returned from Greece with the Conquest of Menciaus's Queen The Banquetting-House was built with Cypress wood covered with the pure Adamant stone so that neither Steel nor base Iron could come therein but it was presently drawn to the top of the Roo◠As for the variety of Services which graced forth the Banquet it were too tedious to repeat but to be brief what both the Land and Sea could afford was there present The Servitors that attended the Champions at the Banquet were attired in Damask Uestments wrought with the purest Silk the Indian Uirgins spun upon their silver Wheels
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
or Exclamations could any whit abate their Cruelties but grim Dogs of Barbary in they left my Father fast bound unto the Tree and like egregious Vipers took me by the Trammels of my golden Hair draging me like a silly Lamb unto this flaughtering place intending to satisfie their Luftwith the flower of my Chastity Being used thus I made my humble Supplication to the highest Majesty to be revenged upon their Cruelties I reported to them the rewards of â—â—oudy Ravishments by the Example of Tereus sometime King of Thrace and his furious Wife that in revenge of her Sister's Ravishment caused her Husband to eat the Flesh of his own Son Likewise to preserve my undefiled Honour I told them that for the Rape of Lucroce the Roman Matron Tarquiâ—ius and his whole Name was ever banished out of Rome with many other Examples thus like the Nightingale recorded I nothing but Rape and Murther yet neither the Fears of Heaven nor the terrible Threats of Hell could mollifie their bloudy Minds but they protested to persevere in that Wickedness and vowed that if all the Leaves of the Trees that grew within the Wood were turned into Indian Pearls and that place made as wealthy as the golden Streams of Paâ—tâ—lus where M. das washtâ—her golden Wish away yet should they not redeem my Chastity from the stain of their insatiable and lustful Desires This being said they bound me with the Trammels of mine own Hair to this Orange tree and at the very instant they proffered to defile my unspotted Body you happily approached and not only redeemed me from their tyrannous Desires but quit the World from three of the wickedest Creatures that ever Nature framed for which most noble and invincible Knights if ever Virgin 's Prayers may prevail humbly will I make my Supplications to the Deities that you may prove as valliant Champions as ever put on Helmet and that your Fames may ring to every Prince's Ear as far as bright Niperion doth shew his golden Face This tragical Tale was no sooner ended but the three Knights with remorseful Hearts sobbing with Sighs imbraced the sorrowful Maiden betwixt their Arms and earnestly requested her to conduct them unto the place whereas she left her Father bound unto the withered Oak to which she willingly consented and thanked them â—ighly to their kindness but before they approached to the old Man's presente what for the grief of his Banishment and violent Usage of his Daughter he was forced to yield up his miserable Life to the mercy of unavoidable Death When St. George's valiant Sons in company of this sorrowful Maiden came to the Tree and contrary to their Expectations found her Father cold and 〈◊〉 devoid of Sense and Feeling also his Hands and Face covered with green Moss which they supposed to be done by the Robin Red-breast and other litâ—le Birds who do use naturally to cover the bare parts of any Body that they find dead in the Field they all fell into a new confused extremity of grief but especially his Daughter having lost all Ioy and Comfort in this World made both Heaven and Earth resound with her exceeding Lamentations and mourned without Comfort like weeping Niobe that was turned into a Rock of Stone Lamenting for the loss of her Children thus when the three young Knights perceived the comfortless Sorrow of the Uirgin and how she had vowed never to depart from those solitary Groves but to spend the remnant of her days in company of her Father's dead Body they courteously assisted her to bury him under a Chesnut-tree where they left her behind them bathing his senseless Grave with her Tears and returned back to their Horses where they left them at the entry of the Forrest tyed to a lofty Pine and so departed on their Iourney where we will leave them for a time and speak of the Seven Champions of Christendom that were gone on Pilgrimage to the City of Jerusalem and what strange Adventures hapned to them in their Travel CHAP. IV. Of the Adventures of the Golden Fountain in Damaseâ— how six of the Christian Champions were taken Prisoners by a mighty Giant and how after they were delivered by St. George and also how he redeemed fourteen Jews out of Prison with divers other strange Accidents that hapned LEt us now speak of the favourable Clementy that smiling Fortune shewed to the Christian Champions in their Travels to Jerusalem for after they were departed from England and had journyed in their Pilgrims Attire through many strange Countries at last they arrived upon the Constnes of Damasco which is a Country not only beautified with Cumptuous costly Buildings framed by the curious Architecture of Man's Device but also furnished with all the precious Gifts that Nature in her greatest liberality could bestow In this fruitful Dominion long time the Christian Champions rested their weacy Steps and made their abode in the House of a rich and courteous Jew a Man that spent his Wealth chiefly for the Succour and Comfort of Travelers and Wandring Pilgrims his House was not curiously erected up of carved Timber work but framed with quarries of blew Stones and supported with many stately Pillars of the purest Mâ—rble the gates and entry of his House were continually kept open in sign of his bountiful Mind over the Portal thereof did hang a brazen Table whereon was most curiously engraven the Picture of Ceres the Goddess of Plenty deck'd with Garlands of Wheat wreaths of Olivâ—s bunches of Usnes and with all manner of fruitful things the Chamber wherein these Champions took their nightly Reposes and golden Sleep was garnished with as many Windows of crystal Glass as there were Days in the Year and the Walls painted with as many Stories as were Years since the World's Creation it was likewise Built four square after the manner of Pyramids in Greece at the East end thereof was most lively portrayed bright Phoebus rising from Aurora's golden Bed with a glistering Countenance distaining the Element for her departure at the West side was likewise portrayed how Thetis tripped upon the silver Sands when as Hiperion's Car drives to the watry Ocean and takes his night's Repose upon his Lover's Bosom on the North side was paintted high Mountains of Snow whose tops did seem to reach the Clouds and mighty Woods over-hung with silver Isikles which is the nature of the Northern Climate Lastly Upon the West side of the Chamber sat the God of the Seas riding upon a Dolphin's back a troop of Mermaids following him with their golden Trammels floating upon the silver Waves there the Trytons seemed to dance about the crystal Streams with a number of the other silver scaled Fishes that made it seem delightful for Pleasure Over the Roof of the Chamber was most perfectly portrayed the four Ages of the World which seemed to over-hang the rest of the curious Works First The Golden Age was pendant over the East The second being the Silver a Mettle some what
kind Friend hast graced my Name with many Titles of Honour and making me Famous in thy large circumference thou hast given me Uictories over all mine Enemies and weakned the boldness of all my withstanders that my Life and Name might be charactered amongst the rest of our Christian Champions for which I have thought my self predestinated to a lasting happiness in that the Title of my Fortunes challenge so long a Memory World I say fare thou well my life lingereth now to her last minute which as willingly I here deliver up as ever I brandisht Wrapon against powerful Pagan I need no Pompal Train of Princes to attend my Funeral nor solemn Chimes of Bells to Ring me to my Grave nor Troops of Mourners in Sable Garments to furnish out my Obsequy my self here buries up my self and all Offices of Lamentations belonging to so bad a business as my own hand Labour Earth I imbrace thee thou gentle Mould my Bodies covering with humility I kiss thee no difference is between thy cold Nature and my Life 's warm substance we are both one Emperours are but Earth so am I. Thou Earth gently do I yield my self into thy mouldy bosom I come I come sweet Comforter into thy hands I commend my Spirit These and such like were the last Words that ever this good Champion delivered so yielding to death the Earth of it self as it were buried up his Body in the Grave which his own hands had digged Thus being changed from a lively substance to a dead Picture his Attenders as their usual custom was came with Food to relieve him and calling at the hole where he had wont to receive it they heard nothing but empty ayre blowing in and out which made them conjecture presently that death had prevailed and the fatal Sisters finished up their labours so calling together more company they made an entrance thereinto and finding what had hapned how he had buried his own self they reported it for a wonder up and down the Country being an accident of much strangeness for before that time the like never chanced Whereupon by a common consent of the whole Kingdom they pulled down the aforesaid House or Tower and in the same place builded in process of time a most sumptuous Chappel casting it St. Patricks Chappel and in the place where this Holy Father had buried himself they likewise erected a Monument of much richness framed upon Pillars of pure Gold beautified with many artificial sights most pleasant to behold whereunto for many years after resorted distressed People such as were commonly molested with loathsom Diseases where making their Orisons at Saint Patricks Tomb they found help and were restored to their former Healths By which means the Name of Saint Patrick is grown so famous through the World that to this day he is intituled one of our Christian Champions and the Saint for Ireland where in remembrance of him and of his honourable atchievments done in his life time the Irish-men as well in England as in that Country do as yet in honour of his Name keep one day in the year Festival holding upon the same a great Solemnity wearing upon their Hats each of them a Cross of red silk in token of his many Adventures under the Christian Cross as you have heard in the former History at large discoursed Whose Noble Deeds both in life and Death we will leave sleeping with him in his Grave and speak of our next renowned Tragedy which Heaven and Fate had allotted to Saint David the Champion for Wales at that time entituled Cambro-Brittanus CHAP. XVIII Of the honourable Victory won by Saint David in Wales Of his Death and cause why Leeks are by custom of Welchmen worn on Saint Davids day with other things that hapned SOme certain Month after the departure of Saint Patrick from the City of Constantinople from the other Champions as you heard before in the last Chapter Saint David having a heart still sâ—r'd with Fame thirsted even to his dying day for honourable atchievements and although age and time had almost weared him away yet would he once more make his Adventure in the Field of Mars and seal up his honours in the records of Fame with a Noble farewell So upon a morning framing himself for a Knightly Enterprize he took his leave of the other Champions and all alone well mounted upon a lusty Courser furnished with sufficient Habiliments for so brave an enterprize he began a Iourney home towards his own Country accounting that his best joy and â—he soil of his most comfort But long had he not travelled ere he heard of the distresses thereof how Wales was beâ—eâ— with a people of a Savage nature christing for Blood and the ruine of that brave Kingdom and how that many Battels had been fought to the disparagement of Christian Knight-hood Whereupon arming himself with true resolution he went forward with a couragious mind either to redeem the same or to lose his best blood in the honour of the Adventure Whereupon all the way as he travelled he drew into his aid and assistance all the best Knights he could find of any Nation whatsoever giving them promises of Noble Rewards and entertainment as befitted so worthy a fellowship By this means before he came upon the Borders of Wales he had gathered together the number of five hundred Knights of such noble resolutions that all Christendom could not afford better the seven Champions excepted And these all well furnished for Battel entred the Country where they found many Towns unpeopled gallant Houses subverted Monasteries defaced Cities ruinated Fields of Corn consumed with Fire yea every thing so out of order as if the Country had never been inhabited Whereupon with a grieved mind he saw the Region of his Birth place so confounded and nothing but upâ—â—ars of murder and death sounded in his ears he summoned his Knights together placing them in Battel array to travel high up into the Country for the performance of his desired hopes But as they marched along with an easie pace to prevent dangers there resorted to them people of all Ages both young and old bitterly complaining of the Wrongs thus done unto their Country Where when they knew him to be the Champion of Wales whom so long they had desired to see their joys so exceeded that all former Woes were abolished and they emboldened to nothing but revenge The rest of the Knights that came with St. David perceiving their forces and numbers to increase purposed a present onset and to shew themselves before their Enemies which lay incamped amongst the Mountains with such strength and policy that hard it was to make an Assailment Whereupon the Noble Champion being then their General and Leader called his Captains together and with a bold courge said as followeth Now is the time brave Martialists to be canonized the Sons of Fâ—me this is the day of Dignity or Dishonour an Enterprize to make â—s ever live or to
one thing sometimes another so molested him that he must needs make his Adventure to follow them Whereupon calling his three Sons together he went to the Grecian Emperour and requested that they might all four depart with his leave and likeing for Knightly Adventures had challenged them all to appear in some foreign Region where Noble Atchievements were to be performed but where and in what Countrey his Destiny had not yet revealed to him So furnishing them all four in Habiliments of shining steel they left Constantinople as it were guided by Fate until they came into England then called Brittain whose chalky Clifts S. George had not seen in twice twelve years and now coming with a sweet embracement of his Native Countrey he gave his three Sons thereinto a most joyful Welcome shewing them to their great comfort the brave Situation of the Towns Cities the pleasant prospects of the Fields as they passed until they came within the sight of the City Coventry where he was born and received his first being upon whose glistering Pinacles no sooner casting his eye-sight but the Inhabitants interrupted his pleasure delights with a doleful Report how upon Dunsmore-Heath as then remained an infectious Dragon that so annoyed the Countrey that the Inhabitants there abouts could not pass the Heath without great danger how that fifteen Knights of the Kingdom had already lost their lives in adventuring to suppress the same Also giving him to understand of a Prophecy That a Christian Knight never born of a Woman should be the Destroyer thereof and his Name in after Ages for Accomplishing the Adventure should be holden for an eternal Honour to the Kingdom Saint George no sooner hearing thereof and what Wrongs his native Country received by this infectious Dragon and knowing himself to be the Knight grew so encouraged that he purposed presently to put the Adventure in tryal either to free his Country from so great danger or to finish his days in the attempt so raking leave of his Sons the rest there present he rode forward with as noble a spirit as he did in Aegypt when he there combared with the burning Dragon So coming to the middle of the Plain where his infections Enemy lay couching the ground in a deep Cave who by a strange instinct of Nature knowing his death to draw near made such a yelling Noise as if the Element had burst with Thunder or the Earth had shook with a terrible Exhalation so coming from his Den and spying the Champion he ran with such fury against him as if he would have devoured both Man and Horse in a moment but the Champion being quick and nimble gave the Dragon such way that he mist him and with his sting ran full two foot into the Earth but covering he returned again with such rage upon Saint George that he had almost born his Horse over and over but that the Dragon having no stay of his strength fell with his back downward upon the ground and his feet upward whereat the Champion taking advantage kept him still down with his Horse standing upon him fighting as you see in the Picture of St. George with his lance goring him through in divers parts of the Body and withal contrariwise the Dragons sting annoyed the good Knight in such sort that the Dragon being no sooner stain and weltered in his venomous Gore but Saint George likewise took his Deaths Wound by the deep stroaks of the Dragons sting which he received in divers parts of his Body and bled in such abundance that his strength began to enfeeble and grow weak yet retaining the true Nobleness of Mind valiantly returned Uictor to the City of Coventry where his three Sons with the whole Inhabitants stood without the Gates in great Royalty to receive him and to give him the honour that belonged to so worthy a Conqueror who no sooner arrived before the City and presented them with the Dragons Head which so long had annoyed the Country but what with the abundance of Blood that issued from his deep Wounds and the long bleeding without stopping the same he was forced in his Sons Arms to yield up his breath for whom his three Princely Sons long lamented making the greatest mone that ever was made in any Kingdom and again they were so seconded with the grief of the whole Country that all the Land from the King to the Shepherd mourned for him for the space of a Month which heavy time being ended the King of this Country being a vertuous and Noble Prince advanced Saint George's three Sons to Noble â—ssices First the eldest of them named Guy to be Earl of Warwick and high Chamberlain of his Houshold The next named Alexander according to his Name to be Captain General of his Knights of Chivalry And the youngest named David to be his Cup-bearer and Controler of all his Revels and Delights And likewise in remembrance of their Noble Father the Christian Champion he ordained for ever after to be kept a solemn Procession about the Kings Court by all the Princes and chief Nobility of the Country upon the 23 day of April naming it St. George's Day upon which day he was most solemnly interred in the City where he was born and caused a stately Monument to be erected in Honour of him though now by the ruines of time defaced and abolished He likewise decreed by the consent of the whole Kingdom that the Patron of the Land should be named Saint George our Christian Champion in that he had fought so many Battles in the Honour of Christendom All which we see with many more Honours to this day here maintained in remembrance of this good Knight who no doubt resteth in eternal peace with the other renowned Champions of Christendom So God grant we may do all Amen FINIS Advertisement of Four Books THe History of the Seven Wise Masters The History of the Seven Wise Mistresses The History of Dorastus and Faunia The Garland of Good Will All Printed for George Conyers at 〈…〉 Ring in 〈…〉 Brittain over against Bartholomen-Close Gate The 〈◊〉 HISTORY OF THE Seven Champions OF Christendom The Third PART SHEWING The Valiant Acts and Renowned Atchievements of St. George's three Sons Sir Guy Sir Alexander and Sir David AS ALSO The Warlike Exploits and Martial performances of Sir Turpin Son to St. Denis of France Sir Pedro Son to St. James of Spain Sir Orlando Son to St. Anthony of Italy Sir Ewin Son to St. Andrew of Scotland Sir Phelim Son of St. Patrick of Ireland and Sir Owen Son to St. David of Wales Their strange Fights and Combats with Gyants Monsters and Dragons their Tilts and Turnaments in Honour of Ladies their Battles with Miscreants and Tyrants in defense of the Christian Religion and relief of distressed Knights and Ladies their punishing of Negromancers and puting to an end their Inchantments with other their Knightly Prowess and Chevalry AS ALSO How St. George's three Sons came all
hearts the Renowned Champion of England St. George calling them together made to them this following Oration Renowned Champions and fellow Soldiers in Arms be not dismayed at this which hath happened unto you since nothing comes by chance but what is before preappointed of the Gods and must inevitably come to pass which things though seeming to us strange and wonderful yet many times are the fore-runners and causes of good both to us and others let us therefore be armed with patience and not think to fight against Heaven as they do who murmur and repine at any mischance which befalls them for know assuredly whom the Gods love they will protect and to a valiant mind no peril comes unlookt for and if we perish in this extremity let it be our comfort that we dye unconquered of our enemies This Oration of St. George much comforted the hearts of all that heard him but soon after greater comfort appeared for on a sudden the Sky began to clear and the Sun whom they had not beheld in many days began to appear and to shoot forth his enlightening Rayes Their ship now did not move of it self nor knew the Marriners in what Coast they were yet was their joy exceeding great to behold the lightsome beams of the Sun and to converse with their Companions as well with their Eyes as with their Ears Soon after they espyed Land unto which they made with all the spéed they could and having landed found it a very fruitful Country stored abundantly with all sorts of Beasts Birds and other living Creatures but neither Men Women nor Houses nor any signs of any that had ever been there This struck them all into wonder and amazement but that which most of all amazed them was to see these Beasts and Birds flock about them and with bellowing bleating chirping crying and other signs seem to make their moans unto them Whilst they were thus wondering there appeared to them an ancient Palmer clad in a Russet Gown down to the Ground his hair as white as Venus Doves or Snow upon the Sâ—ythian Mountains his Aged Limbs supported with an Eâ—â—ny staff tipt with Silver his looks séemed to have formerly carried Majesty with it 〈◊〉 now Times Plow had printed deep Furrows in his Aged 〈…〉 he seeing this company made up to them and addressing himself to St. George as to the chiefest of them spake as followeth Renowned English Champion for of your Country I am not ignorant having in my Youth travelled thro' most parts thereof Know that by the Destinies I was informed of your coming hither and therefore came to this place on purpose to meet you Come then along with me and I will shew you things transcending the power of a strong belief and with that he led them through a spacious Plain unto an intricate Thicket or Labyrinth having in the midst thereof a most stately Building which overlooked all the Plain round about Hither through unknown ways did the Palmer bring them where he caused his servants having about twenty of them to provide for the Champions and their retinue such a costly Dinner as was not imagined to be gotten in such a desart place After Dinner having refreshed themselves with some bowls of heatick Wine he led them up to the top of his Palace which had a Galtery round about it to overlook the Platns Here having placed the Champions so that they might have a full prospect of the whole Country sitting down in a Chair by them he thus began Know worthy Knights at Arms that this Country wherein you now are is called Scobellum of such a fruitful Soyl that it may well be stiled the Garden of Ceres and Uintage of Bacchus such is the plenty of all things therein nor was it less Populous of Inhabitants then fruitful of necessaries for to maintain them but this their plenty caused pride and abundance of all things caused abundance of all manner of vices amongst them so that as if they had ingrossed the Corruptions of all Nations to themselves they could not have been a more desiled people then they were exceeding the Cannibals for Cruelty the Persians for Pride the Egyptians for Luxury the Cretians for Lying the Germans for Drunkenness and all Nations together for a generality of all manner of vices Such a mass of evils called for a mass of punishments which the Gods inâ—licted upon them and that according to the nature of their deserts and the quality of their crimes for those great plenty of Beasts and Fowls which here you view were once Men and Women as in other places but now changed to the likeness of what you see Drunkards were changed into swine who still retain the same nature there being no difference betwixt a drunkard and a swine Leacherous persons were changed into Goats and some of those finer sort of lustful people into Sparrows whose Lives are short through too much Copulation Proud people were turned to Peacocks Scolds were Metamorphosed to Magpies and chattering Iays Such as lost their Estates at Cards or Dice were transformed to Asses Those whose delight was only in Musick and Singing were changed to Thrushes and Nightingals Envious persons were Metamorphosed to Dogs who lying on Day will eat none themselves nor suffer the hunger starved Dxe to feed thereon Those Women who would work hard but were troubled with other had qualities were transformed to Milâ—h Cows who would give pails full of Milk but as soon as they had done kick it down with their heels Iesters Buffoons and Iack-puddings were transformed to Monkeys Baboons and Apes Dancers on the ropes were turned to Squirrels Usurers Misers and such like covetous persons were changed to Moles In brief Worthy Champions for I would not trouble your Patience too long there was a general Metamorphosis made of them all each one according to the degree wherein they had formerly lived and this their punishment destined by the Fates for to endure until such time as some hardy Knight shall be so bold as to attempt the Conquest of the Golden Cave which if he overcome then shall their transformations cease and they return again to their proper shape Now worthy Knights the Adventure of the Golden Cave is this About six miles from this place lieth a Cave the entrance whereinto is through divers windings and turnings like unto a Labyrinth in which Cave is kept a continual fire made by such art as nothing shall quench it but only the water of a Cistern at the entrance of the said Cave which is guarded by two Gyants and two Centaurs with whom they must combat before they can attain to the Cistern Now worthy Chirstains if there be any amongst you so adventurous as for the sakes of these poor transformed people will adventure your Lives the enterprize will not only be honourable to your selves but you will also oblige thousands in thankful gratitude to your memories for so inestimable a benefit Now by the honour of my Country
England said St. George never let me buckle on Armour if I make not one in this enterprize so likewise said the other six Champions each striving who should have the honour so accompany St. George in so noble an enterprize wherefore that emulation might not cause any strife they agreed to cast Lots amongst the sir which of the three should accompany him so accordingly they did and the Lots tell upon the three famous Champions St. Anthony of Italy St. James of Spain and St. Patrick of Ireland who glad of their good Fortunes propared themselves against the next day to try the adventure and on the Morning no sooner did Aurora â—sher in the day and from the glowing East display her purple doors but the four Champions mounted on their Warlike Stoods who glad of such a burthen pranced under them in as great state as did the famous Bucephalus when he was bestâ—id by the Warlike Alexander And taking a Guide with them from the Palmer they traced to the Golden Cave where they alighted and gave the Guide their Horses to lead resolving to try the adventure on foot where approaching the Gate they were met by a Dwarf who spake to them in these words Proud Knights presume not to come within the compass of these Gates least you repent your folly and with the loss of your lives pay for your presumption To whom St. George answered Dwarf go tell your Masters we come to try our skills with them to prove which of our Sword cuts sharpest That shall you soon see said the Dwarf and returning to the Cave told the Gyants what St. George said who presently came marching out to them with each an Oak upon his Shoulder which when they came near unto the Champions they brandisht over their heads as if they had béen Hazel twigs â—udacious Uillains said the Gyants do you desire to try the strength of our Arms you shall soon féel to your cost what we can do and therewithal struck at the Champions with such fury us the Earth shook with the force of their blows who would have seen the Picture of Alecto or with what manner of Countenance Medea killed her own Children needed but take their faces for the full satisfaction of their knowledge in that point The Champions nimbly avoided their blows and getting within the Compass of their Oaks made up to the Gyants whose sides they so thwacked and were so liberal of their blows that the Gyants feeling the weight of them betook them to their heels and left their knotty Clubs behind them to be viewed by the Champions with wonder and admiration at the strength of those that could wield such massy Weapons but minding to prosecute the adventure they followed the Gyants who were gotten out of sight and the Champions found themselves at a loss in following them the multiplicity of paths leading each way making them doubtful which to chuse at last they resolved each of them to take a several path and if they met not together at the Cave then to return each to the same place again Now it so chanced that as they were going in those paths each of them to meet with an opposer and first St. George met with one of the Centaurs being of a terrible shape and incredible strength betwixt whom began a most fierce combat with great Courage and Magnanimity insomuch as St. George was never so put to it in all the battles he had ever fought before for the Centaur was both nimble and strong and fought with great skill and courage but St. George having with a side blow given him a deep wound on the Ribs he sent forth such a hideous yell as was like the loud rattle of the drumming wind or Canons when they disgorge their fiery vomits and nimbly turning him about fled amain towards the Cave The Renowned Champion St. Anthony of Italy had not gone far in his path but he met with one of the Gyants who came now armed in a Coat of Mail with a great Bar of Iron on his shoulders with whom St. Anthony encountered with great courage Nor was the Gyant backwards of his endeavours in obtaining the Conquest dealing such blows each to other that who so should have beheld them would have thought each blow had death attendant on it This Gyant was of twelve foot height so that St. Anthony with the point of his Sword could hardly reach his Crown which advantage he supplyed with nimbleness so that the Gyant spent his blows in vain and being now wearied with the weight of his Armour the Sun also shining in his greatest glory he sweat so exceedingly that it entering into his Eyes he was almost blinded therewith and endeavouring to wipe it off with his hand St Anthony taking the advantage with a sudden blow cut his hand off by the wrist whereupon the Gyant yielded himself and craved mercy In like manner St. James the Noble Spanish Champion as he walked along in his path met with the other Gyant betwixt whom was fought a most terrible Battle striking so thick and fast at each other as if every blow would strive to be forâ—most The Noble Champion behaving himself so gaâ—lantly with his Bilbo Blade made of the purest Spanish Steel that he cut deep furrows in the Gyants flesh from whence issued such abundance of Blood as changed the Grass from a verdanâ— green to a crimson-red so that the Gyant through the loss of such abundance of Blood began to faint which St. James perceiving inforced himself with all his strength gave him such a â—low as brought him headlong to the Ground when smiting off his Head he left his dismembred Carâ—ass and proceeded further in his path towards the Golden Cave Lastly the Renowned Champion St. Patrick of Ireland whose breast still thirsted after honourable adventures he also proceeding forwards in his path met with the other Centaur betwixt whom began so fierce a combat that to describe the same to the Life would wear my Pen to the stumps although it were made of refined Brass or the purest Lydian Steel Here on each side was strength matched with skill fury with fortitude and true valour with matchless magnaâ—â—â—â—ty The Centaur was nimble and armed with a Pole-axe struck at St. Patrick with great fury which he awarded with the greatest skill he could and with his keen Fauchion returned the Centaur his blows with interest The fight as it was sharp so it endured long when being both willing to take Breath they paused from fighting for some time when St. Patrick spake to the Centaur in these words Monster of Nature let me advise thee to yield thy self and not to oppose â—â—any farther in the Conquest of the Golden Cave since it is refâ—dred by the Destinies that I and my follows should be the persons that by finishing the Adventure should restore the People to their Humane Shapes The Centaur feeling himself déeply wounded was ready to yield whom St. Patrick commanded to