quiet till I sée the buildinges of his Pallace set on fire and conuerted into a place of desolation like â—o the glorious Cittie in Phrigia nowe ouerspread withâ— stinâ—king wéedes and loathsome puddles Therefore let aâ— Christian Souldiers that fights vnder the banner of Christendome and all that loues George of England your chosen Generall draw forth their warlike weapons and like the angry Greekes ouerturne these glistring Battlements leaue not one stone vpon another but lay it as leuell with the ground as the haruest reapers â—at the fields of ripened corne let your wrathfull furies fall vppon these Towers like droppes of Aprill showers or like a storme of winters haile that it may be bruted through the world what lustful vengeance did light vpon the pride of Egipt Leaue not I say as â—ou loue your Generall when you haue subuerted the Pallace not one man aliue no not a sucking babe but let them suffer vengeance for the wickednes of their King This is my decrée braue Knights of Christendome therefore martch forward Heauen and Fortune bee your good spéede At which wordes the souldiers gaue a generall shoute in signe of their willing mindes Then began the sâ—â—ken streamers to flourish in the aire the Drums chearefully to sound forward the siluer Trumpets recorded ecchoes of victorie the barbed Stéedes grew proude of this attempt would â—â—and vpon no ground but leapt and daunâ—t with as much courage as did Bucephalus the horse of Macedonian Alexander alwaies before any notable victorie yea euery thingâ— gaue an euident signe of good successe as well sensles things as liuing creatures With this resolution martched the Cstristians purposing the vtter confusion of the Egiptians and the wofull ruine and destruction of Ptolomies sumptuous Pallace but when the Souldiers approached the gates with wrathfull weapons ready to assault there came pacing out thereat the Egiptian King with all the chiefest of his Nobles attired in blacke and mournâ—full ornaments bearing in their hands Oliue branches next them the brauest souldiers in Egipt bearing in their handes broken weapons shiuered Launces and tâ—rne Auncients Likewise followed thousands of women children with Lawrell wreathes about their heads in their handes Oliue braunches crying for mercie to the Christians that they would not vtterlie destroy their declining countrie but shew mercie to vnhappie Egipt This vnexspected sight or rather admirable woonder caused saint George to sound retreate and gaue commandement through the Christian Armie to withhold their former vowed vengeance from the Egiptians till hee vnderstoode what they required which charge being giuen and oâ—ely obserued saint George with the other six Champions came together and admitted the Egiptian king wiâ—h their powers to their presence who in this manner began to speake for hys countrie You vnconquered knights of Christendome whose worthie victories Noble atchiuements the whole worlde admires let him that neuer knéeled to any man tâ—ll nowe and in former times disdained to humble himsâ—lfe to the greatest Potentate on the earth Let him I say the most vnfortunate wretch aliue craue mercie not for my selfe but for my countrie my Commonâ— blood wil be required at my haâ—dâ— our murthered Infants will call to heauen for reuenge and our slaughtered Widdowes cryes sâ—nkâ— downe to hel for reuenge so will the vengeaunce of heauen light vppon my soule and the curse of hel vpon 〈…〉 renowned Champions of England vnder whose cuâ—todie my deare daughâ—er is kept eâ—â—n for the loue of her be mercifull to Egipt The former wronges I proffered thee when I sent thée like a guiltles Lamb into Persia was contrarie to my will For I was incenst by the flatterie of that accursed Blackamonâ—e King whose soule for euermore hee scourged with whips of wier and plagued with the punishâ—â—â—t of Tantalus in hell If my life will serue for a 〈◊〉 reâ—enge here is my naked breast let my hart blood stâ—ine some Christian-sword that you may beare the bloody wiâ—hes of my 〈◊〉 into Christendome or let me be tornâ— into a thousand pâ—eces by 〈◊〉 vntamed Stéeds as was Hippolitus the Son of Theâ—â—â—s in hys charmed Charriot Most mightie controulers of the worlde commaund the dearest thinges in Egipt they be at your pleasures we will forsake our Gods and beléeue in that God which you commonly adore for he is the true and liuing God ours false hatefull in the sight of heauen This penitent lamentation of the Egiptian King caused the Christian Champions to relent but especially Saint George who hauing a hart beautified with the welspring of pittie not onely graunted mercie to the whole Country but vouchsafed Ptolomie libertie of life vppon condition that he would performe what he had promised which was to forsake hys false gods beleeue in our true God Christ Iesus This kindenes of saint George almost rauished Ptolomie with ioy and the whole land both Pieres and Commons more reioyced at the friendshippe of the Christians than if they had béene made Lordes of the westerne world The newes of this happie vnetie was bruted into all the partes of Egipt whereby the commons that before fled for feare into woods and wildernesses dens and caues hils and mountaines returned ioyfully to their own dwellings and caused bonefires to be made in euerie Cittie Towne Uillage the Bels of Egipt rung day and night for the space of three monthes in euerie place was séene banquetting dauncing and masking sorrow was banished warres forgotten and peace proclaimed The King at his owne charges ordained a sumptuous costlie banquet for the Christian Champions wherein for bountie it excéeded that which the Troianes made when Paris returned from Greece with the conquest of Menalaus Quéene The banquetting house was built with Cipresse wood couered with the purest Adamant stone so that neither stéele nor bace Iron could come therein but it was presently drawen to the top of the rooffe as for the varietie of seruices which graced forth the banquet it were too tedious to repeate but to be briefe what both the Land Sea could afford bâ—â—re there present 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 that attendeâ— the Câ—ampions aâ— the banquet wer◠〈◊〉 in daâ—maske vestments wrought with the purest 〈…〉 Indian virgins spin vpon their siluer whéeles at euerie course the seruitâ—rs brought in a Consort of Egiptian Ladies vppon their Iuorie Luâ—es strayned forth such admired Harmonie that it surpassed Arions musicke 〈…〉 when hee was cast into the Seâ— caused the 〈…〉 himsaâ—e on the 〈…〉 swéetnes of Orpheus 〈…〉 which made both 〈◊〉 and trées to daunce or the melâ—odie of Apollos inspiring musicke when he descended from heauen for the loue of Dâ—aphne These pleasures so rauished the Christian Champions that theâ—â— forg of the sound of warlike Drummes that were wont 〈◊〉 call them forth to bloody battailes But these delightes continued but a short time for there ariued a knight from England that brought such vnexspected newes to saint George which chaunged his ioyes into extreame sorrowe for afâ—er this manner began
triple Crowne Ierusalem and Iuda shall behold The fall of Kinges by Christian Champions bold Thou maide of Egipt still continue chaste A Tyger seekes thy virgins name to spill Whilst George of England is in prison plast Thou shalt be forst to wed against thy â—ill But after this shall happen wondrous thinges For from thy womb shal spring three mighty kings This strange and tragicall discourse bâ—â—ng no sooner endeâ— but she awaked from her sléepe and presently â—eachâ—â— forth her séemely handes 〈◊〉 kâ—ng to 〈◊〉 him but shee catched nothing but the briâ—â—le 〈◊〉 which causâ—d 〈◊〉 to renew her former câ—mplaints O wherefore 〈…〉 in this my troublâ—some dreame 〈…〉 that my Ghost might haâ—e hauntâ—d th◠〈◊〉 mâ—nsters which falsely betrâ—yed the brauest Champion vnder the cope of heauen â—et for his sake will I 〈◊〉 agâ—inst the ingratitude of Egypt and like tâ—e 〈◊〉 Philom◠〈◊〉 fill euery corner of the land with ecchoes of his 〈◊〉 any woes shall excéede the sorroâ—s of Dido quâ—â—ne of Câ—â—thaâ—â— mourning for the ingratitude of Aeneas with 〈◊〉 like passions wearied she the time away â—till twelue montâ—s were fully finished at last her father vnderstanding what feruent affection she bore to the English Champion began â—n this manner to dilate Daughter saide the Egiptian King I charge shée by the hands of nature and the true obedience thou oughtest to beare my age to banish and exâ—lude all fond affections from thy minde not to settle thy loue vpon a wandrâ—ng Knight that is vnconstant and without habitation thou séest hée hath forsaken thee and returnde into hys owne Countrie where hee hath wedded a wife of that Land and Nation Therefore I charge thée vpon my displeasure to affect and loue the blacke King of Moroco that rightfully hath dâ—sâ—rued thy loue which shall bee Honourably holden to the Honour of Egipt and so departed without any answere at all By which Sabra knew hee would not bee croâ—t in hys will and pleasure therefore shee sighed out these lamentable wordes O vnkinde Father to crosse the affection of hys childe and to force loue where no liking is Yet shall my minde continue true vnto my deare betrothed Lord although my body be forst against nature to obay and Almidor haue the honour of my marriage bed Yet English George shall enioy my true Uirginity if euer he returne againe to Egipt and therewithall she pulled forth a chaine of gold and wrapt it seauen times about her Iuorie necke This said shee hath seauen dayes beene stéept in Tygers blood and seauen nights in Dragons milke whereby it hath obtainde such excellent vertue that so long as I weare it about my necke no man on earth can enioy my virginitie though I bee forced to the state of marriage and lie seauen yeares in wedlocks bed yet by the vertue of this chaine I shall continue a true virgin Which wordes being no sooner ended but Almidor entered her sorrowfull Cabbinet and presented her with a wedding garment which was of the pure vnspotted silke imbost with Pearle and rich refined gold perfumed with swéet Siâ—rian powders it was of the colour of the Lillie when Flora had be deckt the field in May with natures orniments so glorious and costly her vestures séemed and so stately were hir Nuptiall rights solemnized that Egipt admired the bountie of her wedding which 〈…〉 dayes was 〈◊〉 in the Court of King 〈…〉 remooued 〈◊〉 Tâ—ipoliâ— the 〈…〉 Almidors forced Bride was Crowned Queene of Moroco at which Coronation the Conduits raâ—ne with Greekish Wines and the streets of Tripolie were beautiâ—â—ed with Pageants and delightfull showes The Court resounded such melodious Harmonie as though Apollo with his silâ—er Harâ—e had deâ—cended from the heauenâ— such Tilts and Turniments were performed betwixt the Egiptia knights and the Knights of Barbarie that they exceeded the Nuptials of Hecâ—uba the beautious Queene of Troâ— which Honourable procéedings wee leaue for this time to their owne contentments some 〈◊〉 some dancing some reuelling some Tilting and some banqueting 〈◊〉 the Champion of England Saint George 〈◊〉 in the Dungeon in Persia as you heard 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 to the other six Champions of Câ—ristendome which â—eparted from the brazen pilleâ— euery one hâ—s sâ—ueral way whose Knightly and Noble aduentures if the Muses graunt mee the bountie of â—aier 〈◊〉 springes I will most 〈◊〉 discouer to the honour of Christendome CHAP. IIII. How Saint Dennis the Champion of France liued seauen yeares in the shape of a Hart and howe proud Eglantine the Kings Daughter of Thessalie was transformed into a Mâ—lberie Tree and how they both recouered their former shapes by the meanes of Saint Dennis his horse CAlling now to memorie the long weary trauailes S. Dennis the Champion of Fraunce indured after his departure froÌ„ the other sixe Champions at the brazen piller as you heard in the beginning of the former Chapter from which he waÌ„dred through many a desolate groue and wildernes without any aduenture worthy the noting till he arriued vppon the borders of Thessalie béeing a Land as then inhabited with wilde beasts wherein he indured such a pennurie scarcitie of victualles that hee was forced for the space of seauen yeares to feede vpon the hearbes of the fields the fruits of trées till the haires of his head were like to Egles feathers and the nayles of his fingers to birds clawes his drink the dew of heaueâ— the which he licked from the flowers in the meadows the attire he cloathed his bodie withall bay leaues and broad dockes that grew in the woodes his shooes the barke of trées whereon hee trauailde through many a thornie brake But at last it was his fortune and cruell destinie béeing â—â—â—rpressed with the extreamitie 〈◊〉 hunger to taste féede vpon the berries of a Mulberie tree whereby he lost the liuely forme and Image of hys humane substance and was transformed into the shape and likeâ—es of a wâ—lde Hart Which strange sodâ—ine transformation this Noble Champion little mistrusted till he espied his mishapen forme in a cleare fountaine wâ—iâ—h â—ature 〈…〉 in a toole and 〈◊〉 villeyâ— but when he behelde the shadow of his deformed substaunce and howe hys heade late Honoured with a Burgonet of steéle noâ— diâ—â—onoured with a paire of 〈◊〉 hornes his face whereon the countenance of true Nobilitie lâ—te carâ—â—red now couered with a beastlike similitude and 〈◊〉 body late 〈◊〉 true Image of magnanimity now ouerspread with a heaâ—â—e hide in colour like to the fallow fieldes which strange alteration not a little perpleâ—ed the minde of S. Dennis that it â—amâ—d him with all speed hauing the natuâ—all reason of man still remaining to repaire backe to the Mulberie tree againe supposing the bâ—rries he had eaten to be the cauâ—e of hâ—s transformation vnder which tree the distressed â—night laid 〈◊〉 formed limbs â—pon the bare ground and thus wofully began to complaine What Magicke charmes said hee or rather bewitching spels remaynes within this accursed trée whose wicked
the strongest in the world except it were those Giants that discended from a monstrous linnage But no sooner encountred these hardy Champions but their Launces shiuered in sunder and flew so violently into the Aire that it much amazed the beholders Then they alighted from their Steedes and so valiantly besturd them with their kéene edged Fauchions that the fierie sparkles flew as fiercâ—ly from these Noble Champions steelie Helmets as from an Iron Anuill But the Combat indured not verie long before the most hardie Scottish Knight espied an aduantage wherein he might shew hys matchles fortitude then he stroke such a violent blâ—w vpon the Thracians Burgonet that it cleaued hys head iustly downe to the shoulders whereat the King sodainely started from hys seate and with a wrathfull countenance threatned the Champions death in this manner Proude Christian said the King thou shalt repent hys death and curse the time that euer thou camst to Thracia hys blood we will reuenge vpon thy head and quit thy committed crueltie with a sodaine death and so in company of a hundred Armed Knights he incompassed the Scottish Champion intending by multitudes to murder him But when the valiant Knight Saint Andrew saw how hee was supprest by trecherie and inuironed with mightie Troups he called to heauen for succour and annimated him selfe by these wordes of incouragement Now for the Honour of Christendome this day a Martyr or a Conquerour and therewithall he so valiantly behaued himselfe with his trustie Curtleaxe that he made Lanes of murthered men and feld them downe by multitudes like as the haruest man doth moâ—â—e downe eares of ripened corne whereby they fell before his face like leaues from trées when the Sommers pride declines her glorie So at the last after much blood shed the Thracian King was compelled to yeeld to the Scottish Champions mercie who swore him for the sauegarde of hys life to forsake his prophaned religion and become a ChristiaÌ„ whose liuing true God the Thracian king vowde for euermore to worship and thereupon hee kist the Champions sword This conuersion of the Pagan King so pleased the Maiestie of God that he presently gaue end to his Daughters punishments turned the Ladies to their former shapes But when the King behelde their smooth feathers which were whiter than the Lilly exchanged to a naturall fairenes that their blacke bils and slender necks were conuerted to their first created beauties where for excellent faireles the Quéene of loue might builde her Parradice bee bad adue to hys griefe and long continued sorrowes protesting euer hereafter to continue a true Christian for the Scottish Champions sake by whome and by whose diuine Orrizons hys Daughters obtained their former features So taking the Christian Knight in company of the sixe Ladies to an excellent rich Chamber prepared with al thinges according to their wishes where first the Christian Knight was vnarmed then his woundes washed with white Wine new Milke and Rose-water and so after some daintie repast conuayed to hys nights repose The Ladies beeing the ioyfullest creatures vnder heauen neuer entertainde one thought of sleepe but passed the night in their Fathers companie whose minde was rauished with vnspeakeable pleasure till the mornings messengers bad them good morrow Thus all thinges being prepared in a readines they departed the Castell not like mourners to a heauie Funerall but in triumphing manner marching backe to the Thracian Pallace with streaming Banners in the winde Drums and Trumpets sounding ioyfull melodie and with sweet inspiring musicke causing the aire to resound with harmony But no sooner were they entred the Pallace which was in distance from the Giants Castell some ten miles but their triumphes turned to exceeding sorrow for Rossalinde with the Champion of Italie as you heard before was departed the Court which vnexpected newes so daunted the whole companie but especially the King that the triumphes for that time were deferred and messengers dispatcht in pursute of the aduenturous Italian and the â—oâ—ely Rossalinde But when Saint Andrew of Scotland had intelligence how it was one of the Knights that was imprisoned with him vnder the subiection of the wicked 〈…〉 Kalyb as you heard first of all in the beginning of the Historie his heart thirsted for hys most Honourable companie and hys eyes neuer closed quietly nor tooke any rest at all vntill hee was likewise departed in the pursute of hys sworne friend which was the next night following without making any acquainted with his intent likewise when the six Ladies vnderstood the secret departure of the Scottish Champion whome they affected dearer than any Knight in all the world stored themselues with sufficient treasure and by stealth tooke their iournie from their Fathers Pallace intending eyther to finde out the victorious and approued Knight of Scotland or to end their liues in some forraine Region The rumor of whose departure no sooner came to the Kinges eares but he purposed the like trauaile eyther to obtaine the sight of his Daughters againe or to make his toombe in a countrie beyond the cercuite of the Sunne So attyring himselfe in a homely russet like a Pilgrime with an â—bon staffe in his hand tipt with siluer tooke his iournie all vnknowne from hys Pallace whose sâ—dâ—ine and secret departure stroke such an extreame intollerable heauines in the Court that the Pallace gates were sealed vp with sorrow and the walles be-hung with sable mourning cloth The Thracian Lordes exempted all pleasure and like a flocke of shéep strayed vp and downe without a shepheard the Ladies and Courtly gentles sate sighing in their priuate chambers where we leaue them for this time speake of the successe of the other Champions and howe Fortune smiled on their aduenterous procéedinges CHAP. VIII How Saint Pattricke the Champion of Ireland redeemed the six Thracian Ladies out of the handes of thirtie bloodie minded Satiers and of their purposed trauaile in the pursute after the Champion of Scotland BUT now of the valiant hardie Knight at Armes Saint Pattrick the Champion of Ireland must I speake whose aduenterous accidents were so Noblie performed that if my pen were made of stéele yet should I weare it to the stumpes sufficiently to declare hys prowesse and worthie aduentures When he departed from the brazen Pâ—ller from the other Champions the heauens smiled with a kinde aspect and sent him such a happie starre to bée hys guide that it lead him to no Courtly pleasures nor to vaine delights of Ladies beauties but to the throne of fame where honour sate instauld vpon a seat of gold Thether trauailed the warlike Champion of Ireland whose illustrious battailes the northen Iles hath Chronicled in leaues of brasse therefore Ireland be proude for from thy bowels did spring a Champion whose prowesse made the enemies of Christ to tremble and watered the earth with streames of Pagans blood witnes whereof the Ile of Rhodes the key strength of Christendome was recouered from the Turkes by hys Martiall
after Almidors Tragedy that hee could scarce make answere againe to the Hermitâ— wordes But yet brideling hys furie the angry Champion spake in this manner Graue father said he through the trechery of that accursed King I indured seauen yeares imprisonment in Persia where I suffered both hunger cold and extreame misery but if I had my good sword Aaskalon and my trustiâ— Paâ—â—ray which I lost in the Egiptian Court where remaines my betrothed Loue the Kinges Daughter of Egipt I would bee reuenged vppon the heade of proude Almidor were his Guard more stronger than the Armie of Xerxes whose multitudes dranke Riuers drie Why said the Hermit Sabra the Kinges Daughter of Egipt is now Quéene of Barbarie and since her Nuptials were solemnely performed in Tripolie are seauen Sommers fullie finished Now by the Honour of my Countrie England replied Saint George the place of my Natiuitie and as I am true Christian Knight these eyes of mine shall neuer close nor this vndaunted hart neuer entertain one thought of peace nor this vnconquered hand receaue one minutes rest vntill I haue obtained a fight of that swéet Princesse for whose sake I haue indured so long imprisonment therefore deare Father bee thus kinde to a trauailer as to exchaunge thy clothing for this my rich furniture and lustie Stéede which I brought from the Soldan of Persia for in the Habit of a Palmer I may enioy the fruition of her sight without suspicion otherwise I must néeds be constrained by violence with my trustie Fauchion to make way into her Princelie Pallace where I knowe shée is attended on most carefully by 〈◊〉 valiant and couragious Champions thâ—refore curteously deliuer me thy Hermitâ— gowne and I will 〈…〉 with my Horse and Armour this Boxe of precious Iewels which when the graue Hermiâ—â— behold he humbly thanked the Noble Champion and so with all the spéede they could possiblie maâ—e exchaungâ—â— apparrell and in this manner departed The Palmer being glad repaired to his Hermitage with Saint Georges furniture and Saint George in the Palmers apparrell trauailed towards the Cittie of Tripolie who no sooner came neare to the sumptuous buildinges of the Court but he espied a huÌ„dred pore Palmers knéeling at the Gate to whome Saint George spake in this manner not with loftie and Heroicall speâ—ches beséeming a Princely Champion but with méeke and humble worde like to an aged Palmer My deare brethren said the Champion for what intent remaine you here or what exspect you from this Honorable Court. Wee abide here answered the Palmers for an 〈◊〉 which the Quéene once a day hath giuen this seauen yeares for the sake of an English Knight named Saint George whome shee affecteth aboue all the Knights in the worlde But when will this be giuen said Saint George In the after-noone replieâ— the Palmers vntill which time vppon our bended knees wee hourely pray for the good Fortune of that most Noble English Knight which spéeches so highlie pleased the valiant minded Champion Saint George that hee thought euery minute a whole yeare till the Golden 〈◊〉 had past away the middle part of Heauen for it was but newlie risen from Auroraes bed whose light as â—t with a 〈◊〉 radiant blush distained the Easterne skie During which time the most valiant and Magnanâ—â—â—ous Champion Saint George of England one while remembring of the extreame miserie hee endured in Persia for her saâ—e wherat 〈…〉 many 〈◊〉 teares from 〈◊〉 another 〈◊〉 thinking vpon the tyrible 〈◊〉 aâ—â—ailâ— he had 〈◊〉 burning Dragon in Egipt where 〈◊〉 redéemed her from the fatall 〈◊〉 of death But at 〈◊〉 it was hys chance to walke about the Court beholding the sumptuous buildings and the curious ingrauen works by the atchiuement of man bestowed vpon the glistering windowes where he board to hâ—s excéeding pleasure the heauenly voice of hys beloued Sabra descending from a window vpon the West side of the Pallace where she warbled forth this sorrowfull Dittie vpon her Iuorie Lute Dye all desires of ioy and Courtly pleasures Dye all desires of Princely Royaltie Dye all desires of wealth and worldly treasures Dye all desires of stately Maiestie Sith he is gone that pleased most mine eye For whome I wish ten thousand times to dye O that mine eyes might neuer cease to weepe O that my tongue might ouermore complaine O that my soule might in his bosome sleepe For whose sweet sake my heart doth liue in paine In woe I sing with â—â—inish teares bespâ—enâ— Outworne with griefe â—â—â—sumde with discontent In time my sigâ—â—s will dim the heauen faire light Which hourely 〈◊〉 from my tormented brâ—st Except Saint George that noble English Knight With safe returne abandon m◠〈◊〉 Then carefull cryes shall end with deepe annoy Exchaunging weeâ—â—â—g teares for smiling ioy Before the face of heauen this vow I make Though vnkinde friends hath wed me to their will And Crownde me Queene 〈…〉 to sâ—aâ—e That in despight of them shall 〈◊〉 still Beare waâ—es heauen and earth what I haue said For Georges sake I liue and die a maide Which sorrowfull Dittie béeing 〈◊〉 soâ—ner ended 〈◊〉 she departed the window quite from the hearing of the English Champion that stoode gazing vp to the casements preparing his eares to entertaâ—â—e her sweetâ— tuned mellody the second time but his expectation was in vaine whereat he grew into more perplexed passions than Aâ—uâ—as when hee had lost hys beloued Crusâ— amongst the â—â—ruite of the Graecians sometimes wishing the day to vanish in a moment that the houre of hys beneuolence might approch other times comforting his sad cogitations with the remembrance of her true chastetie and long continued constancy for hys sake comparing her loue vnto Thisbes her chasteâ—â—e to Dianaes and her constancie to Penelopes Thus spent he the 〈◊〉 away till he 〈…〉 began to decline to the westerne parts of the earth and the Palmers should recaâ—e her wâ—nted beneuolence against which time the English Champion placed himselfe in middest of the Palmers that expected the wished houre of her comming who at the time appointed came to the Pallace 〈…〉 vesture like Poliâ—â—a King Priams Dâ—â—ghtâ—◠〈◊〉 she went to sacrifice her haire after 〈…〉 almost 〈…〉 to the colour of siluer thee and 〈…〉 her long 〈…〉 to whose excellent fairenes all the â—adies in the world did sometimes yéelde 〈◊〉 was now stayned with the Pearled dew that trickled downe her chéekes where after the sorrowfull Quéene had iustly numbred the Palmers and with vigilant eies beheld the Princely countenance of saint George her colour beganne to exchange from red to white 〈…〉 white to redde as though the Lilly and the Rose had 〈◊〉 for superiority but yet colouring her cogitations vnder a smooth browe first deliuered her almes to the Palmers then taking saint George aside to whom shée thus kindly began to couâ—er Palmer sayde shâ—â— thâ—â— resemblest 〈…〉 Princeâ—◠〈◊〉 and curteous behauiour that thrice honoured Champion of England for whose sake I haue daily bestowed my 〈◊〉 for this seauen
yeares his 〈…〉 George his fame I know thou hast heard reported in many â— country to bée the brauest Knight that â—uer buckled steeled Heâ—â—â—t therefore for his sake will I grace thée with the chiefest honour in this Court In stéede of thy 〈…〉 I will cloth thée in purple silâ—e and in stéede at thy â—ban staffâ— thy hande shall wielde the richest sworde that euer Princely eye behelde to whom the Noble Champion saint George replied in this curteous manner I haue heard quoth he the Princely atchieuements and magnanimious aduentures of that honoured English Knight which you so dearely affect bruted through many a Princes Court and how for the loue of a Lady he hath indured along imprisonment from whence he neuer looketh to returne but to speâ—â— the remnant of his dayes in lasting misery â— At which wordes the 〈◊〉 let fall from her eyes such a showre of Pearled teares and sent such a number of strained sighes from her grieued hart that her sorrow séemed to excéede the Quéenes of Carthage when shâ—â— had for euer lâ—st the sight of her beloued Lorde But the braue minded Champion saint George purposed no longeâ—â— to continue secrete but with his discouery to conuert her sorrowfull meanes to smiling â—oy And so â—â—sting off his Palmers weede acknowledged himselfe to the Quéene and therewithall shewed the halfe Ring whereon was ingrauen this Posâ—e ardeo affectione which Ring in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as you may reade before they had most equally deuided betwixt them to be kept in remembraunce of their plighted faithes which vnsuspected sight highly pleased the beauteous Sabra and her ioy so excéeded the bounds of reason that she could not speake one word but was constrained through the new conceaued pleasure to breathe a sad sigh or two into the Champions bosome who like a true innobled Knight entertained her with a louing kisse But after these two louers had fullie discoâ—rsed each to other the secrets of their soules Sabra how shee continued for his loue a pure Uirgin through the secret nature of a golden chaine stéept in Tygers blood the which shee wore seauen times doubled about her Iuorie necke tooke him by the portly hanâ— and led him to her husbands stable where stood hys approued Palfray which shée for seauen yeares had â—ed with her owne handes who no sooner espyed the returne of his master but hee grewe more prouder of his presence than Bucephalus of the Macedonian Monarches when he had most ioyfully returned in triumph from any victorious Conquest Now is the time said the excellent Princesse Sabra that thou mayest seale vp the quittance of our former louest therefore with all conuenient spéed take thy approued Palfray with thy trustie sword Askalon which I will presently deliuer into thy handes and with all celeritie conuay mee from this vnhappy countrie for the King my husband with all his aduenterous Champions are nowe rode forth on hunting whose absence wil â—urther â—ur flight But if thou stay till his returne it is not a hundred of the hardiest Knights in the worlde can beare mee from this accursed Pallace At which worde Saint George hauing a minde graâ—â—e with all excellent vertues replyed in this manner Thou knowest my diuine Mistresse that for thy loâ—e I would indure as many dangers as Iason suffered in the Ile of Calcos so I might at last enioy the pleasures of true Uirginitie But howe canst thou remayne a pure mâ—ide when thou haste béene a Crowned Quéene for these 〈◊〉 yeares and euerie night haste entertained a King â—nto thy bed If thou findest me not a true mayde in all that thou canst say or doo â—end me backe againe hither vnto my 〈◊〉 whose bed I account more loathsome thâ—n 〈◊〉 â—f snakes and his fight more â—â—inous than the Crocodiles As for the Moroco Crâ—wne which by force of 〈◊〉 was set vpon my head I wish that it might be turnd into a blaze of quenchles â—â—er so it might not indanger my body and for the name of Quéene I account it a vayne 〈◊〉 for I had rather be thy English Lady than the greatest Empresse in the world At which spéeches saint George willingly condiscended and with all speede purposed to goe into England and therewithall sealed an assurance with as sweete a kisse as Paris gaue to louely Hellena when shée consented to forsake hâ—r natiue countâ—y and to trauell from her husband Menelaus into Troy So loosing no time lest delay might breede danger Sabra furnished her selfe with sufficient treasure and spéedily deliuered to saint George his trusty sworde which she had kept seauen yeares for his sake with all the furniture belonging to his approoued Steede who no sooner receaued her prâ—ffered gifts which hee accounted dearer than the Asian Monarchy but presently sadled his horse and beautified his strong limbes with rich caparison In the meane time Sabra through fayre spéeches and large premises obtained the good will of an Euenuke that was appoynted for her guard in the Kings absence to accompany them in theyr intended trauailes and to serue as a trusty guide if occasion required which with the Lady stoode ready at the Champions commandement who no sooner had furnished himselfe with sufficient habilliments of warre belonging to so dangerous â— iourney but he plaâ—â—â— his beloued Mistris vpon a gentle Palfray which alwaies knéeled downe vntill shée had ascended the saddle And likewise her Euenuke was mounted vpon another Stéede whereon all their rich furniture with costly Iewels and other treasure was borne So these thrâ—e worthy Personages committed their trauels to the guide of fortune who preserued them from the dangers of pursuing enemies which at the Kinges returne from hâ—â—ting followed amayne to euery Port and Haâ—â—n that deuided the kingdome of Barbarie from the Confines of Christendome But kind destenie so guided their steps that they trauailed another way contrarie to their eâ—spectations for when they looked to ariue vpon the Territories of Europe they were cast vppon the fruitfull bankes of Graecia in which Countrie we must tell what hapned to the thrée trauaâ—lers and omit the vaine pursute of the Moroco Knights the wrathfull melancholy of the King and the bruted rumour that was amongst the Commons of the Quéenes departure who caused the Lâ—rum-belles to bée rung out and the Beacons to be set on fire as though the enemie had entred their Countrie But nowe Melpomine thou Tragicke Sister of the Muses report what vnluckie croâ—â—â—s hapned to these three trauailers in the Conâ—â—nes of Graecia and howe theyr smiling Câ—mâ—die was by ill fortune turned into a wéepinâ— Tragedie For when they had iournied some three or fourâ— Leagues ouer many a loftiehâ—ll they approached into a mightie and fearefull Wildernes through which the waies séemed so long and the 〈…〉 excéedingly gloâ—ed that Sabra what for wearines in trauaile and the extreame heate of the day was constrained to resâ— vnder the shelter of a mightie Oake whose braunches had not béene lopt in many a yeare where shee
an Inorie Charriot guarded by twelue coleblacke Negars wherein hys beloued Lady and Mistrsse Sabra sate inuested vppon a siluer Globe to beholde the Heroicall Encounters of her most Noble and Magnanimious â—hampion saint George of England his Tent was as white as the Swannes feathers glistring against the Sun supported by foure â—eyntles Elephants framed of the purest brasse about his Helmet he tied a wreath of Uirgins haire where hung his Ladies gloue which he worâ—â—â— maintaine her excellent gifts of nature to excéede al 〈◊〉 on the earth These costlie habilliments rauished the beholders with such vnspeakeable pleasure that they stood gazing at hys furniture not able to withdrawe their eyes from so heauenlie a sighâ— But when they beheld his victorious Encounters against the Graecian Knightes they supposed him to be the 〈◊〉 tamer of that seauen heaâ—ed monster that clambred 〈◊〉 the elements offring to pull Iupiter from hys throne His â—â—éede neuer gaue Encounter with any Knight but hee tumbled horse and man to the ground where they lay for a time bereaft of sence The Turnament endured for that day from the Suns rising till the cole blacke Euenings Star appeared in which time he conquered fiue hundred of the hardiest Knights then liuing in Asia and shiuered a thousand Launces to the woonderfull admiration of the beholders Thus were the seauen dayes brought to ende by the seauen worthy Champions of Christendome in rewarde of whose Noble atchieuements the Graecian Emperour being a man that highly fauoured knightly procéedinges gaue them a golden trée with seauen branches to be deuided equally amongst them Which Honourable Prize they conuayed to saint Georges Pauilion where in deuiding the braunches the seauen Champions discouered themselues each to other and by what good fortune they ariued in the Graecian Court whose long wished sights so reioyced theyr harts whereby they accounted that happy day of méeting the ioyfullest day that euer they behâ—ld But now after the Turnaments were fully ended the Knights resâ—ed themselues some few dayes recouering their wonted agillitie of body they fell to a new exercise of pleasure not appearing in glistring Armour before the Tilt nor following the loud sounding Drums siluer Trumpets but spending away the time in Courtly daunces amongst their beloued Ladies and Mistressâ—s in more Royaltie than the Phrigian knights whâ—n they presented the Paragon of Asia with an Inchanted â—aske There wanted no inspiring Musicke to delight their eares no heauenly Sonets to rauish their sences nor no curious daunces to please their eyes Sabra she was the Mistresse of the Reuels who graâ—â—e the whole Court with her excellent beautie which séemed to excéede the rest of the Ladies as farre as the Mâ—â—ne surpasseth her attending Stars in a frostie night when shee daunst shee séemde like Thetis tripping on the siluer sandes with whom the Sun did fall in loue and if shee chaunst to smile the cloudy elements would cleare drop downe heauenly dew as though they mournde for loue There likewise remayned in the Court the six Scythian Uirgins that in former times liued in the shape of Swans which were as beautifull Ladies as euer eye beheld also many other Laidies attended the Empresse in whose companies the seauen Champions daylie delighted sometimes discoursing of amorous conceits other times delighting themselues with swéete tuned Musicke then spending the day in banqueting reuelling dancing such like pastimes not once iniuring their true betrothed Ladies But their Courtly pleasures continued not long for they were sodainely dashed with a present newes of open Warres proclaymed against Christendome which fell out contrarie to the expectations of the Christian Knights There ariued in the Graecian Emperours Pallace a hundred Harrolds of a hundred seuerall Prouinces which proclaimed vtter defiance to all ChristiaÌ„ kingdomes by these words Wee the high and mighty Emperours of Asia and Affrica great commaunders both of land seas proclaime by generall consent of all the Easterne Potentates vtter ruine and destruction to the Kingdomes of Christendome to all those Nations where any Christian Knights are harboured First the Soldan of Persia in reuenge of a bloody slaughter done in hys Pallace by an English Champion Ptolomie the Egiptian King in reuenge of his daughter violently taken away by the sayd knight Almidor the blacke King of Moroco in reuenge of his Quéene likewise taken away by the sayde English Champion The great Gouernour of Thessaly in reuenge of his daughter taken away by a French Knight The King of Ierusalem in reuenge of his daughter taken away by a Spanish Knight The Tartarian Emperour in reuenge of his Sonne the Countie Palatine slaine by the vnhappy hand of the Champion of Wales The Sicillian Monarke in reuenge of hys vaine trauaile after his seauen daughters now in the kéeping of certaine Christian Knights in reuenge of which iniuries all the Kingdomes from the furthest part of Prester Iohns Dominions to the borders of the red Seas hath set downe their handes and seales to bee ayders in this bloodie Warre This Prolamation béeing no sooner ended but the Graecian Emperour likewise consented to their bloody determination and thereupon gaue spéedy commandement to muster vp the greatest strength that Graecia could afforde to ioyne with the Pagans to the vtter ruine and confusion of Christendome which bloody edict or rather inhumane Iudgement pronounced by the accursed Infidels compelled the Christian Champions to a spéedy departure and euerie one to haste into his owne countrie there to prouide for the Pagans entertainment So after due considerations the seauen Champions departed from Graecia in companie of their betrothed Ladies who chose rather to liue in the bosoms of their husbands than in the armes of their misbeléeuing Parents where after some few dayes they ariued in the spacious bay of Portingale in which Hauen they vowed by the Honour of true Knighthood to méete againe within sixe monthes insuing there to conioyne all their Christian Armies into one Legion vpon which plighted resolution the worthie Champions departed one from another Saint George into England Saint Dennis into Fraunce Saint Iames into Spaine Saint Anthonie into Italie Saint Andrew into Scotland Saint Pattrick into Ireland Saint Dauid into Wales whose pleasant bankes they had not beheld in many a yeare before where their entertainments were as Honorable as their harts desired But to speake of the mustring vp of Souldiers in euerie Christian Kingdome and what strength ariued at the appointed time in the bay of Portingale shall be discoursed in the sequell of this Historie and how troublesome warres ouerspread the whole earth where the Heroicall déedes of these Noble Champions shall at large be discribed Also of the â—uerthrow of many Kings and Kingdomes ruines of Townes and Citties and the decay of many flourishing Common weales Likewise of the bloody Tragedies of many vnchristian Princes whereat the heauens will mourne to sée the effusion of blood trickle from the breasts of murthered Infants the heapes of slaughtered Damsels
accursed Infidels béeing their appointed place of méeting For though Hungarie of all other Countries both in Affrica and Asia then was the richest and plentifullest of victuals to mainetaine a Campe of men yet was it mightely â—uerprest greatly burthened with multitudes not onely with want of necessaries to releeue souldiers but with extreame crueltie of those bloody minded miscreants that through a ciuell discorde which hapned amongâ—â— them abouâ— the â—lection of a Generall they conuerted their vnitie to a most inhumane slaughter and their triumphant victorie to a dismall bloody Tragedy For no sooner arâ—â—ed thier Legions vpon the plaines of Algernos bâ—eing in length and breadtâ— one and twentie Lâ—agues but the King of Hungarie caused their muster Rolles to bee publikely read iustly numbred in the hearing of the Pagan knights which in this maner was proclaimed through the Campe. First be it knowne vnto all Nations that fights in the quarrell of Affrica and Asia vnder the conduct of our three great Gods Mahomet Termigaunt and Apollo what inuincible forces be now ariued in this renowned Kingdome of Hungarie a Land Honoured through the worlde not only for Armes but curious buildings and plentifâ—ed with all manner of riches First we haue from the Emperour of Constantinople two hundred thousand Turkes From the Emperour of Graecia two hundred and fiftie thousand From the Emperour of Tartarie a hundred thréescore and thrée thousand From the Soldan of Persia two hundred thousand From the king of Ierusalem foure hundred thousand Of Moores one hundred twenty thousand Of coleblacke Negars one hundred and fortie thousand Of Arabians one hundred and sixtie thousand Of Bâ—bilonâ—ans one hundred thirtie thousande and â—ddâ— Of Armenians one Hundred and fiftie Thousande Of Macedonians two hundred and ten thousand Of Saracusians fifteene thousand sixe hundred Of Hungarians three hundred and sixe thousand Of Sissillians seauenteene thousand thrée hundred Of Scythians one hundred and fiue thousand Of Parthians ten thousand and three hundred Of Phrigians seauen thousand and two hundred Of Ethiopians sixtie thousand Of Thracians a eleauen thousand Likewise from the Prouinces of Prester Iohn thrée hundred thousand of vnconquered Knights with manye other pettie Dominions and Dukedomes whose numbers I omit for this time lest that I shoulde séeme ouer tedious to the reader But to conclude such a Campe of Armed souldiers ariued in Hungarie that might in one month haue destroyed Christendome had not God defended them from those barbarous nation and by his inuincible power confounded the Pagans in their owne practises For no sooner had the Harrolds proclaimed through the Campe what number of Nations ioyned their bandes together but the souldiers fell at discention one with another about the election of a Generall some voweâ— to follow none but the king of Ierusalem some Ptolomie the Egiptian King and some the Soldan of Persia euerie one protesting either to perseâ—er in their own willes or to loose their liues in the same quarrell Thus in this manner parties were taken on all sides not only by the meaner sort but by leaders and commaunders of bandes whereby the Kingâ—â—â— and Potentates were forced to commit their willes to the souldiers pleasure This ciuell broyle so dâ—scouraged the whole Armie that manye with drew their forces and presently marched homewards As the King of Moroco with hys tawnie Moores and cole-blacke Negers Likewise the Soldan of Persia Ptolomie the Egiptian King The Kinges of Arabia and Ierusalem euery one departed into their owne countries curâ—â—ng the time they attempted first so vaine an enterprize The rest not minding to pocket vp abuse â—ell from brauing boastes to downe right blows wherby grew such a sharp and bloody war that it cost more souldiers liues than the ciuell mutenie at the destruction of Ierusalem which battaile by the irefull Pagans continued without ceasing for the space of three monthes In which Encounters the murthered Infidels like scattered corne ouerspred the fields of Hungarie the fruitfull valleyes lay drowned in purple gore the fieldes of Corne consumed with flames of fire their Townes and Citties ruinated with wasting warre wherein the Fathers were sad witnesses of their Childrens slaughters and the Sonnes beheld their Parents reuerent haires more whiter than tryeâ— siluer besmeered with clodded blood there might the Mothers sée their harmelesse Babes bâ—rne vp and â—owne the streets vpon souldiers Lances there might they sée their silken ornamentes and riche attire in pooles of blood lye swimming vp and downe there might theâ— see the braines of honest Dames and pure Uirgiâ—s daâ—â—t against hard â—â—intie stones there might they 〈◊〉 theâ—â— Câ—urts Pallaceâ— by souldiâ—rs burned to the ground there might they sée howe Councellers in their Scarlet gownes lay burning in the fire there might they see how Kings Queenes were arme in arme consumed to ashes there might they behode and sée howe melted gold in choâ—ked sinkes lay euerie where there might they see the bloodiest tragedies that euer eye beheld and the wofulâ—â— newes that euer Christians eare heard tolde In this long and bloody warre one sucking child was not left aliue to report the story to insuing ages No not a souldier to carry Armes throughout the Kingdome of Hungaria so â—ustly was the vengeance of God throwne vpon the heads of these misbeléeuing miscreants that durst attempt to lift their handes against hys true anoynted Nations for no doubt but the inuincible Armie of the Pagans had ruâ—â—â—ted the borders of Europe had not the mightie hand of God with hys vnspeakeable mercie béene Christendomes defence and confounded the Infidels in their owne ciuell warres which bloody and strange ouerthrow of those vnchristian people let vs for euer burie in the lake of obliuion and perseuer in the fortunate procéedinges of the seauen Champions â—â— Christendome who had entred the borders of Barberie before Almidor the blacke king of Moroco with hys scattered Troupes of Moores and Negars returned from Hungarie and by fire and sword had wasted â—any of his chiefest Tâ—wnes and Fortes whereby the Countrie was much weakned and the Commonâ— compelled to sue for mercie to the Champions hands who bearing 〈◊〉 Christian minds within their hearts continuall 〈◊〉 hâ—â—boured vouchsafed to graunt meâ—cie to those that yeelded their liâ—es to the pleasure of the Christian Knights But when S. George had intelligence of Almidors approach with his weakned Troupes presently prepared hys Souldiers in readines to giue the Moores a bloody banquet which was the next morning by breake of â—ay perfourmed to the high honour of Christendâ—me but the night before the Moores knowing the countrie better than the Christians got the aduantage both of winde and Sunne whereat Saint George being something displeased but yet nothing discouraged imboldned hys souldies with many Heroicall spéeches proffering them franklie the enemies spoyles and so with the Sunnes vprising entred battell where the Moores fell before the Christians swords as eares of corne before the reapers fâ—â—kle During this conflict the seauen Champions still
in the foreâ—runt of the battell so aduenturously behaued them selues that they slew more Negars than a hundred of the brauest Knights in the Christian Armies At last Fortune intending to make saint Georges prowesse to shinâ— brighter than the rest singled out the Moroco King betwixt whom and the English Champion was a long dangerous fight But saint George so couragiouslye behaued him with his trustie sword that Almidor was constrained to yeeld 〈◊〉 his mercie The Armie of the Moores séeing their King taken prisoner presently would haue fled but that the Christians béeing the lighter of foote ouertooke them and made the greatest slaughter that euer hapned in Barberie Thus after the battell ended and the ioyfull sound of victorie rung through the Christian Armie the souldiers furnished themselues with the enemies spoyles and martched by saint Georges direction to the Cittie of Tripolie being then almost vnpeopled through the late slaughter In which Cittie after they had râ—sted some few dayes and refreshed themselues with holsome food the English Champion in reuenge of his former proffered iniuries by the Moroco King gaue hys seuere sentence of death First hee commaunded a brazen cauldron to bee filled with boyling Lead and Brimstone then Almidor to be brought to the place of death by twelue of the Noblest Pieres in Barberie therein to be consumed flesh blood and bone which was duelie performed within seauen dayes following the brazen cauldron was erected by the appointment of saint George directlie in the middle of the chiefest Market place vnder which a mightie hot fire continually burned for the space of of eight and fortie houres whereby the boyling Lead and Bâ—imstone seemed to sparckle like the fierie furnaces in hell and the heate to eâ—ceede the burning Ouen at Babilon Thus all thinges béeing no sooner prepared in a readines the Christian Champions present to behold the wofull spectakle but the condemned Blackâ—more King came to the place of Execution in a shirt of the finest Indian silk his hands pinniond together with a chaine of gold his face couered with a Damske Scarfe his attendants chiefe conducters twelue Moroco Pieres clad in Sablâ— gownes of Taffetie carring before him the whéele of fortune with the picture of a Usurper climbing vp with this Motto on his breast I will be king in spite of Fortune vpon the top of the whéele the picture of a Monarke vaunting with this Motto on his breast I am a King in spite of Fortune Lastly on the other side of the Wheele the picture or perfect image of a deposed Potentate falling with hys head downewards with this Motto on hys breast I haue beene a King so pleaseth Fortune which plainelie signified the chaunce of warre and the constancie of destenie hys guard was a thousand Christian souldiers holding fortune in disdaine after them attended a hundred of Moroco virgins in blacke ornaments their haire bounds vp with siluer wiers and couered with vales of black silke signifiing the sorrow of their countrie for the losse of their Soueraigne In this mournefull manner came the vnfortunate Almidor to the boyling Câ—ulderne which wheÌ„ he beheld hys heart waxed cold and his tongue dâ—ueide of vtterance for a time yet at last he brake foorth into thesâ— earnest protestations proffering more for his life than the whole Kingdome of Barberie can performe Most mightie inuincible Champion of Christendome quoth he let my life be ransomed and thou shâ—lâ— yearely receaue ten tunnes of â—ried gold a hundred inchs of wouen silke the which our Indian maides shall sit and spinne â—ith siluer whéeles a hundred Arguses of spices and â—efined suger shal be yearely paid thee by our Barberie 〈◊〉 a hundred waggons likewise richly laden wit◠〈◊〉 aâ—d Iasper stones which by our cunning Lapidisies â—hall 〈◊〉 yearelie chosen foorth and brought â—hee home to England â—o make that blessed countrie the richest land within the Dominions of Europe Likewise I will â—eliuer vp my Diadem with all my Princely dignities and in companie of these Moroco Lordes like bridled Horses drawe thée daylie in a siluer Charriot vp and downe the serâ—led earth til death giues end to our liues Pilgrimage Therefore most admired Knight at Armes let these salt teares that trickle from the Conduits of my eyes obtaine one graunt of comfort at thy handes for on my bended knées I beg for life that neuer before this time did kneele to any mortallman Thou speakst in vaine replyed saint George it is not the treasures hidden in the déepest seas nor all the golden mines of rich America that can redéeme thy life thou knowest accursed Homicide thy wicked practises in the Egyptian Court where thou profferedst wrongfully to bereaue me of my life Likewise through thy treachery I endâ—red a long imprisonment in Persia where for seauen yeares I dranke the Channell water and suffizde my hunger with the breads of branne meale My foode the loathsome flesh of Rats and Mice and my resting place a dismall dungeon where neither sunne nor the chearefull light of heauen lent me comfort during my long continued misery For which inhumane dealing and proffered iniuries the hâ—auens inforceth mee to a spéedy reuenge which in this manner shall be accomplished Thou seest the Engine prepared for thy death this brazen Caldron fild with boyling lead and brimstone wherein thy cursed body shall be spéedily cast and boyled till thy detested limbs bee consumed to a watry sâ—bstance by this sparckling lickour therefore prepare thy selfe to entertaine the violent stroake of death and willingly byd all thy kingly dignities farewell But yet I let thée vnderstand that mercy harboreth in a Christians hart and where mercy dwels there faults are forgiuen vppon some humble penetence though thy trespasse deserues 〈◊〉 pitty but seuere punishment yet vpon these considerations I will graunt thée liberty of life First that thou wilt forsake thy false Gods Termagaunt Mahomet and Apollo which he but the vayne imaginations of man and beléeue in our true and euer liuing God vnder whose banner we Christians haue taken in hande this long warre Secondly thou shalt giue commandement that all thy barbarous Nations be christened in the faith of Christ Thirdly and lastly that thy thrée Kingdomes of Barbary Moroco India sweare true alleagance to all Christian Kings and neuer to beare Armes but in the true quarrell of Christ and his annoynted Nations These things duly obserued thy life shall be preserued and thy liberty obtayned otherwise looke for no mercy but a spéedy and most â—yrâ—ible death These wordes more displeased the vnchristian King of Morco than the sentence of his condemnation and in these briefe spéeches set downe his resolution Great Potentate of Europe replied Almidor by whose mightines fortune sits fettered in the chaines of power my golden Diadem and regall Scepter by constraint I must deliuer vp but before I forsake my countrie Gods I will indure a hundred deathes and before my conscience be reformed to a new faith the earth
her â—allying pastime with his haire could bring him a sléepe she strained forth the Organs of her voice and ouer his heade song this wofull Dittie Thou God of sleepe and golden dreames appeare That bringst all things to peace and quiet rest Close vp the glasses of his eies so cleare Thereby to make my fortune euer blest His eies his hart his senses and his minde In peacefull sleep let them some comfort finde Sing sweet you prettie birdes in top of Skyes With warbling tâ—nes and many a pleasant note Till your sweet Musicke close his watchfull eies That on my loue with vaine desires doth dote Sleepe on my deare sleepe on my loues delight And lâ—t this sleepe be thy eternall night You gentle Bees the Muses louelie birdes Come aide my dolefull tunes with siluer sound Let your inspiring melodie recorde Such heauenlie musicke that may qâ—ite confounde Both wit and sence and tier his eies with sleepe Thaâ— on my lap in sweet content I keepe You siluer streames which murmuring musicke makes Aâ—d filles each dale with pleasant Harmonie Where at the floting fish much pleasure takes To heare their sweet recording melodie Assist my tunes his slumbring eyes to close That on my lap now takes a sweet repose Let whispering windes in euerie sensles tree A solemne sad and dolefull Musicke sing From hilles and dales and from each mountaine â—ie Let some inspiring sound or eccho ring That he may neuer more awake againe Which sought my marriage bed with lust to staine This delightfull song rocked hys sences to such a careles and heauie slumber that â—e slept as soundly vpon her lappe as if he had béene couched in the softest bed of downe whereby she found a fit opportunitie to 〈◊〉 her vndefiled body from his lustfull desires So taking the Poyniard in her hand which he had cast a little aside and gazing thereon with an irefull looke she made this sad complaint Graunt you immortall powers of heauen said she that of these two extreames I choose the best either must I yeeld my body to bée dishonored by his vnchast desires or staine my handes with the trickling streames of his heart blood If I yéeld vnto the first I shall be then accounted for a viscious Dame in euerie place but if I commit the last I shall be guiltie of a wilfull murder and for the fame the law will adiudge me to a shamefull death What shall I feare to die and loose my vertue and renowne No my heart shall bée as tyrranous as Danaus Daughters that slewe their fiftie husbands in a night or as Medeas crueltie which scattered her brothers bloodie ioynts vpon the sea shore therby to hinder the swift pursute of her father when Iason got the golden Fléece from Calcos Ile Therefore stand still you glistring Lampes of heauen stay wandring time and let him sléepe eternally Where art thou sad Melpomene that speakst of nothing but of murthers and Tragedies Where be those Dames that euermore delights in blood Come come assist me with your cruelties let me excéede the hate of Progne for her rauishment rage hart and take delight in blood banish all thoughts of pitty from thy breast be thou as mercilesse as King Priams Quéene that in reuenge of fiue and twenty murthred sonnes with her owne hands staynd the pauements of Agamemnons Court with purple gore these words being no sooner ended but with wrathfull and pale countenance she sheathed the Poyniard vp to the hilts in the closure of his breast whereat he started and woulde haue got vpon his féete but the streame of blood so violently gushed from his wound that hee declined immediatly to the earth and his soule was forced to giue the world a dolefull adue But when Sabra behold the bedde of violets stainde with blood and euery flower conuerted to a crimson colour shée sighed grieuously but when she saw her garments all to be sprinckled with her enemies blood and he lay wallowing at her féete in purple goâ—e she ran spéedily vnto a flowing fountaine that stoode on the further side of the Orchard and began to wash the blood out of her clothes but the more shee washed the more it increased a signe that heauen will neuer suffer wilfull murder to be hid for what cause soeuer it is done This straunge spectakle or rather wonderfull accident so amazed the sorrowfull Lady that shee began a newe to complaine O that this wicked murther neuer had bin done said shée or that my hand had béene stroken lame by some vnluckie Plannet when first it did attempt the déede whether shall I flie to shrowde me from the company of vertuous women which will for euermore shun me as a detested murtherer If I should goe into some forraine Countrie there heauen will cast downe vengeance for my guilt If I should hide my selfe in woods and solitarie wildernesses yet would the winde discouer me and blow this bloody crime to euery corner of the world or if I should goe liue in Caues or darkesome Dennes within the déepe foundation of the earth yet will his Ghost pursue me there and haunt mee day and night so that in no place a murtherer can liue in rest such discontented thoughts shall still oppresse his mind After shée had breathed forth this comfortles lamentation to the aire she tore her blood stayned Garment from her backe and cast it into the fountaine where it turned the water into the colour of blood so heynous is murther in the sight of heauen Thus béeing disrobed into her Petticote she returned to the slaughtered Earle whome shee founde couered with mosse which added more griefe vnto her sorrowfull soule for she greatlie feared her murther was discried but it fell not out as she mustrusted for it is the nature and kind of a Robbin Red-brest and other birdes alwaies to couer the bodie of any dead man and them it was that brâ—d this feare in the Ladies heart by this time the day began to shut vp his bright windowes and sable night entred to take possession of the earth yet durst not the wofull and distressed Sabra make her repaire homewards lest she should bee discried without her vpper garment During which time there was a generall search made for the Earle by his seruauntes for they greatly suspected some daunger had befallen him considering that they heard him the night before so wofullie complaine in his Chamber At last with Torch light they came to the Orchard gate which they presently burst open wherein no sooner entring but they found their murthered Master lying by a bed of violets couered with mosse likewise searching to find out the murtherer At last they espied Sabra in her naked Petticote her handes face besprinckled with blood her countenance as pale as ashes by which signes they suspected her to be the bloody bereauer of their Lord Masters life therefore because she descended from a noble linnage they brought her the same night before the King which did then keepe
stay not I say deare Lorde to sée the Infant now sprawling in my wombe to be deliuered from the bed of his creation forsake my presence for a time and let mée like the Noble Quéene of Fraunce obtaine the fauour of some Fayrie to be my Midwife that my Babe may be as happily borne in this Wildernes as was her valiant Sons Vallentine and Orson the one of them was cherrisht by a King and the other by a Beare yet both of them grew famous in their déedes My paine is great deare Lord therefore depart my Cabbinet and before bright Phoebus lodgeth in the Wâ—st I shall eyther be a happie mother or a liueles body thou a ioyfull Father or a sorrowfull Widdower At which wordes Saint George sealed agreement with a kisse and silently departed without any reply but with a thousand sighes he had her adue and so tooke his way to the top of a MouÌ„taine being in distance froÌ„ hys Ladies abyding a quarter of a mile there kneeled hee during the time of her trauailes with hys bare knées vpon the bowels of the earth neuer ceasing prayer but continually soliciting the Mâ—â—estie of God to graunt his Lady a speedy deliuerie at whose diuine orizons the heauens seemed to relent and all the time of her paine coâ—ered the worlde with a vale of darkenes whole flights of birdes with Troupes of vntamed beasts â—ame flocking round about the Mountain where he knéeled and in their kindes assisted his celestiall contemplations where I will leaue him for a time and speake what hapned to Sabra in the middle of her paynes and extreamitie of her trauailes for after saint Georges departure the furie of her griefe so raged in her wombe that it exceeded the boundes of reason whereby hys hart was constrained to breath so many scortching sighes that they séemed to blast the leaues of trées and to wither the flowers which beautefied her Cabbinet her burthened tormentes caused her star-bright eyes like fountaines to distill downe siluer drops and all the rest of her bodie to tremble like a Castle in a tyrrible earthquake so grieuous was her paynes and rufull was her cryes that shee caused the mercilesse Tygers to relent and vntamed Lyons with other wilde Beastes like sillie Lambes to sit and bleate her grieuous cryes and bitter moanes caused the Heauens as it were to bleede their vapours downe and the earth to wéepe a spring of teares both hearbes and trées did sâ—eme to droope hard stonie Rockes to sweate when shee complayned At last her pittifull cries pearced downe too the lowest vaults of direfull Diâ— where Proserpâ—â—e â—is Crowned amongst her Fayries and so preuailed that in all haste she ascended from her regiment to worlde this Ladies 〈◊〉 deliuerie and â—o make her mother of 〈…〉 who 〈…〉 the dutie of 〈…〉 her wombe and safelie brought her 〈◊〉 into the worâ—d At whose first sight the heauens began to smile and the earth to reioyce as a signe and token that in time to come they would proue thrée of the Noblest Knights in the world This â—urteous déede of Proserpine béeing no sooner performed but she laide the three boyes in three most rich and sumptuous Cradles the which she caused her Fayries to fetch inuicible from thrée of the richest kinges in the world and therewithall mantles of silke with other things thervnto belonging Likewise she caused a winged Sâ—â—â—er to fetch from the furthiest borders of India a couering of dammaske Taâ—â—â—tie imbrodered with gold the most richest ornament that euen mortall eye behelde for thereon was wrought and 〈◊〉 portraied by the curious skill of Indian 〈◊〉 how God created heauen and earth the wâ—ndring courses both of Sunne and Moone and likewise howe the golden Plannets daylie doe prodominate Also there is no Storie in anye age remembred since the beginning of the world but it was thereon most pâ—â—fectly wrought So excellent it was that Art herselfe could neuer deuise a cuninger With this rich and sumptuous ornament shee couered the Ladies Childe-bed whereby it seemed to surpasse in brauerie the gorgeous bed of Iuno Queene of heauen wheÌ„ first she entertained imperious Ioue After this Proserpine laid vnder euerie childes pillow a siluer Tablet wheron was written in letters of gold their good and happy fortunes Under the first were these verses caractered who at that time lay frowning in hys Cradle like the God of Warre A souldiâ—â—â—old a man of wondrous might A King likewise this royall babe shal diâ— Three golden Dâ—â—de 〈◊〉 bloody fight By this braue Prince shalâ— conquered be The Towers of fayâ—r 〈◊〉 and Roome Shall yeeld to him in happ◠〈◊〉 to come Under the pillow of the second Babe was caractered these verses following who lay in his cradle smilâ—â—g like Cupid vpon the laâ—â—e of Dido whome Vâ—nus 〈…〉 to the liknes of Asâ—â—nius This childe shall likewise liue to be a King Times wonder for deuice and Courtly sporâ— His Tilâ—es and Turniments a broad shall ring To euery coast where Knightes resort Queenes shall atend and humble at his feete Thus loue and bewtie shall together meete Lastly vnder the pillow of the third were these verses likewise caractred who blushed in his cradle like Pallas when her stroue for the golden aple with Venus and the Quéene of heauen The Muses darling for true sapience In Princes Court this Babe shall spend his dayes Kinges shall admire his learned eloquence And write in brazen bookes his endles praise By Pallas gift he shall atchiue a Crowne Aduance his fame and lift him to renowne Thus when the Fayrie Quéene had ended her Prophesie vpon the Children and had left their golden Fortunes lying in their Cradles she vanished away leauing the Lady reioycing at her safe deliuerie and woondred at the gifts of Proserpine which she coniectured to bée but shadowes to dazell her eyes and thinges of a vaâ—ing substance but when shée had laide her bâ—ndes vppon the riche couering of Dammaske Taffatie which couered her mossie bed and felt that it was the selfe same forme that it séemed shée cast her eyes with a chearefull looke vp to the Maiestie of heauen and not onely gaue thankes to immortall Ioue for her rich receaued benefits but for his mercifull kindnes in makeing her the happie Mother of three such goodly children but we will now returne againe to the noble Champion Saint George whome we left praying vppon the mountaine top and as you heard before the skies were ouerspred with Sable Cloudes as though they had béene mourning witnesses of hys Ladies torments but before the golden Sunne had diu'de into watry Theâ—is lap the â—lemen began to cleare to withdraw her former mourning Mantles by which he supposed that heauen had piâ—â—ied his Ladies paines granted her a safe deliuerie therefore in all hast he retired back to the Siluaine Cabbinet the which he found most strangely deckt with sumptuous habilllments hys Lady lying in her Child-bed as glorious as if shee had béene the greatest Empresse in the
tumbling themselues against the warme Sunne and his thrée prettie babes sucking from their wombes their most vnkindly milke which spectackle so incouraged the Champion that without further aduisement with his single sword he assayled at one time the thrée Monsters but so furiously they pursued him that he little preuailed and being almost breathlesse was forced to leape into an Oringe trée else had hee béene buried in theyr mercilesse bowels but when the thrée wilde beasts perceiued him aboue theyr reaches and that by no meanes they could come néere him with theyr wrathfull iawes they so rent and tore the roote of the trée that if by pollicie hee had not preuented them the trée had béene puld in pieces for at that time it was so full of ripe Oringes and so ouerloden that the branches séemed to bend and the boughes to breake of which frute he cast such abundance downe to the beastes whereby they restrained theyr furies and fedde so fast thereon that in short time they grew drunke and quite ouercome with a dead and heauy sléepe this good and happy fortune caused S. George nimbly to leape from the trée and with his kéene edged sword deliuered theyr monstrous heades from theyr bodies the which being done he went to his children lying comfortlesse vppon a mossy banke who so pleasantly smiled in his face that they made him greatly to reioyce and to receiue as great pleasure in theyr sights as though hee had béene honoured with the Conquests of Caesar or the Royalty of Alexander therefore after he had giuen them his blessing he tooke them vp in his Armes and spake these wordes following Come come my pretty Babes your safe deliueries from these inhumane Monsters will adde long life vnto your mother and hath preserude your father from a desperate death from henceforth let heauen be your guides and send you as happy fortunes as Remus and Romulus the first founders of imperious Rome which in theyr infancies were nurced with the milke of a rauenous Wolfe and as prosperous in your aduentures as was that Persian Potentate which fed vppon the milke of a Bitch At the ende of which spéeches he approached the Cabbinet where he left his Lady mourning for the losse of her children but at his returne he found her almost without sence or moouing being not able to giue him a ioyfull welcome whereat hee fell into this extreame passion of sorrow O fortune fortune quoth hee how many griefes heapest thou vppon my heade wilt thou néedes inioyne me to an endles sorrow Sée Sabra see I haue redéemed our sonnes and freed them from the Tygers bloody iaws whose wrathfull countenance did threaten death Which comfortable speeches caused her presently to reuiue and to take the silly Infants in her Armes laying them sweetly vpon her yuorie bosome at which they seemed to smile as â—â—easantly as Cupid vpon the lappe of Dido when Aeneas sported in the Câ—uâ—t of Carthage the kinde imbraces louing spéeches and ioyfull conference that past betwixt the Champion and his Lady were now too long to be discoursed But to be short they remayned in the wildernesse without fuâ—ther disturbance either of wilde beasts or other accident till Sabra had recouered hir Child-bed sicknes and then beeing conducted bâ— a happie starre they returned backe the readie way to Christendome where after some few dayes trauaile they ariued in the Bohemian Court where the King of that Countrie 〈◊〉 two other bordering Princes most Royally Christned 〈◊〉 Children The eldest they named Guy the second Alexaâ—der and the third Dauid the which being performed and the Triumphes ended which in most sumpteous manner continued for the space of one month then the Bohemian King for the great loue hee bare vnto S. George prouided most honourably for his childrens bringing vp First he appoynted thrée seuerall Embassadours with all things necessary for so Princely a charge to conduct the thrée Infants to thrée seuerall Countries the first and eldest whose fortune was to be a souldier he sent to the imperiall Citty of Rome being then the wonder of the world for Martiall discipline there by the Emperour to bee trayned vp The seconde whose fortune was to bee a Courtly Prince hee sent to the rich and plentifull Country of England being the pride of Christendome for all delightfull pleasures The third and last whose fortune was to prooue a Scholler he sent into Germany to the Uniuersity of Wittenberge beeing thought at that time to bee the excellenst place of learning that remayned throughout the whole world Thus were saint Georges Children prouided for by the Bohemian King For when the Embassadours were in a readinesse the ships for theyr passage furnished and their attendance appoynted saint George in the company of his Lady the King of Bohemia with his Quéene and a trayne of Lords gentlemen and Ladyes conducted them to shipbord where the winde serued them so prosperously that in short time they bid adew to the shore and sayled chearefully away But as saint George returned backe to the Bohemian Court it was his chaunce to come by an olde ruinated Monastery vnder whose walles in former time his Father was buried the which he knewe by certaine verses that was carued in stone ouer his graue by the Commons of the Country as you may reade before in the beginning of this History Ouer the same he requested of the King that hée might erect a stately Monument that the remembraâ—ce of his name might liue for euer and not be buried in the graue of obscurity To which reasonable demaund the King most willingly consented and in all hast gaue speciall commandement that the cunningest Architectors that remayned within his Dominion should forthwith be sent for and withall gaue a tun of gold forth of his owne treasury towards the performance thereof The sodaine report of this memorable déede being bruted abroade caused workemen to come from euery place of their owne accord with such willingnes that they in short time finished it The foundation of the Toombe was of the purest Marble whereon was ingrauen the frame of the earth and how the watry Ocean was deuided with woods groues hilles and dales so liuely portrayed that it was a wonder to behold the props and Pinacles of Allablaster beset with knobs of Iasper stone the sides and Pillers of the clearest Iette vpon the topp stoode foure golden Lions holding vp as it were an Elemenâ— therein was curiously contriued the golden Sunne and Moone how the heauens haue vsuall courses with many other excellent thinges wrought both in gold and siluer which for this time I omit because I am forced at large to discouer the Princely procéedings of saint George who after the Monument was finished he with his Lady most humbly tooke their leaue of the King thanking him for his loue kindnes and curtesie and so departed towards Egypt and Persia of whose aduentures you shall heare more in this Chapter following CHAP. XVIII How Saint George with his Ladie ariued in Egipt Of their Royall entertainements to the Cittie of Graund Cayer And also how Sabra was Crowned Queene of Egipt MAny straunge accidents and dangerous aduentures saint George with his Lady passed before they ariued within the territories of Egipt that I want memorie to relate them and Aâ—te to discribe them But at last when fortune smiled which before had long time crossed their intents with her inconstant chaunces and had cast them happilie vpon the Egiptian shore being the nurse and mother of Sabraes first creation The twelue Pieres with whome saint George before time had committed the guiding of the Land and kéeping of his Crowne as you heard before discouâ—sed now met him and his Ladie at the Sea side most richly mounted vppon their costlie trapped Stéedes and willingly surrendred vp his Scepter Crowne and Regiment and after in companie of manie Princelie Estates both of Dukes Earles Lordes Knights Royall Gentlemen They attended thâ—m to the rich Cittie of Graund Caier being then vnder the subiection of the Egiptian Monarchie and the greatest Cittie in the world For it was in breadth and compasse full threescore miles and had by iust account within the walles twelue thousande Churches besides Abbies Priories and houses of Religion