THE MOST famous History of the Seven Champions of Christendom: Saint George of England, Saint Dennis of France, Saint james of Spain, Saint Anthony of Italy, Saint Andrew of Scotland, Saint Pattricke of Ireland, and Saint David of Wales. Showing their Honourable battles by Sea and Land: their Tilts, jousts, and Tournaments for Ladies: their Combats with Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: their adventures in foreign Nations: their enchantments in the holy Land: their Knighthoods, Prowess, and Chivalry, in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with their victories against the enemies of Christ.  
AT LONDON Printed for Cuthbert Burbie, and are to be sold at his shop, at the Royal Exchange. 1596.   

To the Right Honourable Lord Thomas Howard, etc. R. I. wisheth health, honour and happiness.  
Having heard (Right Honourable) by a general report of the laudable & virtuous qualities, wherewith your Honour's mind is beautified, and your favourable acceptance of good will from the meanest, I have attempted (though fearing to fall like Phaiton) to present into your Lordship's hands this homely gift: which is a History of the seven Champions of Christendom, whole names to this day is held in great estimation through Europe: where in steed of music, I bring you mislike: for a learned book, an ildle discourse: thereby to beguile your ingenious judgements exercised in the best rudiments. Yet presuming upon this, that as the Noblest minds are ever the most courteous, so your Honour will vouchsafe to cast a smiling glance at this simple toy: if not for the workmanship, yet for the good will of the giver: wherewith if I be favoured (as I hope well) my labour hath his reward, and my desire his content: in which assured hope resting, I commit your Honour to the Almighty.  
Your Honours in all humility most affectionate. R. I.   

To all courteous Readers, Richard johnson wisheth increase of virtuous knowledge.  
GEntle Readers in kindness accept of my labours, and be not like the chattering Cranes nor Momus mates, that carps at everything: what the simple say I care not: what the spiteful speak I pass not: only the censure of the conceited I stand unto, that is the mark I aim at: whose good likeinges if I obtain, I have won my race: if not, I faint in the first attempt, and so lose the quiet of my happy goal.  
Yours in kindness to command. R. I.   

The Author's Muse upon the History.  

THe famous facts O Mars derived from thee▪  
By weary pen, and painful Author's toil:  
Enrolled we find, such feats of Chivalry,  
As hath been seldom seen in any soil.   

Thy ensigns here we find in field displayed,  
The Trophies of thy victories erected:  
Such deeds of Arms, as none could have assayed,  
But Knights, whose courage fear hath not detected▪   

Such Ladies saved, such monsters made to fall,  
Such Giants slain, such hellish Furies quelled:  
That human forces few or none at all,  
In such exploits, their lives could safely shield.   

But virtue stirring up their Noble minds,  
By valiant Conquests to enlarge their Fames:  
Hath caused them seek, adventures forth to find,  
Which registereth their never dying names.  
Then Fortune, Time, and Fame agree in this,  
That Honours gain the greatest glory is.   
Gentle Reader, bear with the faults overpast in correction, and they shall be amended God willing, in the next Impression.   

The Honourable History of the Seven Champions of Christendom.  
CHAP. I.  
Of the wonderful and strange birth of Saint George of England, how he was cut out of his Mother's womb, and after stole from his Nurses by Kalyb the Lady of the woods: Her love to him, and her gifts, and how he enclosed her in a rock of stone, and redeemed six Christian Knights out of prison.  
AFter the angr●e Greeks has 〈◊〉 the chiefest City in Phrigi●, and turn● King Priam's glorious buildings to a 〈◊〉 and desolate wilderness, Duke Aenzas exempted from his native habitation, with many of his distressed countrymen (〈◊〉 Pilgrims) wandered the world to 〈◊〉 some happy region, where they might erect the Image of their late subverted Troy, but before that labour could 〈◊〉 accomplished, Aenaeas ended his days in the con●i●●s of Italy, and left his son Askanius to govern in his 〈◊〉, Askanius dying 〈◊〉 Silvius to rule, Silvius deceasing, le●t ●he noble and ●●●ent●rous Brutus, which Brute (being the and hollow trees, wherein they were entertained with such a dismal croaking of night Ravens, hissing of Serpents, b●llowing of Bulls, and roaring of monsters, that it rather seemed a wilderness of furies, than any worldly habitation: by which they knew it to be the inchoated vale of Kalyb the Lady of the woods: So pacing 〈◊〉 the middle of the thicket, they came to a Ca●e whose gate and entry was of Iron, whereon hung a mighty brazen borne for them to wind that would speak with the Sorceress, first offering their Lamb with great humlitie before the postern of the Cave, then exempting all fear they wound the brazen horn, the sound whereof seemed to shake the foundation of the earth, after which they heard a loud and hollow voice that uttered these words following.  

Sir Knight from whence thou camest return,  
Thou hast a Son most strangely borne:  
A Dragon fell shall split in twain,  
Thy Lady's womb with extreme pain:  
A Champion bold from thence shall spring,  
And practise many a wondrous thing:  
Return therefore make no delay,  
For it is true what I do say.   
THis da●ke Ri●●le or rather mystical Oracle being thrice repeated in this order, so much amazed them that they stood in doubt whether it were b●st to return, or to wind the br●●en borne the second time: but being persuaded by the other Knight not to move the impatience of Kalyb, he rested satisfied with that answer.  
Thus le●● he the enchanted Cave to the government of Kalyb, and with all sp●●de dispatched his journey to his 〈◊〉 habitation, but in the mean● time his Lady b●ing overcharged with extr●●me pain and bitter anguish of her laboursome womb, 〈◊〉 forced either to the spoil of her Infant, or decay of her own life: But regarding more the benefit of her country, than ●er own safety, and for the preservation of her child, ●hee most willingly committed her tender womb to be opened, that her Infant might be taken forth alive.  
Thus with the consent of many learned chirurgeons, this most Noble and Magnanimous Lady was cast into a dead sl●epe, her womb cut up with sharp razers, and the Infant taken from the bed of his creation: Upon his breast nature had pictured the lively form of a Dragon, upon his right hand a bloody Cross, and on his left leg a golden garter, they named him George, and provided him three nurses, one to give him suck, another to keep him a sleep, and the third to provide him food, not many days after his nativity, the fell Enchantress Kalyb being the utter enemy to true Nobility, by charms and witchcrafts st●le the Infant from his careless Nurses: At which time (though all too late) her Noble Lord and Husband returned in g●●d hope to he●re a joyful delivery of his Lady, and a comfort of a So●ne: but his wished joy, was turned into a lasting sorrow, for he found not only his Lady dismembered a● her womb, but his young Son wanting, without 〈…〉 of his abode; which woeful spectacle bereft 〈◊〉 of his wi●●, that for a time he stood senseless like weeping N●obe, but a● l●st brake into these bitter exclamations.  
O heau●n●! why cover you not earth with everlasting night? or why do these accursed eye● behold the sun? O that the wo●s of Oedipus might end my da●es, or like an exile joy in banishment, where I may warble forth my sorrows to the whispering woods, tha● senseless tr●●s may record my loss, & vn●ame● beasts grieve at my want. What monster hath ber●aud● me of my Child? or what Tyrant hath been glutted with his Tragedy? ● that the wind would be a messenger and bring me happy news of his abode, if he be drenched in the deepest Seas, ●●ether will I dive to fetch him 〈◊〉 he be hidden in the 〈…〉 earth, th●ther will I dig to se● my sonn●▪ or if he like a scathered foul lie hovering in the air, yet thither will I fly, and embrace him that never 〈◊〉 eyes beholds: But why do I thunder forth my exclamations thus in 〈◊〉, when neither heaven, nor earth, nor seas, nor 〈…〉 heaven, in earth, nor seas will lewd me comfort for 〈…〉 coverie?  
Thus complained he many months' for the los●● of his son, and sent messengers into every Circuit of the Land, but no man pro●●e so fortunate as to return him happy tidings: He then b●eing frustrate of all good hopes, stored himself with jewels, and so intended to travail the wide world, either to speed in his journey, or to leave his bones in some foreign region: T●ns leaving his native Country, wandered from place to place, till the hair●s of his head were grown as white as silver, and his beard like to the thistle down, but at l●st he ended his travail in Bohemia, where what for age and excessive grief, laid himself down under a ruinated Monastery wall & died, the Commons of that country having knowledge of his name (by a jewel he wore in his bosom) engraved it in Marble stone right over his sepulchre, where we leave him sleeping in peace, and return to his son remaining with Kalyb the Lady of the woods in the enchanted Cave.  
Now twice seven years were fully finished since Kalyb first had in keeping the Noble Knight Saint George of England, whose mind many times thirsted after honourable adventures, and often attempted to set himself at liberty, but the f●ll enchantress tendering him as the apple of her eye, appointed twelve sturdy Satyrs to attend his person, so that neither force nor policy could further his intent: she kept him not to triumph in his Tragedy, nor to spend his d●yes in slavery, but feeding his fancy with all the delights and pleasures that Art or Nature could 〈◊〉: For in him she fixed her chiefest felicity, and luste● after his be●●tie: But he seeking to advance his name by Martial Discipline and Knightly attempts, utterly refused her preffered courtesies, and highly disdained to affect so wicked a creature: who seeing her love bestowed in vain, upon a time being in the secretest corner of her Cave, began 〈…〉 him in this manner.  
●hou knowest (Sir Knight) how worthily I have deserved thy Love, and how for thy sake I have kept my Uirginity unstainde▪ yet thou more cruel than the Tigers breed in Libya, rejecteth me. Dear Knight fulfil my desires, and at thy pleasure my charms shall practise wondrous things, as to move the heavens to rain a shower of stones upon thy enemies, to convert the Sun to f●re, the Moon to blood, or make a desolation of the whole world.  
The Noble Knight Saint George considered in his mind that Love would make the wisest blind: Therefore by her fair promises he hoped to obtain his liberty, the which moved him to make her this answers.  
Most wise and learned Kalyb, the wonder of the world, I condescend to all thy desires upon this condition, that I may be sole Projector and Governor of this Enchanted Cave, and that thou describe to me my birth, my name, and Parentage, whereto she willingly consented, and began her discourse in this manner. Thou art by birth said she, son to the Lord Albert high Steward of England, and to this day have I kept 〈…〉 within these solitary woods: So taking him by the hand she led him 〈…〉▪ wherein remained as prisoners, fire of the 〈◊〉 knights in the world: These are said she six of the worthiest 〈◊〉 of Christendom, the first is Sain● Dennis of France, the second Saint james of Spain, the third Saint A●ho●ie of Italy, the fourth Saint Andrew 〈◊〉 scotland▪ 〈◊〉 Pattricke of Ireland, the sixth Saint David of Wales 〈◊〉 of thou art borne to be the 〈◊〉, and thy 〈◊〉 Sa●●t George of England, for so thou shalt be 〈…〉 to come▪ Than leading him a 〈◊〉 further she brought him into a large fair 〈◊〉 whe●● s●ood seven of the 〈◊〉 steeds that ●uer the world behold, ●ixe of these (said she) belong to the six Champions, and the seventh will▪ bestow on thee, whose name is Ba●ard: likewise she lead him to another room, where hung the richest Armour that ●uer eye beheld, so choosing out the strongest Corslet 〈◊〉 armory, she with her own hands buckled it on his breast, laced on his Hel●ne, and attired him with rich Caparison, then fetching forth a mighty ●a●chion, she put it likewise in his hand, (now said she) art thou Armed in richer furniture than was Ninus the first Monarch of the world: thy steed is of such force and invincible power, that whilst thou art mounted on his back, there can be no Knight in all the world so hardy as to conquer thee: Thy Armour of the purest Lydian steel, that neither weapon can pierce, nor Battle axe bruise, thy sword which is called Ascalon is framed of such excellent mettle by the curious workmanship of the Ciclops, that it will separate and cut the hardest ●lint, and how in sunder the strongest steel, for in the pummel lies such precious virtue, that neither treason, witchcrafts, nor any violence can be proffered thee, so long as thou wearest it.  
Thus the lustful Kalyb being so blinded in her own conceit, that she not only bestowed the riches of her Cave upon him, but gave him power and authority through a silver wand which she put in his hand to work her own destination for coming by a huge great rock of stone, this valiant minded Knight struck his charming r●d thereon, whereat it opened, and showed apparently before his eyes a number of sucking Babes which the Enchantress had mirthered by her witchcrafts and sorceries: O said she this is ● place of horror, where nought is heard but scrikes and 〈◊〉 groans of dead men's souls, but if thy ears can ind●re● hear them, and thy eyes behold them, I will lead the 〈◊〉 So the Lady of the woods boldly stopping in before▪ 〈◊〉 mistrusting the pr●tended policy of S. George, 〈…〉 in her own practices, for no sooner entered the the rock, but he struck his silver wand thereupon, and immediately it closed, where she bellowed forth exclamations to the senseless stones without all hope of delivery.  
Thus this Noble Knight deceived the wicked Enchantress Kalyb, and set the other six Champions likewise at liberty, who rendered him all Knightly courtesies, & gave him thanks for their safe delivery, so storing themselves with all things according to their desires, took their journeys from the Enchanted grove, whose proceeding fortunes and heroical adventures shall be showed in this Chapter following.   

CHAP. II.  
Kalybs Lamentation in the Rock of stone, her Will & Testament, and how she was torn in pieces by Spirits: with other things that happened in the Cave.  
BUT after the departure of the seven worthy Champions, Kalyb seeing herself fast closed in the rock of stone, by the policy of the English Knight, grew into such extreme passion of mind, that she cursed the hour of her creation, and bitterly b●nned all motions of conjuration, the earth she wearied with her cries, whereby the very stones seemed to relent, and as it were, wept crystal tears, & sweat with very anguish of her grief: the blasted Oaks that grew about the Enchanted rock, likewise seemed to rue at her exclamations, the blustering winds were silent, the murmuring of Birds still, and a solitary dumbnes took possession of every 〈…〉 within the 〈◊〉 of the woods, to hear h●r woeful Lamentation, which she uttered in this man●●●.  
O miserable Kalyb! accursed be thy destiny, for 〈◊〉 thou art enclosed within a desolate & darksome den, where neither sun can lend thee comfort with his bright beams, nor air extend his breathing coolness to thy woeful soul,: for in the deep foundations of the earth, thou art for evermore enclosed: I that have been the wonder of my time for Magic, I that by Art have made my journey to the deepest dungeons of hell, where multitudes of ugly black and fearful spirits hath trembled at my charms: I that have bound the furies up in beds of steel, and caused them to attend my pleasure like swarms of hornets, that overspreads the mountains in Egypt, or the flies upon the parched hills, where the tawny tanned Moors do inhabit▪ am now constrained to languish in eternal darkness: woe to my soul: woe to my charms, and woe to all my Magic spells: for they have bound me in this hollow rock: pale be the brightness of the clear sun, and cover earth with everlasting darkness, skies turn to pitch, the elements to flaming fire, ror● hell, quake earth, swell seas, blast earth, rocks rend in twain, all creatures mourn at my confusion, and sigh at Kalybs woeful and pitiful exclamations.  
Thus wearied she the time away, one while accusing Fortune of t●rrany, another while bl●ming the falsehood & treachery of the English Knight, sometimes fearing her curled locks of bristled hair, that like a wreath of s●●kes hung dangling down her deformed neck, then beating her breasts, another while rending her ornaments, whereby she seemed more liker ● fury than an earthly creature, so impatient was this wicked enchantress Kalyb being ●●u●trate of all hope of recovery, began a fresh to thunder forth these terms of conjuration: C●me, c●me you Princes of the elements, c●me, come and tear this rock in pieces, and let me be enclosed up in the eternal languishment: appear you shadows of black missy night: Mag●ll, C●math, Helueza, Zontomo: Come when I call, venite ●estinate inquam: At which words the earth began t● quake, and the very elements to tremble: for all the spirits both of air, of earth, of water, and of fire were obedient to her charms, and by multitudes came fl●cking at her call: some from the fire in the likeness of burning Dragons, breathing f●om their tearful nostrils, sulphur and flaming Brimstone, some from the water in shape of Fishes, with other deformed creatures, that hath their abiding in the Seas, some from the air the purest of the elements, in the likeness of Angels and other bright shadows, and other some from the gross earth most ugly, bl●●ke and dreadful to behold: So when the legions of spirits had encompassed the wicked Enchantress, hell began to roar such an infernal and harsh melody, that the Enchanted rock burst in twain, and then Kalybs chermes took no effect, for her Magic no longer endured, than the term of an hundred years, the which as then were fully finished and brought to end: for the Obligation which she subscribed with her dearest blood, and sealed with her own hands, was brought as a witness against her, by which she knew and fully persuaded herself that her life was fully come to end: therefore in this fearful manner she began to make her Will & latest Testament.  
First welcome (said she) my sad Executors, welcome my grave and everlasting tomb, for you have di●d● it in the fiery lakes of Phlegeton my winding sheet wherein to shroud both my body and condemned soul, is a Calderne of boiling l●●d and brimstone, and th● wor●es that should consume my Car●●sse, are the fiery forks which toss burning firebrands from place to place, from furnace to furnace, and from calderne to calder●●▪ therefore attend to Kalybs woeful testament▪ a●d ingra●e the Legacies she gives in brass rolls upon the burning banks of Acheron. First these eyes that now too late weep helpless tears I give unto the watery spirits, for they have raked the treasures hidden in deepest Seas to satisfy their most insatiate looks: next I bequeath th●se hands which did subscribe the bloody Obligation of my perpetual banishment from joy, unto those spirits that hover in the Air: my tongue that did conspire against the Majesty of Heaven, I give to those spirits which have their b●●ing in the fire: my earthly heart I bequeath to those gr●ce Daemons that dwell in the dungeons of the earth: and the rest of m● condemned body, to the torments due to my deservings: which strange and fearful Testament, being no sooner ended, but all the spirits generally at one instance ceased upon the Enchantress and dismembered her body to a thousand pieces, and divided her limbs to the corners of the earth, one member to the Air, another to the water, another to the fire, and another to the earth, which was carried away in a moment by the spirits, that departed with such a horror, that all things within the hearing thereof suddenly died, both Beasts▪ Birds, and all creeping worms which remained within the compass of those enchanted woods, for the trees which before was wont to flourish with green leaves, withered away and died, the blades of grass perished for want of natural moisture, which the watery cloud denied to nourish in s● wicked a place.  
Thus by the judgements of the heavens, senseless things perished for the wickedness of Kalyb, whom we leave to her endless torments both of body and soul, and return to the seven worth● Champions of Christendom, whose laudable adventures fame hath in●old in the books of memory.   

CHAP. III.  
How Saint George slew the burning Dragon in Egypt, and redeemed Sabra the kings Daughter from death: How he was betrayed by Almidor the black King of Morocco, and sent to the Sultan of Persia, where he slew two Lions and remained seven years in prison.  
AFter the seven Champions departed from the Enchanted Cave of Kalib, they made their abode in the C●●tie of Coventrie, for the space of nine months, in which time they erected up a sumptuous & costly monument over the hearse of Saint George's Mother, and so in that time of the year, when the spring had overspread the earth, with the mantles of Flora, they Armed themselves like wandering Knights, and took their journey to seek for foreign adventures, accounting no dishonour so great, as to spend their days in idleness achieving no memorable accident: So travailing for the space of thirty days without any adventure worthy the noting, at length came to a large broad Plain, whereon stood a brazen pillar, whereat seven several ways divided, which caused the seven Knights to forsake each others company, and to take every one a contrary way, where we leave six of the Champions to their contented travails, and wholly discourse upon the fortunate success of our worthy English knight, who after some few months' travail, happily arrived within the ●eretories of Egypt, which country as then was greatly annoyed with a dangerous D●●gon but before he had journeyed fully the distance of a 〈◊〉, the silent night approached, and solitary stil●es took possession of all living things, at last he espied 〈…〉, wherein he purposed to rest his ho●se, and to take so●e repast after his weary journey, till the 〈◊〉 had renewed his morning's light that he might f●●l to 〈◊〉 travail again: but entering the Cottage, he found 〈◊〉 Hermit overworn with years, and almost consumed with grief: to whom he beg●n in this manner to confer.  
Father (said he) for so you seem by your gravety, may a travailer for this night crave entertainment within your Cottage, not only for himself but his horse, or is there some City near at hand, whitherto I may take my journey without danger: The oldman starting at the sudden approach of Saint George, replied unto him in this order.  
Sir Knight (quoth he) of thy country I need not demand, for I know it by thy Burgonet, (for indeed thereon was graven the Arms of England,) but I sorrow for thy ●ard fortune that it is thy destiny to arrive in this our country of Egypt: Wherein is not left sufficient alive to bury the dead, such is the distress of this land, through a dangerous and tirrible Dragon now ranging up and down the country: which if he be not every day appeased with a pure and true virgin, which he devoureth down his venomous bowels, but that day so neglected will he breathe such a stench from his nostrils, whereof will grow a most grievous plague and mortality of all things, which use hath been observed for these four and twenty years, but now there is not left one true virgin but the King's only daughter throughout Egypt, which Damsel to morrow must be offered up in Sacrifice to the Dragon: Therefore the King hath m●de Proclamation, that if any Knight dare prove so adventurous as to combat with the Dragon, and preserve his daughter's life▪ shall in reward have her to his wife, and the Crown of Egypt after his dis●●ase.  
This large proffer so encouraged the English Knight that he vowed either to redeem the kings Daughter, or else to lose his life in that honourable enterprise: So taking his repose and nightly rest in the old man's Hermitage, till the cheerful Cock being the true messenger of day, gave him warning of the suns uprise, which caused him to bu●kle on his Armour, and to furnish his Steed with strong habiliments of war, the which being done he took his journey guided only by the old Hermit to the valley where the kings Daughter should be offered up in Sacrifice: But when he approached the sight of the valley, he espied a far off a most fair and beautiful Damsel, attired in pure Arabian silk going to sacrifice, guarded to the place of death only by s●ge & modest Matrons, which woeful sight so encouraged the English Knight to such a forwardness, that he thought every 〈◊〉 a day till he had redeemed the Damsel from the Dragon's tyrran●e: So approaching th● Lady, gave her comfort of delivery, and returned her back to her Father's Palace again.  
After this the Noble Knight like a bold adventurous Champion entered the valley, where the Dragon had his residence, who no sooner had a fight of him, but he gave such a tir●able y●ll as though it had thundered in the ●llements, the bigness of the Dragon was fearful to behold, for betwixt his shoulders and his tail were fifty foot in distance, his scales glisteren brighter than silver, but far more harder than brass, his belly of the colour of gold, but more bigger than a Tun. T●us weltered he from his hideous den, and fiercely assailed the study Champion with his burning wings, that at the first encounter, he had almost felled him to the ground, but the Knight nimbly recovering himself, gave the Dragon such a thrust with his 〈◊〉, t●at it shiverd in a thousand pieces, whereat the furious Dragon so fiercely smote him with his venomous tail, that down fell man and horse, in which fall two of Saint George's ribs were sore bruised, but yet stepping backward, it was his chance to leap under an Orringe tree, which tree had such precious virtue, that no venomous worm durst come within the compass of the branches, nor within seven foot thereof, where this valiant Knight rested himself until he had recovered his former strength: who no sooner feeling his spirits revived, but with an eager courage smote the burning Dragon under his yellow burnished belly with his trusty sword Askalon, whereout came such abundance of venom, that it sprinkled upon the Champion's Armour, whereby immediately through the empoisoned strength of the venom his Armour burst in twain, and the good Knight fell into a grievous and dead sound, that for a time he lay breathless: but yet having that good memory remaining, that he tumbled under the branches of the Orringe tree; in which place the Dragon could proffer him no further violence. The fruit of the tree was of such an excellent virtue, that whosoever tasted thereof should presently be cured of all manner of diseases and infirmities whatsoever: So it was the Noble Champions good and happy fortune, a little to recover through the virtue of the tree, and to espy an Orringe which a little before had dropped down wherewith he so refreshed himself, that he was in short time as sound as when he first began the encounter: Then kneeled he down and made his divine supplication to heaven, that God would send him (for his dear sons sake) such strength and agility of body as to slay the furious and tirrable monster, which being done, with a bold and courageous heart, he smote the Dragon under the wing, where it was tender without scale, whereby his good sword Askalon with an easy passage went to the very hilts through both the Dragon's heart, liver, bone and blood, whereout issued such abundance of purple gore, that it turned the grass which grew in the valley into a crimson colour, & the ground which before parched through the burning stinch of the Dragon, was now drenched with overmuch moisture which voided from his venomous bowels, where at last through want of blood, and long continuance in fight, the Dragon yielded his vital spirits to the mercy of the conquering Champion. The which being happily performed, the Noble Knight Saint George of England, first yielding due honour to Almighty God for the victory, then with his good sword Askalon he cut off the Dragon's head and pitched it upon the truncheon of a spear, which at the beginning of the battle he shivered against the Dragon's scaly back: During this long and dangerous Combat, his trusty Steed lay altogether in a sound without any moving, which caused the English Champion with all speed to crush the juice of an Orringe into his cold mouth: the virtue whereof, presently expelled the venomous poisons, and recovered his former strength again.  
There was as then remaining in the Egyptian Court, one Almidor the black King of Morocco, who long had prosecuted (in the way of marriage) the Love of Sabra the kings daughter, but by no policy, means, nor manhood, could he accomplish what his har● desired: But now finding opportunity to express his treacherous mind, intended to rob and spoil Saint George of his victory, whereby he thought to attain the gracious favour, and singular g●●d liking of his Lady and Mistress, who loathed his company like the detested Crokadiles, but even as the Wolf though all in vain barks at the Moon: So this fantastical and cowardly Almidor, through many rich gifts and fair promises, hired twelve Egyptian Knights to beset the valley where Saint George slew the burning Dragon, & by force bereave him of his conquest: But when this magnanimous Champion of England came riding in triumph from the valley, aspected to have been entertained like a Conqueror with Drums and Trumpets, or to have heard the bells of Egypt rung a joyful sound of victory, or to have have seen the str●etes beautified with bonfires: but contrary to his imagination was he met with Troops of Armed Knights, not to conduct him peacefully to the Egyptian Court, but by falsehood and treachery to despoil him of his life and honour: For ne sooner had he ridden past the entry of the valley, but he espied how the Egyptian Knights brandished their weapons, and divided themselves to intercept him in his journey to the Court: By which he knew them to be no faithful friends, but vowed enemies: So tying his Horse to a Hatkorne tree, he intended to try his fortune on foot for fear of disadvantage, they being twelve to one, but in the skirmish Saint George so valiantly behaved himself with his trusty sword Askalon, that at one stroke he slew three of the Egyptian Knights, and before the golden Diamond of heaven had wandered the zodiac th● compass of an hour: but some he dismembered of thei● heads: some had their limbs lopped off: some their bodies cut in twain, & some their entrails trailing down, so that not one was left alive to carry news to Almidor the black King, which stood (during all the time of skirmish) a far off upon a mountain top, to behold the success of his hired Champions: But when he saw the Egyptians bloody Tragedies, & how the happy fortune of the English Knight had won the honour of the day: he accursed his destiny, and accused the Queen of chance with cruelty, for disappointing his pretended enterprise, but having a heart fraught with all wicked motions▪ secretly vowed in his soul, to practise by some other treachery S. George's utter confusion: So ●unning before to the Court of King Ptolemy, not revealing what had happened to the twelve Egyptian Knights, but ●rying in every place as he went, Victoria, Victoria, the enemy of Egypt is slain. Then Ptolemy commanded everse street of the City to be hung with rich Ar●as & imbrothere● Tapestry, and likewise provided a sumptuous Chariot of gold, the wheels and other timb●● work of the purest ebony, the covering thereof was made of purple silk, cross b●rde with sta●es of gold: Likewise a hundred of the Noblest Peers of Egypt, attired in Crimson Velvet and white, mounted on milk white Coursers with rich Caparison attended the coming of S. George: Thus all things apopinted for his Honourable entertainment, which they performed in such solemn order, ●hat I lack memory to describe it: For when he first entered the gates of the City, he heard such a melodious h●rmonie of heavenly sounding Music, that it seemed in his conceit to surpass the sweetness of the Cherubins, or the holy company of Angels: Then they most Royally presented him with a sumptuous and co●●ly Pale of gold, and after invested him in that ivory Chariot, wherein he was conducted to the Palace of King Ptolemy, where this Nobl●●nd Princely minded Champion, surrendered up his conquest and victory to the seemly hands of the beauteous Sabra: where she with like courtesy and more humility requited his bounty: For at the f●●st sight of the English Knight, she was so ravished with his Princely countenance, that for a time she was not able to speak: Yet at last taking him by the hand she led him to a rich pavilion, where she unarmed him, and with most precious sal●●s embalm his wounds, & with her ●eares washed away the blood, which being done she furnished a table with all manner of dillicates for his repast, where her Father was present, who demanded his Country▪ Parentage & name: after the banquet was ended, he instated him with the honour of Knighthood, and put upon his feet a pair of golden spurs: But Sabra who feeding upon the banquet of his love, conducted him to his nights repose, where she sat upon his bed and wa● bl●● forth most heavenly melody upon her Lute, till his senses were overcome with ● asweet and silent sleep, where she left him for that night after 〈◊〉 dangerous battle: But no sooner did Auroraes ●adi●nt blush, distain the beauty of the East, and the sun show his morning countenance, but Sabra repaired to the English Champions lodging, and at his fi●st uprising presented him with ● Diamond of most rare and excellent virtue, the which he wore upon his finger: The next that entered his lodging, was the Treacherous Almidor the black King of Morocco, having in his hand a bowl of Greekish Wine▪ which he offered to the Noble Champion Saint George of England▪ but at the receaite thereof, the Diamond the Lady gave him which he wore upon his finger waxed pale, and from his nose felt three drops of blood, whereat he started: which sudden accident caused the king's daughter to suspect some secret poison compounded in the Wine, and thereupon so vehemently striked, that a sudden uproar presently overspread the whole Court, whereby it came to the kings intelligence of the proffered Treachery of Almidor against the English Champion: But so bear was the love of the Egyptian King, to the black King of Morocco, that no belief of Treachery could enter into his mind.  
Thus Almidor the second time was prevented of his practice, whereat in mind he grew more enraged than the chafed Boar: yet thinking the third should pay for all So 〈◊〉 spying a time wherein to work his wicked purpose, which he brought to pass in this manner.  
Many a day remained Saint George in the Egyptian Court, sometimes revelling amongst Gentlemen, dancing and sporting with Ladies, other s●m● in Tilts and Turnim●nts, with other Honourable exercises: Likewise long and extreme was the love that beauteous Sabra bore to the English Champion, of the which this Treacherous A●midor had intelligence by many secret practices, and many times his ears were witness of their discourses: So upon an Evening, when the gorgeous Sun lay l●uell with the ground, it was his fortune to walk under a Garden wall, to take the coolness of the evenings air, where unseen of the two Lovers, he heard their amorous discourses a● they sat dallying in the bower of Roses, Courting 〈◊〉 ●nother in this manner.  
My soul's delight, my hearts choose comfort▪ sweet George of England, said the love-séeke Sabra! Why art thou more obdurate than the Flint: which the tears of my true heart can never mollify? How many thousand sighs have I breathed for thy sweet sake, which I have sent to thee as true messe●gers of love, yet neue● wouldst thou requite me with a smiling countenance. Refuse not her dear Lord of England, that for thy love will forsake her Parents, Country and Inheritance, which is the Crown of Egypt, and like a Pilgrim f●llowe thee throughout the wide world. O therefore knit that gordian knot of wedlock, that none but death can afterwards untie, that I may say the Sun shall lose his brightness, the Moon her splendent beams, the Sea her ●ides, and all things under the cope of heaven grow contrary to kind, before Sabra the Heir of Egypt prove unconstant to her dear S. George of England.  
Th●se words so fired the Champion's heart, that he was almost entangled in the snares of love, which before time only affected Martial discipline: But yet to try patience, a littl● more, made her this answer. Lady of Egypt, canst thou not be content that I have ventured my 〈◊〉 to set thee free from death, but that I should link my f●ture fortunes in a woman's l●ppe, and so bury all my Honours in Oblivion? No, no Sabra George of England is a Knight borne in a Country where tru● C●iualrie is nourished, and hath sworn to search the world so far as ever the Lam●e of Heaven doth lend his light, before he tie himself to the troublesome state of marriage▪ therefore attempt me no more, that am a stranger and a wanderer from place to place, but s●●k to aim at higher States, as the ●ing of Mo●roco, who will attempt to climb the ●e●uens 〈◊〉 gain 〈◊〉 love and good liking: at which speeches she suddenly 〈◊〉 in this manner.  
The King of Morocco is as bloody minded as a Serpent, but thou more gentle th●n a Lamb, his tongue as ominous as the scriking night Owl▪ but thine more sweeter than the mornings Lark, his kind embracings like the stinging Snakes, but thine more pleasant than the creeping vine: ●●at if thou be'st a Knight of a strange country? thy body is more precious to mine eyes than Kingdoms in my heart. There stay (replied the English Champion,) I am a Christian, thou a Pagan: I honour God in heaven, thou earthly shadows below: therefore if thou wilt obtain my love and liking, thou must forsake thy Mahomet and be christened in our Christian faith. With all my soul (answered the Egyptian Lady) will I forsake my country Gods, & for thy love become a Christian, and therewithal she burst a ring in twain, the one half she gave to him in pledge of Love, & kept the other half herself: and so for that time departed the Garden.  
But during all the time of their discourses, the Treacherous minded Almidor stood listening to their speeches, ● fretted inwardly to the very gall to heat the Mistress of his heart, reject his former courtesies: Therefore intending now or never to infringe their plighted band, went in all haste to the Egyptian King, and in this manner made his supplication.  
Know great Monarch of the East, that I have a secret to unfold, which toucheth nearly the safeguard of your country: It was my chance this Evening at shutting up of Titons golden gates, to take the comfort of the Western breathing air under your private Garden walks, where I heard (though all unseen) a deep pretended Treason betwixt your Daughter and the English Knight, where she hath vowed to forsake her God and believe as the Christians do, and likewise she intends to fly from her native Country, and to go with this wandering travailer, which hath been so highly honoured in your Court.  
Now by Mahomet, Apollo, and Termagant, three Gods we Egyptians commonly ador● (said the King) this damned Christian shall not gain the conquest of my daughter's love, for he shall lose his head, though not by violence in our Egyptian Court: Therefore Almidor be secret in my intent, for I will send him to my cozen the Persian Sultan, from whence he never shall return to Egypt again, except his Ghost bring news of bad success unto my Daughter, and thereupon they presently contrived this Letter.  
The Letter to the Sultan of Persia.  
I Ptolemy King of Egypt & the Eastern territories sendeth Greeting to thee the mighty Sultan of Persia, great Emperor of the Provinces of 〈◊〉 Asia. This is to request thee upon 〈◊〉 of friendship betwixt us, to show the bearer hereof thy servant death, for he is an utter enemy to all Asia and Africa, and a proud contemner of our Religion: Therefore fail me not in my request, as thou wilt answer on thine oath, and so in haste farewell.  
Thy kinsman Ptolemy the King of Egypt.  
WHich Letter being no sooner subscribed & sealed with the great Seal of Egypt, but Saint George was dispatched with Embassage for Persia, with the bloody sentence of his own destruction: to the true delivery whereof, he was sworn by the honour of his Knighthood, and for his pawn he left behind him his good Steed, and his trusty sword Askalon in the keeping of Ptolemy the Egyptian King, only taking for his purvey & easy travail 〈◊〉 of the kings horses.  
Thus the Innocent Lamb betrayed by the willie Fox was sent to the hunger-starved lions den, being suffered not once to give his Lady and Mistress understanding of his sudden departure, but travailed day and night through many along and solitary Wilderness without any adventure worthy the memory, but that he heard the dismal cry of Night-ravens thundering in his ears, and the fearful sound of Crickets in the creveses of the earth, and such like messengers of mischance, which foretelled some fatal accident to be at hand: yet no fear could daunt his noble mind, nor danger hinder his intended travail, till he had a sight of the Soldians Palace, which seemed more liker a Paradise than any earthly habitation for as the History reports the walls and towers of the Palace was of the purest Marble stone, the windows of caved silver work, inamiled with Indian Pearl, beset with latin and crystal glass, the outward walls and buildings painted with gold, the pillars and gates were all of brass, about the Palace was a mighty ditch of a wonderful breadth and depth, over the ditch stood a stately bridge, erected up with sumptuous workmanship of graven Images, under the bridge a hundred silver Bells were hung by Art, so that no creature might pass into the Palace, but they gave warning to the Sultan's Guard, at the end of the bridge was built an Alabaster Tower, whereon stood an Eagle of gold, his eyes of the richest precious stones, the brightness whereof glistered somuch, that all the Palace did shine with the light thereof.  
Upon the day (Saint George entered the Soldians Court) when the Persians solemnly sacrificed to their Gods Mahomet, Apollo, Tirmigaunt, which unchristian Procession so moved the impatience of the English Champion, that he took the ensigns and streamers whereon the Persian Gods were pictured, and trampled them under his feet: whereupon the Pagans presently fled to the Sultan for succour, and showed him how a strange Knight had despised their Mahomet and trampled their banners in the dust, then presently he sent a hundred of his Armed knights, to know the cause of that sudden uproar, and to bring the Christian Champion bound unto his Majesty: but the Persian Knights, were inclined with such a 〈◊〉 banquet, that same of their heads run tumbling in the streets, and the Channels overflowde with streams of blood: the Pavements of the P●ll●ce were ouer●●●ed with slaughtered men and the walls besprinkled with purple gore: so victoriously he behaved himself against the enemies of Christ, that ●re the Sun had declined in the West, he brought to ground a hundred of the Sultan's Soldiers, and enforced the rest like flocks of sheep to fly to the Sultan for aid and succour, which as then remained in his Palace with the guard of three thousand soldiers: Who at the report of this unspected uproar, furnished his Soldiers with habiliments of war, and came marching from his Palace with such a mighty power as though the strength o● C●rist●ndome had been come to invade the te●retories of Asia: But such was the invincible courage of Saint George, that he encountered with them all, and made such a Massacre in the Sultan's Court, that the Pavements were overspread with slaughtered Persians, and the Palace gates stuffed with heaps of murdered Pagans: At the last the alarm bells was caused to be rung and the Beacons s●t on fire, whereat the commons of the Country rose in Arms, and came slocking about the English Champion like swarms of Bees, where at last through his long encounter, and the multitude of his enemies, his never daunted courage was forced to yield, & his restless Arm wearied with fight, constrained to let his weapons fall to the ground.  
Thus he whose fortitude sent thousands to wander on the banks of Acheron, stood now obedient to the mercies of ten thousands, which with their brandishing weapons, and sharp edged falchions environed him about.  
Now bloody minded monster (said the Sultan) what country man ●o ever▪ 〈◊〉, jew, Pagan, or misbelieving Christian: ●●ke for a sentence of severe punishment for every droppy of blood thy unhappy hand hath shed. First, thy skin with sharp razers shall be pared from thy flesh ●liue: 〈…〉 fle●● with burning Irons 〈◊〉 from thy bones, & lastly thy accursed ●●mbes ●rawne in y●eces joint from joint with untamed horses. This bloody judgement pronounced by the 〈◊〉 not a little moved S. George to reply in this manner. Great Potentate of Asia, I crave the liberty & law of Arms, whereto all the kings of the earth by ●●th are hound: Fr●● my descent in 〈◊〉 native Country 〈◊〉 of Royal blood, and therefore challenge I a combat: secondly an Ambassador I am from Ptolmoie the King of Egypt, & therefore no violence must be proffe●ed●●e, las●lie, the laws of Asia grants me safe conduct back to Egypt: therefore what I hau● done Ptolemy must answer, and thereupon he delivered the Letter seeled with the great seal of Egypt, the which was no sooner broken up and read, but the Sultan's eyes sparkled like unto 〈◊〉, and upon his countenance appeared the Image of wrath and discontent.  
Thou art by the report of Ptolemy (said the Sultan) a great contemner of our Gods, 12 despis●● of our Laws: Therefore his pleasure is that I should end th● days by some inhuman de●th: the which I sweere by Mahomet, Apollo, and Termagant to accomplish, and thereupon ●e gave ●im in keeping to a hundred of his janissaries till the day of cre●●tion, which was appointed within thrifty da●●s f●ll●wing: So they 〈◊〉 him of his apparel and attired him in simple and bate ●tray: His aims that late was employed to wild the mighty Target, and fesse ●he weighty 〈◊〉, they strongly ●et●ered up in iron bolts▪ and those hands which were want to be● garnished with steel Gauntlets, they bond up fast in hemp● bands, that the purple blood trickled down from his finger's ends, and so being despoiled of all Knightly dignit●e, they co●paide him to a deep, dark and desolate dungeon: wherein the golden Sun did never show his splendent beams, nor never could the comfortable light of heaven be seen: betwixt the day and night no difference could be made, the the summers▪ parching heat & winter's freezing cold were both alike, his chiefest comfort was to number the Persians he had slain in the conflict▪ one while pondering in his restless thoughts the ingratitude of Ptolemy the Egyptian King another whil● remembering his love, his vow, & deep affection that he bore to the Egyptians daughter, and ●ow● unkindly she took his departure, carving her picture with the nails of his fingers upon the wall●s of the dungeon: to which senseless substance he many times we●●● thus complaire.  
O cruel destinies! Why is this grievous punishment allotted to my penance? Have I conspired against the majesty of heaven, that they have thrown this vengeance on my ●ea●● shall I never recover m● fo●●er liberty, that I may be revenged upon the ca●sers of my imprisonment▪ frown angry heavens upon these bloody minded Pagans, those daring miscreants, & professed enemies of Christ, and may the plague's of Pharo light upon their countries, & the misery of Oedipus upon their Princes: that they may be eye witnesses of their daughters' ravishments, and behold their Cities fl●ming like the burning ba●tail●mentes of Troy. Thus lamented be the l●sse of his liberty, accursing his birth day, and hour of his creation, wishing that it never might be numbered in the year, but counted ●min●●s to all ensuing ages: His sighs exceeded the number of the Ocian lands, and his tears the water 〈◊〉 in a rainy day, and as one diminished, another presently appeared.  
T●us sorrow was his companion, and despair his chief 〈◊〉, till Hyperion with his golden C●●ch had thirty times rested in Thetis purple Palace, & Ciniliia thirty times danced upon the Crystal waves: which was the very time his complete moans should end, according to the severe and cruel judgement of the Sultan of Persia: Bu● by what extraordinary means he knew not: So looking every minnute of an hour to entertain the wished messenger of death, he heard a far off the tirrable roaring of two hunger starved Lions, which for the space of fourteen days had been restrained from their food, and natural sustenance, only to devour and staunch their hunger starved bowels with the body of this thrice renowned Champion: which cry of the Lions so terrified his mind that the hair of his head gr●w stiff, & his brows sweat blood through anguish of his soul, so extremely be feared the remorseless stroke of death: that by violence he burst the chains in sunder wherewith he was bound, and rend the curled tresses from his head, that was of the colour of Amber, the which he wrapped about his arms against the Assault of the Lions, for he greatly suspected them to be the ministers of his Tragedy, which indeed so fell out, for at that same instant they descended the dungeon, being brought thither by the Guard of Iam●saries, only to make a full period of the Champion's life: But such was the invincible fortitude of Saint George, and so politic his defence, that when the starved Lions came running on him with open jaws, he valiantly thrust his sinewed Arms into their throats (being wrapped about with the hair of his head) whereby they presently choked, and so he pulled out their bloody hearts.  
Which sp●ctakle the Sultan's jannsaries beholding, were so amazed with fear, that they ran in all haste to the Palace, and certified the Sultan what had happened, who commanded every part of the Court to be strongly guarded with Armed Soldiers, supposing the English Knight rather to be some monster ascended from the Sea, than any creature of human substance, or else one possessed with some divine inspiration, that by force of Arms hath accomplished so many adventurous stratagems: such a terror assailed the Sultan's heart, seeing he had slain two Lions, and slaughtered two thousand Persians with his own hands, and likewise ha● intelligence how he slew● a burning Dragon in Egypt: caused the dungeon to be closed up with bars of Iron, lest he should by policy or fortitude recover his liberty, and so endanger the whole country of Persia: where he remained in want, penury, and great necessity, for the term of seven winters, feeding only upon rats and mice, with other creeping worms which he caught in the dungeon.  
During which time he never tasted of the bread of Corn, but of wheat bran and Channel water, which daily was served him through the Iron grates, where now we leave Saint George, languishing in great misery, and return again into Egypt, where we left Sabra the Champion's betrothed Lady, lamenting the want of his company, whom she loved dearer than any Knight in all the world.  
Sabra that was the fairest maid that ever mortal eye beheld, in whom both Art and nature seemed to excel in ●urious workmanship, her body being comelier than the stately C●der, and her beauty purer than the Paphian Queens: the one with over burdened grief was quite altered, and the other stained with floods of brackish tears, that daily trickled down her crystal cheeks: whereby she found the very Image of discontent, the nap of woe, and the only mirror of sorrow, she accounted all company loathsome to her sight, and excluded the fellowship of all Ladies, only betaking herself to a solitary Cabinet, where she sat sowing many a woeful story upon a crimson Sampler: whereon sometimes bathing a wounded heart with lukewarm tears, that fell from the Conduits of her eyes, then presently with her crisped locks of hair which dangled down her ivory neck, dry up the moisture of her sorrowful tears: then thinking upon the plighted promises of her dear beloved Knight, fell into these passionate and pitiful complaints.  
O Love (said she) more sharper than the pricking Brier! with what unequallity dost thou torment my wounded heart, not ●●●cking my dear Lord in the like affection of mind? O Venus! if thou be imperious in thy Deity, to whom both Gods and men obey, command m● wandered Lord to return again, or that my soul may flee into the clouds, that by the winds it may be blown into his sweet bosom, where lives my bleeding heart: But foolish fondling that I am, he hath rejected me, and shuns my company like the Sirens, else had he not refused the Court of Egypt where he was honoured like a king, and wandered the world to seek another love: No, no it cannot be: he bears no such inconstant mind, for I greatly fear some treachery hath bereaude me of his sight, or else soon s●onny prison includes my George from me: If it be so sweet Morpheus thou God of golden dreams, reveal to me my loves abiding, that in my sleep his shadow may appear and report the cause of his departure. After this pa●●●on was breathed from th● mansion of her soul, she committed her watchful eyes to the government of sweet s●eepe, which being no sooner closed, but there appeared as she thought, the shadow and very shape of her dearly beloved Lord Saint George of England, not as he was wont to be, flourishing in his graven Burgonet of steel, or mounted on a stately Jennet, decked with a watchet Plume of spangled ●eathers, but in overworn and simple attire, with pale looks and leave▪ body, like to a Ghost risen from some hollow grave, breathing as it were these sad and woeful passions:  

Sabra I am betrayed for love of thee,  
And lodged in hollow Caves of dismal night:  
From whence I never more shall come to see,  
Thy loving countenance and beauty bright.  
Remain thou true and constant for my sake,  
That of thy love, they may no conquest make.   

Let tyrants think if ever I obtain,  
What now is lost by treasons cursed guile●  
False Egypt's scourge I surely will remain,  
And turn to streaming blood Morocos smile.  
The damned dog of Barbary shall rue,  
The baleful stratagems that will ensue.   

The Persian towers shall smoke with fire,  
And lofty Babylon be tumbled down:  
The Cross of Christendom shall then aspire,  
To wear the proud Egyptian triple Crown.  
jerusalem and juda shall behold▪  
The fall of Kings by Christian Champions bold.   

Thou maid of Egypt still continue chaste,  
A Tiger seeks thy virgin's name to spill:  
Whilst George of England is in prison placed,  
Thou shalt be forced to wed against thy ●ill.  
But after this shall happen wondrous things,  
For from thy womb shall spring three mighty kings.   
This strange and tragical discourse b●●ng no sooner ende●, but she awaked from her sleep, and presently ●each●● forth her seemly hands 〈◊〉 k●ng to 〈◊〉 him, but she catched nothing but the bri●●le 〈◊〉, which caused 〈◊〉 to renew her former complaints; O wherefore 〈…〉 in this my troublesome dream▪ 〈…〉 that my Ghost might ha●e haunted th● 〈◊〉 m●nsters which falsely betrayed the bravest Champion under the cope of heaven? ●et for his sake will I 〈◊〉 against the ingratitude of Egypt, and like t●e 〈◊〉 Philom● 〈◊〉 fill every corner of the land with echoes of his 〈◊〉: any woes shall exceed the sorrow's of Dido qu●●ne of C●●tha●●, mourning for the ingratitude of Aeneas: with 〈◊〉 like passions wearied she the time away, ●till twelve mont●s were fully finished: at last her father understanding what fervent affection she bore to the English Champion began ●n this manner to dilate.  
Daughter (said the Egyptian King) I charge she by the hands of nature, and the true obedience thou oughtest to bear my age, to banish and exclude all fond affections from thy mind, & not to settle thy love upon a wandr●ng Knight that is unconstant, and without habitation: thou seest he hath forsaken thee, and returned into his own Country, where he hath wedded a wife of that Land and Nation: Therefore I charge thee upon my displeasure, to affect and love the black King of Morocco, that rightfully hath d●s●rued thy love, which shall be Honourably holden to the Honour of Egypt, and so departed without any answer at all: By which Sabra knew he would not be cro●t in his will and pleasure: therefore she sighed out these lamentable words.  
O unkind Father to cross the affection of his child! and to force love where no liking is: Yet shall my mind continue true unto my dear betrothed Lord, although my body be forced against nature to obey, and Almidor have the honour of my marriage bed: Yet English George shall enjoy my true Uirginity, if ever he return again to Egypt▪ and therewithal she pulled forth a chain of gold, and wrapped it seven times about her ivory neck. This (said she) hath seven days been stéept in tigers blood, and seven nights in Dragon's milk, whereby it hath obtained such excellent virtue, that so long as I wear it about my neck, no man on earth can enjoy my virginity: though I be forced to the state of marriage, and lie seven years in wedlock's bed: yet by the virtue of this chain I shall continue a true virgin.  
Which words being no sooner ended, but Almidor entered her sorrowful Cabinet, and presented her with a wedding garment, which was of the pure unspotted silk, embossed with Pearl, and rich refined gold, perfumed with sweet Si●rian powders▪ it was of the colour of the Lily when Flora had be decked the field in May with nature's orniments, so glorious and costly her vestures seemed, and so stately were her Nuptial rights solemnized, that Egypt admired the bounty of her wedding▪ which 〈…〉 days was 〈◊〉 in the Court of King 〈…〉 removed 〈◊〉 T●ipoli●, the 〈…〉 almidor's forced Bride was Crowned Queen of Morocco: at which Coronation the Conduits ra●ne with Greekish Wines, and the streets of Tripoli were beautified with Pageants and delightful shows. The Court resounded such melodious Harmony as though Apollo with his sil●er Har●e had descended from the heaven's▪ such Tilts and Turniments were performed betwixt the Egiptia knights, and the Knights of Barbary, that they exceeded the Nuptials of Hec●uba, the beauteous Queen of Tro●: which Honourable proceedings, we leave for this time to their own contentments: some 〈◊〉: some dancing: some reveling: 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 C●ristendome, which ●eparted from the brazen pille●, every one h●s several way, whose Knightly and Noble adventures, if the Muses grant me the bounty of ●aier 〈◊〉 springs, I will most 〈◊〉 discover, to the honour of Christendom.   

CHAP. FOUR  
How Saint Dennis the Champion of France, lived seven years in the shape of a Hart, and how proud Eglantine the King's Daughter of Thessaly, was transformed into a Mulberry Tree, and how they both recovered their former shapes by the means of Saint Dennis his horse.  
CAlling now to memory the long & weary travails S. Dennis the Champion of France endured after his departure from the other six Champions at the brazen pillar, as you heard in the beginning of the former Chapter, from which he wandered through many a desolate grove and wilderness, without any adventure worthy the noting, till he arrived upon the borders of Thessaly, (being a Land as then inhabited with wild beasts): wherein he endured such a penury & scarcity of victuals: that he was forced for the space of seven years to feed upon the herbs of the fields, & the fruits of trees, till the hairs of his head were like to eagles feathers, and the nails of his fingers to birds claws: his drink the dew of heaven, the which he licked from the flowers in the meadows, the attire he clothed his body withal, bay leaves and broad docks, that grew in the woods: his shoes the bark of trees, whereon he travailed through many a thorny brake: But at last it was his fortune and cruel destiny, (being overpressed with the extremity 〈◊〉 hunger) to taste & feed upon the berries of a Mulberry tree, whereby he lost the lively form and Image of his human substance, and was transformed into the shape and likeness of a w●lde Hart: Which strange & sod●ine transformation, this Noble Champion little mistrusted, till he espied his misshapen form in a clear fountain, w●i●h ●ature 〈…〉 in a tool and 〈◊〉 villey● but when he beheld the shadow of his deformed substance, and how his head late Honoured with a Burgonet of steéle, no● dishonoured with a pair of 〈◊〉 horns: his face whereon the countenance of true Nobility l●te careered, now covered with a beastlike similitude, and 〈◊〉 body late 〈◊〉 true Image of magnanimity, now overspread with a hea●●e hide, in colour like to the fallow fields: which strange alteration not a little perplexed the mind of S. Dennis, that it ●am●d him with all speed (having the natural reason of man still remaining) to repair back to the Mulberry tree again, supposing the b●rries he had eaten to be the cau●e of h●s transformation, under which tree the distressed ●night laid 〈◊〉 form limbs ●pon the bare ground, and thus woefully began to complain.  
What Magic charms (said he) or rather bewitching spells, remains within this accursed tree▪ whose wicked fruit hath confounded my future fortunes, & conu●●ted me to the type of misery▪ O thou celestial director of the world▪ & all you piteous powers of heaven: Look down with kindly looks upon my hapless transformation, and bend your brows to hear my woeful lamentation; I was of late a man but now a ●orned beast; I was a soldier & my Country's Champion: but now a loathsome creature and a pray for dogs; my glistering Armour is exchanged into a hid● of hair: my brave array more base than the lowly earth: henceforth in steed of Princely Palaces, these shady woods must serve to shroud me in: wherein my Bed of down must be a hea●e of sunbu●nde moss: my sweet recording Music the blustering of the winds, that with Tempestuous guste● do make the Wilderness to tremble▪  
The voice in the Mulberry tree.  

Cease to lament thou famous man of France,  
With gentle ears, come listen to my moan;  
In former times it was my fatal chance  
To be the proudest maid that ere was known.  
By birth I was the D●ughter of a King,  
Though now a breathless tree and senseless thing.   

M● pride was such that heaven confounded me,  
A Goddess in mine own conceit I was:  
What nature lent too base I thought to be▪  
But dead myself all earthly things to pass:  
And therefore Nectar and Ambrosia sweet,  
The food of heaven for me I counted meet.   

My pride contemned still the bread of wheat,  
Bu● pure food I day he sought to find  
Refined gold was boiled in my meat▪  
Such self conceit my fancies fo●d did blind:  
For which the Gods above transported me,  
From human substance to this senseless tree.   

Seven years in shape of heart thou must remain,  
And then the purple Rose by heavens decree;  
Shall bring thee to thy former shape again,  
And end at last thy woeful misery:  
When this is done be sure thou cut in twain,  
This fatal tree wherein I do remain.   
After the 〈◊〉 had breathed these speeches from the Mulberry tree, he stood so much amazed at the strangeness of the words, that for a time his sorrows bereaved him of 〈◊〉 speech, and his long appointed punishment constrained his thoughts to lose their natural understanding: But yet at last recovering his senses, though not his human likeness, bitterly complained his hard misfortunes.  
O unhappy creature (said the woeful Champion) mor● miserable than Prog●e, in her transformation, had more distressed than Acte●n was, whose perfect imitation I am made: His misery continued but a short season, 〈…〉 own dogs the same day▪ tore him in a thousand pieces▪ & buried his transformed carcase in their hungry bowels: mine is appointed by the angry destinies, till seven times the summer's sun hath replenished his radiant brightness, and seven times the winter's rain hath washed me with the showers of heaven. Thus complained the transformed Knight of France: sometimes remembering his former fortunes, and 〈◊〉 he had spent his days in the Honour of his country: sometimes thinking upon the place of his Nativity, renowned France the Nur●e and Mother of his life: sometimes treading with his feet (as for hands he had none) in sandy ground, the print of the words the which the Mulberry tree had repeated, and many times numbering the min●utes of his long appointed punishment, with the Flowers of the field. Ten thousand sighs he● daily breathed from his breast, and when the black and pitchy mantles of dark night had overspread the az●rde firmamentes, and drawn her sable Curtains, before the brightsome windows of the heavens, all creatures took their sweet reposed rest, and committed their tired eyes to quiet ●●●●pes: All things were silent except the murmuring of the running waters: which sounding music was the chiefest comfort this distressed Champion enjoyed: the glistering Queen of night ●lad in her crystal robes, three Hundred times a year, was witness of his nightly lamentations: the wondering Howla●, that never singes but in the night, sat yelling over his head: the rueful weeping Nightingale with mournful melody, cheerfully attending ●n his person: for during the limitation of his seven years misery, his trusty Steed never forsook him, but with all diligence and true love attended upon him day and night, never wandering away, but ever k●●ping him company: I● the extream● heat of Summer were intolerable, or the pinching cold of Winter violent, his Horse would be a shelter to defend him  
Thus when the term of seven years were fully finished, and that he should recover his former substance, and human shape, his good Horse which he tendered as the Apple of his eye, clambered a high and steepy Mountain, which nature had beautified with all kind of fragrant flowers, as odorifferous as the garden of Hesperides: from whence he pulled a branch, of purple Roses and brought them betwixt his teeth to his distressed Master, being in his former passions of discontent, under the Mulberry Tree: The which the Champion of France no sooner beheld, but he remembered that by a purple Rose he should recover his former similitude, and so joyfully received the Roses from his trusty Steed: then casting his eyes up to the celestial throne of heaven, he conveyed these consecrated flowers into his empty stomack●.  
After which he laid him down upon the bosom of his m●thers earth, where he fell into such a sound sleep, that all his senses and vital spiri●s were without moving, for the space of four and twenty hours: In which time the windows and the doors of heaven were opened, from whence descended such a shower of rain, that it washed away his hairy form and beastlike shape▪ his horned head and long visage, was turned again into a lively countenance, and all the rest of his members, both arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, with all the rest of nature's gifts, received their former shapes.  
But when the good Champion awaked from his sleep, ● perceiving the wonderful workmanship of the Heavens, in transforming him to his human likeness: First gave honour to Almighty God: next kissing the ground whereon he had lived so long in misery: then beholding his Armour which stood hard by him best a●nde and almost spoiled with rust, hi● Burgonet and kine edged Curtle-axe be●indered over with dust: then lastly pondering in his mind of the faithful service his trusty Steed had done him during the time of his calamity, whose sable coloured ma●● hung 〈◊〉 down his brawny neck, which before was wont to be pleated curiously with artificial knots, and his forehead which was wont to be beautified with a tawny plume of feathers? ●ow disfigured with overgrown hair, whereat the good Champion Sain● Dennis of France so much grieved, that he stroked down his jettie ●acke, fill the hair of his body lay as smooth as Arabian silk, than pulled he du● his trusty Fa●ch●on, which in many fierce assaults and dangerous Combats, had been bathed in the blood of his enemies, which by the long continuance of idle time was almost consumed with cankered 〈◊〉, but by his labour and industrious pains, he recovered the former beauty and brightness again.  
Thus both his sword his horse, his Martial furniture, & other habiliments of war, bee●ng brought to their first and proper qualities, the Noble Champion intended to persever and go forward in the adventure in cutting down the unhappy Mulberry tree: So taking his sword which was of the purest Spanish steel, gave such a stroke at the root thereof, that at one blow he cut it quite in sunder, whereout presently flashed such a mighty flame of fire, that the mane from his horse neck was burned, and likewise the hair of his own head had been fired; if his Helmet had not preserved him: for no sooner was the flame extinguished, but there ascended from the hollow tree, a naked Virgin, in shape like Daphnie which Apollo turned to Bay: fairer than Pygmalion's ivory Image, or the Northern driven snow, her eyes more clearer than the I●●e mountains, her cheeks like Roses dipped in milk, her lips more lovelier than the Turkish 〈◊〉, her Alabaster teeth like Indian Pearls, her seemly neck an ivory Tower, her dainty breasts a Palladice where milk white Doves may fit and ●●ng, the rest of nature's lineaments a stain to juno Queen of heaven: at whose most excellent beauty this valiant & undaunted Champion more admired, then at her wonderful transformation: For his eyes were so ravished with such exceeding pleasure, that his tongue could endure no longer silent, but was forced to unfold the secrets of his heart, and in these terms began to utter her mind.  
Thou most divine and singular ornament of nature, (said he) fairer than the feathers of the silver Swans, that swim upon mad'st Crystal stream ● far more beautiful than Aurora's morning countenance, to thee the fairest of all f●●ers, most humbly therefore to thy beauty do I only submit my affections: Also I swear by the Honour of my Knighthood, and ●y the love of my Country France: which vow I will not violate for all the Treasures of rich Ameria, nor the golden Mines of higher India: Whether thou be'st an Angel descended from the Heavens, or a Fury ascended from the dominions of Proserpina: whether thou be'st some Fairy or sylvan Nymph; which inhabits in these fatal woods, or else an earthly creature for thy sin transformed into this Mulberry tree, I may not judge: Therefore sweet Saint in whom my heart must pay his devotion, unfold to me thy Birth, Parentage, and ●am●, that I may the bolder presume upon thy courtesies: At which demand this new borne Virgin with a shamefast look, modest gesture, sober grace and blushing countenance, ●●gan thus to reply.  
Sir Knight by whom my life, my love, and fortunes, are to be comm●nded, and by whom my human shape & natural form is recovered: First know thou Magnanimous Champion, that I am by birth the King of Thessaly's Daughter, and my name was called for my beauty, proud Eglantine: For which contemptuous pride, I was transformed into this Mulberry tree: in which green substance I have continued f●urtéene years; as for my love thou haste deserved it before all other Knights in the world, and to thee do I plight that true promise before the Omnipotent Iudge● of all things, & before that secret promise shall be infringed, the S●n shall cease to shine by day, & the M●●ne by night, & all the Planet's forsake their proper natares.  
At which words the Champion gave her the courtesy of his country, and sealed her promises with a loving kiss: After which the beautiful Eglantine being ashamed of her nakedness, woven her such a garment of 〈◊〉 rushes inter●i●ed with such variety of sundr● flowers; that it surpassed for workmanship the Indian maidens curious webs: her crisped locks of hair continued still of the colour of the Mulberry tree: whereby she seemed like Flora in her greatest royalty, when the fields were be decked with nature's tapestry.  
After which she washed her Lily hands, and Rosy coloured face in the dews of heaven, which she gathered from a bed of violets. Thus in her green vestments, she intends in company of her true Lover (the valiant Knight of France) to take her journey to her Father's Court, being as then the King of that country: where after some few daye● travail they arrived safely in the Court of Thessaly: whose welcomes were to their own wishes, & their entertainments most Honourable: for no sooner did the King behold his Daughters safe approach, of whose strange transformation he was ever ignorant, fell into such a dead sound through the exceeding joy of her presence, that for a time his senses were without vital moving, and his heart embraced so kindly her dainty body, and proffered such courtesy to the strange Knight, that Saint Dennis accounted him the mirror of all courtesy, and the pattern of true Nobility.  
After the Champion was unarmed, his stifle and weary limbs were bathed in new milk and white wines, he was conveyed to a sweet smelling fire made of Ginniper, and the fair Eglantine conducted by the Maidens of Honour to a private chamber, where she was disrobed of her sylvan attire, & apparriled in a Pall purple silk: In which Court of Thessaly we will leave this our Champion of France with his Lady, and go forward in the discourses of the other Champions, discovering what adventures happened to them during the time o● seven years: But first how● Saint james the Champion of Spain fell in love with a fair jew, and how for her sake he continued seven years dumb, and after if Apollo grant my Muse the gift of Scolorisme, and dip my pen in the ink of Art: I will not rest my weary hand, till I have explainde the Honourable proceedings of the Knights, of England, France, Spain, Italy, Scotland, Wales, and jerland, to the Honour of Christendom, and the dishonour of all the professed enemies of Christ.   

CHAP. V.  
How Saint 〈◊〉 the Champion of Spain, continued seven years dumb for the love of a fair jew, and how he should have been shot to death by the Maidens of jerusalem, with other things which chanced in his travails.  
NOw must my Muse speak of the strange adventures of Saint james of Spain, the third Champion and renow●ed Knight of Christendom, and what happened unto him in his seven years travails through many a strange country, both by Sea and land, where his Honourable acts were so dangerous and full of wonder, that I want memory to express, and Art to subscribe, also I am forced for brevities sake, to pass over his fearful and dangerous battle with the burning Drake upon the flaming mount in Sicill, which terrible Combat continued for the space of seven days and seven nights: Likewise omitting his travel in Capadocia through a wilderness of Monsters, with his passage over the red seas, where his ship was devoured with worms, his Mariners drowned, and himself his horse and furniture safely brought to land by seanymphs and Meremaids, where after his long travels, passed perils, and dangerous tempests, amongst the boisterous billows of the raging seas, arrived in the unhappy dominions of juda; unhappy by reason of the long and troublesome misery he endured for the love of a fair jew: For coming to the rich and beautiful City of jerusalem, (being in that age the wonder of the world for brave buildings, Princely Palaces, gorgeous Monuments, and time wondering Temples) he so admired the glorious situation thereof, (being the richest place that ever his eyes beh●ld) that he stood before the walls of jerusalem one while gazing upon her golden gates glistering against the Sun's bright countenance, another while beholding her stately Pinnacles, whose lofty péering tops seemed to touch the Clouds; another while wondering at her towers of jasper, jett, and Ebony, her strong and fortified walls three times doubled about the City, the glistering Spires of the Temples of Zion built in the fashion and similitude of two Pyramids the ancient monument of Greece, whose battlements were covered with steel, the walls burnished with silver, and the ground paved with tin. Thus as this ennobled and famoused knight at A●m●s stood beholding the situation of jerusalem, there suddenly thundered such a peal of Ordinance within the City, that it seemed in his ravished conceit, to shake the vales of heaven and to move the deep foundations of the fastened earth, whereat his horse gave such a sudden start, that he le●t forty foot from the place whereon he stood: After this he heard the cheerful sound of Drums, and the echoes of brazen Trumpets, by which the good Champion expected some honourable pastime, or some great t●rnament to be at hand, which indeed so fell out, for no sooner did he cast his vigilant eyes toward the East side of the City, but he beheld a troup of well appointed horse come marching through the Gates, after them twelve Armed Knights mounted on Warlike Coursees, bearing in their hands twelve blood red streamers, whereon was wrought in silk, the picture of Adonis wounded with a Boar, after them the King drawn in a Chariot by Spanish Genets, (which be a certain kind of Steeds engendered by the wind.) The King's Guard were a hundred n●ked Moors, with Turkish Bows and Darts feathered with ravens quills, after them marched Celestine the ●ing of jerusalems' fair Daughter, mounted on a t●me Unicorn, in her hand a javelin of silver, & Armed with a breast plate of gold, artificially wrought like the scales of a Porcupine, her Guard were a hundred Amazonian Dames ●lad in green 〈◊〉, after them followed a ●umber of requires▪ Gentlemen, some upon Barbarian Stéeds, some upon Arabian Palfray●s▪ and some on foot, in pace more nimbler than the tripping Dear, ● more swifter than the tameles Heart's v●on the mountains of Thessaly.  
Thus N●buzaradan great King of jerusalem (for so was he called,) solemnly ●unted in the Wilderness of juda, b●eing a country very much annoyed with wild beasts, as the Lion, the Leopard, the Boar and such like: In which exercise the King appointed as it was proclaimed by his chief Harrold at Arms: (the which he heard repeated by a shepherd in the fields,) that whosoever show the first wild beast in the Forest▪ should have in reward a Corslet of steel so richly engraved, that it should be worth a thousand sickles of silver. Of which Honourable enterprise when the Champion had understanding, & with what liberal bounty th● aduent●rus Knights should be rewarded, his heart was ●●ang●ted with invincible courage, thirsting after glorious attempts, not only for hope of gain, but for the desire of Honour: At which his illustrious and undaunted 〈◊〉 aimed at to internize his deeds in the memorable records of Fame, and to shine as a Crystal mirror to all ensuing times: So closing down his Beaver, and locking on his furniture, scoured over the plains before the Hunters of jerusalem, in pa●e more swifter than the winged winds, till he approached an old solitary and unfrequented Forest, wherein he espied a huge and mighty wild Boar lying before his mossy den, gnawing upon the mangled joints of some passenger which he had murdered as he travailed through the Forest.  
This Boar was of a wonderful length and bigness, & so tyrrable to behold, that at the first sight, he almost daunted the courage of this Spanish Knight: for his monstrous head seemed ugly and deformed, his eyes sparkked like a ●irie furnace, his tusks more sharper than picks of ste●le, and from his nostrils fumed such a violent breath, that it seemed like a tempestuous whirl wind, his brissels were more harder than seven times milted brass, and his tail more loathsome than a wreath of Snakes: N●re whom when Saint james approached, and beheld how he drank the blood of human creatures, and devoured their flesh, he blew his silver horn▪ which as then hung at the pummel of his saddle in a scarf of green silk: whereat the furious monster roused himself, and most fiercely assailed the Noble Champion, which most nimbly leapt from his horse, & with his spear struck such a violent blow against the breast of the Bor●, that it shivered into twenty pieces: Then drawing his good Falchion from his side, gave him a second encounter: but all in vain, for he struck as it were on a Rock of stone, or a pillar of Iron nothing hurtful to the Boar: but at last with staring eyes (which sparkled like burning steel,) and with open jaws the greedy monster assailed the Champion, intending to swallow him alive, but the nimble Knight as then trusted more upon policy than to fortitude, and so for advantage skipped from place to place, till on a sudden he thrust his keen edged 〈◊〉- a●e down his intestine throat, and so most valiantly split his heart in sunder: The which being accomplished to his own desires he cut off the Boar's head, and so presented the Honour of his Combat to the king of jerusalem, (who as then with his mighty train of Knights, were but now en●●red the Forest: but ha●ing graciously accepted the gi●t and bountifully fulfilled his promises, demanding the Champion's Country, his Religion & place of Nativity: who no sooner had intelligence how he was a Christian Knight, and borne in the territories of Spain: but presently his patience exchanged into extreme fury, and by these words he● expressed his cankered stomach towards the Christian Champion.  
Know'st thou not bold Knight (said the King of jerusalem) that it is the law of juda to harbour no uncircumsiced man, but either banish him the land, or end his days by some untimely death: Thou art a Christian and therefore shalt thou die, not all thy country's treasure, the wealthy Spanish mines, nor if all the Alphes which divide the countries of Italy and Spain were turned to hills of burnished gold, and made my lawful heritage, they should not redeem thy life: Yet for the Honour thou hast done in juda, I grant thee this love by the law of Arms to choose thy death, else hadst thou suffered a timmerous torment: which severe judgement amazed the Champion, that desperately he would have gorged himself upon his own sword, but that he thought it an honour to his country, to die in the defence of Christendom: So like a true ennobled Knight fearing neither the threats of the jews, nor the impartial stroke of the fa●all sisters gave this sentence of his own death: First he requested to be bound to a pine tree with his breast laid open naked against the Sun: then to h●ue an ●owers respite to make his supplication to his Creator, and afterwards to be shot to death by a pure Virgin.  
Which words were no sooner pronounced▪ but they disarmed him of his furniture, bound him to a Pine tree, and laid his breast open ready to entertain the bloody str●ke of some unrelenting maiden: but such pity, m●●ke mercy, and kind lenity lodged in the heart of ●●rie maiden, that none would take in hand to be the bloody Executioner of so brave a Knight: At last the tyrannous Nabuzaradan gave strict commandment upon pain of death, that lot● should be cast amongst the maidens of juda that were there present, and to whom the lot did fall should be the fatal executioner of the condemned Champion: But by fortune the chance fell to Celestine the Kings own Daughter, being the Paragon of beauty, and the fairest Maid than living in jerusalem, in whose heart no such deed of cruelty could be harboured, nor in whose hand no blood● weapon could be entertained. In steed of deaths fatal Instrument, she● shot towards his breast, a deep strained sigh the true messenger of love, and afterward to heaven she thus made her humble supplication.  
Thou great commander of celestial moving powers, convert the cruel motions of my Father's mind, into a spring of pitiful tears, that they may wash away the blood of this innocent Knight from the habitation of his stained purple soul. O juda and jerusalem! within whose b●somes lives a Wilderness of Tigers, degenerate from nature's kind, more cruel than the hungry Cannibals, and more obdurate than untamed Lions: what merciless Tiger can unrip that breast, where lives the Image of true Nobility, the very pattern of Knighthood, and the map of a Noble mind? No, no, before my hands shall be stained with Christians blood, I will like Scylla against all nature sell my country's safety, or like Maedea wander with the golden Fleece to unknown Nations.  
Thus, and in such manner complained the beauteous Celestine the King's Daughter of jerusalem, till her sighs stopped the passage of her speech, and her tears stained the natural beauty of her Rosy Cheeks, her hairs which glisteren like to golden wires, she besmeared in dust, and disrobed herself from her costly garments, and then with a train of her Amazonian Ladies, went to the King her Father, where after a long 〈◊〉▪ she not only obtained his life, but liberty, yet therewithal his perpetual banishment from jerusalem, and from all the borders of juda, the want of whose sight more grieved her heart, than the loss of her own life: So this Noble & praise worthy Celest●ne returned to the Christian Champion, that expected every minnute to entertain the sentence of death, but his expectation fell out contrary: for the good Lady, after she had sealed two or three kisses upon his pale lips, being exchanged through the fear of death, cut the ●andes that bond his body to the tree in a hundred pieces, & 〈◊〉 with a ●●oud of fault tears, the motions of true love, she thus revealed her mind.  
Most Noble Knight and true Champion of Christendom, thy life and liberty I have gained, but therewithal thy banishment from juda, which is a hell of horror to my soul: for in thy bosom have I built my happiness, and in thy heart I account the Paradise of my true love: thy first ●●ght and lovely countenance did so ravish me, when these eyes beh●ld thee mounted on thy Princely Palfrey, that ever since my heart hath burnt in affection: therefore dear Knight in reward of my love, be thou my Champion, and for my sake wear this ring with this pos●e engraven in 〈◊〉. Ardio affectione: and so giving him a ring from her finger, and there withal a kiss from her mouth, she departed with a sorrowful sigh, in company of her Father and the rest of his Honourable train, back to the City of jerusalem, being as then near the setting of the Sun: But now Saint james the Champion of Spain, having passed the danger of death, and at full libe●●●e to departed from that unhappy Nation, he fell into a hundred cogitations, one while thinking vp●n the true love of Celestine, (whose name as yet he was ignorant of.) another while upon the cruelly of her father: then ●ntending to departed into h●s his own country, but l●●king 〈◊〉 to the Towers of jerusalem his mind suddenly alt●red, for thither he purposed to go, hoping to have a sight of hy● Ladi● and Mistress, and to live in some disguised ●ort●● her presence, and be her loves true Champion against all 〈◊〉: So gathering certain blackberies from the trees, he coloured his body all over like a Blackamoor: But yet considering that his speech would discover him, intended likewise to continue dumb all the time of his residence in jerusalem▪ So all things ordered according to his desire, he took his journey to the City, where with signs and other motions of dumbnes, he declared his intent: which was to be entertained in the Court, and to spend his time in the service of the King: But when the King beholds his countenance, which seemed of the natural colour of the Moor little mistrusted him to be the Christian Champion whom before he greatly envied, but accounted him one 〈◊〉 the bravest judean Knights that ever his eye beheld: therefore he instauld him with the honour of Knighthood, 〈◊〉 appointed him to be one of his Guard▪ and likewise his Daughters only Champion's▪ But wh●● Saint james of Spain saw● himself in●ested in that honoured place, his soul was ravished with such exceeding joy, that he thought no pleasure comparable to his, no place of Elysium but the Court of jerusalem, and no Goddess 〈◊〉 his beloved Celestine.  
L●ng continued he 〈◊〉, casting forth many a loving sigh in the presence of his Lady and Mistress, not knowing how to reveal the secrets of his mind.  
So upon a time there arrived in the Court of Nabuzaradan the King of Arabia, with the Admiral of Babylon, both presuming upon the love of Celestine, and craving her in the way of marriage: but she exempted all motions of love from her chaste mind, only building her thoughts upon the Spanish Knight, which she supposed to be in his own Countri●.  
At whose melancholy passions her importunate suitors the King of Arabia, and the Admerall of Babylon 〈◊〉: and therefore intended vpp●●●n Evening to present her with some rare devised Mask: ●o choosing out fi● consorts for their Courtly pastimes: Of which number the King of Arabia was chief and first leader of 〈◊〉 train, the great Admiral of Babylon was the second, and her own● Champion Saint james the third, who was called in the Cou●t by the name of the dumb Knight, and in this manner the Mask was performed.  
First entered a most excellent Consort of M●sicke, after them the aforesaid Maskers in cloth of gold, most curiously imbrothered, and danced a course about the hall, at the end● whereof, the King of Arabia presented Celestine with a costly sword, at the hilt whereof hung a silver Globe, and upon the point was erected a golden Crown: then the Music sounded another course, of which the Admiral of Babylon was leader, who presented her with a vesture of purple silk, of the colour of the rainbow; brought in by Diana, Venus, and juno: which being done the Music ●●unded the third time, in which course Saint james (though unknown) was the leader of the dance, who at the end whereof likewise presented Celestine with a garland of Flowers, which was brought in by the three Graces, and put upon her head: afterward the Christian Champion intending to discover himself to his Lady and Mistress', took her by the seemly hand and led her a stately Morisco daunt: which being no sooner finished, but he offered her the Diamond ring which she gave him at his departure in the woods, the which she presently knew by the pos●e, and shortly after had intelligence of his long continued dumbness, his counterfeit colour, his changing of nature, and the great danger that he put himself in for her sake, which caused her with all the speed she could possibly make, to breaks off company, and to retire into a Cabinet which she h●d h●rd by, wher● the same Evening she had a long conference ●ith ●er true and faithful lover and adventurous Champion▪ and to conclude, they made 〈◊〉 ag●●●ment betwixt them▪ that the s●me night unknown to any in the Court, she bad jerusalem a due, & by the light of Cinthia's glistering beams, stole from her Father's Palace, where in company of none but S. james she t●●ke her journey toward the country of Spain: But this noble Knight by policy prevented all ensuing dangers, for he shod his horse backwards, whereby when they were miss in the Court that they might be followed the contrary way.  
By this means escaped the two Lovers from the fury of the jews, and arrived safely in Spain in the City of Civil, wherein the g●●d Champion Saint james was bo●ne: where as now we leave them for a time to their own contented minds: Also passing over the hurly burly in jerusalem for the loss of Celestine, the vain pursuits of adventurous Knights, in stopping the Ports and Havens, the preparing of fresh horses to follow them, and the mustering of soldiers to pursue them, the frantic passions of the King for his daughter, the melancholy mon●● of the Admiral of Babylon for his Mistress, and the woeful lamentations of the Arabian King for his Lady and Love, and return to the adventures of the other Christian Champions.   

CHAP. VI  
The tyr●ible battle betwixt S. Anthony the Champion of I●alie, and the Giant Blanderon, and afterward of his strange entertainment in the Giant's Castle by a Thracian Lady, and what happened to him in the same Castle.  
IT was at that time of the year, when the earth was newly decked with a summer's livery, when the Noble and Heroical minded Champion Saint Anthony of Italy arrived in Thracia, where he● spent his seven years travails to the honour of his country, the glory of God, and to his own lasting memory: For after he had wandered through many a wear●●some way both by Sea and Land, through woods and wildernesses, by hills and dales, by caves and dens, and other unknown passages, he arrived at last upon the top of a high and steeple mountain, whereon stood a wonderful huge and strong Castle, which was kept by the most mightiest Giant under the cope of heaven, whose puissant force all Thracia could not overcome, nor once attempt to withstand, but with the danger of their whole country. The Giant's name was Blanderon, his Castle of the purest Marble stone, his gates of yellow Brass, and over the principal gate was graved in Letters of gold these verses following.  

Within this Castle, lives the scourge of Kings,  
A furious Giant, whose unconquered power:  
The Thracian Monarch to subjection brings,  
And keeps his Daughter's prisoners in his Tower.  
Seven Damsels fair the monstrous Giant keeps,  
That singes him Music while he rightly sleeps.   

His bats of steel a thousand Knights hath felt,  
Which for these virgin's sakes have lost their lives:  
For all the Champions bold that with him dealt,  
This most intestive Giant still survives,  
Let simple passengers take heed in time,  
When up this steepy mountain they do climb.   

But Knights of worth, and men of Noble mind,  
If any chance to travail by this Tower:  
That for these Maiden's sakes will be so kind,  
To try their strengths against the Giant's power:  
Shall have a virgin's prayer both day and night,  
To prosper them with good successful fight.   
After he had read what was written over the gate, desire of Fame so encouraged him, and the thirst of honour so emboldened his valiant mind, that he either vowed to redeem the Ladies from their servitude, or die with honour by the fury of the Giant: So going to the Castle gate, he struck so vehemently thereon with the pummel of his sword, that it sounded like a mighty thunder clap: Whereat Blanderon suddenly started up, being fast a sleep close by a fountains side, and came pacing forth at the Gate with a mighty Oak upon his neck: which at the fight of the Italian Champion, so lightly flourished it about his head, as though it had been but a light Dimmilaunce, and with these words gave the Noble Champion entertainment  
What Fury hath incensed thy over boldened mind (proud Princocks) thus to adventure thy feeble force against the violence of my strong arm: I tell thee hadst thou the strength of Hercules, who bore the mountain Atlas on his shoulders, or the policy of Ulysses, by which the City of Troy was ruinated, or the might of Xerxes, whose multitudes drunk huge rivers as they passed: yet all too feeble, weak, and impudent, to encounter with the mighty Giant Blanderon: thy force I esteem like a blast of wind, and thy strokes as light as a few drops of water: Therefore betake thee to thy weapon, which I compare unto a bulrush, for on this ground will I measure out thy grave, and after cast thy feeble Palfrey in one of my hands headlong down this strep●e mountain.  
Thus boasted the vain glorious Giant upon his own strength: During which time, the valorous and hardy Champion had alighted from his horse: where after he had made his humble supplication to the heavens for his good sp●ede, and committed his Fortune to the impartial Queen of destiny, he approached within the compass of the Giants reach, who with his great Oak so nimbly besturde him with such vehement blows, that they seemed to shake the earth, and to rattle against the walls of the Castle like mighty thunder claps, and had not the politic Knight continually skipped from the fury of his blow, he had been bruised as small as flesh unto the pot, for every stroke that the Giant gave, the root of his Oak entered at the least two or three foot deep into the ground●. But such was the wisdom and policy of the worthy Champion, not to withstand the force of his weapon, till the Giant grew breathless, and not able through his long labour to lift the Oak above his head, and likewise the heat of the Sun was so intolerable, (by reason of the extreme height of the Mountain, and the mighty weight o● his Iron coat) that the sweat of the giants brows ran into his eyes, and by the reason that he was so extreme fat, he grew blind, that he could not see to endure Combat with him any longer, and as far as he could perceive, would have retired or run back again into his Castle; but that the Italian Champion with a bold courage assailed the Giant so fiercely, that he was forced to let his Oak fall, and stand gasping for breath, which when the noble Knight beheld, with a fresh supply he redoubled his blows so courageously, that they battered on the Giant's Armour like a storm of winter's ha●le: whereby at last Blanderon was compelled to ask the Champion mercy, and to cra●e at his hands some respite of breathing, but his demand was in vain, for the valiant Knight supposed now or never to obtain the honour of the day, & therefore never resting his weary arm, but redoubling blow after blow, till the Giant for want of breath, and through the anguish of his deep gashed wounds, was forced to give the world a farewell, and to yield the riches of his Castle to the most renowned Conqueror S. Anthony the Champion of Italy: But by that time the long and dangerous encounter was finished, and the Giant Blanderons head dissevered from his body, the Sun sat mounted on the highest part of the Elements, which caused the day to be extreme hot and sulthie, whereby the Champion's Armour so extremely scalded him, that he was constrained to unbrace his corselet, and to lay aside his Burgonet, and to cast his body on the cold earth, only to mitigate his overburdened heat: But such was the unnatural coolness of the earth, and so unkindly to his overlabored heart, that the melted grease of his inward parts was overcooled suddenly, whereby his body received such unnatural distemperature, that the vapours of the cold earth struck presently to his heart, by which his vital air of life was excluded, and his body without sense or moving: wherein the mercy of pale death he lay bereaved of feeling for the space of an hour.  
During which time fair Rossalinde (one of the Daughters of the Thracian Kings, being as then Prisoner in the Castle,) by chance looked over the walls, and espied the body of the Giant headless, under whose subjection she had continued in great servitude for the time of seven months, likewise by him a Knight unarmed, as she thought panting for breath, the which the Lady judged to be the Knight that had slain the Giant Blanderon, & the man by whom her delivery should be recovered, she presently descended the walls of the Castle, and ran with all speed to the adventurous Champion, whom she found dead: But yet being nothing discouraged of his recovery, feeling as yet a warm blood in every member, retired back with all speed to the Castle, and fetched a box of precious Balm, the which the Giant was wont to pour into his wounds after his encounter with any knight: with which Balm this courteous Lady chafed every part of the breathless Champion's body, one while washing his stiff limbs with her salt tears, the which like pearls fell from her eyes, another while drying them with the tresses of her golden hair, which hung dangling in the wind, then chafing his li●eles body again with a Balm of a contrary nature, but yet no sign of life could she espy in the dead Knight: which caused her to grow desperate of all hope of his recovery: Therefore like a loving, meek, and kind Lady, considering he had lost his life for her sake, she intended to bear him company in death, and with her own hands to fin●● up her days, and to die upon his breast, as This be died upon the breast of her true Pyramus: therefore as the Swan singes a while before her death, so this sorrowful Lady warbled forth this Swanlike song over the body of the Noble Champion.  

Muses come mourn with doleful melody,  
Kind Sylvan Nymphs that sit in Rosy bowers●  
With brackish tears commix your harmony,  
To wail with me both minutes, months and hours:  
A heavy, sad, and Swanlike song sing I▪  
To ease my heart a while before I die.   

Dead is the Knight for whom I live and die,  
Dead is the Knight which for my sake is slain:  
Dead is the Knight, for whom my careful cry,  
With wounded souls, for ever shall complai●●●  
A heavy, sad, and Swanlike song sing I,  
To ease my heart a while before I die.   

I'll set my breast upon a silver stream,  
And swim unto Elysium lily fields:  
There in Ambrosian trees I'll write a Theme,  
Of all the woeful sighs my sorrow yields:  
A heavy sad and Swanlike song sing I,  
To ease my heart a while before I die.   

Farewell fair woods where singes the Nightingales,  
Farewell fair fields, where feeds the light foot Does,  
Farewell you groves, you hills and flourish dales▪  
But far thou ill the cause of all my woes:  
A heavy, sad, and Swan-like song sing I,  
To ease my heart a while before I die.   

Ring out my ruth you hollow Caves of stone,  
Both birds, and beasts, with all things on the ground:  
You sencsles trees be all assistant to my moan,  
That up to heaven my sorrows may resound:  
A heavy, sad, and swan-like song sing I,  
To ease my heart a while before I die.   

Let all the Towns of Thrace ring out my knell,  
And write in leaves of brass what I have said:  
That after ages may remember well,  
How Rosalinde, both lived and died a Maid:  
A heavy, sad, and Swan-like song sing I,  
To ease my heart a while before I die.   
This woeful Ditty being no sooner ended, but the desperate Lady unsheathed the Champion's sword, which as yet was all besprinkled with the giants blood, and being at the very point to execute her intended Tragedy, and the bloody weapon directly placed against her ivory breast, but she heard the distressed Knight give a grievous & terrible groan: whereat she stopped her remorseless ●and, & with more discretion tendered her own safety, for by this time the Balm wherewith she anointed his body, by wonderful operation recovered the dead Champion, insomuch that after some few gaps and earnest sighs, he raised up his stiff limbs from the cold earth, where like one cast into a trance, for a time gazed up and down the Mountain: but at the last having recovered his lost senses, espied the Thracian Damsel standing by, not able to speak one word her joy so abounded: But after some continuance of time, he revealed to her the manner of his dangerous Encounter, and successful victory, and she the cause of his recovery, & her intended Tragedy: Where after many kind salutations, she courteously took him by the hand & led him into the Castle, where for that night he lodged his weary limbs in an easy bed stuffed with Turtles feathers, & softest thistle down, the chamber had as many windows where he lay, as there were days in the year, and as many doors as there were minutes in a day, and to describe the curious architecture and the ●rificiall workmanship of the place, wore too tedious and a work without end,  
But to be short, the Noble minded Knight slept soundly after his dangerous battle, without mistrust of Treason, or such Rebellious cogitations, till golden Phoebus ●ad him good morrow, then rising from his slothful bed, be attired himself, not in his wont habiliments of war▪ but in purple garments according to the time of peace, and so intended to overview the Nobilities of the Castle: But the Lady Rossalinde all the night was busied in looking to his Horse preparing delicates for his repast, and in making a fire against his uprising, where after he had refreshed his weary spirits with a a dainty banquet, & caroused down two or three bowls of Greekish Wines, he after by the counsel of Rossalinde, stripped the Giant from his Iron furniture, and lest his naked body upon a craggy Rock to be devoured of hungry Ravens: which being done the Thracian Virgin discovered all the secrets of the Castle to the adventurous Champion: First she led him to a leaden Tower, where hung a hundred well approved corselets, with other Martial furniture, which were the spoils of such Knights as he had violently slain, after that she brought him to a stable, wherein stood a hundred pampered jades, which daily fed upon nothing but human flesh: Against it was directly placed the Giants own lodging, his bed was of Iron, corded with mighty bars of steel, the testern and covering of carved brass, the curtains were of leaves of gold, and the rest of a strange and wonderful substance of the colour of the Elements: after this she led him to a broad pond of water, more clearer than quicksilver, the streams whereof lay continually as smooth as Crystal Ice, whereon swum six milk white Swans with Crowns of gold about their necks.  
O here said the Thracian Lady, gins the hell of all my grief! At which words a pearled shower of tears ran from the Conduits of her eyes, that for a time they staid the passage of her tongue, but having discharged her heart from a few sorrowful sighs, she began in this manner to tell her passed fortunes.  
These six milk-white Swans most honoured Knight, you behold swimming in this river (quoth the Lady Rossalinde) be my natural sisters, both by birth and blood, and all Daughters to the King of Thrace, being now Governor of this unhappy Country, and the beginning of our imprisonment befell in this unfortunate manner.  
The King my Father ordained a solemn hunting to be holden through the land, in which Honourable pastime, myself in company of my six sisters were present: ●o in the middle of our sports, when the Lords and Barons of Thracia were in chase after a mighty she Lion, the heavens suddenly began to lower, the firmaments over cast, and a general darkness overspread the face of the whole earth, then presently rose such a storm of lightning and thunder, as though heaven and earth had met together-by which our mighty troops of Knights and Barons were separated one from another, and we poor Ladies forced by misfortune to seek for shelter under the bottom of this high and steepy mountain: where when this cruel Giant Blanderon espied us as he walked upon his Battailements, suddenly descended the mountain, and fetched us all under his Arm up into his Castle, where ever since we have lived in great servitude, and for the wonderful transformation of my six sisters, thus it came to pass as followeth.  
Upon a time the Giant being overcharged with wine, grew innamored upon our beauties, and desired much to enjoy the pleasures of our virginities, our excellent gifts of nature so inflamed his mind with just, ●hat he would have forced us every one to satisfy his sinful desires: but as he took my sisters one by one into his lodging thinking to deflower them, their earnest prays so prevailed in the sight of God, that he preserved their chastities by a most strange and wonderful miracle, and turned their comely bodies into the shape of milk-white Swans, even in the same form as here you see them swimming: So when this monstrous Giant saw that his intent was crossed, and how there was none left behind to supply his want, but my unfortunate self, he restrained his filthy lust, not violating my Honour with any stain of infamy, but kept me ever since a most pure Virgin, only with sweet inspiring music to bring him to his sleep.  
Thus have you heard (most Noble Knight) the true discourse of my most unhappy fortunes, and the wonderful transformation of my six sisters, whose loss to this day is greatly lamented throughout all Thrace, and with that word she made an end of her Tragical discourse, not able to utter the rest for weeping: whereat the Knight being oppressed then with like sorrow, embraced her about the slender waste, and thus kindly began to comfort her.  
My most dear and kind Lady, within whose countenance, I see how virtue is enthronized, and in whose mind lives true Magnanimity, let these few words suffice to comfort thy sorrowful cogitations: First think that the Heavens are most beneficial unto thee in preserving thy chastity from the Giants insatiate desires, then for thy delivery by my means from thy slavish servitude: Thirdly and lastly, that thou remaining in thy natural shape & likeness, mayest live to be the means of thy sister's transformations: Therefore dry up those Crystal pearled tears, and b●d thy long continued sorrows adieu: for grief is companion with despair, and despair a procurer of an infamous death.  
Thus the woeful Thracian Lady was comforted by the Noble Christian Champion: where after a few kind greetings they intended to travail to her Father's Court, there to relate what had happened to her sisters in the castle, likewise the giants confusion, and her own safe delivery by the illustrious prowess of the Christian Knight: So taking the keys of the Castle, which was of a wonderful weight, they locked up the gates and paced hand in hand down the stée●ie mountain, till they approached the Thracian Court, which was distant from the Castle some ten miles: but by that time they had a sight of the Palace the Sun was wandered to the under world, and the light of heaven, sat ●●●●fled up in clouds of pitch, the which not a little discontented the weary travailers: but at last coming to her Father's Gates, they heard a solemn sound of bells, ringing the funeral knell of some Noble estate: the cause of which solemn ringing they demanded of the Porter, who in this manner expressed the truth of the matter unto them.  
Fair Lady, and most renowned Knight, (said the Porter) for so you seem both by your speeches and Honourable demands, the cause of this ringing is for the loss of the Kings seven daughters, the number of which Bells be seven, called after the name of the seven Princes, which never yet hath ceased their doleful melody, since the departure of the unhappy Ladies, nor never must until joyful news be heard of their safe return.  
Then now their tasks be ended, (said the Noble mindded Rossalinde) for we bring happy news of the seven Prince's abidings: At which words the Porter being ravished with joy, in all haste ran to the steeple, and caused the Bells to cease: whereat the King of Thrace being at his Royal supper, and hearing the Bells to cease their wont melody, suddenly started up from his Princely seat, and like a man amazed ran to the ●allace gate, where as he found his Daughter Rossalinde in company of a strange Knight, which when he beheld his joy so exceeded, that he sounded in his daughter's bosom, but being recovered to his former sense, he brought them both up into his Princely Hall, where their entertainments were so honourable, and so gracious in the eyes of the whole Court, that it were too tedious and overlong to describe, but their joy continued but a short season, for it was presently dashed with Rosalindes tragical discourse: for the good old King when he heard of his daughter's transformations, and how they lived in the shapes of milk-white Swans, he rend his locks of silver hair, which time had died with the pledge of wisdom, his rich and imbrothered garments he tore into a thousand p●eces, and clad his aged limbs in a dismal black, and sable mantle, more discontented than the woeful King of Troy, when he beheld his own Sons by the hair of the heads dragged up and down the streets, also he commanded that his Knights and adventurous Champions in steed of glistering Armour should wear the weeds of death, more black in h●w than winter's darkest nights, and all the Courtly Ladies and gallant Thracian maidens in steed of silken vestments he commanded to wear both heavy sad and melancholy ornaments, and even as unto a solemn funeral, so to attend him to the Giants Castle, & there obsequiously to offer up unto the angry Destinies, many a bitter sigh and tear in remembrance of his transformed daughters: Which decree of the sorrowful Thracian King was performed with all convenient speed, for the next morning no sooner had Phoebus cast his beauty unto the kings bedchamber, but he appareled himself in mourning garments, and in company of his melancholy train set forward to his woeful Pilgrimage: But now we must not forget the Princely minded Champion of Italy, nor the Noble Lady Rossalinde who at the kings departure towards the Castle crau●● leave to slay behind, and not so suddenly to begin a new travel, whereunto the King quickly condescended, considering their late journey the evening before, so taking the Castle keys from the Champion, he bid his Palace adieu, and committed his fortune to his sorrowful journey: where we lea●● him in a world of discontented passions, and a while discourse what happened to the Christian Champion and his beloved Lady, for by that time the Sun had thrice measured the world with his restless steeds, and thrice his sister Luna wandered to the west, the Noble Italian Knight grew weary of his long continued rest, and thought it a great dishonour & a scandal to his valiant mind, to remain where nought but Chamber sports were resident, desired rather to abide in a Court that entertained the doleful murmuring of tragedies, where the joyful sound of Drums and Trumpets should be heard, therefore taking Rossalinde by the hand, being then in a dump for the want of her father, to whom the good Knight in this manner expressed his secret intent▪ My most devoted Lady and Mistress (said the Champion) a second Dido for thy love, a stain to Venus for ●y beauty, Penelope's compare for constancy, and for chastity the wonder of all maids: the faithful love that hitherto I have found since my arrival, for ever shall be ●●●ined in my heart, and before all Ladies under the cope of h●uen, thou shalt live and die my souls true governess, an● for thy sake ●e stand as Champion against all Knight's i● the world: But to impair the honour of my Knighthood, and to live like a carpet dancer in the laps of Ladies I will not, though I can tune a Lutes in a Prince's Chamber, I can sound as well a fierce alarm in the field: honour ca●l●s me forth dear Rossalinde, and fame intends to burkle on my Armour, which now lies rusting in the idle Court of Thrace: Therefore I am constrained (though most unwilling) to leave the comfortable sight of thy beauty, and commit my fortune to a longer travail, but I protest wheresoever I become, or in what Region soever I ●e harboured, there will I maintain to the loss of my life, that both thy love, constancy, beauty, and Chastity▪ surpasseth all Dames alive, and with this promise my most divine Rossalinde, I bid thee farewell: But before the honourable minded Champion could finish what he had purposed to utter, the Lady being wounded inwardly with extreme grief, not able to endure to keep silent any longer, but with tears falling from her eyes, broke off his speeches in this manner.  
Sir Knight (said she) by whom my liberty hath been obtained: Therefore the name of Lady & Mistress wherewith you entitle me, is to high and proud a name, but rather call me handmaid, or servile slave, for on thy Noble person will I evermore attend: It is not Thrace can harbour me when thou art absent, and before I do forsake thy company and kind fellowship, the heaven shall be no heaven▪ the sea no sea, nor the earth no earth: but if thou pro●est unconstant, as Ninus did to Scylla, who for his sake stole her Father's purple hair, whereon depended the safety of his country, or like wandering Aenaeas fly from the Queen of Carthage: yet shall these tender hands of 〈◊〉 which neu●r shall unclasp, but hang upon thy horse bridle, till my bode like Theseus' sons be dashed in sunder against hard flinty stones: Therefore forsake me not dear knight of Christendom. If ever Camma was true to her Sinatus, or ever Alsione to her Ce●x, so Rossalinde will be to thee, & with t●is plighted promise she caught him fast about the neck, from whence she would not unclose her hands, till he had vos●de by the Honour of true Chivalry, to make her sole companion, and only partner in his trevailes, and so after this order it was accomplished.  
Thus being both agreed, she was most trimly attired like a Page in green sarsenet, her hair● bound up most cunningly with a silken list, & so artificially wrought with curious knots, that she might travail without suspicion or blemish of her honour, her Rapier was a Turkish blade, and her Poniards of the finest fashion, the which she wore at her back tied with an Orringe tawny coloured scarf, beautified with tassels of unwoven silk, her Buskins of the smoothest Kids skins, her Spurs of the purest Liddian steel: In which when the Noble and beautiful Lady was attired, she seemed in stature like the God of love, when he sat dandled upon Dido's lap, or rather Ganemede, Ioues minion, or Adonis when Venus showed her silver skin, to entrap his eyes to her unchaste desires: But to be brief, all things being got in readiness for their departure from Thrace, this famous worthy Knight mounted upon his ●ger Steed, and 〈◊〉 magnanimous Rossalinde on her gentle Palfrey, in pace more easter than the winged winds, or a Cockbo●e floating upon the Crystal streams, they both bid adieu to the Country of Thracia, and committed their journey to the Queen of chance: Therefore smile heavens and guide them with a most happy star, until they arrive where their souls do most desire. The bravest and boldest Knight that ever wandered by the way, and the most loveliest Lady that ever any eye beheld: In whose travails my Muse must lea● them for a season, and speak of the Thracian mourns, which by this time had watered the earth with abundance of their ceremonious tears, and made the elements 〈◊〉 witnesses of their sad laments, as hereafter followeth in this next Chapter.   

CHAP. VII.  
How Saint Andrew the Champion of Scotland travailed into a vale of walking Spirits, and how he was set at liberty, by a going fire. After his journey into Thracia, where he recovered the six Ladies to their natural shapes, that had lived seven years in the likeness of milk-white Swans, with other accidents that befell the most Noble Champion.  
NOW of the Honourable adventures of Saint Andrew the famous Champion of Scotland must I discourse, whose seven years travails were as strange as any of the other Champions: For after he had departed from the Brazen Pillar, as you heard in the beginning of the History. He travailed through many a strange and unknown Nation, beyond the cercuit of the sun, where but one time in the year she shows her brightsome beams, but continually darkness overspreads the country, & there is a kind of people that have heads like dogs, & in the extremity of hunger do devour one another: from which people this Noble Champion was wonderful strangely delivered, or after he had wandered some certain days, neither seeing ●he gladsome brightness of the Sun, nor the comfortabl● countenance of the Moon, but only guided by dusky paleness of the elements, he happened to a vale of walking spirits: which he supposed to be the very dungeon of burning A●●aron: For there he heard blowing of unseen fires, boiling of furnases, rattling of Armour, trampling of horses, g●●●ling of chains, l●mbring of tubs, roaring of spirits, and such like horrible hearings, that it made the Scottish Champion almost at his wit's end: But yet having an undaunted courage, exempting all fear, he humbly made his supplication to heaven, that God would deliver him from that discontented place of terror: and so presently as the Champion kneeled upon the barren ground (whereon grew neither herb, flower, grass, nor any other green thing,) he beheld a certain flame of fire walking up and down before him, whereat he grew into such an ecstasy of fear, that he stood for a time amazed whether it were best to go forward, or to stand still: But yet recalling his senses, he remembered himself, how he had read in passed times of a going fire called Ignis fatuis, the fire of destiny, or some Will with the wisp, or Will with the lantern, & likewise by some simple country people, the fair maid of Ireland, which commonly used to lead wandering travailers out of their ways. The like imagination entered the Champion's mind: So encouraging himself with his own conceits, and cheering up his dull senses late oppressed with extreme fear, he directly followed the going fire which so justly went before him, that by the time the guider of the night had climbed twelve degrees in the zodiac, he was safely delivered from the vale of walking spirits, by the direction of the going fire.  
Now began the Sun to dance about the firmament, which he had not seen in many months before: whereat his dull senses so much rejoiced, being so long covered before with darkness, that every step he troad was as pleasurable, as though he had walked in a garden bedecked with all kind of fragrant flowers.  
At last without any further molestation he arrived within the territories of Thracia, a country as you heard in the former Chapter, adorned with the beauty of many fair Woods and Forests, through which be travailed with small rest, but less sleep, till he came to the foot of the mountain, whereupon stood the Castle wherein the woeful King of Thrace in company of his sorrowful subjects, still lamented the unhappy destinies of his six daughters turned into Swans, with Crowns of gold about their necks: But when the valiant Champion Saint Andrew beheld the lofty scittuation of the Castle, and the invincible strength it seemed to be of, expected some strange adventure to befall him in the said Castle: So preparing his sword in readiness, and buckling close his Armour, which was a shirt of silver mail for lightness in travail: He climbed the Mountain, whereupon he espied the Giant lying upon a craggy Rock, with limbs and members all to be rend and torn, by the fury of hunger starved fowls: which loathsome spectacle was no little wonder to the worthy Champion, considering the mighty stature & bigness of the Giant: So leaving his putrefied body to the winds, he approached the gates: where after he had read the superscription over the same, without any interruption entered the Castle where he expected a fierce encounter by some Knight that should have defended the same, but all things fell out contrary to his imagination, for after he had found many a strange novelty and hidden secret closed in the same, chanced at last to come where the Thracians duly observed their ceremonious mournings, which in this order was daily performed: for upon sundays which in that Country is the first day in the week, all the Thracians attired themselves after the manner of Bacchus' Priests, and burned perfumed incense and sweet Arabian francumsence upon a religious shrine which they offered to the 〈◊〉 as chief governor of that day, thinking thereby to appease the angry destinies, and so recover the unhappy Ladies to their former shapes: upon Mundays clad in garments after the manner of Syluanes, & colour like to the waves of the sea, they offered up their woeful tears to the Moon, being the g●t●er and mistress of that day: upon Te●sdayes like soldiers trailing their Banners on the dust, and Drums sounding sad and doleful melody in sign of discontent, they committed their proceed to the pleasure of Mars, being ruler and guider of that day: upon Wednesday like scholars unto Mercury: upon Thursday like Potentates to jove: upon Friday's like lovers with sweet sounding Music to Venus: and upon Saterdays like Manual professors to the angry and discontented Saturn.  
Thus the woeful Thracian King with his sorrowful subjects, consumed seven months away, one while accusing fortune of despite, another while the heavens of injustice: the one for children's transformations, the other for their long limited punishments: But at last when the Scottish Champion heard what bitter moan the Thracians made about the river, he demanded the cause, and to what purpose they observed such vain ceremonies, contemning the Majesty of high jehova, and only worshipping but outward & vain Gods: to whom the King after a few sad tears strained from the Conduits of his aged eyes replied in this manner.  
Most noble Knight for so you seem, both by your gesture and other outward appearance, (quoth the King,) if you desire to know the cause of our continual grief, prepare your ears to hear a tragic and woeful tale, whereat I see the elements begin to mourn, and cover their azured countenance, with sable clouds. These milk-white Swans you see, whose necks be beautified with golden Crowns, are my six natural Daughters, transformed into this Swanlike substance, by the appointment of the Gods: for of late this Castle was kept by a cruel Giant named B●āderon, who by violence would have ravished them: But the heavens to preserve their chastities, prevented his lustful desires, and transformed their beautiful features to those milk-white Swans: And now seven times the cheerful spring hath renewed the earth with a S●mmers livery, and seven times the nipping Winters ●●ostes, hath bereaved the trees of leaf and bud, since first my Daughters lost their virgins shapes: Seven summers have they swam upon this Crystal stream: where in steed of ric● attire, and imbrothered Uestments, the smooth silver coloured feathers adorns their comely bodies: Princely Palaces wherein they were wont like unto tripping Sea-nymphs dance their measures up and down, are now exchanged into cold streams of water: wherein their chiefest melody, is the murmuring of the liquid bubbles; and their joyfullest pleasure, to hear the harmony of humming Bees, which the Poet's ca●● the Muse's birds.  
Thus have you heard most worthy Knight the rueful Tragedies of my Daughters, for whose sakes I will spend the remnant of my days, cheerfully complaining of their long appointed punishments, about the Banks of t●ys unhappy river. Which sad discourse being no sooner ended, but the Scottish Knight (having a mind furnished with all Princely thoughts, & a tongue washed in the Fountain of Eloquence), thus replied to the comfort and great rejoicing of all the company.  
Most noble King (quoth the Champion) your heavy and dolorous discourse, hath constrained my ●eart to a wonderful passion, and compelled my very soul ●o ●ue your Daughter's miseries: But yet a greater g●ief● 〈◊〉 a deeper sorrow than that, hath taken possession in my 〈◊〉, whereof my e●es hath been witness, and my ears unhappy ●earers of your misbelief, I mean your unchristian faith: For I have seen since my first arrival into th●s same Castle your profane & vain worshipping of 〈◊〉 and fals● Gods, as to Phoebus, Luna, Mars, Mercury, and such like Poetical names, which the Majesty of high jehova utterly contemns: but magnificent governor of Thracia; if you seek to recover your Daughter's happiness by humble prayers, and to obtain your souls content by true tears, you must abandon all such vain Ceremonies, and with true humility believe in the Christians God, which is the God of wonders, and chief commander of the rolling Elements, in whose quarrel this undaunted arm, and this unconquered heart of mine shall fight: and now be it known to thee great King of Thrace, that I am a Christian Champion, and by birth a Knight of Scotland, bearing my country's Arms upon my breast (for indeed thereon he bore a silver Cross set in blue silk) and therefore in the honour of Christendom I challenge forth thy proudest Knight at Arms, against whom I will maintain that our God is the true God, and the rest fantastical and vain ceremonies.  
Which sudden and unexpected challenge so daunted the Thracian Champions that they stood amazed for a time; gazing one upon another, like men dropped from the clouds: but at last consulting together, how the challenge of the strange Knight, was to the dishonour of their Country, & utter scandal of all Knightly dignity: therefore with a general consent they craved leave of the King that the challenge might be taken, who as willingly condescended as they demanded: ●o the time and place was appointed which was the next morning following by the King's commandment upon a large and plain meadow close by the river side, whereon the six Swans were swimming, and so after the Christian Champion had cast down his stéely Gauntlet and the Thracian Knights accepted thereof, every one departed for that night, the Challenger to the E●st side of the Castle to his lodging, and the Defendants to the west, where they slept quietly till the next morning, who by the break of day were wakened by a Harrold at arms, but all the passed night our Scottish Champion never ●ntertaynde one motion of rest, but busied himself in trimming his horse, buckling on his Armour, lacing on his Burgonet, and making his prayers to the Divine Majesty of God for the conquest and victory, till the morning's beauty chased away the darkness of the night, but no sooner was the windows of the day fully opened, but the valiant and Noble minded Champion of Christendom entered the Li●t, where the King in company of the Thracian Lords were present to behold the Combat: and so after saint Andrew had twice or thrice traced his horse up & down the Lists bravely flourishing his Lance, at the top whereof hung a pendant of gold, whose Posy was thus written in silver letters: This day a Martyr or a Conqueror. Then entered a Knight in exceeding bright Armour, mounted upon a Courser as white as the northern snow whose caparison was of the colour of the elements, betwixt whom was a firc● encounter, but the Thracian had the foil, and with disgrace d●parted the Lists: Then secondly entered another Knight in Armour varnished with green varnish, his Steed of the colour of an Iron grey, who likewise had the repulse by the worthy Christian: Thirdly entered a knight in a black corslet, mounted upon a bi● bond Palfrey, covered with a vale of sable silk, in his hand he bore a Lance n●●led round about with plates of steel: which Knight amongst the Thracians was accounted the strongest in the world, except it were those Giants that descended from a monstrous lineage: But no sooner encountered these hardy Champions, but their Lances shivered in sunder, and flew so violently into the Air, that it much amazed the beholders: Then they alighted from their Steeds, and so valiantly besturd them with their keen edged Falchions, that the fiery sparkles flew as fiercely from these Noble Champions steely Helmets, as from an Iron Anvil: But the Combat endured not very long before the most hardy Scottish Knight espied an advantage, wherein he might show his matchless fortitude: then he struck such a violent bl●w upon the Thracians Burgonet, that it cleaved his head justly down to the shoulders: whereat the King suddenly started from his seat, and with a wrathful countenance, threatened the Champion's death in this manner.  
Proud Christian (said the King) thou shalt repent his death, and curse the time that ever thou camest to Thracia: his blood we will revenge upon thy head, and quit thy committed cruelty with a sudden death: and so in company of a hundred Armed Knights, he encompassed the Scottish Champion, intending by multitudes to murder him: But when the valiant Knight Saint Andrew saw how he was suppressed by treachery, and environed with mighty Troops, he called to heaven for succour, and annimated himself by these words of encouragement: Now for the Honour of Christendom, this day a Martyr or a Conqueror, and therewithal he so valiantly behaved himself with his trusty Curtleaxe, that he made Lanes of murdered men, and field them down by multitudes, like as the harvest man doth mo●●e down ears of ripened corn: whereby they fell before his face like leaves from trees, when the summers pride declines her glory: So at the last after much blood shed, the Thracian King was compelled to yield to the Scottish Champions mercy, who swore him for the safeguard of his life, to forsake his profaned religion and become a Christian, whose living true God the Thracian king vowed for evermore to worship, and thereupon he kissed the Champion's sword.  
This conversion of the Pagan King, so pleased the Majesty of God, that he presently gave end to his Daughter's punishments, & turned the Ladies to their former shapes: But when the King beheld their smooth feathers, which were whiter than the Lily, exchanged to a natural fairness, & that their black bills and slender necks were converted to their first created beauties, (where for excellent faireles, the Queen of love might build her Paradise,) be bad adieu to his grief and long continued sorrows, protesting ever hereafter to continue a true Christian for the Scottish Champions sake: by whom and by whose divine Orisons his Daughters obtained their former features: So taking the Christian Knight in company of the six Ladies, to an excellent rich Chamber, prepared with all things according to their wishes: where first the Christian Knight was unarmed, than his wounds washed with white Wine, new Milk, and Rose-water, and so after some dainty repast, conveyed to his night's repose. The Ladies being the joyfullest creatures under heaven, never entertained one thought of sleep, but passed the night in their Father's company, (whose mind was ravished with unspeakable pleasure,) till the morning's messengers bade them good morrow.  
Thus all things being prepared in a readiness, they departed the Castle, not like mourners to a heavy Funeral: but in triumphing manner marching back to the Thracian Palace, with streaming Banners in the wind. Drums and Trumpets sounding joyful melody, and with sweet inspiring music, causing the air to resound with harmony: But no sooner were they entered the Palace, (which was in distance from the Giant's Castle, some ten miles) but their triumphs turned to exceeding sorrow, for Rossalinde with the Champion of Italy as you heard before was departed the Court: which unexpected news so daunted the whole company, but especially the King, that the triumphs for that time were deferred, and messengers dispatched in pursuit of the adventurous Italian, and the ●o●ely Rossalinde.  
But when Saint Andrew of Scotland had intelligence, how it was one of the Knights that was imprisoned with him under the subjection of the wicked 〈…〉 Kalyb, as you heard first of all in the beginning of the History, his heart thirsted for his most Honourable company, and his eyes never closed quietly, nor took any rest at all until he was likewise departed in the pursuit of his sworn friend, which was the next night following, without making any acquainted with his intent: likewise when the six Ladies understood the secret departure of the Scottish Champion, whom they affected dearer than any Knight in all the world, stored themselves with sufficient treasure, and by stealth took their journey from their Father's Palace: intending either to find out the victorious and approved Knight of Scotland, or to end their lives in some foreign Region.  
The rumour of whose departure, no sooner came to the kings ears, but he purposed the like travail, either to obtain the sight of his Daughters again, or to make his tomb in a country beyond the cercuite of the Sun: So attiring himself in a homely russet, like a Pilgrim with an ebon staff in his hand tipped with silver, took his journey all unknown from his Palace, whose sudden and secret departure, struck such an extreme & intolerable heaviness in the Court, that the Palace gates were sealed up with sorrow, and the walls be-hung with sable mourning cloth. The Thracian Lords exempted all pleasure, and like a flock of sheep strayed up and down without a shepherd, the Ladies and Courtly gentles, sat sighing in their private chambers: where we leave them for this time, & speak of the success of the other Champions, and how Fortune smiled on their adventurous proceed.   

CHAP. VIII.  
How Saint Pattricke the Champion of Ireland, redeemed the six Thracian Ladies out of the hands of thirty bloody minded Satyrs, and of their purposed travail in the pursuit after the Champion of Scotland.  
BUT now of the valiant & hardy Knight at Arms Saint Pattrick the Champion of Ireland must I speak, whose adventurous accidents were so Nobly performed, that if my pen were made of steel, yet should I wear it to the stumps, sufficiently to declare his prowess and worthy adventures. When he departed from the brazen P●ller, from the other Champions, the heavens smiled with a kind aspect, and sent him such a happy star to be his guide, that it lead him to no Courtly pleasures, nor to vain delights of Lady's beauties, but to the throne of fame, where honour sat instauld upon a seat of gold: Thither travailed the warlike Champion of Ireland, whose illustrious battles the northern Isles hath Chronicled in leaves of brass: therefore Ireland be proud, for from thy bowels did spring a Champion, whose prowess made the enemies of Christ to tremble, and watered the earth with streams of Pagan's blood: witness whereof the isle of Rhodes, the key & strength of Christendom was recovered from the Turks, by his martial and invincible prowess: where his dangerous battles, fierce encounters, bloody skirmishes, and long assaults, would serve to fill a mighty volume, all which I pass over, & wholly discourse of things appertaining to this History: for 〈…〉 wars at Rhodes were fully ended, which continued some two years the worthy Champion saint Pattricke (accounting idle ease the nurse of cowardice) bad Rhodes farewell, being then strongly fortified with Christian Soldiers, and took his journey through many an unknown Country, where at last it pleased so the Queen of chance to direct his steps into a solitary wilderness, inhabited only by wild Satyrs, and a people of inhuman qualities, giving their wicked minds only to murder, lust and rape, wherein the noble Champion traveled up and down many a weary step, not knowing how to sustain his hunger, but by his own industry in killing of wild venison, and pressing out the blood betwixt two mighty stones, daily r●sted it by the heat of the Sun, his lodging was in the hollow trunk of a blasted tree, which nightly preserved him from the dropping showers of heaven, his chief companion was the sweet resounding echo, which commonly reanswered the Champion's words: In this manner lived saint Pattrick the Irish Knight in the woods, not knowing how to set himself at liberty, but wandering up and down as it were 〈◊〉 a maze wrought by the curious workmanship of some excellent Gardener, it was his chance at last to come into a dismal shady thicket beset about with baleful mistletoe, a place of horror wherein he heard the cries of some distressed Ladies, whose bitter lamentations seemed to pierce▪ the clouds, and to crave succour at the hands of God, which unexpected cries not a little daunted the Irish Knight: so that it caused him to prepare his weapon in readiness, against some sudden encounter: So couching himself close under the root of an old withered Oak, (which had not flourished with green leaves in many a year) he espied a far off a crew of bloody minded Satyrs, hauling by the hair the six unhappy Ladies through many a thorny brake and briar, whereby the beauty of their crimson cheeks, was all to besprent with purple gore, and their eyes (within whose clear glasses one might behold the God of love dancing) all to be rend & torn by the fury of the briars, whereby they could not see the light of heaven, nor the place of their unfortunate abiding: which woeful spectacle forced such a terror in the heart of the Irish Knight, that he presently made out for the rescue of the Ladies, against the bloody fury of the merciless Satyrs which were in number about some thirty, every one having a mighty club upon his neck, which they had made with roots of young Oaks and Pine trees, yet this adventurous Champion being nothing discouraged, but with a bold and resolute mind he let drive at the sturdiest satire, whose Armour of defence was made of a Bulls hide, which was dried so hard against the Sun, that the Champion's Curtle-axe little prevailed: after which the fell Satyrs encompassed the Christian Knight round about, and so mightily oppressed him with down right blows, that had he not by good fortune leapt under the boughs of a mighty tree, his life had been forced to give the world a speedy farewell: But such was his nimbleness and active policy, that ●re long he sheathed his sharp pointed Falchion in one of the Satyrs breasts, which woeful sight caused all the rest to fly from his presence, and left the six Ladies to the pleasure & disposition of the most Noble and courageous Christian Champion.  
Who after he had sufficiently breathed and cooled himself in the i'll Air (being almost windless through the long encounter and bloody Skirmish▪) he demanded the cause of the ladies travels, and by what means they happened into the hands of those merciless Satyrs, who most cruelly and tyrannically attempted the utter ruin and endless spoil of their unspotted ●●●ginity: To which courteous demand one of the Ladies a●●er a deep fetched sigh or two (being constrained from the bottom of her most sorrowful heart) in the behalf of herself and the other distressed Ladies, replied in this order.  
redeemed us distressed Ladies from a double death: the one in preserving our chastities from the lustful desires of the Satyrs, the other in saving our lives from the threatening furies of the monsters.  
Know brave minded Knight, that we are the unfortunate Daughters of the King of Thrace, whose lives hath been unhappy ever since our creations: For first we did endure a long imprisonment under the hands of a cruel Giant, and after the heavens to preserve our Chastities from the wicked desires of the said Giant, transformed us into the shape of Swans, in which likeness we remained seven years, but at last recovered by a worthy Christian Knight, named S. Andrew the Champion of Scotland, after whom we have travailed many a weary step, never crossed by any violence, until it was our angry fates to arrive in this unhappy Wilderness, where your eyes have been true witnesses of our woeful misfortunes: Which sad discourse being no sooner finished, but the worthy Champion began thus to comfort the distressed Ladies.  
The Christian Champion after whom you take in hand this weary travail (said the Irish Champion) is my approved friend, for whose company and wished sight, I will go more weary miles, than there be trees in this accursed Wilderness, and number my steps with the multitude of sands hidden in the seas: therefore most excellent Ladies, true ornaments of beauty, be sad companions in my travails, for I will never cease till I have found our honourable friend the Champion of Scotland, or some of those brave Knights whom I have not seen these seven Summers.  
These words so contented the sorrowful Ladies, that without any exception they agreed, and with as much willingness consented, as the Champion demanded: So after they had recovered their sights, eased their weariness, and cured their wounds: which was by the secret virtues of certain herbs growing in the same woods, took their journeys anew, under the conduct of this worthy Champion Saint Pattrick, where after some days travail, obtained the fight of a broad beaten way, where committing their fortunes to the fatal sisters, and setting their faces toward the east, merrily journeyed together: In whose fortunate travails we leave, and speak of the seventh Christian Champion, whose adventurous exploits and Knightly Honours, deserves a golden pen, dipped in the ink of true Fame to discourse at large.   

CHAP. IX.  
How Saint David the Champion of Wales slew the County Palatine in the Tartarian Court, and after how he was sent to the Enchanted Garden of Ormondine, wherein by Magic Art he slept seven years.  
SAint David the most Noble Champion of Wales, after his departure from the brazen pillar where as the other Champions of Christendom divided themselves severally, to seek for foreign adventures, he achieved many memorable things, as well in Christendom, as in those Nations that acknowledge no true God: which for this time I omit, and only discourse what happened unto him amongst the Tartarians: For being in the Emperor of Tartaries Court (a place very much honoured with valorous Knights, and highly gracie with a train of beauteous Ladies) where the Emperor upon a time ordained a solemn joust and Tournament to be holden in the honour of his birth day: whether resorted at the time appointed, (from all the borders of Tartary) the best and hardiest Knights there remaining: In which honourable & Princely exercise, the Noble Knight Saint David was appointed Champion for the Emperor, who was mounted upon a Morocco Steed, betrapped in a rich Caparison, wrought by the curious workmanship of the Indian women, upon whose shield was set a golden Griffon rampant in a field of blue.  
Against him came the County Palatine, Son & heir apparent to the Tartarian Emperor, brought in by twelve Knights, richly furnished with all habiliments of honour, and paced three times about the Lists, before the Emperor and many Ladies that were present to behold the honourable Tournament: The which being done, the twelve Knights departed the Lists, and the County Palatine prepared himself to encounter with the Christian Knight: being then appointed chief Champion for the day: who likewise locked down his Beaver, and at the Trumpets sound by the Harrolds appointment, ran so fiercely one against the other, that the ground seemed to thunder under them, & the skies to resound echoes of their mighty strokes.  
At the second race the Champions ran, Saint David had the worse, & was constrained through the forcible strength of the County Palatine, to fall backward almost beside his saddle: whereat the Trumpets began to sound in sign of victory: but yet the valiant Christian nothing dismayed, but with a courage (within whose eyes say Knightly revenge) ran the third time against the County Palatine, and by the violent force of his strength, he overthrew both horse & man, whereby the Counties body was so exstreamly bruised with the fall of his horse, that his heart blood issued forth from his nostrils, and his vital spirits pressed from the mansion of his breast, that he was forced to give the world a timeless farewell.  
This fatal overthrow of the County Palatine, abashed the whole company: but especially the Tartarian Emperor, who having no more sons but him, caused the Lists to be broken up, the Knights to be unarmed, and the murdered County to be brought by four Squires into his Palace: where after he was despoiled of his furniture, & the Christian Knight received it in the honour of his victory. The woeful Emperor bathed the Tartarians body with tears which dropped like Crystal Pearls upon his congealed blood, where after many sad sighs he breathed forth this woeful lamentation.  
Now are my triumphs turned to everlasting woes, from a comical pastime, to a dierefull and bloody tragedy: O most unkind fortune, never constant but in change! Why is my life deferred to see the downfall of my dear Son, the Noble County Palatine? why rends not this accursed earth whereon I stand, and presently swallow up my body into her hungry bowels: Is this the use of Christians for true Honour, to repay dishonour, could no base blood serve to stain his deadly hands withal, but with the precious blood of my dear Son, in whose revenge the face of the heavens is stained with blood, and cries for vengeance to the Majesty of high eternal jove, the dreadful furies, the direful daughters of dark night, and all the baleful company of burning Acheron, whose loins be girt with Serpents, and hair be hanged with wreaths of Snakes▪ shall haunt, pursue and follow tha● accursed Chrstian Champion, that hath bereaved my Country Tartary, of so precious a jewel as my dear Son the County Palatine was, whose magnanimous prowess, did surpass all the Knights of our Country.  
Thus sorrowed the woeful Emperor for the death of his Noble son: sometimes making the echoes of his lamentations pierce the elements: another while forcing his bitter curses to sink to the deep foundation of Acheron: one while intending to be revenged upon Saint David the Christian Champion, then presently his intent was crossed with a contrary imagination, that it was against the Law of Arms, and a great dishonour to his Country, by violence to oppress a strange Knight, whose actions hath ever been guided by true honour, but yet at last this firm resolution entered into his mind.  
There was adjoining upon the borders of Tartary, an enchanted garden kept by Magic art, from whence never any returned that attempted to enter; the Governor of which garden was a notable and famous Necromancer named Ormondine, to which Magician the Tartarian Emperor intended to send the adventurous Champion saint David, thereby to revenge the County Palatine's death: So the Emperor after some few days passed▪ and the Obsequies of his son being no sooner performed▪ but he caused the Christian Knight to be brought into his present, to whom he committed this heavy task and weary labour. Proud Knight (said the angry Emperor) thou knowest since thy arrival into our Territories how highly I have honoured thee, not only ingraunting liberty of life, 〈◊〉 making thee chief Champion of Tartary, which high honour thou haste repaid with great ingratitude, and blemished true Nobility, in acting of my dear sons Tragedy: For which unhappy deed thou rightly haste deserved death: But yet know accursed Christian, that mercy harboureth in a Princely mind, and where honour sits enthronized, there justice is not too severe. Although thou hast deserved death: yet if thou wilt adventure to the Enchanted garden, and bring hither the Magicians head, I grant thee not only thy life, but therewithal the Crown of Tartary after my disease: because I see then haste a mind furnished with all Princely thoughts, and adorned with true Magnanimity.  
This heavy task, and strange adventure, not a little pleased the Noble Champion of Wales, whose mind ever thirsted after strange adventures: and so after some considerate thoughts, in this manner he replied.  
Most high and magnificent Emperor (said the Champion) were this task which you enjoin me to, as wonderful as the labours of Hercules, or as fearful as the enterprise which jason made for the golden ●le●ee: yet would I attempt to finish and return with more triumph to Tartary, than the Macedonian Monark● did to Babylon, when he had conquered the Angels of the world: Which words being no sooner ended, but the Emperor 〈…〉 by his oath of Knighthood, and by the love he bears unto his native country, never to follow any other adventure, till he had performed his promise, which was to bring th● Magician Ormondines head into Tartary: And so the Emperor departed from the Noble Knight Saint David, 〈…〉 ●●uer to see him return, ●ut rather ●eare his utter confusion, or everlasting imprisonment.  
Thus this valiant Christian Champion, being bound to a heavy task, within three days prepares all necessaries in readiness for his departure: and so travailed westward, till he approach to the sight of the Enchanted Garden, the scittuation whereof somewhat daunted his valiant courage: for it was encompassed with a hedge of withered thorns, and briars, which seemed continually to burn: upon the top thereof, sat a number of strange and deformed things, some in the likeness of night Owls, that wondered at the presence of Saint David: some in the shape of Progines transformation, foretelling his infortunate success: and some like Ravens, that with their harsh throuts ring forth a baleful knell of some woeful Tragedy: the elements which covered the Enchanted Garden, seemed to be overspread with 〈…〉, from whence continually shot ●●ames of fire, as though the skies had been ●●led with blazing Comets: which 〈…〉, or rather the very pattern of hell, struck such a terror into the Champion's heart, that twice he was in mind to return without performing the adventure; but for his oath and Honour of Knighthood, which he had pawned for the accomplishment thereof: So laping his body on the bare earth, being the first nurse and mother of his life, her made his humble petition to God, that his mind might be never oppressed with cowardice, nor his heart daunted with any faint fear, till he had performed what the Tartarian Emperor had bound him to, the Champion rose from the ground, and with cheerful looks beheld the elements, which seemed at his conceit to smile at the enterprise, and to foreshow a lucky event.  
So the Noble Knight Saint David with a valiant courage went to the Garden gate, by which stood a Rock of stone, overspread with moss: In which Rock by Magic Art was enclosed a sword, nothing outwardly appearing but the h●●t, which was the richest to his judgement that ever his eyes beheld, for the steel work was engraved very curiously, beset with jasper and Saphier stones, the pummel was in the fashion of a Globe, of the purest silver that ever the mines of rich America brought forth: about the pummel was engraven in Letters of gold these verses following.  

My Magic spells, remains most firmly bound,  
The world's strange wonder unknown by any one:  
Till that a Knight within the North be found,  
To pull this sword from out this Roc● of stone:  
Then ends my charms, my Magic Arts and all,  
By whose strong hand, wise Ormondine must fall.   
These verses drove such a conceited Imagination into the Champion's mind, that he supposed himself to be the Northern Knight, by whom the Necromancer should be conquered: Therefore without any further advisement he put his hand into the hilt of the rich swor●e, thinking presently to pull it out from the Enchanted Rock of Ormondine: But no sooner did he attempt that vain enterprise, but his valiant courage and invincible fortitude failed him, & all his senses was over taken with a sudden & heavy sleep, whereby he was forced to let go his hold, and to fall flat upon the barren ground, where his eyes were so fast locked up by Magic Art, and his wa●ing senses drowned in such a dead ●●umber, that it was as much impossible to recover himself from his sleep, as to pull the ●unne out of the firmament: For through the secret mystery of the necromancers skill, he had intelligence of the Champions unfortunate success: who sent from the Enchanted garden four spirits, in the similitude and likeness of four beautiful Damsels, which wrapped the drowsy Champion in a sheet of the finest Arabian silk, and conveyed him into a Cave, directly placed in the middle of the Garden, where they laid him upon a soft bed, more softer than the down of culvers: where these beautiful Ladi●s through the Arts of wicked Ormondine, continually kept him sleeping for the term of seven years: one while singing with sugared songs, more sweeter and delightfuller than the Sirens melody: another while with rare conceited Music, surpassing the sweetness of Arion's Harp, which made the mighty Dolphins in the Seas, to dance at the sound of his sweet inspiring Melody: or like the Harmony of Orpheus when he journeyed down into hell, where the devils rejoiced to hear his admired notes, and on earth both ●rées and stones did leap when he did but touch the silver strings of his ivory Harp.  
Thus was Saint David's adventure crossed with a wondered bad success, whose days travails was turned into a night's repose: whose nights repose, was made a heavy sleep, which endured until seven years were fully finished: where we le●●e Saint David to the mercy of the Necromancer Ormondine sleeping, and return now to the most Noble and magnanimous Champion S. George, where we left him imprisoned in the Sultan's Court: But now gentle Reader thou wilt think it strange, that all these Christian Champions should meet together again, 〈◊〉 that they be separated into so many borders of the world: For Saint Dennis the Champion of France, 〈◊〉 maineth now in the Court of Thessaly, with his Lady Eglantine: Saint james the Champion of Spain, in the City of Civil with Celestine, the fair Lady of jerusalem: Saint Anthony the Champion of Italy, travailing the world, in the company of a Thracian maiden, attired in a Page's apparel: Saint Andrew the Champion of Scotland, seeking after the Italian: Saint Pattricke the Champion of Ireland, after the Champion of Scotland, Saint David of Wales, sleeping in the Enchanted garden adjoining to the Kingdom of Tartary, and Saint George the famous Champion of England, imprisoned in Persia: of whom, and of whose noble adventures, I must a while discourse, till the honoured Fame of the other Champions, compelles me to report their Noble and Princely atchivementes.   

CHAP. X.  
How Saint George escaped out of prison at Persia, and how he redeemed the Champion of Wales from his Enchantment, with other things that happened to the English Knight, with the Tragical tale of the Necromancer Ormondine.  
NOW seven times had frosty bearded winter covered both herbs and flowers with snow, & behung the trees with Crystal I sickles, seven times had Lady Virro beautified every field with nature's ornaments, and seven times had withered Autumn rob the earth of springing flowers, since the unfortunate Saint George beheld the cheerful light of heaven, but obscurely lived in a dismal dungeon, by the Sultan of Persias commandment, as you heard before in the beginning of the Historie● His unhappy fortune so discontented his restless thoughts, that a thousand times a year he wished an end of his life, & a thousand times he cursed the day of his creation, his sigh● in number did countervail a heap of sand, whose top●● might seem to reach the skies, the which he vainly breathed forth against the walls of the Prison: Many times making his humble supplication to the heavens, to redeem him from that vale of misery, and many times seeking occasion desperately to abridge his days, whereby to triumph in his own Tragedy.  
But at last when seven years were fully ended, it was the Champions lucky fortune to find in a secret corner of the dungeon, a certain Iron Engine, which time had almost consumed with rust: wherewith by long labour, he digged himself a passage under the ground, till he ascended just in the middle of the Sultan's Court, which was at that time of the night when all things were silent: the heavens he then beheld beautified with states, & bright Cynthia, whose glistering beams he had not seen in many a hundred nights before seemed to smile at his safe delivery, and to stay her wandering course till the noble English Champion found'st means to get without the compass of the Persian Cours, where danger might no longer attend him, nor the strong Gates of the City hinder his flight, which in this manner was performed: For the Noble Knight b●●ing as fearful as the Bird newly escaped from the Fowler's nets, gazed round about, and listened where he might hear the voice of people: At last he heard the Grooms of the Sultan's stable, furnishing forth Horses against the next morning for some Noble atchivement: then the valiant Champion S. George taking the Iron Engine, wherewith he redeemed himself out of prison & burst open the doors, where he slew all the Grooms in the Sultan's stable, which being done he took the strongest Palfrey, and the richest furniture, with other necessaries appertaining to a Knight at Arms, & so road in great majesty to one of the City Gates, where he saluted the Porter in this manner.  
Porter, open thy Gates, for S. George of England is escaped, & hath murdered his warders, in whose pursuit the City is in Arms: which words the simple Persian believed for a truth, and so with all speed opened the Gates, whereat the Champion of England departed and left the Sultan in his dead s●éepe, little mistrusting his sudden escape.  
But by that time the purple spotted morning had parted with her grey, and the Sun's bright countenance appeared on the mountain tops, Saint George had ridden twenty leagues from the Persian Court, and before his departure was bru●ed in the Sultan's Palace, the English Champion had recovered the sight of Grecia, past all danger of the Persian Knights, that followed him with a swift pursuit: By which time the extremity of hunger so sharply tormented him, that he could travail no further, but was constrained to suffice himself with certain wild Chestnuts in stead of bread, and sewer oranges in stead of drink, & such faint food that grew by the ways as he traveled, where the necessity and want of victuals compelled the Noble Knight Saint George to breath forth this pitiful complaint.  
O hunger, hunger, (said the Champion) thou art more sharper than the stroke of death, and the extremest punishment that ever man endured: if I were now King of Armenia & chief Potentate of Asia, yet would I give my Diadem my Sceptre with all my provinces for one shiver of brown bread oh that the earth would be so kind, as to rip her bowels, and to cast up some food, to sustain my want, or that the air might be choked with mists, whereby the feathered fowls for want of breath might fall and yield me some succour in this my ●●nishment, and extreme penury, or that the Oceans would outspread their branched arms and cover those sunburnd ●●llyes with their treasures, that I might suffice my hunger: but now I see both heaven and earth, the hills and da●es, the skies and seas, the fish and fowls, the birds and Siluan● beasts, & all things under the cope of heaven, conspires my utter overthrow: better had it been it I had ●●ded my days in Persia, than to be famished in the broa●● 〈…〉 wh●●e all things by nature's appointment is ordained for man's use: now in steed of Courtly dillicates, I am forced to eat the fruit of trees, and in steed of Greekish wines, I am compelled to quench my thirst with the morning's dew, that nightly falls 〈◊〉 the blades of grass.  
Thus complained Saint George, until glistering Phoebus had mounted the top of heaven, and drawn the misty vapours from the ground, where he might behold the prospects of Grecia, and which way to travail for most safety, he espied directly before his face a Tower standing upon a chalky cleft, in distance from him some three miles, whether the Champion intended to go, not to seek for any adventure, but to rest himself after his long journey, & to get such victuals as therein he could find to suffice his want.  
So setting forward with an easy pace, the heavens seemed to smile, and the birds to ring such a cherping peal of melody, as though they did prognosticate a fortunate event: The way he found so plain, and the journey so easy, that within half an hour he approached before the said Tower: where upon the wall st●●de a most beautiful woman, her attire after the manner of a distressed Lady, and her looks as heavy as the Queens of Troy, when she beheld her Palace set on fire. The valiant Knight S: George, after he had alighted from his horse, he gave her this courteous salutation.  
Lady (said the Knight) for so you seem by your outward appearance, if ever you pitied a travailer, 〈◊〉 granted succour to a Chrstian Knight, give to me one me● le● meat, n●w almost famished: To whom the Lady after a ●urst frown or two, answered him in this order.  
Sir Knight (quoth she) I advise thee with all speed to departed, for here thou gets a cold dinner▪ my Lord is a mighty Giant, and believeth in Mahomet, ● Terinag●unt, and if he once understand how thou art a Christian Knight: ●t is not all the gold of higher India, nor the riches of wealthy Babylon that can preserve thy life. Now by the honour of my Knighthood, (replied Saint George) and by the God that Christendom adores: were thy Lord more stronger than was mighty Hercules, that bore a mountain on his back: here will I either obtain my 〈◊〉, or die by his accursed hands.  
These words so abashed the Lady, that she went with all speed from the Tower, and told the Giant how a Christian Knight remained at his Gate, that had sworn to suffice his hunger in despite of his will: whereat the furious Giant suddenly started up, being as then in a sound sleep, for it was at the middle of the day: who took a bat of Iron in his hand, and came down to the Tower Gate: his stature was in height five yards: his head bristled like a Boars, a foot there was betwixt each brow, his eyes hollow, his mouth wide, his lips were like two flaps of steel, in all proportion more like a devil than a man: Which deformed monster so daunted the courage of Saint George, that he prepared himself to death: not through fear of the monstrous Giant, but for hunger and feebleness of body: but God so provided for him, and so restored the Champion's decayed strength, that he endured battle till the closing up of the Evening, by which time the Giant was almost blind, through the sweat that ran down from his monstrous brows, whereby Saint George had the advantage, and wounded the Giant 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 giants slaughter, the invincible Champion Saint George: first gave the honour of his victory to God, in whose power all his fortune consisted: Then entering the Tower, whereas the Lady presented him with all manner o● dillicates, and pure wines: but the English Knight inspecting some treachery to be hidden in her proffered courtesy, caused the Lady first to taste of every dainty dish: Likewise of his wine, lest some violent poison should be therein commixed: So ●●nding all things pure and halsome 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 travail: where his reui●ed spirits never entertained longer rest, but to the refreshing of himself and his horse: So travailed he through the parts of Grecia, the confines of Phrigia, and so into the borders of Tartary, within whose Territories he had not long journeyed, but he approached the sight of the Enchanted Garden of Ormondine, where S. David the Champion of Wales had so long slept by Magic Art. No sooner did he behold the wonderful situation thereof, but he espied Ormondines sword enclosed in the Enchanted Rock: where after he had read the superscription written about the pummel, he assayed to pull it out by strength: where he no sooner put his hand into the hilt, but he drew it forth with much ease, as though it had been hung but 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 prise more worth than the Armour of Achilles, which caused Ajax to run mad, and more richer than Medea's golden Fleece: But by that time Saint George had circumspectly looked into every secret of the sword, he heard a strange and dismal voice thunder in the skies, a tyrrible & mighty lumbring in the earth, whereat both hills & mountains shook, Rocks removed, and huge Oaks rend into pieces: After this the Gates of the Enchanted Garden flew open, whereat incontinently came forth Ormondine the Magician, with his hair staring on his head, his eyes sparkling, his cheeks 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 Magicians sword, where after the Necromancer had sufficiently beheld his Princely countenance, whereon true honour sat enthronized, and viewed his portly parsonage, the Image of true Knighthood, the which seemed in the Magicians eyes, to be the rarest work that ever nature framed: First taking the most valiant and magnanimous Champion Saint George of England by the steélie Gauntlet, and with great humility kissed it, then proffering him the courtesies due unto strangers, which was performed very graciously: he after conducted him into the Enchanted Garden, to the Cave where the Champion of Wales was kept sleeping by the four virgins delightful songs, and after setting him in a chair of Ebony, Ormondine 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: therefore be silent till I have told my Tragic tale, for never after this my tongue shall speak again: The Knight which thou seest here wrapped in this sheet of gold, is a Christian Champion as thou art, sprung from the ancient feed of Trojan warriors, who likewise attempted to draw this Enchanted sword, but my Magic spells so prevailed, that he was intercepted in the enterprise, 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 fléeting soul to draw the fatal Chariot upon the banks of burning Acheron: for my time was limited to remain no longer in this Enchanted Garden, but until 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, & my hour of destiny is at hand: what I report write it up 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 wise a pure maid: next that thou erect a Monument over thy Father's grave, and lastly that thou continue a professed foe to the enemies of Christ jesus, hearing Arms in the Honour and praise of thy Country. These things being truly and justly observed, thou shalt attain to such honour, that all the Kingdoms of Christendom shall admire thy dignity▪ What I speak is upon no vain imagination sprung from a frantic brain, but pronounced by the mystical and deep Art of Necromancy.  
These words being no sooner ended, but the most honoured and fortunate Champion of England requested the Magician to describe his passed fortunes, & by what means he came first to be governor of that enchanted garden.  
To tell the discourse of mine own life (replied Ormandine) will breed a new sorrow in my heart, the remembrance whereof will ●end my very soul: but yet most (Noble Knight) to fulfil thy request, I will force my tongue to declare what my heart denies to utter: therefore prepare thy ears to entertain the woefull'st tale, that ever any tongue delivered, and so after saint George had a while sat silent expecting her discourse, the Magician spoke as followeth.  

The woeful and tragical discourse pronounced by the Necromancer Ormondine, of the misery of his children.  
I Was informer times, (so long as fortune smiled upon me) the King and only commander of Scythia, my name Ormondine: gracte in my youth with two fair daughters, whom nature had not only made beautiful▪ but replenished them with all the gifts that Art could devise, the elder whose name was Castria, the fairest maid that ever Scythia brought forth, her eyes like flaming torches to dazzled the gazers, that like attractive Adamants, they conjured all eyes to admire her beauty, amongst a number of knights that were ensnared with her love: there was one Floridon son to the King of Armenia: equal to her in all excellent ornaments of nature, a lovelier couple never trod on earth, nor gracte any Princess Court in the whole world.  
This Floridon so fervently burned in affection, with the admired Castria, that he lusted after virginity, and practised both by policy and fair promises to enjoy that precious pleasure, which after ●ell to his own distinction: For upon a time when the mantles of dark night had closed in the light of heaven, and the whole Court had entertained a silent rest: this lustful Floridon entered Castrias' lodging furthered by her chamber mai●e, where to his hard ha● he crapped the bud of sweet virginity, and left such a pawn with in her womb, th●t before many days were expired, her thame began to appear, and the deceived Lady was constrained to reveal her grief to Floridon: Who in the mean time had betrothed himself 〈◊〉 my younger daughter, whose name was Marcilla, no less beautified with nature's gifts, than her elder sister: But when this unconstant Floridon perceived that her belly began to grow big with the burden of his unhappy seed, he upbraided her with shame, laying dishonour in her dish, calling her strumpet, with many ignominious words, forswearing himself, never to have committed any such infamous deed, protesting that he ever scorned to link in woman's bards, and counter chamberlain a deadly sting, and a deep infection to the honour of knighthood.  
These unkind speeches drove Castria into such extreme passion of mind, that she with a shamefast look, and blushing cheeks, after this manner revealed her secrecy unto him.  
What knows not Floridon (quoth the Lady) her whom his lust hath stained with dishonour? See see unconstant Knight the pledge of faithless vows, behold the womb where springs thy lively image, behold the mark which stains my Father's ancient house, and sets a shamefast blush upon my cheeks. When I behold the company of ●haste virgins, dear Floridon shadow this my shame with marriage rights, that I be not accounted a by word to the world, nor that my Babe in time to come, he termed a base borne child, remember what plighted promises, what vows and protestations passed betwixt us, remember the place and time of my dishonour, & be not like the furious Tiger, to repay love with despite.  
At which words Floridon with a wrathful countenance, replied in these words. Egregious and shameless creature (quoth he) with what brazen face darest thou out brave me thus: I tell thee Castria, my love was ever yet to follow Arms, to hear the sound of Drums, to ride upon a nimble Steed, and not to trace a carpet dance, like Priam's son before the lustful eyes of Maenalaus wife: Therefore begun disturbing strumpet, go sing thy harsh melody in company of nightly birds, for I tell thee the day will blush to cover thy monstrous shame.  
Which reproachful speeches being no sooner ended, but Floridon departed her presence, leaving not behind 〈◊〉 so much as a kind look: whereat the distressed Lady, being oppressed with intolerable grief 〈◊〉 down dead, not able to speak for a time, but at last recovering her senses she began a new to complain.  
I that was w●nt (quoth she) to walk with Troops of maids, must now abandon and utterly forsake all companies and seek some secret Cave, wherein I may ●it for evermore and bewail my lost virginity: If I return unto my Father, he will refuse me: if to my friends they will be ashamed of me: if to strangers, they will scorn me: if to my Floridon, oh he denieth me, and accounts my ●ight as ominous as the baleful Crokadiles. Oh that I might in the shape of a bird, or like the ravished Philomele fill every wood and wilderness with my dishonour, for now am I neither chaste virgin, nor honest wife, but shameless strumpet, and the worlds chief scorn: whereat me thinks I see how virtuous and chaste maiden's point, and terms me a viscious dame. Oh unconstant Floridon! thou didst promise to shadow this my fault with marriage, but vows I see are vain: Thou haste forsaken me, and tied thy faith unto my sister Marcilla, who must enjoy thy love, because she continues chaste without any spot of dishonour. Oh woe to th●e unconstant knight, thy flattering eyes deceived me, and thy golden tongue enticed me to commit that sin, which all the Ocean streams can never wash away: But why stand I relating thus in vain, the 〈◊〉 is done, and Floridon will triumph in the spoil of my virginity, while he lies dallying in my sister's Arms: Nay first the fatal lights of Funerals shall mask about his marriage bed, and his bridal blaze, I'll quench with blood: for I will go unto their marriage Chamber, where as these hands of mine shall rend my sister's womb, before she shall enjoy the interest of my bed: rage heart, in steed of love delight in murder, let vengeance be ever in thy thoughts, until thou haste quenched with blood, the furies of disloyal love.  
Thus complained the woeful Castria, up and down the Court of Scythia, until the mistress of the night had spent five months▪ at the end of which time, the appointe● marriage of Floridon and Marcilla drew nigh: the thought whereof, was an endless terror to her heart, and of a more intolerable burden, than the pains of her womb: the which she girded in so extremely for fear of suspicion, and partly under colour to bring about he● intended Tragedy, which was in this bloody manner accomplished and brought about.  
The day at last came, whereon Floridon and Marcilla should tie that sacred knot of marriage, and the Princes & Potentates of Scythia were all present as witnesses to Hymen's holy rites: In which Honourable assembly, none were more buster than Castria to beautify her sister's wedding. The Ceremonies b●eing no sooner perfe●●●ed, and the day spent in all pleasures fitting the Honour of so great and mighty a train, but Castria requested the use of the Country, which was this, that the first night of every maidens marriage, a pure virgin should lie with the Bride, which honourable tas●● was committed to Castria: who provided against the hour appointed, a silver bodkin and hid it secretly in the trammels of her hair, wherewith she intended to prosecute revenge. The Bride's lodging chamber was appointed far from the hearing of any one, lest the noise of people should hinder their quiet sleep.  
But at last when the hour of her wishes approached, that the Bride should take lean of the Ladies and maidens that attended her to her Chamber, the new married Floridon in company of many Scythian knights, committed Marcilla to her quiet rest, little mistrusting the bloody intent of her sister's mind.  
But now behold how every thing fell out according to her desires. The Ladies and gentle women being no sooner departed, & silence taken possession of the whole Court, But Castria with her own hands locked the chamber door, and secretly conveyed the keys under the b●ds head, not perceived by the betrayed Marcilla: which poor Lady after some few speeches departed to bed: wherein she was no sooner laid, but a heavy sleep over mastered her senses, whereby her tongue was forced to give her Sister good night, who as then sat discontented by her bed side, watching the time wherein she might conveniently enact the bloody Tragedy: upon a Court table stood two burning Tapers that gave light to the whole Chamber, which in her conceit seemed to burn bl●w: which fatal spectacle encouraged her to a speedy performance, and by the light of the two lamps she unbraced her vestures and stripped herself into her milk-white smock, having not so much upon her head as a Caule to hold up her golden hair: After this she took her silver bodkin that before she had secretly hidden in her hair, and with a wrathful countenance (upon whose brows sat the image of pale death) she came to her now married sister, being then overcome with a heavy slumber, and with her Bodkin pierced her tender breast: who immediately at the ●●oke thereof, started from her sleep, and gave such a pitiful ●●rike, that it would have wakened the whole Court, but that the Chamber 〈◊〉 far from the hearing of all company, except her bloody minded sister, whose hand was ready to redouble her fury with a second stroke.  
But when Marcilla beheld the sheeets and ornaments of her bed bestained with p●●ple gaze, and from her breast ran streams of Crimson blood, which like to a fountains trickled from her ivory bosom, she breathed forth this earnest exclamation against the cruelty of Castria.  
O sister (said she) hath nature harboured in thy breast a bloody mind! What Fury hath incensed thee thus to commit my Tragedy? In what have I 〈◊〉, or wherein hath my tongue 〈…〉? What cause hath been occasion that thy remorseless hand, against true nati●●●y hath converted my joyful Nuptials, to a woeful Funeral. This is the cause (replied Castria, and therewithal showed her womb grown big through the burden of her Child) that I have bathed my hands in thy detested blood.  
See, see, Marcilla (said she) the unhappy bed wherein thy accursed husband oath s●wen his seed, by which my virgin's honour 〈◊〉 fo● ever stained: this is the spot which thy heart blood must wash away, and this is the shame that nothing but death shall 〈◊〉: Therefore a sweet revenge, and a present murder will I likewise commit upon myself, whereby my loathed soul, incompany of my unborn babe shall wander with thy Ghost along the Stygian lakes.  
Which words being no sooner finished, but she violently pierced her own breast: whereby the two sister's 〈◊〉 were equally mingled together: but now Marcilla being the first wounded, and the nearer drawing towards death, she woefully complained this dying Lamentation.  
Draw near (said she) you blazing stars, you earthly Angels and imbrothered Girls, you lovely Ladies & flourishing Dames of Scythia, behold her woeful end, whose glor●●● mounted higher than the elements, behold my marriage bed which is beautified with Tapestry, now converted to deaths bloody habitation, my brave attire to earthly mould, and my Princely Palaces, to Elysium 〈◊〉, being a place appointed for those Dames that lived and died true virgins: for now I feel the pains of death closing my lives windows, and my heart ready to entertain the stroke of destiny: Come Floridon come, in steed of arms get Eagles wings, that in thy bosom I may breathe my murdered Ghost: world far thou well, I was too proud of thy enticing pleasures: thy Princely pomp, and all thy glistering ornaments I must for ever bid adieu. Father farewell with all thy masking Train of Courtly Ladies, Knights & Gentlewomen: my death I know will make thy Palace ●●aths gloomy regiment, and last of all farewell thy Noble Floridon, for thy sweet sake Marcilla now is murdered.  
At the end of which words, the dying Lady being faint with the abundance of blood that issued from her wounded breast, gave up the Ghost: No sooner had pale death ceased upon her ●●eles body, but Castria likewise through 〈…〉 of her wound was ready to entertain the stroke of the fatal sisters who likewise complained in this manner. hearken you loving Girls (said she) to you I speak, that knows what endless grief, disloyal and false love br●●des inconstant minds, the thought whereof is so intolerable to my soul, that it exceeds the torments of Danaus' daughters, that continually fills water into the bottomless tubs in hell. Oh that my ears had never listened to ●●●fugered speeches, or never known what Courtly pleasures meant, where beauty is a bait for every lustful eye: but rather to have lived a Country Lass, where sweet content is harboured, and beauty shrouded under true humility than had not Floridon bereaved me of my sweet virginity: nor had not this accursed hand committed this cruel murder: but oh I feel my soul passing to Elizi●● shades, where Crusas' shadow, and Dido's Ghost hath their abiding▪ thither doth my spirit fly, to be entertained amongst those unhappy Ladies that unconstant love hath murdered: thus Castria not being able to speak any longer, gave a very grievous sigh, and so bad adieu to the world.  
But when the mornings sun had chaste away the darksome night, Floridom who little mistrusted the tragedy of the two sisters, repaired to the chamber door with a Consort of skilful musicans, where their conspiring h●rmonye sounded to the walls: and Floridons' mornings salutations were spent in vain: for death so stopped the two Prince's ears that no resound of thanks at all reanswered his words, which caused Floridon to depart thinking them to be a sleep, and to return with in an hour 〈◊〉, who with out any company came to the chamber door where be a gain found all silent: at which suspecting some further event burst open the door, where being no sooner entered, but he found the two Ladies w●ltring in purple ●ore: which woeful spectackle presently so bereaved him of his wits, that like a frantic man he raged up and down, and in this manner bitterly complained. Oh you immortal powers! open the wrathful gates of heaven, & in your justice punish me, for my unconstant love hath murdered two of the bravest Ladies that ever nature framed: revive sweet Dames of Scythia & hear m●e speak, that 〈◊〉 the woefullest wretch that ever spoke with tongue: If Ghost may here be given for Ghost, dear Ladies take my soul and live, or if my heart might dwell within your breasts, this hand shall equally divide it: What are words vain? although my proffer cannot purchase life, nor recover your breathing spirits again, yet vengeance shall 〈◊〉 have: 〈◊〉 shall 〈◊〉 my fatal 〈◊〉, and here 〈…〉 bloody breast of soul, ●hereby my unhappy Ghost shall follow you, through 〈◊〉 Tartar gulfs, through burning lakes▪ & through the low 〈◊〉 shades of dreadful Coffitus: gape▪ gape, 〈◊〉 earth 〈◊〉 womb make all our tombs together.  
〈◊〉 woeful lamentation being no sooner breathed 〈◊〉 his sorrowful breast 〈◊〉 finished his days, by the s●●●ke of that same accursed ●●●kin, that was the bloody instrument of the two sister's deaths, the which he found shall remaining in the remorseless hand of Castria.  
Thus have you heard (most worthy Knight) the true Tragedy of three of the goodliest personages, that ever nature framed: but now with diligent ears listen to the unfortunate discourse of mine own misery, which in this unhappy manner fell out: For no sooner came the ●l●ing teasicke of the murdered Princes to my ears, but I 〈◊〉 into such a discontented passion, that I abandoned myself from company of people, and fate for seven months 〈◊〉 a solitary passion lamenting the loss of my Children, 〈◊〉 weeping Niobe, which was the sorrowfull●st Lady 〈◊〉 nor lived.  
During which time the report of Floridons' unhappy Tragedy, was bruited to his father's ears, being the sole King of Armenia: whose griefs so exceeded the bounds of reason, that with all convenient speed the greatest strength Armenia could make, and in revenge of his sons unhappy murder, entered our Territories, and with his well approved warrious, subdued our Provinces, slaughtered our Soldiers, conquered our Captains, slew our Commons, burnt our Cities, and left our Country villages desolate: whereby when I beheld my Country overspread with famine, fire and sword▪ three intesti●e plagues wherewith heaven scourgeth the sins of the wicked, I was forced for safeguard of my life to forsake my native habitation and Kingly government, only committing my fortune (like a 〈◊〉 Exile) to 〈◊〉 unknown passages, where care was 〈◊〉 companion, and discontent my only solicitor: At last it was my destiny to arrive in this unhappy place which I supposed to be the walks of despair, where I had not remained many days in my melancholy passions▪ but 〈◊〉 thought the wary ●awes of deep Auerna op●ned from whence ascended a most fearful devil, that enticed me to bequeath my fortune to his disposing, and he would defend me from the fury of the whole world: to which I presently condescended upon some assurance: Then presently he placed before my face, this Enchanted sword, so surely closed in stone, that should never be pulled out but by the hands of a Christian Knight, and till that task were performed I should live exempt from all danger, although all the Kingdoms of the earth assailed me: which task (most adventurous Champion) thou now haste performed, whereby I know the hour of my death approacheth, and my time of confusion to be at hand.   
This discourse pronounced by the Necromancer Ormondine was no sooner finished, but the worthy Champion Saint George heard such a tyrrible rattling in the skies, & such 〈◊〉 in the earth, that be expected some strange event to follows then casting his eyes aside, he saw the Enchanted Garden to vanish, and the Champion of Wales to awake from his dead sleep, wherein he had remained 〈…〉: who like one newly risen from a sounds, for a 〈◊〉 stood spéechles, not able to utter one word, till he beheld the Noble Champion of England, that steadfastly gazed upon the Necromancer: who at the vanishing of the Enchantment, presently gave a most tyrrible groan & died.  
The 〈◊〉 Champions after many courteous embracings and kind greetings revealed each to other the strange adventures they had passed, and how Saint David was bound by the oath of his Knighthood to perform the adventure of Ormondine: to which Saint George presently condescended, who delivered the Enchanted sword, with the necromancers head into the hands of Saint David the which he presently deceivered from his dead body: Here must my weary Muse leave Saint David travailing with Ormondines ●ead to the Tartarian Emperor, and speak of the following adventures that happened to Saint George; after his departure from the Enchanted Garden.   

CHAP. XI.  
How Saint George 〈◊〉 at Tripoli in Barbar●●, where he stole away Sabra the kings Daughter of Egip● from the Blackamoor King, and how she was known to be● a pure virgin by the mo●ne● of a Lion, and what happened to him in the same adventure.  
SAint George after the recovery of Saint David, as you heard in the former Chapter, dispatched his journey towards Christend●●●, whose pleasant banks he long desired to behold, and thought every day a year till his eyes enjoyed a sweet sight of his Native Country England, upon whose Chalkey cliffs he had not tread in many a weary summers day: therefore committing his journey to a fortunate success, travailed through many a dangerous country: where the people were not only of a bloody disposition given to all manner of wickedness, but the s●yle greatly annoyed with wild Beasts, through which he could not well travail without danger: therefore he carried continually in one of his hands▪ a weapon ready charged to 〈◊〉 with the Heathen people if occasion should serve, and in the other hand, a bright burning blaze of fire, to defend him from the fur●e of the wild Beasts, 〈◊〉 by violence they assailed h●m.  
Thus in extreme danger travailed the Noble and adventurous Champion Saint George, till ●ee ariled in the Territories of o● Barbary, in which Country he purposed for a time to remain, and to seek for some noble atchivement, whereby his 〈◊〉 ●ight be 〈◊〉 and his honoured 〈◊〉 through all the King 〈◊〉 of the world▪ and b●●ing encouraged with this Princely ●●gitation, the Noble Champion of England, climbed to the top of a huge mountain, where he unlocked his Beaver, which before had not been lifted up in many a day, and beheld the wide and spacious Country how it was beautified with lofty Pines, & adorned with many goodly Palaces: But amongst the number of the Towns & Cities which the English Champion beheld, there was one which seemed to exceed the rest, both in s●ituation and brave buildings, which he supposed to be the chiefest City in all the Country, and the place where the King usually kept his Court: to which place S. George intended to travail, not to furnish himself with any needful thing, but to accomplish some Honourable adventure, whereby his worthy deeds might be enternized in the Books of memory: So after he had descended from the top of the stéepy mountain, and had travailed in a low valley about some two or three miles, he approached an old and almost ruinated Hermitage over grown with moss▪ & other withered weeds: before the entry of which Hermitage sat an ancient Father upon a round stone▪ taking the heat of the warm Sun, which cast such a comfortable brightness upon the Hermit's face, that his white ●eard seemed to glister like silver, and his head to exceed the whitelies of the Northern 〈◊〉 Of whom after Saint George had given the due reverence that belonged unto age, demanded the name of the Country, and the City he travailed to, & under what King the Country was governed: to whom the courteous Hermit thus replied.  
Most Noble knight, for so I g●sse you are by your 〈◊〉 and outward appearance (laid the Hermit) you are now in the confines of Barbary, the City oppos●●e b●fore your eyes is called Tripoli, 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of Almidor the black King of Morocco: in which City he now keepeth his Court, attended on by as many valiant Knights, as any King under the ●ope of heaven.  
At which words the Noble Champion of England suddenly started, as though he had intelligence of some baleful news, which d●epely discontented his Princely mind, his heart was presently incensed with a speedy revenge, and his mind so extremely thirsted after almidor's Tragedy, that he could scarce make answer again to the Hermit's words: But yet bridling his fury, the angry Champion spoke in this manner.  
Grave father (said he) through the treachery of that accursed King, I endured seven years imprisonment in Persia, where I suffered both hunger, cold, and extreme misery: but if I had my good sword Aaskalon, and my trusty Palfrey which I lost in the Egyptian Court, where remains my betrothed Love the kings Daughter of Egypt, I would be revenged upon the head of proud Almidor, were his Guard more stronger than the Army of Xerxes, whose multitudes drank Rivers dry: Why said the Hermit, Sabra the kings Daughter of Egypt is now Queen of Barbary, and since her Nuptials were solemnly performed in Tripoli, are seven Summers fully finished.  
Now by the Honour of my Country England (replied Saint George) the place of my Nativity, and as I am true Christian Knight, these eyes of mine shall never close, nor this undaunted heart never entertain one thought of peace, nor this unconquered hand receive one minutes rest, until I have obtained a fight of that sweet Princess, for whose sake I have endured so long imprisonment: therefore dear Father be thus kind to a travailer, as to exchange thy clothing, for this my rich furniture and lusty Steed which I brought from the Sultan of Persia: for in the Habit of a Palmer I may enjoy the fruition of her sight without suspicion: otherwise I must needs be constrained by violence, with my trusty Falchion to make way into her Princely Palace: where I know she is attended on most carefully by 〈◊〉 valiant and courageous Champions: therefore courteously deliver me thy Hermit's gown, and I will 〈…〉 with my Horse and Armour, this Box of precious jewels▪ which when the grave Hermi●● behold, he humbly thanked the Noble Champion, and so with all the speed▪ they could possibly ma●e, exchaung●● apparel▪ and in this manner departed.  
The Palmer being glad, repaired to his Hermitage with Saint George's furniture, and Saint George in the Palmer's apparel travailed towards the City of Tripoli: who no sooner came near to the sumptuous buildings of the Court, but he espied a hundred poor Palmers kneeling at the Gate, to whom Saint George spoke in this manner, not with lofty and Heroical spe●ches, beseeming a Princely Champion: but with meek and humble word like to an aged Palmer.  
My dear brethren (said the Champion) for what intent remain you here, or what expect you from this Honourable Court.  
We abide here (answered the Palmers) for an 〈◊〉 which the Queen once a day hath given this seven years, for the sake of an English Knight, named Saint George, whom she affecteth above all the Knights in the world. But when will this be given (said Saint George▪)  
In the afternoon (replie● the Palmers) until which time upon our bended knees we hourly pray for the good Fortune of that most Noble English Knight: which speeches so highly pleased the valiant minded Champion Saint George, that he thought every minute a whole year, till the Golden 〈◊〉 had passed away the middle part of Heaven: for it was but newly risen from Aurora's bed, whose light as▪ ●t with a 〈◊〉 radiant blush distained the Eastern sky.  
During which time the most valiant and Magnanimous Champion Saint George of England, one while remembering of the extreme misery he endured in Persia for her sa●e, whereat 〈…〉 many 〈◊〉 tears from 〈◊〉 another 〈◊〉 thinking upon the tyrible 〈◊〉 a●●ail● he had 〈◊〉 burning Dragon in Egypt, where 〈◊〉 redeemed her from the fatal 〈◊〉 of death: But at 〈◊〉 it was his chance to walk about the Court, beholding the sumptuous buildings, and the curious engraven works by the atchivement of man bestowed upon the glistering windows: where he board to h●s exceeding pleasure the heavenly voice of his beloved Sabra descending from a window upon the West side of the Palace▪ where she warbled forth this sorrowful Ditty upon her ivory Lute.  

Dye all desires of joy and Courtly pleasures,  
Dye all desires of Princely Royalty:  
Dye all desires of wealth and worldly treasures,  
Dye all desires of stately Majesty:  
Sith he is gone that pleased most mine eye,  
For whom I wish ten thousand times to die.   

O that mine eyes might never cease to weep,  
O that my tongue might overmore complain:  
O that my soul might in his bosom sleep,  
For whose sweet sake my heart doth live in pain:  
In woe I sing with ●●inish tears besprent,  
Outworn with grief ●●●sumde with discontent.   

In time my sig●●s will dim the heaven fair light▪  
Which hourly 〈◊〉 from my tormented br●st.  
Except Saint George that noble English Knight.  
With safe return abandon m● 〈◊〉  
Then careful cries▪ shall end with deep annoy,  
Exchanging wee●●●g tears for smiling joy.   

Before the face of heaven this vow I make,  
Though unkind friends hath wed me to their will▪  
And Crowned me Queen 〈…〉 to s●a●e,  
That in despite of them shall 〈◊〉 still.  
Bear wa●es heaven and earth what I have said,  
For George's sake I live and die a maid.   
Which sorrowful Ditty being 〈◊〉 so●ner ended 〈◊〉 she departed the window, quite from the hearing of the English Champion that stood gazing up to the casements, preparing his ears to enterta●●e her sweet● tuned melody the second time, but his expectation was in vain: whereat he grew into more perplexed passions, than A●u●as when he had lost his beloved Crus● amongst the ●●ruite of the Grecians: sometimes wishing the day to vanish in a moment, that the hour of his benevolence might approach, other times comforting his sad cogitations with the remembrance of her true chastity and long continued constancy for his sake: comparing her love unto Thisbe's, her chastity to Diana's, and her constancy to Penelope's.  
Thus spent he the 〈◊〉 away▪ till he 〈…〉 began to decline to the western parts of the earth, and the Palmers should reca●e her w●nted benevolence: against which time the English Champion placed himself in midst of the Palmers, that expected the wished hour of her coming, who at the time appointed came to the Palace 〈…〉 vesture, like Poli●●a King Priam's D●●ght●● 〈◊〉 she went to sacrifice: her hair after 〈…〉 almost 〈…〉, to the colour of silver, thee and 〈…〉 her long 〈…〉 (to whose excellent fairness all the ●adies in the world did sometimes yield 〈◊〉) was now stained with the Pearled dew that trickled down her cheeks: where after the sorrowful Queen had justly numbered the Palmers, and with vigilant eyes beheld the Princely countenance of saint George, her colour began to exchange from red to white, 〈…〉 white to red, as though the Lily and the Rose had 〈◊〉 for superiority, but yet colouring her cogitations under a smooth brow, first delivered her alms to the Palmers, then taking saint George aside, to whom she thus kindly began to cou●er: Palmer (said sh●●) th●● resemblest 〈…〉 Prince●● 〈◊〉, and courteous behaviour, that thrice honoured Champion of England, for whose sake I have daily bestowed my 〈◊〉 for this seven years, his 〈…〉 George, his fame I know thou hast heard reported in many ● country, to be the bravest Knight that ●uer buckled steeled He●●●t, therefore for his sake will I grace thee with the chiefest honour in this Court: In steed of thy 〈…〉, I will clothe thee in purple sil●e, and in steed at thy ●ban staffs, thy hand shall wield the richest sword that ever Princely eye beheld, to whom the Noble Champion saint George, replied in this courteous manner.  
I have heard (quoth he) the Princely achievements and magnanimous adventures of that honoured English Knight which you so dearly affect, bruited through many a Prince's Court: and how for the love of a Lady he hath endured along imprisonment, from whence he never looketh to return but to spe●● the remnant of his days in lasting misery ● At which words the 〈◊〉 let fall from her eyes such a shower of Pearled tears, and sent such a number of strained sighs from her grieved heart, that her sorrow seemed to exceed the Queens of Carthage, when sh●● had for ever l●st the sight of her beloved Lord: But the brave minded Champion saint George, purposed no longe●● to continue secret, but with his discovery to convert her sorrowful means to smiling ●oy: And so ●●sting off his Palmer's weed, acknowledged himself to the Queen, and therewithal showed the half Ring, whereon was engraven this Pos●e, ardeo affectione: which Ring in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (as you may read before) they had most equally divided betwixt them, to be kept in remembrance of their plighted faiths: which unsuspected sight highly pleased the beauteous Sabra, and her joy so exceeded the bounds of reason, that she could not speak one word, but was constrained through the new conceived pleasure, to breath a sad sigh or two into the Champion's bosom: who like a true ennobled Knight, entertained her with a loving kiss: But after these two lovers had fully discoursed each to other the secrets of their souls: Sabra how she continued for his love a pure Virgin, through the secret nature of a golden chain stéept in tigers blood, the which she wore seven times doubled about her ivory neck: took him by the portly han●, and led him to her husband's stable, where stood his approved Palfrey, which she for seven years had ●ed with her own hands: who no sooner espied the return of his master, but he grew more prouder of his presence, than Bucephalus of the Macedonian monarchs, when he had most joyfully returned in triumph from any victorious Conquest.  
Now is the time (said the excellent Princess Sabra) that thou mayest seal up the quittance of our former lovest therefore with all convenient speed, take thy approved Palfrey, with thy trusty sword Askalon, which I will presently deliver into thy hands, and with all celerity convey me from this unhappy country, for the King my husband, with all his adventurous Champions, are now road forth on hunting, whose absence will ●urther ●ur flight: But if thou stay till his return, it is not a hundred of the hardiest Knights in the world can bear me from this accursed Palace. At which word Saint George having a mind gra●●e with all excellent virtues, replied in this manner.  
Thou knowest my divine Mistress, that for thy lo●e I would endure as many dangers, as jason suffered in the isle of Calcos, so I might at last enjoy the pleasures of true virginity: But how canst thou remain a pure maid. when thou hast been a Crowned Queen for these 〈◊〉 years, and every night haste entertained a King ●nto thy bed? If thou findest me not a true maid in all that thou canst say or do, ●end me back again hither unto my 〈◊〉, whose bed I account more loathsome, th●n 〈◊〉 ●f snakes, and his fight more ●●inous than the Crocodiles: As for the Morocco Crown, which by force of 〈◊〉 was set upon my head, I wish that it might be turned into a blaze of quenchless ●●er, so it might not endanger my body, and for the name of Queen, I account it a vain 〈◊〉, for I had rather be thy English Lady, than the greatest Empress in the world.  
At which speeches (saint George) willingly condescended, and with all speed purposed to go into England▪ and therewithal sealed an assurance with as sweet a kiss, as Paris gave to lovely Helena when she consented to forsake h●r native country, and to travel from her husband Menelaus into Troy: So losing no time lest delay might breed danger: Sabra furnished herself with sufficient treasure, and speedily delivered to saint George his trusty sword, which she had kept seven years for his sake, with all the furniture belonging to his approved Steed, who no sooner received her proffered gifts, which he accounted dearer than the Asian Monarchy, but presently saddled his horse, and beautified his strong limbs with rich caparison. In the mean time Sabra through fair speeches and large premises, obtained the good will of an eunuch, that was appointed for her guard in the King's absence, to accompany them in their intended travails, and to serve as a trusty guide if occasion required: which with the Lady stood ready at the Champion's commandment: who no sooner had furnished himself with sufficient habiliments of war▪ belonging to so dangerous ● journey, but he pla●●● his beloved Mistress upon a gentle Palfrey, which always kneeled down until she had ascended the saddle: And likewise her eunuch was mounted upon another Steed, whereon all their rich furniture with costly jewels and other treasure was borne:  
So these thr●e worthy Personages committed their travels to the guide of fortune, who preserved them from the dangers of pursuing enemies, which at the kings return from h●●ting, followed amain to every Port and Ha●●n that divided the kingdom of Barbary from the Confines of Christendom: But kind destiny so guided their steps that they travailed another way, contrary to their expectations: for when they looked to arrive upon the Territories of Europe, they were cast upon the fruitful banks of Graecia: in which Country we must tell what happened to the three traua●lers, and omit the vain pursuit of the Morocco Knights: the wrathful melancholy of the King, and the bruited rumour that was amongst the Commons of the queens departure: who caused the L●rum-belles to be rung out, and the Beacons to be set on fire, as though the enemy had entered their Country.  
But now Melpomene, thou Tragic Sister of the Muses, report what unlucky cro●●●s happened to these three travailers in the Confines of Graecia, and how their smiling Comedy was by ill fortune turned into a weeping Tragedy: For when they had journeyed some three or four● Leagues over many a loftieh●ll, they approached into a mighty and fearful Wilderness: through which the ways seemed so long, and the 〈…〉 exceedingly glo●ed, that Sabra what for weariness in travail, and the extreme heat of the day, was constrained to res● under the shelter of a mighty Oak, whose branches had not been lopped in many a year: where she had not long remained, but her heart began to fain● for hunger, and her colour that was but a little before as 〈◊〉 as any Ladies in the world, began to change for want of some drink: whereat the famous Champion Saint George half dead with grief, comforted her as well as he could after this manner.  
Faint not my dear Lady (said the Champion) here i● that goodsword, that once preserved thee from the burning Dragon, and before thou die for want of sustenance, it shall make wa● to every corner of this wilderness: where I will either kill some venison to refresh thy hungry stomach, or make my tomb in the bowels of some monstrous beast: therefore abide thou here under this tree in company of thy faithful eunuch, till I return either with the flesh of some wild Dear, or else some ●lying Bird to refresh thy spirits to a new travail.  
Thus left he his beloved Lady with the eunuch to the mercy of the woods, and travailed up and down the Wilderness, till he espied a Herd of faited Dear, from which company he ●●●gled out the fairest, and like a tripping Satire coursed her to death: then with his keen edged sword cut out the goodliest haunch of venison, that ever Hunter's eye beheld: which gi●t he supposed to be most welcome to his beloved Lady. But mark what happened in his absence to the two weary travailers abiding under the ●ra: where after Saint George's departure, they had not long sit●●n discoursing, one while of their long journeys, another while of their safe delivery from the Blackamoor King, spending the stealing time away with many an ancient story: but there appeared out of a thicket two huge and monstrous Lions, which came directly pacing towards the two travailers: which fearful spectacle wh●● Sabra beheld, having a heart overcharged with the extreme fear of death, wholly committed her soul into the ●ands of God, and her body almost famished for food, to suffice the hunger of the two furious Lions: who by the appointment of heaven, pro●●●red not so much as to lay their wrathful paws upon the smallest part of the Lady's garment: but with eager mood assailed the eunuch till they had buried his body in the empty vaults of their hungry bowels: then with their teeth lately imbrued in blood, r●nt the Euenukes Steed 〈◊〉 a thousand pieces: which being done they came to 〈◊〉 Lady which sat quaking ●●lfe dead with fear, & like two Lambs couched their 〈◊〉 upon her la●: where with her hands she stroked down their bristled hair, not daring almost to breath, till a heavy sleep had overmastered their refreshed senses: by which time the Princely minded Champion Saint George returned with a piece of venison upon the point of his sword: who at that unexpected fight, stood in a maze whether it were best to fly for safeguard of his life, or to venture his fortune against the furious Lions: But at last the love of his Lady so encouraged him to a forwardness, which he beheld quaking before the dismal gates of death: So laying down his v●nison, he presently like a victorious Champion, sheathed his approved falchion most furiously into the bowels of one of the Lions. Sabra kept the other sleeping in her lap till his prosperous hand like wise dispatched him: which adventure being performed, he first thanked heaven for the victory, and then in this kind manner saluted his Lady.  
Now Sabra (said he) I have by this sufficiently prou●● thy true virginity: for it is the nature of every Lion, be he never so furious, not to harm the unspotted virgin, but humbly to lay his bri●●ed head upon a maiden's lap. Therefore divine Paragon; thou art the worlds chief wonder for love and chastity▪ whose honoured virtues shall ring as far as ever Phoebus lends his light, & whose constancy I will maintain in every Land where as I co●●, to be the truest under the cercuit of the Sun: At which word he cast his eye aside, and beheld the bloody spe●takle of the Euenukes Tragedy, which ●y Sabra was woefully discoursed, to the great grief of Saint George: whose sad sighs served for a doleful knell to bewail his vnt●●eles death: but having a Noble mind not subject to vain sorrow, where all hope of life is past, ceased his grief, 〈◊〉 prepared the venison in readiness for his Lady's repast: which in this order was dressed.  
He had in his pocket a fire-looke, wherewith he struck fire▪ and kindled it with sun- 〈…〉, and increased the 〈◊〉 with other dry 〈…〉 he gathered in the Wilderness: against which they roasted the venison and s●ff●●ed themselves to their own contentments. After which joyful repast, these two Princely persons set forward to their wont travails, whereby the happy guide of heaven ●o conducted their steps, that before many days passed, they arrived in the Grecian Court, even upon that day when the marriage of the Grecian Emperor should be solemnly holden: which Royal Nuptials in former times had been bruited into every Nation in the world, as well into Europe as Africa and Asia: At which Honourable marriage the bravest Knights that ever lived on earth were present: for golden fame had bruited the report 〈◊〉 of to the ears of the seven Champions: into Theslie to saint Dennis the Champion of France, there remaining with his beauteous Eglantine: into Civillia to saint james the Champion of Spain, where he remained with his lovely Celestine: to saint Anthony the Champion of Italy then travailing in the borders of Scythia with his Lady Rossalinde: likewise to saint Andrew the Champion o● Scotland: to saint Pattricke the Champion of Ireland: and to saint David the Champion of Wales: who achieved many memorable adventures in the Kingdom of Tarta●ie as you have heard before discoursed at large.  
But now Fame and smiling Fortune consented to make their Knightly atchiuement● to shine in the eyes of the whole world: therefore by the conduction of Heaven, they generally arrived in the Grecian emperors Court: Of whose Tilts and Tournaments there in performed, to the honour of his Nuptials, my weary Muse is bound to discourse.   

CHAP. XII.  
How the seven Champions arrived in Graecia at the emperors Nuptials, where they performed many Noble achievements, and how after open Wars was proclaimed against Christendom by the discovery of many Knights, and how every Champion departed into his own Country.  
TO speak of the number of Knights that assembled in the Grecian Court together, were a labour over tedious▪ requiring the pen of a second Homer: Therefore will I omit the Honourable frame of Knights and Ladies that attended him to the Church: their costly garments and glistering ornaments, exceeding the Royalty of Hecuba the beauteous Queen of Troy▪ Also I pass over the beauteous banquets: the Honourable services and delicious cheer that beautified the emperors Nuptials: with the stately Masks and Courtly dances, performed by many Noble personages, and chiefly discourse of the Knightly achievements of the seven Champions of Christendom, whose honourable proceedings, and magnanimous Encounters hath deserved a golden pen to relate: for after some few days spent in Chamber sports, to the great pleasure of the Grecian Princes: the Emperor presently proclaimed 〈…〉 ●●usting to be holden for the space of seven 〈◊〉 in the honour of his marriage, and appointed for his name's 〈◊〉 Champions the seven Christian Knights: whose 〈…〉 were not known by any one except their own attendants.  
Against the appointed day the Tournaments should begin, the Emperor caused a wonderful large frame of timber work to be erected: whereon the Empress & her Ladies might stand for the better view of the Tilters, and at pleasure behold the Champions Encounters m●st Nobly performed in the Honour of their Mistresses: likewise in the compass of the Li●●es were pitched seven Tents of seven several colours, wherein the seven Champions might remain till the sound of silver Trumpets summoned them to appear.  
Thus every thing prepared in readiness fitting so great a Royalty: the Princes and Ladies placed in their seats: the Emperor with his new married Empress invested on their lofty thrones strongly guarded with a hundred Armed Knights, the King's Harrolds solemely proclaimed the Tournaments, which in this most Royal manner began.  
The first day Saint Dennis of France was appointed chief Champion against all comers, who was called by the title of the golden Knight, who at the sound of the Trumpet entered the Lists: his Tent was of the colour of the Marigold, upon the top an artificial Sun framed, that seemed to beautify the whole assembly: his Horse of an Iron Grace, gratte with a spangled plume of feathers: before him road a Page in purple silk, bearing upon his crest three golden Fl●re-d●-luces, which did signify his Arms: Thus in this Royal manner entered Saint Dennis the Lists: where after he had traced twice or thrice up and down to the open view of the whole company, he prepared himself in readiness to begin the Tournament: against whom ran many Grecian Knights, which were ●oyled by the French Champion, to the wonderful admiration of all the beholders: but to be brief, he so worthily behaved himself, and with such fortitude, that the Emperor applauded him for the bravest Knight in all the world.  
Thus in great Royalty to the exceeding pleasure of the Emperor, was the first day spent, till the dark Evening caused the Knights to break off company, and repair to their night's repose: But the next Morning no sooner did Phoebus show his splendent brightness, but the King of Harrolds under the Emperor, with a noise of Trumpets awaked the Champions from their silent sleep, who with all speed prepared for the second days exercise. The chief Champion appointed for that day, was the victorious Knight saint james of Spain: which (after the Emperor with his Empress had seated themselves with a stately train of beautiful Ladies) entered the Lists upon a Spanish Jennet betrapped with rich Caparison, his Tent was pitched directly over against the Emperor's Throne, which was of the colour of quicksilver, whereon was portrayed many excellent devices: before the Tent attended four Squires, bearing four several scutcheons in their hands, whereon were curiously painted the four Elements: likewise he had the title of the silver Knight, who behaved himself no less worthy of all Princely commendations, than the French Champion the day before: The third day saint Anthony of Italy was chief challenger in the Turnanament▪ whose Tent was of the colour of the Skies, his Steed furnished with costly Habiliments: his Armour after the Barbarian manner, his shield plated round about with steel, whereon was painted a golden Eagle in a field of blue: which signified the ancient Arms of Rome: likewise he had the Title of the azured Knight, whose matchless Chivalry for that day, won the Prize from all the Grecian Knights, to the great reoysing of his Lady Rossalinde, the King of Sycils Daughter, that still remained in Page's attire, wherein (for the dear love she bore saint Anthony) disguisedly stole from the Court, whose discovery shall hereafter be expressed: The fourth day by the emperors appointment, the valiant and worthy Knight saint Andrew of Scotland obtained that Honour, as to be chief challenger for the Tournament: his Tent was framed in the manner of a ship swimming upon the waves of the Sea, environed about with Dolphin's Tritous, and many strange contrived Mearemaides: upon the top stood the picture of Neptune, the God of the Seas, bearing in his hand a Streamer, where on was wrought in crimson silk a corner Cross, which seemed to be his country's Arms, he was called the red Knight, because his horse was covered with a bloody vale: his worthy achievements obtained such favour in the emperors eyes, that he threw him his silver Gauntlet which was prized at a thousand Portagues, and with his own hands conducted him to a rich Pavilion, where after his noble encounters he enjoyed a sweet repose: The fift day saint Pattricke of Ireland, as chief Champion entered the Lists, upon an Irish Hobby, covered with a val● of green, attended on by six sylvan Knights: every one bearing upon his shoulder a blooming tree: his Tent resembled a summers bower, at the entry whereof stood the picture of Flora, beautified with a wreath of sweet smelling Roses: he was named the green Knight, whose worthy prowess so daunted the defendants, that before the Tournament began they gave him the honour of the day: upon the sixth day the Heroical and Noble minded Champion of Wales obtained such favour at the emperors hands, that he was likewise chief challenger: who entered the Lists upon a Tartarian Palfrey, covered with a vale of black, to signify a black and Tragical day should befall to those Grecian Knights that durst approve his invincible fortitude: his Tent was pitched in the manner and form of a Castle in the west side of the Lists: before the entry whereof, hung a golden shield: whe● 〈◊〉 was lively portrayed a silver Griffon rampant upon a golden Helmet, which signified the ancient Arms 〈◊〉 of Britain: his Princely achievements, not only obtained due commendations at ●he Emperors hands, but of the whole assembly of Grecian Ladies, whereby they applauded him to be the most Noblest Knight that ever shivered Lance, and the most fortunates Champion that ever entered into the Grecian Court: upon the seventh and last day of these Honourable Tournaments and most Noble proceed, the famous and valiant Knight at Arms saint George of England as chief challenger entered the Lists, upon a ●able coloured Steed, betrapped with bars of burnished gold, his forehead beautified with a gorgeous plume of purple feathers, from whence hung many pendants of gold, his Armour of the purest Lydian steel, nailed fast together with silver plates, his Helmet engraven very curiously, beset with Indian Pearl, and jasper stones: before his breast plate hung a silver Table in a damask scarf, whereon was pictured a Lion rampant in a bloody field, bearing three golden Crowns upon his head, before his Tent stood an Inorie Chariot guarded by twelve coal-black Negars, wherein his beloved Lady and Mistrsse Sabra, sat invested upon a silver Globe to behold the Heroical Encounters of her most Noble and Magnanimous champion saint George of England: his Tent was as white as the swans feathers, glistering against the Sun, supported by four ●eyntles Elephants framed of the purest brass, about his Helmet he tied a wreath of virgins hair, where hung his Lady's glove, which he wor●●● maintain her excellent gifts of nature to exceed all 〈◊〉 on the earth. These costly habiliments ravished the beholders with such unspeakable pleasure, that they stood gazing at his furniture, not able to withdraw their eyes from so heavenly a sigh●: But when they beheld his victorious Encounters against the Grecian Knights, they supposed him to be the 〈◊〉 tamer of that seven hea●ed monster that clambered 〈◊〉 the elements, offering to pull jupiter from his throne. His ●●éede never gave Encounter with any Knight, but he tumbled horse and man to the ground, where they lay for a time bereft of sense. The Tournament endured for that day, from the Suns rising, till the coal black evenings Star appeared: in which time he conquered five hundred of the hardiest Knights then living in Asia, and shivered a thousand Lances, to the wonderful admiration of the beholders.  
Thus were the seven days brought to end by the seven worthy Champions of Christendom, in reward of whose Noble achievements the Grecian Emperor (being a man that highly favoured knightly proceed, gave them a golden tree with seven branches to be divided equally amongst them. Which Honourable Prize they conveyed to saint George's Pavilion, where in dividing the branches, the seven Champions discovered themselves each to other, and by what good fortune they arrived in the Grecian Court, whose long wished sights so rejoiced their hearts, whereby they accounted that happy day of meeting, the joyfullest day that ever they beh●ld: But now after the Tournaments were fully ended, & the Knights rested themselves some few days, recovering their wont agility of body, they fell to a new exercise of pleasure: not appearing in glistering Armour before the Tilt, nor following the loud sounding Drums & silver Trumpets, but spending away the time in Courtly dances amongst their beloved Ladies and Mistress●s, in more Royalty than the Phrygian knights, wh●n they presented the Paragon of Asia with an Enchanted ●aske. There wanted no inspiring Music to delight their ears, no heavenly Sonnets to ravish their senses, nor no curious dances to please their eyes. Sabra she was the Mistress of the Revels: who gra●●e the whole Court with her excellent beauty, which seemed to exceed the rest of the Ladies, as far as the M●●ne surpasseth her attending Stars in a frosty night: & when she danced, she seemed like Thetis tripping on the silver sands, with whom the Sun did fall in love: and if she chanced to smile, the cloudy elements would clear & drop down heavenly dew, as though they mourned for love. There likewise remained in the Court, the six Scythian Virgins, that in former times lived in the shape of Swans, which were as beautiful Ladies as ever eye beheld: also many other Laidies attended the Empress, in whose companies the seven Champions daily delighted: sometimes discoursing of amorous conceits: other times delighting themselves with sweet tuned Music: then spending the day in banqueting, reveling, dancing, & such like pastimes, not once injuring their true betrothed Ladies. But their Courtly pleasures continued not long, for they were suddenly dashed with a present news of open Wars proclaimed against Christendom, which fell out contrary to the expectations of the Christian Knights. There arrived in the Grecian emperors Palace, a hundred Harrolds of a hundred several Provinces, which proclaimed utter defiance to all Christian kingdoms by these words.  
We the high and mighty Emperors of Asia and Africa, great commanders both of land & seas, proclaim by general consent of all the Eastern Potentates, utter ruin and destruction to the Kingdoms of Christendom, & to all those Nations where any Christian Knights are harboured: First the Sultan of Persia in revenge of a bloody slaughter done in his Palace, by an English Champion: Ptolemy the Egyptian King in revenge of his daughter violently taken away by the said knight: Almidor the black King of Morocco in revenge of his Queen likewise taken away by the said English Champion: The great Governor of Thessaly in revenge of his daughter taken away by a French Knight: The King of jerusalem in revenge of his daughter taken away by a Spanish Knight: The Tartarian Emperor in revenge of his Son the County Palatine, slain by the unhappy hand of the Champion of Wales: The Sicillian Monarch in revenge of his vain travail after his seven daughters, now in the keeping of certain Christian Knights: in revenge of which injuries, all the Kingdoms from the furthest part of Prester john's Dominions to the borders of the red Seas, hath set down their hands and seals to be aiders in this bloody War.  
This Proclamation being no sooner ended, but the Grecian Emperor likewise consented to their bloody determination, and thereupon gave speedy commandment to muster up the greatest strength that Graecia could afford, to join with the Pagans, to the utter ruin and confusion of Christendom: which bloody edict, or rather inhuman judgement pronounced by the accursed Infidels, compelled the Christian Champions to a speedy departure, and every one to haste into his own country, there to provide for the Pagans' entertainment: So after due considerations the seven Champions departed from Graecia in company of their betrothed Ladies: who chose rather to live in the bosoms of their husbands, than in the arms of their misbelieving Parents: where after some few days they arrived in the spacious bay of Portugal, in which Haven they vowed by the Honour of true Knighthood, to meet again within six months ensuing: there to conjoin all their Christian Armies into one Legion: upon which plighted resolution the worthy Champions departed one from another: Saint George into England: Saint Dennis into France: Saint james into Spain: Saint Anthony into Italy: Saint Andrew into Scotland: Saint Pattrick into Ireland: Saint David into Wales: whose pleasant banks they had not beheld in many a year before: where their entertainments were as Honourable as their hearts desired: But to speak of the mustering up of Soldiers in every Christian Kingdom, and what strength arrived at the appointed time in the bay of Portugal, shall be discoursed in the sequel of this History, and how troublesome wars overspread the whole earth, where the Heroical deeds of these Noble Champions shall at large be described: Also of the overthrow of many Kings, and Kingdoms, ruins of Towns, and Cities, and the decay of many flourishing Common weals: Likewise of the bloody Tragedies of many unchristian Princes: whereat the heavens will mourn to see the effusion of blood trickle from the breasts of murdered Infants, the heaps of slaughtered Damsels trampled to pieces by soldiers horses, and the streets of many a City sprinkled with the blood of reverent age: Therefore gentle Reader accept of this my labour with a smooth brow & a kind countenance, and my weary Muse shall never rest, till I have finished the true History of these Heroical Champions.   

CHAP. XIII.  
How the seven Champions of Christendom arrived with their Troops in the bay of Portugal, the number of the Christian Armies, and how Saint George made an Oration to his Soldiers.  
AFter the seven Champions of Christendom arrived in their Native Countries, and by true reports had blazed abroad to every Prince's ear the bloody resolution of the Pagans, & how the Provinces of Africa and Asia, had mustered up their forces to the invasion of Europe. All Christian Kings then at the entreaty of the Champions, appointed mighty Armies of well approved soldiers both by sea & land, to intercept the Infidels wicked intention: likewise by the whole consent of Christendom, the Noble and Fortunate Champion of England saint George, was appointed chief General, and principal leader of the Armies, and the other six Champions elected for his Council, and chief assistants in all attempts that appertained either to the benefit of Christendom, or the furtherance of their fortunate proceedings. This Honourable war so fired the hearts of many youthful Gentlemen, and so encouraged the minds of every common Soldier, that some mortgaged their lands, and at their own proper charges furnished themselves: Some sold their Patrimonies to serve in this Honourable wars: and other some forsook Parents, Kindred, Wife, Children, friends and acquaintance, and without constraint of pressing, offered themselves to follow so Noble a General, as the renowned Champion of England, and to spend their blood in the just quarrel of their Native Country. To be brief, one might behold the streets of every Town and City throughout all the Dominions of Europe, beautified with Troops of Soldiers, which thirsted after nothing but Fame and Honour. Then the joyful sound of thundering Drums, and the echoes of silver Trumpets summoned them to Arms, that followed with as much willingness, as the Grecians followed Agamemnon to the woeful overthrow of Troy: for by that time the Christian Champions had sported themselves in the bosoms of their kind Mistresses▪ the forward Captains taken leave of their Courtly pastimes, and the willing Soldiers bidden adieu to their friends & acquaintance, the spring had covered the earth with a new livery: which was the appointed time, the Christian Armies should meet in Portugal, there to conjoin their several Troops into one Legion: which promise caused the Champions to bid adieu to their Native Countries, and with all speed to buckle on their furnitures, and to hoist up sails: where after a short time, the wind with a calm and prosperous gale, cast them happily into the bay of Portugal. The first that arrived into that spacious Haven, was the Noble Champion saint George, with a hundred thousand of courageous English Soldiers, whose forwardness betokened a fortunate success, and their willing minds a joyful victories. His Army being set in Battle ray, seemed to countervail the number of the Macedonian Soldiers, wherewith worthy Alexander conquered the Western world: his Horsemen being in number twenty thousand, were Armed all in black corselets: their Lances bound about with plates of steel: their steeds covered with Ma●le three times doubled: their colours were the sanguine Cross, supported by a golden Lion: his sturdy bowmen, whose conquering Gray-goose wing in former times hath terrified the circled earth: being in number likewise twenty thousand, clad all in red Ma●dillians, with Caps of the same colour, bearing thereon likewise a sanguine Cross, being the true badge and honour of England: their Bows of the strongest Ewe, and their Arrows of the soundest Ash, with forked heads of steel, and their feathers bound on with green wax, and twisted silk: his Musketters being in number ten thousand, their Muskets of the widest boar, with firelocks wrought by curious workmanship, yet of such wonderful lightness, that they required no rest at all, to ease their heady aiming arms, hi● Caliver shot likewise ten thousand of the smaller timbered men, but yet of as courageous a mind as the tallest soldier in his Army, his Pikes and Bill●s, to guard the waving Aunsients thirty thousand strong, clad all in glistering bright Armour, likewise followed ten thousand labouring pioneers, if occasion served to undermine any town or castle, to entrench Forts or Sconces, or to make a passage through hills and mountains, as worthy Hannibal did when as he made away for his soldiers through the lofty Alphes, that divide the Countries of Italy and Spain: The next that arrived within the bay of Portugal, was the Princely minded Champion saint David of Wales with an Army of fifty thousand of true borne Britons, furnished with all habiliments of War to so Noble and valiant a service, to the high renown of his country and true Honour of his Progeny: their Armour in richness nothing inferior to the Englishm●ns: their colours were a golden Cross, supported by a silver Griffon: which Scutcheon signified the ancient Arms of Wales: For no sooner had saint George a sight of the valiant Britons, but he caused his Musketters presently to entertain them with a voll●● of shot, to express their happy and joyful welcome to shore, which speedily they performed so courageously with such a rattling noise as though the firmaments had burst in sunder, and the earth made echo to their thundering melody.  
But no sooner were the skeyes cleared from the smoke of the reeking powder, and that saint George might at pleasure deserve the Noble and Magnanimous Champion of Wales: who as then road upon a milk-white Hobby in silver Armour, guarded with a trai●e of Knights in purple vest●res, but he gréeted saint 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 saint David departed to his own Tent, which he had caused to be pitched, a quarter of a League, from the English Army: The next that arrived on the fruitful banks of Portugal, was saint Pattrick the Noble Champion of Ireland, with an Army likewise of ●iftie thousand, attired after a strange and wondered manner: their furnitures were of the skins of wild Beasts: but yet more unpearceable than the strongest Armour of proof: they bore in their hands mighty Darts, ●ipt at the end with pricking steel, which the courageous and valiant Irish 〈◊〉 by the agility of their arms could throw a 〈…〉 mile, and with such a forcible strength, that they would strike three or four inches into an Oak, and with such a certain aim that they would not miss the breadth of a foot.  
These adventurous and ●ardie Soldiers no 〈◊〉 arrived on the 〈◊〉, but the English M●sketters gave them a Princely entertainment, and presently conducted the Noble minded Champion saint Pattrick to the English Tent: where the three Champions of England, Wales, and Ireland passed away the time with 〈◊〉 great Royalty: saying down plots how to pitch their Camps to the most disadvantage of the m●●beléeuing enemy, and setting down▪ perfect directions which way they were best 〈◊〉 march, and such like devicies for their own safeties and the benefit of Christendom: The next that landed on the banks of Portugal, was saint Andrew the worthy Champion of Scotland, with threescore thousand of well approved Soldiers, his horsem●n the ●olde adventious galloways, clad all in quilted Iacke●s, with la●●es of the Turkish fashion, thick and short, bearing upon their Beavers th● Arms of Scotland, which was a corner C●●sse supported by a naked Virgin▪ his Pikemen the 〈…〉 hardy men of Or●●die, which continually useth to 〈◊〉 upon the freezing Mountains, the Is●e Rock● & the Snowy Uallyes: his shot the light footed Callidonians, that if ocsion serve, can climb the highest hill, and ●ee nimbleness in running▪ over got the swift footed Sta●.  
These bold adventurous Scottishmen in all forwardness, deserved as much honour at the English Champions hands▪ as any of the other Nations before: therefore he commanded his shot at the first entry on land to give them a Noble entertainment: which they 〈◊〉 most Royal▪ & also conducted saint Andrew to the English Tent: where after he had gived S. George▪ the courtesy of his 〈◊〉, departed to his Tent, which was distant from the English Tent a mile: The next that arrived was S. Anthony the Champion of Italy with a hand of four score thousand brave Italian Soldiers mounted on warlike Coursers, every Horseman attended on by a naked Neger, bearing in his hand a Streamer of watchet ●ilke, with the Arms of Italy thereon set in gold, every footman furnished with approved furniture, in as stately a manner as the Englishmen: who at their landing received as Royal an entertainment, as the other Nations, and likewise saint Anthony was as highly honoured by the English Champion, as any of the other Christian Knights: The next that arrived was saint Dennis the victorious Champion of France, with a ba●d of four score thousand: After him marched twelve Dukes, of twelve several Dukedoms, being then under the government of the French King, every one at his own proper cost and charges, mainetaining two thousand soldiers in these Christian wars: their entertainments were as glorious as the rest: The last of all the Christian Champions that arrived upon the fruitful banks of Portugal, was the Magnanimous Knight saint james of Spain, with a band likewise of four score 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 other six Champions gave him the Honourable welcome of a Soldier, and ordained a solemn banquet for the general Armies, whose number justly surmounted to five hundred thousand: which Legions they conjoined into one Camp Royal, and after placed their wings and squadrons Battle wise, chiefly by the direction of saint George, being then chief General by the consent of the Christian Kings: who after he had overviewd the Christian Armies, his countenance seemed to pognosticate a Crowned victory, and to foretell ● fatal overthrow to the misbelieving Potentates: Therefore to encourage his Princely followers to persever in their wont willingness, pronounced this Princely Oration.  
You men of Europe (said he) & my country men, whose Conquering fortunes never yet hath 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 the heavens as Nemrod and the Giants proffered in former times: but to prevent the invasion of Christendom, the ruins of Europe, and the intended overthrow of all Christian Provinces: the bloody minded Infidels, have mustered up Legions in numbers like the 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 Countrymen live not to see our Christian Virgins spoiled by lustful Rape, nor dragged along our streets like guiltless Lambs to a bloody slaughter: Live not to see our harmless Babes with bruised brains dashed against hard flinty stones, nor live to see our unlusty age, whose hairs resemble silver Mynes, lie bleeding on the Ma●ble 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 their men in ordered ranks, nor fear not when you behold the streamers hovering in the waving wind, when as their steeled Pikes like to a thorny Forest will overspread whole Countries: thousands of them I know will have no hearts to fight, but fly with cowardly fear like flocks of sheep before the greedy Wolf. I am the leader of your Noble minds, that never fought in vain, nor never entered battle but returned with Conquest. Then every one with me build upon this Princely resolution: for Christendom fight, for Christendom we live and die.  
This Soldierlike Oration being no sooner finished, but the whole Army with a general voice cried, to Arms, to Arms with the victorious George of England: which Noble resolution of the Soldiers, so rejoiced the English Champion, and likewise encouraged the other Christian Champions with such a forwardness of mind, that they gave speedy▪ commandment to remove their ●ents and to march with easy journeys towards Tripoli in Barbary, where Almidor the black King of Morocco had his residence: In which travail we must leave for a while the Christian Army, and speak of the innumerable Troops of Pagan Knights that arrived at one instant in the Kingdom of Hungary, and how they fell at variance in the election of a General: which civil mutiny caused much effution of blood, to the great hurt both of Africa and Asia, as here after followeth.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
Of the dessention and discord that happened amongst the Army of the Pagans in Hungary: the battle betwixt the Christians and the Moors in Barbary, and how Almidor the black King of Morocco was sodden to death in a cau●ldrone of boiling lead and brimstone.  
THE 〈◊〉 Pagans after they had leuie● their Martial forces both by Sea and Land, repaired to their general place of meeting, thereto conclude of the utter confusion of Christendom: for no sooner co●l● Winter withdraw his chil● frosts from the earth, and Flora took possession of his place: but the Kingdom of Hungary suffered excessive penury through the numberless Armies of the accursed Infidels, being their appointed place of meeting: For though Hungary of all other Countries both in Africa and Asia, then was the richest, and plentifullest of victuals to maintain a Camp of men: yet was it mightily overpressed & greatly burdened with multitudes: not only with want of necessaries to relieve soldiers, but with extreme cruelty of those bloody minded miscreants, that through a civil discord which happened amongst them, abou● the ●lection of a General, they converted their unity to, a most inhuman slaughter, and their triumphant victory to a dismal bloody Tragedy: For no sooner ar●●ed their Legions upon the plains of Algernos b●eing in length and breadth one and twenty L●agues: but the King of Hungary caused their muster Rolls to be publicly read, & justly numbered in the hearing of the Pagan knights, which in this manner was proclaimed through the Campe.  
First be it known unto all Nations that fights in the quarrel of Africa and Asia under the conduct of our three great Gods, Mahomet, Termigaunt, and Apollo: what invincible forces be now arrived in this renowned Kingdom of Hungary, a Land Honoured through the world, not only for Arms: but curious buildings, and plentif●ed with all manner of riches. First we have from the Emperor of Constantinople two hundred thousand Turks. From the Emperor of Graecia two hundred and fifty thousand. From the Emperor of Tartary a hundred threescore and three thousand. From the Sultan of Persia two hundred thousand. From the king of jerusalem four hundred thousand. Of Moors one hundred & twenty thousand. Of coal-black Negars' one hundred and forty thousand. Of Arabians one hundred and sixty thousand. Of Babylonians one hundred thirty thousand and ●dd●. Of Armenians one Hundred and fifty Thousand. Of Macedonians two hundred and ten thousand. Of Saracusians fifteen thousand six hundred. Of Hungarians three hundred and six thousand. Of Sissillians seventeen thousand three hundred. Of Scythians one hundred and five thousand. Of Parthians ten thousand and three hundred. Of Phrygians seven thousand and two hundred. Of Ethiopians sixty thousand. Of Thracians a eleven thousand: Likewise from the Provinces of Prester john three hundred thousand of unconquered Knights, with many other petty Dominions and Dukedoms: whose numbers I omit for this time, lest that I should seem over tedious to the reader: But to conclude, such a Camp of Armed soldiers arrived in Hungary, that might in one month have destroyed Christendom, had not God defended them from those barbarous nation, and by his invincible power confounded the Pagans in their own practices: For no sooner had the Harrolds proclaimed through the Camp what number of Nations joined their bands together, but the soldiers fell at dissension one with another about the election of a General: some vowe● to follow none but the king of jerusalem: some Ptolemy the Egyptian King: and some the Sultan of Persia, every one protesting either to persever in their own wills or to lose their lives in the same quarrel.  
Thus in this manner parties were taken on all sides, not only by the meaner sort, but by leaders and commanders of bands: whereby the King●●● and Potentates, were forced to commit their wills to the soldiers pleasure. This civil broil so discouraged the whole Army, that many with drew their forces, and presently marched homewards: As the King of Morocco with his tawny Moors and coal-black Negers: Likewise the Sultan of Persia: Ptolemy the Egyptian King: The Kings of Arabia and jerusalem every one departed into their own countries, cur●●ng the time they attempted first so vain an enterprise: The rest not minding to pocket up abuse, ●ell from braving boasts, to down right blows, whereby grew such a sharp and bloody war, that it cost more soldiers lives, than the civil mutiny at the destruction of jerusalem: which battle by the ireful Pagans, continued without ceasing for the space of three months: In which Encounters: the murdered Infidels like scattered corn overspread the fields of Hungary: the fruitful valleys lay drowned in purple gore: the fields of Corn consumed with flames of fire: their Towns and Cities ruinated with wasting war: wherein the Fathers were sad witnesses of their children's slaughters, and the Sons beheld their Parents reverent hairs, more whiter than trye● silver, besmeered with clodded blood: there might the Mothers see their harmless Babes b●rne up and ●owne the streets upon soldiers Lances: there might they see their silken ornaments and rich attire in pools of blood lie swimming up and down: there might the● see the brains of honest Dames and pure Virgins da●●t against hard ●●intie stones: there might they 〈◊〉 the●● C●urts & Palaces by souldi●rs burned to the ground: there might they see how counsellors in their Scarlet gowns lay burning in the fire: there might they see how Kings & Queens were arm in arm consumed to ashes: there might they behode and see how melted gold in chocked sinks lay every where: there might they see the bloodiest tragedies that ever eye beheld, and the woefully news that ever Christian's ear heard told: In this long and bloody war, one sucking child was not left alive to report the story to ensuing ages: No not a soldier to carry Arms throughout the Kingdom of Hungaria, so ●ustly was the vengeance of God thrown upon the heads of these misbelieving miscreants▪ that durst attempt to lift their hands against his true anointed Nations: for no doubt but the invincible Army of the Pagans, had ruinated the borders of Europe, had not the mighty hand of God with his unspeakable mercy, been Christendomes defence, and confounded the Infidels in their own civil wars: which bloody and strange overthrow of those unchristian people, let us for ever bury in the lake of oblivion, and persever in the fortunate proceed of the seven Champions ●● Christendom, who had entered the borders of Barbary, before Almidor the black king of Morocco with his scattered Troops of Moors and Negars returned from Hungary, and by fire and sword, had wasted ●any of his chiefest Towns and Forts, whereby the Country was much weakened, and the Common● compelled to sue for mercy to the Champions hands: who bearing 〈◊〉 Christian minds within their hearts continual 〈◊〉 harboured, vouchsafed to grant mercy to those that yielded their li●es to the pleasure of the Christian Knights: But when S. George had intelligence of almidor's approach with his weakened Troops, presently prepared his Soldiers in readiness to give the Moors a bloody banquet: which was the next morning by break of ●ay performed to the high honour of Christend●me: but the night before the Moors knowing the country better than the Christians, got the advantage both of wind and Sun: whereat Saint George being something displeased, but yet nothing discouraged, emboldened his soldiers with many Heroical speeches, proffering them frankly the enemy's spoils, and so with the suns uprising entered battle, where the Moors fell before the Christians swords, as ears of corn before the reapers f●●kle: During this conflict, the seven Champions still in the fore●runt of the battle, so adventurously behaved themselves, that they slew more Negars' than a hundred of the bravest Knights in the Christian Armies: At last Fortune intending to make saint George's prowess to shin● brighter than the rest, singled out the Morocco King, betwixt whom and the English Champion, was a long & dangerous fight: But saint George so courageously behaved him with his trusty sword, that Almidor was constrained to yield 〈◊〉 his mercy. The Army of the Moors seeing their King taken prisoner, presently would have fled: but that the Christians being the lighter of foot, overtook them, and made the greatest slaughter that ever happened in Barbary.  
Thus after the battle ended, and the joyful sound of victory rung through the Christian Army, the soldiers furnished themselves with the enemy's spoils, and marched by saint George's direction to the City of Tripoli, being then almost unpeopled through the late slaughter: In which City after they had r●sted some few days, and refreshed themselves with wholesome food, the English Champion in revenge of his former proffered injuries by the Morocco King, gave his severe sentence of death: First he commanded a brazen cauldron to be filled with boiling Lead and Brimstone: then Almidor to be brought to the place of death by twelve of the Noblest Peers in Barbary, therein to be consumed, flesh, blood, and bone: which was duly performed within seven days following, the brazen cauldron was erected by the appointment of saint George, directly in the middle of the chiefest Market place, under which a mighty hot fire continually burned, for the space of of eight and forty hours: whereby the boiling Lead and B●imstone seemed to sparkle like the fiery furnaces in hell, and the heat to e●ceede the burning Oven at Babylon. Thus all things being no sooner prepared in a readiness, & the Christian Champions present to behold the woeful spectacle; but the condemned Black●more King came to the place of Execution, in a shirt of the finest Indian silk, his hands pinioned together with a chain of gold, & his face covered with a Damske Scarf, his attendants, & chief conductor, twelve Morocco Peers, clad in Sabl● gowns of Taffeta, carrying before him the wheel of fortune, with the picture of a Usurper climbing up, with this Motto on his breast: I will be king in spite of Fortune: upon the top of the wheel, the picture of a Monarch vaunting with this Motto on his breast: I am a King in spite of Fortune: Lastly on the other side of the Wheel, the picture or perfect image of a deposed Potentate, falling with his head downwards, with this Motto on his breast: I have been a King so pleaseth Fortune: which plainly signified the chance of war, and the constancy of destiny: his guard was a thousand Christian soldiers, holding fortune in disdain: after them attended a hundred of Morocco virgins in black ornaments, their hair bounds up with silver wires, and covered with vales of black silk, signifying the sorrow of their country for the loss of their Sovereign. In this mournful manner came the unfortunate Almidor to the boiling C●ulderne: which when he beheld, his heart waxed cold, and his tongue d●ueide of utterance for a time: yet at last he broke forth into these earnest protestations, proffering more for his life than the whole Kingdom of Barbary can perform.  
Most mighty & invincible Champion of Christendom (quoth he) let my life be ransomed, and thou sh●l● yearly receive ten tons of ●ried gold, a hundred inches of woven silk, the which our Indian maids shall sit and spin ●ith silver wheels: a hundred Arguses of spices and ●efined sugar, shall be yearly paid thee by our Barbary 〈◊〉: a hundred wagons likewise richly laden wit● 〈◊〉 a●d jasper stones, which by our cunning Lapidisies ●hall 〈◊〉 yearly chosen forth and brought ●hee home to England, ●o make that blessed country the richest land within the Dominions of Europe: Likewise I will deliver up my Diadem, with all my Princely dignities, and in company of these Morocco Lords, like bridled Horses draw thee daily in a silver Chariot up and down the ser●led earth, till death gives end to our lives Pilgrimage: Therefore most admired Knight at Arms, let these salt tears that trickle from the Conduits of my eyes, obtain one grant of comfort at thy hands, for on my bended knees I beg for life, that never before this time did kneel to any mortallman.  
Thou speak'st in vain (replied saint George) it is not the treasures hidden in the deepest seas, nor all the golden mines of rich America that can redeem thy life: thou knowest accursed Homicide, thy wicked practices in the Egyptian Court, where thou profferedst wrongfully to bereave me of my life: Likewise through thy treachery, I end●red a long imprisonment in Persia: where for seven years I drank the Channel water, and sufficed my hunger with the breads of bran meal: My food the loathsome flesh of Rats and Mice, and my resting place a dismal dungeon, where neither sun nor the cheerful light of heaven lent me comfort during my long continued misery: For which inhuman dealing and proffered injuries, the heaven's enforceth me to a speedy revenge, which in this manner shall be accomplished. Thou seest the Engine prepared for thy death, this brazen Cauldron filled with boiling lead and brimstone, wherein thy cursed body shall be speedily cast, and boiled till thy detested limbs be consumed, to a watery substance, by this sparkling lickour: therefore prepare thyself to entertain the violent stroke of death, and willingly bid all thy kingly dignities farewell: But yet I let thee understand, that mercy harboureth in a Christians heart, and where mercy dwells there faults are forgiven upon some humble penitence, though thy trespass deserves 〈◊〉 pity, but severe punishment, yet upon these considerations I will grant thee liberty of life: First that thou wilt forsake thy false God's Termagant, Mahomet, and Apollo: which he but the vain imaginations of man: and believe in our true and ever living God, under whose banner we Christians have taken in hand this long war: Secondly thou shalt give commandment, that all thy barbarous Nations be christened in the faith of Christ: Thirdly and lastly, that thy three Kingdoms of Barbary, Morocco & India, swear true allegiance to all Christian Kings, and never to bear Arms, but in the true quarrel of Christ and his anointed Nations. These things duly observed, thy life shall be preserved, and thy liberty obtained, otherwise look for no mercy, but a speedy and most ●yr●ible death.  
These words more displeased the unchristian King of Morco, than the sentence of his condemnation, and in these brief speeches set down his resolution.  
Great Potentate of Europe (replied Almidor) by whose mightiness fortune sits fettered in the chains of power, my golden Diadem and regal Sceptre by constraint I must deliver up: but before I forsake my country Gods, I will endure a hundred deaths, and before my conscience be reform to a new faith, the earth shall be no earth, the sea no sea, nor the heaven no heaven. Thinkest thou now proud Christian, by thy threatened torments to make me forget my creator, and believe in thy false God, which was but the son of a Carpenter, and bacely borne under an Ox stall: No, no, accursed Christians, you ofspringes of Cain▪ you generations of jesmaell, you seed of Uipers, and accursed through the world, look for a speedy shower of vengeance to rain from heaven upon your wicked Nations, your bloody practices hath pierced the Battlements of jove, and your tyrranies beaten open the ga●es of mighty Mahomet, who hath provided whips of burning wire to scourge you for your cruelties, proffered against his blessed worshippers, and now with this deadly curse I bid you all farewell: the plagues of Egypt light upon your kingdoms: the curse of Cain upon your children: the famine of jerusalem upon your friends, and the misery of Oedipus upon yourselves.  
This wicked resolution and baleful curse being no sooner ended by the desperate minded Almidor, but the impatience of saint George was so highly moved, that he gave present commandment to the appointed Executioners, to cast him into the boiling cauldron, which incontinently they performed to the terror of all the beholders: to behold this wofulll spectakle the Battlements of Temples we●e so thronged with people, the houses covered with women & children, and the streets filled with Armed Soldiers, that it was a wonder to behold: amongst which multitudes there were some particular persons, that at the sight of almidor's death fell down and broke their necks: But the general number, as well of Pagans as Christians, cried with cheerful voices, Honour and victory follow saint George of England, for he hath redeemed Barbary from a miserable servitude. Which joyful hearing so delighted the seven Champions of Christendom, that they caused the Conduits to run with wine, the streets to be beautified with bonfires, and a sumptuous banquet to be proclaimed through the City, which after continued for the space of seven days, in more magnificent Royalty, than the banquet at Babylon, when the Macedonian Monarch returned from the world's Conquest.  
The Champion's liberality procured such faithful lo●e in the hearts of the Morocco Pieres, that with a general consent, they chose saint George for their lawful King: where after they had invested him in the Princely seat of the Morocco Potentates, they set the Crown upon his head▪ and after presented him with an imperious Pall which the Kings of Barbary usually wore upon their Coronation day, protesting to forsake their profane Religion, and 〈◊〉 christened in the faith of Christ.  
This promised conversion of the Infidels, more delighted the English Champion, than to have the whole world's honour at command, for it was the chiefeest point of his Knightly oath to advance the faith of Christ and to enlarge the bounds of Christendom: after his Coronation was solemnly performed, the other six Champions conducts him to a Princely Palace, where he took the true allegiance of the Morocco Lords by plighted oath to be true to his Crown: after this he established Christian laws, to the benefit of the whole country: then he commanded all the ceremonious rites of Mahomet to be trodden under foot, & the true Gospel of Christ to be preached: likewise he caused all that did remain in Barbary to be Christened in the new faith: But these observations continued but a time as shall hereafter shall be discoursed at large: For fame not intending to let the worthy Champions long to remain in the idle bowers of peace: but summoned them to persever in their Noble achievements; and t● muster up a new their soldiers, whose Armour, cankered ease had almost stained with rust: therefore saint George committed the government of his country, to four of the principal Pears of Morocco, and marched towards the Country of Egypt, where lived treacherous Ptolemy, the Father of his beloved Lady Sabra, whom he had left in the Kingdom of England: In which journey and happy arrival in Egypt, w● will leave the seven Champions for a time, and speak of the faithless Infidels in Barbary, after the departure of the Christians, whose former Honours they slightly regarded: For no sooner had saint George with his martial Troops bidden their country adieu, but the faithless Moors reconciled themselves to their former Gods, and purposed a speedy revenge for the death of Almidor, against all Christians that remained within the limmets of that Heathen Nation: For there were many soldiers wounded in the late battle: Likewise a number oppressed with sickness, had the Christian Champions left behind for their better recoveries: upon whom the barbarous Moors committed their first tyranny: for they caused the distressed soldiers to be drawn upon ●lids to the outermost part of the City, and there put them into a large and old Monastery, which they presently set on fire, and most inhumanly burned the Christian soldiers, and after converted the place into a filthy leastall: many women and succourless children they dragged up and down the streets, till their brains were dashed against the stones, and the blood had covered the earth with a purple hue: Many other cruelties were committed by the wicked Infidels against the distressed Christians, which I purpose to pa●●e over, and wholly discourse of the woeful and bloody murder of an English Merchant and his wife in the same City of Tripoli, the report whereof may force the merciless Tigers to relent, and those eyes to shed a spring of tears that never wept before. The bloody minded Negars violating both oath and promise before plighted to saint George: by violence set upon the merchants house, where first they made a massacre of his servants, and before his face cast their dead bodies to hunger starved Dogs: then coming to the Merchant, they bond him fast with hempen cords to the strongest post in his house, and after took his children, being seven of the goodliest boys, that ever nature ●●amed, and likewise tied round about him: Then one of the Moors being crueler than the rest, proffered to deflower the merchants wife before his face: but she in chastity like Camma, chose rather an honourable death▪ than an infamous life, spit in the Negars' face, and most bitterly reviled him▪ yielding neither to his force, nor his bloody threats: but snatching a knife from his girdle, vowed to sheathe it in her bosom before she would lose that precious Gem of honour, that once being gone cannot be recovered for all the worlds treasure.  
This resolution of the English merchants wife, caused the stern Negars to exceed in cruelty: but the principal of that wicked company, being a bloody and merciless Tyrant, stabbed one of the silly Children before the mother's face.  
Now stubborn Dame (quoth he) will't thou yield to my desires, and preserve the lives of thy other six Children, otherwise shalt thou behold them butchered in the same manner. To sell my honour for the lives of my Children (replied she) will be an offence to God, and a continual corrosive to my husband's heart if we live together: Therefore accursed monsters prosecute your tyranny: It is not all your threats and bloody dealings shall convert my chaste mind, nor once enforce my thoughts to give any consent thereunto.  
These words being no sooner ended, but the lustful Moor took an other of her children and stabed before h●r husband's face, thinking thereby to fore the Merchant to entreat his wife to consent to the wicked N●gars determinations, but he being as resolute as his virtuous wife (spoke in this manner.  
O you cursed black Dogs of Barbary! more worse in quality than the bloody Tigers, and more merciless than the wicked Cannibals: think you that the murder of our children shall enforce our hearts to yield to your lustful desires: N● no, persever in your tyrranies: if I had a hundred children, twice the number of King Priam's, yet would I lose them all, before I will endure to see my wives dishonour: children may be gotten again but her honour never recovered.  
These words pricked the Negars to the gall and caused them to commit the wickedest deed that ever was practised under the celestial Globe of heaven: First they sheathed there Poniards in the breasts of all the merchants children, whose guiltless blood stayed all the chamber with a crimson colour, then with there Falchions did they cu● there bodies all in sunder, and caused seven P●es to be made of there flesh, and after served in a banquet to there woeful Parents, whom the merciless Moors set at a square table, the Merchant placed directly opposite against his wife, where they were constrained either to feed upon there own children, or starve for want of other sustenance.  
This woeful spectacle struck such a grief into the English merchants heart, that he could scarce endure to speak for weeping: his wife when she behold the heads of her lovely sons lying upon the table, as it were looking to heaven for revenge, breathed fort● this woeful dying lamentation.  
O silly Babes, I would you had been strangled in my womb at your first conception: then should not these accursed Infidels have triumphed thus in your ●nhappie Tragedies: Nor your unfortunate Parents beh●ld this luckless day: whereon I pray that never S●nne may shine again, but be accounted an ominous day throughout the whole earth, for heaven I hope (poor Babes) will reign a shower of vengeance on their heads that hath caused this your untimely death, and with this prayer I bitten the world● farewell.  
At which words her grief so exceeded the bounds of reason, that it stayed the passage of her speech: whereby she was forced to yield her soul to the Paradise of peace. She being no sooner dead but the sorrowful Merchant likewise biterly exclaimed against the injustice of Fortune, and the tyranny of the barbarous Moors, accounting his destiny more ha●les than the Thracian Kings, that buried his children in his own Bowels: and the cruelties of the Infidels to exceed the tyranny of Nero, that caused his Mother's womb to be opened, that he might behold the place of his creation: but when the Merchant had sufficiently bewailed the murder of his children, the death of his wife, and his own misery, he yielded his soul likewise to the furious stroke of death: The end of whose long languishments when the wicked Moors had intelligence▪ they caused their dead bodies to be carried to the top of a hi●h mountain, and there left for the pray of hungry Ravens: But God most miraculously preserved them both from the fury of Foules, and the violence of ravenous beasts, for the su● consumed their bodies like the mornings dew, and by the w●nderfull workmanship of heaven, in the s●me place sprung a bower of Roses, to signify the unspotted honour of the Merchant and his virtuous wife: which miracle we leau● to the wonder of the Moors, and speak of the Christian Champions proceed, that by this time were arrived in the Kingdom of Egypt.   

CHAP. XV.  
How the Christians arrived in Egypt, and what happened to them there: the Tragedy of the lustful Earl of Coventrie: how Sabra was bound to a stake to be burned, & how Saint George redeemed her: lastly how the Egyptian king cast himself from the top of a Tower and broke his neck.  
DUring the time of the bloody murder wrought by the barbarous Moors upon the English Merchant and his Wife, with his seven Children as you heard in the former Chapter, the Champions of Christendom arrived upon the Territories of Egypt, where they supposed to have met with Legions of Armed Soldiers, and to have adventured their lives upon the chance of War: but all things fell out contrary to their expectations, for they found the Gates of every City set open, and every village and Town unpeopled: for the Commos at the report of the Christians arrival, secretly hid their treasure in the Caves of the earth, in deep Welles, and such like obscure places, and a general fear and extreme terror assailed the Egyptians: as well the Peers of the Land, as the simple country people: Many fled into woods and wildernesses, & closely hid themselves in hollow trees: Many digged caves in the ground, where they thought best to remain in safety, and many fled to high mountains, where they long tim● lived in great extremity, feeding upon the grass of the ground: So greatly the Egyptians feared the Army of Christians, that they expected nothing but the ruin of their own country, with the loss of their own lives, and the murder of their wives and Children.  
But to speak of the Christian Champions: who finding the country desolate of people, suspected some deep policy of the Egyptians, thinking them to have mustered their general forces to bid them battle: therefore Saint George gave commandment through the whole Camp, that not a man upon pain of death should break his rank, but march advisedly with three weapons ready priest to enter battle, as though the enemy had directly placed themselves opposite against them: which special charge the Christian Soldiers duly observed, looking neither after the wealth of Cities, nor the spoil of villages, but circumspectly marched according to their leaders directions, along the Country of Egypt, till they approached the sight of King Ptolemy's Court: which when the noble Champion of England beheld, in this manner encouraged he his followers.  
Behold (said he) you invincible Captains of Christendom yonder cursed Towers where wicked Ptolemy keeps his Court, those Battlements I say, were they as richly built as 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 Ptolemy hy● residence, that for preserving his Daughter from the burning Dragon, treacherously sent me into Persia, where for seven years I lived in great extreamie in a dismal dungeon, where the Sun did never lend 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 ●o the glorious City in Phrigia, now overspread with● stinking weeds and loathsome puddles: Therefore let a● Christian Soldiers, that fights under the banner of Christendom, and all that loves George of England your chosen General, draw forth their warlike weapons, and like the angry Greeks' overturn these glistering Battlements, leave not one stone upon another, but lay it as level with the ground, as the harvest reapers ●at the fields of ripened corn: let your wrathful furies fall upon these Towers like drops of April showers, or like a storm of winter's hail, that it may be bruited through the world, what lustful vengeance did light upon the pride of Egypt: Leave not (I say) as ●ou love your General, when you have subverted the Palace not one man alive, no not a sucking babe, but let them suffer vengeance for the wickedness of their King. This is my decree brave Knights of Christendom: therefore march forward, 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 s●●ken streamers to flourish in the air, the Drums cheerfully to sound forward, the silver Trumpets recorded echoes of victory, the barbed steeds grew proud of this attempt, & would ●●and upon no ground, but leapt and danced with as much courage as did Bucephalus the horse of Macedonian Alexander always before any notable victory, yea every things gave an evident sign of good success, as well senseless things as living creatures.  
With this resolution marched the Cstristians, purposing the utter confusion of the Egyptians, and the woeful ruin and destruction of Ptolemy'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 Lances, and t●rne Ancients: Likewise followed thousands of women & children, with Laurel wreaths about their heads, & in their hands Olive branches crying for mercy to the Christians, that they would not utterly destroy their declining country, but show mercy to unhappy Egypt. This unexpected sight, or rather admirable wonder, caused saint George to sound retreat, and gave commandment through the Christian Army, to withhold their former vowed vengeance from the Egyptians, till he understood what they required: which charge being given and o●ely observed, saint George with the other six Champions came together, and admitted the Egyptian king wi●h their powers to their presence, who in this manner began to speak for his country.  
You unconquered knights of Christendom, whose worthy victories & Noble achievements, the whole world admires, let him that never kneeled to any man t●ll now, and in former times disdained to humble himself to the greatest Potentate on the earth: Let him I say, the most unfortunate wretch alive crave mercy, not for myself, but for my country: my Common● blood will be required at my ha●d●: our murdered Infants will call to heaven for revenge, and our slaughtered Widows cries s●nk● down to hell for revenge: so will the vengeance of heaven light upon my soul, and the curse of hell upon 〈…〉 renowned Champions of England, under whose custody my dear daughter is kept, e●●n 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 flattery of that accursed Blackamon●e King: whose soul for evermore he scourged with whips of wire, and plagued with the punishment of Tantalus in hell: If my life will serve for a 〈◊〉 revenge, here is my naked breast: let my heart blood st●ine some Christian-sword, that you may bear the bloody wishes' of my 〈◊〉 into Christendom or let me be torn● into a thousand p●eces, by 〈◊〉 untamed Stéeds, as was Hippolytus the Son of The●●●s in his charmed Chariot.  
Most mighty controllers 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 & hateful in the sight of heaven.  
This penitent lamentation of the Egyptian King caused the Christian Champions to relent, but especially Saint George: who having a heart beautified with the wellspring of pity, not only granted mercy to the whole Country, but vouchsafed Ptolemy liberty of life, upon condition that he would perform what he had promised: which was to forsake his false gods, & believe in our true God, Christ jesus.  
This kindness of saint George almost ravished Ptolemy with joy, and the whole land, both Peers and Commons more rejoiced at the friendship of the Christians, than if they had been made Lords of the western world. The news of this happy unetie, was bruited into 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 bonfires to be made in every City, Town, & village, the Bells of Egypt rung day and night, for the space of three months: in every place was seen banqueting▪ dancing and masking, sorrow was banished, wars forgotten, and peace proclaimed.  
The King at his own charges ordained a sumptuous & costly banquet for the Christian Champions: wherein for bounty it exceeded that which the Trojans made when Paris returned from Greece with the conquest of Menelaus Queen. The banqueting house was built with Cypress wood, covered with the purest Adamant stone: so that neither steel nor base Iron could come therein, but it was presently drawn to the top of the roof: 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 & Sea▪ could afford b●●re there present 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 that attende● the Champion's a● the banquet, wer● 〈◊〉 in damask vestments wrought with the purest 〈…〉 Indian virgins spin upon their silver wheels: at every course the seruit●rs brought in, a Consort of Egyptian Ladies upon their ivory Lu●es, strained forth such admired Harmony, that it surpassed Arion's music 〈…〉 when he was cast into the Se●, caused the 〈…〉 himsa●e on the 〈…〉 sweetness of Orpheus 〈…〉, which made both 〈◊〉 and trees to dance, or the mel●odie of Apollo's inspiring music, when he descended from heaven for the love of D●aphne.  
These pleasures so ravished the Christian Champions, that the●● forge of the sound of warlike Drums that were wont 〈◊〉 call them forth to bloody battles: But these delights continued but a short time, for there arrived a knight from England that brought such unexpected news to saint George, which changed his joys into extreme sorrow, for af●er this manner began the messenger to tell his woeful tale.  
Fair England's Champion (said he) in steed of Arms get Swallows wings and fly to England, if ever thou 〈◊〉 see thy beloved Lady, for she is judged to be burned at a ●take for murdering the Earl of Coventrie: whose lustful desires would 〈◊〉 stained her honour with infamy, and made her the 〈◊〉 of virtuous women: Yet this ●ercie is granted by th●●ing of England, that if within ●oure and twenty mon●● 〈◊〉 Champion may be found, that for her sake will ventu●● 〈◊〉 life, and if it be his happy fortune to overcome the challenger of her death, she shall live: But if it b● his fatal destiny to be conquered, then must she suffe● the heavy judgement before pronounced: therefore as 〈◊〉 love the life of your chaste and beloved Lady, hai●e into ●ngland, delay no time, for delay is dangerous, & her lif● in hazard to be lo●●.  
This woeful disourse struck such a terror to S. George's heart, likewise to the Egyptian King her father, that for a 〈◊〉 they stood gazing●●● 〈…〉 face, as though they had b●n ●●raught of their wit●, n●t able to speak one word, but at last saint George recovered his former senses, and breathed forth this sorrowful lamentation.  
O▪ England, unkind England, have I adventured my life in thy defend, an● fo● thy safety have layn● in the fields 〈◊〉 Ma●● 〈…〉, in many a parching 〈◊〉 day, and ma●● a fréezing winter's night, when you have taken your quiet sleeps in beds of Down: and will you repay me with this discourtesy, or rather undeserved wrong, to adjudge her spotless body to consuming 〈◊〉▪ whos● bl●●d if it 〈…〉 before I co●e, I vow never to draw my trusty sword in England's quarrel more, nor never account myself her Champion, but I will rend my warlike colours into a thousand pieces, the which I wear upon 〈◊〉 Burgonet (I mean the crimson Cross of England) and wander unknown Countries, obscurely from the sigh● of any Christians eye: Is it possible that England is so ingrateful to her friend? Can that renowned Country harbour such a lustful monster, to seek to dishonour her, within whose heart the fountain of virtue springs? Or can that Noble City, the Nurse and Mother of my life, entertain so vile an Homeside, that will offer violence to her, whose chastity and true honour hat● caused tameless Lions to sleep in her lap?  
In this sorrowful mam●● wearied saint George the time away, until the Egyptian King, whose sorrows being as great as his, put 〈◊〉 from his complaints, and requested the English Knight to tell the true discourse of Sabraes proffered violence, and how she mu●t●●red the lustful Earl of Coventry, to whom after a bitter sigh or two, the woeful messenger replied in this manner.  
Most Noble Princes and Potentates of ●he earth, prepare your ears to entertain the woefull'st ●ale▪ that ever English Knight 〈◊〉, and your eyes to weep a sea of brackish tears: I would I had no tongue to tell it, nor heart to remember it: But seeing I am compelled through the love and duty I own to the Noble Champions of Christendom to express it, than thus it was.  
It was the fortune, nay I may say unhappy destiny of your beloved Lady: upon an Evening when the S●●ne had almost lodged in the West, to walk without the walls of Coventrie to take the pleasures of the sweet fields, and flowering meadows, which Flora had beautified in a summers livery: but as she walked up and down, sometimes taking pleasure to hear the melody of chirping Birds, how they strained their silver notes: other times taking delight to see how nature had covered both hills and dales with sundry sorts of Flowers: then walking to see the Crystal running Rivers, the murmuring Music of whose streams exceeded the rest for pleasure: But she (kind Lady) delighting herself by the rivers side, a sudden and strange alteration troubled her mind: for the Chain of gold that she did wear about her neck presently changed colour, from a yellow burnished brightness to a dim paleness: her Kings flew from her fingers, and from her nose fell three dro●s of blood: whereat her heart began to throb, her ears to glow, and every joint to tremble with fear. This strange accident caused her speedily to haste homeward: but by the way she met the noble Earl of Coventrie, walking at that time to take the pleasure of the Eueninges Air, with such a train of worthy Gentlemen, as though he had been the greatest Pier in all England: whose sight when she beheld a far off, her heart beg●nne to misgive, thinking that Fort●ne had allotted th●se Gentlemen to prosper her some iniurie● 〈…〉 upon her cheeks fear had set a vermilion 〈◊〉, whereby ●er beauty grew admirable: which when the Earl beheld he was ravished therewith, and deemed her the excellents creature that ever nature had framed: their meeting was ●●lent, she showed the humility of a 〈◊〉 Lady 〈…〉 ●he courtesy of a kind Gentleman, she departed homewards, and 〈◊〉 into the 〈…〉 thinking all danger past, but h●●●actised in his mind her utter 〈◊〉 & downfall: for the dart of love had shot from her beauteous cheeks into his heart, not true love, but lust: so that nothing might quench his desire, but the conquest of her chastity, such extreme passion bewitched his mind, that he caused his s●●uants eu●ry one to departed, and then like a discontented man he wandered up and down the ●●eldes, beating in his mind a thousand sundry ways how to obtain his desire, for without he enjoyed her love, he was likely to live in endless languishment: but ●t last he●●ighed out this passion of love.  
O you immortal powers, why have you transported her from an earthly Lady, to a heavenly Angel: Sabra is no worldly creature, but a divine substance, her beauty is a stain unto the Queen of love, and her countenance of more ma●e●●ie than junos' grace: her twinkling eyes, that gliste● like to flaming stars, and her beauteous cheeks more pleasant than Roses dipped in milk, hath pierced my heart with the pricks of love, and her love I will enjoy or loose my life: O but there is a bar which thwarts kind affections, and hinders my desires: Saint George I mean her true and lawful husband, the honour of whose bed she will not violate for all the Kingdoms in the world: Tush faint hearted fool that I am, Sabra is beautiful, and therefore to be tempted: she is wise, and therefore easy to be won: Her husband he is sporting in the fields of Mars▪ then why may not she take pleasure in the Chamber of Venus: I 〈…〉 many flattering glosser, many kind speeches, & many 〈…〉▪ but I will crop that bud, which but to taste, I would give my whole 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉: I will tell her saint George is a wandere●, and one that never will return: where as I am a mighty Pier in England, and 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 accomplish whatso ●uer she desires: 〈…〉 this lustful 〈◊〉 used, to flatter himself in his vain conceit. At last the stalling night with pitchy clouds began to overspread the brightsome heavens, whereby he was forced to repair homewards, and to smother up his love in silence, no quiet sleep that night could enter in his eye, but fond and restless dreams, sometimes he thought he had his lovely Mistress in his Arms, dallying like the Paphian Queen upon her Minions knee, but presently awaking, he found it but a gliding shadow, which added new grief to his lovesick passions: then by and by he thought he saw how the wrathful Champion with dreadful bloody Falchion, came to revenge his Lady's ravishment, whereat the troubled Earl started from his bed, and with loud voice cried to his Chamberlain for help, and how saint George was come to murder him: which sudden outcry not only awaked the Chamberlain but the whole house: which generally came to bear him company, they set up Camphire Tapors to give light, and made him Music to comfort him, and to drive all fond● fancies from his mind: but no sooner c●ased the Music, but he fell into his former cogitations, pondering in his mind, which way he might obtain his purpose, whereat a dismal night Raven beat her wings against his Chamber window, and with a harsh voice, gave him warning of a bad success: then presently began the Tapors to burn blue as though a troup of ghastly spirits did encompass his lodging, which was an evident sign, that some strange and unhappy murder would shortly follow: All which could nothing withdraw the lustful Earl from his wicked enterprise, nor convert his mind from the spoil of so sweet a Lady. In this manner spent he the night away, till the suns bright countenance summoned him ●●om his reaklesse bed, from whence being no sooner risen, ●ut he 〈…〉 the Steward of his house, and gave him a charge to provide a most sumptuous and costly banquet, for he intended to invite thereunto all the principal Ladies in Cou●●try: what bountiful cheer was provided, I think it 〈◊〉 to repeat, but to be short, at the time and hour appointed the invited Ladies repaired: the banquet was brought in by the Earl's servants, and placed upon the table by the Earl himself▪ who after many welcomes given, began thus to move the Lady's delight.  
I think my house most highly honoured (said he) that you have vouchsafed to grace it with your presence: for me thinks you beautify my hall, as the twinkling stars beautify the vale of heaven: but amongst the number of you all▪ you have a Cynthia, a glistering silver Moon, that for brightness exceedeth all the rest: for she is fairer than the Queen of Cypress: lovelier than Dido when Cupid sat● upon her knee, wiser than the Prophetess of Troy: Of parsonage more comelier than the Grecian Dame, and of more Majesty than the Queen of heaven: so that all the Muses with their ivory pens, may write eternally, and yet not sufficiently describe her excellent ornaments of nature. This commendation caused a general smile of the Ladies, & made them look one upon another whom it should be: Many other Courtlike discourses pronounced the Earl, to move the Lady's delight, till the vanquet endded: which being finished, there came in certain Gentlemen, by the Earl's appointment with most excellent Music: other s●me that danced most curiously, with as much Majesty as Paris in the Grecian Court: At last the Earl requested one of them to choose out his beloved Mistress, and lead her some stately Courante: likewise requesting that none would be offended what Lady soever he did affect to grace with that Courtly pastime: at which request all of them were silent, and silence is commonly a sign of consentment: therefore he emboldened himself the more, to make his desires known to the beholders: then with exceeding courtesy and great humility, he kissed the beauteous hand of Sabra, who with a blushing countenance and bashful look accepted his courtesy, and like a kind Lady disdained not to dance with him: So when the musicans stra●ed forth their inspiring melody, the lustful Earl lead her the first course about the Hall, in as great Majesty as Ma●ors did the Queen of Paphos to gain her love, and she followed with as much grace, as if the Queen of pleasure had been present to behold their Courtly delights: and so when the first course was ended, he found a fit opportunity to unfold his secret love, and reveal unto the Lady his extreme passion of mind, which were in these speeches expressed.  
Most Divine and Piereles Paragon (said he) thou only wonder of the world, for beauty and excellent ornaments of nature: know that thy two twinkling eyes that shine more brighter than the lightness of heaven, being the true Darts of love, hath pierced to my heart, and those thy Crimson cheeks as lovely as Aurora's countenance, when she draws the Curtains of her purple bed to entertain her wandering Lover: those cheeks I say hath wounded me with love, therefore except thou grant me kind comfort, I am like to spend the remnant of my life in sorrow, care, and discontent: I blush to speak what I desire, because I have settled my love where it is unlawful, in a bosom where Kings may sleep and surfeit with delight: thy breast I mean my most divine Mistress, for there my heart is kept a prisoner, beauty is the keeper, and love the key, my ransom is a constant mind: thou art my Venus, I will be thy Mars: thou art my Helen, and I will be thy Paris: thou art my Hyren, I will be thy Mahomet: thou art my Cressida, I will be thy Troilus: thou art my love, and I will be thy Paramour: Admit thy Lord and Husband be alive, yet hath he most unkindly left thee to spend thy young years in solitary widowhood: he is unconstant tlike Aeneas, and thou more hapless than Dido: he martcheth up & down the world in his glistering Armour, & never doth intend to return: he abandoneth thy presence, & lieth sporting in strange Lady's laps: therefore dear Sabra live not to consume thy youth in singleness, for age will overtake thee too soon and convert thy beauty to wrinkled frowns.  
To which words Sabra would have presently made answer, but that the music called them to dance the ●●●and course, which being 〈◊〉 replied in this manner.  
My Noble Lord (said she) for our bounteous banquet & courteous entertainment, I give the humble thanks of a poor Lady: but for your suit and unlawful desire, I d● detest as much as the sight of a Crokadile, and your flattering glozes I esteem as much, as doth the Ocean of a drilling shower of rain: your Sirens songs shall never entice me to listen to your fond requests: but I will like Ulysses stop my ears, & bury all your flattering enticements in the lakes of forgetfulness▪ Think you that I will stain his marriage bed with the least spot of infamy, that will not proffer me one thought of wrong for all the treasures of the wealthy seas: therefore the gorgeous sun shall lose his light by day, the silver Moon by night, the skies shall fall, the earth shall sink, and every thing shall change from his kind and nature, before I false●●e my faith, or prove disloyal to my beloved George: attempt no more my Noble Lord to batter the fortress of my good name, with the gun-shot of your flattery, nor seek to stain my honour with your lustful desires. What if my Lord and Husband prove disloyal, and choose out other loves in foreign Lands: yet will I prove as constant to him, as did Penelope to her Ulysses: and if it be his pleasure never to return, but spend his days amongst strange Ladies, then will I live in single solitariness like to the Turtle Dove, when she hath lost her mate, abandoning all company, or as the mournful Swan that swims upon mad'st silver streams, where she records her dying tunes to raging bellows: so will I spend away my lingering days in grief and die.  
This resolution of the virtuous Lady daunted so the Earl, that he stood like a senseless image gazing at the Sun, not knowing how to reply, but yet when they had danced the third course, he began a new to assault her unspotted chastity in these terms.  
Why my dear mistress, have you a heart more hard than Flint, that the tears of my true love can never mollify? can you behold him plead for grace that hath been s●de unto by many worthy Dames? I am a man that can command whole countries: yet can I not command thy stubborn heart to yield. Divine Sabra if thou wilt grant me love, and yield to my desire: I'll have thee clad in sliken Robes and damask U●stures, embossed with Indian Pearls and rich refined gold, perfumed with Camphier Bisse, and Syrrian sweet perfumes: by day a hundred Virgins like to Thetis tripping on the silver sands, shall evermore attend thy person: by night a hundred Euenukes with their strained Instruments shall bring thy senses in a golden slumber: If this sufficeth not thy sweet content, I will prepare a sumptuous Chariot made of gold, wherein thou shalt be drawn by Sable spotted steeds along the fields and gallant pastures adjoining to our City walls, whereas the Evening air shall breathe a coolness▪ far more sweeter than Balm upon thy cheeks, and make thy beauty glister like the purple Palace of Hyperion, when he leaves Aurora blushing in her bed, whereby the heavens and all the powers therein shall stand and wonder at thy beauty▪ and quite forget their usual courses: All this my dear, divine and dainty Mistress, is at thy command, and more, so that I may enjoy thy love and favour: which if I have not, I will discontentedly end my life in woods and desert places, Tigers and untamed beasts shall be my chief companions.  
These vain promises and flattering inti●●●ents caused Sabra to blush with bashfulness, and to give him this sharp answer. Think you my Lord with golden 〈◊〉, to obtain that precious Gem, the which I will not lose for Europe's treasury: henceeforth be silent in that enterprise▪ and never after this attempt to practise 〈◊〉 dishonour which if you do, I vow by heaven to make it known to every one within the City, and fill all places with rumours of thy wilful lust: A Troop of modest maidens I will procure to haunt thee up and down the streets, and wonder at thee like an Owl, that never comes abroad but in the darkest nights: this I am resolved to do and so farewell.  
Thus departed Sabra with a frowning countenance, whereby the rest of the Ladies suspected that the Earl had attempted her dishonour by secret conference, but they all assuredly knew that she was as far from yielding to his desires as is the aged man to become young again, or the azured firmament to be a place for sylvan beasts to inhabit: In such like imaginations they spent away the day, till the dark night caused them to break off company. The Earl smothering his grief under a smiling countenance, till the Ladies were every one departed, whom he courteously caused his servants to conduct homewards with Torch lights, because it began to be very dark: After their departure he accursed his own Fortune, and like a Lion wanting food, raged up and down his Chamber, filling every corner with bitter exclamations, rending his garments from his back, tearing his hair, beating his breast, and using all the violence he could devise against himself.  
In this manner spent he away the night, suffering no sleep to close the windows of his body: such a melancholy and extreme passion discontented his mind, that he● purpose● to give an end to his sorrows by some untimely death: So when the morning appeared he made his repair to an Orchards, where Sabra commonly once a day walked to take the Air. The place was very melancholy, and far from the noise of people: where after he had spent some certain time in exclaiming against the unkindness of Sabra, he pulled his Poniard from his back, & prepared his breast to entertain the stroke of death: but before the pretended Tragedy, with his dagger he ingrau●d these verses following upon the bark of a walnut tree.  

O heart more hard than bloody Tiger fell,  
O ears more deaf, than senseless troubled seas:  
O cruel foe, thy rigour doth excel,  
For thee I die, thy anger to appease:  
But time will come when thou shalt find me slain,  
That thy repentance will increase thy pain.   

I here engrave my will and testament,  
That my sad grief thou mayst behold and see:  
How that my woeful heart is torn and rend,  
And gorged with bloody blade for love of thee:  
Whom thou disdayndst as now the end doth try,  
That thus distressed dost suffer me to die.   

Oh Gods of love if so their any be,  
And you of love that feels the deadly pain:  
Or Sabra thou that thus afflictest me,  
Hear these my words, which from my heart I strain:  
Ere that my corpses be quite bereaved of breath,  
Let me declare the cause of this my death.   

You mountain Nymphs which in the deserts reign,  
Cease off your chase from savage beasts a while:  
Prepare to see a heart oppressed with pain,  
Address your ears to hear my doleful style▪  
No strength nor Art, can work me any weal,  
Sith she unkind and Tyrantlike doth deal.   

You Fairy Nymphs of lovers much adored,  
And gracious Damsels which in Eueninges fair:  
Your Closets leave, with heavenly beauty stored▪  
And on your shoulders spread your golden hair:  
Record with me, that Sabra is unkind,  
Within whose breast remains a bloody mind.   

Ye savage Bears in Caves and Dens that lie,  
Remain in peace if you my sorrows hear:  
And be not moved at my misery,  
Though too extreme my passions do appear:  
England farewell and Coventrie adieu,  
But Sabra, heaven above still prosper you.   
These verses being no sooner finished; and engraven about the Bark of the Walnut tree, but with a grisly look and wrathful countenance he lift up his hand, intending to strike the Poniard up to the hil●s in his breast: but at that same instant he beheld Sabra entering the Orchard to take her wont walks of pleasure, whose sight hindered his purpose, and caused other bloody cogitations to enter into his mind. The Furies did incense him to a wicked deed, the which my trembling tongue faints to report: for after she had walked to the furthest side of the melancholy Orchard, he rigerously ran unto her with his dagger drawn, and catching her about the slender waste, thus spitefulli● threatened her.  
Now stubborn Dame (quoth he) will I obtain my long desired purpose, and revenge by violence thy former proud denials: First will I wrap this dagger in thy lo●kes of hair, and nail it fast into the ground: then will I ravish thee by force and violence, and triumph in the conquest of thy chastity: which being done, I'll cut thy tongue out of thy mouth, because thou shalt not reveal nor descry thy bloody ravisher: Likewise with this Poniard will I chop off both thy hands: whereby thou shalt neither write with pen thy stain of honour, nor in Sampler sow this proffered disgrace: Therefore except thou willingly yield to quench my desired love with the pleasures of thy marriage bed, I will by force and violence inflict these vowed punishments upon thy delicate body: be not too resolute in thy denials, for if thou be'st, the gorgeous Sun shall not glide the compass of an hour, before I obtain my long desired purpose, and thereupon he st●pped to the Orchards door, and with all expedition locked it, and put the key into his pocket: then returned he like the hunger starved Wolf to cea●e upon the silly Lamb, or like the chased Boar when he is wounded with the hunter's Lance, came running to the helpless Lady, intending her present Rape, & foul dishonour: But she thinking all hope of aid or secure to be void, fell into a dead sound, being not able to move for the space of a quarter of an hour: But yet at last having recovered her dead senses to their former vital moving, she began in this pitiful manner to defend her assailed chastity, from the wicked Earl that stood over her with his bloody dagger, threatening most cruelly her small confusion.  
My Lord of Coventrie (said she with weeping tears, & kneeling upon the bare ground) is virtue banished your breast? have you a mind more tyrannous than the Tigers of Hercania, that nothing may suffi●e to satisfy your lustful desires, but the stain of my honour, and the conquest of my chastity? if it be my beauty that hath enticed you, I am content to have it converted to a loathsome Leprosy, whereby to make me odious in your eyes: If it be my rich and costly garments that makes me beautiful, and so entangles you, henceforth I will attire my body in poor & simple array, and for evermore dwell in country Caves and Cottages, so that I may preserve my chastity unspotted: If none of these may suffice to abate your tyrannous intent, but that your lust will make me times wonder, and a pointing stock and scorn of virtuous Ladies: then will the heavens revenge my wrongs, to whom I will uncessantly make my petitions: the birds in the air after their kind will evermore 〈◊〉 against your wickedness: the sylvan beasts that abides in woods and deserts, will breathe forth clamours of your wickedness: the creeping worms that live within the creuc●es of the earth, will give dumb signs 〈◊〉 tokens of your wickedness, the running Rivers they 〈◊〉 at your wickedness, the wo●ds and trees, both herbs and flowers, with every senseless thing will soun●some motions of your wickedness: Return, returns, my Noble Lord unto your former virtues: banish such ●●nde de●●res out of your mind: stain no● the honour of your house with such black scandals and disgrace, bear this in mind before you do attempt so vile a sin. What became of Helen's ravishment, but the destruction of renowned Troy? What of Roman lucresia's Rape, but the banishment of Tarquin? and what of Prognies soul deflowrement by her sister's husband, the lustful King of Thrace, but the bloody banquet of his young Son I●is, whose tender body they served to his table baked in a Pie? At which speeches the ireful Earl wrapped his hands within her locks of hair, which was covered with a costly Caule of gold, and in this manner presently replied unto her.  
What tellest thou me of Poet's tales (said he) of Prognies Rape, and Terius bloody banquet: thy ravishment shall be an Induction to thy Tragedy, which if th●● yield not willingly, I will obtain by force and violence: therefore prepare thyself either to entertain the sentence pronounced, or yield thy body to my pleasure. This unrecanting and vowed resolution of the Earl, added grief upon grief, & heaped mountains of sorrow upon her soul: twice did the hapless Lady cast her eyes to heaven, in hope the Gods would pity her distress, & twice unto the earth, wishing the ground might open and devour her, & so deliver her from the fury of the wicked Homicide: but at last when she saw that neither tears, prayers, nor wishes could prevail, she gave an outward sign of consentment upon some conditions, under colour to devise a present me●nes to preserve her chastity, and deliver herself from his lustful assailments. There is no condition said the Earl, but I will yield unto, so thou wilt grant my desire, and make me chief commander of thy love.  
First my Lord (quoth she) shall you suffer me to fit some certain hours upon this bed of violets, and bewail the loss of my good name, which shortly shall be yielded up to your pleasure: then shall you lie and dally in my lap thereby to make my affections, yet fréezing cold, to flame with burning brands of love: that being done you shall receive your wished desires. These words caused the Earl to convert his furious wrath to smiling toy, and so casting down his dagger, he gave her a courteous kiss, which she in his conceit graciously accepted: whereby his mind was brought into such a vain opinion, that he thought no Heaven but in her presence: no comfort but in her sight: and no pleasure but in her love: then caused he Sabra to sit down upon a bed of violets, beset about with divers sorts of flowers, whose lay he made his pillow, whereon he laid his head, intending as he thought to increase desire: But as women in extremity have the quickest wits: So Sabra busied herself by all means possible, either now or never to remove the cause of her deep distress by practising his death, and so quit herself from her importunate suitor: one while she told him pleasant tales of love, in hope to bring his senses to a slumber, the better to accomplish her desires: other whiles she played and sported with his hair that hung dangling below his shoulders like to threads of silk: But at last when neither discoursing tales, nor her ●allying pastime with his hair could bring him a sleep, she strained forth the Organs of her voice, and over his head song this woeful Ditty.  

Thou God of sleep and golden dreams appear,  
That bringst all things to peace and quiet rest:  
Close up the glasses of his eyes so clear,  
Thereby to make my fortune ever blest:  
His eyes, his heart, his senses and his mind.  
In peaceful sleep let them some comfort find.   

Sing sweet you pretty birds in top of Skies,  
With warbling t●nes and many a pleasant note:  
Till your sweet Music close his watchful eyes,  
That on my love with vain desires doth dote:  
Sleep on my dear, sleep on my loves delight,  
And l●t this sleep be thy eternal night.   

You gentle Bees the Muse's lovely birds,  
Come aid my doleful tunes with silver sound:  
Let your inspiring melody record,  
Such heavenly music that may quite confound,  
Both wit and sense, and tire his eyes with sleep,  
Tha● on my lap in sweet content I keep.   

You silver streams which murmuring music makes,  
A●d fills each dale with pleasant Harmony:  
Where at the floating fish much pleasure takes,  
To hear their sweet recording melody:  
Assist my tunes his slumbering eyes to close,  
That on my lap now takes a sweet repose.   

Let whispering winds in every senseless tree,  
A solemn, sad, and doleful Music sing:  
From hills and dales, and from each mountain ●ie,  
Let some inspiring sound or echo ring:  
That he may never more awake again,  
Which sought my marriage bed with lust to stain.   
This delightful song rocked his senses to such a careless and heavy slumber, that ●e slept as sound upon her lap, as if he had been couched in the softest bed of down, whereby she found a fit opportunity to 〈◊〉 her undefiled body from his lustful desires: So taking the Poniard in her hand, which he had cast a little aside, and gazing thereon with an ireful look, she made this sad complaint.  
Grant you immortal powers of heaven (said she) that of these two extremes I choose the best, either must I yield my body to be dishonoured by his unchaste desires, or stain my hands with the trickling streams of his heart blood▪ If I yield unto the first, I shall be then accounted for a viscious Dame in every place: but if I commit the last I shall be guilty of a wilful murder, and for the fame the law will adjudge me to a shameful death. What shall I fear to die and lose my virtue and renown? No, my heart shall be as tyrannous as Danaus' Daughters, that slew their fifty husbands in a night, or as Medea's cruelty, which scattered her brother's bloody joints upon the sea shore, thereby to hinder the swift pursuit of her father, when jason got the golden Fleece from Calcos' Isle: Therefore stand still you glistering Lamps of heaven, stay wandering time and let him sleep eternally. Where art thou sad Melpomene, that speak'st of nothing but of murders and Tragedies? Where be those Dames that evermore delights in blood? Come, come, assist me with your cruelties, let me exceed the hate of Progne, for her ravishment: rage heart, and take delight in blood, banish all thoughts of pity from thy breast, be thou as merciless as King Priam's Queen, that in revenge of five and twenty murdered sons, with her own hands stained the pavements of Agamemnon's Court with purple gore: these words being no sooner ended, but with wrathful and pale countenance, she sheathed the Poniard up to the hilts in the closure of his breast, whereat he started, and would have got upon his feet, but the stream of blood so violently gushed from his wound, that he declined immediately to the earth, and his soul was forced to give the world a doleful adieu.  
But when Sabra behold the bed of violets stained with blood, and every flower converted to a crimson colour, she sighed grievously, but when she saw her garments all to be sprinkled with her enemy's blood, and he lay wallowing at her feet in purple go●e she ran speedily unto a flowing fountain that stood on the further side of the Orchard, and began to wash the blood out of her clothes, but the more she washed, the more it increased, a sign that heaven will never suffer wilful murder to be hid, for what cause soever it is done.  
This strange spectacle or rather wonderful accident, so amazed the sorrowful Lady, that she began a new to complain. O that this wicked murder never had been done (said she) or that my hand had been strooken lame, by some unlucky Planet, when first it did attempt the deed! whether shall I fly to shroud me from the company of virtuous women, which will for evermore shun me as a detested murderer? If I should go into some foreign Country, there heaven will cast down vengeance for my guilt: If I should hide myself in woods and solitary wildernesses, yet would the wind discover me, and blow this bloody crime to every corner of the world: or if I should go live in Caves or darksome Dens, within the deep foundation of the earth, yet will his Ghost pursue me there, and haunt me day and night: so that in no place a murderer can live in rest, such discontented thoughts shall still oppress his mind. After she had breathed forth this comfortless lamentation to the air, she tore her blood stained Garment from her back and cast it into the fountain, where it turned the water into the colour of blood: so heinous is murder in the sight of heaven.  
Thus being disrobed into her Petticoat, she returned to the slaughtered Earl, whom she found covered with moss, which added more grief unto her sorrowful soul, for she greatly feared her murder was descried, but it fell not out as she mustrusted: for it is the nature and kind of a Robin Redbreast and other birds, always to cover the body of any dead man, and them it was that br●d this fear in the Lady's heart: by this time the day began to shut up his bright windows, and sable night entered to take possession of the earth: yet durst not the woeful and distressed Sabra make her repair homewards, lest she should be descried without her upper garment.  
During which time there was a general search made for the Earl by his servants, for they greatly suspected some danger had befallen him, considering that they heard him the night before so woefully complain in his Chamber: At last with Torch light they came to the Orchard gate, which they presently burst open: wherein no sooner entering, but they found their murdered Master, lying by a bed of violets covered with moss, likewise searching to find out the murderer: At last they espied Sabra in her naked Petticoat, her hands & face besprinkled with blood, & her countenance as pale as ashes: by which signs they suspected her to be the bloody bereaver of their Lord & 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 Coventrie: who immediately upon the Confession of the murder, gave this severe judgement against her: First to be conveyed to Prison, there to remain for the term of twelve months, and at the end whereof, to be burned like a most wicked offender: yet because she was the Daughter of a King, and 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 vanquished, then to suffer the former judgement. Thus have you heard the true 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 wish her delivery make no tarriance, but with all speed post into England, for I greatly fear before you arrive upon that blessed shore, the time will be finished, and Sabra suffer death for want of a Champion to defend her cause.  
This doleful discourse drove saint George with the other Knights and Champions to such an ecstasy 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 lamented the mishap of so virtuous a Lady: The Egyptian King her father, he abandoned the sight of all companies, and repaired to the top of an high Tower built of Marble stone, wherein he barred himself fast with iron bolts, so that none could come within the hearing of his lamentations: then raged he up and down like frantic Oedipus, tearing his eyes from their natural Cells, accusing heaven of injustice, condemning earth of iniquity, and accursing man for such an execrable crime, one while wishing his daughter's birth hour, had been her burial day, another while, that some unlucky Planet would descend the firmament, and fall upon his miserable head: being in this extreme passion, he never hoped to see his daughter's countenance again, and so about midnight, being a time when desperate men practise their own destructions, he cast himself headlong from the top of the Tower and broke his neck, and all besprinkled the flinty pavements with his blood and brains.  
No sooner was the night vanished, and bright Phoebus entered the Zodiac of heaven, but his bruised body lifeless and senseless, was found by his servants lying in the Palace yard, all to be beaten in pieces against the ground. The woeful news of this self-willed murderer, they presently told to certain Egyptian Knights, who took his scattered limbs and carried them to saint George's Chamber; where they found him arming himself for his departure towards England: But at this woeful spectackle, he took a second conceited grief, in such extreme manner, that it had almost cost him his life, but that the Egyptian Knights gave him many comfortable speeches, and by them consent of many Duke's Earls, Lords, and Barons, with many other of the late Kings privy Council, they elected him the true succeeding King of Egypt by the marriage of Ptolemy's daughter: which Royal proffer saint George refused not, but took upon him the Regiment of the whole Country, so that for that day his journey toward 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 saint George to be apparralled in Royal U●stures like a King, he had on a suit of flaming green like an Emerald, and a Mantle of scarlet very richly furred, and wrought curiously with gold, than the other six Champions lead him up to the King's Throne, and set him in a Chair of Ebony with pummells 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, than followed two Knights with a Sceptre and a naked Showrde, to signify that he was chief Champion of all 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 voices, cried all together, Long live saint George true Champion for England, and King of Egypt: Then was he conducted to the Royal Palace, where for ten days he remained amongst his Lords and Knights, spending the time in great joy and pleasure: the which being finished, his ladies 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 redeliver it at his return, likewise charging them to inter the body of Ptolemy in a sumptuous Tomb, befitting the body of so Royal a Potentate: Also appointing the sixth 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 cursed Sultan. This change being given, the next morning by break of day, 〈◊〉 buckled on his Armour, mounted on his swift footed Steed, and had his friends in Egypt for a season adieu, and so in company of the Knight that brought him that unlucky news, he took his journey with all speed toward England: In which travail we 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 priosn, awaiting each minute to receive the final stroke of impartial death: for now had the rolling Planets brought their years travails 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: whether she went as willingly, and with as much joy, as ever she went before time unto her marriage, for she had made her 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 Noble personages, as of Common people to behold this woeful Tragedy) the deathsman stripped off her Garment, which was of black sarsenet, & in her snowwhite smock, bound her with an Iron chain unto the stake, than placed they round about her tender body, both Pitch, Turpentine and Gunpowder, with other merciless things, thereby to make her death the more easier, and her pain the shorter. Which being ●one the King caused the Harrold to summon in the Challenger: who at the sound of the Trumpet came trasing in upon a Rone coloured Steed, without any kind of mark, and trapped with rich trappings of gold & precious stones of great price: there came forth at the Horse mouth, two tusks like unto an Elephants, his nostrils were very large and big, his head little, his breast some what broad, well pitched, and so ●ard that no sword were it never so sharp, was able to enter in thereat. The Champion was called the Baron 〈◊〉 Chester, a hold▪ and hardy Knight they thought lived not then upon the face of the whole earth: he so advanced himself up & down as though he had been able to Encounter with a hundred Knights: then the King caused the Harrold to summon in the Defendant, if there were any to defend her cause both Drums and Trumpets sounded three several times up & down the fields, betwixt every rest was full a quarter of an hour, but yet no defendant did appear: therefore the King commanded the Executioner to set the stake on fire presently.  
At which words Sabra began to grow as pale as ashes and her joints to tremble like to Aspen-leaves, her tongue that before continued silent began to record a swan-like dying tale, & in this manner uttered she the passion of her heart. Be witness heaven, and all you bright celestial Angels: be witness sun and moon the true beholders of my ●act: be witness thou clear firmament and all the world be witness of my innocence: the blood I shed was for the safeguard of my honour and unspotted Chastity: Great God of heaven, if the prayers of my unstained heart may assail thy mighty Majesty, or my true innocence prevail with thy immortal power. Command that either my Lord may come to be my Champion, or sad beholder of my death: But if my hands were stained with blood about some wicked enterprise: then heaven show present vengeance upon me by fire, or else let the earth open & devour my body up alive. At which instance she heard the sound of a shrill and loud horn, the which S. George wound: (for as then he was near) which caused the Execution a while to be deferred: At last they beheld a far off a stately Banner wavering in the Air, the which the Knight carried before saint George: then they espied near unto the Banner a most valiant Armed Knight mounted upon a coal black Palfrey, with a mighty great Lance set charged in his Rest, by which sudden approach they knew him to be some Champion that would defend the distressed ladies cause.  
Then the King commanded the Drums and Trumpets to sound, whereat the people gave a general sh●w●, and the poor Lady half dead with fear, began to revive, and her blushing cheeks to be as beautiful, as red Roses dipped in milk, & blood mingled with snow: but when saint George approached the sight of his true and constant L●d●, whom he found chained to a stake, encompassed with many instruments of death, his heart so relented with grief, that he almost fell beside his horse: yet remembering wherefore he came, he recalled his courage, and intended to try his fortune in the Combat, before he would discover himself unto his Lady: And so when the Trumpets sounded deaths Alarm, the two Knights set spurs to their horses, & made them run so fiercely, that at the first encounter, they shivered both their Lances to their hands, than rushed they together so rigorously with their bodies and Helmets, that they fell down both to the earth: But saint George who was the more lustier Knight, nimbly leapt upon his feet without any hurt, but the Baron of Chester lay still with his h●ad downwards, casting from his mouth abundance of blood, he was so mightily bruised with the fall, but when he revived from his trance, he took his shield, drawing out a mighty Fawchion, and with a wrathful countenance ran at saint George: Now proud Knight (quoth he) I swear by all the Saints in heaven, to revenge the blood which thou hast shed, and therewithal he struck so violently upon saint George's shield, that it cleaved quite a sunder: then began he to wax angry, and took his sword in great wrath, and gave the Baron of Chester such a stroke, that he cut away arm and shoulder, and all the flesh of his side to the bare ribs, and likewise cut his leg almost cleave a sunder, in the thichest place of his thigh, and yet for all that the sword entered half a foot into the earth, than fell the Baron of Chester to the ground, and breathed forth this lamentable cry: Now frown you fatal stars eternally, that did predominate at my birth, for he is slain and vanquished that never stripped to any Knight before this day, and thereupon the blood st●pped the passage of his speech, and his soul went flying to Elysium, whereat the whole company rejoiced, and applauded saint George for the most fortunates Knight in the world: then the King delivered Sabra with his own hands to saint George, who most courteously received her, and like a kind Knight cast a scarlet Mantle over her body, the which a Lady standing by bestowed upon him, yet he minding not to discover himself, but set her upon his portly Steed, (that presently grew proud in carrying so rich a burden) and with his own hands lead him by the bridle raynes: so great was the joy throughout the City, that the bells rung without ceasing, for three days together, the Citizens through every place that saint George should pass, did hang forth at their windows, and on their walls cloth of gold and silk, with rich Carpets, Cushions, and coverings of green velvet lay abroad in every window: the Clergy in Copes of gold and silk met them with solemn Processions: The Ladies and beautiful Damsels strewed every street where as he passed with Roses and most pleasant flowers, and Crowned him with a wreath of green bays, in sign of his triumphant victory and Conquest.  
In this manner went he unto the kings Palace, not known by any what he should be, but that he was a Knight of a strange Country, yet Sabra many times as they walked by the way, desired to see his face, and know his name, in that he had adventured so far for her sake, and that for her delivery had vanquished the bravest knight in England. Yet for all her persuasions he kept himself undiscovered, till a troop of Ladies in company of Sabra got him into a chamber richly hung with Arras cloth, and there unlaced his Beaver, whose countenance when she beheld, and saw that it was her Lord and husband which had redeemed her from death▪ she fell into a dead sound for very joy: But saint George sprinkled a little cold water on her face, and revived her presently: After this he gave he● many a kind and loving kis●e, calling her the most truest, and the most loyallest Lady that ever nature framed, that to the very death would not lose one jot of her unspotted honour: Likewise she accounted him the truest Knight and the most ll●st husband, that ever heavenly Hymen kne●● in ban●s of marriage with any woman. But when the King had notice that it was saint George, his Country's Champion, which achieved that Noble Conquest in vanquishing the Baron of Chester▪ he was ravished with such joy, that he came running small haste to the Chamber, and most kindly embraced him▪ and after he was unarmed, & had washed his wounds in white wine and new milk, the King conducted him with his Lady in his banqueting 〈◊〉 where they feasted for that evening, and after he kept open Court for all comers so long as saint George continued there, which was for the space of one month: At the end whereof he took his Lady and one Page with him, and had England 〈◊〉, and then he traveled towards Persia, to the other Christian Champions, whose dangerous journey and strange adventures you may read in this Chapter following,   

CHAP XVI.  
How Saint George in his journey towards Persia, arrived in a Country inhabited only by maids, where he achieved many strange and wonderful adventures: Also of the ravishment of seven Virgins in a wood, and how Sabra preserved her Honour from a tirrible Giant.  
AFter saint George with his virtuous Lady departed from England, and had travailed through many Countries, taking their direct courses towards Egypt, and the Confines of Persia, where the other si●e Champions remained with their warlike Legions: At last they arrived in the Country of the Amazonians, a land inhabited by none but women: In which Region saint George achieved many brave and Princely adventures, which are most wonderful to rehearse, as after shall be declared: For traveling up and down the Country, they found every Town and City desolate of people, yet very sumptuosly builded: the earth likewise untilled: the pastures uncherished, and every field overgrown with weeds: whereby he deemed that some strange accident had befallen the country, either by war, or immortality of some grievous plague, for they could neither let eye of man, woman, nor child, whereby they were forced to feed on Berries▪ Ro●tes, and in steed of brave ●as●●ces, they were constrained to lie in broad pastures, upon banks of mass, & instead of Curtains of silk, they had the black and scowling 〈◊〉 to cover them.  
In this extremity they traveled up and down for thirty days, but at last it was their happy fortunes to arrive before a rich Pavilion, situate and standing in the open fields, which seemed to be the most glorious sight that ever they beheld, for it was wrought of the richest work in the world, all of green and crimson satin, bordered with gold and azure, the posts that 〈◊〉 was of ivory, the cords of green silk, and on the top thereof there stood an Eagle of gold, and at the two corners, two great silver Griffons shining against the sun, which seemed in richness to exceed the monument of Mausalus being one of the world's twelve wonders. They had not there remained long, admiring at the beauty of the workmanship, but at the entry of the Pavilion, there appeared a maiden Queen Crowned with an imperial Diadem, who was the most fairest creature that ever he saw: on her attended twenty Amazonian Dames, bearing in their hands silver bows of the Turkish fashion, and at their backs hung quivers full of golden Arrows: upon their heads they wore silver Coronets, beset with Pearls and precious stones: their attire comely and gallant: their faces fair and gentle to behold, their foreheads plain and white, the trammels of their hayrelike burnished gold, their brows small and proper, somewhat drawing to a brown colour: their visages plain, neither too long, nor too round, but coloured like Roses and Lilies mixed together, their noses long and straight, their ruddy mouths somewhat smiling, their eyes lovely, and all the rest of their parts and lineaments by nature framed most excellent, who had made them in beauty without compare: The Queen herself was clothed in a gown of green, strait girt unto her body with a lace of gold, so that somewhat her round and Lily white breast might be seen, which became her wonderful well, beside all this, she had on a crimson Kertle, lined with violet velvet, and her wide sleeves were likewise of green silk unbrothred with flowers of gold, and with rich Pearls: when saint George had sufficiently beheld the beauty of this maiden Queen, he was almost entrapped in her love, but that the dear affection he bore to his own Lady prevented him, whom he would not wrong for all the treasures betwixt the highest heavens, and the lowest earth: At last he alighted from his horse, and humbled himself unto her Excellence and thus courteously began to question with her after this manner.  
Most divine and fair of all fairs, Queen of sweet beauty (said he) let a traveling Knight obtain this favour at your hands, that both himself and his Lady whom you behold here wearied with travel, may take our rest within your Pavilion for this night: For we have wandered up and down this Country many a day, neither seeing man to give us lodging, nor finding food to cherish us, which made us wonder that so brave a Country, and so beautified with nature's ornamenes as this is, should be left desolate of people, the cause whereof is strange I know and full of wonder,  
This question being courteously demanded by saint George, caused the Amazonian Queen as kindly to reply: Sir Knight quoth she, (for so you seem both by your behaviour, and gallant stature) what favour my Pavilion may afford be assured of: But the remembrance of my Country's desolation which you speak of, breeds a sea of sorrow in my soul, and makes me sigh when I remember it, but because you are a Knight of a strange Land, I will report it though unto my grief: about some twelve years since, it was a necromancers chance to arrive within this Country, his name is Osmond, the cunningest Artist this day living upon the earth, for he can at his call raise all the spirits out of hell: and with his charms make heaven to rain continual showers of blood, my beauty at that instance tempted him to love, and drowned his senses so in desire, that he assayed by all persuasions that either wit or Art could devise, to win me to his will: but I having vowed myself to Diana's chastity, to live in singleness among the Amazonian maids, 〈…〉 love, disposed his person, and accounted his 〈…〉 as the hissing of v●n●mous snakes▪ fo● which he br●ught the destruction of this my Realm and Kingdom: for by his Magic 〈◊〉 and damned Charms, ●ee raised from the earth a mighty Tower, the mortar whereof he mingled with virgin's blood: wherein are such Inchantmentes wrought, that the light of the Sun, and the brightness of the Sky is quenched, and the earth blasted with a tyrrible vapour, and black mist, that ascendeth from the Tower, whereby a general darkness overspreades our Land, the compass of four and twenty Leagues: so that this country is clean wasted and destroyed, and my people fled out thereof. This Tower is haunted day and night with ghastly fiends: and at his departure into Persia, where he now by Enchantment aids the Sultan in his Wars against the Christians, he left the guarding of the same to a mighty and tyrrible Giant: In shape the ugliest monster that ever eye beheld, or ●are heard tell: For he is thirty f●●te in length: his head three times larger than the head of an Ox: his eyes bigger than two pewter dishes, and his teeth standing out of his mouth more than a foot: wherewith he will break both Iron and Steel: his arms big and long without any measure, and all his body as black as any coal, and as hard as brass: Also of such a strength that he is able to carry away at once, three Knights Armed, and he never eateth any other meat but raw flesh of mankind: he is so light and swift that a horse cannot run from him, and oftentimes he hath been assayed with great Troops of Armed men, but all of them could ne●er do him any harm, neither with sword, spear, crossbow, nor any other weapon.  
Thus have you heard most noble and courteous Knight, the true discourse of my utter r●ine, and the vengeance showed upon my Country by this wicked Necromancer: for which I have remained ever since in this Pavilion amongst my maids, where we pray both day and night, that some unhappy fortune, or tyrrible vengeance may fall upon this wicked conjuror.  
Now as I am true English Knight (replied S. George) no sooner shall the mornings Sun appear but I will take my journey to that enchanted Tower: in to which I'll enter in despite of the Giant, and break the Enchantment, or make my grave within the Monsters bowels: which if I happily perform, then will I travail into Persia, and feltes up the most wicked and damned Nigtomancer, and like a blood hound lead him up and down the world in Chains▪  
Most dangerous is the adventure (quoth the Amazonian Queen) from whence as yet did never Knight return: But if thou be so resolute and Noble minded as to attempt the enterprise, then happy be your fortune. And know brave Knight, that this tower lieth westward, from hence some threescore miles, and thereupon she took him by the hand, and caused Sabra likewise to alight from her Palfrey and led them both into her Pavilion: where they were feasted most royally, and for that night slept securely: But when the days bright windows opened, and the Morning Sun began to glister, in all the haste saint George that valiant minded Champion, arose from his sweet content, and Armed himself: where after he had taken his leave of the Queen, and gave her thanks for his courteous entertainment, and also taken his leave of Sabra: whom he left in company of the queens maids, till his return with conquest, and so road forth till it was Noon, and then he entered into a deep Ualley, and ever he road lower and lower. It was then a fair day, and the Sun shined clear: but by that time he had ridden two miles and a half, he had lost both the light of the Sun, and also the sight of heaven: for it was there as dark as night, & more dismal than the deepest dungeon▪  
At last he found a mighty river with streams as black as pitch, and the banks were so high, that the water could scarce be seen running underneath, and it was so full of Serpents, that none could enter amongst them that ever returned back with life: Abou● his head flew monstrous birds and divers Griffons, who were able to bear away an Armed Knight horse and all, and were in as great multitudes, as though they had been Starlings: Also there were flies as big as nuts, and as black as pitch, which s●ung him and his horse so grievously, that there issued down such store of blood, that it changed his horse from a sable to a crimson colour: likewise the Griffons struck at saint George with their talents so furiously, that had not he defended himself with his shield, which covered his whole body, he had been pierced to the heart.  
In this dangerous manner road he on, till he came to the gates of the enchanted Tower, where as the Giant sat in his iron coat upon a block▪ with a mace of steel in his hand, who at the first sight of saint George, beat his teeth so mightily together, that they rung like the strokes of an anvil, and ran raging like a Fiend of hell, thinking to have taken the Champion horse and all in his long teeth, that were as sharp as steel, and to have borne them presently into the Tower: But when saint George perceived his mouth open, he took his sword and thrust therein so far, that it made the Giant to roar so loud, that the Elements seemed to thunder, and the earth to tremble, his mouth smoked like a fiery Furnace. and his eyes rolled in his head like brands of flaming fire: the wound was so great, and the blood issued so fast from the giants mouth, that his courage began to quail, and against his will, he was forced to yield to the Champion's mercy, and to beg for life, to which saint George agreed, but upon condition, that the Giant would discover all the secrets of the Tower, and ever after ●e sworn his true servant, and to attend on him with all diligence: To which the Giant swore by his own soul, never to leave him in extremity, & to answer him truly to all questions whatsoever: Then saint George demanded the cause of the darkness, and how it might be ceased, to which the Giant answered in this manner.  
There was within this Country about some twelve years since, a cunning Necromancer that by Enchantment built this Tower, the which you now beheld, and therein caused a tyrrible fire to spring from the earth, that cast such a smoke over the whole land: whereby the people that were wont to dwell therein are fled and famished for hunger: Also this Inch●unter by his Art, made the River that you have passed, the which did never man before this time without death: Also within the T●wer near unto the fire, there stands a fair and plentiful fountain: to which if ever any Knight be able to attain, and cast the water thereof into the fire: then shall the darkness ever after cease, and the Enchantment end: for which cause I have been bound to guard and keep this Tower from the atchivement of any Knight.  
Thus when the Giant had ended his discourse, saint George commanded him to remain at the Gat●, for he would adventure to end the Enchantment, and deliver the Country from so grievous a plague: Then went he close by the windows of the Tower, the which were sixteen spears in length and breadth, till he came to a little wicket, through which he must needs enter▪ yet was it set as thick with picks of steel, as the pricks of an Urchens skin, to the intent that no Knight should approach near unto the door, nor once attempt to enter the Tower: yet with great danger he opened the wicket: whereout came such abundance of smoke, that the darkness of the country doubled: so that neither Torch nor Candle would burn in any place: yet nevertheless saint George entered, and went downwards upon stairs, where he could see nothing: but yet felt so many great blows upon his Burgonet, that he was constrained to kneel upon his knees, & with his shield to defend himself, or else he had been bruised to pieces: At last he came to the bottom, and there he found a fair great vault, where he felt so tyrrible a heat, that he sweat exceedingly, and as he felt about him, he perceived that he approached near the fire, and going a little further he espied out the Fountain, whereat he greatly rejoiced: and so he took his shield, and bore therein as much water as he could and cast it into the fire: In conclusion, labouring so long till the fire was clean quenched, then began the skies to receive their perfect lightness, and the golden Sun to shine most clearly about him, whereby he plainly perceived how there stood upon the stairs many great Images of Brass, holding in their hands mighty Maces of steel, the which had done him much trouble at his coming down: but then their power was ended, the fire quenched, and the Enchantment finished.  
Thus when saint George through his invincible fortitude had performed this dangerous adventure, he grew weary of travail: what with heat and sweeting, and the mighty blows he received from the Brazen Images, that he returned again to the little wicket: whereas the deformed Giant still remained: who when he beheld the Champion return both safe and sound, he fell upon his knee before him and said.  
Sir Knight you are most welcome, and happily returned: for you are the flower of Chivalry, and the bravest Champion in the world. Command my service, duty and obedience: for whilst I live I do protest by the burning Banks of Acheron, never to follow any Knight but you, and thereupon I kiss your golden spur, which is the Noble badge of Knighthood.  
This humble submission of the Giant caused the Champion to rejoice, not for his overthrow, but that he had gotten so mighty a servant: then unlaced he his Helmet, and lay down after his weary Encounter, where after he had sufficiently rested himself, he took his journey in company of the Giant to the Amazonian Queen: where he left his Lady, in company of her virgins: who like a kind, modest, and virtuous wife, during all the time of her husband's absence, continually prayed to the immortal powers of heaven, for his fortunate success, and happy return, otherwise resolving herself, if the lowering destinies should cross his intent, and unluckily end his days before the adventure were accomplished: then to spend the remnant of her life, amongst th●se happy virgins: But on the sudden before the Queen and her virgins were a ware, S. George arrived before the Pavilion, dutifully attended on by the Giant: who bore upon his shoulder the body of a tall Oak, by which the Queen knew that his prowess had redeemed her country from darkness, and delivered her from sorrow, care, and trouble: so in company of he● maids very gorgeously attired, she conducted the Champion to a bower of Roses, intermingled with creeping vines, the which in his absence, they had planted for his Lady's delight: there found he Sabra at her divine prayers, like a solitary Widow, clad in mourning habiliments: but when she beheld her Lord return in safety, she banished grief, & in all haste ran unto him, & in his bosom ravished herself with pleasure: But to speak how the Amazonian Queen feasted them, and in what manner she and her Maids devised pastimes for their contents, were too tedious to repeat: but when night gave end to their pleasures, & sleep summoned all things to a quiet silence, the Queen brought them to a very sumptuous lodging: wherein stood a bed framed with Ebon wood overhung with many pendants of gold, the Tik● was stuffed with Down of Turtle-dove, the sheeets of Maedian silk: thereon lay a rich quilt wrought with cotton, covered with damask, and stitched with threads of gold. The Queen bestowed on saint George at his going to bed, an imbrothered shirt, curiously wrought with many rare devices, as the labours of Hercules, the triumphs of Mars, & the loves of many Potentates wrought in such curious manner, as though Art herself had been the contriver. Sabra at her going to bed was likewise presented by the queens maidens, with a light Kirtle of changeable ●iolet, somewhat blushing on a red colour: Also they put a white Kerchief of silk upon her head, somewhat lose and untied: so that under the same her ivory throat might be easily seen, and her fair golden hair flying about her neck: over them was cast a mantle of green silk, which made the bed seem more beautiful, than Flora's richest ornament: By them the Queen and her virgin's fate making sweet music upon their silver tuned Lutes, till golden sleep had closed up their eyes: The which being done the Queen with her Ladies departed likewise to their natural rests: But all this while the Giant never entered the Pavilion, but slept as sound under the root of a Pin● tree, as saint George did in his imbrothered bed, for he knew not what pleasures belonged thereunto, nor never before that time beheld any woman's face: At last the night withdrew her black Curtains, and gave the morning leave to appear, whose fearful light caused saint George to forsake his bed, and to walk some few miles to overview the Country: In which journey he took such exceeding pleasure, that he thought it the goodliest Realm that ever he saw: for he perceived well, how that it was full of worldly wealth.  
At last he climbed up to the top of a high Mountain being some two miles from the Queen's Pavilion: whereon he stood and beheld many stately Towns and Towers, high and mighty Castles, many large woods & meadows, and many pleasant Rivers, and about the Towns fair vines, goodly Pastures and fields: At last he beheld the City of Argenia shining against the Sun, the place where the Queen in former time was wont to keep her Court: which City was environed with deep Ditches, the walls strongly builded, & more than five hundred Towers made of lime and stone: also he saw many fair Churches covered with Lead, having tops and fyiers of gold, shining most gorgeously with weather Cocks of silver glistering against the Sun: also he saw the Burgesses houses stand like Palaces closed with high and strong walls, barred with chains of Iron from house to house: whereat in his heart he praised much the Nobleness and richness of the City, and said to himself that it might well be called Argenia, for it seemed to be of Argent, that is as much to say of silver.  
During the time of the Champions pleasurable walk, which continued from the break of day, to the closing of the evening, behapned a woeful Tragedy near unto the queens Pavilion, committed by the monstrous Giant, whom S. George brought from the Enchanted Tower: For that same morning when the Sun had mounted some few degrees into the firmament: Seven of the queens Virgins in Sabraes company, walked into a pleasant thicket of trees adjoining to her Pavilion, not only to take the pleasure of the morning's air: but to hear the chirping melody of birds: In which thicket or grove under a Pine tree this Giant lodged the passed night: for no sooner came these beautiful Ladies under the branches of the trees, but the Giant cast his eye upon them, whose rare perfections so fired the heart of the lustful Giant, that he must either quench his desires with the spoil of their chastities, or end his days in some monstrous manner: Therefore he starts up from the place where he lay, and with a wrathful countenance ran amongst the Ladies▪ and catching them all eight at once betwixt his Arms, he bore them to the furthest side of the grove, where he ravished seven of the queens Maidens, and afterward devoured them alive into his loathsome bowels: But Sabra being the eighth of that woeful number, ●hich in her sight she beheld butchered by that bloody wolf: still continuing the time of their ravishments, making h●r supplication to the Gods, that they would in mercy defend her chastity from the lustful ra●e of so wicked a monster, and immediately upon these words she saw an ugly toad come crawling before her: through which by policy she saved her life, and preserved her Honour: For she took the toad betwixt her hands, & crushed the venom from her empoisoned bowels, wherewith she all to be sprinkled her face: so that presently her saier beauty, was changed into loathsome blisters: for she then seemed more like● a creature deformed with Leprosy, than a Lady of excellent feature. At length she being the last of all, her time came that she should be deflowered, and the lustful Giant came to fetch her: but when he beheld her visage so envenomed, he loathed her sight, seeking neither to ravish her, nor proffering to devour her: but discontentedly wandered away, greatly grieving at the committed crime, and sorely repenting himself of so wicked a deed: not only for the spoil of the seven Virgins, but for the wrongs proffered to so Noble a Knight: who not only granted him liberty of life, but received him into his service: therefore he raged up and down the grove, making the earth to tremble at his exclamations: one while cursing his fortune and hour of creation: another while banning his Sire and devilish Dam: But when he remembered the Noble Champion saint George, whose angry frown he would not see for all the world: therefore to prevent the same, he run his head most furiously against a knobbed Oak and brained himself: where we will leave him now weltering in his blood, and speak what became of Sab●● after this bloody accident: for after she had wandered up and down the thicket many a weary step, incensing heaven against the Giant's cruelty: the Sun began to set, and the dark night drew on, which caused her thus to complain.  
O you immortal powers of heaven, and you celestial Planets, being the true guiders of the firmaments! open your bright celestial gates, and send some fatal Planet, or some burning thunderbolt, to rid me from the vale of misery, for I will never more return to my beloved Lord, sith I am thus deformed, and made an ugly creature, my loathsome face will prove a corrosive to his heart, and my body a torment to his soul, my sight will be displeasant, my company hated, my presence loathed, and every one will shun my sight as from a Crocodiles: therefore I will remain within this grove, till the heavens either bring me to my former beauty, or end my languishing misery▪ yet witness heaven of my loyalty unto my Lord, and in what extremity I have maintained my chastity, in remembrance of my true love here will I leave this chain of gold, for my beloved Lord to find, that he may know, for his sake I have endured a world of woe: At which speeches she took her Chain (which was doubled twenty times about her neck) and left it lying all be smeared in the blood of those virgins whom the Giant had ravished and slain, and so betook herself to a sad and solitary life, intending never to come in the sight of men, but to spend her days wandering in the woods: where we will likewise leave her for a time & speak of saint George, who by this was returned to the queens Pavilion, where he missing his Lady, and had intelligence how that she in company of seven other Ladies, walked in the morning into a pleasant grove, to hear the melody of birds, and since that time no news hath been heard of them: for as than it grew towards night, which caused saint George greatly to mistrust that some mischance had befallen his Lady: then he demanded what was become of the Giant, but answer was made that he was neither seen nor heard off since morning, which caused him greatly to suspect the giants treachery, and how that by his means the Ladies were prevented of their purposed pleasures.  
Therefore in all haste like a frantic man he ran into the thicket, filling each corner with clamours and resounding echoes of her name, and calling for Sabra through every bramble bush: but there he could neither hear the voice of Sabra, nor the answer of any other Lady, but the woeful echo of his exclamations, which rattled through the leaves of trees: then began he to wax something melancholy & passionate, wearing the time away with woeful lamentations, till bright Cynthia mounted on the Hemispheeres: by whose glistering beams, he saw the ground besprinkled with purple gore, & found the chain that Sabra was wont to wear about her neck all be smeerde in blood▪ he bitterly complained against his own fortune, and his Ladies hapless destiny, for he supposed then that the Giant had murdered her.  
O discontented sight (said he) here lies the blood of my beloved Lady, the truest woman that ever Knight enjoyed: that body which for excellence deserved a Monument of gold, more richer than the Tomb of Angelica, I fear lies buried in the bowels of that monstrous Giant, whose life vnhapps●ie I granted. Here is the chain besmeered with blood, which at our first acquaintance I gave her in a Courtly Mask. This golden chain I say stained with the blood of my dear Lady, shall for evermore be kept within my bosom, ne●e unto my bleeding heart, that I may st●ll remember her true love, faith and constancy: but fond fool that I am, why do I talk in vain? It will not recompense her murdered soul, the which me thinks I hear how it calls for revenge in every corner of this groan: It was I that left her carelessly within the danger of the Giant, whom I little m●strusted: therefore will I meet her in the Elysian shades, and crave remission for my committed trespass, for on this Oak I will abridge my life, as did the worthy Knight Melmerophon for the love of his Lady Sillera: which lamentation being no sooner ended, but he took the chain of gold and fastened one end to the Arm of a great Oak, and the other end to his own neck, intending presently to strangle himself, but heaven prevented his desperate intent after a strange manner: For under the sam● tree the brained Giant lay not yet fully dead, who in this manner spoke to saint George.  
O stay thy hand most Noble and invincible Knight the world's chief wonder for admired Chivalry, and let my dying soul conuer● thee from so wicked a deed: Seven virgins in this Thicket have I ravished, and buried all their bodies in my accursed bowels: but before I could deflower, the eighth, in a strange manner her bright beauty was converted in to a loathsome leprosy, whereby I detested her sight, and lost her chastity undefiled: but by her sad complaints I since have understood, how that she is your Lady and Lo●●, and to this hour she hath her residence with in the c●●uite of this thicket, and thereupon with a doleful groan which seemed to shake the ground he had a due to the world▪ then saint George being glad to hear such tidings reverted from his desperate intent, and searched up and down the Grove, till he found Sabra where she sat, sorrowing under the branches of a mulberry tree, betwixt whom was a sad and heavy greeting, and as they walked back to the Queen's Pavilion, she discoused to him the truth of this bloody stratagem: where she remained till the Amazonian Queen had cured her leprosy by the secret virtue of her skill: of whom after they had taken leave, & given her thanks for her kind courtesies, saint George with his Lady took their journey towards Persia, where the Christian Armies lay encamped: At whose arrival you shall hear strange and wonderful things, the like was never done in any age.   

CHAP XVII.  
How Saint George and his Lady lost themselves in a wilderness, where she was delivered of three goodly boys: The Fairy Queen's Prophecy upon the children's fortunes: Of Saint George's return into Bohemia, where he christened his Children, and of the finding of his Father's grave, over which he built a stately Tomb.  
SAint George having achieved the adventure of the Enchanted Tower, and Sabra the Fury of the lustful Giant: they took their journey towards Persia, where the Christian Champions lay encamped before the Seldans' great City of Grand Belgor, a place most strangely fortified with spirits and other ghastly illusions by the Enchantment of Osmond, whom you heard before in the last Chapter, to be the rarest Necromancer in the world: But as the English Champion with his Lady traviled thitherward, they happened into a D●sart, and mighty Wilderness, overgrown with lofty Pines, & Cedar trees, and many huge and mighty Oaks, the spreading branches whereof, seemed to withhold the light of heaven from their untrodden passages, and the tops for exceeding height to reach into the Elements: the Inhabitants were Siluaines, Satyrs, Fairies, and other woody Nymphs, which by day sported up and down the Forest, and by night tended the pleasure of Proserpina the Fairy Queen. The music of silver sounding birds, so cheerfully resounding through the woods, and the whistling wind made ●uch melody amongst the leaves of trees, that it ravished their ●eces like the harmony of Angels, & made them think they had entered the shades of gladsome Elysian: one while they wondered at the beauty of the Woods, which nature had ornefied with a summers livery: another while at the green and fragrant grass, drawn out in round circles by the Fairies dances: so long till they had lost themselves amongst the unknown passages, not knowing how nor by what means to recover the perfect path of the●e intended journey, but were constrained to wander in the Wilderness like solitary Pilgrims, spending the day with weary steps, and the night with vain imaginations, even as a child when he hath lost himself in a populous Citt●e, runneth up and down not knowing how to return to his native dwelling: Even so it happened to these two lost and disconsolate travailers: for when they had wandered many days one way, and finding no end to their toils, they retired backward to the place of their first setting forth: where they were wont to hear the noise of people resound in Country villages, and to meet travailers posting from place to place: but now they heard nothing but blustering of winds▪ rattling in the woods, making the brambles to whistle, and the trees to groan, and now and then to meet a speckled beast like to the rainbow, weltering from his Den to seek his natural sustenance: In their travail by night they were wont to hear the crowing Cock, recording glad tidings of the cheerful days approach, the naying of horses in pasture fields, and the barking of dogs in Farmer's houses: but now they were affrighted with the roaring of Lions, yelling of Caves, the crooking of Toads in roots of rotten trees, and the rueful sound of Prognies ravishment, recoroded by the Nightingale.  
In this solitary manner wearied they the rolling time away, till thrice three times the silver Moon had renewed her borrowed light: by which time the burden of Sabraes womb began to grow painful, ●nd the fruit of her body to wax ripe, the hour of her delivery drew on, wherein she required Lucina's help to make saint George the father of a Princely Son: time called for Midwives to aid & bring her Babe into the world, and to make her a happ●e mother: but before the painful hour of her delivery approached, Saint George had provided her a bower of 〈◊〉 branches, which he erected betwixt two pleasant Hills▪ where in steed of a Princely Cabinet, be hung with Arras and rich Tapestry, she was constrained to suffice herself with a simple lodging, covered with Roses and other fragrant flowers: her bed he made of green moss and thistle Down, beset curiously round about with Olive branches, and the sprigs of an Orring tree, which made it seem more beautiful than Flora's Pavilion, or Diana's Mansion: but at the last when she felt the pains of her womb grow intolerable, and the seed ready to be reaped, and how she was in a Wilderness devoid of women's company, that should be ready to assist her in so secret a matter, she cast herself down upon her mossy bed, and with a blushing countenance she discovered her mind in this order to saint George.  
My most dear and loving Lord (quoth she) my true & only companion at all times and seasons except at this hour, for it is the painful hour of my delivery: therefore depart from out the hearing of my cries, and commit my fortune to the pleasures of the heavens: for it is not convenient for any man's e●e to behold the secrets of a woman in such a case: stay not I say dear Lord to see the Infant now sprawling in my womb to be delivered from the bed of his creation, forsake my presence for a time, and let me like the Noble Queen of France, obtain the favour of some Fairy to be my Midwife, that my Babe may be as happily borne in this Wilderness, as was her valiant Sons Valentine and Orson: the one of them was cherrisht by a King, and the other by a Bear; yet both of them grew famous in their deeds: My pain is great dear Lord, therefore depart my Cabinet, and before bright Phoebus lodgeth in the W●st, I shall either be a happy mother, or a lifeless body: thou a joyful Father, or a sorrowful Widower. At which words Saint George sealed agreement with a kiss and silently departed without any reply: but with a thousand sighs he had her adieu, and so took his way to the top of a Mountain, being in distance from his Ladies abiding a quarter of a mile: there kneeled he during the time of her travails, with his bare knees upon the bowels of the earth, never ceasing prayer, but continually soliciting the Molestie of God, to grant his Lady a speedy delivery: at whose divine orisons the heavens seemed to relent, and all the time of her pain, co●ered the world with a vale of darkness: whole flights of birds, with Troops of untamed beasts ●ame flocking round about the Mountain where he kneeled, and in their kinds assisted his celestial contemplations: where I will leave him for a time, and speak what happened to Sabra in the middle of her pains and extremity of her travails: for after saint George's departure, the fury of her grief so raged in her womb, that it exceeded the bounds of reason, whereby his heart was constrained to breath so many scorching sighs, that they seemed to blast the leaves of trees, and to whither the flowers which beautified her Cabinet: her burdened torments caused her star-bright eyes like fountains to distill down silver drops, and all the rest of her body to tremble like a Castle in a tyrrible earthquake: so grievous was her pains, and rueful was her cries, that she caused the merciless Tigers to relent, and untamed Lions with other wild Beasts, like silly Lambs to sit and bleat: her grievous cries and bitter moans, caused the Heavens as it were to bleed their vapours down, and the earth to weep a spring of tears: both herbs and trees did sleme to droop, hard stony Rocks to sweat when she complained.  
At last her pitiful cries pierced down too the lowest vaults of direful Di●, where Proserp●●e ●is Crowned amongst her Fairies, and so prevailed: that in all haste she ascended from her regiment to world this Lady's 〈◊〉 delivery, and ●o make her mother of 〈…〉: who 〈…〉 the duty of 〈…〉 her womb, and safely brought her 〈◊〉 into the world: At whose first sight the heavens began to smile, and the earth to rejoice, as a sign and token that in time to come, they would prove three of the Noblest Knights in the world.  
This courteous deed of Proserpina▪ being no sooner performed: but she laid the three boys in three most rich and sumptuous Cradles, the which she caused her Fairies to fetch invincible from three of the richest kings in the world, and therewithal mantles of silk, with other things thereunto belonging: Likewise she caused a winged S●●●er to fetch from the furthest borders of India, a covering of damask Ta●●●tie embroidered with gold, the most richest ornament that even mortal eye beheld: for thereon was wrought and 〈◊〉 portrayed by the curious skill of Indian 〈◊〉, how God created heaven and earth, the windering courses both of Sun and Moon, and likewise how the golden Planets daily do prodominate: Also there is no Story in any age remembered since the beginning of the world, but it was thereon most p●●fectly wrought: So excellent it was that Art herself could never devise a cuninger. With this rich and sumptuous ornament she covered the Lady's Childbed: whereby it seemed to surpass in bravery the gorgeous bed of juno Queen of heaven: when first she entertained imperious jove. After this Proserpina laid under every child's pillow a silver Tablet, whereon 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 his Cradle like the God of War.  

A souldi●●●old a man of wondrous might,  
A King likewise this royal babe shall di●  
Three golden D●●de 〈◊〉 bloody fight,  
By this brave Prince shal● conquered be:  
The Towers of fair 〈◊〉 and Room,  
Shall yield to him in happ● 〈◊〉 to come.   
Under the pillow of the second Babe was caractered these verses following: who lay in his cradle smiling like Cupid upon the la●●e of Dido, whom V●nus 〈…〉 to the likeness of As●●nius.  

This child shall likewise live to be a King,  
Times wonder for device and Courtly spor●▪  
His Tills and Turniments a broad shall ring,  
To every coast where Knights resort:  
Queens shall attend and humble at his feet:  
Thus love and beauty shall together meet.   
Lastly, under the pillow of the third were these verses likewise caractred, who blushed in his cradle like Pallas when her strove for the golden apple with Venus and the Queen of heaven.  

The Muse's darling for true sapience,  
In Prince's Court this Babe shall spend his days:  
Kings shall admire his learned eloquence,  
And write in brazen books his endless praise▪  
By Pallas gift he shall achieve a Crown,  
Advance his fame and lift him to renown▪   
Thus when the Fairy Queen had ended her prophesy upon the Children, and had left their golden Fortunes lying in their Cradles, she vanished away, leaving the Lady rejoicing at her safe delivery, and wondered at the gifts of Proserpina; which she conjectured to be but shadows to dazzle her eyes, and things of a va●ing substance: but when she had laid her b●ndes upon the rich covering of Damask Taffeta which covered her mossy bed, and felt that it was the self same form that it seemed: she cast her eyes with a cheerful look up to the Majesty of heaven, and not only gave thanks to immortal jove for her rich received benefits: but for his merciful kindness in making her the happy Mother of three such goodly children: but we will now return again to the noble Champion Saint George, whom we left praying upon the mountain top: and as you heard before, the skies were overspread with Sable Clouds, as though they had been mourning witnesses of his Lady's torments: but before the golden Sun had diu'de into watery The●is lap, the ●lemen began to clear, & to withdraw her former mourning Mantles: by which he supposed that heaven had pitied his Lady's pains, & granted her a safe delivery: therefore in all hast he retired back to the sylvan Cabinet, the which he found most strangely decked with sumptuous habilllments, his Lady lying in her Childbed as glorious, as if she had been the greatest Empress in the world, and three Princely boys sweetly sleeping in their several Cradles: At whose first sight his heart was so ravished with joy, that for a time it withheld the passage of his tongue: but at last when he found the silver Tablets lying under the pillows, and had read the happy fortunes of his Children, he ran unto his Lady, embraced her most lovingly, and kindly demanded the true discourse of that strange accident, and by whose means the bower was beautified so gorgeously, and the propounder of his children's prophesy: who with a countenance blushing like the purple Morning, replied in this manner.  
My most dear and well-beloved Lord, the pains I have endured to make you the happy Father of three lovely boys▪ hath been more tyrrible than the stroke of death: but yet my delivery more joyful than the pleasures of Elysian: the winds carried my groans to every corner of this Wilderness, whereby both trees and herbs assisted my complaints, beasts, birds, and feathered fowls, with every sensses thing that nature framed on this earth, seemed to aggravate my moans: but in the middle of my torments, when my soul was ready to forsake this worldly habitation: there appeared to me a Queen Crowned with a golden Diadem, in state and gesture, like imperious juno, and in beauty to divine Diana: her garments for bravery seemed to stain the Rainbow in her brightest hue, and for diversity in colours, to surpass the Flowers in the fields: On her attended many beautiful Nymphs, some clad in garments in colour like the marble Ocean, some in attire as gallant as the purple Rose, and some more glorious than the azured firmaments: her wisdom might compare with Apollo's▪ her judgement with Pallas, and her skill with Lucina's: for no sooner entered she my presence but my travails ceased, and my womb delivered up her grievous burden: my Bab●s being brought to light by the virtue of her skill, she prepared these rich and sumptuous Cradles, the which were brought invisible to my Cabinet: Likewise these Mantled & this imbrothered Coverled she frankly bestowed upon me, and so immediately vanished away.  
At which words saint George gave her so many kind embraces, and kissed her so lovingly, as though it had been the first day of their Nuptials: At last her hunger increased, and her desires thirsted so much after food, that except she received some comfortable sustenance, her life were in danger. This extreme desire of Sabra, caused S. George to burkle on his Armour, & to unsheath his trusty sword, ready to gorge the entrails of some Dear: who swore by the honour of true Knighthood, never to rest in peace, till he had purchased his hearts content. My Love (quoth he) I will adventure for thy sake, more dangers than Iason ●id for Medea's love: I'll search the thickest Groves, and chase the nimble do to death: the flying Fowl I'll follow up & down from tree to tree, till over wearied they do fall and die: For love of thee and these my tender Babes, whom I esteem more dearer than the Conquest of rich Babylon: I will adventure more dangers than di● Hercules for the love of Dianaria, and more extremes than Turnus did in his bloody battles, & thereupon with his Fanchion ready charged, he traced the woods, leaving no thorny brake nor mossy Cave unsearched, till he had sound a heard of fallow Dear: from which number he singled out the fattest to make his Lady a bountiful banquet: but in the time of his absence there hayned to Sabra a strange and wonderful accident: for there came weltering into her Cabinet three most wild and monstrous beasts, a Lion, a Tiger, and a she Wolf, which took the Babes out of their cradles, and bore them to their secret Canes.  
At which sight, Sabra like one distraught of sense, started from her bed, and to her weak power offered to follow the Beasts: but all in vain: for before she could get without her Cabinet, they were past sight, and the children's cries without her hearing: then like a discontented woman she turned back, beating her breasts, re●ding her hair, and raging up and down her Cabinet, using all the rigour she could devise against herself, and had not Saint George returned the sooner, she had most violently committed her own slaughter: but at his return when he beheld her face stained with tears, her head disrobde of ornaments, and her ivory breasts all to be rend and torn, he cast down his venison, and in all haste asked the cause of her sorrow.  
O (said she) this is the woefullest day that ever happed to ●e: for in the time of your unhappy hunting a Lioness, a Tigress, and a Wolf came into my Cabinet and took my Children from their Cradles, what is become of them I know not: but greatly I fear by this time, they are intoombed within their hungry bowels.  
O simple Monuments (quoth he) for such sweet Babes! Well Sabra, if the monsters have bereft me of my children: this bloody sword that divide into the entrails of fallow Dear, shall rive my woeful heart in twain. Accursed be this fatal day: the Planets that predominate, & Sun that shines thereon: Heaven blot it from the year, and let it never more be numbered, but accounted for a dismal day through all the world: let all the trees be blasted in these accursed woods: let herbs and grass consume a way and die, and all things perish in this Wilderness: but why breath I out these curses in vain, when as me thinks I hear my Children in untamed lions dens crying for help and secure: I come sweet Babes I come, either to redeem you from the tigers wrathful jaws, or make my grave within their bowels: then took he up ●●s sword besmeared all with blood, and like a man bereau●e of wit and sense raged up and down the Wilderness, searching every corner for his Children: but his Lady remained still in her Cabinet lamenting for their loss▪ washing their Cradles with her Pearled tears that trickled down her stained cheeks like silver drops.  
Many ways wandered saint George: sometimes in valleys where Wolveses and Tigers lurk: sometimes on mountain tops where Lions whelps do sport and play, and many times in dismal thickets where Snakes and Serpents live.  
Thus wandered S. George up & down the Wilderness for the space of two days, hearing no news of his unchristened Children: At last he approached the sight of a pleasant River, which smoothly glided down betwixt two Mountains: into whose streams be purposed to cast himself, and so by a desperate death give end to his sorrows: But as he was committing his body to the mercy of the waters, and his soul to the pleasure of the heavens, he heard a far off the rueful s●rike as he thought of a comfortless Babe: which sudden noise caused him to refrain his desperate purpose, and with more discretion tender his own safety: Then casting his eye aside, it was his happy destiny to spy the three inhuman beasts lying at the foot of the hill, tumbling themselves against the warm Sun, and his three pretty babes sucking from their wombs their most unkindly milk: which spectackle so encouraged the Champion, that without further advisement, with his single sword he assailed at one time the three Monsters, but so furiously they pursued him, that he little prevailed, and being almost breathless, was forced to leap into an Orange tree, else had he been buried in their merciless bowels: but when the three wild beasts perceived him above their reaches, and that by no means they could come near him, with their wrathful jaws they so rend and tore the root of the tree, that if by policy he had not prevented them, the tree had been pulled in pieces, for at that time it was so full of ripe Oranges, and so overladen, that the branches seemed to bend, and the boughs to break: of which fruit he cast such abundance down to the beasts, whereby they restrained their furies, and fed so fast thereon, that in short time they grew drunk, and quite overcome with a dead and heavy sleep, this good and happy fortune caused S. George nimbly to leap from the tree, and with his keen edged sword, delivered their monstrous heads from their bodies the which being done he went to his children, lying comfortless upon a mossy bank, who so pleasantly smiled in his face, that they made him greatly to rejoice, and to receive as great pleasure in their sights, as though he had been honoured with the Conquests of Caesar, or the Royalty of Alexander, therefore after he had given them his blessing, he took them up in his Arms, and spoke these words following.  
Come, come my pretty Babes, your safe deliveries from these inhuman Monsters, will add long life unto your mother, and hath preserved your father from a desperate death: from henceforth let heaven be your guides, and send you as happy fortunes as Remus and Romulus, the first founders of imperious Rome, which in their infancies were nurced with the milk of a ravenous Wolf: and as prosperous in your adventures, as was that Persian Potentate which fed upon the milk of a Bitch: At the end of which speeches he approached the Cabinet, where he left his Lady mourning for the loss of her children: but at his return, he found her almost without sense or moving, being not able to give him a joyful welcome, whereat he fell into this extreme passion of sorrow.  
O fortune, fortune (quoth he) how many griefs heapest thou upon my head? wilt thou needs enjoin me to an endless sorrow? See, Sabra see, I have redeemed our sons and freed them from the tigers bloody jaws, whose wrathful countenance did threaten death: Which comfortable speeches caused her presently to revive, and to take the silly Infants in her Arms, laying them sweetly upon her ivory bosom, at which they seemed to smile as pleasantly, as Cupid upon the lap of Dido, when Aeneas sported in the C●u●t of Carthage, the kind embraces, loving speeches, and joyful conference that passed betwixt the Champion and his Lady, were now too long to be discoursed: But to be short, they remained in the wilderness without further disturbance either of wild beasts or other accident, till Sabra had recovered her Childbed sickness: and then being conducted b● a happy star, they returned back the ready way to Christendom▪ where after some few days travail they arrived in the Bohemian Court, where the King of that Country, 〈◊〉 two other bordering Princes, most Royally Christened 〈◊〉 Children: The eldest they named Guy: the second Alexa●der▪ and the third David: the which being performed, and the Triumphs ended: which in most sumptuous manner continued, for the space of one month: then the Bohemian King for the great love he bore unto S. George, provided most honourably for his children's bringing up: First, he appointed three several Ambassadors, with all things necessary for so Princely a charge, to conduct the three Infants to three several Countries: the first and eldest, whose fortune was to be a soldier, he sent to the imperial City of Rome, (being then the wonder of the world for Martial discipline) there by the Emperor to be trained up. The second, whose fortune was to be a Courtly Prince, he sent to the rich and plentiful Country of England, being the pride of Christendom for all delightful pleasures: The third and last, whose fortune was to prove a Scholar, he sent into Germany, to the University of Wittenberg, being thought at that time to be the excellenst place of learning, that remained throughout the whole world.  
Thus were saint George's Children provided for by the Bohemian King: For when the Ambassadors were in a readiness, the ships for their passage furnished, and their attendance appointed, saint George in the company of his Lady, the King of Bohemia with his Queen, and a train of Lords, gentlemen, and Ladies, conducted them to shipboard, where the wind served them so prosperously, that in short time they bid adieu to the shore, and sailed cheerfully away: But as saint George returned back to the Bohemian Court, it was his chance to come by an old ruinated Monastery, under whose walls in former time his Father was buried, the which he knew by certain verses that was carved in stone over his grave by the Commons of the Country (as you may read before in the beginning of this History.) Over the same, he requested of the King, that he might erect a stately Monument, that the remembrance of his name might live for ever, and not be buried in the grave of obscurity.  
To which reasonable demand, the King most willingly consented, and in all haste gave special commandment, that the cunningest Architectors that remained within his Dominion, should forthwith be sent for, and withal gave a tun of gold forth of his own treasury towards the performance thereof.  
The sudden report of this memorable deed, being bruited abroad, caused workmen to come from every place of their own accord with such willingness, that they in short time finished it. The foundation of the Tomb, was of the purest Marble, whereon was engraven the frame of the earth, and how the watery Ocean was divided: with woods groves, hills and dales, so lively portrayed, that it was a wonder to behold: the props and Pinnacles of Alabaster, beset with knobs of jasper stone, the sides and Pillars of the clearest jest, upon the top stood four golden Lions, holding up as it were an Element, therein was curiously contrived the golden Sun and Moon, & how the heavens have usual courses, with many other excellent things wrought both in gold and silver, which for this time I omit, because I am forced at large to discover the Princely proceedings of saint George, who after the Monument was finished, he with his Lady most humbly took their leave of the King, thanking him for his love, kindness, and courtesy, and so departed towards Egypt and Persia, of whose adventures you shall hear more in this Chapter following.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
How Saint George with his Lady, arrived in Egypt: Of their Royal entertainments to the City of Grand Cayer: And also how Sabra was Crowned Queen of Egypt.  
MAny strange accidents, and dangerous adventures saint George with his Lady passed, before they arrived within the territories of Egypt, that I want memory to relate them, and A●te to describe them: But at last when fortune smiled, which before had long time crossed their intents with her inconstant chances, and had cast them happily upon the Egyptian shore, being the nurse and mother of Sabraes first creation: The twelve Peers with whom saint George before time had committed the guiding of the Land, and keeping of his Crown, as you heard before discoursed, now met him and his Lady, at the Sea side, most richly mounted upon their costly trapped steeds, and willingly surrendered up his Sceptre, Crown and Regiment: and after in company of many Princely Estates, both of Dukes, Earls, Lords, Knights, & Royal Gentlemen. They attended th●m to the rich City of Grand Caier, being then under the subjection of the Egyptian Monarchy, and the greatest City in the world: For it was in breadth and compass full threescore miles, and had by just account within the walls twelve thousand Churches, besides Abbeys, Priories, and houses of Religion