CHAP. I.

IN the Kingdom of Saba, there ſometime Reign'd a Moor, call'd Magadan, who; contrary to the uſual Nature of Blacks, was affable, courteou•, and debonair, loving, above all people, ſuch as were White, whom he much more willingly employ'd, than any others. This Magadan took to Wife a noble Lady, nam'd Buruca, black like himſelf: And of theſe two, was born the valiant Fulurtin, of whom our Hiſtory will ſometimes make men­tion. This Fulurtin, who, for good conditions, reſembled his Father, was in his younger years inſtructed in all forreign Languages, by Mandaiar, a white Slave, a Man of wonderful Learning. Now it was well known, thro' all the Realm of Saba, how great Pleaſure the King took in getting Priſoners from forreign Parts, eſpecially from the North, becauſe of their whiteneſs: Inſo­much, that he often pardoned even Crimes of High-Treaſon, provided the Cri­minals preſented him with ſuch Perſonages.

Hence it happened, that one day, as he roſe from Table, there entred into the Hall four Moors, leading by the Hand, a LITTLE GENTLEMAN, about2 THREE Years old, of a ſingular Perfection in Beauty. Having acco•ding to their manner done their Reverence to Magadan, one of them ſpake thus: Sir, the two Brethren, that ſlew Your Coſen, proſtrate themſelves in all humility at Your Majeſty's Feet, beſeeching You to accept of this Child, who, beſid•s•he excellency of his Perſon, has brought from his Mothers Womb a marvellous〈◊〉This ſaid, ſlipping off a little yellow Taffery Coat, he had on, they ſhew'd before•ll that were preſent, a Sword, as red as Fire, the Pommel proceeding from his left Knée, and the Point terminating near his Nipple; It had on it certain white Characters, which were then unknown to any, even to Mandaiar himſelf, tho' there were in that Age few who equall'd him in Learning. The King, extreamly pleas'd with ſo Fair a Preſent, and much more wondering at the Natural Sword the Child had on his Body, would have him call'd the Gentleman of the Burning Sword, gi­ving him at that very moment to his Son Fulurtin, who thenceforward ſo greatly affected him, that he made him his ſecond ſelf, ſo that one of them could not live without the other, ordinarily exerciſing themſelves in all Virtuous Paſtimes.

Now before I paſs any farther, 'tis fit you underſtand, that this Gentleman was that very Child, whom (as you find it Recorded in the ſixth Book of Amadis of Gaul Garinda, one of Onoloria's Women left on the bank of the River, as ſhe was carrying him to the Port of Filina to Nurſe, whence being taken away by theſe Corſairs into their Veſſel, he was brought up by them, till they preſented him to King Magadan, who on this occaſion not only forgave them his Coſens death, for which they were fled, but alſo beſtow'd on them many great Benefits; ſo agreeable to him was the Gentleman of the Burning Sword, who, growing up, became ſo fair and goodly of Stature, that at Eight Years of Age he was taken to be above Twelve, ſo conforming himſelf withal to the Humour of Prince Fulurtin, that he could not be without him. They were both Inſtructed in all good Literature, as alſo in Wreſtling, Managing the great Horſe, Caſting the Bar, Fencing, and〈◊〉o­ther Exerciſes fitting for Gentlemen of their high Qualities. And tho' the Gen­tleman of the Burning Sword became ſo expert in all theſe things, that he had not his Equal; yet ſo great was the Honour and Reverence, he bare his Prince Fulur­tin, that he would never contend with him; by which he ſo highly gain•d Magadans Affection, that he ordinarily took him to all places of Pleaſure, whether it were to Hunt the Stag, or other Diverſion whatever.

CHAP. II.

SOme Years after, the King of Saba having caus'd the Toils to be ſpread in the next Forreſt, as he ſtood watching for a ſtout Bore in the midſt of a great Path, having a ſharp Bore-Spear in his hand, there ruſht out of a Thicket a Bear, who,3 frighted with the barking of the Hounds, and ſound of the Trumpets, ſought which way to ſave himſelf) Now Magadan was at that time accompany'd only by the Gentleman of the Burning Sword, who held in a ſlip a Greyhound, w•ich, ſpy­ing the Bear, got his head out of the Collar, and ran to aſſault him; but the Bear ſtruck him ſo furiouſly with one of his Fore-feet, that he brake his Iaws, and imme­diately turn'd againſt the King, who defended himſelf with his Bore-Spear. But the Bear ſo fiercely charg'd the King, that having got the Spear out of his hands, he clos'd with him, and threw him on the ground. The Gentleman ſeeing this ran ſpeedily to help the King and drawing out a Wood-Knife, w•ich hung at his Gir­dle, gave the Beaſt ſo great a blow, that he almoſt cut off•is Leg. The Bear find­ing himſelf wounded, let go his hold, and with open mouth ran upon the Gentle­man, who, undauntedly lifting up his Arm, ſtruck him with ſo great fo•ce between the Ears, that he ſplit his Head aſunder.

This done, as he return'd to help up the King, he perceiv'd coming towards him a great Lion, crown'd, and bearing between his Teeth a Child about two Years old, who cry'd with a loud voice: Alas, Gentleman of the Burning Sword, pray help me; which your Father would not refuſe to do, were he here in your place.

The Gentleman was no leſs aſtoniſht to hear theſe Words, than to ſee him that ſpake them, towards whom he diligently haſtned to free him from the Danger he was in. The Lion no ſooner ſaw him approach, but letting go the Child, he went to de­•our the Gentleman, who, ſtepping aſide, gave the Lion ſo great a ſtroke with his Knife, that he ſeparated his leg from his Body: Yet the chafed Beaſt, lifting up his other Paw, with his ſharp claws tare part of the Gentlemans Garment, pulling him alſo to him with ſo much violence, that he threw him on the grounds. The Gen­tleman notwithſtanding got quickly up again, and recharging the Lion, wounded him with a back-blow ſo deep into the Reins, that one might have ſeen his Entrals, the Beaſt immediately falling dead on the Graſs. The Gentleman then lookt about to ſee what was become of the Child he had ſuccour'd, and ſpying him run away a­long a Path, made after him, that he might get him to declare what knowledge he had of him. Having then overtaken the Child, he very affectionately askt him, how he fell into that danger, and whether he had heretofore ſeen him: For you ere while affirm'd, ſaid the Gentleman, that had my Father been preſent, he would no more have fail'd to aſſiſt you, than I have done.

The young Child, hearing him ſpeak thus, ſmilingly return'd him this Anſwer: Indeed, Gentleman, you are Son to ſuch a Father, that it will coſt you no ſmall pa ns to reſemble him, tho you are Born to receive greater Honour for your H•gh•row­eſs and Chivalry, than any one, who has Preceded you; for the reſt trouble not your ſelf to make any father Enquiry, ſince you will but loſe your labour. This ſaid, he immediately vaniſht out of ſight, leav•ng the Gentleman no leſs amaz'd than if he had newly riſen out of a dream; yet withal not a little rejo•cing at what h•had heard.

Being now mo•e deſirous, than before, to know of whom he was Deſcended,•he4 turn'd back to the King, whom finding ſorely bruis'd, and wounded in his Thigh, and other Parts of his Body, by the Outrage of the Bear, he (with Tears in his Eyes) askt him, how he did? Magadan, who had curiouſly obſerv'd what befel the Gentleman, as well in his Combat with the Bear, as with the Lion, graciouſly an­ſwer'd him: Indeed, my Friend, I am much better than I lately expected, Thanks to our Gods and You: So that never was Education better beſtow'd, than that I have given you, ſeeing the Hazard you have put your ſelf in to preſerve me; which makes me throughly ſenſible, that Virtue, once firmly planted, is never loſt.

Sir, ſaid the Gentleman, there is no doubt, but that Virtue is underſtood only by Virtue; and yet I well know, that I can never all my life ſatisfy the Benefits, I have already receiv'd of your Majeſty. Nevertheleſs, I humbly pray our great God Iu­piter, to grant me the Favour, that my Power may one day correſpond with my Will, and then ſhall be clearly manifeſted the Deſire I have to obey and ſerve your Majeſty. But Sir, I think it convenient, to look for ſome of your Huntſmen, or ſome others, that may carry you into the Town; for as far as I can perceive, the Bear has dealt very roughly with you.

I deſire you ſo to do, reply'd the King. Then the Gentleman croſt thro' the Fo­reſt, till he met Fulurtin, and many other Gentlemen, who, being Advertis'd of th•Misfortune befaln their Prince, were very much diſcontented, and ſetting Spurs to their Horſes, Poſted immediately to him, whom they found in a very weak conditi­on, by reaſon of the Blood, he had loſt. However, he exactly related to them, what had happened, telling 'em, that had it not been for the aſſiſtance, given him by the Gen­tleman of the Burning Sword, he was in greater danger of loſing his life, than ever he had been from the firſt hour of his Birth. Then making him a Litter, they con­vey'd him to the City of Saba, where he was with all imaginable care lookt after by the Queen, who from that very Moment no leſs eſteem'd the Gentleman, than if he had been her own Son.

CHAP. III.

MAgadan having béen in this manner preſerv'd by the Gentleman of the Burn­ing Sword, had from that time as great an Affection for him, as if he had been his near Relation, eſpecially after he had recounted to him the diſcourſe, he had with the Child of the Lion; whence the King Imprinted in his Fancy, that he muſt be Deſcended from Perſons of the higheſt Quality: He therefore made him ordinarily fit at his own Table, next to his Son Fulurtin, giving him alſo a young White Gen­tleman, nam'd Yneril, to wait upon him, and be always near his Perſon. Thus paſ­ſed away fome Years, till the Gentleman, belov'd both by Great and Little, was5 come to the Age of Fourteen, being ſo well ſhap'd and manly, that he ſeem'd to be above Sixteen.

Now it happened, that Fulurtin, who was a little Elder than he, being an Accom­pliſht and Good-natur'd Prince, requeſted the King to give him the Order of Knight­hood, to which he eaſily condeſcended. The Gentleman of the Burning Sword, be­ing Advertis'd of it, and deſiring this Honour above any thing in the World, addreſt himſelf alſo to Magadan for this purpoſe, who knowing the Greatneſs of his courage, with the love he bare him, did not ſo much conſider the greenneſs of his years, as the Vertue of his Perſon, and was therefore content, that Fulurtin and he ſhould be­come Companions in Arms, ſo that he gave them both the Order, with white Harneſs.

Now according to the Cuſtom of keeping the Ceremonies, the Feaſt continu'd the ſpace of Fifteen days, during which, Maudan, Son to one of the gr•ateſt Lo•ds of Saba, came to Court, to be bred up with Fulurtin. He had not been long there, ere he became ſo jealous, and envious of the Honour, the King did the Knight of the Burning Sword, that falling into a deep Melancholly, he was generally thought to be ſick. And the more this Poiſon gnaw'd his heart, the more did he ſeek to bring the Knight of the Burning Sword into the Kings Disfavour, which when he could not find occaſion to do, he was ſeen hourly to waſt away like Snow before the heat of the Sun.

Now ſome time after, Magadan, leaving the Queen at Saba, went to viſit a Town of his, call'd Terryna, during whoſe Abſence, the good Lady diverting her ſelf one day at Cheſs with the Knight of the Burning Sword, Fulurtin and Maudan, who were looking on, weary'd with the length of the Game, went fo•th, and left them a­lone. In fine, after ſome Mates, in which the Queen had the Victory, ſhe, who (as you have heard) lov'd him, againſt whom ſhe play'd, as her own Son, as well for his Vertues, as for the Succour he had given the King, when he deliver'd him from the Peril that befel him as he was hunting, made him ſit down by her on the Beds-Feet, where diſcourſing together without the leaſt thought of prejudicing her Honour, ſhe tenderly kiſt and embrac'd him. But Maudan, whoſe Envy made him pry after Opportunities to ruine the Knight of the Burning Sword; having quit­ted Fulurtin to watch them, and ſeeing their Careſſes, perſwaded himſelf more than was true, reſolving in his w•cked mind, to acquaint the King with their love at his Return: which was not long after, He having advice, that the Kings of Arab•a and Tharſus were coming dwon into his Country to make War upon him. This made him return the ſooner to Saba, that ſending out on every ſide to raiſe Men, he might go fo•th to meet his Enemies. But ſcarce was he riſen from Supper, when Maudan, finding him alone, leaning on a Window in the Preſence; after a ſhort Preamble to Palliate his Treaſon, began to diſcourſe him in this manner: Sir I moſt humbly beg your Majeſty's Pardon, if with the greateſt Regret imaginable I diſcover to you a thing, which, I wiſh, my Death could have prevented, as well for the Diſcontent, it will give your Majeſty, as for the Amity I bear the Knight of the Burning Sword, whom I take all our Gods to witneſs, I have ever lov'd; honour'd,6 and eſteem'd above any other of my Acquaintance. But the matter ſo neerly con­cerning You, ſhould I, who am your Vaſſal, conceal it, I ſh•uld be guilty of the High­eſt Treaſon, and the Education You have beſtow'd on me, would be very ill employ­ed, ſo that Reaſon conſtrains me to lay aſide all reſpect of Perſons, tho' it were of my own Father, for to preſerve the Fidelity I owe You, my Natural Prince, and So­veraign Lord. Then he declar'd, how he had ſeen the Queen playing at Cheſs with the Knight of the Burning Sword, telling the King the Familiarities, that had paſs'd between them, which he ſo amplifi'd and enlarg'd, as to aver, that the Queen, abandoning all Modeſty, had violated her Marriage Bed. The King was (not with­out cauſe) ſo aſtoniſht at hearing this, that being ready to drop down to the ground, that he was a long time unable to utter the leaſt word, by reaſon of the conteſt, there was in his Inte•ior between the Love he bare the Accus'd, and the diſhonour had been done him, ſo that he could not forbear weeping. Having therefore his Face co­ver'd with tears, he ask'd Maudan, whether it were poſſible that the Knight of the Burning Swo•d had ſo diſhonour'd him as he had related. Yes Sir, anſwer'd he, and I will ſwear it by the living Gods; for I ſaw it with my own eyes.

Ah, Ah! ſaid the King, fetching a deep ſigh: Since the Traytor has ſo far forgot­ten himſelf, as I heretofore prefer'd him before all that were in this Kingdom, ſo will I now cauſe him, and the Strumpet his Companion, to be put to the cruelſt Death, that ever wretched Creatures ſuffer'd.

Then the King, commanding Maudan to keep ſecret what he had told him, retir'd to his Chamber as full of diſcontent, as the Villian was of joy, for having ſo well accompliſht his deſign. As the Love of a Father to his Son is incomparably greater than common Amities, ſo the hate of the one to the other, when it grows vigorous is undoubtedly more extream than can be expreſt. In like manner the King, who was ſo affectionated to the Knight of the burning ſword, that he had almoſt equall'd him with Fulurtin, having heard the diſcourſe of this Whiſperer, grew ſo diſturb'd, that he had much ado ſo to govern his Paſſion, as to forbear ſending him at that ve­ry moment to receive his laſt Puniſhment, which yet, tho' not without putting a g•eat conſtraint upon himſelf, he for a while ſuſpended, hoping to ſurprize him in the Fact.

Now ſuch is commonly the Nature of Sin, that 'tis no ſooner brought into the Wo•ld, but 'tis attended by Repentance, which was the cauſe, that Maudan, mix­ing water with his wine, began immediately to know his offence, inſomuch that, conſidering the many Pleaſures and Courteſies he had receiv'd from the Knight, he had accus'd, he wiſht he had never ſpoken ill of him; but when the Steed is ſtoln, 'tis too late to ſhut the Stable door. Yet did remorſe of Conſcience, conducted by Reaſon, gain ſo much upon him, that he purpos'd at leaſt to ſave his life, by giving him notice t•at the King ſ•ake of doing him a diſpleaſure, and adviſing him there­fore to abſent himſelf from his Fury. This thought he put in Execution; A thing probably proceeding from GOD, not for the ſake of ſo wretehed a Per­ſon, as Maudan, but for the preſervation of the Innocent, for which cauſe we7 ſometimes ſee the Wicked, contrary to his Nature, to leave Evil, and give way to Good.

The Sun was already retir'd behind the Mountains, and the Night approacht, when the Traytor found out the Knight of the Burn•ng Sword, to whom, conceal­ing from him the Poiſon which lay hid in his heart, he thus ſpake: My dear Friend ſo much do I deſire your Good, that there cannot any inconvenience befall you, at which I ſhould not be as much troubled as if it hapned to my ſelf. 'Tis therefore neceſſary, you retire with all poſſible ſpeed; for I certainly know, that the King is reſolv'd to put you to death, for which purpoſe you will be Arreſted at your En­trance into the Palace. The particular cauſe indeed I cannot learn, but ſome ſtory has been told him, for which he hates you to extremity.

The Knight of the burning ſword, as you will eaſily believe, was not a little a­ſtoniſht at this Advertiſement, the truth of which, as not having any way offended, he would ſoon have queſtion'd, had not Maudan always pretended a particular kind­neſs for him. He gave therefore ſo much credit to this Traytor's words, that he immediately commanded Yneril his Eſquire to bring his Arms, and taking Horſe, went ſecretly forth of the Town, without any other Attendance, Riding all Night in marvellous diſcontent.

Thus Maudan wove the Web, which afterward coſt him his life, as ſhall be decla­red to you. In the mean time the better ſtill to cover his deſign, he went very late in the Evening to the King, to whom he ſaid: Sir, I doubt Yneril may have over heard ſome part of the diſcourſe, I had with Your Majeſty, about his Maſter; for I am certainly inform'd he was liſtning under the window: Which may be the more eaſily credited, for that I have not ſince ſeen the Knight of the burning ſword, whom I believe you will find to be fled.

That would be ill, reply'd the King, therefore, pray, know the certainty of it, and that without delay.

At theſe words Maudan went ſtrait out of the Palace, to the Knight's Lodgings, returning ſoon after, as in amaze, to tell the King, he was gone. Magadan, hear­ing this ſent haſtily to apprehend the Queen Buruca, ſwearing, he would have her burnt alive; at which the poor Lady, who knew not for what occaſion, was very much troubled, and caſting her ſelf at the Kings feet, beſought him with hands held up to tell her the cauſe of his diſpleaſure. Wicked woman, anſwer'd he, you ſhall know too ſoon to your coſt.

Then commanding her to be lock'd up, he ſet Guards upon her, charging them on peril of their lives to keep her ſafe. After this he ſent forth men on all ſides to look for the Knight of the burning ſword, and bring him either alive or dead, For, ſaid the King, he has acted againſt me the greateſt Treaſon in the world.

Fulurtin, wondering at this ſo ſuddain change, found means to know the cauſe•f it, which the King would not conceal from him, that he might irritate him the more againſt the Knight, who had done him ſo many Services, not letting him how­ever know from whom he had receiv'd his Information. But the Young Prince, be­ing8 well advis'd, endeavour'd, what he could to pacify all, and diſſwade Magadan from believing any ſuch thing, which 'twas impoſſible for him to do.

Not long after thoſe, who had been in queſt of the Knight of the Burning Sword, return'd without hearing any news of him; at which the King was ſo enrag'd, that he wanted l•ttle of putting the Queen to death. But by the Advice of his moſt inti­mate Counſellors he delay'd it till ſuch time as he recover'd the Knight.

At that very inſtant there Arriv'd a Courier, bringing him News of the Spoil, the Enemies made in his Realm, into which they were entred. This made Maga­dan, whoſe Army was now ready, march forth to meet them, and give them Battle, the Man being led by Fulurtin, and the reſt of his Forces by the King himſelf, whoſe Army was divided only into two Squadrons.

The Kings of Tharſus and Arabia, advertis'd of Magadans approach, drew up their men in a P•ſture to receive him. After a long and fierce Fight, Magadan and his Son were in fine taken Priſoners, and their whole Army diſcomfited, the greateſt part e caping to the Neighbouring Towns, and the reſt being put to the Sword. Theſe Kings, having thus gotten the victory, conſulted betwixt themſelves to ſend Maga­dan and Fulurtin where they might be ſafely kept. Of this the King of Tharſus would take the Charge, attended only by ten choſen Knights, not being willing to truſt ſuch a Prey with any other Perſon but himſelf, and in the mean time the King of Arabia advanc'd to Beſiege Saba.

CHAP. IV.

SO long travell'd the Knight of the Burning Sword, with his Eſquire Yneril, that having Travers'd many Leagues without knowing whether, or which way they went, they came at laſt into a great Forreſt, in which they Rode two whole days be­fore they could find any way out. Now towards the end of the ſecond day, as the Sun had finiſht his Diurnal courſe, they approacht the little Hermitage of a Pagan Moor, who, for the Auſterity of his life, was by thoſe of his Law reputed an Holy Man. He was then ſitting before his door; wherefore the Knight of the Burning Sword, who had formerly heard of him, aſſoon as he ſaw him, immediately ſat Foot to ground, and with great humility ſaluted him, offering to kiſs his Feet. The Good Man, wondering at his Behaviour, and ſeeing him to be ſo fair, young, and luſty a Knight, graciouſly lifted him up, and hav•ng deſir'd him to ſit down, and re­poſe himſelf a little, askt him whence he was, and what Adventure had brought him to that unhabitable Deſert: For, Son, ſaid he, I believe, 'tis now above ten Years, ſince any reaſonable Creature, beſides you and I, has paſſed by the Place, where I now ſee you.

Father, anſwer'd the Knight, my Unhappineſs being greater, than ever befel any other, that was born of woman, 'tis no wonder, if you ſee in me, what you would think ſtrange in many: ſince Fortune within theſe few days has made me certain­ly know the entire effects of her Inconſtancy. But were ſhe other, the Name, ſhe bears, would be no way ſuitable to her, ſeeing ſhe ſometimes Elevates one to the top of her Wheel, without his having in the leaſt merited it, and preſently tum­bles another under her Feet againſt all Right and Reaſon. Wh•ch is clearly manife­ſted in me, whom ſhe had for ſeveral years plac'd in the Throne of all Proſperity, and in the twinkling of an Eye, not three days ſince has ſo ruin'd, and debas'd me, that, when I conſider the State, in which I am, ſeeing my ſelf in ſo great Infel•city, methinks I am in a dream, not being able to comprehend, how, why, or in what manner this has befaln me, having never done any thing, to deſerve the Evil, I endure.

The Moor, ſeeing his Youth, and hearing him ſpeak ſo appoſitly, and with ſo much reaſon, was wholly amaz'd, and exceedingly pity'd his condition: for as he utter'd theſe Words, the Tears in very great abundance trickled down his Cheeks. Wherefore he ſaid to him: Son, the Gods, to try thoſe, whom they love, and who are deareſt to them, often permit many Adverſities to come upon them, for ſatis­faction of the Sins, they commit, as men, giving them afterward (inſtead of this tran­ſitory life) Permanent and ever Bleſſed Glory. It is therefore neceſſary, you con­form your will to their good pleaſure, rendring them glory and thanks for all they ſend you, were it only for the Beauty and good Wit, with which they have endu'd you: which makes me think, that many great things muſt paſs in you, as they have done in ſeveral, who ſhall ſerve you for an Example, as that King of great Brit­tain, nam'd Amadis of Gaul, and his Son Eſplandian, Emperor of Conſtantinople, on whom the Divine Bounty heretofore beſtow'd ſuch Perfections as yours, altho' they ever were, and ſtill are Infidels, maintaining the Law of their CHRIST. But as the Sun affords his Light as well to the Wicked, as the Good: ſo our Gods indifferently extend their Graces and Mercies upon all Perſons, hoping by that means to bring them to the true knowledge of their Salvation. And tho' it be true, that Amadis and Eſplandian, ſeeking ſtrange Adventures, as all Knights errant are wont to do, very often fell into ſuch Dangers, that they many times deſpair'd of their own lives and ſafety, and other whiles of ever having Joy, or Pleaſure, as you do now; yet after an infinity of Miſeries and Perils, which they eſcap'd, Fortune, or to ſay bet­ter, the divine Pleaſure has rais'd them to that height, that the one is become a great King, and the other a Potent Emperor, neither the one, nor the other having by their Birth any Right, or Pretence to the Countreys, they enjoy, but having ob­tain'd them by the Magnanimity of their Courages, accompany'd with Prudence, Fortitude, and Virtue. Wherefore, my Son, endeavour to imitate them: for you have Ability and Diſcretion enough to reſemble them: and our Gods are as power­ful as ever, to convert this your great Sorrow into Joy, ſurpaſſing your extream Diſ­pleaſure, and the Evil, that afflicts you, into far greater Contentment, and Good.

So many other Remonſtrances made the Pagan Hermit to the Knight of the Bur­ning Sword, that he was very much comforted, deſiring the Good Man to remember him in his de•out Prayers, promiſing him, that he would thenceforward do all poſſi­ble dammage to the Chriſtians Religion, ſince by them the Coeliſtial Court was of­fended. Then, without omitting any thing, he acquainted the Hermit with the oc­caſion of his Flight and Diſcontent; but the poor Sancto aſſur'd him, that the Event would be very good. Then taking the Knight by the hand, he led him to his Cell, where he and Yneril abode eight whole days, during which, the Hermit fed them with ſuch mean Proviſions as he had, giving them alſo for their Horſes ſome Straw, he kept for a Bull, on which he ſometimes rode, when he went far from his Hermitage. And it was commonly reported through all the Country, that this Good Man by his exceeding great Sanctity often tam'd, and rendred tractable the cruelleſt and fierceſt Beaſts.

CHAP. V.

THe Knight of the Burning Sword, after a Weeks Abode in that place, taking leave of the Hermit, entred with Yneril his Eſquire into a Path, which led11 ſtrait to a Sea-Port Town, belonging to the King of Tharſus, where they determin'd to embark. They Travell'd all that day, without finding any Adventure till the morrow morning, when they met an Horſeman, Arm'd Cap-a-pie, whom the Knight of the Burning Sword ſaluted, asking him, what News, and whether he was going.

The King of Tharſus my Prince, anſwer'd the other, is entred into the Countrey of Saba with his Army, and they ſay, King Magadan is marching with his Forces to give him Battle, at which I will not fail to be.

This ſaid, he paſs'd on, and, without making any farther ſtay, left the Knight of the Burning Sword ſo melancholly, that he began to ſay to Yneril: I would have you, good Sir, go to the Sea-Port, not far from hence, which, I hear, is a Trading Town, carry thither my Arms, and change them for others, that are black: for I will not henceforward be known, and in the mean time I will ſtay on the edge of the Wood, expecting your return: but pray, Yneril, make haſt.

I ſhall willingly do it, anſwer'd Yneril; but your Harneſs being very good, I know not, what ſhould make you deſire to change it for a worſe.

Go, ſaid the Knight, thou ſhalt know when thou com'ſt back.

Then they withdrew into the privat'ſt part of the Forreſt, where the Knight, diſarming himſelf, gave his Armor to Yneril, who rode ſtrait with it to the Town, where having found at an Armorers, what he deſir'd, he return'd to his Maſter, who having Arm'd himſelf, and mounted his Steed, ſaid to Yneril: Pray ſtay for me at the Town, and come every Evening to this place, to ſee whether I am retur­ned or not: For I muſt help the King and Fulurtin; elſe the Nouriſhment, they have given me, would be very ill beſtow'd, if in a time of ſuch neceſſity I ſhould not hazard my Perſon to preſerve them.

How Sir, anſwer'd the Eſquire, will you put your ſelf in ſuch danger, to preſerve his life, who ſeeks to deprive you of yours?

He ſhall not know me, reply'd the Knight, and beſides I have always heard it A­verr'd, to do Good for Evil is double Merit. And therefore ſince the Gods give me this good will, I will employ it, and my Perſon alſo, in doing Service to the King, to whom I am oblig'd.