ſtanding a while in amaze what to do, at laſt he threw down his veniſon, and with his truſty ſword Aſcalon, soon diſpatched both the lions. Now Sabrine, ſaith he, I have ſufficient proof of thy true virginity, the nature of theſe beaſts bring ſuch, that they will bow their heads to none but ſuch as have kept their chaſtities inviolable. Therefore, divine Paragon, nature's wonder and love's abſtract, doubt not but thy fame ſhall reſound for love and chaſtity, ſo far as Phoebus darts his golden rays.
Then dreſſed he the veniſon for her which he had brought, and having refreſhed themſelves, they ſet forward on their wonted travels, till they came into the country of Greece, where they ſoon had news of great tilts and tournaments ſuddenly to be held at the Emperor's court, in honour of his royal nuptials with the Emperor of China's daughter; the fame whereof had ſummoned hither all the moſt approved and magnanimous heroes, both in Europe, Aſia, and Africa, to try their man-hood, and, by noble exerciſes of arms, to mount up into honour's throne, among the reſt the ſeven Champions of Chriſtendom arrived there unknown to each other, of whoſe valiant acts, to their country's honour, we come now to declare.
C H A P. VIII.
INfinite was the number of the knights aſſembled in the Grecian court, to adventure their chance in fortune's lottery for the purchaſing of renown, but the ſeven champions attained to ſuch favour with the Grecian Emperor, that he appointed them to be his own peculiar champions againſt all comers, each his ſeveral day, ſeven days together, the appointed time for
