The king by proclamation said,
90 If any hardy knight
Could free this fair young royal maid,
And slay the dragon quite,
Then should he have her for his bride,
And, after death, likewise
95 His crown and kingdom too beside:
Saint George he won the prize.
When many hardy strokes he'd dealt,
And could not pierce his hide,
He run his sword up to the hilt
100 In at the dragon's side;
By which he did his life destroy,
Which cheer'd the drooping king;
This caused an universal joy,
Sweet peals of bells did ring.
105 The daughter of a king, for pride
Transformed into a tree
Of mulberries, [Saint Denis] spied,
And being hungery,
Of that fair fruit he ate a part,
110 And was transformed likewise
Into the fashion of a hart,
For seven years precise.
At which he long bewail'd the loss
Of manly shape: then goes
115 To him his true and trusty horse,
And brings a blushing rose,
By which the magic spell was broke,
And both were fairly freed
From the enchanted heavy yoke:
120 They then in love agreed.
Now we come to Saint James of Spain,
Who slew a mighty boar,
In hopes that he might honour gain,
But he must die therefore:
125 Who was allow'd his death to choose,
Which was by virgins' darts,
But they the same did all refuse,
So tender were their hearts.
The king's daughter at length, by lot,
130 Was doomed to work his woe;
From her fair hands a fatal shot,
Out of a golden bow,
Must put a period to the strife;
At which grief did her seize.
135 She of her father begg'd his life
Upon her bended knees;
Saying, "my gracious sovereign Lord,
And honoured father dear,
He well deserves a large reward;
140 Then be not so severe.
Give me his life!" He grants the boon,
And then without delay,
This Spanish champion, ere 'twas noon,