Mark Anthony, I’ll warrant ye, play’d Feats with Ægypt’s Queen;
Sir Eglemore, that valiant Knight, the like was never seen;
Grim Gorgon’s Might was known in Fight; old Bevis most Men frighted;
The Mirmidons and Prester Johns; why were not these Men knighted?
Brave Spinola took in Breda, Nassau did it recover;
But St. George, St. George, turn’d the Dragon over and over.
St. George he was for England, St. Dennis was for France;
Sing, Honi soit qui mal y pense.[102]
This latter verse is a modern interpolation. Percy gives a purer version of the old ballad.[103]
In the romance of the “Seven Champions of Christendom,” St. George’s performances exceed that of the other champions; the ballad, bearing the same title, distinguishes him in like manner, and it is there sung, that in his fight with the dragon,
When many hardy Strokes he’d dealt,
And could not pierce his Hide,
He run his Sword up to the Hilt,
In at the Dragon’s Side;
By which he did his Life destroy,
Which cheer’d the drooping King;
This caus’d an universal Joy,
Sweet Peals of Bells did ring.[104]
Saint George was the ancient English war-cry.[105] Shakspeare so uses it in his “Richard III.;” he makes Richmond conclude his address to his soldiery, with
Sound, drums and trumpets, bold and cheerfully,
God and Saint George, Richmond and victory.
So also Richard, after he receives the news of Stanley’s defection, exclaims,
Advance our standards, set upon our foes!
Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!
Upon them!
In the 10th year of king Henry VII. the Irish were prohibited from using their favourite battle-cry of Aboo, or Aber. Every native of that country was enjoined against using that word, or “other words like or otherwise contrary to the king’s laws, his crown and dignity and peace, but to call on St. George, or the name of his Sovereign Lord, the King of England, for the time being,” &c.[106] There is also this injunction to the English in an old art of war: “Item that all souldiers entering into battaile, assault, skirmish, or other faction of armes, shall have for their common cry and word, St. George forward, or, Upon them St. George, whereby the soldier is much comforted, and the enemie dismaied by calling to minde the ancient valour of England, which with that name has so often been victorious.”[107] So much for the present concerning St. George.