The Weltern Isle, whose pleasant Shoar doth face,
Whilst Camber's Cliffs did give her lively heat.
In the Duke of Florence's Court he published a proud Challenge against all Comers, whether Christians, Turks, Canibals, Jews, or Saracens, in defence of his Geraldines Beauty. This Challenge was the more mildly accepted, in regard she whom he defended, was a Town-born Child of that City; or else the Pride of the Italian would have prevented him ere he should have come to perform it. The Duke of Florence nevertheless sent for him, and demanded him of his Estate, and the reason that drew him thereto; which when he was advertiz'd of to the full, he granteth all Countries whatsoever, as well Enemies and Outlaws, as Friends and Confederates, free access and regress into his Dominions immolested, until the Trial were ended.
This Challenge, as he manfully undertook, so he as valiantly performed; as Mr. Drayton describes it in his Letter to the Lady Geraldine.
The shiver'd Staves here for thy Beauty broke,
With fierce encounters past at every shock,
When stormy Courses answer'd Cuff for Cuff,
Denting proud Beavers with the Counter-buff;
Which when each manly valiant Arm essays,
After so many brave triumphant days,