The following ballad is given (with some corrections) from two ancient black-letter copies in the Pepys Collection: one of which is in 12mo, the other in folio. Or Hector's deeds did Homer sing, St. George's deeds, an English knight. Against the Sarazens so rude Fought he full long and many a day, In honour of the Christian way; Now, as the story plain doth tell, Within that countrey there did rest Whereby they were full sore opprest: 5 10 15 The grief whereof did grow so great 20 The wise-men all before the king, This answer fram'd incontinent: 25 The dragon none to death might bring His skin more hard than brass was found, That sword nor spear could pierce nor wound. 30 When this the people understood, They cryed out most piteouslye, The dragon's breath infects their blood, No means there were, as they could hear, But to present some virgin clear, Whose blood his fury might asswage; 35 40 Each day he would a maiden eat, For to allay his hunger great. This thing by art the wise-men found, Thus did the dragon every day Untimely crop some virgin flowr, Till all the maids were worn away, And none were left him to devour ; Saving the king's fair daughter bright, Her father's only heart's delight. 45 50 Then came the officers to the king, That heavy message to declare, 55 Which did his heart with sorrow sting; "She is," quoth he, "my kingdom's heir: O let us all be poisoned here, Ere she should die, that is my dear." 60 Then rose the people presently, And to the king in rage they went; They said his daughter dear should dye, "Our daughters all are dead," quoth they, "And have been made the dragon's prey; 65 "And by their blood we rescued were, And thou hast sav'd thy life thereby; And now in sooth it is but faire, For us thy daughter so should die.” "O save my daughter," said the king, "And let ME feel the dragon's sting.' Then fell fair Sabra on her knee, It may be, for my sake alone This plague upon the land was thrown. "Tis better I should dye," she said, For my offence to work his spite, 70 75 80 Your land shall feel the grief no more." "What hast thou done, my daughter dear, 85 For to deserve this heavy scourge ? It is my fault, as may appear, Which makes the gods our state to purge; Then ought I die, to stint the strife, And to preserve thy happy life." 90 Like mad-men, all the people cried, In making her the dragon's food." "Lo! here I am, I come," quoth she, 95 Nay stay, dear daughter," quoth the queen, "And as thou art a virgin bright, That hast for vertue famous been, So let me cloath thee all in white; 100 And crown thy head with flowers sweet, He straight to her his way did take: "Tell me, sweet maiden," then quoth he, "What caitif thus abuseth thee? 125 "And, lo! by Christ his cross I vow, Which here is figured on my breast, I will revenge it on his brow, And break my lance upon his chest: And speaking thus whereas he stood, The dragon issued from the wood. 130 The lady, that did first espy The dreadful dragon coming so, Unto St. George aloud did cry, 135 And willed him away to go; "Here comes that cursed fiend," quoth she, "That soon will make an end of me." St. George then looking round about, 140 Against him did most furiously ride; And with such blows he did him greet, He fell beneath his horse's feet. For with his launce that was so strong, 145 In at his mouth he thrust along; For he could pierce no other place: 150 |