'Tis better I should dye, she said,

Than all your subjects perish quite ; Perhaps the dragon here was laid,

For my offence to work his spite: And after he hath suckt my gore, Your land shall feel the grief no more.

And to preserve thy happy life.

45 Like mad-men, all the people cried, Thy death to us can do no good; Our safety only doth abide

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In making her the dragon's food. Lo! here I am, I come, quoth she, Therefore do what you will with me.

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; And crown thy head with flowers sweet, An ornament for virgins meet.

And when she was attired so,

According to her mother's mind, Unto the stake then did she go;

To which her tender limbs they bind: And being bound to stake a thrall, She bade farewell unto them all.

Farewell, my father dear, quoth she,

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And my sweet mother meek and mild; 110 Take you no thought nor weep for me,

For you may have another child:

Since for my country's good I dye,
Death I receive most willinglye.

The king and queen and all their train 115 With weeping eyes went then their way,

And let their daughter there remain,

To be the hungry dragon's prey: But as she did there weeping lye, Behold St. George came riding by.

And seeing there a lady bright
So rudely tyed unto a stake,
As well became a valiant knight,

He straight to her his way did take: Tell me, sweet maiden, then quoth he, 80 What caitif thus abuseth thee?

And, lo! by Christ his cross I vow,

Which here is figured on my breast,

I will revenge it on his brow,

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For to deserve this heavy scourge?

The dragon issued from the wood.

As he came gaping in his face,

In at his mouth he thrust along;

For he could pierce no other place: And thus within the lady's view This mighty dragon straight he slew.

The savour of his poisoned breath Could do this holy knight no harm. Thus he the lady sav'd from death,

And home he led her by the arm; Which when King Ptolemy did see, There was great mirth and melody.

When as that valiant champion there Had slain the dragon in the field, To court he brought the lady fair,

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By night this valiant champion slew, 195
Though he had fasted many a day;

And then away from thence he flew
On the best steed the sophy had;

150 Which when he knew he was full mad.

Towards Christendom he made his flight, 200
But met a gyant by the way,
With whom in combat he did fight

Most valiantly a summers day: 155 Who yet, for all his bats of steel,

Till he most falsely was betray'd.

Those kings together did devise

To make the Christian knight away, With letters him in curteous wise They straightway sent to Persia: But wrote to the sophy him to kill, And treacherously his blood to spill.

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170 Then straight Morocco's king he slew,
And took fair Sabra to his wife,
But meant to try if she were true
Ere with her he would lead his life;
And, tho' he had her in his train,
She did a virgin pure remain.

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176 Toward England then that lovely dame The brave St. George conducted strait, 225 An eunuch also with them came, Who did upon the lady wait; 180 These three from Egypt went alone. Now mark St. George's valour shown.