he bestowed upon them a golden tree with seven branches, in the dividing whereof they came to be known unto each other, which so rejoiced their hearts, that they accounted that day as fortunate unto them as when first they were delivered from the thraldom of the enchantress Kathy. But they had not long enjoyed the fruition of each other’s company, when there arrived at the Emperor’s court, a hundred heralds, from a hundred several countries, which by the command of their princes, proclaimed war against all Christendom in these words: “We the most puissant Monarchs of Asia, and Africa, by a general consent of us all, proclaim open war, fire and sword, with utter destruction to all the countries and kingdoms of Christendom, in a just revenge against them for the injuries sustained by their seven Champions, desiring all the followers of Mahomet, Termagant and Apollo, in this our determination, to join with us and take our parts."
The Grecian Emperor being also a Pagan, associated with them, giving commandment, to muster up the greatest forces his land could afford. All which, when the seven champions understood, to prevent their bloody purposes, after due consideration had amongst. themselves, each one with his betrothed lady departed home to his own country, there to raise forces to withstand the common enemy: St. George into England, St. Dennis into France, St. James into Spain, St. Anthony into Italy, St. Andrew into Scotland, St. Patrick into Ireland, and St. David into Wales: The prospect of whose delightful habitations they had not beheld in many years before; where they were most royally entertained according unto their own heart’s desire, each several Prince in this common cause, contributing the utmost assistance he could make, appointing the bay of Portugal for their great rendezvous; and all with one general consent, nominating St. George to be their general whose valiant exploits and honourable performances, shall be discoursed of in the following chapter
