Page:Renowned history of the seven champions of Christendom (2).pdf/20

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SEVEN CHAMPIONS

his invincible power, he confounded them in their own practices; for being about to elect a general, each nation was cbstinate to have their king the person, that should command in chief; and so eager were they in these resolutions, that from words they fell to blows, which ended at last in a most dreadful fight against each other, till the ground was changed from a verdant green to a purple hue, and each place strewed with the carcases of dead bodies. Here you might see a head new lopt off from the shoulders, with a gasping mouth, complaining as it were for his reparation from the rest of its body: There lay an arm with a hand grasping a sword, as if it would fight yet in its body’s defence. In another place you might behold one who would run away from danger, hut that his legs are so entangled in his fellow’s guts he could not stir; here lay the brains of one, there another with his mouth and jaws cut away, so that he could not complain of his-own misfortunes. In fine, such horror and destruction was amongst them, as would make the heart of an enemy to relent. Those that remained, after this bloody encounter, withdrew themselves into their own countries, cursing the time that ever they undertook so unlucky an enterprize, and confessing it was vain for them to attempt any thing against the Christian’s God.

It was not long ere the news of this bloody encounter came to the ears of St. George, and the rest of the Christian Champions; who having received the intelligence soon raised their armies and marched directly to Barbary, against the bloody king of Morocco, to chastise his treachery committed against the most renowned English Champion.

CHAP.X.

The terrible battle between the Christians and Moors in
Barbary, the great overthrow of the Pagans, and how
Almidor the Black King of Morocco, was boiled to death
in a brazen caldron of lead and brimstone.

THE Christian army under the conduct of the magnanimous English Champion, St. George, being