Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

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ANCIENT SONGS
That lady dearly lov'd the knight,
He counted her his only joy ;
But when their love was brought to light
It turn'd unto their great annoy :
Th' Morocco king was in the court,
Who to the orchard did refort :
Dayly to take the pleafant air,
i6r
For pleafure fake he us'd. to walk, ijo
Under a wall he oft did hear
St. George with lady Sabra talk :
Their love he ihew'd unto the king,
Which to St. George great woe did bring.
Thofe kings together did devife 175
To make the chriftian knight away,
With letters him in curteous wife
They ftraightway fent to Perfia ;
But wrote to th' fophy him to kill,
And treacheroufiy his blood to fpilL !$o
Thus they for good did him reward
With evil, and moll fubtilly
By much vile meanes they had regard
To work his death mofl cruelly ;
Who, as through Perfia land he rode, 1 85
With zeal deftroy'd each idol god
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