many gallants desperately adventured their dearest blood for Atalanta, the daughter of Schenius, in hope of marriage, all vanquished and overcame, till Hippomenes by a few golden apples happily obtained his suit.  Perseus, of old, fought with a sea monster for Andromeda’s sake; and our St. George freed the king’s daughter of Sabea (the golden legend is mine author) that was exposed to a dragon, by a terrible combat.  Our knights errant, and the Sir Lancelots of these days, I hope will adventure as much for ladies’ favours, as the Squire of Dames, Knight of the Sun, Sir Bevis of Southampton, or that renowned peer,

[5447] “Orlando, who long time had loved dear
        Angelica the fair, and for her sake
        About the world in nations far and near,
        Did high attempts perform and undertake;”

he is a very dastard, a coward, a block and a beast, that will not do as much, but they will sure, they will; for it is an ordinary thing for these inamoratos of our time to say and do more, to stab their arms, carouse in blood, [5448]or as that Thessalian Thero, that bit off his own thumb, provocans rivalem ad hoc aemulandum, to make his co-rival do as much.  ‘Tis frequent with them to challenge the field for their lady and mistress’ sake, to run a tilt,

[5449] “That either bears (so furiously they meet)
        The other down under the horses’ feet,”

and then up and to it again,

       “And with their axes both so sorely pour,
        That neither plate nor mail sustain’d the stour,
        But riveld wreak like rotten wood asunder,
        And fire did flash like lightning after thunder;”

and in her quarrel, to fight so long [5450]"till their headpiece, bucklers be all broken, and swords hacked like so many saws,” for they must not see her abused in any sort, ’tis blasphemy to speak against her, a dishonour without all good respect to name her.  ’Tis common with these creatures, to drink [5451]healths upon their bare knees, though it were a mile to the bottom, no matter of what mixture, off it comes.  If she bid them they will go barefoot to Jerusalem, to the great Cham’s court, [5452] to the East Indies, to fetch her a bird to wear in her hat:  and with Drake and Candish sail round about the world for her sweet sake, adversis ventis, serve twice seven years, as Jacob did for Rachel; do as much as [5453]Gesmunda, the daughter of Tancredus, prince of Salerna, did for Guisardus, her true love, eat his heart when he died; or as Artemisia drank her husband’s bones beaten to powder, and so bury him in herself, and endure more torments than Theseus or Paris. Et his colitur Venus magis quam thure, et victimis, with such sacrifices as these (as [5454] Aristaenetus holds) Venus is well pleased.  Generally they undertake any pain, any labour, any toil, for their mistress’ sake, love and admire a servant, not to her alone, but to all her friends and followers, they hug and embrace them for her sake; her dog, picture, and everything she wears, they adore it as a relic.  If any man come from her, they feast him, reward him, will not be out of his company, do him all offices, still remembering, still talking of her: