488 THE SEVEN CHAMPIONS

hunger, St. George left his lady with the Moor, and went boldly
into the forest to procure some food. He had the good fortune
soon to kill a deer, and returned with a haunch of venison ;
but how greatly was he shocked to find the Moor torn in pieces
by two lions, and the creatures asleep on Sabra’s lap. After
getting the better of his first alarm, he ran them through with
his sword, and gave thanks to heaven for the safety of his be-
loved princess. He then made a fire to roast his venison. St.
George and his lady at length came to Constantinople, where a
great feast was held in honour of the emperor's marriage. In
this city they had the good fortune to meet the other six cham-
pions of Christendom, who, after many strange adventures, had
also arrived at Constantinople with their ladies. Here the
Christian champions showed wonders of courage in warlike
games, with the knights of Greece, Hungary, and Bohemia.
On the last day of these sports, St. George of England came into
the field on a beautiful black steed, adorned in a grand style.
The champion was dressed in a suit of armour of the brightest
steel; his helmet shone with a vast number of pearls, diamonds,
and gold, and had at its top a plume of purple feathers, and
from his breast was hung a piece of gold, bearing the figure of
a lion; while the lovely Sabra sat ina car of triumph, to be a
witness of his noble exploits. There was hardly any knight to
be found who would engage against the hero of England ; and
when at last some of them did resolve to make trial of his
strength, he threw down both men and horses with such ease,
that the field was soon cleared. The heralds crowned him with
the garland of victory, and Sabra felt the highest pleasure in
hearing the shouts of all the people.

But while the Christian champions were happy at Constan-
tinople in the enjoyment of their charming brides, the king of
Morocco, and all the pagan princes, whose daughters had