As to the hazle sticks mentioned above, they were to be probably of that species called the _witch hazle_; which received its name from this manner of applying it in incantations.
The incidents in this, and the other ballad of _St. George and the Dragon_, are chiefly taken from the old story-book of the Seven Champions of Christendome; which, tho' now the play-thing of children, was once in high repute. Bp. Hall in his _Satires_, published in 1597, ranks
"St. George's sorell, and his cross of blood,"
among the most popular stories of his time: and an ingenious critic thinks that Spencer himself did not disdain to borrow hints from it;[422] tho' I much doubt whether this popular romance were written so early as the _Faery Queen_.
The author of this book of the _Seven Champions_ was one Richard Johnson, who lived in the reigns of Elizabeth and James, as we collect from his other publications: viz.--_The nine worthies of London_: 1592, 4to.--_The pleasant walks of Moor fields_: 1607, 4to.--_A crown garland of Goulden Roses, gathered, &c._ 1612, 8vo.--_The life and death of Rob. Cecill, E. of Salisbury_: 1612, 4to.--_The Hist. of Tom of Lincoln_, 4to. is also by R. J. who likewise reprinted _Don Flores of Greece_, 4to.
The _Seven Champions_, tho' written in a wild inflated style, contains some strong Gothic painting; which seems, for the most part, copied from the metrical romances of former ages. At least the story of _St. George and the fair Sabra_ is taken almost verbatim from the old poetical legend of _Syr Bevis of Hampton_.
This very antique poem was in great fame in Chaucer's time (see above, pag. 107.), and so continued till the introduction of printing, when it ran thro' several editions; two of which are in black letter, 4to. "imprinted by Wyllyam Copland," without date; containing great variations.
As a specimen of the poetic powers of this very old rhimist, and as a proof how closely the author of the _Seven Champions_ has followed him, take a description of the dragon slain by sir Bevis.
"--Whan the dragon, that foule is, Had a syght of syr Bevis, He cast up a loude cry, As it had thondred in the sky; He turned his bely towarde the son; It was greater than any tonne: His scales was bryghter then the glas, And harder they were than any bras: Betwene his shulder and his tayle, Was forty fote withoute fayle. He waltred out of his denne, And Bevis pricked his stede then, And to hym a spere he thraste That all to shyvers he it braste: The dragon then gan Bevis assayle, And smote syr Bevis with his tayle; Then downe went horse and man, And two rybbes of Bevis brused than."