Both the braue generals, by a strict command About the towne, this mercie did proclaime, That none thenceforth should vse the force of hand, Nor offer wrong to any virgin dame, That would sweet beautie keepe from lustfull shame, Which vnreprou’d edict amongst all men, Through th’English host inuiolate hath been. 425. Amongst the captiues not the basest mate With any sad designe they vexed sore, The female sex vntoucht inuiolate Did freely passe with all that golden store Of chaines, and gemmes which they about them bore, And all religious folke did find like grace, Free without ransome to depart the place. 426. Thrice valiant victors, euer may my rimes Suruiue on earth, that in their life may liue This famous conquest to all future times, That from the best, that for true praise do striue, All men to you the laurell wreath may giue, Which that milde mercie, which you then did show, Doth more deserue then conquest gainst the foe. 427. After the souldier had return’d from spoile Loaden with riches of the ransackt towne, To yeeld fit compensation to the toile Of each man’s paines, with fauour or renowne, The generals did each souldier’s merit crowne, And gaue to many a well deseruing wight That noble order of true martiall knight. 428. That noble order, which in antique time In top of fame’s high tower tooke chiefest place, To which by vertue valour’s steps did clime; Was then no base mind’s meed, that nere had grace T’ensue fame’s feeting in true vertue’s race; Though now the aged world to dotage growne, This noble order scarce is truly knowne. 429. But now to sing the spoile and last decay Of that faire towne by her owne folke forlorne, The host all readie to depart away, Intending first in funerall flames to burne Her fatall pride, and all her pompe oreturne, Did in thicke concourse cluster to confound, Her high top towers and eu’n them with the ground. 430. In number like the golden flowers in spring, In forme like furies of the Stygian caue: The souldiers high on houses tops do fling Their burning brands, and round do range and raue, To burie that faire towne in ashie graue, While hungrie flames borne vp on golden wings, Flies through the aire, and far their splendor flings. 431.