John, however, disregarded his promise, for as soon as he got home, he sent fifteen knights after Fulk, either to capture or kill him. Fulk acted his part with such valour, that the knights were entirely discomfited, and their leader taken prisoner. Soon after this, John sent Randolph, earl of Chester, with a numerous retinue to take Fulk, but the latter fled to sea, on board a ship belonging to Madour of the Mount, a true friend of Fitz-Gwarines’: while lying in channel, Fulk observed a knight in disguise coming to kill him; but the courage of our hero did not forsake him on this occasion, for in the laudable act of self defence, he slew the concealed assassin, and sailed to Orkney. Here he released a damsel from captivity; and by some noble exploit, won his celebrated hauberk of hard steel, which with other ancient pieces of armour belonging to his family, hung till Cromwell’s time in the church of Whittington. The stay of Fitz-Gwarine at Orkney was short, for we soon after find him driven by tempests to the coast of Barbary. In contemplation upon this dreary part of the globe, he formed a resolution of seeing Carthage, the city that produced such invincible heroes, whose courage defended that small republic for a considerable time, against the powerful arms of the Roman empire. But when he saw this once opulent and populous city crumbled nearly to dust, he felt strong emotions of pity mixed with veneration. Here! he exclaimed, was born and educated, Hanibal the greatest general in ancient history, who made the Romans tremble at their own capital! In these streets, what patriotism prevailed among all classes of people! Here commerce flourished; and great improvement was made in its concomitant navigation. Wrapt in enthusiasm, Fitz-Gwarine set sail for England, full of hearty desires that his own country might one day thrive by trade in as conspicuous a manner as Carthage had done. Upon his arrival, he had the good fortune to obtain a pardon for himself and followers, together with the restoration of Whittington castle, and all its appendages. I have mentioned that John gave this place to Wrenoc, but he held it for the service of being interpreter between the Welsh and English; and when the king gave Whittington to Fulk, Wrenoc had certain estates in the neighbourhood, given him in compensation. The splendour Fitz-Gwarine lived in, is described by Mr. Dovaston in such a striking manner, that I cannot refrain from quoting the words he uses to such advantage. “Other guests than yon lone bird, And other musick here was heard, In times of better days; Festive revelry went round, The board with blushing goblets crown’d, And costly carpets clad the ground, Where now yon cattle graze. “Days were those of splendor high, Days of hospitality, When to his rich domain Welcom’d many a crested knight, Welcom’d many a lady bright, Fitz-Gwarine of Lorraine.” A.D. 1207.