of his _Geraldine_, and in
praise of the Chamber that was so illuminatively honoured with her
Radiant Conception, he penned this Sonnet:

Fair Room, the presence of sweet Beauties pride,
This place the Sun upon the Earth did hold,
When _Phaeton_ his Chariot did misguide,
The Tower where _Jove_ rain'd down himself in Gold,
Prostrate as holy ground Ile worship thee.
Our _Ladies Chappel_ henceforth be thou nam'd;
Here first _Loves Queen_ put on Mortality,
And with her Beauty all the world inflam'd.
Heaven's Chambers harbouring fiery Cherubins,
Are not with thee in Glory to compare.
Lightning, it is not Light which in thee mines,
None enter thee but streight entranced are.
O! if _Elizium_ be above the ground,
Then here it is, where nought but Joy is found.

That the City of _Florence_ was the ancient Seat of her Family, he
himself intimates in one of his Sonnets: thus;

From _Tuscan_ came my Ladies worthy Race;
Fair _Florence_ was sometimes her ancient Seat,
The Weltern Isle, whose pleasant Shoar doth face,
Whilst _Camber's_ Cliffs did give her lively heat.

In the Duke of _Florence's_ Court he published a proud Challenge
against all Comers, whether _Christians_, _Turks_, _Canibals_, _Jews_,
or _Saracens_, in defence of his _Geraldines_ Beauty. This Challenge
was the more mildly accepted, in regard she whom he defended, was a
Town-born Child of that City; or else the Pride of the _Italian_ would
have prevented him ere he should have come to perform it. The Duke of
_Florence_ nevertheless sent for him, and demanded him of his Estate,
and the reason that drew him thereto; which when he was advertiz'd of
to the full, he granteth all Countries whatsoever, as well Enemies and
Outlaws, as Friends and Confederates, free access and regress into his
Dominions immolested, until the Trial were ended.

This Challenge, as he manfully undertook, so he as valiantly performed;
as Mr. _Drayton_ describes it in his Letter to the Lady _Geraldine_.

The shiver'd Staves here for thy Beauty broke,
With fierce encounters past at every shock,
When stormy Courses answer'd Cuff for Cuff,
Denting proud Beavers with the Counter-buff;
Which when each manly valiant Arm essays,
After so many brave triumphant days,
The glorious Prize upon my Lance I bare,
By Herald's Voyce proclaim'd to be thy share.

The Duke of _Florence_ for his approved Valour, offered him large
Proffers to stay