doth remaine who since that time hath so much honoured the giants body that shée hath buried his bones within the Cedar chest that you madam said she to Leonorine if you do remember gaue vnto her touching these lines which containe these words That life shal be restored by him that suffered death that is likewise to be vnderstood of him for that loosing this transitorie life he hath obtained the eternall in Abrahams bosome so great grace hath he receiued at the hands of God by the merit of his sonnes passion in whome he did beléeue as I said before so my lord said she you haue heard what I can say as touching this strange prophecie I but said the Emperour what meanes the rest My lord said she I can tell you no more of it than can my lady your daughter or quéene Minoresse but so much can I assure you that in short time you shall sée it come to passe and if in any point it concerneth you the best is it will all fall out to greater good of your soule than to any power or worldly glory wherwith for this present I pray you content your selfe I truly said the Emperor so will I alwaies do for so my soule be well I estéeme not the misery of torments of my bodie And with that he left Vrganda with the Empresse went into the hall where great number of knights gentlemen staied for him with whome hée passed the rest of the day in all pleasant delightes meane time fortune by little and little began to play her part and to spread the nets wherewith she meant to inclose that troupe thereby to worke the enuie and great tribulations that afterward fell vpon them the beginning whereof was such as you shall here About a mile without the citie the Emperor had built a sumptuous pallace called Vaelbeniatnof as like to that of Apollidon in the firme Isle as well could be deuised which place was compassed with a parke furnished with all things requisite for mans delight whither hée meant to lead the ladies with Esplandian and his companie as also king Armato to feast them in the same and for that purpose within thrée daies after their arriuall they departed from the citie of Constantinople and went to Vaelbeniatnof going into the parke wherein they found the hunters and at their first entrance a great Hart was singled out which in the end after long chace was killed almost before the ladies going further they espied a bore so fiercely hunted by dogs that they made him turn with his tuskes stroke the dogs that none durst set vpon him but at the last one of the hunters strake him in the throat so he died so long this sport endured the supper time drew on wherfore the lords ladies entring into the palace found the tables couered sitting downe were serued in most sumptuous maner hauing supped they began to daunce which continued till midnight minding the next day to begin their sport againe but fortune minding to beare a part did so trouble the feast that she gaue them well to vnderstand how she can worke in all things at her pleasure for the next day about euening the knights and ladies being in the Parke some talking with those to whom they bare affection and cōtenting their mind with such deuises as loue to passe the time in pleasure put into their heads others running about and taking pleasure to gather floures and doe as most delighted them Melie from whō till then they could not heare one word went vnto Vrganda before them all spake vnto her and said Madame I maruell if it be so that your learning and skill be such as is reported why you make no sport vnto this company Melie said Vrganda where you are present I wil not vndertake to doe it before you but you should rather doe it being well assured that the Emperour would bee thankfull for the same If it pleased him said she I am content vpon condition that after me you do the like or better if you can Truly said the Emperour it is but reason and I pray you both to doe it My lord said Melie then command Vrganda to lend mée a booke that I was wont to haue whereon the picture of Medea her name written ouer it dooth stand then shall you beholde some of mine art and if Vrganda neuer knew it before she may learne it now of me In good faith said Vrganda that wil I not deny you with that she called one of her Gentlewomen willing her to fetch the booke meane time Melie tooke king Armato by the hande and making as though she would speake a word with him they walked a while together then they sat them downe hard by the place where the empresse and the ladies were talking with ech other and staying til the thing Melie had requested were brought thether which not long after Vrgandas Gentlewoman brought vnto her she hauing it in her hand opened the booke and then began to read making certaine signes with her eies lifted vp to heauen and calling Vrganda praied her to come thether saying she shold sée that shee neuer had séene before Vrganda not doubting any treason by Melie prepared went and sat downe by her and next her king Armato so that she sat betwéene Melie and him where Melie began to turne the booke shewing them certaine prophesies and other strange deuises which continued not long but the aire began to be couered with a round blacke cloud and there with it séemed so darke that they could not sée each other at the last the cloud opened and they beheld two horrible dragons comming downe out of the cloud that drewe a waggon and staied right before Vrganda who by Armato and Melie was so straitly embraced that whether shee would or not they thurst her in and they after her Wherwith the dragons séeing their waggon charged flewe vp into the aire and carried them away Vrganda crying for helpe but all in vaine for in lesse than the twinckling of an eye she was out of sight wherwith there was such noise among the company that Esplandian Talanque Ambor Manely and the rest of the knights that came thither with her sware neuer to rest aboue one night in a place before they found her out so that the same day taking their leaues both of the Emperor and others that by them were left in sorrow they entred againe into the great serpent but before Esplandian went he spake vnto the princes Leonorine beséeching her not to take in euill part his enterprise taken in hand for the loue of her to whome he found him selfe so much beholding promising her that presently hauing found Vrganda hée would returne againe My good friend said shée me thinkes you should doe this at better leysour and not in so great hast as now you doe yet am I well content to doe as pleaseth you but forget not I pray you
fauour but hast fallen out of her hands to returne again vnto him that neuer while his arme is able to welde thée will forsake thée Now said he to Libee if we chance to be assaulted we haue wherewith to defend vs. Truly saied maister Elizabeth I beléeue all those that could hurt vs in this place are either dead or fled away wherefore I am of opinion in the morning to bury them that are slaine meane time expecting some means whereby we may returne into your graces country we will enquire what is become of the blacke knight that you so much desire to knowe You shal do wel said the king therewith each man went to rest til the morning the master Elizabeth others of his company went to bury the Porter and the rest of the dead knights among the which they knew Arcalaus the inchaunter that not fiftéen daies before had arriued in the castle for at his deliuery out of prison being aduertised of king Luisarts suddaine departure he suspected his sister Arcabonne had stollen him away and therefore came expressely to the castle armed in gréene as you haue heard and although maister Elizabeth had séene him oftentimes before yet at the first sight hee doubted it was hee considering where not long before hee had left him wherefore hee sent to tell the king that presently came to sée him who knew him well yet I thought said he he had still ben prisoner in the Ferme isle and it pleaseth your grace said maister Elizabeth he was deliuered from thence before my departure and therwith shewed him the means how as it is at large declared in the end of our fourth booke Behold said the king how great are the iudgements of God let his body be put into some cold place for I am wel assured that his soule shall indure much more heat then euer it had in this world CHAP. VIII How maister Elizabeth went to finde the blacke knight in the Hermitage and what conference they had ARcalaus and the rest being buried king Luisart went into his chamber and as hée looked into the sea hee could not sée the shippes that Matroco brought with him wherefore inquiring which way they went hee was certefied that when Arcabonne threwe her selfe out of the window into the sea they tooke vp her dead body and laying it in their vessels hoised sailes and put to sea Let theÌ„ goe to the deuill said the king and wee to dinner if there bee any thing to eate your dinner is ready said maister Elizabeth when it pleaseth your grace to sit downe wherewith the meate was brought in and the king eat with a good appetite but hee had taken so little rest the night before that as he sate at the table he fel asléepe Wherefore rissng vp he laid him downe on his bed commaunding his men not to wake him wherewith maister Elizabeth was well pleased knowing that in the mean time he might haue conuenient leisure to goe vnto Esplandian as hée had promised wherevpon hee departed secretly out of the castle and going downe the hill went so long that hee came to the Hermitage where hee found the Hermite and the dumbe man sitting at the dore he saluting them asked if the black knight were there the Hermite said no but the dumbe man made signes that hee should goe into the chamber which he did where he found him very melancholy lying vpon a bed But when hee perceiued maister Elizabeth he tooke him by the hand and said My good friend maister Elizabeth you are welcome hether tell mee I pray you how you left the Ferme Isle in this maner to serue Matroco his barbarous companions Wherewith hee laughed for the Giant had tied him to a chainâ— and â—ade him row in his Gallies as other slaues did My lord said master Elizabeth when you receiued the order of knighthood and that king Bâ—uneo Quedragant and al our company that were as then with your father Amadis de Gaule slept by meanes of the melodious noise of nine trumpets that sounded on the shoare Grasinde my mistresse sent me on a message to the Marquesse Saluder her brother to certefie him of her marriage with the Prince of Sansuegue wherefore I imbarked my selfe and had so good a wind that in short time after I arriued at Constantinople where I found the Emperour that tooke great pleasure to heare mee discourse what had happened sithence the returne of Gastilles his nephew And the next day when I ment to returne the Princesse Leonorine who in my mind is the beautifullest Princesse liuing at this time sent for me most instantlie desiring me that in the presence of quéene Minoresse with diuerse other ladies and Gentlewomen I would shew her what I had heard touching the knight with the gréene sword For said shee although that now we vnderstand hee is named Amadis de Gaule yet will we not change his other name till such time hee sendeth vs some other of his linage or else returne himselfe to doe vs seruice according to his promise TheÌ„ I shewed them of the strangenesse of the Arke of louers the singularities of the Isle whereof they neuer had heard the losse of king Luisart the manner how you receiued the order of knighthood the ceremonies that at the same time Vrganda commanded to bée vsed the commandement that your father Amadis de Gaule gaue you to come and serue them in this place and lastly how in the end we fel asléepe in the great serpent froÌ„ whence we were carried not knowing thereof to the pallace of Apolidon where when we awaked we found all our company together onely you Manely the king of Denmarke Ambor and Talanque not knowing what was become of you And while I made this long discourse the Princesse Leonorine would not suffer me to make an end qut interrupting mée in my tale said vnto me Maister Elizabeth when my cousin Gastilles returned from thence I remember that among other things by him declared he said somthing touching the yong gentleman wherof you speake wherefore I pray you shew vs what you know of him wherein séeking to fulfill her request I began to shew her the maner of your natiuitie how king Luisart found you in the forrest with the lions of the letters hee receiued that day what letters you had on your body when you were borne whereof some were as white as Snow signifying your owne name the rest as red as blood shewing the name of your loue as yet vnknowne by reason the carâ—acters cannot bée vnderstoode Then smilingly shee asked mee how you would know it and I answered her that loue in time would learne and that for certaine she should be of royal blood and one that should be the beautifullest lady liuing in her time Truly said she hee deserueth no lesse wherefore I pray you heartely when you sée him persuade him to come hether and fulfill the promise that his father made vs for I haue great desire to sée
here at this instant let vs goe sée from whence the occasion of their combate procéedeth and if we may helpe them that haue the iustest quarrel Let vs go said the two knights wherwith they presently landed and mounting on their horses commaunded the saylers to stay for them and in great hast ranne vnto the place where the combate was and approching the same they knewe their companions by the white crosses they bare vpon their armour and séeing them in danger and inclosed on all sides by great number of Turkes Esplandian spurred his horse ouer the stones and entered into the prease but not very farre by reason the Turkes kept a strait place where he must passe from whence at the first hée was repulsed Neuerthelesse in the end Gandalin and Enil seconded him so well with the helpe of those that fought on the other side that notwithstanding the great resistance the Turkes made they inclosed them on all sides and beat them downe yet some of them by the swiftnesse of their horses saued themselues whereby the Christians remained victors not losing one man The knights that had beene aided in the manner could not imagine which way the other thrée knights came but when they knew them neuer were men gladder praising God of his great mercy shewed vnto thē Wherwith Esplandian asked them how they came thether My lord saied Elianle delibere I and my companions had so much intreated Belleris to lead vs into the country that all this night he hath ben our guide we being issued out of Alfarin thinking to surprise the towne of Galatia that lieth vpon the sea side not far from hence and to the same end wée staied in ambush but perceiuing our enterprise to bée discouered and thinking by little and little to retire we were inclosed in such maner that if God had not holpē vs by your means without doubt wee had all béene ouerthrowne and destroied By the faith of a knight saied Esplandian if you had considered the countrey where wee are and that the losse of one of our men is greater to vs then a thousand others if we were in Christendome you would not haue hazarded your selues so much but what is past cannot bee vndone And to the end wee spéedend worse let vs enter into my shippe that stayeth for mee My lord Esplandian saied Belleris Occasion is offered now vnto vs and let him goe that refuseth it when time serueth You sée the ouerthrow of the Turkes which is such that I certainely beléeue there is not one man left within the Towne Wherefore I am of opinion that wee ride thether in as secret manner as wee may then if wee sée occasion wee will set vpon the gates and it may bee shall enter the Towne without resistance meane time send one of your Squires to certefie your saylers that they saile vnto Alfarin or else that they stirre not from thence before they heare newes of vs. This counsell liked them well and they all agréed vnto it with that Belleris marched on before Esplandian and the rest following after riding close together vpon a Causie where not farre from thence they espied one sitting vpon a sharpe rocke most hideous to beholde whereat they spurred their horses thether to sée what it might bee where they sawe a woman so olde impotent and withered that her breastes hung downe beneath her nauill apparrelled in a Beares skinne whereon hung her long white and knotted haire where shee had liued among those rockes in all tempests and stormye weathers for the space of sixescore yeares together By which meanes her naked bodie shewed like the barke of an Elme trée or some ancient Oke whereby not one of them but began to laugh asking Belleris if hee had heard of her before I truly saied he for shee is so neare of linage to king Armato that shee was his great Grandfathers sister And although that in her yong yeares shee hath béene indued with all the gifts of nature yet would shee neuer marry what meanes soeuer her friendes could vse but gaue her selfe continually to studie the Art of Magicke in such sort that none could surpasse her in the same whereby shee hath foreshowne long time since that before shee died the lande of Turkye should bee ouerthrowne and brought in subiection vnto straungers And for this cause thee hath caused this Rocke to bee hewen wherein she hath made two chambers where continually she abideth apparrelled in the same manner you now behold her and as it is commonly reported she is very neare ninescore yeares of age and that you may know her better it is shee that caused the gilt pillers with the Tables hanging at them to bée set vp at the aduenturous fountaine which you my lord Esplandian saied hee might peraduenture sée when you found the Princesse Heliaxe and ouerthrew her guard in that place Truly saied Esplandian I would gladly know how she passeth the time being so solitarie as she is My lord said Belleris that could neuer be knowne yet it is thought that shee hath carried great number of bookes into the caue wherwith she delighteth her self I maruell said Esplandian why no man euer aduentured to goe into the rocke so they haue done saied Belleris but they returned againe so well beaten and cruelly handeled that at their comming foorth some of them died Let vs speake vnto her said Esplandian and it may bée shee will tell vs no goodnesse wherewith they went néerer vnto her but she presently rose vp and fled into her caue at the entery whereof shee stayed saying to Esplandian Knight Aboue a hundred years before thou wast borne I did foreshew the destruction of this countrey by thy arriuall here therefore I chuse rather to lead this miserable and cruell life then to fall into thy hands and liue in miserable captiuity With that she went in and could no more bee séene wherat they all began to laugh and without longer staying went on their way wherein they perceiued cōming towards them about sixty or fourescore knights all armed ready to fight wherevpon doubting them to be enemies they stood stil causing Enil and Belleris to ride forwards to know the truth who crossing the field and staying vnder a touffe of corke they perceiued one of the company to bear a red ancient with a white crosse therwith they knew Frandalo that marched before them whervpon they returned to their cōpanions who glad of those news went to méet thē comming in sight each of other Frandalo thinking to be surprised willed his companions to stand close the better to prouoke his enemies to fight he sent two or thrée of the best horses in his company to skirmish with thē but they perceauing their white crosses knewe them presently to be Belleris and his company that they went to séeke which Frandalo knowing spurred his horse forward much abashed to sée Esplandian whome hée verily thought to be in the castle La montaigne defendu wherewith they embraced
will nowe vse no wordes of them Praying some of you to shewe mee so much fauour to retourne againe vnto Melies caue to fetch her Bookes that wée left behind vs. Which being in my possession it may bee they will serue hereafter to doe both you and manie others pleasure Esplandian hearing Vrganda speake with such affection and knowing the desire shee had to haue the bookes answered her and saied Madame before I sléepe I will sée if I can fulfill your pleasure And without longer staying hee desired Enil Frandalo and Gandalin to beare him company who presently armed themselues and being on horsebacke without any other companye then their owne Squires issued out of the Towne leauing Vrganda with Norandel that was newly come from the city of Alfarin The four knights rode so long till they came vnto Melies rocke where not far from thence they found thrée giants and twelue knights that with a loud voice stood at the mouth of the caue calling Melie for the shepheards kéeping shéepe in the fields hauing séene her led vnto Galatia ranne to tell them newes and to know the truth they were expressely come thither Esplandian and his company knew them well to be their enemies wherfore they determined to giue them battaile although their number was far greater wherfore being couered with their â—hields and their swords readie in their hands they entred among them Esplandian met the first giant Frandalo the second and Gandalin and Enil the third and Esplandian gaue his giant so great a blow that therewith he made him take so great a leape that both master and horse lay vpon the ground not once remoouing hanâ— or foot But it fell out otherwise with the rest for they hauing broken their speares vpon Frandalo Gandalin and Enil their horses being loosely bridled bare them at least a mile from thence before they could make them stay With that the foure Christian knights were inclosed by twelue Turkes whereof thrée of them at â—â—e first charge were stricken dead vnto the ground wherewith â—â—e fight began to be most perillous and fierce in such sort that bâ—fore the two giants could returne againe fiue other of the Turkes were in such case that the best of them was hurt to death so there rested but four which Esplandian and Frandalo left fighting with Gandalin and Enil to méete the two giants that in great hast came towards them to helpe their companions and as they met togither neuer was there brauer fight for Esplandian thinking vpon the princes Leonorine gaue not one blowe but hée made the blood to follow on him that had the stroke whereby the rocke became all bloodie yet he found his enemy no lesse able to requite his blowes so that in short space his shield was so hewed and cut in pieces that there rested nothing but the lethers in his hands whereat he was in such a rage that rising in his stirrops hée gaue his enemie so great a blow vpon the coife of stéele that he strake it off wherewith the giants eyes started in his head which made him bowe his necke vpon the horses maine and withall let fall his sword With that Esplandian strake him such another blowe betwéene the necke and shoulders that he cut off his head wherewith the horse ranne vp and downe the fields with his dead Giant on his backe meane time Frandalo handled the other Giant in such sort that hee had put him out of breath Gandalin and Enil for their partes doing no lesse for they two fighting against foure behaued themselues so couragiously that they slewe two of their hardiest enemies yet the other two would neuer yéeld although they were still readie to flée especially when they perceiued Esplandian comming towardes them And to say truth it was not possible for them to make any resistance yet hée stayed a while because he perceiued some of them that were stricken downe to rise againe and take their swordes in hand whereat he turned about but it chaunced that his horses foote lighting betwéene a cliffe stucke fast and was fâ—â—ced to fall downe whereby Esplandian was in the greatest daunger of death that euer hée had by reason that his eneâ—â—es were on all sidâ—s about him ready to thrust their swordes into his â—elly a thing â—erie easie to be done if God had not prouided fâ—â— hâ—â— and giuen strength and agilitie to his horse to rise againe with his master on his backe who perceiuing himselfe at libertie and hauing his sword in hande made such execution on the Turkes that he left not one aliue wherewith those two that fought with Gandalin and Enil fledde along the mountaine as if all the deuils in hell had béene behind them and not béeing pursued saued themselues leauing the Gyant behinde them for a pawne to whome Frandalo graunted life not onely because hée asked mercie but for that hée was in a manner dead CHAP. XLI How Esplandian entred into Melies caue to fetch her bookes and of an assault made vpon him Frandalo Enil and Gandalin as they thought to returne againe vnto Galatia THe combat ended as you heard before ech man caused his woundes to be dressed and bound vp in the best manner they could then Esplandian entred into Melies caue to fetch the bookes he sought where hée went into a faire chamber béeing foure square about the which there grewe so much Iuie that it might verily be iudged to haue béene placed there for the hangings of the chamber in this chamber at ech corner there hung foure lampes that burnt both night and day and neuer went forth so cunningly could the Enchantresse shew her Art in thaâ— place and as Esplandian looked well about him he espied the 〈◊〉 of another chamber in the middle whereof stood a great candlesticke all of massie gold with seuen branches and in euery branch a waxe candle that burned continually hard by it stood a Cypres table whereon lay Melies bookes some couered with plates of gold and grauen vpon it others with siluer bound and embossed round about which Esplandian tooke and carried with him out of the caue giuing them to kéepe vnto his squire and mounting on their horses they rode the same way they came thinking presently to be at Galatia againe But they were stayed sooner than they looked for for the Turkes that fled away as you heard before made an alarme at a little towne not farre from thence whereby there issued twenty horse and fortie footmen who being assured that foure knights onely and no more had ouerthrowne their men made all the spéed they could to inclose them specially those that were wel horsed Frandalo and his company perceiued them a farre off yet could they hardly shunne them but of force must fight or els endure the shame to flie away Wherefore Esplandian was in mind to trie their fortune and to send one of their squires in all hast vnto Galatia to aduertise them of the danger they were in that they might succour them
said Esplandian you may command me and likewise set me forth for a coward hardy or any other what it pleaseth you to tearme me In which manner talking togither they came vnto his lodging where master Elizabeth newly come from Alfarin visited his wounds and the rest likewise that had cause to vse his helpe CHAP. XLII How the Knights of great Brittaine that were at Galatia imbarked themselues with Vrganda in the great serpent to saile vnto Constantinople and what happened vnto them THe Knightes that had béen hurt at the last encounter for the space of fiftéene daies after were forced to kéepe their chambers vntill their woundes were healed during which time Vrganda tooke great pleasure in reading Melies bookes which Esplandian caused to bée brought vnto her wherein shée found such wonderfull coniurations and deuises of Magicke Art that she was abashed how shée that had had them so long time in her possession knew no more than yet shée did estéeming the Enchantresse Lady to haue béen the perfectest schollar that euer studied in that art as it well appeared by her bookes Now the time approched wherein it was expedient according to the destinies appointed that Esplandian and his companions should goe vnto Constantinople wherefore as soone as their wounds were healed Vrganda caused them to bée assembled and standing in the middest of them all she said vnto them My good friends knowing part of the prosperities and aduersities which the heauens foreshewe vnto you all I came hither specially to sée Esplandian and you of whome I haue receiued great pleat pleasure perceiuing at my arriuall the loue and amitie that is among you with the great desire you haue to accomplish the order of knighthood not for the glory and recompence of this world but onely for the increasing of our faith and the seruice of God that shall reward you for it and to the end you may continue in this forwardnes and that the thing which I pretend may happily fall out I will from henceforth not only imploy my person but my Arte which hath pleased God to lend me wherewith I will aduise you what I shall find conuenient and necessarie for the augmentation of your honours alreadie spread throughout the world which to begin I am of opinion that you all imbarke your selues with me in the great serpent that shall bring vs vnto Constantinople to the Emperour for without him it is impossible that this great enterprise you haue taken in hand can come to good effect as also that hee himselfe before many yéeres are past shall be found in maruellous necessitie and such that he shall account himselfe most happie to haue your aid and with good reason for that in the end both hee and you shall ouercome those hazzards according to your desires Then shall you plainely knowe that this that I foreshew vnto you is most true While Vrganda vsed these wordes all the company stood still intentiue for to heare her and had it not béen that they estéemed her words to be most true they had doubted of the threatnings shée vsed against the Emperour he béeing so great and puissant a Monarch Neuerthelesse the issue of that trouble which shée assured vnto them gaue them some ease and contentation of minde in expectation whereof they made account in the meane time to prooue their strengths and forces that thereby their valour and magnanimitie might be further spread abroad And as touching their voiage to the Emperour as Vrganda gaue them direction it was onely the thing wherevnto Esplandian did aspire hoping that if the warres were openly proclaimed in the Grecian Empire and the Emperours daunger so imminent to shewe such valour and prowesse in martiall exploits that hée would not onely frée and acquite his father of the promise he had made to serue the Ladies but confirme the loue that the princes Leonorine bare vnto him in such sort that he might obtaine her for his wife which caused him to speake for all his companie assuring Vrganda that not one of them but was readie to obey and goe where it pleased her My friends said she then I pray you to morrow in the morning cause your horses to be shipped in my shippe and for armour take you no care I will prouide you thereof so well that ech man shall find himselfe content let it suffice you to imbarke your selues and set saile for often times an enterprise deferred ouer long falleth not out as mē desire it should not for want of good and wise counsell but by the negligēce of those that are appointed to execute the same Thus was their voiage to Constantinople agréed vpon in such sort that all the knights of great Brittaine entred into the great serpent taking with them Frandalo Melie and the captaine of Tesifant that had béen taken prisoner as you heard before leauing the Admirals souldiers for garrison in the towne Which done the ship went forward of it selfe sayling towards the castle La montaigne defendu where being arriued they tooke Armato king of Turkie and his two captaines with them for Vrganda willed them so to doe and sixe daies after the great serpent arriued within halfe a mile of Constantinople where she staied Then Vrganda caused her Knightes to be armed with the armour shée had brought which were white with a red crosse both before and behind most comely to behold They were in all fortie knights whose names are as followeth Esplandian Frandalo Norandel Talanque Manely the wise Ambor of Gandel Grauate of the fearfull valley Gandalin Enil Trion cousin to quéene Briolanie Brauor sonne of the giant Balan Belleris Elion le delibere Licoran of the white Tower Listoran of the siluer bridge Landin of Sariaque Imosil of Burgondie Ledadrin of Ferraque Sarquiles cousin to Angriotes Palomir Branfil Tantiles the proud Galbron sonne of Isamel Carpin his brother Carin of Carante Attalio sonne of Oliuas Bracele sonne of Bandoyuas Garamante sonne of Norgales Amphinio of Almain Brandonie of Fraunce Penatrie of Spaine Flamene his brother Culspicio of Bohemia Amandario of litle Brittaine Siluester of Hungaria Manely of Swethland Galfarie of Italie Galiot of Scotland Amandalie his brother and Calfeur the glorious Being arriued the shippe was presently espied by the citizens which they knewe hauing séene it before when it put them in such feare as you haue heard but hoping for him that vsed ordinarily to saile therein they all ranne vnto the walles and along the shore to sée him land wherwith the noise and rumour was so great that the Emperour had newes thereof béeing as then talking with the ladies Those newes pleased the Princes Leonorine so well that she no sooner heard the great serpent named but she rose vp and went vnto the windowes to sée if shée could espie her loue Esplandian but the ship was somewhat too farre off neither did it mooue from the place whereas it lay Wherfore fearing to be deceiued as she had béen before she began to
women to return to sea kéeping apart from all the Pagans without once stirring from thence for any thing whatsoeuer should fall till shée receiued further newes from her which was partly the cause of the enemies ouerthrow for they doubting some treason being separated in that sort from that time forward were in some feare and in greater suspition than before and not without cause for that if Lyote had aided king Armato both by sea and land as shée might haue done if her sister had not forbidden her it is likely her esquadron of women being twentie thousand strong and somewhat more had done great mischiefe to the Christians but God of his goodnes prouided better for them CHAP. LIIII How after the Pagans were driuen out of Thrace the Emperour of Constantinople renouncing his Empire inuested Esplandian therwith marrying him to his doughter the princesse Leonorine THe obsequies and funerals of the Kinges Princes Lords and others that died in the battell being finished the wounded cured and all things set at rest the Emperour of Constantinople knowing that Amadis and those that were come with him from the Westerne parts would retourne againe into their countries desired them to assemble shewing them that his meaning was to let them know what hée determined to doe before they went from thence The next day in the morning they all met in the emperors great hall and he standing in the middest spake vnto them and said My brethren lords and good friends the bond wherein I stand bounden vnto you is so great that although it hath pleased God to make me Emperour of all Grecia yet am I well assured it is far beyond my poore hability to satisfie you for the same estéeming the honour and riches that I now haue next vnder God be it little or much to procéed from you I am now thréescore yeares of age wholly aged decrepit by reason of the paines that in my youthfull yeares I haue continually taken in following armes so it is I haue but one child which is a daughter the onely staffe hope of my old yeares whome I haue determined if you thinke good to giue in marriage vnto the valiant knight Esplandian and with her likewise to inuest him with the Empire and gouernement of all my countries And the better to liue solitarily and to seperate my selfe from worldly company I haue determined to goe with the Empresse my wife into the monastery that I caused to bee made there to liue religiously calling vpon God and doing pennance for the euils I haue committed heretofore Wherefore my good lords and friendes I pray you if this my determination like you well let euery man giue consent and you first saied hee vnto king Amadis to whom the matter toucheth néerer then to any of the rest as being father and sonne My lord said he my sonne shal doe as you command him I will tell you said the Emperour I remember that among other Prophesies which ought to happen in this our time there is one that maketh me as I think agrée with you in one consent Esplandian hath vpon his body as I haue vnderstood certaine carracters which shew his name and others that in no wise can be read but only by the woman that is ordained to be his wife let vs now sée if it be my daughter or not with that he sent for the Princesse Leonorine who being brought thether by the Empresse and diuers other ladies the Emperour desired Esplandian to open his doublet and shew them the letters hée had borne vpon his body from his mothers wombe which hée refused not but before them all shewed them openly where euerye man might easily perceiue the white carracters containing this word Esplandian but they could not know the red wherefore the Emperour caused his daughter to come néere asking her what she could doe therein My lord said she not long before Melie betraied Vrganda she and I being alone in my chamber she sent to fetch one of the bookes that had ben taken from her couered with gold whereon the Enchauntresse was ingrauen and I remember that I saw therein the like carracters that Esplandian beareth on his body and ouer them their signification which is nothing else but his name and mine Daughter said the Emperor if you haue the booke still cause it to be brought hether wherevnto shée obaied The booke being brought shee shewed him the place that Melie had read vnto her containing that which followeth The happy knight that shall conquer the sword the great treasure inchaunted by me shall from his mothers wombe bear his name in white carracters and the name of her that shall be his wife in red carracters vpon his body which red carracters shal be so difficult to vnderstand that no man liuing in that time how wife or learned soeuer he be shall expresse the same without he sée this booke which wil teach him what the seuen carracters do signifie representing the seuen words that follow Leonorine daughter of the Emperour of Greece In good faith saied the Emperour here is a strange case and sheweth well that the Enchantresse lady had more knowledge in art Magicke then any that liued in her time and séeing my daughter hath so wel deuined I am determined that you said he vnto the archbishop of Thrace do grant vnto Esplandian that which nature before his birth had promised vnto him which is my daughter Leonorine By which meanes the marriage was solemnised and finished the same day with no great ceremonies the Court being as yet troubled for the death of so many Princes and great lords that were slaine in the battaile but let it suffice to knowe that those two louers enioyed the thing which they so long desired Esplandian the same day being proclaimed Emperor of Gréece according to the commandement of his father in lawe who within two months after with the Empresse his wife went vnto a monastery place of deuotion And because quéene Calafre had alwaies pretended to marry with Esplandian perceauing her intent frustrated she could not refrain to speak in presence of theÌ„ all said vnto them My lords I beséech you giue me leaue to declare my mind It is certain said she that those which know me are not ignorant that I am one of the greatest most puissant princesse in all the cast parts by reason of the great quantity of golde and precious stones that are within my countries As touching my linage I am daughter of a quéene of ancient race and as noble as any that euer was in the world so it is that fortune brought me into these marches promising me shortly to returne laden with great number of flaâ—es abundance of treasure but to the contrary I that pretended sought the captiuity of others and my selfe takeÌ„ better holden prisoner theÌ„ they ytâ—â— in their mortal enemies hands This imprisonmeÌ„t wherof I speak is not that whervnto I am bouÌ„d by the faith I haue
With that they were abashed that the great serpent began to leape and labour in the water as if it had ben in the greatest storm that euer was although the sea was very calme but only about the serpent where it raged in most horrible maner but that which most abashed the beholders was that the vessell cast forth such horrible cries that not one among them but his haire stood vpright vpon his head for fear And hauing continued in that maner about 〈…〉 more the serpent thrust his head into the water wherewith it sunk and neuer was séen again And with that they perceiued a farre off a great rock which being driuen by the waues came within half a bow shot néer vnto the shore on the top whereof stood a woman bareheaded and couered only with a linnen cloth to hide her priuities being inuironned by more then a thousand serpents as wel great as small which stung her in such sort that she wept and lamented in most pittiful maner wherat the knights of great Brittaine had so much coÌ„passion that they thought to enter into the ships and go to help her which Vrganda forbad them For said she besides the dangers that may happeÌ„ vnto you you shal lose your labors because she whom you behold which is the inchauntresse lady hath ordained it to be so With that the rocke sunk into the water and the gentlewoman vanished out of sight but not long after she appeared again vpon the waues flying from the fury of a monster of the sea that with his throat opeÌ„ followed after ready to deuour her in such manner that she came right vnto the hauen crying with a loud voire vnto Esplandian Gentle Emperor I pray you help me for none but you can do it wherewith Esplandian stepped forward holding the sword hee conquered in the old pallace of the inchaunted rock in his hand ran vnto her thinking to go néere the monster the gentlewoman that fled from it caught hold of his sword whether he would or not took it away wherwith she threw her self into the sea the monster after her Whereat euery man began to laugh saying to the emperor that if a gentlewoman had predestinated the same vnto him kept it long time another gentlewoman or she her selfe vpon a suddaine had taken it from him againe With that Vrganda was led vnto the pallace accompanied by the emperor with all the kings knights where not long after the Souldan of Liquie was deliuered sent to Tesifant about the beginning of the next wéek after the westerne princes took shipping and being imbarked with Vrganda recommending the emperor to God failed forwards till at the last euery man arriued at his desired hauen namely king Amadis that found Oriane very sad for the death of her mother newly deceased which much more increased wheÌ„ she knew hir father king Luisart was dead But in the end time made hir to forget her sorrow but not so soon as Amadis could haue wished CHAP. LV. How the Emperour Esplandian sent Norandel to take possession of the country he had giuen him and of the taking of Tesifant NOt long after the westerne princes were departed into their countries the emperor Esplandian would that Norandel should goe vnto the castle La montaigne defendu and other towns that he had giuen him to make warre against king Armato for which cause he gaue him a great number of soldiors with the which to make short he assailed the king of Turky had battell together wherein many a valiant knight lost their liues neuerthelesse the victory fell on Norandels side wherby he caused Armato to flie away retiring to his city of Tesifant which being known vnto the Emperour he departed from Constantinople with a great army going into Turkie ioyned with Norandels power and besieged Tesifant but feare seased so wel vpon Armato that he found means to flie away leaue the town which not long after was taken the princesse Heliaxe brought vnto the emperor who vsed her courteously and sent her againe vnto her father Ampheon king of Medea giuing her diuers rich presents News being spred throughout the country of Turky of the flight of king Armato as also of the taking of Tesifant diuers towns and citties yéelded to Esplandian that gaue them likewise to Norandel and because winter came on hee returned into Thrace where two of his nephewes sonnes of Galaor came to visite him and to receiue the order of knighthood which he gaue vnto them with both armor and horses minding to request them to trauell to Tesifant vnto Norandel thereto begin their first entrance into arms but they desired rather to take the way to Californie where Mâ—â—â— and Taâ—anque had great war against their neighbors which the emperor perceiuing caused al things necessary for so long a voiage to bee giuen them with so good Piloteâ— that in the end they arriued at their desired Hauen where they attained to great honor and estimation among their â—panâ— But 〈◊〉 to enter further to discouâ—â— of them 〈…〉 this present let them rest And let it suffice you to knowe how that as time passed Perion succéeded in his fathers feat and Garinter married in the east parts with Heletria quéen of Citharee and was the best knight in all the world And because it is declared at large in the sixt and seuenth bookes of this our historye we will passe it ouer at this time CHAP. LVI How Vrganda sent to desire king Amadis the Emperor Esplandian Don Galaor king of Sobradise and others to come vnto the Firm Isle and of the maruellous inchauntments that she made ouer theÌ„ VRganda being in her Isle not as yet discouered taking great pleasure to read Melies bookes knewe by her art death to be néere vnto the kings and princes whom she most loued and hauing great sorrow that worms should consume the flesh of so valiant king hes deuised to preuent the same which to do she took sea accompanied of her two cousins Iuliande and Solisee with diuers other gentlewomen and went vnto the Firme Isle where being arriued she sent to the emperor Esplandian Amadis Galaor Florestan Agraies and Gransador praying them most earnestly to come vnto her to the pallace of Apolidon for matter that touched theÌ„ most néer otherwise she sent theÌ„ word if they did it not that before long time past euil would happeÌ„ vnto theÌ„ and the master Elizabeth should bring with him the book that he made of the aduentures of the knights liuing in his time as also that they should bring their wiues with Ardan the dwarf Carmelle Gandalin the Gentlewoman of Denmarke Those princes hauing vnderstood Vrgandas mind failed not therin so that about the same time she willed theÌ„ to come they all arriued there where Vrganda receiued them not with a smiling counâ—â—nance as â—â—er vsed ordinary to doe but with teares in her eies whereat they being much abashed desired her