tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skil Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tell ye Well hast thou aduised said the King wherupon they were sent for afterward Alberte thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whome you sawe enter by the secret doore signifieth this Realme which is close and well garded notwithstanding by some right therto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting from thence your hart and afterwarde threwe it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles bothe more and lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whome you shall not easilye recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he saide that some after I should loose it against the will of him that tooke the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of an other that commaunded him to doo so then by any will therto in him selfe thus sée ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now saide the King to the second named Antalles tell vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me y t what he saith shall happen is already effected and by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed therat séeing there is not as yet any parte of your Realme lost and if you doo loose any thing héerafter it must be by such an one as loueth ye déerely When the King heard this he nodded his head for it séemed to him that he came néere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more then the other fell into a laughter which he was sildome wunt to doo because he was a man very sad and mellancholly yet by chaunce the King perceiued it wherfore he saide Maister Vngan my fréend now remaineth none but you say boldely what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into thinges which is not necessarye to be knowen to any other then your selfe and therfore let these giue place a while if you please At these woordes they withdrewe them selues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty sawe me ere while to laughe it was at one woord which little you thinke on yet it is true and will yee knowe what It was that which Antalles saide that what he found by your dreame was already happened and by the person that besâ—e loueth yee Nowe shall I reuâ—ale what you keepe in secret and thinke that no one knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue alreadye accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had béene there present But as for the Chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what if meaneth and how she whom you loue desirous to deliuer her hart and yours from gréefe and sadnes came to ye entring your chamber by the doore that was hid from you The handes that opened your sides is the coniunction of you twaine then the hart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Sonne or a Daughter Now tell me saide the King what meneth y t casting therof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therfore neuer labour for further knowledge therof Yet would I saide the King faine vnderstand it and therfore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseeche ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shall reueale you will not be displeased with her who loueth you so loyallye That promise doo I faithfully make thée saide the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that hart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessitie be forsaken And the other saide the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one the desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue an other childe who shalbe caryed awaye againste the will of her that caused the losse of the firste Thou hast tolde me strange thinges said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast tolde me concerning the Lady I loue For thinges ordeyned and appointed by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gain-say or remedy and therfore men of wisdom should neither be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacitie of men and farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue béene so curious to vnderdstand referre all thinges to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the ende of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so estéemed of him that from thence forward he had him néere his person by meanes wherof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the King parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costlye in garmentes and faire of beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfray the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these woordes made the good Prince more sad and pensiue then he was before For this time the Author leaueth this purpose and returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whome he made be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherfore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which beheld him meruailed therat but one daye among other it happened that Gandales rode to sporte him selfe in the féeldes arming him selfe as became a good Knight for he had dayly accompanied the King Languines at such time as he searched after aduentures and albeit the King discontinued Armes yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise him selfe and as he rode he met with a Damosell that thus spake to him Ah Gandales if many great personages were aduertised of what I knowe certainely I assure thee they would cause thée to loose thy head Wherfore quoth he Because saide the Damosell thou nourishest their death in thy house The knight know not the Woman that thus talked with him but
saying Ah gentle Knight how highlye am I indebted to you you are to this place the most welcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue we this talke saide y e Prince and saye where I may quicklye finde some remedye for my woundes In my house answered the Knight abideth a Niece of mine who shall heale your hurtes better then any other So riding on they arriued at the Castell where being dismounted they walked into the great Hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call him self while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he séeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterward he caused the prince to be vnarmed and laide in a sumptuous bed where his woundes were dilligentlye attended by the Ladye who assured him in shorte time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfullye to doo CHAP VIII ¶ How the third daye after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the Courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince left y e Court of King Languines where he receiued the order of Knighthood the thrée Knightes came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath béen already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the newe Knightes behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King meruaile at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednes could haue harboured in her notwithstanding he thanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any bodye else knewe that the Gentleman of the Sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was he aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought he was gone to visite his father Gandales then the King turning to the Knight in the Litter saide Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithfull as your wife hath béene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doo therin as it shall like your maiestie as for me I will neuer consent that y e thing I moste loue should dye This said the knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with them their Brother in the Litter leauing their Sister to receiue Iustice by the Kings appointmēt who after their departure called for her and saide Woman thy mallice hath béene too great in respect of thy Husbands kindenes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they héerafter offend not in the like and so he commaunded her to be burned aliue The execution béeing doone the King was in greater pensiuenes then before because he knew not who the new Knight should be that parted so suddenly from his Courte but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherfore he said to the King It may be my Lord a young Knight with whome the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when we came hither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord said the Squire but he is both yong and very beautifull beside I saw him doo such rare chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if he liue he will proue one of the best Knightes in the worlde Then discoursed he at large euerye action as also how he deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his tale his desire to know him encreased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happilye can tell ye more tidinges of him for it was my chaunce to meete them together Of what Damosell speakest thou saide the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittayne to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and he demaunded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Wherupon she declared so much as she knew chéeflye the occasion wherfore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the only Knight in the world But in sooth quoth she I knowe not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God saide the King who may it be Now was Oriana voide of all doubting for she wel knew it was her Gentleman of the Sea but she was so gréeued with the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as well she knew not whome she might complaine to for the King her Father sent her woord how she should prepare her selfe in readines to come to him so soone as his Ambassadours should be sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Countrye then there whether she should now goe against her minde not only in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by béeing farre thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardlye afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easilye compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knightes with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring w t his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the King his Unckle there entred a Damosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assemblye I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus procéeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgement it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why he sendes it to you is for that Galpan villainously abused a damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beléeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Woorthy Lord answered she he only of whom I speake hath doone him to death after he had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reuenge their foyle him selfe combatted hand to hand with y
saue me a great deale of trauaile to King Liâ—â—â—â—â— to whome I am going for the same cause My friend replied y e Knight you shall do your selfe ouer much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best King in the world for so poore a Knight errant as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the King can put no such strength â—nto me as I haue séene perfourmed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the Knight to graunt any other thing you will demaund for such authoritie appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearms Vrganda â—vnlooked forâ— came to them wherewith y e Knight of the Lyons was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talk thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of Knighthood and yet is he now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous King Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good I will councell him not to desist from his former motion for you ought not to deny it him séeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the Sea except one Séeing it is so replyed the Knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be néedlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them alreadie It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a Knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whome you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I receiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword readie but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder trée and you shall find it farre more faire and good Heerewith they looked vp on the tree yet sawe it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yéeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer sawe it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tyed to a braunch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then béene hanged there and by it was a scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious workemanship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a sword beséemeth a Knight so formall thinke she hated ye not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most chéerefully did Galaor giue her thanks and the Knight likewise thus speaking to them I beséech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire yée Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of King Lisuart answered the Knight where I shall be very glad to sée you and because it is no long time since I was Knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honor as you cannot chuse but do the like if you come thither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your Knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall commaund me So departed he froÌ„ them returning to the Giant who staied for him by the riuer side where he had hid himselfe least he should be séene But now you must héere obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whom at large she vnderstood how the Knight of the Lions was Amadis Sonne to King Perion of Gaule whose comming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by enchantment she could not compasse it by reason the Lady of y e Castell was too cunning in that arte and there had first enchaunted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by Knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whome they came thither and he by the Damosell Niece to the Lady of the Castell that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into y e riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda she demaunded of Amadis if he knewe the man to whome he gaue the order of Knighthood No truely Madame quoth he In footh answered Vrganda it is great reason you should know what he is for he beareth so braue a mind y e if you both should méete without further knowledge there might happen betwéene ye great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father mother and the very same whome the Giant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword wherwith I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any Knight did in great Brittayne Amadis conceiued héereat such inward ioy as y e teares trickled downe his chéekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beséech ye Madame tell me where I may finde him It is not necessary quoth she that as yet you should séeke him Why sayd Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may find him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what happened to Galaor the new Knight wâ—â— being arriued where the Giant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks be to God and him you sent me to a confirmed Knight My Sonne quoth the Giant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it
promised a farre off that his enemie should finde him of hautie disposition which made the King aboue all other desirous to knowe him and thinking she for whose cause he came knew his name he called and demaunded of her the question Dread Lord answered the Lady I neuer sawe the man before nor do I knowe what he is By this time was Amadis entred the feeld when doing reuerence to the King and the Ladies without longer stay he came to Dardan demaunding if he were the man that would maintaine the quarrell of her for whome the poore Lady was put to such trouble because quoth he I am come in her defence and also to keepe promise with thee What didst thou promise me replied Dardan That I would sée thée in the day time said Amadis and wottest thou when it was at such a time as thou being whitled with Wine or glory or else the trust thou hadst in thy strong Castell spakest so outragiously to me standing without wearied both with trauaile and hunger And therefore do I make the lesse account of thée answered Dardan but cause her to come hither for whome thou wilt do such a doubtie déede to know if she will accept thée as her Champion and afterward do the vttermost thou canst When the King sawe they talked so long together he would haue heard what they said but the good widdow came and to her Dardan thus spake Dame this Knight would maintaine thy right wilt thou submit all to what he can do With all my hart quoth she séeing it pleaseth him to stand so much my friend and God spéede him no otherwise then my cause is iust When the two Knights were at the very point to combate the King perceiued that Amadis Sheeld was bruised in two places both with strokes of the Sword and point of the Launce wherefore he said to such as stoode néere him that if the Knight demaunded an other Shéeld he would gladly giue him one but Amadis was so hote in desire to reuenge himselfe and the Lady that he listened to nothing but the Combate Thus the Ladies accord being receiued the two Champions tooke their carrire against eche other so roughly as their Launces pierced their Armour and flewe in pieces without any other harme as yet but when their bodies met Dardan was sent to the ground yet it happened so well for him as holding fast the reines of his horsse he recouered himselfe more nimbly and mounted againe as one both valiant and brauely disposed boldly setting hand to his Sword When Amadis sawe him so quickly vp againe and in such readines for his owne defence he approched to him when began such a battayle betwéene them as euery one present meruailed thereat On all sides were placed the inhabitants of the Towne and many other that came farre off as well on mightie Scaffolds in the féeld as also on the towres and walles of the Castell but aboue the rest the Quéene was there present with her Ladies most desirous to behold who should beare away the honor of this cruell combat for they séemed two so gallant companyons as it was hard at first sight to iudge the better Such were the rigorous strokes deliuered on either side that sparks of fire flewe foorth of their Helmets Armour their Shéelds cut in pieces and their bloud coullering the ground which mooued excéeding compassion in the regardants who seemed copartners in their daunger according as eche one fauoured the welfare of his fréend but the two champions gaue no respect thereto because their desire was to make knowen both to the Ladies themselues the man deseruing highest account Whē King Lisuart saw them endure so long he said aloud that he neuer beheld a more singuler combat pursued with greater courage manhood wherefore he determined not to depart vntill he had séene the finall issue thereof permitting thē to procéede as themselues pleased And to the end quoth he that the conquerour may be dignified with more then accustomed honor I will cause his deserts to be liuely carued in Marble at y e entrance of my Pallace to prouoke the like perfection in all other that are desirous to followe Armes In such manner as you haue heard continued the two Knights a long time the standers by being not able to discerne who had y e better for without taking breath or rest their fury continued as though their strength had more more increased But Amadis who by chance turning his head to the place where y e Ladies stood espied his faire Mistresse louely Oriana whereby he felt his vertue augmēted in such sort y t he was as fresh lusty as if but then he entred the feeld imagining he was become more then a man Now followed he the fight with such cruell extreames as in short time he dissolued y e doubt who should be superiour for Dardan notwithstanding all his defence was cōstrained to drawe back séeking how to escape the wreakefull strokes of his enemy which without ceassing wounded his body in many places his horsse likewise no longer able to endure stumbled so often til at length he set both his knees to the ground which made Dardan think it better to fight on foote wherefore he said to Amadis Knight our horsses are weary faile vs by reason wherof we cannot do as we would if we were on foot me thinks in short time y e doubt would be discided These words did Dardan speake so loud as the King his Lords easily heard them wherat Amadis séemed ashamed thus answering Although it be vnhonorable in a Knight to forsake his horsse so lōg as he can keep him yet since thou thinkest to combat better on foot then on horsseback we will alight and defend thy selfe well for thou shalt haue néed Heerewith they dismounted assailing ech other so couragiously as if but now they begā the combat shewing more sharp cruelty then before they had done yet Amadis euermore kept y e aduantage cōmonly deliuering two strokes for one which made Dardan do nothing but defend his enemies blowes who cōpelled him to turne reqoile as himself pleased so y t ech one accounted him very néere vanquished blaming him because he kept not still on horseback But as he turned héere there flying the slicing Sword of Amadis he was driuē vnder y e Ladies Scaffold which made thē cry Dardan can hold out no longer he is ouercome if he enter y e combat again Yet for all this Amadis would not leaue him but pressed him stil w t such pursute as he brought him hard by the Quéenes Scaffold whē she all y e Ladies said Without question Dardan is but dead At this clamour Amadis vnderstood the voice of the Damsell of Denmarke and lifting vp his head espied her standing by the Princesse Oriana by meanes whereof he became so farre beside himselfe as he set the point of his Sword to the ground forgetting not only the daunger wherin he
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentlemen after you shall not deny me considering that in semblable company good things deserue to be demaunded and graunted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answere my fréends shall we make the Queene shall we agrée to her demaund Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a Princesse so vertuous Séeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine what-so-euer she asketh At these words the Quéene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hencefoorth you would doo such honor to Ladyes and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrels against all such as would mollest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some sute to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most néede to be holpen This graunted héereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wunt to doo them iniurie méeting them in the féelds and knowing they haue such Knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gainesay it we will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a lawe inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How while this great and ioyful assembly endured a Damosell came to the Courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had bine wronged MEane while this honourable companye thus continued frée from all danger and mishap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delightes there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knées before the King thus spake My Lord eche one is merrye but my poore selfe who am so crossed with gréefe and sorrow as death were the best fréend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These woordes were dipte in such aboundance of teares as the King beeing moued ther-with to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to releeue your sadnes but tell me who is the cause therof Dread Lord quoth she my father and vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whome they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him saide the King Because he vaunted replyed the Damosell that he alone would combate with them and so proud he grew in spéeches as at length he defied them Not long after they méeting one day together the Knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and Uncle could not endure the iniurie but falling to the combate the Knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she saide procured his comming to maintaine a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers beeing her great enemy Wherefore seeing him dead she caused the conquerours to be taken and put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my Father and Unckle often told her that they would perfourme for her what the Knight should haue done But she answered how she well knewe they were not sufficient for the cause and therefore should neuer be releassed vntill they deliuered her two Knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whome they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doo Knowe you not Damosell said the King against whome they should combate or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue séene my Father and Unckle cruelly put in prison where their freends can compasse no meanes to see them Héerewith she began againe to weepe that euery one pittyed to behold her which made the King aske her if the place were farre off In fiue dayes my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone and returned Now trust me said the King you shall not want your ioy for two Knights wherfore looke among all these gallants and chuse such as you best fancie My Lord replyed the Damosell I am a stranger and knowe not any one in this Court but if you please I will intreat the Quéene to doo me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doo so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are said to be one of the wisest and most vertuous Dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye then for the honor of God to take compassion on a poore Gentlewoman and councell me which two Knights I shall chuse that are best able to supply my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demaund a matter of great importance yet in such sort doo I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whom I could name in this companye Then she shewed her Amadis saying This is my Knight And poynting to Galaor saide This other is the Kings yet be they bothe bretheren and the best Knightes as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one saide the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replyed the Damosell is this Amadis the Knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as he and his brother shall ariue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therfore I desire you to obtaine me their company Héer-upon y e Quéene called them saying I beséeche ye bothe to succour this woman who standeth in need of your assistaunce Amadis was some-what flowe in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her Gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and therby he was certified of her consent wherfore he thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to doo what-soeuer you shall commaund me Goe then in Gods name quoth she and returne againe with all possible spéede without tarring for any thing that may happen Héer-to they willingly condiscended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained he would speake to Mabila when comming néere her and Oriana he saide to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the worlde sendes me to succour the most woful woman I euer did beholde Swéete fréend quoth Oriana I repent that I gaue you so much libertie because my
to him the one of them vsing these woords King Lisuart spare the Knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one hower If I dye answered the King so shall you all for me like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not only sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did he recouer himselfe very quickly like one resolued to defend his life albeit he sawe death present before his eyes But béeing vnable to resist so many at length they got sure hold on him when renting off his helmet and his Shéeld they bound him fast with a double chayne Afterward they set him on a simple horsse two Knights still holding the ends of the chayne and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke but the Knight against whome the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus said Behold Cozin King Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus hence-foorth shall his enemyes haue no cause to dread him Uillaine quoth the King well knowe I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my woords if thou darest combate with me By God sayd Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all spéede to London and say to Lord Barsinan that he must execute what I willed him for I haue begun indifferently if he can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Cittie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore he sayd to his Cozin Take ten Knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prisons at Daguanel these other foure shall kéepe me company for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shewe her straunge and woonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboad beeing one of the strongest and fayrest in the world thus the ten Knightes caryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certaynely if héere we consider the properties of Fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more toward great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well she witnessed by King Lisuart euen in the time when he intended most honorably to be thwarted with such a contrary chaunce For at one instant he sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemyes his Daughter and heyre to his Kingdome taken from him and all his estate in daunger of ruyne He that was woont to bée honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a théefe by a villainous Enchaunter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this daye are called to the greatest honors in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenaunce suffered him to fall in these dangers to the end he might remember how all creatures remayne at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time he was brought so lowe as might bée and afterward restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI ¶ How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherfore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if she had known their names likewise how they tooke their waye toward London as men right ioyfull of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarff so fast as horsse could gallop wher-upon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinkes my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importaunce for doo you not sée what speede he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when he tolde how the Princesse Oriana was caryed from y e Court against her wil what sorrowful lamentations she made Amadis entred into a dispairing fury demaunding which way they went that had her in charge In sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorowe the Forrest which lyeth on the other side of the Cittie Without more woords Amadis gaue the spurres to his horsse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speak to his brother Galaor who left him not but followed at hand Through y t Cittie they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse and euery one shewed it him verye readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Quéens lodging where she standing at a window ouer-come with gréef espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he had left his Maister Madame quoth he he is gone after them that haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee saide the Quéene then sent she for the Kinges swoord which was accounted one of the best in the worlde saying I desire thee carry this swoord to Amadis and tell him the King for-sooke it this morning he beeing gone with a Damosell to combate for her and she hath giuen him another swoord as yet we heare no tidinges of him either when he will returne or whether he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the swoord set away with speede after his maister whose impacience vrging him to more haste then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule sloughe as he was faine to alight ere he could get foorth again And leading his horsse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor and Gandalin ouertooke him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the Swoord she sent him When he heard how the King was likewise gon his desire of speed encreased to giue him succour but his horsse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as he was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much wursse then his own yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tract of horsses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them we met certaine men leading a Knight two Ladies albeit we durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of y e wood for doubtlesse they be some bad people heer to they added such a discription of the prisoners as they easilye gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good freendes saide Amadis know you none of the
likewise the Mothers comfort hauing recouered her Daughter againe but as your iudgementes can better conceiue then I set down matter aboue the reache of common capacitie so doo I leaue it to you and proceede to the King Who to terrifie the traitours thus gotten into hold besieged them seuerelly and to disharten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephewe before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which beeing doone a great fier was made wherin they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectackle and that they were in great want of victualles they yéelded them-selues to the Kinges mercye the most parte of them béeing for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at libertie vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred great trouble afterward betwéene them of great Brittaine and Sansuegua for the Sonne of Barsinan beeing a good Knight vexed King Lisuart with contagious warre as the Historye heere-after at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these mis-fortunes the former ioyes and pastimes began again during which time the Lady and her two Sonnes the messengers of Madasima who were witnesses when Galaor and Amadis promised to forsake King Lisuarts seruice arriued at y e Court When the two Princes were aduertised therof they went and freendly entertained her she saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to kéep your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenaunt with Madasima but presently will perfourm it before the King Entring the great hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiestie deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Courte to see if these two Knightes will obserue a couenaunt which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will scant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and therto she added y e whole circumstance Wherat the King wexing some what offended tolde Galaor that he had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to doo so then be trecherously slaine for had we beene knowen neither you or all the worlde could haue saued our liues but let not your Maiestie be offended for the remedie shall be more readye then you expect In accomplishing my promise to Madasima of Gantasi my Lord I take my leaue of you departing altogether from your seruice certifying you that it is her wil to doo you this displeasure and wursse if she could compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had doone then Galaor turning to the Lady and her two Sonnes said Haue we not now accomplished our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady we must néedes auouch so much You may then return when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she wéened as you may perceiue by the present effect Now my Lord quoth he to the King we haue fulfilled our promise to Madasima and because in graunting her earnest desire the time was not limitted how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter ther-into againe when you please to commaund so that we are yours as faithfull as before When the King and all that were present heard what had past they reioyced exceedingly esteeming Galaor and Amadis well aduised héerin wher-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddow of good meaning they are bound to no more then they haue accomplished for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit And say to Madasima séeing she hateth me so vnreasonably she once had them in her power who might haue greeued me all my life time but God hauing in other places deliuered me from many perilles will not suffer me to perish by so bad a woman as she is I desire ye my Lord quoth she to tell me their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible said the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde ye trueth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had knowne them and in sooth the deed might be reckoned ominous if two such woorthye persons had perished Yet when she shall know heereof saide the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. ¶ How King Lisuart helde open Courte in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater parte wherof remained there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Courte in all magnificence many noble personages béeing there assembled as well strangers as other hoping now to make little stay but to returne home to their owne houses yet the greater parte of them aboad with the King in like maner did sundry woorthy Ladyes accompany the Quéene Among other Knightes attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cozin Ladasin who as I haue saide were very good Knightes but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very few were found in the Realme of great Brittaine that caryed more account for déedes of Armes and all other graces beseeming a Knight setting aside his musing and melancholye By means wherof few or none could be pleasant with him or haue any woordes from him in companie but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughtes in such sorte with his Lady as he had minde of none but her And she of whome we speake was endued with singuler beautye béeing named Brandalisia sister to the Kinges wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in mariage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was ariued at the Courte to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and béeing in the presence of many great Lordes the Duke began in this manner Sir you haue commaunded my appearance héere this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiestie concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth me withall wherof I hope sufficiently to cléere my selfe by the rightfull iudgemēt your selfe shall giue he rest condemned like a varlet as he is for héer am I ready to approue against him or any other he shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deede At these woords Oliuas arose with him a great number of Knightes errant all resolued to maintaine this quarrell against the Duke when the King behelde them in such a mutinie he meruailed whence the cause should proceed when Grumedan speaking for all the rest saide My Lord because the Duke of Bristoya hath threatned and defied all Knightes errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it be so he hath attempted an ouer-fond warre for I think there is no King
ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he saide within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best knightes in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their King had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Uenison laide on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Quéene was immediatly aduertised of King Perions arriuall and therfore made speedy prouision of all thinges necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their comming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences doon on all sides the two Kinges sat downe so did the Quéene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had Loue secretly ambushed him selfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quicke and thence forward holde a sure conquest of her The like in King Perion who thought of nothing but a fréendlye entertainement yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena and she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearring regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesie but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong King and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that power he had his hart francke and frée without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner time they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with-drawen when the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherfore Elisena arose to followe her but as she stepped forward she let fall a King which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her think on other matters Now was king Perion some what néer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes méete together as the King had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her King Wherupon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a swéet regarde humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doo you for my whole life time shalbe imployed to obey you Constrained was Elisena without answering him to followe the Queene her mother so surprized and altered as very néere she had forgotten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden and vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguishe she went and discouered the same to a faithfull Damsell of hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councell her how she might safely know if King Perion had not else-where placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showen her might procéed from force of that impression which had so lately seaâ—ed on her hart The Damosell mernailing at this so sudden mutation and in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her pitteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherwith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye hee hath lefte no place in your iudgemente where counsell or reason may be entertayned and therfore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obay you I shall doo what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretion and the great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garmentes for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I perfourme this seruice and you gentle Squire maye goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Cuntry made no deniall but willinglye suffered her to take the Garments wherupon she entred the Chamber where the found the King laide on his bed who séeing her enter and knowing wel it was she whom he had séene to conferre with Elisena most priuatelye and in whom aboue all other she put chéefest trust he thought that she would not come in that sorte to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he saide Faire fréend what demaund ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I saide the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left naked and despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this Country I was frée from all passions and doubled nothing but of aduentures that might happen to knightes errant but now I know not in what sorte entring this Courte by some one of your Ladies haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell knowe how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my self happy by dooing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you will promise me saide the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say holdâ—â—â— your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my fréende quoth he I giue ye to vnderstand that at what time I behelde the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamelye tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I finde not remedy for my greefe the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the minde of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answere My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other thinges ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to Wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shalbe satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dollour then your are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you doo not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke
I thanke God that can kéepe me from the Combate Right soone were the Chirurgions commaunded to looke thereon and they found it greater in shewe then daunger In the meane while supper was prepared during which time they had much talke of the accidents that day past vntill the houre of rest came when each one departed till the next morning Which being come after they had serued God the King sent a rich and goodly Armour to the Prince of better proofe and strength then that he had on the day before wherewith he armed himselfe and hauing taken leaue of euery one mounted on horsseback in company of the King Who bare his Helmet the Prince Agraies his Sheeld wherein was portrayed two azured Lyons in a golden féeld rampant the one against the other as if they both intended murder and an other Prince carryed his Launce In this equipage he set forward to the féeld where the King of Ireland attended his comming well armed and mounted on a goodly black Courser but because King Abies had in former time fought hand to hand with a Giant and vanquished him with the losse of his head therefore he brought to the Combate the like figure in his Sheeld describing the whole order as the deede was done On either side resorted thither a number of people placing themselues for most conuenient sight of the Combate And now were the Champions entred the lysts each one couragiously resoluing against his enemy wherefore without longer tarying lacing downe the sight of their Helmets and commending themselues to God they gaue the spurres to their horsses meeting together so furiously both with launce bodie and horsse as their staues flew in shiuers yet piercing their Armour and both were laid along in the feeld But heate of hart and desire of conquest made them recouer footing quickly and plucking foorth the spields of their launces wherewith they were wounded set hand to Sword beginning such a strange and cruell fight as each one was amazed to sée them endure so much For this fight was not equally matched in respect the Prince was but young well proportioned and of reasonable height but King Abies was so great as he neuer found any Knight y â— excéeded him a handfull euery way being withall so strongly made that he was rather to be accounted a Giant then a man yet was he highly loued and reuerenced of his subiects for the vertue and prowesse which remained in him albeit he was too much audacious and prowd Now were these Champions so animated against each other as well for honor as the consequence of the Combat that without any stay for breathing they layd on such loade as their strokes resounded the fight of twentie men together And well they witnessed no great good will betwéene them for there might ye sée the earth tainted with their blood the pieces of their Sheelds the plate of their Armour scattered abroade and their Helmets so bruised that by reason their Armes being so squandered they were vnable to hold out their strokes for euery blow caused the blood to gushe out aboundantly yet were they of such inuincible courage as they seemed to féele none of this annoyance Héereupon they mainteined such brauerie the one against the other as it could not be iudged who had the better or worsse notwithstanding about the hour of thrée the Sunne gaue an excéeding warme and violent heate whereby they found themselues so chafed in their Armour as they began to waxe somewhat féeble especially King Abies in so much as he was constrained to retire back thus speaking to the Prince I sée thee very neere falling and my selfe am likewise out of breath if thou thinke it good let vs rest awhile for afterward we may more easily finish our enterprise And thus much I tell thée although I haue no cause or desire to fauour thée that I hold better opinion of thée then any Knight that euer I combatted withall moreouer it displeaseth me that I had any occasion to sée thee and much more that I am so long in conquering thée whereby I might take vengeance for his death whome most I loued in the world as thou didst sie y hym in open battaile so likewise will I ouercome thée in sight of both our Camps King Abies replied the Prince I now perceiue it displeaseth thee that thou canst do me no more harme entring so like a Tirant as thou didst to ruinate this countrey And as it often happeneth that he which delighteth in euill can neuer brooke any other sauour so hope I to reward thee so wel for thy paines as thou shalt confesse thou hast wronged these people Beside thus much I aduise thee before hand that I shall giue thee as little leisure or respite as thou hast giuen theÌ„ who haue tasted thy crueltie therefore stick close to thy tackling and defend thy selfe against the Knight whome thou reputest fayling The King then taking his Sword and what was left of his Shéeld thus answered Well mayst thou cursse the boldnes that made thee enter these Lyâ—tes for hence thou shalt not escape without losse of thy head Do what thou canst sayd the Prince for thou shalt rest no more till thou or thine honor be dead Heerewith more cruelly then before they began againe their combate as if they had but euen then entred the féeld and albeit King Abies was so expert by reason of his long exercise in Armes that he knew right well how to defend and offend neuerthelesse the lightnes hardines and promptitude of the Prince made him in the end forget all his industrie for he was so closely followed at an inche as he lost altogether the rest of his Shéeld by which meanes the Prince could endomage him farre better then before whereof he failed not and in so many places withall that the blood streamed downe his Armour in meruailous aboundance causing him by little and little to loose his strength and being in this agony staggering from one side to another he could not deuise what to do to escape the pursuing sword of his enemy Seeing himselfe now deuoyd of all hope he concluded either soone to dye or haue the victorie and taking his Sword in both hands he ran with all his might against the Prince and pierced it so farre into his Shéeld as he was not able to pull it foorth againe Which when the Prince beheld he gaue him such a furious stroke on the left leg that being quite cut from the rest the King was enforced to fall downe and right soone did the Prince set foote vppon him tearing violently his Helmet from his head saying Thou art dead King Abies if thou doest not yéeld thy selfe vanquished Beleeue me I am dead answered the King not vanquished alone but of both the one and other my ouer-wéening hath beene the only cause Notwithstanding since it is so come to passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without iniurie they may carry me into
as the Knight of the Castell fell into the water where he was drowned and the conquerour rode on which the Halberders séeing presently drew vp the bridge againe after him When the Damosels sawe he was thus closed in they cryed aloud to him that he should returne and as he was about so to do he espied thrée other Knights well armed comming toward him who very audaciously thus spake Unhappy was the hower to thee when thou didst passe this bridge for thou shalt dye in this water where he is drowned that was of greater reputation then thou art Héerewith they all three together ran against him and met him so firmely as his Horse was like to haue fallen ouer backward yet hauing broken their Launces on him he was at this encounter wounded in two places neuerthelesse one of them he met in such order as his Armour being vnable to resist the point of the Launce pierced through with such violence that the trunchion still remained in his body This done couragiously he drewe his sword addressing himselfe to the other twayne and they in like manner against him where-upon began a dangerous combate betwéene them but he with the Lions in his Shéeld doubting his death laboured so much as he could to ouercome his enemyes giuing one of them such a stroke on the right arme as being cut from his body it fell sword and all to the ground wherefore féeling himselfe thus wounded he gallopped with all spéed to the Castell crying Help my fréends help your Lord who is in daunger of killing When the Knight of the Lyons heard that he with whome he must yet deale was the Lord of the Castell he deliuered him such a rigorous blowe on the Helmet as made him loose his stirrops and readie to fall had he not got hold about the neck of his Horsse in this staggering the Knight of the Lyons rent his Helmet from his head and he perceiuing himselfe vnarmed thought to escape by flight as the other did but his enemy got betwéene him and the Castell saying Thou art dead if thou yéeld not thy selfe my prisoner Alas answered the amazed Knight I am dead in déede if you please but as you are a Gentleman take pittie on me for I do yéeld my selfe your vanquished Suddenly the Knight of the Lions looking about espyed other Knights and armed men on foote that came in great haste from the Castell to succour their Lord wherefore he stepped to his conquered prisoner and holding his sword against his throate sayd Commaund thy men to returne else shalt thou presently dye Then he who sawe his life in such perill cryed to them and made a signe with his hand that if they loued him they should returne where upon they beholding their Lords life at his enemyes swords point obeied his commaund with all possible speed Yet is not this enough sayd the conquerour cause now the bridge to be let downe which he did and they came both foorth on the causey where the Ladyes taryed but when the Knight of the Castell beheld them and that one of them was Vrganda the vnknowne Ah my Lord quoth he if you kéepe me not from this Lady I am but dead Nay beléeue me answered the Knight that will not I do but rather am to deale with thée as she shall commaund me then stepping to Vrganda he said Madame see héere the Lord of the Castell what is your pleasure I shall do with him Smite off his head aunswered Vrganda if he will not deliuer you my friend whome he kéepeth in prison Héere-with he lift up his sword to feare him when the Knight falling on his knée cryed Ah my Lord kill me not I will obey what so euer she commaundeth Dispatch it quickly then said the Knight of the Lyons So called the Lord to one of the Halberders within saying Go to my brother and tell him if euer he intend to sée me aliue let him quickly cause the imprisoned Knight to come hither and the Damosell that brought him with her Right soone was the messenger gon on this errand returning immediatly with the Damosell and the Knight to whome the Knight of the Lyons thus spake Thanke this Lady who hath done so much for ye and truely great cause you haue to loue her in that she hath taken wonderfull paines to deliuer you from this thraldome I do loue her answered the restored Knight and so will continue better then I haue done heeretofore But before he could finish these words Vrganda ran and embraced him the like did he to her afterward the conqueror demaunded what should be done with her that brought him thither It is necessary that she dye replyed Vrganda to let her knowe the price of so hainous an offence Presently was the poore Damosell so strangely enchaunted as she ran skipping ouer the marrish quag-mires and turning back againe would haue throwen her selfe into the water had not the Knight of y e Lyons intreated Vrganda to pardon her trespasse for this time Prouided said Vrganda that she returne no more to offend me otherwise she shall pay for all together When the Lord of the Castell saw the Damosell was remitted at his request who ouercame him he thus spake My Lord I haue perfourmed what hath beene commaunded therefore I pray ye giue me leaue to depart froÌ„ her that neuer loued me In sooth answered Vrganda for honor of him by whome you make your sute I am content and you may returne He being gone the Knight of the Lyons who yet meruailed by what occasion the Damosell was driuen into the furie asked what moued her so to do Ah my Lord quoth she me thought one came round about me and would haue burned me with a lighted torch therefore to saue my selfe I sought to leape into the water At these words the Knight fell into a laughter saying Your folly hath beene ouer-great faire Damosell to worke her ill who knowes how to reuenge it Galaor stood and had séene all these things where-upon he thus spake to y e Giant Beléeue me father I very much desire that this worthie man should giue me my order for if King Lisuart be renowmed it is for his possessions but this Knight deserues it by his strength and valour I am well content answered the Giant goe and request it of him if he deny you the fault is his owne So Galaor went forward accompanyed with foure Squires two Damosels when comming to the Knight of the Lyons he found him yet vnder the trees At his arriuall he was courteously receiued by the Knight who reputed him one of the most comely Gentlemen that euer he had séene afterward Galâ—â—â— thus began Gentle Sir I am come to intreat a fauour at your hand Truely answered the Knight if your request be reasonable it will the sooner be graunted My sute Sir quoth Galaor is for nothing else but that it might please you to giue me the order of Knighthood and in so doing you shall
imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Giant and kild him in battell hand to hand Beléeue me Uirgin replyed Galuanes you tell vs matter of great meruaile in respecte neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Giant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one him selfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death and yet this attempt of the King is thought the greatest stratageme that euer was heard of then sound not your spéeches to any likely-hood for this Giant surpasseth all other in strength and crueltie Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath doone no lesse then I tolde ye wherwith she rehearsed the whole maner therof they reputing it strange almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew y e Knightes name His name quoth she is Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withall naming my Cozin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing kéer-upon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Giant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his aide on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was borne heereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath been already declared to you yet she concealed y e louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir said she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great greefe to the other Ladies doubting least she through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castell more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Séeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will perfourme what Galaor should doo if not in strength yet in good will and therfore be you our guide to the place The Damosell turned her haqueney and led them with such spéede to the Dukes Castell that they arriued there the daye before the execution should be Now was the Duke set downe to dinner when the two Knightes entring the great hall humbly saluted him and when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that he should presetly know the cause of their comming wher-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered séeing she hath no way mis-doone and if it be needfull to proue her innocencye by battaile let come two other Knightes to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defenders Well haue you said replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knightes challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behooueth thee to finde some defence for thy self For that I am not to seeke my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the trueth of what I haue saide Héer-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephewe so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other Father to him he saide I pray ye Nephewe maintaine my quarrell against these two Knightes Scarse had he thus spâ—ken but his Nephewe returned this answere to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyall Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the the false Damosell brought hether it may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in combate he dealt villainously and the Damosell ought to dye because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes chamber Agraies who found him selfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped foorth with this answere In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but we auouche he hath doone no wrong and if the Duke please this difference shall be soone discided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the Damosell ought to be deliuered and the Dwarffe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the contrary replyed the Dwarffes champion then calling for his Armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle courser and turning to Agraies who presented him y e combat thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whom this quarrel began too high a price should I set on thy 〈◊〉 We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou caâ—â— dâ—â— but 〈◊〉 aâ— assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reason then doo I leaue thée to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on trueth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was doone when séeing the Knightes prepareâ— to execute their spéeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place appointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies béeing obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Perfourme the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosell be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not béene offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherfore if my fortune make me conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde ye what I meane to doo said the Duke and other-wise it shall not be Agraies tarying for no more woordes turned his horsse running a braue carrire against the Dwarffes Knight and in the encounter brake their sâ—aues gallantly meeting likewise so furiouslye with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered them-selues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to eche other their Swoordes béeing very sharpe the Knightes valiant and hautilye disposed by meanes whereof their Armour healmes and shéeldes were in shorte time made of slender resistaunce yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephewe had still the better on his enemye if then he had before estéemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he now so to doo notwithstanding he was so hot and
had slaine my seruantes they brought me into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciouslye deliuered me Her modest behauiour in spéeche and comely beauty made Balays to wexe some-what enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very lothe to parte with ye but séeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where we may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindenes that we may not loose so good an oportunitie I knowe not Sir quoth she how you are minded but had they compelled me to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde me excused contrari-wise if I should willingly graunt you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might thē serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewen your selfe a well disposed Knight let me intreat ye to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duety you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberlye he repented that he had offred her such vndecent woordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied me yet pardon me for attempting so bad a sute in respect it is no lesse séemely for Knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue doone And albeit at the first we imagin it a great conquest to obtaine of them what we most desire yet when wiselye and discreetly they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are woorthy no praise they be euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more estéeme your succour to mine honor then my life because the difference betwéene them is farre incomparable Well saide Balays what will you now I shall doo for you Let vs leaue these dead carkasses replyed the Damosell and goe where we may stay till day light I like your councell answered Balays if I had another horsse but béeing now destitute I know not what to doo We will ride on my horsse saide the the Damosell till we finde other remedie so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested them-selues till Sunne rising and then they went to horsse-back againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the Knight who caused Galaors horsse to escape awaye from him he asked the Damosell what shoulde become of her My Lorde quoth she not farre hence is a house whether when you haue brought me you may departe to what place you please As thus they rode communing togither he sawe a Knight come toward him carying his legge on his horsses necke but drawing néerer he put foote in stirrope couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell bothe from the horsse after-ward he vsed these spéeches In sooth Lady I am sorye for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue doone ye I will bring ye-where you shall be contented because hee that hath the charge of you is vnwoorthye to haue so faire a creature in his custodye Ere this had Balays recouered him selfe and knowing him to be the Knight he sought for he drewe his swoord saying By thee villayne haue I lost my horsse and my companyon thou hast in like sorte abused now finding me vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but bothe for him and my felfe will I be reuenged on thée else let me be thought vnwoorthy of my order What quoth the Knight art thou one of them that mocked me as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockery on thée Héer-upon they presentlye fell to the combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemye got him vnder foote when renting the Helmet from his head he tooke his life as raunsome for his villainye and breaking his swoord in péeces layde them by him then mounting on his horsse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their waye toward the trée where he left Galaor But because their stomackes well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holye life who bestowed on them such chéere as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her frō the théeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slayne her seruants and she destitute of help whereof the holye women were very glad by reason those théeues did much harme in that countey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell tooke their leaue and comming to the trée met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherfore they concluded no more to sunder them-selues vntill they arriued at King Lisuartes Courte By this time the night drew on apace wher-upon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her fréendly offer went with her being there entertained and vsed very honourablye Early in the morning arming them-selues they thanked their gentle hoste his daughter framing their course toward Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented the horsse to Galaor which he wun from the Knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath therby CHAP. XXX ¶ How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heeretofore declared the ioy and content of the good King Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely mind he concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificent Court as all his auncestors in great Brittayne neuer did the like Which Oliuas perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the Duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cozin germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring he might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other Knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two Knights more beside himselfe he would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other Knights Warning héereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclamation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should be readie at the Cittie of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroad by the Quéene to aduertise the Ladyes and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resort came to the Court where all kind of pastimes and sports were inuented without respect of fortunes mallice any way who commonly in great assembly of states when
whose power they reputed able to ouer-throwe an Armie As he continued the combate with them the Damosell of Denmarke seeing the freendes of Arcalaus fight so timorously him selfe lye still as one in a traunce she saide to Oriana Madame beholde how your Amadis honoreth your loue see you not how he hath vsed Arcalaus and our hoste in sooth we are alreadye succoured for these other villaines can holde out no longer Ah happie Amadis quoth Oriana the mirrour of all vertue and chiualrye heauen giue thee grace to finishe our deliueraunce with victorie ouer these malicious traitours When the Squire who had the charge of Oriana as you haue heard vnderstood that she named Amadis he was in such feare as presently he leaped from y e horsse saying By my faith I might full well be reputed a foole to tarry for such blowes as my companyons haue and with these woordes he ran away so fast that he neuer looked behinde if any pursued him In this time Amadis had dispatched thrée of the Knights and the fourth misdoubting like lot would fall to him trusted to his horsse legges for safetie of him selfe but as Amadis followed him he heard the Princesse giue a lowde crye when looking back he saw that Arcalaus had got her with him on horsse-back and gallopped away so fast as he could Héer-upon he let goe the Knight to helpe Oriana ouer-taking Arcalaus ere he got much ground and lifting his swoord to strike at him he doubted least he should hurt the Princesse but turning on the other side he gaue him such a wound on the shoulder as he was glad to let fall Oriana that him-self might escape away more lightly for he knew if Amadis laid holde on him all the treasure in the world could not saue his life When Amadis saw him selfe sure of his Lady he still pursued the cowardlye run-away saying Tary Arcalaus tary and thou shalt sée if Amadis be dead according as thou lyedst not long agoe But Arcalaus had no leysure to answere he rather tooke his Shéeld from his neck and threwe it to the ground because nothing might hinder his horsse in running At length as Amadis strook at him the blowe fell shorte on the horsse buttocke and the beast féeling him selfe wounded made greater haste away then he did before leauing Amadis very farre behinde who earnestly desired the death of Arcalaus but séeing all his labour was in vaine and doubting least some harme might happen to his mistresse to loose her againe by negligence hauing by hardy valour so well recouered her he turned back againe and attaining the place where she stayed for him he alighted from his horsse then falling on his knée humbly kissed her hand saying Madame heauen hath affoorded me more grace in strengthening me to succour you then euer it did to any other Knight for I was out of hope to sée you againe But she good Lady remayned still so passionate in respect of her vngentle vsage as also affrighted with feare when Arcalaus let her fall that she could returne no answere but gaue him thankes by many kinde embracinges By this time the Damosell of Denmarke came to them and by the way found the swoord of Arcalaus which she bringing to Amadis thus spake Sée heere my Lord a very faire swoord Right soone did Amadis know it to be the same was found with him on the Sea which Arcalaus tooke from him when he laye enchaunted béeing not a little glad he had recouered it While many affable spéeches passed betwéene them Amadis still comforting his dismayed mistresse and shée reioycing in her louely fréend Gandalin arriued who had sought his maister all that night and happily found him there with his Lady Now minded they to tary no longer in this place wherefore making choise of the Knights Horsses to their owne liking they all amounted Amadis leading Orianaes Palfray by the bridle and she rehearsing to him by the way what iniurie the dead Knights had doone her as in her life-time shée neuer endured the like Madame answered Amadis much greater gréefe haue I suffered by a liuing creature yet lesse to be feared then the dead who can doo no harme but beautie only hath hazarded my life Albeit Oriana well knew his meaning yet she demaunded who was the cause thereof Euen you Madame quoth he who holde me in a life more yrksome then death My Lord sayd the Princesse neuer with my consent did you sustayne any harme and very sory would I be you should thinke me so vnkind for rather could I affoord to ease your greefe were it in my power to compasse the meane Ah Madame replyed Amadis as by you only I tooke my hurt so from you only must I haue my help and reason reputes it a matter of great inconuenience that such rare perfections should cause so rough passions But if you be endued with such pittie as the rest of your excellencies doo plainly promise you will not behold that in me which you greeue to sée in your chéefest enemyes euen death gentle Princesse who in my torments awayteth on me forbearing to strike béeing conquered with this hope that did oportunitie and place serue your passed promise should ease your thoughts deliuer me from this weightie oppression But see how sweet occasion fauoureth vs and fortune stands aloofe from hindering our content doo not you then good Madame let slip this gracious offer when time and place challenge it at your hand considering the argument is vrgent and being now loytered may hardly be againe so well recouered Oriana not so much for these reasons as because her payne was equall with his and had not he begun the motion her selfe would haue sollicited the same thus answered Great is the force of your perswasions but greater the vnfained loue I beare you which hath such authoritie ouer me as when you shall haue least occasion to demaund I am content and constrained to obey yea to repose such a thing in your trust as very hardly can I hold fast in my thoughts Yet I desire you albeit you sée me not stored with prouidence that you will carefully manage our enterprise by warie kéeping it from knowledge or suspect rather submitting our selues to the highest displeasure then common reproofe which is containd within no limits Sufficient protestations made Amadis héereof but little batterie néeded when the hold was woon and riding through a very thick wood the Princesse became desirous of sleepe because the night before she enioyed no rest whereupon she acquainted Amadis therewith saying she must néeds sleepe ere she went any further He being no vnprofitable counceller and séeing a daintie plot by a riuer side shaddowed with boughes from the heate of the Sunne aduised her to rest there awhile and dismounting from their horsses he thus spake So please you Madame in this place we may stay till the heate be gone and you rest in tarying for the cold euening in meane space I will send Gandalin to the
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because the King disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the King how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the King to requite him with many thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone after came Galaors Squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the King how his brother Amadis was gon to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost
when he fought with his brother Amadis which made him cary better opinion of the Knight and bothe of them being glad to breath a while Galaor entred into these speeches You see Sir I haue the better of the combate let me therfore know your name and why you conceale your selfe so closely wherin you shall doo me very great pleasure and we may continue freendes else wursse wil ensue then you imagine Be well assured answered the Knight our strife shall not be ended so easily nor am I to be ouercome so lightly as you weene beside I was neuer more desirous to prolong a combate then I am at this instant because I neuer met with the knight that tryed me so wel but to you nor any other will I be knowne except one Knight who hath power to commaund me Be not so opinitiue replyed Galaor for I sweare to you by the faith I owe to God neuer to leaue you til I know what you are and why you conceale your selfe so secretly And I sweare to you quoth the Knight while breath is in my bodye you shal not know it by me and rather would I presently dye then any but two should vnderstand what I am yet I knowe not them but they may and shall haue knowledge of me And what are they saide Galaor you estéeme so much Neither will I disclose them to you answered the Knight Bothe them and my former demaund quoth Galaor I will knowe else one of vs shall dye or bothe together I am well pleased ther-with replyed the Knight So begin they to charge eche other a freshe as if they had not fought together before at all but the strange Knight receiued many cruell woundes which made his strength more and more to faile and the Lady séeing the great danger of his life would suffer him to endure no further peril but comming to Galaor said For-beare Sir Knight would God the Barque and Mariners had suncke before they brought you hither Lady quoth Galaor you ought not to blame me in dooing my deuoire against this Knight who hath outraged me many more beside for which I meane to be reuenged this day For-beare said y e Lady to wrong him any more otherwise you may fall into an extremitie without any mercy It matters not what may happen answered Galaor but nothing shall make me giue ouer vntil he haue satis-fied my demaund And what is that quoth she He must tell me his name replyed Galaor and why so closely he concealeth himself likewise what y e two Knights are of whome he told me but euen now Proceed no further in combate said the Lady and I will satisfye your demaund This Gentleman is named Don Florestan concealing himselfe in this secret manner to finde his two bretheren who are in this countrey accounted such men at Armes that albeit he hath well tryed himselfe with you yet will he not be commonly knowen till he haue accomplished such déedes in chiualrie as may deserue to equall him with them who are at this time in King Lisuarts Court one of them being named Amadis the other Galaor and all thrée the Sonnes to King Perion of Gaule Alas what haue I done quoth Galaor heere brother take my Swoord and therewithall the honor of the fight for I haue offended ouer-much What said the Knight am I then your brother According to this Ladyes spéeches answered Galaor you are and I am your brother Galaor Florestan amazed at this accident fell on his knée saying My Lord I desire you to pardon me for this offence in combatting vnknowen with you was caused by no other reason but that I durst not name my selfe your brother till I had made some imitation of your noble vertues Galaor courteouslye embraced him in his armes the teares streaming from his eyes with ioye and gréeuing to sée him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good freendes and the enmitie conuerted into such humilitie as one right glad therof she saide to Galaar Woorthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauines yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompenced me So taking eche of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castell where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wonndes Thus remained the two bretheren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII ¶ How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he arriued in the Countrye of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yéeres accomplishing many braue déedes of Armes the renowme where-of continueth to this daye And as he returned toward Gaule he lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his own reputation as also because the Countie him-selfe had some-time béene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his chamber where beeing in bed and some-what weary with trauaile he fell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauines he felt him self embraced and kissed he knewe not by whome when starting vp to arise he was so held downe that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus maistred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you The King looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire freend tell me what you are What soeuer I am quoth she I loue you exceedingly as one that freely giues her selfe to you In sooth replyed the King I very gladly would knowe your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunitie yet can I vse no other continence then you see But it were necessary quoth the King I should knowe your name if you meane to be my freend Seeing you constraine me there-to answered the Lady knowe that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so fréendly entertained you Now trust me Madame replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather dye then abuse the man I am so much beholding too Will you then refuse mée quoth she well may you bée tearmed the wurst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will doo what is conuenient for your honor and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my father to think himselfe more iniuried by you then if you graunt what I desire So starting frō the bed she tooke the Kings Swoord euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it foorth she set the point against her
this instant wearye with trauaile and ouercome with sléepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his Chamber at a false doore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his handes into his sides and rent foorth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the King said Wherefore commit ye such crueltie This is nothing at all answered he that did this outrage for with you shall remaine an other hart which I must take from ye against my will In great feare he suddenlye awaked and making the â—igne of the Crosse commended him selfe to God Now had the Ladies opened the doore and entred the Chamber wherfore he hearing the noyse suspected some treason especially by reason of his fearefull dreame and lifting vp his head behelde thorowe the Curtaynes the doore open wherof he knew nothing and afterwarde by the light of the Moone he sawe the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Swoord and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta sawe him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be doone héere Doo you my Lord draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence The king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom he so much desired threw his Swoord to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay néere at hand in great affection he came to her whom he loued better then him selfe kissing embracing and shewing y e best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour saide to Elisena Now are you somewhat better contented for in my iudgement although till this time you defended your selfe from many and he likewise hath withstood sundrye assaultes notwithstanding at this present neither the one or other of you hath force or meane which way any longer to warrant or defend your selues As thus she spake she looked where the King had throwen his Swoord which she tooke vp as a witnesse of the oathe and promise he made her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and him selfe then shutting the doore after her she went into the Garden and so the King remained alone with his fair fréend whom after many amourous embracinges infinite kissinges and execution of delightes he behelde verily perswading him selfe that all the beautye of the Worlde was in her reputing him self much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture Sée now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the chéefest flower of her youth being requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the libertie of a Maiden now wun in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her owne thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chaste life caused a sudden alteration of her purpose making her soone after of a faire virgen a faire woman seruing for example to many other who assaying to withdrawe their thoughtes from worldly thinges and despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them and tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the pleasures and delightes in their Fathers Courtes ' wherof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules into poore and religious houses therto in all obedience offering their frée will vowing themselues to the subiection of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladies ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplations and prayers accepting them as their true and singuler pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt them selues from sight of Parents neighbours fréends because that oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth a change of their holye and chaste will And not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the ende that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long laboured in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwithstanding in one only moment seing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise and discretion of Darioletta who would couer the honor of her Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may sée she was at the point to fall into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whoÌ„ hath commonly béen heard speech who not keeping themselues from what I haue saide before haue béene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their sollace Elisena demaunding of the King if his departure should be shortlye or no. Wherfore Madame doo you aske saide King Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires dooth threaten me already with extreame anguish and sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt therof saide the King for although my body be seperated from your presence my hart for euer shall remaine with ye which shall giue strength to vs bothe to you to suffer and to me by my spéedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had been the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forget her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber and speaking somewhat loude saide Madame I know that heertofore you thought my company more agréeable then you doo at this present but it is néedfull that you arise and let vs goe for the time calleth vs. When the King heard her knowing that perforce it must be so he praied Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him woord in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge w t such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge then swéetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Cuntry then you imagine therfore I pray ye be not unmindefull of this place So arose Elisena and went vnto her Chamber with Darioletta leauing y e King alone not a little contended with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signify he becaÌ„e desirous to return to his owne Countrey where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences him self likewise in former times took great pleasure therin and vnderstood sundry rules therof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with King Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunte
The ten dayes béeing spent King Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to departe and therefore tooke his leaue of the Courte but as he would haue mounted on horseback he perceiued that he wanted his good Swoord wherat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fayrest in the world yet durst he not demaund it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena shoulde thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his chamber In these thoughtes accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came and intreated him to be mindefull of the great gréefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the sollemne promise he had made her Alas my déere freend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to fée her in meane while I commend her to you as mine own proper hart Then taking from his finger a King semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great gréefe but encrease it so that if she had not béene comforted by Darioletta without doubte she had then finished her dayes but so wel she perswaded her to take good hope that by the allegations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothely to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes wherof she not onlye lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mishap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable law y t any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her self from death This sharpe cruell custome endured till the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betwéene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady coulde not be absolued by ignoraunce therof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Swoord God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the world because it was doon so secretly as you haue heard Sée héere the distresse wherin King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she would giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the promptitude of this yong King that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also séeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therfore he was the harder to be found Thus dispayring of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true fréend and only Lord. But at that instant the great and puissāt maker of all thinges by whose permission this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such counsell as she only should remedie these occurrences in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the Pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber vaulte seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer wherto one might easilye discend by a little Iron doore this Chamber by the aduise of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to continue her accustomed solitarye life and would haue none other companion thē Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous gréefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heeruppon was the Keye of the Iron doore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest and assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherfore béeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference and she required councell what should be doone with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta mary it must suffer to redéeme you Ah poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I consent to the death of the creature begotten by the only man of the world whom most I loue Offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth said Elisena although I dye béeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue wee this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great follye to hazard the safetie of that which héerafter may be the onlye cause of your losse and your freend likewise for well you know that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue and you dying no longer can he liue y t so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of al thrée where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand séeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boords of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherin to put the infant with the clothes the swoord which she kept then did she glue thē together in such sorte as y e water should haue no place to enter This beeing doon and made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing therof to Elisena vntil the time of Childe-birthe approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth she This shalbe to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue neede Beleeue me answered Elisena wéeping but little doo I care for any thing that may happen for I féele my selfe too néere the losse of my good and all my ioy Uery soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange and troublesome oppressing her hart with sundrye bitter passions yet notwithstanding all her yrk some plundges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatlye fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliueraunce a faire Sonne which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it séemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would
constrained all Ladies and Damoselles that passed by his Castell to enter in where villamously he took his pleasure of them and not contented therwith enforced them to sweare that while they liued they should beare affection to none but him if any denied he caused them cruellye be put to death Likewise he compelled such Knightes as trauailed that way to combate one alone against his two Bretheren but if they were vanguished hee would force the conquerour to deale with him selfe he being the most hardy Knight in all those partes If it happened that he brought them into any debilitie he would take from them all they had turning them away on foote after he had made them sweare to name them selues while they liued the vanquished by Galpan otherwise he would depriue them of life But God displeased with the crueltie which so long time he had vsed to the hurt of many good people would now alter this great inconuenience and that Galpan with his complices should receiue guerdon to their desertes making them an example to all other as you shall heare presently recited CHAP. VII ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his Bretheren and in the end with Galpan him selfe BY this time the Gentleman of the Sea is come néere y e Castell where he saw a Lady cōming towards him greatly afflicted hauing no other companye then a Squire and a Page This sorrowfull woman breathed foorthe many gréeuous sighes shewing a violent kinde of warre betwéene her handes and the golden tresses of her haire which she discheueled and rent very pittifully Héerat was the Prince not a little amazed and willing to knowe what mooued her to these extreames he came to her with these spéeches Faire Gentlewoman I pray ye tell me the cause of your sorrowe Ah my Lord quoth she death would be now right welcome to me beeing the only fréend to beare me companie for such is my misfortune as teares are more conuenient for me then remembraunce of the cause In sooth Ladye saide the Prince if in any respecte I can doo ye good you shall finde me readye with all my hart Beeing sente Sir quoth the Damosell by my Mistresses commaundement to a young Knight a man of some account in these partes and passing along this waye foure cruell villaines set vpon me and whether I would or no brought me into this Castell where a traiterous Knight dishonourably forced me compelling me afterward to sweare that I should neuer loue any fréend but him This complainte mooued the Prince to great admiration and thus he answered Follow me Lady for your iniurye shalbe reuenged if God giue me leaue Héer-upon the Damosell immediatly went with him and by the way he desired her to tell him what the man was to whome she was sent If you reuenge my wrong quoth she I will tell ye but I can assure ye he is such a one as will be right sorye when he heares of my misusage Great reason said the Prince hath he so to doo and as thus they communed together they came to the place where she shewed him the foure Gardants to whom he presently said Disloyall varlettes wherfore haue ye so abused this Ladye as she trauailed on her iourny Because quoth they we stood in no feare of you but if you get ye not gone the sooner your entertainement shalbe woorsse then hers was Without any more talking he drew his Swoord and comming to one that heaued his Hatchet against him quite cut away the right arme from his bodye then turning to another cleft him ouer the face to the very eares When the rest saw their companions thus maimed they fled away so fast as they could running through a by waye along a Riuer side but the Prince making no shew of pursuing thē wiped his Swoord and put it vp againe then comming to the Damosell bad her goe forwarde My Lord quoth she hard by is a gate where I found two armed Knightes attending Well saide he and I shall finde them when I come thether So rode they on and as the Prince entred the base Courte he sawe the Dungeon doore open and an armed Knight on Horseback come foorth after whome they within let downe a Porte cullis and shut the doore againe then the Knight of the Castell auauncing him selfe very boldely thus spake to the Prince Poore wretch too soone art thou come hether to receiue shame and dishonour Dishonor quoth the Prince tush these are but woordes leaue what shall happen to the prescience of God who only is skilfull therin and tell me if thou be the villaine that did force this Lady No answered the Knight but if it were I what then I meane quoth the Prince to reuenge her wrong if I can Goe to saide the Knight I shall see then what kinde of reuenge you vse So giuing the Spurres to his Horse ran as fiercely as he could against the Prince yet he failed in the attainte but the Prince méeting him with full carrire gaue him such a gréeting with his Launce through the Sheeld as the armour being vnable to resist it let passe y e yron thorow both his shoulders wherby he fell downe dead in the place Hauing withdrawen his Launce prepared him selfe for an other that came to succour the firste who pearcing quite through the Princes Shéeld left the head of his Launce in his Armour which was of sufficient proofe but in the encounter he met his enemy to directly as he rent the Helmet from his head casting him so violently of his Saddle as he was able to sit no more on horse backe The Knight seeing him selfe thus vnarmed cryed for some other to come help him wher-upon three Halberders issued foorth to whome he saide Look well my fréendes that this man escape vs not At these woordes they ranne all thrée violentlye on the Prince and buckled so néere him as they slew his horsse betwéene his legges wherby he was constrained to fight on foote and so offended was hee therat that hauing recouered him selfe he smote his Launce through the Knights head which made him presently yéeld the ghoste And now he bestirres him self against the other thrée who cowardly stealing behinde him wounded him on the Shoulder wherby he lost a great quantity of his blood but full well he recompenced the villaine that did it letting foorth the deerest blood he had in his body by cleauing him with his Swoord as it had béene an Axe The other two terrified héere-with ran vp into a long Gallerie crying Come my Lord come quickly for we are all vanquished In meane while the Prince séeing his owne Horsse was slaine mounted on that belonged to the Knight he slewe last soone after he saw another Knight stand looking foorth at a doore who perceiuing the Prince had espied him said What hath mooued thée to come in héere and kill my people Nothing els answered the Prince then the desire I haue to
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
and hauing found it in your selfe neuer reproue it in an other Thou mayst make triall thereof if thou wilt quoth he in the Castell but get thee walking for heere shalt thou set no foote this night Now trust me said Amadis I think thou wouldest haue no man of valewe in thy companie yet before we part I am desirous to knowe what thou art That will I tell thée quoth the other on this condition that when so euer we méete thou shalt combat with me I will not stick for that answered Amadis Knowe then said he within how I am Dardan who commaunds thée not to stray so farre this night but that I may finde thée to morrow morning Thou vauntest of thy selfe very much quoth Amadis but if thou wilt cause Torches be brought hither to giue vs light and come foorth presently without longer stay we shall soone sée who ought to haue y e worsse lodging this night What said Dardan to combat with an Owle the enemy of the day must I bring Torches and this night take Armes vnwise is he that so late to gaine such simple honor will either put on Spurre or Cuyrate and with these words he went from the gate Héere may the Reader by himselfe discourse awhile what fruite ouer-braining commonly bringeth with it and contrarywise what perfection among all other vertues is in modestie No well grounded courage or gallant disposed bodie can duely put in exercise the benefit of the one or other if moderation and temperance be not their guides therein And albeit valiance hardines is a great gift of God yet are they so pernitious in such as haue them who are transported with passions or the glory of ambition as they be euen no better then cowardise and presumption Eloquence and the facultie of well speaking is a rich and precious gift of nature augmented and encreased by long vse and studie to giue light and decking to the faire conceptions of the spirit but it is there a more hurtfull pestilence in a common wealth then when a well spoken Oratour will misuse his arte and swéetnes of language Haue not some bin knowen to perswade simple people to enterprise things which afterward haue brought their ruine and subuertion I leaue the confidence of the wise and the opinitiue in their owne beautie the one procuring to many the losse of their soules and the other to infinite number the destruction of honor so hurtfull in all things is too much vsurpation of ouer-weening and immoderate estimation of our selues I will not heere compare the wisedome of Vlisses with the arrogancie of furious Aiax or the violence of Turnus with the temperance of Aeneas nor make other remonstrances by the successe of great matters happening to mightie personages both Greekes and Latines It shall content me to set for example this only accident of indiscreet Dardan to the end that young Gentlemen who take delight to reade this Historie séeing on â—he one side the pacient magnanimitie of Amadis and on the other the furious brutalitie of Dardan may propose the vertues to be imitated and the vices to be detested and punished Amadis then somewhat displeased with the outragious spéeches of Dardan departed not so much caring for his lodging as how to be reuenged and concluded sometime in walking about and other while in resting by a bushe to passe the incommoditie of this night in the Forrest thus to beguile the time till day rising As there he traced vp and down he heard the speech of some body néere him and looking about espyed two Damosels on horsseback accompanyed with a Squire after they had saluted him and he them they demaunded from whence he came so late armed wherewith Amadis thoroughly reported all that had happened to him at the Castell Know you said the Damosels the name of the Knight That do I quoth he for he told me his name is Dardan Uery true said they he is called Dardan the prowd the most audacious Knight in this countrey I beleeue it well answered Amadis Sir Knight quoth they séeing you are so vnprouided of lodging if you will take pacience to remaine this night in our Tentes which are pitched héere hard at hand you shall be welcome He glad of this courtesie rode with them and being there alighted Amadis caused his Squire to vnarme him When the Damosels saw him so faire and of such honest conuersation they were well pleased with his companie and so they supped together merily afterward they gaue him a pallad to rest vpon Neuerthelesse before they parted they demaunded of him whether he trauailed To the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis And so do we replied the Damosels to sée what shall happen to a Lady one of the best and most noble in the Countrey who hath committed her welfare to the triall of a Combate and it must be within few dayes following be perfourmed before King Lisuart but yet we know not who will be the man for he against whome the cause must be defended is one of the best Knights in all great Brittayne What is said Amadis the Knight so much estéemed especially among so many good It is the same Dardan answered the Damsels from whome so lately you came And on what cause said Amadis ariseth the Combat I pray ye faire Ladies if you know let me vnderstand it Sir quoth one of them this Dardan loueth a Knights daughter of the Countrey who at his second nuptials maryed her I am to speake of now hath this Damosell the beloued of Dardan conceiued such hatred against her faire mother that she hath said to her friend how she will neuer loue him except he bring her to King Lisuarts Court and there openly maintayne that all the poore Ladyes goods appertaineth to her and if any one gaine-say it he to iustifie the same in combat These news were highly pleasing to Amadis for by these meanes he intended to compasse occasion to be reuenged of the wrong he did him and that in the presence of Oriana who should there perceiue what her Knight was which made him enter into such thoughts as the Damosels well noting it one of them thus spake I pray ye Sir for courtesie acquaint vs with the reason of your sudden musing if it may without offence be knowne Faire Ladies answered Amadis if you will promise me as loyall Gentlewomen to kéepe it secret and reueale it to no one willingly shall I tell ye all which they sollemnely sware to perfourme I intend quoth he to combate for the Dame you spake of and mind not to faile but I would haue it concealed from any but your selues When they heard what he said they were much abashed notwithstanding they made great estéeme of him séeing what they had vttered in praise of Dardan could not affray him but he would hazard the combat and therefore she that alreadie had broken the matter thus replyed Gentle Sir your intent procéedeth from a high resolued minde and we will pray for
to sée me at libertie With all my hart replied Galaor so mounting on horsse-back about Sun setting they arriued at the Monasterie where they were receiued with great ioy especially when the Damosell had declared his woorthy déedes of chiualrie for her and albeit he determined a speedy departure yet at the request of y e faire Sisters he taried there longer then before he intended Héere pauseth the Author on this matter to tell ye what happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne from the warres in Gaule CHAP. XVII ¶ What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amâ—â—â—â— AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amaâ—â—â— had vanquished King Agraies of Ireland and was knowen to his Father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where he hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the Sea side on a sudden he had a Hart in chase which when he had some prettie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily discearne the raging bellowes of the Sea Suddenly arose an excéeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violence as if heauen and the neather region would haue met together At length he espied a Ship tossed in the tempest vtterly destitute of any safetie and which was woorsse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfortlesse night ensuing wherwith he being mooued to pitie commaunded his Squires as asignall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the Ship might chuse their best landing place without perishing in the darke him selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the help of God and dilligence of the Mariners as the Ship tooke safe harbour neere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly frighted with y e mercilesse tempest thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most curteous Princes in the wolrde séeâ—â—â— them so well landed and free from danger sent one of â—is Sâ—â—es to will them come and refresh them-selues in â—is Pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was lothe to be troublesome to them knowing they had now néed of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to sée them keeping him selfe close in his chamber The Ladies beeing seperated to their owne contentement the Mariners made great fiers on the shoare to drye their garments and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then remoue his affection from where it was setled priuily pried in to beholde their countenances they béeing round set about a fier reciting to eche other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affection to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome ther-with as béeing no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed foorth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this crye especiallye Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commaunded her women to open the doore which presently they did when Agraies tolde one of them who he was that she might secretly imparte he same to her Mistresse the newes wherof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commaunded him to enter Then were embracinges and kisses fréely entercoursed with all other gracious fauours so kinde louers could deuise euen y e very point wherin loue most triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a mayden with like contentmeÌ„t as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there sir dayes together beguiling the time with riciprocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her 〈◊〉 Damoselles perceiued Meane while the Sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calme which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her Ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whether the King her Father had sent her to be nourished by the Quéene Brisana Which béeing vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney he gaue her assuraunce that very shortly he would come to her as wel to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to séeke his Cosin Amadis in King Lisuartes Courte according as he made him promise wherwith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tarry long from her Thus curteously taking leaue of eche other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in few dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his court both by him the Quéene Oriana and all the other Ladies was the Princesse and her traine graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her Father as also in respecte of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the Sea shore giuing many a long looke after the Ship which caried away the iewell of his hart and hauing lost the sight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his Father soiourned and his Uncle Galuanes without land in whose company he intended shortlye to visite King Lisuartes Courte For there quoth he to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderlye followe armes This Galuanes was of gentle hart a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their Horsse and Armour eche one likewise a Squire attending on him Hauing winde at will in short time they landed at Bristowe where they made no long aboade but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demaunded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thether To see if I can finde the good Knight saide she who knoweth how to remedy a gréefe I endure at this present You abuse your self Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demaund you shall finde no other Knight then the great Giant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorrow he will quickly double it on your owne head If you knew so much as I doo quoth the Damosell you would not
defence and for the more suretye that she should not be reskewed him selfe mounted in person on a goodly great horsse then leauing the towne along they ride thorow the féeldes by the Forrest side and being come to the place prepared for execution he commaunded forthâ—with she should be throwen into the fire saying Let the stubborne strumpet dye in her obstinacie But Agraies and Galuanes béeing ready armed to aduenture their fortune discerned when the troupe came from the town toward the Forrest wherfore without longer tarying hauing giveÌ„ expresse charge to one of their Squires to haue especiall care of the Damoselles safetie sâ—yly left their ambushe beholding y e poore maiden ready for the fire when she perceiuing her present daunger cryed to the Duke that she would tell what he desired only to delay the time of her death The Duke beléeuing she intended as she saide came to her when suddenly he espied Agraies and Galuanes gallopping toward him calling so lowd that he might easily heare theÌ„ Duke now shalt thou be forced to deliuer the Damosell At these woordes were all the Dukes Knightes greatly astonished yet prepared they for their owne defence wher-upon began betwéene them a fierce and cruell fight Now though Agraies and Galuanes were alone against so many yet did they so brauely behaue them-selues as at the firste onset they quailed the greater parte of them before they could deuise which way to turne them-selues wherat the Duke was so amazed that fearing his owne death was néere at hand he withdrew him selfe behinde his men yet Galuanes perceiued it wherfore he cryed to him Trayterous Duke this day thou beginnest to féele the warre thou didst enterprise against Knights errant then rushing through the preasse he minded to charge the Duke but he retyred aside willing his Knightes to kill their enemies horsses which they on soote might easilye compasse In bréefe these two champions shewed such chiualrie on their foot-men as they were vanquished and driuen to flight the most of theÌ„ so cruelly wounded that they were scant able to kéep them selues on horsse back in their escaping away and y e Duke who was better mounted then any of them made such haste as he brought the first newes heerof to the towne béeing eagerly pursued a while by Galuanes but when he sawe it was in vaine he returned to the Forrest where he found his Nephewe and the Squires with the Damosell Such was the reskewe of the poore mayden and shamefull foyle of the Duke who béeing arriued at the towne caused with al speed a great number to arme them-selues returning to the Forrest to reuenge their late iniury thinking to finde the Knightes there as yet but they were dislodged wherfore fayling of their purpose they dispersed them selues in seuerall troupes by fiue and fiue in a companye to séeke them the Duke likewise béeing one in the searche hauing foure of the best Knightes he could make choice off And as they rode along in a valley he espied the Knightes conducting the Damosell wherfore he said to his men Beholde my fréends the traitours we are to deale withall let vs set on theÌ„ before they get leysure to escape for if they gaine but a sight of vs they will run away faster then euer we did But Galuanes espied them ere they came néere and shewed them to his Nephewe Agraies who he thought was ouer-weried with the last assaulte which made him say We already haue felt what these villaines can doo but now must we warily defend our selues that we be no more followed in this sorte I know y e Duke to be he comes formost if good hap befall vs I hope he shall haue his paiment first of al be now good Nephew mindefull of your wunted courage hauing passed through greater dangers then this can be Why Uncle quoth Agraies in time of perrill doo you think I will forget my selfe especially being in your company dreame of no such matter I pray ye but let vs serue these as we did their companions By time he had thus spoken the Duke gaue the spurres to his horsse and comming neere them saide I am sorrye villaynes you should dye so honourablye but afterward I meane to hang ye by the heeles on the toppes of these trées Galuanes and Agraies buckled close with them shewing how much they despised such shamefull buriall on the other side the Duke and his Knightes stuck to it closely especially him selfe to whom Agraies came and angerly reached him such a blow with his swoord beneath y e sight of his Helmet as quite cut away y e nosthrilles from his face The Duke imagining him selfe wounded to the death turned his back and fled Agraies following him but séeing he could not ouertake him he commended him to all the Deuilles returning to succour Galuanes whom y e other foure had very sore laboured yet did he holde out so couragiously as none of theÌ„ durst come néere him for one was tumbled headlong from his horsse not shewing any motion of life was left in him Agraies béeing now come from pursuing the Duke buckled so closely with the first he met as he fell downe depriued of life so that there remained but two who found themselues too weak to vphold the honor of the vanquished and therfore trusted to the speed of their Horses following the first run-away toward the Forrest by which meanes they escaped the fury of Agraies and Galuanes they suffering them to enioy that benefite returned where the Damosell attended for them of whom they demaunded if any towne or place of lodging were neere Gentlemen quoth she I know the dwelling of a Knight hard by named Oliuas who is mortall enemy to the Duke by reason he slue a Cozin of his which makes me think he will the better welcome vs. Be you our guide thither said Galuanes and so she was they béeing very kindely entertained there especially when he knew what had happened On the morrow they took their leaue of Oliuas but calling them aside he thus spake Gentlemen the Duke trecherously killed a Cozin germaine of mine who was a good Knight wherfore I am determined to accuse and combate with him before King Lisuart Now since I vnderstand you are Knightes errant and such as know how or else your selues can redresse the wronges offered to the vnable yea by them who without care of God or their honor durst proceed so farre I desire you to giue me your counsell and supporte In sooth answered Galuanes you are deepelye bound to prosecute the murder béeing committed in such shamefull manner and we will assist ye in your quarrell on so iust a cause if the duke will bring any Knights to maintaine his wrong we will be for you for so little account makes he of vs that he hath openly giuen vs defiaunce Most hartely I thank ye replyed the Knight and for this cause I wil goe with ye if you please Content quoth they Héer-upon Oliuas armed himselfe and so they
rode together to Windesore where they had good hope to finde King Lisuart CHAP. XVIII ¶ How Amadis tarying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidinges of his brother Galaor BY the discourse past you haue vnderstood how Amadis after he had in open feelde foyled and ouer-come the audacious proud Dardan was stayed in King Lisuarts Courte by the Ladies request expressely to be the Queenes Knight his entertainement by the King fauour and manifolde other curtesies you haue likewise heard It now came so to passe that as he was one day deuising among the Ladyes a Damosell entred the Quéenes chamber who falling on her knées before the Queene said Madame is not a Knight héere that beareth azured Lyons in his armes The Quéene perceiuing she meant Amadis answered Damosell what would you with him Madame quoth she I haue brought him tidings of a new Knight who hath begun in déedes of Armes so rarely as euer did any You speake very much answered the Quéene but you perhaps being acquainted with none but him thinke therefore he is beyond all other It may be so replyed the Damosell yet when you vnderstand what he hath accomplished I thinke your selfe will agrée to my saying I pray ye then quoth the Quéene tell vs what he is When I see the good Knight answered the Damosell he who caryeth such estimation from all other I will tell him in your presence and other newes which I am charged to acquaint him withall The Quéene was now more desirous to know him then before wherefore shewing her Amadis she said Sée héere Damosell the man you aske for Madame quoth she in respect you speake it I beléeue it for a Quéene of such state as you are is frée from beguiling then comming to Amadis she thus procéeded My Lord the young Gentleman whome not long since you Knighted before the Castell of Bradoid when you vanquished the two Knights on the bridge and the other on the cawsey where you tooke the Maister thereof prisoner and deliuered by force of armes the freend to Vrganda most humbly saluteth you by me being the man whome he reputeth as his Lord and giueth you to knowe how he endeuoureth to reach the height of honor which he will attaine or dye in the attempt likewise when he shall perfourme some-what worthie the name of Chiualrie he will acquaint you with more then yet you knowe vntill which time he shrowdes it in silence Amadis soone remembred â—he spake of his brother wherefore with ioy the teares dewed his chéekes and the Ladyes well noting this alteration meruailed thereat especially Oriana who as you haue heard heeretofore was grounded in such affection toward him as she was well néere depriued of power to dissemble it In meane while the Quéene desirous to heare what déedes of prowesse the new Knight had perfourmed said to the Damosell I pray ye continue your message and tell vs the braue beginning of chiualrie you spake of Madame quoth she the first place where he made proofe of himselfe was at the Rock of Galteres where he combatted with the great and terrible Giant Albadan whome in open feeld hand to hand he ouercame and slew héereto she added the manner of the fight assuring her that she had seene the same Greatly were all the hearers abashed at these newes but aboue all the rest the Quéene who demaunded of the Damosell if she knewe whether he trauailed from thence Madame quoth she I parted from him soone after leauing him in the company of a Damosell who came from her Mistresse to séeke him because she was desirous to knowe him at which time he went with her and since I neuer sawe him What thinke you héere-of Sir Amadis said the Quéene do not you know of whence he is Yes truely Madame answered Amadis although I can say but little héerein I thinke he be mine owne brother for so Vrganda not long since assured me Doubtlesse quoth the Quéene the fortune of you both is admirable and I meruaile how you could come to the knowledge of your Parents or they of you yet would I be glad to sée that Knight in the Kings seruice While these spéeches endured Oriana who sate farre from the Quéene and heard none of these newes was in such griefe to sée Amadis shead teares as being vnable to conceale the same she said to Mabila I pray ye faire friend call your Cozin Amadis that we may knowe what hath happened to cause him mourne Mabila made a signe to Amadis to come and when he was with them Oriana shewing her selfe some-what grieued thus began Sir Amadis it may full well be said that by some Lady you are now mooued to pittie I pray ye tell vs what she is and from whence this Damosell brought you these tidings Amadis quickly perceiued his Mistresses disease wherefore he declared all that the Damosell tolde the Queene which appeased the iealouzie of this hot louer made her shew more amiable countenance thus speaking to Amadis Alas my Lord I must intreat ye to pardon the fault raysed only by fond suspition against you I promise ye Madame quoth he there is no cause of pardon nor did my heart euer thinke amisse against you but could you like thereof that I should go séeke him the Damosell departed from and bring him hither with me to serue you for this I am assured if I bring him not it will be very hard to get him hither Beléeue me answered Oriana I could gladly with so good a Knight in this companie and therefore I thinke you shall do well to go seeke him yet before you depart acquaint y e Queene heerewith that she may imagine how by her commaundement only you enterprise this iourney Humbly did Amadis regratiate his Mistresse and according to her councell he went to the Queene to whome he began in this manner It were good in mine opinion Madame that the King had this Knight likewise to attend on his seruice Certes quoth she I would it might be so if it were possible If you will graunt me leaue said Amadis to goe find him I haue no doubt of bringing him hither otherwise I knowe you shall hardly see him till he haue made himselfe knowne in many other places You doo very much for the King quoth she if he doo come neuerthelesse I referre it to your owne discretion Thus Amadis obtained licence to depart which he did very early the next morning hauing no other company then Gandalin and spending most part of the day riding through a Forrest he sawe a Lady come toward him accompanyed with two Damosels and foure Squires who weeping very greeuously conducted a Knight in a Litter whereat Amadis being abashed demaunded what mooued them to be so sorrowfull and what he was they had in the Litter He is quoth the Lady the only cause of my care and pensiuenes my Lord and husband who is wounded in such sort as I feare his death Amadis
think not so Stand on your owne defence then replied the Knight wherwith they gaue the carrire against eche other méeting together so furiouslye as the Knight was vnhorssed yet held he fast the reines of his bridle till they brake in his hand which caused him to fall on his neck to the ground where he lay without remembraunce of him selfe or any other Héerupon Amadis alighted and pulling the helmet from his head perceiued that he was in a swoune wherfore he buffetted him in such sort as he came to him self again Thou art but dead said Amadis if thou yéeld not thy self my prisoner When the Knight saw the naked Swoord ouer his head fearing his death he yeelded Then Amadis mounted againe perceiuing Angriote already on horsse-back ready to reuenge his brothers iniurie and a Squire came to the Prince bringing him a Launce which he presented him with-all from Angriote Soone after they encountred so gallantly as their Launces flewe in péeces without any further harme and ending their carrire Amadis quickly drewe his Swoord turning to Angriote who thus spake Make not such haste Knight to combate with the swoord because thou shalt haue time enough for that annon this he saide in respect he reputed him self the best at the swoord that might be found But I pray thée quoth he let vs ioust till our Launces faile or one of vs be sent to y e earth Knight answered Amadis I haue weightye busines else where and may not trifle time with tarying héere What said Angriote thinkest thâ—â— to escape me so lightly I promise thee it is the least parte of my thought yet I pray thee let vs tyre one course more Amadis was content and taking such Launces as eche of them liked finished the ioust with such violence as Angriote was cast down and his horsse vpon him Amadis leaping from his saddle saw that a small trunchion of a Launce had a little entred his body yet scorning any shame should be discerned on his side fighting for the honor and beauty of his Goddesse Oriana snatched foorth the trunchion and marched with his swoord drawen against Agriote who seing him come said I sée sir Knight thou art very yong and me thinkes before it be woorsse with thee thou wert better to confesse my Lady fairer then thine Then should I lye very fowlly answered Amadis and by my will I shall not dissent so farre from the trueth These speeches enkindled choller on either side which made them charge eche other with such vigour as not only they that behelde them but euen theÌ„selues were driuen into doubts thinking it impossible to endure so extreamely And to say sooth the cause was hard for Amadis vndertooke the honor of his Lady for which he could rather chuse a thousand deathes then she should loose one iotte of her excellence and this opinion still whetted on his courage that Angriote was compelled to diuers simple shiftes to auoide the fierce assaultes of his valiant enemye who had wounded him in twenty seuerall places and he perceiuing his death at hand stepped aside thus speaking to Amadis Beleeue me sir Knight there is more valour in thee then I imagined Yéeld thy selfe said Amadis so shalt thou doo wisely seing thou art already brought into such danger for with the finishing of our combate thy life will likewise end which can be no pleasure at all to me in that I estéeme of thee better then thou weenest These woordes he vsed as well for the braue chiualrie he noted in Angriote as also y e great honestie he shewed to the Lady in his possession wher-upon Angriote returned this answere It is reason I should yeeld my selfe to the best Knight in the world and the like all other to doo that beare Armes beleeue me then gentle Knight I not so much sorrow for my foyle as the wreakfull chaunce threatned to me by loosing this day the only thing in the world I most loue That shall you not quoth Amadis if I can helpe it beside the Lady should shew her selfe very ingratefull if she acknowledge not your honourable paines in her defence and it cannot be but she will requite ye with the good you haue deserued As for me I promise ye to imploye my vttermost habilitie in causing her consent therto so soon as I shall returne from a searche I haue now in hand My Lord saide Angriote in what place may I héer-after finde you In the Courte of King Lisuart answered Amadis where by Gods helpe I meane shortly to be So tooke he leaue of Angriote who gladly would haue had him to his Castell but he might not be hindered of his iourney Thus dooth Amadis followe the Dwarffe who guided him fiue dayes together without any aduenture shewing him at length a meruailous strong and pleasant Castell saying Sir within yonder holde you must perfourme the promise you made me And I will doo it for thée answered Amadis if it consist in my power I am in good hope therof quoth the Dwarffe in respect I haue séene some proofe of your Fortune but know ye Sir how the place is named No verily saide Amadis for till now I was neuer in this countrey It is called Valderin replied the Dwarffe and thus deuising they came néere the Castell when the Dwarffe willed him to take his Armes Why said Amadis shall we haue any such neede Yea mary quoth the Dwarffe for they suffer none to come foorth that enter so lightly Amadis buckled on his helmet riding in before the Dwarffe and Gandalin following after then looking on euery side they could see no creature This place said Amadis is not inhabited where is y e request thou saidt I should doo for thee Credit me Sir saide the Dwarffe I haue sometime séene héere a most braue Knight and the strongest in chiualrie that euer I saw who in that Porche killed two Knightes one of them béeing my maister him he put to death very cruellye without regarde of fauour or mercy In reuenge wherof I would desire that traitours head which I haue long fayled in obtaining because all such as I brought hither haue lost their liues or remaine héere in captiuitie Thou doost the part of a loyall seruant answered Amadis yet oughtest thou to bring no Knight hither before thou tell him against whome he shall fight My Lord quoth y e Dwarffe the man is knowen well enough reputed for one of the best Knights in the world therefore when I haue named him I could not méete with any so hardy as to reuenge my cause Belike then thou knowest his name said Amadis Yea my Lord replyed the Dwarffe he calleth himselfe Arcalaus the enchaunter Amadis héereupon went further in looking round about if he might see any body but all was in vaine wherefore to rest his horsse he stayed there till euening saying to the Dwarffe What wilt thou I shall do now it is so late Alas my Lord quoth he the night being so néere at hand me thinks it
to finde there the Princesse Oliuia the choice Ladye and Mistresse of his hart But when they came among the Ladies their entertainment was good and gracious especially by the Quéene her selfe who caused them to sit down by her as meaning matter of more priuate conference Many familiar spéeches were entercoursed betwene them and practising by all meanes to welcome them honourably for she was the only Quéen of the world that soonest could win the harts of Gentlemen and therin took no little pleasure by meanes wherof she was loued of most and least beeing reputed the most vertuous Lady liuing Now had Oliuia made choise of her place next Mabila thinking Agraies would soonest come to his Sister when he left the Queene but while he beguiled the time with her his eye glaunced on the obiect of his heart which he being vnable to dissemble was compelled to a sudden alteration of countenance and could not withdraw his lookes from the Adamant of his thoughts which the Queene somewhat noted yet imagined his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies wil ye not see your Sister whome you loue so deerely Yes Madame quoth he so it please you to giue me leaue Heerewith he arose and came to Mabila who stepping forward to meete him you must thinke Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcommed him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia loouing him as you haue heard ouer-maistring her will with reason as a most wise and well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand awhile asunder from all the rest Yet did Agraies keepe neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any aunswere to his Sister She beeing ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this sudden mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with ech others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauour them with more libertie feigning a desire to speake with her Unckle Galuanes which she prettily coullered in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Unckle may come hither because it is long time since I sawe him and I haue somewhat to acquaint him withall secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agraies wherupon he went to the Queene and thus spake Madame if you could spare mine vncle a little you might doo his Niece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good saide the Quéene at which woordes Galuanes went with him which Mabila séeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Faire Niece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye doo you like Scotland or this countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the windowe because I haue many thinges to tell ye which were needlesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they béeing of such importance as they are These woordes she vttered smiling and with a meruailous good grace cheefelye because her Brother might courte his freende alone And well saide Niece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes be kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes wherof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone when the Prince perceiuing he had libertie to speake trembling in aboundaunce of affection he began thus Madame to accomplish your commaundement when you parted from me as also to satisfie my hart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gracious contentment conuayed therto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my faith that beeing neere your person my spirits feele them-selues viuified in such sorte as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therfore I desire ye if it be your pleasure to limit me some better hap héer-after in place where I may often sée and doo you seruice and as he would haue procéeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the gréefe you endure we béeing absent one from an other as no other proofe is required then what mine own hart doth plainly testifie smothering a displeasure wursse then death it self wherto often-times I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerfull hope reback this despaire how one day our loue shall meete together with happie contentation And perswade your selfe that I dayly trauaile in remembraunce of our mutuall loue meane while swéete fréend temporize and dismay not Mistresse said Agraies you haue already so bound me to you as I must in dutye temporize till time you please but I desire ye to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortefie me withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shal haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer wil I faile ye be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteem ye wherby I may striue to loue you more theÌ„ any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine only And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioye therin for it cannot be without recitall of your hautye courage and chiualrie yet my hart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer-bolde venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare him selfe so praysed vayled his lookes and she lothe to offend him altered her spéech demaunding what he was determined to doo On my faith Madame ê™ he I will doo nothing but what you please to commaund me I will then saide Oliuia that hence-foorth you keepe companye with your Cozin Amadis for I know he loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to be one of this Court deny it not Beléeue me Madame answered Agraies both you such good councelling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I will more credit with mine affaires then my honourable Cozin Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing knowledge of him in her fathers Kingdome of Denmarke where he perfourmed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with
least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attired entred the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demaunding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiestie himself the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well doo you séeme a King by your porte and countenance yet may it be doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you sée and heereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Me thinks my Lord answered the Damsell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doo desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make me such a liberall offer I hope one day to trye the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must be assembled many valiant men who shall knowe by the promise you haue made me how woorthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualrie is honored by you Damosell sayd the King so much as effects may better my words so much the more will it glad me to sée good store of hardie Knights there present My Lord quoth she if effects answere your woords I shall haue great reason to be contented So tooke she leaue of him returning the same way she came where-at euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimitie as whatsoeuer happened he would not be reprooued with cowardise and so déerely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deathes then to sée him suffer any mishap or iniurie Whereupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuenience to alter the promise he had so lightly made shewing it was not beséeming his Maiestie to deale with affayres of Knights and Gentlemen hee béeing placed in authoritye ouer them While they stoode on these tearmes there entred three Knights two of them beeing very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for he was a man of auncient yeares as séemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull couller then commonly hath béene noted in a man of his age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This Knight caryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demaunding for the King the Gentlemen shewed where he sate making him way to his Maiestie before whome he fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is King Lisuart for within these fewe dayes he hath made the most woorthye promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me Knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to bée perfourmed but I would fayne knowe your meaning héerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the Knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honor a matter wherein now adayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Héerein you were tolde trueth sayd the King and you may bée well assured that I will doo my vttermost to aduaunce the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the Knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your Countrey to bee readye at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you héere a thing with me which such a King as you are ought most royally to receyue Then opening the Cofer he tooke foorth a Crowne of golde so sumptuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and precious Stones as neuer was séene a more costlyer Iewell euery one béeing of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mightye Lord. When the King had long and earnestly beheld it hée was verye desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the Knight perceiuing sayde This Crowne my Lorde is of such workemanship as no Ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be estéemed for the King that kéepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the King who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no King but you that euer sawe it but if you like it so well I will make yee a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some daunger to loose All this whyle was the Quéene in place earnestly wishing that the King her husband might haue it where-upon she said to the King Me thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demaundeth Madame quoth the Knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buye it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was séene for beside the precious stones wherwith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sortes of beastes and birdes which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rare and curious piece of woorke not wrought as I thinke by humane capacitie You say true Madame replyed the Knight for the like heereof is not to be found yet may not the riches compare with the propertie and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maryed Ladies then any other because she that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of chéefe regarde answered the Quéen if it haue any such indéed I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the Knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grewe she meruaylous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betwéene the King and her wherfore she said to the Knight Say Sir how doo you estimate this Mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseeche you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the handes of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of gréefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedie while I liue and because I know not well the valewe of these Iewelles I will leaue them in your custodye vntill the day you holde open Courte at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demaund In mean while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue saide you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust
and mooued not Now grew the Lady and her Knights into such anger with Amadis as presently they would haue slaine him and he had not escaped but that an auncient Knight stepped before him with his Sword drawen vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe foorth of the Pauillion yet coulde hee not defende him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder then stepped the auncient Knight to Madasima with these words By God Madame you deale like a very vnreasonable woman causing your people in your presence to murder two Knights after they haue yeelded themselues your prisoners Why Sir quote she did you not see their presumptuous boldnes especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replyed Galaor we rather chuse to dye then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and curteous and we as prisoners will shew obeysaunce to you Seeing you saya so answered Madasima I will binde you my self heereupon she bound their hands w t strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor béeing set on horsses without Saddles and led along by two Sergeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foote hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile all night through the Forrest But Amadis was weery of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull pacience but for the matter Madasima would enforce them to the refusall whereof gaue hope of no better vsage at her hand but for euer to be depriued of his faire Oriana And contrarywise if he consented he should in like manner be banished from her presence being compelled to serue King Lisuart no longer these two extremities troubled his thoughts which the auncient Knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was mooued to pittie him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of y e best Knights in the world Héere you must obserue how the Damosell was the auncient Knights Daughter and repented her treason in deceiuing them séeing how discourteously they were intreated which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safetie for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pittie then good father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Galaor who slewe the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full well â—new the Knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittyed their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to sheeld them from death which was néere at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good chéere Sir Knight for I hope by the help of God ere long to deliuer you from this cruell Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so freendly knowing likewise it was the man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him he thus answered Father I haue no wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she that brought vs hither by y e falsest treacherie in the world I knowe very well said the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you wéene which makes me the more carefull in séeking your good therefore I shall giue you profitable councell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should dye without any remedy because nothing might serue else to expiate her wrath beléeue then what I say and put it in practise You are faire young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the world whereby she conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting she would accept you as her husband or perpetuall freend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doo doo quickly because at y t place whether we are now going she intends to send one of her seruaÌ„ts to King Lisuarts Court whose errand is only to enquire your names for she that conducted you hither perceiuing you should assuredly dye if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so with her as she said she forgot to aske your names only thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the world The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more if you doo it not wursse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so deerely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartely for your great kindnes but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to procéed so farre though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so déeply yet libertie nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wunder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale héerein with my brother he is a Knight more braue and beautifull then I am happily he will consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her fréend my companion and I were for euer at your commaund Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her I hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor he went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to break with her Madame you carrye two prisoners with you but you doo not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the Knight is esteemed y e best Knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed againste you but onlye through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sorte then you began considering if he conceiued liking
Towne to bring some viaunds to refresh vs withall Your reason is good said Oriana but how shall he come by meat He shall leaue his horsse in pawne answered Amadis and returne on foote Yet I quoth Oriana haue a better helpe then that he shall sell this King which can doo vs no better seruice then now in our néed So pulling the King from her finger she gaue it to Gandalin who taking his leaue as he came by his Maister said So good time lost will neuer be had againe Amadis knew his meaning well enough yet made he no shewe thereof but vnarmed himselfe and Oriana spreading the Damosels mantle on the grasse layd her downe vpon it the Damosell likewise went aside into the wood where she fell soundly a-sléep by reason she watched all the night before Thus remained Amadis alone with his mistresse so glad of her gentle graunt and the fauourable hower at hand as he could not withdrawe his eyes from their comfort which made him delay time in needlesse gazing In the end though his hands had béene slowe in vnarming him all his other members were in better state for not one of them but did his dutie The hart was rauished in thoughts the eye in contemplation of excellent beautie the mouth with swéete kisses the armes with kinde embracings and no one mal content in any point except the eyes which wished themselues in number like the starres in heauen for their better habilitie in function thinking they could not sufficiently behold so diuine an obiect In great paine were they likewise because they were hindered from the pride of beautie for the Princesse held her eyes closed as well to disguise her desire of sléepe as also for the discréet shame conceiued by this pleasure so that she durst not boldly looke on him she most loued Héere-upon carelesly spreading her armes abroad as though she slept in déed and by reason of the exceeding heat leauing her gorget open two little alablaster bowles liuely shewed them-selues in her bosome so faire sweetly respiring as Nature neuer shewed more curious workemanship Now Amadis forgetting his former bashfulnes seeing Fortune allowed him so queint a fauour let loose the reynes of amourous desire with such aduantage as notwithstanding some weake resistance of the Princesse she was enforced to prooue the good and bad together which maketh freendly maydens become faire women Daintie was the good grace and subtiltie of Oriana in shaddowing her surpassing pleasure with a delicate and femenine complaint of Amadis boldnes shewing in countenance such a gracious choller and contented displeasure as in stead of consuming time in excuses Amadis re-saluted her with sundry sweete kisses as also an other cause to chide if she would But she being lothe to mixe angry speeches with amiable sollace or with frowning looks to crosse an equall content thought it better to commend the controle of so kind a louer and therefore continued this pleasing recreation as nether partie receiued occasion of mislike rather with kisses which are counted the seales of loue they chose to confirme their vnanimitie then otherwise to offend a resolued pacience Ah how many repetitions made Oriana of the paines she suffered in expectation of this day confessing those priuate particularities which none but she and her desire were acquainted withall How many matters likewise alleadged Amadis expressing thereby his singuler contentment and credible assurance of his perpetuall faith now reckoning all his trauailes well imployed and more then sufficiently recompenced In these discourses and pleasures they spent most part of the day caryed so farre from remembrance of any thing else as they thought not on the time how day wasted and night ensued whether Gandalin were returned or the Damosell awake all these things were now cast into obliuion They imagined to haue viands good store béeing thus delighted the one with the other which séemed more delicious to them then all the Nectar or Ambrosia of Iupiter Yet at length they remembred them-selues some-what better when hearing the Damosell and Gandalin so néere them their pastime ended and taking eche other by the hand walked among the trées to take the ayre in the meane while Gandalin and the Damosell spred a cloth on the grasse and set there-on such victuals as they had Now though there wanted rich cup-boords of plate as were in the houses of King Lisuart and Perion as also the sollemnitie of great seruices yet the fortunate entertainement at this time was held by them of higher estimation During their repast as they regarded the woods and fountaines they began to estéeme it no strange matter why the Gods some-time forsooke the heauens to dwell in groues and delightfull Forrests Iupiter they imagined wise when he followed Europa Io and his other fréends Beside Apollo had reason to become a Shéep-heard for the loue of Daphne and the daughter of Admetus They béeing willing to imitate their example wished continuallye to tary there without returning to the Pallace and royall pompe reputing the Nimphes of of the woods most happie Goddesses excelling such as remained in the walled Cities Pittie were it to trouble these louers in their amorous deuises wherfore we will leaue them and see what happened to Galaor following the searche of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXVII ¶ How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knightes that led him to prison GAlaor parting from his brother Amadis in such sort as you heard followed the way whereby the King was led prisoner and making great haste in respect of his earnest desire to ouer-take him had minde of nothing else he met by the way As thus he continued gallopping he saw a Knight well armed come riding toward him who meruailing why the Prince vsed such extreame dilligence when he came neere him saide Stay a while Knight and tell me what affaires cause you make such speede Forbeare Sir I pray ye answered Galaor for by my tarying may happen too great an inconuenience By God saide the Knight you must not so escape for you shall tell me whether you will or no. I may not trifle the time quoth Galaor and so rode on still without any tariaunce Nay Gallant replyed the Knight I I will be resolued in my demaund though to your cost Heer-upon he posted after Galaor still exclaiming on him with hard woords weening he fled away for feare of him and often-times he thought to smite him with his launce but the Prince euer-more escaped his attempte yet his horsse beeing sore wearied hindered him very much when the Knight ouer-taking him thus spake Infamous palliard without hart of these three thinges chuse the best either to combate returne or answere my demaund Now trust me said Galaor the easiest of these three is hard to me wherin you make no shewe of courtesie for return I may not and if I combate it must be against my wil. But if you desire to know the cause of my haste follow me you shall sée for I should
other course séeing my two sonnes haue béene so hardly intreated their own wilfull follye béeing cause therof So breaking off talke Galaor tooke his rest till the next morning when taking leaue of the auncient Knight he rode away with the Damosell who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque where crossing the water to the other side they came to a very beautifull Castell whether the Damsell rode before aduising the Prince to stay her returne She taryed not long but comming back againe brought another Damosell with her of excellent beautye and ten men beside all on horsse-back after the faire Gentle-woman had saluted Galaor she said Sir this Damsell that came in your company telleth me how you séek a Knight who beareth two black Lyons in a vermillion Sheelde and are desirous to know his name this is very certaine that you nor any other can finde him for thrée yéeres space but only by force of Armes a matter not so easie to be accomplished by you for perswade your selfe his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine Lady quoth Galaor yet wil I not giue ouer his searche although he conceale him selfe in this sorte and if I méete with him it shall like me beter to combate with him then to knowe my demaund by any other way Séeing then answered the Damosell your desire is such I will shew you him within thrée daies ensuing for this Gentle-womans sake béeing my Cozin who according to her promise hath earnestly intreated me Galaor requited her with many thankes and so they trauailed on arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea where they found a Barque ready for passage to a little Iland and certaine Mariners in it who made them all sweare if they had any more then one knight in their company No credit me replyed the Damosell heer-upon they set sayle and away Then Galaor demaunded of the Damosell the reason why they tooke such an oath Because quoth she the Lady of the Isle whether we goe hath so ordained it that they shal let passe but one Knight at one time and no other must they bring till his returne or credible intelligence of his death What is he saide Galaor that vanquisheth or killeth them The selfe-same Knight you séek answered the Damosell whom the Lady hath kept with her more then halfe a yéere intirely louing him and the cause of this affection procéeded from a Tourney which not long since he maintained in this countrey for the loue of her and another faire Lady whom the Knight being a straunger héere conquered defending her cause with whom he now is and euer since she bare him such affection as without graunt of his loue she would haue dyed Sometime he is desirous to séeke after strange aduentures but then the Lady to detain him still in this place causeth such Knights as come hither to passe one after another against whome he combatteth and not one hath yet returned vn-vanquished such as dye in fight are there interred and the foyled sent back againe despoyled of their horsse and Armes which the Knight presenteth to his Lady she beeing one of the fairest creatures in the worlde named Corisanda and the Isle Brauisande Know you not the cause â—aide Galaor wherfore the Knight went not many dayes since to a Forrest where I found him and kept the passage there fifteene dayes together against all such as trauayled that way Yes mary quoth the Damosell he promised a boone to a Lady before he came hither wehrfore she intreated him to kéepe the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes yet hardly he got licence of his faire Mistresse who allowed him but a moneth to stay and returne By this time they were landed and come before a goodly Castell where stood a piller of marble with a horne hanging on it which the Damsell bad him winde the Knight would come foorth at the sound therof After he had giuen a good blast certaine Pages came foorth of the Castell who set vp a Pauillion in the middest of the feelde and sixe Ladies soone after came walking foorth one of them séeming by her gesture and countenaunce to be commaunder of the rest taking her place accordingly in the Tent. I meruaile saide Galaor the Knight taryeth so long I desire one of you to will the Lady send for him because busines else where of great importance forbiddeth me to trifle time heere in vaine One of the Damoselles fulfilled his request What answered Corisanda maketh he so small account of our Knight thinketh he so easily to escape from him hath he such minde of other affaires before he sée the end of this attempt indeed I thinke he shall returne sooner then he expecteth but with slender aduauntage for him to bragge of then calling a Page she said Goe and bid y e strange Knight come foorth The Page quickly did his message and soone after the Knight came foorth one foote being all armed except with his helmet which was brought after him with his Launce and another Page leading his Courser when he came before his Lady she saide Beholde Sir heere is a braue Knight who thinketh lightly to ouer-come you and accounteth him selfe assured of the victorie I pray you let him know the price of his folly After these woordes she kissed and embraced him but Galaor noting all these misteries thought he taryed too long from y e combate at length the Knight béeing mounted they prepared them-selues to the carrire and breaking their Launces in the encounter were bothe wounded Galaor presently drew his Swoord but the Knight intreated him to ioust once more With all my hart replyed Galaor yet I am sory my horsse is not so good as yours for if it were I could be content not to giue ouer till one of vs lay along on the ground or all these Launces broken in peeces The Knight made him no answere but commaunded a Squire to bring them other staues and méeting together Galaors horsse was almoste downe the Knight likewise lost his stirrops being glad to catche hold by the maine of his horsse wherat as one somewhat ashamed he said to Galaor You are desirous to combate with the swoord which I haue deferred not for any doubt of my self but only to spare you not-with-standing we must néeds now trye y e issue therof Doo what you can answered Galaor I meane to be reuenged for your kindenes in the Forrest These woordes made the Knight soone to remember him saying You must doo no more then you can and happily before you departe hence you may sustayn a foyle wursse then the first Heer-upon they fel to the combate which began and continued with such furye as the Ladyes were driuen into wonderfull amazement yea them-selues were abashed that they held out so long hauing their Armour mangled their sheeldes defaced their bodyes sore wounded and the blood streaming downe vpon their horsses Galaor neuer beeing in such daunger of his life but
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell
quoth the King and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdered my Ladyes father and vniustly keep her from her inheritaunce wherfore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sonnes would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme she sendes you woord by me if still you stand vpon such triall she will bring two Knightes hither who shall in combate maintaine her cause making you know your disloyaltye and treason committed Darison eldest sonne to the King hearing his Father menaced in this sorte grew into great choller and as one mooued with despight he arose when without the Kinges consent he thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two Knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe héere doo I accept the combate for my Father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lordes to send her my head in requitall of her Fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speak as a Knight of hautie minde yet may I doubt these woordes to procéed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenaunce but if you will request the King to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a hart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldely make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiestie saide the Damosell to giue my Ladies Knightes assuraunce that for any mishap you may receiue in the combate they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three and if you purchase them such a safe-conduit they shall be heere within thrée dayes at the vtter-most Darison falling on his knée before the King saide You heare my Lord the Damoselles demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiestie in the presence of al these great Princes and Lordes humbly therfore I beséeche you séeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduauntage the presuming Knightes who dare aduenture in the cause of foolishe Briolania will imagine them-selues conquerours and vs dismaied fainte harted cowardes hauing openlye published that if any one will touche your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combate of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolishe Knightes of King Lisuarts Courte who by their ouer-wéening aspiring thoughtes make high account of their owne déedes in the contempte of others The King who loued Darison as him self though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and therby made him feare the combat graunted theÌ„ safe-conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two Knights and such as came in their company Héere is to be considered that the period of this traitours fortune was now limitted and the iust auenger of all wronges pointed out reward for the treason of him and his sonnes as in this discourse may be euidently séene The Damosell séeing her message had taken such effect as she desired said vnto them Make your selues readie for to morrow without faile shall this difference be discided So mounting on her Palfray she returned to the Castell of Galumba where béeing arriued before the Knights and Ladyes she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish Knights of King Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into thâ—se spéeches By God there are such in company of that good King as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so lowe as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-maistred him when he vttered woords of such great indiscretion Trust me my Lord answered Briolania you cannot say or doo so much against these traytours as they iustly deserue You knowe what villainie they did to the King my Father and how long time they haue disinherited me let pittie then preuaile on my behalfe seeing in God and you I haue reposed my selfe with assured hope of sufficient reuenge Amadis whose heart was submisse to vertue and all gentlenes mooued with compassion sayd Madame if God be so pleased ere to morrow at night your sorrow and sadnes shall be conuerted into pleasure and content Heerupon they concluded to set forward verie early the next morning which made them depart to their chambers except Briolania who sate conferring with Amadis on many matters when oftentimes she thought to motion mariage betwéene him and her but suspecting by his continuall sighes as also the teares streaming from his eyes that some other Lady was cause of these passions she kept silence and taking her leaue bad him good night On the morrow they goe all to horsseback and comming to the Citty of Sobradisa their arriuall was verie welcome to many who séeing the Daughter of their late soueraigne Lord and knowing the monstrous trecherie of his brother they instantly desired her prosperous successe because they bare her singuler affection Abiseos remembring the wrong he had done her and his bloody treason so vnnaturally committed seemed terrified in countenance because the woorme of conscience reuiued his heinous offence yet hauing been so long obstinate and indurate in his sinne thought fortune would now assure his quietnes confirme his state to continue in tranquilitie But when he sawe how the people flocked about her not shewing any reuerence to him his Sonnes albeit they were royally accompanyed with Lords he exclaimed on them in this maner Ah wretched and bad minded people I see what comfort you take by the presence of this Girle and how your sences are caryed away with her now may I well iudge you rather could accept her as your Soueraigne she being a woman not capable of such an office then I y t am a hardy Knight Her weakenes you may note because she hath in so long time gotten but two Knights who are come to receiue an ignominious death which in sooth I cannot chuse but pitty When Amadis heard these taunting woords he was so enraged as if the blood would haue gushed from his eyes and raising himselfe on his stirrops that euery one might heare him he thus answered Abiseos it may be easily discerned that the arriuall of the Princesse is scant pleasing to thée in respect of thy horrible treason committed murdering her father thy eldest brother but if thou haue any feeling of vertue and art repentant for thy foule misdéed yéeld to her what thou hast vniustly vsurped so shall I discharge thée of the combate prouided thou aske God forgiuenes and vse such repentance as beseemeth a sinne so hainous that by loosing honor in this world thou mayst seeke the saluatioÌ„ of thy soule héereafter Darison prouoked to anger by these speeches anaunced himselfe and before his father had leysure to reply he
my Countrey and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councell for my ouer-burdened soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thée who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiaunce of so gentle a Knight as thou art but with all my heart pardon thée my death wishing thou mayst continue honorable and yet héereafter to remember me When the Prince sawe him in such debilitie he was excéeding sorrowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combat he would haue dealt much worsse with him During these spéeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commaunded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was giuen for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to y e Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the féeld into the Cittie euen with such triumphant glorie as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not only ouercome their enemies but restore the countrey that is wel-néere ruynated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combat the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at King Perions Court and before she would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward hauing séene him she searched was so honorably returned she shewed herselfe and taking him aside said Sir Knight may it please ye to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie néere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and kéeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is only yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall find your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whome only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosell said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell séeing she tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that behelde him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former traunce thus speaking What now my Lord take you the message in so ill part that commes from the only Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to finde you Ah Lady quoth he on my faith I knew not what ye sayd to me for euen as you began to speake I felt the paine to renewe in me which héeretofore you haue séene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is néedlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer frō me for I knowe more of your affaires and my Ladyes then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you néede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her Father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittayne appointing all things in such order as at your arriuall you may remayne there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainely knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then she thinks you will be and seeing being ignorant of your linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your nobilitie you should labour to encrease your fame if you can And then againe she gaue him the Letter saying Take héere the Letter wherein your name is written and which you had hanging about your neck at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast béene kept by her who hath my hart in her custodie and for whome I haue so often assayed to dye yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I séeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender valew is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauour the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deathes which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefit O highest God when shall I sée the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agréeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir so soone as I had done my message to returne with all spéede to her that sent me to you whereby she might vnderstand some newes of you therefore bethinke your selfe if you will commaund me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with me two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct ye whether you please In obeying you replyed the Damosell I trust I do seruice to my Lady Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him at the entrance of the Cittie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the stréetes Then came the Quéene with her Ladyes and Gentlewomen to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrksome to behold yet were they to be healed without any great danger of his person For this night the King desired that he and Agraies would sup with him but the Prince making excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosell to whome he did all the honor could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good newes she brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euery one but most with her whome he caused to stay attending his disposition till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a straunge occasion which was cause of his longer aboade in Gaule then he expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you heereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King