fountaine not farre from thence and was passing by when the knight spake vnto him saying Father God saue you which when the good man heard he was in so great a mase that for feare his pitcher fell out of his hand and brake in péeces Neuerthelesse by little and little he came to himselfe againe and perceiuing him that spake vnto him answered and said My sonne it is now twenty years past fithence I left the pleasures of this world and forseek my natiue soile to obtaine the grace of God and that which most abasheth mée is that since the time whereof I speake I neuer found man that as yet saluted mee in this manner and I thinke verely you are a stranger in these countries or els your spéech and apparell disguiseth you much Father said the knight true it is I am a stranger brought hether by such meanes that I neither know the country where I am nor any man or womā inhabiting therin for you are the first creature that I met since I arriued here of whom I might enquire assuring you that when I perceiued this crosse it reioiced my heart for it is the armes of the maister that I serue What saied the Hermit doe you then know the vertue thereof I answered the knight that I doe being well assured that vpon the like crosse our Redéemer whereof I speak suffered death and passion Alas saied the holy man you say true praised be his holy name that once before I die he hath giuen me the grace to let me sée a man on this side the sea that beléeueth in him assuring you sir knight that you and I are onely the two creatures in this country that are Christians for all the restare Pagans and idolaters And as he would haue procéeded further his spéech failed him doubting that hee to whom hee spake was but a fantasie or shadow of a man but at the last he waxt bolder and in maner of coniuration asked him if he were a mortall man or not Mortall answered the knight that I am for certain and withall a sinner which displeaseth mee much and if it abasheth you at this present to sée mee here I am my selfe no lesse abashed to sée you for without doubt the manner of my arriuall in this countrey hath béen such and so strange that I can render you no reason thereof but if you know the countrey where in wée are I beséech you good Father tell it me to put me out of doubt Gladly said the Hermite and with that he tooke him by the hand led him to his Hermitage and there sitting downe together vpon a log of wood the old man began to speake in this maner and said Now sir knight tell mee I pray you what countryman you are Father said he Great Brittaine is the countrey where in my youth I was borne and bred I know not if euer you were acquainted therewith How long is it said the Hermite since you came from thence It is fiftéene daies more since I was there said the knight did you neuer know king Lisuart saied the Hermite that in my time raigned therin Yes truly said the knight for I haue séene him many times how did hee when you came from thence said the Hermite That can I not certainely shew said the knight for hée was lost and led away from thence but by whom or in what manner no man cantell notwithstanding the great paine and diligence diuers of his knights haue vsed to find him out When the Hermite heard that he séemed very pensiue which the knight perceiuing thought in his mind that hee could tell him some newes where vpon he began to behold him well in the face to sée if hée changed colour with that the Hermite that well perceiued the Knights meaning said vnto him Truly Sir Knight not without cause haue I enquired so much touching King Lisuart but before I will shew you my reason why you shal vnderstand that I am of great Brittaine as well as you where as yet the greatest part of my kindred are liuing whome I forsooke at the same time that a Gyant lord of this country married with a lady who as then I serued and with her passed the sea not only hoping to reape some reward for my former seruice but as yong men are moued with a great desire to sée strange countries but it fortuned that my mistresse being forsaken of God as soone as shee arriued in this countrey left his holy law to receiue the law of her husband wherefore considering with my self that by reason as wel of my natural weakenesse as by often frequenting the company of these countrymen I might fal into some error I determined to withdraw my selfe into this place wherein I haue endured much paine and misery to the great daunger of my life by reason of the controuersie betwéene the law of Iesus Christ which I hold and the law of the Pagans that séeke daily to destroy it that without the fauour of my mistresse that would not suffer them to displease me I had not liued so long as I haue done among them but when it pleaseth God I wil depart hence and returne again into mine own country now you haue heard how I haue hetherto liued I pray you sir knight said hee shew mee your aduentures and who hath brought you into this place from whence very hardly you will euer be able to returne again but rather are in danger of most cruell death or to indure the most horrible imprisonmēt that euer was heard of which would gréeue me much not only for the great beauty and young yeares that I perceiue to be in you but for that you are my natiue countryman Father answered the knight you haue done mee great pleasure to shew me the manner of your life and bringing vp neuerthelesse before I satisfie your request tell mee if it pleaseth you wherfore when you spake of king Lisuart you séemed so sad which made mee coniecture that you know some thing touching him Sonne said the Hermit you shall vnderstand that a doughter of mine seruant to the lady whereof I spake not long since came hether to sée me and told mee that hee mistresse returning from great Brittaine whether shee went to deliuer a brother of hers out of prison brought with her very secretly a knight of great estimation as shee said neuerthelesse I cannot assure you who it is but as I haue learned since they say the two Giants sonnes were much pleased therewith which maketh mee doubt considering the newes you haue shewed mee touching king Luisart that he is most likely to be the man for shée is so well séene in the art of Nigromancy and Magicke that oftentimes shee procureth mischief vnto those that neuer offended her And in what countrey are wee now said the knight You are betwéene the marches of Turky and Gréece said the Hermite for this mountaine parteth both the countries but it is so strong not onely by
him goe in and there shalt thou finde the prisoner Ladie saied the knight if it were to fight I would not faile to doe your commandement but if by subtiltie I should be shut in prison you would laugh at me that I had no more wit but to put my trust in you wherefore goe you in first that whatsoeuer happeneth you may haue your part I sée well saied the lady that my labour is in vaine and all my art is nothing in respect of thée therefore I am content to doe thy will but we haue no light to sée Care you not for that saied he for I will prouide you light and with that hee pulled of the taffata that couered the scabberd of his sword whereby there was so great a brightnesse in the place as if the sunne had shone therein Then they descended into a caue where the knight perceiued king Luisart lie vpon a couch of straw with a great coller of yron about his necke and fetters on his legs whereby he indured no little paine whereat hee was so gréeued that for sorrow the teares ranne downe his eies yet would hee not disclose himselfe vnto him neither once vtter what hee thought but without making himselfe knowne said vnto him Noble king you haue beene ouerlong within this filthy place rise vp I pray you and follow mee When the king heard him speake in that manner hée made no other account but to end his daies at that time wherewith he could not refraine to wéepe and speaking vnto the old lady asked her if she knew him For saied hee since I entered into this place I neuer saw any knight nor any one that spake vnto me but that little sustenance I had was let downe at a hole from the top of this dungeon TheÌ„ she answerd him and in great despight said Thou accursed king if I had not knowne thée I would neuer haue taken paines to fetch thée so farre from hence as I haue done cursed bee the time when first I tooke it vpon mee for thou onely art the cause of my great sorrow and the sole instrument of my bereaued ioies In faith lady saied the king I know not what you meane and am very sorry for your heauinesse for I neuer sought but to doe honour and pleasure vnto all ladies and Gentlewomen that desired the same and for them haue I oftentimes enterprised many dangerous aduentures to the great perrill and hazard of my life and if it hath happened otherwise vnto you it is altogether vnknown to mee and wholly against my will wherefore I be séech you bee not offended with me but tell me where I am and in whose power I now remaine a prisoner in so great misery or by my soule I know it not neither can I so much as conceiue which way I came into this place only I remember that to second a Gentlewoman that a villaine would haue forced I entered into a tent but what happened vnto mée after that I know not but that now I find my selfe lying on straw like a théefe with yrons on my legs King said she the short time of thy continuance in this darknes hath not satisfied as I well hoped it would the great mischief I doe wish thée and that for good cause séeing that by thée onely I haue indured so much sorrow that if the heart and bowels were taken out of my body they would bee found as burning whote as flaming fire and especially for the new displeasure I haue nowe conceiued to sée thée so soone deliuered out of my hands being in good hope by thy long imprisonment to satisfie my losses past but yet I am deceiued for that fortune hath now made mee pay the vsury of my forepassed ioies hauing giuen thée into my handes from whence by the exquisite force of this diuell incarnate thou art now deliuered who hauing put to death the Gardians of this castle and slaine mine owne sonne hath constrained mee to bring him vnto thée which I neuer thought hée could haue done much lesse that euer I should haue yéelded vnto his request knowing the wrath of a woman not to haue any bridle or meanes of mittigation vntill her desired reuenge hath wrought the effect and so had it happened vnto thée without the force of this my enemy but in despight both of him and thée with mine owne handes I will slay my selfe if my aâ—cursed fortune bereaue mee not the sooner of my wretched daies Cursed bée both thou and thy King thou now hast found saied shee vnto the knight Now take him and doe thy pleasure with him I pray you then lady said hée vnlose his irons and helpe mee to lead him vp with that shee tooke the keies out of her pocket and opened the lockes of his chaines whereby the King rose vp vpon his féet and embracing the blacke Knight saied vnto him What great good or pleasure sir Knight did I euer doe you whereby you should purchase this liberty vnto me By my soule I sweare that besides the honour you haue obtained in this place you haue so much bound me vnto you that during my life I shall neuer forget your courtesie wherefore if you loue me let me know your name Noble King said the knight whosoeuer I am I account my selfe happy if many sort I may be able to doe you seruice as for the rest pardon mee if it pleaseth you and let vs goe out of this caue thanking God that oftentimes sendeth scourges vnto those hee loueth as in his heauenly wisedome he thinketh conuenient thereby to kéepe them in obedience vnto him The King pecreiuing well by the knights words that he desired not to be knowne and for the same cause kept his helmet on his head therefore hee determined not to mooue him any more but with that they went all thrée out of the caue and came into a goodly hall when the sunne began to goe downe CHAP. V. How that after King Luisart was deliuered out of prison Matroco Frerions elder brother with his ships arriued at the foot of the rocke called La Roche defendu and of the battell betweene the said Matroco and the blacke knight KIng Luisart the black knight and the lady being entred into the hall as they looked out at the windowes into the sea there entered a Gentlewoman and doing reuerence vnto the lady shee saied Madame your sonne Matroco with his ships is euen now arriued at the foote of the rock with him great numbers of other vessels that he hath taken vpon the seas What is your pleasure to say vnto him When the ladie heard her shee waxed pale and with teares in her eies answered her and said I would to God he were as farre from hence as hee is néere for my heart giueth mee he will spéed in the like maner that others haue done before him And as shee spake king Luisart and the knight looked into the sea and perceiuing the Giants fléet surging on the shoare out of wind
and weather among the which they knew Elizabeth Libee his nephue and diuers others that were bound in chaines making great sorrow but none of Matrocos men durst set foot on land hauing already ben aduertised by some of the castle of the great misfortune happened therein and for the same cause staied so long without till the Giant espied at the windowes the knight and the king looking vpon them wherewith in a great rage hée cried vnto the blacke knight whom he perceiued all armed and saied vnto him Thou accursed slaue is it thou that so cowardly hath slaine my vncle my brother and the porter of my castle When the knight heard him he answerd him and said I haue done my endeuour to make thée know that it belongeth not to such as thou art either to imprison kings or to molest and gréeue so many men as continually thou doest By all my gods said Matroco fortune fauoureth thée too much when at my arriuall I finde thée armed with the wals of this my castle for if I had thée here vpon the shore I would soone send thée fishing into the sea as I haue done many other rash and bold fooles like thy selfe that hast enterprised without cause to inforce my castle but if I continue here tenne yeares together I will neuer depart hence till I haue thée in my hands then shalt thou know how I vse to handle such as thou art Stay a while said the black knight there is much more difference betwéene saying and doing then there is distance of place betwéene thée and me Thy threatnings make me more assured wherefore now I feare thée lesser then I did before and that thou maiest well know it to bee so take thy choice whether I shall come downe to fight with thée or thou come vp to me Then shalt thou plainely sée to whome God will giue the victory either to thée that trustest in thine owne strength or to mee that trust onely in him The greatest oxen and fattest buls are oftentimes brought vnto the slaughter as well as lesser beasts So thou great beast I aduise thée to remember thy former life before worse happen vnto thée forsaking thy accursed faith which thou now holdest with might maintainest otherwise bee thou assured the wrath of God will fall vpon thée as it hath already done vpon thy friends That shall bee séene saied Matroco and if thou hast the courage to stay for mee I assure thée thou wilt bee glad to denie the villainous wordes thou now hast vttered Therefore cause the gate to bee opened for séeing thou puttest mée to my choice I will come vp to thée were it into the dungeon from whence thou hast deliuered that villaine standing by thée and therwith leauing his company behind him being all armed he began to mount vp the rocke and went vnto the castle but when he came to the yron gate which he found open because the watch had left it and were gone and saw Argantes lying dead hee was in a manner out of his wits not so much for the prowesse he knew to be in him as that he had from his youth beene nourished and bred vp in the castle by the Giant his father Neuerthelesse hée dissembled his griefe hoping to bee reuenged at his pleasure and going further in another place hee found the Giant armed all in gréene dead and freshly bléeding wherewith he was so moued that he staied and stood still and casting forth a great sigh began to crie out and saied alas Arcalaus my good vncle how néere doth the losse of thee goe to my heart wheresoeuer it had happened but especially being done within mine own castle wherein I thought long time to liue and make merry with thée Alas is fortune so cruell vnto thée that after so many trauailes and dangerous aduentures with infinite perils that in the flower of thy youth thou hast sustained thou must in thine old yeares come and receiue so cruell a death within my house which I estéemed as an assured hold and defence not only for me but for thée and the rest of our kindred and friends O immortall gods what vengeance can I take vpon the Traitor that hath so much offended me séeing that to cause him to die each day a hundred times were nothing in respect of the mischiefe he hath done vnto mée At the least if it were Amadis de Gaule so much estéemed of all men or any of his two brethren or all they thrée together my griefe would bee somewhat eased by reason of the sorrowes I would cause them to indure But what Now I am constrained to fight against one alone who by reason considring the trauell hee hath taken all this day ought already to estéeme himselfe ouercome and vanquished What glory then can I obtaine by winning victory against him Trewly as much as if I fought against a simple woman being as by nature shee is both weake and féeble so hee vnworthy of my presence will bee much prowder if I doe but make a countenance to fight with him neuerthelesse what blot soeuer may happen vnto mine honour of force hee must die In this manner did the Giant lament ouer the body of Arcalaus his dead vncle not mouing from thence till at last hee perceiued the blacke knight that stoode to heare him wherewith being somewhat ashamed he marched towards him thinking without hinderance to enter into the dungeon but hee found the blacke knight at the gate that boldly thrust him backe and saied vnto him Thou brutish and vnreasonable beast thinkest thou to enter in by force Whereat the Giant all abashed staied without and said Thou biddest me to come vp haue I thē done thée wrong to come at thy commandement No saied the knight but beholding thy countenance it séemeth thou wouldest enter by authority and therewith stepping aside he saied Now come in and doe what thou canst When the old woman with whom king Luisart talked perceiued thē ready to fight in great feare she ran out of the hall and fel downe at her sonnes féet crying out and said alas Matroco I pray thée and by the duty a child oweth vnto the mother I commaund thée not to enter into this combate for thou knowest well that of all thy brethren thou art onely left aliue wherewith my heart is so gréeued that had it not been for the loue I beare thée thou haddest found mee now at thy returne in as pittiful estate as thou séest thy brother Frerion neither is there any woman at this present liuing in the world that ought with better reason to wish for death then I. Alas what fortune is this that now again I must renue the sorrows which both time and long patience as I thought had buried in obliuiuion Alas miserable woman that I am I only haue forged the weapon that hath giuen the wound whereby at this present I receiue this dommage for vpon the day of my husbands decease thinking to reuenge the griefe
rather then threatnings would become him better Haue you already forgotten the prison wherein you are and in the handes of those that haue so small occasion to wish you well My lord vertue is neuer better knowne to bee in man but then when hee is in most distresse Wherefore if vntill this time you haue not knowne what constancy doth meane learne hereafter to discerne the same vsing words worthy your estate and not such nor so iniurious as you haue vttered vnto my lord Gastilles who in this place representeth the person of an emperor a greater lord then you in whose mercy your life or death consisteth for we are all his souldiours ready to doe him seruice The king perceiuing well that hee had done them wrong and fearing to bee hardlier vsed then hee was accustomed to bee saied vnto Esplandian Sir Knight I pray you pardon my impatience considring with your selfe the great gréef and melancholy humour wherein I am when I that was wont to be feared and redoubted of al the princes in Asia am now constrained to obay the will and pleasure of my greatest enemies which vnto me is so extreame gréefe that I die each day a hundred times because I cannot die But Esplandian answered not one word but leauing him with his gard taking Gastilles by the hand led him into one of his best chambers where they supped The next day they assembled all together and after many matters propounded it was agréed among them according to Frandalos aduise that they should enter into Turkie being as then in great perplexity as well for the taking of king Armato as for the ouerthrow of his army as it shall bee shewed vnto you hereafter for at this time wee will cease to speake thereof returning to shew you of king Luisart that during this time for the most part held his court in the citty of London CHAP. XXVIII How the greatest part of the knights that vsed to be at king Luisarts court returned vnto their owne houses and of the coronation of Amadis and Oriane at London YOu haue heard before of the combat betwéene Esplandian and Amadis his father and how after long time of their abode at Mirefleur staying the healing of their wounds Esplandian desiring to returne vnto the castle La montaigne defendu tooke his leaue of king Luisart the like did diuers of the knights that as then were at the Court as Galaor king of Sobradise Agraies Gransador Balan Galuanes and Angriotte d'estrauaulx some to sée their wiues others to tast the ease and pleasant rest of their mansion houses whereby it happened the court was lesse replenished with knights then it had beene in long time before especially by reason of the newes they heard from the castle La montaigne defendu whether diuers yong knights trauailed to aide Esplandian King Luisart therefore so meanely accompanied as I said before being very old and decrepit began to bée melancholy and to haue the palsie setting aside all Hunting Hawking Armes and Chiualry or any other pleasure whatsoeuer And with a remēbrance of death so much abhorred all things past present and to come that he estéemed them vaine and altogether transitory whereby he determined to depose himselfe of all kingly estate and gouernment of his realme to passe the rest of his time in a solitary and religious manner specially when he called to mind the great perils from whence he had escaped and aboue all his last most dangerous and cruell imprisonment Neuerthelesse for a time hee kept it secret vntill one night hee being a bed with the Quéene where they lay talking of the sicklenesse of this world hee discouered his whole mind vnto her and how hée determined to make Amadis his sonne king and gouernour of his country to the end he might fréely and without any interruption withdraw himself to his castle of Mirefleur where by Gods helpe he meant to liue a solitary life The Quéene that was one of the wisest and deuoutest ladies in her time confirmed him so well in his opinion that they agréed to returne to London there to accomplish their pretence And the next day they departed from Mirefleur accompanied of Amadis Gransador and others and comming to London after they had remained there a certaine time the Quéene sent for all the nobilitie who being arriued at the court caused a scaffold to bee made in the principall place of all the citty where the people might repaire And as he and the Quéene both apparrelled in their roiall robes each set in a chaire of estate Amadis sitting somwhat lower on his right hand and Oriane on the left were come thether a Herauld crying thrice that all the people should kéepe silence ◠the king with a stately countenaunce and Princely magnanimitie turning to the people saied vnto them My good friends and loial subiects before I begin to shew you the cause why I haue made you to repaire vnto this place I wil put you in mind of part of the dangers and great hazards wherein I haue often fallen since the death of my brother of famous memory king Falangris whē it pleased God to call me vnto the gouernment of this land and as I thinke there are yet many of you liuing that can wel remember the danger wherein both I and my country thought to fall when by the meanes and subtletie of Arcalaus the inchanter I was deliuered into their hands that long time before had conspired my death from whence my sonne Amadis deliuered mee Yet not long after by euill counsell I made warre against him which ended as all men know fortune enuious of my felicitie afterward prepared mee such a banket that without his helpe I had beene prisoner with king Arauigne and vtterly ouerthrowne And that which hath yet more astonished mee was that when I thought my selfe sure and out of danger of all mishaps a worse then all the former suddainely chanced vnto me the which considering the place wherein I was I thought verely to haue ben the end and consumation of my daies Neuerthelesse the Lord God regarding me in pitty sent my yong sonne Esplandian to my sorrowfull prison from whence hée hath deliuered mee as no doubt you haue heard Now my good subiects you all sée mée to bee very old and white haired hauing already attained to the thréescore and tenth yeare of mine age which maketh me think it time now to forget all wordly pleasures and to serue God to whom I am so much bound And for this cause I haue determined from henceforth to forsake all royall dignity and leaue you my son Amadis for your king to whome at this time I yéeld both my Crowne Scepter and all the right I haue vnto the gouernement of this land praying you all as much as possibly I may that hereafter you will bee faithfull and true subiects vnto him as you haue alwaies ben to me And although hée bée but my sonne in law if I knew him vnworthy of the place beléeue
cast anker and going on land staied till day appeared CHAP. XXXIII How Esplandian and his company went vp vnto the broken pallace of the Enchaunteresse and of the straunge thinges they found there ESplandian and his company being on land not knowing the place where they were arriued caused a great fire to bee made about the which they thought to lie downe and sléepe but they heard such a noise from the top of the rocke that they were all abashed with that the winde began to cease and the sea to waxe calme the skie shewing full of starres and withall the mone shone so bright that it séemed as light as if it had ben day wherefore Esplandian desirous to know what the noise might bee determined to mount vp the rocke but he was counselled by his company to stay till the next day in the morning When Esplandian knew it certainely to be the rocke of the Enchauntresse and saied vnto the king of Denmarke In good truth I thinke I haue beene here before and take it to be the place whether the great Serpent brought me the same day I receaued the order of knighthood which putteth mee in better hope of our voiage then I had before which he saied remembring the scroll with the prophesie that he found in the lions paw Then he told the king of Denmarke how he conquered the sword he bare the death of the serpent all that he had séene vpon the rocke it is called said he the rock of the Enchauntresse By God said Gandalin you say trew for I remember that pursuing after a knight that led a Gentlewoman away I found your father king Amadis Grandasor here the knight likewise that I sought that had hiddeÌ„ himself in the old pallace vpoÌ„ this rock theÌ„ he told theÌ„ froÌ„ point to point what had happened vnto him the great loue the knight bare vnto the gentilwomaÌ„ he had carried away by force but said he before we departed she agréed with him they promised mariage to ech other although before the time shée hated him most deadly neuertheles vnderstanding that the force he vsed vnto her was only done for the loue he bare her she clean forgot her former hatred chaÌ„ging it to a most excéeding loue In good faith saied Carmelle as farre as I perceiue no man ought to dispaire of any thing hée taketh in hand no more will I during my life which shee said in respect of Esplandian who in time as shée thought might loue her whollie forget the Princes Leonorine And so long they talked that day began to apear theÌ„ Esplandian said to the king of Denmark CoÌ„panion I pray you stay here forme while I goe vp for I wil haue no body with me but Gandalin Enil they shal go with me not that I fear any danger that may happeÌ„ vnto me but only because they may help me to lift vp the tomb wherof I told you eueÌ„ now My lord said the king I pray you offer me not so much iniury for I will not leaue you though it cost mee my life especially in this place where I haue most great desire to sée that I neuer saw before Séeing it is your pleasure said Esplandian let vs go let our squires bring some victuals with them if we néed to eat before we come backe againe which the squires did wherwith they began to mount vp the rock and trauelled so long that about sunne setting they came vnto the hermitage where the great image was erected wherof you heard before where they stayed all night the next day they trauelled again came vnto the lake that ran before the old pallace because it began to be dark they determined not to trauel any further for the time to say the truth they were weary but all night the serpeÌ„ts the issued out of their holes to drink of the water ceased not to hisse and passe before about them to assaile them which they had not failed to doe had it not beene for the vertue of Esplandians sword wherevnto no venomous thinges might once approch or come néer Neuerthelesse they rested not but as soon as they might sée rose vp went on their way and passing by the ruinated monumeÌ„ts they came vnto the pallace of the enchantresse where they found the gates shut wherat Esplandian gaue so great a blow with his foot that they opened they entred into the place where the shining tombe stood with the lion vpon it Then Esplandian said vnto the thrée knights In good faith when I was here before I could not lift vp this plate I pray you each man prooue what you can do then I wil sée if I be grown stronger in the back theÌ„ I was at that time wherwith the king of Denmark assailed to doe it but what strength so euer hée vsed it was impossible for him the like did Gandalin Enil but they sped no better then the king wherat Esplandian began to laugh taking it by the two ends lifted it vp so easily as if it had been a péece of dry wood yet was it a péece of christall of thrée fingers thick about ten or twelue foote long vnder it they found an azure stone the fairest most orient color that euer was séene the couered a Ceader chest which smelt as swéet as any balme the chest being shut with a locâ—â—â— emerald stone hauing a key of diamoÌ„ds that hong by it at a chaâ—â— of fine gold al most artificially coÌ„posed the stone takeÌ„ vp the chest opened they found the image of Iupiter lying therein all of massy gold garnished with many pearles rubies other inestimable rich iewels especially a crown that he ware on his head about that which were placed certain Carboncles inform of Gréeke letters with these words Iupiter is great god of all gods in his right hand he bare a table coÌ„taining this prophesie WheÌ„ time shal come that my art knowledge shal faile the hart of the Hind inclosed herein life restored by theÌ„ that were the cause of death the Grecian sheep long time norished in plesant pastures shal be coÌ„strained to feed on a herb bitterer theÌ„ gal by means of the extremity the huÌ„gry sea wolues shal put theÌ„ vnto whose number shall be so great that they shall couer the sea in diuers places in such wise that the poore sheep inclosed in their great forrest diuers of their lambes being dead and torn in peeces their sheepheard hauing in a maner lost all hope of restoring theÌ„ againe with anguish of heart and mind in abundance of teares shall lament their great misfortune Then shall come the braue Lions whelpe by whose meanes that great troope of wolues shall be driuen away and destroyed Neuerthelesse hee shall take from the sheepeheard his great power and the best beloued of his sheepe wherevpon he shal seaze in such sort that his strong teeth and sharpe clawes shall enter into her
Gandalin shewed him from point to point what spéeches had passed betwéene the Princesse and him not only before the Emperour but also in the garden And of my faith sir saied hée you do her wrong considering the good meanes you haue both to satisfie her and your self for what excuse soeuer you can make you are not so sore charged on this side that you may not spare some time to goe and sée her which shee craueth at your hands That I wil doe saied Esplandian but I must find the meanes take you care for that said Gandalin and let me go sléepe for I neuer had more néed Goe said Esplandian be here again betimes in the morning Wherewith Gandalin tooke his leaue leauing Esplandian alone in great care how hee might find some conuenient excuse to leaue his companions in the extreamity but God prouided for him for the same night about an hour before day as he began to slumber he heard a most pleasant sound of musick which you must vnderstand came out of the great serpent that hee left in the castle La montaigne defendu which at the time was arriued before the town of Galatia but little did he thinke of any such thing or that Vrganda had ben therein because he thought her to bée in great Brittaine This mellody continued for the space of half an houre and more which done he heard such a noise of trumpets Clarigals Phifes and Tabers that sounded so high that the sentinels of the town thought verily the enemies nauy had ben arriued before the same to lay siege vnto it wherevpon they caused an alarum in the town each man running to the wals being all of that mind till day when they might be hold the great serpent wherein Vrganda was all hung with long pennons and streamers wherat Esplandian was so glad that going downe vnto the Hauen hee presently entered into a boat with Talanque Manely and diuerse other of the principall captaines to sée who might bee there And rowing néere vnto it they knew Vrganda that staied for them on the hatches stretching forth her armes spake vnto them said My good friends you are most hartily welcome I pray you come vp into my ship that I may imbrace you With that Esplandian entered and as he meant to salute Vrganda she knéeled on the ground to kisse his féet whereat he being ashamed tooke her vp and saied vnto her Madame I neuer thought you would haue takē pleasure to mock with me séeing I account my self much more bound to you then to any creature liuing in the world And therfore for Gods cause if at any time I chaunce to offend you punish mee I pray you in some sort or other Most happy Knight sayed shée The aide I hope for at your hands before manie dayes shall passe mooued mée to doe as I haue done wherefore I beséech you take it in good part And with that shee embraced him and after him Talanque Manely and all the rest euery man doing her great honour desiring her to shewe them the cause of her so suddaine comming thether My good friends saied shee you shal know it at some other time when better laisure serueth mean while I am to tell you that it is necessary for you shortly to go vnto the city of Constantinople where you shall enter all armed apparelled in the same armor I haue brought hither for you and thus must I tell you that if you should deferre it till another time it would be preiudiciall to you all Wherfore I counsel you to do it vpon the first day of the next wéeke assuring you to be as well receiued of the Emperor as euer were any knights which your ease and pleasure in his company shall continue vntil the rolling whéele of Fortune turning about shall bring with it manie trauels passions and aduentures which shal cause many gréefes and sorrowes both to you and others And the better to make you beléeue that all I say is true I tell you that I my selfe shall fall into two of the greatest dangers of my life that euer I had whether it bee here or in another place I knowe not And which is worse I cannot by any means auoid the same not knowing any cause how nor wherefore it should be so although it be in a manner ready to fall vpon mee Madame saied Esplandian before you shall receiue any hurt in our presence wee will all lose our liues to succour you My good child said she mans destiny of force must bee accomplished But I pray you let vs enter into some other talke for this maketh mee melancholy Madame saied Manely Is it not your pleasure to goe into the Towne I saied she and I pray you send for Norandel who at this present I knowe is at Alfarin and I wil giue you as great cause to reioice as euer you had for that within my shippe I haue brought the king of Denmarke wounded in a combate that hee fought against Garlante Lord of the Isle of Calafre that by force would haue taken two Gentlewomen from him And although Garlante bee estéemed a hardy and valiant knight yet did the king bring him in such case that vnlesse hee had craued mercy the king would haue stricken of his head which he spared vpon condition that during his life hee should neuer after iniury any knight which Garlante sware and vowed in my presence for that by chance arriuing there during their combate I heard what passed betwéene tham And because I perceiued the King to bee in danger of his person by reason of the great number of wounds he had vpon his body I would not leaue him but caused him to enter into my shippe and layed him in the best bed where now hée is almost healed Ha saied Esplandian What good newes are these of my faith I thought verily he had ben dead wherefore madame I pray you for Gods cause let mée craue the means to sée him with the Vrganda led him where he lay but when they saw each other Esplandian could not refraine wéeping with the great pleasure hée took to sée the king Neuerthelesse for that time they had no great spéech together neither would Vrganda permit them to do it doubting least the king being yet but weake and féeble might therby bée hindered of his health Wherefore she caused Esplandian to go forth and entring with her into the boat they rowed to the shoare from whence they led Vrganda to the best lodging in the town with as much honor as they could haue done to the Quéenes Brisenne or Oriane if any of thē had ben there in presence The next day Esplandian pitying the great number of women little children that had ben kept within the town from the time that it was takē said to his companions that it would be better to giue them leaue to depart from thence then to hold them stil for the the longer they continued in the town the
inconuenience he foreséeth to be prepared against all Christendome if it be not succoured he hath expresly willed me to shew you that he hath had certaine intelligence that all the kings of the East parts haue sworne and promised togither to ouerrunne all Christendome which is verie likely considering the great preparations and assembly of men they haue alreadie made in the Isle of Tenedos which is such that as our spies report they are at least sixe hundred sayle of shippes and about foure or fiue hundred thousand men God will helpe vs if it pleaseth him said king Amadis for my part I will doe what possible I may and will like wise aduertise king Perion my father and my brother Galaor My lord said Gandalin I haue also charge to trauaile vnto them and likewise vnto Gasquillan Don Bruneau Quedragant and others to whome Esplandian hath written in like sort as he hath done to you and hath expresly giuen me in charge to sée king Luisart and doe his humble commendations vnto him It is great reason said the king neuerthelesse I am of this opinion that before my mother the quéene you doe not once declare the occasion of your comming but giue her to vnderstand that all is well but not vnto the king if you find him alone for he is a man as euery one well knoweth to take all things with patience as they shall fall out and because my sonnes affaires require no delay I pray you Gandalin after you haue refreshed your selfe a day or two goe on your iourney as you haue in charge So Gandalin that day remained there during which time Quéene Oriane talked long with him the next day he departed to sée King Luisart and Quéene Brisenne at Mirefleur who knowing he came of message from Esplandian were excéeding glad the Quéene although shée were wise and verie aged yet could not change her womans nature but before the king spake any word asked him for her sonne but Gandalin accustomed readily to deuise excuses as hée had béen instructed by king Amadis tolde her that he had left him in the firme Isle not well at ease by reason of his long trauell but not so ill said he as that he could not haue taken paine to come hither sée you but he feared least his sicknes would encrease wherefore he thought it better for him to kéep his chamber a while than to entertaine a long and enuious ague for a long space which the quéene easily beléeued and for the hope she had shortly to sée him she made no account thereof neuertheles the same euening Gandalin tolde king Luisart all that you heard before wisely excusing himselfe of the spéech he vsed before him vnto the Quéene as king Amadis had giuen him charge wherein king Luisart commended him for the rest he promised to thinke theron while he trauailed vnto those with whome he had to doe In this sort Gandalin being dispatched returned to king Amadis who in the mean time persuaded by quéen Oriane wrought a marriage for him as you shall heare You haue read in the beginning of our history of the seruices the gentlewoman of Denmarke did for them and the things wherein she Gandalin had béen exercised wherefore it was reason that hauing béen partakers of their youthful toies she should also tast some of their prosperous fortunes Wherefore quéene Oriane moued king Amadis to make a marriage betwéen them two but he thought the match vnfit because the gentlewoman was already aged Gandalin being yong and lusty neuertheles as all women that are wise and of a quicke conceit can bring their enterprises to effect the Quéene found meanes to get the kings consent wherby Gandalin was no sooner come frō Myrefleur but he took him aside said vnto him Gandalin the quéene is desirous to haue you stay with vs not only for the loue she knoweth I beare vnto you but also for the good shée wisheth you And for this cause she would haue you marry with the gentlewoman of Denmarke whome she loueth will doe much both for her you if you consent thereto you know her long time since both to be wise good vertuous and for my part I pray you and counsell you thereunto Gandalin would gladly haue excused himselfe and to say the truth he was too yong for so old a match neuerthelesse hauing from his infancie learned to confirme his will to the of Amadis he was content to doe as pleased him in such sort that in lesse than thrée daies after the marriage was celebrated and ended Meane time king Amadis tooke the letters and instructions that Gandalin should carry to Gasquillan and king Bruneau and sent them by a gentleman of his named Handro cousin german to the Countesse of Flaunders desiring them as much as possible they might to aide his sonne in his so good a cause but the next weeke following Gandalin more affected to the seruice of Esplandian thā to court his wife departed from thence to trauaile into Fraunce vnto king Perion and from him to Sobradise to Galaor Meane time king Amadis sent for all the pilots masters and mariners of his countrey that he could find commending king Arban of Norgales to take care for all things requisite for the enterprise charges of such a vsage both for men and vessels In this maner did the affaires touching these wars procéed through the greatest part of Europe while all the kings in the East by little litle assembled themselues togither as you shall heare CHAP. XLVIII How the great citty of Constantinople was besieged by the princes of the East and of the salies that were made by those of the citty to keepe them from the same THe army of the Pagan kings daily assembling in the Isle of Tenedos the emperor mean time fortified his citty of Constantinople both with men victuals in the best maner he could cōmanding those that had charge of his army by sea to cause all his vessels to come into the Hauen of the town which he caused to be barred with a chaine that on that side he might be out of danger Thē hee sent diuers brigandines vnto Natolia to discouer the Pagans army and bring him certaine newes Meane time the countrey people reaped all their corn and brought it to the citty Within eight daies after the Brigandines that were sent forth discouered in the straights of Hellespont the great fléet of the Turkes that lay at Abides where they stayed a certaine time to take in victuals and other munitions necessary for their ships Whereof the emperour being aduertised caused his men to muster giuing Frandalo charge of the dragon gate so called because that at the foundation of the citty when it was named Bisance there was found a maruellous Dragon vnder the foundation of the gate which dragon was bound chained and norished so long time that it was thought most strange Norandel had charge of the gate called quiline Gastiles his
the foot of the Riffee mountains This countrey whereof I speake was sometimes peopled with good knights and men of all quarters but the women vpon malice deuised a meanes to kill them all establishing a law among themselues that from that time forwardes they would acknowledge for Ladie and Quéene one of their owne country women gouerning themselues as the Amazons vsed to doe Whereby it was not lawfull for any of them to vse the companie of men aboue once or twice a yéere vpon the daies and times by them appointed when they went out of their owne countrie and vsed their neighbours helpe with whom God knoweth if they found not meanes to make them pay the vsurie of the time lost in such sort that most of them returned home with child but the bringing vp of their children was far different for the maiden children were kept aliue burning their right paps but not the 〈◊〉 children for as soone as they were borne they put them to death hauing agréed not to suffer one aliue or els so few that they very easily might ouercome them For this cause often times they warred against the Tartarians bordering on their country putting them to great trouble by diuers and continuall inuasions as well by sea as by land In their lawes and customes they obserued so great rigour as that if any man by casualtie or otherwise fell into their hands he prooued for food vnto a great number of griffoâ—s nourished among them when they were young being so tame and gentle that neuer any hauke knewe better the Faulkoners lure then those gentle birds knew the voice of her that ordinarily fedde them To come vnto the point this quéene of Califorine being a woman of great spirit valiant hardie young faire and of good behauiour hearing of the warres vndertaken against the Christians was desirous to be there not for any ill shée wished them but onely for to know them and to sée their countrey that bare so great renowme And for that cause she assembled great numbers of the principall ladies of her countrey shewing them what honour they might obtaine in that voiage which may peraduenture be such said shée that by our force and great prowesse wée may greatly augment our Empire béeing feared and redoubted of each man and not continue alwaies buried among these mountaines as they in times past did of whome at this present wée now possesse and enioye the place The Quéene in this sort could so well persuade them that they being mooued with a marueilous desire to goe with her presently prepared their shippes and set saile for Thracia with so good and prosperous a winde that the tenth day after the assaults of Constantinople they arriued in the armie of Armato where they were honourably receiued after diuers spéeches vsed by the Souldan of Liquie and other princes of the campe vnto the quéene of Califorine specially touching their determination concerning that great enterprise shée being sorrie they had done so little against the towne desired them that she might once haue leaue to try her fortune against it by means that she would vse And the better to induce them thereunto she told them she had fiftie griffons that would not faile béeing let out of their cages to sease vpon the Christians without hurting of her women because they knewe them and had béen nourished with them And while they take their flight said she I will giue such an assault against the towne that without doubt wee will enforce the same for if the Emperors souldiers appeare but to defend the wals my Griffons shall be ready to carrie them clean away as the Merlin doth the larke But to the end said she your men receiue no hurt let them abide within their tentes till they be shut into their cages When king Armato and the Souldan of Liquie heard the great zeale and affection she shewed to employ her forces as also the inuention that she had they all agréed that the next day after she should doe what liked her WhereupoÌ„ she sent presently to her that kept the griffons that shée should giue them nothing for to eate of all that day that when they meant to vse them at the assault they might be gréedier and further sent worde by sound of drumme that all her companies should be readie the next day early in the morning to giue assault vnto the citie Quéene Calafre hauing in this maner prouided for her enterprise at the time appointed all her women armed according to their manner the most part of them bearing bowes ranne with great furie vnto the walles and with their ladders began to mount vp with that the alarme went about the citie all men running to defend the same and as they were some vpon the walles and other places of defence the Quéene made signe to let the Griffons loose which being hungry and flying ouer the towne seazed vpon such as they could find abroad wherewith the Emperours souldiers were in so great feare that most part of them that fought forsooke the walles to hide themselues Alas what pitie was it to sée souldiers citizens knights and others yea women and little children and all whatsoeuer they could get into their clawes taken vp into the aire and somtimes hauing taken them vp they let them fall vpon the stones whereby they had a strange and cruell death surely if God had not kept the Cittie better than those that had the charge it is most sure it had béene taken at that time But there happened a strange case for as the Griffons helde their prey and that the Knights of great Brittaine with some small number of others resisted the assault made by the women the Turkes that had béen aduertised not to come out of their tents while they assailed the towne mooued with too gréedy a desire to sacke the Citte which they thought surely had béen taken ranne vnto the assault making such a noise that the Griffons féeding on their preyes left the bodies they had seazed vpon and flying vp againe seased on them that they sawe come running to the towne whereof in short space after they made so great a butcherie that more than foure hundred Turkes were presently slaine by them meane time those within the towne perceiuing that good fortune did so fiercely repulse the Californiens that their principall women lay dead within the ditches wherewith the Quéene was forced to retire knowing her enterprise would not take effect as shée desired it should not by reason of her souldiers but in that they kept not in as they had promised Wherewith she commanded to take the birdes againe but the Falconers could not by any meanes make them to come in before they had slaine and deuoured aboue a thousand Turkes and others whereof they onely suckt the blood Wherewith king Armato and the Souldan of Liquie were so grieued that from thenceforth they began to shew so hard a countenance to the Quéene that shée was in the minde
women to return to sea kéeping apart from all the Pagans without once stirring from thence for any thing whatsoeuer should fall till shée receiued further newes from her which was partly the cause of the enemies ouerthrow for they doubting some treason being separated in that sort from that time forward were in some feare and in greater suspition than before and not without cause for that if Lyote had aided king Armato both by sea and land as shée might haue done if her sister had not forbidden her it is likely her esquadron of women being twentie thousand strong and somewhat more had done great mischiefe to the Christians but God of his goodnes prouided better for them CHAP. LIIII How after the Pagans were driuen out of Thrace the Emperour of Constantinople renouncing his Empire inuested Esplandian therwith marrying him to his doughter the princesse Leonorine THe obsequies and funerals of the Kinges Princes Lords and others that died in the battell being finished the wounded cured and all things set at rest the Emperour of Constantinople knowing that Amadis and those that were come with him from the Westerne parts would retourne againe into their countries desired them to assemble shewing them that his meaning was to let them know what hée determined to doe before they went from thence The next day in the morning they all met in the emperors great hall and he standing in the middest spake vnto them and said My brethren lords and good friends the bond wherein I stand bounden vnto you is so great that although it hath pleased God to make me Emperour of all Grecia yet am I well assured it is far beyond my poore hability to satisfie you for the same estéeming the honour and riches that I now haue next vnder God be it little or much to procéed from you I am now thréescore yeares of age wholly aged decrepit by reason of the paines that in my youthfull yeares I haue continually taken in following armes so it is I haue but one child which is a daughter the onely staffe hope of my old yeares whome I haue determined if you thinke good to giue in marriage vnto the valiant knight Esplandian and with her likewise to inuest him with the Empire and gouernement of all my countries And the better to liue solitarily and to seperate my selfe from worldly company I haue determined to goe with the Empresse my wife into the monastery that I caused to bee made there to liue religiously calling vpon God and doing pennance for the euils I haue committed heretofore Wherefore my good lords and friendes I pray you if this my determination like you well let euery man giue consent and you first saied hee vnto king Amadis to whom the matter toucheth néerer then to any of the rest as being father and sonne My lord said he my sonne shal doe as you command him I will tell you said the Emperour I remember that among other Prophesies which ought to happen in this our time there is one that maketh me as I think agrée with you in one consent Esplandian hath vpon his body as I haue vnderstood certaine carracters which shew his name and others that in no wise can be read but only by the woman that is ordained to be his wife let vs now sée if it be my daughter or not with that he sent for the Princesse Leonorine who being brought thether by the Empresse and diuers other ladies the Emperour desired Esplandian to open his doublet and shew them the letters hée had borne vpon his body from his mothers wombe which hée refused not but before them all shewed them openly where euerye man might easily perceiue the white carracters containing this word Esplandian but they could not know the red wherefore the Emperour caused his daughter to come néere asking her what she could doe therein My lord said she not long before Melie betraied Vrganda she and I being alone in my chamber she sent to fetch one of the bookes that had ben taken from her couered with gold whereon the Enchauntresse was ingrauen and I remember that I saw therein the like carracters that Esplandian beareth on his body and ouer them their signification which is nothing else but his name and mine Daughter said the Emperor if you haue the booke still cause it to be brought hether wherevnto shée obaied The booke being brought shee shewed him the place that Melie had read vnto her containing that which followeth The happy knight that shall conquer the sword the great treasure inchaunted by me shall from his mothers wombe bear his name in white carracters and the name of her that shall be his wife in red carracters vpon his body which red carracters shal be so difficult to vnderstand that no man liuing in that time how wife or learned soeuer he be shall expresse the same without he sée this booke which wil teach him what the seuen carracters do signifie representing the seuen words that follow Leonorine daughter of the Emperour of Greece In good faith saied the Emperour here is a strange case and sheweth well that the Enchantresse lady had more knowledge in art Magicke then any that liued in her time and séeing my daughter hath so wel deuined I am determined that you said he vnto the archbishop of Thrace do grant vnto Esplandian that which nature before his birth had promised vnto him which is my daughter Leonorine By which meanes the marriage was solemnised and finished the same day with no great ceremonies the Court being as yet troubled for the death of so many Princes and great lords that were slaine in the battaile but let it suffice to knowe that those two louers enioyed the thing which they so long desired Esplandian the same day being proclaimed Emperor of Gréece according to the commandement of his father in lawe who within two months after with the Empresse his wife went vnto a monastery place of deuotion And because quéene Calafre had alwaies pretended to marry with Esplandian perceauing her intent frustrated she could not refrain to speak in presence of theÌ„ all said vnto them My lords I beséech you giue me leaue to declare my mind It is certain said she that those which know me are not ignorant that I am one of the greatest most puissant princesse in all the cast parts by reason of the great quantity of golde and precious stones that are within my countries As touching my linage I am daughter of a quéene of ancient race and as noble as any that euer was in the world so it is that fortune brought me into these marches promising me shortly to returne laden with great number of flaâ—es abundance of treasure but to the contrary I that pretended sought the captiuity of others and my selfe takeÌ„ better holden prisoner theÌ„ they ytâ—â— in their mortal enemies hands This imprisonmeÌ„t wherof I speak is not that whervnto I am bouÌ„d by the faith I haue
With that they were abashed that the great serpent began to leape and labour in the water as if it had ben in the greatest storm that euer was although the sea was very calme but only about the serpent where it raged in most horrible maner but that which most abashed the beholders was that the vessell cast forth such horrible cries that not one among them but his haire stood vpright vpon his head for fear And hauing continued in that maner about 〈…〉 more the serpent thrust his head into the water wherewith it sunk and neuer was séen again And with that they perceiued a farre off a great rock which being driuen by the waues came within half a bow shot néer vnto the shore on the top whereof stood a woman bareheaded and couered only with a linnen cloth to hide her priuities being inuironned by more then a thousand serpents as wel great as small which stung her in such sort that she wept and lamented in most pittiful maner wherat the knights of great Brittaine had so much coÌ„passion that they thought to enter into the ships and go to help her which Vrganda forbad them For said she besides the dangers that may happeÌ„ vnto you you shal lose your labors because she whom you behold which is the inchauntresse lady hath ordained it to be so With that the rocke sunk into the water and the gentlewoman vanished out of sight but not long after she appeared again vpon the waues flying from the fury of a monster of the sea that with his throat opeÌ„ followed after ready to deuour her in such manner that she came right vnto the hauen crying with a loud voire vnto Esplandian Gentle Emperor I pray you help me for none but you can do it wherewith Esplandian stepped forward holding the sword hee conquered in the old pallace of the inchaunted rock in his hand ran vnto her thinking to go néere the monster the gentlewoman that fled from it caught hold of his sword whether he would or not took it away wherwith she threw her self into the sea the monster after her Whereat euery man began to laugh saying to the emperor that if a gentlewoman had predestinated the same vnto him kept it long time another gentlewoman or she her selfe vpon a suddaine had taken it from him againe With that Vrganda was led vnto the pallace accompanied by the emperor with all the kings knights where not long after the Souldan of Liquie was deliuered sent to Tesifant about the beginning of the next wéek after the westerne princes took shipping and being imbarked with Vrganda recommending the emperor to God failed forwards till at the last euery man arriued at his desired hauen namely king Amadis that found Oriane very sad for the death of her mother newly deceased which much more increased wheÌ„ she knew hir father king Luisart was dead But in the end time made hir to forget her sorrow but not so soon as Amadis could haue wished CHAP. LV. How the Emperour Esplandian sent Norandel to take possession of the country he had giuen him and of the taking of Tesifant NOt long after the westerne princes were departed into their countries the emperor Esplandian would that Norandel should goe vnto the castle La montaigne defendu and other towns that he had giuen him to make warre against king Armato for which cause he gaue him a great number of soldiors with the which to make short he assailed the king of Turky had battell together wherein many a valiant knight lost their liues neuerthelesse the victory fell on Norandels side wherby he caused Armato to flie away retiring to his city of Tesifant which being known vnto the Emperour he departed from Constantinople with a great army going into Turkie ioyned with Norandels power and besieged Tesifant but feare seased so wel vpon Armato that he found means to flie away leaue the town which not long after was taken the princesse Heliaxe brought vnto the emperor who vsed her courteously and sent her againe vnto her father Ampheon king of Medea giuing her diuers rich presents News being spred throughout the country of Turky of the flight of king Armato as also of the taking of Tesifant diuers towns and citties yéelded to Esplandian that gaue them likewise to Norandel and because winter came on hee returned into Thrace where two of his nephewes sonnes of Galaor came to visite him and to receiue the order of knighthood which he gaue vnto them with both armor and horses minding to request them to trauell to Tesifant vnto Norandel thereto begin their first entrance into arms but they desired rather to take the way to Californie where Mâ—â—â— and Taâ—anque had great war against their neighbors which the emperor perceiuing caused al things necessary for so long a voiage to bee giuen them with so good Piloteâ— that in the end they arriued at their desired Hauen where they attained to great honor and estimation among their â—panâ— But 〈◊〉 to enter further to discouâ—â— of them 〈…〉 this present let them rest And let it suffice you to knowe how that as time passed Perion succéeded in his fathers feat and Garinter married in the east parts with Heletria quéen of Citharee and was the best knight in all the world And because it is declared at large in the sixt and seuenth bookes of this our historye we will passe it ouer at this time CHAP. LVI How Vrganda sent to desire king Amadis the Emperor Esplandian Don Galaor king of Sobradise and others to come vnto the Firm Isle and of the maruellous inchauntments that she made ouer theÌ„ VRganda being in her Isle not as yet discouered taking great pleasure to read Melies bookes knewe by her art death to be néere vnto the kings and princes whom she most loued and hauing great sorrow that worms should consume the flesh of so valiant king hes deuised to preuent the same which to do she took sea accompanied of her two cousins Iuliande and Solisee with diuers other gentlewomen and went vnto the Firme Isle where being arriued she sent to the emperor Esplandian Amadis Galaor Florestan Agraies and Gransador praying them most earnestly to come vnto her to the pallace of Apolidon for matter that touched theÌ„ most néer otherwise she sent theÌ„ word if they did it not that before long time past euil would happeÌ„ vnto theÌ„ and the master Elizabeth should bring with him the book that he made of the aduentures of the knights liuing in his time as also that they should bring their wiues with Ardan the dwarf Carmelle Gandalin the Gentlewoman of Denmarke Those princes hauing vnderstood Vrgandas mind failed not therin so that about the same time she willed theÌ„ to come they all arriued there where Vrganda receiued them not with a smiling counâ—â—nance as â—â—er vsed ordinary to doe but with teares in her eies whereat they being much abashed desired her
nature but by art that neither of the two Princes of those countries what force soeuer they brought hether could neuer win it And now a Giant sonne vnto my lady and mistresse and one of the most strongest and puissant knights in the East parts as many of his neighbours whose goods hee hath by force vsurped and that in despight of the Emperour or any other contradicting the same haue proued is lord thereof Where dwelleth hee saiâ—d the knight Aboue vpon the rock said the Hermite in a castle which he hath most strongly fortefied and is kept with all diligence and care by a Giant one of his brethren with others of as good condition as themselues and which is more it is not possible to come néer the castle but by a little path way whereon the sea continually beateth at the end whereof there is a pair of staires cut out of the rocke whereby you mount vp till you come to an yron gate where a villaine in whom the lord of the castle putteth his trust watcheth continually for there is no other entery but onely the great gate that is defended with strong platformes and great Towers in the middle whereof there is a dore so straight that a man on horsebacke can hardly enter therein and that way most commonly those of the castle doe vse to issue forth Before it bee night said the knight I meane to sée what manner of place it is if I can I will know who it is that was so lately brought thether God kéepe you from thence saied the Hermite for thereby you will either procure your owne death or at the least perpetuall imprisonment Happen what may said the knight I wil proue what fortune it shall please God to send mee That were but ill done of you said the Hermite for that men are bound to imploy their forces only in things that stand with reason and possibilitie thereby to reap a benefit by their labors otherwise they are to be estéemed desperat fools not valiant hardy knights adueÌ„turing without due respect not only their bodies but their souls which are of greater price and Christ himselfe hath by example plainely shewed it vnto vs for when the Deuil came and tempted him bidding him doe certain things which in déed as he was Christ were possible but as be was man were impossible to doe hee answered him that hee should not tempt the Lord his God So my good sonne said hee I would aduise you to desist from so vnreasonable an enterprise You may preach what you will to persuade me to the contrary said the knight but I must do that where vnto I am called which is to prooue my selfe in those aduentures that in mans iudgement séeme impossible otherwise those that haue foreshewed of me should not onely haue trauelled in vaine but bee estéemed liers and fooles If then their sayings bee true what greater honour can I obtain then bringing most wonderful aduentures to an end I may from henceforth therby restrain the rage and fury of such men as hurt and do iniury vnto others contrary to the laws of God and man And if they be found liers I had rather they shold be reproued for their want of knowledge then I accused of any point of cowardise And if the worst fal out I will imploy my force against such accursed people members and ministers of the deuill whom by the help of God I shal ouercome and I beléeue and am certainely persuaded that if I die in those aduentures hee will receiue my soule into his heauenly ioy The Hermite meruailed much to heare the blacke knight speake so wisely and with so great a courage neuerthelesse the great beautie and yoong yeares hée perceiued him to haue moued him to so great compassion that the teares ranne downe his eies and therewith he saied Ha good knight hee in whome thou trustest preserue thée and send thée long life and séeing thou art resolutely determined to passe forward I pray thée deferre the time for this night for it is already so late that although thou shouldest haue time inough to get vnto the gate before the sunne goeth downe yet shalt thou find it shut as it is accustomed to be wherevpon the Knight kept the Hermite company till the next day in the morning CHAP. IIII. How the blacke knight went vp the rocke where by force of armes he slue three Giants and dliuered king Luisart out of prison AT the Hermites request the knight stayed and â—are him company all night who entertained him in the best manner hee could where after they had supped they laied them downe vpon a little straw till day began to appear when they rose vp and the knight hauing said his praiers in the chappell being armed at all points tooke his leaue of the Hermite that brought him a great part of his way and had gone further but he feared the Giants Wherfore committing him to God hee tooke his leaue and returned Being gone the knight trauailed so fast that hauing coasted along the sea shore and passed the side of a great and thick forrest he descended into the goodliesh meddow that eâ—er was séene from whence hee perceiued the castle scituated vpon the top of a high rocke and making towards it hee came tâ—â— long bridge finding no other way vnto it at the end whereof was a broad causie paued with stone the sea â—â—â—ting continually against the towers out of the windowes hee espied two knights one as hee thought was a Giant the ladies sonne Notwithstanding hee stayed not but tooke his way on the left hand and â—ounting vp the steppes came to a marble gate kept by a knight all armeâ— that before he came at him cried as loud as hee could saying Thou accursed wretch the colour of thy armor fore sheweth not so much sorrow and griefe as here thou shalt receiue confusion What deuill was bee that sent thée hether being so yoong Meane time the knight by little and little got vp the hill making as if hee heard him not for hee had worke inough to looke to himselfe the way was strait and vneasie to passe and therefore hée bare his helmet vnder his arme But when hée approched the gate and heard the other continue in his brauery he answered him and said He that is afraid commonly threatneth a faâ—â—â— oâ—â— as then bâ—e some but if thou desirest to know the cause oâ—â—â—y comming open mee the gate and thou shalt sée if I can satisfie thy desire With that the Porter came downe and while the knight put on his helmet hee opened the gate and looking out cried with a loud voice come in thou vnhappy creature to the place where you 〈◊〉 any straunger had good entertainement Then the blacke knight went in and entred into a vaut meane time the gate was that whereby the place séemed very darke for there entred no light but only by a little hole that came through the rocke and as he passed forward
that my soule sustained I haue to the contrary aduanced mine owne shame and vtter ruine iustly receiuing the reward that belongeth vnto such as refusing the better part thinke to remedy one mischiefe by procuring a worse vpon themselues Madame said the Giant if at this present you haue receiued great losse by the death of some of your friends neuerthelesse you ought not to take it so offensiuely séeing they haue ended their daies in honourable combate as behooueth all worthy knights such as they were And as for me think you that for feare of death I will refuse to doe that whereunto by knighthood I am bound No no likewise what reason or what excuse should moue me being as I am both fresh and wel disposed to refuse the combat alone against one simple knight I deny not madame but confesse that affection causeth you to vse these words and shew the nature of a woman but you must conceiue think with your selfe that I answere you as it becommeth me preferring mine honour before your teares wherefore I beséech you suffer mee to take the small vengeance I can vpon the villaine that hath so much offended mee Matroco saied the knight thou reckonest before thine host I would not for all the gold in the world lose such an occasion offered as I now haue both for mine honour and aduantage Beléeue mee that neither thy mothers teares nor the duty thou owest vnto her as being her child can by any meanes prolong the end of thée or me if without dissimulation thou doest not by oath promise and assure mée to liue in as good sort from this time fâ—rwards as in times past thou hast liued wickedly Wherefore it were better for thée to make mee know by effect the Prowesse thou vauntest thy selfe to haue and for me to let thée sée the curtesie which it may bee thou shalt find at my hands if I ouercome thée When the lady perceiued that her prayers could take no place she left them and the two knights began to runne one vpon the other so brauely and with such fury that king Luisart beholding them thought he neuer saw so cruel a battell the which abashed him more was that hee could not presume how or in what manner the blacke Knight had found him in so strange a place and yet he knew him not sometime hee thought him to be Amadis but when he remembred the loue he bare vnto the lady Oriana that hee had newly married hee was otherwise persuaded and likewise hee remembred very well the combates hee had séene Amadis de Gaule make at Windsore against Dardan le Superbe and after that with Ardan Canile wherein hee vsed all his forces yet were they not comparable to those of the blacke knights who as then found himselfe as fresh and wel disposed to fight as if hee had not fought all the day before Againe when he thought it to be his nephew Esplandian for that Vrganda had foreshewed many wonderfull things of him he was soone dissuaded from that opinion by reason hée left him with the quéen his mother not once séeking to receiue the order of knighthood and although that since his departure out of Brittaine he might haue obtained that honour yet did hee estéeme it impossible for Esplandian to doe so valiantly at the first Further Vrganda had alwaies prophesied of him that the first valiant acts he should atchieue should be renowned and spoken of by his strange fearefull nauigation in the great serpent wherein he should be imbarked and for the blacke knight he knew he arriued there in a little barke vnfurnished whereby he estéemed it vnlikely to be his nephew Esplandian But hée thought hee neuer had séene so valiant and hardy a knight for the longer he fought the more he wearied and laboured Matroco Neuerthelesse hee continued fighting for the space of two hours together before it could be iudged who should haue the victory but in the end the Giant féeling himselfe wounded in so many places his armour altogether broken and his shield halfe clouen in two began to mistrust his owne force Wherefore stepping backe he staied his hand and saied Knight I pray thée let vs breath our selues a while and hear what I wil offer thée which cannot bee other then to thy honour and aduantage With that the knight stood still and Matroco began to speake saying I wonder sir knight what mooued thée to venture in this manner vpon this rocke wherein neuer any but thy selfe durst enterprise to come during my fathers life neither yet sithence that by his death I haue ben lord therof and besides this thy enterprise wherein thou hast done the thing that all others feared to doe before thée thoâ—â—â—st also slaine thrée of my friends whereof two of them as I thinke were the best knights in their time liuing on the earth whereby I haue iust cause to hate thee more then any man liuing But when I call to minde that thou hast done therein like a valiant and hardy knight I haue some reason to pardon thée and to estéem thee for one of the valiantest champions that euer I saw in all my life although I haue both prooued and vanquished many others longer practised in armes stronger then thy selfe Wherfore if the onely cause of thy arriuall in this place was to deliuer the king that looketh on vs I am content thou take and lead him hence in safety and for the same cause likewise I quite thée of the combate vpon condition that without long soiourning here thou shalt presentlie depart out of this castle that belongeth vnto mee When the blacke knight had heard him hée answered him and saied Giant as farre as I perceiue thou estéemest it a great enterprise that I haue done to come hether and find thée here within thy castle where by mee those that thou so much lamentest haue ben slaine but if thou knewest the maister that I serue to whom as duty bindeth mée I am obedient thou shouldest presently perceiue and plainely sée this enterprise by thée estéemed much to bee nothing in comparison of that hee is able to doe and bring to passe for that from him onely and none other procéedeth all whatsoeuer I haue done whereby of good right the glory belongeth vnto him and to the contrary you that are idolaters serue those that are accustomed to rocke and lul you asléepe in all kind of vices cruelties outrages thefts murthers and infinite other wickednesse which for a time doe prosper with you whereby you liue in honour riches and all worldly pleasures and so are nulled in all filthinesse but surely such manner of life may well bee compared to buildings erected vpon the sands that cannot â—ontinue long but are most sure to haue an euil end euen then â—hen they are estéemed to bee at the top of all their worldly felicity Like as it happened vnto Lucifer and his fellswes whereof it may be thou hast heard spoken Neuerthelesse if thou wilt
from my infancy haâ— brought the vp and being moued by reason of my no little losse with a desirâ— to reuenge both my selfe and my friendes I thoughâ—â—o kill him â—â—d was so neere the point to execute my will that as I held the 〈◊〉 drawne in my hand and began to lift vp mine arme to giâ—e the blow he séemed so faire within mine eie that suddâ—inâ—y I was surprised with loue and that so feruently that were 〈◊〉 not for the promise you haue made me I had not ben aliue at thâ—â— present time Neuerthelesse hauing sithence vnderstood that hee by whome I am in this extremitie in estate and degrée â—ot to bee my equall whereby I perceiue my selfe vnworthy eiâ—â—er to be wife or companion vnto him I haue somewhat moderated my first deliberation in such manner that I will hold my selfe more then satisfied if it please him I may only continue with him to serue at his commandement during my life which in reason he cannot well deny me for let him doe what hee will so long as life is in my body I will neuer forsake him if I be not constrained therevnto Wherefore my lord for the honour of God I beséech your grace to finde the meanes my poore request may once bée granted and you Gentlemen saied she to Ambor and Talanque I pray you put to your helps that by your fauours the life of me poore louer not beloued may bee prolonged The king hearing the Gentlewoman that while she spake sometime blushed and other whiles waxed pale make this discourse could hardly abstain to laugh thinking how inconsiderately shee had fallen into so great extremitie whereby hee feared if hée should make an answere other then pleased her she would kill her selfe but with courteous spéech hee saied vnto her Gentlewoman your request is so reasonable that I am of opinion hee will not deny it and for my part I will intreat him as much as possible I can My lord said Esplandian I wil do what your grace commaundeth Graunt her then I pray you saied the king what shée craueth at your hands that from henceforth shee may bee called your faithfull seruant her honour alwaies saued as in knighthood you are bound I will doe it answered Esplandian and thereof I assure you saied hee speaking to Carmelle who knéeling on the ground kissed his féete and thanked the king and him most heartely reputing heâ— selfe most happy in obtaining so great fauour CHAP. XI How Talanque and Ambor shewed the king what aduentures they had found seeking for Esplandian their companion after they had receiued the order of knighthood YOu heard before in what sort king Luisart was deliuered out of prison by his nephew Esplandian but as yet he knew not the manner how he receiued the order of knighthood Wherefore as they rose from dinner the king desired him to tell him how he was made knight as also what happened vnto him since that time to the end saied hée that Talanque and Ambor may doe the like Then Esplandian tolde how Vrganda came vnto the Ferme island in the great serpent what spéech shee had with Amadis de Gaule and others that were with him the order shee vsed to dub him knight together with Talanque Ambor Manely the king of Denmarke The sléepe wherein they fell and that when hee awaked he found himselfe at the foot of the rocke of the Enchantresse in company of Sergil his Squire and two dumb men also how he conquered the sword with his arriuall at the mountain where he found the Hermite that dissuaded him from fighting with the giants By my head said the king I neuer heard stranger things And now Ambor saied hee what became of you My lord saied Ambor my companion and I were likewise asléepe and when we awaked we found our selues in a little barke with our two horses in a Hauen of the sea called Armata in the country of Norway as then vnknowne to vs where wee landed before a towne not only to know in what countrey wee were but also to séeke for victuals And as wee went towards it the watch of the towne by reason of certain dissension not long before moued betwéene them and their neighbours sent to knowe what we would haue Wherewith we made them answere wée were knights aduenturous that came from the Ferme Isle cast vpon that shore by tempest of weather In good truth said he that spake vnto vs our king hath so great cause to vse your helpes that if you goe vnto him I am well assured hee will bid you welcome We asked him the kings name and what country wee were in My lords said he the country is called Norway wherof Adroni father in lawe to Agraies sonne to the king of Scots and one of the best knights in the world is our king I know not whether you know him And what cause saied wee hath your king to vse our helpe I will tell you said he he is so old that one of his nephewes his sisters sonne procured therevnto by euil counsel is risen in armes against him séeking to haue the gouernement of the countrey in respect as hee saith his vncle is no more able to rule the same And vnder that pretence hath already vsurped a great part thereof and now lieth in campe before one of the best citties in this land which the king by no meanes can reléeue by reason that most of his trustiest friends haue forsaken him and hold with the yoong presumptuous foole that winneth them by faire promises a thing that oftentimes happeneth vnto such as fortune fauoureth not and when men are fallen they are not only abandoned of straungers but by their owne kindred and friends that properly may be tearmed friends for the present time In good faith said we if the towne will giue vs victuals and one to guide vs we will gladly goe and present our seruice vnto him not onely for the loue of Agraies to whom wee are companions but for the right he hath as you haue told vs. That shall be done said he and therewith desired vs to stay till he came again from the cittie where he staied not long but hee brought what we desired and a guide that conducted vs so wel that the next day about dinner time we arriued where the king lay Who being aduertised of our comming and that wée were of Agraies companions entertained vs most courteously commaunding one of his Gentlemen to vnarme vs in one of his best chambers whether hee came and after hee had bidden vs welcome beganne in the same manner to shew vs all what the watch had before declared vnto vs and what an vnnaturall part his nephew shewed vnto him procured therevnto by two knights in whome onely hée putteth his whole trust because saied hee they are well assured that not any of my knights dareth enter into combat with them they are estéemed so valiant and hardy But who hath mooued them and your cosin said we to vndertake
but in fulfilling your desire wherefore I pray you feare not to command mée what you thinke good for whatsoeuer may happen thereby I will bee obedient vnto you during my life My good friend said Esplandian imbracing her I wil one day recompence your good will séeing you are minded to do me so much fauour you must then take your iourney to Constantinople on message to the Princesse Leonorine the Emperours doughter to whom hauing presented my most humble and harty commendations you shall on my behalfe say How that at such time as I receiued the order of knighthood I was commanded by my lord Amadis my father to repaire to her fathers court there to discharge him of the promise hee made vnto her which was either to returne againe to doe her seruice or to send one of his linage thether in his place Neuerthelesse considering with my selfe his great valour and Prowesse and the great beauty that is reported to bee in her which my small desert in regard of him that gaue me the commandement I am afraid to vndertake the same Notwithstanding it hath pleased her by maistee Elizabeth to put mee in mind thereof although while breath is in my body I will neuer faile to be her knight And to the end shee may giue credite to your message you shal present this ring vnto her which she knoweth well as being the same she gaue vnto my father to put him in remembrance of his promise My lord saied she I will fulfill your commandement but if you goe so far from hence where shal I find you when I come backe again In this place said Esplandian whether I will returne as soone as I haue brought the king into great Brittaine Then calling Libee hee commanded him that presently after hee had set saile hee should cause a ship to be prepared for Carmelle to goe on message where he would send her that done hee went to finde the king and maister Elizabeth that staied for him in the Serpent the which presently vpon his entring therein of her self began to set forwards with such spéede that in short space they left the coast of Turkie and the twentith day after they discouered the Ferme Isle where she staied which those of the country perceiuing aduertised Amadis and the rest of the company who in great hast ran vnto the Hauen but they were no sooner come thether when they espied the king Esplandian maister Elizabeth and Sergil landing out of a little boat Wherewith being all abashed but much more pleasod stepped forwards to receiue theÌ„ and after many imbracings and salutations on either part Amadis presented the Giant Balan to the king whom as yet hee had neuer séene and therewith set forward towards the pallace of Apolidon wherof Oriane and the rest of the ladies hauing intelligence the great sorrow that so long time they had vsed for his absence was conuerted into ioy which much more increased when the king in presence of them all rehearsed the manner how Esplandian deliuered him out of Arcabonnes hands and the great Prowesse he shewed against Matroco Frerion and Arcalaus their vncle Oriane knew wel the great desire and much gréefe the Quéene had because shee heard no newes of the king wherefore the same day shee sent her danish Gentlewoman to aduertise her of his arriuall who made such hast that within sixe daies after shee arriued at London at such time the Quéene sat downe to dinner CHAP. XIIII How King Luisart departed from the Ferme Isle accompanied of diuers knights Ladies and Gentlewomen and being neere London in a forrest they met with foure knights that sent to ask four courses with their launces against Esplandian THrée daies king Luisart continued in the Ferme Isle and the fourth day hee determined to goe see the Quéene and to the same end with all the company of knights ladies and gentlewomen he set forwards towards London and trauailed so fast that they were within a daies iourney of the cittie And as they entred into a forrest where they vsed commonly to chase the Hart they saw in the high way foure knights well mounted armed at all points each his Esquire by his side bearing their shield and launces for they had their helmets on their heads And with that they perceiued a Gentlewoman comming towards them riding on a palfrey and being néere them speaking to Esplandian she saied Sir knight with the white armes those foure knights you sée in the high way before you send you word by me that they would gladly know the cause why you beare the deuise of crownes wherin if you satisfie their desire in such sort that their honours bee not stained they will from henceforth refraine to inquire the same any more otherwise they giue you by me to vnderstand it were best for you to leaue them or else that you defend them well as being the most honourable deuise that is in all the world When Esplandian heard her speake in that manner in courteous sort he answered her and said Gentlewoman to satisfie their request I pray you tell them that the deuise and the armes I beare was giuen me by Vrganda but for what cause I know not neuertheles I bear them for the loue of her as also that they like me wel and if this content them not tel them mee thinketh the occasion of combate betwéene mee and them is so small that for this time I would desire them to forbeare the same In good faith saied shee smiling you speak with reason for they are knights that séeme to haue much néed of your counsell but notwithstanding good sir I pray you bee not vnprouided for your excuses will not bee receiued Gentlewoman said Esplandian if they assaile me it shall bee against my wil. Truly said she as farre as I perceiue the great beautie that is in you together with the rich armes and goodly horse you ride vpon are worse bestowed then euer was any when you are not ashamed â—â— make an answere so little to your credite Neuerthelesse either you must forsake the way to London and this good company or defend the braue deuise you bear as they haue sent you word The way saied Esplandian is common to all men and out of it for them I will not goe wherefore if they assaile me I must of force defend my self And because the Gentlewoman was not knowne among them they all mused who she might me as also who the foure knights were that sent her to whom shée returned againe Meane time Esplandian laced on his helmet taking his launce in his hand ready to fight if occasion serued Wherewith Amadis and the rest of the company were excéeding glad doubting least the king had spoken in fauour of him when he shewed what he had done but they had not ridden long but one of the four knights came riding softly towards them and about a carriers length from them called to Esplandian and said You sir knight that would not
satisfie our desires defend your selfe from mee Wherewith hee set spurres to his horse and Esplandian likewise who at the first encounter cast him so strongly out of his saddle that in long time after hee could not rise againe and therewith his launce brake with that the second knight came forwards willing Esplandian to take another launce for he meant to reuenge his companion Which Amadis hearing sent him his launce that he willingly receiued and being in a rage to sée himselfe assailed without cause hée ranne against the knight and strake him so surely on the brest that he ouerthrew him both horse and man Well said the king to the standers by iudge you if it be possible to doe better My lord said Agraies I neuer saw two fairer strokes giuen with a launce the rest I will leaue to consider of till I know those that ranne against him Let vs sée the end saied the king and calling a Squire hee sent his launce vnto Esplandian for as then the third knight prepared himselfe to runne and spurring their horses set forwards so fiercely that breaking their launces they met so strongly body and shields and heads together that Esplandian had much adoe to sit vpon his horse and the other had such a fall that he lay stil vpon the ground Whereat the fourth knight being abashed saied vnto himselfe Truly both the king and Vrganâ—â— â—â—ue good reason as they do to assure the valor and Prowesse of this knight séeing it is much more then they warrant it to bee Neuerthelesse I must of force trie him otherwise I should doe both my selfe and him wrong And with that he called Esplandian and said Knight Although I well know the small courtesie that I and my companions haue shewed vnto you yet I must not refuse to doe the same that they haue done before me wherefore I pray you send to some of your company for another launce that we may sée who shall beare the honour of this enterprise I will doe it saied hee séeing you constraine me therevnto vpon condition that if I can I will serue you in the like sort I haue done your companions With that Gransador that heard them speake gaue him his launce which he presently charging they met together with such force that their launces brake close vnto their hands neither of them remouing out his saddle wherefore the knight of the forrest turned to Esplandian and saied Sir Knight let vs yet trie one blow more and I will quite you for this time You might content your selfe said hée with that is done but séeing you are so void of reason I am content to trie it with you till one of vs bee beaten off his horse Then he sent Sergil to fetch another lance and he brought him one some what bigger and shorter then those hee had before wherewith hee strooke the knight of the forrest so valiantly that he ouerthrew him himself being constrained to imbrace his horse about the necke or else he had fallen as the other did that lay on the ground yet he rose before Esplandian had runne out his course and as he returned barke he staied him by the armour and saied vnto him Before God sir knight you haue sufficiently shewed that in valour and Prowesse you are second to none but to your selfe but hee answered not a word but holding downe his head ashamed of that had happened vnto him passed forth With that the king came thether to knowe what knights they were that had ben ouerthrowne among the which he knew Galaor for hee had put off his helmet to do him honour when he saw him come wherat the king was so well pleased that he alighted of his horse and ranne to imbrace him the like did Amadis saying vnto him with a smiling countenaunce How now brother Galaor how long haue you vsed to be a kéeper of the high waies You sée said hee that I and my companions haue sought to trie whether this knight be of such force as we haue found him and what hath happened you may well iudge when Esplandian vnderstood his vncle Galaor fearing to haue offended hee lighted off his horse and knéeling downe before him asked pardon for his fault Nephew saied hée it is I that haue done the wrong and therefore I tolde the king that you are a better knight then I and maruaile not if I sought to prooue it Because I thought to doe it with mine honour but I found the contrary which from henceforth shal make me thinke the things foreshewed of you will bee accomplished so well that the glory of your father and the reputation by many knights in times past obtained shall from henceforth bee extinguished you hauing so easily ouerthrowne thrée of the best knights in great Brittaine and my selfe the fourth What are they said the king My lord said Galaor the first that ranne was Sendale of Gonaste the second Galuanes the third Angriote d'estrauaulx and my selfe hath done worse then they Wherat the king and al the company began to laugh And imbracing them caused them to mount on horsebacke riding towards London where in the way the King praied them to tell him howe this enterprise was deuised My Lord saied Galaor hauing vnderstoode by the danish Gentlewoman that my lady Oriane not long since sent vnto the Quéene to bring her newes of your returne and what had happened vnto you during your imprisonment the valiant acts by you declared of my nephew Esplandian wee conceiued such a iealousie against him estéeming the honour you did him thereby to procéed rather of fatherly loue then otherwise that wée determimined secretly to depart out of London to proue his force as now you haue well séene and to moue him therevnto we sent the gentlewoman with the message you haue heard Of my faith saied the king the deuise was good and hath fallen out well In this manner deuising of sundry things hee came to Mirefleur where the Quéen met him praising God for his vnexpected return and considering his trouble past with the gréefe shee had for his long absence séeing him there safe and in good health shee thought her selfe well recompenced with his presence The next day in the morning they set forwards towards London where the people receiued him with such signs of gladnesse that most part of them wept for ioy to sée him for there was neuer Prince better loued of his subiects theÌ„ he Being there Esplandian began to be weary of the place longing to heare news of Carmelle that he had sent to Constantinople as you haue heard before And therefore euery day hee deuised meanes to get licence to depart from thence pretending a cause of returning to the castle called La montaigne defendu shewing the king what promise he had made to his companions which if hee did not performe they should haue cause to complaine of him but the king would not in any sort graunt to his request yet in the end ouercome with much
wraths wil not be so much increased against me as that you will not giue me leaue to be reuenged on him And as hee vttered those words beeing couered with his shield hee went vnto Esplandian and holding his sword in hand stroke him flatlâ—ng with the same vpon the arme in such maner that he was astonished and with the force of the blow the sword sliding downe vpon a stone brake in thrée péeces wherewith Esplandian stepped to him and with great dexterity strooke him so fiercely on the face that the blood in great abundance ran out of his forehead Whereat the Giant was in such a rage that casting downe his shield tooke the péece of his sword in both his hands and with all his force strooke at Esplandian that stept aside and perceiuing the Giants arme comming towards him with one blow cut off his hand whereby his sword fell downe Neuerthelesse he séemed not abashed but imbracing Esplandian with his left arme thought to crush the breath out of his body but it happened otherwise for as hee held him Esplandian hauing his right arme at libertie thrust his sword into the Giants body wherewith he died TheÌ„ calling Bramatos thrée squires that he brought thether to shew him the prisoners hee asked where they were My lord said one of them on that side the vaut is the two Giants lodgings that you haue slaine and vnder it are the prisoners that you séeke in a most darke prison aboue a hundred paces long and but two paces broad whereby the prisoners in great number haue no meanes to rest themselues beeing constrained to stand vpright for the narrownesse of the place Goe before said Esplandian with that the squire went forward and Esplandian followed after and they had not gone long but they entred into a goodly pallace and going lower hee heard the lamentable voices of the poore prisoners dying for want of food whereat he tooke such compassion that the teares ran downe his eies asking the squire for the keies there they hang said he vpon a naile Open the dore said Esplandian which he presently did wherein they entred and Esplandian calling the poore wretches that lamented saied vnto them My good friends come all forth and thanke God for your liberties You may well iudge if they were glad to heare those newes for that some of them had remained therein aboue thirtie yeares together being in all twenty Gentlewomen thirtie squires and fiftie knights among the which Esplandian knewe Gandalin and Lazinde who by euill fortune after the conquest of Sansuegue trauailing the country were met by the Giants and kept in prison with the rest where they indured great miserie CHAP. XXV How Esplandian commanded the prisoners he had deliuered to goe vnto Constantinople there to thank the Princesse Leonorine the Emperours doughter keeping only Gandalin and Lazinde with him THe Giants slaine and the prisoners set at liberty Esplandian that as yet had not taken off his helmet not long after made himselfe knowne to Gandalin and Lazinde that were no lesse abashed to sée him in so straunge a place then wondered at the great Prowesse he had shewed for their deliuery It was then about sunnesetting and Esplandian had neither eat nor dronke of all that day wherefore hée determined not to depart thence till the next day in the morning for hee found great store of victuals in the place Commanding Sergil with one of the squires to go séeke the Bay horse he left at the house where hee slew Bramato for his owne was slaine which they presently brought vnto him passing the night in the Giants house with the best victuals they could finde The next day in the morning Esplandian called the prisoners that he had deliuered asking them what they meant to doe Sir Knight saied they wee are wholly bent to doe as pleaseth you Then my friends said he you shal go to Constantinople and there giue thankes vnto the Princesse Leonorine for the grace it hath pleased Gâ—d to giue you by means of a knight that belongeth vnto her Anâ— if shee asketh you my name tell her only what manner of armes I beare shewing her that I willed you to submit your selfe vnto her mercy In faith saied Gandalin my companion and I were determined not to leaue your company so soone but séeing it is your pleasure wee are content to doe it You and he said Esplandian shall kéepe mee company till you meane to trauaile further the rest shall doe as I required them Sir Knight saied hee that shewed him the prison they shall finde within the house all the furnitures and other things that were taken from them shew them where they be said Esplandian Wherevnto he willingly obayed which done they all left the Giants house the prisoners taking the way towards Constantinople and Esplandian with Gandalin and Lazinde armed at all points went towards maister Elizabeth that stayed for them in the great Serpent and as they were about halfe a mile from the Giants house they met a knight all armed with two squires attending on him who in courteous manner saluting Esplandian and his company asked them what countrey men they were Sir knight said Esplandian wee are all of great Brittaigne Alas said he can you tell me any newes touching a thing that hath gréeued me full sore What is that saied Esplandian can you tell mee saied hee what is become of king Luisart For I haue ben certefied of a truth that hee is lost not knowing where how nor for what cause And for my part I sweare vnto you I haue already sought for him in diuers countries and can heare no newes at all and I am determined neuer to leaue trauailing before he be found againe if it be possible for mortal man to doe it You are bound therevnto said Esplandian séeing hee deserueth it as you knowe right well Neuerthelesse if it pleaseth you to put off your helmet and make you knowne vnto vs that haue ben bred and nourished in his house I assure you wee will satisfie your mind so wel as touching him that you cannot chuse but like it My lords saied hee putting off his helmet I am Norandel his sonne When Esplandian and the rest perceiued that they made themselues knowne vnto him imbracing each other most curteously Ha mâ— lord said Norandel I pray you for Gods cause if you know any thing touching the king hide it not from me Vncle saied Esplandian about a moneth hence I left him at Mirefleur in good health God bee thanked making good cheare shewing him in what maner hée had deliuered him out of prison wiih all that passed touching the same I maruaile then said Norandel what aduenture brought you hether By my soule saied Esplandian that can I not well tell only that I was brought hether by the great Serpent which I left at the sea side wherein maister Elizabeth staieth for me Then hee shewed him how hee departed from the court his arriuall in the Ferme Isle his
hee could not sléepe till day began to appeare when Frandalo and the rest of his knights entred into his chamber to talke with him not only as touching the intertainement of their prisoners but of other thinges that much imported them And as they were in counsell together Gandalin came vnto them shewing them that king Armato desired for to speake with them wherevpon they went out of the chamber to heare what hee would say Frandalo could speake the Arabian tongue better then the rest for that hee had serued the king of Turkie and hee knew him very well wherefore Esplandian desired him to speake for all the rest And entring into the chamber Frandalo went first who knéeling on the ground kissed the kings hand With that Armato thinking hee had beene prisoner asked him where he was taken My lord saied he I am now become a Christian and a knight of Iesus Christ that hath done mee so much grace not long time since to call mee to bee one of his A Christian said the king is that possible By my soule it maketh mee more abashed then the cruell fortune that is now happened vnto mee for that all knights following armes ought patiently to beare those hazards that they fall into vsing necessitie as a vertue But thou vnhappy wretch that through feare and want of courage hast forsaken our iust and holy law wherefore takest thou not a rope and hangest thy selfe as vnworthy to goe vpon the earth My lord saied hee you may say what pleaseth you as being priueledged for the greatnesse of your estate yet I can assure you I neuer had so cowardly a heart as you estéeme I haue but rather account my selfe happie to haue done that I haue done Yet will I not refuse to doe you seruice my honour still reserued in any thing I can With that Armato remembred himselfe and thought hee did him wrong wherefore moderating his choler he saied vnto him Friend Frandalo If it gréeueth mee to haue lost you let it not séeme strange vnto you séeing now I had greater hope then euer I haue had to bée serued by your meanes But séeing it is so you knowe howe I haue vsed you heretofore now I pray you if you may doe any thing for mee to finde the meanes with your companions that I may bee deliuered from hence by some reasonable composition My lord saied Frandalo pointing to Esplandian This is hee that hath all power and authoritie in this place both ouer you and mee With that Armato looked vpon him and perceiuing him so yoong without a beard thought Frandalo saied it to excuse himselfe wherefore hee asked if he mocked him God forbid I should doe so my lord saied Frandalo but I pray you beléeue me for it is true that my lord Esplandian standing here before you is he and none other that slew Matroco Frerion Arcalaus the inchanter and Argantes the Porter of the castle which hee conquered as you haue been aduertised By my head saied the king I would hardly haue estéemed him for so braue a man but séeing it is so I pray thee doe somewhat with him touching the thing I told you of euen now Beléeue mée my lord said Frandalo there shall want no good will in me and with that hee bad him God morrow and leauing him with his guard they went into the hall where they found the tables ready couered for dinner for it was about noone time But as Esplandian rested ill that night so hee made but a meane dinner not being able to withdraw his mind from thinking on the princesse Leonorine which was the cause that the Tables being vncouered hee went into his chamber without any company onely the king of Denmarke whom he loued as himselfe where being together he began to shew him the cause why he sent Carmelle to Constantinople as also what affection hee bare to the Princesse Leonorine And to the end said he you bee participant of my ioy I pray you let vs haue her here that shee may shew vs what shee learned in her voyage My lord saied the king of Denmarke if you saw her apparrelled in the gowne the Princesse gaue her I am assured you will scarse knowe her at the first Will you that I send her word to bring it hether It is well saied saied Esplandian with that he called a Squire sending him to Carmelle that as theÌ„ was in company of Arcabonnes Gentlewomen but vnderstanding Esplandians pleasure went presently to apparrell her selfe as hee had willed her and hauing a mantle on her shoulders because she would not be séene went to him in his chamber where she found him and the king of Denmarke talking together but as soon as he espied her he tooke her in his armes and setting her in a chair couered with veluet saied vnto her My goodfriend I meane to shew my companion you sée here how much I loue and estéeme him wherefore I pray you shew me before him what intertainement the princesse Leonorine gaue you knowing you came from me and whether I find any fauour in her sight My lord said she as soone as I was arriued and that she vnderstood the cause of my comming vnto her I found her no lesse yours then you hers whereby I may estéeme you the happiest knight liuing in the world And know you why She is so faire and of so comely personage that vnlesse it bee her selfe none can resemble her and of truth shee dooth farre surpasse all other ladies for being alone in her priuate chamber playing on some instrument or singing for her pleasure she stealeth and rauisheth the harts seperated from the bodies of such as either heare or sée her and if at sometimes she attireth her selfe after the Italian manner with a cap of that country fashion then you may sée her faire and glistering haire part giuing a certaine shadow on her vermilion chéekes the rest knit vp together inuironing her head shewing with farre better grace then any crowne that she could weare bée it of stones laurell or the finest gold that may be found But if that be a temptation vnto man her two humble and modest eies like two suns giue them as many deaths as they at times behold the same and againe reuiueth them better â—hen at the first and all at one instant whereat you must not 〈◊〉 abashed séeing that loue it selfe doth often skirmish and striue in them thereby to yéeld both pain and pleasure vnto those that doe behold the same and if hée touch her he feareth to hurt her as being in most extreame passions of loue And not without a cause for that nature hauing made her brake the mould that shee might be the only perfect creature accompanied with so many vertues that loue findeth nothing in her but bones to gnaw vpon And I assure you my lord that speaking vnto her of those thinges you had giuen mee in charge I plainely perceiued her by the changing of her countenance to be charged with the
heart and the entrailes of her body the rest of the flocke resting in the power and gouernement of him and his fierce company whereby not long after it shall come to passe that the great deceitfull Serpent the inchaunted sword and this high rocke shal sink into the bottome of the sea and shall neuer after be seene againe of any man But although Esplandian vnderstoode the Gréeke tongue yet could he not giue any interpretation or exposition to this prophesie no more could any of his company wherefore they determined not to stay long about the same but were more busied to behold the stones and great riches they sawe within the tombe which they determined to take with them and return vnto their ships without staying any longer for their victuals began to fail wherefore Esplandiâ—â— willed Carmelle to take the Lion hee and the king of Denmarke tooke the plate of christall Gandalin and Enil the azure stone and the Squires the Ceader chest with the Image of Iupiter And in that sort they issued out of the pallace descending downe the rocke till about euening they came vnto the hermitage where they staied all night the next day they went on till they found their ship wherein about sunsetting they imbarked themselues and because Esplandian would not be séene in Constantinople without the great Serpent hée commanded the master of the ship to direct his course to the castle called La montaigne defendu which he did But hauing sailed about two daies more as the king of Denmark sat talking with Esplandian about the letter that was sent vnto him hee asked him if he thought not good that he should make a voiage vnto the Princesse Leonorine to vnderstand the truth of her affection towards him For saied hee it may be Gastilles hath mistaken her words or the Emperor himselfe hath commanded him to write vnto you in such sort that therby you should make the more hast to goe thether at the least I shall know of her what her pleasure is and how you shal gouern your selfe in respect of her Ha my good friend said Esplandian you haue toucht me now euen at the quicke If you would doe me so much fauour you shall bind mee for euer vnto you meane time I will stay for you in the gulfe where I found you with Frandalo when we raised the siege of the castle La montaigne defendu Assure your selfe said the king I will do my good will There was belonging to their ship a little Pinnace which the maister tooke with him besides the boat to saue himselfe and his people if any tempest should happen wherin the king with certain martiners to guide him entred and taking their leaue of Esplandian sailed forwards with so good a winde that in short space they lost the sight of the great ship But the next night following there happened such a teÌ„pest that at the breake of day their Pilot knew not where hee was without knowledge of the place he was constrained to abandon the Pinnace vnto the mercy of the waues which continued for the space of forty daies together in which time they indured so many fortunes that it would be ouertedious to recount them and wée should likewise digresse from the matter whereinto wee are entered to bring our history vnto an end â—et it therefore suffice you to know that their victuals being spent they chanced to arriue in the Island of the Giant Drapheon where the king of Denmarke and his squire lost their wits and became mad by force of a water that they drunk out of a fountain called The fountain of Forgetfelnesse that sprang in that Isle where they were taken kept in a cruel prison froÌ„ whence in short time after they were deliuered by the meanes of a Gentlewoman that fel in loud with the king and caused him to recouer his health armes horse and a ship with all things necessary for himselfe and his squire and hauing done she with them put to sea and coasting the countrey of Treuisane they came vnto an Island where the people of the countrey would haue burnt a Gentlewoman because shee could not find a knight for to maintaine her quarrel but the king fought for her and ouercame him that accused her taking the Gentlewoman with him put to sea againe sailing sixe daies together along the coast hée perceiued a maid out of a tower where in the lord of the country kept her prisoner for the cause which shee declared to the king out of a window that looked into the sea for whose sake the king took land to fight with the lord till hée deliuered the poor gentle woman out of prison such were the aduentures of the king of Denmark which are rehearsed at large in the great chronicles that master Elizabeth wrote not long after the coronation of Esplandian wherein the prowesse aduentures of the Brittish knights and others remaining at Alfarin are likewise registred orderly set downe For this time content your selues to vnderstand the maner how in what sort Esplandian and the Princesse Leonorine saw each other how afterward Vrganda came to Constantinople of the armies both â—y land sea of the cruell battaile betwéen the Turks Christians which ended our history likewise shall be finished but hauing many things to describe before I come to that point we will returne to Esplandian that was not smally abashed at the long absence of the King expecting froÌ„ day to day some newes of him that had left his company only for the cause you heard before CHAP. XXXV How Esplandian hauing staied Garinter king of Denmarks returne about two weekes space and perceiuing no news of him determined by the counsell of Carmelle to goe in person to the citty of Constantinople AFter that Garinter King of Denmarke had set saile towards Constantinople as it is saied before Esplandians ship arriued at the gulfe where he promised to stay and there lay at anker for the space of two wéekes not hearing any news of his desired message wherewith he doubted either that the king of Denmarke should bee drowned or that fortune had carried his vessel some other way wherfore he thought to send one of his marriners to enquire of him But before hee did it he determined first to speak with Carmelle and taking her aside saied vnto her My great friend you know for what cause the king of Denmarke left vs the reason of his voiage as also the promise he made vnto me to returne again with all spéed but we can heare no news of him at all which maketh me assuredly beléeue either hee is dead or that the storme hee was in hath cast him in some country so far off that he cannot by any meanes doe as he hath promised wherefore I pray you giue mee your aduise what I were best to doe for those that are in the like mind that I am although in some thinges they haue their vnderstandings whole and perfect
nephew of that called the Well so named of a great profound well that stoode hard by it And causing the other gates to bee rampired vp prouided for all things as a wise valiant captaine should do in such a case With that a Grecian that had ben takeÌ„ by the Turks came into the city and assured theÌ„ for certaine that the Soudan of Liquie was himselfe in person with king Armato and almost all the kings of the east hauing two hundred Gallies as well great as small fifty great ships thirty mahoiâ—es and one twenty cafords that are ships not much vnlike to gallies besides thirtie foistes and diuers brigandines barkes galions and sciffes wherein they had laid their victuals other munitions and for their number of footmen they might be about some thrée hundred and fifty thousand men saying likewise that Alphorax had the chéefe charge at sea and Armato on land and that their determination was neuer to depart from Constantinople till they had destroied it and from thence would go to Rome further if they rould The sixt day after this great army passing the gulfe of Propontide came into the straights of Constantinople entering in the great sea where they remained during the siege robbing all the countrey about where first they staied a wéeke before they landed any of their men meane time certain gallies and small ships set forward to make an alarum in the hauen from whence to their great losse they were repulsed for the sixe of the principallest of them were sunk in the sea Neuertheles the next day following they began to land in great numbers thought to win the gate there were many braue blows both with sword and speare giuen on both parts and many a valiant man ended their daies became meat to fishes There the knights of great Brittain shewed theÌ„selues not to bée vnacquainted with such dangers who so had beheld Norandel Frandalo Manely Talanque repulse the enemy that thought to aduaunce themselues might eastly iudge with what desire they fought But what shuld I stand longer to describe this conflict To conclude the gate was defended the enemies repulsed from the same yet their number was so great the notwithstanding the valour of the Emperours men they landed lay within two bowes shot of the city they of the city being forced to retire The Pagans being on land deuided themselues into four parts in such sort that the city was so well besieged that not a man could enter or come forth without their leaue Wherefore king Armato presently caused great number of ladders to bee prepared the most part of them double hoping before the wéeke were ended to assault take spoile and destroye the City But they within slept neither night nor day but made artificiall fires with all other things requisite for such a charge The Pagans staied not long to execute their purpose so that vpon a munday in the morning they came in great fury to set fire on the gates and to scale the Town although for the time they lost their labors many of theÌ„ their liues where in the end they were coÌ„strained to retire to their no litle shame great confusion And in their retraict Norandel with four or fiue hundred men issued at a postern gate set vpon them behind which put theÌ„ in such fear that they draue them to their tents Yet not being content with this first repulse they determined on friday after either to die or enter into the town And the day appointed ran vnto the wals where the number of the assailants was so great the assault giuen in so many places both by sea land that if God had not prouided for them it is most certain the town had ben takeÌ„ especially on Frandalos side for the most part of his men fled away from their guard wherby it happened that more then a hundred Turks mounted on the wals but they staied not long for that the emperor who during the assault staied in the midst of the city with the rest of all his power to aid such places as had most néed aduertised therof marched to Frandalos quarter and with such force repulsed the enemy that hée made theÌ„ glad to get them thence in such sort that they receaued no lesse losse at the second assault then at the first It is true the ten of the knights of great Brittain were slaine at the conflict which much gréeued their companions specially for the losse of Ledarin of Feiarque of Trys and Imosil of Burgundy This second assault hauing had such issue as you heard before Armato went to counsell with all the other kings and princes to know what they shold do where it was concluded to kéep their tents and so inclose the town for to get it by assault they knew ful wel they shuld but lose their labors wherfore they ment no more to try the same but many times made skirmishes with the citty to their no litle losse Thus they passed aboue a month without doing any thing worthy the rehearsing till one day among the rest a gentlewomaÌ„ belonging to the souldan of Liquie came on message to the gate the Norandel had in charge of whoÌ„ she asked if the knight of the great serpent were among them Wherfore said Norandel I bring him said she a letter from the chéef and most courteous knight in all Asia Norandel desirous to vnderstaÌ„d the contents of the letter said hée was the man Then looke vpon it saied shee at your leisure And if you thinke it good returne an answere with that shée turned her horse and rid the same way that shee came Which done Norandel opened the letter the contents whereof are these Rodrigue great Soudan of Liquie friend to the gods and enemy to their enemies defendor of the Pagan law to thée that callest thy self knight of the great serpent gréeting Know thou that the cause of our long voyage by Sea to enter into these countries hath béene in hope to bee reuenged of the outrages that my vncle Armato king of Turky hath receiued at the hands of thée and thy coÌ„panions not hauing once offeÌ„ded thée and although we are most sure of the destruction of the wicked emperor the fauoureth thée in thy so wicked and damnable enterprises and that before long time be past both hee and his shall end their liues by our hands yet should I be much gréeued that this misfortune should happen vnto thée before I haue prooued my body against thine because of the renowne that is spread of thée throughout the world Wherfore chuse whether thou wilt accept of the combate betwéene vs two alone of tenne to tenne a hundred to a hundred or of greater number as thou thinkest good Swearing vnto thée by all our gods that those thou shalt bring with thée for that cause shall receiue no more displeasure then my self vnlesse it be by such as are ordained to fight with them according to
talking with king Luisart Esplandian and other good knights Where knéeling on the ground she asked which of them was the knight of the great Serpent and his father Amadis spake vnto her and saied Gentlewoman I am the one and this is my sonne Is it your pleasure to speake with vs The gentlewoman casting hir eie vpon Esplandian maruelling at his great beautie spake said In good faith king Amadis I verily beléeue that this is hee for I haue heard him in diuers places estéemed for the same that nowe I doe behold in him Gentlewoman said Amadis if you came into our camp only to sée him you now haue your desire That hath not ben only the cause said she but to bring this letter which the Souldan of Liquie and Quéen Calafre send vnto you both wherfore hauing read it I pray you returne an answere With that Amadis hauing taken it in his hand the Gentlewoman departed out of the tent attending their resolution King Amadis hauing read it shewed it to King Luisart and the rest that were in presence wherewith there rose great controuersie among them concerning the refusall or acceptation of the combat for that the most part of them were of aduise it should not be accepted shewing diuers great and euident reasons to confirm the same as the greater number of enemies they had before them readye to giue them battaile if it happen said they that fortune should be contrary to king Amadis and Esplandian in whome partly consisteth our hope such hard chance would bréed great fear in diuers men that are now very willing ready to do the best they can Others held the contrary saying that it would be shame vnto them al for that that refusal only would much incourage the enemy but they were of this opinion that it might wel be required that the number of the combatants might be greater In good truth saie Amadis be it of two against two twenty against twenty or of greater number the victory is in the hands of God Wherefore in refusing thereof I should doe my selfe wrong and cause a great blemish to all Christendome that would not be defaced in long time after Besides I haue great hope of Gods helpe herein for whose faith and honour I haue vndertaken this voiage When Esplandian heard his fathers mind he spake boldlier and said That he would take that combate vpon himselfe alone not onely against the Souldan and the Quéene but against two others more with them rather then it so should be refused whereupon it was concluded that Amadis and he would fight and sending for the messenger into the tent Amadis saied vnto her Gentlewoman you shall tel the Souldan and the Quéene that I and my son are content to doe as they require wherefore let them chuse what arms they will and for the place it shall bee betwéene their campe and ours assuring them on the faith of a king that not one of our soldiours shall once remoue how soeuer we spéed which wee desire likewise at their hands and if it bée their desire to haue the combate fought this day we are content to doe it With that the gentlewoman returned and comming to the Souldans tent shée declared her message vnto thē being such as you haue heard wherof the Souldan was glad but especially the Quéene for the great desire she had to sée Esplandian wherefore shee asked the Gentlewoman what she thought of him Madame saied shee I haue in my life time séene many men and women that nature had indued with great beautie but by the gods I confesse it is all but painting in regard of that I haue found in him for hee is so faire and beautifull that the more I thinke thereon so much the more it maketh me cōceiue such beauty to be rather deuine thē humane That is much said the Quéene I know not said the gentlewoman what you meane by that word Much but I am wel assured if you had séene him as I did that you would say as much as I doe and it may be more Truly saied the Quéene before I enter in combat with him I will first sée him vnarmed and speak with him not as an enemie to an enemy but as friends commonly do one vnto the other Madame saied the Souldan séeing it is your desire it were good our Gentlewoman went againe vnto them to desire them to giue you leaue to come and visite them in their campe not to procure them any cause of enuy but to do them honour and for that cause to desire their safe conduct This counsell séemed good vnto the Quéene and without longer staying she sent the Gentlewoman backe againe vnto Amadis and Esplandian whom she found yet in the Tent whereas she left them With that she told them what her message was and the great desire the Quéene had to sée them before they entred into combat King Amadis could not refraine laughing to hear the Gentlewoman expresse the affection her mistresse had asking king Luisart what he thought therein Sonne saied hee deny not her request for I assure you since our comming hether I haue heard the Quéene to bée estéemed a wise and beautifull Princesse You heare our answere saied Amadis to the Gentlewoman let the Quéene come hether when she thinketh good for she shall be heartely welcome With that the Gentlewoman returned to the Quéene who being greatly pleased with that answere determined the next daye to goe vnto them But she knew not well what manner of apparell she were best to weare sometimes shee thought it fit to goe as she vsed when she went to bataile and then presently changed opinion thinking a womans apparrell would bee more séemely and conuenient séeing she went not to trie their forces but only to win the loue and fauour of Esplandian if she might procure the same And thinking on it all night long in the morning when she meant to apparrell her self she was resolued to dresse her as women vse to do thinking she had means inough afterward to shew her selfe in habite of a knight whereby shee might bee séene both in the one and the other sort Whervpon she caused her most precious robes to be brought vnto her and apparrelling her self forgot not any thing that might once beautifie or adorn her person or that in her opinion would deck her well the better to be liked And to bear her company she tooke twelue of her own gentlewomen so well furnished and set forth with stones and pearles that the like was neuer séene That done she sent vnto her ships for a most strange and monstrous beast wherevpon sometimes shee vsed to ride in great pomp It was as big as a great Dromadary the hair long somewhat yellow black spots his two eares hanging downe vnto his knées hauing but one eye shining brighter then a burning glasse and stood right in the midst of his forehead out of his mouth there issued two great téeth like hornes and although his
féet were clouen like an ox yet was there no Hart in all the world that could outrun him were it in plaine way or ouer rockes In that manner she entered into the Christans campe of whom she was not a little wondred at before shee came to King Luisarts tent where Amadis and in a maner all the principal captaines of the army staied for her praying Quedragant to goe out to welcome her which he did with great courtesie for he had no sooner espied her but hee stepped forward and doing her great reuerence holpe her to discend and taking her by the arme led her into the tent where the lords were all assembled of whome shee was most honourably receiued But when she beheld Esplandians beauty she was so much surprised with the loue of him that shee repented her comming thether not so much for the small hope shee had to win him being diuers in religion but doubting that the fantasy newly entred into hir mind would so much estrange hir force by ouermuch thinking vpon him when she went to fight that therby she should be in danger to lose the honour and reputation shee had gotten in arms among the best knights in all the world which to preuent shee determined to stay the lesse time there knowing the nature of loue to bee such that it can steale the hearts of all persons and commonly maketh himselfe possessor of it before hee that hath it in possession can perceaue it And as the Princes entertained her with diuers swéete and pleasant spéeches shee tourned to Esplandian and saied Sir Knight for two most excellent graces that are in you I haue taken the paines to come and visite you The first is the gift of beauty which is such in you as I could neuer haue imagined the same The other is the force of your body and magnanimity of your courage whereby you are accounted altogether inuincible The one I haue séen with mine eies to be so perfect that I neuer hope to sée the like againe although I liued a thousand yeares and more the other the combat you shal haue against the most puissant Souldan of Liquie will be a witnesse vnto vs and had it not ben that hée requested me to fight against king Amadis because his onely desire is to prooue his body against yours I would haue tried it my selfe Of one thing can I wel assure you that if the honour remaine to vs and life to you I will afterward tel you a thing that much importeth me and which I greatly desire to let you know before I saile into my countrey Now for this time I haue satisfied my desire wherefore my lords said she vnto all the Princes I beséech you pardon me in not vsing longer spéeches for I know full well that my long staying with you thinking to finde that I hoped for might possible cause me to lose my selfe wherewith I should be ouermuch displeased for that before sunnesetting I hope to bée in place where I will shew such valour in armes that hee which neuer could be vanquished by man as it is reported shal now receiue an ouerthrow at a simple womans hand Madame saied king Perion fortune can doe much when it pleaseth her if you do as you say truly you shall doe more then we can well beléeue but commonly the workman is known by his worke and because the issue of the combat is the glory of him or you til then we wil defer our iudgements And although Amadis perceiued himselfe much outraged by the quéen yet he made no sign thereof but taking her by the arm led her where her company staied and as shée mounted to return with a smiling countenance he spake vnto her and said Madame whē we come to dealing of blowes I beséech you shew me not the greatest extremity you can because I was alwaies a friend to women and euer will be during my life wherevnto the quéen answered not a word but rode vnto the Pagans camp to arm hir selfe Mean time Brian de Moniaste arriued in the Christians camp who hauing ben sent by the king of Spain his father with a great power of men into Africa to besiege the town of Cesonie after called Centie was aduertised by a pirate of the Christians enterprise and how their army and great fléet had passed the cape of Finis terre presently sent vnto his father to desire him to giue him leaue to goe that voiage whereunto by much importunitie he granted For which cause Brian brake vp his siege of Cente and entring again into his ships sailed to Cicile and from thence to Galipoli and so to Constantinople where he ioyned with the Christian princes that receiued him most gladly CHAP. LIII How king Amadis and Esplandian his son fought against the Souldan of Liquie and Queene Calafre and of the battail fought the same day both by sea and land betweene the Christians and the Pagans QVéene Calafre returned to the Pagans campe as you heard before presently armed her selfe the Souldan like wise and stayed not long before they came vnto the place where the combat was assigned where not long after they found Amadis and Esplandian and because the two campes were not well assured of each other notwithstanding the oathes and promises on both sides made they set themselues in order of battaile not stirring one foot king Perion sending word to Quedragant and king Childadan that as they had intelligence from the enemy they should set vpon their armie by sea the like word was sent vnto the Emperour of Constantinople that he might likewise be prepared and as the foure combatants were ready to strike each other the Souldan called Amadis and Esplandian asking them if they would not sweare and kéepe promise according to the agréement sent vnto them by his gentlewoman that the vanquishers without impeachment should lead away the vanquished I truly said they therefore beware of vs. With that Amadis made towards the Quéene and the Souldan against Esplandian to whome he gaue so great a blow with his launce into the shield that he pierced it through wherby diuers thought assuredly he had béen wounded to death but it was not so for the launce passed vnder his saddle without any further hurt but Esplandian gaue him his exchange striking him so fiercely that hée made him loose both stirrop and saddle and fall vpon the ground with so great might that he rolled twice or thrice before he stayed in such manner that the helmet flew off his head Quéene Calafre ranne against king Amadis and he against her and as they were in the middle of their course Amadis turned the but end of his launce against her passing forward would not strike her yet shée held her launce downe and strake his horse in the stéele of his forehead and withall they met so strongly body to body that therewith the Quéene fell downe Amadis was constrained to light his horse was so astonished with the truncheon of
to shew the cause thereof which at the first she could not doe her heart was so full of gréete Neuerthelesse in the 〈◊〉 shee tooâ—◠〈◊〉 againe and saied vnto them My good friends 〈…〉 of almighty God al things haue 〈…〉 teÌ„poral things should passe away by death haue an end according to the qualities of his creatures Which diuers great persons considering with themselues haue trauailed during their liues in many sorts after their deaths to leaue some memorie of them not minding to bury their renowme togither with their bodies Now I know for certaine that the end of your daies is néere wherefore it is most requisite that you bée constant and shew your selues to be the same you were at the beginning Neuerthelesse before that death shall seaze vpon you I will shew the loue that I haue alwaies borne vnto you and with the helpe of God will doe so much that without death you shall remaine asléepe vntill the time that one descended of your race shall deliuer you froÌ„ thence and after that shall bée in as good case and raigne againe within your countries as you did before otherwise assure your selues that before sixe moneths do come vnto an end not one of you shall be aliue but all buried in the earth Wherefore let euery man shew me his opinion and for the rest said shee let me prouide Surely that spéech and newes of death was so harde for them to endure that not one of them but changed colour their hearts béeing seazed with an extreme sorow And as they beheld ech other king Amadis séeming least astonished answered vnto Vrganda and said Madame we know for certaine that not one of vs nor any other liuing creature can perfectly knowe what is necessarie for vs but only you alone wherefore doe with vs as you thinke good and wée will all obey you that is sufficient said Vrganda therefore let euery man put on his armour in the same maner hée vseth when hée goeth to the fielde and each man hold his sword naked in his hand that done she caused them to goe into the forbidden chamber setting them in their roiall seates with all their wiues by them which done Vrgandas two cousens Iuliande and Solisde in two basons of gold brought a certaine composition wherewith shée desired them to wash their faces which they did Whereby it happened that on a suddaine Beautie which Age and Time had decaied in them began againe to appeare within their faces in as great perfection aâ— euen it had done which aduenture pleaseâ— the Ladies so â—â—ll that they began to behold ech other and their husbands thereat to be much abashed Then Vrganda called master Elizabeth taking him by the hand led him into the next chamber where she caused him to sit downe putting the booke that he had brought into her hands she made signes to Gandalin and the gentlewoman of Denmark that they should follow her and passing through the Arke of faithfull louers they entred into the garden where the images of Apolidon and Grimanaise were placed ouer the which she set them and Ardan the dwarfe hard by them wherwith she said vnto them My friends the true and faithfull louers haue béen worthy to sée these images before the Arke sometime inchanted so you deserue this place for the faith and true and affection that you haue alwaies borne to your masters Wherefore vpon your liues sée you depart not hence whatsoeuer you shall heare or sée that done she went vnto the chamber where shée left the Emperour and taking Carmelle by the hand before them all she said vnto her Carmelle you were but of meane parentage but the vertue and great curtesie of your heart hath so much inabled you that you shall bée placed at the Emperors féet to fulfill the promise made vnto him which was neuer to forsake him while you liued With that she spake vnto king Amadis and all the other princes praying them not to flie till shée returned againe and going vp into one of the towers of the pallace shée tooke with her the best of Medeas bookes which Melie had that sometime belonged to the Enchantresse lady and being in the tower shée vncouered her head with that she began to read certaine coniuâ—â—ations and looking into all the foure quarters of the earth making signes and tokens with her fingers her face became so redde â—hat it séemed fire had issued out of her eyes Whereupon there â—appened such an earthquake so great tempests of lightning and â—hunder as though the Elements had fought togither This tempest continuing for the space of thrée quarters of an houre those whome she had caused to sit downe as you heard before remained in a trance without all knowledge as if they had béene dead and with that there appeared a cloud so obscure and thicke which inuironed the place that neuer after it could be séen till Luisart of Gréece sonne to Esplandian brought that enchantment to an end by meanes of a sword which he conquered as it shall be declared to you in the sixt Booke wherein is described one of the most pleasant and delectable histories that euer was read At which time all the Princes and the rest were reuiued againe and not before The Emperor Esplandian at that time had a sonne after his grandfathers name called Luisart as then about the age of eight yéeres King Amadis a sonne and a daughter the sonne named Perion and the daughter Brisene that married the eldest sonne of the Emperour of Rome King Galaor two sonnes the one named Perion the other Garinter of whome I haue shewed you before Florestan the King of Sardaigne two sonnes the one named Florestan after his father that raigned after him and the other Palmindan of Almaine after his grandfather Agrayes Earle of Salandrie two sonnes the one called Languines the other Galmenes King Bruneau one sonne named Vallade and a daughter named Helisenne that married Quedragants sonne and bare his fathers name King Childadan two sonnes the eldest called Abies of Ireland after his grandfather whome Amadis slewe the first day hée entred into Knighthood And although these princes left such heires as you heard before yet would they not during their fathers absence take on them the names or titles of Kings hoping by Gods helpe that they should once returne as well as euer they were For the which cause they hauing â—â—â—tained to the age and strength to bear armes passed 〈◊〉 â—reland there to bée made knights by King Childâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 very weake and withered with age 〈…〉 followed strange aduentures doing many 〈…〉 feates of armes which are at large declared in the bookes that followe which in time may come vnto your handes when it pleaseth God FINIS