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
all that day hée had not eaten hauing supped they laied him in a bed where the Hermites doughter when shee came to sée her father vsed to lie and visiting his body to sée if he were hurt they found it much brused and blacke in diuers places but not wounded by reason of the goodnesse of his armour which no sword or other weapon could pierce then they annointed him with certaine ointments that appeased the sorenesse of his bruses wherewith hee fell on sléepe till the next morning CHAP. VI. Of the great displeasure king Luisart tooke for the departure of the blacke knight and what conference he had with Arcabonne mother to Matroco touching her vnfortunate life THe black knight being departed out of the castle he had newly conquered the prisoners entred therein among the rest king Luisart knew maister Elizabeth wherfore he rose vp sitting by Arcabonne Matrocos mother who as then leaned on her lap went to imbrace him asking him what fortune had brought him thether at that time to saue the Giants life being in so great extremity And it pleaseth your grace said he once this day I did not thinke hee would haue had so much néed of my helpe as he now hath But as I vnderstand by a knight that I met going downe the hill hee is in great danger of his life Neuerthelesse for the honour of him that commanded mee to helpe him I will doe the best I can I pray you doe so saied the king Then maister Elizabeth caused Matroco to be softly laied vpon his bed and being vnarmed searched his wounds and perceiuing them to bee deadly would not for that time doe any thing vnto them but stanch their bléeding leauing the rest till hee had slept wherein hee was newly fallen In the meane time king Luisart not forgetting what maister Elizabeth at his comming in had said vnto him asked him what was become of the blacke knight and it pleaseth your grace saied he as we entred into the castle I met him going secretly from hence and not minding to returne againe By Saint Mary saied the king haue I receiued so great aid at his hands and am I so vnfortunate that hee should depart from hence without knowing him Truly I am sorry I staied here to sée what would become of Matroco if I had not I would surely haue followed him and with much importunity haue craued his name Maister Elizabeth said he will you vpon your faith tell mee truly whether you know him or not If it be so if you will do doe me any pleasure hide it no longer froÌ„ mée for I neuer had so great desire to know any knight not only for the aid he hath done me but for the valiant enterprise at this present atchieued by him Your grace shall pardon mé◠if it pleaseth you said maister Elizabeth for it is true that I know him well but if I tel you any more I should do him wrong for hee hath expressely forbidden mee to doe it I sée well saied the king you will but increase the desire I haue to kâ—â—w him and that is worse by the same means bereaue me of all hope euer to sée him againe With that they entered into the hall where they met Arcabonne halfe dead with sorrow whome the king in courteous manner praied to stay a while asking her how her son did He doth saied shee as one in whome I haue as little hope of life as of the other that lieth dead in the court and to say the truth it séemeth that fortune hath wholly bent her selfe against me not ceasing continually to heap sorrow vpon sorrow to make me desperate Notwithstanding I know ful wel how to bee reuenged and that is in despight of her and her cruelties to bereaue my selfe of life whereby shee shall lose her power which by good reason I cannot well prolong séeing she hath not spared me one hower of rest since she first began still playing her part in tormenting mee but of all other my misfortunes none hath gréeued mee so much as the force of this knight by whose power saied she vnto the king I sée thée now deliuered out of my handes and from the cruell torments I had prepared for thée if accursed fortune had not withstood them Madame saied the king I pray you declare vnto me the cause of this your great mallice towards mee whether at any time I haue done you wrong or iniury whereby I should deserue it that wil I shew thée said Arcabonne not therein to doe thée pleasure but rather to gréeue thee more when thou shalt know and vnderstand that I was borne and bred in the same country wherein to my great despight thou hast raigned ouerlong for there I and Arcalaus my brother by father and mother were both begotten and brought vp in the art of Nigromancy which oftentimes we haue practised put in effect therewith to torment diuers persons that neuer did offend vs. In the which art as age and knowledge increased I growing very expert in the end became acquainted with Cartadaque as then lord of this castle with whom I grew in so great familiarity that he married me and with him euer fithence haue dwelt here in this castle where not long after I was deliuered of a sonne called Lindoraque after that of another named Matroco that now lieth in this bed and lastly of the third called Frerion whome thou hast slaine and my brother also that went to helpe Argantes the Porter of this castle And being thus married vnto such a husband as Cartadaque was so much feared and redoubted in all places and hauing thrée of the most valiant and worthy knights to my sons that euer liued I was so eleuated in pride and so little estéemed of cruell fortune that I thought it vnpossible for her to work me any woe But by tract of time I found it otherwise for by little and little shee hath wholly chaunged my ioy into most gréeuous sorrow and wilt thou know how Then I thinke thou doest yet remember the discord that long sithence happened betwéene thée and Childadan king of Ireland and of the battaile wherein thou ouercammest him where my deceased husband minding to bee present expressely departed from hence thether and as accursed fortune would tooke my sonne Lindoraque with him and hauing trauailed many countries at the last arriued at the place where my brother staied for them trauailing all three together with full purpose and intent to doe thée all the iniury they could and they had scarce entered into a forrest not farre from London but they met a knight as then surnamed Le Beautenebreux riding in company of a Gentlewoman that ware on her head a Cal all set with strange flowers whome my sonne as accursed fortune would liked so wel that with a great desire to haue hir to present vnto the Lady Madasine his loue commanded one of his squires to go fetch her to him which the knight
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
desire that daily more more increaseth in him to be your faithfull knight But before you procéed further it is conuenient you grant me two requests the one that neither you nor any other shall looke into the tombe vntill the morning that I returne againe with the keye to open a Cedar chest that you shall find therin the other that after you haue opened it you shall giue it me to carry with me to the place where my father kéepeth his hermitage therein to bury the bones of Matroco that died a christian as you haue vnderstood Carmelle my friend said the princes that am I content to doe neuerthelesse I am much abashed why Esplandian deferreth the time so long before he commeth to sée the Emperour Madame said shee I will tell you that to morrow meane time I pray you determin where you will haue our men to set downe their charge In the great hall said Leonorine that my gentlewomen may sée it at their ease In faith madame you shall pardon me said Carmelle this place is too open and ouer common to leaue so precious a thing standing therein I denie not to let them haue the pleasure to behold it but hauing séene it for the more safetie it shall be set into your owne chamber wherof you and none other shall haue the keye With that they that bare the tombe entered into the hall and set it downe till Leonorine and the rest of the gentlewomen had beheld it long and if Carmelle had not béene there assure your selues it had béene better visited than it was but she would not depart from thence till it was shut vp Which done taking her leaue as shée went out she tooke the Princes aside and giuing her the keye of the chest wherein Esplandian lay said vnto her Madame I leaue you in this tombe two inestimable treasures although their difference be great as you may will perceiue you being alone for it is sure that vnder this keye lyeth the thing that in all the world you most desire to sée without staying Leonorines answer she went out of the chamber and with Gandalin and his company returned to the ship leauing the princes in a maruellous doubt by reason of the words shee vsed vnto her there with did so certainely persuade her selfe that her friend Esplandian lay dead within the same that she was constrained to cause all her gentlewomen to depart the chamber only quéene Minoresse that staied to beare her company with that she threw her selfe on her bed almost drowned in teares began to make the greatest sorrow in the world Quéene Minoresse abashed at so suddain alteration knew not what to think but perceiuing her gréefe to increase still more more went vnto her and said Madame I pray you hide the cause of this sorrowe from me no longer for I sweare vnto you of my faith if by any means I may reléeue the same I will deale therin as for my selfe Leonorine that neuer ceased sighing could not answer her one word but with much importance at the last answered her and said Alas my good friend for Gods cause let me be in rest and let it suffice you that you know that I neuer was so desirous for to liue as I am at this present to die What Madame said the Quéene will you tell me nothing els No said shée In good faith then said the Quéene you shall do me wrong and I shall haue good cause to thinke the loue and fauour that in times past you haue shewen vnto me to bee altogither fained whereat I am much gréeued séeing I haue borne such a mind to you that I would neuer haue failed to hazard not only my honor but my life and soule both for your sake When the princes heard her speake with such affection she was somwhat better assured and thereupon said vnto her Séeing you are so desirous to know the cause you shall heare it presently vpon condition you shall promise me to be a meanes rather to hinder my daies than any waies to further them séeing I am fully determined to die You may yet well remember said she the first time that Carmelle came hither to bring vs newes of Esplandian sonne to the good knight with the gréen Sword that had commandement from his father as she said to come hither to serue vs in his place according to the promise he had made vnto vs being in this court Carmelle said that for that cause onely Esplandian had sent her vnto Constantinople to giue the Emperour and vs to vnderstand therof but there were other matters in the wind for shée came expresly to intreat me to be good vnto her master who for the great loue and affection he bare vnto me liued in the greatest paine that possible could be Whereupon it happened that being vanquished ouercome with an infinite number of reasons that she made vnto me I confirmed in my heart that which his renowme had alreadie imprinted in my mind and there with determined for to wish more good to him that to my selfe not that I euer thought to commit any fault that might redound to my dishonour but onely for the glory to haue so worthy a knight readie at my commandement whereby this fire did so augment in me that euer since I could not thinke on any other thing that vpon Esplandian with whose loue my mind hath béene to mooued that his long absence hath almost procured my death yet the hope I had from day to day to sée him hath made me able to sustaine my griefe with so great patience that neither you nor any other as I thinke could euer perceiue it in me But as the Saylor on the sea being in a tempest thinking at length to arriue at some hauen for to saue himselfe suddainly méeteth with a rocke that breaketh his shippe in péeces so I most vnfortunate Ladie hoping by the presence of him I so much desire to sée to be at the end of my great sorrowe am now fallen into the gulfe of desperation considering the spéech which Carmelle vsed to me who speaking softly saied in this manner Madame I leaue you within this tombe two inestimable treasures the one is the thing that in all the world you most desire to sée which maketh me verily thinke it can be no other thing than the dead bodie of Esplandian and that as it is very likely hée hath desired at his death to be brought vnto me to wéepe and lament ouer him as I meane to doe during the terme of my life which if it pleaseth God shall not be very long And saying so shée cast forth a great sigh sowning in Quéene Minoresses armes who being abashed to hear the princesse vse those words so far from the estimation she alwaies had conceuied of her knew not at the â—câ—â— what counsell or comfort to minister vnto her neuertheles considering the extremitie shee was in minding to prouide for two accidents that both at
that had robbed mee scattered themselues in companies to find them out where they staied so long that the shéepheard and his wife went out of the house and thinking to haue their parts left mee alone with the child that not long after I tooke in mine armes and went away But as it fell out the nurse came in and missing the child called to them for help who running in great hast followed mée so fast that had it not ben for night that ouertooke them and the great fire you found about mee I had neuer escaped their hands And what would they haue done with this poore infant said Manely You shall vnderstand said she that the sonne of Garadan hauing conceiued a mortal hatred against the Emperour either because he could not haue the entertainement hee thought hee had deserued or else gréeued as I thinke that hee could not attaine vnto the Empire as hee pretended determined not onely to reuenge himselfe vpon this little child but to kill the Emperour likewise if euer he haue the means By God said the king of Denmark hée is a wicked and cruell hearted man but assure your selfe that God wil not permit it to be so Neuerthelesse I am in doubt this child will indure much woe séeing you haue no meanes to giue it sucke Let me alone with that said Vrganda for I haue certain hearbes about me with the iuice wherof I will nourish it if néed be eight daies together What saied hee will you then stay here so long No said Vrganda for as soone as it is day I will returne vnto my boat that staieth here at the shoare But madame saied they what shal become of vs for we are arriued here not knowing who brought vs hether But for Gods sake if you haue heard any newes of our companions let vs knew it and where wee may goe to find them My friends said shee you must first let desteny haue his course and indure many hard aduentures when time serueth you shall haue your desires And in that manner sometimes talking and sometimes sléeping they passed the time away till day began to appeare when they thrée together went to the sea side where they entered into Vrgandas boat wherein foure Gentlewomen and two dwarfes staied for her CHAP. XVII How Vrganda departed from the two knights and being guarded by two dragons went vnto the Emperours court to deliuer them their yoong sonne for the losse whereof all the court was in an vprore FOr a time Vrganda staied with the two knights not minding presently to ease the Emperours mind with the recouery of his sonne in the end she caused them to returne vnto their barke willing them from that time forwards to arm themselues against the assaults of fortune although she séemed neuer so variable and vnconstant For said shée therefore was the order of knighthood instituted appointed that thereby it might appeare more excellent And they were no sooner departed but she set foot on land and mounted on a palfrey with the child in her lappe shee rude forward with two dragons to guard her one vpon her right hand the other vpon the left that bare her company till shée came to Triol where the Emperour helde his court And approching the Towne she met great companies of knights that went to séeke the child who séeing those horrible beasts casting fire out of their mouths for feare they began to flie whereat Vrganda smiled At the last Florestan king of Sardinia comming that way hauing ridden a great compasse about to pursue Garadans sonne and returning as then all weary sore trauailed with his horse tyred perceiuing the people to runne so fast asked them the cause wherewith they shewed him a farre off what they had séene but hee not abashed went towards the dragons thinking if it were possible to fight with them and as he came néerer vnto them he knew Vrganda and spurring his horse hee thought to salute her but the more hee prickt him forwards the more the horse gaue backe whereby he was constrained to light downe and saluting her he tooke her by the hand but the dragons vanished away whereat hee was abashed which Vrganda perceiuing said vnto him In faith sir knight they haue good cause to giue you place knowing well the magnanimitie of your inuincible courage And for my part I estéeme my selfe better guarded being in your company then I did before wherfore I pray you leaue me not till I haue deliuered this child vnto his mother which I haue recouered from the villaines that had stollen it from her Is it possible madame said Florestan that the emperour should receiue so great a pleasure by your means Shew mee I pray you if it pleaseth you how you procured the same You shall know it saied she when time serueth till then content your selfe and mounting on horsebacke I pray you bring mée to the citty of Triol With that they rode together till they came to the Emperours court where they found the Empresse halfe dead for sorrow but when shee heard the good newes Vrganda brought her sorrow turned to excéeding ioy And for that the emperour being armed was ridden out to séeke the child as others did shee sent men on all sides to certefie him thereof hee hauing intelligence thanked God with all his heart and turned backe to sée Vrganda that told him in what manner she found the child as you haue heard before Where wee leaue her and returne to shew you of Manely and the king of Denmarke who in the mean time were at sea in so horrible a tempest that they thought to haue ben drowned CHAP. XVIII Of the strange aduentures that the king of Denmarke and Manely had after they departed from Vrganda and what pastime they had with two great apes in an Island where by chaunce they arriued AFter the king of Denmarke and Manely departed from Vrganda they entered into their barke where their two Squires staied for them and so imbarked presently hoised saile and put to sea the weather very peaceable and calme but they had not sailed long when a contrary winde began to rise wherewith the waters grew so high and the sea began to swell so bigge that one while it séemed to mount vnto the skies and againe to descend as low as the bottomelesse pit of hel whereby their little barke was oftentimes couered with water hauing neither maste saile nor cable but all rent in péeces And that which abashed thē most was that night comming vpon them it was so darke they could not sée the length of their boat in which torment they continued for the space of thirty daies together till at the length it cast them vpon an Island where being arriued about sunne setting they landed Then commaunding one of their squires to kéepe their boat being armed at all points they went into the Island to sée if they could find any fresh water or other victuals for they had not sufficient in
imbarking to take sea and what time they were at sea before they discouered any land till in the end saied hee we espied this country where Sergil and I tooke land in good time for Gandalin and Lazinde as hereafter they may shew you But you saied hee to Norandel tell me of your faith how was it your chance in so good time to méet with vs In truth saied Norandel the peace made betwéene Amadis and the king I departed from the court to séek some strange aduentures that commonly are found in this country of Almaigne where I had no sooner arriued but I had certaine newes of my fathers absence whereat I was so gréeued that to find him out I haue trauailed the countries of Denmark Poland Russia Sweathland Hungarie and all this country euen vnto this place where it is said there dwels two giants who as they are all of one nature exercise innumerable cruelties against those they méete the yonger of them waiting continually about this place for such as passe this way And therefore when I saw you first I thought one of you thrée to be the Giant thinking to fight with him or lose my life therefore which I wil yet doe if you let me passe By God saied Gandalin you lost your labour séeking for the king so shall you likewise doe if you take this enterprise in hand Wherefore saied Norandel Because saied he you sée him here in presence that easeth you of that burthen With that he shewed him in what manner Esplandian had fought with the Giants and how he Lazinde and diuerse others were prisoners in their house from whence Esplandian had deliuered them Before God saied Norandel the newes liketh mee wel for I neuer thought in long time any such aduenture would haue happened vnto him not knowing he had receiued the order of knighhood You sée it is so saied Esplandian and maister Elizabeth can tell you more if it pleaseth you to goe with vs. Let vs goe then said Norandel for I would gladly sée him With that they rode towards the sea till they espied the great Serpent wherein they imbarked themselues where Norandel Gandalin and Lazinde vnderstood by master Elizabeth what had happened to Esplandian from the day hee receiued the order of knighthood And although Norandel determined with all spéed to return into great Brittaigne yet hee chaunged his mind when hee heard so strange and maruailous news of his nephew Esplandian to whoÌ„ he said My lord séeing fortune hath brought vs so well together I pray you let me not leaue your company till some occasion bee ministred vnto vs. Vncle saied Esplandian I am content and I pray you let it be so In that manner they passed the rest of the day in the great Serpent minding the next day because shée stirred not to take land againe to sée if they could finde any more aduentures And they had scarse fallen asléepe but the Serpent began of it selfe to saile forward so swiftly that by sunne rising they had lost the sight of any land not ceasing for to saile sixe daies together before they espied land the seuenth day when the sunne began to shine it staied at the Isle Saint Mary which maister Elizabeth presently knew as hauing ben there before with Amadis de Gaule when he fought with Landriaque wherefore he saied vnto the knights In good faith I remember that once as I trauailed on the sea with my lord Amadis wee were cast vpon this Island by so great a tempest that we thought verily to haue béen drowned And if then at sea wee had great feare of death béeing landed our feare did more increase and that with so good cause that I cannot chuse but tremble to remember it What saied Esplandian Can a danger so long time past bréed so great a feare as you séeme to haue Sir saied maister Elizabeth some men to hide the truth make a great matter of a small but if you had séen as much as I then saw and that which as yet you may behold if it pleaseth you to goe where I was once you shall find that I haue no lesse occasion and there is Gandalin that can witnesse it as wel as I. I pray you bring vs thether said Esplandian with that they caused the horses to be vnshipt and going to land they mounted vp the Island til they came to the castle where Amadis staied certain daies to be healed of his wounds where they found a knight that kept it forthe Emperour who being aduertised by maister Elizabeth what knights they were hee had brought thether bad them heartely welcome offering them all the pleasure he could shew but they staying not there went forwards to the place where Amadis fought with Landriaque where the Emperour had erected both their Images so like vnto them that there wanted only life to expresse the same Which maister Elizabeth shewed vnto the knights and to the end said he you beléeue mee better another time I pray you behold well the forme of this great diuell who before my lord Amadis arriued had vtterly destroied this most fertile Island And therewith hee shewed them from point to point what had passed touching the same as you haue heard at large set downe in the third booke of this our hystorie whereat they were all abashed especially to think how Landriaque could bee slaine or ouercome by one knight alone For although this image were but a sencelesse thing yet it made theÌ„ abashed which hauing long time beheld and visiting other places worthy memory they returned to the great Serpent which presently departed from the Isle and with a good winde in fiue daies after arriued within half a mile of Constantinople where it began to cast forth fire in so furious manner that the saylers and others that perceiued it fled all away doubting the fury of that monster wherewith the Cittizens were in such a feare that newes was brought vnto the Emperour who as then was talking with the ladies whom he led vnto the towers of his pallace to sée what it might be when they perceiued the great Serpent and the sea raging so sore about it that it séemed a gulfe of fire wherewith they were in such a feare and the Emperour likewise that he coÌ„manded al men to be armed fearing it would come into the Towne and so destroy them al. But Gastilles that had séene it oftentimes assured the Emperour that it was the ship of the knight Esplandian which Vrganda brought first into great Brittaigne And to the end my lord saied hee you shall not doubt thereof if it pleaseth you I will goe sée if the sonne of Amadis be there and bring him vnto you Doe so I pray you saied the Emperour With that Gâ—stilles went vnto the Hauen entring into a Gally that hee found ready to put to sea commanding the maister thereof to row vnto the great Serpent but whatsoeuer hee could say the maister would not stirre one foote till such time hee
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
said shée to returne againe as you haue promised Which Esplandian vowed vpon his faith meane time Norandel and quéene Minoresse as much gréeued as might be knewe not what countenance to holde hauing their hearts so seased with care that the Quéene was constrained to withdrawe her selfe into her chamber and lay vpon her bedde shutting the doore whereby Norandel had no meanes to take his leaue but imbarked himselfe charged with an infinite number of gréefes and sorrowes with that the great serpent began of it selfe to set forward and within two daies after arriued at the castle La montaigne defendu CHAP. XLV How the two Dragons set Vrganda Melie and king Armato in the middle of the cittie of Tesifant and of the great armie that Armato prepared to enter into Greece THe Dragons bearing Vrganda Melie and king Armato in the aire flewe so swiftly that before day they were right ouer the citie of Tesifante where they set downe their charge that done they flewe away and neuer were séene againe king Armato was excéeding glad when he perceiued himselfe to be in place whereas he might commaund and went vnto his pallace where finding the guard he made himselfe knowen vnto them that presently went to aduertise the prince Alphorax who much abashed at those newes start out of his bed and casting a furred gowne vpon his shoulders ranne to imbrace his father who séemed to be so changed not onely because his beard was longer than he vsed but by reason of the great gréefe and melancholly he had so long endured that the prince began to wéepe and say vnto him My Lord you are more than heartily welcome for Gods cause I beséech you tell vs how fortune hath béene so much your friend to deliuer you out of the misery wherein you haue continued so long to my no little griefe Sonne said he Melie can tell you better than my selfe for she is the only meanes of my good hap and hath brought with her Vrganda discogneue of whome heretofore you haue heard And as he left speaking Melie and Vrganda entred into the hall wherewith the rumor of the kings returne was so great within the Citie that all the people ranne vnto the palace for to sée him being as glad of his arriuall as Vrganda sorry to sée her selfe in such a place and that which gréeued her more was that Melie in presence of them all spake vnto her and said Vrganda two things mooue me to saue thy life the one for that in my captiuitie thou hast not once suffered an euill word to be vsed to me neither permitted that any man should doe mee harme the other because I certainly know that king Armato hath by thy means receiued all the good intertainement he had during his hard imprisonment Neuerthelesse the mischiefe thou hast procured vnto this country being the only cause the Christians entered into the same is sufficient to make thée indure perpetuall imprisonment wherein by mine art I will so straightly inclose thée that thy Art shal nought auaile thée euer so get forth But although that sentence might well abash Vrganda yet shee shewed such constancy that she neuer changed colour determining with her selfe to indure whatsoeuer should fal out wherfore she said vnto Melie Madame you may do with me as pleaseth you but in reason you ought not to vse me otherwise then you your selfe were vsed whē I had the like authority ouer you as you haue now of me otherwise you shal do wrong both to your selfe me To me that am olde ancient putting me in prison wherewith you threaten me not hauing offended you to your selfe in preferring cruelty before the curtesie that hath ben found in you whereto Melie answered hir not a word but commanded her to be shut into a great tower stāding in the midst of the citty ouer the which she wrought such coniurations the Vrganda knew without Gods help it would be impossible for her euer to come forth yet she liued in hope considring the mutability of fortune the king Armato himselfe had ben casually deliuered who continued certaine daies in his great Citty of Tesifant without making any shew to bee reuenged But in the end he sent Embassadours to all the Princes in the East that were his allies and confederates desiring them to enter into arms not onely to driue the Christians out of Galatia Alfarin and other places that they had vsurped in his countrey but to destroy Constantinople with all the Christian monarch and therefore wrote a letter vnto them the contents whereof doe follow Armato by the prouidence of our immortall gods called to the gouernment of the puissant country of Turky the frontier Bulwark of al the Pagan land to all caitifes kings soldiors admirals gouernors of the countries scituated in the east parts sēdeth gréeting being returned out of prison from whence we are now deliuered I thought good to giue you to vnderstand that not long since there is a knight come out of the South into the marches descended as men say of the race of Brutus the Troiane to whome for our iniustice as it is verie likely our gods haue giuen power to conquer the castle La montaigne defendu slaying Matroco and Frerion two of the best Knightes in all the East parts and which is worse the number of the Christians increasing more and more they haue fought all meanes to destroy our holy lawe which to preuent we entred into armes and hauing raised a mightie armie thought to driue them out of our quarters but hauing long time continued siege before the castle La montaigne defendu and brought it to such extremitie that they had no victuals to sustaine themselues he of whome we were most in doubt the first beginner of those warres found meanes by the aid of a villaine named Frandalo that sometime belonged vnto vs to enter therein and by subtiltie to take vs prisoners in such sort that our army being ouerthrowne we remained prisoners in their handes where they haue holden vs in straight kéeping almost for the space of a whole yéere togither meane time our fortune continuing worse and worse they haue by treason seazed vpon the townes of Alfarin and Galatia two of the best portes in all our Realme which they had neuer taken in hand without the aide of the traiterous and disloyall Emperour of Constantinople who for to aid and succour them hath falsly broken the truce concluded betwéen vs and raised so many men that without your aides we are in danger to fall into their hāds a thing that would concerne you much séeing we as you know are the frontire and rampart to you all Wherefore in the name of all our gods wee pray and desire you that not onely for the safegard of our law but for the profit and vtilitie of all the East countries you will assemble your forces in so great number that thereby we may driue these Christians out of our countrey and
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
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
importunity he was content wherewith hee tooke his leaue of all the court and vpon a monday in the morning taking horse accompanied onely of maister Elizabeth and Sergil his squire hee tooke his way towards the Ferme Isle hoping to finde the great Serpent there wherein they might imbarke themselues CHAP. XV. How Esplandian riding towards the Ferme Isle was assailed by a strange knight that watched him in the forrest ESplandian departed from the king and hauing taken his leaue of all the court as you heard before tooke the crookeddest way hee could through woods and forrests towards the Ferme Isie thinking not to bee perceiued of any that might hinder his enterprise And hauing ridden thrée miles he entered into a forrest which hauing almost passed hée came vnto a great riuer wherevpon the king had built a house called Bellerose where oftentimes being on hunting hee vsed to resort And as he thought to passe the bridge he perceiued on the other side a knight armed at all points ready to fight that cried vnto him with a loud voice and said Sir knight you must aske me leaue if you wil come ouer for according to my promise I haue taken vpon mee to kéepe this bridge for the space of one whole yeare wherefore if you thinke good you may take some other way With that Esplandian was much gréeued perceiuing that either of force he must fight or séeke another passage wherfore he would willingly haue excused himselfe said Sir knight I pray you then shew mee which way I were best to goe for by me you shall haue no cause at this time to trouble your selfe You must returne again to London said he for other passage is there none vnlesse you will loose your horse and goe on foot Rather the I would doe so said Esplandian I will proue if I can win yours and therewith lacing his helmet tooke his launce and road vnto the knight who no sooner perceiued him comming but setting spurres to his horse ranne towards him whereby they met so fiercely together that both the knights fell off their horses in such manner that maister Elizabeth and Sergil thought verily they had slaine each other but they staied not long before they rose againe and laying hand on their swordes there began betwéene them the cruellest and most daungerous battell that euer was séene whereat maister Elizabeth much abashed said vnto himselfe Good God what may this meane I beléeue for certain that some diuell of hell hath transformed himselfe into humane shape to destroy vs all Meane time the two knights continued in most cruell fight still increasing their mights cleauing shields and armours in such sort that all the field was couered with péeces of the harneis and died with blood that issued from their bodies till at the last the knight of the bridge stept backe said vnto Esplandian Sir knight take another way and I am content to quite you of the combate for you are the valiantest knight that euer I dealt withall and it should displease mee much if by your wilfulnesse you would be cause of your owne death In good faith saied he I had done it at the first had it not beene the feare I had that you would estéeme me a coward but knowing very wel that the honour of this combate cannot bee had but onely by the death of one of vs or both together I will trie my fortune till I bee no longer able to weld a sword Is that true said the knight Then let vs sée to whom fortune will be fauourable And therewith couering themselues with that little of their shields that rested in their hands they began the combate crueller then before as though all the day they had not giuen a stroke so that after many cruel blowes with their swords they closed together and wrastling long time they sought to cast each other to the ground But séeing the little aduantage gotten thereby they began againe to lay on with their swords with such fury that Sergil looked for no other but when they should fall dead vpon the ground not béeing able to iudge who would haue the victory Whereat maister Elizabeth was so much displeased that hee could not abstaine from wéeping saying vnto himselfe Alas what fortune is this must the best knight liuing in the world and in the flower of his age lose his life at that time by so hard a chaunce Cursed be the day that euer he met with him that is the cause of so great losse And to say truth if God had not prouided for them the father had slain the sonne and the sonne the father for the knight of the bridge was Amadis de Gaule who being ouer curious of his sonnes glory would proue his force and the better to doe it the day before Esplandian tooke his leaue hee departed secretly from the court and staied for him at the bridge bearing an vnknowne armour where after many attempts on either part giuen Amadis perceiuing both their dangers said vnto Esplandian Knight you sée well you cannot ouercome mee and I assure you I neuer had to doe with any knight that euer put mee to so great extreamity wherefore I am content to let you passe But not I you saied he vnlesse you tell me your name I will not deny you that saied Amadis wherefore cause maister Elizabeth to come hether for I thinke we haue both néed of his helpe Then Esplandian called him vnto them meane time Amadis put off his helmet so faint and weary that hée was constrained to leane vnto a trée But when Esplandian knew him and perceiuing the fault he had committed he cast forth a grea◠crie and saied Alas wicked wretch that I am and therewith he fell vpon the ground whereat maister Elizabeth and Amadis thinking him to bee in a sound ranne to lift him vp but it was not so onely that it gréeued him hée had dealt in such manner with his father who said vnto him sonne although I am as sore wounded as possible may bee without death yet haue I not receiued so much hurt as conceiued pleasure perceiuing the valour I find to be in you wherefore bee not discomforted Notwithstanding he could not content himselfe but cursed his owne life being as he said the most vnhappy man that euer was borne of woman And continuing in that gréefe the blood in diuers places ranne out of his body whereby he waxed faint which maister Elizabeth perceiuing and knowing assuredly if remedy were not spéedily had they were both in danger of their liues hee saied vnto them I pray you for this time leaue off your sorrow and let vs presently go to Mirefleur not far from hence for you both haue greater néede of rest then of longer staying in this place wherewith he and Sergil set them on their horses and with great pain brought them to the castle where their wounds were dressed Such was the combate betwéene the two knights as you haue heard yet some write that
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
so well that Esplandian could neuer take him before hée had ouerthrowne him and pulled off his helmet wherewith hée yéelded meane time Frandalo and his companions being in the middle of the enemies laide so well about them slaying horses pulling away shields and doing so valiantly that woonder it was to behold them yet did not the Turkes once séeme abashed but still fought most couragiously vntil such time they perceiued their captaine taken prisoner which caused them to flie and turne their backes but not all of them for there lay more than one hundred and fiftie of them dead vpon the ground the rest saued themselues by meanes of the darke night It was then about an houre before day and Frandalo fearing that those of Tesifant hearing of the ouerthrow would issue foorth to cut off their passage presently caused captaine Eiraca to be remounted and all the Christians that wanted horses and with all spéed rode backe againe to Alfarin not the same way they came but another way somewhat farther about wherein they trauailed so long that about sunne rising they entred into a great woode where they alighted to refresh both themselues and their horses and staying not long there least they should bée surprised they made such spéed that about sunne setting they arriued in the town meane time newes came to Tesifant of the ouerthrowe of their men wherewith Alphorax was in such a rage that in a manner hée séemed desperate But for this time wée haue sufficiently discoursed of martiall affaires now wée meane to bring Loue in place who desiring to minister some comfort to the Princes Leonorine that liued in great paine expecting the arriuall of her friend Esplandian caused him to depart from Alfarin to visit her in the citie of Constantinople as in the Chapters following you shall heare CHAP. XXXIII Of the great griefe Esplandian had vnderstanding by the messenger that Gastilles sent vnto him what displeasure the Princesse Leonorine had conceiued against him YOV heard before how Gastilles shewed the Emperour what Esplandian had done and what message hée sent vnto him and to the Princesse Leonorine as also what answere she made which Gastilles by his Squire writ and sent vnto him hauing charge from the Emperour so to doe thereby to procure his spéedier arriuall in Constantinople The Squire with his lether made such hast that hée arriued at Alfarin about fiue daies after the taking of Eiraca and méeting Carmelle at the gate asked her if he might find Esplandian at conuenient leisour to deliuer him a letter from Gastilles but Carmelle being subtill suspecting it to be some newes from the Princeâ—â—e Leonorine that might mooue Esplandian who as then séemed discontent answered him said My good friend you can hardly speake with him at this time but follow me and giue me the letter and I will present it vnto him and cause him to returne you an answere The Squire did as she willed him and followed her to Esplandians lodging where entring into his chamber she found him sitting vpon his bed talking with the king of Denmarke and deliuered him Gastilles letter which when he read the teares ranne out of his eyes and therewith cast forth a great sigh saying O Lord but Carmelle that beheld him doubting the cause to be as she suspected asked him if he were ill at ease Ill said he I that I am and so ill that I would to God I were dead and looke I pray you said he whether I haue cause or not wherewith stretching forth hish hand he gaue Carmelle the letter and turning his face began to make the greatest sorrow in the world but when shée had read the contents shée estéemed not thereof but said vnto Esplandian What my Lord are you abashed at so small a matter By my soule I now perceiue very well that the affections and loues of men are farre different and much vnlike the passions that we simple women endure when we fall into the like extremities and knowe you how you men doe most commonly take pleasure to manifest and make known your loue either by word of mouth or outward shewes and many times dissemble more than you meane to doe and which is worse how much the more the Lady or Gentlewoman you loue is of great desert or high linage so much more glory doe you take to make it knowne not onely that you beare her affection but that you are beloued and fauoured of her aboue all others which is cleane contrary to the nature of women I meane such as may bée tearmed wise and of good vnderstanding for how much the greater their parentage is so much more feare they haue to manifest their amorous passions in such manner that most commonly both in word gesture and countenaÌ„ce they outwardly denie that which they haue most déepely engraued in their hearts and mindes and not without good cause for that the thing which redoundeth to your praise and commendations as you think which is the manifesting of your loue bréedeth to them a certaine spot in their honour which often times they can not easily deface Wherefore it is more than expedient to obserue this modestie and constancie in vs not that I meane to restraine my selfe vnto this lawe séeing that all my glory and felicitie dependeth vpon you in such manner that I desire no greater happinesse in this world then that the loue and dutifull obedience I beare vnto you should be published and made knowne vnto the world to the end that all those that shall heare of your great valour and my meane estate may know my great good fortune to haue the meanes to serue you as I doe Wherefore my Lord in my opinion you ought to take the spéeches Gastilles hath written vnto you to be vsed by the lady Leonorine in good part and greatly to your aduantage for I dare warrant you on mine honour that your affections are both alike and to say the truth she hath behaued her selfe most wisely to dissemble the matter so well as she hath done in the Emperors presence I deny not but she hath some cause to be impatient considering the message I deliuered vnto her in your behalfe but that is easie to be cured although the loue shée hath borne you so long time should be wholly extinguished which I can hardly beléeue euen as a bone that is broken in two péeces set togither againe is stronger in that place than in any other part so you being there and in her companie shall winne that you finde broken and by that meanes make it stronger than euer it was before Therefore I am of aduise that fulfilling her desire you goe vnto her and that as soone as possibly you may Alas Carmelle said Esplandian what good or what seruice did I euer doe vnto her thereby to haue deserued at her hands the least fauour among an infinite number I haue receiued from her specially by the report of your owne mouth If therefore shee hath iust
said Esplandian you may command me and likewise set me forth for a coward hardy or any other what it pleaseth you to tearme me In which manner talking togither they came vnto his lodging where master Elizabeth newly come from Alfarin visited his wounds and the rest likewise that had cause to vse his helpe CHAP. XLII How the Knights of great Brittaine that were at Galatia imbarked themselues with Vrganda in the great serpent to saile vnto Constantinople and what happened vnto them THe Knightes that had béen hurt at the last encounter for the space of fiftéene daies after were forced to kéepe their chambers vntill their woundes were healed during which time Vrganda tooke great pleasure in reading Melies bookes which Esplandian caused to bée brought vnto her wherein shée found such wonderfull coniurations and deuises of Magicke Art that she was abashed how shée that had had them so long time in her possession knew no more than yet shée did estéeming the Enchantresse Lady to haue béen the perfectest schollar that euer studied in that art as it well appeared by her bookes Now the time approched wherein it was expedient according to the destinies appointed that Esplandian and his companions should goe vnto Constantinople wherefore as soone as their wounds were healed Vrganda caused them to bée assembled and standing in the middest of them all she said vnto them My good friends knowing part of the prosperities and aduersities which the heauens foreshewe vnto you all I came hither specially to sée Esplandian and you of whome I haue receiued great pleat pleasure perceiuing at my arriuall the loue and amitie that is among you with the great desire you haue to accomplish the order of knighthood not for the glory and recompence of this world but onely for the increasing of our faith and the seruice of God that shall reward you for it and to the end you may continue in this forwardnes and that the thing which I pretend may happily fall out I will from henceforth not only imploy my person but my Arte which hath pleased God to lend me wherewith I will aduise you what I shall find conuenient and necessarie for the augmentation of your honours alreadie spread throughout the world which to begin I am of opinion that you all imbarke your selues with me in the great serpent that shall bring vs vnto Constantinople to the Emperour for without him it is impossible that this great enterprise you haue taken in hand can come to good effect as also that hee himselfe before many yéeres are past shall be found in maruellous necessitie and such that he shall account himselfe most happie to haue your aid and with good reason for that in the end both hee and you shall ouercome those hazzards according to your desires Then shall you plainely knowe that this that I foreshew vnto you is most true While Vrganda vsed these wordes all the company stood still intentiue for to heare her and had it not béen that they estéemed her words to be most true they had doubted of the threatnings shée vsed against the Emperour he béeing so great and puissant a Monarch Neuerthelesse the issue of that trouble which shée assured vnto them gaue them some ease and contentation of minde in expectation whereof they made account in the meane time to prooue their strengths and forces that thereby their valour and magnanimitie might be further spread abroad And as touching their voiage to the Emperour as Vrganda gaue them direction it was onely the thing wherevnto Esplandian did aspire hoping that if the warres were openly proclaimed in the Grecian Empire and the Emperours daunger so imminent to shewe such valour and prowesse in martiall exploits that hée would not onely frée and acquite his father of the promise he had made to serue the Ladies but confirme the loue that the princes Leonorine bare vnto him in such sort that he might obtaine her for his wife which caused him to speake for all his companie assuring Vrganda that not one of them but was readie to obey and goe where it pleased her My friends said she then I pray you to morrow in the morning cause your horses to be shipped in my shippe and for armour take you no care I will prouide you thereof so well that ech man shall find himselfe content let it suffice you to imbarke your selues and set saile for often times an enterprise deferred ouer long falleth not out as mē desire it should not for want of good and wise counsell but by the negligēce of those that are appointed to execute the same Thus was their voiage to Constantinople agréed vpon in such sort that all the knights of great Brittaine entred into the great serpent taking with them Frandalo Melie and the captaine of Tesifant that had béen taken prisoner as you heard before leauing the Admirals souldiers for garrison in the towne Which done the ship went forward of it selfe sayling towards the castle La montaigne defendu where being arriued they tooke Armato king of Turkie and his two captaines with them for Vrganda willed them so to doe and sixe daies after the great serpent arriued within halfe a mile of Constantinople where she staied Then Vrganda caused her Knightes to be armed with the armour shée had brought which were white with a red crosse both before and behind most comely to behold They were in all fortie knights whose names are as followeth Esplandian Frandalo Norandel Talanque Manely the wise Ambor of Gandel Grauate of the fearfull valley Gandalin Enil Trion cousin to quéene Briolanie Brauor sonne of the giant Balan Belleris Elion le delibere Licoran of the white Tower Listoran of the siluer bridge Landin of Sariaque Imosil of Burgondie Ledadrin of Ferraque Sarquiles cousin to Angriotes Palomir Branfil Tantiles the proud Galbron sonne of Isamel Carpin his brother Carin of Carante Attalio sonne of Oliuas Bracele sonne of Bandoyuas Garamante sonne of Norgales Amphinio of Almain Brandonie of Fraunce Penatrie of Spaine Flamene his brother Culspicio of Bohemia Amandario of litle Brittaine Siluester of Hungaria Manely of Swethland Galfarie of Italie Galiot of Scotland Amandalie his brother and Calfeur the glorious Being arriued the shippe was presently espied by the citizens which they knewe hauing séene it before when it put them in such feare as you haue heard but hoping for him that vsed ordinarily to saile therein they all ranne vnto the walles and along the shore to sée him land wherwith the noise and rumour was so great that the Emperour had newes thereof béeing as then talking with the ladies Those newes pleased the Princes Leonorine so well that she no sooner heard the great serpent named but she rose vp and went vnto the windowes to sée if shée could espie her loue Esplandian but the ship was somewhat too farre off neither did it mooue from the place whereas it lay Wherfore fearing to be deceiued as she had béen before she began to
Armato as knowing him not but when they shewed him which was he he imbraced him and said My lord and brother I beséech you pardon my ignorance in not entertaining you before this time as not knowing you but I will amend the fault when you think good My lord saied Armato I am now as it pleaseth fortune in place where you may command me yet I pray you call to mind who I was and what I may bee and doe for me as you would I should do for you if your case were mine Considering with your selfe that the like hard fortune may fall on you and that it is no lesse vertue to intertain the vanquished courteously then to ouerthrow the puissant enemie With that the Emperour led him into his pallace the rest following after him and when they were in the hall hee left them with the Empresse to speake vnto Frandalo and taking him aside saied vnto him Frandalo to let you knowe howe well I do account of the great good seruice you haue done for mée I will that from henceforth you shall bee my chéefe standard bearer in which place I nowe establish you For the which Frandalo thanked him most humbly accounting himselfe most happye to haue so great authoritie CHAP. XLIII How Norandel and Queene Minoresse fell in loue one of the other and what conference they had together THe Emperour being among his Knights making them all the cheare and honour that hee could deuise It happened that the Princesse Leonorine and Quéene Minoresse séeing the king of Denmark and Norandel together called Carmelle and asked her who they were My Ladies saied shée you haue séen him that hath the least beard here before which is the king of Denmarke for hee came hether with Frandalo the other is Norandel king Luisarts sonne estéemed for one of the hardiest knights liuing on the earth I pray you said the Princesse desire them to come hether that wée may speake with them With that Carmelle called them vnto her and as they were before the two Princesses the more they beheld the excellency of their beauties the more they maruailed at it and not without cause for next vnto Leonorine there could hardly be found in all Gréece one that matched quéene Minoresse especially in comelinesse and good behauiour but if shee had some perfection in her nature had not forgotten her selfe in forming the two knights especially Norandel who till that time had neuer felt the stings of loue no more had Quéene Minoresse Neuerthelesse that little théefe surprised them so couertly that hee bound them both making them captiues one to the other in such manner that after many Questions and Answeres propounded they drew themselues apart leauing the king of Denmarke talking with the Princesse Leonorine the Quéene asking Norandel what hee thought of the Princesse Madame said hée although I haue heard her estéemed for one of the goodliest ladies in the world yet did I neuer thinke her beautie had béene such as now I sée it is although you are little behinde her in that respect whereby I might estéeme my selfe most happy if I had ben asléepe that day I enterprised to take my iourney hether Wherfore said the quéen haue you had so ill intertainment in this court No madame said he but there is one hath stollen that from me which I haue most carefully kept during my life The Quéene not knowing what he meant was thereat abashed asking him what it was whether he knew the théefe I madame saied he and it resteth in you to do me iustice if it bée your pleasure for you none other haue that whereof I speake In good faith saied the Quéene you shall pardon mee for I haue nothing of yours that I cam remember Madame saied Norandel since the time I first did knowe what belonged to a man I kept my liberty not alienating it to any one But comming hether I had no sooner set mine eie on you but I found my selfe of a fréeman a bondslaue and captiue to your ladiship 's good fauor which I beséech you afore me in recompence of the liberty you now haue taken from me Truly sir knight saied she you haue at this presēt run too far astray for if you beheld me as you should you had not found me such a one as you say wold haue ben twice aduised to vse such spéeches as you do Neuerthelesse I will not take them at your hands being a stranger in so euill part as mine honour doth require and I think likewise you speake farre otherwise then you meane which she said to vndermine him thereby to sée if Norandels words were spoken from the heart who hearing that ouerthwart answere was much astonished but being moued with loue answerd her and said Madame pardon my boldnesse I beséech you but I sweare vnto you by the faith of a knight that I haue discouered the secret of my heart and if you will not beléeue me at this time I hope in time to come to doe so much that you shall well perceiue what great desire I haue to bee your Knight if it will please you to graunt mee so much fauour to accept mee for the same When Quéene Minoresse perceaued him so earnest as that in vttering those words hee shewed great affection shee estéemed in her minde to haue sufficient argument that might persuade her to beléeue his wordes wherewith shee answered him and saied My lorde Norandel If you doe as you promise I well beléeue that you say and for the accepting you to bee my Knight mee thinketh I should doe wrong to refuse so small a fauor to so courteous a gentleman as you are wherfore I both grant it and desire it of you With that she took a litle ring she commonly wore off from hir finger giuing it vnto him for a witnesse of their new confirmed aliance And had it not ben that the Emperor was ready to go to supper they had no sooner left talking but the Empresse went in whereby quéen Minoresse was constrained to follow after taking Melie Carmelle with hir to whom she did al honor good intertainmēt she could deuise supper being don the tables vncouered the princes Leonorine that had séen Norandel quéen Minoresse talking with so great affection doubted some feathers in the wind wherefore taking her aside said vnto hir Cousin I beléeue the knight that intertained you so long told you some news out of great Brittaine or somthing els that pleased you ful wel I pray you fair lady tel me what it was for you were very earnest to harken thervnto How now madame said she since when I pray you did you learn to mock cal you the mocking said she which is don in earnest I pray God the mockery I mean to you may fal out as I desire it wold thē shal I at the least haue as good aduātage at you as you haue had at me which wold please me wel not so much to haue a cōpaniō
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
prince By all my gods said he I had rather die a thousand deaths then you should indure the least iniury in the world we beléeue it wel said al the knights With that he caused them to enter into the lists at one end and the ten pagans at the other but before they entred into fight he called Norandel his companions said vnto them My friends I pray you let me shew you what the custome of my country is in such affairs theÌ„ if you think good you may obserue it if not my knights shal kéep your custome if it be indiffereÌ„t Shew vs theÌ„ said Norandel what it is if the same be reasonable we wil not refuse it You shal vnderstand said he that all knights iustle one against one to the end that all men may know the excellency of the victor And if any one be ouerthrown he that is on horseback shall not assaile the other before their companions haue run out their course Then he that is on horseback shall alight and shall fight it out by dint of sword with him that before was ouerthrown Because it chanceth oftentimes that the best knights that are fall into such inconuenience only by the fault and means of bad horses which cause them diuers times either to faile in striking of their enemy or els not to run their right course Which cannot bee excused in those that are on foot to whome it is permitted to succour each other if néed require Truly said Norandel that custome is wel ordained and I and my companions will obserue the same Wherwith the soudan went out of the lists causing his Heralds to proclaim the fight With that a Pagan stepped forth against Norandel that refused him not but couering himselfe with his shield they met so fiercely that their spears were brokeÌ„ to their wrests méeting body to body with so great strength that the Pagan fell ouer his horse taile lying flat vpon the ground but Norandel had no hurt onely that his horses shoulder was thrust out of ioint so that he lighted of staying til the rest had runne their course as he had promised Then Garuate du Val Craintif ran against one of the other and they charged each other in such sort that their féet failing in their stirrops they were both cast out of their saddles Then Talanque ran against the third Pagan to whome fortune was more fauourable then to any of the rest for they ran so wel that neither of them once started aside or moued in their saddles and yet brake their speares in many péeces The like chanced to Manely and Ambor but not to Brauor the son of Balan for hee hit him that ran against him right in the breast and threw him from his horse And presently therewith Imosil of Burgundy had so great a stroke with a launce that his eies started in his head and was therewith so much astonished that his horse bare him to the side of the bâ—rriers where he fell downe flat Elian le delibere and hee that ran against him were constrained to holde by their horses maines Listoran of the siluer bridge missed his stroke and his enemy likewise the like happened to Trion and the last that ran with him That done all they that were on horsebacke lighted downe to fight with swords and there began betwéen them such a fight as the like had not béene séene of so few knights together maintaining themselues so brauely one against the other that the strongest of them was so wearie and out of breath that they were constrained to rest And as Norandel leaned vpoÌ„ his sword which he rested on the ground the bracelet that Minoresse gaue him fell downward vpon his arme which put him in so good remembraunce of her that cleane forgetting all the trauaile hée he had taken before he spake so loud that euery man might hear and said By God sir Knight this rest doth not beséeme vs many men will from henceforth be in doubt of the great glory that now we meane to win Wherefore let euery man shewe forth what he can doe and let no man spare Wherewith taking the little péece of his shield that rested in his hand and lifting vp his arme he gaue so great a blow vnto his enemie that he made him réele therewith and doubling it strake him so surely on the helmet that with the blow the Turke was forced to knéele downe and let his sword fall out of his hand which Norandel seased vpon being readie to strike off his head if he had not cried him mercie which Talanque and Manely perceiuing employed their forces in such manner that it might easily be iudged they would soon obtaine the victorie As for Brauor he had alreadie stricken his knight downe wherefore he ranne to helpe the rest and Norandel likewise With the which helpe it soone appeared that they which rested yet to ouercome would not long resist for in short space they found themselues in such extremitie that vnlesse the Souldan of Liquie had desired the Christian knights to stay a while they had all died but calling Norandel vnto him he said I pray you said he procéed no further in this combat and content your selues that I account my knights for vanquished as in truth they are and so hardly handled that the force you shall from henceforth vse against them shall more be holden for a kinde of crueltie than any chiualrie Neuertheles if my request may take no place with you doe as you thinke good Souldan said Norandel if they acknowledge it at our hands and aske vs mercie they shall not faile to haue it for it was neuer our custome to vse force to such as could not stand against vs. Content your selues saide he that I that am their Lord yéeld you the victorie and I pray you therefore shew mercie vnto them swearing vnto you by my crowne if you doe them so much good that while I liue I will not be vnmindfull of the same With that the ten Christian knightes went out of the fielde and mounting on their horses tooke their way vnto the citie where the Emperour staied for them for he had séene the issue of the combat and how they returned victors but he heard not what words had past betwéene them till they being lighted off their horses told him what was done for the which hee praised God estéeming more of them for their courtesie they had shewen vnto the enemy CHAP. L. How Queene Calafre came to aide the Pagans and of the maruailous and perillous assault that shee gaue to the citie of Constantinople THe renowne of this warre vndertaken by the Kings Taborlans Souldans Califfes and Princes dwelling in Tartaria India Arabia and other countries in the East against the Emperour and his Empire of Constantinople was spread so far abroad that it was knowne to the puissant Quéene Calafre reigning in Califorine a most fertile and pleasant countrey confining on the head of the riuer Boristenes hard by
the launce that stucke within his forehead But the Quéene rose presently and with her sword in hand went towards Amadis the like did the Souldan to Esplandian that had suffered him to take breath and lace his helmet not for any good he wished him but that at the end of his carere hée espied the princes Leonorine standing on the walles of Constantinople whereat he was so abashed that euery man saide the Souldan had hurt him in the bodie Neuerthelesse within short space after they knew the contrarie for hée lighted on foote where betwéene them two was fought the most perillous combat that euer was séene for Rodrigue was as valiant a knight in armes as any in his time but Esplandian handled him in such manner that often times he made him cleane forget the subtilties that commonly he vsed in such affaires and in the end vsed him so hardly that it might euidently be séene the victorie would be his Meane time the Quéene vsed all her force to ouercome king Amadis who holding in his hand a great truncheon of a launce instead of a sword gaue her such a blowe on the crest of her helmet that hée made her eyes start within her head Wherewith shée being much offended spake vnto him and said What sir Knight doe you thinke me either to he a dogge or else a countrey clowne that you séeme to beat me with a staffe By my head before you escape out of my handes there is no armour you haue but will be néedfull for you to the safegard of your life Calafre said Amadis all my life time I haue béene a seruant vnto Ladies and if at this time I should begin with you to wish them ill the good that others haue receiued at my handes would be lesse estéemed You account mée then said the Quéene one of that number but you shall presently féele that I am something more with that shée tooke her sword in both handes and in great choller gaue him such a blow that shée claue his shield in two and thinking to double her stroke Amadis stepped vnto her and plucked hers from off her necke with such force that shée was constrained to knéele vpon the ground Neuerthelesse shée rose presently againe and thinking to be reuenged vsed all her force to charge Amadis who turning aside gaue her such a blowe with his truncheon hard by the eare and therewith made her so astonished that her sworde fell out of her hand wherewith he stepped forward and taking her by the helmet said vnto her Now you shall be my prisoner whether you will or not as well as the Souldan is prisoner to my sonne With that the Quéene looked aside and perceiued that Amadis said true wherefore shée said Truly I am your prisoner séeing fortune will haue it so and therewith Rodrigue and Esplandian came vnto them and they foure going out of the lists went vnto the Christians campe the Pagans that saw them ledde away in whome in a manner consisted most of their hope when the campes should ioyne in battaile made countenance to rescue them which caused the Christians to stand all day in order of battaile meane time they agréed among themselues to send the Souldan and the Quéene vnto Constantinople Gandalin hauing charge to bring them thither and present them to the Princesse Leonorine from Amadis and Esplandian who thanked them most heartily And before hée returned againe vnto the campe a souldier of Thrace that had dwelt in Tartaria aboue twentie yéere togither came and yéelded himselfe vnto the Christians and tolde King Perion and Luisart that their enemies determined the next day in the morning to surprise them before they were aware whereof they aduertised the Emperor of Constantinople to the end he might be readie There were in the citie fortie thousand men whereof he appointed thirtie thousand to issue forth vpon the enemies rereward as soone as they perceiued the battaile once begon and gaue likewise intelligence to King Childadan and Quedragant that his spies had brought him newes that Alphorax had vnfurnished his shippes of men to strengthen their armie on land trusting to the straights which they meane to kéepe hoping thereby to saile into the Maiorque seas if fortune fauour not their enterprise and there it would be good with the other Christian princes aduise that they should set vpon him and that Frandalo with his fléete should second them Which newes vnderstood by the two Generals of the armie by sea they sent vnto king Amadis and the rest of the Commaunders in the campe to knowe their aduise whereunto answer was returned that they should followe the opinion of the Emperour of Constantinople which they should execute vpon the next day in the morning wherevpon Frandalo ceased not all night to make and prepare diuers kindes of artificiall fires wherewith he made account to burne the most part of Alphorax ships which he did as hereafter you shall heare But to returne to king Armato and his forces About an houre before day according to their former determinations they began to march against the Christians thinking to find them sléeping and thereby to slay their watch before they should haue meanes to set themselues in order of battaile Neuerthelesse they found themselues deceiued for they were alreadie set in order of battaile standing close with great desire to receiue their enemie as they did the Emperour of Rome had the vantguard and with him king Luisart king Amadis king Perion Galaor and Esplandian the maine battaile Florestan Bruneo and Balan the rereguard On the Pagans side there marched first the Souldan of Alaxa thréescore knightes two Califfes and foure Tamorlanes that in great furie set vpon the Emperour of Rome and his battaile where at their first arriuall many a braue knight was stroken downe both on the one side and the other for Esplandian and the Christian princes being fayned togither gaue not one blowe but it was a deadly stroke yet at the first they were repulsed by the great quantitie of arrowes the enemies shot against them which flew in so great number that hailestones neuer fell thicker out of the skies wherby it fell out that both vantguard maine battaile and reregard indured much paine with that Norandel Talanque Manely Trion Landin Licoran Imosill Palomie Enil Ellan and to conclude all Esplandians companions with thirtie thousand men chosen by the Emperour issued out of the citie which small troupe resolutely determined did so abash the Pagans that in a manner they all lost their courages whereby they presently began to recule as farre backe as they aduanced themselues wherewith those that before had béen in feare tooke courage againe and turning their faces on the enemie recouered the ground that they had lost in such sort that with good cause they might well crie Victorie On the other side Quedragant and Childadan setting saile made towardes the straights at the entrie whereof Frandalo ouertooke them with fourescore vessels of all sorts and as they
had spoken togither touching their enterprise considering the great power of their enemies it was agréed that Frandalo that had prooued them at other times should first set vpon them wherwith he began to saile forwards and Alphorax likewise against him giuing a signe of battaile to his men who with great courage entred vpon ten of the best gallies that the Christians had and sunke them in the sea yet Frandalo nought abashed set fire on more than an hundred of their shippes before Childadan entred into fight but not long after hée and Quedragant came vnto them where good defence preuailed In which fight they continued for the space of eight houres without any signe vpon which side the victorie would fall vntill Quedragant borded Alphorax shippe and entred by force slaying all that were therein What néed I stand longer to discourse The Turkes séeing their captaine dead and their manifest ouerthrow before their faces being ready to fall into the Christians hands began to flie and by force of oares entred into the Maiorque sea but not all for there were taken burnt and drowned about two or thrée hundred Gallies Galleasses Fustes and Brigandines the rest saued themselues in such sort as you heard before to whom night was so much assistant that the chase endured not so long as els it would haue done Alphorax dead and his armie ouerthrowne the Christians assembled themselues togither staying to heare newes from their armie on land which in the meane time had had so much to endure that wonder it was how they could hold out and among the rest the good olde king Perion and Luisart séeing Esplandian raging like a lyon followed by the hunters would not leaue him fearing to loose him and so long they followed him striking both on the right side and the left that they found themselues inclosed by aboue a thousand Turkish horsemen not hauing any other aid by them than Grumedan the Duke of Bristowe Guilan Brandoyuas Nicoran of the siluer bridge Cendil de gonate and a few others Surely those eight or nine caused those that met them to buy full déerely their approch as not being the first danger wherein they had fallen neuerthelesse in the end being ouer wearie and sore trauailed with the blowes they had giuen and receiued they were cleane out of breath and the worst was their horses were slaine vnder them and they themselues so sore wounded that they were all slaine in the place only Esplandian that in a manner could scarse lift vp his armes when king Amadis his father with great number of Frenchmen found him there whereat the battaile begun fiercer than euer it had béene for Amadis and his company séeing the Kings dead and their companions lying on the ground and Esplandian fighting in the middle of them on foote they were in a manner mad and therwith made such slaughter that the Turks were forced to separate themselues and Esplandian horsed again and being on horsebacke notwithstanding all his woundes hee shewed well that his body was not weary for hee followed the enemies in such sort mooued with gréefe to sée his friends dead that in short space by the aide of his father and the rest that followed him hée forced the Sâ—uldan of Alaxa and his souldiers to turne their backes and flie and in his flight gaue him such a blowe with his sword vpon the head that hée strake him dead and more than an hundred Pagans with him Amadis like wise did so valiantly with all the Knightes of Fraunce great Brittaine and Swethland specially the King of Denmarke Talanque Manely Ambor and Norandel that woonder it was to sée yet had their valour little preuailed without the aide that the Emperor of Constantinople brought thither with a great troup of horsemen that the Emperour of Rome had likewise gathered togither by which meanes king Armato with thirtie other Kings and their retinue were cleane ouerthrowne and the most part of them put to the sword the Christian Knightes making such slaughter that the blood ranne about the field in such abundance as if it had rained blood a whole day togither and greater had the abundance béene if night had not come on which separated them the Westerne Princes remaining incamped in the field till day opened that they might accomplish their desires Meane time Amadis caused watch and Sentinels to be set in all places because hee had béen aduertised that King Armato that had fledde away assembled his men by little and little which to doe hée caused hornes and drummes to sound throughout the field making fire round about the place where hee had retired sending two knights to the sea side to know what had happened to his sonne but newes was brought him that he was slaine and all his shippes burnt and drowned except fiftie or thréescore that were at the end of the straights of the Maiorque sea staying to heare newes of him assure your selues that such newes pleased him not too well neuerthelesse perceiuing it more conuenient to supply his owne necessitie than to spend the time in sorrow and teares hée called such captaines as hée had togither with whome he determined presently to depart and before day to imbarke that small number of men that rested before the Christians should perceiue the same With that he commanded from place to place that euery man should presently retire and without noise make towards the sea where being arriued they entred into their shippes flying towards Tartaria in all the hast they could wherof the Emperor of Constantinople being aduertised sent Frandalo diuers gallies with him to follow them but all in vaine in the meane time the hurt Knightes and souldiers were brought into the citie and the dead buried each according to his degrée wherein the Emperour shewed great affection especially as touching the buriall of the Kings Perion and Luisart for whome Esplandian comming to the Empire and those that succéeded after him caused two Pyramides to be made not any thing inferiour to those which sometime were erected in the citie of Memphis as well for the Kings Miris Chemnis as others and hard by them they buried the bodies of the valiant knights Balan Helian Polimner Enil Grumedan the good olde man and diuers other knights that died in that battaile fighting in the defence of the faith of Iesus Christ with whome their blessed soules do now remaine in ioy And because no menâ—ion hath béen made of Quéene Calafre since her captiuitie neither of the aide that shée had brought vnto the Pagan kings it séemeth reason that I should declare the occasion why her women fought not with the rest you must vnderstand that the Quéene perceiuing her in one day to be taken not only with the loue of the knight Esplandian but by the force of his father King Amadis not long after she had béen in the company of the princes Leonorine to whome Gandalin brought her shée sent vnto her sister Lyote to will her with her