and his mother But seeing this submission cannot coÌ„tent thee command what else thou wouldest haue and it shall be granted For matters past betweene thee and me answered Amadis I am sufficiently satisfied but not in the wrongs that concerne the Lady I am ready replied the Giant to suffer any such condemnation as thou thinkest best whereby to please both her and thee with this consideration that the vnrecouerable life of her sonne stands out of my reach and therefore must needes bee answered by some thing remayning in my power First of all then said Amadis my will is that thou deliuer her husband her daughter and all their attendants out of thy prisons Next in steed of her sonne flaine by thee condemne thy sonne to make her amends by present marriage of her daughter For lâ—t mee tell thee â—â—lan her husband is as good a â—â—ntleman as thy selfe and as sufficiently enriched with meanes euen so faire as hee is gouernour of all those countries which the King my father commands in the lesser Brittaine When Balan heard him speake in that manner he began to obserue him more iâ—… then before and thus replyed I pray thee in curtesie withouâ—â—…onger delay to tell mee 〈◊〉 â—…e and thy fathers 〈…〉 father answered Aâ—… is the King of Gaule and I am his 〈◊〉 Amadis At these wordes the Giant lifted vp his head saying Is it possible that thou shouldâ—… be â—…s who slew my father It is very true quoth he for I beeing in ayde of King Lâ—… and perceiuing him to bee in vnauâ—ydable daâ—ger of death I slew a 〈◊〉 who was reported to bee thy father Before God answered Balan it can nâ—uer enter into my vnderstanding how thou durst bee so bolde as to presume so sarre into my â—…diction but only by my euer knâ—… hâ—â—orable renowne of keeping my faith and worde inuiolate in any cause whatsoeuer Or else the meer magnanimity of thy soule which neuer made reckoning of the very greatest perill but fuâ—thered thee in the haughtiest enterprises is thy continuall good guiding Angell And therefore seeing fortune is so fauourable to thee it were against reason that I should contradict her in thy happinesse hauing made so deare a proofe thereof my selfe already As concerning my sonne I giue him freely tâ—… thee to be disposed of at thy pleasure not in any fauourable respect of mee but as beseemeth a villaine that durst presume to breake his fathers faith For no goodâ—â—sse else can now remaine in him but what his conâ—…ce may well learnâ—â—…f thee as â—â—â—ing a true teacher 〈…〉 â—â—â—dodoning him so great an offence Then reaching forth his hand Amadis meeting it gently with his hee thus proceeded The husband to this Lady her daughter and all the prisoâ—ers else in my custodie shall forth with bee released accouâ—… the very fayrest fortune 〈…〉 did or can befall mee to be â—…ed as thy friend and so I bâ—…h thee to accept me That will I with all my heart answered Amadis And embracing him as he lay said I am so farre engaged in seruice to thy Father in Law Gandalack as for his sake onely I hold it an Article of my dutie to loue thee truely And as a beginning of our aâ—…e let mee entreate and perswade thee to cease and giue ouer this wicked custome which both against God and reason thou hast heere so long time maintained Also forgiue thy Sonne Brauor whose error rather ensued by folly of youth then otherwise commanding him withall that to morrow hee marrie this Ladies daughter that so wee both may stand discharged of our promises Where-to Balan gladly condescended and Darioletta with her husband were also well pleased and satisfied And not without great reason and much to our purpose doth our Historie speake of this mariage For from them two issued a Sonne named Galeote that married one of the daughters to Galuanes and the faire Giantesse Madasima whence descended the second Balan succeding euermore from father to Son in this Island of the Red Tower Vntill it came to the gentle knight Segurades brother to the knight that came to the court of â—ing Arthur being aged aboue sixscore yeares he hauing in regard of his age for borne the vse of Armes the space of twentie yeares did yet without the helpe of any Launce vnhorse all the famous knights that came to Câ—melâ—t This Segurades whereof I now speake was in the time of king Vtâ—r Pendragon Father to king Arthur and left one only Sonne Lord of this Island who was named Brauor le Bran who was slaine by Sir Tristram de Lyons as he conducted fayre â—seult wife to King Marke into Cornewall Of this Brauor le Brun issued the valiant Galehaut le Brun Lord of the farre remote Isles a great friend to Sir Lancelot du Lake as you may well remember if you haue read the histories of the Round Table where mention is made of the Bruns who descended all from the stock of Balan With whom we wil leaue Amadis attending the curing of his Wounds to tell you what happened to Grasandor after the hunts-man had done his message to him and knew assuredly that he was embarqued thence with the Lady his conducter CHAP. XXXV How Grasandor followed in the quest of Amadis and what aduentures happened to him in his trauatie NOt long since you read that Amadis being entred the Barque of the Ladie who purposely came thither to seeke him one of the Huntsmen came along the shoare to whom he called commanding him to bury the dead Knight and acquaint Grasandor with the reason of his so sudden departure Which being imparted to Grasandor hee was a long time pensiue maruailing what aduenture had befallen him to drawe him so farre off from him and Madame Oriana Hereupon giuing ouer further pursuing the game he desired him to conduct him where the dead Knight lay and being there ariued hee sawe him lie along quite disarmed but neither Shippe or sayle could hee disâ—â—ne on the Sea So carrying the dead body into an Abbey neare adioyning which Amadis had founded Grasandor returned to Oriana whom hee found with the Infanta Mabila and the other Ladies who seeing him enter without Amadis demanded whence hee came thus all alone From point to point hee related the whole aduenture according as hee had receiued it from the hunts-man yet with some regarde as fearing to afflict her ouer much whom it most concerned I meane Madame Oriana whose heart was so seuerely shut vp with griefe as shee could not for a long while vtter one word But when her soule had wonne more liberty then shee thus answered Surely I am perswaded that seeing hee hath leâ—â— you and taken no farewell oâ— meâ— hee departed not but vpon some very great occasion By my faith Madame replied Grasandor I 〈◊〉 of your minde for hee sent me word by the Huntsman that I should excuse his absence to you Alas quoâ—h the Princesse I know not what excuse to allow of neither what wee are
the victory hee would write to them concerning his owne good health and their other friends Wisely did the Squires fulfill the charge committed to their trust so that on the third day following the first returned to them and reported that the Army of the seauen Kings was very great and strong by reason of infinit numbers of strangers who were lately there arriued and that they layed sharpe siege to a Castell which was said to belong to certain Ladies And albeit it was very strong and almost impregnable by power of Armes yet they were in great danger of yeelding it because food and sustenance greatly fayled therein And further quoth the Squire as I crossed thorow the Campe I heard Archalaus the Enchanter conferre with two of the Kings saying as hee walked along with them that within sixe dayes they would bid theÌ„ battel because no further order should bee taken for bringing them in any victuals by Sea and that their munition began to fayle them also Yet all goes well answered Amadis in the meane while we shall haue good leisure to refresh and recreate our selues The very same day the other Squire sent to the Campe of King Lisuart returned likewise who declared that he met with Galaor and what countenance hee shewed in reading the Letter And trust mee quoth he very hardly could he refraine from teares when he vnderstood that you were all three in Gaule for he made a setled assurance of the victory if the King could haue enioyed yee in his company Moreouer he sends ye word by me that if hee escape with life from the field he wil forthwith make haste to see ye But what quoth Amadis is thine opinion of their Army Trust me my Lord answered the Squire so few fighting men as they be yet are they al marshalled in exceeding good order and diuers worthy knights are said to be among them but they are all ouer few in regard of the others mighty multitude Notwithstanding King Lisuart is not daunted a iote but intendeth as I heard it credibly reported within two dayes to meete them or else the Castell of Ladies will be constrayned to yeeld it selfe hauing no supply of men nor meate Well said Amadis we shall see what will ensue on this busines Thus they continued in the Forrest vntill such time as they had intelligence that the two Armies prepared to ioyne whereupon they dislodged and drew neerer to the Campe of King Lisuart which was seated on the ridge of an hill and so neere to the enemy that but a little Riuer diuided them running thorow the plaine where King Aranigne earnestly desirous of fight had passed his men This King last mentioned to ye was chosen the chïefe and Coronall of the whole Army belonging to the seauen Kings and to him all the principall Captaines of the band had made solemne oath and promise the day before to obey him without any contradiction For he desired nothing else as he said neither could haue any iote more but onely the honour of the enterprise referring all the spoyle and booty to his companions the common Souldiers And that he might the better accoÌ„plish his intent he ordained nine battalions in each of which hee appointed twelue thousand knights reseruing to his owne charge fifteen hundred and more commaunding on the morrow by breake of day the Trumpets Clarions to giue summons for all to set themselues in order and bee in readinesse Before he would dislodge seeing his men forward to their deuoire for their encouragement he thus spake What need it Gentlemen that I should vse any great perswasion for your bold fighting considering you are the only authors of this war and wherein you haue elected mee for your chiefe conducter And that is the only reasoÌ„ mouing me to speak to the end you may the more heedfully fixe before your eyes the cause why you are assembled in so great a multitude Resolue your selus that it is not to defend your Country your liberty your wiues children nor your goods But it is to conquer and subdue a nation the most proud and arrogant people this day liuing who make of vs dwelling somewhat farre from them so small esteeme as of nothing lesse Neuerthelesse as neere as they are I hardly thinke that they dare abide vs for though they carry a kinde of fury in their marching yet if you note well their lookes there appeares an apparant testimony of doubt and difficulty in dealing with vs which may moue giue ye more heart to fight then all the words of â—â—â—ng men can do yea althougâ— ye were then ill ordered hâ—lâ—e tired We are heere the very stoure ful strength of most part of the Ocean Islands in such a gallant number that it were almost a sin to make any doubt of our certain victore And for our further assurance let vs remember that wee are in a strange Country a large long distance from our own not among our louers and friends but euen in the very midst of our enemies that euery houre expect our ruine death A matter which we cannot auoid if we be once broken disseuered For they haue worthy horse-men by whom we are certain to be pursued without any meanes oâ—retâ—â—ing to our ships wherefore we must resolue to conquer or dye because the necessity wherein wee are is much rather to be feared then their power Let each man therfore do his duty and I make no doubt but before darke night do check our forwardnesse we shall be Lords and Maisters of the whole Country and thereby be held dreadfull in other parts of the world King Aranigne hauing thus encouraged his Souldiers hee caused them to march in good order toward their enemies who likewise marched in maine battell on the hill top making such a glittering radiance with their Armes that it was a most goodly sight to behold And they were diuided into fiue squadrons the first being guided by Brian de Moniaste with a thousand knights of Spaine The second by King Cildadan with the like number of knights The third by Galuanes The fourth by Giontes And the 〈◊〉 by King Lisuart accompanied with Galaor and two thousand 〈◊〉 knights who seeing so great a 〈◊〉 titude come marching against him began to be very doubtful of the victory Neuerthelesse like a pâ—…nt and magnanimious Prince he went from battation to battalion to perswade his Cheualiers to fight brauely And for their better encitation thereto be gaue them to vnderstand that with great shame he was thus assayled by these enemies without any quarrell at all against them but onely through the perswasion and procurement of Archalaus the most disloyall traytour and villaine that euer liued they were thus entred his Country with an absolute hope of conquest And therfore my louing friends quoth he right being on our side God who is most iust in whose hand are all victories wil vndoubtedly assist vs. If they say that they war thus vpon
would set before your eyes the great obligations wherein you are indebted to our Lord to the ende that you may henceforth encline your selfe to do such things as are best pleasing to him I make no doubt but am well assured you haue often heard how in the very first daies of your life you were forsaken of all friends and giuen ouer to the mercie of the Sea in a matter of small defence and without any other guarde but God by whose goodnesse you fell into their hands who afterwardes gaue you nourishment euen vntil you came to be a Knight and the most compleate knowne at this day For our Lord hath induâ—d you with strength to gaine the maistery of many Giants Monsters Tyrants and most cruell beasts whereby your renowne hath extended it selfe into all partes of the worlde Now seeing he hath enriched you with so many great graces mee thinkes it is no more then reason that you should acknowledge him for your soueraign Lord and labour in thankefulness to him by humbling your selfe before his face for otherwise all the fauours hee hath bestowen vpon you will turne but to your shame and disgrace Sonne you see how olde and decrepit I am nature almost decaied in mee Notwithstanding I haue not feared to vndertake so long a iourney to you because I heard euen in mine owne poore Hermitage the discord betweene you and King Lisuart with whom I haue lately spoken and found him to be such a man as a good Prince and minister of God ought to bee and ready if nothing keep you to the contrary to listen to peace which me thinkes you ought not to refuse as well for the quiet of your conscience as for the safety of your person And to the end that you may make no disguising of your affections let me assure you that I know more of your most intimate affaires then you imagine I doe for Madame Oriana vnder the seal of confession hath tolde mee a chiefe secret concerning you both When Amadis heard him speake so plainely hee knew well enough that he spake nothing but the truth wherefore hee thus answered Father if I could serue my God according to his graces and mercies bestowed on mee I might well esteeme my selfe the most happie Knight in the worlde But beeing a grieuous sinner as I am preferring too often mine owne pleasure before his glory I must needs faile as other men doe to my no little griefe Yet I hope knowing mine owne defects to behaue my selfe better then heretofore I haue done Humbly beseeching you good father not to feare or defer in telling me what you best thinke I ought to doe that may bee most acceptable to him for I will therein obey you to my vttermost power Ah my good sonne quoth he you do enough in taking this wholsome way whereby I hope to bee your guide not only for the tranquility of your countrie but also for the good of many soules Then he recounted to him how hee had trauelled to the Enclosed Isle where hee had conuersed with Oriana and by her consent was sent to King Lisuart and acquainted him with all hee had in charge especially the troth-plight marriage of them both the issue where-of was Esplandian And beleeue me childe quoth the Hermite the King hath heerein carried himselfe so vertuously and takes all in such good part that if you fall not off I hope to vnite a perpetuall alliance betweene you Now you may diuine whether Amadis heard these tydings gladly or no but I dare assure you they were so welcome to him as hee had no power to dissemble his inward ioy but presently returned this answere to the Hermite If it shall please the King to accept me as his sonne I promise you good father that hee shall finde me so tractable to him as I will be diligent in doing him any seruice There remaineth no more then replied the Hermite but that you both may speake together therefore aduise with your selfe both how and when it may most conueniently bee done Let me tell you answered Amadis I would haue you first go to King Perion my father and tell him the cause of your comming to me likewise your owne opinion that king Lisuart will now accept those offers which lastly were made to him in Great Brittaine on our behalfe by Quedragant and Brian de Moniaste concerning the Princesse Oriana if they might be once more tendered to him Say moreouer you are well assured that hee shall finde him reasonable and a Prince of peace euen as any other what-soeuer in the world And you may tell him that you haue spoken with me but I haue referred all to his disposition For the honour of God said the good olde man I pray you without any longer delaying to let me be brought where hee is Father replied Amadis my selfe therein will serue as a guide to you and for so good an occasion Vpon these tearmes they went instantly to King Perion who being aduertised of Nascians comming came to welcome him but beholding Esplandian with him he could not guesse who hee should be only hee appeared to be a very goodlie creature as any he had euer looked on in his life wherefore he demaunded of the Hermite whether he were his son or no Sir quoth hee hee is partly mine as beeing a foster father to him in his younger yeares and our Lord bestowed him on me almost miraculously It is very true answered the King if this be hee to whom the Lionesse gaue sucke at his beginning as I haue often heard and of whom Vrganda the Vnknowen hath foretolde many wounders and among the rest that he shal be the cause of planting peace and amity between King Lisuart and my sonne Amadis which I pray God induâ— him with grace to doe And beleeue mee seeing such faire fruit is to fal from his fortune hee well deserues to be both beloued and esteemed In truth answered the Hermite this is hee of whom you speake and when you haue further knowledge of him you will affect him more then you imagine as at better leasure I shal hereafter tell you Then hee called Esplandian and commanded him to doe reuerence to the King when the young Gentle man setting his knee to the ground would haue kissed the Kings hand but hee tooke him in his armes saying Gentle Sir you are so faire and vertuously quallified that such as see you or haue euer heard of you doth both loue and highly esteeme you And I am perswaded you will proue so worthie a man that Knighthood were very desertfully bestowed vpoÌ„ you Esplandian hearing himselfe so coÌ„mended began to grow somewhat bashfull thereat and perceiuing the King to blush likewise desired to know of the Hermite if he could tell whose sonne hee was Sir said Nascian to the King this young man as yet knoweth not any thing concerning his owne demand and as for my selfe I am very certaine that hee hath neither father or mother from whom as yet
any Crowne during my life time nor thinke my selfe worthy the name of King except I can preuaile against their ouer-much boldnesse Sir answered Sadamon you know the greater part of them and are acquainted sufficiently with what they can doe therefore if you â—â—â—sider well thereon you will finde them not to be so easily oâ—ercome as â—erhaps in rash coniecture you may imagine And Sir quoth 〈◊〉 my Lord Amadis 〈◊〉 me charge to deliuer from himselfe onely as much as Sadamon hath said vnto yee Onely he sends you word that he will not be seene in the Isle of Mongaza for seeing hee onely conquered it for you hee will be no occasion of your losse thereof neither will appeare in any other place whereat the Queene may take the least dislike all which he doth onely in honour of her and for her sake Let him doe as hee pleaseth replyed the King it shal not heate my bloud ouer-much whether he bee there or no. Aâ—beiâ— instantly and before so many hee appeared to make no account of 〈…〉 yet his minde and 〈…〉 were farre different and there was not one man in the whole company but made most high esteeme of Aâ—aâ—is So the King arose commanding that Gandales and Sadamon should dine in the Hall accompanied with Giâ—ntâ—s and his Nephew Guâ—llan with some other of the best esteemed Knights to whom for their deeds of prowesse the King dayly affoorded no meane honours which incited many to imiâ—… their vertues in hope to reâ—… the heigth of their fortunes Dinner being ended Gandales was conducted to the Queene and hee entred into her Chamber euen as Orâ—ana and Mâ—… were conferring with her about him Doing his humble reuerence and comming to the Queene hee kiâ—â—ed her hand and afterward shee caused him to sit downe by her when shewing him Oriana shee said Friend Gandales know you this Lady to whom some-time you haue done so many seruices Madame quoth he if I haue don her any seruice at all I hold my selfe very happy therein and when I can compas â—ust occasion am ready to do as much both to you and her I thanke you quoth shee and what newes bring you vs from Amadiâ—… Madame repâ—…ed Gandalâ—s he expresly commaunded mee to see you if possibly I might and to present his most humble â—â—lutions to your gracious acceptance certifying you more-ouer that it is no meane motiue to his high discontentment to bee thus enforced to abandon your seruice As much said my Lord Agrayes to me who entreateth you that in regard both hee and Don Galuanes his Vnckle are in such displeasure with the King you would bee pleased to send him his Sister for he is verily pâ—â—swaded that they standing so farre 〈◊〉 of fauour her presence can hardy bee well taken in this Court When 〈◊〉 heard these words neuer was woman more heauily afflicted because ouer and beside the loue shee bare her shee onely was the chiefe gardiâ—â— of her most intimate secrets and withall knowing her childing time to be so neere it made a double addition to her sorrow for loosing her she stood vtteâ—ly 〈◊〉 â—…ure of confidence in any But 〈◊〉 beâ—… the teâ—â—es in her â—â—es closed â—…ly with her in this â—…ner Beleâ—… me Madame iâ— the King should offâ—r mee so much wrong as to make a seperation betweene you and mee it would bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my minde Why quoth Gandales wherein should it be so offâ—nsiue to you cannot your entertainment be as gracious in the Court of King Perâ—on your Vnckle with the Queene Elisenna and Melicia your Cousin all of them being so desirous to see you Trust me Gandales said the Queene Agrayes doth mee no little displeasure in making this demaund for his Sister and before I meane to send her to him I will speake with the King who if he will follow mine aduise she shall not depart hence with you if her selfe take liking to continue with vs Mâ—dame answered Candales let me then haue my dâ—spatch so soone as may bee because I must endure no long tarying here As he deliâ—â—red these words the King 〈◊〉 the Chamber when 〈…〉 Sir â—uâ—l well you know the good entertainment and great honour that the King and Queene of Scots affoorded mee during the time you left mee in their guard and such affiance they reposed in you that to keepe me company they sent thâ—ir daughter hiâ—her with 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 if you 〈…〉 fâ—â—m 〈…〉 All whicâ—… her Brother Agâ—… 〈…〉 her câ—me 〈…〉 by 〈…〉 hence 〈…〉 and Maâ—… 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 him that 〈…〉 as yet to be 〈…〉 Oriana but with 〈…〉 of the diâ—cords hapâ—… her kinred she might still remaine in his gracious 〈◊〉 which mooued the King to such câ—mpassion that he returned her this answere Faire Cousine doe you conceite that for any difference betweene them and me I can grow forgetfull of your for better proofe of himselfe against king Lisuart that makes such account of him During the space of eight dayes they awayted apt and conuenient time to shippe themselues for passage to the Isle of Mongaza and while they thus consulted together the Mariners came and gaue them warning that except they meant to lose oportunity in their enterprise they must now away because the winde stood commodiously which made euery man hasten to get him aboard the Trumpets and Clarions chearefully sounding Now as they were ready to weigh Anker Amadis who intended not to passe along with them put him selfe into a Skiffe with Drunâ—o went from Ship to Ship to take farewell of his friends perswading them to doe their deuoire And let mee entreate yee quoth hee my deare esteemed companions to be assistant one to another and consider well with your selues that you goe against a powerfull king in which respect if you chance to fight your fame and honor will be the greater For I am not ignorant that there is no one man among yee but hath beene tryed for a bold and worthy knight which giues perswasion to my hopes that the hand of Heauen assisting and right in the cause you vndertake you shal replant a poore Lady in those goods and lands whereof shee hath bin too long disinherited The entring into the Ship where were Galuanes Queâ—ragant Florestan Brian and Agrayes together the teares trilled downe his cheekes and embracing them each after other hee said I was neuer in all my life so grieued to forgoe such good company as I am at this instant but I know you will iustly hold me excused and I would it had pleased God that occasion had ministred some other meanes then thus to enforce our separation But one request let me make vnto yee that no discord may happen among yee but liue together like louing friends and companions for otherwise assure your selues the losse and ruine will be yours And thus speaking he committed them to Heauens protection and went to take farewell of Mâ—dâ—sima who sate in her Ship conferring with her Ladies and thence returning to his Skiffe the
them that if euer they should happen into his hands he might be the better reuenged on them And my good Lords quoth he command me what seruice shall like you best for I confesse my life to be onely yours assuring ye on my faith that if you at any time come where I may entertaine ye you shall effectually finde what loue I beare ye Friend Branfiles answered Galaor good successe attend ye but if you please we will ride along with ye for your better security I hartily thanke ye replyed Archalaus but this day I shall neede no further defence I am so neere to a Castell where I am assured of kind welcome So he departed from them not a little glad that he was so well rid of them for if they had knowen him he had not easily escaped from them wherefore he commaunded him that guided the Litter to make all the haste he possibly might and to take the most vnfrequēted waies lest they should pursue and recouer him again By this time it waxed so late that the Moon shone brightly wherefore Galaor seeing no other helpe concluded on their byding that night by the Fountain whereto Norandel was as willing as he As they disarmed themselues one of their Squires told them that they should haue better cheare then they expected How shall we haue it quoth Galaor It is ready enough for ye answered the Squire for while you were fighting with the 5. knights they that remained with Branfiles forsook him also and left a horse loden with victuals whereof I took the charge while the 2 damosels which accōpanied the litter entred among yonder old ruines of houses from whence as yet they are not gone because I haue obserued them warily So much the better answered Norandel conduct me where they are that they may haue part in this booty Galaor went with him and the Squire who shewed the place where they had hid themselues which was an old Caue in regard whereof the Damosels had falne so deepely into it as they could not by any meanes get out againe Now because the Squire knew not certainly whether any knights were in their company or no the entrance of the Caue being so vnaccustomed and neither Galaor or Norandel had their Armes about them hee would proceede no further but with a loud voyce called vnto them saying Come foorth Ladies come foorth and giue mee not occasion to fetch ye foorth lest perhaps you repent it Twise or thrise he thus called to them and they appeared not to heare him when Norandel growing offended thereat aduised Galaor that fire should be made at the caues mouth and so to smoake them forth whether they would or no. Dinarda hearing these wordes waxed very fearefull and cryed out aloud saying Alas Gentlemen take pitty vpon vs and we will presently come forth vnto ye Dispatch then said Galaor and come away quickly for we may not attend your leysure Beleeue it Gentle-men quoth shee vnfaynedly that wee are not able to come vnto yee without your helpe we are falne so deepe vnder the ground and further perhaps then you will beleeue Heereupon Norandel went in him-selfe and holpe them out each after other when perceiuing them to be such beautifull creatures I know not which of them was the forwardest to entertaine a faire friend so that Galaor pleaded possession of Dinarda and Norandel of the other Then sending the Squire to prepare their Supper meane while they wandred somewhat further into the wood where you may well conceiue that hauing a place so conuenient and being furnished with such prouision as such yong yeares and wanton desires could wish for neither of the knights was so dull spirited but knew well enough how to entertain his amorous Mistresse Which dalliances being ended the knights conducted them to the Fountaine where they friendly supt together with such food as the men of Archalaus had left behind them vsing such conference all the time of Supper as doubtlesse was not any way displeasing By meanes whereof the Damosels who at the first encountring seemed strange and halfe angry were now become so gentle milde and tractable that Supper was no sooner ended but they went into the wood againe with the knights as familiar in their kisses and kinde embraces as formerly they had beene to Galaor and Norandel In which pleasures they continued til the break of day when Norandels Lady thus spake vnto him In good sadnesse Sir I feare lest Madame Dinarda will be offended with me because I haue absented my selfe so long time from her Neuer thinke you so quoth he for she needes none of your presence being so well accompanied as shee is And I dare make it good that she is as willing to be alone as you are or can be But resolue me in one thing I pray ye is not this Dinarda the daughter to Ardan Canile who not long since came into this Country to aske the counsel of Archalaus how she might be reuenged on Amadis de Gaule and compasse his death I am not acquainted said she with the cause of her comming hither but well I wot shee is the daughter to Ardan Canile and in my poore opinion he that hath beene pleased with her company this night past may well boast of his happines good fortune for he hath wonne that which many great persōs could neuer gaine so much as a sight of Heere let me tell ye as heereto-fore I haue done that this Dinarda was both cunning and malicious expressing to Galaor such an outward shew of loue and intire affection as if her soule and behauiour truely consented together And so farre was his beliefe abused by her that notwithstanding his aduertising by Norandel what speech had past betweene him and his nightcommodity yet hee made no account at all thereof but declared as faire friendship to her as before not wanting in his very best curtesies to her But at length he demaunded of her if she knew the knight that was carried in the Litter Full well quoth she and did not you know him to be Archalaus the Enchanter Archalaus answered Galaor Had I but knowne so much before hee should haue felt the keene edge of my Sword Is he not dead replyed Dinarda No quoth Galaor my ignorance for this once hath priuiledged his life but if euer hereafter we chaunce to meet againe he shall well finde that a debt delayed is not payed another day will serue the turne Right glad was Dinarda to heare that her Vncle had escaped with life notwithstanding wisely shee dissembled her contentment and returned this answere Trust me Sir it is no long while since I hazarded my life for the safety of his but now finding my selfe so farre interrested in your faire affection assure your selfe it is one of my greatest grieuances that you did not kill him for there is not a heauier enemy in the world to the life of you and your brother Amadis I know it too well replied Galaor and so long
a forbearance should now haue found a full discharge for all his trecheries but that his subtilty outwent my honest simplicity which will be quickly footed when time shal serue Broad day breaking off these priuate conferences they mounted on horsebacke with the Damosels who tooke no great pleasure in their company though they bare it out with notable dissembling But that which most offended Dinarda was the report of Galaor that he had left the Court of King Lisuart onely to finde his Brother Amadis de Gaule whom she hated more then any man liuing So long they iourneyed together that on the third day following they came to a Fortresse the gates whereof stood wide open In they rode not meeting with any body whom they might speake to but soone after came the Lord of the place named Ambades attended with some of his seruants on whom beholding this new come company he looked angerly because they had not drawen the Bridge before their arriuall Neuerthelesse considering that now it could not bee holpen he made a shew of courteous entertainment much against his minde For he was neere kins-man to Archalaus and euery way as wicked as he quickly taking knowledge of his Niece Dinarda by whō hee vnderstood the fortunes of his Cousin and Dinarda also perswaded him that she and the other Damosell had bin violently deflowred by Galaor and Norandel Hereat he grew so incensed with fury that instantly he would haue assayled them but Dinarda willed him to be better aduised because they two onely had foyled fiue knights that had the conduct of her Vncle and might prooue as powerfull ouer him and his Therefore Sir quoth she as yet it is hest to conceale your discontentment till their departing hence to morrow morning when I and this Damosell will guide thē forth then letting down the Port-cullies of the gate we shall be sure to tarry with yee in the securer safety Ambades did not mislike this counsell but went to Supper with the Knights and Ladies betaking themselues afterward to rest in their appointed lodgings and the next morning being risen their hoste came to them saying Gentle-men when it shall please you to depart I will bee your guide thus armed as I am for so am I vsed to doe with any that accept of entertertainment heere and before my returne backe againe I take delight in the search of aduentures according as other knights errant do My kinde Hoste answered Galaor wee heartily thanke yee for your great curtesie So their horses being brought first they holpe to mounte the Damosels and themselues but they gaue way to Galaor and Norandel to ride out foremost the women comming slowly after with Ambades No sooner were the knights beyond the gate but downe fell the Port-cullies and he with the Damosels were now out of their power Forthwith they mounted on the wall ouer the gate and seeing the knights looke backe for the Damosels comming after he cryed out to them Villaines hell be your confusion before you get them againe in your possession Goe dwell among all the deuils and let them vse you as ye haue done these poore Ladies who dare venter no further with such base-minded men but chuse rather willingly to abide here with me Is it possible mine hoste answered Galaor that after such honour and honest entertainment affoorded by your selfe to vs in your Castell you should expresse such lacke of manhood as to robbe vs of our faire friends so treacherously If euer they were yours replied Ambades or gaue themselues to ye without constraint it likes mee the better thus to take them from yee as thinking it may the more vexe and molest yee But I am assured that lustfully and meerely against their mindes you haue pursued and enioyed them and therefore at their earnest request made to me I vse ye as I doe shame then to quarrell any further in this maner considering how much they detest ye Let them but say so much themselus quoth Galaor to vs and we shall quickly get vs gone Dinarda who all this while had hid her selfe began to appeare vpon the wall whereupon Galaor spake thus vnto her Faire Mistresse this Knight wold gladly make vs beleeue that willingly you remaine with him and that our company is offensiue to ye We can hardly credit any trueth in his speeches remembring some occasions that haue past betweene vs. Then I perceiue answered Dinarda that foolish credulity betrayed your best iudgement in me for my affectiō was neuer so earnest towards ye but I had rather behold your head parted from your shoulders then to enioy one minute of your company Fond and ydle-headed knight didst not thou know that I am Daughter to Ardan Canile and that thy Brother Amadis is the man whom aboue all other I haue most cause to detest and hate How then couldst thou dreame that any good inclination remained in me towardes thee considering that thy greatest fauour to mee since our late begun familiarity hath aimed at no other end but for conueying me to Gaule there to behold him whom I least desire to see You may therefore depart hence at your pleasure and forget not to assure your selfe that in being perswaded I most faithfully affected you you doe and shall find me the most deadliest enemy you haue If I had giuen ye any such occasion answered Galaor yet I am well assured the sweete satisfaction you receiued so latel from me and to you no meane contentment as I imagined did well deserue more louely language But I can easily aime at your intention you would gladly borrow as much friendship of another man as fearing that I was not able to pleasure ye any further wherein truely now vpon better consideration with my selfe you haue reason so to doe and I none at all to mislike it For ouer and beside that generall disease incident to all women of your witty disposition to affect change and nouelty I ought to haue remembred how difficult a thing it is from so badde a stocke as is worth iust nothing that any good fruit can bee expected For thou art Niece to the onely vyle wretch in the world and thou must needs resemble him in all kind of villainy But Madame said Norandel I hope my amorous Mistresie hath no such cause to complaine of me for neuer woman was better entertayned by her friend then for so long time together shee was by mee and that I dare referre to her owne report As he spake these wordes he espied her peeping ouer the others shoulder whereupon hee called to her saying How say you sweet heart is it not true It is so true quoth shee that if I could compasse the like power ouer thee as when time was thou hadst ouer me I should easily make knowne with what affection I endured whatsoeuer thou didst to me which pleased me so well that I referre thee to the deuils recompence The deuill said Norandel cares not for my company hee likes yours so
this tract it will guide yee thither for I must needs after my fellow to the Fountaine where wee must dresse the venison which wee haue gotten this morning Then the King left him and ascending vp the Rocke espied on the height thereof the poore dwelling of Nascian so enuironed with great bushes as well witnessed the wonderfull solitude of the good Hermite Alighting from his horse he entred into the first room where hee found the holy man vpon his knees clothed in a religious habit and reading in a Booke of deuotion which hee gaue not ouer at his arriuall but hauing finished his prayers hee arose demaunding of the King what he sought for Father quoth he not long since as I crossed the Forrest I met with a goodly childe leading a Lyonnesse in a leashe I pray ye for courtesies sake to tell me what he is for at the very first sight of him my minde gaue me that he is issued from some good place While the King continued on this speech the Hermite so heedfully obserued him that hee knew him as being the man to whom he had done many seruices during the time that he followed Armes In regard whereof falling down humbly vpon his knees hee craued pardon for his error in not giuing him such entertainment as beseemed so great a Maiestie But the King raysing him vp tooke him by the hand saying Good Father will you not resolue me concerning the young childe which I mentioned to ye Assure your selfe vpon my faith that the knowledge you may giue me of him cannot but redound to his great benefit Sir answered the Hermite our Lord hath hitherto shewen great signes of loue to that childe and seeing hee hath so carefully kept him as I shall relate vnto ye it stands with good reason that you as a King should loue defend him in such sort as no harme or displeasure should bee offered him You haue as appeareth by your speeches an carnest desire to know what he is In trueth Sir during the time that I haue nourished him he may be tearmed mine albeit it is not yet fully sixe yeares since I tooke him from the teeth of a Lyonnesse that was carrying him to her whelpes Wherein our Lord apparantly declared that hee is the preseruer of all his creatures because the beast neuer did him harme but onely suckled it among her yong ones so that by the milke of her and of a little Ewe which then I had I compassed the meanes of fostring him for more then a moneth In expectation still of mine owne Sister Mother to the other yong Lad that keepes him companie who afterward comming to me she became so good a Nurse and Gouernesse to him that thankes be giuen to our Lord for it I am perswaded he is one of the goodliest creatures this day liuing And one thing more strange then all the rest I am to tell yee vnderstand Sir that as I was about to baptize him my Sister hauing taken off very rich clothes wherein he was swadled shee shewed me a letter vnder his right pappe as white as snow contayning the word Esplandian and on the other side directly against his heart were other carracters as redde as blood which I could neuer vnderstand because they are neither Latine nor of our language Now in regard of that name which at his birth it seemes he brought with him into the world I haue euer-more since caused him to be called Esplandian accordingly In good faith Father saide the King you haue tolde me wonders but seeing you found him in such fort as you say it is to be presupposed verily that he was borne not far off from this Countrie That know not I answered Nascian neither couet I to vnderstand more then what our Lord hath permitted Well then quoth the King to morrow good Father I pray you meete me at the Fountaine of the seauen Beeches where I shall be with my Queene and a goodly company of Ladies Bring Esplandian the Lyonnesse and your young Nephew with you to whom I intend some good for his Father Sergils sake whom I somtime knew to be a good knight Sir replyed the holy man I am bound to doe what you haue enioyned mee and desire of God that all may be to his honour and glory The King giuing him the good morrow rode thence and arriued at his Tents about midday Now because none there knew what was become of him each man was diligent in enquiry after him and although his most intimate familiars desired to know where hee had bin yet would he reueale nothing but commaunded to couer for dinner As he was ready to sit downe at the Table Grumedan came to tell him that the Queene entreated him to see her Tent before dinner about some nouell occurrences lately happening Whereupon hee went thence to her and being alone by themselues shee told him that as they came ryding from the Citty a very beautifull Damosell mounted vpon a light ambling Hobbie and conducted onely by a Dwarfe presented her selfe before her And she being very sumptuous in her apparell rode by all my Ladies and women â—quoth the Queene not vouchsafing one word to them vntil such time as she came before mee when she gaue me this Letter telling me that you and I must reade it this day before dinner because thereby wee should bee acquainted with admirable matters And no sooner had shee spoken that word but she rode away from me so fast as her horse could gallop without permitting me the least leysure of any answere So she gaue the King the Letter sealed with an Emerauld chased in golde with these words engrauen about it This is the Seale of Vrganda the vnknowne Then opening the Letter the King read the contents following The Letter of Vrganda the vnknowne to the mightie King Lisuart MOst high and powerfull Prince Vrganda the vnknowne who loues and desires to doe you any seruice doth aduise and councell you to your great benefit that at such time as a Gentleman nourishea by three diuers Nurses shall appeare before your Maiestie you would embrace entertaine loue and dearely respect him for he is the cause of your quiet by deliuering you from the greatest danger wherein euer you were He is deriued from blood royall on both sides and partaketh somewhat in the natures of those creatures that gaue him sucke By the first of them he shall be so strong and magnanimous as hee will darken all the valour of the very best Knights that haue gone before being neuerthelesse so milde and gentle that hee will be loued and esteemed of all men occasioned by the nourishment receiued from his second Nurse As for the third beleeue it Sir that neuer was Gentleman of better spirit more Catholique and compleate in all good conditions so that he shall addict himself to actions pleasing to God auoyding all vaine affaires wherein the most of other Knights doe commonly spend their time And that which exceedeth all the
dinner our Knight accompanied with many Lords and Gentlmen rode into the Forrest There they met with great store of wilde beasts who being well nere spent with running made backe againe vpon the pursuing Houndes But as our Knight earnestly followed a Hart which had escaped from the toyles both hee and Gandalin were strayed so far into the woods as they were enforced to spend the whole night there by not knowing how to recouer againe their way of entrance And as they traced from one side to another at length they came neere to a very beautifull Fountaine enuironed round about with trees of such heighth as it was impossible almost to meet with taller There they resolued to abide till the next morning wherefore alighting from their horses they first watered them and after tooke off their bridles to let them graze And because our Knight could not so soone betake himselfe to rest hee walked along vnder the faire-spreading trees and discerned somewhat neere him a white horse lye dead all couered with fresh-bleeding woundes which hee had lâ—tely receiued Moreouer he heard the voyce of a man complayning very lamentably as one that felt intollerable paine and anguish but being vnable to discerne from whence it proceeded by reason that the night was so darke and cloudie he drew as neere to the clamour as he could to listen the cause why he thus complayned Then the voyce seemed louder to his attention then before and he could easily vnderstand the deliuery of these speeches Ab miserable man vnfortunate Bruneo de bonne Me now thou dost too plainly perceiue that thou art enforced to finish thy dayes and all thy affectionate desires wherewith thy loyall heart hath beene so long time afflicted Ah Amadis de Gaule my worthy Lord neuer more shalt thou see thy faithfull companion Bruneo for in the quest of thee according as thy well-beloued Sister Melicia commanded me I fell into the hands of Traytours who haue wrought my death without the ayd or succour of any friend to helpe me O vnkinde Fortune vtter enemy to my felicity thou hast throwen me so farre off from all remedy as I haue not so much as the meanes whereby I might make knowen my disaster to any one that should reuenge my wrongs which were no meane comfort to mee in this wofull case and the more contentedly would my poore soule part out of this wretched world Ah Melicia floure and mirrour of all vertuous perfections this night thou losest the most loyall seruant that euer Lady or Gentle-man had for my whole life-time was deuoutly dedicated onely to obey and please you in all faithfull seruices And vpon my soule if you well consider it perhaps you will finde this lesse extreame for you being assured that you shall neuer meete with any other so constant to you as your Bruneo Now doth the lampe of my life beginne to burne dimbe and my afflicted heart loseth all his forces wherewith by your remembrance onely I haue heeretofore performed many manly deedes of Armes and Chiualrie Now therefore I must needes recommend it to you entreating you so to fauour and respect it as neuer sinning against you in loyaltie Death that hath seazed on me thou shewest thy selfe too sharp and rigorous to me in robbing me of all my happines all my ioy and pleasure in one instant Nor doe I expressely blame thee for depriuing me of my life but because thou couldst not permit mee before my death to accomplish the charge imposed by Melicia on me which was to find out her brother Amadis Heere he paused awhile but presently proceeded on againe thus Alas this commaund was the very first that euer she did put me in trust withall and now as I too plainly perceiue must bee the last also Whereby I feele a double torment for if I could haue had the meanes to satisfie her heerein my trauaile though ending in death I should haue esteemed happy And that deare Mistresse is my chiefest affliction that my dayes are cut off before I had the power to acknowledge the infinitie of gracious fauours by you bestowed on me but rest you well assured and on my soul I protest it that I neuer stood in feare of death in whose face I haue oftentimes hazarded my fortunes but grieue to finishe my life thus in louing you too affectionately Then a heart-breaking sigh interrupted his speech which yet againe he quickly recouered saying Ah my deare friend Angriote Estrauaux where art thou now how hast thou forsaken me Thou hast maintained this quest with mee a long time together and now in need hast left me not affording mee any comfort or succour And yet I haue little reason to blame thee because my selfe was the meanes of our separation this day to both our great misfortunes that sundered vs from euer meeting any more Then began he to sigh extremely and the coldnesse of his stomack breaking foorth many hickoâ—… among innumerable sighes made a strange confusion of his words â—ollowly vttered In regard whereof our Knight who had well vnderstood all these wofull complaints could not refrain from teares neuerthelesse going at last to the place where he lay he thus spake to him My kind friend Bruneo what dismall mishap hath thus befalne thee I pray thee be of good cheare and put thy trust in our Lord God who hath done so much both for thee and me as to conduct mee to this place where I will compasse some meanes to helpe thee Bruneo conceipted in himselfe that these wordes came from his Squire Lasinde whom he had sent to seeke some Religious man by whom hee might be confest before his death wherefore he thus answered Alas my deare Lasinde thou hast tarâ—…d too long for I feele my fainting in such forwardnesse that I cannot accomplish now what I purposed Therefore let me entreate thee that so soone as my soule hath forsaken this her sad habitation thou wouldst returne into Gaule to faire Melicia whom when thou hast acquainted with my mischance present her the rightsleeue of my shirt thus tincturde in my true heart-blood and seauen letters foulded vp therein which I haue alwayes hitherto kept as carefully as mine own life And because strength fayleth me doe thou supply out the rest that should be said assuring her that the griefe she will conceiue for my misfortune by thinking her selfe to be the cause thereof sending me in search of her Brother Amadis did more torment me then any torture else could doe Why how now deare friend answered our knight doest thou thinke me to be Lasinde thy Squire why man I am thy companion Amadis for whose sake thou art falne into this great danger Therefore take heart man be of good comfort and I will bring thee to so worthy a man as shall restore thee to health againe very speedily Now albeit Bruneo was so weake by the great aboundance of blood which he had lost as hee was no longer able to speake yet knowing Amadis by his voyce
long time in my house not like a great Prince and Lord as you are but rather in the nature of a meane Knight errant And you had reason to conceale your selfe from me for if I had so well knowen you then as now I do I should haue strouen with my best endeauour to doe such honour as you iustly deserue Sweete Madame said he neuer vse such words in regard you haue done so much for me as I remaine obliged vnto you while I liue Walking on in this conference they entred into the Palace of Apolidon where they found the Tables couered for dinner and the meate already serued in Scarcely were they set downe but Angriote Bruneo and the Damosell came in before them where we need make no doubt of their hearty welcome And as Amadis had questioned them what issue Grumedans Combate had against the Romanes they related to him that the King was fully minded to deliuer his Daughter to the Emper ours Ambassadours and that within three or foure dayes at the vttermost Heereat Amadis was so moued that his colour presently chaunged as being doubtfull that either they should not haue time enough for her rescue or that they of the Enclosed Isle would not partake with him in such an enterprise against King Lisuart Therefore to feele how they stood affected to his purpose so soone as the dinner was ended falling into much variety of discourse and growing into some reportarie of his long voyage at last thus he beganne with them My worthy and honourable friendes for ought I can perceiue matters are much altred in Great Brittaine since we haue bin out of it and the King hath got him another kinde of humour then he was wont to haue in precedent times For I haue seene and knowen that he would readily more regard the affaires of poore distressed Ladies then matters of most moment concerning himselfe Notwithstanding to my no little amazement he is bent to the destruction of his own naturall daughter that peerelesse Princesse Madame Oriana then whom neuer was childe more diligent and respectiue of her parents then from time to time she hath alwayes declared her selfe And yet as Angriote and Bruneo doe plainly tell me without regard of all this duty and obedience euen in the meere despight of her and contrary to the iudgement of all the Lords of Great Brittaine he hath relegated and confined her to the onely man in the world whom she most hateth which moueth me so much to commiserate her case as if you would both beleeue me and lend me your assistance we would free her from this thraldome and set her at libertie Sighing and pausing a while hee began againe in this maner What-soeuer I haue said my deare-esteemed kinsmen and friends assure your selues that I will not vndertake any thing without your counsell and furtherance And yet wee should all remember the solemne oath we made to the Queene Brisena at the very last Court held in the City of London where wee then sware neuer to suffer wrong to be done to any Lady or Damosell if she required helpe of vs. Shall we now then endure that she shall be captined and vyllie entreated of whom heeretofore we haue receiued so many honorable fauours Shall the Ladies and Virgins of her company be carried away perforce and for euer banished from their owne country Before God I speake it if we doe suffer this haynous indignity we are well worthy of eternall blame without any excuse or pretence to shield vs nay we shall fall into the base reputation of recreant and vnworthy knights regardlesse both of honour and Armes Let vs then aduise here together what you think meetest to be done For as concerning my selfe I determine to deferre a voyage long since by me intended as not many dayes since I made knowen to my Cousin Agraies Florestan and others by Gandalin and now with such Ships as I should finde heere labour so much as lies in me to breake the purpose of King Lisuart and rescue so many wronged Ladies Among whom next to the most wofull Princesse Oriana is vertuous Olinda whom the King in this new-deuised tyranny will compell to marry Saluste Quide albeit vtterly against his owne liking And now Lords let me mooue one matter to you I would gladly know by what autority he can warrant this crueltie to them that are none of his subiects neither borne within any of his Dominions There is my Cousin Mabila sent by the King her father into Great Brittaine not to be confined for Rome but to remaine with the Queene and keep the Princesse Oriana company to whom her loue hath alwayes bin such as neuer could bed greater betweene two Princesses And I much maruall that his whole kingdome doth not reuolt against him or at least some bold and hardy Knight vnder-take the cause to counter check his folly honorably by Armes We see deare friends that no one as yet steppes forth in the action and therefore I would entreate you that according to the ancient commendable custome diligently obserued among alknights errant you would be carefull that such a shamefull and dishonourable deed may not be done In so doing we shall winne more fame and true renowne then euer hitherto we haue done without any euill imputation or sinister misconstruction Tell me then what you thinke here-of to the end that according to some resolued conclusion we may take order for the most expedient execution Then Agraies whom it neerest concerned as well for his Sister as for the honorable affection he bare to Olinda as hath bin declared to you in the first booke answered before them all in this manner I know not where the man is that would be dull or slow in so acceptable an enterprise considering that before you my Lord and Cousin arriued here we were all assembled in this place to make prouision for this in conuenience And now that you finde vs so conformable to your will I am certaine that no man among vs is of any other minde but that Fortune meerely calles vs to vndertake the businesse and promises vs an vndoubted victory For she seemeth weary that she hath fauoured King Lisuart so long a time and he makes no acknowledgment thereof any manner of way Why should hee send my Sister against her wil into a strange countrie Did my Father giue her him to dispose of at his pleasure You all know that soone after our departure from Great Brittaine I demanded her of the Queene but she denyed me sending me word by Gandales that she would keepe and respect her as her owne person Is this then kindship or courtesie to keepe her in such sort as to ouer-throw all her fortunes in the end Mabila hath she no other place of retirement but to the Court of the Emperour Is not the kingdome of SCOTLAND of sufficient opulencie for her breeding and education Striking his hand on his brest with a very small pause he brake forth againe thus I
saying to her I pray you go to your daughter for notwithstanding all the meanes I can vse to her she will not be sent to the Emperour and I cannot reuoke my promise to the Ambassadours Now you must obserue that the Queene had practised all possible wayes to breake off this intended mariage till such time as at her last mouing the matter the King grew so offended that he charged her to motion it no more except shee meant to endure his heauy displeasure Wherefore as not daring to incense him any further without returning him any answer she went to Oriana whom she found so full of sorrow as none could be more Oriana leaned on her left arme beating her other hand against her brest when the Queen said to her Daughter the king is wonderfully offended with you I pray you be obedient to him seeing all that he doth is for your good and honor Ah Mother quoth she I see now that I am lost for euer for I feel death so nere approching as it is impossible for me to liue any longer Speaking these words she fell down in a swoun and the Queene likewise hard by her which made the Ladies cry out so loud that the King heard it came thither imagining that Oriana was dead indeed But finding it no otherwise then a traunce he would needs haue her caried so aboard the Ship notwithstanding all the Ladies teares mourneful entreaties Being thus brought into the Cabine appointed for her the Ladies were likewise ledde thither that should go with her among whom was Olinda strugling and striuing with all her might crying to the King that she might not be so violently forced and abused Notwithstanding he would not lend her any attention but suffered her so to be hurried thence so great was his distraction of spirit Before they weighed ankers he called to the Prince Saluste Quide and other the choisest of the Ambassadours to whom he recommended his daughter praying them to entreate her in all honourable manner Which they promised to doe and taking a solemne farewell each of other the King returned to his Court and the Romanes launching forth into the Maine soone lost the Coaste of Tagades Oriana not knowing or perceiuing any thing such was her rapture quite from her selfe The Ambassadours to the Emperor had bequeathed Mabila onely to keepe company with her in her Cabine and the Queene Sardamira with the rest of the women were bestowed in another Shippe and so in no litle ioy sayle on the Romanes till at length they descryed on the Sea a great Fleete of Shippes making directly towards them But at the first sight taking them to be either Merchants or some such other peaceable people they made no further reckoning of them By and by they beheld them to diuide into three seuerall bands and make fast on them by the helpe of oares which gaue them good cause to prepare for defence if they should assaile them But I am sure you perceiue that this was the succour for Oriana led by noble Amadis and a great number of worthy Knights as well of the Enclosed Isle as diuers other of his friends thus met together all determining to dye rather then to permit the Ladies to be thus forcibly carried away When they perceiued so many sailes together and in such martiall manner prepared especially for so great a conuoy there grew a iealous doubt among some of them which Amadis perceiuing and fearing lest their suspition might disharten the rest he spake to them in this manner My honorable friends and companions were I not fully assured of the vertue and magnanimity remaining in you I should doubtlesse be slow enough in hazarding the fight against the enemie that comes so strongly prepared for vs. Neuertheles knowing you to be such as you are and alwayes haue beene especially the iust occasion that hath called vs all hether it appeareth to me that we should not insist on the least delay but setting aside all seruile feare goe couragiously to the busines The captiuity of so many desolate Ladies stand as inciting obiects to our eyes and honour calles vs to their rescue by our solemne oathes taken for their freedome Wherefore I earnestly entreate you that we may brauely boord their Ships and make such expression of our duty that setting the Ladies at libertie the conductors of them may carry no tydings to the Emperour No sooner were these wordes thus spoken but Drummes and Trumpets sounded chearefully for the two Fleetes were so neere each to other as there could be no shrinking backe from fight Now Darts Slings Arrowes wilde fire balles and other offensiue engines flew liberally â—â—â—oad and the fight in the beginnâ—… was so fierce as no iudgment could be giuen which side had the better or worse Notwithstanding they of the Enclosed Isle by the meanes of that exquisite Pilot Master Elisabet got before the winde and sunke two or three of the Shippes of the enemie At the very same instant the Ship wherein Agrates and Quedragant were by the meanes of grapling yrons caught hold on that of the Prince Saluste Quide and the men entred into her But if Agraies and Quedragant made ample proofe of their manhood Florestan and Garnate of the Dreadfull Dale did no lesse hauing boarded another Ship hard by For they assailed the Marquesse of Ancona and the Archbishop of Tarente while Amadis fought with the Ship wherein Brandaiell was whereto hee had most minde because it seemed the best disposed and had a goodly Lanterne with great store of Flags and Streamers bearing the armes of the Emperour euen as Admirall of the whole Fleet which made him imagine that the Princesse was there Great and stout resistance was a long while made but Amadis and his followers plyed them so hotly that they cut so many in pieces as they met withall crying out aloud Amadis Amadis Gaule Gaule As he pursued on in this good successe he met with Brandaiell to whom hee gaue such a stroke on the helmet as he ouerthrew him and tearing it from his head made shew as if he would smite it off Alas Sir cryed out Brandaiel take such ransome of me as you please and saue my life Tell me then said Amadis what hast thou done with Oriana You shall finde her quoth 〈◊〉 in this Cabine accompanied â—…ly with Mabila As he was going thither Angriote stept in to whom he gaue the charge of his prisoner and going neere the doore he found it strongly barde with an iron chaine but running with his foot against it he made it violently flye open Mabila being in the Cabine with the Princesse had formerly heard the voyce of Amadis and Gaule and said to Oriana being laide much trobled in mind vpon a rich Couch and had heard nothing al this while of the fight Madame beleeue that heauen hath sent vs helpe for me thinkes I heare your Amadis enquiring for you therefore raise vp your spirits and reioyce At the
as you haue apt meanes if you please to accomplish your promise and vpon so iust a quarrell as possibly can bee offred According as Maister Elisabet shall further impart vnto you whom I humbly entreate you to credit on the behalfe of him that in all dutie kisseth the hand of your Imperiall Maiestie Your Highnesse loyall Knight and seruant Amadis de Gaule Such was the dispatch of Maister Elisabet who going aboord his Ship setting saile very soone after arriued in Greece The very same day Amadis gaue order to Tantiles Maister of the houshold to Queene Briolania to depart for the Realme of Sobradisa towards his Misâ—resse saying thus to him My deâ—â—e friend Tantiles thou knowest as well as wee our selues how we stand bound for the maintenance of warre and how highly mine honour will be endamaged if the end of this beginning fall not out to our intention goe therefore to thy royall Queene to whom after thou hast done my humble dutie say I desire her to send mee such a supply of soldiours as possibly shee may Thou maist at large acquaint her with all matters past the condition wherein we now are and into what daunger we may fall Moreouer tell her and bid her well remember it that this matter touching me concerneth her selfe as neerely being hers as she doth very well know My Lord answered Tantiles the Queene my Mistresse will conceiue more delight then you can imagin that she may compasse any meanes to let you know how desirous she is to doe any thing worthy your acceptance And beleeue it assuredly that so soone as shee shall heare these tydings she will take such order in the matter you send for as you shall quickly see me returned with a sufficient power of men Deliuer her then quoth Amadis this Letter and make what dilligent speed thou canst So he gaue him the Letter contayning these liues The Letter sent from Amadis to Briolania Queene of Sobradisa I Am perswaded Madame after you haue heard by Tantiles Maister of your Houshold the cause that mooues me to send to you in such haste that you will allow much fauour to what he shall tell you on my behalfe Assure your selfe that in making vse of your gentle breeding you will not now saile mee no more then you thinke I should doe being alwaies readie to set foote in stirrop for you where any necessitie can offer it selfe And because he hath beene euermore present at all such occurrences as haue happened to me since my returne into this Country and I haue giuen him charge to let you know them at large I will not be troublesome to you in reading ouer a tedious long Letter But earnestly entreat you that crediting him you will alwaies containe mee in your gracious fauour whereof I desire to pertake so long as I liue That Amadis who is yours So Tantiles departed and without soiourning in any place trauailed so deuoutly that he soone arriued in the Kingdome of Sobradisa On the otherside Gandalin was appointed to goe for Gaule for which cause Amadis taking him aside thus spake to him Gandalin thou art he who alwaies hath beene the guardian of my most intimate occasions by the loue which our youngest yeares bred in vs euen as if nature had inuited vs to a perfect brother-hood Thou knowest that my honour is thine and that thine concerneth mee as much as mine owne Thou seest what a businesse is begunne vpon me of what consequence it is and what conclusion is resolued on by all the Knights to imploy our friends and kinred for some powerfull ayde to withstand the forces of King Lisuart if he aduenture to set vpon vs. And for this cause I haue sent Messengers to diuers Princes from whom I hope to receiue such bands of men as shall make vp an able Armie Now albeit thine absence will be somewhat grieuous to me yet notwithstanding relying more vpon thy diligence then any other seruice now to be done mee I am determined to send thee to King Perion my father who of long time hath knowne thee and to whom better then any other thou canst disclose of what importance this warre will prooue to mee if King Lisuart doe begin it For as thou maist truely tell him in part it concerneth him the ingratefull King hauing done so many high disfauours to all them that are of our linage excluding them from his Court after such an infinity of great good seruices by them done to him what thou knowest spare not fully to acquaint him withall both what thou hast seene and in what necessitie thou didst leaue vs. And yet neuerthelesse boldly say vnto him and assure him thereof in the loyall dutie of a sonne that I feare not any power whatsoeuer hauing right and iustice on my side and so many worthy Knights to assist me in my cause Tell him moreouer Gandalin that I had neuer attempted so great an enterprise had it not beene that seeing God had called mee to the order of Knight-hood I neuer minded any thing more but to performe the dutie of a Knight defending to my power the wrongfull disgraces offred by many especially to Ladies and Gentlewomen who ought to bee preferred before all other persons and for whom I haue often put my life in perill without hope of any other recompence from them then pleasing God by so well a done deed and augmenting mine owne renowne through the world And this was the onely cause that mooued mee to forsake mine owne Countrie to seeke among strange nations for such as stood in need of my helpe where I haue met with many perillous aduentures as thou thy selfe hast seene and can at large recount Namely that arriuing in this Isle I was aduertised how King Lisuart forgetting the glory of God right towards men councell of his Lords and the verie naturall instinct which euery good father commonly beareth to his child would needs euen in a manner of extreame cruelty banish from his Kingdome Madame Oriana his owne daughter and principall heire to giue her against her will as wife to the Emperour Patin of Rome whom she hateth to the death Hereof shee made complaint not only to them of the Realme of Great Brittaine but require â—â—yde and â—uccour of all Knights bearing Armes as well by letters and messages as otherwise desiring them with heaued vp 〈◊〉 and fountaines of teares flowing 〈◊〉 her eyes to take pittie and compassion vpon her miserie And so much her prayers and oppressions preuailed that the Lord and ruler of all things locked on her with a mercifull eye inspiring the hearts of many good Knights to meete here in this place euen by miracle as it were where I found them as thou knowest resolued to aduenture their liues for setting her at libertie by force and other Ladies keeping her company Considering that in doing otherwise they should iustly deserue blame in following times giuing many occasion to presume that cowardise only kept them from this commendable ayde being
him demanding how his Master fared My Lord quoth hee I left him at the Enclosed Isle in very sound health God be thanked for it and in good hope to see you shortly assuring you it will be no little griefe to him when hee shall heare of your long sicknesse As thus they discoursed Norandell entred the Chamber who knowing GaÌ„dalin asked if Amadis were come thither No my good Lord said he I left him at the pallace of Apolidon where hee refresheth him selfe after his many trauailes in Almaigne Romania and Constantinople My deare friend Gandalin quoth Galaor I pray thee tell mee what thou maist Gandalin declared all his Masters trauailes at large to the no little maruaile of the hearers especially when hee told all the manner of the fight with the monster Endriagus Alas said Galaor when shall I see him Soon enough answered Norandell if you would take some paines to recouer your health Beleeue it quoth Galaor I will do my vtmost endeauour not only for my health but to ease my longing desire to see him My Lord said Gandalin the King gaue me charge not to holde you with any long discourse in regarde of your feeble condition wherefore I pray you to spare my absence now and to morrowe I will keepe you longer company So Gandalin left them and returned to the King whom hee found studying on the businesse for his sonne Amadis and because hee would keep his purpose secret he determined to send Norandell into Great Brittaine although hee was but newly come to his friend hearing what a long sicknesse hee had Hereupon the next morning hee sent for him and euen as if instantly he had heard some nouell aduertisement hee said vnto him Worthy friend this day I haue receiued newes whereby for ought I can perceiue the King your father hath an enterprise in hand wherein your seruice may much auaile him and therefore I would aduise you to go to him But let me entreate you not to talke hereof to Galaor considering in what weake estate he is and it may bee greatly offensiue to him Sir answered Norandell I would bee loath to doe any thing hurtfull to him and humbly thanke your Highness for your good couÌ„sell to morrow with your leaue I meane to part hence and this day I meane to keep him company Changing this kind of discourse they fell to talke of other matters till Norandel withdrew to his friend Galaor speaking to him in this maner My honourable companion I promised King Lisuart when I parted from him to see him againe within a moneth after wherefore let not my departure so soone bee displeasing to you because I am thereto enforced and so much the rather in regarde I see that the worst is already past with you and you are much better amended then before Moreouer the small time of my Knighthoods employment many others may highly misinterpret by my so long remayning idle and hurle diuerse blamefull aspertions on me which I am sure will be but little pleasing to you knowing that you loue mine honour as deare as your owne Neuerthelesse if your sicknesse should holde on in any long continuance which heauen forefend I promise to see you againe so soon as possibly I can Galaor was much disconted at Norandels wordes because hee tooke great delight in his company notwithstanding thus hee answered vpon my faith albeit you haue great occasion to doe as you say yet your absence from mee will cause no meane griefe Neuerthelesse preferring your honor before my pleasure I am content to let you goe when you will desiring you most earnestly to doe my humble duty to the King assuring him that so long as life remaines in this body hee shall finde me his loyall and faithfull seruant So embracing each other very affectionately they parted but not without wette eyes Norandels Ship lying ready for him and hauing taken leaue of King Perion and his Queene the windes and Seas were so fauourable to him as in few dayes he landed in the port of Vindilisore where King Lisuart was preparing his Armie for the Enclosed Isle No sooner had Norandell set saile but King Perion mustered men from all parts and made shipping likewise ready for their passage to the Enclosed Isle so speedily as might be In the meane while Lasinde the Squire to Bruneo beeing come to the Marquesse diligently executed his commission and by pleasing perswasions compassed his intention also with Branfill who seeing his father somewhat slowe and tardie in the businesse cast himselfe at his feet saying My Lord I would I had beene with my brother to haue fought with the Romanes surely I should haue reputed it for one of the fairest fortunes that euer in this life can befall me But seeing my best starres haue fayled mee therein most humbly I entreat you in recompence of that losse to giue mee leaue to goe thither with such succor as you shall please to send I dare assure you father that it will be both for your honor and your sonnes who as you well know haue long time been much bounden to Amadis and his friends Sonne quoth he I am well contented and seeing you haue such desire to warre you shall haue Knights good store to beare you company As indeed hee had for while Branfill was fitting all things in due order for him selfe his father gaue charge for the other expedition of Souldiers Here you must likewise obserue that the good olde Gouernour Ysanio who was sent to King Taffinor of Bohemia found â—here very gracious entertainement knowing that hee came from the Knight of the greene Sword For after hee had deliuered his Letters and his further message fully vnderstood the King said vnto him I promise you Sir vpon my faith I will not fayle him in so serious a businesse but he shall haue all that hee can require Then he called his sonne Grasandor to whom hee declared all that Ysanio had tolde him and the cause of his comming demanding of him if hee would vndertake the voyage for the aide of Amadis who had called him selfe Knight of the greene Sword My Lord quoth he the greatest desire I haue in this world is to enioy the company of so good a Knight and I desire it of you most entirely But because I cannot leauy your army so soon may it please you to let mee goe on before accompanied onely with Twentie Knights then Count Galtines may follow mee and bring the rest with him Beleeue mee answered the King I am well contented and do allow of your aduice for beeing in so worthie a company your vertues will bee greatly encreased And I confesse my selfe so highly beholding to him that hee may well rest assured hee shall wholly dispose of mee and mine For which kindnesse â—sanio humbly thankt him and concluded to attend on Galtines to cause him make the more haste In the meane while Grasander embarked himselfe accompanied onely with twenty Knights and parting from the port put on
one of those which you receiued in Greece from Queene Menoressa well then said Amadis seeing it is so it shall be fittest for you that the night before you goe to the battel you performe the watch in the King my fathers Chappell in the morning I will present you Armed to him according as to order appertayneth because I holde it impossible to receiue your knighthoode from a wortheir man Vpon my faith my Lord quoth Gandalin I neuer had any other desire but to receiue it from your selfe Be it said Amadis as you please Lasiuda Squire to Brunâ—â— replied Gandalin not long since tolde me that his Master had likewise yeelded to his knighthâ—od and that hee and I should performe our watch together and so be companions in the battaile Aâ—adis answered him not a word but went into the Kings Tent who had giuen order that the Campe should march on earely the next morning because his scouâ—es and spies had assured him that the enemie approached neare So marched the two Armies each against other and on the third day following they came in sight halfe a mile off and there encamped performing many aduenterous skirmishes as well on horsebacke as on foot especially the Romanes who still pressed them of the Enclosed Isle to fight because they found the place aduantageable for them But King Perion vnderstood their meaning well enough fortefying his Campe with great trenches defending all passages with his artilery Thus they maintained them-selues three daies together skirmishing well-neare from morning to night and longer time they had thus temporised but that they receiued information how Archalaus had induced King Aranigne to the leuying of a powerfull Army and marched on speedily to encounter with them Hereupon the two Camps grew iealous of one another not knowing to whether side they inclined for King Lisuart imagined they came in ayde of Amadis and Amadis presumed the like for King Lisuart and this was their onely motiue of their falling to fight according as you shall heare hereafter But before it came so to passe Gasquilan King of Swetia who had expressely left his courtrie to fight with Amadis sent a Trompet to him who being come into his presence spake in this manner Lord Amadis the King of Swetia my Master sends you worde by mee that at such time as King Lisuart vndertook the warre against Galuaues in the Isle of Mongoza he then departed from his kingdome with intention onely to approue his manhood against you not for any hatred or malice hee beares you but onely in regarde of your great fame and renowne And being no way able to meet with you he was enforced being then wounded to returne home againe frustrated of his expectation And hee had not now left his owne lande againe but that hee was aduertised by King Lisuart of your vndertaking this hardy enterprise And continuing still in his former deliberation hee entreates you in meere curtesie that to morrowe you would breake three Lances with him for if you delay it till the day of battaile hardly shall you approue your selues each against other according to his honourable desire Trompet answered Amadis I haue long since heard of this which thou tellest me and of thy Masters earnest desire and doe also verily beleeue that it proceeds from true magnanimity of spirit in him Now although there is great difference betweene my actions and the fame noysed abroad of mee yet I am well contented that hee should holde such reputation of me as he doth and knowing him to bee no lesse then he is I could rather wish that his proofe of mee might be in some such place where hee might receiue more seruice by me My Lord said the Trompet he well remembers how matters past between you and Madraque the Giant of the Sadde Island and albeit they concerned him somewhat neare as a sonne to a father yet being aduertised of the curtesie you extended towards him hee reputeth you rather worthie of commendation then any manner of reuenge So this desire in him of triall with you is not for any enuiâ— he beares to your iust reputation but only thus that if hee happen to preuaile hee shall winne that which by no meanes else he could attaine vnto If hee sâ—staine the â—oylâ— yeâ— hâ—â— will holde his eâ—… the lesse the worlde beeing so 〈◊〉 ently informed of your maniâ—odâ— victories not only against the â—ery â—toutest and strongest Giants but likewise against most cruell and supernaturall beasts Depart then replied Amadis and to morrow morning thy Master shall fiâ—de me here ready on this plaine to accomplish his pleasure and so the Tromper returned thence before we passe any further I wil reporte the principall cause which mooued this great Prince Gasquilan to trauaile through so many countries onely to approoue him selfe against Amadis In the third Booke of our History hath been related to you that he was the soâ—ne of Madraque and of the sister to Laucine King of Swetia which Laucine dying without heires Cosquilan beeing knowne in many places to bee one of the most gentle Knights that the worlde yeelded was called by them of Swetia and elected to bee their King Afterward he fell in loue with a yong and beautifull Princesse named Pinela who was both an heire and orphane by death of her father and mother and many lands Seigneuries bordering and adioyning to them of Gasquilin belonged to her as her right and inheritance His extreamity in affection to her prouoked him to vndertake many bolde aduentures which hee worthily effected not without great perill to his person neuerthâ—lâ—sse kindnesse in her was but coole to him in regarde hee was deriued from a Giant so proude and cruell as by no meanes thee would accept him for her husband notwithstanding his most earnest and honest pursuâ—e Whereat Gasqâ—ilâ—â— growing discontented threatned intire â—…ine and detestation both of her and hers which one of her faithfull subiects fearing aduised her to vse a little dissimulation and to temporise hereon so well as shee could She lent such liking to this perswasion that at one time among many other Gasquilan vsing his wonted opportunities with goodly discourse protestations as louers in like afflictions can easily performe she as a Lady discreet and quicke of apprehension answered him in this manner My Lord seeing Heauen hath endowed mee with such riches as I now enioy no dread of danger or of death it selfe can make mee falsifie the promise I made to my deceased father which was neuer to marrie but vpon one especiall condition What was that sayde Gasquilan I solemnely swore quoth she to him before hee died neuer to ioyne in marriage but with the best Knight in the world if it lay in my power to winne him and although he were neuer so poore yet I would haue no other husband Hereupon I made diligent inquisition who might be this only man of men and haue receiued credible intelligence that Amadis de Gaule cannot be seconded
hee hath receiued any great fauours Neuerthelesse our Lord hath hitherto preserued him and gaue him me at the first to loue and instruct him as mine owne childe At these wordes the King began to conceiue that hee would not conferre any further with him before so many by-standers therefore tooke him aside but the Hermite changed his discourse saying I beseech you Sir to beleeue that considering the condition whereto I haue been long time called and so many aged yeares already ouer-gone me I would not haue forsaken my Cell to bee seene among warres and contentions had it not been that my slacknes in so important a businesse might haue procured much euill wherewith our Lord would haue been highly offended And his displeasure would not only haue extended it selfe to you the people assembled in both these Campes but also to many other vnskilfull in the discords betweene you and King Lisuart with whom I haue already conferred so well perswaded him to peace as hee is ready both to listen thereto and to entertaine it according as I haue imparted to Lord Amadis your sonne who wholly referreth all to you Therefore I desire you Sir that preferring the good and tranquile estate of so many people before priuate spleens and passions not to disdaine what is freely offered you and which you ought rather striue to purchase Father replied King Perion God is my witnesse what griefe I haue endured for matters that are alreadie past with the losse of so many worthie men and how gladly I would haue gone another way if King Lisuart would haue listened thereto But hee alwaies carried so high a hand as notwithstanding all remonstrances made to him by our Ambassadours especially in reguarde of Madame Oriana whom hee sought to disinherite he made no account of vs at all presuming so much vpon himselfe that by the ayde of the Romane Emperour hee would ouer-run the whole worlde By this meanes hee made refusall not only to admit this difference to iustice but likewise contemned all hearing thereof Neuerthelesse if hee will yet submit to reason I dare repose such trust in my followers as they will bee ordered by mine aduice I haue euermore descanted on this discourse proceeding from no other occasion but whereto hee stands bound by right of nature and to his owne blood So that if hee will yet repeale the princesse his daughter into his former gracious fauour and not marrie her to any other person not onely to her and his owne people but to all them that know or heare thereof wee will deliuer her to him and continue his kinde friends if hee bee as desirous as wee Sir answered the good old man if God bee so pleased all this will come to passe Therefore if you thinke it conuenient elect two Knights on your behalfe to determine the differences where-about so many harmes haue alreadie happened King Lisuart shall likewise nominate two other for him and I standing in the midst between them will labour to ende all strife and contention Bee it so quoth the King Sir said Nascian I will not sleep before I hope to speed with such successe as the effects shall be answerable to your owne desire Instantly hee tooke leaue of him and the rest returning whence he came to finish what he had begun And presently King Perion sommoned all the chiefe of his Armie together speaking to them in this maner Lords endeared friends as we are bound to put our goods and persons in danger not onely for the defence of our honour but also to maintaine equity iustice so are wee likewise obliged to set aside all hatred and passion to reconcile our selues with our enemie when of himselfe hee profers vs peace For although it cannot be gaine-saied but that the beginning of warre may goe on without offence to God yetnotwithstanding in the end if through rash opinion fantisie and want of knowledge we estrange our selues from reason that which at the first appeared honest conuerts it selfe into iniustice And doe not thinke that I vse these speaches to you without cause Nascian a holy Hermite well knowen to the most part of you came lately to mee as you sawe to practise peace betweene vs and our enemie where-to King Lisuart is willing to yeeld if you mislike not Neuerthelesse I would not giue him any resolution till first I heard your deliberations For to mee it seemeth very reasonable that as you haue been made partakers of toyle and trauaile so should you also be of ease and tranquility And therefore I pray you that without any dissimulation you would all aduise for the best and God will therin further your counsell For my selfe according to the opinion of olde Nascian I holde it very meet that wee should make choyce of two Knights amongst vs and giue them ample power to determine with two other appointed by King Lisuart of all differences whereby this warre receiued originall Albeit I desire not to be credited in this case but rather will allowe of such aduise as you conceiue fittest for the good of all together Hereupon Angriote d' Estreuaus first presented himselfe of whom the King required his opinion Sir said hee you haue beene chosen chiefe of this enterprise as well for the dignity of a king shining in you as for the fauour and esteeme generally helde of you whereby you may resolue on the businesse of this warre as it shall seeme best vnto your selfe Notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that I shall first speake my minde I like it well vnder correction that if peace be presented vs by our enemy wee ought to accept it For as it falles out it is to our no meane aduantage hauing not onely the better of him already but Madame Oriana also in our owne power for whose cause wee first entred into the field Now for the naming two choyce men among vs to accord as you say all differences I know none more meet for such a businesse then the Lords Quedragant Brian de Moniaste They at the first vnderwent this charge when they were sent into Great Brittaine to excuse vs to King Lisuart for that which we had done in rescuing his daughter from the Romanes and I am peswaded they will vndertake the same charge againe if they were thereto entreated Now because this aduise found generall allowance Brian and Quedragant yeelded presently thereto whereat king Perion was highly pleased hoping the warre so hotly begun would by these meanes be calmely ended CHAP. XX. How Nascian returned towards King Lisuart with the answere heâ—receiued from King Perion THe Hermite being returned backe to King Lisuart gaue him to vnderstand all that he had agreed on with king Perion assuring him withall that hee would make them good friends before hee parted from them For I left him quoth hee with a purpose to conferre with the chiefe of his Army to winne them thereto if hee can Father saide the King hee dealeth most wisely therein
rauishing beauties Now did Amadis steppe into the Emperours place so soone as hee was gone from Oriana feigning to doe him a great fauour in helping him to conferre with Queene Briolania But he had a quite contrary meaning and did it to no other end but that the rest of his friends should talke with their Ladies while hee might be alone with her whom hee most desired For hee had not conuersed familiarly with the Princesse since her ariuall in the Enclosed Isle wherefore finding time and place sufficiently commodious he beganne with her in this manner Madame I haue thought all my life time hitherto that no possibility remained in mee for acknowledgement of those great and gracious fauours which so long a while I haue receiued by your meanes only And last of all in being the cause that aged Nascian reuealed to the King your father what right wee had each in other whereby your sonne and mine became knowen to him and peace confirmed between them of Great Brittaine and vs. As for my selfe I shall stand much more obliged to you now then euer heretofore And therefore aduisedly consider what else remaineth for me to doe for I assure you I shall take no little delight in doing whatsoeuer you commande me When Oriana heard him deliuer such speeches hauing before her eyes what dutie euery woman of honour and discretion oweth to her husband shee thus answered My Lord in my poore opinion you doe both your selfe and me wrong and therefore I pray you speake to me henceforward as to your huÌ„ble wife seruant and not after those kind of phrases wheÌ„ I was no other then your friend Furthermore let mee humbly entreat you to tell me in what condition you left the King my father and how I am now esteemed of him Madame said Amadis if outward lookes may be true euidences I neuer saw man declare more contentment then he deliuered when we were together Albeit I coniecture considering his ineuitable danger in our last encounter when he hoped to recouer you from vs by meer force his thoughts are otherwise quite different Yet hee dissembles it so wisely as possibly can bee euen to hurle shame vpon himselfe and excusing what hath past betweene you and mee fully resolued as hee saith to bee more cheerefully disposed then euer hitherto he hath been Where-upon hee is returned backe to Vindilisore to fetch the Queene and your sister Leonora whom he hath promised in marriage to the Emperour Oriana was not a little glad of these newes saying My Lord these are matters of no meane comfort especially that I haue recouered my fathers grace againe for next to you I loue him aboue any man liuing notwithstanding all the hard sufferings as well you know hee hath put me to But further I pray you tell mee what is your opinion of Esplandian By my faath Madame quoth hee by his carriage and behauiour he plainely declares himselfe to bee yours And if good Nascian could haue preuailed hee had brought him hither to you But the King would needs haue him goe with him to please the Queene because shee knowes him not yet to bee her Grand-childe So breaking off this discourse King Perion who had all this while entertained Grasinda with talke tooke leaue of her and the company because it drew neare supper time Wherefore withdrawing thence into his owne lodging Amadis followed him there looking forth at a windowe till the tables were furnished hee thus spake Seeing sonne it hath pleased God that you haue ended all troubles with so great honour let the whole glory be ascribed to him and while you liue acknowledge thankfulnesse to your friends who to help you in so serious a business haue made no spare of their liues and goods which bindes you the more to loue and honour them recoÌ„pencing their kindnesse so much as in you lieth Considering that without their assistance it is most certaine you had beene in great danger not only of your liues losse but also of your honour which I account a thousand times dearer And because it is no more then reason that like as they haue beene pertakers of all paines and perils so they ought to be of pleasure and contentment which you haue receiued by their meanes let it therfore be no meane part of your care to respect them in especial manner by distributing such booty among them as is in your hands the Kings Aranigne Barsinan others being your prisoners Moreouer such as you knowe affected to those Ladies which keepe companie with the Princesse Oriana let them haue equal coÌ„tentment with your selfe by espousing them to whom their fancies are enclined For which cause I deliuer into your power your sister Melitia to giue her to him whom you thinke worthiest of her You haue likewise your Cosen Mabila and the Queen Briâ—lania to whom you stand highly obliged Grasinda also and the Queen Sardamira who haue suffered a great parte of Orianaes sorrowes me thinks they should participate in her fairest fortune and be aduanced as you think meetest Assuring you that the greatest comfort I can haue in mine aged yeares is to see your brethren Galaor and Florestan married that before I depart this life I may reioyce in issue from you all Consider hereof I pray you aduisedly further what I haue said to your vttermost power My Lord answered Amadis I will doe all that lies in me to please both you them It is enough quoth the King And so all things beeing aptly ordered they sate downe to supper In the morning a sudden summons was sent to all the chiefe Knights for an immediate meeting and when they were assembled Amadis entred into these speeches Honourable Gentlemen friends the great and labourious trauaile which you haue endured in these late warres doth very well deserue that now you should giue ease and respite to your spirits and in regarde of the deare debt wherein I stand engaged to you to essay my vttermost meanes to let you enioy those beatitudes which I know are pleasing to euery man among you For as by your most gracious assistance afforded in my very neerest extreamity I haue attained to that which I esteemed aboue all things else in the world namely the peaceable enioying of my long loued Oriana Euen so I beseech you with all my heart that each man would instantly declare if hee stand affected to any Ladie or Gentlewoman heere for I assure you on the faith of a Knight to preuaile so farre as I can with them that they shall not easily deny what I entreat on their friends behalfe Moreouer you know that king Aranigne Barsidan and many other beside are our prisoners defying those gracefull vertues whereto the order of knighthood truely tyed them and exercising so much as in them lay all cruelties and tyranny In regarde whereof they are not worthie of any ransome but iustly punishable for the grieuousnesse of their treasons and therefore I thinke it fit that
Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Son quoth she to Galaor we will part hence this next ensuing weeke in the meane while take order for shipping and all things needefull for our voyage And therefore presently sent for sailers who hauing vnderstood his pleasure made immediate prouision of the very best Ship the King had and went aboarde the sixt day following Not farre had they sailed from the coast of Gaule but they descried a vessell on the Sea well fitted with the winde and making nimble speed the Pilot or Master striking saile so soone as hee espyed the Queenes shippe Whereupon the Knights of the Enclosed Isle thinking them to be Coursaires or Pirates forthwith armed themselues and to vnderstand the truth sent one of their Squires in a Squiffe towardes them to demand of whence they were and whither they intended The Squire drawing neare vnto them called out aloude vnto them saying Hoe aboard there they in the Shippe here not farre off from you in kindnesse sent to knowe what you are and whither you are bound My friend quoth a knight standing on the Decke there is a Ladie of honour in this vessell whose voyage tendeth to the Enclosed Isle Beleeue mee Sir replied the Squire then shee hath met with company if she be so pleased for they that sent mee to you are sayling thither and you may safely come aboard them Which words being ended he returned to them he came from In the meane space that knight that was aboue went downe to the Ladie and acquainted her with the Squires message by meanes wherof shee sent one in a Frigate presently away to vnderstand the truth and whether vpon the Squires words shee might safely come to them or no and so went nearer to the Queenes Ship where Angriote being first of all seene the other Knight spake thus vnto him Sir a Squire of yours not long since came to vs to know what wee were and whither our trauaile intended Wee gaue him answere that wee were bound directly for the Enclosed Isle and thither hee said was likewise your intention now Sir because wee haue in charge a Princeste of great esteeme we pray you giue vs some assurance of your companie Knight answered Angriote if you please to come aboord of vs the Ladie you talke of shall finde a Queene heere who wil gladly welcome her into her company and giue her as gracious entertainment as shee can desire to haue Sir said the knight I heartily thanke you for her and this I dare assure you that hauing heard her cause and the reason of her trauailing thus on the Sea you will so much compassionate her case as not to deny her your helpe if shee require it of you So taking leaue hee returned to the other vessell which presently came and ioyned with the Queens Then came vp a Ladie in a garment of black cloath shewing both she and all her companie very sad and disconsolate lookes whereat Angriote who well obserued them was much abashed reputing her by her countenance to bee a Lady of good discent and reputation And courteously saluting her demanded if shee pleased to ascend and visit the Queene Sir Knight quoth shee I will doe what shall please you neuerthelesse I pray you name her to me and them that are in her companie Madam said Angriote she is the Queene of Gaule my Lord Galaor her sonne is with her and three other knights of the Enclosed Isle whither we are sayling Then will I attend vpon her and you thither replied the Lady So Angriote supporting her by the hand brought her into the Queenes Cabin and shee hauing vnderstood all that you haue heard already welcommed her most gratiously but the Lady â—…ing much oppressed with griefe fell downe at her feete intending to kisse them which the Queene would not permit put raysed her gently desiting to know the cause of her sorrow Madam quoth shee though now I am left quite naked of all fortunes blessings and fauours hauing no other comfort or repose but only the recytall of my misfortunes yet you may beleeue mee that I was not long time since a â—…dy of great qualitie and married to the disceaâ—ed King of Dacia by whom I had two Sonnes and one only infortunate daughter and so much the more infortunate in hir Birth by being the death of the King hiâ— Father and the totall ruine of mee and her brethren for you must vnderstand Madam that after shee was married to the Duke of â—…tia one of the greatest neighbouring Princes to my Countrie by how much the day of her Bridall was pleasing by so much the more was this mariage wretched and miserable For very soone after the solemnitie the Duke my new sonne in Law beeing yong and ambitious of rule conspired the death of my husband and of my two other children the eldest of them hauing not as then attained to the age of fourteene yeares According to his proiect so did he performe it vpon my Lord appointing a day pretending an honest visitation of vs accompanied with a great number of his people which as hee said were brought with him for our greater honour the King my husband no way misdoubting the premeditated treason rode foorth to meete him and as hee embraced him tâ—… villaine drewe a pocket-dagger and cruely murdered him Both my sonnes in a faire fortunate hoâ—â—e for them came riding a good distance behinde their father and heairng of this bloody tumult returned in a maine gallop backe to the Citie where the traytor holds them as yet sharply besieged Then was I absent in a pilgrimage to our Ladie at a very ancient Church builded on the top of a high Promoâ—â—oâ—â—e and there I was aduertised of my mis-hap If then I was in woefull extreamâ—…y or no be you my iudge good Madame considering I in a moment found my selfe vtterly destitute of all remâ—â—â—e and forsaken of any hope so that but for the comfort and aduise giuen mee by these two Knights which keepe me company I had not liued one only houre They called to remeÌ„brance one nan ed Amadis de Gaule who is said to be the refuge and support of all afflicted Ladies neuer denying them his assistance Whereupon I haue attempted this long voyage to finde him at the Enclosed Isle where hee is affirmed certainely to be with a great number of other good Knights his companions in Armes When the wrong done me by this wicked sonne in lawe shall be knowne to that noble Lord and his other friends how extreamly hee maintaines the siege against mine owne naturall sonnes I hope hee and they will take compassion on me and giue mee such succour as by meanes thereof I shall expell the enemy out of my countrie for my subiects attend nothing else but to vndertake Armes against him they want but only a comamnder to leade them Greatly was the Queen mooued to pittie hearing the misfortunes which besell the Queene of Dacia and the three Knights were so nearly
conflicts wherein so many famous and worthie men haue perished on either side And God is my witnesse if it had lien in my power to helpe it how gladly I would haue imployed my very vttermost paines But things beeing so ordained by the prescience of him to whom all creatures owe honour and obeysance it commeth to passe that these occurrences haue happened according to his apointment And to let you vnderstand that I was not ignorant of those things thus come to passe I think you remember yet very well Madame Oriana that being in the Citie of Fenusa you and I being bedfellowes together you entreated mee to reueale what fortunes were towardes you And albeit I did earnestly disswade you to cease from such curious questioning yet notwithstanding in the end ouercome with oportunitie I tolde you that the Lyon of the Doubtfull Isle should issue forth of his denne and by his loude cries and roarings affright his guardes so that in meere despite of them hee should seaze on your person and thereby appease his owne extreame hunger Now Madame let mee tell you how this Prophecie hath taken his full effect for if you heedfully obserue it Amadis your Lord husband more strong and inuincible then any Lyon came forth of that Isle which by great reason might be tearmed doubtfull and furiously assailed the Romaines that had you in guarde Them hee foyled took you into his owne power and if by you he hath giuen any ease to his owne affections you both doe best know it As for you Lord Amadis I tolde you also at the same time how constrained you should oppose your life euen to the vtter-most danger that could be and that the recompence you should receiue for all the liâ—…ll expence of your blood would be but a long large seperation from her whom you so dearely affected And euen so it came to passe for after you had combated and vanquished the valiant Ardan Canile where you fell into such perill as euery one doth well remember the benefit came to King Lisuart begetting you his hatred and a tedious absence from Madame Oriana And you Sir quoth she to King Lisuart haue not forgot the Letter which I wrote vnto you the same day as you found young Esplandian in the Enchanted Forrest hunting with his Lionesse wherby I gaue you to vnderstand if yet you remember it the strange maner of his nourishing hauing suckt three Nurses quite contrarie one to another a Lionesse an Ewe and a Woman Moreouer that hee should bee the cause of planting loue and peace betweene you and Amadis after that by his meanes you escaped the very greatest danger that euer befell you since you receiued the order of knighthood Whereof remayneth as a sufficient testimonie the sharpe assault giuen you by the King Arauigne only through the procurement of Archalaus and the succour you receiued from Amadis by the hastie dilligence of the young gentleman as also your instant alliance one with another Now may you easily perceiue if heretofore I reuealed true matters to you or no wherefore I will now proceed on further and foretell other fortunes yet remayning in the destynies of power First I will begin with you two quoth shee to King Cildadan and Galaor See you these two young Squires Talanque and Manely Assure your selues that in them I haue recompensed the seruices which you haue receiued from mee if I haue done you any heretofore causing you to begette them on two such Ladies whom I doe affect uery singularly And this I dare warrant that if heauen blesse them with life they will prooue to be Knights of great prowesse very bolde and actiue in Armes and as fortunate as any that haue fore-gone them Therefore you gentle Gentleman receiue them as your kinde companions louing them at they shall deserue for I dare assure you that they will bee faithfull making no spare of their persons to assist you in your greatest perills which Fortune prepared for you before the day of your natiuitie which partly to obuiat and preuent I caused the great Serpent which you sawe to bring mee hither within whose wombe you shall receiue the order of knighthood and there you shall be armed and there is a gallant horse carefuly kept for you Moreouer if hereafter you will remember it it will guide you to the first place where the courage of your gentle heart shall yeelde the first testimony of your magnanimity trauersing without perill or danger the deepes of the Sea accompanied with many Knights of your blood By it you shall beget a new name and bee called in many places the Knight of the Serpent and vnder that title you shall faile into diuerse strange countries with much labour both of minde and bodie for the loue of her that can reade the seuen red letters on your left shoulder which will witnesse by the liuely colour remayning in them that your hart is then enflamed with extreame loue Vntill such time as a flight of Rauens breed on the Sea Marches shall passe from the East partes ouer the proude waters of the Sea where the great Eagle will be brought into such extreamitie as he shall find no safety in his owne ayre When the proude peregrine Faulcon more faire and sound of wing and feathers then any other bird of prey shall assemble many as well of his owne kinde as of others to come and souccour the Eagle and they fighting with the Râ—…s in hot furie shall well neere kill them all by the power of their beakes and tallons constrayning them for their latest refuge to enter the mercie of the waues where a great number of them will be drowned Then the great Eagle acknowledging the benefit receiued by the gentle peregrine shall draw forth of his owne bodie a great many of his entrailes liberally giue them to his tallons that bestowed such fauor on him that he may at ease asswage the extreme hunger which had tormented him long time before and beside he shall giue him the free enioying of all the great Forests and mountains in his owne countrie At the same time the great Serpent shall drowne himself before the eyes of all present in the very deepest of the Sea giuing thereby to vndestand that then it will bee more conuenient for you quoth she to Esplandian to dwell more safely on the land then on the moouing waters Now necessitie enforceth that I must goe hence into other places where partely I cannot excuse my selfe neuerthelesse I will not faile to be heere againe at such time as you and your companions shall bee able to vndergoe Knight-hood For I am well assured that at that time for some occasion which is now concealed from you you will all meete heere againe and many more with you before whom I will discouer wonderfull things In the meane while I charge you all vpon your liues that none of you be so bold as to come neere the Serpent for I dare assure you
to the ende of the clowdie valley which you haue likewise past wee saw a Knight well armed mounted slâ—nâ—ing by vs as if hee desired not to bee seene Whereupon my Cosen aduised me to followe the Damosell and hee would ride to know what that other was Thus were wee seuered and soone after I met with him I sought for and calling to him hee came to me presently vnarmed After some small conference betweene vs hee seemed to know mee well and demanded of me what I would haue I acquainted wim hith all that the 〈◊〉 had tolde mee desiring him to deliuer her husband without any further molestation wherâ— to for my sake as he said 〈◊〉 with gaue consent Appeaâ—ing to this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kindnesse to 〈◊〉 euen as much as any 〈…〉 could doe I tolde him 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 ouâ—… with a good minde and woâ—… but winne him blame among all Knights of merit For which gentle reprehension hee thankeâ— mee most louingly promised neuer after to be so forgetfull of himselfe So parting from him I returned to the Monasterie where I found my Cosen very sore wounded Demanding of him how this perill had happened to him hee made mee answere that going after the Knight we met so soone as hee had left me he cried to him to stay and turne his face which hee did After the Launces encounter a sterne and dreadfull combate passed betweene them neuerthelesse the issue of the action prouing to my kinsmans honor and holding his enemy for fully vanquished two other came forth of a secret ambushment and â—an together so 〈◊〉 vpon him that they brought him â—nto such a case as you haue lately seene him And it God had 〈◊〉 directed two Religious men that way accidentally 〈…〉 their wonted way home 〈…〉 he had vtterly 〈◊〉 there But then prayer and 〈◊〉 were so earnest and instant that they preuailed for his life and so carried him thence with them One of those reuerend Monkes answered Grasandor acquainted mee with all that which you haue reported of your Cosen yet not any thing of you but that you were gone thence to pursue the committers of so horrid a villanie for which thankes bee giuen to God both you and I are sufficiently reuenged because I thinke they are all dead I know not that replied Landin let vs goe see for more assurance So going to Galifon lyâ—… vnable to rise and his brother â—ard by him not dead but 〈◊〉 Landin 〈◊〉 his two Squires to alight who mounted them into the faddles of their horses and sate behinde on the cruppers themselues onely to support them So rode they on towards the Monasterie fully resolued that if Elisco were dead they both should be hanged but if he were in good disposition then they would take some other deliberation Beeing come to the Monasterie they found 〈◊〉 in much better estate of health then they expected for one of the religious Monkes a man most expert and skilfull in the art of Chirurgerie had tended him so carefully that hee was quite out of any danger Causing Galifon his brother to be dismounted and they looking on Landin disarmed they presently knâ—w him hauing often seen him with King Cildadan before they forsooke his seruice only thorough the small account they made of him when he became tributarie to King Lisuart after which time they fell to robbing theeuing spoyling any that fell into their power Highly pleased was Galifon his misfortune considered to see him-selfe and his brother at the command of such a man from whom he assured himselfe of mercie and therefore with teares in his eyes thus hee began For the honor of God and true Nobilitie I beseech you Lord Landin not to deale with vs as we haue iustly deserued but by declaring your goodnesse and gentle breeding referre the base liues of me and my brother vnto your wonted mercy and pitty Galifon answered Landin I neuer thought you to be such men hauing beene brought vp vnder so good a Prince as is the King your Master and among so many worthy Knights as ordinarilie doe attend on him among which number God is my Iudge I alwayes esteemed you and not to bee any such men as I haue found yee Alas sir quoth Galifon desire of rule and commanding hath won mee this due desert as it hath done many more as idle headed and improuident as my selfe But be it howsoeuer in your hands now lies all my remedie What would you said Landin that I should doe for you Begge pardon replied Galifon for me of the King to whose mercy and your good pleasure I willingly submitte my selfe I am contented so to doe said Landin prouided that herafter you change your vile condition and become as vertuous as you haue beene lewd and vicious That I solemnly vow and sweare to you answered Galifon Vpon that faithfull promise quoth Landin I dismisse you conditionally that you and your brother within the space of three weekes hence ensuing wheresoeuer King Cildadan shall then bee you doe render your selues vnto him intirely obey him and then I will compasse the means that he may forget what hath past and pardon you if my power can stretch so far Most humbly did Galifon and his brother shew themselues thankeful and because it grew to be late they supped together with such meane cheere as both the time and place could afforde them Earlie the next morning Grasandor hauing heard Masse tooke leaue of the companie and returned to the place where the Barque waited his comming and the men not a little ioyfull that hee had heard newes of Amadis For by the plaine appearing words of Landin he made no doubt of meeting with him in short time or else to heare report of him in the Isle of the Infanta for which cause hee intended the greater hast Being in the Barque he enquired of the Patron if hee could conueniently bring him to the Isle of the Infanta who made him answere that knowing now the countrie wherein they were hee could easilie set sayle for that Island and Grasandor earnestly entreated him so to do So without any farther delay they weighed Anchors and hauing the winde prosperous for them sayled all that night till about breake of day they descried the Island Then drawing to starbord and making vp into the Seas hight about euening they came to coast it Grasandor went a shoare and mounted vp the Rock vntill hee came to the great Towne where meeting with the Gouernour already returned backe hee vnderstood that Amadis had conquered Balan and friendshippe was vnited betweene them according as you heretofore heard By my Knight hood said Grasandor these are the best newes that euer I could aske for not so much for knowing whether Amadis had finished to his high honour a combate so perillous beeing euermore inured to such happy fortunes as this but for my more certaine knowledge where I may find him for otherwise I am not capable of any rest either by day or night
my selfe into his power prouided that he will bee so kinde vnto me as carry me back againe to the Ladie and there pleade my cause for mee that she will be pleased to suffer me enioy her daughters as my wife because now she hath made choise of me before any other Is that true quoth Amadis to the Damosell Yes sir said shee albeit heretofore hee detayned me against my will neuerthelesse obseruing the truth and integritie of his affection I am now fully minded to forget all former violences both pardoning and promising to accept him in marriage Beleeue me said Amadis I am very glad of it and Gandalin if you will follow mine aduice worke with the Mother so much as you can that this happy wedding may bee effected I shall Sir quoth hee with all my heart and reioyce to see so good a conclusion So they went on to returne to the Sea shoare but the night preuenting them they were enforced to stay in the Hermitage discending the next morning downe to their men who awaited their comming in the Barque As Gandalin tooke his leaue Amadis and Grasandor intreated him to recommend them to Agraies and their other friends there aduising him and them also to returne speedily to the Enclosed Isle where they should heare other tidings Thus Gandalin sayled thence to the Lady mother where hauing deliuered both her daughter and the Knight hee laboured the matter so effectually that notwithstanding all former spleene the mother quickly consented to her Daughters minde Gandalin was not a little amazed hereat but remembring that womens constancie was as certaine as the continuall turning tides of the Ocean hee could not chuse but smile and leauing them to their further affaires went aboarde the Barque returning to Agrates who was highly pleased with Gandalins good successe as also his fortunate meeting with Amadis and Grasandor in so strange a manner But now wee must change our purpose to them that were bound for the Enclosed Isle with an earnest desire to see their wiues whom they had left in no meane melancholie only for their absence Amadis and Grasandor departing from the Island of the Damosell Enchantresse found the Seas and Windes so fauourable that without any impeachment whatsoeuer they entred the port of the Enclosed Isle As they mounted vp the Rock and came to the Monasterie which Amadis had caused to bee builded they saw before the Gate a Damosell attired all in mourning and two Squires with her holding their Palâ—raies by the bridles They saluted her very courteously as she did the like to them and then they entred into the Church to performe their Orisons in the meane while the Damosell enquired of one of the Monks there standing what they were The religious man answered her that the one was the Lord of the Isle and the other was his noble friend and companion When the Dâ—â—osell knew that Amadis was there shee stayed in the porch of the Church and seeing him comming towardes her shee fell at his feet and weeping aboundantly said Alas Lord Amadis are not you he who knowes how to giue remedie to â—…re afflicted soule such as mine is at this instant Assuredly if it were not so your fame and renowne would neuer haue circled the worlde so oftentimes as already they haue don For this cause I the most vnfortunate of all other am come to to craue mercy and pittie of you Thus speaking she caught fast hâ—ld about his legges embracing them so strictly as Amadis could by no meanes gette from her for the more hee stroue to get loose the more violently still she pressed vpon him wherefore he said vnto her Faire Damosell I pray you tell me your cause of griefe as also what and whence you are and although I should refuse aâ—l other Ladies yet will I doe for you whatsoeuer I am able to release you out of the sorrow wherein I see you Pausing a while shee said My name you shall not know till I be certaine that you will performe what you are to promâ—se but the cause of my grieâ—e and tribulation grew in this manner I am wiâ—e to a Knight whom I loue with all my hart but such is both my misfortâ—… and his that hee is become a prisoner to the very greatest enemy hee hath in the world and it is impossible for him to be thence deliuered without such help as I hope for in your goodnesse and no man else whatsoeuer Beleeue it Sir quoth shee my knees shall neuer part from this earth nor mine armes from about your legges except thereto you forcibly constraine me till you grant what I am to demand of you Amadis perceiuing both her importunitie and obstinacie knew not wel what to say fearing to stand obliged by his promise for the vndertaking of some such matter which well he might repent at leasure as indeed hee did Neuerthelesse he was so moued to compassion seeing her teares flowe forth so incessantly that hee granted what shee desired requiring that hee might know her name Then she caught him by both the hands and whether hee would or no kissed them sweetly and addressing her speechâ—s to Grasandor beganne in this manner Sir Knight I pray you remember that Lord Amadis hath made this promise to me who am the wife to Archalaus the Enchanter and him hee keepeth in prison beeing the greatest enemy hee hath in the world But if Heauen were so pleased this hatred may conuert it selfe into the greater amity by such happy meanes as may bee wrought Much offended was Amadis to see himselfe deceiued by the subtilty of this woman and gladly hee would haue reuoked his promise sworne vnto her notwithstanding hee could not blame the woman who had iust reason to imploy her vtmost paines for the benefit of her husband as euery good wife else ought to doe and thus hee answered her By the faith I beare to God Ladie you haue made too large a request to me for in despite of any perill that can come to me I would not consent to such a matter but only in regarde of the promise I haue made yee and it is the first that euer I granted to Ladie or Damosell whereof I repented my selfe afterward With these words hee and Grasandor mounted on horsebacke commanding the wife of Archalaus to follow him to the Pallace of Apollidon but before they could get thither Oriana and Mabila had intelligence of their arriuall What pleasure they conceiued by this their so long expected comming it is impossible for me to expresse yet such it was that not only they but all the Ladies and Gentlewomen went to attend their entrance into the Parke At their meeting there needes no other question to bee made but the like kisses and embraces passed betweene them euen as yong married couples vse to doe vpon the very day of their choisest delighting to yeelde the truer testimonie of their Faiths firmnesse And these sweete ceremonies vshered them to their Chambers where no doubt
that hee should be the cause of perpetuall peace between him and Amadis as euen already in a manner hee saw performed and hauing discoursed all this in his minde thus hee answered Nascian Father albeit I had set downe my rest for death all mine with me or to haue the vpper hand in this warre yet seeing how matters haue happened I will follow your counsell and I entreat you most affectionately to worke so well with Amadis that hee may listen to peace which for my part I put into your hands to the end that you may hereafter testifie before God with what dutie I submit my selfe in this case These wordes were so pleasing to the good old Hermite as weeping for meere ioy hee fell before the Kings feet saying O most happy Prince the Lord almighty quite you for this kindnesse and blesse you with long and prosperous life The King taking him by the hand raising him vp said Father I wil perform what I haue promised you without any manner of reuocation Neuerthelesse I would haue al men to know that neither feare or defect of courage hath hereunto constrained mee but reason only and in such nature as you haue reuealed to mee Wherefore it shall be fitting for you to go into King Perâ—ons Campe before the truce bee fully ended to the ende that according to what you shall certifie me I may stand vpon my guard Sir said Nascian if God so please I will neither eate nor drinke till I haue spoken with Amadis and let me entreate leaue for my departure because occasion now frankly offers herselfe to me Hauing thus spoken the King hee returned to the Knights where they found Esplandian newly there ariued from Queene Brisena who had sent him from Vindilisore to King Lisuart only to vnderstand of his health whom when Nascian beheld hee knew him presently yet wondred to see him of so taule stature very neare ready to vndergo Armes which made him with meer ioy runne and embrace him But the young gentleman was much amazed to see the olde man so wonderfull kinde to him hauing wholly forgotten him and therefore blushed strangely notwithstanding soone after he both remembred the Hermite and his hermitage and falling on his knees before him kissed his hand when the olde man folding him in his armes said Beloued childe of God blessed be the houre of thy birth and praised bee the name of our Lord for prospering thee to such estate wherein I now see thee During this discourse the standers by were much amazed to see this holy man vse Esplandian so louingly and the King himselfe be-but newly aduertised that hee was grandfather to him mooued with a fatherly affection felt such ioy in his soule as neuer at any time hee receiued more So that the hatred which he formerly bare to Amadis and his friends became suddenly changed into amity extraordinary and hee demanded of the youth from whence he came Esplandian well enstructed by nature kissing a packet of Letters in his hand humbly presented them to the King answering thus Sir the Queene my Mistresse sent mee to you as there more at large you may be certified Then the King opened the letters wherein among other matters shee earnestly entreated him that by all meanes hee would listen to peace if hee might doe it with his honour After hee had ouer-read the Letters hee shewed them to Nascian saying Beholde good father it seems that my Queen knows already what is intended betweene you and me Sir said the Hermite shee counselleth you wisely and if God be so pleased that which shee so earnestly desireth shall bee put in execution before this yong gentleman returnes to her againe Wherefore let mee craue of your Maiesty to let him goe along with mee in companie to the end that during my trauaile I may conuerse with him the more easily Let it be so then answered the King for it is my will that hee shall not leaue you so long as you would haue him with you The Hermite most humbly thanked the King and presently mounted on his Asse as Esplandian did on his horse attended only by Sergill his companion who had come along thither with him So they departed thence taking the way towards King Perion and all that while the good olde man conferred with Esplandian euen till they were ariued at the watch There they were stayed to knowe wherefore they came and what they demanded but when they vnderstood that Nascian came to speake with Lord Amadis they conducted them both to his Tent and there presented them vnto him Here you must consider that he had neuer before seene the reuerend olde man and therefore knew not what he should thinke or what businesse hee might haue with such a person Looking likewise on Esplandian he had as little knowledge of him albeit hee had formerly spoken to him on the same day when he combated the Romanes on the behalfe of faire Grasinda when he being then very young begged the liues of the two Knights that else had been slaine by Amadis But Quedragant who had taken better notice of him when hee met him at his last returne from Great Brittaine went and embraced him saying Faire Sir you desired me and Brian also not long since to doe your commendations to the Greek Knight which wee accordingly performed and here he is himselfe to iustifie that wee failed not therein These wordes gaue assured testimony to Amadis that hee to whom Quedragant spake was his sonne which made him feele inwardly inestimable ioy And then the young Gentleman came and did him reuerence not as a sonne to his father beeing yet ignorant of him but as to the onely Knight of the world by whom he had hope to haue his knighthood so conceu ed in him on the very same day hee combated the Emperours Knights Notwithstanding the differences happening between the Knights of the Enclosed Isle and them of Great Brittain raised a wounderfull doubt in him that he should not attaine to his intention Then Amadis embracing him demanded if King Lisuart had granted leaue for his comming to him My Lord quoth he this good olde father Nascian will acquaint you with the reason of his comming to you Obserue here that Amadis had often heard of this Hermite who was reputed generally for a most holy man of life wherefore going to him hee said Father I pray you pardon mee for I knew you not at your entrance but now I vnderstand more of you and the honour that is due to you by desert Honour replied the Hermit be giuen to God only I am his poore humble seruant who in his feare desires to speake alone with you in secret if it shall please you but to heare me Yes on my faith answered Amadis And so taking him by the hand they went aside by themselues and Nascian began in this manner with him Sonne before you vnderstand the cause which hath mooued mee to come see you I