to you he enuied all other knights errant as wee did the like in loue to him Thus haue I declared the whole truth to you and humbly entreate you without any respect to mine offence to graunt mee mercy beyond all merit Our Knight beganne to be compassionate answering The mercy thou shalt haue is not to abridge the punishment thou hast iustly deserued but in hope that thou wilt become an honester man hereafter then hitherto thou hast bin in this regard thy life is spared But if thou fall to thine old byas assure thy selfe time will fitte me with a sharper reuenge r then now I can or will take on thee So leauing him they rode directly towardes the Towne and falling from one discourse to another our knight demanded of Angriote what newes he had brought out of Great Brittaine He resolued him all things that hee could and told him among other matters that a reuerend Hermite named Nascian had giuen King Lisuart one of the very goodliest young Gentlemen that euer was seene whom he recouered in his swadling clothes out of the teeth of a Lionnesse carying him for food to her young ones Also how the Queene had giuen him to the Princesse Oraina to serue her quoth he with my Sonne Ambor but there is very great difference betweene them because Ambor is mightily deformed and the other an incomparable creature You may quoth Amadis report of your Sonne as you please but if hee carry resemblance with his Father he wil proue a man of extraordinary merit To women let vs leaue beauty and faire feature who are curious and inquisitiue after such nicities would to God your Sonne were of age to follow me then should I require him of you and that very earnestly to keepe company with Gandalin on whom I purpose to bestow knighthood so soone as I shall returne into Gaule Trust mee Sir said Angriote Gandalin doth well deserue much at your hands and if my Sonne were so happy as you wish him my hopes would mount farre higher then as yet they can doe Falling from this into other talke Amadis demaunded how long since he and Bruneo had iourneyed together Since our departure from Great Brittaine answered Angriote we neuer abandoned one anothers company for any fight or Combat whatsoeuer could happen till yesterday and yet notwithstanding we haue ended many straunge and dangerous aduentures albeit all of them inferiour to your high fortune against that deuilish Monster Endriagus according as wee haue thereof bin aduertised Wherfore I beseech you to let me vnderstand how and in what maner you fought together We must referre that replyed Amadis till some more apt and conuenient leysure because we now are neere to the Towne and that will require a much larger discourse then the shortnesse of the way will permit vs. By this time they were arriued at Gransidaes Palace who hauing heard tydings of their comming came very kindly to welcome them conducting them to the Chamber where Bruneo lay who beganne to finde himselfe better and better by such good meanes as Master Elisabet had vsed to him But when hee saw them all three so well met together he was not a little ioyfull praising God for such a fortunate successe And as they parled on their passed aduentures our Knight of the Greene Sword declared to them the promise which he had made to Grasinda and what shipping shee prepared for passage into Great Brittaine whereof they were all exceeding ioyfull in regard of their long-desired returne thither In the meane while Bruneo grew to able strength and being in disposition to endure the Seas all things weare readily fitted for the voyage Grasinda and they going aborde with such a conuenient company as was thought meet So hoysing sayle they launched foorth into the Deepe where they were so assisted by successefull windes as in very few dayes they lost all sight of the Islands of Romania CHAP. XIII How the Queene Sardamira with the other Embassadours from the Emperour Patin arriued at the Court of King Lisuart hoping at their returne to beare thence the Princesse Oriana with them And of that which happened to certaine Romane Knights offering iniury to a Knight errant THe Embassadors from the Emperour Patin being come to King Lisuarts Court they were entertayned by him most honourably hauing vnderstood the occasion that drew them from Italie into Great Brittaine After audience graunted to their Embassie he told them that he would call a Councell of all his Lords together and then they should haue an answere yet hee gaue them this comfort that hee made no doubt but they should returne to the Emperour their Masters contentment At this time was not Oriana in the Court for hauing vnderstood the cause of their comming she feigned her selfe sick to auoyde all meanes of speaking with them and therfore was retired to Mirefleur The Queene Sardamira vpon this hopefull procrastination determined to go see the Princesse making her intention knowen to the King who liked well â—…of and for her better conuoy gaue the good olde Knight Grumedan charge of her On the morrow following shee set forth from the Court to let the Princesse vnderstand how the Emperour affected her dearely how honourably hee would receiue her and what rare singularities shee should see in Rome But herein she was much deceiued because her very meere remembrance of Amadis gaue her more sweete content in soule then any thing else in the world could doe Now was the season of the yeare exceedingly hot in which regard the Queene for her better refreshing on the way sent diuers of her seruants before to pitch her Tents neere a little Riuer that ran along within three miles of Mirefleure There she alighted accompanied with Grumedan and many Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen of her owne country among whom were fiue Romaine Knights who imagined so well of themselues as none in Great Brittaine could come neere them Being within their Tents their fiue Shields were hanged without at the entrance and their Launces likewise leaning against them which was a signall according to the custome obserued among Knights errant or trauayling that no one might passe by before them without triall of the Combate and these enstructions they receiued from Grumedan To whom they made answere that they would essay themselues against those of Great Brittaine to let them well know that they had better skill then they both in breaking a Launce and handling a Sword We shall see replied Grumedan how it will goe with you and yet I dare assure yee there may some such passe 〈◊〉 as will finde yee worke enough to doe As thus they held on their discourse they espied a farre off a Knight comming which was the gentle Prince Florestan who in vaine had trauayled through many countries to finde his Brother Amadis And now very pensiuely hee was riding to King Lisuarts Court hoping to heare some better news by the Romaines that so lately came thether as had beene told him by
the East as there is no Greeke Knight so hardie and aduenturous that dare contend with a Knight of Rome Alas I see the death of this miserable vnfortunate fellow whom I shal so boysterously ouer-throw at the first blow that the very reines of his backe will flye in sunder and not onely the Crowne must be my boory but the glorious Lady also who hath taken so much paine and trauaile to come hither into this Country heere to receiue perpetuall shame and infamie Speaking thus he rode toward the Ladies and addressing himselfe to Olinda demaunded of her if she pleased to deliuer him her Crowne that thereby hee might defend her beautie For in mine opinion quoth he any man of good iudgement will confesse that iustly you ought to haue that other Crowne which the fond Greeke hath placed on the Perrou Moreouer I haue made choyce of you among all the rest to be my best beloued wherefore I beseech you grant me leaue that I may begin the Combate for you as she to whom I am vowed and dedicated For no sooner shall the Empresse haue made her entrance into the great City of Rome but there I meane to make you my wife as sole Lady and gouernesse of me and all my greatest fortunes Olinda tired and much troubled with this idle talke of Saluste Quide made him no answere but turning her face another way feigned a conference with one of her owne company which the Prince perceiuing as halfe in anger thus he spake to her It seemeth Madame by your manner of behauiour that I am a man vnable to execute what I haue spoken but let mee neuer haue loue or any esteeme of you if I doe not perfourme much more Only this being granted that my first encounter with the Launce may haue but your gracious looke and that you turne not your face till it be done This earnest importunity did so embellish the beautie of Olinda by a most sweet and amiable blush that she knew not how to bee rid of this vexation making no account at all of his words Which the Queene obseruing she took the Crowne from her head and sent it to the Prince Saluste who receiuing it very thankfully went to the base or Perron and set it by that belonging to Grasinda Afterward taking a strong Lance he beganne to shake it in such sort as if he meant to snap it in sunder then ryding proudly to the King with his Helmet on his head and Shield about his necke thus hee spake King Lisuart I shall soone let you see the difference betweene vs that are Romanes the Knights of your Court for this braue presuming Greeke that thinkes to combate with so many one after another shal presently receiue the greatest shame that euer Knight did And then let his other two companions come if they please to reuenge his cause if they can for this I dare promise you that before I depart from hence I will present you with their heads insteed of Crowns So much offended was Grumedan at these arrogant proud wordes of Saâ—uste as he could hardly forbeare to smite him Neuerthelesse in regard of the Kings strict countermaundes before he dissembled his anger and went to him only with this answere Lord Saluste you haue not yet forgot the Combate that must bee betweene you and me if as you say you escape from the Greek come fairely off My memorie is more perfect then so replyed Prince Saluste and your selfe shall haue good cause to remember it So closing his beauer clasping close his Shield and placing his Launce in the rest he ranne mainly against the Greeke Knight who met him with such force neither of them failing in the attaint that Saluste was vnhorsed and our Greeke Knight finishing his race found a truncheon of the Launces shaft sticking in his Shield whereby euery man thought that hee had beene wounded But hee quickly declared that there was no such matter and snatching it out threw it on the ground turning againe to meete with his enemie who moued neither hand nor foot he was so daunted with the fall And not without great cause considering what a height he fell and the heauy charge of his armour so that his right arme was broken in twaine And yet it happened farre worse to him for in falling downe his left foot hung fast in the stirrop and being vnable to get it forth his horse offended at his vnfashionable burden gaue him such a blow with his foote on the Helmet that it fell off from his head and he lay still as one entranced The Greeke Knight beholding him in this pittifull condition spake out so loud as euery one might heare him Beleeue me gentle Romaine the Lady for whom you haue performed this rare chiualry is wonderfully beholding to you notwithstanding if you doe not quit her Crown from my Mistresse who deserues it better then she as excelling all in beautie you lye fairely for the losse of your head presently But Saluste made him not any answere whereupon the Knight rode to the King thus speaking in Greeke to him Sir he that so lately gaue perswasions to your people to relye confidently in his manhood will not now render his Ladies Crowne to my Mistresse to whom by the testimony of all present it iustly appertaineth Wherefore may it please you as an vpright Iudge to doe me right otherwise I will smite off his head before this faire assembly Then suddenly turning bridle and alighting from his horse he went to Prince Saluste making shewe as if he meant to kill him Which Count Argamont seeing said to the King Sir you ought in my minde to graunt the Greeke Knight what he demaundeth and saue the life of the other else you may heereafter bee blamed for it And why answerd Grumedan I pray you Lord Argamont let Fortune deale as pleaseth her Haue you not yet seene enough of these Romaines saucinesse I protest to you vpon my faith that with their peremptorie audaciousnesse they are become as malicious as olde Monkies and you shall perceiue it by experience if the Greeke Knight bee hindred from pursuing his victory For although Saluste be so neere his ending yet I dare giue you all my lands and goods if the King doe saue him that he will iustly say hereafter he saued him from death that will bee the greatest enemie to his life Therefore I beseech you Sir delay your sentence for a while till it may be certainely knowen what will bee the issue of the fight During this discourse the Greek Knight made shew of disarming Saluste for more easie smiting off his head from his shoulders which the King fearing prayed his Vnckle to vrge the stay and to graunt him the Crowne which hee desired Then the olde Earle arose and tolde him in the Greek tongue what the King had commanded him Heereupon the Knight stept backe and putting his Sword vp into the sheath spake to the Count in this manner In honour of so
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
vpon King Lisuart and ouerthrewe him to the ground where hee was enclosed on all sides by Archalaus and a great many more who laboured their very vttermost as hoping to take him But Philipinell with them that had the day before discouered the Armie of Arauigne came and succoured him notwithstanding their lot had fallen soule but for king Cildadan Arquisill Norandell and Brandoryas Now grew the fight fiercer and fiercer for these foure rushed thorough the croudes so boisterously that they bare downe horse man before them and notwithstanding al resistance the enemy could make they remounted the King vpon Norandells horse for he had alighted that the King might haue him Then taking a Sworde in both his hands which he found by good fortune hee performed therewith such extraordinarie deeds of Armes as in meere despite of Barsinan and his followers hee horsed himselfe againe wherein Brandoyuas was no meane help to him Archalaus then wel perceiued that they must needs haue the worst except king Arauigne came vppe with his troupes wherefore hee sent a young Squire of his and bad him goe tell him that hee was much amazed why he should leaue him thus in so serious a businesse The Squire ranne presently and performed his charge but Archalaus answered him that he thus delayed hoping to draw King Lisuart and his men further off from the Cittie that hee might be the more easily encompassed at pleasure But now hee marched on with his squadron which furiously brake in vpon King Lisuarts forces who were then so wearied and few in number as they were repelled to retire euen within the gate of the City where they saued themselues by the meanes of king Cildadan Arban Grumedan Norandell Guillan Arquisill and others who followed in the traine Now if these worthie men declared thus rescuing their greatnesse of spirit you must conceiue that king Lisuart as plainely witnessed that hee forgot not his honour in such a necessity for neuer was any Knight seene that more forwardely aduentured his person to perill then he did nor with more allacrity of courage intending to reuenge his owne death if such should be his fatall disaster And as hee was in this extreamitie Grumedan who carried the standard and King Arban were beaten downe before his face and taken prisoners whereat he became most impatient and with all his force would needs enter into the throng to succour them But some of his beeing more discreetly aduised kept him backe and finding meanes to get him into the Citie and then shut vp the gates So king Arauigne remained master of the field not without great losse of his men which yet were but few in regarde of them belonging to king Lisuart who found then by experience what dismall harme hee had endured by giuing ouer-much credit to the persawsions of Brocadan Gandandell by whose treacherous meanes hee had banished Amadis from his Court and many other worthie Knights for which he now intirely grieued And not without good cause considering what slender hope he had to free himselfe from the danger which round had engirt him By this time king Arauigne was withdrawne into the middest of his troupes to take counsell whether they should now instantly assault the Citie or deferre it till the morning Now as in such affaires opinions are diuerse so some gaue aduice to refresh their people already much wearied Others spake to the contrarie alleadging that they should not permit their enemies thus to rampire in themselues or let them take heart but liuely and without any delay to followe vpon them to encrease their feare and weaken their courage Wherupon king Arauigne commanded Barsinan and the Duke of Bristoy to leade their troupes vp one side of the Citie while he and his gaue the assault on the other and that either side should striue for soonest entrance Then Drums and Trumpets sounded the assault and men on all sides ran to the wals where they found king Lisuart his men with the inhabitants of the Citie that gaue them two or three stout repulses with Harquebuze sâ—oâ—â—e Darts and Crosbowes All which discouraged not King Arauigne a iot but rather did whette him on more and more and had not darke night preuented them king Lisuart had beene shrewdly enforced and the Cittie surprised But the obscurity was so great as they could not discerne one another in regard whereof king Arauigne caused retreate to be sounded hoping to begin againe at the breake of day or else that they within the Citie should yeeld to his mercy CHAP. XXIII How Amadis came to the succour of King Lisuart And of the valiant ouerthnow of King Arauigne BY the precedent chapter you haue heard how the young Gentleman Esplandian Sergill hauing discouered the Armie of Arauigne and doubting that king Lisuart was not strong enough to fight with him made a short returne to Amadis entreating his succour whereto he willingly yeelded Notwithstanding hee could not proceed on so speedily albeit hee trauelled night and day but King Lisuart was fallen into great perill of his person as euer before had happened to him which danger thus befell him only by meanes of vnhappy guides that conducted Amadis and his troupes wandring about mid-night farre out of the way without knowing where they were which much displeased Amadis Hereupon he demanded of them if they were farre from the mountaine or no. The guides answered that in their opinion considering how farre they had alreade gone they could not bee neare wherefore hee commanded Gandalin to ride so farre on either side as hee might reach some matter of discouery Then he got vp on the highest part of all to try if hee could see the fire in king Arauignes Campe beeing led all the way by one of the guides and far they had not gone but Gandalin descried the enemies fires in their Camp which he shewed to the guide demanding of him if now hee could giue them better direction without any more straying wherein he warranted him therefore bad him boldly followe him Returning backe to Amadis they declared what they had seene to his no little contentment as hoping to take king Arauigne napping Moreouer he was partly desirous to let King Lisuart perceiue how willing hee was yet to doe him seruice notwithstanding all his former hatred to him and therefore rode on hard all the night Yet could hee not ariue there so soone but King Arauigne had begunne the assault againe so sharpe and hotly as gaue great danger to them within the Citie because the enemies were become masters of the principall part by meanes whereof they entred in by such numbers as king Lisuart was compelled to betake himselfe to a very little street or passage being followed by some of his chiefest Knights and there he resolued to liue or die rather then hee would yeeld himselfe a prisoner to his proud foe Here began extreamitie to shew it selfe apparantly for like men despairing of any helpe or remidy they
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
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
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
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
life but for Angriote and Florestan who thrust in betweene them and as they laboured in his defence king Lisuarts Sword entred the flanke of Florestans horse so that hee fell downe dead vnder him But Florestan quickly reuenged this iniury for in recouering himselfe he so hought king Lisuarts horse that he was glad to forgo his Stirrops and in dismounting gaue such a stroake to Florestan on the head that both astouned shreudly wounded him Notwithstanding Florestan was not thus to bee discouraged but beholding the king ready againe to charge him with his Sword he vnder-ranne the blow and catching him about the midle seazed his Sword by which meanes he might easily haue slaine him if he would but he refused that aduantage so freely offered him which afterward prooued to his owne harme Galaor beholding the king in so great danger rushed suddenly in and without respect to brother or any other kinsman behaued him-selfe so boldly that in despight of Florestan he recouered the king out of his hands and remounted him on horsebacke againe by the helpe of Norandell Grumedan and some others which gaue fresh encouragement to the knights of Great Brittaine so that they which before fled away with feare stood to it now more resoluedly then euer So turning head vpon their enemies who hauing lost Florestan and Quedragant that were among the dead bodies became so weakened in their strength as they were constrayned to retire for euen Galuanes himself was so grieuously wounded as hee was no longer able to sit on horse-backe Neuerthelesse like a discreete and hardie knight vntill his people had gained the hill he stood vpon his best guard wiâ—… Palomir Elian Branfill Enill and Sarquiles who were all in the end taken prisoners And had it not beene for Dragonis who forcibly recouered Galuanes he had remained among the rest Thus the king obtayned the victory by vertue of his courage and the fauour of Florestan who hauing him in his power became enemy to his owne good fortune For she is such an inconstant Mistresse as will haue no man to let slip aduantage against his contrarie lest shee turne her backe and frowne at his folly as she did to Florestan For if hee had slaine king Lisuart when in heate of blood with tollerable excuse hee might haue done it the honor of the day had falne to him and his friends assuredly which therefore thus hee lost to their shame and confusion as formerly hath beene related Galuanes his associats being retired among the mountaines keeping very circumspectly al the wayes passages king Lisuart commanded the retreat to be sounded and pitched his Tents in the same place where hee had wonne the victory But as Galaor returned from pursuit of his enemy hee espyed his Brother Florestan and Quedragant lying among the slaughtered bodies whereat he conceiued such inward griefe that he was ready to fall beside his horse Being alighted and perceiuing in them no motion of life at all his complaints were so pitifull and extreame that euery eye did much compassionate him and the King was made acquainted with his heauy case Whereupon immediatly hee mounted on horse-back not for any good-will to Florestan or Quedragant but onely to comfort Galaor whom hee loued most intirely And yet notwithstanding all his malice he considered as he rode along what daunger Florestan did thrust himselfe into on the day of battaile against King Cildadan and that but for him he had beene wounded to death by Gandacuriel as already hath beene at large declared In remembrance whereof he desired to saue his life if possible it might be and therefore so soone as he came to them he commanded their bodies to be carried into one of his Tents and that his own Phisitions and Chirurgions should look diligently to their wounds Vpon sight and search made according to their skill and experience they found their hurts to bee very dangerous but not deadly for at their first dressing they found such hopefull signes of recouery that they vndertook within certain dayes to warrant their cure Galaor on this comfortable peÌ„rswasion left them to their rest and quiet and went to the King who was set in Councell demaunding the opinion of his knights what further was to be done against his enemies declaring what daunger might ensue by admitting them to gather fresh supply and strength and that it would be both honour and profit to â—old on still the pursuit of victory For quoth hee I am very certaine that Agrayes is gone to leuie men in little Brittaine and that hee will come quickly with new assistance wherefore I hold it most necessary speedily to follow on them not suffering them to take hart or breathing and hauing now so good meanes to doe let vs take the benefit of so apt an oportunity To this aduice all the knights condiscended without contradiction in any one and hereupon it was resolued that each man should bee in readines the next morning so soone as the Trumpet gaue forth summons which was performed accordingly But they met with stouter resistance then they expected for Dragonis with so small a company of men as he had with him had so fortified the passage and maintained it so manfully that a great number of them were sore wounded before they could get the least meanes of entrance Notwithstanding in the end he was faine to leaue it and seeke for safety in the Fortresse of the Burning Lake but thither he was pursued and there besieged both by Sea and land to keep them off the Towne from issuing forth and to cut off all hope of succour which they continually awayted from little Brittaine But because it would be a matter too prolixe and tedious to report all the skirmishes and attempts which they had against each other during the siege and it being a thing very litle appertaining to out history which tendeth onely to the actions of Amadis who remained now in Gaule with his Father King Perion Let it suffise yee that after the siege had continued 3 moneths and more two things were the cause of bringing them to accorde The one because they of the Towne had receiued Letters from Agrayes that hee lay sicke in little Brittaine by which meanes he could not leuy competent forces to their expectation The other because King Lisuart reciued aduertisement from his Vncle Count Argamont that seuen of his neighbour Kings had made great prouision for the inuading of his kingdome which required such care as needfully therto belonged This aduice likewise gaue further intelligence that Archalaus the Enchanter was the onely meanes heereof because he had perswaded them to this attempt vpon the aduantage of King Lisuarts absence at the Burning Lake and the small store of knights remaining then in Great Brittaine When King Lisuart heard these newes hee consulted with his thoughts what was best to be done and after much discourse with his owne minde he concluded to take composition with Galuanes if hee would but
propound it And it fell out so fortunatly that the very same day desire of conference was vrged by the other side with offer of rendring the place Prouided that the king would permit him and his people freely to depart and such prisoners as hee deteyned with an agreement of truce for two whole yeares if he liked to allow thereof Vpon many entercourses passing on either side the offer was accepted and truce concluded so that the King the very same day entred the Towne And as Madasima presented him the keyes humblie casting her selfe at his feete teares streaming abundantly from her eyes she said Alas Sir if euer pitty found place in your Princely brest let it now appeare and take compassion on a poore dis-inherited Lady This humiliation of hers wonne such power in all the knights there present as there was no one of them but gladly made tender of his seruice in her behalfe Especially Galaor who vndertook the mater for her speaking thus to the King Vpon my faith Sir respect in this case is very needfully required and if euer in my life I did yee any acceptable seruice let me now humbly entreate and to my vttermost possibility that for my sake you would be gracious to her Trust me Galaor answered the King if I should recompence your high deseruings the Exchequer of all my vttermost were not able to doe it So calling Galuanes hee thus proceeded Galuanes at the request of Galaor and hoping withall that heereafter you wil acknowledge the fauour I afford ye I giue this Country to you and Madasima which against my liking you haue vsurped and now against your will is to me rendred See therfore that hereafter you declare your selues to bee better aduised both you yours to vse homage fidelity to me according as you ought to do in duty Most humbly did Galuanes giue thankes to the King swearing instantly the oath of alleageance and the Army hauing taken refreshing for the space of seuen or eight daies the King commanded preparation to depart thence So on the Sunday following earely in the morning after Masse they went aboord their Shippes accompanied with Galuanes and many more to take their farewell Ankers being weighed their sayles hoysed they set forth to the maine Sea the windes seruing them so prosperously that in fewe dayes without any disaster they arriued in the Porte and hauen of Graâ—edonia where the Queene and Ladies wayted and attended in expectation of their returne And there for this time will we leaue them together and declare what happened to Amadis who abode in Gaule to heare tydings from them CHAP. V. How Amadis being with his Father King Perion found himselfe subiect to ouermuch melancholy to be so farre sundered from his Oriana And contrarywise Bruneo was highly contented hauing so apt occasision to see and conferre with his Melicia at what time himselfe pleased And of their seuerall enterprises to satisfie their owne humours and fancies AFter that King Cildadan and Galaor had left Amadis in Gaule he became much more solitary then euer hee had beene for the company of Bruneo was now grown incoÌ„patible to him being so diuersly intreated in their affections Because Bruneo enioyed almost whatsoeuer his soule desired beholding daylie the Princesse Melicia whom he so dearely affected that all things else slipt beside his remembrance On the contrary Amadis being so far distant from his Oriana all pleasures whatsoeuer were to him irkesome and tedious which caused him to refraine all company the better to conforme himselfe to solitude It chanced on a day being walking alone his Squire onely excepted in the Forrest and neare to the Sea side hee cast his eye towards Great Brittain and espyed a Ship making in to the Port which Ship hee supposed to come from London whereupon hee presently commanded Gandalin to goe know of whence it was and hee seated himself in the meane while vnder a spreading Tree to enter into his wonted lamentations Leaning his head vpon his left arme and sending a pittious looke towards the Country where formerly he had found such sweete entertainment breathing foorth a vehement sigh thus he began Poore vnfortunate Amadis is it possible for thee to continue long in this torment Alas if Loue heeretofore was fauourable to thee he now makes thee pay too deare vsury for it What said I Loue O no it is not Loue not is Loue the cause thereof but mine owne mis-fortune that being enuious of thy sweete ease and felicity forged and enforced the Kings discontentment therby to be thy vtter ruine by losse of her sight on whom depended thy life and onely happines which is a burden more vnsupportable for thee to beare then if a thousand deathes were imposed on thee together But no beatitude is destinied to me and I may well bee ashamed to wishe it considering Oriana would be too much offended thereby Why then shall I couet any such euill she neuer affoording mee but grace and fauour For the very least sadnesse that I can suffer shee feeles it euen as sensibly as mine owne soule These complaints were accompanied with such floods of teares that maine riuolets ranne downe his cheekes leauing him vnable along while to vtter foorth one word As hee continued in these passions a dart flewe hard by his eare whereof hee tooke no care so much was his minde addicted elsewhere But Gandalin returning then towards him espied in a bushie thicket a Giantesse of immeasurable stature preparing to let flye another dart at his Master whereupon hee cryed out aloud to him and Amadis suddenly starting demanded the reason of his clamour Why Master quoth he doe yee not see yonder deuil that endeauors to wound yee And so shewed him the Giantesse towards whom Amadis directed his steppes but she fled away thwart the Forrest running as swiftly as a Hart and in her flight recouered Amadis his horse whereon mounting her selfe she thus cryed out Know Amadis that I am thine ancient enemy Andadone the Giantesse of the Sad Isle who tels thee plainely that if I cannot compasse mine intent yet time shall let thee know how much I loue thee When Amadis perceiued that it was a woman whom hee had pursued he would follow her no further but commaunded Gandalin to doe it and to kill her if he could Gandalin obeyed his Lords command and laboured earnestly till he ouer-tooke her In which time as Amadis was sitting downe againe vnder the tree with intent to recommence his former complaints hee espyed Enill otherwise called Durin whom Gandalin had found abord the Ship that his Master had sent before to enquire of Whereupon Amadis ranne and embraced him demaunding what good newes hee had brought from Great Brittaine My Lord quoth he Madame Oriana most kindly commends her selfe to ye and sends ye this Letter which instantly he deliuered to him Amadis perceiuing that she reposed trust in Enill bade him discouer what she had further commaunded him My Lord answered Enill
for hauing a while absented my selfe from Armes whereby it appeareth to many that I am growne cold in the pursuite of aduentures for the dangers elsewhere hapning where-of I neuer dreamed Therefore that euery one may take true notice of me if heauen be so pleased I will in such affaires make such reall apparance of my duty that my renown which seemeth to lye buried shall reuiue it selfe againe and with much more glory then euer it yet gained Sonne quoth the king you well know that I haue euer beene a louer of good men and goodnesse and perceiuing king Lisuart to bee one of that number I haue iust cause to affoord him any ayde and fauour wheresoeuer I am able to compasse the meanes And if I should deferre it this instant the cause is easily knowen onely the difference betweene him and you But seeing that your intention is changed and that you will make one in so worthy a busines I will goe along with yee for company grieuing at nothing else but that the time is too short for leuying our people For if I had the leysure to prepare an Army assure your selfe I would leade along with me a Royall assembly But that defect shall not stay my present purpose I will onely take such knights as are readiest for me and so away vpon my iourney When Florestan heard this deliberation hee stood silent a long while as vnable to vtter a word but at last he said to the King By my faith Sir when I consider the cruelty of king Lisuart which but for the fauour shewen to vs by Lord Galaor in the Isle of Mongaza had cost the deare price of all our liues I hold it impossible for me to doe or wishe him any good Your Highnesse is not ignorant how long a time before then he deadly hated vs many times making his vaunt to bee the vtter ruine and extirpation of vs all Neuerthelesse seeing matters stand on such tearmes as now they doe I am wel contented both in the honor of you and for you are thereto so nobly affected to forget all iniuries at this time and will follow you as it is my duty to doe Moreouer by our agreement made at the Burning Lake for the space of two yeares I may beare no armes against him whereby I stand partly bound that if I will bee seene at all in the action I must needes bee for him Sir said Amadis the best course that we can take then is closely to pursue our enterprise without any other company then we three onely For if our number should be greater whatsoeuer we can doe will but deserue the latest welcome and therefore if it were possible in mine opinion wee would not willingly be knowne of any Let it be so then replied the king I like the motion well and I haue three Armours alike in all respects very apt and proper to our intent for our better knowledge and assisting of one another let vs goe presently and make proofe of them So leauing the Chamber they descended downe into the Court where presently entred before them a Damosell very richly attired mounted on a beautifull Palfray shee being accompanied with three Squires onely each bearing a goodly square Chest before her and the king thinking she demaunded for him went towards her with Amadis and Florestan saluting her courteously and demaunding if shee would speake with the Queene No Sir quoth she my errand is onely to you and these two knights to whom I am sent by the Lady of the Vnknowne Isle with these three presents which heere you behold Then causing the chests to be set downe and opened three Shieldes three Helmets and three Coat-Armours were taken out of them The Shields were Siluer seamed all ouer with golden Serpents so artificially wrought that they appeared neere to life The Coat-Armours were all alike but the Helmets differed for one was white the other greene and the third gold The white was presented by the Damosell to the king and the Coate-Armour thereto belonging the green to Florestan and the gold to Amadis with these words Sir my Lady hath sent you these Armes and desires you by me that you will heere-after imploy them better and your selfe also then for too long a time you haue done heere Amadis hearing her so forward in speech stood in feare lest his loue affaires with Oriana should be discouered therefore to breake her off from any further language in that kinde hee answered Faire Damosell I pray yee most humbly thanke your Lady on my behalfe and tell her I make much lesse account of her counsell sent me then I doe of her present which I will imploy according to my power My Lords replyed the Damosel she hath sent armes to you all three to the end that you may know and helpe one another if need bee in King Lisuarts warre How quoth the King doth your Mistresse know that we meane to be there and wee our selues within lesse space then an houre did not so much as dream thereon I know not that answered the Damosell but she assured mee that at this very houre I should finde yee all heere and in this very place further commanding me that after I had deliuered ye these Arms I should passe hence into Great Brittaine whither she hath likewise sent mee wherefore bethinke your selues if you will command me any seruice Now trust me Damosell replyed the King you shall not depart hence vntill you haue dined And so conducted her further into the Castel where the best entertainment that could be deuised was bestowed on her Hauing sustayned Nature and taken leaue of her three knights she set onward on her way to the Sea-side and instantly imbarked her selfe After her departure Amadis considered with himselfe that the day of battell was not farre off and that not without great cause Vrganda had sent them those Armes in regard whereof his desire grew much more earnest to be there then formerly it had done and therefore to hasten the enterprise he caused Gandalin secretly to prouide Shippint wherewith acquainting both the King and Florestan they resolued to set away the night ensuing Being all aboord the winde sate so conueniently for them that vnespied by any they launched forth into the maine Sea coasting about the Isle of Great Brittaine where very soon after they landed so neere as possibly they might to the place where the seauen Kings lay encamped hoping after they had once noted their disposition to ioyne them-selues with King Lisuart And to that intent they entred a Forrest where their Squires erected them a Pauillion and where they attended more ample newes of the Army sending daylie one of their followers to the enemies Campe to enquire when the day of battel should be Also they sent another to Galaor by whom they gaue him to vnderstand that they were in Gaule And the Squire had expresse charge to tell him that he left them al three together and earnestly desired that after
well and that villaine that is with ye By Sainct Mary answered Ambades you doe mee wrong to thinke so badly of mee holding you in such reputation that if I could haue conquered two such as you are I could vaunt thereof among the best knights in the world for I hold ye to be but a couple of base Groomes These words mooued Norandel to such choller that he presently replyed Base Gromes Hast thou any such in thy pay or wages If thou holdest vs in no better esteeme come downe from thy Castell wall and thou shalt soone see that a Groom of my breeding can knocke a bigger knaue then thou art But if thou conquerest mee then boldly make thy vaunt to haue foyled one of the greatest enemies that eyther thou or Archalaus can haue Gentle words answered Ambades haue not I tolde thee already that I meane not to meddle with any such paltry companions what honour then can be had by so base conquest Tell not me of thy hatred to my Cousin Archalaus thou art vnworthy to speake of a man of his merit who as he cares not for thy loue or kindnesse so he dares thee to thy vttermost malice against him So bending a Turkishe Bowe hee let slye three or four arâ—owes at them which caused Galaor and Norandel to part thence smyling heartily to them-selues that they had bin so deceiued by two treacherous women And yet quoth Norandel mee thinkes they lik't their wine so well as they will grieue for the misse thereof when they remember vs. And howsoeuer they haue beguiled our expectation yet I can bee well content to be mockt so againe paying no dearer charges then wee haue done They rode on still thus merily iesting till about some three or foure dayes after they came to the Port of Arsill where they found a Barke ready bound for Gaule whereinto they entred and the winde sate so fitting for them that without hinderance or impeachment they landed where King Perion then soiourned At that instant Amadis was walking on the Sea-shore accompanied with his Brother Florestan he remembring his Oriana sent many a longing looke towardes London But so soone as hee beheld the Barke to cast Anker in the Port hee said to his Brother Florestan Let vs goe learne of them who are come hither to take landing if they can tell vs any happy tidings Goe we then replyed Florestan for perhaps we may meete with some of our acquaintance So walking downe to the Shoare Amadis saw Galaor already come forth of the Ship and Norandel following him wherepon he went and embraced his brother As yet hee had no knowledge of Norandel but Florestan had formerly seen him telling him that he was the bastard Sonne to King Lisuart and companion to Galaor as a so one of the best knights of his age so he did worthily declare himselfe in the battels at the Burning Lake where many men of marke ended their liues Neuerthelesse he was then scarcely knowen to bee the Kings Sonne neither would his Father make any auouchment of him vntill the ouerthrow of King Aranigne but there he performed such deeds of Armes that the King himselfe greatly gloried he had begotten so famous a knight therâ—fore cared not that day who tooke knowledge of him Not a little glad was Amadis of his arriuall and for his Sister Orianaes sake hee gaue him the more kind and gracious welcome sending presently to King Perion to aduertise him of their landing who came to meete them and embraced Norandel in most louing manner feasting them royally and magnificently three dayes together On the fourth day following Amadis who formerly had resolued on his departure from Gaule to pursue the search of strange aduentures finding the King at fitte and conuenient leysure he thus spâ—ke vnto him Sir my long abiding heere with you discontinuance from the vse of Armes hath bin the cause of much lauish language to my disgrace Wherefore I humbly entreate your Maiesty to licence my departure to morrow morning Sonne answered the King I hold your honour in such precious esteem that notwithstanding pateâ—…all loue and affection which well may make me loth to leaue your company I am content that you shall part hence at your owne pleasure By my saith quoth Galaor were it not for one quest whereto I and my companion 〈◊〉 haue religiously bound our selues by â—oath no occasion whatsoeuer could diuide vs from your company But we haue vowed the same before so many worthy personages and to continue our trauaile one whole yeare together as nothing must hinder vs from that we seeke for And what may bee the ground said the King of this serious inquisition Sir answered Galaor in King Lisuarts battaile with the seauen Island Kings three knights vtterly vnknowen to vs 〈◊〉 and tooke our part all armed alike except their Helmets for one was white another greene and the third gold and had no difference but their Shieldes emblazed 〈◊〉 Sâ—…ents Thâ—se three of whom I make reâ—… performed such admirable deeds of prowesse that the King 〈◊〉 and all his knightâ— with confirmation of the whole army beside ascribed the cause of our victory onely to heauen and them much did he in the white Helmet also he in greene but aboue all the golden Gallant might not bee mâ—â—ed And because none of vs could attaine to the knowledge of them by reason of their sudden parting thence vpon our victory my companion and I haue solemnely vowed and promised according to the custome of Great Brittaine to spend one whole yeare in the quest of them before we giue ouer or vndertake any other enterprise Sonne said the King when heauen pleaseth you may haue newes of those knights and sooner then you look for So spent they out the day discoâ—sing on many things till the due houre summoned them to rest The next morning Amadis being armed went to heare Masse and hauing taken leaue of the King mounted on horseback accompanied only with Gandalin and the Dwarfe Notwithstanding the King would needes bring him somewhat on the way out of the Citty and as they rode together Amadis thus spake Sir you know what trauaile my brother and Norandel haue bound theÌ„selues to by vow which will bee paines without any profit except you please therein to ease them for by no meanes possible can they compasse their intent but one of vs three must end their royle Wherefore I thinke it expedient if your Highnesse were so pleased that when you haue forsaken my company you would tell them the whole discourse and what we did in the seruice of King Lisuart Since you will haue it so replyed the King it shall be done Florestan was very desirous to haue ridden along with Amadis but hee would not permit it because in trauayling alone hee had the more free passage for his considerations concerning Oriana and beside he aymed at aduentures of no meane perill the honor wherof should be his owne onely Anadis being gone
preuaile against yea vtterly to ruinate a more potent Prince then you are being desirous to make an end of this warre to prouide for other his more necessary occasions makes tender to you of two conditions whereby you may enioy peace if you please or else not First if Combate may be performed of an hundred of your knights against as many of his or a thousand to a thousand the conquerors leauing the vanquished in such case as to them shall seeme best Or if you finde this demaund to be ouer-great hee is content to allow of twelue against twelue of which number I meane my selfe to be one who doe thinke my selfe able to fight with sixe of your knights although your selfe made one in person Therefore of these two elections chuse which shall appeare the easiest to you for otherwise be well assured that setting aside all other affaires his Army shall neuer part from this Country till you be wholly vanquished which will be very speedily because you are not able long to withstand his potent proceedings Don Garadan answered the knight of the greene Sword were you to speake to a King of much lesse merit yet deseruing more respect and reuerence mee thinkes you should bee more mindfull of your owne behauiour in vsing such proud threatnings concerning your selfe ill beseeming a Gentleman appertayning to so great a Prince Notwithstanding he may make you what answere shall like him albeit in mine opinion he should first vnderstand what assurance you can make of your seuerall offers if hee consent to your demaunds When Garadan heard the knight of the greene Sword speake so resolutely in the Kings presence hee maruayled greatly what he should be and looking on him with a disdainfull eye he said Beleeue me knight it appeareth well by your language but much more by your boldnes that you are not onely a stranger in these parts but also to all honour and ciuility And it amazeth me that the King will suffer yee to speake so sottishly in his presence Neuerthelesse if his opinion of you be so good as not to disallow what you haue said let him first consent to my demaunds and then I will answere him as I see occasion Goe you on quoth the King with the rest of your message for whatsoeuer the knight of the greene Sword hath spoken on my behalfe shall bee maintayned if in our power it lye to perfourme it Garadan became now more amazed then formerly he had beene perceiuing that the man whom he had inburied in wordes was the knight with the greene Sword whose renowne had already spred it selfe thorow all Countries and made his stout heart somewhat to tremble Neuerthelesse he held it as his chiefest happinesse that hee should haue now so apt an occasion to combate with him for he was so ouer-weening and vaine-glorious that he made no doubt of preuayling against him and that very easily Which ydle fond opinion caused him to lose all the honour and high reputation wherein he had liued till that time promising himselfe an assurance of victory which afterward fell to his enemy And waxing more chollericke then before he returned this answere to the knight of the greene Sword Seeing that the King giues you such power and authority why are yee so slow in electing the fight Because answered the knight of the Dwarfe it is a matter of such importance as well deserueth to haue the aduice of the Princes and Ladies of this kingdome And it would highly content mee if the King pleased so much to honour mee as to entertaine me for one of the twelue hundred or thousand that are to bee appointed for this fight for no man can bee more desirous then I am to doe any seruice against you on whom I would not onely aduenture my best blood but serue for him in any place where he shall please to imploy mee My deare friend replyed the King I most heartily thanke you and will not refuse the offer you haue made me but doe request withall that you would make election of the fights in my behalfe according as you shall iudge it best and for our most aduantage In good sooth Sir replyed the knight of the green Sword therein you shall pardon mee if you please for you haue about yee so many good knights all louing and respectfull of your honour that if you demaund their aduice in this case their counsell will be both faithfull and honourable Neuerthelesse before you shall faile in this or any other matter that Garadan can vrge presume vpon my loyalty and ready seruice Onely let me entreate your Maiesty to demaund what power he hath receiued from his Maister to warrant the offers already proposed and accordingly you may shape your answere for the acceptance or refusall Saucie companion answered Garadan I know thy meaning well enough as seeking how to shrinke backe and shunne all the offers made for fight If you knewe mee well said the knight of the Dwarfe it may be you would hold better estimation of me then rashly your rash opinion seemeth to deliuer And doe not thinke it straunge that I gaue such aduice to the King as you haue heard for if your seuerall offers should afterward bee disallowed or disclaymed they may bee the cause of stearner warre then yet hath beene in steed of a milder purchasing peace Garadan could no longer forbeare but drew a Letter forth of his sleeue sealed with thirty faire Seales in the middest of all which Seales stood that that belonged to the Emperour And deliuering it to the King he bade him to consider on a speedie answere By my faith quoth the King seeing you are in such great haste you shall be answered before you part from this place So withdrawing thence calling some of the chiefest Lords of the company he entreated them to aduise him particularly what were best to be done in this vrgent necessity Then each man deliuered his opinion which fell out to be different and contrary because some approued the fight of an hundred against an hundred and others of twelue to twelue but the greater number temporized and gaue the like counsell for continuance of warre in manner and forme as it had beene begunne For quoth they to hazard a kingdome vpon the strength of so few men is a matter very dangerous And moreouer it appeareth by Garadans owne words that the Emperour himselfe first beginneth to grow weary of this warre and it may be is so ouerpressed in other places as he will be thereby enforced to withdraw his forces and leaue vs in peace against his owne will Sir said Count Galtines it were very expedient in my minde to craue the counsell of the knight of the greene Sword Now was not he present at this assembly and therefore hee was immediately sent for and being come the King thus spake vnto him My worthy Friend you haue heard at large the speeches of Don Garadan to mee so commanded as he saith by his Maister the
rest he will prooue the onely cause of planting immortall peace betweene you Amadis and all his Linage Therefore good King accept my counsell and you wall finde it for the best Yours in all seruices Vrganda the vnknowne These newes droue the King to no little admiration and but for the high esteeme hee made of Vrganda the vnknowen he should haue giuen slender credite thereto But presently he called to minde that this might be the childe which he found with the Lyonnesse wherevpon he sayd to the Queene I dare assure ye Madam that this day I haue spoken with him of whom Vrganda writes vnto vs and to morrow he will be heere with the good Hermit Nascian who hath reuealed strange matters to me Then he reported in what manner he met him and all that he had heard of the Hermit whereof the good Queene was not a little ioyfull as well because shee should see the childe as to haue some conference with the holy man in cases of Conscience and to be confessed by him Neuerthelesse Madame quoth the King I desire that you would not disclose this to any one vntill such time as hee bee in our presence Afterward they went and sate downe to dinner talking of nothing all that while but what goodly Harts and Hindes they had seene in the Forrest Then came Galaor and Norandell with their venison perswading the King to be earely sturring the next morning for they had fayled in the pursuit of a wilde Boare the most huge and strangest that euer they had seene But hee made them answere that he had receiued certaine letters from Vrganda which he would impart to them the day following and prayed them therfore in the meane space to cherish well the Houndes till all were perfourmed as he had determined Then rising from the Table the King went and conuersed with the Ladies so spending all the rest of the day vntill the houre of repose approached when each one with-drew to their lodgings and on the next morning hauing heard Masse each saluted other with the good morrow The day beganne to grow on apace and the weather was so extraordinary warme that the Queene commaunded the sides of her tents to bee turned vp for better receiuing the fresh coole ayre Then could she discerne a goodly company of Ladies flocking together beneath the toyles in whose presence the King being arriued the Ladies and knights conferring on what they best affected he drewe Vrgandaes Letter forth of his sleeue which hee had receiued the day before thus speaking to Galaor and the rest Now will I shew you an aduertisement that was sent vnto mee yesterday whereat I thinke you will no lesse wonder then I my selfe already haue done Then he read it out so loud among them that euery one might easily heare it Neuerthelesse they could not presume what this happy childe should bee to whom destiny had promised such gracious blessings onely the Princesse Oriana excepted whom it touched neerer then any of the rest not hauing in so long time heard of her lost Sonne This was a notice to raise suspition in her that this might be her child wherupon such an biguous perswasions ouer-tooke her thoughts that aboue ten times she changed colour yet vndiscerned of any there present for they were all attentiue to the Letters reading as also to the Kings speeches who demanded of Galaor to know his opinion Sir said he seeing that Vrganda hath sent it to yee we may well beleeue that it will fall out so considering the trueth of those things which so many times heeretofore she hath foretold and no doubt but God will so permit it for it wold be the greatest to mee that euer can happen in all my life-time to 〈…〉 faire a peace betweene you my Lord Amadis and all the rest of 〈◊〉 friends and kindred Welcome be it quoth the King and as the will of our Lord is so let all bee done As he ended these words afarre off he espied the good Hermite comming the two young Laddes Esplandian and Sergil with two vanassours kinsemen to olde Nascian in such order as I shall describe vnto ye Esplandian had a great Hare and two Partridges hanging on his shoulder which he had â—…in with his Bowe by the way as hee came Sergil led the Lyonnesse in a leashe fastened with a little cord and these followed Nascian and the two other the one of them carrying the Hart which the Lyonnesse had kilde the day before as formerly hath bin related and the other ledde the two Braches belonging to Esplandian coupled together When the Ladies saw the Lyonnesse so slenderly guarded they were so afraid that they came all sate about the king who for their more assurance said Let none be dismayed for he that is maister ouer this Lyonnes in power will defend vs from a more daungerous beast then this is I know not said Galaor who hath most commaund ouer the beast but if shee once waxe displeased the Huntsman that leades her will finde those reines ouer weake to rule and controule her at his pleasure Why quoth the King she is in the conduct of the holy man Nascian therfore boldly let vs goe meete him So each one arose and the King went and embraced the Hermite saying hee was most heartily wel-come Then taking the olde man by the one hand and Esplandian by the other hee presented them both to the Queene Beholde Madame the very goodliest Gentleman that euer you saw Then Esplandian eâ—… as faire forwardnesse as if all 〈◊〉 life-time he had bin brought vp in the Court made her a very gracâ—…s reuerence and presenting her his owne carriage said See heere Madame what hunting sport wee haue had by the way which you may dispose as best you please Pretty youth said the King that power remaines in you onely No Sir answered Esplandian rather in you or this Lady to whom I haue already giuen it Nay quoth the King she had much rather that you wold diuide it among her Ladies according to your owne vnderstanding then if any remaine we will expect our part As the King spake these wordes the Hermite cast his eye vpon the childe who fearing that hee had committed some errour in his talking blushed so sweetly that very pleasingly it became him to behold and pointing to the Hart câ—aâ—â—ng pardon of the King for his offence said My Lord I humbly beseech you to accept this Hart as your owne and my Lady shall haue this Hare but these Partridges are for the tother Lady standing by her This hee spake of Oriana his Mother who darted such a louing look at him as is easier for you to imagine then me to vtter How pretty Sir said the King will you giue nothing to these Gentlemen I haue no more to giue replyed the childe but if I come hither againe tomorrow I will bring them thus such as I can get in the mean while if you be so pleased you may let them
so much forget himselfe to deliuer her to the Romanes And she had solemnely vowed betweene God and her soule that she should be no sooner on Ship-bord but she would throwe her selfe into the Sea and this was her finall conclusion Very well vnderstood Florestan that this close-couched Enigma concerned her selfe whereupon he thus replied Madame God being all made of mercy will neuer bee vnmindefull of them that put their trust in him for as yet hee neuer did and doubtlesse he will not now beginne with so desolate a Damosell As for my Lord Amadis assure your selfe that he is in perfect health continually in quest of strange aduentures so that his famous deeds in farre distant Countries renownes his name in all parts of the world All these words were ouer-heard by the Queene Sardamira and perceiuing that they spake of Amadis she said to Oriana God keepe him from the Emperours fingers for hee is the onely man in the world that he hateth most next to another Knight who soiourned some while in the Court of King Taffinor of Bohemia This Knight I now speake of not much aboue a yeare since ouer-came in open field the most gentle Knight Garadan the onely man in all the Romaine Armie except the noble Prince Saluste Quide who is now come into this Countrie to the King your Father to conclude a marriage betweene his Lord and you And hee beares him this hatred for causing the ouer throw of eleuen other Knights beside whose hope was to reuenge the iniurie done to their friend on the day following the Combate with the first knight being appointed so many to so many This misaduenture so dismayed the whole Romaine Armie that the Emperor was compelled according to a former-made couenant to raise his Campe and to render back to King Taffinor whatsoeuer he had conquered from him Afterward so briefly as she could the Queene reported the whole manner of the seuerall fights and to what issue they sorted as you haue heard already at large So helpe me God Madame answered Florestan although your Emperour should neuer looue him yet there are many other worthy men that wishe him all true happinesse and honour and in my poore opinion Lord Amadis needes not care for his malice Notwithstanding make knowen to vs faire Queene if you can the name of the man so much commended by your selfe Vnderstand Sir quoth she one while he cals him-selfe the Knight with the Greene Sword and another while the Knight of the Dwarfe albeit I am verily perswaded that neither the one or the other is his true name indeed But because hee weares a Sword that hath a scabberd of greene colour and a Dwarfe doth ordinarily attend on him these names haue therefore beene imposed on him and vsually he makes answere to them When Florestan heard these wordes he was very ioyfull knowing for a certaintie that it was Amadis the like did Oriana who had noted the same reportes before by many And because shee was now some hinderance to her that she could not haue any longer priuate conference shee arose thus speaking to the Queene Sardamira Madame in regard of your tedious iourney this day you cannot chuse but be weary wherefore a place of repose is more conuenient for you Then shee conducted her into a goodly Chamber and there leauing her to her owne desseignes went downe into the Garden accompanied with Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke to whom shee declared all her former intelligence concerning the knight of the Green Sword whom they knew assuredly to be Amadis On my faith Madame said Mabila if it be so let mee tell you the Dreame which I had this last night past Me thought that wee were in a Chamber close shut vp and that we heard a great tumultuous noise without which made vs fearefull beyond measure but your Amadis suddenly comming thither brake the doore calling for you out aloud Then I shewing you to him me thought hee tooke you by the hand and so brought vs forth placing vs in a very strong Tower saying to vs Abide heere without any dread or terror and therewithall I happened to wake This makes mee verily beleeue that hee will set you at libertie and free you from their power that hope to haue you hence Deare Friend and Cousin answered Oriana you giue mee great hope and comfort and if I were worthy of such a happinesse I could desire our Lord to heare your good wishes otherwise that wee might both dye in one instant Forbeare such words replyed Mabila for he that is aboue all fortunes whatsoeuer will send you at his good pleasure a better issue out of all troubles then you can wish or imagine But conferre with Florestan and earnestly desire him and his friends to doe their best endeauour to breake the Kings intention that no such conclusion may passe for currant Now let me tell you that Galaor had already done so much as was possible for him not by any aduertisement or entreaty vrged to him on the Princesses behalfe but because he plainely perceiued what shame would ensue by disinheriting Oriana for the aduancement of her Sister Leonora For some day or two before Florestans arriuall at Mirefleure King Lisuart being returned from hunting tooke Galaor aside as they rode on the way thus speaking to him My louing friend I haue euermore found such fidelitie in you and reposed such trust in your counsell as I neuer intend to conclude any mater of importance without imparting it first to you You vnderstand what honour the Emperour hath done me and his embassage so lately sent me requesting to haue my daughter Oriana as his wife wherein as I conceiue our Lord hath wrought most graciously both for her and me because he is the onely potent and redoubted Prince at this day liuing in all Christendome In which respect hee being thus allied with me I shall neuer haue any neighbour or enemy that dare presume any way to offend me and I shal be more respected and dreaded then euer any King of Great Brittaine heeretofore hath beene Moreouer it is a matter almost impossible to seeke any better prouision for her for shee being wife to so mightie an Emperour Leonora shall afterward remaine sole Lady of my Dominions which otherwise may happen to be diuided to our no little detriment and danger And yet let me tell you I purpose not to doe any thing in this case without the aduice of the Lords and Knights of my Court but more especially of you whom I coniure by the loue and affection you haue alwayes borne me to tell me freely your opinion and without any dissimulation Much amazed was Galaor to heare the King vse such language perceiuing apparantly heereby that he meant wholly to disinherite his eldest Daughter and right heire to aduantage the second For this cause he stood a long while very pensiue without answering so much as a word till the King began again thus to rouse him Come Sir
other Knights in his company of no lesse valour and prowesse then hee as I am giuen to vnderstand I am well pleased to Combat against them and you if you haue any wil to take their part prouided that two of my companions may ioyne with mee By this meanes it will be apparantly discerned to whom the honour of victory shall fall the fight being equall of three Romaines against two Greekes and a Knight of great Brittaine Grumedan smiling at the Princes pride returned this answer It were shame for me to make refusall therfore I accept your offer I and those two that shall take my part Thus speaking he drew a Ring from off his finger and making a low reuerence to the King said Behould Sir here is my gage which most humbly I beseech you to receiue on the behalfe of mee and my companions as in iustice you can doe little lesse the Prince Saluste hauing challenged the combat as you your selfe haue heard otherwise hee must either vnsay his words or yeeld him selfe vanquished By God said Saluste sooner shall the Seas be dryed vp then the word of a Romaine be retracted or the least iniury done to his honour And I doe much meruaile Grumedan that you dare speak words so voyd of reason but if age haue made your sences faile you your body must iustly pay the penance in combate for speeches so indiscreetly deliuered Surely Sir answered Grumedan I am yet yong enough to bring mine enterprise to a good issue and to gaine that from you which you imagine to get ouer-easily from me And let me plainly tell you that mine age hath taught me more experience then euer young pride or presumption could learne as I hope is sufficiently seene in you by the proud perswasion you haue of your selfe who rather appeares to be a Captaine of Braggardsâ— then a man to performe any matter indeed With these words arose vp King Arban more then thirty Knights beside to take the cause in hand to maintaine what Grumedan had spoken but the King imposed silence on them commanding them on perill of their liues not to vse anymore such words in his presence Whereupon euery man departed to his lodging leauing Count Argamont alone with the king to whom he spake in this manner Sir haue you not obserued the audacious insolence of these Romanes and how vnreuerently they dare abuse the knights of your Court In your own iudgement they that are so mallepert here what will they not doe in other places In good faith Sir seeing they declare so litle discretion I greatly feare their behauiour to the Princosse Oriana euen so soone as you shall haue lost sight of her And yet notwithstanding as I hear you haue already giuen them your grant for her which makes mee to meruaile not a little whence this strange fancie in you should proceed considering that neuer did any Prince so wise and iudicious as you haue alwayes bin esteemed so far forget himself wherby plainly appeareth that you are desirous to tempt your own good fortune to let loose the reines of diuers disasters very ominous to this whole kingdome Haue you forgotteÌ„ what especiall graces our Lord hath in a maner heaped vpon you And doe you not stand in feare of his anger Fortune is not she mutable Are you now to learne that when shee growes weary of good turns to him whom she hath exalted she wil chastise him afterward with many stripes yee with such cruel tortures as are a thousand times worse then death Pardon me Sir I beseech you if the faith I beare you haue made me thus bold to speake such words as perhaps you like not you are not ignorant how transitory the matters of this world are and that all the renowne glory which by long and tedious trauell can bee gotten in this life is oftentimes quenched and quite buried vpon a very small occasion if Fortune doe but once distaste the person So that if any remembrance remaine of a mans former felicity this blame will only liue vpon him that hee did not make vse of his precedent happines but rather entertayned it with an idle and negligent respect Pausing here a while and hearing the King to returne no answere hee began againe thus Sir doe but thinke on the fault you sometime fell into by banishing so many good Knights farre hence as Amadis his brethren kinred and friendes by whom you were feared honoured and respected euery-where And being scarcely freed from this mishap will you voluntarily fall into a worse Vndoubtedly I must needes imagine that God and all good successe hath forsaken you because you haue first forsaken him For if it were otherwise you would accept the counsell of them that desire to liue no longer then in loue faithfull seruice to you But seeing what I doe I am content to discharge the homage and duty I owe you and with-draw my selfe into mine owne territories because I will auoyde so much as possibly I may the iust complaints and teares of your Daughter Oriana at such time as you deliuer her according to your promise and the manifold miseries that will ensue thereon to your dishonour and woefull ouer-throw of this famous Realme Vncle replied the King that which is done is done were I to dye I will not falsifie my word But I pray you to abide heere two or three dayes longer to see what issue these new-attempted Combats will sort vnto because I elect you as Iudge of these exploytes with such beside as your self shal make choyse of Heerein you shall yeeld mee great contentment and such seruice as cannot be more acceptable because we haue no one heere that vnderstandeth the Greeke language better then you doe Sir quoth Count Argamont seeing such is your pleasure farre be it from me to contradict it yet vnder this condition that afterward you will dispense with my departure for it will be impossible for me to abide among such grieuous mournings as must needs succeed this heaâ—y fortune So breaking off their discourse by reason of the Prince Saluste Quides comming Count Argamont with-drew himselfe leauing the King and Prince in priuate conference Now we may not bee vnmindfull of Lasinde the Squire to Don Bruneo who compassed so good meanes that he attained to true intelligence of all matters and conference since the Damosell-Messengers departure Wherefore seeing the night fast hastening on secretly he left the Court and made his speedy passage by Boate to the Greeke knight whom he acquainted with the Prince Salustes request to the King the answere of Don Grumedan and all things else in their due proceeding This fell out to his no little comfort and so much the rather because now hee knew he should meddle with none but Romanes whereas he feared before that either his brother Galaor or some other as worthy a Knight of Great Brittaine would steppe into his place on the Ladies behalfe And then hee knew too well that neuer could
beseech you so much as a man may doe that before you send her so farre hence you would maturely consider it and iudge thereof without any partiall affection For as we commonly see that a wise man seldome fals into any errour when he is guided and led by reason euen so we discerne the contrary when he pâ—esumeth so much vpon himselfe that he will allow of no counsell but out of his owne braine then he falles into greater dangers then all his after-wit can recouer as by wofull experience hath bin obserued in many Princes You see my Lord what extremitie your Daughter Oriana is in and if you well consider thereon you may easilie iudge what inconuenience may happen to her person by an inward violent-conceiued despaire which afterward all your life-time you may at leysure repent Beyond all this you will runne into an vnauoydable blame not only of strangers but euen of your owne subiects and thereby grow hatefull to them whereon must needes ensue many mis-fortunes Therefore beleeue the counsell of them that solie desire the good benefit and honour of you and your kingdome whereby no perill what-soeuer can happen to you in so doing but if it should fall out otherwise yet you stand clearely excused and they bound to prepare all possible remedies These considerations my royall Maister do importune my soule with endlesse imprecations that you would vse a fatherly pitty and please these Ambassadors by some other means then the precious price of your daughters blood Vncle quoth the King these words haue moued too much therefore if you meane to please me vse no more of them So turning from him he espied the Prince Saluste Quide and Brandaiell enter the Garden who being come neerer called them to him saying Lords my daughter is now come to court and she is somewhat sickly but I trust she will be better amended to morrow Sir answered Brandatell we gladly would haue her deliuered to vs so soone as may stand with your liking because the Emperour our Master exspects her day by day according as he hath written to you You know replyed the King that I haue conseâ—ted to his request against the whole opinion of the knights of my Court yea and contrary to her will too Notwithstanding I haue done it in regard of the Emperors vertues and the hope I haue of her honorable respect and entertainment In the meane while forbeare a little that she may forget what shee must forsake and prouide your shipping in a readines for this next weeke ensuing I will deliuer her to you fully furnished My Lord answered the Prince Saluste Quide it is not to bee wondred at if at the first she mouâ—ne for parting from you but I am well assured that so soone as she shall be arriued at Rome beholding so many great Lords to giue her obeysance the triumphes prepared to welcome her and aboue all the choyce loue and respect of the Emperour to her her ancient breeding will easily bee forgotten Moreouer if you please to grace Olinda with her company I meane to make her my wife so soone as she comes there because I finde her to be a wise and vertuous Lady Beleeue me quoth the King I wishe it might bee so And then he entred into a large discourse of such especiall vertues remaining in her as more could not be found in any Lady By this time the Tables were couered for dinner in the midst wherof they that intended to combate with Grumedan came and presented themselues speaking thus to King Lisuart Sir you know what words were vsed some few dayes past by Lord Grumedan to the great disgrace of the Romanes so that Prince Saluste and we with him do come to challenge him the combate Because hee shall well know that it ill becomes such an old dotard as he is to make comparison with knights of Rome therefore if you be so pleased it shall be performed tomorrow for it grieues vs that he should remaine so long vnpunished Don Grumedan hearing himselfe thus abused beganne to change colour and as hee was about to make answere the king seeing him in choler arose and said to him Grumedan you haue euermore hitherto beene wise and temperate especially in speech let mee then request you to conceale your displeasure and onely answere to the combat which these Knights doe vrge you to Sir said Grumedan seeing it is your will it shall be so and to morrow I will not faile to meete them in the field according to my promise where I hope to reuenge the wrong they haue done mee in your presence So the King rose from the Table and went into his Chamber with Grumedan demaunding there of him where were they whom he had chosen to take his part Sir said he first I know the right on my side and if Galaor come to morrow as I think he will I am well assured that hee will beare me companie but if hee come not then will I fight with them all three one after another That may not be answered the king for you haue consented to three against three and so the oath remaines before me recorded which makes me stand in great doubt of you because they are young and strong you aged and weake and without any to helpe you Sir said Grumedan God who hateth pride and presumption wherewith they are too much enflated can prouide helpe when it is least looked for But if the worst should happen I know two of mine owne kinsemen that wil not deny to ayde me against them were they farâ—e better knights then they are The King pausing a while suddenly said I haue considered otherwise for you I will disguise my selfe and second you in the cause for assure your selfe you and I shall well hold out against them all three God forbid Sir answered Grumedan that you should so endanger your royall person for me Why said the King in better place I can neuer doe it and neuer else can I iustly acknowledge the manifold seruices you haue done for me hazarding your life in so many seuerall dangers onely for the defence of me and my Realme Sir quoth he the present demonstration of your gracious goodnes towardes me hath so farre enlarged the obligation of my duty to you that if I could dye a thousand deathes in your seruice I should yet confesse my selfe more indebted to you â—ut neuer feare man replyed the king my heart hath yet courage enough and this arme is endued with sufficient strength to maintaine a quarrell of greater moment Pardon me Sir said Grumedan neuer will I giue consent thereto considering what wrong you shall doe to your selfe you being a king of vpright iustice should deale as truely with a stranger as him that is your familiar friend Well quoth the King seeing you are so earnest I will vrge it no further although it goes much against my minde goe then and prouide for your busines for you haue no time now of trifâ—ing delaying
messengers to our kinred and friends to supply vs with their best succour when we shall require it Such was the answere of Quedragant and approued by all the Knights there present whereupon it was concluded that Amadis should send a messenger to his father King Perion of Gaule also Agraies into Scotland Brunco to the Marquesse his father and Quedragant to the Queene of Ireland of whom he should haue many able men if her husband King Cildadan brought no worse then he did to the ayde of King Lisuart This was made knowne to the Princesse Oriana and their finall deliberation for procurement of peace As thus they continued in these conferences some of them standing in the gazing windowes which had full view vpon the fields they espied comming from the coast that gaue entrance into the Isle a Knight all armed with fiue Squires attending on him who when hee drew neerer they knew him to be Briande Moniaste sonne to Lazadan King of Spaine of whose arriuall they were all right ioyfull for hee was an amiable bold and hardie Knight and as courteous as any whatsoeuer Hee espying so great a company there together vpon their comming foorth to meete him began to grow doubtfull that they had heard some euill tyding of Amadis for whose sake and search hee had expressely left the King his fathers Court But perceiuing that their intention was to salute him and seeing Amadis there among them he instantly alighted and running to embrace him said Trust me my Lord the quest I vndertooke to heare newes of you is sooner ended then I expected for I was giuen to vnderstand that you were so closely hid as it was a matter impossible to finde you but God be praised for it me thinkes I see you in very sound health Cousine quoth Amadis you are most kindely welcome hether assuring you that as Fortune hath released you from one toyle and trauaile so now she hath as readily fitted you with an other answerable both to to the time and place where your presence and imployment may much auaile vs as you hereafter shall heare more at large In the meane while I thinke it conuenient that you should be disarmed and then wee will tell you our mindes afterward So taking him by the hand hee conducted him to his lodging where as they were taking off his Armes seeing such store of Knights flocke more and more about him he sayd to Amadis My Lord I am verily perswaded that so faire an assembly of worthy and valiant men could neuer be thus met together but vpon some extreame vrgent cause therefore I pray you tell me what it is Hereupon Amadis amply related to him how and in what manner all things had past especially the churllish ingratitude which King Lisuart vsed not onely to the Knights that had done him infinite seruices but also to his owne children enforcing one of them through ouergreedie and great auarice to bee disinherited from her right and meerely against her will sent to Rome to be wife to the Emperour and that is Madame Oriana And this is the cause that so many of vs are here assembled together quoth Brian is the Princesse Oriana at Rome No replied Amadis we haue forcibly taken her from the Romans that had the charge of her conuoy And now at this present shee is here in this Pallace with all the Ladies and Gentlewomen that were in her companie Now shall we easily redeliuer thē except King Lisuart determine more respect of them then hitherto he hath done Afterward he told him what was resolued on by them all which Brian liked as well as they albeit hee conceiued that the iniuries of two such potent Princes by this defeature would not bee suddenly appeased Notwithstanding seeing that which was done could not be recalled he dissembled his cogitations and onely answered thus I know King Lisuart to be one of the most reuengefullest Princes this day liuing and very hard to endure an iniurie therefore you must quickly consider on some resistance if he shall offer to assaile you and I hold it more requisite to take order for all inconueniences which may ensue by his means then to consume time in friuolous words Of one thing I am highly glad that Madame Oriana and her women haue so happie a retirement and I would gladly see her if you please Let me tell you Sir answered Amadis my Cousine Agraies and my Brother Florestan are appointed to make her acquainted with our deliberation and you may goe along with them being well assured that it will be no meane ease to her to conferre with you on her misfortunes in priuate No time was delayed in going to her but before they would presume to enter her lodgings they sent her word that they came to her from the whole company Hereupon their entrance was admitted and she went to meete them especially Brian whom she had not seene in a long time and therefore as he did her reuerence she said vnto him Cousine you are come hither in a very good time to defend the libertie of a Lady who stands in great neede of such helpe as yours Madame said he I had not so long delayed my comming hither but that presently after the seuen Kings ouerthrow in Great Brittaine the King my father commanded my home returne to with-stand the warre which the people of Affrica made vpon him And scarsely was it ended but I vnderstood my Cousine Amadis was so farre distant from his friends through some conceiued griefe or displeasure as no tidings could be heard of him Wherefore fearing least he was lost for euer I resolued to enter vpon his quest both in the loue and reuerence I beare vnto him This was the occasion that drew mee from Spaine being fully perswaded that I should sooner haue notice of him here then in any other place else whatsooner And Fortune I thanke her hath guided mee hither where I haue met with apt occasion not onely to doe him seruice but also for you royall Princesse for which great kindnesse Oriana returned him infinite thankes But now before I passe on any further I thinke it very necessarie to tell you what was the principall motiue and reason why so many good Knights and worthy men should beare such honour and good will to this Princesse Asiure your selues it was not for any guifts or presents she had bestowed on them she being as yet voide of all meanes to that effect Much lesse for any fauour by Amadis borne to her the loue betweene them both being kept so secret as you haue heard at large in the precedent Bookes But indeed she was so humble wise and debonnaire that by her meere humility and courtesie shee knew how to steale the heartie affections of euery one A matter so apt and proper to heroyick persons and them deriued from great place as they haue no other powers or faculties but such as make them to bee more honoured praised and esteemed Consider then in what
vs â—…th especially by the means of my Cosen Now trust me Sir said Oriana I am not a little amazed that you hauing such assurance of the vnfained loue I beare you should now seeme doubtfull thereof doe you imagine that I desire not your ease as much as mine owne Before God I speake it I haue no pleasure but by you neither any ease but to see you satisfied But consider the tumultuous estate wherein we are and that if we were neuer so little discouered it would bee to the vtter ruine of vs both So many eyes obserue our behauiour here as neuer did the like when wee were in company with the Queen my mother And here our actions are so narrowly pursued as without exterme danger no such aduenture may be made as you speake of Excuse me therefore I entreat you let this remain for your settled contentment that I am so faithfully yours as both my oath and promise haue strictly bound me Madame answered Amadis I will practise how I may best please you and to bring my thoughts to your obedience albeit I much misdoubt that this compulsion will hardly holde out if it be not the better backt by your fauour from which it appeareth you seek to exclude me without offending either in worde or thought and that I dare maintaine on the perill of my soule With these wordes the teares gushed out of his eyes where at Oriana grieuing said Exclude my best comfort Sooner let me die ten thousand deaths I know the truth of your loyaltie and can desire no better testimony thereof then the iust apprehension of mine owne conscience And take not in ill part what I haue said to you for the feare of your so long absence from me as in these lauer yeares you haue beene was the onely motiue of this language What more advantage then can you require of me Let the King my father make peace or warre with you he can make me neither lesse nor more yours then resolvedly I am As shee would haue continued on these speeches Mabila who served to theÌ„ but as a shadow perceiving many eyes fixed vpon them spake thus closely Enough for this time every eye notes you Sweet friend quoth Oriana dry vp your teares and sit by your Cousin who will tell you some things that yet you never heard of and wherein I thinke you will take a little delight So she left them together returning againe to the Queene Sardamira and Brian In which time Mabila told him at large how Esplandian was borne and by what mishap he was lost in the Forrest as Durin and the Damsoll of Denmarke carried him to Nurse And last â—…ll adventures happening to him till hee came into his mothers protection againe as you haue heard more at large declared in the third Book Amadis heere at was to ioyfull as no man could be more and answered Mibila thus Beleeue me Cosin I was continually full of doubt for at my returne from Constantinople by chance I met with Angriote d'Estreâ—â—aus who reported all that to me which you haue told me concerning 〈◊〉 but he knew not whose sonne he was neverthelesse my heart was suddenly inspired with a perswasion that Madame Oriana and I together had some right in him And so much the father 〈…〉 bring the letter I received from you by 〈◊〉 being as then in the 〈…〉 whereby you gaue me to vnderstand that my lynage was encreased yet durst I not presume in what manner But now heaven be praised we are both well assured and better satisfied then ever before especially my selfe more contented then if I had conquered the greater part of the world not only for being father to Esplandian but because I begot him on her whom fortune hath preferred before all other both in vertue beauty and all other good graces Yet haue I suffered so much for her sake as if I were able to express but only a half part of those cares that kept mee company during her absenc your selfe would complaine much more then I haue done Here fetching a deepe sigh hee breathed a while and afterward thus went on But fortune made me a most honorable recompence sending mee in such a convenient season to deliver her from her enemies hand for if it had falne out otherwise questionlesse it had beene the death of vs both But that which now doth most offend me onely is feare of her sicknesse by her contiâ—…all griefe and melancholy shee being not in the company of the Queene her mother and in the King her fathers disgrace Wherefore I beseech you good Cosin comfort her so much as possibly you can by cherishing her hopes that heaven will giue furtherance to these affaires beside so 〈◊〉 good Knights are heere assembled together who will all be 〈◊〉 in the smallest peeces rather then she shall suffer any shame or 〈◊〉 And for this cause we haue â—…ded before any warre shall bee attâ—…d to send to King 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 to appeâ—… his 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 againe his gratious favour for her provided that all alliance with the Emperour be quite broken off otherwise we are resolved never to deliver her Meane while we haue dispatched Ambassadours to all parts to procure aid and succour among our friends to the end that if he refuse our honest offer and will needs enter the field against vs wee may bee able like good men to make him answer Cosin answered Mabila I will do all that I can for you and never credite me but Madame Oriana doth highly applaud this her good fortune assuring you that we all endured such greivance by her in your absence but especially when she heard of her intended marriage to the Emperour as you would haue stood amazed to behold the sorrowes which I haue seene her suffer But because you vnderstand sufficiently both the reason of the cause and what iust right you haue in her I will loose no more time to remember you of that which needs not Let it suffice you that you haue brought her so farre into loues extremitie as possibly more cannot be Now in regard that the houre was come for Quedragant and the rest to depart thence and had-already taken leaue of Oriana Amadis and Mabila gaue over talking So the Knights went forth of the chamber giuing the goodnight to the Ladies returned to their owne lodgings Where now for a while we meane to leaue them to the end that wee may tell you how King Lisuart came acquainted with the death of the Prince Saluste Quide and ouerhrowe of the Emperours men CHAP. VI. How newes was brought to King Lisuart of the Romans foyle and ouer-throwe and how his daughter Oriana was taken from them where at he grieued greatly THE end of the third Booke related to you how King Lisuart deliuered his daughter to the Romans against the opinion of all his Councel And she being on Shipboard well appointed with Ships for the conuoy set on to Sea Afterward beeing
liking howbeit I make no doubt but that they will serue you in all loyalty You haue said well answered the King but wee are not now to stand vpon these tearmes I doe not craue your counsell whether I should determine peace or warre but only would know of you by what means I may be best reuenged Sir quoth hee by my former speeches you may easily knowe that Assemble your forces send to your friends for assistance especially to the Emperour of Rome because this case concerneth him as nearely as you Afterward your Army beeing ready march on without any dallying towardes them whom you meane to assault But before you doe this it were good in mine oppinion to practice some meanes whereby you may call home some that are farre off from your seruice partly through discontentment partly by wrongs offered I vrge this motion because if they be not willing to ayde you they should not resolue to offend you For being forth of your Land it would fal out dangerous if they should conspire and bend themselues against you if Fortune doe lowre that day vpon you For many times it comes to passe that distastes and dissents led by length of time doe soonest make their outward appearance when his power against whom the conspiracy is meant growes weake decayed Wherefore Sir this is one of the chiefest points whereof you are maturely to consider Truly said the King I know that you haue spoken to the purpose will do therein what I can Sir said Grumedan Amadis hath bin here-tofore so well accepted in your Court as no man posibly could be more and I could heartily wish that those villaines which caused this so long separation had neuer been borne into the world And although I am his friend intirely so shall I bee no enemy to you if you desist from beeing his Wherefore according to the aduice giuen you by King Arban it were good that aboue all other things you reconcile them to you that pertake with him winning their hearts and willes by little and little as easily you may doe giuing them good lookes and gracious language Then hauing the help of Rome and other your allies as the Kings of Ireland Suetia I make no question but you may with little ease attaine to your intention euen according to your owne minde But my good Lord said Guillan before any matter at all be attempted it were good to know if those men may bee resolued on whom you haue named Are you sure that the Emperour will meddle in the cause He is a man of very slender faith and as ill affected of his owne people as can be Are you certaine also that the King of Suctia will doe as you say If his Maiestie were so pleased Ambassadours should be sent to them speedily to entreate their fauour in this case shewing them apparantly that if reuenge for such a wrong were iustly inflicted it would with-draw any from attempting the like In good sadnesse saide the King you haue very well aduised and because you Lord Guillan doe sufficiently vnderstand the businesse I pray you take the charge vpon you to the Emperor for I know no Knight more able to preuaile with him then you are Sir saide Guillan I was not borne but for your seruice when and where you shall please to commande mee Make ready then quoth the King to morrow you shall haue Letters of credence only and the rest remaine to your owne report So they arose from Councell and each man returned to his lodging till the next morning when the King sending for Guillan saide vnto him Lord Guillan according to our conclusion yester-day you must depart towards the Emperor and with as much expedition as may be To him make knowne how matters haue come to passe that hauing deliuered my daughter to his Ambassadours shee was afterwards surprised from them and forcibly carried to the Enclosed Isle his men all slaine or taken prisoners whereof hee ought to haue respect this iniury redounding as much to him as me If he offer aid and will leuy an Army to be reuenged say that on my part shall be no defailance in any thing my power can stretch vnto If you find him willing to proceed effectually returne againe with all possible diligence that our enemies may haue no leasure to fortifie themselues as I am certaine they intend to doe Sir answered Guillan God giue me grace to accomplish your will in this and any thing else you shall please to employ mee in Worthy friend said the King there are your Letters of credence and if it bee possible set away to morrow morning early for one of my best Ships is made ready for you and waites your comming in the hauen Sir replied Guillan there shall bee no want of duty in me And so taking his leaue and giuing order for his further affaires he went aboard and set away The very same day Brandoynas also was dispatched for Galuanes in the Isle of Mongaza and from thence into Ireland to King Cildadan to make ready so many men as he could Philipinell was sent to Gasquilan King of Suetia who sometime came into Great Brittaine to approue his manhood against Amadis King Lasuart sent him word that if his spleene as yet continued hee should now haue better meanes then euer because the warre was intended against him So farre did these newes fly abroad that they came to the vnderstanding of Archalaus the Enchanter to his no little ioy and comfort intending by this occasion the vtter ruine of King Lisuart and likewise of Amadis And for his speedier attaining thereto he went presently to King Aramyne who hearing of his ariuall gaue him most royall entertainement presuming peremptorily that hee would not come into his countrie but vpon some very vrgent occasion Beeing priuately seated together Archalaus thus began Sir some few dayes since I receiued credible information that King Lisuart and Amadis de Gaule two of the deadliest enemies you haue are fallen vpon such a quarrell as without any hope of peace euer to come betweene them they muster men for a maine battell out of which they cannot escape but with the finall destruction of the one or other perhaps of them both together And because occasion doth expressely call you as wel to reuenge your former losses in times past as also to extend your limits by peaceable making your selfe King of Great Brittaine me thinkes you should not delay the mustering of your men and summoning all your friends together that while they cauill maintaine their quarrell so farre off you may take so apt an aduantage and make an easie entrance into Brittaine If they chance to meet and fight the field then without giuing the least leasure to the conqueror to breath or refresh his followers you may set vpon him so opportunately and bid him so hot an vnexpected battaile as none of them can escape with life Now Sir to acquaint you with the cause of
Court of King Lisuart there to maintaine against all commers that she was a fairer woman than the choicest Virgin in all that countrie Then hee related at large how all things had past especially his Combate about that cause against the Romanes who meerely in presumption vndertooke the fight but spedde according to their deserts And indeede Sir quoth hee they thought that they cōtended against a Greeke Knight so that before they entered the Combate they made little account of him speaking it publikely that neuer Greek durst be so bolde as to deale with a Roman man to man but easily should vanquish him as they had done many other before But the successe fell out contrary to their expectation for they were foyled one after another and indeede with no more then resistance of cōmon course Beleeue me saide the Emperour I reioyce in all his happie fortunes and credit it assuredly that if I had meanes whereby to doe him any pleasure hee should well knowe that I am his friend to my vttermost power Sir answered Master Elisabet your gracious offer can neuer shewe it selfe in a more needfull season and now hee doth most humbly require it Say you so said the Emperour let me know how Then Master Elisabet proceeded thus Sir after hee had abated the Ramanes daring pride he withdrew himselfe to the Enclosed Isle which is his owne by iust title and there he found a great number of Knights ready bound for the Sea in succour of Madame Oriana eldest daughter to King Lisuart whom against her will he would haue married to the Emperour of Rome and quite dis-inherited her to aduance his youngest daughter Leonara contrary to all aduice and opinion not only of the Princes and Lords of his land but also of his subiects in generall Whereof Lord Amadis beeing aduertised hee highly commended their enterprise so that on the day ensuing they put forth to Sea and hulled about the straites for them that had the Princesse in charge Manfully were they assayled after a long and fierce conflict vanquished taken prisoners and the Ladies thus rescued conuayed to the Enclosed Isle where now they abide at this present Neuerthelesse they sent Ambasdours to King Lisuart as well to let him vnderstand vpon what occasion they had thus rescued his daughter as also to entreate her home acceptation againe without sending her any more so farre from him considering the great wrong hee did therein to him selfe But as they doubted so it came to passe for without any regard to their honest offer hee stood mainely on his owne strength and would haue that by force which they tendered him freely For this cause Sir my Lord Amadis and all his worthy band of Knights with him do humbly entreate you holding the prime place among Christian Princes being Gods deputie and minister to maintaine right and iustice especially when such a vertuous Princesse is so highly wronged that you would be pleased to send them some succour wherein you shall binde them all to you while they liue or can bee imployed any way in your seruice with their vttermost paines All this while the Emperor lending an attentiue care to Master Elisabets wordes sate very pensiue as considering that hardly would this enterprise be ended without a long and doubtfull warre For hee well knew that King Lisuart was a Prince of vndauntable spirit and the Emperour of Rome was a man immeasurably proude too much opinionate of his owne fortune On the other side knowing what iust occasion the Knights of the Enclosed Isle had to rescue Oriana in so deep distresse and how highly him selfe stood obliged to Amadis not onely for the monster Endriagus death but also for taking such pains as to come see him in Constantinople and what bountifull offers hee had made him beside he resolued to send him succour with all speed speaking thus to Master Elisabet My worthy good friend Lord Amadis shall haue of mee his owne desire and such an Army will I send him as both Patin and King Lisuart shall well know how dearly I respect and esteeme him These royall words were so pleasing to all the Knights there present especially to Gastilles as presently hee fell vpon his knees saying Sir if euer I did you any acceptable seruice I most humbly entreate you that in recompence of all you would please to permit me that I may be one in the number of them apointed for this honourable succour for I neuer vndertooke any voyage that could bee more welcome to me than this Nephew answered the Emperour you the Marquesse Saluder shall goe together in my steede and therefore giue order that such shipping bee made ready as is needfull for passage to the Enclosed Isle with ten-thousand approoued warriours which shall goe with you Sir said Maister Elisabet I must needs returne speedily into Romania where Grasinda my Mistresse hath already taken order for an Army of men leauied in this cause and them to passe along with mee thither Wherefore may it please you to licence my departure to the end that in due time I may crosse the Seas and embarke our forces to ioyne with theirs Friend replied the Emperour rest your selfe here some two or three dayes and afterwarde depart at your owne pleasure CHAP. XII How Gandalin ariued in Gaule And of the speeches betweene him and King Perion GGandalin being parted from the Enclosed Isle preuailed so well by his diligence that in few dayes he ariued in Gaule euen at the place where King Perion as then soiourned who was not a little ioyfull to see him as being assured that hee brought some tydings of his sonne whom hee had not seene in six yeares and more Hereupon hee sent immediately for him and he hauing done such dutie as became him deliuered his Letters from Amadis declaring that he had left him in the Enclosed Island Now in regarde other matters of moment were referred to his report the King demanded of him what newes hee had to impart to him Sir said Gandalin my Lord and all his honorable companions stand in great need of succour from you What is the matter replied the King Then Gandalin without omitting any thing reuealed the whole businesse as you haue heard before discoursed Hereat the King was much amazed howbeit hee made no outward shew thereof and gaue command beside not to vse any speech of these newes especially to Galaor because as yet hee was very weake by reason of a disease hanging long vpon him But quoth hee if he demand wherefore thou art come hither tell him it was to vnderstand of my health and to morrowe I will take order according as thy Master hath required Galaor had immediate intelligence that Gandalin was come to Court wherefore hee sent to request the King that Gandalin might come to him to tell him some tydings of his brother Amadis And although hee was in such weake estate that hee could hardly support himselfe yet hee arose and embraced
was not a little mooued and fearing that hee would not keep promise with him a Brigandine was presently prepared and his Nephew Giontes sent in all haste to Rome to know the cause of this delay and so he parted from Vindilisore CHAP. XIII How Grasandor Sonne to the King of Bohemia sayling vpon the Sea met with Giontes and of that which happened to them YOu haue already heard that Grasandor hauing taken leaue of the King his father was shipt to Sea accompanied onely with twenty Knights sayling towards the Enclosed Isle Earely in a morning about sunne rising hee discouered the Brigandine wherein Giontes was which foorthwith hee boarded hauing the winde more at will than the other had Then Grasandor being desirous to know whether hee went commanded 〈…〉 should come before him for hee had no power of contradiction because hee had none but Manners aboard with him Wherefore hee gaue him to vnderstand that his voyage was to Rome thereto enioyned by King Lisuart entreating that hee might be no longer staied because his businesse required expedition Grasandor replied thus Before God quoth he hee that hath sent you is no well-wisher to Lord Amadis to whom I am an eternall vowed friend therefore you must reli mee your name and what commission you haue to Rome otherwise you cannot easily passe from me If by concealing what you demand answered Giontes the least iot of the King my masters honour might be deminished death could not compell me to disclose it But redounding to his fame with no meane aduantage being a matter of no great secrecy know Sir that my name is Giontes a Knight of Great Brittaine and Nephew to the King of whom I spake who hath sent me to the Emperour to hasten those forces formerly promised him for his intended warre against them that haue wrongfully surprised his daughter Oriana and diuerse other in her company vnder conduct of the Prince Saluste Quide and other Romanes whereof som were slain others takeÌ„ prisoners Now Sir hauing thus satisfied you I pray you let me be stayed no longer Goe a Gods name answered Grasandor and remember that your King and his Emperour shall sinde with whom they haue to deale if they aduenture to assaile Amadis and them that will be in his company So they parted Grasandor hastening towardes the Enclosed Isle 〈…〉 beeing ariued hee was most ioy fulle welcomed Amadis and the rest entertayning him in most 〈…〉 manner Then hee reforted to them how hee met with Gâ—…tes at Sea who went to hasten the Emperour of Romes Army and what other speeches had passed between them Also how the King his father was leuying men in his Kingdome to follow after him with all possible speed and very shortly they were to bee expected with Count Galtines and Ysario who stayed behinde only for their conduct In the meane while quoth hee I as one entirely affected to you am come before to offer you both my loue and seruice You are most heartily welcome answered Amadis the King your father binds mee more and more both to him and you in all I can Now obserue how from that very instant the Army for the Enclosed Isle gathered strength and grew compleate within fifteen daies after For King Perion ariued there with three thousand Gaules all well experienced and hardy warriours Galtines with fifteen hundred Tantiles for Queene Briolanis with 12 hundred Branfill brother to Brunes with six hundred Two thousand were sent by Ladasin King of Spaine to his sonne and other fifteene hundred came from Scotland sent to Agraies besides two thousand which Libeo Nephew to Master Elisabet brought from Grasindaes Prouinces all carrying Turkie Bowes Eight thousand likewise came vnder the conduct of Gastiles sent from the Emperour of Constantinople all these being encamped on a goodly plaine hard by the maine Rock of the Enclosed Isle couragiously expected the enemies comming And you must thinke that it was a goodly sight to behold so faire an assembly for there was not a man among them but his very lookes expressed the resolution of his soule and that hee was a warriour indeed which pleased Amadis so highly as nothing could more content him But the Princesse Oriana thinking continually on such mischances as might ensue in such cases had euermore her eyes filled with tears refusing all comfort that came from the women wherewith Mabila acquainted Amadis who was not a little grieued thereat And seeing he had no better meanes to delight her then to present before her eyes how many valiant men had vnder-taken Armes in her defence hee sent to entreate her that she would bee pleased to behold them on the morrowe all ordered in the forme of a maine battell and therefore secretly gaue the alarum which she and the other Ladies accepted verie pleasingly For from their windowes they could discerne all the field Amadis in the night time had closely ambushed an hundred men and three hundred Harquebuziers to confront them sayling all along the Sea shoar and about ten of the clock the next morning they entred into skirmish the Allarum being giuen on either side The morning after sunne-rising prooued very foggie and mistie so that the Ladies could not discerne any of the sport but after that the sunne had scattered the mists then the warriours ranged their battalions and the Harquebuziers plaied hotly with their shotte so that the Scouts and Centinells fearing to bee surprised on either side made their escapes queint and cunning Then was the whole campe so moued euen as if the heauens had thuÌ„dered by the noise of Drummes Trumpets and Clarions cheerfully sounding on euery side And as they laboured for winning of Ensines the men appeared like Ants very properly stealing abroad forth of their earth where all summer they made their prouision for winter In the meane while the Ladies were on all sides at their gazing windowes beholding this militarie controuersie which serued as a pleasing passe-time to them by reason of the intelligence Amadis had giuen them thereof the day before As thus they were pell mell together Mabila with a very gracious respect came to Oriana speaking thus By my faith Madame there are many great Princes and Potentates who haue not such plenty of men at command as you haue I referre my selfe to this instant spectacle before your eyes What say you yourselfe Is it not true How happy then were you in making due consideration hereof and how much you can command in him to whom this whole Army affordeth obedience I am perswaded that if King Lisuart and the Emperour which neuer shal be your husband did but beholde what you now doe they would consider twice on their enterprise before they ventured any further forth of their countries Wherefore it is no more then necessarie that hence-forward you should refraine your sighes tears and shew a much more cheerefull disposition then hitherto you haue done Deare Cosen answered Orania it is impossible for mee to be pleasantly
buriall then any man can wish for For the whole earth in generall is the rightfull graue wherein to interre the bodies of men illustrious and famous whose memories are not so well preserued by priuate inscriptions epitaphes as by their owne legittimate renowne which extendeth and publisheth it selfe in the remotest nations who doe more discreetly consider in their soules the height and aduancement of their courage then the disaster which hath befallen them For it hath bin vniuersally obserued that negligence the fittest attendant for shame is much more irkesome and distastefull to a man that hath a found and entire minde then any death whatsoeuer happening to him by valour with vnconquerable hope of publike glory All this confirmeth my beleefe deare and worthie friends that scorning to degenerate from your famous predecessors you will performe so much that the world shall witnesse your great vertue and constancy and that the death of your Prince is not the stroke that strikes you all dead Wherefore I desire you to let mee vnderstand how you are addicted to the end that according to your resolution I may set in order such affaires as are needfull for my selfe Assuring you in the worde of a King that were I sure to dy a thousand deaths yet will I not depart from hence till I see the end of mine enemies or they of me These words so exalted the harts of the hearers that they answered as with a common consent they were now more willing to fight then euer for which King Lisuart thanked them most hartily All this beeing done hee gaue order that the Emperours body should be carried to the Monastarie of Lubania vntill better opportunity should serue to performe such sollemne obsequies funerall pompe as in like cases is required Then he sent his Chirurgions to haue dilligent care of the wounded to whom he gaue great gifts and promises as also to many Captaines of the Armie And this hee did not without great cause for euery mans hope next to the fauour of his Prince of honest â—eeâ—mpence for his pains makes hin Nâ—oft-times fight and aduenture 〈…〉 life the more boldly as now all these men were resolued to doe at their next encounter But God in whose hands all things doe consist ordered matters farre otherwise as forthwith shall be declared amply to you The fame of the marriage of Oriana with the Emperour of Rome had spread it selfe in so many places that the good olde Hermit who nourished Esplandian in his infant daies had intelligence therof especially of the Kings subiects dislike in compelling his daughter against her will to vndergoe a businesse so displeasing to her and lastly what succour was sent to Amadis in the Enclosed Isle wherupon two great Armies were met in field together Here I must also tell you that hee well knew the successe of their loue the estate and conscience of Oriana how she and Amadis had promised marriage ech to other vnder which contracted couenant Esplandian was begotten and therefore she could not be giuen in marriage to any other but our Lord would be highly displeased therewith For this cause hee concluded to trauaile to the Enclosed Isle to obtaine leaue licence of her to acquaint King Lisuart with so much as hee knew Here-upon so ouer-spent with yeares as hee was hee mounted on his Asle and accompanied onely with another good man bequeathed him-selfe to trauaile and ariued at the Pallace of Apolidon immediately after King Perions departure wherwith he was not a little discontented fearing hee should not execute his enterprise so speedily but that the two Armies would preuent him Oriana was quickelod quainted with his comming aâ—…ee entertained most humanely but she was much amazed why he should vndetake so long a iourney and at a time so vnbefitting hee being aged aboue three score yeares wherein shee being desirous to be resolued and taking him alone with her into her Cabinet falling into teares thus she spake Ah my good father it is much worse with menow then when I first saw you yet heauen I hope will send mee comfort Madame answered Nascian for this cause onely did I leaue my small Hermitage hauing heard that the Emperor of Rome and the King your father marched towards these limits to bid battaile to Amadis and others with him Now foâ—…ing what inconueniences will ensue if their intent growe to execution as well by the slaughter of many who must needes perish in such a purpose as also by the haâ—â—ous offence to heauen because as I am enformed this cruell warre began about your marriage to Patin I trauailed hither to you to vnderstand the truth of all and to esâ—ay â—f it bee possible to pacifie these troubles to the glory of God and to the honour and profit of his people For you know Madame that I aâ— not ignorant in some secrets of your conscience and what sinne you shall commit in beeing giuen as wife to any other then to him who already is your owne as heretofore you haue disclosed to me Pawsing a while and giuing a great sigh thus hee proceeded againe But deare Madame because I receiued this secret in confession it is not lawfull for me to reueale it without your owne good will and consent Wherefore matters standing on such tearmes as they doe mee thinkes you ought to be well aduised and to compasse some meanes whereby the King your father may be acquainted with the promise past between you and Amadis to the end that hee may no further sinne thorough ignorance And so much the rather because you are now in such a place where he is not able to do you any harme But if you should happen into his power as heretofore you haue bin yet you ought to preferre the feare of God before any other respect whatsoeuer although it extend to his displeasure which I hope well to moderate if you will permit me to speake with him Alas father said Oriana in you only lieth my remedy and comfort doe therefore what shall please you and entiâ—ate our Lord to respect mee in pittie Madame replyed Nascian I am assured hee will helpe you for hee listeneth to any sinner that turnes to him with a contrite heart and is sorrowfull for offending him And by his fauour also grace will be granted me to finish the taske I haue vndertaken both to his seruice and your contentment And because the two Armies are neare to one another and I feare their meeting before I shall bee come to them may it please you to let mee part hence this day least some inconuenience may happen by my negligence and the fruite I expect by my labour perish not through slothfulnesse Father said Oriana no doubt but God will be your guide and I earnestly entreat you that if you see young Esplandian to preuaile so much by your endeauour as to bring him hither at your returne Then shee commanded dinner for him and after hee had refreshed himselfe hee mounted on his
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
to the ende that none of them should receiue discontentment And for my part I meane to doe the like as you shall presently see performed Then hee went to see Gasquilan who as yet kept his bed with the extreame paine of his broken arme receiued when he encountred with Amadis There hee sent for king Cildadan and some other chiefe Commanders in his Campe to whom hee declared what speeches had past betweene the Hermite Nascian and him tending wholly to peace and concord concealing neuerthelesse matters concerning Amadis and his daughter Finally hee acquainted them with the answere of king Perion requiring their further counsell in the businesse But first of all quoth hee to Arquisill seeing you now holde the place of the deceased Emperour my brother for whom in part this warre was begun we are to vnderstand your minde My Lord answered Arquisill if the Emperour were now liuing wee that are his vassailes ought to serue him as well in warre as peace but hee beeing dead with the finishing of his daies all command hee had ouer vs is likewise concluded Neuerthelesse wee will yet doe for you as for him so that your seruice what lieth in vs shall no way bee tardied while you thinke good to make vse of vs. Notwithstanding if king Perion be inclined to peace I beleeue they that affect your honour as they ought to doe will counsell you alwaies to accept therof prouided that it bee no way hurtfull for you For you may easily consider at the very first view that fortune stands not for you yours and if wee linger on further it may prooue worse then hitherto it hath done for vs. My Lord said the King of Swetia if peace may bee treated with your enemie I would aduise you not to refuse it considering the most of your people are wounded others sicke and crazed and a long turce is now very needfull if a re-enforcement bee thought expedient after a sufficient time of rest By all means possible said the King let vs bee deliuered out of this paine for king Perion on his side hath chosen two Knights to accord all our differences And I will nominate two other which shall bee you Arban king of Norwales and Guillan le Pensif who haue well vnderstood how al matters happened from the beginning to this day In the meane while I will send backe Nascian to king Perion to entreate him to withdrawe his Campe a daies iourney backwarde and wee will meet in the Citie of Lubania for conference during the time of peace Such was their resolution wherupon king Lisuart quickely returned to Nascian to whom hee declared all that was agreed vpon praying him most affectionately to finish the businesse hee had begun Sir quoth hee I will obey whatsoeuer you shall command me and hauing spoken with king Perion you shall know the houre for your departure hence when the Armie must dislodgh So departing from him hee went to Amadis who no sooner sawe him but hee demanded of him what newes he brought backe and whether king Lisuart continued in his former determination or no The Hermit let him vnderstand all and for the better proceeding in this case thought it fit that both the Campes should be further diuided from each other then now they were whereunto king Perion easily condescended and it was confirmed likewise by generall consent Hereupon carely the next morning euery man trussed vp his bag and baggage and the Campes fell back seuen miles and more Where wee will now leaue them planting their Tents to tell you what end the enterprise of king Arauigne sorted to who but awaited a conuenient time to surprise one or both the Armies CHAP. XXI How King Arauigne being aduertised of the losse which King Lisuart had sustained and the dislodging of his Campe determined to giue him battaile YOu haue already heard the enterprise of King Arauigne who after his powers were vnited together ceased not trauailing ouer the mountains but yet so couertly as neither king Perion or Lisuart could attaine to any certaine knowledge there-of For he kept himselfe very close watching but opportunity to set on the first of the Campes that should be broken For this cause immediately after king Lisuart was dislodged and gone directly to the Citie of Lubania the Scoutes of Archalaus his Campe who were on the toppe of all the mountaine discouered the Armies retyring wherof he gaue intelligence to king Arauigne Who imagining them to bee the whole strength intended to set forward and rather to assaile them then the forces of Amadis as beeing perswaded that if hee brought his attempt to effect king Perion would not afterwarde care for contending with him about the kingdome of Great Brittaine but that easily hee might enioy it in peace These beeing his endes and to compasse them hee concluded still to lie close vntill the night ensuing when he would then giue both the Alarme and battaile together as being the readiest way to surprise them Then hee commanded his Nephew Esclanor a man skilfull in feates of warre as any other possibly could be to take twenty knights with him and following the traine of the enemy in the closest manner truely to discouer where they would campe the night ensuing Now you must heere obserue with me that King Lisuart was continually suspitious what king Arauigne intended to doe hauing receiued sundry aduertisements that hee marched in the countrie with a great power and yet could not heare which was hee went Some of the countrie gaue him notice that hee kept himselfe ambushed in the mountaines and because hee would prouide against any inconuenience he called king Cildadan and all the Captaines and acquainted them with his minde desiring them to take order that their people should keepe close together without any forraging or scattering one from another but followe still the Artillery in frame of battail as formerly had beene appointed them And although some were of the minde to send aduertisement to K. Perion what they had heard cōcerning K. Arauigne that he might the better stand vpon his own gard and succour them if they should be distressed yet King Lisuart had a heart so high and magnanimous as he would by no meanes consent thereto affecting rather to hazard his life then lose the least iot of his reputation Only he sent Philipinel accompanied with twenty bolde Knights to discouer and runne thorough the countrie commanding them expresly to coast along the mountaines and let him hourely vnderstand what they could heare of the enemy So pacing on about foure miles he encamped and gaue it out by man to man that a little rest must now serue because they would march all night to Lubania Not farre had Philipinell trauailed but he discouered Esclanor and his twenty Knights wherewith immediately hee acquainted king Lisuart and that without all doubt the strength of Arauignes Armie was hid among the Rocks At that very instant king Lisuart dislodged to gaine entrance into the Citie for there
the ancient Adage Grumedan answered king Lisuart smiling I know very wel that whosoeuer contests with you in matters concerning the honour of Amadis shall finde worke enough to doe but much more to defende himselfe if extreamity should question the case by weapons Sir said Amadis Lord Grumedan hath reason to wish mee well for he hath neither friend or kinsman that oweth him more dutie and obedient seruice then I doe and for such a one I am certaine he will acknowledge and esteeme me By this time king Perion drew nearer and nearer and thereupon king Lisuart made forth to meete him whereof Amadis aduertised him by Durin wherefore he commanded his men to march a slowe pace and taking Gastiles Grassandor Brian de Moniaste and Tiron with him left Agraies to conduct the troupes because king Perion wel knew the ill-will he bare to king Lisuart and feared least discourteous language might passe between them at their meeting whereby the purposed peace should bee quite made frustrate So the two Kings went to meete each other giuing the spurre to their horses and embraced together very louingly king Perion speaking thus to king Lisuart My Lord and brother me thinkes your Armour is much impaired since you departed from the camp albeit I am well assured it lay not rusting in your Armourie while the fight lasted betweene your men and mine And for ought I haue heard they that brought it thus out of fashion haue receiued a payment beyond their expectation and little to their liking So they haue answered king Lisuart thankes be giuen therefore to God and the good helpe that you Amadis and these other Knights brought mee in so vrgent a necessitie as I am sure you haue heard already In good faith said king Perion I haue all my lifetime desired that my children might bee yours in peace and true amity I hope replied king Lisuart that so they shall be before wee parte and our kindnesse neuer to faile especially on my behalfe But seeing Prince Agraies not to be one among them hee enquired expresly for him hauing vnderstood his hatred towards him and desirous to reconcile him and make him his friend if possible it might be Whereupon king Perion made answere that hee stayed behinde as a conduct to the rest of the Armie which followed I pray you Sir said king Lisuart that hee may bee sent for because I purpose not to parte from this place before I haue both seene and embraced him My Lord answered Amadis then I my selfe will goe for him It is well aduised quoth king Lisuart because hee will doe more for you then any other whatsoeuer So Amadis rode directly to Agraies whom hee met not farre off and tolde him what you haue heard already earnestly entreating him that forgetting all discontentment hee would goe with him and giue king Lisuart so good lookes as could be My Lord and Cosen said Agraies you know that my liking or disliking lasteth vpon your pleasure and I heartily desire that the succour which you haue giuen him of whom you speake may be better acknowledged then all the better acknowledged then all the former haue been And further I assure you I am content to requit all the wrongs done to you mee and many more meerely offered in despite of you and without any occasion at all Then they rode on together to King Lisuart who so soone as he saw Agraies left all the rest going to embrace him saying Cosen doe you thinke this embracing as dangerous to me as that was which you gaue mee on the day of our last being together Before God Sir replied Agraies I hope to find this much better then the other for I was neuer to my knowledge in the like danger We will talke therof said the King at better leasure But now you see the king my brother tarries for vs let vs goe conduct him to Lubania where I will make you all the best entertainement I can So they returnd to king Perion and tooke the way towards the Citie King Lisuart had receiued diuers wounds in his bodie but the Chirurgions hauing seene them gaue him hope of speedy recouery yet hee kept his bed ten daies together beeing often visited by the Princes and Lords of his owne country as also the other who to delight him had almost no other talke but of the tricks and stratagems of Archalauâ— by meanes whereof hee compassed his purposes especially when hee carried the Princesse Oriana away prisoner and after-warde King Perion Amadis and Florestan by the subtiltie of Dinarda also in what sorte hee escaped from Galaor and Norandell faining himselfe to bee Branfiles Cosen-germaine to Grumedan But most of all his proiect plotted by the helpe of Arauigne against them all which surely had preuailed but that Amadis was the onely hinderance Such accidents answered king Lisuart doe often come to passe by such wicked wretches as hee is who dare endanger themselues in doing euill and therein make their most delight finding the entrance sweete and easie onely by the instigation of the Diuell who depriues them of all apprehension concerning what dishonour may happen to them beside misery of life which makes death much more welcome to them then life can be As Arauigue himselfe hath now some cause to confesse being in the power of his chiefest enemies and may well serue as an example to all other that are to be taxed with the like vice As hee ended these wordes the good olde Hermite Nascian came to them who had softly followed after king Perion and finding the Princes in such peaceable quietnesse praised God for it and the good aduice of young Esplandian causing Amadis to depart so speedily when hee came to the rescue of king Lisuart as king Perion made knowen before them all In troth saide king Lisuart I would gladly know who gaue the youth so good counsell Sir replied Esplandian my father Nascian sent mee to you to tell you what hee had concluded with king Perion but I could not finde you in the Campe wherfore Sergill I passing on further discouered the Armie of king Arauigne as they descended downe the mountaine Then I called to mind what I heard the Queene my Mistresse say at my parting from her that hee was your enemy and fearing what afterwards happened to you I made haste to aduertise Lord Amadis to the end hee might giue you succour as he did Before God sweet youth saide king Lisuart I shall not while I liue forgette so great a blessing happening to mee And folding Esplandian in his arms sweetly kissed him on the cheeke At that time king Gasquilan was brought thither in a Litter hauing softly followed as beeing vnable to sit on horsebacke by reason of the shrewd fall hee had when he would needes trie his manhood against Amadis on the first day when the two battailes met Into a reserued chamber hee was conducted by some of the chiefe in the companie especially Amadis who came saluted him saying
him that spake them and well vnderstood the end whereat hee aimed although hee would make no outwarde shew thereof but without any further contestation left him departing thence to his owne lodging to dispatch Ardan the dwarffe to Oriana that shee might knowe the warres finishing as also what-soeuer had passed between the Princes and Lords in the two Camps Moreouer hee gaue him a Letter directed to Ysanio whereby he gaue order that Brandaiell de Rocque the Marquesse of Ancona the Archbishoppe of Tarente and the other Romaine prisoners should bee sent to him So departed the Dwarffe who trauailed day and night vntill he ariued at the Pallace of Apolidon Hee presently sent worde to the Princesse byone of her womeÌ„ that hee would speake with her from Amadis Shee no sooner heard of his ariuall but fearing some vnhappy fortune became so afflicted in mind that she trembled exceedingly knowing that victory could not fauour either of the Campes but it would procure sorrow and griefe to her all her lifetime Then Ardan entred her chamber who de-declared by his looks that she had no cause of sadnesse or melancholie Neuerthelesse so soone as she saw him not hauing so much patience as to let him deliuer his message with teares in her eyes she said vnto him Alasse my deare friend Ardan tell mee I pray thee quickly in what estate hast thou left the King my father and is thy Master aliue or dead dead Madame answered the Dwarffe they neuer in their liues were so merrie together Then he reported to her all that which you haue heard already especially in what great danger King Lisuart was when Amadis came with his happy succour Also his royall entertainement to King Perion and lastly what loue he expressed to Esplandian by whose means Amadis came to the rescue of them of Great Brittaine which gaue such comfort to Oriana that lifting vp her eyes and hands to heauen shee spake so loude as all present might heare her O most mercifull God blessed for euer be thy diuine bounty shouring downe thus thy pitie vpon thy poore seruant and that happy childe who hath beene the occasion of this great goodnes Oh let thy mercy yet further permit that all those especiall predictions which the wise Vrganda deliuered of him may not faile in him All the Ladies there present perswaded themselues that shee vsed these wordes of Esplandian for the helpe which hee had procured to King Lisuart yet were ignorant of her further interest in him which wisely she concealed to her selfe Afterward shee demaunded of Ardan if he came thither about any other businesse Madame quoth hee I haue Letters from my Lord directed to the Gouernour Ysanio commanding him by mee forth-with to send him the Romaine prisoners What way then saide shee will he take and the King also Madame quoth hee for ought I can vnderstand they will not part each from other till all differences are fully concluded Honest Dwarffe said the Queene Sardamira tell me I pray thee how haue the Romaines behaued themselues are many of them slaine in the battaile Madame answered Ardan a great number of them haue ended their daies valiantly and well neere all the rest are sore wounded but since the death of the Emperour Floyan and Constant no man of name that I knowe hath perished among theÌ„ but was liuing when I parted from the Campe where I left Arquisill in serious conference with my Master As for your brother Flamyan he beginneth to growe strong and woundes are in a manner cured Ardan hauing receiued expresse charge from Amadis to make so little tarrying there as could be demanded of Oriana if shee pleased to command any thing to his Mastes Doe my most humble comdations quoth she to king Perion of Gaule Agraies Bruneo and Amadis to whom I purpose not to write because thou broughtest me no Letter from him So the dwarffe took leaue of her and went to find Ysanio giuing him the Letters from his Master and deliuering his further message beside Whereupon Ysanio tooke such order that before the week was expired the Romanes were all ariued at Lubania in presence of King Lisuart and the other Princesse and Lords But Amadis calling them into his chamber being there alone with them spake thus Lords I am sure you are not ignorant what issure this warre hath sorted to by meanes whereof almost all the Princes of the East they likewise of the West haue entred into Armes And because we are now vpon tearmes for a perpetuall peace I hold it reasonable that albeit you are my prisoners yet nothing shall be concluded till first it be imparted to you Now as this is the reason of your calling hither so am I like wise to entreat you that for my sake you would accept and elect Lord Arquisill as your Emperour For ouer and beside that there is not to bee found as I heare any man more neare in birth to the Empire then hee so am I well acquainted with his high deserts which mooues me the more in his behalfe to bee thus earnest with you In the dooing whereof you shall be get your selues two especiall graces The first by calling to the gouernement of so excellent a Monarchie a Prince wise valiant vertuous for your better conseruation and entertaining you in all loue and kindnesse The other that in my endeared affection to him I freely giue you with him liberty and all such ransomes as are due to me from you continuing moreouer while I liue your affectionate friend aduise therefore with your selues what answere you will make me to the end I may also consider how I shall carrie my selfe to you in matter of so important occasion Brandaâ—â—ll de Roâ—que beeing the ancientest of them all stood forth and made this answere to Amadis My Lord most true it is that wee are your prisoners and know very well what honour you haue done vs and the extraordinary entertainment wee haue receiued since our ariuall in the Enclâ—sed Isle Wherefore I speake not only for my selfe but all heere present that there is not a man among vs but will gladly employ himselfe in your seruice But wee cannot resolue in the matter concerning Lord Arquisill till wee haue first spoken with Flamyan and other â—…ine Captaines in the Armie wherefore we pray you permit that wee may conferre together swearing for our part that we will hold our hands for him whereby your desire may bee satisfied Well then said Amadis consult together and to morrow let me haue your answere So they withdrew thence to go finde Flamyan in his lodging for as yet hee kept his chamber not healed of the hurts which hee had receiued in the last encounter Then they declared to him what speeches had past betweene them and Amadis what offers and promises hee had made in fauour of Arquisill and lastly the answere they returned him Beleeue mee saide Elamyan Lord Amadis speaketh like a good Knights and no more then all wee
the World with him from his mothers wombe and surely in mine opinion they are the very same Notwithstanding if you had not quickned my memorie I should neuer haue thought on it And therefore make no complaint of your Fortune if you faile in this enterprise because for ought I can perceiue you haue begot him that must carrie this honor from you Amadis musing to himselfe while suddenly starting said I am of your minde for so haue I gathered by the Table on the Image of Brasse Return we then back againe quoth Grasandor and leaue the rest to bee ended by him to whom the destenies haue made their promise So we must bee inforced to doe saide Amadis albeit I am somewhat offended that I may not carrie away his sword with mee By my faith replied Grasandor if you should offer to get it your hinderance may be more then you imagine and yet it may fal out not to proue so good a sword as your owne Moreouer when I consider how you obtained it neuer could any Knight attaine to a fairer fortune nor more beseeming a man than yours was then This hee spake in regard that Amadis wonne it by approouing himselfe to bee the most loyall and perfect louer that euer loued according as in the Second booke of this Historie hath been oftentimes declared vnto yee Hereupon they returned backe by the same way they came and passing againe among the Antiquities Amadis stayed there a while better to beholde them The more hee looked on them the more hee commended their rare perfections both in moldings friezes chapters lying among the ruines of those famous buildings And no way could hee turne his eye but he beheld many fractures of singular carued parsonages the very muscles obserued to the life and such perspectiue where occasion required it that in his opinion it relished more of some diuinitie then to be performed by the skill of man in workemanship As hee continued in these meditations a knight armed with a white Armour and holding his sworde ready drawen came to them courteously saluting them as they did the like to him Then he demanded of theÌ„ whether they were of the Enclosed Isle or no We are answered Grasandor but why doe you moue that question Because quoth the other I found a Batque beneath and men therein who tolde mee that two Knights belonging to the Pallace of Apolidon were ascended vp this Rocke but they concealed their names from mee as I did mine from them Nor desire I any thing else but peace and friend-shippe with them beeing casually come hither in pursuite of a knight who by trompery is escaped from mee with a Damosell forcibly carried away by him Friend said Grasandor in courtesie let me entreate you to take off your Helmet or to tell vs your name If you will swear to me replied the Knight whether you know my Lord Amadis or no and that you will doe the like to mee I am well contented otherwise you speake but in vaine By my faith quoth Grasandor we are two of the best friends hee hath and therefore you may well be knowen to vs. So the Knight disarmed his head saying You may now knowe mee well enough if you be such as you haue sworne your selues to mee Hardly had hee concluded his wordes but Amadis ran and caught him in his armes saying Brother Gandalin is it possible that fortune should cause vs to meet in this maner Much amazed was Gandalin to see himselfe thus embraced and by a man vnknowne to him and vnable to coniecture who he should be wherefore Grasandor suddenly said Why how now Gandalin Haue you forgotten your Lord Amadis Amadis answered Gandalin may it bee possible Then falling on his knee whether he would or no hee kissed his hand before Amadis could any way preuent him but then demanded of him how and by what meanes he came thither Beleeue me my Lords replied Gandalin your equalls in loyalty of affection would gladly know as much concerning you as you now demand of me you being as farre from them as this place is from their abyding Neuerthelesse to giue you content I will declare the whole truth vnto you Know then that being with Bruneo and others who are yet in conquering the countries of Arauigne Sansuegua returning from a cruell battayle which the Kings Nephew gaue vs at our entrance and wherein many worthy men lost their liues one day among other a Damosell belonging to the kingdom of Norway attired all in black came into the Tent of Agraies desiring him on her knees in no mean plenty of teares to giue her rescue in a wrong done vnto her Agraies causing her to rise and sit downe by him demanded the cause of her sad complaint and hee would redresse it so much as lay in him to doe Alas Sir quoth she you haue good reason to helpe mee because I am both a subiect and seruant to the King who is father to Madame Olinda your wife for whose sake and honour I desire you to assist mee with one of your Knights for recouery backe of my daughter whom the Lorde of the great Tower on the Sea shoare hath forcibly taken from mee being thereto onely emboldened because I would not giue him her in mariage And my reason is in regarde hee is neither so noble nor descended of so good a house as my husband was but rather is of base and seruile condition vsurping the place he possesseth vpon his neighbours whom he hath since expelled The father to my daughter was brother to Don 〈…〉 honour 〈…〉 of Great Brittaine 〈…〉 I at any meanes for the recoâ—… of her without you because notwithstanding all the earnest entreaties I haue vâ—ed to him the wicked man is so cruelly minded as hee doth dayly deny mee so that my dayes can haue no long continuance except by Armes he be compelled to restore her Damosell answered Agraies why doth not your King do you iustice as in right to him belongeth My Lord quoth she he is so ouerspent in yeares and decayed in bodie as hee is not able to gouerne himself or any other neither doth hee euer come forth of his bedde only through his extreamitie of age and sicknesse The man then you speaks of replyed Agraies is his abyding farre from hence No Sir quoth shee in lesse space then a day and a halfe the winde sitting conueniently wee may by Sea easily sayle thither Then I made tender of my seruice as willing to goe along with the Lady But my Lord Agraies would not consent thereto except I made him faithfull promise of returning backe againe to him after I should haue combated the Knight without attempting any further if with honour I might safely doe it My promise made to that effect and I sufficiently furnished I went aboard with the Damosell in a Barque which shee had purposely brought with her and the Sea was so calme and fauourable to vs that on the morrow about mid-day we
their enmity you must vnderstand that King Lisuart sending his eldest daughter for Rome hauing giuen her as wife to the Emperour Amadis de Gaule one of them who in your last lost battaile termed himselfe Knight of the Serpent and then wore as you well remember a golden helmet with a great many more met the Romans on the Sea set vpon them and ouercomming them slew the Prince Saluste Quide a near kinsman to the Emperour The rest were taken prisoners with the Ladies Gentlewomen whom they conueyed to the Enclosed Isle where as yet they keepe them Now indeede I cannot certainely resolue you what matter mooued them to begin this warre but I am well assured that King Lisuart in reuenge of this iniury gathers as great an Army together as hee can And Amadis hath sent into all parts for succour purposing to stand vpon his owne defence if he shall be assailed During these busie troubles Sir you haue an excellent occasion if you please to shew them as subtill a sleight as euer was done setting vpon them as I haue directed you And because at the very first sight you may discerne your victory to be certaine I will worke so much that Barsinan Lord of Sansuegna sonne to him whom the King burned at London and likewise all they of the linage of Dardan the Proude whom Amadis foyled at Vindolisore shall come to your aide with the King of the Profound Isle Wherfore perswade your selfe that being assisted with so great a number of good Knights there is no doubt to be made but you shall reach the height of your desire My worthy good friend Archalaus answered the King Aranigne you tell mee great matters and although I was fully determined neuer more to tempt fortune she hauing shewen me such slender fauor in times past yet me thinks it were a great folly to foreslowe such occasions as freely come to offer themselues for the augmentation of my honour and profit For if in such cases attempts managed by reason haue as happy issue as men can wish the fruit of such a labour is well gathered when desert holds vp the lappe to receiue it But if it should fall out otherwise yet at least that must be performed wherto all men stand bound by vertue for maintenance of their authority which is not to be valued by passed misfortunes as when a happy houre presents it selfe they should refuse to embrace it as declaring themselues to be dastardly minded and voide of all courage and magnanimitie Seeing then wee are so forward in tearms let it suffice that I faithfully credit you and desire you while I am prouiding mine Army to take order for the rest sending to Barsinan and our other friends for their effectuall ioyning with vs. Archalans hauing heard this resolution made no long stay with King Aranigne but taking leaue of him iournied so diligently that hee ariued in the countrie of Sansuegna where hee found Barsinan To him he tolde all the passed conference setting before his iudgement what an execrable iniurie King Lisuart had done to his father suffering to bee burned aliue by a tower from the toppe where-of afterward hee caused his brother Gandandell to bee throwne downe whom Guillan le Pensif had taken prisoner And doe you think quoth he that had it not been for this Amadis de Gaule but Barsinan your father had peaceably beene King of Great Brittaine But that villaine came and after hee had rescued Oriana from mee caused all the rest of my enterprise to bee vtterly voide But now you haue time conuenient to bee reuenged therfore except you will shew your selfe dull base minded delay no longer considering that King Aranigne is ready to assist you Easily did Barsinan beleeue all that hee had said and promised to appeare in field so soone as any need required So Archalaus departed thence to the King of the Profound Isle and gaue to him the very same instructions Hauing obtained what he desired he returned homeward and crossing the countrie aduised all the kindred of Dardan the Proude to be in a readiness to depart away when they should be commanded But at this instant our History speakes no more there-of but returnes to the fortunes of Quedragant and Brian being vnder saile for the Enclosed Isle CHAP. XI How Quedragant and Brian sayling on the Sea by a sudden and vnexpected tempest were cast so farre out of their course that hauing lost all knowledge of land they met accidentally with Queen Briolania And what happened to them QVedragant and Brian beeing on the maine Seas shaped their cōpasse for the Enclosed Isle but vpon a sudden the windes began to blow so stearnely and such a violent tempest arose as the best man of courage among them made little account of escaping seeing their saile yardes and tacklings broken in peeces and with such impetuous gusts of contrarie windes as trusting neither to stearne or any hope else but the mercy of God only and the waues they expected sinking euery minute So long they ran this disasterous fortune that the dead darke night ouer-tooke them with extreame thunders and flashes of lightning which was their best meanes for seeing one another till day-breake appeared the windes grew appeased and the Sea by little and little indifferently calmed Now they could plainely perceiue that they were cast farre enough out of their course for they discouered the coast of Sobradisa and as they were preparing thither they espied a goodly great Shippe sayling towardes them which they determined to call to to knowe who was aboard her Comming more neare they beheld vpon the decke diuerse Ladies and Gentle-women and some Knights among them discoursing together where-upon before they would presume any further they put forth a Frigate commanding one of their Squires to goe know of whence what they were The Squire performed his charge and going aboard the Ship humbly saluted such as he saw there saying Lords and Ladies there are Gentlemen in yonder ship who in curtesie desire to vnderstand what you are and whither you are bound Honest friend answered one of them say that the Queene of Sobradisa is here and longs to be at the Enclosed Isle These newes Sir answered the Squire will be very welcome to two Knights that sent mee to you who are also bound for the selfe same place Honest Squire sayde the Queene tell vs then their names if you may do it Indeed Madame quoth hee I stand charged to the contrary But thus much I dare tell you that they tooke shipping in Great Brittaine to returne to the Pallace of Apolidon where they had been before now if fortune had not hindred their voyage But I am very certaine that their ioy for meeting with you will make them forget all their passed danger wherefore I will returne againe to them and tell them what I haue heard of you So saying he went back to the Ship from whence hee came and declared to Quedragant Brian his answere