and mooued not Now grew the Lady and her Knights into such anger with Amadis as presently they would haue slaine him and he had not escaped but that an auncient Knight stepped before him with his Sword drawen vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe foorth of the Pauillion yet coulde hee not defende him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder then stepped the auncient Knight to Madasima with these words By God Madame you deale like a very vnreasonable woman causing your people in your presence to murder two Knights after they haue yeelded themselues your prisoners Why Sir quote she did you not see their presumptuous boldnes especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replyed Galaor we rather chuse to dye then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and curteous and we as prisoners will shew obeysaunce to you Seeing you saya so answered Madasima I will binde you my self heereupon she bound their hands w t strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor béeing set on horsses without Saddles and led along by two Sergeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foote hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile all night through the Forrest But Amadis was weery of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull pacience but for the matter Madasima would enforce them to the refusall whereof gaue hope of no better vsage at her hand but for euer to be depriued of his faire Oriana And contrarywise if he consented he should in like manner be banished from her presence being compelled to serue King Lisuart no longer these two extremities troubled his thoughts which the auncient Knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was mooued to pittie him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of y e best Knights in the world Héere you must obserue how the Damosell was the auncient Knights Daughter and repented her treason in deceiuing them séeing how discourteously they were intreated which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safetie for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pittie then good father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Galaor who slewe the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full well â—new the Knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittyed their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to sheeld them from death which was néere at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good chéere Sir Knight for I hope by the help of God ere long to deliuer you from this cruell Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so freendly knowing likewise it was the man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him he thus answered Father I haue no wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she that brought vs hither by y e falsest treacherie in the world I knowe very well said the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you wéene which makes me the more carefull in séeking your good therefore I shall giue you profitable councell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should dye without any remedy because nothing might serue else to expiate her wrath beléeue then what I say and put it in practise You are faire young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the world whereby she conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting she would accept you as her husband or perpetuall freend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doo doo quickly because at y t place whether we are now going she intends to send one of her seruaÌ„ts to King Lisuarts Court whose errand is only to enquire your names for she that conducted you hither perceiuing you should assuredly dye if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so with her as she said she forgot to aske your names only thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the world The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more if you doo it not wursse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so deerely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartely for your great kindnes but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to procéed so farre though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so déeply yet libertie nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wunder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale héerein with my brother he is a Knight more braue and beautifull then I am happily he will consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her fréend my companion and I were for euer at your commaund Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her I hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor he went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to break with her Madame you carrye two prisoners with you but you doo not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the Knight is esteemed y e best Knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed againste you but onlye through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sorte then you began considering if he conceiued liking
eyes and all together praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to méete with his Parents being all this while vnknowen to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demaunded of him if he had no other name then that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three dayes past since I knew thereof for as I came from the Combate against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in ware when I was found in the Sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and héere-withall he shewed the Letter to the Quéene which she full well knewe so soone as she sawe it Beleeue me sayd the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the Sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis of Gaule It was not long before the bruite héereof was spread through the Cittie that the good and famous Knight was Sonne to King Perion and the Queene Elisena wherefore if euery one reioysed you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sory for they were found to be Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge heer-of wherefore considering what comfort this would be to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to returne toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whome aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to hir Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you cannot so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shead so many teares These words caused the teares to tricle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the heauens may safely conduct ye yet let me intreate your friendly remembrance commaunding the vttermost of my endeuours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so indebted to my gracious mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuer-the-lesse you may say to her that right soone shall I come to shewe my obedience and in like armour will I be clad as when you sawe me Combat with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily knowe me if I can not compasse the meane to spake with you and in this manner departed the Damosell of Denmarke On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside said Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate hart will allowe me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to commaund me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonor she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speede and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the only cause of my parting with you Now must you note heerewithall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the King of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this young Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tell ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without land because all the portion his father left him was only a poore Castell for the rest he had spent in following Armes and entertaining Gentlemen whereupon he had the Sir-name of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whome he requested to knowe where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visit the Court of King Lisuart where I haue heard chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honor then in the Kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may commaund me in their seruice euen as your selfe or any other as well in respect of our alliaunce together as also for the gracious entertainement I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies tooke his leaue being honorably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the feelds he sawe a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his horsse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell sometime said vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she said true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whome thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the flower of Ireland and such a one as that countrey shall neuer haue his like vntill time the good brother of the Lady must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countreys and he must dye by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the only thing of the world which most he loueth And so it happened by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that countrey whome Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demaunded of King Marke of Cornewall his Unckle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the only thing of the world that he most loued Now must thou be mindfull héereof said the Damosell to the King for Vrganda my mistresse so commaundeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whome she gaue the Launce commendeth himselfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should
had slaine my seruantes they brought me into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciouslye deliuered me Her modest behauiour in spéeche and comely beauty made Balays to wexe some-what enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very lothe to parte with ye but séeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where we may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindenes that we may not loose so good an oportunitie I knowe not Sir quoth she how you are minded but had they compelled me to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde me excused contrari-wise if I should willingly graunt you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might thē serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewen your selfe a well disposed Knight let me intreat ye to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duety you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberlye he repented that he had offred her such vndecent woordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied me yet pardon me for attempting so bad a sute in respect it is no lesse séemely for Knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue doone And albeit at the first we imagin it a great conquest to obtaine of them what we most desire yet when wiselye and discreetly they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are woorthy no praise they be euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more estéeme your succour to mine honor then my life because the difference betwéene them is farre incomparable Well saide Balays what will you now I shall doo for you Let vs leaue these dead carkasses replyed the Damosell and goe where we may stay till day light I like your councell answered Balays if I had another horsse but béeing now destitute I know not what to doo We will ride on my horsse saide the the Damosell till we finde other remedie so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested them-selues till Sunne rising and then they went to horsse-back againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the Knight who caused Galaors horsse to escape awaye from him he asked the Damosell what shoulde become of her My Lorde quoth she not farre hence is a house whether when you haue brought me you may departe to what place you please As thus they rode communing togither he sawe a Knight come toward him carying his legge on his horsses necke but drawing néerer he put foote in stirrope couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell bothe from the horsse after-ward he vsed these spéeches In sooth Lady I am sorye for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue doone ye I will bring ye-where you shall be contented because hee that hath the charge of you is vnwoorthye to haue so faire a creature in his custodye Ere this had Balays recouered him selfe and knowing him to be the Knight he sought for he drewe his swoord saying By thee villayne haue I lost my horsse and my companyon thou hast in like sorte abused now finding me vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but bothe for him and my felfe will I be reuenged on thée else let me be thought vnwoorthy of my order What quoth the Knight art thou one of them that mocked me as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockery on thée Héer-upon they presentlye fell to the combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemye got him vnder foote when renting the Helmet from his head he tooke his life as raunsome for his villainye and breaking his swoord in péeces layde them by him then mounting on his horsse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their waye toward the trée where he left Galaor But because their stomackes well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holye life who bestowed on them such chéere as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her frō the théeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slayne her seruants and she destitute of help whereof the holye women were very glad by reason those théeues did much harme in that countey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell tooke their leaue and comming to the trée met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherfore they concluded no more to sunder them-selues vntill they arriued at King Lisuartes Courte By this time the night drew on apace wher-upon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her fréendly offer went with her being there entertained and vsed very honourablye Early in the morning arming them-selues they thanked their gentle hoste his daughter framing their course toward Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented the horsse to Galaor which he wun from the Knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath therby CHAP. XXX ¶ How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heeretofore declared the ioy and content of the good King Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely mind he concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificent Court as all his auncestors in great Brittayne neuer did the like Which Oliuas perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the Duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cozin germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring he might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other Knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two Knights more beside himselfe he would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other Knights Warning héereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclamation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should be readie at the Cittie of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroad by the Quéene to aduertise the Ladyes and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resort came to the Court where all kind of pastimes and sports were inuented without respect of fortunes mallice any way who commonly in great assembly of states when
constrained all Ladies and Damoselles that passed by his Castell to enter in where villamously he took his pleasure of them and not contented therwith enforced them to sweare that while they liued they should beare affection to none but him if any denied he caused them cruellye be put to death Likewise he compelled such Knightes as trauailed that way to combate one alone against his two Bretheren but if they were vanguished hee would force the conquerour to deale with him selfe he being the most hardy Knight in all those partes If it happened that he brought them into any debilitie he would take from them all they had turning them away on foote after he had made them sweare to name them selues while they liued the vanquished by Galpan otherwise he would depriue them of life But God displeased with the crueltie which so long time he had vsed to the hurt of many good people would now alter this great inconuenience and that Galpan with his complices should receiue guerdon to their desertes making them an example to all other as you shall heare presently recited CHAP. VII ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his Bretheren and in the end with Galpan him selfe BY this time the Gentleman of the Sea is come néere y e Castell where he saw a Lady cōming towards him greatly afflicted hauing no other companye then a Squire and a Page This sorrowfull woman breathed foorthe many gréeuous sighes shewing a violent kinde of warre betwéene her handes and the golden tresses of her haire which she discheueled and rent very pittifully Héerat was the Prince not a little amazed and willing to knowe what mooued her to these extreames he came to her with these spéeches Faire Gentlewoman I pray ye tell me the cause of your sorrowe Ah my Lord quoth she death would be now right welcome to me beeing the only fréend to beare me companie for such is my misfortune as teares are more conuenient for me then remembraunce of the cause In sooth Ladye saide the Prince if in any respecte I can doo ye good you shall finde me readye with all my hart Beeing sente Sir quoth the Damosell by my Mistresses commaundement to a young Knight a man of some account in these partes and passing along this waye foure cruell villaines set vpon me and whether I would or no brought me into this Castell where a traiterous Knight dishonourably forced me compelling me afterward to sweare that I should neuer loue any fréend but him This complainte mooued the Prince to great admiration and thus he answered Follow me Lady for your iniurye shalbe reuenged if God giue me leaue Héer-upon the Damosell immediatly went with him and by the way he desired her to tell him what the man was to whome she was sent If you reuenge my wrong quoth she I will tell ye but I can assure ye he is such a one as will be right sorye when he heares of my misusage Great reason said the Prince hath he so to doo and as thus they communed together they came to the place where she shewed him the foure Gardants to whom he presently said Disloyall varlettes wherfore haue ye so abused this Ladye as she trauailed on her iourny Because quoth they we stood in no feare of you but if you get ye not gone the sooner your entertainement shalbe woorsse then hers was Without any more talking he drew his Swoord and comming to one that heaued his Hatchet against him quite cut away the right arme from his bodye then turning to another cleft him ouer the face to the very eares When the rest saw their companions thus maimed they fled away so fast as they could running through a by waye along a Riuer side but the Prince making no shew of pursuing thē wiped his Swoord and put it vp againe then comming to the Damosell bad her goe forwarde My Lord quoth she hard by is a gate where I found two armed Knightes attending Well saide he and I shall finde them when I come thether So rode they on and as the Prince entred the base Courte he sawe the Dungeon doore open and an armed Knight on Horseback come foorth after whome they within let downe a Porte cullis and shut the doore againe then the Knight of the Castell auauncing him selfe very boldely thus spake to the Prince Poore wretch too soone art thou come hether to receiue shame and dishonour Dishonor quoth the Prince tush these are but woordes leaue what shall happen to the prescience of God who only is skilfull therin and tell me if thou be the villaine that did force this Lady No answered the Knight but if it were I what then I meane quoth the Prince to reuenge her wrong if I can Goe to saide the Knight I shall see then what kinde of reuenge you vse So giuing the Spurres to his Horse ran as fiercely as he could against the Prince yet he failed in the attainte but the Prince méeting him with full carrire gaue him such a gréeting with his Launce through the Sheeld as the armour being vnable to resist it let passe y e yron thorow both his shoulders wherby he fell downe dead in the place Hauing withdrawen his Launce prepared him selfe for an other that came to succour the firste who pearcing quite through the Princes Shéeld left the head of his Launce in his Armour which was of sufficient proofe but in the encounter he met his enemy to directly as he rent the Helmet from his head casting him so violently of his Saddle as he was able to sit no more on horse backe The Knight seeing him selfe thus vnarmed cryed for some other to come help him wher-upon three Halberders issued foorth to whome he saide Look well my fréendes that this man escape vs not At these woordes they ranne all thrée violentlye on the Prince and buckled so néere him as they slew his horsse betwéene his legges wherby he was constrained to fight on foote and so offended was hee therat that hauing recouered him selfe he smote his Launce through the Knights head which made him presently yéeld the ghoste And now he bestirres him self against the other thrée who cowardly stealing behinde him wounded him on the Shoulder wherby he lost a great quantity of his blood but full well he recompenced the villaine that did it letting foorth the deerest blood he had in his body by cleauing him with his Swoord as it had béene an Axe The other two terrified héere-with ran vp into a long Gallerie crying Come my Lord come quickly for we are all vanquished In meane while the Prince séeing his owne Horsse was slaine mounted on that belonged to the Knight he slewe last soone after he saw another Knight stand looking foorth at a doore who perceiuing the Prince had espied him said What hath mooued thée to come in héere and kill my people Nothing els answered the Prince then the desire I haue to
that being discryed by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether will take hart and not faile to come running foorth vpon vs. When we sée them approche we wil dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his companie then our enemies pursuing assured victorie in their own conceit will séeke aduantage by our shamefull retire and so be taken themselues in the snare Uerie well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthie Duke giue order that all things be done as you haue appointed Now might yée there behold armed men on horssebacke the Souldiours mustering the Drommes thundering and the Trompets cheerefully sounding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings commaundement fayled in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandye shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honored the Prince by whome he had found such friendship And to make some shew of his affection toward him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they found him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered he had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually he thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared therewithall the slender meanes he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound grief as he expected no other remedie then death The Quéene desirous to knowe the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance bewrayeth some inward displeasure hath any one héere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to be tormented in sléepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoucred the ambushe and the enemyes were very néere the Cittie wherefore presently he commaunded to dorayne the Armie Now was eache one readie to horssebacke especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Cittie gate where they founde Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe foorth thinking he should tarry too long from the fight for he was one of the hardyest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could be found so that if good aduise had béene as readie with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue béen found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who séeing their enemyes to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was not there the greater part of them was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnes to assaile such an vnequall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horsse crying aloud Beshrowe him that taryeth any longer séeing them he is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ranne among them and were immediately mingled together He whome the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandye whome he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouerthrewe both man and horsse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword and as a chased Lion entred the preasse shewing such déedes of Armes as none durst withstand him for he ouerthrewe all that encountred him killing some out-right chyming and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel sawe his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beat him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to reskue him At their arriuall you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent Shéelds scattered on the ground making a great conflicte disorder among the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the contrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualrie as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benommed for the more to harten and chéere vp his men he cryed aloud to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst and what great domage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horsse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remayned Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the verie braines whereupon his men séeing him slaine they that had the best horsses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued themselues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victorie discouered the rere-guard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escapâ—â—â—s but let vs enter pel mel in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surprized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not béene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie meÌ„ themselues being sore wearyed their horsses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly endure their burthen Beside they knewe King Abies was there in person being as you heard before accounted one of the best Knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentleman of the Sea fore-seeing the disorder was like to ensue came and perswaded them rather to dye then loose one â—ote of their honor and reputation saying My friends and companyons be of good chéere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with people astonned and halfe ouercome let vs not make chaunge with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but only behold your resolued countenances I am certain they are not able to endure ye let vs theÌ„ enter among them
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
was but also stood amazed at y e sight of his Mistresse Which when Dardan beheld he tooke hart afreshe and charged his enemie so brauely that if he had longer continued he would haue gone away conquerour but the Damosell of Denmarke noting this change spake out aloud In an vnhappy hower did the Knight behold any Lady in this company whereby he hath lost what he wun of Dardan it is no time now for his heart to faint These words confounded Amadis with shame that gladly could he haue giuen entertainement to death fearing least his Lady would suspect cowardise in him For this cause lifting vp his Sword he gaue Dardan such a stroke on the Helmet as made him set both his hands to the ground then falling vpon him he rent the Helmet from off his head and trampled in such sort on him with his féet as he fell downe like one depriued of his sences Afterward taking him by the locks of his haire he beat him on the face with the pommell of his Sword saying Thou dyest Dardan if thou confesse not the Lady free When Dardan sawe himselfe in such estate he replied Ah gentle Knight for Gods sake mercie kill me not I acquite her Now approched the King and the other Lords to heare what he said and while they stoode conferring with him Amadis as yet ashamed of his fault committed drew back through the throng and seeing he had gotten behinde them all so couertly as he could he ran toward the Forrest leauing them all musing at Dardan who filled the emptie aire with his complaints In meane while his beautifull friend came to him who in sted of giuing comfort for the foile he sustained through her began to detest and despise him saying Dardan heereafter seeke thée some other fréend then me for while I liue will I neither loue thée or any other then the good Knight who valiantly ouercame thée How now Lady quoth he is this the reward of my honor and life aduentured for you you then are not the fréend to Dardan but to fortune who is no sooner contrary to me but presently you are mine enemie Haue I then escaped death by the mercie of my foe to endure wursse then death by the crueltie of my friend Heauen suffereth me to liue and yet you repine at my infortunate life now shall I make knowen to all women by your example that ingratitude is no lesse hurtfull to such as exercise it then to any one offended therewith Héere-upon he tooke his Sword and before it could be imagined what he meant to do he smote her head quite from her shoulders then as a man transported with madnes staring euery where roâ—â—d about him declared by his angry countenance that high and not vulgare was the enterprise he embraced in such an extremitie The King sent his Archers to conuay him thence but ere they came to him he strooke him-selfe so violently to y e heart as the bloud spouted in the Archers faces and then he cryed out saying Now friend art thou reuenged by my vengeance and thine enemie satisfyed with the despised life thou leftst me So falling downe deliuered the last signe of his death where-at each one was confounded with meruaile as well for the noueltie of the case as pittying the verie latest words he breathed but when they remembred his passed life wholly addicted to ouer-wéening folly they reputed this vnfortunate end happened to him not so much by accident as the diuine ordenance which made them sorrow no more but conuerted their thoughts to commend the conquerour CHAP. XV. ¶ How King Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and knowen AFter the vnfortunate end of these ill aduised louers the King in memorie of this strange accident commaunded that in the feeld where they lay dead should be erected a sumptuous Sepulchre of black Marble stone fashioned like a Romaine Obelisque and thereon was engrauen in the Brittayne language an Epitaph declaring the whole matter as it happened And when he had knowledge of the conquerour as héereafter the manner how is declared his name was placed thereon and foure great Lyons at the foure corners of the Sepulchre importing the deuise which Amadis bare in his Sheeld But now the rumour being appeased and they returned to the Pallace he called for the Stranger that wun the honor of the day but after long enquirie no one could certainly tell what was become of him albeit certaine comming from the wood reported how they saw a Knight returne from the féeld thither-ward being alone and making great haste He that is worthy said the King to beare him company may imagine himselfe happy enough for séeing he hath shewed himselfe so braue a Combatant it is impossible but he should be a wise and vertuous Knight And for no lesse ech one reputed him who vnderstood the iniuries of Dardan vsed to him and sawe how he requited them with gentlenes and courtesie albeit I make no doubt but he knew right wel that if Dardan had got y e better he would not haue pardoned him Such as you haue heard were the words of King Lisuart but Oriana who day by day expected the arriuall of Amadis séeing the incomparable valour of him that fought against Dardan began to suspect that it was he for quoth she to the Damsell of Denmarke I am sure he would not send me a fabulous message and this is the iust time he assured you of his comming In good sooth Madame answered the Damsell you say very true and which makes me conceiue the better hope is that he promised me to ride on a white Courser with the like Armes he had when he Combated against King Abies and I remember how the Knight who ouercame Dardan had the like horsse But did you quoth Oriana take no regard of his Armes Yes marie did I replyed the Damosell albeit the cruell strokes receiued thereon made me hardly perceiue what deuise was there figured yet me thought the ground was a golden feeld and the like I told ye he bare in Gaule with two azured Lyons rampant portrayed therein which being battered all in pieces he presently made him such an other assuring me to weare no other when he came into this countrey and therefore I will doubt no further but it is he Swéete fréend said Oriana if it be he either he will shortly come or send into the Towne therefore you must be watchfull and diligent to heare thereof Madame quoth the Damosell refere these matters to my charge This conference caused Oriana to remaine verie pensiue and breathing foorth many bitter sighes she said Ah gracious heauens what fauour haue you done me if this be Amadis now shall I compasse the meanes better then euer I could to speake with him So attended the Princesse for tidings from her friend who returned as he promised to the
me saide the King séeing you repose such confidence in me assure your selfe to haue what-soeuer you request or else they shalbe restored againe It suffiseth quoth the Knight then turning to the Lordes he thus procéeded Woorthy Lordes you haue all heard what the King hath promised me that he wil restore the Mantle and y e Crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me what-soeuer I shall demaund So much his Maiesty hath saide replyed the Lordes and we are witnesses therof Adiew then answered the auncient Knight for perfocre I must return to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But héere you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knightes which conducted the olde man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his Helmet open and séemed a young man the other held downe his head as lothe to be knowen béeing of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kinges Court might be equalled with him So departed they againe all thrée together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kinges custodye CHAP. XXXI ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Courte of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays béeing all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Courte of King Lisuart where they were welcommed with excéeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowen but by renowne of his famous chiualrie Beside eche one reioyced to sée Amadis who by y e false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the villainous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their combate together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Quéene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgement remembring that when long absent louers méete lookes sighes and teares are familiarly entercoursed béeing the only means to conteÌ„t ech others hart Yet Amadis thought it not best to staÌ„d still thus musing least euery eye should growe cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Quéene saying Madame according to your charge at my departure from the Courte I haue brought this Knight whom I present as only yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Madame said the King you doo me wrong if you take them both Amadis already is yours me thinkes you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for me You aske no small matter answered the Quéene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine not-with-standing séeing you are the best King that euer reigned heer so good a Knight is wel bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ye then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinkes that any thing so great a Prince demaundeth should be graunted if it were possible heere am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like therof because he hath greatest authoritie ouer me It contents me very well saide the Quéene that you should doo as your brother commaundeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeed Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellowe seruant to the Queene With all my hart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen me to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thank you Sir quoth the Quéene now may I boldelye giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a freend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this Knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreat him according to his desertes which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madame answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and estéeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues wherby to induce me which none can valewe or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladly would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him self that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers deserte or any other what-soeuer So remained Galaor in the Kinges seruice from which he could not be seperated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as we shall haue occasion to declare héereafter All this while Oriana Mabila and Oliuia had withdrawen themselues from the other Ladyes likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus graciously entertained by the King and Quéene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray yée cause the Knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to sée him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if he thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would fayne speake with you and desire you to come a little more néere them which he presently did But Mabila being wise and discreet not ignorant what medicines should be applyed to passionate mindes after they all thrée had saluted them Mabila tooke Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit betwéene Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure fréends whome I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present busâ—nes else-where as I must of necessitie leaue you awhile Thus deuised she to bring the loouers together and by a pretty wyle gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughtes with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conferre with his Lady and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreame loue tooke from him the facilitie of spéeche yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplyed the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My Lord and fréend what dolour greefe did the traytour procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore mayden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustaine such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other
to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the Knights and Ladyes in the place appointed for the ceremonyes of the day where sitting downe in two chayres of state the King called his Knights about him the Queene her Ladyes with whome she communed Now had his Maiestie giuen order that néerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norgalles well armed holding his Swoord readye drawen and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald he commaunded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady very richly attired and with her twelue other Damosels in like brauerie For in those dayes the great Lords and Ladyes were wunt to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betwéene them this faire Lady addressed her spéeches to the King deliuering them in fourme following My Lord most humbly I beséeche yée to graunt me audience and giue me reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiestie meaning Amadis Long time haue I béene requested by Angriote d' Estrauaus to be his Wife who I am assured is in this royall presence héereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why he kept y e vale of the Pines how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abādon Armes Neuerthelesse quoth she they departed fréends and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledge I withdrew my selfe to a Castell of mine where I kept such a strong guard and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange Knight to enter there without licence but that Knight comming thither vanquished my gardants and hath vtterly abollished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised me to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chaunced an vnhappie combate betwéene him and this Knight mine Unckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiestie held open Court I should héere present my selfe to graunt a request he must demaund of me To satisfye my promise I am come hither and desire to knowe what he will commaund me at which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the combates therefore am I ready héere to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she perfourme her owne promise On my conscience quoth she if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you knowe I am ready to fulfill my offer demaund what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so déerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what manner of demaund is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would mary with such a one as is well woorthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth Knight quoth she this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replyed Amadis but I will perfourme it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote héerein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must néedes confesse your selfe satisfyed he gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renowmed Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now doo I well perceiue that art nor cunning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue doone my vttermost to escape Angriote not only for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chaste and single I would not bring my libertie into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come néerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and riche he is a young and braue disposed Knight as you are riche in goods and possessions euen so is he in bountie and vertue not only in déedes of Armes but in all other good quallities beséeming a Knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heere-upon she stepped to the Quéene saying Madame you are estéemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall doo Faire fréend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote hath gotten among the good he well deserueth not only to be aboundant in riches but to be loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis thinke not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned me of folly but making triall of his valour and hardines yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinks the iustice of the cause commaunds that not only my self but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labour in seeking remedie for you both in him the extreame passions he endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse greefes knowen to you Now trust me Sir quoth she such praise haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then trueth wherefore following your councell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall commaund me Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to doo my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then heere I giue her you replyed Amadis on this condition that you shall be foorthwith maryed together and continue in honorable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commaundement Presently the King called for the Bishop of Saleme wha◠conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Cittie and there the wedding was sollemnized with great ioy and Triumphes wherefore we may well say that not men but God appointeth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which
whose power they reputed able to ouer-throwe an Armie As he continued the combate with them the Damosell of Denmarke seeing the freendes of Arcalaus fight so timorously him selfe lye still as one in a traunce she saide to Oriana Madame beholde how your Amadis honoreth your loue see you not how he hath vsed Arcalaus and our hoste in sooth we are alreadye succoured for these other villaines can holde out no longer Ah happie Amadis quoth Oriana the mirrour of all vertue and chiualrye heauen giue thee grace to finishe our deliueraunce with victorie ouer these malicious traitours When the Squire who had the charge of Oriana as you haue heard vnderstood that she named Amadis he was in such feare as presently he leaped from y e horsse saying By my faith I might full well be reputed a foole to tarry for such blowes as my companyons haue and with these woordes he ran away so fast that he neuer looked behinde if any pursued him In this time Amadis had dispatched thrée of the Knights and the fourth misdoubting like lot would fall to him trusted to his horsse legges for safetie of him selfe but as Amadis followed him he heard the Princesse giue a lowde crye when looking back he saw that Arcalaus had got her with him on horsse-back and gallopped away so fast as he could Héer-upon he let goe the Knight to helpe Oriana ouer-taking Arcalaus ere he got much ground and lifting his swoord to strike at him he doubted least he should hurt the Princesse but turning on the other side he gaue him such a wound on the shoulder as he was glad to let fall Oriana that him-self might escape away more lightly for he knew if Amadis laid holde on him all the treasure in the world could not saue his life When Amadis saw him selfe sure of his Lady he still pursued the cowardlye run-away saying Tary Arcalaus tary and thou shalt sée if Amadis be dead according as thou lyedst not long agoe But Arcalaus had no leysure to answere he rather tooke his Shéeld from his neck and threwe it to the ground because nothing might hinder his horsse in running At length as Amadis strook at him the blowe fell shorte on the horsse buttocke and the beast féeling him selfe wounded made greater haste away then he did before leauing Amadis very farre behinde who earnestly desired the death of Arcalaus but séeing all his labour was in vaine and doubting least some harme might happen to his mistresse to loose her againe by negligence hauing by hardy valour so well recouered her he turned back againe and attaining the place where she stayed for him he alighted from his horsse then falling on his knée humbly kissed her hand saying Madame heauen hath affoorded me more grace in strengthening me to succour you then euer it did to any other Knight for I was out of hope to sée you againe But she good Lady remayned still so passionate in respect of her vngentle vsage as also affrighted with feare when Arcalaus let her fall that she could returne no answere but gaue him thankes by many kinde embracinges By this time the Damosell of Denmarke came to them and by the way found the swoord of Arcalaus which she bringing to Amadis thus spake Sée heere my Lord a very faire swoord Right soone did Amadis know it to be the same was found with him on the Sea which Arcalaus tooke from him when he laye enchaunted béeing not a little glad he had recouered it While many affable spéeches passed betwéene them Amadis still comforting his dismayed mistresse and shée reioycing in her louely fréend Gandalin arriued who had sought his maister all that night and happily found him there with his Lady Now minded they to tary no longer in this place wherefore making choise of the Knights Horsses to their owne liking they all amounted Amadis leading Orianaes Palfray by the bridle and she rehearsing to him by the way what iniurie the dead Knights had doone her as in her life-time shée neuer endured the like Madame answered Amadis much greater gréefe haue I suffered by a liuing creature yet lesse to be feared then the dead who can doo no harme but beautie only hath hazarded my life Albeit Oriana well knew his meaning yet she demaunded who was the cause thereof Euen you Madame quoth he who holde me in a life more yrksome then death My Lord sayd the Princesse neuer with my consent did you sustayne any harme and very sory would I be you should thinke me so vnkind for rather could I affoord to ease your greefe were it in my power to compasse the meane Ah Madame replyed Amadis as by you only I tooke my hurt so from you only must I haue my help and reason reputes it a matter of great inconuenience that such rare perfections should cause so rough passions But if you be endued with such pittie as the rest of your excellencies doo plainly promise you will not behold that in me which you greeue to sée in your chéefest enemyes euen death gentle Princesse who in my torments awayteth on me forbearing to strike béeing conquered with this hope that did oportunitie and place serue your passed promise should ease your thoughts deliuer me from this weightie oppression But see how sweet occasion fauoureth vs and fortune stands aloofe from hindering our content doo not you then good Madame let slip this gracious offer when time and place challenge it at your hand considering the argument is vrgent and being now loytered may hardly be againe so well recouered Oriana not so much for these reasons as because her payne was equall with his and had not he begun the motion her selfe would haue sollicited the same thus answered Great is the force of your perswasions but greater the vnfained loue I beare you which hath such authoritie ouer me as when you shall haue least occasion to demaund I am content and constrained to obey yea to repose such a thing in your trust as very hardly can I hold fast in my thoughts Yet I desire you albeit you sée me not stored with prouidence that you will carefully manage our enterprise by warie kéeping it from knowledge or suspect rather submitting our selues to the highest displeasure then common reproofe which is containd within no limits Sufficient protestations made Amadis héereof but little batterie néeded when the hold was woon and riding through a very thick wood the Princesse became desirous of sleepe because the night before she enioyed no rest whereupon she acquainted Amadis therewith saying she must néeds sleepe ere she went any further He being no vnprofitable counceller and séeing a daintie plot by a riuer side shaddowed with boughes from the heate of the Sunne aduised her to rest there awhile and dismounting from their horsses he thus spake So please you Madame in this place we may stay till the heate be gone and you rest in tarying for the cold euening in meane space I will send Gandalin to the
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because the King disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the King how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the King to requite him with many thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone after came Galaors Squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the King how his brother Amadis was gon to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost
other course séeing my two sonnes haue béene so hardly intreated their own wilfull follye béeing cause therof So breaking off talke Galaor tooke his rest till the next morning when taking leaue of the auncient Knight he rode away with the Damosell who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque where crossing the water to the other side they came to a very beautifull Castell whether the Damsell rode before aduising the Prince to stay her returne She taryed not long but comming back againe brought another Damosell with her of excellent beautye and ten men beside all on horsse-back after the faire Gentle-woman had saluted Galaor she said Sir this Damsell that came in your company telleth me how you séek a Knight who beareth two black Lyons in a vermillion Sheelde and are desirous to know his name this is very certaine that you nor any other can finde him for thrée yéeres space but only by force of Armes a matter not so easie to be accomplished by you for perswade your selfe his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine Lady quoth Galaor yet wil I not giue ouer his searche although he conceale him selfe in this sorte and if I méete with him it shall like me beter to combate with him then to knowe my demaund by any other way Séeing then answered the Damosell your desire is such I will shew you him within thrée daies ensuing for this Gentle-womans sake béeing my Cozin who according to her promise hath earnestly intreated me Galaor requited her with many thankes and so they trauailed on arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea where they found a Barque ready for passage to a little Iland and certaine Mariners in it who made them all sweare if they had any more then one knight in their company No credit me replyed the Damosell heer-upon they set sayle and away Then Galaor demaunded of the Damosell the reason why they tooke such an oath Because quoth she the Lady of the Isle whether we goe hath so ordained it that they shal let passe but one Knight at one time and no other must they bring till his returne or credible intelligence of his death What is he saide Galaor that vanquisheth or killeth them The selfe-same Knight you séek answered the Damosell whom the Lady hath kept with her more then halfe a yéere intirely louing him and the cause of this affection procéeded from a Tourney which not long since he maintained in this countrey for the loue of her and another faire Lady whom the Knight being a straunger héere conquered defending her cause with whom he now is and euer since she bare him such affection as without graunt of his loue she would haue dyed Sometime he is desirous to séeke after strange aduentures but then the Lady to detain him still in this place causeth such Knights as come hither to passe one after another against whome he combatteth and not one hath yet returned vn-vanquished such as dye in fight are there interred and the foyled sent back againe despoyled of their horsse and Armes which the Knight presenteth to his Lady she beeing one of the fairest creatures in the worlde named Corisanda and the Isle Brauisande Know you not the cause â—aide Galaor wherfore the Knight went not many dayes since to a Forrest where I found him and kept the passage there fifteene dayes together against all such as trauayled that way Yes mary quoth the Damosell he promised a boone to a Lady before he came hither wehrfore she intreated him to kéepe the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes yet hardly he got licence of his faire Mistresse who allowed him but a moneth to stay and returne By this time they were landed and come before a goodly Castell where stood a piller of marble with a horne hanging on it which the Damsell bad him winde the Knight would come foorth at the sound therof After he had giuen a good blast certaine Pages came foorth of the Castell who set vp a Pauillion in the middest of the feelde and sixe Ladies soone after came walking foorth one of them séeming by her gesture and countenaunce to be commaunder of the rest taking her place accordingly in the Tent. I meruaile saide Galaor the Knight taryeth so long I desire one of you to will the Lady send for him because busines else where of great importance forbiddeth me to trifle time heere in vaine One of the Damoselles fulfilled his request What answered Corisanda maketh he so small account of our Knight thinketh he so easily to escape from him hath he such minde of other affaires before he sée the end of this attempt indeed I thinke he shall returne sooner then he expecteth but with slender aduauntage for him to bragge of then calling a Page she said Goe and bid y e strange Knight come foorth The Page quickly did his message and soone after the Knight came foorth one foote being all armed except with his helmet which was brought after him with his Launce and another Page leading his Courser when he came before his Lady she saide Beholde Sir heere is a braue Knight who thinketh lightly to ouer-come you and accounteth him selfe assured of the victorie I pray you let him know the price of his folly After these woordes she kissed and embraced him but Galaor noting all these misteries thought he taryed too long from y e combate at length the Knight béeing mounted they prepared them-selues to the carrire and breaking their Launces in the encounter were bothe wounded Galaor presently drew his Swoord but the Knight intreated him to ioust once more With all my hart replyed Galaor yet I am sory my horsse is not so good as yours for if it were I could be content not to giue ouer till one of vs lay along on the ground or all these Launces broken in peeces The Knight made him no answere but commaunded a Squire to bring them other staues and méeting together Galaors horsse was almoste downe the Knight likewise lost his stirrops being glad to catche hold by the maine of his horsse wherat as one somewhat ashamed he said to Galaor You are desirous to combate with the swoord which I haue deferred not for any doubt of my self but only to spare you not-with-standing we must néeds now trye y e issue therof Doo what you can answered Galaor I meane to be reuenged for your kindenes in the Forrest These woordes made the Knight soone to remember him saying You must doo no more then you can and happily before you departe hence you may sustayn a foyle wursse then the first Heer-upon they fel to the combate which began and continued with such furye as the Ladyes were driuen into wonderfull amazement yea them-selues were abashed that they held out so long hauing their Armour mangled their sheeldes defaced their bodyes sore wounded and the blood streaming downe vpon their horsses Galaor neuer beeing in such daunger of his life but
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell
well as she hath recouered what was taken from her and behold where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heate was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the aire when the Damosell immediatly knew him for it was she that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrganda the vnknowne whē by chiualrie he deliuered her fréend at the Castell of Pradoid which made her remember him so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced eche other the like curtesie he shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dremed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith saide Amadis the help you gaue me within these three dayes may not be compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greter exextremity then you but how could you possibly vnderstand therof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when he was enchaunted mine Aunte Vrganda sent me to the Castell of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen sheelde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many wayes bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damoselles the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing els wherin to commaund me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and we will return from whence we came Farwell swéet Uirgins replyed Amadis remember my humble dutie to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this mander rode the Damoselles one way and Amadis another wherfore we must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castell of Valderin CHAP. XXI ¶ How Arcalaus brought newes to the Courte of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freendes to make manifolde lamentations and regrets especiallye the Princesse Oriana SUch spéede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchaunted he béeing as I haue saide clad in his armour and mounted on his horsse that the tenth day following he arriued néer the Court of King Lisuart who was riding abroad in the feeldes to take the aire accōpanied with his Lords along the Forrest side They séeing Arcalaus come a farre of hauing on the Armour of Amadis imagining it was he indeed diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found them-selues deceiued by reason Arcalaus had his head and handes vnarmed wherfore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these woordes Sir I come to accquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battell that some time bare these Armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne praise which were more honourable for me béeing reported by an other in mine absence yet am I constrained to doo no lesse séeing the couenant was such betweene me and him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should despoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full lothe was I to be so cruell because he tolde me he was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so he named him self whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in trueth that I was Arcalaus whome Fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this Armour and horsse which as a testimony of my victorie I brought with me Ah God saide the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight of the worlde dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue a course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares bothe in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning him selfe likewise very sad and greeued but you must think he went not without great store of cursses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and spéedy death which with their Swoordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him them-selues but that they heard how Amadis was slaine by an accorded battell The King being ouercome with pensiuenes and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Quéene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures into mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noise she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Ladie too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came wéeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady be too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she said Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true Madame answered the Damosell but what remedie you must not likewise dye for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought she had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Help Madame my Mistresse dyeth She being come sawe that she neither mooued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indéede wherefore she commaunded the Damosell to shut the door to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not break foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more liberty as also bathing her temples and pulses with Uiniger and colde water she recouered again when deliuering a fainte sigh with a feeble voice she thus spake Ah swéet freendes hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God finde him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole worlde who is replete with greefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse meruaylous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the worlde behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that reconing thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining héere alone after thée can giue but wounding and vnthankfull spéeches Ah cruell death suffised it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered stéele but thou must kill him out-right
with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone sée reason proceed from her that did thée wrong who being the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equal loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together we likewise might haue enioyed one sepulchre After these woordes she swouned againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenaunce as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes béeing discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the bodye Mabila dispairing of any life left in her was so surprised with gréef that she was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse and walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let me not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two frō me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames she was meruailouslye abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned she spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wunt to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further daunger if she reuiue againe Come I pray ye succour her for now is the time of greatest need and let these lamentations be referred till an other time Mabila perceiued the Damosell said true wherfore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenes some hope of life to be expected they lifted her vpon the bed whē soone after her sprites returned to their office and to quallifie this agonie they could deuise no better meanes then to busie her eares with some or other spéeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speak to vs. Madame said the other your Amadis is yet aliue and wel At the name of Amadis she opened her eyes turning her head héere and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sighe started vp saying Alas sweete freend where is he We vnderstand quoth she that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wunt to vaunt of him selfe without cause feeding him selfe with false praise of deceiuing Knightes Why said Oriana haue I not heard that he brought his horsse and Armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as well be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to trye our constancie then finding vs thus weakly disposed he should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you think so simply Madame that Amadis could be ouercome by one no better a Knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of him selfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he find you not only dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to greefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by mallice can doo and thus you bothe shall dye one for another Whē Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her freende if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the trueth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amourously conferred when first he arriued at her Fathers Courte and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah windowe the witnes of my abandoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whome thou causest me remember and by whose gracious woordes both thou and I were made happie of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou endure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue doone which fayling me now giueth me strange and insupportable tormentes to be my companions and hence-foorth shall my sad spirit remayne in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then she had doon in this manner Why Madame think you if I helde these babling newes for trueth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sorte the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite al the world to wéep then want consolation for you who stand in such néed therof But I sée so slender appearaunce of beléefe as I wil not before time require repute you infortunate because discōforting our selues without assuraunce the euill héereby may be amended and the good made much more wursse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time béen shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he be dead I care not though our loue were openly known for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladyes all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demaunded for Oriana she answered that she accompanyed Mabila whome she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her gréefe for her Cozin Amadis Thus was the Princesses secret sadnes couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults betwéene doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoyuas entred the Pallace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew thē for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knées before the King were quickly called to remembrance his Maiestie thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue taryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath béene the cause where-out had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen libertie to me this Lady many more by such deeds of armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue beene deliuered Yet was he once in daunger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damsels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whome he verily thought to be dead What my fréend quoth he by the faith thou owest vnto God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demaund such a question Because said the King