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
imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Giant and kild him in battell hand to hand Beléeue me Uirgin replyed Galuanes you tell vs matter of great meruaile in respecte neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Giant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one him selfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death and yet this attempt of the King is thought the greatest stratageme that euer was heard of then sound not your spéeches to any likely-hood for this Giant surpasseth all other in strength and crueltie Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath doone no lesse then I tolde ye wherwith she rehearsed the whole maner therof they reputing it strange almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew y e Knightes name His name quoth she is Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withall naming my Cozin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing kéer-upon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Giant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his aide on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was borne heereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath been already declared to you yet she concealed y e louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir said she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great greefe to the other Ladies doubting least she through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castell more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Séeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will perfourme what Galaor should doo if not in strength yet in good will and therfore be you our guide to the place The Damosell turned her haqueney and led them with such spéede to the Dukes Castell that they arriued there the daye before the execution should be Now was the Duke set downe to dinner when the two Knightes entring the great hall humbly saluted him and when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that he should presetly know the cause of their comming wher-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered séeing she hath no way mis-doone and if it be needfull to proue her innocencye by battaile let come two other Knightes to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defenders Well haue you said replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knightes challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behooueth thee to finde some defence for thy self For that I am not to seeke my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the trueth of what I haue saide Héer-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephewe so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other Father to him he saide I pray ye Nephewe maintaine my quarrell against these two Knightes Scarse had he thus spâ—ken but his Nephewe returned this answere to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyall Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the the false Damosell brought hether it may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in combate he dealt villainously and the Damosell ought to dye because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes chamber Agraies who found him selfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped foorth with this answere In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but we auouche he hath doone no wrong and if the Duke please this difference shall be soone discided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the Damosell ought to be deliuered and the Dwarffe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the contrary replyed the Dwarffes champion then calling for his Armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle courser and turning to Agraies who presented him y e combat thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whom this quarrel began too high a price should I set on thy 〈◊〉 We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou caâ—â— dâ—â— but 〈◊〉 aâ— assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reason then doo I leaue thée to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on trueth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was doone when séeing the Knightes prepareâ— to execute their spéeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place appointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies béeing obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Perfourme the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosell be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not béene offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherfore if my fortune make me conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde ye what I meane to doo said the Duke and other-wise it shall not be Agraies tarying for no more woordes turned his horsse running a braue carrire against the Dwarffes Knight and in the encounter brake their sâ—aues gallantly meeting likewise so furiouslye with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered them-selues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to eche other their Swoordes béeing very sharpe the Knightes valiant and hautilye disposed by meanes whereof their Armour healmes and shéeldes were in shorte time made of slender resistaunce yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephewe had still the better on his enemye if then he had before estéemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he now so to doo notwithstanding he was so hot and
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
you take the one you must néedes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him saide My Sonne I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I doo their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My Childe that so soone beginnest to proue Fortune now sée I thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thée if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for and suffer that the woords of Vrganda the vnknowen spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to sée the time of those great meruailes promised thée in Armes The King who noted Gandales séeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beléeue me I neuer thought you had béene such a foole as to wéepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you think for and if it please ye to know the trueth I will presently tell ye héere before your Quéene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the Sea and in what equipage and he had procéeded with that which Vrganda foretolde him but that he remembred the oathe he tooke Now my Lord saide Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage When the King heard this he estéemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the childe he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing God hath doone so much for him as to preserue him from so great a daÌ„ger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Quéene so please you hee shall be mine during his young yéeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on y e next morning the King would set forward wherfore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the Sea whom she commaunded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a chéerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance and no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now dooth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion and his newe freende Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard beeing in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosophers the exposition of his Dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his loste the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing therof As he thus sadlye spent his dayes it chaunced that an other Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to knowe that King Garinter her father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pittie her in that the King of Scottes would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garanter was Perion somewhat sorrowful but yet he comforted himself by thinking he should goe to see his freend towards whome he had not diminished one iotte of his affection wherfore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your mistresse that without staying one whole day I shalbe in short time with her The Damosell wel pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so spéedily as he ariued in little Brittayne where he heard newes that King Languines had alreadye gotten all the chéefe of the Country except those Citties which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed him selfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgementes and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming and feasting of one an other the King tolde her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kinred and Subiectes which she did with all dilligence coulde be deuised as also with so great contentation as her hart might desire for héerin onlye consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scottes and how to accomplishe this King Perion was already ariued with his Sister he sent immediatlye for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in dooing honor and welcome to the King his brother At his comming he was graciously receiued by King Perion and after by embracâ—uis they hadsaluted eche other and the nuptialles likewise thorowlye ended the Kinges determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauayling toward Gaule with his Quéene Elisena and somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh him selfe along by a Riuer side and while the tentes were erecting he rode softlye alone by the water bancke imagining how hee might knowe the trueth whether Elisena had a Childe according as his Philosopher told him in expounding his Dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without anye regarde he came to an Hermitage which was néere at hand wherfore finding him selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horsse to a trée that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very auncient religious man who comming to méete him saide Knight is it true that King Perion is maryed to our Kinges daughter Yea verily answered the King Praised be God saide the good Hermite for I knowe certainlye that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replyed the King Euen from her owne mouth saide the good olde man The King then hoping he shoulde heare of him the thing which he moste desired to knowe said I praye ye Father tell me what you haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man héerein should I greatly faulte and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But séeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye knowe what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise saide to me at the time you came firste into this Countrey yet spake she to me so darkelye as I neuer knewe well how to
bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires thē prompt at armes and Knightly chiualrie béeing called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the King of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North partes And albeit she had béene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not cōsent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one him self and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in his gentle hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittayne knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeede in the Realme for he béeing in a strange Countrey where by his hautye déedes and chiualrie he was maried in so good a place therfore they dispatched their Ambassadours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and Subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest him selfe therin CHAP V. ¶ How King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his subiectes desire for his short return prouided his equipage by Sea béeing aided and assisted by the King of Denmarke his Father in Law and afterward set saile toward great Brittain And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new King of great Brittaine accompanied with the Quéene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yéeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therfore during the time of her abode in Denmarke she was commonlye called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana beeing not vsed to the trauaile on the Sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her Father fearing a woorsse mishap intreated the King of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did King Languines and his Quéen accept this charge wherfore King Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to Sea where weighing Anckers hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where béeing arriued before he could abide in quiet asin such occasions it often falleth out certaine Rebelles were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so spéedilye send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the Author leaueth the newe King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the Sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yéeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and and for his good grace both of the Quéene and the other Ladyes was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath béene already declared the young Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart was lefte with the Quéene of Scottes to refreshe her selfe till the King her Father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies coulde be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame hencefoorth so please you shall the Gentleman of the Sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherfore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindenesse in his spirite as during life he meant to serue nor loue any other and therfore foreeuer bequeathed to her his hart but so wel it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betwéene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge therof thought him self vnwoorthy so great good reputing it a very bolde enterprise to thinke theron which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblaunce The yong Princesse who was of the same minde and also in like payne forbare to talke more with him then an other therby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers dooing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which moste they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting eche other with this amorous affection Soone after this yong vnknown prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes and receiue the order of knighthood he saide to himselfe If once I were a knight I would doo such exploytes as should deserue the fauour of my Ladye or dye in the attempte And in this desire one day finding King Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these spéeches My Lord might it stand with your plesure I gladly would receiue my knighthood When the King heard him séeing his young yéeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the Sea Doo you thinke your selfe already strong enoughe for such a weightie charge in sooth it is an easie thing to receiue honor but to maintaine it as behooueth it may be is more hard then you estéeme so that oftentimes a a right good hart is troubled therwith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doo more better is death to him then a shamefull life therfore by mine aduise I would haue you yet a while to forbeare The prince not contented with this answere replyed I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doo all that appertayneth to chiualrie I would not haue beene so bolde to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue been hetherto nourished most humbly I beséech ye to graunt me this peticion that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to séeke else where for obtaining my sute The king highly estéeming the courage of y e youth and doubting least he would departe indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentleman that I will doo it when I sée it necessarye for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what els belongeth Yet tel me faire Sir to whom if I refused would you goe for your order To King Perion saide y e Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Quéene who maketh me beleeue that he wil not deny me when I shall let him vnderstand how she hath nourished me and that I am her seruant It is true quoth the King but for this present haue a little pacience and when time serueth you shalbe honourablye Knighted in meane while he gaue charge that all his néedful accoustrements for the cause should be prouided Now did the King aduertise Gandales héerof who was so contented therwith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Swoord the King and the letter couered with ware which he found in the Chest he tooke out of the Sea Such spéed made the Damosell
Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother IN the beginning of this Historie it hath béene recited how King Perion gaue his Quéene Elisena being then in little Brittayne a King like another that commonly he wore and these two Kings were of such an vniforme as there was no difference to bee discerned betwéene them Likewise you haue vnderstood how when the young Prince was put vpon the water this King was fastened about his neck which Gardalâ—â— kept till time he sent it by the Damosell a little before he was Knighted with the Sword and the ware Now had the King sundry times demaunded of the Queene for the King who made him diuers doubtfull answers and in the end said she had lost it But it came to passe that as the Prince walked with Orianaes Damosell which commonly he was wont to doo young Melicia daughter to King Perion passed by him weeping when the Prince stayd her saying Faire friend why wéepe ye Ah my Lord quoth the Princesse I haue euen now lost a King which the King my Father gaue me to kéepe while he slept Wéepe not so faire Uirgin answered the Prince you shall haue another of me to giue him so taking his owne King from his finger he gaue it her When she beheld it thinking it was the same she had lost she said A my Lord you haue found it wherewith I am not a little glad for I haue all this while sought it What now quoth the Prince this is not your King In mine opinion it is answered Melicia or the only thing of the world that most resembles it So much the better said the Prince for more easily will it be iudged the same you lost Héerewith went Melicia to the Kings chamber and finding him awake he asked her for his King then gaue she him the same she had of y e Prince which the King put on his finger thinking it was his owne But soone after as he walked through the Gallarie he espied in a corner lying the other King which he gaue his daughter before to keepe and taking it vp he compared them together whereupon he remembred that one of these two was the same he sometime gaue the Quéene so he asked of Melicia where she had the King The young Princesse affrayd of beating durst not lye but thus aunswered My Lord and Father your King I lost and as I searched for it I met with the Gentleman of the Sea who because he sawe me wéepe gaue me one of his which I deliuered you in stead of your owne and if that be not it I knowe not where it is When the King heard this he presently conceiued suspition betweene his Quéene and the Prince imagining in respect of his beautie how she was fallen into some dishonest liking of him and therefore had giuen that token Héereupon he went to the chamber where she was and shutting the dore sate downe by her not speaking one word a good space but silently fixed his eyes on the ground then breathing foorth a passionate sigh he said I will not meruaile any longer Madame why you would neuer make me any certaine answere when I demaunded for the King I gaue ye in little Brittayne you haue lost it in such a place where you would be loth I should knowe of it but hardly can you conceale affection when it procéedeth to such effects The Gentleman of the Sea inconsiderately gaue it to Melicia little thinking that it came at the first from me and thereby do I know what he suspecteth not and your selfe would I should not vnderstand When the Quéene who alreadie by his countenance sawe he was troubled heard what he had said she now determined not to dissemble with him in any thing but summarily made a true discourse of hir child-birth And not without teares she recounted to him how standing in feare of the King her Father as also the seuere lawe vsed in his Kingdome she was constrained to comunt her Sonne to the mercie of the Sea and in his cradle coffin put with him both the King Sword and what else hath béen already declared Confounded was the King with meruaile when he heard the whole trueth and presently imagined that the Prince might be his first Sonne whome God had so miraculously preserued wherefore he sayd to the Quéene According to your circumstances reuealed it may be that he who is vnknowne to vs is our Sonne and the rather I coniecture so by the name he beareth of the Sea Ah God said the Queene may it fall out so happily I beseech ye my Lord send presently for him and we will desire him to tell vs of whence he is Let vs goe then quoth the King to seeke him So went they to his chamber where they found him sléeping wherefore without making any noyse he approching neere the bed espied his Sword which he tooke and after he had well viewed it knew it to be the same he esteemed so much and wherewith he had finished many famous aduentures whereupon he said to the Quéene On my faith this is the Sword I left in the chamber of the King your Father the first night we were acquainted together and now do I the better beleeue what you haue said vnto me Ah God sayd the Quéene let vs suffer him sléepe no longer for my heart cannot endure this weightie burden heerewith she tooke him by the hand and awaked him saying My Lord sléepe no more at this time for other occasions calleth you Easily was the Prince raysed from sléepe but when he behelde the Quéene wéeping as one amazed thereat he said Madame from what occasion procéede these teares is there any thing I may do ye seruice in to remedy them Noble friend quoth the Quéene you only may quallifie my griefs by your words in telling vs whose Sonne you are So God help me Madame answered the Prince I know not for by strange aduenture was I found in the Sea The good Lady was then so ouercome with ioy as not only spéeche but vitall sence was taken from her and she fell downe in a swoune which the Prince perceiuing quickly ran to recouer her saying What ayle ye Madame further could he not imagine on the cause of this alteration Ah my Sonne quoth she now knowe I better then thy selfe who thou art The King likewise was so caryed away with ioy and admiration as he stood not able to speake a word now was it hard to iudge which of these three felt greatest contentation but the mother throwing her armes about the Princes neck said Now may I boldly dare to kisse thée in safetie hauing beene so long depriued of thy sight and knowledge highly am I beholding to the diuine bountie who hath fauoured the offence I committed through feare which was in deliuering thee to the courtesie of the waters and sée heere thy Kingly Father that begot thee With these words the Prince fell at their féete extreame ioy reducing the teares into his
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
saue me a great deale of trauaile to King Liâ—â—â—â—â— to whome I am going for the same cause My friend replied y e Knight you shall do your selfe ouer much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best King in the world for so poore a Knight errant as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the King can put no such strength â—nto me as I haue séene perfourmed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the Knight to graunt any other thing you will demaund for such authoritie appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearms Vrganda â—vnlooked forâ— came to them wherewith y e Knight of the Lyons was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talk thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of Knighthood and yet is he now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous King Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good I will councell him not to desist from his former motion for you ought not to deny it him séeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the Sea except one Séeing it is so replyed the Knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be néedlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them alreadie It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a Knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whome you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I receiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword readie but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder trée and you shall find it farre more faire and good Heerewith they looked vp on the tree yet sawe it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yéeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer sawe it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tyed to a braunch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then béene hanged there and by it was a scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious workemanship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a sword beséemeth a Knight so formall thinke she hated ye not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most chéerefully did Galaor giue her thanks and the Knight likewise thus speaking to them I beséech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire yée Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of King Lisuart answered the Knight where I shall be very glad to sée you and because it is no long time since I was Knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honor as you cannot chuse but do the like if you come thither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your Knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall commaund me So departed he froÌ„ them returning to the Giant who staied for him by the riuer side where he had hid himselfe least he should be séene But now you must héere obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whom at large she vnderstood how the Knight of the Lions was Amadis Sonne to King Perion of Gaule whose comming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by enchantment she could not compasse it by reason the Lady of y e Castell was too cunning in that arte and there had first enchaunted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by Knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whome they came thither and he by the Damosell Niece to the Lady of the Castell that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into y e riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda she demaunded of Amadis if he knewe the man to whome he gaue the order of Knighthood No truely Madame quoth he In footh answered Vrganda it is great reason you should know what he is for he beareth so braue a mind y e if you both should méete without further knowledge there might happen betwéene ye great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father mother and the very same whome the Giant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword wherwith I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any Knight did in great Brittayne Amadis conceiued héereat such inward ioy as y e teares trickled downe his chéekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beséech ye Madame tell me where I may finde him It is not necessary quoth she that as yet you should séeke him Why sayd Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may find him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what happened to Galaor the new Knight wâ—â— being arriued where the Giant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks be to God and him you sent me to a confirmed Knight My Sonne quoth the Giant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it
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
likewise the Mothers comfort hauing recouered her Daughter againe but as your iudgementes can better conceiue then I set down matter aboue the reache of common capacitie so doo I leaue it to you and proceede to the King Who to terrifie the traitours thus gotten into hold besieged them seuerelly and to disharten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephewe before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which beeing doone a great fier was made wherin they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectackle and that they were in great want of victualles they yéelded them-selues to the Kinges mercye the most parte of them béeing for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at libertie vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred great trouble afterward betwéene them of great Brittaine and Sansuegua for the Sonne of Barsinan beeing a good Knight vexed King Lisuart with contagious warre as the Historye heere-after at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these mis-fortunes the former ioyes and pastimes began again during which time the Lady and her two Sonnes the messengers of Madasima who were witnesses when Galaor and Amadis promised to forsake King Lisuarts seruice arriued at y e Court When the two Princes were aduertised therof they went and freendly entertained her she saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to kéep your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenaunt with Madasima but presently will perfourm it before the King Entring the great hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiestie deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Courte to see if these two Knightes will obserue a couenaunt which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will scant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and therto she added y e whole circumstance Wherat the King wexing some what offended tolde Galaor that he had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to doo so then be trecherously slaine for had we beene knowen neither you or all the worlde could haue saued our liues but let not your Maiestie be offended for the remedie shall be more readye then you expect In accomplishing my promise to Madasima of Gantasi my Lord I take my leaue of you departing altogether from your seruice certifying you that it is her wil to doo you this displeasure and wursse if she could compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had doone then Galaor turning to the Lady and her two Sonnes said Haue we not now accomplished our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady we must néedes auouch so much You may then return when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she wéened as you may perceiue by the present effect Now my Lord quoth he to the King we haue fulfilled our promise to Madasima and because in graunting her earnest desire the time was not limitted how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter ther-into againe when you please to commaund so that we are yours as faithfull as before When the King and all that were present heard what had past they reioyced exceedingly esteeming Galaor and Amadis well aduised héerin wher-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddow of good meaning they are bound to no more then they haue accomplished for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit And say to Madasima séeing she hateth me so vnreasonably she once had them in her power who might haue greeued me all my life time but God hauing in other places deliuered me from many perilles will not suffer me to perish by so bad a woman as she is I desire ye my Lord quoth she to tell me their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible said the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde ye trueth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had knowne them and in sooth the deed might be reckoned ominous if two such woorthye persons had perished Yet when she shall know heereof saide the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. ¶ How King Lisuart helde open Courte in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater parte wherof remained there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Courte in all magnificence many noble personages béeing there assembled as well strangers as other hoping now to make little stay but to returne home to their owne houses yet the greater parte of them aboad with the King in like maner did sundry woorthy Ladyes accompany the Quéene Among other Knightes attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cozin Ladasin who as I haue saide were very good Knightes but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very few were found in the Realme of great Brittaine that caryed more account for déedes of Armes and all other graces beseeming a Knight setting aside his musing and melancholye By means wherof few or none could be pleasant with him or haue any woordes from him in companie but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughtes in such sorte with his Lady as he had minde of none but her And she of whome we speake was endued with singuler beautye béeing named Brandalisia sister to the Kinges wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in mariage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was ariued at the Courte to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and béeing in the presence of many great Lordes the Duke began in this manner Sir you haue commaunded my appearance héere this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiestie concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth me withall wherof I hope sufficiently to cléere my selfe by the rightfull iudgemēt your selfe shall giue he rest condemned like a varlet as he is for héer am I ready to approue against him or any other he shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deede At these woords Oliuas arose with him a great number of Knightes errant all resolued to maintaine this quarrell against the Duke when the King behelde them in such a mutinie he meruailed whence the cause should proceed when Grumedan speaking for all the rest saide My Lord because the Duke of Bristoya hath threatned and defied all Knightes errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it be so he hath attempted an ouer-fond warre for I think there is no King
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
quoth the King and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdered my Ladyes father and vniustly keep her from her inheritaunce wherfore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sonnes would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme she sendes you woord by me if still you stand vpon such triall she will bring two Knightes hither who shall in combate maintaine her cause making you know your disloyaltye and treason committed Darison eldest sonne to the King hearing his Father menaced in this sorte grew into great choller and as one mooued with despight he arose when without the Kinges consent he thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two Knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe héere doo I accept the combate for my Father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lordes to send her my head in requitall of her Fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speak as a Knight of hautie minde yet may I doubt these woordes to procéed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenaunce but if you will request the King to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a hart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldely make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiestie saide the Damosell to giue my Ladies Knightes assuraunce that for any mishap you may receiue in the combate they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three and if you purchase them such a safe-conduit they shall be heere within thrée dayes at the vtter-most Darison falling on his knée before the King saide You heare my Lord the Damoselles demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiestie in the presence of al these great Princes and Lordes humbly therfore I beséeche you séeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduauntage the presuming Knightes who dare aduenture in the cause of foolishe Briolania will imagine them-selues conquerours and vs dismaied fainte harted cowardes hauing openlye published that if any one will touche your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combate of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolishe Knightes of King Lisuarts Courte who by their ouer-wéening aspiring thoughtes make high account of their owne déedes in the contempte of others The King who loued Darison as him self though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and therby made him feare the combat graunted theÌ„ safe-conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two Knights and such as came in their company Héere is to be considered that the period of this traitours fortune was now limitted and the iust auenger of all wronges pointed out reward for the treason of him and his sonnes as in this discourse may be euidently séene The Damosell séeing her message had taken such effect as she desired said vnto them Make your selues readie for to morrow without faile shall this difference be discided So mounting on her Palfray she returned to the Castell of Galumba where béeing arriued before the Knights and Ladyes she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish Knights of King Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into thâ—se spéeches By God there are such in company of that good King as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so lowe as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-maistred him when he vttered woords of such great indiscretion Trust me my Lord answered Briolania you cannot say or doo so much against these traytours as they iustly deserue You knowe what villainie they did to the King my Father and how long time they haue disinherited me let pittie then preuaile on my behalfe seeing in God and you I haue reposed my selfe with assured hope of sufficient reuenge Amadis whose heart was submisse to vertue and all gentlenes mooued with compassion sayd Madame if God be so pleased ere to morrow at night your sorrow and sadnes shall be conuerted into pleasure and content Heerupon they concluded to set forward verie early the next morning which made them depart to their chambers except Briolania who sate conferring with Amadis on many matters when oftentimes she thought to motion mariage betwéene him and her but suspecting by his continuall sighes as also the teares streaming from his eyes that some other Lady was cause of these passions she kept silence and taking her leaue bad him good night On the morrow they goe all to horsseback and comming to the Citty of Sobradisa their arriuall was verie welcome to many who séeing the Daughter of their late soueraigne Lord and knowing the monstrous trecherie of his brother they instantly desired her prosperous successe because they bare her singuler affection Abiseos remembring the wrong he had done her and his bloody treason so vnnaturally committed seemed terrified in countenance because the woorme of conscience reuiued his heinous offence yet hauing been so long obstinate and indurate in his sinne thought fortune would now assure his quietnes confirme his state to continue in tranquilitie But when he sawe how the people flocked about her not shewing any reuerence to him his Sonnes albeit they were royally accompanyed with Lords he exclaimed on them in this maner Ah wretched and bad minded people I see what comfort you take by the presence of this Girle and how your sences are caryed away with her now may I well iudge you rather could accept her as your Soueraigne she being a woman not capable of such an office then I y t am a hardy Knight Her weakenes you may note because she hath in so long time gotten but two Knights who are come to receiue an ignominious death which in sooth I cannot chuse but pitty When Amadis heard these taunting woords he was so enraged as if the blood would haue gushed from his eyes and raising himselfe on his stirrops that euery one might heare him he thus answered Abiseos it may be easily discerned that the arriuall of the Princesse is scant pleasing to thée in respect of thy horrible treason committed murdering her father thy eldest brother but if thou haue any feeling of vertue and art repentant for thy foule misdéed yéeld to her what thou hast vniustly vsurped so shall I discharge thée of the combate prouided thou aske God forgiuenes and vse such repentance as beseemeth a sinne so hainous that by loosing honor in this world thou mayst seeke the saluatioÌ„ of thy soule héereafter Darison prouoked to anger by these speeches anaunced himselfe and before his father had leysure to reply he
ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he saide within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best knightes in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their King had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Uenison laide on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Quéene was immediatly aduertised of King Perions arriuall and therfore made speedy prouision of all thinges necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their comming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences doon on all sides the two Kinges sat downe so did the Quéene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had Loue secretly ambushed him selfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quicke and thence forward holde a sure conquest of her The like in King Perion who thought of nothing but a fréendlye entertainement yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena and she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearring regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesie but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong King and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that power he had his hart francke and frée without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner time they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with-drawen when the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherfore Elisena arose to followe her but as she stepped forward she let fall a King which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her think on other matters Now was king Perion some what néer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes méete together as the King had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her King Wherupon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a swéet regarde humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doo you for my whole life time shalbe imployed to obey you Constrained was Elisena without answering him to followe the Queene her mother so surprized and altered as very néere she had forgotten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden and vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguishe she went and discouered the same to a faithfull Damsell of hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councell her how she might safely know if King Perion had not else-where placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showen her might procéed from force of that impression which had so lately seaâ—ed on her hart The Damosell mernailing at this so sudden mutation and in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her pitteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherwith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye hee hath lefte no place in your iudgemente where counsell or reason may be entertayned and therfore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obay you I shall doo what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretion and the great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garmentes for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I perfourme this seruice and you gentle Squire maye goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Cuntry made no deniall but willinglye suffered her to take the Garments wherupon she entred the Chamber where the found the King laide on his bed who séeing her enter and knowing wel it was she whom he had séene to conferre with Elisena most priuatelye and in whom aboue all other she put chéefest trust he thought that she would not come in that sorte to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he saide Faire fréend what demaund ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I saide the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left naked and despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this Country I was frée from all passions and doubled nothing but of aduentures that might happen to knightes errant but now I know not in what sorte entring this Courte by some one of your Ladies haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell knowe how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my self happy by dooing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you will promise me saide the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say holdâ—â—â— your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my fréende quoth he I giue ye to vnderstand that at what time I behelde the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamelye tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I finde not remedy for my greefe the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the minde of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answere My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other thinges ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to Wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shalbe satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dollour then your are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you doo not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke
that your woordes procéeded from no loyall hart nor to credit any thing you say héerafter The King whom loue had already depriued of liberty to vnite him selfe with Elisena to the end that he might be adorned with the great and gratious fruite which afterwarde happened as shalbe receited vnto ye tooke his Swoord and setting his right hand on the Crosse therof saide these woordes I sweare by this crosse and on this Swoord wherwith I receiued the order of Knighthood to doo what you faire Damosell shall commaund me at all times and whensoeuer your mistresse Elisena shalbe therto aduised Be you then frollicke and merrye answered Darioletta for I shall likewise accomplishe what I haue promised And at that instant she returned to the Princesse declaring to her what she had concluded with King Perion wherwith the amorous Lady was so pleased as she had vtterly lost her former countenance and incesfanty embracing Darioletta thus demaunded My déere fréend when will the hower come that I shall holde betwéene mine armes my Lord whom thou hast giuen me I shall tell ye answered the Damosell you know that in the Chamber where King Perion lodgeth there is a doore on the Garden side which your Father hath sundrye times vsed for his recreation and which at this present is couered with the cloth of Arras but I haue the keye thereof wherfore at night when euery one is at rest we may easily there enter vnséene of any and when néedefull time of returne commeth my selfe will call ye When Elisena heard this deuise she was highly contented therwith yet breathing foorth a sighe she said Alas my faithfull fréend how shall we bring this to passe seeing my father is determined to lodge with King Perion and if he perceiue vs we shalbe both in very great danger Refer that doubt to me answered Darioletta and I shal easilye prouide for this matter whereupon for this time they brake off conference because the Tables were couered for Supper And in like manner as the feasting began in the morning so now it continued till the Tables béeing voyded eche one prepared him selfe to rest now a little before Darioletta went to king Perions Squire and thus saide to him Gentle Squire and my fréend I pray ye tel me in good faithe whether you be a Gentleman or no. Why aske ye answered the Squire For the desire I haue said the Damosell to know one thing of you which I intreate ye by the faith you owe to God and to the King your Maister not to hide from me By Saint Mary quoth he I will tell you what you please to aske prouided that it be not to the domage of my Lord. Heerin saide the Damosell will I consent with ye for I would not demaunde any thing of you that should giue him displeasure nor were it reasonable that you should acquaint me with any such matter but I desire to knowe who is the Lady he loueth most perfectlye The King my Maister quoth the Squire loueth all ingenerall and I assure ye that I know no one to whom he beareth such affection as you speak off While they were thus talking the King Garinter came who séeing Darioletta conferring with king Perions Squire demaunded what we she had to doo with the Gentleman In sooth my Lord quoth she he telles me that the king his Maister is woont to lye alone and therfore I thinke he loueth not to haue any company When Garinter vnderstood that he went presently to king Perion saying My noble Brother there are certaine affaires suddenly be fallen me and likewise I must rise somewhat early in the morning which hath made me thinke that not to trouble you the best way is that I breake company from lodging with ye My Lord answered king Perion doo as shall séem best to your liking This answer appeared to king Garinter conformable with that the Damosell had saide wherfore right soone he commaunded his bed to be fetcht frō king Perions Chamber When Darioletta heard therof she imagmed their affaires would fall out the better and therfore returned to Elisena acquainting her with all that had passed betwéene the two kinges In good faith quoth she I now beléeue that séeing God hath graunted so good a beginning our enterprise which at this present séemeth a great sinne will héerafter redound to his seruice but tell me what wee shall doo for the great ioy which I haue hath taken from me the most healthfull part of my iudgement Madame saide Darioletta this night will we execute what we haue determined séeing the doore wherof you knowe is certainly open To my selfe I keepe it answered Elisena and to you only I commit the charge to prouide when the hower shall permit and so they remained attending for the fauourable time CHAP. II. ¶ How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was lodged THe time béeing come when eche one most commonly betake themselues to rest Darioletta who for the contentment of her Mistresse had vsed extreame dilligence came and tolde her Madame now is the time to finishe our enterprise then let vs goe if you please Whē Elisena heard what she saide you must think she gaue no occasion to be reproued with slothfulnes but hastely arose and without tarying casting only a mantle about her shoulders went forward and afterward they bothe entred the Garden The time was then calme and gracious the Moone faire and splendant giuing cléere light to the two Ladies but surely the one had more cause of content then the other who gladlye would haue tasted this good hap or such an other for her selfe if she could any way haue compast the meane and so much she gaue in outward appearance as Elisena perceiued well that she wanted but the executour to perfourme the same for Darioletta féeling in her spirit the ease at hand which she should receiue whome she conducted could not but very pleasantly iest and dally with her Mistresse breaking many a bitter sigh among as though she were to participate in Elisenaes future good fortune to whome she saide Alas Madame how happye is the Prince by whom this night you shall receiue such pleasure You say true answered Elisena but what thinke you not that Fortune is as fauourable to me as to him for if I be faire is not he one of the most perfect men that hath béene heard off either in personage good grace or hardines assure thy selfe Darioletta my fréend that I imagine my self so happy sa I thinke it is impossible for me to be more and therfore let vs make haste I praye thee These woordes she vttered with such affection that she trembled like the little leafe on the high tree and as she ended those spéeches they arriued at the Chamber doore where king Perion was lodged who for y e strangenes of this new amorous flame as also y e hope he had in Darioletta had not as yet taken any rest Neuerthelesse béeing at
this instant wearye with trauaile and ouercome with sléepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his Chamber at a false doore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his handes into his sides and rent foorth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the King said Wherefore commit ye such crueltie This is nothing at all answered he that did this outrage for with you shall remaine an other hart which I must take from ye against my will In great feare he suddenlye awaked and making the â—igne of the Crosse commended him selfe to God Now had the Ladies opened the doore and entred the Chamber wherfore he hearing the noyse suspected some treason especially by reason of his fearefull dreame and lifting vp his head behelde thorowe the Curtaynes the doore open wherof he knew nothing and afterwarde by the light of the Moone he sawe the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Swoord and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta sawe him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be doone héere Doo you my Lord draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence The king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom he so much desired threw his Swoord to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay néere at hand in great affection he came to her whom he loued better then him selfe kissing embracing and shewing y e best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour saide to Elisena Now are you somewhat better contented for in my iudgement although till this time you defended your selfe from many and he likewise hath withstood sundrye assaultes notwithstanding at this present neither the one or other of you hath force or meane which way any longer to warrant or defend your selues As thus she spake she looked where the King had throwen his Swoord which she tooke vp as a witnesse of the oathe and promise he made her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and him selfe then shutting the doore after her she went into the Garden and so the King remained alone with his fair fréend whom after many amourous embracinges infinite kissinges and execution of delightes he behelde verily perswading him selfe that all the beautye of the Worlde was in her reputing him self much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture Sée now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the chéefest flower of her youth being requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the libertie of a Maiden now wun in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her owne thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chaste life caused a sudden alteration of her purpose making her soone after of a faire virgen a faire woman seruing for example to many other who assaying to withdrawe their thoughtes from worldly thinges and despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them and tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the pleasures and delightes in their Fathers Courtes ' wherof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules into poore and religious houses therto in all obedience offering their frée will vowing themselues to the subiection of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladies ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplations and prayers accepting them as their true and singuler pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt them selues from sight of Parents neighbours fréends because that oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth a change of their holye and chaste will And not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the ende that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long laboured in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwithstanding in one only moment seing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise and discretion of Darioletta who would couer the honor of her Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may sée she was at the point to fall into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whoÌ„ hath commonly béen heard speech who not keeping themselues from what I haue saide before haue béene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their sollace Elisena demaunding of the King if his departure should be shortlye or no. Wherfore Madame doo you aske saide King Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires dooth threaten me already with extreame anguish and sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt therof saide the King for although my body be seperated from your presence my hart for euer shall remaine with ye which shall giue strength to vs bothe to you to suffer and to me by my spéedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had been the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forget her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber and speaking somewhat loude saide Madame I know that heertofore you thought my company more agréeable then you doo at this present but it is néedfull that you arise and let vs goe for the time calleth vs. When the King heard her knowing that perforce it must be so he praied Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him woord in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge w t such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge then swéetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Cuntry then you imagine therfore I pray ye be not unmindefull of this place So arose Elisena and went vnto her Chamber with Darioletta leauing y e King alone not a little contended with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signify he becaÌ„e desirous to return to his owne Countrey where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences him self likewise in former times took great pleasure therin and vnderstood sundry rules therof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with King Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunte
The ten dayes béeing spent King Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to departe and therefore tooke his leaue of the Courte but as he would haue mounted on horseback he perceiued that he wanted his good Swoord wherat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fayrest in the world yet durst he not demaund it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena shoulde thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his chamber In these thoughtes accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came and intreated him to be mindefull of the great gréefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the sollemne promise he had made her Alas my déere freend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to fée her in meane while I commend her to you as mine own proper hart Then taking from his finger a King semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great gréefe but encrease it so that if she had not béene comforted by Darioletta without doubte she had then finished her dayes but so wel she perswaded her to take good hope that by the allegations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothely to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes wherof she not onlye lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mishap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable law y t any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her self from death This sharpe cruell custome endured till the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betwéene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady coulde not be absolued by ignoraunce therof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Swoord God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the world because it was doon so secretly as you haue heard Sée héere the distresse wherin King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she would giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the promptitude of this yong King that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also séeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therfore he was the harder to be found Thus dispayring of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true fréend and only Lord. But at that instant the great and puissāt maker of all thinges by whose permission this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such counsell as she only should remedie these occurrences in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the Pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber vaulte seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer wherto one might easilye discend by a little Iron doore this Chamber by the aduise of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to continue her accustomed solitarye life and would haue none other companion thē Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous gréefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heeruppon was the Keye of the Iron doore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest and assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherfore béeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference and she required councell what should be doone with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta mary it must suffer to redéeme you Ah poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I consent to the death of the creature begotten by the only man of the world whom most I loue Offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth said Elisena although I dye béeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue wee this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great follye to hazard the safetie of that which héerafter may be the onlye cause of your losse and your freend likewise for well you know that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue and you dying no longer can he liue y t so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of al thrée where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand séeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boords of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherin to put the infant with the clothes the swoord which she kept then did she glue thē together in such sorte as y e water should haue no place to enter This beeing doon and made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing therof to Elisena vntil the time of Childe-birthe approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth she This shalbe to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue neede Beleeue me answered Elisena wéeping but little doo I care for any thing that may happen for I féele my selfe too néere the losse of my good and all my ioy Uery soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange and troublesome oppressing her hart with sundrye bitter passions yet notwithstanding all her yrk some plundges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatlye fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliueraunce a faire Sonne which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it séemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would
them selues to flight and the Prince followed them so néere as one of them left his legge behinde him the other twaine he let go returning where he left the Damosell to whom he saide Now boldely goe on and like euill fortune may they haue that encourage any villaine to lay forcible hand on Lady or Damosell She béeing assured by these woordes went on with the Prince and his Squires but ere they had gon any thing farre they heard a great noyse and tumult within the Castell Me thinkes Sir said the Damosell I heare a meruaylous murmuring within this Fortresse therfore I would aduise ye to take the rest of your Armour Goe on quoth the Prince and feare not for where Ladyes are euill intreated who ought euery where to goe in safety there hardly abideth any man of valewe In sooth said she if you doo not what I haue desired I will not passe any further and so much she perswaded him that at length he laced on his Helmet afterward he went into the Castell at the entraunce wherof he met a Squire wéeping who saide Ah God why will they murder without cause the best Knight in the worlde alas they would enforce him to promise what is impossible for him to accomplishe These woordes of the Squire could not stay the Prince for he saw King Perion who had so lately Knighted him very hardly vsed by two Knights who with the help of ten armed Halberders had round beset him saying Swear if not thou dyest Greatly did it gréeue the Prince to sée such outrage offered to King Perion wherfore he thus called to them Trayterous villaines what mooues ye to misuse the best Knight in the world by heauen you shall all dye for him At these woords one of the Knightes left the King and taking fiue Halberders with him came to the Prince saying It likewise behooueth you to sweare if not you can escape no better then an other What quoth he shall I then sweare against my will by Gods leaue it shall not be so Then they of the Castell cryed to the Porter that he should shut the gate wherfore the Prince now saw he must stand vpon his defence wher-upon he ran fiercelye against the Knight charging him in such sorte as he fell downe dead ouer the crupper of his horsse for in the fall he brake his neck Which the prince beholding not tarying any longer with the Halberders came to the other Knight that combated with King Perion piercing his Launce quite through his body so that he accompanied the first in fortune King 〈◊〉 séeing him self thus succoured so cheered vp his hart as he did much better then before against his enemies causing them by sharpe strokes of his Swoord to retire in meane while the Gentleman of the Sea being on Horsse-backe ranne among them and scattered them tumbling one downe héere and another there so that at length by the aide of the King they were all slaine except certaine that fled away on the top of the walles But the prince alighted and followed them wherat they were so affrighted as they cast themselues downe headlong from the walles only two got them into a Chamber where they thought to remaine in safetie notwithstanding he pursued them so néere as he buckled pel mel with them But within the Chamber on a bed lay an ancient Knight whose vnweldie age had taken from him the vse of his legges to them that came in he vsed these spéeches Cowardly villaines from whom run ye so shamefully From a Knight aunswered one of them who hath plaide the Deuill in your Castell for he hath slaine your two Nephewes and all our companions As thus he spake the prince caught him by the head saying Tell me villaine where is the Lord of this place or else thou diest The poore man seeing him selfe in such perill shewed him y e olde Knight lying on the bed but when the prince sawe him so olde and decrepite he blamed him in this manner Thou wretched olde man hath death already seazed on thy bones and yet doost thou cause such a wicked custome to be maintained héer Well dooth thine age excuse thée from bearing Armes yet shall I giue thée the desert belonging to such villainie With these woords he made offer to smite off his head Wherfore the affrighted olde man cryed Alas my Lord for Gods sake mercie None at all quoth the prince thou art dead if thou swearest not to me y t while thou liuest such like treason shall be no more maintained in this place wherto y e olde Knight right gladly tooke his oathe Now tell me said the prince wherfore hast thou héertofore kept this custome héere For the loue of King Abies of Ireland answered the Knight who is mine Nephewe and because I can not ayde him with my person in his warre I was desirous to succour him with such Knightes errant as passed this way False villaine answered the prince what haue Knightes errant to doo with thy desire so spurning the bed with his foote threw it downe and the olde Knight vnder it where commending him to all the Deuilles he lefte him and comming downe into the Courte took a Horsse which was one of the slaine Knightes and bringing it to y e King saide Mount your selfe my Lord for it little likes me to stay any longer héere where such bad people haue their habitation The King presentlye went to horseback and so they rode together out of the Castell but the prince fearing least the King should know him would by no meanes take off his Helmet notwithstanding as they rode along the King thus spake to him I pray ye sir Knight tell me of whence you are that haue succoured me when I was so néere my death warranting me also héereafter from the enemies of this place and shewing your selfe a good fréend to Ladies and Knightes errant As for me I am the same man against whom they kept this straite passage importing the cruell oathe for which you combatted My Lord answered the prince I am a Knight desirous to doo you any seruice Beléeue me quoth y e King that haue I already well perceiued for hardly should I haue found so good a fréend to helpe me yet will I not giue ouer till I know ye Alas my Lord saide he that will little profit ye Notwithstanding quoth the King I pray ye take off your Helmet which he would not doo but put downe his Beuer a little When the King saw that his intreatie would not preuaile he desired the Damosell to obtaine so much for him wherto the condiscending tooke the prince by the hand saying I beséech ye Sir graunt the King what he hath requested He séeing her importunate took off his Helmet when presently the King knewe him that it was the same man hee had Knighted at the Ladies motion wherfore embracing him he saide Right glad am I to know so déere a fréend My Lord quoth the prince I knew you so soone as I came
to the Castell to be the man that gaue me mine order of Knighthood wherwith so please if God I meane to serue you while your warre continueth in Gaule and willingly I would not be knowne by any one till your troubles be finished You haue already said the King doone so much for me as I rest bounden to you while I liue allowing you to dispose of me and mine and if as you say you come into Gaule you shall augment with aduauntage the honor due to you then iustly may I tearme the hower happie that it was my fortune to make so good a Knight Such like woordes vsed King Perion little thinking how néere they were allied together and thus they rode deuising till at length they came to a double way when he demaunded of the King which of those waies pleased him to take This on the left hand answered the King because it guideth directly to my Countrye God haue you then in his kéeping saide the Prince for I must néedes ride this other waye I praye ye quoth the King remember your comming into Gáule as you promised me for the hope I haue in you hath abridged parte of my sorrowe and giueth me assuraunce withall that by your meanes I shall recouer my losse So tooke they leaue of eche other the King toward Gaule and the Prince in companye with the Damosell and Gandalin but because she had now seen what she desired namely the proofe of the Launce which Vrganda gaue him she would trauaile no further out of her way but turning to the Prince said I haue hetherto my Lord with right good will kept ye company because y e Lady that gaue ye the Launce saide she brought it to the best Knight in the world and surely I haue seen so much as I stand in no doubt of her spéeches wherfore I shall now shape my course to finde her I am sent to as before I tolde ye I pray ye Lady quoth he tell me what she is It is saide she the Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart of great Brittaine When he heard her named whom he loued so déerly his hart began to tremble in such sort as he had fallen beside his horsse but that Gandalin stayed him yet fetching a great sigh said Ah God my hart faileth me The Damosell thinking some suddē sicknes was cause therof would haue had him vnarmed but he tolde her it was néedelesse for he was oftentimes want to feele such passions The Squire who all this while had beene their guide tooke leaue of the Prince asking the Damosell if her way lay toward the Courte of King Languines which she affirming he saide he would accompanye her thither because he had busines of some importance there So hauing courteouslye saluted eche other they returned the same way they came and the Prince rode on with Gandalin to séeke aduentures Héere leaueth the Author to tell ye what happened to Galaor whome the Giant caried away and gaue in kéeping to the aged Hermite as already you haue heard By this time had Galaor attained the age of sixtéene yéeres meruaylouslye encreasing in stature and comely perfection hauing no other exercise then reading on a Booke which the olde man lent him discoursing the déeds of Armes of sundry auncient Knightes Héerin he tooke so great pleasure as on this occasion as also by a naturall instinct he was desirous to be Knighted neuerthelesse he knew not whether by right such honor appertained to him Uerye earnestlye he questioned theron with the Hermite but the holy man who knew right well that so soone as he receiued the order he should combat against the giant Albadan his eyes being filled with teares he thus answered My Sonne much better were it for you to labour in the safetie of your soule then to aduenture on the order of Knighthood which is to be maintained with wunderous trauaile Father quoth Galaor verye hardlye shall I follow the calling which I take against my will but in that wherof my hart hath made choise if God graunt me good successe will I aduaunce his seruice for ther-out may I not be during life The good Hermite who then well perceiued his grounded resolution replied Certes my Sonne seeing you are determined to follow Armes I can well assure ye that through faulte of high linage you neede not dispaire of good hap in respect you are Sonne to a King and Quéene but kéepe that to your selfe and let not the Giant know how I tolde ye so much When Galaor heard this he was excéedingly contented saying to the Hermit In sooth Father the care I haue had all my life time to be a Knight hath béene very great but now I thank God and you I am rid therof for by that you haue tolde me I can not misse of it The Hermit noting his earnest affection doubted least soon after he would be gon wherfore he gaue the Giant to knowe his Schollers for wardnes as also how his constitution did now very wel serue him being wonderful desirous of his knighthood and therfore he should now deale in the cause as best him selfe pleased No sooner was the Giant enfourmed heerof but presently he got him to horse-back and rode to the Hermit with whom he found Galaor of more large stature then his yéeres expressed very comely and beautifull in euery parte wherupon he thus spake to him I vnderstand Sonne that you would be a Knight to follow Armes truely you shall prepare your self to goe with me when time serueth and your desire shalbe honourablye satisfied Father answered Galaor héer in consisteth the summe of mine affection so not long after the Giant departed from the Hermit taking Galaor with him who falling on his knée before the reuerend olde man desired that as he had fatherlye nourished him so still he would remember him in his deuoute orisons The holy man with the teares trickling downe his chéekes kissed and blessed him thē mounted Galaor on horseback and followed the Giant who brought him home to his Castell where for certayne time he practised to combate at Armes as also brauely to manage horsses hauing all things conuenient for the same and two maisters very expert therin When he had continued a yéere at these exercises the Giant seeing him woorthye to receiue honor and strong enough to endure chiualrie disposed theron as you shall read héerafter Now againe dooth the Author leaue him and discourseth of that which chaunced to the Gentleman of the Sea who after he departed from King Perion and the Damosell rode two dayes together without any aduenture and on the third about mid-day he ariued at a verye goodlye Fortresse that appertained to a Gentleman named Galpan This Galpan was then the most valiant Knight in all that Countrey and therfore was greatly feared of all his Neighbours yet did he there maintain an abhominable and wicked custome forgetting God who was chéefly to be honoured bequeathed his endeuours to the seruice of the Deuill For he
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
saying Ah gentle Knight how highlye am I indebted to you you are to this place the most welcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue we this talke saide y e Prince and saye where I may quicklye finde some remedye for my woundes In my house answered the Knight abideth a Niece of mine who shall heale your hurtes better then any other So riding on they arriued at the Castell where being dismounted they walked into the great Hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call him self while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he séeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterward he caused the prince to be vnarmed and laide in a sumptuous bed where his woundes were dilligentlye attended by the Ladye who assured him in shorte time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfullye to doo CHAP VIII ¶ How the third daye after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the Courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince left y e Court of King Languines where he receiued the order of Knighthood the thrée Knightes came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath béen already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the newe Knightes behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King meruaile at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednes could haue harboured in her notwithstanding he thanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any bodye else knewe that the Gentleman of the Sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was he aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought he was gone to visite his father Gandales then the King turning to the Knight in the Litter saide Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithfull as your wife hath béene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doo therin as it shall like your maiestie as for me I will neuer consent that y e thing I moste loue should dye This said the knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with them their Brother in the Litter leauing their Sister to receiue Iustice by the Kings appointmēt who after their departure called for her and saide Woman thy mallice hath béene too great in respect of thy Husbands kindenes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they héerafter offend not in the like and so he commaunded her to be burned aliue The execution béeing doone the King was in greater pensiuenes then before because he knew not who the new Knight should be that parted so suddenly from his Courte but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherfore he said to the King It may be my Lord a young Knight with whome the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when we came hither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord said the Squire but he is both yong and very beautifull beside I saw him doo such rare chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if he liue he will proue one of the best Knightes in the worlde Then discoursed he at large euerye action as also how he deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his tale his desire to know him encreased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happilye can tell ye more tidinges of him for it was my chaunce to meete them together Of what Damosell speakest thou saide the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittayne to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and he demaunded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Wherupon she declared so much as she knew chéeflye the occasion wherfore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the only Knight in the world But in sooth quoth she I knowe not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God saide the King who may it be Now was Oriana voide of all doubting for she wel knew it was her Gentleman of the Sea but she was so gréeued with the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as well she knew not whome she might complaine to for the King her Father sent her woord how she should prepare her selfe in readines to come to him so soone as his Ambassadours should be sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Countrye then there whether she should now goe against her minde not only in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by béeing farre thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardlye afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easilye compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knightes with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring w t his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the King his Unckle there entred a Damosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assemblye I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus procéeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgement it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why he sendes it to you is for that Galpan villainously abused a damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beléeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Woorthy Lord answered she he only of whom I speake hath doone him to death after he had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reuenge their foyle him selfe combatted hand to hand with y
e Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonour he lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Courte yet doubting the corrupt sauour therof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victorie this Helmet may suffise Undoubtedly said the King to all there present it is the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs My Lord quoth she I obtained it by excéeding importunitie for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the king to ridde vs of all other doubts He nameth him selfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the Sea When the king heard this he was greatlye abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus spake By my faythe I am assuredlye perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him néede not to be ashamed therof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I néeded not haue doon seeing Chiualrye is in him alreadye so well accomplished Then Agraies taking occasion to speake demaunded of the Damosell where he might méete with his gentle freend My Lord quoth she he humblye commendeth him selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thither Good newes faire Damosell saide Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may finde him there with my good will shall I neuer leaue his companye You haue reason so to doo answered the Damosell for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the Sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must think it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertlye as the watchfullest eye could not discerne it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was knighted when at length he was aduertised y t the Ladies attending on the Quéen could tell better thē any body els which with much a doo he obtained of them Then may the Gentleman of the Sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtesie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too young for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteouslye welcommed the Dammosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him Letters from a Ladye that déerelye loued him of whome the Historye héerafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Armye trauailing toward Gaule to his Unckle King Perion CHAP. IX ¶ How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Courte of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his only Daughter as also a noble traine of Knightes Ladies and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers Courte with his troupe three Shippes of great Brittain took porte in Scotland wherin as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred Knightes of King Lisuartes as also many Ladies and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Béeing arriued at the Courte of King Languines they were very graciouslye entertained especiallye Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardie Knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his ambassadge which was harty thankes from King Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreataunce of y e Princesse his Daughter he requested now to haue her home and Mabila his Daughter with her to whom he would doo all the honor could be deuised Right thankfullye did King Languines accept this offer and was contēt that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine daies soiourned Galdar and his train in Scotland during which time they were most honourably feasted and in this while the King prepared other Shippes to accompanie the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherfore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewelles the ware which she had taken from the Gentleman of the Sea This gaue her such a remembraunce of him as y e teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her handes so that the ware which she helde in them suddenlye brake and she espied the Letter enclosed therin which so soon as she vnfolded she foūd therwrittē these woordes This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes she conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenaunce and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was estéemed at the most but the Sonne of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therfore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her one whom she intirelye trusted and thus spake By good fréende I will declare one thing to ye which no other then mine owne hart and you shall knowe therfore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madame answered the Damosell séeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willinglye shall I dye then faile therin and well may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to me shalbe altogether kept secret and executed to my power Then so it is déere fréend saide Oriana that you must néedes goe séeke the Gentleman of the Sea whome you shall finde at the warres in Gaule and if you chaunce to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall finde his name therin written on the day that he was cast into the Sea wherby I know him to be the sonne of a King which ought inspire him with higher courage and hardines to encrease the fame he hath alreadye so well begun You shall likewise tell him how the King my Father sent for me and therfore I am gon toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquainte him withall that when he returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limitting all thinges in such sorte as he may liue in my Fathers Courte vntill he receiue other commaundement of me Such was the spéedye dispatche of y e Damosell as without longer stay she iournyed toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof héerafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinewe the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necessary for the same Oriana
in full course againste him breaking their Launces in peeces on his Shéelde but the Prince méeting him that had the foyle in the Forrest threw him againe from his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the gréef wherof made him lye still as if he had béene dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one he drew his Swoord and came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Swoord entring in he pulde it back with such force that the laces brake wherby he brought it quite from his head vpon his swoord then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the Knight quickly clapt his Shéelde before In meane while the Prince got his Swoord into his lefte hand which he could doo verye hardlye and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies Sheeld renting it violently from about his neck and afterward gaue him such a blowe on the head as in great amazemente he fell to the ground Thus did he leaue him there with his companion and rode with the Damosell to the Tentes of Agraies who hauing seene the conclusion of this quarrell meruailed what he was that had so soone ouercome two knights therfore wheÌ„ he came towards him he went forth to meete him and so soone as they knew eche other you need make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but firste he gaue commaundement that the Knightes dismounted in the feeld should be brought thither where they were no sooner arriued but Agraies thus spake to them Beléeue me my fréendes you attempted great folly to meddle with this knight You say true my Lord answered he whose arme was broken yet once to daye I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all y e happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaintes because he stood in feare to displease him During the repetition of these matters the pacience of the one and boldenes of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow morning they mounted on horsse-back shaping their course to Palingues a right good Cittie on the frontiers and the vtmoste parte of Scotland where they found Shipping and embarqued themselues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in séemely order without any hinderaunce they came to the Castell of Baldain where King Perion was besieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted therby and their welcome to be good and gracious chéefely by the Quéene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriâ—all sent to intreat her Nephew Agraies to come visit her which he did béeing accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knightes of good account But you must note that king Perion knew not the Prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„braunce that it was the same man whom he had Knighted and after-ward saued his life at the Castell wherfore thus he spake By déere fréend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth me assurance that I néed feare this warre no further hauing the only Knight of the world so néere me Dread Lord answered the Prince God giue me grace to serue you accordingly for perswade your selfe that while these troubles endure I will make no spare of my person As thus they deuised they entred the Queens Chamber when the King taking the Prince by the hand presented him to her saying Madame this is the good knight of whom here-tofore I tolde ye he defended me from the greatest daunger that euer I was in and therfore I pray ye let no spare of curtesie be made to him héere but giue him the best entertainement the time will affoorde The Queene auaunced her selfe to embrace him but he fell on his knée with these woordes I am seruant Madame to the Quéen your sister and from her I come to serue you with like obedience as to her owne person Right graciously did the good Lady giue him thankes yet little thought she that he was her sonne for she imagined the Sea had deuoured him yet was the Princes presence at that very instant so pleasing to her as her eyes could not be satisfied with beholding him and through a secret moouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembraunce sollicited with the former losse of her two Children whose yéeres she thought would haue equalled the Princes if God had preserued theÌ„ and these occasions vrged the teares into her eyes Thus wept she for hâ—m that nature touched her withall yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince behelde her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherfore he saide Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in short time to recouer your ioye and for mine owne parte trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Quéene with happy successe and for you are the Quéene my sisters knight I will that ye prouide no other lodging but abide heere with vs and all thinges shall be appointed for ye to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refreshe him selfe wherfore taking leaue for y e night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with-helde him by such importunitie as he was constrained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custodie Right soon was the newes of this fresh succour brought to King Abies of Ireland and Daganel his Cozin who made verye small account therof because in those times was king Abies accounted for one of the best knightes that euer was heard of and in respect of his hotte desire to the fight determined séeing new aide was come to his enemy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle a companion as to come sée vs I had rather he would doo it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hastie as I thinke for he feareth you too much albeit he maketh little shewe therof Know you saide Gallin Duke of Normandie by what meanes we may therto constraine him First let vs make an ambushe of the greater parte of our Armie which shall remaine with the King in this Forrest of Baldain theÌ„ you Lord Daganel and my selfe will goe with the rest to present our selues at break of daye before the Cittie and I am certain
for God is our defender At these words the most dishartened tooke courage concluding to stay and fight manly with their enemyes who soone after in great fury set vppon them Now did King Abies make known his magnanimity and hardly could Prince Agraies men endure the assault nor the squadron that King Perion brought for King Abies maimed some other he ouerthrew and while his Launce held he dismounted euery Knight that met with him Afterward he layd hand to Sword wherewith he caryed himselfe so valiantly as the hardyest were amazed thereat for he made way where euer he came so that King Perions men not able longer to hold out began to retire so fast as they could toward the Citie When the Gentleman of the Sea sawe that fortune was so contrary to thē in great despight he entred the throng and fought so fiercely as the most part of the Irish-men were glad to stay while the Gaules without disorder retired toward the Castell then turning his horsse he followed them To defend this brunt there was also King Perion and the Prince Agraies who deliuered testimonie to their enemyes by the kéene edge of their Swords how well they knewe to gouerne themselues in such extremities notwithstanding the Irish-men séeing they had the better still pursued them with eager courage driuing them confusedly into the Citie hoping that now would be the end of their warre Such was the retire of the Gaules still more and more pressed by their enemyes as doubtlesse the Irish had entred the Cittie after them but that they were hindered by King Perion Agraies and the Prince who wholly did repulse the throng till their people by them were gotten in But now was tidings brought to King Abies that his Cozin Daganel and Gallin Duke of Normandye were slaine whereat he wexed verie displeasant and séeing King Perion with his people were enclosed in the Cittie he resolued to take leysure for his reuenge wherein he was deceiued for soone after he was very strongly repulsed which made him almost mad with anger And as he thus raged vp and downe one of his Knights shewed him the Prince saying My Lord he whome you see mounted on the white Horsse is the man that slew Prince Daganel and the Duke of Normandye with many other the best in your Army When King Abies heard that he rode to the Prince with these words Knight thou hast slaine the man whome most I loued in the world but if thou wilt combat I hope to be reuēged so well as I shall haue cause to be quit with thée Your men answered y e Prince are too little trauailed to meddle with ours notwithstanding if thou wilt as a Knight reuenge him thou louedst and declare the great hardines for which thou art renowmed chuse of thy men such as thou shalt like and I if it please the King will do as much of mine for being equall in number thou shalt gaine more honor then with so great an Armie which thou hast brought into this countrey without iust occasion Beléeue me quoth the King thou talkest well go to chuse thou thy selfe the number of men how many or fewe thou thinkest good Séeing you leaue it in my choise replyed the Prince I will make an other offer which it may be you will account more conuenient You are mine enemy for that which I haue done and I yours for the wrong you haue done to this Realme so for our seuerall cause of anger it is not reasonable any other then our selues should suffer let then the battaile be betweene you and me only and presently if you wil without longer dallying yet shall you assure me from your men as I will do you frō mine so y ◠none shall moue whether the one or the other be vanquished Right well said King Abies do I allow of thy offer whereupon he chose ten Knights on his part to gard the féeld And as the Prince laboured to gaine the like of the King with his consent he found King Perion and Agraies somewhat loath to graunt the Combate as well for the consequence that might ensue as also because the Prince was much wearyed and sore wounded beside wherefore they intreated him to deferre the matter till the day following But the desirous affection he had to be conquerour as also to make a finall conclusion of the warre that he might returne vnder her obeysaunce from whome he came to serue King Perion would not suffer him to make any longer delay of the glory and honor which he sawe so néere at hand For this cause he vsed so many perswasions to the King as in the ende he was graunted the Combate and on his side likewise were ten Knightes appointed for his guard and safetie in the féeld CHAP. X. ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the Combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule YOu haue heard in what manner the Combate was accorded betwéene King Abies and the Gentleman of the Sea and now alreadie is the greatest part of y e day spent wherefore it was agréed by the Lords on either side very much against the willes of the two Combatants that all should be deferred till the morrow morning as well that they might refresh themselues and repaire their battered Armour as also for regarding such woundes as they had receiued in the passed encounters Heereupon the two Kings withdrewe themselues the one to his Campe and the other to his Castell But such is the bruite spred through the Citty what worthie exploits the Gentleman of the Sea had done as he could not passe by them but thus they spake with generall voyce Ah famous Knight God giue thée grace to procéed as thou hast begun impossible is it to finde a Gentleman so accomplished with beautie and chiualrie as he is for our eyes are iudges of the one and our enemyes full well haue felt the other But you must note that in the morning when they went to the féeld the King had giuen the Queen in charge that so soone as the Prince returned from the warre she should send one of her Ladyes to him requesting him not to be vnarmed in any other place then in her Chamber wherefore as he went néere the Kings lodging the Lady came vnto him saying Sir Knight the Queene desires you not to be els-where vnarmed but in her Chamber where she stayeth your comming In sooth saide the King you must néedes graunt this request and I desire it may be so The Prince condiscending went where the Quéene stayed with her Ladyes and no sooner was he entred but presently the Ladyes holpe to vnarme him yet the Quéene her selfe tooke the greatest paine of all and as she had off his coate of Mayle she perceiued he was sore wounded which she shewing to the King he said I meruaile Gentleman séeing you are so hurt that you tooke no longer time for your Combate It had béene needlesse answered the Prince for I haue no wound
my Countrey and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councell for my ouer-burdened soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thée who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiaunce of so gentle a Knight as thou art but with all my heart pardon thée my death wishing thou mayst continue honorable and yet héereafter to remember me When the Prince sawe him in such debilitie he was excéeding sorrowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combat he would haue dealt much worsse with him During these spéeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commaunded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was giuen for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to y e Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the féeld into the Cittie euen with such triumphant glorie as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not only ouercome their enemies but restore the countrey that is wel-néere ruynated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combat the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at King Perions Court and before she would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward hauing séene him she searched was so honorably returned she shewed herselfe and taking him aside said Sir Knight may it please ye to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie néere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and kéeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is only yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall find your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whome only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosell said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell séeing she tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that behelde him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former traunce thus speaking What now my Lord take you the message in so ill part that commes from the only Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to finde you Ah Lady quoth he on my faith I knew not what ye sayd to me for euen as you began to speake I felt the paine to renewe in me which héeretofore you haue séene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is néedlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer frō me for I knowe more of your affaires and my Ladyes then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you néede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her Father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittayne appointing all things in such order as at your arriuall you may remayne there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainely knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then she thinks you will be and seeing being ignorant of your linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your nobilitie you should labour to encrease your fame if you can And then againe she gaue him the Letter saying Take héere the Letter wherein your name is written and which you had hanging about your neck at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast béene kept by her who hath my hart in her custodie and for whome I haue so often assayed to dye yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I séeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender valew is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauour the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deathes which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefit O highest God when shall I sée the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agréeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir so soone as I had done my message to returne with all spéede to her that sent me to you whereby she might vnderstand some newes of you therefore bethinke your selfe if you will commaund me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with me two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct ye whether you please In obeying you replyed the Damosell I trust I do seruice to my Lady Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him at the entrance of the Cittie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the stréetes Then came the Quéene with her Ladyes and Gentlewomen to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrksome to behold yet were they to be healed without any great danger of his person For this night the King desired that he and Agraies would sup with him but the Prince making excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosell to whome he did all the honor could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good newes she brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euery one but most with her whome he caused to stay attending his disposition till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a straunge occasion which was cause of his longer aboade in Gaule then he expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you heereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King
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
promised a farre off that his enemie should finde him of hautie disposition which made the King aboue all other desirous to knowe him and thinking she for whose cause he came knew his name he called and demaunded of her the question Dread Lord answered the Lady I neuer sawe the man before nor do I knowe what he is By this time was Amadis entred the feeld when doing reuerence to the King and the Ladies without longer stay he came to Dardan demaunding if he were the man that would maintaine the quarrell of her for whome the poore Lady was put to such trouble because quoth he I am come in her defence and also to keepe promise with thee What didst thou promise me replied Dardan That I would sée thée in the day time said Amadis and wottest thou when it was at such a time as thou being whitled with Wine or glory or else the trust thou hadst in thy strong Castell spakest so outragiously to me standing without wearied both with trauaile and hunger And therefore do I make the lesse account of thée answered Dardan but cause her to come hither for whome thou wilt do such a doubtie déede to know if she will accept thée as her Champion and afterward do the vttermost thou canst When the King sawe they talked so long together he would haue heard what they said but the good widdow came and to her Dardan thus spake Dame this Knight would maintaine thy right wilt thou submit all to what he can do With all my hart quoth she séeing it pleaseth him to stand so much my friend and God spéede him no otherwise then my cause is iust When the two Knights were at the very point to combate the King perceiued that Amadis Sheeld was bruised in two places both with strokes of the Sword and point of the Launce wherefore he said to such as stoode néere him that if the Knight demaunded an other Shéeld he would gladly giue him one but Amadis was so hote in desire to reuenge himselfe and the Lady that he listened to nothing but the Combate Thus the Ladies accord being receiued the two Champions tooke their carrire against eche other so roughly as their Launces pierced their Armour and flewe in pieces without any other harme as yet but when their bodies met Dardan was sent to the ground yet it happened so well for him as holding fast the reines of his horsse he recouered himselfe more nimbly and mounted againe as one both valiant and brauely disposed boldly setting hand to his Sword When Amadis sawe him so quickly vp againe and in such readines for his owne defence he approched to him when began such a battayle betwéene them as euery one present meruailed thereat On all sides were placed the inhabitants of the Towne and many other that came farre off as well on mightie Scaffolds in the féeld as also on the towres and walles of the Castell but aboue the rest the Quéene was there present with her Ladies most desirous to behold who should beare away the honor of this cruell combat for they séemed two so gallant companyons as it was hard at first sight to iudge the better Such were the rigorous strokes deliuered on either side that sparks of fire flewe foorth of their Helmets Armour their Shéelds cut in pieces and their bloud coullering the ground which mooued excéeding compassion in the regardants who seemed copartners in their daunger according as eche one fauoured the welfare of his fréend but the two champions gaue no respect thereto because their desire was to make knowen both to the Ladies themselues the man deseruing highest account Whē King Lisuart saw them endure so long he said aloud that he neuer beheld a more singuler combat pursued with greater courage manhood wherefore he determined not to depart vntill he had séene the finall issue thereof permitting thē to procéede as themselues pleased And to the end quoth he that the conquerour may be dignified with more then accustomed honor I will cause his deserts to be liuely carued in Marble at y e entrance of my Pallace to prouoke the like perfection in all other that are desirous to followe Armes In such manner as you haue heard continued the two Knights a long time the standers by being not able to discerne who had y e better for without taking breath or rest their fury continued as though their strength had more more increased But Amadis who by chance turning his head to the place where y e Ladies stood espied his faire Mistresse louely Oriana whereby he felt his vertue augmēted in such sort y t he was as fresh lusty as if but then he entred the feeld imagining he was become more then a man Now followed he the fight with such cruell extreames as in short time he dissolued y e doubt who should be superiour for Dardan notwithstanding all his defence was cōstrained to drawe back séeking how to escape the wreakefull strokes of his enemy which without ceassing wounded his body in many places his horsse likewise no longer able to endure stumbled so often til at length he set both his knees to the ground which made Dardan think it better to fight on foote wherefore he said to Amadis Knight our horsses are weary faile vs by reason wherof we cannot do as we would if we were on foot me thinks in short time y e doubt would be discided These words did Dardan speake so loud as the King his Lords easily heard them wherat Amadis séemed ashamed thus answering Although it be vnhonorable in a Knight to forsake his horsse so lōg as he can keep him yet since thou thinkest to combat better on foot then on horsseback we will alight and defend thy selfe well for thou shalt haue néed Heerewith they dismounted assailing ech other so couragiously as if but now they begā the combat shewing more sharp cruelty then before they had done yet Amadis euermore kept y e aduantage cōmonly deliuering two strokes for one which made Dardan do nothing but defend his enemies blowes who cōpelled him to turne reqoile as himself pleased so y t ech one accounted him very néere vanquished blaming him because he kept not still on horseback But as he turned héere there flying the slicing Sword of Amadis he was driuē vnder y e Ladies Scaffold which made thē cry Dardan can hold out no longer he is ouercome if he enter y e combat again Yet for all this Amadis would not leaue him but pressed him stil w t such pursute as he brought him hard by the Quéenes Scaffold whē she all y e Ladies said Without question Dardan is but dead At this clamour Amadis vnderstood the voice of the Damsell of Denmarke and lifting vp his head espied her standing by the Princesse Oriana by meanes whereof he became so farre beside himselfe as he set the point of his Sword to the ground forgetting not only the daunger wherin he
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
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
to sée me at libertie With all my hart replied Galaor so mounting on horsse-back about Sun setting they arriued at the Monasterie where they were receiued with great ioy especially when the Damosell had declared his woorthy déedes of chiualrie for her and albeit he determined a speedy departure yet at the request of y e faire Sisters he taried there longer then before he intended Héere pauseth the Author on this matter to tell ye what happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne from the warres in Gaule CHAP. XVII ¶ What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amâ—â—â—â— AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amaâ—â—â— had vanquished King Agraies of Ireland and was knowen to his Father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where he hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the Sea side on a sudden he had a Hart in chase which when he had some prettie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily discearne the raging bellowes of the Sea Suddenly arose an excéeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violence as if heauen and the neather region would haue met together At length he espied a Ship tossed in the tempest vtterly destitute of any safetie and which was woorsse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfortlesse night ensuing wherwith he being mooued to pitie commaunded his Squires as asignall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the Ship might chuse their best landing place without perishing in the darke him selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the help of God and dilligence of the Mariners as the Ship tooke safe harbour neere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly frighted with y e mercilesse tempest thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most curteous Princes in the wolrde séeâ—â—â— them so well landed and free from danger sent one of â—is Sâ—â—es to will them come and refresh them-selues in â—is Pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was lothe to be troublesome to them knowing they had now néed of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to sée them keeping him selfe close in his chamber The Ladies beeing seperated to their owne contentement the Mariners made great fiers on the shoare to drye their garments and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then remoue his affection from where it was setled priuily pried in to beholde their countenances they béeing round set about a fier reciting to eche other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affection to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome ther-with as béeing no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed foorth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this crye especiallye Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commaunded her women to open the doore which presently they did when Agraies tolde one of them who he was that she might secretly imparte he same to her Mistresse the newes wherof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commaunded him to enter Then were embracinges and kisses fréely entercoursed with all other gracious fauours so kinde louers could deuise euen y e very point wherin loue most triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a mayden with like contentmeÌ„t as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there sir dayes together beguiling the time with riciprocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her 〈◊〉 Damoselles perceiued Meane while the Sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calme which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her Ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whether the King her Father had sent her to be nourished by the Quéene Brisana Which béeing vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney he gaue her assuraunce that very shortly he would come to her as wel to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to séeke his Cosin Amadis in King Lisuartes Courte according as he made him promise wherwith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tarry long from her Thus curteously taking leaue of eche other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in few dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his court both by him the Quéene Oriana and all the other Ladies was the Princesse and her traine graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her Father as also in respecte of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the Sea shore giuing many a long looke after the Ship which caried away the iewell of his hart and hauing lost the sight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his Father soiourned and his Uncle Galuanes without land in whose company he intended shortlye to visite King Lisuartes Courte For there quoth he to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderlye followe armes This Galuanes was of gentle hart a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their Horsse and Armour eche one likewise a Squire attending on him Hauing winde at will in short time they landed at Bristowe where they made no long aboade but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demaunded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thether To see if I can finde the good Knight saide she who knoweth how to remedy a gréefe I endure at this present You abuse your self Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demaund you shall finde no other Knight then the great Giant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorrow he will quickly double it on your owne head If you knew so much as I doo quoth the Damosell you would not
auaunced himselfe to behold the man and lifting vp the couerture of the Litter sawe a Knight lye there of goodly personage but of his face he could make no iudgement by reason it was cruelly cut and mangled whereupon he called to him saying My fréend who hath thus wronged thée yet did the Knight make no aunswere which made him goe to the Lady againe and aske her the question Gentle Sir quoth she a Knight that keepeth a bridge not farre hence did it who as we passed by said to my Lord how he must sweare whether he were of King Lisuarts Court or no which made my husband demaund why he would know Because said the Knight no freend of his shall passe héere but I will kill him What is the occasion of your hatred replyed my husband I wish so much ill quoth the Knight to that vngracious King as I would gladly haue him in my power to take vengeance on him at mine owne pleasure and in despight of him hence-foorth shall I sley all such as are belonging to him because he keepeth a Knight that killed the valiant Dardan for whose sake I meane to deale in such sort as the King and his wel-willers shall receiue by me infinite displeasures dishonors When my Husband heard him as one agréeued at his villainous spéeches he answered Know thou that I am one of his Court and his vowed seruant who neither for thée or any other will deny him Highly displeased was the Knight of the bridge with this answere and without any more words charged my husband so that betwéene them grewe a cruell combate but in the end my Lord was brought into this hard extremitie and farre more wursse in the Knights opinion for he reputed him to be slaine out-right commaunding vs within thrée dayes to cary him before King Lisuart to despight him withall Lady quoth Amadis I pray ye lend me one of your Squires who can shew me the Knight when I come where he is for séeing your husband hath been so wronged for my sake it behooueth me more then any other to reuenge the same What said the Lady are you he for whose cause he so hateth the King Yea verily answered Amadis and if my hap prooue so good he shall neuer héere after abuse any other Ah gentle Knight quoth she I will pray for your prosperous successe Afterward she gaue him one of her Squires and committing him to God rode on with her husband and Amadis neuer stayed till he came to the bridge where he sawe the Knight playing at the Tables with an other but quickly leauing his pastime being ready armed he mounted on horsseback calling to Amadis in this manner Holla holla Sirra I forbid ye to passe any further till you haue sworne What shall I sweare answered Amadis Whether thou be of King Lisuarts Court or no said the Knight for if thou belong to him heere must thou leaue thy head behinde thee It is a question quoth Amadis if thou canst doo so much but I assure thee I belong to the Quéene his wife euer since not long agoe Since when replyed the Knight Since a disinherited Lady said Amadis came thither for her right But thou art not he quoth the Knight that foughtest the Combat for her I am the man answered Amadis who wun her her peace By my head said the Knight now shalt thou loose thine if I can for thou didst kill the only honor of my linage I killed him not replied Amadis but made him discharge her of his outragious demaund and afterward he became a murderer of himselfe All this can not profit thee quoth the Knight for by thée and no other he dyed now for his sake shalt thou likewise loose thy life Héereupon they gaue the spurres to their horsses and breaking their Launces brauely met so furiously with their bodies as the Knight of the bridge was throwne to the ground whereof he was not a little ashamed but by reason the helmet of Amadis was vnlaced in the running while he amended it the Knight had leysure to mount himselfe againe and to giue his enemy two or thrée strokes with the sword before he had time to drawe foorth his All which afterward he very well requited for striking full at his head he brake away the skirts of his helmet and redoubling his blowe met so directly with his neck as his head hung downe behinde his shoulders his soule passing to the Author of his pride crueltie When his gardants of the bridge sawe him thus slaine they trusted to their héeles yet Amadis would not follow thē but returned to the Squire that cōducted him thither willing him to make haste to his Lady and let her vnderstand how he had reuenged her husbands iniurie which he immediatly did not sparing the worthy attaints at Sword Launce which he had séene Amadis bestowe on the Knight of the bridge Amadis hauing there no more to doo issuing foorth of the Forrest entred on a large and goodly plaine brauely beautified with Uiolets swéete hearbs and all other deuises of natures tapistrie which presently prouoked the remembrance of his Oriana riding on in diuers amorous thoughts he sawe come toward him an euill fauoured Dwarffe on a simple Palfray whome he called to knowe from whence he came My Lord quoth the Dwarffe I come from the house of the Countie of Claire Hast thou not seene a young Knight said Amadis named Galaor No truely answered the Dwarffe but I know where within thrée dayes I can shew you the best Knight that euer bare Armes in these parts When Amadis heard this thinking he had meant his brother he said I pray thee my freend conduct me to the place where I may see him With all my heart replied the Dwarffe on condition you will graunt me one request and goe with me whether I shall guide ye The great desire he had to finde his brother made him soone consent Come with me then quoth the Dwarffe and I will bring ye where you shall behold y e good Knight So rode they on till darke night ouertooke them which the Dwarffe perceiuing he said to Amadis My Lord hard by is a Castell where we may lodge this night for there is a Lady who will freendly welcome vs. Thither they rode and had kinde entertainement when supper being ended Amadis was brought to lodge in a sumptuous bed but he could take no rest his thoughts so hammered on the perfections of his Mistresse And taking leaue the next morning of their freendly Hostesse continued on their iourney till about mid-day when they sawe two Knights fighting against one then Amadis approching to thē said Gentlemen may it please ye to pause awhile and tell me on what occasion your quarrell ariseth At these words they ceassed and one of the two thus replied It is because this Knight maintaineth that he alone is as able as we two together to bring a hautie enterprise to end In sooth said Amadis your difference is
skilled in Chirurgerie Now did they imploy their vttermost cunning to recompence Amadis for his woorthy paines in restoring their Unckle from the slauerie of Arcalaus so that within few dayes they felt themselues indifferently amended and almost able to beare their Armour as they did before Héereupon Amadis communing w t his brother Galaor declared how to séeke him he departed from the Court of King Lisuart promising not to returne without his company wherefore he intreated him to yéeld no denyall in respect no Princes Court was better frequented with chiualrie nor could he finde more honor in any other place My Lord quoth Galaor I intend to accomplish what you please to commaund me albeit I desire not as yet to be knowen among men of account first would I haue my deedes giue some witnes how desirous I am to imitate your proceedings or else to dye in this religious affection Certes brother answered Amadis for this matter you néede not abandon the place séeing your renowme is alreadie greater then mine if so be I haue any at all yea it is darkened by the illustrate splendour of your chiualrie Ah my Lord replyed Galaor neuer disguise matters in this order with me seeing not in déedes no not so much as in thought am I able to reach the height of such honor Leaue we then this talke said Amadis for our Kingly Father maketh no difference of vertue betwéene vs but will ye know what I haue presently deuised I sée well we must stay héere longer for our health then otherwise we would for which cause I intend if you think good to send my Dwarffe before to King Lisuarts Court that he may aduertise the Queene of our stay and so soone as we are able to trauaile we meane not to tarry long from her Do as you please answered Galaor Presently was the Dwarffe dispatched thence who made such good speede in his iourney as within fewe dayes he arriued at Windsore where King Lisuart was then accompanyed with many good Knights CHAP. XXIIII ¶ How King Lisuart being in the chace saw a farre off three Knightes armed comming toward him what followed ther-upon IT chaunced on a certaine day that King Lisuart summoned a méeting in Windsore Forrest which was well stored with red Deere and all other game néedefull for hunting And as he was in chase of a Hart he espied a good distaunce from him thrée armed Knightes to crosse the way wherfore he sent a Squire to them with request that they would come vnto him vpon this message they immediatly obeyed returning with the Squire to the King and when they drew néere him he quickly knewe Galuanes because he had séene him many times before when embracing him the King bad him hartely welcome and the rest in his company likewise for he was a Prince y e most graciously entertained all Kniggts especially strangers then he demaunded what the other were My Lord quoth Galuanes this young Prince is my Nephewe Agraies Sonne to the King of Scottes and one of the best Knights in the world I dare assure ye the other is Oliuas whome your maiesty hath well knowen héer-to-fore The King embraced them very louingly saying to Agraies Faire Cozin I must needs take this gentlenes very kindely that you would vouchsafe to sée me As for you sir Oliuas I thought you had forgotten vs considering y e long time since you were héere and in sooth it is a matter very displeasant to me when so good a Knight as you are would so absent him selfe Dread Lord answered Oliuas my earnest affaires kepte me hence against my will which hath made me the more negligent in your seruice and yet I am not frée from them as if you please I shall let ye vnderstand Then he reported how Galuanes and Agraies came to his Castell by meanes of the Damosell that conducted them thither whome they very woorthely deliuered from death likewise how the Duke of Bristoya trecherouslye slew his Cozin for which he humbly craued iustice with free libertie to combate before his Maiesty where he doubted not to make him confesse his treason After the King had well pondered his discourse and vnderstood the hard dealing of the Duke he was highlye discontented for he knew Oliuas Cozin to be a good Knight wher-upon he thus answered Beléeue me seeing y e Duke hath committed such a faulte you request iustice of me assure your selfe to obtaine it and I will send for him to come iustifie it in person Presently the King gaue ouer hunting returning with the three Knightes to his Court conferring on many matters by the waye among which the King demaunded of Galuanes why the Duke of Bristoya would haue burned the Damosell whom they reskewed Because Sir quoth he she brought a Knight named Galaor into his pallace and as we vnderstand it was in the night time and no other reason had he to alleadge Why saide the King Amadis is gone to seek Galaor but since his departure we were put in a terrible feare by Arcalaus who saide he had slaine him But are you certaine Sir answered Agraies that he liueth yea indéed quoth the King Brandoyuas and Grindaloya came hither since then and they gaue vs such credible testimonye of his welfare as I may ful wel assure ye therof for lothe am I to offend any other because no one can desire his good and honor more then I doo It is the argument of your good nature replyed Agraies likewise in respect of his bountye and valour he deserueth to be loued of you euen with like affection as good men wish to their like By this time are they come to the Courte where these newes were quickly brought to the Queene which reioyced very many especially faire Oliuia who loued Agraies deerer then her selfe and the Princesse Mabila his Sister was not sorry for as she came from the Quéenes chamber she met Oliuia who thus spake to her You cannot chuse Madame but be well pleased with your Brothers comming Uery true quoth Mabila for I loue him as mine owne hart Desire then I pray ye the Quéene said Oliuia to send for him to her Chamber to the end we may haue the meane to conferre with him together so shall the pleasure of you both be fully satis-fied That shall I doo answered Mabila so going to the Quéenes Chamber she thus spake to her Maiestie It were good Madame you should sée my brother and mine Uncle Galuanes in respect they are come hither to honor you with their seruice Swéet freend said the Quéen I take it very gently that you haue so wel aduised me for I promise ye I am very desirous to see thē wher-with she sent one of her Ladies to the King desiring him that they might come to her which he liking very well saide Gentlemen my Quéene is desirous to see you all thrée let me then request your consent héerein You must iudge if Agraies liked this motiō because he certainly knew
so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentlemen after you shall not deny me considering that in semblable company good things deserue to be demaunded and graunted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answere my fréends shall we make the Queene shall we agrée to her demaund Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a Princesse so vertuous Séeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine what-so-euer she asketh At these words the Quéene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hencefoorth you would doo such honor to Ladyes and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrels against all such as would mollest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some sute to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most néede to be holpen This graunted héereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wunt to doo them iniurie méeting them in the féelds and knowing they haue such Knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gainesay it we will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a lawe inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How while this great and ioyful assembly endured a Damosell came to the Courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had bine wronged MEane while this honourable companye thus continued frée from all danger and mishap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delightes there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knées before the King thus spake My Lord eche one is merrye but my poore selfe who am so crossed with gréefe and sorrow as death were the best fréend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These woordes were dipte in such aboundance of teares as the King beeing moued ther-with to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to releeue your sadnes but tell me who is the cause therof Dread Lord quoth she my father and vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whome they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him saide the King Because he vaunted replyed the Damosell that he alone would combate with them and so proud he grew in spéeches as at length he defied them Not long after they méeting one day together the Knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and Uncle could not endure the iniurie but falling to the combate the Knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she saide procured his comming to maintaine a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers beeing her great enemy Wherefore seeing him dead she caused the conquerours to be taken and put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my Father and Unckle often told her that they would perfourme for her what the Knight should haue done But she answered how she well knewe they were not sufficient for the cause and therefore should neuer be releassed vntill they deliuered her two Knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whome they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doo Knowe you not Damosell said the King against whome they should combate or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue séene my Father and Unckle cruelly put in prison where their freends can compasse no meanes to see them Héerewith she began againe to weepe that euery one pittyed to behold her which made the King aske her if the place were farre off In fiue dayes my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone and returned Now trust me said the King you shall not want your ioy for two Knights wherfore looke among all these gallants and chuse such as you best fancie My Lord replyed the Damosell I am a stranger and knowe not any one in this Court but if you please I will intreat the Quéene to doo me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doo so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are said to be one of the wisest and most vertuous Dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye then for the honor of God to take compassion on a poore Gentlewoman and councell me which two Knights I shall chuse that are best able to supply my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demaund a matter of great importance yet in such sort doo I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whom I could name in this companye Then she shewed her Amadis saying This is my Knight And poynting to Galaor saide This other is the Kings yet be they bothe bretheren and the best Knightes as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one saide the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replyed the Damosell is this Amadis the Knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as he and his brother shall ariue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therfore I desire you to obtaine me their company Héer-upon y e Quéene called them saying I beséeche ye bothe to succour this woman who standeth in need of your assistaunce Amadis was some-what flowe in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her Gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and therby he was certified of her consent wherfore he thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to doo what-soeuer you shall commaund me Goe then in Gods name quoth she and returne againe with all possible spéede without tarring for any thing that may happen Héer-to they willingly condiscended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained he would speake to Mabila when comming néere her and Oriana he saide to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the worlde sendes me to succour the most woful woman I euer did beholde Swéete fréend quoth Oriana I repent that I gaue you so much libertie because my
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
to him the one of them vsing these woords King Lisuart spare the Knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one hower If I dye answered the King so shall you all for me like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not only sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did he recouer himselfe very quickly like one resolued to defend his life albeit he sawe death present before his eyes But béeing vnable to resist so many at length they got sure hold on him when renting off his helmet and his Shéeld they bound him fast with a double chayne Afterward they set him on a simple horsse two Knights still holding the ends of the chayne and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke but the Knight against whome the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus said Behold Cozin King Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus hence-foorth shall his enemyes haue no cause to dread him Uillaine quoth the King well knowe I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my woords if thou darest combate with me By God sayd Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all spéede to London and say to Lord Barsinan that he must execute what I willed him for I haue begun indifferently if he can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Cittie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore he sayd to his Cozin Take ten Knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prisons at Daguanel these other foure shall kéepe me company for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shewe her straunge and woonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboad beeing one of the strongest and fayrest in the world thus the ten Knightes caryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certaynely if héere we consider the properties of Fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more toward great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well she witnessed by King Lisuart euen in the time when he intended most honorably to be thwarted with such a contrary chaunce For at one instant he sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemyes his Daughter and heyre to his Kingdome taken from him and all his estate in daunger of ruyne He that was woont to bée honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a théefe by a villainous Enchaunter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this daye are called to the greatest honors in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenaunce suffered him to fall in these dangers to the end he might remember how all creatures remayne at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time he was brought so lowe as might bée and afterward restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI ¶ How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherfore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if she had known their names likewise how they tooke their waye toward London as men right ioyfull of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarff so fast as horsse could gallop wher-upon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinkes my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importaunce for doo you not sée what speede he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when he tolde how the Princesse Oriana was caryed from y e Court against her wil what sorrowful lamentations she made Amadis entred into a dispairing fury demaunding which way they went that had her in charge In sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorowe the Forrest which lyeth on the other side of the Cittie Without more woords Amadis gaue the spurres to his horsse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speak to his brother Galaor who left him not but followed at hand Through y t Cittie they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse and euery one shewed it him verye readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Quéens lodging where she standing at a window ouer-come with gréef espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he had left his Maister Madame quoth he he is gone after them that haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee saide the Quéene then sent she for the Kinges swoord which was accounted one of the best in the worlde saying I desire thee carry this swoord to Amadis and tell him the King for-sooke it this morning he beeing gone with a Damosell to combate for her and she hath giuen him another swoord as yet we heare no tidinges of him either when he will returne or whether he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the swoord set away with speede after his maister whose impacience vrging him to more haste then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule sloughe as he was faine to alight ere he could get foorth again And leading his horsse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor and Gandalin ouertooke him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the Swoord she sent him When he heard how the King was likewise gon his desire of speed encreased to giue him succour but his horsse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as he was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much wursse then his own yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tract of horsses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them we met certaine men leading a Knight two Ladies albeit we durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of y e wood for doubtlesse they be some bad people heer to they added such a discription of the prisoners as they easilye gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good freendes saide Amadis know you none of the
other For the prisoners are the King and his daughter In sooth replyed the poore man we are altogether ignorant what they are yet we heard one that led the horsse of the fayrer Lady often times name Arcalaus Now trust me quoth Amadis to his brother it is the villain which enchaunted me Oh that it might be my hap to finde him Gentlemen saide the man ten of them went this way on the right hand with the knight prisoner and fiue more this way on the left hand with the Ladies Brother quoth Amadis to Galaor I beseeche ye to follow the King least wursse befall him then we can remedie and I will after the Princesse Oriana So shaking handes in equall resolution they parted the seuerall wayes but Amadis found his horsse so ouer-laboured as he was able to holde out no longer Being thus hindered by chaunce he looked aside and sawe where a Knight lay slaine with a Squire standing by holding his horsse wher-upon Amadis stepped to him demaunding who committed that murder A traitour hath doone it answered the Squire who is not yet gon very farre and leadeth with him the fairest Lady in y e worlde no other reason had he for my maisters death but because he asked what the Lady was What wilt thou doo said Amadis tarrying heer I stay sir quoth he til some one come who may helpe me with my maisters bodye to some buriall and afterward I intend to séeke my fortune If thou answered Amadis wilt giue me the horsse thou holdest I will leaue thee mine and my Squire to helpe thee and one day will giue thee two better beside The Squire was content when Amadis mounting on the horsse commaunded Gandalin to helpe him burye his maisters bodye and afterward to follow him the same way he rode Thus Amadis hyes so fast as horsse can run and espying an Hermitage went to sée if any body were within at his call the Hermit came foorth of whome he asked if he saw not fiue Knightes passe by leading two Ladies No verily answered the olde father but doo you not enquire for a Castell which is not farre from this place Why aske ye such a question quoth Amadis Because a Nephewe of mine tolde me saide the Hermit how Arcalaus the enchaunter is going thither two Ladyes with him whom he carieth perforce Ah father replyed Amadis you name the traitour I looke for Trust me Sir quoth the Hermit he hath doone many mischéefes in this country would God we were either rid of him or his life amended but haue you no body to help you No-body but God and my self answered Amadis Why Sir said the Hermit you tell me they be fiue in companye and you but one beside Arcalaus is counted one of the best Knightes in the worlde and with whome fewe or none dare meddle What-soeuer he be quoth Amadis I am certaine he is a disloyall traitour and they no lesse that keep him company what lesse cause then haue I to feare him for God is iust in whome is onlye my confidence I pray you Sir replyed the Hermit know you of whence the Ladies be One of them said Amadis is the Princesse Oriana daughter and heire to the vertuous King Lisuart the other is a Lady attending on her The God of heauen answered the Hermit further your intent that so good a Princesse may not be long in such a wretches custodye If you haue any prouender father quoth Amadis I desire you giue my horsse a little The Hermit brought foorth such as he had and while the horsse fed Amadis demaunded to whom the Castell belonged To a Knight called Grumen saide the Hermite Cozin germaine to proud Dardan who was slaine at the Courte of King Lisuart which makes me the rather coniecture that he will lodge such as are enemies to so good a Prince Good father replyed Amadis I beséeche you haue minde of me in your prayers and now shew me the neerest way to the Castell Which the Hermit did when Amadis mounting on horsse-back tooke his leaue following the way he was directed Not long after he got a sight of the Castell which was compassed with strong Towers and high walles wherfore so closely as he could he approched néere it where he heard what ioy they made for the arriuall of Arcalaus when marking how many gates of issue it had he found there was no more but one wherfore tying his horsse where he might not be séen he hid himselfe so cōueniently as none could passe in and out but he must needs see them thus was he glad to watche there all this night At the breake of daye doubting least the watche of the Castell should descrye him he entred a little thicket where long he had not staid but he saw a Knight come foorth on a little hill before the Castell looking all about if he could discerne any ambushe which doone he went in againe and very soone after Arcalaus with his foure companions issued foorth well armed conducting the two Ladies whome Amadis well knew so soone as he sawe them Héer-upon he fell downe on his knee praied that God would strengthen him in this enterprise then looking to the well guirding of his horsse and y t euery part of his armour were as it ought to be taking his Launce he mounted tarying till they passed by him But because this place was vnfit for the combate he intended to suffer them enter on a playne néere at hand still keeping him self hid in the thicket and so néer did Arcalaus with his company passe by Amadis as he heard the Princesse Oriana thus complaine Alas sweete fréend quoth she great reason haue you to bid me adiew when I would permit you to goe succour her that séemed the most wofull woman in the world for I feare this shall be our latest conge and neuer may you sée me againe because death giueth such due attendaunce as it is impossible for me to escape These woordes were of such vertue that albeit Amadis could not refraine from teares yet did they so liuely enflame his hart as ouer-reaching them ere they knew any thing he thus spake to them You lye false traitours for these Ladyes shall passe no further The voice of Amadis was quickly knowen by Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke when imagining them-selues alreadye reskewed their mindes were ioyfully cheered especiallye to sée their conductours so suddenly amated But Arcalaus perceiuing how Amadis outraged his fréendes approched more neere him and Amadis well knowing him from the rest met him so brauely as he sent him head-long to the ground then entring among the other foure he gaue such a charge to Grumen the Lord of the Castel where they lodged that his Launce passed quite through his bodye and breaking therin he fell downe dead from his horsse Now drew he the Swoord the Queene sent him wher-with he laide so valiantly about him as his enemies were cleane dismaied in their hope when they beheld Arcalaus not yet recouered
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
when he fought with his brother Amadis which made him cary better opinion of the Knight and bothe of them being glad to breath a while Galaor entred into these speeches You see Sir I haue the better of the combate let me therfore know your name and why you conceale your selfe so closely wherin you shall doo me very great pleasure and we may continue freendes else wursse wil ensue then you imagine Be well assured answered the Knight our strife shall not be ended so easily nor am I to be ouercome so lightly as you weene beside I was neuer more desirous to prolong a combate then I am at this instant because I neuer met with the knight that tryed me so wel but to you nor any other will I be knowne except one Knight who hath power to commaund me Be not so opinitiue replyed Galaor for I sweare to you by the faith I owe to God neuer to leaue you til I know what you are and why you conceale your selfe so secretly And I sweare to you quoth the Knight while breath is in my bodye you shal not know it by me and rather would I presently dye then any but two should vnderstand what I am yet I knowe not them but they may and shall haue knowledge of me And what are they saide Galaor you estéeme so much Neither will I disclose them to you answered the Knight Bothe them and my former demaund quoth Galaor I will knowe else one of vs shall dye or bothe together I am well pleased ther-with replyed the Knight So begin they to charge eche other a freshe as if they had not fought together before at all but the strange Knight receiued many cruell woundes which made his strength more and more to faile and the Lady séeing the great danger of his life would suffer him to endure no further peril but comming to Galaor said For-beare Sir Knight would God the Barque and Mariners had suncke before they brought you hither Lady quoth Galaor you ought not to blame me in dooing my deuoire against this Knight who hath outraged me many more beside for which I meane to be reuenged this day For-beare said y e Lady to wrong him any more otherwise you may fall into an extremitie without any mercy It matters not what may happen answered Galaor but nothing shall make me giue ouer vntil he haue satis-fied my demaund And what is that quoth she He must tell me his name replyed Galaor and why so closely he concealeth himself likewise what y e two Knights are of whome he told me but euen now Proceed no further in combate said the Lady and I will satisfye your demaund This Gentleman is named Don Florestan concealing himselfe in this secret manner to finde his two bretheren who are in this countrey accounted such men at Armes that albeit he hath well tryed himselfe with you yet will he not be commonly knowen till he haue accomplished such déedes in chiualrie as may deserue to equall him with them who are at this time in King Lisuarts Court one of them being named Amadis the other Galaor and all thrée the Sonnes to King Perion of Gaule Alas what haue I done quoth Galaor heere brother take my Swoord and therewithall the honor of the fight for I haue offended ouer-much What said the Knight am I then your brother According to this Ladyes spéeches answered Galaor you are and I am your brother Galaor Florestan amazed at this accident fell on his knée saying My Lord I desire you to pardon me for this offence in combatting vnknowen with you was caused by no other reason but that I durst not name my selfe your brother till I had made some imitation of your noble vertues Galaor courteouslye embraced him in his armes the teares streaming from his eyes with ioye and gréeuing to sée him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good freendes and the enmitie conuerted into such humilitie as one right glad therof she saide to Galaar Woorthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauines yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompenced me So taking eche of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castell where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wonndes Thus remained the two bretheren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII ¶ How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he arriued in the Countrye of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yéeres accomplishing many braue déedes of Armes the renowme where-of continueth to this daye And as he returned toward Gaule he lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his own reputation as also because the Countie him-selfe had some-time béene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his chamber where beeing in bed and some-what weary with trauaile he fell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauines he felt him self embraced and kissed he knewe not by whome when starting vp to arise he was so held downe that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus maistred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you The King looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire freend tell me what you are What soeuer I am quoth she I loue you exceedingly as one that freely giues her selfe to you In sooth replyed the King I very gladly would knowe your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunitie yet can I vse no other continence then you see But it were necessary quoth the King I should knowe your name if you meane to be my freend Seeing you constraine me there-to answered the Lady knowe that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so fréendly entertained you Now trust me Madame replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather dye then abuse the man I am so much beholding too Will you then refuse mée quoth she well may you bée tearmed the wurst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will doo what is conuenient for your honor and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my father to think himselfe more iniuried by you then if you graunt what I desire So starting frō the bed she tooke the Kings Swoord euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it foorth she set the point against her
Galaor chapter XVIII Fol. 92. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyse chapter XIX Fol. 97. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda chapter XX. Fol. 104. How Arcalaus brought newes to the court of king Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana chapter XXI Fol. 108. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him chapter XXII Fol. 112. How Amadis departed from the Ladies castell and of the matters whiche were occurrent to him by the waye chapter XXIII Fol. 119. How king Lisuart being in the chace sawe a farre off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed there-upon chapter XXIIII Fol. 122. How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauayle to king Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them chapter XXV Fol. 127. How Galaor reuenged the death of the knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree chapter XXVI Folio 131 How Amadis pursuing the knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whome he combatted and what happened to him afterward chapt XXVII Folio 134 How Amadis combatted with the knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him chapter XXVIII 138. How Balays behaued him-selfe in his enterprise pursuing the knight that made Galaor loose his horsse chapter XXIX Folio 140. How King Lisuart held open court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time chap. XXX Folio 142. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the courte of king Lisuart and what happened to them afterward chapter XXXI Fol. 145. How king Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good cittie of London there to hold open and royall court chapter XXXII Folio 148. How king Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of chiualrie chapter XXXIII Folio 152. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of king Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged chapter XXXIIII Folio 155. How king Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly chapter XXXV Folio 161. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that king Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour chapter XXXVI Folio 166. How Galaor rescued king Lisuart from the ten knights that led him to prison chapter XXXVII Folio 172. How newes came to the Queene that the king was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the citty of London chapter XXXVIII Folio 174. How Amadis came to the succour of the cittie of London when it was in this distresse chapter XXXIX Fol. 177. How king Lisuart helde open courte in the cittie of London many daies in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained there long time afterward chapter XL. Folio 181. How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the kings death who was father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed chapter XLI Folio 183. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the forrest whome when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest poynt of their combate they knewe eche other chapter XLII Folio 187. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countye of Zealand chapter XLIII folio 191. How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damoselles at the Fountayne of Oliues chapter XLIIII folio 197. FINIS
defence and for the more suretye that she should not be reskewed him selfe mounted in person on a goodly great horsse then leauing the towne along they ride thorow the féeldes by the Forrest side and being come to the place prepared for execution he commaunded forthâ—with she should be throwen into the fire saying Let the stubborne strumpet dye in her obstinacie But Agraies and Galuanes béeing ready armed to aduenture their fortune discerned when the troupe came from the town toward the Forrest wherfore without longer tarying hauing giveÌ„ expresse charge to one of their Squires to haue especiall care of the Damoselles safetie sâ—yly left their ambushe beholding y e poore maiden ready for the fire when she perceiuing her present daunger cryed to the Duke that she would tell what he desired only to delay the time of her death The Duke beléeuing she intended as she saide came to her when suddenly he espied Agraies and Galuanes gallopping toward him calling so lowd that he might easily heare theÌ„ Duke now shalt thou be forced to deliuer the Damosell At these woordes were all the Dukes Knightes greatly astonished yet prepared they for their owne defence wher-upon began betwéene them a fierce and cruell fight Now though Agraies and Galuanes were alone against so many yet did they so brauely behaue them-selues as at the firste onset they quailed the greater parte of them before they could deuise which way to turne them-selues wherat the Duke was so amazed that fearing his owne death was néere at hand he withdrew him selfe behinde his men yet Galuanes perceiued it wherfore he cryed to him Trayterous Duke this day thou beginnest to féele the warre thou didst enterprise against Knights errant then rushing through the preasse he minded to charge the Duke but he retyred aside willing his Knightes to kill their enemies horsses which they on soote might easilye compasse In bréefe these two champions shewed such chiualrie on their foot-men as they were vanquished and driuen to flight the most of theÌ„ so cruelly wounded that they were scant able to kéep them selues on horsse back in their escaping away and y e Duke who was better mounted then any of them made such haste as he brought the first newes heerof to the towne béeing eagerly pursued a while by Galuanes but when he sawe it was in vaine he returned to the Forrest where he found his Nephewe and the Squires with the Damosell Such was the reskewe of the poore mayden and shamefull foyle of the Duke who béeing arriued at the towne caused with al speed a great number to arme them-selues returning to the Forrest to reuenge their late iniury thinking to finde the Knightes there as yet but they were dislodged wherfore fayling of their purpose they dispersed them selues in seuerall troupes by fiue and fiue in a companye to séeke them the Duke likewise béeing one in the searche hauing foure of the best Knightes he could make choice off And as they rode along in a valley he espied the Knightes conducting the Damosell wherfore he said to his men Beholde my fréends the traitours we are to deale withall let vs set on theÌ„ before they get leysure to escape for if they gaine but a sight of vs they will run away faster then euer we did But Galuanes espied them ere they came néere and shewed them to his Nephewe Agraies who he thought was ouer-weried with the last assaulte which made him say We already haue felt what these villaines can doo but now must we warily defend our selues that we be no more followed in this sorte I know y e Duke to be he comes formost if good hap befall vs I hope he shall haue his paiment first of al be now good Nephew mindefull of your wunted courage hauing passed through greater dangers then this can be Why Uncle quoth Agraies in time of perrill doo you think I will forget my selfe especially being in your company dreame of no such matter I pray ye but let vs serue these as we did their companions By time he had thus spoken the Duke gaue the spurres to his horsse and comming neere them saide I am sorrye villaynes you should dye so honourablye but afterward I meane to hang ye by the heeles on the toppes of these trées Galuanes and Agraies buckled close with them shewing how much they despised such shamefull buriall on the other side the Duke and his Knightes stuck to it closely especially him selfe to whom Agraies came and angerly reached him such a blow with his swoord beneath y e sight of his Helmet as quite cut away y e nosthrilles from his face The Duke imagining him selfe wounded to the death turned his back and fled Agraies following him but séeing he could not ouertake him he commended him to all the Deuilles returning to succour Galuanes whom y e other foure had very sore laboured yet did he holde out so couragiously as none of theÌ„ durst come néere him for one was tumbled headlong from his horsse not shewing any motion of life was left in him Agraies béeing now come from pursuing the Duke buckled so closely with the first he met as he fell downe depriued of life so that there remained but two who found themselues too weak to vphold the honor of the vanquished and therfore trusted to the speed of their Horses following the first run-away toward the Forrest by which meanes they escaped the fury of Agraies and Galuanes they suffering them to enioy that benefite returned where the Damosell attended for them of whom they demaunded if any towne or place of lodging were neere Gentlemen quoth she I know the dwelling of a Knight hard by named Oliuas who is mortall enemy to the Duke by reason he slue a Cozin of his which makes me think he will the better welcome vs. Be you our guide thither said Galuanes and so she was they béeing very kindely entertained there especially when he knew what had happened On the morrow they took their leaue of Oliuas but calling them aside he thus spake Gentlemen the Duke trecherously killed a Cozin germaine of mine who was a good Knight wherfore I am determined to accuse and combate with him before King Lisuart Now since I vnderstand you are Knightes errant and such as know how or else your selues can redresse the wronges offered to the vnable yea by them who without care of God or their honor durst proceed so farre I desire you to giue me your counsell and supporte In sooth answered Galuanes you are deepelye bound to prosecute the murder béeing committed in such shamefull manner and we will assist ye in your quarrell on so iust a cause if the duke will bring any Knights to maintaine his wrong we will be for you for so little account makes he of vs that he hath openly giuen vs defiaunce Most hartely I thank ye replyed the Knight and for this cause I wil goe with ye if you please Content quoth they Héer-upon Oliuas armed himselfe and so they
rode together to Windesore where they had good hope to finde King Lisuart CHAP. XVIII ¶ How Amadis tarying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidinges of his brother Galaor BY the discourse past you haue vnderstood how Amadis after he had in open feelde foyled and ouer-come the audacious proud Dardan was stayed in King Lisuarts Courte by the Ladies request expressely to be the Queenes Knight his entertainement by the King fauour and manifolde other curtesies you haue likewise heard It now came so to passe that as he was one day deuising among the Ladyes a Damosell entred the Quéenes chamber who falling on her knées before the Queene said Madame is not a Knight héere that beareth azured Lyons in his armes The Quéene perceiuing she meant Amadis answered Damosell what would you with him Madame quoth she I haue brought him tidings of a new Knight who hath begun in déedes of Armes so rarely as euer did any You speake very much answered the Quéene but you perhaps being acquainted with none but him thinke therefore he is beyond all other It may be so replyed the Damosell yet when you vnderstand what he hath accomplished I thinke your selfe will agrée to my saying I pray ye then quoth the Quéene tell vs what he is When I see the good Knight answered the Damosell he who caryeth such estimation from all other I will tell him in your presence and other newes which I am charged to acquaint him withall The Quéene was now more desirous to know him then before wherefore shewing her Amadis she said Sée héere Damosell the man you aske for Madame quoth she in respect you speake it I beléeue it for a Quéene of such state as you are is frée from beguiling then comming to Amadis she thus procéeded My Lord the young Gentleman whome not long since you Knighted before the Castell of Bradoid when you vanquished the two Knights on the bridge and the other on the cawsey where you tooke the Maister thereof prisoner and deliuered by force of armes the freend to Vrganda most humbly saluteth you by me being the man whome he reputeth as his Lord and giueth you to knowe how he endeuoureth to reach the height of honor which he will attaine or dye in the attempt likewise when he shall perfourme some-what worthie the name of Chiualrie he will acquaint you with more then yet you knowe vntill which time he shrowdes it in silence Amadis soone remembred â—he spake of his brother wherefore with ioy the teares dewed his chéekes and the Ladyes well noting this alteration meruailed thereat especially Oriana who as you haue heard heeretofore was grounded in such affection toward him as she was well néere depriued of power to dissemble it In meane while the Quéene desirous to heare what déedes of prowesse the new Knight had perfourmed said to the Damosell I pray ye continue your message and tell vs the braue beginning of chiualrie you spake of Madame quoth she the first place where he made proofe of himselfe was at the Rock of Galteres where he combatted with the great and terrible Giant Albadan whome in open feeld hand to hand he ouercame and slew héereto she added the manner of the fight assuring her that she had seene the same Greatly were all the hearers abashed at these newes but aboue all the rest the Quéene who demaunded of the Damosell if she knewe whether he trauailed from thence Madame quoth she I parted from him soone after leauing him in the company of a Damosell who came from her Mistresse to séeke him because she was desirous to knowe him at which time he went with her and since I neuer sawe him What thinke you héere-of Sir Amadis said the Quéene do not you know of whence he is Yes truely Madame answered Amadis although I can say but little héerein I thinke he be mine owne brother for so Vrganda not long since assured me Doubtlesse quoth the Quéene the fortune of you both is admirable and I meruaile how you could come to the knowledge of your Parents or they of you yet would I be glad to sée that Knight in the Kings seruice While these spéeches endured Oriana who sate farre from the Quéene and heard none of these newes was in such griefe to sée Amadis shead teares as being vnable to conceale the same she said to Mabila I pray ye faire friend call your Cozin Amadis that we may knowe what hath happened to cause him mourne Mabila made a signe to Amadis to come and when he was with them Oriana shewing her selfe some-what grieued thus began Sir Amadis it may full well be said that by some Lady you are now mooued to pittie I pray ye tell vs what she is and from whence this Damosell brought you these tidings Amadis quickly perceiued his Mistresses disease wherefore he declared all that the Damosell tolde the Queene which appeased the iealouzie of this hot louer made her shew more amiable countenance thus speaking to Amadis Alas my Lord I must intreat ye to pardon the fault raysed only by fond suspition against you I promise ye Madame quoth he there is no cause of pardon nor did my heart euer thinke amisse against you but could you like thereof that I should go séeke him the Damosell departed from and bring him hither with me to serue you for this I am assured if I bring him not it will be very hard to get him hither Beléeue me answered Oriana I could gladly with so good a Knight in this companie and therefore I thinke you shall do well to go seeke him yet before you depart acquaint y e Queene heerewith that she may imagine how by her commaundement only you enterprise this iourney Humbly did Amadis regratiate his Mistresse and according to her councell he went to the Queene to whome he began in this manner It were good in mine opinion Madame that the King had this Knight likewise to attend on his seruice Certes quoth she I would it might be so if it were possible If you will graunt me leaue said Amadis to goe find him I haue no doubt of bringing him hither otherwise I knowe you shall hardly see him till he haue made himselfe knowne in many other places You doo very much for the King quoth she if he doo come neuerthelesse I referre it to your owne discretion Thus Amadis obtained licence to depart which he did very early the next morning hauing no other company then Gandalin and spending most part of the day riding through a Forrest he sawe a Lady come toward him accompanyed with two Damosels and foure Squires who weeping very greeuously conducted a Knight in a Litter whereat Amadis being abashed demaunded what mooued them to be so sorrowfull and what he was they had in the Litter He is quoth the Lady the only cause of my care and pensiuenes my Lord and husband who is wounded in such sort as I feare his death Amadis
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
if the traitour Arcalaus woorke no newe villainie by his enchauntments but as concerning my happye deliueraunce I like well that my Quéen should vnderstand therof Wher-upon Ladasin called a Squire whom the King presentlye sent to the Courte as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the King communing with the Nephewe of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinseman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to bée King of great Brittayne Héere-upon the King concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of Landon IF you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poore labouring men not knowing the King and Oriana séeing how iniuriouslye they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide themselues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were King Lisuarts his daughters Where-upon so soone as the two Knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring thorough the Cittie especially among the Knights as they presently Armed them-selues and mounted on horsseback in such troupes that the féelds were quickly couered with men and horsses At this time was King Arban of Norgalles talking with the Quéene little thinking on any such misfortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayd My Lord you tary héere trifling too long arme your selfe quickly and follow the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Cittie how certaine villaines haue caryed the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed King Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Quéene heard these vnhappie tidings not able to vnder-goe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but King Arban hauing more mind on the King left her in her Ladyes armes hasting with all spéed he could to horsseback When he was setting foote in stirrop he heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castell whereby hée gathered they were betrayed wherefore hée caused the Quéenes lodging to bée guarded and returning to the Cittie sawe euery one readie in Armes when choosing so many as he pleased as also two hundred well approoued Knights he sent two of the chéefest to the Tower of London to vnderstand the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his trayne killing and casting ouer the walles all that he met Héerein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the Knights and men of account were gone to succour the King Highly displeased was King Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the King had béene betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences as might happen he dorayned his men in battayle placing good watch about the Quéenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take her as he had done the Tower but he met with stronger resist then he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan tooke a prisoner by whome he was aduertised how King Arban would withstand him euen to the death Now began he to deuise how by faire spéech and falshood he might take the King crauing a parle with him whereto King Arban willingly agréed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought till now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised Knightes in the worlde but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I thinke withall that what you doo is for safetie of your honor Heerin you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will be but the losse of you and your men in respect King Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proof wherof euen he that slewe him will ere long send me his head Sith Fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this Countrey dare you deny to make me King Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall intreate you so well as any Prince in my Realme suffering you still to enioy the Countrey of Norgalles and particulerlye beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered King Arban full well doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy trecherye in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue me become a traytour to his freendes as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doo the wurst thou canst thy villainie only will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put therto What saide Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as King in London Neuer shall traitour replyed Arban be King of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable King of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue saide I finde my selfe deceiued wherfore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despight of thee I will reign King in great Brittaine Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will kéep thee from such climbing as if the King my Maister were héere personallye present Then began the assault afresh King Arban withdrawing him selfe to harden his men beeing meruailously offended at Barsinans woordes Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood he brauelye on his defence many beeing slaine and sore wounded neuer-thelesse he was euer-more formoste in the fight and last at the retreit which was caused by the night ensuing Nor néede we doubt considering the puissaunce of Barsinan and the fewe on the contrary side but King Arban would take his aduauntage in resistaunce by compelling them to the narrowe stréetes where foure on a side could hardly deale together which turned to the great disaduauntage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with freshe supply still encouraged his men The retreit being sounded either side with-drawen King Arban séeing his Souldiours sore wearied by the hot skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indéed he came and comforted them in this manner My louing companyons and fréends this day haue you so woorthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will procéede better and better Remember the cause of your fight
not onely to maintaine your good King but your owne liberty against a tirant a traitour and what worsse who would buy his vsurping in this Kingdome with the blood of you your wiues and children Sawe you not how he vsed them he tooke in the Tower Beholde you not the end of his purpose which is to ruinate this noble Realme that hath by diuine prouidence beene so long time preserued and euermore continued in reputation floorishing with loyall subiectes to their Prince Heard you not the flattering perswasions which the Rebell vsed before the assaulte thinking to conquer vs by his golden tongue In vaine is his labour I am right well assured that no one of you but wil dye a thousand deathes before he shall conceiue any other minde in you I sée by your resolued countenaunces if I should thinke or say otherwise I were a monstrous offendour for if he haue more men then we we haue more hartes of courage then he which forbiddeth all occasions of dismaying setting before your eyes the famous account you shall liue in héer-after By their lookes you might discearne at their retire how vnwilling they will be to trye you againe and respect not the traiterous woordes of Barsinan our King liueth and will right spéedily come to succour vs. In meane while I intreat as my fréendly companyons let nothing dismay your hope but continue as you gaue begun with this famous resolution that it is more honourable to dye for libertie then to enioy a life by thraldome and slauerie vnder a wicked iniurious and trayterous Prince When the King had ended his oration there was no one in the company how sore hurt soeuer he was but would couragiouslye encounter Barsinans power and bid him brauely good morrow the next day in the Tower where-with the King not a little contented returned to the Queenes lodging his face couered with sweat and his Armour all bloodye by reason of fiue wounds he receiued in fight The Ladies seeing him in such pittious plight were meruaylouslye abashed especiallye the Queene who well-neere dead with greefe and feare together then as a woman in middest of dispaire she saide Alas deere Nephewe what shall we doo we are all but dead Madame answered King Arban all will goe well if God be pleased in vaine doo you thus discomfort your selfe for I hope to heare good tidinges of the King and the traitours that seeke to vsurpe his Kingdome by your good and loyall subiectes shall receiue deserued punishment God graunt it quoth she but you are so wounded as I think it impossible for you to be at the battell if Barsinan come to morrow againe nor can our men doo any thing without you Be not you troubled ther-with Madame replyed King Arban for while my soule suckes her spirit from the ayre I will not for-sake my charge So bidding her good night he went to haue his woundes dressed and after-ward turned to his Souldiours merilye passing the night among them Barsinan on the other side got into the Tower of London which he had wun and numbring his men found that his power was greatly weakened yet would he make no shew thereof for dismaying the rest but shewing a dissembling countenaunce thus spake to them My fréendes it suffiseth that I haue showen mine enemies what you are and they if I thinke good to stand at my mercie wherefore I am determined without any further losse of you to rest our selues fiue or sixe dayes till Arcalaus send me the head of King Lisuart and then the sight thereof will make them not dare to resist me any longer but in hope of fauour will yéeld them-selues Eache of you therefore reioyce and be of good chéere for when I am King right richly will I reward you all So went they to rest till the next morning when Barsinan being armed mounted on horsseback with twentie Knightes in his companye and came to a Port which one of King Arbans Knights kept who seeing this troupe presently sounded an allarme But Barsinan sent him woord how he came to parle only and desired truce beside for sixe houres whereof King Arban was immediatly aduertised who graunted the truce Barsinan required and likewise for fiue dayes Conditionally that he should offer no violence to any house in the Cittie or practise any entraunce during the limitted time beside if the King returned in that space the difference should bée left to his disposition Barsinan was contented with these conditions because he accounted King Lisuarts death certaine where-upon he said to Arban I hope this little truce will be an entrance into a perpetuall peace betwéene vs for I dare assure yee King Lisuart is dead and his Daughter must be my Wife as within these fiue dayes ensuing you shall euidently sée What quoth King Arban thou hast then put him to death and couldst thou deale so traiterously with him that gaue thée such honorable entertainement in his Court rather will I presently dye then continue one hower of peace with thee get thée gone therefore quickly or I will send thee hence in pieces Is it true quoth Barsinan well mayst thou threaten me but it is in me to make thee repent it Thus returned he to his Souldiours acquainting them with his honest offers to King Arban and the audacious answere he returned for them CHAP. XXXIX ¶ How Amadis came to the succour of the Cittie of London when it was in this distresse NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood familiarly deuising with the Princesse Oriana thinking on nothing but their swéete contentation and among other discourse Amadis intreated her to tel him what spéeches Arcalaus had with her by the way On my faith Sir quoth she he confounded my senses with perswading me to reioyce saying Before fiue dayes were expired I should reigne as Quéene in great Brittayne enioying Barsinan to my husband him-selfe likewise should be chéef gouernour and maister of his house in recompence of the seruices he did for him in giuing him my fathers head and me to be his wife Ah heauens said Amadis what treason is this in Barsinan who shewed him-selfe such a fréend to the King God shield he doo no wrong to the Quéene In sooth I greatly doubt it replyed Oriana it were good therefore we hasted to sée With all my heart quoth Amadis so mounting on horsseback they rode toward London méeting many Knights by the way that followed the King whome still he directed in their course certifying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search Within a while after Oriana espyed Don Grumedan an auncient Knight of honor to the Quéen and twentie Knights more with him who all that night had searched the Forrest for the King but when he sawe her the teares stood in his eyes with ioy desiring to heare some newes of the King her father Credit me Sir quoth she not farre from the Cittie were we sundered when God ordained so well for me that Amadis deliuered me from the