but he shall bee sure of a Combat wherein if he be vanquished he must leave both Arms Horse and Gentlewomen if any he have with him but if he be of the Country of great Brittain or any of King Amadis friends he shall be worse used for either shall he be cast in prison or gain a dolorous and horrible death I know not said Don Flores who this brave and glorious Knight is nor for what cause he beareth so great hatred unto the best King now living in the world but were he a Devil inchained or loofe I will prove what he can do Then setting the Horn unto his mouth blew it so loud that all the place sounded therewith It is néedlesse said the villain that had stayed them for the Lord of the Castle will not come forth before to morrow in the morning neither to fight nor yet to parley in any sort Wherefore go forward on your way if you think good or else stay my Lords leisure without any more blowing of the Horn. That will I not do answered the Knight of the Swans for rather will I stay here a whole Wéek together then I will depart without battel you heap the like evil fortune upon your self said the villain that divers others have done that in like sort found themselves discontented herewith wherefore I counsel you to passe on your way and that quietly without so much chafing and vexing of your self When I ask counsel of thée said the Knight give it me if thou canst in the mean time get thée gone and take thy rest for as for me I mean not whatsoever may befall to depart hence until such time I have séen and spoken with thy glorious Master therewith going to the Gentlewomen that stayed for him they all together alighted off their Horses in a fair Meddow full of trées casting a great shadow where they lodged and refreshed themselves for as then the Sun was very high and the daies were long and excéeding hot CHAP. X. How the Knight of the Swans fought with the Lord of the Castle and overcame him IN such sort the Knights and Gentlewomen passed away the night until the next morning that the Knight of the Swans awaked about break of the day when he called Urgandin his Esquire to bring his Armour and saddle his Horse In the mean time Lipsan and the rest of the company awaked to whom he said that time drew on to prove their new adventure When you will answered Lipsan his Esquire Filedrino having already brought him his Horse wherefore Arming himself in all haste they took their way towards the Castle leaving the Gentlewomen attending the event of their fortunes The Knight of the Swans was no sooner come unto the stone but as he did the day before he set the Horn to his mouth and blew so loud that well it might be heard two miles about insomuch that the Lord of the Castle and the Watch start up at the sound thereof as it were in a maze and he that had the entry of the Bridge especially in charge looking out at a Window spake as followeth Trust me Gentleman you are over hasty to séek your own misfortunes whereof peradventure you may repent at leisure Thou saiest well answered the Knight of the Swans but thinkest thou wée have nothing else to do tell thy Master honest fellovv that hée is to blame to play so much the Coward within his Castle let him come forth into the fields where we have stayed for him are you at that point said the other you think then you have to do with some foolish Coward but truely I hope to sée you both before noon brought into such perplexity that I think you will be better contented with a little rest than desirous to travel any further on adventures and that you may prove it to be true blow the Horn the second time that your evil fortune and mischief may fall upon you all at once Then the Knight of the Swans blew the Horn again louder than before in such sort that presently after hée perceived the Gates of the Fortresse opened and a great Knight issuing forth mounted upon a Horse so high that hée séemed a Tower shaken with the Wind the Knight armed in all points bore a Shield half parted Or and as hée approached near unto the Knight of the Swans hee said Perdy Sir Knight you have béen overbold with my Horn for the which you shall spéed never the better séeing without cause or reason you have waked mée out of the sound sléep I was in I know not answered the Knight of the Swans to whom the evil fortune shall happen but this know peradventure you had been better in your Bed than here fighting with us kéeping and defending the passage without cause against all men and as I have heard by one of your men as also perceived by the stone threatning wrongly and without cause the Knights of great Brittain What said the other are you then of King Amadis house I would willingly bée one of his house said the Knight of the Swans being well assured that none but honest men and of honourable houses are received there yea and the best Knights in the Land so wise a Prince is hée Of his vertues said the other I never heard in all my life but sufficiently of his folly and more then néedeth both for him and his and so much that I have fully determined if any of them fall into my hands to prove if I can heal the light head of their King by the sorrow I will cause them to indure That is not so said the Knight of the Swans for I beleive that if any of them that you threaten passed this way he would heal you of the pride and rashnesse that maketh your head so out of temper and to make you know that I speak not without reason I will first begin and therefore beware of mée for I assure you without doubt I am both his kinsman friend and servant to the death and you are but a fool so to estéem of your self Ah said the other never in all my life was I better pleased then now to have found so good opportunity to revenge upon thée and thy companion the death of my good Father long since dead a man of himself more worthy estimation then thy kinsman Amadis and all the rest of his lineage together and to the end thou mayest try my force come thou and thy companion together against mée alone and when I have vanquished you both yet shall I in a manner be nothing moved therewith The Knights of King Amadis's Court answered the Knight of the Swans are not accustomed to fight against others with advantage And séeing thou hast had this conference with mée alone with mée onely thou must wilt thou or not have now to do my companion being such and so valiant a man that be it against thée or any other as great a Lubber as thou art hée néedeth not
shed in such sort as I have declared unto you And for that wée are diverse of this one opinion and intent we therefore have made a league and promise to yeild and all with one consent have required aid and succour of all the Pagan Kings our friends who to that end have already begun to assemble men from all parts and that in so great number that they being altogether and once entered into great Brittain it shall be impossible that the King raigning therein should resist us neither whole Christendome although they were altogether assembled and would undertake the same But what Kings and Lords said Norandel dare so much presume séeing that those which in times past assayed the like have sped so ill that the greatest part of them have left their lives remaining so well chastised for their presumptions that this country whereof you speak hath béen their Sepulchre and that therein as yet are living the same Knights which in those times both overcame and vanquished them Ha answered Cosdroel assure your self as I said before unto you that their number is now so great and they mean to descend in so many places of the Land that the small number of those valiant Knights you praise so much will be estéemed as nothing in that behalf and which is more we are well advertised that within this little time Knighthood is rusted among them that in a manner there is not any more talke ministred of wandring Knights but all like carpet Knights in stead of following Arms as in times past men were accustomed to do study onely to fit by the fire and court fair Ladies which maketh them so much the worse estéemed of I pray you then shew mée saith the King who are these Pagan Kings whereof so much you vaunt VVho answered the King first the Soldan of Liquie the Admiral of the great Turke the King of Licom son of King Ataligo the King of Libia the King of Persia the King of Media the King of the Isles of Colcos the Children of Arcala most strong and valiant in arms with all those of the Isle of Caville kinsmen and friends unto the Children of Dardan le Superbe the Gyant Dramiron of Aucone bastard Son of Bonterbo a far better knight then ever was his Father and bringeth with him above ten thousand fighting men the Gyant Gromolias the son of Panorente Brucalan le Brave Manibuenca le Dissemblalle the Duke of the Desart the Signeur of the Brave Rothe both Gyants and the Gyant Almandragro Nicrofero son of the Gyant Bultrase and divers other valiant personages And now I came from the great Turk himself having béen with him to desire his aid therein who of his great liberality and vertue hath made mée answer that of his own power he will cause so many men to enter into Britain and France that hée himself will onely overthrow them meaning in the mean time to send so puissant an army against the Emperor and thereby give him so much to do that he shall not by any means be able to aid or assist King Amadis or any other his friends These things are not so easie saith the King to be atchieved and gone thorow withal as they are begun by reason the first point is easie but the second much more hard and to prove it to be so assure your self that in all the countries by you named they shall find such and so many good and valiant Knights and Souldiers that never in their lives it may be they found themselves so hardly matched and their proud enterprises as I hope shall remain as much voyd and frustrate of all means as they to the contrary think it strong fortified and Iust Iuster then it is can it not be answered Cosdroel for that some of them come to revenge the deaths of their Parents and kindred other their own injuries and the most part for to recover their lands and possessions lost VVho are they said the King Who answered he I will shew you that is Cosdroel of Aucone to recover the Isle desart that was his Fathers the Children of Arcalaus the Castles and places of the Isle that Dragonis holdeth Barsman the Seignior of Sansuegne wherein at this present Don Quedragant remaineth the Kingdome of Aravigne that King Brundo holdeth which most assuredly was the said Kings whose sonne not long since hath béen elected and crowned King of Licome and a thousand other which I could name unto you To which King Norandel for that time would make him no further answer meaning thereby not to give him any intelligence or perseverance of the desire he had to understand further of the matter but onely demanded of him in what time hée thought they would be assembled and joyned together In good faith answered Cosdroel the greater part of them are already prepared to embark themselves and attend onely the comming of the Turks Army that they may set sail all together and you for your part sir Knight said the King what shall become of you Are you in hope to be there in person Yea truely said he if your vertue be such that setting apart the revenge you might well take of so poor a Prisoner and a stranger as I am you will discharge him of imprisonment and give him liberty to accomplish his message he hath promised to make unto those Lords to whom hée was travelling at such time as you stayed him which done look whether it will please you I shall return I promise you of my faith so to do without failing in any point Touching your liberty can I not dispose said the King for that concerneth the Emperour himself but I will declare the whole discourse unto him and therein will use my self so well in your behalf that I doubt not but according unto his accustomed clemency and Princely magnanimity you shall obtain whatsoever you request at his hands therewith bidding him farewel he took his leave and departed CHAP. III. How the Emperor understood of the Pagan King's enterprize and of the Turkish Prisoners deliverance KIng Norandel thus departed from Cosdroel went presently unto the Emperour whom onely being accompanied with Don Flores he said may it please your Grace my Lord I have this morning béen to visit our Turkish prisoner but as far as I can perceive and learn by him your Grace hath more cause to assemble men of War and prepare your Armors then either to dance or use any other pleasure Why said the Emperor what saith he Then King Norandel began from point to point to declare unto him the whole discourse which you heard before as touching the great assembly of men made by the Pagan Princes not onely to assail great Brittain but also the whole Land of Christendome and the City of Constantinople it self And as he continued on his discourse not omitting any thing thereof the Emperour both wise and well advised in the mean time pondered in his mind the dangers and accidents that might happen thereby
himself before the Emperor saying My Lord if we had as well found the Master as his Horse wée had done sufficient for this daies Work but I think him not to be within this VVood for there is not one bush that I have not sought but I believe rather that he hath embarked himself in some vessel passing along this shore for I have found the traces of mens féet towards the Sea shore I kon him thanks answered the Emperor in long time shall hée not so well try his fortune as his Grand-father King Amadis or my self have done I hope God will defend and kéep him from evil being he is as he is and from that day forward began to shew more chearful countenance then before making known his high and couragious stomack then when most it séemed oppressed with grief and adversity My Lord said King Norandel he hath lost himself peradventure and it may be you shall sée him again as good a Knight as you would wish him to be There is enough done said the Emperor let us return again into the Town where they were no sooner entred but it was night but when the Empresse understood the little profit they had gotten by their travel and that assuredly her Son was lost God knoweth how and in what manner she shewed her self a Woman I would say a fool but that such a word is unséemly for a Lady of so high a calling if men would not excuse her in respect of the nature of her sex Neverthelesse the time and the comfort the Emperor gave her caused her in the end somewhat to moderate her grief CHAP. VII How news was brought unto the Court by a Knight of Vrgandaes of the safety and welfare of Don Flores THe court being in this uprore as I shewed you before the Emperor neither yet the Empresse thinking in long time to hear any news of their Son the eight day following there entred into the Court an Ancient Knight who being accompanied with four Esquires richly apparelled méeting with the Duke Castilles asked of him if by any means hée might speak with the Emperor himself for said he I bring him news wherewith he will be much pleased and content In the name of God said the Duke I will bring you into his presence for never was there Prince had more need thereof and taking him by the hand lead him into the Empresses Chamber where the Emperor sate devising among the Ladies to whom the Duke said My Lord this Knight asked for your Grace and bringeth you as he telleth mée very good news wherewith the Old Knight stepped forwards and knéeling on his knées kissing a Letter that he held in his hand delivered the same unto him saying My Lord Vrganda la Descognovee my Mistresse recommendeth her most humbly unto your Grace But when the Emperor understood the name of the Gentlewoman his heart leaped and breaking the seal he began to read it whereof the tenor was as followeth Most high and puissant Emperour of Constantinople Vrganda la Descognovee of long time not unknown unto you wisheth your Graces prosperity with all increase of joy and felicity May it please your Majesty to understand that knowing of the great grief and wonderful sadnesse which you have newly taken and being desirous to remedy the same by the contrary means I give you to understand that the Prince Don Flores your Son is living and in good health yet do not the Destinies permit you to see him in long time but he must first passe many dangers and perillous adventures before his return unto you of one thing can I well assure you that in the mean time the great and marvailous acts reported unto you of him shall not make you so much to muse as give you cause to rejoyce For such shall be his valour and prowesse in Arms that not any living creature shall ever be able to attain unto the like and such shall be his reputation that until the time of the good King Arthur which shall raign in great Brittain not any one shall be comparable unto him for he shall recover the Countries lost and shall revenge the cruel murthers committed in his time and because all this shall happen and come to passe and that before long time be past I beseech your Grace when they are fulfilled to have in remembrance that which by this Letter is now fore-shewed unto you At such time as the Falcon and black Kites of the Isles beyond the seas shall make war against the fair birds and their young ones the white and subtle Eagle shall come forth to defend them aided by the obscure Eaglets and other birds that shall follow her to assure her of her abode one of her young ones being with her by which means shall happen so brave and cruel a battel against the Falcon and black Kites that divers of them shall remain dead taken and spoiled in the place and many of them also spotted with their own blood at the same time likewise another Falcon that shall bee present shall take courage and with his sharpe tallons being favoured of the white Eagle and her obscure Eaglets shall do so much for the sweet birds that he shall help to destroy the Falcons and black Kites whereof shall bee such slaughter made that killing some and slaying others few or none of them shall have means to return unto their nests for the which deed the said black Eagles Aiders and Assisters of the white Eagle being desirous to recompence the glorious falcon shall make him Lord and Governour of their young ones lodging him in the highest and best place of their nests Whereof I pray your Grace to think upon for all this without doubt will come to passe Then said the Emperor having read the Letter over twice or thrice I believe that Vrganda saith the truth and that this Prophesie shall come to passe but for my part I cannot understand or comprehend the same God grant all may fall out for the best that whatsoever she foretelleth mée of my Sonne may come to such an end as both she and I desire of this one thing am I very glad that he liveth and that so good and wise a Lady hath care over him Then turning himself unto the Messenger he asked him if his Mistresse were in good health And it please your Grace answered the Knight shée is very weak and féeble of body but most ready and disposed in mind to do you service for although her years and great weaknesse have taken from her the use and exercise of her eyes yet have they not taken from her the desire she hath of executing that which may pleasure you In good truth said the Emperor that have I alwaies expected in so good and vertuous a Lady as she is unto whom I am more beholding then to any other of her profession living by reason of the pleasures benefits and agréeable services I have received at her hands If my Lady answered the
whither I bare her company hoping of good entertainment and some reward for my service hée began to do her all the mischiefs he could devise and such that where I made account to live in joy and pleasure you sée mée now apparelled in this sort and bearing a countenance that witnesseth my sorrow and grief But let mée shew you the cause so it was that scarce had King Rowland entred into his Countrey but that he found divers of his men revolted saying that it appertained not to Christian Kings to Raign over a Pagan Countrey Which known by a great number that followed him in the conquest of Denmark they shewed openly that which until then they had kept secret and unknown and renouncing the faith and baptism they had received with their Master forsook him to turn against him with his enemies His Enemies I say for so he called them yea he himself no better séeing he had agréed with you to forsake his own Laws not for any good he hoped for by ours but onely to enjoy the Lady for whom his heart burned so much in Love which being cooled and his desire satisfied hath again received his Pagan Laws and séeketh by all means to force the Lady Sabine unto the same which she would never consent unto although he hath tormented her and yet to this present day holdeth her in a strong and cruel prison threatning her that presently upon her deliverance of the childe wherewith she goeth to make her dye and evil death which I poor soul considering went unto her Father to carry him those pittiful news and found him in his countrey whither not long before he was returned comming from the succour of the Isle Montgaza and from great Brittain namely from King Amadis and his great friend the Emperor of Constantinople being newly dis-enchanted assuring you that such his absence made King Rowland enterprise all the mischief unto you rehearsed and worse than these for hee is entred into the Country of Denmark and with a great Army destroyeth pilleth and putteth to fire and sword all he findeth before him thereby utterly to overthrow and impoverish his Father in law who being weaker of men then hée and older in years then willingly he would hath commanded mée to séek you out and in his behalf to desire you that séeing that once you have re-established the Realm and Country of Denmark into his hands yeilding the same peaceable unto him it would please you once again to aid him against that cruel King so wickedly falsifying his faith and promise which to you hee had made then when in your presence and by your perswasion he gave him his Daughter in marriage If this will not move you unto pitty and that for your ease or other causes to your self known you will not undertake this voyage for the delivery of this sorrowful afflicted King I beséech you for the honour of God and Knighthood said she wéeping most bitterly do it for the love of my poor Mistris left by me in great extremity which you ought not to suffer being born as you are unto vertue and to maintain the honour of Ladies that in adversity have recourse unto you for aid succour and relief Florisando having known King Rowland more amorous of Sabine then ever he had séen any as hée thought travelled by love with compassion moved at her tale answered unto the Gentlewoman And beleive mée Gentlewoman it grieveth mée much to think upon the pains and travel you have taken as also of the grief you now sustain but much more for the troubles of your Mistresse to whom after you shall have somewhat refreshed your self here in the Court you shall return assuring King Garinter that I will follow presentlie after you to aid him as he hath desired me O my Lord said the Gentle woman God forbid that I should take rest either of body or in minde so long as I know her that hath nourished and brought me up to be in sorrow and pain and that Traitor King Rowland living and persisting in his wickednesse without receiving due reward for his desert Then the two new Knights stepped forward promising Florisando to conduct her into Denmark where said they wée will aid the King staying till you come for the which hée heartily thanked them and presently taking their leaves of the Emperor and the Empresse and the Damosel likewise of Florisando they departed from Rome entring into the ship that Vrganda had given them wherewith they sailed so far that for the space of five daies they were without the sight of any land until the sixth day that they entred into a straight where certainly they were in great danger to be lost yet by the grace of God their vessel took land in a place better then they thought it had béen wherefore the Knight of the Swans commanded the Marriners to cast Anchor and go a shore whereunto they obeyed so that the two Knights with the Damosels and their Horses being landed they willed the Pilot and them of the Ship to depart from thence unto the Island non Trovee and being there arrived willed them to thank Urganda in their behalf for the great curtesies favours and pleasures she had shewed unto them which done they departed the same way they came and on the other side Don Flores Lipsan and their company mounting on their Horses travelled along by the shore side till such time they came unto the head of a causey where the Esquire Urgandin said I know not in what Country we are but sure if we follow on this way it will lead us unto some Village where we shall know what we desire And going forward they travelled so far that at length they perceived the glistring of a Castle which in their sights séemed of white Marble it shined so bright the situation being on the top of a Hill under the which ran a great and déep River over the same having a great Bridge of stone built with arches very fair at the end thereof stood a Tower with a watch therein that none might passe the same without knowing who he were Neverthelesse neither the Knight of the Swans nor the Knight of the Burning Flames did once stay until such time as a villain came unto them who at the entring of the bridge holding a staff in his hands said with a churlish voice What now you strangers think you to have the passage so easie at your commandments and that without giving us your names no no look first what these letters contain then hée shewed them a Iasper stone which he bade them read at their pleasures which having well understood said he do as you think good At these words the two Knights approached near the Bridge where the Knight of the Swans perceived a great Ivory Horn fairly guilt hanging at a great chain likewise guilt with a writing which contained as followeth Let all Knights understand that not one whatsoever he be that shall blow this Horn
any help Make thée ready then said the Knight of the Swans therewith giving back about a carrier length upon the bridge being large and plain vailing both their vizards they ran so right one against the other that the great Knight strake the Knight of the Swans right upon his Shield wherewith his Spear brake all in pieces not doing him any hurt but his enemy moved at the injurious words uttered by him against King Amadis could single him out better and with such force that striking him out of his Saddle with the blow put his right shoulder out of joynt so great was his fall Neverthelesse he stayed not on ground but rising up lightly least if he defended not himself better on foot then hee had done on Horseback he should fare but ill and taking in his hand a Falchon he bore by his side said unto the Knight of the Swans Knight the hazard and hard fortune is fallen upon mée on Horseback but we shall sée how it will fall out on foot wherefore light off your Horse or I will kill him O said the Knight of the Swans laughing even now you would have had to do with two at once how comes it to passe you can behave your self no better against one Well then in Gods name let the rest of our Combate be on foot therewith he descended and delivered his Horse unto Vrgandin and covering himself with his Shield set upon the glorious Knight whom he within short time handled in such manner that with one blowcleaving his Shield in two parts hée put him in fear of his life yet did he strike such a blow on the Knight of the Swans Helmet that he failed not much to strike him down his eyes and ears therewith starting and tingling which he bore not long without revenge for he séeing him without a Shield stepped forward and with all his force stroke him right upon the place where before hée himself had béen strucken and passing through the Helmet and coif of stéel Wounded him so déep in the head that losing his sences hée fell flat down on his face upon the bridge and as he thought to stride over him and strike off his head hée heard a great noyse out of the Castle which was of two Knights that perceiving the Weaknesse of their Lord came forth all Armed for to succour him which Lipsan perceiving stepped forward to receive them in the mean time the Knight of the Swans leaped lightly on his Horse that Vrgandin held ready for him Then it was who could do best for the two Knights newly issued forth sought if it were possible to revenge his cause whom they estéemed dead and the two strangers to use them worse if it were possible and in such sort striking and Combating together both on the right hand and on the left the Knight of the Flames with a crosse blow stroke the one with whom hee fought so fiercely on the vizard that with the blow he clove his Iaws and therewith cut off a péece of his neck wherewith he was so feared that turning his back he began to run in all haste to the Castle crying with a loud voyce Come forth men come forth and be revenged on these Traitors and presently thereupon fel down dead in the place by reason of the blood that ran into his throat and choaked him In the mean time the Knight of the Swans that dealt with the other brought him into such extremitie that being not able long to endure against him hée was forced to suffer as much as his companion had done which caused them of the Castle to stay their course being already comming to set upon the two strange Knights but upon the sudden stayed themselves looking what would become of their man that lay still upon the Bridge Vnto whom the Knight of the Swans returned and lighting on foot went and unlaced his Helmet thinking to strike off his head but hée féeling the air began to breathe and opening his eyes perceived his enemy lifting up his Sword to strike off his head therefore with a loud voyce hee said I pray you sir Knight for Gods cause do mée not that injury but rather spare my life upon condition that you shall passe the bridge at your own pleasure O Traitor said he the Bridge will I passe and thou shalt lose thy head to assure them that hereafter shall chance to follow mée this Way My Lord said the other if I have done evil I will make amends for it at your pleasure which I promise you to do upon my honour and credit Give mée your Faith said the knight of the Swans that neither by you nor any of yours wée shall receive any hurt or damage then shall you sée what I will do That do I swear and promise unto you said hée then the Knight of the Swans took him up but when hée saw the one Kt. dead and that the other likewise could not get unto the gate never was there man more grieved at the heart Neverthelesse he made signs to his men that they should lay their Weapons down and let fall the Draw-Bridge out of hand but they could not as then hear what he said therefore there issue forth more then thirty men Armed with brigandines and halberts for to assail the two Knights which their Lord perceiving stepped before them commanding them to honour him by whom he had béen overcome whereunto they obeyed then Don Flores Lipsan the Gentlewomen and their Esquires entred into the Castle where they were well lodged and the Wounded Knight laid in his bed where oftentimes the Knight of the Swans went to visit him who the next day minding to depart said unto him Sir Knight you must discharge your promise made to mée for now I must be gone having other enterprizes to accomplish My Lord said hée rather will I dye a thousand deaths then once fail therein Begin then said the Knight of the Swans to declare the cause wherefore you so much hate King Amadis and who hath moved you to maintain the evil custome of this Castle then you shall know what resteth for you to accomplish Sir said hée King Amadis being a Kt. adventurous slew my Father named Ardan a Knight most redoubted in the court of King Luisart at which time I was but one year of age but since that time growing unto mans estate and continuing with my Mother one of the richest Ladies in this Countrey sister to Dardan le Superbe slain likewise at Winsore by the said Amadis I was by her in such manner perswaded to bear a mortal hatred against him and his Lineage that having attained that ripenesse of years capable to receive the order of Knighthood being a knight yea and one of the best in these countries I determined with my self that so long as life and limb lasted to assail by all means to hurt and endamage our common Enemy doing so much that both he and his might féel some part of the evil
affairs and the little leisure he hath had to receive the Princes Knights and others that are come to visit him whereas I have béen constrained to remaine so in such sort that forgeting my self I did not once remember you till this morning that my affairs being somewhat lessened I called you to minde and there with came hither not only to visit you but also to amend the fault I had committed in your behalf And it liketh your Grace answered the Knight I do now very well and better than before perceive that it should bée a thing unnatural if the trée should not bring forth fruit like unto the root from which it first sprang I say this my good Lord in respect of you touching mine own part that have not deserved the honour you did unto me you will therein follow the bounty of that famous King Lusart your Father a man estéemed of throughout the whole world not only for his magnanimity but also for his wisdome and courtesie as much as any Prince that lived before his time or since Wherein truely you so well imitate his steps and that in such manner that having vanquished me in battel I confesse my self more vanquished then before by reason of the great courtesie I finde in you so that I am constrained to account this your victory of greater honor then if I my self had overcome ten of the best Knights in great Brittain Truely said the King this courtesie you talk of as far as I can perceive doubleth in your self But let us leave this discourse and tell me if it please you in what case you find your body and whether you find your self any better then you did upon the seas By how much the more said the Knight that the health of my body increaseth and approacheth so much the more diminisheth and withdraweth the joy I was accustomed to have in place whereof I am solicited by most grievous sadnesse and not without great cause one by reason that perceiving my self healed I finde my self in Prison and arrested whereby my heart is so grieved that I would willingly by death bee delivered out of pain not as I said before because I am so happily falne into your hands but by reason I may not accomplish the voyage I have taken in hand nor yet satisfie and fulfill that which I have sworn and promised to do having already passed so many perils and misfortunes for the attaining of my desire whereunto I have so long time aspired And now because I know that my purpose is failed and the grief my Prince will receive by my fault as also the losse that so many great Lords shall receive by my long staying it so much vexeth me that in a manner I am almost out of my wits and ready to destroy my self This discourse pleased well the King for thereby he perceived his prisoner entring into the very matter it self whereof he was so desirous to be satisfied which the more easily to procure hée said unto him what the cause of your grief is I know not but of this one thing can I well assure you that during your abode here you shall be well assured to receive all the honour and good entertainment that may bee deâ—ised among us for such is the Emperors will and pleasure so courteous and merciful a Prince is hée In the mean time séeing we are in this discourse I pray you sir by the promise I look for of you on the faith of a Knight ye will declare unto me that which I shall ask you Therein I will do your pleasure said the Knight for though I say it my self I know not any Gentleman living more desirous and careful to maintain his credit and promise than my self and ever will wherein I will not yield to any man Such is to bée looked for said the King at the hands of men of your calling now therefore I pray you declare unto mée who you are what your name is and what that King and those great Lords are which attend your return as also the occasion of your voyage My Lord said the Knight the faith I have given you holdeth me so straightly bound thereunto as it forceth me to declare that fréely unto you which a thousand deaths together should not constrain me unto I am saith he called Cosdroel of Anfamia Son of that valiant Knight Brontaias of Anfamia of the Isle of Sagitaries who was slain by the hands of the Valiant Knight Amadis de Gaule in the battle that King Aravigne fought against King Lisuart your Father _____ At the time of whose death I was so young that I may very well bée excused of the revenge I ought to take for his death and since that time likewise fortune hath béen so adverse and cruel unto King Aravigne that hée attempting twice to supply my want of years and ability assembled two Armies but if he sped evil in the first hée had worse fortune in the second for although he wan the victory and the town of Lubame was taken where King Luisart and his army were overthrown hee was neverthelesse himself overthrown and before his departure from thence remained Prisoner by him that before had béen his Captive which was done by the force of King Amadis whereof I spake before who only hath béen the cause that neither the revenge of my Fathers death nor yet the losse of the King of Aravigne could for those times have any other issue then shame and dishonour Which I considering in my self and being attained unto age and strength correspondent determined once again to try fortune and by all means devised still to recover the losses past in such manner that from the day that King Aravigne made mée Knight with another of my Kinsmen son of Ancidel slain likewise with my Father by the hands of Don Frestan King of Sardaign he and I vowed and made promise unto our Gods to revenge our losses by all the wayes we might and although the means were taken from us to execute vengeance on our Principal enemies at the least we would do our endeavours against their Parents and Allyes wherein wée had already so well procéeded in the War begun against King Brundo that having in a manner recovered all the lands of King Aravigne and dis-inherited his enemies we thought utterly to overthrow him but Don Florestian succouring him with twelve of his Knights fought against twelve of our Knights whereby King Aravigne remained not only vanquished but was slain his people put to flight his honour defaced and all our Army so feared and abashed at so many crosses and evil fortunes that loosing both heart and courage wée retired with shame and dishonour determining neverthelesse once again at some better time to assemble and again to pursue whatsoever befel on so just a quarrel and revenge In the mean time beléeve mée sir I never was at my hearts ease nor yet shall be until such time I shall have revenged my kinsmans blood
old Knight travelleth taking pains to please you she cannot do it for a greater Prince nor one that more deserveth it and so hath she given mée in charge to shew you which having done I am presently to return back again unto her Wherefore my Lord having fulfilled her commandment it may please you to give mée leave I am well content said the Emperor My friend said the Empresse you shall commend mée heartily unto her and shall give her certain small presents which I will send her and to her two kinswomen Then she commanded a little coffer of Cedar to be brought full of exquisite things which the old Knight having received and his leave taken both of the Emperor and all the rest he returned the same way he came leaving the Court very joyful and contented with the good news he had delivered them kéeping on his way as best pleased him And now let us sée in the mean time what Sergil being embarked for England on message to King Amadis doth to whom Wind and Fortune was so prosperous that having sailed the Italian Seas and Ports of Spain passed the straights entring into the Ocean Seas sailed so well that within two daies after he departed he arrived at Winsore where he met with Angerote de Stravanx whom he knew very well of whom he asked where King Amadis lay for that séing the town so bare of Gentlemen and Knights he thought that the King had not as then béen lodged there Angerot bade him welcome and therewith lead him unto the Court to the Kings presence of whom being welcomed hée said In Gods name Sergil what is the cause you do return so soon again from Constantinople How doth my Son My Lord said Sergil and it like your Grace your Son is well and in good health commending him unto you and therewith kissing the Letter he presented it unto him Which the King having read said It certifieth us of some news at hand Such news and it like your Grace answered Sergil were good to be certified unto all your councel Then the King commanded to send for King Arban of North Wales Listoran de la tour Blanch Grindolan Brother unto Angerote Saquilles his Nephew Lazadin Lescrimeur the Earl Durdalin and divers other before the which assembly Sergil turning himself toward the King began to recite what had happened unto them after his departure from Brittain what a great tempest he was in in what danger they were the battel betwéen the Sarazens Ships and theirs the imprisonment of Cosdroel and lastly the determination and pretence of the Pagan Kings moved thereunto by the Children of Arcalaus and others as mischievous as they whereof the Emperor my Master hath thought good to advertise your Grace to the end you may provide for them that you be not taken upon the suddain And to the same end prayeth you to send for all your Captains and Souldiers Friends and Allies together with the Emperor of Rome all which being assembled and your Ports well furnished in Warlike manner he hopeth this great and huge Army of Enemies can nothing at all hurt you but that all will turn unto their own confusion and overthrow And for his part assure your self my Lord he sléepeth not but determineth if they enterprize against him so to receive and entertain them that he hopeth to give them cause never to be so bold again as to visit him in such sort Truly said the King these hell-hounds have still a quarrel against mée yet have they at other times sufficiently found and assayed what I can do But if God will they shall féel once again this voyage what slaughter I can make of them for if they once set foot on land be it in great Brittain or in any other place where I command whatsoever falleth out I will give them battel My Lord said King Arban things done deliberately and by counsel have commonly good successe If they come to visit you as they brag they will time and season will give you means to resist them then as you shall find convenient In the mean time according to the Emperor your Sons counsel you shall if it please you make the matter known unto the Emperor of Rome and the rest of your friends by whom you may be ayded giving order likewise that your Ports be well furnished and all your ships rigged and prepared to set sail when it pleaseth you So will I do answered the King and therefore good cousin I pray you let mée have your counsel therein Séeing it is your will my Lord said Arban that I do it I will take what pains I can therein But who will you send in Embassage unto Rome Marry you my Lord Lazadin said the king taking him by the Arm shall take that charge upon you You have heard what Sergil hath declared unto us from my Sonne the same shall you declare unto the Emperour and that I desire him to have his men in a readinesse promising him that if the cloud falleth in Italy presently to aid him there and that whensoever it falleth here about that he will aid mée in like case as I doubt not but he will My Lord said Lazadin your pleasure shall bee fulfilled And I pray God give mée grace there and in other places to do you any service I may Prepare your self then said the King and take what company you think good with you That done the Counsel brake up every one repairing to his lodging The King and Arban together devising what order were best to bée taken for the Country In the mean time Lazadin having Vessels and men prepared with a prosperous Winde set sail unto Ostie where being arrived he Landed and from thence took his journey unto Rome being there hée presented himself before the Emperor of whom he was first most courteously entertained and then demanded the cause of his repair thither And if it please your Grace answered Lazadin King Amadis my Master recommendeth himself most affectionately unto you and hath written you a Letter wherewith he presented the same unto the Emperor wherein was nothing specified but onely a credit for the Messenger and that he could at large dilate the matter unto him Wherewith the Emperor prayed Lazadin to delare the same which he did from point to point as ye heard before desiring him at the end in his Masters behalf to prepare a puissant Army ready to resist the Pagans power wheresoever they should Land were it in Italy or great Brittain assuring your Grace said he to the Emperor and so hath the King my Master given me in charge to declare unto you that if the cloud fall in your countrey he will aid you with so great a force that you shall know what desire he hath to do you pleasure and if it falleth in his Countries that it will please you to succour him in like manner for that he saith your two forces being united together with your Friends and Allies all the Princes