into his heart that oftentimes he changed colour but for the time he covered his intent as much as he could and entering into another matter asked master Elizabeth how he found the means to leave King Luisart As well as I would wish said he for as soon as he had dined he lay down to sléep in the mean time I came hither to you I pray you said the Knight let him know nothing touching me And wherefore said master Elizabeth will you hide your self from him séeing there is no Prince living in the world worthier then he to be honored and served of all good Knights It is true said the Knight but I have done so little as yet that I am ashamed he should hear no better news of me séeing I am in hope that in time I shall do great matters which of themselves will set forth my renown without the praise of other men Séeing it is your pleasure said master Elizabeth I will do so although it would rejoyce him much to hear that such unexpected aid should come unto him onely by your means That shall be at another time said the Knight and not now Wherefore lest he should miss you when he awaketh I pray you return unto the Castle and when you sée convenient time come hither again to visit me Wherewith master Elizabeth took his leave vidding him farewel and went the same day he came towards the Castle CHAP. IX How Carmelle the Hermits Daughter found the black Knight sleeping in the Hermitage and thinking to kill him perceiving him so fair she fell in love with him MAster Elizabeth gone from the Hermitage where he left the black Knight went so fast and made such haste that he came again unto the Castle not missed of any yet the King was awake before he came who leaning in a window and séeing him below in the Court asked him if he had slept No and it liketh your Grace said he I have béen abroad walking along the country which I finde environed with the goodliest meddows that ever were séen come up hither said the King and we will talk with you but he was no sooner entred into the Chamber when Carmelle the Hermites Daughter came to the King and knéeling down before him said May it please your Grace to entertain me into your service that am one of your natural subjects and will be during life wherewith the King took her up and said Gentlewoman if you desire any thing at my hands assure your self it shall not be denyed for I did never during my life but honor and pleasure such as you are and although such favors have oftentimes turned to my great trouble therein do I blame no man but my self for that God justly sendeth both good and evil when where and to whom it pleaseth him wherefore I pray you shew me who you are Then Carmelle made a long discourse how from her youth upwards she had served her mistriss Arcabonne and what occasion moved her father to become an Hermit as you heard before Truly Gentlewoman said the King if you will return into great Britain I will take you with me I will do said she what your Grace commandeth in the mean time I pray you grant me leave to give my father intelligence who you are for he will be most ready and glad to do your Grace service With a good will said the King and tell him I desire to sée him wherewith Carmelle thanked his Grace and because it was late she went again into her Chamber till the next morning that she rose and issuing out of the Castle about break of the day went down a certain path she ordinarily used to go whereby she came into the Hermitage at such time as the Hermite and the dumb man were gone to the Barque to fetch such necessaries as the black Knight wanted who in the mean time slept in his bed for after that master Elizabeth had given him intelligence what the Princess Leonorine had said he could not rest till the very same time when she entered into her Fathers cell wherein she found him and not doubting any thing went into the Chamber where she heard the black Knight sâ—ort wherewith being abashed she opened the window and perceived him asléep his Sword hanging at his beds-head which she took down and softly drew out of the Scabberd finding it freshly spotted with blood whereupon she suspected it was he that had slain Frerion Matroco and others in the Castle and as she looked about her she knew his black Armor wherewith she was in such a fear that she had almost fallen down and let the Sword fall out of her hands but taking courage she went néerer to the bed to know him better being fully determined if it were he to kill him as he lay and therewith began by little and little to uncover his face but he shewed so fair that suddenly the fury she had changed into so burning a love that during her life it was never quenched in such manner that the more she beheld him the more did her love increase and as he fell on sléep when his minde was busied with the imagination conceived of Leonorine after Carmelle had beheld him long he turned towards her and without waking cast forth a great sigh saying in his sléep Alas poor wretch what shall become of me The Gentlewoman knew well he had not séen her wherefore she imboldened her self to kiss him and found his face all wet with tears whereby she feared he had some melancholly humor that troubled him and although she estéemed not thereof féeling her new disease much more then his grief taking all to her advantage she hoped from that time forwards to find the meanes to obtain his love yet did she fail thereof for that love to shew his power had wounded them both diversly in one place and at one time a thing almost incredible for who would ever think that little god would enter into such a place Where a poor Hermit lived all alone in most strict manner with a few cold roots and not his belly full of bread yet did he overcome them both in the most unfit time as it may be thought that could be found for the black Knight had indured so great travel in fighting and the Gentlewoman séen so many of her friends slain at one time that the one had not so much néed of comfort but the other as much cause to rest If then it be so as it is most true that we are all subject to this Tyrant he that hath past the flower of his youth not tasting of his fury may not think himself in any thing more happy séeing it is his manner to constrain young men to love and oftentimes old fools to dote In that sort the Gentlewoman did pennance for the evil she conceived against the black Knight and had continued longer there had it not been for fear to be discovered Wherefore with the sword in her hand she returned
thee therefore I am content to do thy will but we have no light to see Care you not for that said he for I will provide you light and with that he pulled of the taffata that covered the scabberd of his Sword whereby there was so great a brightness in the place as if the Sun had shone therein Then they descended into a Cave where the Knight perceived King Lisuart lie upon a couch of straw with a great collar of Iron about his neck and fetters on his legs whereby he indured no little pain whereat he was so grieved that for sorrow the tears ran down his eyes yet would he not disclose himself unto him neither once utter what he thought but without making himself known said unto him Noble King you have been overlong within this filthy place rise up I pray you and follow me When the King heard him speak in that manner he made no other account but to end his days at that time wherewith he could not refrain to weep and speaking unto the old Lady asked her if she knew him For said he since I entred into this place I never saw any Knight nor any one that spake unto me but that little sustenance I had was let down at a hole from the top of this dungeon Then she answered him and in great despite said Thou accursed King if I had not known thee I would never have taken pains to fetch thee so far from hence as I have done cursed be the time when first I took it upon me for thou onely art the cause of my great sorrow and the sole instrument of my bereaved joys In faith Lady said the King I know not what you mean am very sorry for your heaviness for I never sought but to do honor and pleasure unto all Ladies and Gentlewomen that desired the same and for them have I oftentimes enterprised many dangerous adventures to the great peril and hazard of my life and if it hath happened otherwise unto you it is altogether unknown to me and wholly against my will wherefore I beseech you be not offended with me but tell me where I am and in whose power I now remain a prisoner in so great misery for by my soul I know it not neither can I so much as conceive which way I came into this place onely I remember that to second a Gentlewoman that a villain would have forced I entered into a tent but what happened unto me after that I know not but that now I finde my self lying on straw like a thief with Irons on my legs King said she the short time of thy continuance in this darkness hath not satisfied as I well hoped it would the great mischief I do wish thée and that for good cause séeing that by thée onely I have indured so much sorrow that if the heart and bowels were taken out of my body they would be found as burning hot as flaming fire and especially for the new displeasure I have now conceived to sée thée so soon delivered out of my hands being in good hope by thy long imprisonment to satisfie my losses past but yet I am deceived for that fortune hath now made me pay the usury of my forepassed joys having given thée into my hands from wheâ—ce by the exquisite force of this devil incarnate thou arâ— now delivered who having put to death the Guardians of this Castle and slain mine own Son hath constrained me to bring him unto thée which I never thought he could have done much less that ever I should have yielded unto his request knowing the wrath of a woman not to have any bridle or means of mittigation until her desired revenge hath wrought the effect and so had it happened unto thée without the force of this my enemy but in despight both of him and thée with mine own hands I will slay my self if my accursed fortune bereave me not the sooner of my wretched days Cursed be both thou and thy King thou now hast found said she unto the Knight Now take him and do thy pleasure with him I pray you then Lady said he unlose his Irons and help me to lead him up with that she took the keys out of her pocket and opened the locks of his chains whereby the King rose up upon his féet and embracing the Knight said unto him What great good or pleasure sir Knight did I ever do you whereby you should purchase this liberty unto me By my soul I swear that besides the honor you have obtained in this place you have so much bound me unto you that during my life I shall never forget your courtesie wherefore if you love me let me know your name Noble King said the Knight whosoever I am I account my self happy if in any sort I may be able to do you service as for the rest pardon me if it pleaseth you and let us go out of this Cave thanking God that oftentimes sendeth scourges unto those he loveth as in his heavenly wisdom he thinketh convenient thereby to kéep them in obedience unto him The King perceiving well by the Knights words that he desired not to be known and for the same cause kept his Helmit on his head therefore he determined not to move him any more but with that they went all thrée out of the Cave and came into a goodly hall when the Sun began to go down CHAP. V. How that after King Luisart was delivered out of prison Matroco Frerions elder brother with his Ships arrived at the foot of the Rock called The Defended Rock and of the Battel between the said Matroco and the black Knight KIng Luisart the black Knight and the Lady being entred into the hall as they looked out at the windows into the Sea there entred a Gentlewoman and doing reverence unto the Lady she said Madam your Son Matroco with his Ships is even now arrived at the foot of the Kock and with him great numbers of other vessels that he hath taken upon the Seas What is your pleasure to say unto him When the Lady heard her she waxed pale and with tears in her eyes answered her and said I would to God he were as far from hence as he is néer for my heart giveth me he will spéed in the like manner that others have done before him And as she spake King Luisart and the Knight looked into the sea and perceiving the Giants Fléet surging on the shoar out of wind and weather among the which they knew Elizabeth Libee his nephew and divers others that were bound in Chains making great sorrow but none of Mattocos men durst set foot on land having already béen advertised by some of the Castle of the great misfortune happened therein and for the same cause stayed so long without till the Giant espyed at the windows the Knight and the King looking upon them wherewith in a great rage he cryed unto the black Knight whom he perceived all armed and said
unto him Thou accursed slave is it thou that so cowardly hath slain my uncle my brother and the porter of the Castle When the Knight heard him he answered him and said I have done my endeavor to make thee know that it belongeth not to such as thou art either to imprison Kings or to molest and grieve so many men as continually thou doest By all my Gods said Matroco fortune favoreth thee too much when at my arrival I finde thee armed with the walls of this my Castle for if I had thee here upon the shore I would soon send thee fishing into the Sea as I have done many other rash and bold fools like thy self that hast enterprised without cause to inforce my Castle but if I continue here ten years together I will never depart hence till I have thee in my hands then shalt thou know how I use to handle such as thou art Stay a while said the black Knight there is much more difference between saying and doing then there is distance of place betwéen thée and me Thy threatnings make me more assured wherefore now I fear thée lesser then I did before and that thou mayest well know it to be so take thy choice whether I shall come down to sight with thée or thou come up to me Then shalt thou plainly sée to whom God will give the victory either to thée that trustest in thy own strength or to me that trust onely in him The greatest oxen and the fattest bulls are oftentimes brought unto the slaughter as well as lesser beasts So thou great beast I advise thée to remember thy former life before worse happen unto thée forsaking thy accursed faith which thou now holdest and with might maintainest otherwise be thou assured the wrath of God will fall upon thée as it hath already done upon thy friends That shall be séen said Matroco and if thou hast the courage to stay for me I assure thee thou wilt be glad to deny the villainous words thou now hast uttered Therefore cause the gate to be opened for seeing thou puttest me to my choice I will come up to thee were it into the dungeon from whence thou hast delivered that villain standing by thee and therewith leaving his company behind him being all armed he began to mount up the Rock and went unto the Castle but when he came to the Iron-gate which he found open because the watch had left it and were gone and saw Argantes lying dead he was in a manner out of his wits nâ—t so much for the prowess he knew to be in him as that he had from his youth béen nourished and bred up in the Castle by the Giant his Father Nevertheless he dissembled his grief hoping to be revenged at his pleasure and going further in an other place he found the Giant armed all in green dead and freshly bléeding wherewith he was so moved that he stayed and stood still and casting forth a great sigh began to cry out and said alas Arcalaus my good Vncle how néer doth the loss of thée go to my heart wheresoever it had happened but especially being done within mine own Castle wherein I thought long time to live and make merry with thee Alas is fortune so cruel unto thée that after so many travels and dangerous adventures with infinite perils that in the flower of thy youth thou hast sustained thou must in thine old years come and receive so cruel a death within my house which I esteemed as an assured hold and defence not onely for me but for thee and the rest of our kindred and friends O immortal Gods what vengeance can I take upon the Traitor that hath so much offended me seeing that to cause him to die each day a hundred times were nothing in respect of the mischief he hath done unto me At the least if it were Amadis De Gaule so much esteemed of all men or any of his two brethren or all they three together my grief would be somewhat eased by reason of the sorrows I would cause them to indure But what Now I am constrained to fight against one alone who by reason considering the travel he hath taken all this day ought already to esteem himself overcome and vanquished What glory then can I obtain by winning victory against him Truly as much as if I sought against a simple woman being as by nature she is both weak and feeble so he unworthy of my presence will be much prouder if I do but make a countenance to fight with him nevertheless what blot sâ—ever may happen unto mine honor of force he must die In this manner did the Giant lament over the body of Arcalaus his dead Vncle not moving from thence till at last he perceived the black Knight that stood to hear him wherewith being somewhat ashamed he marched towards him thinking without hinderance to enter into the dungeon but he found the black Knight at the gate that boldly thrust him back and said unto him Thou brutish and unreasomable beast thinkest thou to enter in by force Whereat the Giant all abashed stayed without and said Thou biddest me to come up have I then done thee wrong to come at thy commandment No said the Knight but beholding thy countenance it seemeth thou wouldest enter by authority and therewith stepping aside he said Now come in and do what thou canst When the old woman with whom King Luisart talked perceived them ready to fight in great fear she ran out of the Hall and fell down at her Sons feet crying out and said Alas Matroco I pray thee and by the duty a childe oweth unto the mother I command thee not to enter into this Combate for thou knowest well that of all thy brethren thou art onely left alive wherewith my heart is so grieved that had it not been for the love I bear thee thou hadst found me now at thy return in as pitiful estate as thou seest thy brother Frerion neither is there any woman at this present living in the world that ought with better reason to wish for death then I. Alas what fortune is this that now again I must renew the sorrows which both time and long patience as I thought had buried in oblivion Alas miserable woman that I am I onely have forged the weapon that hath given the wound whereby at this present I receive this dammage for upon the day of my husbands decease thinking to revenge the grief that my soul sustained I have to the contrary advanced mine own shame and utter ruine justly receiving the reward that belongeth unto such as refusing the better part think to remedy one mischief by procuring a worse upon themselves Madam said the Giant if at this present you have received great loss by the death of some of your friends nevertheless you ought not to take it so offensively seeing they have ended their days in honorable Combate as behoveth all worthy Knights such as they were And as for
again leading them into the Princess chamber where they found her in company of Quéen Minoress with divers other Ladies and Gentlewomen but she was easie to be known among them for in beauty she surpassed them all Manley and the king of Denmark thinking they had never séen a fairer Princess whatsoever men reported of Oriane Olinde or lady Briolaine And as they entred into the chamber she stepped forth to receive them wherewith they knéeled down to kiss her hands the King of Denmark speaking unto her and said Madam we are two knights of the Ferm Isle that by strange adventure were driven into the Mediteranian Sea where we expected nothing else but death but in the end having indured a great tempest for the space of thirty days and as many nights together when our victuals began to fail we landed in an island unhabited where our vessel brake in pieces so that we perceiving nothing but death before our eyes and altogether desperate of any succor by fortune the ship wherein this knight and this Gentlewoman pointing to Frandalo and Carmelle sayled was by the same tempest of weather cast upon the Isle where we not long before had landed where there happened a marvellous combate betwéen him and my companion and my self with some of his Pirates in the ship who by force I overcame and my companion was victorious of the Giant And understanding by this Gentlewoman that she had a message to deliber unto you from a Knight armed all in black whom we sought after we determined to bring her to your presence and withal to salute and honor the Emperor your father in regard of the service that my Lord Amadis oweth unto you whose singular friends and welwillers we are and always will remain And for that at this time we have not any thing besides our selves more worthy the presenting to your Grace then Frandalo our prisoner we most humbly beséech you to receive him into your service and be a means to save his life as we have promised him The Princess Leonorine glad of that present for the renown of the Pirat being accounted a man of great power and experience thanked them most heartily and calling one of her officers she commanded him to entertain the two Knights in the best manner he could as also to look unto Frandalo until the Emperors return who said she will be glad of their arrival specially to understand by them some news of Amadis mean time she kept the Gentlewoman with her CHAP. XXI How Carmelle declared her message to the Princess Leonorine and what conference they had touching Esplandian THerewith the King of Denmark and Manley departed from her presence the Gentlewoman remaining with the Princess that led her into her privy chamber asking her of what place she was and from whom she brought a message unto her Madam said Carmelle being perswaded that as yet you know not him with whom I serve I most humbly beséech your Grace to pardon my holdness if before I name him I give you to understand that whereas he is accounted among the ranck of the most valiant Knights living in the world of whom by reason of his great courtesie and valor he is no less estéemed then feared redoubted of all villains that hear him named Notwithstanding one thing overcometh him and vanquisheth his most couragious heart which is your Grace my goody Lady said she whom he loveth honoreth and desireth to serve while life indureth But knowing not if his service would be accepted of he durst not presume to come himself in person to offer you the same although by him that next after your self may most command him he had express charge to present it unto you as bound thereto by promise And to the end you may give credit to my words he sendeth you this ring which is the very same you gave to Amadis being in this Court if your Grace can call it to remembrance With that Leonorine took it in her hand and beholding it long time she said unto the Gentlewoman Truly this ring was sometimes mine which I gave unto the best Knight now living in the world In faith said the Gentlewoman a better Knight then he hath sent it you again and that is my Lord Esplandian his son I never saw him that I know of said she True it is master Elizabeth told me of a yong Gentleman son to the Knight with the gréen sword that not long since was made Knight in the Ferm Isle Urganda being present and the next day was carryed away in a strange ship of whom as then they could hear no news Madam said Carmelle I know not who the Knight with the gréen sword may be but he whereof I shew you hath had such a beginning in arms that if it be your pleasure to hear it you will be abashed thereat tell it I pray you said the Princess But as the Gentlewoman began to speak one brought the Princess news the Emperor her father was come from hunting and asked for her wherewich she knowing what pleasure her father would take to hear news took Carmelle by the hand and led her into the Emperors Chamber and doing reverence unto him she said My Lord here is a strange Gentlewoman that can tell you news of the good Knight with the gréen sword and of his son likewise of whom master Elizabeth made a long discourse and she hath béen conducted hither by two Knights of the Ferm Isle whereof one of them hath fought with Frandalo and hath presented him unto me and staying your return I have sent them into a chamber to refresh themselves Daughter said the Emperor both they and the Gentlewoman are most heartily welcome My Lord said Carmelle God preserve your grace and without further honor unto him she stood still and help her peace whereat all the company began to smile thinking that want of civility caused her to forget her self But not long after they changed their opinion Carmelle beginning to speak in this maner My Lord I have béen nourished all my life among the best Knights living in the world yet let not your grace find it strange if at the first being in your Majesties presence I have used so little honor to your Grace whereby your Gentlewomen should have cause to laugh at me For that want of understanding how to behave my self in presence of so great a Prince is not the cause thereof but onely the joy I conceive in my self to be a servant unto him whom I more estéem then any man living and I onely hold for my lord and master not knowing any worthier then he And if it pleaseth your Grace to know who it is together with the cause of my arrival in this country I pray you send for the two knights brought that me hither I wil shew such things whereat it may be your Grace will be abashed Gentlewoman said the Emperor you shall therein do me great pleasure Wherewith he commanded a
great alarum for Norandel and his company had issued out of the castle with white scarffes about their heads for to be known and had so well surprised the watch about the base court that they had slain them all whereof Armato had intelligence as also that the enemies had gotten the issue of the Portal wherewith he was so moved that in a great rage with very small company he went thither himself Esplandian Frandalo following after as if they had béen of his company But before their arrival Norandel had recovered the pallasadoes of the fortress and there sustained the whole Turkish forces staying Gandalins coming Now the entry of the Court was so narrow that more then thrée men could not pass through it at once whereby those of the castle had in manner as much advantage as their enemies Which Ambor Talanque Gandalin and Libee made them well féel coming likewise upon them for as the king arrived they thrust them clean out of the place whereby they fled in great haste till the Turk himself caused them to stay and séeing him they took courage turning their faces whereby the Skirmish began much hotter then before Armato himself shewing great prowess when Esplandian that was still behind him took him by the middle and in despight of them all carryed him unto the walls of the Castle crying with a loud voice Be of good chear my companions we have taken the King At the which cry the Turkes set so fiercely on them that had it not bin for Frandalo who as yet had not shewed himself they had recovered him again but he jâ—yned himself with Manley Norandel and the rest that sustained the force of all the enemies so valiantly that Esplandian had means to put Armato in sure kéeping and to return again unto the battel before it was ended But it continued not long after for that news was presently carryed to the Camp that the king was prisoner with two of his chief captains taken by Grandalin and the King of Denmark wherewith they were so much abashed that by little and little they began to retire the like did they of the Castle contenting themselves with the booty they had gotten CHAP. XXVII How Armato King of Turky was committed unto the custody of Gandalin and what conference he had with Frandalo THose of the Castle retired as you heard before Esplandian called Gandalin and Libee praying them to look unto King Armato as also to the two Turkish captains and appointing the watch as time required went and laid him down upon his bed not ceasing all the night to think on the spéech Carmelle used him touching the Princess Leonorine whereby he could not fléep till day began to appear when Frandalo and the rest of his Knights entred into his chamber to talk with him not onely as touching the intertainment of their prisoners but of other things that much imported them And as they were in counsel together Grandalin came unto them shewing them that King Armato desired for to speak with them whereupon they went out of the chamber to hear what he would say Frandalo could speak the Arabian tongue better then the rest for that he had served the King of Turks and he knew him very well wherefore Esplandian destred him to speak for all the rest And entring into the Chamber Frandalo went first who knéeling on the ground kissed the Kings hand With that Armato thinking he had béen prisoner asked him where he was taken My Lord said he I am now become a Christian and a Knight of Iesus Christ that hath done me so much grace not long time since to call me to be one of his A Christian said the King is that possible By my soul it maketh me more abashed then the cruel fortune that is now happened unto me for that all Knights following arms ought patiently to bear those hazards that they fall into using necessity as a vertue But thou unhappy wretch that through fear and want of courage haste forsaken our just and holy law wherefore takest thou not a râ—pe and hangest thy self as unworthy to go upon the earth My Lord said he you may say what pleaseth you as being priviledged for the greatness of your estate yet I can assure you I never had so cowardly a heart as you estéem I have but rather account my self happy to have done that I have done Yet will I not refuse to do you service my honor still reserved in any thing I can With that Armato remembred himself and thought he did him wrong wherefore moderating his choler he said unto him Friend Frandalo If it grieveth me to have lost you let it not séem strange unto you séeing now I had greater hope then ever I have had to be served by your means But séeing it is so you know how I have used you heretofore now I pray you if you may do any thing for me to finde the means with your companions that I may be delivered from hence by some reasonable composition My Lord said Frandalo pointing to Esplandian This is he that hath all power and authority in this place both over you and me With that Armato looked upon him and perceiving him so young without a beard thought Frandalo said it to excuse himself wherefore he asked if he mocked him God forbid I should do so my Lord said Frandalo but I pray you believe me for it is true that my Lord Esplandian standing here before you is be and none other that slew Matroco Frerion Arcalaus the inchanter Argantes the Porter of the castle which he conquered as you have béen advertised By my head said the king I would hardly have estéemed him for so brave a man but séeing it is so I pray thée do somewhat with him touching the thing I told you of even now Believe me my lord said Frandalo there shall want no good will in me and with that he had him God morrow and leaving him with his guard they went into the Hall where they found the table ready covered for dinner for it was about noon time But as Esplandian rested ill that night so be made but a mean dinner not being able to withdraw his mind from thinking on the princess Leonorine which was the cause that the Tables being uncovered he went in his chamber without any company onely the king of Denmark whom he loved as himself where being together he began to shew him the cause why be sent Carmelle to Constantinople as also what affection he bare to the Princess Leonorine And to the end said he you be participant of my joy I pray you let us have her here that she may shew us what she learned in her voyage My lord said the king of Denmark if you saw her apparrelled in the gown the Princess gave her I am assured you will scarse know her at the first Will you that I send her word to bring it hither It is well said said Esplandian with that he
called a Squire sending him to Carmelle that as then was in company of Arcabonnes Gentlewomen but understanding Esplandians pleasure went presently to apparrel her self as he willed her and having a mantle on her shoulders because she would not be séen went to him in his chamber where she found him and the King of Denmark talking together but as soon as he espyed her he took her in his arms and setting her in a chair covered with velvet said unto her My good friend I mean to shew my companion you sée here how much I love and estéem him wherefore I pray you shew me before him what intertainment the Princess Leonorine gave you knowing you came from me and whither I find any favor in her sight My lord said she as soon as I was arrived and that she understood the cause of my coming unto her I found her no less yours then you hers whereby I may estéem you the happiest Knight living in the world And know you why She is so fair and of so comely personage that unless it be her self none can resemble her and of truth she doth far surpass all other Ladies for being alone in her private chamber playing on some instrument or singing for her pleasure she stealeth and ravisheth the hearts separated from the bodies of such as either hear or sée her and if at sometimes she attireth her self after the Italian manner with a cap of that country fashion then you may sée her fair and glistering hair part giving a certain shadow on her vermilion chéeks the rest knit up together invironing her head shewing with far better grace then any crown that she could wear be it of stones laurel or the finest gold that may be found But if that be a temptation unto man her two humble and modest eyes like two suns give them as many deaths as they at times behold the same and again reviveth them better then at the first and all at one instant whereat you must not be abashed séeing that love it self doth often skirmish and strive in them thereby to yield both pain and pleasure unto those that do behold the same and if he touch her he feareth to hurt her as being in most extream passions â—f love And not without a cause for that nature having made her brake the mould that she might be the only perfect creature accompanied with so many vertues that love findeth nothing in her but bones to gnaw upon And I assure you my lord that speaking unto her of those things you had given me in charge I plainly perceived her by the changing of her countenance to be charged with the like disease whereof you still complain for sometimes she blushed and again became pale and other while was at such an exigent that she could not answer me a ready word especially when I presented her with the ring that she once gave to Amadis your father as she told me afterwards In recompence whereof she sendeth you this hairlace which she most earnestly desireth you to kéep for the love of her and as the first Iewel her Grandmother Grimanaise gave to the Emperor Appolidon being but her lover Expresly sending you the same as an assured token of the love she beareth unto you and the good will she will be ready always to shew you during her mortal life With that she took a little box out of her bosom wrapped in a piece of Taffata and gave it unto him which Esplandian received taking it out of the box he sighed tenderly and said Ha most fortunate present the first witness of the perfect alliance that the most loyal lovers that ever lived had together from whom is descended the Paragon of all beauty happy to have approached so néer her person But I much happier that receiveth it as more affectioned to serve her then any other living on the earth and it pleaseth God while life indureth I trust thou never shalt depart from me but I will kéep thée as carefully as I desire she should hold my heart Yet this is not all said Carmelle but behold the recompence of my labor and saying so she cast the mantle from her shoulders shewing them her rich gown all covered with crowns of Gold which put Esplandian in mind of that Urganda sent him word by her Gentlewoman when she sent him the white armor set with the like devise confirming in his mind the hope that until then he had holden doubtful wherat he felt the greatest ease that possible he might And as they beheld the great and excellent workmanship with the great and costly imbroidery of Pearls and precious Stones wherewith it was all covered Grandalin came and knocked at the door to shew them that there were a great number of vessels discovered on the sea and fearing them to be some new supply of Turks was of advice they should be ready to receive them Whereupon each man ran to arms causing more men to go into their Ships for their better safety yet that alarm continued but a while for that the Pennons and Banners of Constantinople were perceived on their Ships by such as they sent out for to descry them some of them coming back again in great haste to shew them that Gastilles as general of the Army for the Emperor was coming to succor them whereof the Turks having intelligence presently brake up their Camp being gone far from the Castle before any of the vessels come near the shoar Nevertheless those of the castle set upon their rereward and in the chase slew so great a number that had not night come on considring the evil order they held there had not escaped a man of all their camp In the mean time Gastilles with his army came unto the mountain where Esplandian the king of Denmark and divers others stood ready to receive him and after many courtesies and welcomes on all parts given Gastilles asked them how they dealt with their enemies As well as may be said Esplandian but we could not by any means cause them to stay till your coming but they are fled from hence as soon as they heard news thereof Then he told him of the larums and issues by them made during the fiege as also of the taking of King Armato That is good news said Gastilles God be praised therefore if mine uncle the Emperor had béen advertised thereof before my departure from Constantinople I had not found the means to come send to visit you which would have displeased me much neither would he have bin at charge to furnish such a Navy but he was in doubt you were in great necessity that at my putting to sea he commanded me to make all the spéed I could til he came in person with four hundred sayl that already are prepared if our forces should not be sufficient to sustain the Turkish army but for this year he shal be excused if there happen no other adventure I pray you said Esplandian come to land
beginner in arms for that like a valiant and hardy knight he entred among the Christians and being seconded by his men did most valiantly defend themselves and assailed the enemy although at their first encounter ten of their bravest soldiers were unhorsed and overthrown And as Eiraca entered into the prease Norandel and he met together with such force that Norandel was wounded in the left shoulder but not sore hurt and the Captain of Tesifant loosing his stirrops was thrown over his horse with so great strength that with the fall he was forced to lie upon the ground and could remove neither hand nor foot which the Lurks perceiving to relieve their Captain did so valiantly that they overthrew four of the Brittish Knights who nevertheless rose presently again and with their swords in hand thrust so many of the Turks horses into the sides and flancks that in short space more than twenty of the Turks were overthrown likewise and many slain outright at that charge Enil and Gavarte were hurt and the rest so bardly handled that without Frandalos company that came to succor them they had all béen overthrown and in truth they had almost strayed too long but the squire that Belleris sent unto them could not overtake them before they were in the valley where they should have met And although they had heard the sound of their blowes yet did they not suspect any such peril until the squire had done his message wherewith they ranne with all the spéed they could unto the place where Belleris and his companions being out of breath did nothing but recâ—il and defend themselves against their enemies blows that had slain divers of them but that the captain of Tesifant would have them to be taken and presented to the Prince Alphorax Nevertheless Frandalo Esplandian and the rest of their company made them change opinion for when they perceived their companions so hardly matched by the enemy they entered among them with such fury that had it not béen for Eiraca who at that time behaved himself most valiantly they had overthrown the Turks at their first on-set but by reason of the great resistance he made they continued fighting half an hour after wherein he maintained himself so well that Esplandian could never take him before he had overthrown him and pulled off his Helmet wherewith he yielded mean time Frandalo and his companions being in the midst of their enemies laid so well about them staying horses pulling away shields and doing so valiantly that wonder it was to behold them yet did not the Turks once séem abashed but still fought most couragiously until such time they perceived their Captain taken prisoner which caused them to flie and turn their backs but not all of them for there lay more then one hundred and fifty of them dead upon the ground the rest saved themselves by means of the dark night It was then about an hour before day and Frandalo fearing that those of Tesifant hearing of the overthrow would issue forth to cut off their passage presently caused Captain Eiraca to be remounted and all the Christians that wanted horses and with all spéed rode back again to Alfarin not the same way they came but another way somewhat farther about wherein they travelled so long that about Sun-rising they entred into a great wood where they alighted to refresh both themselves and their horses and staying not long there lest they should be surprized they made such spéed that about sun-setting they arrived in the town mean time news came to Tesifant of the overthrow of their men wherewith Alphorax was in such a rage that in a manner he séemed desperate But for this time we have sufficiently discoursed of Martial affairs now me mean to bring Love in place who desiring to minister some comfort to the Princess Leonorine that lived in great pain expecting the arrival of her friend Esplandian caused him to depart from Alfarin to visit her in the City of Constantinople as in the Chapters following you shall hear CHAP. XXXIII Of the great grief Esplandian had understanding by the messenger that Gastilles sent unto him what displeasure the Princess Leonorine had conceived against him YOu heard before how Gastilles shewed the Emperor what Esplandian had done and what message he sent unto him and to the Princess Leonorine as also what answer she made which Gastilles by his Squire writ and sent unto him having charge from the Emperor so to do thereby to procure his spéedier Arrival in Constantinople The Squire with his Letter made such haste that he arrived at Alfarin about five days after the taking of Eiraca and méeting Carmelle at the gate asked her if he might find Esplandian at convenient leisure to deliver him a Letter from Gastilles but Carmelle being subtil suspecting it to be some news from the Princess Leonorine that might move Esplandian who as then séemed discontent answered him said My good friend you can hardly speak with him at this time but fâ—llow me and give me the letter and I will present it unto him and cause him to return you an answer The Squire did as she willed him and followed her to Esplandians lodging where entring into his chamber she found him sitting on his bed talking with the king of Denmark and delivered him Gastilles letter which when he read the tears ran out of his eyes and therewith cast forth a great sigh saying O Lord but Carmelle that beheld him doubting the cause to be as she suspected asked him if he were ill at ease Ill said he I that I am and so ill that I would to God I were dead and look I pray you said he whether I have cause or not wherewith stretching forth his hand he gave Carmelle the letter and turning his face began to make the greatest sorrow in the world but when she had read the contents she estéemed not thereof but said unto Esplandian What my Lord are you abashed at so small a matter By my soul I now perceive very well that the affections and loves of men are far different and much unlike the passions that we simple women endure when we fall into the like extremities and know you how you men do most commonly take pleasure to manifest and make known your love either by word of mouth or outward shews and many times dissemble more than you mean to do and which is worse how much the more the Lady or Gentlewoman you love is of great desert or high linage so much more glory do you take to make it known not onely that you bear her affection but that you are beloved and favored of her above all others which is clean contrary to the nature of women I mean such as may be tearmed wise and of good understanding for how much the greater their parentage is so much more fear they have to manifest their amorous passions in such manner that most commonly hath in word gesture and countenance they outwardly
Isle of Calafre that by force would have taken two Gentlewomen from him And although Garlante be estéemed a hardy and valiant knight yet did the king bring him in such case that unless he had craved mercy the king would have stricken off his head which he spared upon condition that during his life he should never after injure any knight which Garlante sware and vowed in my presence for that by chance arriving there during their combate I heard what passed betwéen them And because I perceived the King to be in danger of his person by reason of the great number of wounds he had upon his body I would not leave him but caused him to enter into my ship and layed him in the best bed where now he is almoâ—â— healed Ha said Esplandian what good news are these of my faith I thought verily he had bin dead wherefore madam I pray you for Gods cause let me crave the means to sée him with that Urganda led him where he lay but when they saw each other Esplandian could not refrain wéeping with the great pleasure he took to sée the King Nevertheless for the time they had no great spéech together neither would Urganda permit them to do it doubting lest the King being yet out weak and feable might thereby be hindered of his health Wherefore she caused Espâ—andian to go forth and entring with her into the boaâ— they rowed to the shoar from whence they led Urganda 〈◊〉 best lodging in the town with as much honor as they câ—uld have done to the Quéens Brisenne or Oriane if any of them had bin there in presence The next day Esplandian pitying the great number of women and little children that had bin kept within the town from the time that it was taken said to his companions that it would be better to give them leave to depart from thence then to hold them still for that the longer they continued in the town the more charge they put them to and to kéep them prisoners said he or in longer servitude God may possible be offended with us Wherefore if you will believe me using rather mercy then rigour towards them I am of opinion that we send them al to Tesifant to the Princess Heliaxe who wil thank us for it and so shall we be rid of so much charge To this all the knights agréed Carmelle was appointed to execute the message and he that had séen the great number of people that were about her especially women weeping most bitterly to behold themselves banished driven from their own houses surely he could not chuse unless he were hard-hearted but have pittied their estate But let them go let us hear what danger fell unto Urganda that next day after who being welcome to the knights took great pleasure to hear them shew of the adventures they had found in the Turkish country since the taking of Alfarin And each man after the other discoursing what they knew Esplandian remembred the old woman they saw among the rocks where she continued wherat he could not chuse but smile which Urganda espying sked him the cause Madam said he I thought upon the beauty of a yong maid that I some of our company chanced to sée not far hence being the best furnished of all things for to beautifie her that might be found and the better to describe her unto you I can assure you upon Belleris word that it is at the least eight or nine score years since she first could go and speak yet hath she so fresh and gallant a colour that to behold her well I cannot compare her better then unto the bark of those great Elms we commonly find along the high ways as we ride in great Brittain her hair is as white as Snow and for want of combing all knotted together which setteth her out so well that to behold it spread abroad upon a bears skin which she weareth for a gown there is not any man living that would not be surprised with a sudden and vehement love in the beholding of her Urganda that had heard of her before and above all things was much desirous to sée her because of her great skill said unto Esplandian In good faith I know her better then you think I do and am well assured that in her yong years she hath bin one of the goodliest Ladies that ever you saw For she is both daughter sister and aunt unto a King and is called Melie who for to learn the perfect art and science of Nigromancy hath so much condemned the world that for her inheritance she hath chosen a Rock wherein she hath caused a cave to be digged where she now remaineth and liveth in great misery and I swear unto you of my faith that it is above twenty years and more since I determined to come and sée her but other affairs that touched me néerer have still hindered my desire Madam said Esplandian séeing you are so néer you may do it now and all we will be your guides I pray you let it be so said she and let us go as soon as we have dined which done and the tables uncovered every man made preparation to go with Urganda to behold that sight but Esplandian would have but threescore with him who being well horsed and armed at all points issued out of Galatia Urganda on her palfrey riding among them Belleris was their guide and when they came neer unto the cave where they had found Melie they espyed her set cross legged upon the point of a Rock with that Urganda prayed them to stay that she alone might speak secretly unto her which the Knights agreed unto Wherewith she rode forwards and being neer unto her she said Madam I pray youâ—ve not offended that I come to see you and offer you my service Who are you said she I am said she Urganda le Discogneve that have always had a great desire to see you Ha Urganda the wisest Lady among all others said Melie your coming hither pleaseth me right well light down I pray you that you and I may talk of such things as we have taken great pains to learn and understand for although you have been the onely occasion of the Christians arrival here whereby our poor country indureth so much woe yet I cannot but excuse you knowing the faith duty you are bound to shew to your religion Wherefore I pray you come neer and sit down by me Urganda perceivrng her to be old and feeble did as she required hoping by force to stay her there whether she would or no till her company were come thither minding to give her unto them to bring her to Galatia but she met with as crafty a mate as her self for the old woman perceiving Urganda to be neer her went unto the mouth of her Cave and said unto her Urganda It would grief me that these Knights should hear our talk wherefore let us go in Whereat
the marriage was solemnised and finished the same day with no great ceremonies the Court being as yet troubled for the death of so many princes and great Lords that were slain in the battel But let it suffice to know that those two Lovers enjoyed the thing which they so long desired Esplandian the same day being proclaimed Emperor of Greece according to the commandment of his father in law who within two months after with the Empress his wife went to a monastery and place of devotion And because quéen Calafre had always pretended to marry with Esplandian perceiving her intent frustrate she could not refrain to speak in presence of theÌ„ all said unto them My Lord I beséech you give me leave to declare my mind It is certain said she that those which know me are not ignorant that I am one of the greatest most puissant princess in all the east parts by reason of the great quantity of gold and precious stones that are within my countries As touching my linage I am daughter of a Quéen of ancient race and as noble as any that ever was in the world so it is that fortune brought me into these marches promising me shortly to return laden with great number of slaves and abundance of treasure but to the contrary I that pretended and sought the captivity of others finde my self taken and better holden prisoner then they that are in their mortal enemies hands This imprisonment whereof I speak is not that whereunto I am bound by the faith I have given unto king Amadis having vanquished me by force which I certainly know to be wholly subject to fortune but the imprisonment whereof I now complain is that wherein my heart hath inclosed it self and hath the onely moving by the sole beauty and favor I have found in the new and most happy Emperor estéeming my self to be such that I hoped leaving my law to accept of yours to have had him for my lord and husband although my hope by little and little began to diminish when I perceived the Princess Leonorine to be more recommended in al perfections then any that ever I heard of or ever have séen so that speaking against my self it had béen impossible to finde a more equal match nor more conformable one unto the other then the marriage of them together which maketh me believe that fortune extendeth wholly to eternize this my passion wherein I will if I can sâ— much impeach her that forgetting my first affection and if it will please him to give me another husband worthy my estate I will accept it willingly together with baptism and the law of Christ which you do hold When the Emperor Esplandian saw her good pretence he began to comfort her in the best manner he could and calling Talanque a fair lusty and well disposed Gentleman he said unto the Quéen Madam this Gentlewoman I offer unto you is my cousin and son unto King Galaor one of the best knights as I think living in the world I pray you at my request refuse him not for your lord and husband assuring you that I know no Princess how great soever she be living in the world but might content her self with him The Quéen beheld him with so good affection that she easily believed Esplandian and said unto him Vpon your word my Lord I will accept of him and from this time forward yield my self to be his wife and will for his sake do so much that the Island wherein I and others my predecessors would not suffer a man to live shall from henceforth be governed by him as other câ—untries are by their Kings and Princes And because her sister Liote was not at that assembly but with her ships lying in the straights as Quéen Calafre had commanded her as you heard before she desired the Emperor to send for her who presently sent the admiral Tartary to fetch her she being come and having heard her sisters mind easily agréed thereto and by the same meanes was married to Manley the wise both espoused at one time and being baptised caused all their army to do the like which done not long after those new married couples taking their leaves of the Kings Princes Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Court they imbarqued themselves Manley having with him the vessels wherein Childadan his father arrived in the east and Talanque those of king Galaor which they caused to be fraighted and laden with all things necessary for so strange a country And setting sail for Californie not without great trouble which in the end they overcame they arrived in safety where afterward they had many battels with their neighbors bordering about them whom they overcame augmenting their dominions with many great lands and territories But because the subject of our History is not further to intreat of them we will for this present leave them to go on with that which afterward was done in the City of Constantinople You heard before of the love of Norandel and Quéen Minoresse that daily increased in them more and more which the Empress knowing full well caused them to be married together the Emperor giving to Norandel the Castle of the defended mountain with the towns of Alfarin and Galatia for the which he recompenced Frandalo with the rich fertile and well peopled Isles of Galatines Mean time the Emperor Esplandian not forgetting the imprisonment of Urganda one day among the rest not long before the Princes of the West imbarqued themselves to return into their countries he shewed them in what sort Melie had taken her away and by inchantment carried her to the great city of Tesifant where he held her prisoner in a great tower desiring them most earnestly to give him counsel what he might do therein Son said king Amadis it were good you sent unto Armato to offer him for her the Souldan of Liquie that is your prisoner and if he refuse you so to do we will enter into his country and fetch her thence by force Whereunto they al agréed so that without longer delay Carmelle was sent to Tesifant iâ—barquing her self with four squires and thrée gentlewomen and with a good wind arrived at the castle of the defended mountain where she remained certain days staying for king Armatos pasport which by one of her women she sent to fetch who found Armato as melancholly as might be féeling as yet his fortune past specially the death of his son Alphorax which without ceasing he continually lamented With that the gentlewoman gave him to understand the cause of her arrival wherewith he was so well pleased that presently he caused Carmelles safe conduct to be made and giving it to the messenger said unto her My friend return unto your mistriss and assure her from me that she may come unto my court as often as it pleaseth her remembring well the pleasures she shewed unto me during my imprisonment The gentlewoman thanked him most heartily and returned to Carmelle who within