this tract it will guide yee thither for I must needs after my fellow to the Fountaine where wee must dresse the venison which wee haue gotten this morning Then the King left him and ascending vp the Rocke espied on the height thereof the poore dwelling of Nascian so enuironed with great bushes as well witnessed the wonderfull solitude of the good Hermite Alighting from his horse he entred into the first room where hee found the holy man vpon his knees clothed in a religious habit and reading in a Booke of deuotion which hee gaue not ouer at his arriuall but hauing finished his prayers hee arose demaunding of the King what he sought for Father quoth he not long since as I crossed the Forrest I met with a goodly childe leading a Lyonnesse in a leashe I pray ye for courtesies sake to tell me what he is for at the very first sight of him my minde gaue me that he is issued from some good place While the King continued on this speech the Hermite so heedfully obserued him that hee knew him as being the man to whom he had done many seruices during the time that he followed Armes In regard whereof falling down humbly vpon his knees hee craued pardon for his error in not giuing him such entertainment as beseemed so great a Maiestie But the King raysing him vp tooke him by the hand saying Good Father will you not resolue me concerning the young childe which I mentioned to ye Assure your selfe vpon my faith that the knowledge you may giue me of him cannot but redound to his great benefit Sir answered the Hermite our Lord hath hitherto shewen great signes of loue to that childe and seeing hee hath so carefully kept him as I shall relate vnto ye it stands with good reason that you as a King should loue defend him in such sort as no harme or displeasure should bee offered him You haue as appeareth by your speeches an carnest desire to know what he is In trueth Sir during the time that I haue nourished him he may be tearmed mine albeit it is not yet fully sixe yeares since I tooke him from the teeth of a Lyonnesse that was carrying him to her whelpes Wherein our Lord apparantly declared that hee is the preseruer of all his creatures because the beast neuer did him harme but onely suckled it among her yong ones so that by the milke of her and of a little Ewe which then I had I compassed the meanes of fostring him for more then a moneth In expectation still of mine owne Sister Mother to the other yong Lad that keepes him companie who afterward comming to me she became so good a Nurse and Gouernesse to him that thankes be giuen to our Lord for it I am perswaded he is one of the goodliest creatures this day liuing And one thing more strange then all the rest I am to tell yee vnderstand Sir that as I was about to baptize him my Sister hauing taken off very rich clothes wherein he was swadled shee shewed me a letter vnder his right pappe as white as snow contayning the word Esplandian and on the other side directly against his heart were other carracters as redde as blood which I could neuer vnderstand because they are neither Latine nor of our language Now in regard of that name which at his birth it seemes he brought with him into the world I haue euer-more since caused him to be called Esplandian accordingly In good faith Father saide the King you haue tolde me wonders but seeing you found him in such fort as you say it is to be presupposed verily that he was borne not far off from this Countrie That know not I answered Nascian neither couet I to vnderstand more then what our Lord hath permitted Well then quoth the King to morrow good Father I pray you meete me at the Fountaine of the seauen Beeches where I shall be with my Queene and a goodly company of Ladies Bring Esplandian the Lyonnesse and your young Nephew with you to whom I intend some good for his Father Sergils sake whom I somtime knew to be a good knight Sir replyed the holy man I am bound to doe what you haue enioyned mee and desire of God that all may be to his honour and glory The King giuing him the good morrow rode thence and arriued at his Tents about midday Now because none there knew what was become of him each man was diligent in enquiry after him and although his most intimate familiars desired to know where hee had bin yet would he reueale nothing but commaunded to couer for dinner As he was ready to sit downe at the Table Grumedan came to tell him that the Queene entreated him to see her Tent before dinner about some nouell occurrences lately happening Whereupon hee went thence to her and being alone by themselues shee told him that as they came ryding from the Citty a very beautifull Damosell mounted vpon a light ambling Hobbie and conducted onely by a Dwarfe presented her selfe before her And she being very sumptuous in her apparell rode by all my Ladies and women â—quoth the Queene not vouchsafing one word to them vntil such time as she came before mee when she gaue me this Letter telling me that you and I must reade it this day before dinner because thereby wee should bee acquainted with admirable matters And no sooner had shee spoken that word but she rode away from me so fast as her horse could gallop without permitting me the least leysure of any answere So she gaue the King the Letter sealed with an Emerauld chased in golde with these words engrauen about it This is the Seale of Vrganda the vnknowne Then opening the Letter the King read the contents following The Letter of Vrganda the vnknowne to the mightie King Lisuart MOst high and powerfull Prince Vrganda the vnknowne who loues and desires to doe you any seruice doth aduise and councell you to your great benefit that at such time as a Gentleman nourishea by three diuers Nurses shall appeare before your Maiestie you would embrace entertaine loue and dearely respect him for he is the cause of your quiet by deliuering you from the greatest danger wherein euer you were He is deriued from blood royall on both sides and partaketh somewhat in the natures of those creatures that gaue him sucke By the first of them he shall be so strong and magnanimous as hee will darken all the valour of the very best Knights that haue gone before being neuerthelesse so milde and gentle that hee will be loued and esteemed of all men occasioned by the nourishment receiued from his second Nurse As for the third beleeue it Sir that neuer was Gentleman of better spirit more Catholique and compleate in all good conditions so that he shall addict himself to actions pleasing to God auoyding all vaine affaires wherein the most of other Knights doe commonly spend their time And that which exceedeth all the
long time in my house not like a great Prince and Lord as you are but rather in the nature of a meane Knight errant And you had reason to conceale your selfe from me for if I had so well knowen you then as now I do I should haue strouen with my best endeauour to doe such honour as you iustly deserue Sweete Madame said he neuer vse such words in regard you haue done so much for me as I remaine obliged vnto you while I liue Walking on in this conference they entred into the Palace of Apolidon where they found the Tables couered for dinner and the meate already serued in Scarcely were they set downe but Angriote Bruneo and the Damosell came in before them where we need make no doubt of their hearty welcome And as Amadis had questioned them what issue Grumedans Combate had against the Romanes they related to him that the King was fully minded to deliuer his Daughter to the Emper ours Ambassadours and that within three or foure dayes at the vttermost Heereat Amadis was so moued that his colour presently chaunged as being doubtfull that either they should not haue time enough for her rescue or that they of the Enclosed Isle would not partake with him in such an enterprise against King Lisuart Therefore to feele how they stood affected to his purpose so soone as the dinner was ended falling into much variety of discourse and growing into some reportarie of his long voyage at last thus he beganne with them My worthy and honourable friendes for ought I can perceiue matters are much altred in Great Brittaine since we haue bin out of it and the King hath got him another kinde of humour then he was wont to haue in precedent times For I haue seene and knowen that he would readily more regard the affaires of poore distressed Ladies then matters of most moment concerning himselfe Notwithstanding to my no little amazement he is bent to the destruction of his own naturall daughter that peerelesse Princesse Madame Oriana then whom neuer was childe more diligent and respectiue of her parents then from time to time she hath alwayes declared her selfe And yet as Angriote and Bruneo doe plainly tell me without regard of all this duty and obedience euen in the meere despight of her and contrary to the iudgement of all the Lords of Great Brittaine he hath relegated and confined her to the onely man in the world whom she most hateth which moueth me so much to commiserate her case as if you would both beleeue me and lend me your assistance we would free her from this thraldome and set her at libertie Sighing and pausing a while hee began againe in this maner What-soeuer I haue said my deare-esteemed kinsmen and friends assure your selues that I will not vndertake any thing without your counsell and furtherance And yet wee should all remember the solemne oath we made to the Queene Brisena at the very last Court held in the City of London where wee then sware neuer to suffer wrong to be done to any Lady or Damosell if she required helpe of vs. Shall we now then endure that she shall be captined and vyllie entreated of whom heeretofore we haue receiued so many honorable fauours Shall the Ladies and Virgins of her company be carried away perforce and for euer banished from their owne country Before God I speake it if we doe suffer this haynous indignity we are well worthy of eternall blame without any excuse or pretence to shield vs nay we shall fall into the base reputation of recreant and vnworthy knights regardlesse both of honour and Armes Let vs then aduise here together what you think meetest to be done For as concerning my selfe I determine to deferre a voyage long since by me intended as not many dayes since I made knowen to my Cousin Agraies Florestan and others by Gandalin and now with such Ships as I should finde heere labour so much as lies in me to breake the purpose of King Lisuart and rescue so many wronged Ladies Among whom next to the most wofull Princesse Oriana is vertuous Olinda whom the King in this new-deuised tyranny will compell to marry Saluste Quide albeit vtterly against his owne liking And now Lords let me mooue one matter to you I would gladly know by what autority he can warrant this crueltie to them that are none of his subiects neither borne within any of his Dominions There is my Cousin Mabila sent by the King her father into Great Brittaine not to be confined for Rome but to remaine with the Queene and keep the Princesse Oriana company to whom her loue hath alwayes bin such as neuer could bed greater betweene two Princesses And I much maruall that his whole kingdome doth not reuolt against him or at least some bold and hardy Knight vnder-take the cause to counter check his folly honorably by Armes We see deare friends that no one as yet steppes forth in the action and therefore I would entreate you that according to the ancient commendable custome diligently obserued among alknights errant you would be carefull that such a shamefull and dishonourable deed may not be done In so doing we shall winne more fame and true renowne then euer hitherto we haue done without any euill imputation or sinister misconstruction Tell me then what you thinke here-of to the end that according to some resolued conclusion we may take order for the most expedient execution Then Agraies whom it neerest concerned as well for his Sister as for the honorable affection he bare to Olinda as hath bin declared to you in the first booke answered before them all in this manner I know not where the man is that would be dull or slow in so acceptable an enterprise considering that before you my Lord and Cousin arriued here we were all assembled in this place to make prouision for this in conuenience And now that you finde vs so conformable to your will I am certaine that no man among vs is of any other minde but that Fortune meerely calles vs to vndertake the businesse and promises vs an vndoubted victory For she seemeth weary that she hath fauoured King Lisuart so long a time and he makes no acknowledgment thereof any manner of way Why should hee send my Sister against her wil into a strange countrie Did my Father giue her him to dispose of at his pleasure You all know that soone after our departure from Great Brittaine I demanded her of the Queene but she denyed me sending me word by Gandales that she would keepe and respect her as her owne person Is this then kindship or courtesie to keepe her in such sort as to ouer-throw all her fortunes in the end Mabila hath she no other place of retirement but to the Court of the Emperour Is not the kingdome of SCOTLAND of sufficient opulencie for her breeding and education Striking his hand on his brest with a very small pause he brake forth againe thus I
any Crowne during my life time nor thinke my selfe worthy the name of King except I can preuaile against their ouer-much boldnesse Sir answered Sadamon you know the greater part of them and are acquainted sufficiently with what they can doe therefore if you â—â—â—sider well thereon you will finde them not to be so easily oâ—ercome as â—erhaps in rash coniecture you may imagine And Sir quoth 〈◊〉 my Lord Amadis 〈◊〉 me charge to deliuer from himselfe onely as much as Sadamon hath said vnto yee Onely he sends you word that he will not be seene in the Isle of Mongaza for seeing hee onely conquered it for you hee will be no occasion of your losse thereof neither will appeare in any other place whereat the Queene may take the least dislike all which he doth onely in honour of her and for her sake Let him doe as hee pleaseth replyed the King it shal not heate my bloud ouer-much whether he bee there or no. Aâ—beiâ— instantly and before so many hee appeared to make no account of 〈…〉 yet his minde and 〈…〉 were farre different and there was not one man in the whole company but made most high esteeme of Aâ—aâ—is So the King arose commanding that Gandales and Sadamon should dine in the Hall accompanied with Giâ—ntâ—s and his Nephew Guâ—llan with some other of the best esteemed Knights to whom for their deeds of prowesse the King dayly affoorded no meane honours which incited many to imiâ—… their vertues in hope to reâ—… the heigth of their fortunes Dinner being ended Gandales was conducted to the Queene and hee entred into her Chamber euen as Orâ—ana and Mâ—… were conferring with her about him Doing his humble reuerence and comming to the Queene hee kiâ—â—ed her hand and afterward shee caused him to sit downe by her when shewing him Oriana shee said Friend Gandales know you this Lady to whom some-time you haue done so many seruices Madame quoth he if I haue don her any seruice at all I hold my selfe very happy therein and when I can compas â—ust occasion am ready to do as much both to you and her I thanke you quoth shee and what newes bring you vs from Amadiâ—… Madame repâ—…ed Gandalâ—s he expresly commaunded mee to see you if possibly I might and to present his most humble â—â—lutions to your gracious acceptance certifying you more-ouer that it is no meane motiue to his high discontentment to bee thus enforced to abandon your seruice As much said my Lord Agrayes to me who entreateth you that in regard both hee and Don Galuanes his Vnckle are in such displeasure with the King you would bee pleased to send him his Sister for he is verily pâ—â—swaded that they standing so farre 〈◊〉 of fauour her presence can hardy bee well taken in this Court When 〈◊〉 heard these words neuer was woman more heauily afflicted because ouer and beside the loue shee bare her shee onely was the chiefe gardiâ—â— of her most intimate secrets and withall knowing her childing time to be so neere it made a double addition to her sorrow for loosing her she stood vtteâ—ly 〈◊〉 â—…ure of confidence in any But 〈◊〉 beâ—… the teâ—â—es in her â—â—es closed â—…ly with her in this â—…ner Beleâ—… me Madame iâ— the King should offâ—r mee so much wrong as to make a seperation betweene you and mee it would bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my minde Why quoth Gandales wherein should it be so offâ—nsiue to you cannot your entertainment be as gracious in the Court of King Perâ—on your Vnckle with the Queene Elisenna and Melicia your Cousin all of them being so desirous to see you Trust me Gandales said the Queene Agrayes doth mee no little displeasure in making this demaund for his Sister and before I meane to send her to him I will speake with the King who if he will follow mine aduise she shall not depart hence with you if her selfe take liking to continue with vs Mâ—dame answered Candales let me then haue my dâ—spatch so soone as may bee because I must endure no long tarying here As he deliâ—â—red these words the King 〈◊〉 the Chamber when 〈…〉 Sir â—uâ—l well you know the good entertainment and great honour that the King and Queene of Scots affoorded mee during the time you left mee in their guard and such affiance they reposed in you that to keepe me company they sent thâ—ir daughter hiâ—her with 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 if you 〈…〉 fâ—â—m 〈…〉 All whicâ—… her Brother Agâ—… 〈…〉 her câ—me 〈…〉 by 〈…〉 hence 〈…〉 and Maâ—… 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 him that 〈…〉 as yet to be 〈…〉 Oriana but with 〈…〉 of the diâ—cords hapâ—… her kinred she might still remaine in his gracious 〈◊〉 which mooued the King to such câ—mpassion that he returned her this answere Faire Cousine doe you conceite that for any difference betweene them and me I can grow forgetfull of your for better proofe of himselfe against king Lisuart that makes such account of him During the space of eight dayes they awayted apt and conuenient time to shippe themselues for passage to the Isle of Mongaza and while they thus consulted together the Mariners came and gaue them warning that except they meant to lose oportunity in their enterprise they must now away because the winde stood commodiously which made euery man hasten to get him aboard the Trumpets and Clarions chearefully sounding Now as they were ready to weigh Anker Amadis who intended not to passe along with them put him selfe into a Skiffe with Drunâ—o went from Ship to Ship to take farewell of his friends perswading them to doe their deuoire And let mee entreate yee quoth hee my deare esteemed companions to be assistant one to another and consider well with your selues that you goe against a powerfull king in which respect if you chance to fight your fame and honor will be the greater For I am not ignorant that there is no one man among yee but hath beene tryed for a bold and worthy knight which giues perswasion to my hopes that the hand of Heauen assisting and right in the cause you vndertake you shal replant a poore Lady in those goods and lands whereof shee hath bin too long disinherited The entring into the Ship where were Galuanes Queâ—ragant Florestan Brian and Agrayes together the teares trilled downe his cheekes and embracing them each after other hee said I was neuer in all my life so grieued to forgoe such good company as I am at this instant but I know you will iustly hold me excused and I would it had pleased God that occasion had ministred some other meanes then thus to enforce our separation But one request let me make vnto yee that no discord may happen among yee but liue together like louing friends and companions for otherwise assure your selues the losse and ruine will be yours And thus speaking he committed them to Heauens protection and went to take farewell of Mâ—dâ—sima who sate in her Ship conferring with her Ladies and thence returning to his Skiffe the
any counsell that comes from you because if I should doe otherwise it will be the ending of my dayes Well vnderstood Melicia to what effect this answere tended yet would â—hee not seeme to yeeld any apparant note thereof but hauing concluded his first dressing sayd my Lord Brunco for my sake I pray yee receiue a little sustenance and afterward take some rest if you can Then calling for such foode as shee knew meerest for him and with a hand more white then Alablaster making it ready for his eating she quickened such delicate apprehensions in his soule that his eye went farre beyond his appetite So commanding euery one to depart the Chamber that the least noyse might nor offend him she said You haue promised mee that you will essay some repose let me see how obedient you will be herein till such time as I come to visite you againe Then her selfe departing she called Lasinde Bruncos Esquire and said vnto him Friend you know better then any other your Maisters conditions make demaund therefore of such things as you thinke fittest for him The Squire was not now to learne what entercourse of affection had passed betweene them and therefore presuming more boldly in his owne wit then one lesse skilfull hee returned her this answere Madame I wish no worse to my worthy Maister then that good fortune would conduct him to some such place where he might make acknowledgement of the fauours you affoord him But it appeares to me that such as are desirous to recouer a wounded body first of all they should apply helpe to the place principally offended Which kinde of Physick instructeth me to entreate your pittie to my poore Maister who endureth not so much paine by the hurt so lately receiued as by a disease of greater antiquity and you that are the onely cause can best minister the mittigation Friend quoth shee I can tell how to helpe an infirmity wherewith I am acquainted but secret soares are quite out of my curing Trust me Madame replied the Squire if the one seeme plaine to you the other is no lesse apparrant for you are not ignorant that the extremitie of his affection to you was the maine motiue why he went to behold the Images of Apolidon and Grimanese in the Enclosed Island Lasinde quoth shee they that become sicke by such a strange meanes had neede haue much time to compasse their amendment without vrging any other remedy then that which experience shall repute most necessarie And so she left the Squire who went forthwith and acquainted his Lord with all the conference that had past betweene him and the Infanta Melicia wherewith hee was not any way displeased perswading himselfe that she had thus discreetly answered reposing as yet but slender confidence in the Squire And like as true louers often vse to doe he conuerted all to his owne best aduantage being much better contented then euer heretofore and thanking God that Andadones hurting him had fauoured him with such an extraordinary felicity For vnder the happie fortune of this wound he oftentimes enioyed her gracious companie without whom life was most tedious to him Some few dayes after Amadis Galaor and King Cildadan walking together Galaor perceiuing the nere approch of King Perion hee went vnto him with these words Sir I most humbly entreate your Princely aduise in a matter something questionable with mine owne iudgement You know my Lord quoth hee to his Brother Amadis that you gaue me to King Lisuart commanding me to serue him and that I should be wholy his whereof I made him faithfull promise and you likewise Now beholding how great a differeÌ„ce hath happened betweene you two during the time of my absence I finde my selfe very strangely perplexed considering what errour I may commit by taking part with him against you as also how iustly I may be blamed by him forsaking him in a time of such vrgent necessity Wherefore most Royall father I humbly craue your opinion in this case to preuent my dishonour on either side and that reason may bee preferred before mine owne will Sonne answered King Perion you may not fayle to follow your Brother against a King so head-strong and vngratefull for if you gaue your selfe to his seruice against all men yet your brothers cause caâ—ies an exception herein in which respect you may well forgoe your attendance on him not onely because hee declares himselfe to Amadis in his owne person a deadly enemy but also to all his kinred and friends amongst whom you ought to hold the prime place Sir replied Galaor it appeares to me vnder correction that I shall greatly forget my selfe and runne into no meane blamefull imputation by withdrawing my seruice from him before his owne permission to that purpose for seeing in the times of peace hee gaue mee honour and good entertainment what will be noysed abroade of mee to forsake him when affaires of importance be fall him Well knew Amadis whereto the speeches of Galaor aimed and that hee had no will to keepe him company wherefore formalizing him-selfe answerable to his Brothers fantasie hee thus answered him Brother although we both stand highly obliged to obey the councell and commaund of the King our father yet I will humbly desire his pardon in telling my minde concerning your intention Seeing you are so earnestly addicted to returne into Great Brittan and to continue in the seruice of King Lisuart it likes mee well that you should doe so For in the case that concerneth our difference I doubt not but â—â—w many good Knights soeuer shall come to attend him God who is a iust Iudge will in the end make him know what wrong he hath done vs and his ouer-great ingratitude especially to mee that haue honoured him with so many well deseruing seruices Therefore may it so please our Kingly father hee may licence your departure for I am contented with it Why then quoth the King God be your guide and I will rest in this hope that you may one day be the meanes of compounding peace in so vnhappy a warre Thus Galaor obtayned his desire for departure and because King Cildadan would shape some honest excuse to goe along with him hee began in this manner My Lords it is sufficiently knowen to you all to what issue the battaile came which I had against King Lisuart who only by your meanes got the glorie of the day to my no little disaduantange for such honor as in Iustice appertained to mee conuerted to my great confusion in regard that by the couenants on either side concluded before I was constrained for a limitted time to acknowledge him as my Commander and to serue him 〈…〉 with all my knights which was no meane griefe in me to accomplish But valuing mine honor much dearer then life I yeelded to controule and checke mine owne will and according to my promise to bring him a number of my subiects in his assistance whereof already he hath giuen mee summons and no
if possibly I may I will acquaint her therewith before wee come to Court Doe so quoth the king Galaor riding backward came to the Princesse and to him after some other conference had together she spake in this manner Sir Galaor I am perswaded that the Gentleman who was yesterday made knight hath beene a long while knowne to you in regarde you made choise of him as your associate and companion for I know not any knight in this Court but would thinke himselfe highly honored to be so graced by you yea though it were your brother Amadis Madame replied Galaor your comparison of mee with my Brother is so vnequall as the like speeches may be spoken of heauen and earth considering that in respect of me he may bee tearmed heauen and I compared to him farre inferiour to the lower element And therefore I repute it great presumption in any knight whatsoeuer to thinke himselfe his second for it plainly appeareth that fortune fauoured his election to hold the primarie place in valour feature and all other gracious gifts required in a Gentleman Full gladly did Oriana listen to these praises of her Amadis while inwardly shee thus spake to her selfe Alas poore Lady thy misfortune were vnmatchable if in being thus seuered from the presence of thy friend thou shouldst bee as farre distant from his intire affection in good sadnesse death would be a thousand times more welcome to mee then such a deepe discomfort But Galaor purposing a longer continuance of his discourse thus proceeded Let it be no matter of maruaile in you faire Princesse that I accepted Norandell into my company for you may bee well assured that I did it not but vpon great and good occasion and perhaps it will no more dislike you then it doth me when the cause is more familiar to yee I pray yee Sir quoth she if it bee a matter that your honour may dispence withall not to conceale it from me Madame said Galaor the secret were very important that I would not impart to you and vpon faithfull promise of your priuacie I will discouer it Rest boldly assured thereof replied the Princesse Vnderstand then Madame quoth Galaor that Norandell is sonne to the King your father and your Brother And so declared how hee had read the Letter from the Infanta Celinda and the king likewise which she had sent to the king with all the other speeches passed betweene them In good faith answered the Princesse I am highly pleased to know this new affinity betweene Norandell and me and now I giue you thankes withall my heart for the worthy honour you haue done him in accepting him to be your companion For in being with you hee cannot faile of proouing to bee a good man and a famous knight whereas should hee be otherwise addicted yet such a bad nature would be quite altered only by keeping your company as hee hath faithfully promised Madame quoth Galaor you haue power to say of me whatsoeuer you please as of him that is a most humble seruant both to the king and your self when and how it shall like you to imploy me So breaking off this enterparlance they rode to the Queenes lodging where Galaor dismounting the Princesse and hauing conducted her to her Chamber hee departed thence with his new companion vntill the next morning their going to the king who told them that hee purposed that night to sleepe aboord his Ships and the day following to set saile away giuing order for euery mans being in readinesse The Drummes and Trumpets summoning all souldiours to their collours they weighed Ankors on the morrow and had the winde so auspicious for them as quickly they loue the sight of Great Brittan but soone after arose a shrewde Tempest which made them very doubtfull of perishing Notwithstanding it calmed so fauorably in the end that on the fift day following they discouered the Isle of Mongaza where they landed neere to the place where king Arban lay encamped and fort fled awayting for their succour and supply 〈◊〉 long before they of the 〈◊〉 Lake had made a 〈◊〉 foorth vpon them and pursued them so violently as if king Arban men had not wonne the toppe of the mountaine they could not haue auoided discomfiture There did Florestan make good acknowledgement of his man-hood for meeting with Gasquilan king of Swetia hee wounded him so daungerously as euery one reputed him for dead Neuerthelesse Briande Moniaste aduenturing ouer forwardly into the throng with full intent to charge King Arban was taken prisoner being no way able to helpe himselfe so that on other side many good knights were wounded and layde along on the ground All which king Lisuart heard at his arriuall whereat hee was so displeased as no man could be more concluding to bee reuenged on them Which the better to performe hee gaue commandement thorow his Campe that no one should presume into the field without licence thereto first obtayned hoping that the enemie would come againe to assaile King Arban as formerly he was wont to doe before his comming thither But the other side had intelligence of this fresh succour in regard whereof they had retired themselues attending further fortune By this time the houre drewe neere when the Princesse Oriana should bee deliuered of her childe and her Fathers departure fitted it very well for within a day or two after his shipping thence the paines and throwes of child-birth grew so extreamely on her that about mid-night shee expected death euery minute Therefore she caused Mabila to rise as also the Damosell of Denmarke who had long before prouided all things in readinesse to bee required in such a necessitie They being come to her found her so ouercome with paine and anguish not daring to crye or vse any complaint that shee was vnable to hold out any longer But Heauen pittying her oppressions before the breake of day requited her sorrowes with the birth of a goodly Boy which the Damosel of Denmarke receiued while Mabila gaue further attendance on the Mother As shee was making it ready in the swadling clothes she discerned seauen Caracters vnder either little teate some as red as blood and the other as white as snow whereat being not a little abashed shee called Mabila and shewed them to her But neither of them had the skill to reade them for they were all Greeke Letters composed in Latin words in which report they forbare as then to acquaint the Mother therewith wrapping it vp in the clothes and laying it by the Mother till shee gaue order for conueighing it thence according as formerly hath beene determined which being done the Damosell of Denmarke departed to call her brother Durin In the meane while the Princesse holding the Infant in her armes and bestowing many sweete kisses vpon it spake in this manner Alas little Creature Heauen enlarge such blessings on thee that thou mayst proue to be as good and vertuous a knight as thy Father and make the beginning of
and committed to the care of his Nurse and her husband they returned home to their house where they tended him with such louing respect that time brought him to such comely shape and growth that euery eye delighted to look on him Thus as their owne Sonne they nursed and prouided for him vntill such time as they returned him againe to the Hermite according to his former appointment CHAP. IIII. How King Lisuart fought a Battell against the Knights of the Enclosed Island whom he vanquished And of the great liberalitie he vsed afterward to Galuanes in restoring him to all the lands and Seigneuries belonging to Madasima HEeretofore you haue heard how King Lisuart and his Army landed in the Isle of Mongaza where they found King Arban fortified in the mountaines doubtfull of Galuanes and his forces who twise or thrise had giuen him shrewd repulses Now you are to vnderstand that after they were thus met together the King gaue command to raise his Campe and passe thence to the plaine Champian ground for hee had aduertisement that the knights of the Enclosed Island were departed from the Burning Lake as purposing to bid him battaile So marched on these two Armies each against other and had giuen charge the very same day but that night preuented them and therefore they were constrained to deferre it till the next morning Then arming themselues King Lisuart ordayned his forces into three bat tallions the first led by Galaor and fiue hundred knights among whom were Norandell Guillan the Pensiue Ladasin and Cendtle The second was guided by King Cildadan with seuen hundred other knights hauing in their company Ganides Brandoynas and Philippinell The third King Arban of Northwales had charge of with Don Grumedan and many other knights beside both bold and valiant appointed as guard for the person of King Lisuart who before he meant to enterfight beholding his enemies approach so neere him gaue these speeches to al his followers My worthie friends you haue heere present before your eyes the reason that mooued vs to crosse the Seas to defend the honor of Great Brittaine and this Country which is ours as is most notoriously manifest by our agreements made with Ardan Canile auouched by Madasima the aged Giantes her Mother And yet notwithstanding vnder what couller or pretence I know not they haue dared to make their entrance and by treason haue surprized both the Towne and Castell of the Burning Lake where wee planted the Count Latin as our Vicegerent whom they yet detaine as prisoner and many more with him This hath raised their courage to such a height of arrogancie that they hold Fortune to be onely their Goddesse and that she with them will beate vs hence euen home to our owne houses whereto it appeareth they will likewise lay claime to order them and vs by their own disposition But you shall see it fall out quite contrary for the reputation wherein wee haue so long time liued and the hand of Heauen I am assuredly perswaded will not suffer vs to be disgraced by them For I dare engadge mine honour that there is no one man among ye but will rather dye with credit and vertuous repute then liue in obloquie and detested shame And such perfect acknowledgement I haue had of you for many yeares together that I must iustly confesse I haue no meane occasion both to loue and highly esteeme ye And if I had receiued no such knowledge of ye yet it cannot be denied but that from the very houre of my birth Fortune strictly engadged me to yee all as well in regard of the sidelitie euer-more continued by ye to your former Princes as also for the manifold seruices done by yee to me in diuers places Especially against barsinan when he deliuered me into the hands of Arcalaus to make himseâ—â—e King And â—…y in the battell which I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King Cildadan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to euery one All which reasons haue grounded this beleefe in me that without respect to some particulars who haue entred into rebellion against vs being heeretofore our friends and now coueting the best and dearest blood in your bodies you will declare such zeale in dutie according to your auncient vertue and faithfulnesse that we shall let them soon perceiue how fondly they haue opposed themselues against vs. And that shall we very easily doe being farre aboue them in number and that which is beyond all things else the right being on our side So let vs boldly marche on to meet them foryee see how forward they are to the field While the King was thus busied in these remoustrances Galuanes sate not idlely downe on the other side but being in the midst of his battalions went from ranke to rank persuading his knightsto fight manfully vsing these or the like speeches to them Vnderstand my deare friends and companions in Armes that the chiefe and most soueraigne happines that can be in any Army what-soeuer is to haue one sole Head or Commaunder whose wisedome in ordinances and counsell in things requisite to bee done may compasse obedience for the execution of his command Now it is apparent that yee haue not heere one Captaine onely and such a man as I haue noted to yee but two or three yea more then twentie who are all so sweetly linked together as if it were but one will one heart and one aduice Seeing then that this prime felicity is not wanting to vs let vs appropriate our selues to the second and helpe forward my fortune in ayding vs against a King the most ingratefull man of the world who maketh full account to ruinate our goods and liues with a great and powerfull Army brought hither against vs onely to impouerish and exterminate the right of a silly Gentlewoman But he may come short in his account for we will aide and maintaine her cause so long as life remaineth in our bodies according to our oath and promise whereto we obliged our selues when we receiued the order of knighthood But if we dye with this attempt it shall be to vs immortall glory that wee had so iust occasion to fight against him who ought to desend the right of all Ladies So that that which in many men may be tearmed rashnes or presumption in vs will be truely 〈◊〉 vertue and magnanimitie of courage Proceed we on then bolâ—…y and enter the field not drâ—…ding death or any danger whatsoeuer honour being the onely obiect before our eyes For in such martiall actions Fortune admitteth neither feare or doubt And if wee come off with victory they so farre outgoing vs in number our glory will bee the greater and our fame the further enlarged hauing enterprised with such height of spirit a matter almost incredible to men Such were the words of the gentle knight Galuanes to his followers which animated them so sprightfully as they imagined the time ouertardied till they were at fight But Quedragant required a little longer respit And in the mean while quoth
for hauing a while absented my selfe from Armes whereby it appeareth to many that I am growne cold in the pursuite of aduentures for the dangers elsewhere hapning where-of I neuer dreamed Therefore that euery one may take true notice of me if heauen be so pleased I will in such affaires make such reall apparance of my duty that my renown which seemeth to lye buried shall reuiue it selfe againe and with much more glory then euer it yet gained Sonne quoth the king you well know that I haue euer beene a louer of good men and goodnesse and perceiuing king Lisuart to bee one of that number I haue iust cause to affoord him any ayde and fauour wheresoeuer I am able to compasse the meanes And if I should deferre it this instant the cause is easily knowen onely the difference betweene him and you But seeing that your intention is changed and that you will make one in so worthy a busines I will goe along with yee for company grieuing at nothing else but that the time is too short for leuying our people For if I had the leysure to prepare an Army assure your selfe I would leade along with me a Royall assembly But that defect shall not stay my present purpose I will onely take such knights as are readiest for me and so away vpon my iourney When Florestan heard this deliberation hee stood silent a long while as vnable to vtter a word but at last he said to the King By my faith Sir when I consider the cruelty of king Lisuart which but for the fauour shewen to vs by Lord Galaor in the Isle of Mongaza had cost the deare price of all our liues I hold it impossible for me to doe or wishe him any good Your Highnesse is not ignorant how long a time before then he deadly hated vs many times making his vaunt to bee the vtter ruine and extirpation of vs all Neuerthelesse seeing matters stand on such tearmes as now they doe I am wel contented both in the honor of you and for you are thereto so nobly affected to forget all iniuries at this time and will follow you as it is my duty to doe Moreouer by our agreement made at the Burning Lake for the space of two yeares I may beare no armes against him whereby I stand partly bound that if I will bee seene at all in the action I must needes bee for him Sir said Amadis the best course that we can take then is closely to pursue our enterprise without any other company then we three onely For if our number should be greater whatsoeuer we can doe will but deserue the latest welcome and therefore if it were possible in mine opinion wee would not willingly be knowne of any Let it be so then replied the king I like the motion well and I haue three Armours alike in all respects very apt and proper to our intent for our better knowledge and assisting of one another let vs goe presently and make proofe of them So leauing the Chamber they descended downe into the Court where presently entred before them a Damosell very richly attired mounted on a beautifull Palfray shee being accompanied with three Squires onely each bearing a goodly square Chest before her and the king thinking she demaunded for him went towards her with Amadis and Florestan saluting her courteously and demaunding if shee would speake with the Queene No Sir quoth she my errand is onely to you and these two knights to whom I am sent by the Lady of the Vnknowne Isle with these three presents which heere you behold Then causing the chests to be set downe and opened three Shieldes three Helmets and three Coat-Armours were taken out of them The Shields were Siluer seamed all ouer with golden Serpents so artificially wrought that they appeared neere to life The Coat-Armours were all alike but the Helmets differed for one was white the other greene and the third gold The white was presented by the Damosell to the king and the Coate-Armour thereto belonging the green to Florestan and the gold to Amadis with these words Sir my Lady hath sent you these Armes and desires you by me that you will heere-after imploy them better and your selfe also then for too long a time you haue done heere Amadis hearing her so forward in speech stood in feare lest his loue affaires with Oriana should be discouered therefore to breake her off from any further language in that kinde hee answered Faire Damosell I pray yee most humbly thanke your Lady on my behalfe and tell her I make much lesse account of her counsell sent me then I doe of her present which I will imploy according to my power My Lords replyed the Damosel she hath sent armes to you all three to the end that you may know and helpe one another if need bee in King Lisuarts warre How quoth the King doth your Mistresse know that we meane to be there and wee our selues within lesse space then an houre did not so much as dream thereon I know not that answered the Damosell but she assured mee that at this very houre I should finde yee all heere and in this very place further commanding me that after I had deliuered ye these Arms I should passe hence into Great Brittaine whither she hath likewise sent mee wherefore bethinke your selues if you will command me any seruice Now trust me Damosell replyed the King you shall not depart hence vntill you haue dined And so conducted her further into the Castel where the best entertainment that could be deuised was bestowed on her Hauing sustayned Nature and taken leaue of her three knights she set onward on her way to the Sea-side and instantly imbarked her selfe After her departure Amadis considered with himselfe that the day of battell was not farre off and that not without great cause Vrganda had sent them those Armes in regard whereof his desire grew much more earnest to be there then formerly it had done and therefore to hasten the enterprise he caused Gandalin secretly to prouide Shippint wherewith acquainting both the King and Florestan they resolued to set away the night ensuing Being all aboord the winde sate so conueniently for them that vnespied by any they launched forth into the maine Sea coasting about the Isle of Great Brittaine where very soon after they landed so neere as possibly they might to the place where the seauen Kings lay encamped hoping after they had once noted their disposition to ioyne them-selues with King Lisuart And to that intent they entred a Forrest where their Squires erected them a Pauillion and where they attended more ample newes of the Army sending daylie one of their followers to the enemies Campe to enquire when the day of battel should be Also they sent another to Galaor by whom they gaue him to vnderstand that they were in Gaule And the Squire had expresse charge to tell him that he left them al three together and earnestly desired that after
the victory hee would write to them concerning his owne good health and their other friends Wisely did the Squires fulfill the charge committed to their trust so that on the third day following the first returned to them and reported that the Army of the seauen Kings was very great and strong by reason of infinit numbers of strangers who were lately there arriued and that they layed sharpe siege to a Castell which was said to belong to certain Ladies And albeit it was very strong and almost impregnable by power of Armes yet they were in great danger of yeelding it because food and sustenance greatly fayled therein And further quoth the Squire as I crossed thorow the Campe I heard Archalaus the Enchanter conferre with two of the Kings saying as hee walked along with them that within sixe dayes they would bid theÌ„ battel because no further order should bee taken for bringing them in any victuals by Sea and that their munition began to fayle them also Yet all goes well answered Amadis in the meane while we shall haue good leisure to refresh and recreate our selues The very same day the other Squire sent to the Campe of King Lisuart returned likewise who declared that he met with Galaor and what countenance hee shewed in reading the Letter And trust mee quoth he very hardly could he refraine from teares when he vnderstood that you were all three in Gaule for he made a setled assurance of the victory if the King could haue enioyed yee in his company Moreouer he sends ye word by me that if hee escape with life from the field he wil forthwith make haste to see ye But what quoth Amadis is thine opinion of their Army Trust me my Lord answered the Squire so few fighting men as they be yet are they al marshalled in exceeding good order and diuers worthy knights are said to be among them but they are all ouer few in regard of the others mighty multitude Notwithstanding King Lisuart is not daunted a iote but intendeth as I heard it credibly reported within two dayes to meete them or else the Castell of Ladies will be constrayned to yeeld it selfe hauing no supply of men nor meate Well said Amadis we shall see what will ensue on this busines Thus they continued in the Forrest vntill such time as they had intelligence that the two Armies prepared to ioyne whereupon they dislodged and drew neerer to the Campe of King Lisuart which was seated on the ridge of an hill and so neere to the enemy that but a little Riuer diuided them running thorow the plaine where King Aranigne earnestly desirous of fight had passed his men This King last mentioned to ye was chosen the chïefe and Coronall of the whole Army belonging to the seauen Kings and to him all the principall Captaines of the band had made solemne oath and promise the day before to obey him without any contradiction For he desired nothing else as he said neither could haue any iote more but onely the honour of the enterprise referring all the spoyle and booty to his companions the common Souldiers And that he might the better accoÌ„plish his intent he ordained nine battalions in each of which hee appointed twelue thousand knights reseruing to his owne charge fifteen hundred and more commaunding on the morrow by breake of day the Trumpets Clarions to giue summons for all to set themselues in order and bee in readinesse Before he would dislodge seeing his men forward to their deuoire for their encouragement he thus spake What need it Gentlemen that I should vse any great perswasion for your bold fighting considering you are the only authors of this war and wherein you haue elected mee for your chiefe conducter And that is the only reasoÌ„ mouing me to speak to the end you may the more heedfully fixe before your eyes the cause why you are assembled in so great a multitude Resolue your selus that it is not to defend your Country your liberty your wiues children nor your goods But it is to conquer and subdue a nation the most proud and arrogant people this day liuing who make of vs dwelling somewhat farre from them so small esteeme as of nothing lesse Neuerthelesse as neere as they are I hardly thinke that they dare abide vs for though they carry a kinde of fury in their marching yet if you note well their lookes there appeares an apparant testimony of doubt and difficulty in dealing with vs which may moue giue ye more heart to fight then all the words of â—â—â—ng men can do yea althougâ— ye were then ill ordered hâ—lâ—e tired We are heere the very stoure ful strength of most part of the Ocean Islands in such a gallant number that it were almost a sin to make any doubt of our certain victore And for our further assurance let vs remember that wee are in a strange Country a large long distance from our own not among our louers and friends but euen in the very midst of our enemies that euery houre expect our ruine death A matter which we cannot auoid if we be once broken disseuered For they haue worthy horse-men by whom we are certain to be pursued without any meanes oâ—retâ—â—ing to our ships wherefore we must resolue to conquer or dye because the necessity wherein wee are is much rather to be feared then their power Let each man therfore do his duty and I make no doubt but before darke night do check our forwardnesse we shall be Lords and Maisters of the whole Country and thereby be held dreadfull in other parts of the world King Aranigne hauing thus encouraged his Souldiers hee caused them to march in good order toward their enemies who likewise marched in maine battell on the hill top making such a glittering radiance with their Armes that it was a most goodly sight to behold And they were diuided into fiue squadrons the first being guided by Brian de Moniaste with a thousand knights of Spaine The second by King Cildadan with the like number of knights The third by Galuanes The fourth by Giontes And the 〈◊〉 by King Lisuart accompanied with Galaor and two thousand 〈◊〉 knights who seeing so great a 〈◊〉 titude come marching against him began to be very doubtful of the victory Neuerthelesse like a pâ—…nt and magnanimious Prince he went from battation to battalion to perswade his Cheualiers to fight brauely And for their better encitation thereto be gaue them to vnderstand that with great shame he was thus assayled by these enemies without any quarrell at all against them but onely through the perswasion and procurement of Archalaus the most disloyall traytour and villaine that euer liued they were thus entred his Country with an absolute hope of conquest And therfore my louing friends quoth he right being on our side God who is most iust in whose hand are all victories wil vndoubtedly assist vs. If they say that they war thus vpon
well and that villaine that is with ye By Sainct Mary answered Ambades you doe mee wrong to thinke so badly of mee holding you in such reputation that if I could haue conquered two such as you are I could vaunt thereof among the best knights in the world for I hold ye to be but a couple of base Groomes These words mooued Norandel to such choller that he presently replyed Base Gromes Hast thou any such in thy pay or wages If thou holdest vs in no better esteeme come downe from thy Castell wall and thou shalt soone see that a Groom of my breeding can knocke a bigger knaue then thou art But if thou conquerest mee then boldly make thy vaunt to haue foyled one of the greatest enemies that eyther thou or Archalaus can haue Gentle words answered Ambades haue not I tolde thee already that I meane not to meddle with any such paltry companions what honour then can be had by so base conquest Tell not me of thy hatred to my Cousin Archalaus thou art vnworthy to speake of a man of his merit who as he cares not for thy loue or kindnesse so he dares thee to thy vttermost malice against him So bending a Turkishe Bowe hee let slye three or four arâ—owes at them which caused Galaor and Norandel to part thence smyling heartily to them-selues that they had bin so deceiued by two treacherous women And yet quoth Norandel mee thinkes they lik't their wine so well as they will grieue for the misse thereof when they remember vs. And howsoeuer they haue beguiled our expectation yet I can bee well content to be mockt so againe paying no dearer charges then wee haue done They rode on still thus merily iesting till about some three or foure dayes after they came to the Port of Arsill where they found a Barke ready bound for Gaule whereinto they entred and the winde sate so fitting for them that without hinderance or impeachment they landed where King Perion then soiourned At that instant Amadis was walking on the Sea-shore accompanied with his Brother Florestan he remembring his Oriana sent many a longing looke towardes London But so soone as hee beheld the Barke to cast Anker in the Port hee said to his Brother Florestan Let vs goe learne of them who are come hither to take landing if they can tell vs any happy tidings Goe we then replyed Florestan for perhaps we may meete with some of our acquaintance So walking downe to the Shoare Amadis saw Galaor already come forth of the Ship and Norandel following him wherepon he went and embraced his brother As yet hee had no knowledge of Norandel but Florestan had formerly seen him telling him that he was the bastard Sonne to King Lisuart and companion to Galaor as a so one of the best knights of his age so he did worthily declare himselfe in the battels at the Burning Lake where many men of marke ended their liues Neuerthelesse he was then scarcely knowen to bee the Kings Sonne neither would his Father make any auouchment of him vntill the ouerthrow of King Aranigne but there he performed such deeds of Armes that the King himselfe greatly gloried he had begotten so famous a knight therâ—fore cared not that day who tooke knowledge of him Not a little glad was Amadis of his arriuall and for his Sister Orianaes sake hee gaue him the more kind and gracious welcome sending presently to King Perion to aduertise him of their landing who came to meete them and embraced Norandel in most louing manner feasting them royally and magnificently three dayes together On the fourth day following Amadis who formerly had resolued on his departure from Gaule to pursue the search of strange aduentures finding the King at fitte and conuenient leysure he thus spâ—ke vnto him Sir my long abiding heere with you discontinuance from the vse of Armes hath bin the cause of much lauish language to my disgrace Wherefore I humbly entreate your Maiesty to licence my departure to morrow morning Sonne answered the King I hold your honour in such precious esteem that notwithstanding pateâ—…all loue and affection which well may make me loth to leaue your company I am content that you shall part hence at your owne pleasure By my saith quoth Galaor were it not for one quest whereto I and my companion 〈◊〉 haue religiously bound our selues by â—oath no occasion whatsoeuer could diuide vs from your company But we haue vowed the same before so many worthy personages and to continue our trauaile one whole yeare together as nothing must hinder vs from that we seeke for And what may bee the ground said the King of this serious inquisition Sir answered Galaor in King Lisuarts battaile with the seauen Island Kings three knights vtterly vnknowen to vs 〈◊〉 and tooke our part all armed alike except their Helmets for one was white another greene and the third gold and had no difference but their Shieldes emblazed 〈◊〉 Sâ—…ents Thâ—se three of whom I make reâ—… performed such admirable deeds of prowesse that the King 〈◊〉 and all his knightâ— with confirmation of the whole army beside ascribed the cause of our victory onely to heauen and them much did he in the white Helmet also he in greene but aboue all the golden Gallant might not bee mâ—â—ed And because none of vs could attaine to the knowledge of them by reason of their sudden parting thence vpon our victory my companion and I haue solemnely vowed and promised according to the custome of Great Brittaine to spend one whole yeare in the quest of them before we giue ouer or vndertake any other enterprise Sonne said the King when heauen pleaseth you may haue newes of those knights and sooner then you look for So spent they out the day discoâ—sing on many things till the due houre summoned them to rest The next morning Amadis being armed went to heare Masse and hauing taken leaue of the King mounted on horseback accompanied only with Gandalin and the Dwarfe Notwithstanding the King would needes bring him somewhat on the way out of the Citty and as they rode together Amadis thus spake Sir you know what trauaile my brother and Norandel haue bound theÌ„selues to by vow which will bee paines without any profit except you please therein to ease them for by no meanes possible can they compasse their intent but one of vs three must end their royle Wherefore I thinke it expedient if your Highnesse were so pleased that when you haue forsaken my company you would tell them the whole discourse and what we did in the seruice of King Lisuart Since you will haue it so replyed the King it shall be done Florestan was very desirous to haue ridden along with Amadis but hee would not permit it because in trauayling alone hee had the more free passage for his considerations concerning Oriana and beside he aymed at aduentures of no meane perill the honor wherof should be his owne onely Anadis being gone
them came forth arms hands legs feete with nailes and clawes so piercing like to them of a mighty strong Lyon His eyes seemed properly like two burning coales or brands so red and sparkling that in the night season they seemed like two shining starres And that which was much more his teeth were so huge sharp that they would bite through breake the best made Armour of steele By all these meanes he did so many harmes and mischiefes that he brought this Isle to be disinhabitable especially because he could mount leape and run so speedily as the very nimblest Hart in the world And if at any time he grew angry or offended as it happened very often in fighting with Beares Lyons and wilde Boares he would send foorth such a dreadfull smoake from his nostrils as plainly appeared to be a duskie flame of fire so loathsomly stinking as no liuing creature could escape infection therby which caused euery one to flye shunne him When he yelled or howled hemade such a fearefull cry or noyse grating his teeth in so strange manner and clapping his wings so hideously as to the very boldest courage nothing could be more dauntable The people of this Sea commonly called him Endriagus as being held and reputed by them to be rather a deuill then any beast produced by nature Much amazed was our knight of the greene Sword to heare Maister Elisabet make this strange description nor being able to comprehend any possibility that so horrid a thing could be engendred betweene man woman Except the ponderous weight of a sinne so monstrous had in such sort alienated naturall disposition that the soule fiend tooke the place of a reasonable soule and so caused this hellish procreation Whereupon hee demaunded why he was suffred to liue so long and whether as yet he breathed there or no I will tell yee Sir answered Master Elisabet all such as haue attempted his destruction haue fayled and finished theirliues most cruelly Further-more you must know that the Emperour of Constantinople vnder whose subiection this Island alwaies hath bin hath sent hither the greater part of his power but all hath proued to no purpose I maruaile said our knight why they did not kill him so soone as he was borne Vnderstand Sir replyed Maister Elisabet that Brandaginda perceiuing her self to be great with child the Giant her Father was not a litle proud thereof as hoping to haue such issue as his gods had promised him And heereupon he caused three or foure Nurses to be diligently sought for conceiuing with himselfe that seeing the infant should be so strong reason required that his nourishing should be answerable thereto But the mothers time of deliuering growing neere shee began to feele the most bitter anguishes in the world Notwithstanding the Giant and shee tooke all in good part perswading themselues that those paines proceeded onely from vigour of the childe who at the time appointed came so dreadfully forth of the mothers wombe as all the women then present were amazed thereat Neuerthelesse standing in feare of the Giant they swadled it vp in rich clothes and gaue it to one of the Nurses to sucke at whose brest it drew so strongly and without any intermission as notwitstanding all her loud cryes he sucked the very heart blood out of her body so that shee fell downe dead on the floore The like did the second the third all of the Nurses instantly dying not only by the poyson issuing frō him but also by the violence he did vnto them These tydings being sent to the Giant in no little amazement he went to his gods and hauing offered sacrifice according to his custome he demaunded of them why they had giuen him such a monstrous linage He that carried the resemblance of a man answered It is necessary he should be such a one that as my workes are straunge and admirable so should his be conformable to mine especially to destroy all Christians therefore hee hath some semblance of a man to whom all things owe obedience And I quoth the other in fauour of thee haue giuen him the strēgth of a Lyon to resemble mee therein That which mooued me said the third to arme him with wings and sharpe-piercing tallents or clawes was in imitation of my selfe that as I partake in a Griffons nature so he should bee Master controuler of all creatures hee can meet withall And let this suffice thee without further sorow for the three womens death that gaue him suck but hence forward let him bee nourished with the milke of thy slocks and heardes vntill it be the space of a yeare at which time hee will be so well formed as he shal resemble vs al three In the meane while take heed vpon perill of thy life that thou thy wife or any other then she that must tend him doe see him for else great harme will happen to thee For this cause the Giant willing to obey the command of his gods prouided diligently for al that they had appointed him and so this deuilish Monster for a whole yeares limitation was nourished and kept in a very close Chamber Which time being accomplished and the mother vnderstanding by her who had him in gouerning that hee was growne great and strong beyond all naturall capacity had such an earnest desire to see him as shee caused the Giant to yeeld consent Entring both into the Chamber where hee was nourished and he seeing his mother suddenly leapt about her shoulders and caught such hold about her neck that before his father could lend any help he cruelly kilde her Whereat the Giant grew so enraged that he ran on him to kil him in casting a blow at him with all his might the Sword rebounded backe vpon his owne leg wounding it so deep as in the extreme anguish he felt thereby he fell downe to the ground and there breathed his last At the very same instant the Monster being named Endriagus finding the doore of the Chamber to stand open flew thence into the mountaines leauing all them in the Castell infected to death with his poyson Afterward he did so many harmes in euery place that al the inhabitants were glad to forsake the Country or else to dye the death Thus you haue heard how this Isle hath remained desart for the space of forty yeres and so long is it since this hellish Monster hath heere liued in this manner By my faith answered our knight you haue told me wonders wherein our Lord hath plainely declared what long patience he hath vsed in expecting amendment for the sinnes of men but finding them obstinate too hard-hearted he hath continued this seuerity of vengeance Neuerthelesse I am not to part away from this place vntill I haue fought with this Endriagus hoping assuredly to reuenge the wrongs he hath done to so many to replant this Isle again with people that may religiously serue God And because the day was well neere spent he
being faire and the Sea calme our Greeke Knight and his company coasting along the Mariners had descryed the mountaine whereof the Towne Tagades tooke his name and where King Lisuart as then resided as formerly hath bin related Some of them also went to Grasinda and assured her that if the winde chaunged not they would land her in the Hauen within an houre or lesse and our Knights walking aloft on the Deck of the Shippe declared them-selues thankfull to our Lord for escaping such infinite perils and ship-wrackes as euery minute was incident to them But whosoeuer had the greatest cause of contentment was farre inferiour in ioy to our Greek Knight who since hee set eye on the Country wherein liued all his hope happinesse and support of life was so delighted in his soule as no mans felicity could be answerable to his neither had he power to looke off that long-wished land Notwithstāding fearing left his folly should be too plainly perceiued he went downe into the Ship and going to Grasinda said Madame wee are now as your selfe may see at the place which you so much desired and where I hope by the perfection of beautie abyding in you to attaine the full issue of mine enterprise so that you shall safely returne home into your Country with such honour as is iustly due to you For right and reason being both on my side God who is a most vpright Iudge will wholly maintaine the cause for you and me Now albeit Grasinda stood in some doubt of her successe yet perceiuing shee was come so neere to the point where shee must either winne or lose what she much coueted shee made a manifest shew of a resolued assurance answering the Knight in this manner Beleeue me Sir my hope and perswasion is greater in your manhood and good fortune then all the beautie remayning in me But one thing let mee most humbly entreate you that when you are in the chiefest heate of your busines you would fixe before your eyes that you neuer attempted any conquest but you brought it to a full and finall effect In so doing your renowne will highly enlarge it selfe and my ioy likewise whereby I may the more iustly stile my selfe the only happy Lady now liuing It is very expedient replied our Greeke Knight that we now consider what is to be done You haue a Gentle-woman attending on you who hath a quicke and apprehensiue spirit being named Gonisesa and she speakes French very perfectly we will deliuer her a Letter which shee shall present to King Lisuart and his Queene Brisena who doe both of them well vnderstand and speake that language Expresse charge must bee giuen to the Gentlewoman that she make no answer to any question demaunded of her but in French onely After she hath concluded with them hee shall returne hither againe to vs because we purpose to stay in this place for her comming backe Grasinda liked this motion exceeding well wherefore without any longer delay the Gentlewoman was called and the Letter giuen her then shee entred into a small Barke with her father and two other Knights that were her brethren Not much differing from the same instant the Greeke knight gaue order to Lasinde Bruneoes Squire to follow after her without her knowledge thereof for a more certaine obseruation of her entertainment in the Court and what speeches should bee vsed to her after her leaue taken of the King And the better to colour his presence there hee had expresse command to pretend a diligent inquisition for his Master saying to such as demaunded any newes concerning him that he saw him not since hee left him sicke in Gaule when he vnder-tooke the quest of Amadis meaning to returne to him againe so soone as he could So departed Lasinde hoping right well to accomplish his enterprise Soone after the Gentle-woman arriued at the Town where she was heedfully obserued by euery one as well in regard of her beautie as for her commendable manner of attendance Passing from streete to streete enquiring where shee might finde the King shee chanced to meete Esplandian with two Merlinson his fist which he was going to flye in the field He perceiuing the Gentle-woman making towards him went and met her demaunding if shee would command him any seruice Faire youth quoth she I seeke for the Kings lodging whither I pray you to be my guide That will I Lady quoth he and gladly shall I shew it you if you do not know it A thousand thankes sweete youth answered the Gentle-woman Then Esplandian tooke hold on the reines of her Palfray and serued her as a Squire leading her Palfray to the Palace where after she was dismounted hee conducted her to the King whom they found walking in a Gallerie with the chiefest Ambassadours of Rome according for the marriage of his Daughter to the Emperour The Gentle-woman falling on her knees before him humbly saluted him with these words Sir if it might so please you that the Queen and all her Ladies were here in presence I should then deliuer a message to you from her that hath sent me hither to you And if it so fall out that any of them doe finde her selfe interessed by such matter as I am to let them all vnderstand she must essay if she thinke good to finde out one to defend her against a good knight who purposeth to be heere very speedily prouided that your Maiesty do graunt him safe conduct Truely Damosell answered the King wee will not hinder you in your charge Whereupon immediatly he sent Count Argamont his Vnkle and Arban king of North-wales for the Queene who stayed not long but came thither with her Ladies Then the strange Gentle-woman kissing her hand and making a low obeysance spake thus Madame if that which I haue in charge to deliuer from her who hath sent me hither shall seeme any way straunge to you you haue the lesse reason for it considering that this Court is renowned all the world ouer for the very greatest m◅a is and rarietie of aduentures heere happening which my selfe also haue knowen for truth and that neuer any knight Lady or Damosel returned hence discontented And thereby I am resolutely perswaded that I shall finde no lesse fauour heere then others formerly haue done wherefore receiue this Letter and if you please to allow of the contents therein set downe you shall soone see the most gentle Greeke knight and the fairest Princesse in the world of whom hee hath charge Then the King commanded the Letter to be publikely read that euery one might heare what it contained The Letter sent from Grasinda to the Potent King Lisuart MOST high and magnanimous Prince I Grasinda fairest of all the choycest beauties in Romania doe giue you to vnderstand that I am newly arriued in your land vnder the guard and conduct of a Greek Knight onely vpon this occasion that as I haue already bin precisely iudged and confessed for the fairest woman of al them in
the East as there is no Greeke Knight so hardie and aduenturous that dare contend with a Knight of Rome Alas I see the death of this miserable vnfortunate fellow whom I shal so boysterously ouer-throw at the first blow that the very reines of his backe will flye in sunder and not onely the Crowne must be my boory but the glorious Lady also who hath taken so much paine and trauaile to come hither into this Country heere to receiue perpetuall shame and infamie Speaking thus he rode toward the Ladies and addressing himselfe to Olinda demaunded of her if she pleased to deliuer him her Crowne that thereby hee might defend her beautie For in mine opinion quoth he any man of good iudgement will confesse that iustly you ought to haue that other Crowne which the fond Greeke hath placed on the Perrou Moreouer I haue made choyce of you among all the rest to be my best beloued wherefore I beseech you grant me leaue that I may begin the Combate for you as she to whom I am vowed and dedicated For no sooner shall the Empresse haue made her entrance into the great City of Rome but there I meane to make you my wife as sole Lady and gouernesse of me and all my greatest fortunes Olinda tired and much troubled with this idle talke of Saluste Quide made him no answere but turning her face another way feigned a conference with one of her owne company which the Prince perceiuing as halfe in anger thus he spake to her It seemeth Madame by your manner of behauiour that I am a man vnable to execute what I haue spoken but let mee neuer haue loue or any esteeme of you if I doe not perfourme much more Only this being granted that my first encounter with the Launce may haue but your gracious looke and that you turne not your face till it be done This earnest importunity did so embellish the beautie of Olinda by a most sweet and amiable blush that she knew not how to bee rid of this vexation making no account at all of his words Which the Queene obseruing she took the Crowne from her head and sent it to the Prince Saluste who receiuing it very thankfully went to the base or Perron and set it by that belonging to Grasinda Afterward taking a strong Lance he beganne to shake it in such sort as if he meant to snap it in sunder then ryding proudly to the King with his Helmet on his head and Shield about his necke thus hee spake King Lisuart I shall soone let you see the difference betweene vs that are Romanes the Knights of your Court for this braue presuming Greeke that thinkes to combate with so many one after another shal presently receiue the greatest shame that euer Knight did And then let his other two companions come if they please to reuenge his cause if they can for this I dare promise you that before I depart from hence I will present you with their heads insteed of Crowns So much offended was Grumedan at these arrogant proud wordes of Saâ—uste as he could hardly forbeare to smite him Neuerthelesse in regard of the Kings strict countermaundes before he dissembled his anger and went to him only with this answere Lord Saluste you haue not yet forgot the Combate that must bee betweene you and me if as you say you escape from the Greek come fairely off My memorie is more perfect then so replyed Prince Saluste and your selfe shall haue good cause to remember it So closing his beauer clasping close his Shield and placing his Launce in the rest he ranne mainly against the Greeke Knight who met him with such force neither of them failing in the attaint that Saluste was vnhorsed and our Greeke Knight finishing his race found a truncheon of the Launces shaft sticking in his Shield whereby euery man thought that hee had beene wounded But hee quickly declared that there was no such matter and snatching it out threw it on the ground turning againe to meete with his enemie who moued neither hand nor foot he was so daunted with the fall And not without great cause considering what a height he fell and the heauy charge of his armour so that his right arme was broken in twaine And yet it happened farre worse to him for in falling downe his left foot hung fast in the stirrop and being vnable to get it forth his horse offended at his vnfashionable burden gaue him such a blow with his foote on the Helmet that it fell off from his head and he lay still as one entranced The Greeke Knight beholding him in this pittifull condition spake out so loud as euery one might heare him Beleeue me gentle Romaine the Lady for whom you haue performed this rare chiualry is wonderfully beholding to you notwithstanding if you doe not quit her Crown from my Mistresse who deserues it better then she as excelling all in beautie you lye fairely for the losse of your head presently But Saluste made him not any answere whereupon the Knight rode to the King thus speaking in Greeke to him Sir he that so lately gaue perswasions to your people to relye confidently in his manhood will not now render his Ladies Crowne to my Mistresse to whom by the testimony of all present it iustly appertaineth Wherefore may it please you as an vpright Iudge to doe me right otherwise I will smite off his head before this faire assembly Then suddenly turning bridle and alighting from his horse he went to Prince Saluste making shewe as if he meant to kill him Which Count Argamont seeing said to the King Sir you ought in my minde to graunt the Greeke Knight what he demaundeth and saue the life of the other else you may heereafter bee blamed for it And why answerd Grumedan I pray you Lord Argamont let Fortune deale as pleaseth her Haue you not yet seene enough of these Romaines saucinesse I protest to you vpon my faith that with their peremptorie audaciousnesse they are become as malicious as olde Monkies and you shall perceiue it by experience if the Greeke Knight bee hindred from pursuing his victory For although Saluste be so neere his ending yet I dare giue you all my lands and goods if the King doe saue him that he will iustly say hereafter he saued him from death that will bee the greatest enemie to his life Therefore I beseech you Sir delay your sentence for a while till it may be certainely knowen what will bee the issue of the fight During this discourse the Greek Knight made shew of disarming Saluste for more easie smiting off his head from his shoulders which the King fearing prayed his Vnckle to vrge the stay and to graunt him the Crowne which hee desired Then the olde Earle arose and tolde him in the Greek tongue what the King had commanded him Heereupon the Knight stept backe and putting his Sword vp into the sheath spake to the Count in this manner In honour of so
messengers to our kinred and friends to supply vs with their best succour when we shall require it Such was the answere of Quedragant and approued by all the Knights there present whereupon it was concluded that Amadis should send a messenger to his father King Perion of Gaule also Agraies into Scotland Brunco to the Marquesse his father and Quedragant to the Queene of Ireland of whom he should haue many able men if her husband King Cildadan brought no worse then he did to the ayde of King Lisuart This was made knowne to the Princesse Oriana and their finall deliberation for procurement of peace As thus they continued in these conferences some of them standing in the gazing windowes which had full view vpon the fields they espied comming from the coast that gaue entrance into the Isle a Knight all armed with fiue Squires attending on him who when hee drew neerer they knew him to be Briande Moniaste sonne to Lazadan King of Spaine of whose arriuall they were all right ioyfull for hee was an amiable bold and hardie Knight and as courteous as any whatsoeuer Hee espying so great a company there together vpon their comming foorth to meete him began to grow doubtfull that they had heard some euill tyding of Amadis for whose sake and search hee had expressely left the King his fathers Court But perceiuing that their intention was to salute him and seeing Amadis there among them he instantly alighted and running to embrace him said Trust me my Lord the quest I vndertooke to heare newes of you is sooner ended then I expected for I was giuen to vnderstand that you were so closely hid as it was a matter impossible to finde you but God be praised for it me thinkes I see you in very sound health Cousine quoth Amadis you are most kindely welcome hether assuring you that as Fortune hath released you from one toyle and trauaile so now she hath as readily fitted you with an other answerable both to to the time and place where your presence and imployment may much auaile vs as you hereafter shall heare more at large In the meane while I thinke it conuenient that you should be disarmed and then wee will tell you our mindes afterward So taking him by the hand hee conducted him to his lodging where as they were taking off his Armes seeing such store of Knights flocke more and more about him he sayd to Amadis My Lord I am verily perswaded that so faire an assembly of worthy and valiant men could neuer be thus met together but vpon some extreame vrgent cause therefore I pray you tell me what it is Hereupon Amadis amply related to him how and in what manner all things had past especially the churllish ingratitude which King Lisuart vsed not onely to the Knights that had done him infinite seruices but also to his owne children enforcing one of them through ouergreedie and great auarice to bee disinherited from her right and meerely against her will sent to Rome to be wife to the Emperour and that is Madame Oriana And this is the cause that so many of vs are here assembled together quoth Brian is the Princesse Oriana at Rome No replied Amadis we haue forcibly taken her from the Romans that had the charge of her conuoy And now at this present shee is here in this Pallace with all the Ladies and Gentlewomen that were in her companie Now shall we easily redeliuer thē except King Lisuart determine more respect of them then hitherto he hath done Afterward he told him what was resolued on by them all which Brian liked as well as they albeit hee conceiued that the iniuries of two such potent Princes by this defeature would not bee suddenly appeased Notwithstanding seeing that which was done could not be recalled he dissembled his cogitations and onely answered thus I know King Lisuart to be one of the most reuengefullest Princes this day liuing and very hard to endure an iniurie therefore you must quickly consider on some resistance if he shall offer to assaile you and I hold it more requisite to take order for all inconueniences which may ensue by his means then to consume time in friuolous words Of one thing I am highly glad that Madame Oriana and her women haue so happie a retirement and I would gladly see her if you please Let me tell you Sir answered Amadis my Cousine Agraies and my Brother Florestan are appointed to make her acquainted with our deliberation and you may goe along with them being well assured that it will be no meane ease to her to conferre with you on her misfortunes in priuate No time was delayed in going to her but before they would presume to enter her lodgings they sent her word that they came to her from the whole company Hereupon their entrance was admitted and she went to meete them especially Brian whom she had not seene in a long time and therefore as he did her reuerence she said vnto him Cousine you are come hither in a very good time to defend the libertie of a Lady who stands in great neede of such helpe as yours Madame said he I had not so long delayed my comming hither but that presently after the seuen Kings ouerthrow in Great Brittaine the King my father commanded my home returne to with-stand the warre which the people of Affrica made vpon him And scarsely was it ended but I vnderstood my Cousine Amadis was so farre distant from his friends through some conceiued griefe or displeasure as no tidings could be heard of him Wherefore fearing least he was lost for euer I resolued to enter vpon his quest both in the loue and reuerence I beare vnto him This was the occasion that drew mee from Spaine being fully perswaded that I should sooner haue notice of him here then in any other place else whatsooner And Fortune I thanke her hath guided mee hither where I haue met with apt occasion not onely to doe him seruice but also for you royall Princesse for which great kindnesse Oriana returned him infinite thankes But now before I passe on any further I thinke it very necessarie to tell you what was the principall motiue and reason why so many good Knights and worthy men should beare such honour and good will to this Princesse Asiure your selues it was not for any guifts or presents she had bestowed on them she being as yet voide of all meanes to that effect Much lesse for any fauour by Amadis borne to her the loue betweene them both being kept so secret as you haue heard at large in the precedent Bookes But indeed she was so humble wise and debonnaire that by her meere humility and courtesie shee knew how to steale the heartie affections of euery one A matter so apt and proper to heroyick persons and them deriued from great place as they haue no other powers or faculties but such as make them to bee more honoured praised and esteemed Consider then in what
presently arose and taking him aside as pretending to giue him some priuate enstructions she beganne to sigh and spake in this manner Gandalin my deare friend what thinkest thou that Fortune is so contrarrie to me bereauing me of the onely man in the world whose company I most affect he being so nere me and I altogether in his power Neuerthelesse we cannot haue the meanes for the least priuate conference without great taxation to mine honour whereby my heart endureth such affliction as if thou knewest it I am certainely perswaded that thou wouldst take more pittie on me then thou doest And so I pray thee tell him to the end that though I haue iust cause to complaine yet he may reioyce by the augmentation dayly more and more of mine vnfeigned loue and loyaltie to him And I would haue him deuise the meanes by some pretie stratagem among his associates that yet we may see one an other vnder collour of thy voyage and to comfort me Madame answered Gandalin you haue great reason to beare him such loyal affection and to remember also some remedie whereto aboue all things else hee would gladly aspire for if you knew the extremitie wherein I haue seene him an hundred times you might very well beleeue that loue is a Lordly tyrant ouer him I haue seene him halfe dead as it were a thousand times thinking on the passed fauours you haue affoorded him and as manie times to recouer life againe onely by the meere remembrance of them I haue likewise seene him among the deadliest dangers in the world performe such incomparable actions of Armes calling onely vpon you to be his comfort that it can hardly bee credited any Knight should haue so much valour in him Therefore sweete Madame I pray you take pittie on him and vse him answerable to his high deserts For this I dare assure you neuer was any Knight more loyall or more yours then he is neither euer had any Lady such power ouer a man as you haue ouer him in your hands only lies his life and death and you may dispose of him as you please Gandalin replied Oriana I beleeue thee vndoubtedly feeling in mine owne selfe that which thou relatest in him and his life is mine for I haue no other breathing but by him and in the companie of others he onely makes me liue But I pray thee make mee not die as sometimes thou didst when thou broughtest me tydings of his returne from Gaule into Great Brittaine for in being depriued now of all meanes to doe what willingly I would for him I may doe wrong to him and to myselfe also by declaring my desires ouer-earnest and affectionate Therefore I pray thee speake no more but returne to him and will him to worke some way that I may see him so soone as possible he can So Gandalin tooke his leaue and as he was parting out of the Chamber shee spake some-what audibly faile not to come for my letters before you goe hence Amadis attended his returne in sound deuotion and no sooner saw him but sayd vnto him Well Gandalin hast thou seene my Lady I pray thee tell mee what hath she said to thee Then hee declared word by word what had passed betweene them how desirous she was to see him and for a finall resolution wished him to come with some other of the Knights vnder collour of comforting her But when hee came to those words of kindnesse which in the zeale of affection she had spoken hee stood as one entranced till recouering spirit againe he thus spake Alas Gandalin how shall I do what thou saist Hauing apprehended a conceit suddenly thus hee proceeded Thou must needs goe to Agraies and tell him that because I send thee into Gaule thou was desirous to know of my Cousin Mabila whether shee would write to my sister Melicia or no. And after some few speeches past betweene you she told thee she held it very conuenient that we should oftener visit Madame Oriana then wee vse to doe and make meanes to cause her forget the extreame melancholie whereto ouer-much shee addicteth her selfe least being so continually sad shee fall into some dangerous disease And be very circumspect hee discouer not that thou hast spoken with me or that I know any thing of this matter And once more I pray thee tell mee didst thou not finde her very sad You know well enough Sir answered Gandalin and for no little length of time that shee is one of the most wise and vertuous Ladies as euer was borne and knowes so discreetly to dissemble her passions as the cunningst censure cannot reach them or gather by her lookes whether she be inwardly afflicted or no. And yet I am verily perswaded that she is too much giuen to melancholie Heauen affoord mee so much fauour quoth Amadis for her that her desires may sort to some good effect neuer then shall I feare either life or death or any thing else that Fortune can impose vpon me Doubt nothing Sir replied Gandalin I hope that as our Lord hath euer-more preserued you and preferred you before any other Knight hee will not now forget you and in a time of such vrgent necessity Goe thy way then said Amadis to my Cousine and bring mee newes againe so soone as thou canst So Gandalin departed and finding Agraies at leisure discharged his message so effectually that the Prince imagining all to be true he had sayd thus answered Trust me my sister shewes her selfe to be very well aduised and what she requires shall bee done And although her visitation hath hitherto beene deferred it was for no other reason but in feare of discontenting Madame Oriana Wherefore I will confer hereon with the companie whom I shall finde I make no doubt as readie as my selfe to obey her So without any further tarrying he went to Lord Amadis to whom hee declared all that Gandalin had told him as from his sister Amadis appearing as if hee had neuer heard thereof replied that he referred to him and the rest whatsoeuer they thought fit to be done in this case Whereupon Agraies imparted it to them all yet without any notice that it proceeded from the opinion of Mabila but rather from an apprehension in himselfe as accounting it very conuenient to goe comfort the Princesse Oriana whom Gandalin found to bee mightily ouer-come with melancholy And beleeue it quoth hee if in such extremities the strongest and most magnanimous spirits stand in neede of consolation by much more reason then doth the weake constitution of young Ladies command it who beeing feeble of themselues should therefore the oftner be visited and comforted Hereunto all the Knights of the Enclosed Isle condiscended and for a beginning the very same day they sent to the Princesse to knowe if she would allow thereof or no And she returned them answere that they should be most respectiuely welcome Whereupon they presently went thither and as they fell from one discourse to another Quedragant and
where-of they were not a little ioyfull And drawing nearer ioyned their vessell with the Queenes and going aboard humbly saluted her Here I must tell you that shee many times formerly had seene them at London and in diuerse other places which made her the sooner take knowledge of them and entertayning them with all honourable respect shee spake thus vnto them Before God Gentle-men next to Amadis de Gaule to whom I stand very much obliged it were hard for mee to meet with more welcome men and I pray you tell mee what fortune hath conducted you hither because Tantiles Master of my housholde assured mee that hee sawe you sette saile for Great Brittaine about businesse for the Princesse Oriana Madame answered Quedragant Tantiles tolde you true and wee haue beene with King Lisuart and vsed our best endeauour to make peace betweene him and our friends in the Enclosed Isle but hee misliking so faire a conclusion wee are the more onward for tearmes of warre Then hee reported at large what speeches had past betweene King Lisuart and him and in what manner they parted But quoth hee we were no sooner put to Sea but so violent a tempest ouertooke vs as we expected nothing but drowning and by these meanes haue wee runne so farre from our right course In good faith saide she wee haue had our part of the tempest too and greatly feared the sinking of our Shippe considering what dangers shee hath endured And let mee tell you two whole daies are already past since we set forth from Sobradisa expressely to goe see Amadis and Madame Oriana and all the good company there with them Our hope was to make more haste thither than wee haue done as fearing least King Lisuart had already se◠his forces in refusing the honest offers you made him But for ought I can perceiue hee greatly forgets him-selfe whereat I much maruaile and it seemes that hee is wearied with his long continued good fortune beginning warre so rashly with them that haue done him so many great seruices whereof hee may repent him at leasure For Lord Amadis will finde so many sure friends and all ready at his command that King Lisuart it may be will see himselfe deceiued in his expectation As for my selfe quoth shee vpon this onely and no other cause haue I left Tantiles behinde with expresse charge to leuy in my territories twelue hundred able men for warre and to bring them away with all possible speed But if it might so please you wee would be very glad of your company seeing we are thus so well mette together Madame saide Brian seeing your Ship is much crazed may it please you to goe aboard ours and yours shall follow whereto all agreed And so they set on deuising together on many matters till at length they espied two men of warre vnder sayle which Tiron had purposely sent forth to disappoint and surprize the Queen Now concerning this Tiron whereof I now make mention to you hee was the sonne to Abiseos whom Amadis and Agraies contended withall in the citie of Sobradisa according as you haue alreadie heard in the first booke of this History By whose death and likewise of his two eldest sonnes Briolania remained peaceably Queene of the whole countrie except of one Castle only wherein this Tiron third sonne to the saide Abiseos was saued by an ancient Knight who had the charge of him and therefore there nourished him till he came to able age of bearing Armes and to receiue knighthood Then hee began to worke wonders so that hee was reputed for one of the best and boldest Knights then liuing Which the aged Knight perceiuing hee put him in minde to compasse the recouery of his lost country againe pressing him so importunatly to reuenge the death of his father and brethren that he resoluedly determined to aduenture the taking of Queen Briolania and afterward to make him self an absolute King if he could Hereupon hee being informed that shee embarked her selfe for the Enclosed Isle and but with a small company made ready two Ships with an hundred hardy Knights lay hulling on the Sea before to execute the full of his intent The sunne grew to declining and night not farre off wherefore Brian and Quedragant doubting to be assaulted stood on their guard because they saw the other make a pace towards them by help of their Oares Being come neare vnto them they heard the voyce of a man calling out aloud to them in this manner Knights you that accōpany Queen Briolania tell her that her Cosen Tiron is here and would speake with her commanding you her people not to stand vpon any defence against vs least wee hew you in peeces and bestow no better fortune on her When the Queene heard these wordes shee was surprised with a wonderfull feare and trembled exceedingly saying to Brian Alas Sir wee are all vndone this is the greatest enemy that I haue in the world and beleeue that he would neuer come in this manner but to deale with vs as cruelly as hee can Madame answered Quedragant feare not any thing if he assault vs hee will perhaps be better welcomed then hee lookes for For my companion ten of your Knights shall take charge for resisting one of their Ships and I and the rest will deale with Tiron vnto whom he spake thus Knight thou that desirest to see the Queene come hither aboard her Shippe and she will gladly heare thee otherwise not Come aboard quoth Tiron why that is my meaning in the despight of her and thee or any else whatsoeuer So turning instanstly the prow of his Ship siding the Queenes the grappling irons were cast forth to fasten them together and making a signe to his other Shippe to fight couragiously the assault beganne very sharpe and dangerous Wherein hee vsed but silly prouidence making small account of the Queenes strength which he found greater than hee was aware of And Tiron scuffling ouer negligently in his owne quarrell would needes step into the Queenes shippe but his tarrying there was longer then he looked for for Quedragant meeting there with him found him such tough play as Tiron was beaten downe and committed to safe custodie albeit his Knights did their vttermost endeauour to rescue him Neuerthelesse in the conclusion not one of them all escaped in their ressistance but was either slaine or taken prisoner This so daunted their courages that by little and little getting vp alost on the deck they began to cut the cords of the grappling irons which fastened the two Ships together But Quedragant perceiued it and seeing fortune was onely for him in the despight of Tirons Knights he entred their Shippe where hee made such a massacre as hee quickly became master thereof In the meane while Brian kept heade with them in the other Ship and although hee was grieuously wounded yet could they gaine nothing against him but seeing their companions lost gaue ouer fight and laboured to gette away by
all meanes they could vse and so the Knights of the Enclosed Isle were Lords of the victory Hereupon Quedragant appointed guards for the Ship which hee had conquered then hee entred into that where Queene Briolania was who during all the fight sate closely in her cabin more dead than aliue onely through her extreame feare But when shee saw Quedragant her heart was cheered then she questioned the successe of her enemies Madame quoth hee the most part of them are slaine drowned and fled and the rest I hope will giue you no ill language especially Tiron whom hee commanded by his guardes to be brought thither as accordingly they did and hee fearing some cruell death to be inflicted on him fell downe at the Queenes feete saying Alas Madame for the honour of God take pittie on mee and without obseruing my foolish enterprise excuse my youth I am of your blood and may hereafter do you some seruice if it will please you to saue my life Tiron said she not for any loue wee beare you but for some other reason mouing vs thereto you shall not die now nor till I shall be better aduised how to deale with you So he was sent backe to his prison and Brian came sore wounded with an arrow which pierced quite thorough his shield and sunne a great way into his arme The Queen was so grieued therat as nothing could more displease her fearing the harme to be farre worse then it was indeed Neuerthelesse concealing her owne thoughts she being very skilfull in Chirurgery said it was a matter of nothing and doubted not but within few dates he should be safe and sound againe With her owne hands shee instantly vnarmed him and applied such medicines to the hurts as were most expedient Afterwards setting sayle they held on their course to the Enclosed Isle where they ariued euen as Amadis and some other Knights were walking on the sands Seeing these Ships making in thither they went on to be further resolued of theÌ„ when presently they knew the Squires of Quedragant Brian as the were comming first to Land Being minded to question some newes of their Masters they sawe them entring into the port wherefore euery one stroue who should bee formost to welcome them but they were much amazed to see the other Shippes which they brought with them Brian perceiuing their doubt in this kinde said vnto them pleasantly smiling You know Gentlemen when wee parted from this place we went away with one Ship onely and now you see how our store is encreased meerly by conquest and with a greater booty than you imagine wherein you are to haue no part or aduantage For seeing fortune hath been so fauourable to vs her blessings must remaine to vs and not to you that loyter here in idlenesse while we labour and trauaile Well Sir answered Amadis it shall suffice vs to partake in the pleasure you haue had prouided you must tell vs if the booty be so great as you would make vs belieue Nay much greater said Brian to approue my words is it not a faire conquest to win a Queen such a one as she of Sobradisa with many beautifull Ladies and Gentlewomen beside as you shall see immediately By my faith said Amadis your booty cannot bee tearmed small As thus they passed on their pleasant talke the Queene and her women were landed and euery man was ready and dutifull to welcome them with all possible honour and goodly Palfrayes were presently brought wherupon they all mounted and so rode on to the Pallace of Apolidon On the way Amadis giuing gracious entertainement to Briolania spake thus Madme it is to mee no little ioy to see you in these parts safe well accounting my self more beholden to you then euer that you would take so much paines as come and see vs especially in such a time of no meane tribulation and when you may best comfort Madame Oriana whom you shall see so ouer-gone with griefe as no one possible can suffer more But I hope your presence will be so pleasing to her as she will learne to forget a great part of her melancholy My Lord quoth shee for this cause only haue I left my countrie and God doth best knowe what griefe I haue endured in your absence neuer hearing any tydings of you Yet I receiued some comfort by the ariuall of Tantiles whom I haue left at home in my countrey to leauy men for warre according as you haue sent me worde by him and I my selfe had taken the matter in hand but for my earnest desire to see you and Madame Oriana Neuerthelesse without the help of Quedragant and Brian mine enterprise was in danger to bee disapointed as at more leasure I shall let you fully vnderstand Here I must tell you that Amadis so soone as hee saw Queen Briolania there ariued sent to aduertise the Princesse Oriana thereof to entreate the acceptation of her company which accordingly shee did because shee loued and esteemed her extraordinarily in so much as shee said to the Queene Sardamira Madame you shall see annon one the most faire gracious Princesse that euer you beheld and one that deserues our very best entertainement Wherefore let me so much preuaile with you that you Mabila and Olinda will goe welcome her at the Parke gate where shee is to allight and giue her all kinde gracious welcome Hereupon they three without any tarying went along and as they opened the gate Briolania came thither accompanied as you haue formerly heard where Amadis tooke her from her horse and beholding them that stayed for her he said I perceiue Madame that wee must leaue you for I see my Cosen Mabila is come to depriue vs of your company Shee had vnderstood before that Oriana was retyred by her selfe only accompanied with her women and none else wherefore smiling she thus answered Amadis Be you Sir then hence forth religiouâ—â— honest And yet I feare you would faine bee my confessor 〈◊〉 Madame quoth hee I would I were able to appoint you sufficient â—enance for the harme you haue done with that piercing eye you should be sure of punishment enough As hee spake these wordes hee would haue stept into the Parke but Mabila arested him saying Cosen our order forbids you to passe any further therefore goe back or else wee haue power to excommunicate you Marry God forbid said hee I had rather bid you and your company good night than run into such an heynous danger So taking leaue of them the gate was made fast againe and Briolania conducted to Orianaes chamber where shee attended her comming with all her other Ladies and Gentle-women and gaue her very worthy welcome and being much affected to her shee was the more willing to let her know how glad shee was of her ariuall there saying Madame you haue taken extraordinarie paines to come and see me in so remote a countrie and at a time of such affliction whereby I
order By my faith Madame said Briolania to Oriana vpon this discourse of Grasinda I now call to minde how when I came first to see you at Mirefleure Lord Amadis passed by the Tents and Pauillions there raised on the way while I tooke the fresh ayre Diuerse Knights were then in my company who fell into the like fortune as her Brandasidell did for they thinking to cause him come speake with mee vpon compulsion were all disgraced sore wounded You haue tolde me that oftentimes answered Oriana who receiued all these reportes to her owne aduantage as being well assured that this melancholy humor of Amadis had no other ground but only by his ardent affection to her So instantly they went all to rest because it grew to be very late CHAP. X. Of the report deliuered by Quedragant and Brian to the Knights of the Enclosed Isle concerning their Embassie to King Lisuart And of that which thereupon was resoluedly determined QVearagant and Brian Ambassadours sent to King Lisuart being returned back againe to the Enclosed Isle as hath already been amply declared beeing desirous to render a reason of that they had done mette on the morrow at Councell purposely so appointed by Amadis and the other Knights Whereupon Quedragant beeing to speake for himselfe and his companion began at large to rehearse his speeches to the King and the answer thereon made him Which quoth Quedragant was so short as wee can conceiue no otherwise but that he will deale with vs as hardly as hee can considering his prouiding of men for all partes making full account to shew vs no mercy And we haue no great cause to be agreeued thereat because our honour and chiualrie will thereby bee more renowned more then at any other time we can attaine vnto for if we beare away the victory it will bee spoken of through the world to our fame his reproach Now as oftentimes in the like attempts men declare themselues to bee of diuerse opinions so here it fell out for some allowed of war and others were more leaning to peace But Agraies who bare but little loue to King Lisuart for those reasons before alleadged vndertaking to speak for them all beganne thus Honourable Lords I know not how with any honesty we can giue ouer our intention of warre considering what iust occasion wee haue and beside our enemy is in some forwardnesse to come against vs. Notwithstanding it is no wisdome in vs so to suffer him but rather to muster our forces speedily and march directly into his countrie to let him wel vnderstand what wee are For if wee permit him to come seeke vs heere beleeue it vndoubtedly it will so puffe him vp with pride that hee who of his owne nature is presumptuous enough will thinke he hath wonne the day at the very first landing Besides we shall runne into our owne dis-reputation many waies in giuing occasion to the ill-iudging world not only to msconster the iustice of our cause but also to throwe some sinister opinions on Madame Orianaes iniuries for which wee are thus entred into Armes For my selfe I sweare to you vpon mine honour had not her earnest and incessant entreaties to me not to speake against peace been so vehement I had neuer consented that any Embassie should haue bin sent to Great Brittaine beeing so much abused as wee are But seeing our enemy makes such manifest shew of his mallice towards vs I am now discharged of my promise and absolutely resolued neuer to enter league of loue or friendship with him vntill hee haue felt how well wee can stand vpon our owne defence beeing enabled by as warlike powers as any hee can bring against vs. Therefore my Lords I am on the minde that wee should conclude on warre and without any further deferring so soon as our supplies are come to set away directly for London and there bid him battaile if hee dare come forth to resist vs. This resolution was wonderfully pleasing to Amadis who til then was in a continuall perplexity as fearing that warre would be deferred and hee enforced to render backe his Oriana than which no greater misery could befall him Wherefore seeing the greater part ioyned with Agraies to aduantage farther this opinion thus he spake Noble Cosen as yet I neuer noted any man in this company but hee was alwaies as forward to these affaires as any one could be If any man haue questioned those inconueniencies which commonly doe happen in warre hee is not therefore to be taxed as one that would exempt himself from the businesse but vseth rather such prouident speeches as in these cases are fit and iust And whereas you think it conuenient that wee should enter into King Lisuarts countrie rather then giue him the least leasure to seek vs here that deliberation hath alwaies dwelt on my thoughts if the rest of you my Lords and worthy friends will haue it so For by these meanes perceiuing vs to come so neare him hee may suddenly alter his former opinion and yeeld to that which wee haue requested There was not a man in the whole assembly but freely gaue his voice to this conclusion And warre being fully agreed on men were sent forth and scouts appointed to all places as well to heare newes from Great Brittaine as also for mustering men together CHAP. XI How Master Elisabet ariued in the countrie belonging to Grasinda and passed from thence for Constantinople to the Emperour according to the charge giuen him by Amadis AFter that Master Elisabet was embarqued he had so good a gale of wind as in few daies he landed in Romania where sending for the chiefest lords of the countrie hee gaue them to vnderstand his charge expressely commanding them to make ready a sufficient number of horse and foot for passing thence to the Enclosed Isle so soone as he should be returned from the Emperour to whom hee was going for the same cause Which they promised effectually to performe and hee leaft a Nephew of his named Libeo a young Knight and of good spirit still to solicet them in the businesse and hee set sayle for Constantinople where hee ariued without any impeachment Being landed he went to the Emperour whom he found accompanied with many Princes great Lords and doing him humble reuerence hee presented him a Letter from Amadis de Gaule The Emperour who had known him a long time welcomde him very graciously demanded of him where hee had mette with Amadis de Gaule of whom hee had heard so many great speeches Sir answered Master Elisabet I deale plainly with you I neuer knew his name to be Amadis vntill we were ariued in the Enclosed Isle and then he declared it himselfe vnto vs. For before that time hee called himselfe the Greek Knight as fearing to be knowne by his other borowed name of the greene Sword after his departure from you And that was in regarde of his promise to my Lady Grasinda for conducting her to the
Court of King Lisuart there to maintaine against all commers that she was a fairer woman than the choicest Virgin in all that countrie Then hee related at large how all things had past especially his Combate about that cause against the Romanes who meerely in presumption vndertooke the fight but spedde according to their deserts And indeede Sir quoth hee they thought that they cōtended against a Greeke Knight so that before they entered the Combate they made little account of him speaking it publikely that neuer Greek durst be so bolde as to deale with a Roman man to man but easily should vanquish him as they had done many other before But the successe fell out contrary to their expectation for they were foyled one after another and indeede with no more then resistance of cōmon course Beleeue me saide the Emperour I reioyce in all his happie fortunes and credit it assuredly that if I had meanes whereby to doe him any pleasure hee should well knowe that I am his friend to my vttermost power Sir answered Master Elisabet your gracious offer can neuer shewe it selfe in a more needfull season and now hee doth most humbly require it Say you so said the Emperour let me know how Then Master Elisabet proceeded thus Sir after hee had abated the Ramanes daring pride he withdrew himselfe to the Enclosed Isle which is his owne by iust title and there he found a great number of Knights ready bound for the Sea in succour of Madame Oriana eldest daughter to King Lisuart whom against her will he would haue married to the Emperour of Rome and quite dis-inherited her to aduance his youngest daughter Leonara contrary to all aduice and opinion not only of the Princes and Lords of his land but also of his subiects in generall Whereof Lord Amadis beeing aduertised hee highly commended their enterprise so that on the day ensuing they put forth to Sea and hulled about the straites for them that had the Princesse in charge Manfully were they assayled after a long and fierce conflict vanquished taken prisoners and the Ladies thus rescued conuayed to the Enclosed Isle where now they abide at this present Neuerthelesse they sent Ambasdours to King Lisuart as well to let him vnderstand vpon what occasion they had thus rescued his daughter as also to entreate her home acceptation againe without sending her any more so farre from him considering the great wrong hee did therein to him selfe But as they doubted so it came to passe for without any regard to their honest offer hee stood mainely on his owne strength and would haue that by force which they tendered him freely For this cause Sir my Lord Amadis and all his worthy band of Knights with him do humbly entreate you holding the prime place among Christian Princes being Gods deputie and minister to maintaine right and iustice especially when such a vertuous Princesse is so highly wronged that you would be pleased to send them some succour wherein you shall binde them all to you while they liue or can bee imployed any way in your seruice with their vttermost paines All this while the Emperor lending an attentiue care to Master Elisabets wordes sate very pensiue as considering that hardly would this enterprise be ended without a long and doubtfull warre For hee well knew that King Lisuart was a Prince of vndauntable spirit and the Emperour of Rome was a man immeasurably proude too much opinionate of his owne fortune On the other side knowing what iust occasion the Knights of the Enclosed Isle had to rescue Oriana in so deep distresse and how highly him selfe stood obliged to Amadis not onely for the monster Endriagus death but also for taking such pains as to come see him in Constantinople and what bountifull offers hee had made him beside he resolued to send him succour with all speed speaking thus to Master Elisabet My worthy good friend Lord Amadis shall haue of mee his owne desire and such an Army will I send him as both Patin and King Lisuart shall well know how dearly I respect and esteeme him These royall words were so pleasing to all the Knights there present especially to Gastilles as presently hee fell vpon his knees saying Sir if euer I did you any acceptable seruice I most humbly entreate you that in recompence of all you would please to permit me that I may be one in the number of them apointed for this honourable succour for I neuer vndertooke any voyage that could bee more welcome to me than this Nephew answered the Emperour you the Marquesse Saluder shall goe together in my steede and therefore giue order that such shipping bee made ready as is needfull for passage to the Enclosed Isle with ten-thousand approoued warriours which shall goe with you Sir said Maister Elisabet I must needs returne speedily into Romania where Grasinda my Mistresse hath already taken order for an Army of men leauied in this cause and them to passe along with mee thither Wherefore may it please you to licence my departure to the end that in due time I may crosse the Seas and embarke our forces to ioyne with theirs Friend replied the Emperour rest your selfe here some two or three dayes and afterwarde depart at your owne pleasure CHAP. XII How Gandalin ariued in Gaule And of the speeches betweene him and King Perion GGandalin being parted from the Enclosed Isle preuailed so well by his diligence that in few dayes he ariued in Gaule euen at the place where King Perion as then soiourned who was not a little ioyfull to see him as being assured that hee brought some tydings of his sonne whom hee had not seene in six yeares and more Hereupon hee sent immediately for him and he hauing done such dutie as became him deliuered his Letters from Amadis declaring that he had left him in the Enclosed Island Now in regarde other matters of moment were referred to his report the King demanded of him what newes hee had to impart to him Sir said Gandalin my Lord and all his honorable companions stand in great need of succour from you What is the matter replied the King Then Gandalin without omitting any thing reuealed the whole businesse as you haue heard before discoursed Hereat the King was much amazed howbeit hee made no outward shew thereof and gaue command beside not to vse any speech of these newes especially to Galaor because as yet hee was very weake by reason of a disease hanging long vpon him But quoth hee if he demand wherefore thou art come hither tell him it was to vnderstand of my health and to morrowe I will take order according as thy Master hath required Galaor had immediate intelligence that Gandalin was come to Court wherefore hee sent to request the King that Gandalin might come to him to tell him some tydings of his brother Amadis And although hee was in such weake estate that hee could hardly support himselfe yet hee arose and embraced
some Scots among them and six hundred light horse to sallie forth and skirmish vnder the Ensigne of Bâ—anâ—â—ll For the battaile Gastâ—les was Coronall of fiue hundred foote almost all Greekes making a battalion separately of seauenteene hundred Archers who were so industrious in vse of the Turkie bow that at each loose they could deliuer fiue Arrowes together ouer whom Libeâ— â—â—phew to Maâ—ter Elisabet was Captaine and Commander King â—â—rion with Gaudales followed theÌ„ attended with eighteene hundred horse accoasted by Brian with the reâ—eguard of 15 hundred Knights for the more part of Spaine sustained by three thousand foot of whom Sadamon had the conduct Then as apointed to supply and â—uccour as also to re-enforce and help at all needfull occasions such as were most oppressed Tiron with seuen hundred horse and Madaran for guarding the bagage followed with fiue hundred foot This being thus ordayned euery man was coÌ„manded to attend his Colours make ready for departure earely the next morning But now not to swerâ—e far from our purpose and from that which Archâ—laâ—â— all this while laboured to compasse you must vnderstand that so soon as he receiued credible information that the Kings Pâ—rion Lisuâ—rt marched one against the other hee suddenly sent away Garin sonne to Grumell who waâ—â—lame by Amadis when hee holpe Oriâ—â—â— as you haue heard in the first Booke of this History giuing him expresse charge to stay in no place by day or night vntill â—ee had aduertised King Aranigne and others of his league and combination of this their proceeding and that with all possible speede they should set forward their Armie and enter into the kingdome of Great â—rittaine where he would attend them with his troupes Garin obeying the command of Archalaus trauailed so expeditiously that hee ariued in the great Citie of Araâ—igâ—e of which place all the Kings ruling that countrie took their names and there hee found the man hee was directed vnto He acquainted him with the cause of his comming thither and did the like to others to whom hee had the same employment and they hauing their Armies in readinesse concluded to make their generall meeting before the towne of Califan in the countrie of Sansuega there they encamped together to take shipping from thence as accordingly they did so that vpoÌ„ the day apointed they found their power to consist of twelue thousand and more Setting sayle away they prepared directly for Great Brittaine where they landed neare vnto a Castle which appertained to Archalans who there waited their comming with six hundred Knights all deadly enemies to King Lisuart and Amadis After they had refreshed them-selues some two or thre dayes hauing receiued aduertisement what haste King Lisuart made against them of the Enclosed Isle they dislodged away marching on forward by easie daies iourneyes The aâ—antguard was conducted by the King of the Profound Isle with sixe hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred foot the charge wherof was giuen to Barsiuan a young Knight as yet and very aduenterous King Aranigne led the main battaile accompanied with fifteen hundred horse and three thousand fiue hundred bold voluntaries vâ—der conduct of six Knights near kinsmen to Brâ—nâ—ayer whoÌ„ Amadis vanquished in the battaile of the seuen Kings and came now expresly from the Isle Sagâ—â—arie as hoping to reuenge the death of their kiâ—sman To Archalaâ—s was giuen charge of the rereguard with 5 huÌ„dred horse and fifteen hundred foot And because the young Duke of Bâ—stroâ—e arived there with the latest with some number of light horse hee was apointed for discouery preuention gf way-layings In this order they entred vpon King Lisuâ—â—ts Land by the closâ—â—â— and most hidden waies they could chuse as fearing to be seen vntill they had brought their enterprise to conclusion CHAP. XVII How Gandalin Squire to Amadis and Lafinde Squire to Bruneo de bone Mer were made Knights And of the battaile betweene the two Kings Lisuart and Perion WE haue declared here-tofore that Gandalin had order giuen him by Amadis passing into Gaule to entreate the Queene his mother to send Melitia to keep company with Oriana which King Perion wel allowed of but beholding Galaor still so sickly she was loath shee should depart vntill he were a little stronger Wherefore Gandalin remained there for her conduct so soon as Galaors danger were past which happened within a short while after Hereupon the Queene caused her to bee embarked well accompanied with Ladies and Gentlewomen hoping shee should as yet finde King Perion in the Enclosed Isle But he was departed thence before her ariuall to the no little griefe of Gandalin because he hoped to receiue his Knighthood before the battell should be fought therfore because he might the sooner attain therto he departed theÌ„ce and without staying in any place ceased not tilâ— he came to the camp When Amadis saw him he demanded what was become of his Sâ—ster My Lord quoth hee shee is at this instanâ— in the Enclosed Isle with the faire Princesse Oriana and humbly commends her selfe to your gracious fauour And my brother Galaor said Amadis is he yet recouered Hee findes himselfe answered Gandalin in much better estate then formerly hee did but yet continueth so weake as hee is not able to leaue his Chamber and come into the open ayre Afterward hee reported all that to him which you haue heard alreadie and said Beleeue me Gandalin thy rydings doe not please mee a little and I am glad thou art returned in so apt a season in regard I hope wee shall haue the battaile before three dayes be fully expired That made me make such haste replyed Gandalin for you knowe my earnest desire to bee knighted and I can neuer receiue it at a more conuenient time nor euer shew my selfe worthie of so great an honor as now And credit me my Lord that but for the knowledge I now haue of your easre sparing mee hauing Madame Oriana in your owne power I would not haue vsed these speeches Wherefore most humbly I desire you to grant mee that this battaile may not bee fought vntill I may bee comprehended therein and that I may reach my longing expectation Amadis sitting silent a while at length thus answered Gandalin the fulfilling of thy request is so irksome to mee that it piâ—â—ceth my very 〈◊〉 and therefore if it were possible I would acquit my selfe thereof Notwithstanding finding it to bee very reasonable I will soâ— aside all passion to please thee only being sorry that wee are in such a place where I can get no Armes to giue thee and to doe beside what else is requisite and answerable to thy deseruing My Lord said Gandalin your brother hath out of his especiall grace herein furnished mee for at my parting from him he knowing my determination gaue mee his owne Armour and the very best horse hee had moreouer he would haue bestowed his Sword on mee but I tolde him that you had promised to giue me
buriall then any man can wish for For the whole earth in generall is the rightfull graue wherein to interre the bodies of men illustrious and famous whose memories are not so well preserued by priuate inscriptions epitaphes as by their owne legittimate renowne which extendeth and publisheth it selfe in the remotest nations who doe more discreetly consider in their soules the height and aduancement of their courage then the disaster which hath befallen them For it hath bin vniuersally obserued that negligence the fittest attendant for shame is much more irkesome and distastefull to a man that hath a found and entire minde then any death whatsoeuer happening to him by valour with vnconquerable hope of publike glory All this confirmeth my beleefe deare and worthie friends that scorning to degenerate from your famous predecessors you will performe so much that the world shall witnesse your great vertue and constancy and that the death of your Prince is not the stroke that strikes you all dead Wherefore I desire you to let mee vnderstand how you are addicted to the end that according to your resolution I may set in order such affaires as are needfull for my selfe Assuring you in the worde of a King that were I sure to dy a thousand deaths yet will I not depart from hence till I see the end of mine enemies or they of me These words so exalted the harts of the hearers that they answered as with a common consent they were now more willing to fight then euer for which King Lisuart thanked them most hartily All this beeing done hee gaue order that the Emperours body should be carried to the Monastarie of Lubania vntill better opportunity should serue to performe such sollemne obsequies funerall pompe as in like cases is required Then he sent his Chirurgions to haue dilligent care of the wounded to whom he gaue great gifts and promises as also to many Captaines of the Armie And this hee did not without great cause for euery mans hope next to the fauour of his Prince of honest â—eeâ—mpence for his pains makes hin Nâ—oft-times fight and aduenture 〈…〉 life the more boldly as now all these men were resolued to doe at their next encounter But God in whose hands all things doe consist ordered matters farre otherwise as forthwith shall be declared amply to you The fame of the marriage of Oriana with the Emperour of Rome had spread it selfe in so many places that the good olde Hermit who nourished Esplandian in his infant daies had intelligence therof especially of the Kings subiects dislike in compelling his daughter against her will to vndergoe a businesse so displeasing to her and lastly what succour was sent to Amadis in the Enclosed Isle wherupon two great Armies were met in field together Here I must also tell you that hee well knew the successe of their loue the estate and conscience of Oriana how she and Amadis had promised marriage ech to other vnder which contracted couenant Esplandian was begotten and therefore she could not be giuen in marriage to any other but our Lord would be highly displeased therewith For this cause hee concluded to trauaile to the Enclosed Isle to obtaine leaue licence of her to acquaint King Lisuart with so much as hee knew Here-upon so ouer-spent with yeares as hee was hee mounted on his Asle and accompanied onely with another good man bequeathed him-selfe to trauaile and ariued at the Pallace of Apolidon immediately after King Perions departure wherwith he was not a little discontented fearing hee should not execute his enterprise so speedily but that the two Armies would preuent him Oriana was quickelod quainted with his comming aâ—…ee entertained most humanely but she was much amazed why he should vndetake so long a iourney and at a time so vnbefitting hee being aged aboue three score yeares wherein shee being desirous to be resolued and taking him alone with her into her Cabinet falling into teares thus she spake Ah my good father it is much worse with menow then when I first saw you yet heauen I hope will send mee comfort Madame answered Nascian for this cause onely did I leaue my small Hermitage hauing heard that the Emperor of Rome and the King your father marched towards these limits to bid battaile to Amadis and others with him Now foâ—…ing what inconueniences will ensue if their intent growe to execution as well by the slaughter of many who must needes perish in such a purpose as also by the haâ—â—ous offence to heauen because as I am enformed this cruell warre began about your marriage to Patin I trauailed hither to you to vnderstand the truth of all and to esâ—ay â—f it bee possible to pacifie these troubles to the glory of God and to the honour and profit of his people For you know Madame that I aâ— not ignorant in some secrets of your conscience and what sinne you shall commit in beeing giuen as wife to any other then to him who already is your owne as heretofore you haue disclosed to me Pawsing a while and giuing a great sigh thus hee proceeded againe But deare Madame because I receiued this secret in confession it is not lawfull for me to reueale it without your owne good will and consent Wherefore matters standing on such tearmes as they doe mee thinkes you ought to be well aduised and to compasse some meanes whereby the King your father may be acquainted with the promise past between you and Amadis to the end that hee may no further sinne thorough ignorance And so much the rather because you are now in such a place where he is not able to do you any harme But if you should happen into his power as heretofore you haue bin yet you ought to preferre the feare of God before any other respect whatsoeuer although it extend to his displeasure which I hope well to moderate if you will permit me to speake with him Alas father said Oriana in you only lieth my remedy and comfort doe therefore what shall please you and entiâ—ate our Lord to respect mee in pittie Madame replyed Nascian I am assured hee will helpe you for hee listeneth to any sinner that turnes to him with a contrite heart and is sorrowfull for offending him And by his fauour also grace will be granted me to finish the taske I haue vndertaken both to his seruice and your contentment And because the two Armies are neare to one another and I feare their meeting before I shall bee come to them may it please you to let mee part hence this day least some inconuenience may happen by my negligence and the fruite I expect by my labour perish not through slothfulnesse Father said Oriana no doubt but God will be your guide and I earnestly entreat you that if you see young Esplandian to preuaile so much by your endeauour as to bring him hither at your returne Then shee commanded dinner for him and after hee had refreshed himselfe hee mounted on his
rauishing beauties Now did Amadis steppe into the Emperours place so soone as hee was gone from Oriana feigning to doe him a great fauour in helping him to conferre with Queene Briolania But he had a quite contrary meaning and did it to no other end but that the rest of his friends should talke with their Ladies while hee might be alone with her whom hee most desired For hee had not conuersed familiarly with the Princesse since her ariuall in the Enclosed Isle wherefore finding time and place sufficiently commodious he beganne with her in this manner Madame I haue thought all my life time hitherto that no possibility remained in mee for acknowledgement of those great and gracious fauours which so long a while I haue receiued by your meanes only And last of all in being the cause that aged Nascian reuealed to the King your father what right wee had each in other whereby your sonne and mine became knowen to him and peace confirmed between them of Great Brittaine and vs. As for my selfe I shall stand much more obliged to you now then euer heretofore And therefore aduisedly consider what else remaineth for me to doe for I assure you I shall take no little delight in doing whatsoeuer you commande me When Oriana heard him deliuer such speeches hauing before her eyes what dutie euery woman of honour and discretion oweth to her husband shee thus answered My Lord in my poore opinion you doe both your selfe and me wrong and therefore I pray you speake to me henceforward as to your huÌ„ble wife seruant and not after those kind of phrases wheÌ„ I was no other then your friend Furthermore let mee humbly entreat you to tell me in what condition you left the King my father and how I am now esteemed of him Madame said Amadis if outward lookes may be true euidences I neuer saw man declare more contentment then he deliuered when we were together Albeit I coniecture considering his ineuitable danger in our last encounter when he hoped to recouer you from vs by meer force his thoughts are otherwise quite different Yet hee dissembles it so wisely as possibly can bee euen to hurle shame vpon himselfe and excusing what hath past betweene you and mee fully resolued as hee saith to bee more cheerefully disposed then euer hitherto he hath been Where-upon hee is returned backe to Vindilisore to fetch the Queene and your sister Leonora whom he hath promised in marriage to the Emperour Oriana was not a little glad of these newes saying My Lord these are matters of no meane comfort especially that I haue recouered my fathers grace againe for next to you I loue him aboue any man liuing notwithstanding all the hard sufferings as well you know hee hath put me to But further I pray you tell mee what is your opinion of Esplandian By my faath Madame quoth hee by his carriage and behauiour he plainely declares himselfe to bee yours And if good Nascian could haue preuailed hee had brought him hither to you But the King would needs haue him goe with him to please the Queene because shee knowes him not yet to bee her Grand-childe So breaking off this discourse King Perion who had all this while entertained Grasinda with talke tooke leaue of her and the company because it drew neare supper time Wherefore withdrawing thence into his owne lodging Amadis followed him there looking forth at a windowe till the tables were furnished hee thus spake Seeing sonne it hath pleased God that you haue ended all troubles with so great honour let the whole glory be ascribed to him and while you liue acknowledge thankfulnesse to your friends who to help you in so serious a business haue made no spare of their liues and goods which bindes you the more to loue and honour them recoÌ„pencing their kindnesse so much as in you lieth Considering that without their assistance it is most certaine you had beene in great danger not only of your liues losse but also of your honour which I account a thousand times dearer And because it is no more then reason that like as they haue beene pertakers of all paines and perils so they ought to be of pleasure and contentment which you haue receiued by their meanes let it therfore be no meane part of your care to respect them in especial manner by distributing such booty among them as is in your hands the Kings Aranigne Barsinan others being your prisoners Moreouer such as you knowe affected to those Ladies which keepe companie with the Princesse Oriana let them haue equal coÌ„tentment with your selfe by espousing them to whom their fancies are enclined For which cause I deliuer into your power your sister Melitia to giue her to him whom you thinke worthiest of her You haue likewise your Cosen Mabila and the Queen Briâ—lania to whom you stand highly obliged Grasinda also and the Queen Sardamira who haue suffered a great parte of Orianaes sorrowes me thinks they should participate in her fairest fortune and be aduanced as you think meetest Assuring you that the greatest comfort I can haue in mine aged yeares is to see your brethren Galaor and Florestan married that before I depart this life I may reioyce in issue from you all Consider hereof I pray you aduisedly further what I haue said to your vttermost power My Lord answered Amadis I will doe all that lies in me to please both you them It is enough quoth the King And so all things beeing aptly ordered they sate downe to supper In the morning a sudden summons was sent to all the chiefe Knights for an immediate meeting and when they were assembled Amadis entred into these speeches Honourable Gentlemen friends the great and labourious trauaile which you haue endured in these late warres doth very well deserue that now you should giue ease and respite to your spirits and in regarde of the deare debt wherein I stand engaged to you to essay my vttermost meanes to let you enioy those beatitudes which I know are pleasing to euery man among you For as by your most gracious assistance afforded in my very neerest extreamity I haue attained to that which I esteemed aboue all things else in the world namely the peaceable enioying of my long loued Oriana Euen so I beseech you with all my heart that each man would instantly declare if hee stand affected to any Ladie or Gentlewoman heere for I assure you on the faith of a Knight to preuaile so farre as I can with them that they shall not easily deny what I entreat on their friends behalfe Moreouer you know that king Aranigne Barsidan and many other beside are our prisoners defying those gracefull vertues whereto the order of knighthood truely tyed them and exercising so much as in them lay all cruelties and tyranny In regarde whereof they are not worthie of any ransome but iustly punishable for the grieuousnesse of their treasons and therefore I thinke it fit that
my selfe into his power prouided that he will bee so kinde vnto me as carry me back againe to the Ladie and there pleade my cause for mee that she will be pleased to suffer me enioy her daughters as my wife because now she hath made choise of me before any other Is that true quoth Amadis to the Damosell Yes sir said shee albeit heretofore hee detayned me against my will neuerthelesse obseruing the truth and integritie of his affection I am now fully minded to forget all former violences both pardoning and promising to accept him in marriage Beleeue me said Amadis I am very glad of it and Gandalin if you will follow mine aduice worke with the Mother so much as you can that this happy wedding may bee effected I shall Sir quoth hee with all my heart and reioyce to see so good a conclusion So they went on to returne to the Sea shoare but the night preuenting them they were enforced to stay in the Hermitage discending the next morning downe to their men who awaited their comming in the Barque As Gandalin tooke his leaue Amadis and Grasandor intreated him to recommend them to Agraies and their other friends there aduising him and them also to returne speedily to the Enclosed Isle where they should heare other tidings Thus Gandalin sayled thence to the Lady mother where hauing deliuered both her daughter and the Knight hee laboured the matter so effectually that notwithstanding all former spleene the mother quickly consented to her Daughters minde Gandalin was not a little amazed hereat but remembring that womens constancie was as certaine as the continuall turning tides of the Ocean hee could not chuse but smile and leauing them to their further affaires went aboarde the Barque returning to Agrates who was highly pleased with Gandalins good successe as also his fortunate meeting with Amadis and Grasandor in so strange a manner But now wee must change our purpose to them that were bound for the Enclosed Isle with an earnest desire to see their wiues whom they had left in no meane melancholie only for their absence Amadis and Grasandor departing from the Island of the Damosell Enchantresse found the Seas and Windes so fauourable that without any impeachment whatsoeuer they entred the port of the Enclosed Isle As they mounted vp the Rock and came to the Monasterie which Amadis had caused to bee builded they saw before the Gate a Damosell attired all in mourning and two Squires with her holding their Palâ—raies by the bridles They saluted her very courteously as she did the like to them and then they entred into the Church to performe their Orisons in the meane while the Damosell enquired of one of the Monks there standing what they were The religious man answered her that the one was the Lord of the Isle and the other was his noble friend and companion When the Dâ—â—osell knew that Amadis was there shee stayed in the porch of the Church and seeing him comming towardes her shee fell at his feet and weeping aboundantly said Alas Lord Amadis are not you he who knowes how to giue remedie to â—…re afflicted soule such as mine is at this instant Assuredly if it were not so your fame and renowne would neuer haue circled the worlde so oftentimes as already they haue don For this cause I the most vnfortunate of all other am come to to craue mercy and pittie of you Thus speaking she caught fast hâ—ld about his legges embracing them so strictly as Amadis could by no meanes gette from her for the more hee stroue to get loose the more violently still she pressed vpon him wherefore he said vnto her Faire Damosell I pray you tell me your cause of griefe as also what and whence you are and although I should refuse aâ—l other Ladies yet will I doe for you whatsoeuer I am able to release you out of the sorrow wherein I see you Pausing a while shee said My name you shall not know till I be certaine that you will performe what you are to promâ—se but the cause of my grieâ—e and tribulation grew in this manner I am wiâ—e to a Knight whom I loue with all my hart but such is both my misfortâ—… and his that hee is become a prisoner to the very greatest enemy hee hath in the world and it is impossible for him to be thence deliuered without such help as I hope for in your goodnesse and no man else whatsoeuer Beleeue it Sir quoth shee my knees shall neuer part from this earth nor mine armes from about your legges except thereto you forcibly constraine me till you grant what I am to demand of you Amadis perceiuing both her importunitie and obstinacie knew not wel what to say fearing to stand obliged by his promise for the vndertaking of some such matter which well he might repent at leasure as indeed hee did Neuerthelesse he was so moued to compassion seeing her teares flowe forth so incessantly that hee granted what shee desired requiring that hee might know her name Then she caught him by both the hands and whether hee would or no kissed them sweetly and addressing her speechâ—s to Grasandor beganne in this manner Sir Knight I pray you remember that Lord Amadis hath made this promise to me who am the wife to Archalaus the Enchanter and him hee keepeth in prison beeing the greatest enemy hee hath in the world But if Heauen were so pleased this hatred may conuert it selfe into the greater amity by such happy meanes as may bee wrought Much offended was Amadis to see himselfe deceiued by the subtilty of this woman and gladly hee would haue reuoked his promise sworne vnto her notwithstanding hee could not blame the woman who had iust reason to imploy her vtmost paines for the benefit of her husband as euery good wife else ought to doe and thus hee answered her By the faith I beare to God Ladie you haue made too large a request to me for in despite of any perill that can come to me I would not consent to such a matter but only in regarde of the promise I haue made yee and it is the first that euer I granted to Ladie or Damosell whereof I repented my selfe afterward With these words hee and Grasandor mounted on horsebacke commanding the wife of Archalaus to follow him to the Pallace of Apollidon but before they could get thither Oriana and Mabila had intelligence of their arriuall What pleasure they conceiued by this their so long expected comming it is impossible for me to expresse yet such it was that not only they but all the Ladies and Gentlewomen went to attend their entrance into the Parke At their meeting there needes no other question to bee made but the like kisses and embraces passed betweene them euen as yong married couples vse to doe vpon the very day of their choisest delighting to yeelde the truer testimonie of their Faiths firmnesse And these sweete ceremonies vshered them to their Chambers where no doubt
Asse ryding directly towards King Lisuart His aged trauaile was not so speedy but that the two Armies had fought twice together according as you haue already heard and hee came thither on the day before the second truce was finished As hee passed by the Campe he saw on euery side the interment of many slaughtered bodies whereat hee was so grieued that falling into teares and lifting vp his eyes and hands to heauen hee said O my Lord God for the honour of thine owne great name I humbly beseech thee to take pittie on this people and grant mee grace that I may pacifie this great disorder Passing on further hee came neare to the Tent of King Lisuart who quickly espied him and immediately knew him whereupon hee went to welcome him for he held this man of holy life in high esteem and well considered that but vpon some great occasion he would not haue left his Hermitage take so great iourney to him whereupon as hee embraced him hee said Good father you are welcome then taking him by the hand he led him into his pauillion and seating him by himselfe in a chaire of veluet hee commanded all to depart and leaue them two alone together and afterwardes fell into this discourse Holy father I know you haue not vndertaken so tedious a trauaile and ill agreeing with your age but vpon some vrgent necessity wherein I humbly desire you to resolue me You haue great reason Sir answered Nascian to conceiue so of me for vndoubtedly extreamity of yeares and the condition whereunto it hath pleased our Lord to call mee may well excuse me from beeing seene among men of blood Neuerthelesse considering the harme that may ensue I haue not feared the danger of my person as hoping to performe a seruice acceptable to God and wholesome to your soule Let me then tell you Sir that being some few daies since in the Hermitage whereunto happy chance was your guide when you and I conferred together concerning the most strange nourishing of Esplandian I vnderstood the occasion of this warre attempted by you against Amadis and his friends Yet am I well assured that you cannot accomplish what you would doe namely marrie my Ladie your daughter to the Emperour of Rome by which enterprise many grieuous mischances haue already happened not onely because it is not agreeable to the greatest and meanest of your kingdome as many times already hath beene told you but for some other reason Sir beside concealed from you yet manifest to mee and against which by Gods lawe you cannot contrarie Knowe then Sir that Madame Oriana your daughter is already vnited in marriage to another as heauen hath appointed and stands well pleased to haue it so The King beeing much amazed to heare the olde man speake in this manner coniectured immediately that weakenesse of braine begot this kinde of language that hee was troubled in his vnderstanding or else had beene misinformed of that which he spake where-upon hee said vnto him How father my daughter was neuer married to my knowledge neither did I euer purpose to giue her to any other then to the Romane Emperour to whome I promised her accounting it for her honour and benefit And God is my witnesse that I neuer intended to dis-inherit her as many haue inconsiderately immagined but only to combine alliance with so great a Lord by meanes whereof he and I so vnited together Christian faith might be the more augmented And therfore my intention beeing iust mee thinkes I should not be therin blamed Sir answered the Hermite that which I haue tolde you concerning some matters hidden from you yet to mee apparant I will presently declare vnto you for from none other then my selfe can you know them Vnderstand then my Lord that the selfe same day when by your command I came to the Forrest where for more delight of the Ladies then present with you your Tents were erected for view of the sporte I knowe not whether you remember it or no I brought you young Esplandian who presented you the Lionesse that gaue him suck at the first The same day the Princsse Oriana your daughter was confessed by me tolde mee in her confession that she had promised mariage to Amadis de Gaule at such time as he deliuered her from the Enchanter Archalaus to whom you had giuen her a little before that the Damosell by whom you were enchanted had brought your state and person into the greatest danger that could bee possible from which Galaor freed you And beleeue it to be very likely that our Lord himselfe gaue consent to the mariage for Esplandian is the issue thereof and of him Vrganda the Vnknowen foretolde many maruailes as you your selfe doe very well know Now in my poore iudgement you should not be displeased there-with considering that Amadis is the sonne of a King and accounted in all places to be one of the best and most gracious Knights in all the world I would aduise you Sir that in shewing your selfe to be such as you euer haue beene you should defend the honour and conscience of your daughter and making an end of this warre call her home again to you vse her hereafter as reason requireth In so doing our Lord will be well pleased with you who else will doubtlesse bee offended with you for the effusion of so much blood which you haue caused to be shedde vpon no occasion When the King had all this while listned to this discourse he shewed himselfe to be very pensiue and at last saide Good father is it possible that my daughter should bee married to Amadis Yes truely replied Nascian hee is her husband and Esplandian is your grandchilde O God quoth the King how ill hath it been for mee that I could not know this matter till now vpon my faith many good Knights had yet beene liuing which now to my no little griefe are dead Alas father why could not you sooner haue reuealed this I might not doe it answered the Hermite for it was tolde mee in confession and if now I haue made it knowne to you thinke it is done by such permission as I receiued from the Princesse your daughter for otherwise you had neuer heard it from mee But she is therewith well contented as well for the clearing of her soule as also to take away all occasion from you of further sinning herein through ignorance At that very instant meere conceit in the King presented before the eyes of his soule the seuerall seruices hee had receiued by Amadis and his kâ—â—â—ed and such they were as hee had not then beene liuing but only by them hauing so many times â—olpen him in very serious affaires Desert in Amadis pleaded iustly for his daughter and a greater gift if hee could bestow it on him and so much the rather because the Emperor to whom he had promised her was dead and beside Vrganda had tolde him many wonders concerning Esplandiâ—â— but aboue all the rest
that hee should be the cause of perpetuall peace between him and Amadis as euen already in a manner hee saw performed and hauing discoursed all this in his minde thus hee answered Nascian Father albeit I had set downe my rest for death all mine with me or to haue the vpper hand in this warre yet seeing how matters haue happened I will follow your counsell and I entreat you most affectionately to worke so well with Amadis that hee may listen to peace which for my part I put into your hands to the end that you may hereafter testifie before God with what dutie I submit my selfe in this case These wordes were so pleasing to the good old Hermite as weeping for meere ioy hee fell before the Kings feet saying O most happy Prince the Lord almighty quite you for this kindnesse and blesse you with long and prosperous life The King taking him by the hand raising him vp said Father I wil perform what I haue promised you without any manner of reuocation Neuerthelesse I would haue al men to know that neither feare or defect of courage hath hereunto constrained mee but reason only and in such nature as you haue reuealed to mee Wherefore it shall be fitting for you to go into King Perâ—ons Campe before the truce bee fully ended to the ende that according to what you shall certifie me I may stand vpon my guard Sir said Nascian if God so please I will neither eate nor drinke till I haue spoken with Amadis and let me entreate leaue for my departure because occasion now frankly offers herselfe to me Hauing thus spoken the King hee returned to the Knights where they found Esplandian newly there ariued from Queene Brisena who had sent him from Vindilisore to King Lisuart only to vnderstand of his health whom when Nascian beheld hee knew him presently yet wondred to see him of so taule stature very neare ready to vndergo Armes which made him with meer ioy runne and embrace him But the young gentleman was much amazed to see the olde man so wonderfull kinde to him hauing wholly forgotten him and therefore blushed strangely notwithstanding soone after he both remembred the Hermite and his hermitage and falling on his knees before him kissed his hand when the olde man folding him in his armes said Beloued childe of God blessed be the houre of thy birth and praised bee the name of our Lord for prospering thee to such estate wherein I now see thee During this discourse the standers by were much amazed to see this holy man vse Esplandian so louingly and the King himselfe be-but newly aduertised that hee was grandfather to him mooued with a fatherly affection felt such ioy in his soule as neuer at any time hee receiued more So that the hatred which he formerly bare to Amadis and his friends became suddenly changed into amity extraordinary and hee demanded of the youth from whence he came Esplandian well enstructed by nature kissing a packet of Letters in his hand humbly presented them to the King answering thus Sir the Queene my Mistresse sent mee to you as there more at large you may be certified Then the King opened the letters wherein among other matters shee earnestly entreated him that by all meanes hee would listen to peace if hee might doe it with his honour After hee had ouer-read the Letters hee shewed them to Nascian saying Beholde good father it seems that my Queen knows already what is intended betweene you and me Sir said the Hermite shee counselleth you wisely and if God be so pleased that which shee so earnestly desireth shall bee put in execution before this yong gentleman returnes to her againe Wherefore let mee craue of your Maiesty to let him goe along with mee in companie to the end that during my trauaile I may conuerse with him the more easily Let it be so then answered the King for it is my will that hee shall not leaue you so long as you would haue him with you The Hermite most humbly thanked the King and presently mounted on his Asse as Esplandian did on his horse attended only by Sergill his companion who had come along thither with him So they departed thence taking the way towards King Perion and all that while the good olde man conferred with Esplandian euen till they were ariued at the watch There they were stayed to knowe wherefore they came and what they demanded but when they vnderstood that Nascian came to speake with Lord Amadis they conducted them both to his Tent and there presented them vnto him Here you must consider that he had neuer before seene the reuerend olde man and therefore knew not what he should thinke or what businesse hee might haue with such a person Looking likewise on Esplandian he had as little knowledge of him albeit hee had formerly spoken to him on the same day when he combated the Romanes on the behalfe of faire Grasinda when he being then very young begged the liues of the two Knights that else had been slaine by Amadis But Quedragant who had taken better notice of him when hee met him at his last returne from Great Brittaine went and embraced him saying Faire Sir you desired me and Brian also not long since to doe your commendations to the Greek Knight which wee accordingly performed and here he is himselfe to iustifie that wee failed not therein These wordes gaue assured testimony to Amadis that hee to whom Quedragant spake was his sonne which made him feele inwardly inestimable ioy And then the young Gentleman came and did him reuerence not as a sonne to his father beeing yet ignorant of him but as to the onely Knight of the world by whom he had hope to haue his knighthood so conceu ed in him on the very same day hee combated the Emperours Knights Notwithstanding the differences happening between the Knights of the Enclosed Isle and them of Great Brittain raised a wounderfull doubt in him that he should not attaine to his intention Then Amadis embracing him demanded if King Lisuart had granted leaue for his comming to him My Lord quoth he this good olde father Nascian will acquaint you with the reason of his comming to you Obserue here that Amadis had often heard of this Hermite who was reputed generally for a most holy man of life wherefore going to him hee said Father I pray you pardon mee for I knew you not at your entrance but now I vnderstand more of you and the honour that is due to you by desert Honour replied the Hermit be giuen to God only I am his poore humble seruant who in his feare desires to speake alone with you in secret if it shall please you but to heare me Yes on my faith answered Amadis And so taking him by the hand they went aside by themselues and Nascian began in this manner with him Sonne before you vnderstand the cause which hath mooued mee to come see you I