as the knight of the Castle fell into the water where he was drowned and the conquerour rode on which the Halberders seeing presently drew vp the bridge againe after him When the Damosels saw he was thus closed in they cryed out aloud vnto him that he should returne as he was about so to do he espied three other Knights well armed come toward him who very audaciously thus spake Vnhappy was the houre to thee whē thou didest passe this bridge for thou shalt dye in this water where he is drowned that was of greater reputation then thou art Here with they all three together ran against him and met him so firmely as his Horse was like to haue fallen ouer backward yet hauing broken their Launces on him he was at this encounter wounded in two places neuerthelesse one of them he met in such order as his armour vnable to resist the pointe of the Launce pierced through with such violence that the trunchion still remained in his body This done couragiously he drew his sword adressing himselfe to the other twaine and they in like manner against him where-upon began a dangerous Combate betweene them but he with the Lions in his Shield doubting his death laboured so much as he could to ouer-come his enemies giuing one of them such a stroke on the right arme as being cut from the body it fell sword and all to the ground wherefore feeling himselfe thus wounded he galopped with all speed to the Castell crying Helpe my friends helpe your Lord who is in danger of killing When the Knight of the Lions heard that he with whom he must yet deale was the Lord of the Castell he deliuered him such a rigorous blow on the Helmet as made him loose his stirrops and ready to fall had he not got hold about the neck of his Horse in this staggering the Knight of the Lions rent his Helmet from his head and he perceiuing himselfe vnarmed thought to escape by flight as the other did but his enemy got betweene him and the Castell saying Thou art dead if thou yeeld not thy selfe my prisoner Alas answered the amazed Knight I am dead indeede if you please but as you are a Gentleman take pitty on me for I doe yeeld my selfe your vanquished Suddenly the Knight of the Lions looking about espied other Knights and armed men on foote that came in great hast from the castell to succour their Lord wherefore he stepped to his conquered prisoner and holding his sword against his throate said Command thy men to returne else shalt thou presently die Then he who faw his life in such perill cryed to them made a signe with his hand that if they loued him they should returne where-upon they beholding their Lords life at his enimies swords pointe obeyed his command with all possible speed Yet is not this enough said the conquerour cause now the bridge to be let downe which he did and they came both forth on the causey where the Ladyes taried but when the Knight of the Castell beheld them and that one of them was Vrganda the vnknowne Ah my Lord quoth he if you keepe me not from this Lady I am but dead Nay beleeue me answered the Knight that will not I do but rather am to deale with thee as shee shall command me then stepping to Vrganda he said Madame see here the Lord of the Castell what is your pleasure I shall do with him Smite off his head answered Vrganda if he will not deliuer you my friend whom he keepeth in prisō Here-with he lift vp his sword to feare him when the Knight falling on his knee cried Ah my Lord kill me not I will obey whatsoeuer she commandeth Dispatch it quickly then said the Knight of the Lions So caled the Lord to one of the halberders within saying Go to my brother and tell him if euer he intend to see me aliue let him quickly cause the imprisoned Knight to come hither and the Damosel that brought him with her Right soone was the messenger gone on this errand returning immediatly with the Damosell and the Knight to whom the Knight of the Lions thus spake Thanke this Lady who hath done so much for ye and truely great cause you haue to loue her in that she hath taken wonderfull paines to deliuer you from this thraldome I do loue her answered the restored Knight and so will continue better then I haue done heretofore But before he could finish these words Vrganda ran and embraced him the like did he to her afterward the conquerour demanded what should be done with her that brought him thither It is necessary that she dy replied Vrgà da to let her know the price of so hainous an offence Presently was the poore Damosel so strangely enchanted as she ran skipping ouer the marrish quag-mires and turning backe againe would haue throwne her selfe into the water had not the knight of the Lions intreated Vrganda to pardō her trespasse for this time Prouided saide Vrganda that she returne no more to offend me otherwise she shall pay for altogether Whē the Lord of the Castle saw the Damosell was remitted at his request who ouer-came him he thus spake My Lord I haue performed what hath bin commanded therefore I pray ye giue me leaue to depart from her that neuer loued me In sooth answered Vrganda for honor of him by whom you make your suite I am content and you may returne He being gone the Knight of the Lions who yet maruailed by what occasion the Damosell was driuen into that furie asked what moued her so to do Ah my Lord quoth she me thought one came round about me and would haue burned me with a lighted torch therefore to saue my selfe I sought to leape into the water At these words the Knight fell into a laughter saying Your folly hath beene ouer great faire Damosel to worke her ill who knowes how to reuenge it Galaor stood and had seene all these things where-upon he thus spake to the Giant Beleeue me father I very much desire that this worthy man should giue me my order for if King Lisuart be renowned it is for his possessions but this Knight deserues it by his strength and valour I am well content answered the Giant go and request it of him if he deny you the fault is his owne So Galaor went forward accompanied with foure squires and two Damosels ◠when comming to the Knight of the Lions he found him yet vnder the trees At his arriuall he was curteously receiued by the Knight who reputed him one of the most comely Gentlemen that euer he had seene afterward Galaor thus began Gentle Sir I am come to entreat a fauour at your hand Truely answered the Knight if your request be reasonable it will the sooner be granted My suite Sir quoth Galaor is for nothing else but that it might please you to giue me the order of knight-hood and in so doing you shall saue me a great
Damosels who tarry for vs in the Tents but you must dissemble conningly for if they see you altered from your wonted mellanchollie it may be some hinderance to your determination So they brake off coÌ„munication and went into the Pauillion where Amadis notwithstanding Gandalins councell could not but shew himselfe pleasantly disposed whereat the Damosels were verie glad because such behauiour better beseemed him then his former pensiuenes When the houre of rest was come each one went to his accusttomed lodging and soone after Amadis seeing the time commodious for his enterprise arose and found Gandalin who had already prepared for their iourney wherefore being armed they mounted on horse-backe taking the most conuenient way for their purpose to the Towne When they came to the Garden which Oriana had before shewed Gandalin they alighted and tied their horsses at a tuft of trees nere adioyning afterward they went through a hole which a water-course had made in the Garden wall and approched the window where Oriana lay faire and softly did Amadis knock thereon with his finger she not yet sleeping who expected his comming and when she heard the louing signall of her friend she awaked Mabila saying Sweete sister I thinke your cosin knocketh at the window My cosin answered Mabila it may be so but you haue greater intrest in him then I or all other of his linage together Mabila presently arose and lighted a waxe taper which she had hid for the nonce when Oriana likewise was got out of bed they came together and opened the casement where they found Amadis no more attending then hec was attended If they were then well pleased it were folly to inquire for all the contentments in the world might not be compared to the ioy of seeing each other And without question they had two inducing reasons thereto for beside the nourishment they receiued together in their yonger yeeres and their first amity continued by the rememberance and good opinion they had of each other their beauty and perfections were so correspondent as if they had neuer seene one another till that very instant yet had they cause enough to loue together Oriana had on such braue attire beseeming the night as set the heart of her loue on fire for vnder a fine dainty white frontlet appeared the rarest golden tresses of haire that euer nature made and about her shoulders she had a mantle of figured cloth of gold imbroidered all ouer with rich and costly flowerts as it might beseeme the greatest Maiestie in the world And for her selfe a thing more faire was impossible to be found the inward conceite of her present comfort decked her face with such a heauenly beauty as it seemed that nature in pride of her art made this piece to excell all other in perfection I will leaue you then to consider on the iudgement of Amadis who when she was nothing so glorious in fairenes thought her worthy the loue of the best Knight in the world now if he stood mute blame him not hauing the only iewell of his heart before him and therefore she to breake off this silence first spake in this manner My Lord if I haue giuen you the liberty contrary to my duty and custome to see me in this place at an houre so vnfitting you must commit the offence to the security which our former nurturing together loyally promised and likewise to the good opinion of your great vertues siâ—ce that time encreased which hath conquered no lesse fauour in me then honor and renowne in all other places Amadis to auoide further silence thought it better to let his speeches passe at aduenture then by holding his peace to be reputed vnworthy this happines or not so feruently touched with loue as she was to exclude all which doubts he thus replied Madame I account my selfe not so much fauoured by fortune in any thing else as honored at my first entrance into your seruice euen the very highest tipe of grace she could affoord me nor do I feele my selfe so beholding to my vertues as I rest double bound to theÌ„ that report so wel of me But when both these benefits shall be excluded yet is my loue and seruice to you so affectionate as they can deserue no lesse then this secret gentlenes and wheÌ„ you shall allow me more ample courtesie it may command a stricter bond of duty but not affection for that is already so substantially grounded that the vttermost good you can do me is neither able to augment it or the sharpest vnkindnes diminish it I know not whether it be seemely for a man to coÌ„fesse the extremities he hath infinite times endured by this passion the very least griefe I receiued hath beene the losse of rest and banishment of sleepe froÌ„ mine eyes and yet to afflict me with greater torment my spirit hath seene in a dreame what it vncessantly desired How many times hath it happened to me in thinking on you to be so coÌ„founded that such as haue seene me reputed me not only depriued of common since but euen of very life it selfe What moman what child well beaten hath euer powred forth so many teares as I poore Knight haue done yea my very chiefest enterprises huae I sprinckled withall for your sake not as feeling my selfe a happy subiect in loue but rather too little merit of my selfe and much lesse hope This fauour proceeding froÌ„ you in deigning to heare me is greater then euer I durst hope for and so farre doth it surmount my passions as I cannot expresse the least part of my ioy my tongue likewise seemeth as vnprofitable ignorant of his office hauing bin so long from seruing me to you But aboue all this impuissance in speech shall on my behalfe testifie to you what all the words in the world cannot deliuer with sufficient truth for as all other beauty in coÌ„parison of yours is nothing so before mine affection al the other habilities of my soule vanish away and become of no reckoning Will you theÌ„ good madame with your courtesie supply my insufficiencie and with pittie giue me both life and my selfe and conserue that which else cannot be vnlesse it be yours onely These words vttered Amadis with such interruption of sighes and teares as witnessed he had no intent of feigning but rather knew how to suffer then speake wherewith Oriana moued to compassion thus answered I make no doubt deere friend but you loue me in respect of the pains you haue taken for me as also by what you haue now tolde me and though I should haue no signe thereof by speech or ought else yet am I â—…ent to beleeue because my heart hath no other deâ—…e but heerein concerneth greatest contentment And yet the torment I see you in with impacience troubleth my quiet for you being assured by sufficient proues and especially this that I loue ye me thinks you should haue no further cause of so seuere affliction but rather ought to temper your
then sweetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Country then you imagine therefore I pray ye be not vnmindfull of this place So arose Elisena and went to her Chamber with Darioletta leauing the king alone not a little contented with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signifie he became desirous to returne to his owne Country where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences himselfe likewise in former times tooke great pleasure therein and vnderstood sundry rules thereof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with king Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunt The ten dayes being spent king Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to depart and therefore tooke his leaue of the Court but as he wold haue mounted on horsebacke he perceiued that he wanted his good Sword whereat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fairest in the world yet durst he not demand it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena should thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his Chamber In these thoughts accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came intreated him to be mindfull of the great griefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the solemne promise he had made her Alas my deere friend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to see her in meane while I commend her to you as mine owne proper hart Then taking from his finger a Ring semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great greefe but encrease it so that if she had not beene comforted by Darioletta without doubt she had then finished her dayes but so well she perswaded her to take good hope that by the alligations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothly to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes whereof she not onely lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mis-hap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable lawe that any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her selfe from death This sharpe and cruell custome endured til the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that Country which he reuoked at the time as be killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betweene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady could not be absolued by ignoraunce thereof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Sword God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the worlde because it was done so secretly as you haue heard See here the distresse wherein King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she wold giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the prompritude of this yong Knng that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also seeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therefore he was the harder to be found Thus dispairing of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true friend and onely Lord. But at that instant the great and puissant maker of all thinges by whose permssion this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such councell as she onely should remedie these occurrances in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber-vault seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer whereto one might easily discend by a little Iron dore this Chamber by the aduice of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to coÌ„tinue her accustomed solitary life and would haue none other companion then Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous greefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heereupon was the keye of the Iron dore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherefore beeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference she requited councell what should be done with the fruit that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta Mary it must suffer to redeeme you Oh poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I coÌ„sent to the death of the creature begoten by the only man of the worlde whome most I loue offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth saide Elisena although I dye beeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue we this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great folly to hazard the safety of that which hereafter may be the onely cause of your losse and your friend likewise for well you knowe that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue you dying no longer can he liue that so dâ—erâ—ly loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of all three where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand seeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boards of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherein to put the infant with the clothes the Sword which she kept then did she giue them together in such sorte as the water should haue no place to enter This beeing done made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing there-of to Elisena vntil the time of child-birth approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know
thou see quoth she At what time the two braâ—ches of one tree shall be ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should find him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these meanes remained little Calaor in the holy mans charge and there he staied so long till he was of yeeres to receiue the order of Knight-hood as hereafter shal be recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a king named Falangris who dying without children left one of his bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires then prompt at armes and Knightly chiualry being called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the king of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North parts And albeit she had bene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not consent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one himselfe and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in hiâ— geâ—tâ—e hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittaine knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeed in the Realme for he being in a strange country whereby his hauty deeds and chiualry he was maried in so good a place therefore they pispatched their Ambasladours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest himselfe therein CHAP. V. How King Lisuart sayling by sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his Subiects desire for his short returne prouided his equipage by Sea being aided and assisted by the king of Denmarke his father in law and afterward set saile toward great Brittaine And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new king of great Brittaine accompanied with the Queene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yeeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therefore during the time of her aboad in Denmarke she was commonly called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana being not vsed to trauaile on the sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her father fearing a worse mis-hap intreated the king of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did king Languines and his Queene accept this charge wherefore king Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to sea where weighing Anckers and hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where being arriued before he could abide in quiet as in such occasions it often falleth out certaine rebels were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so speedily send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the author leaueth the new King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yeeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and for his good grace both of the Queene and the other Ladies was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath beene already declared the yong Princesse Oriana daughter to King Lisuart was left with the Queene of Scots to refresh her selfe till the King her father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies could be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame henceforth so please you shall the Gentleman of the sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherefore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindnsse in his spirite as during life he ment to serue nor loue any other and therefore for euer bequeathed to her his heart but so well it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betweene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge thereof thought him-selfe vnworthy so great good reputing it a very bold enterprise to thinke thereon which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblance The yong Princesse who was of the fame minde and also in like paine forbare to talke more with him then any other thereby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers doing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which most they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting each other with this amorous affectioÌ„ Soone after this yong vnknowne Prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes receiue the order of Knighthood he said to himselfe If once I were a Knight I would do such exployts as should deserue the fauour of my Lady or die in the attempt And in this destre one day finding king Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these speeches My Lord might it stand with your pleasure I gladly would receiue my Knight-hood When the King heard him seeing his yong yeeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the sea Do you thinke your selfe already strong enough for such a weightie charge In sooth it is an easie thing to receine honor but to maintaine it as behooueth 〈◊〉 may be is more hard then you esteeme so that oftentimes a right good hart is troubled therewith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doe more better is death to him then a shamefull life therefore by mine aduise I would haâ—e you yet a while to forbeare The Prince not contented with this answere replied I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doe all that appertaineth to Chiualrie I would not haue beene so bold to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue beene hitherto nourished most humbly I beseech ye to grant me this petition that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to seeke else where for obtaining my suite The king highly esteemed the courage of the youth and doubting least he would depart indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentle-man that I wil do it wheÌ„ I see it necessary for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what else belongeth Yet tell me faire Sir to whome if I resused would you go for your order To King Perion said the Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Queene who maketh me beleeue that he will not denie me when I shall let him vnderstand how shee hath nourished me and that I
me Such was the speedy dispatch of the Damosell as without longer stay she iourned toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof heereafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinue the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necssary for the same Oriana Mabila their company were imbarqued thē taking leaue of the King Queene at the sea side they set faile hauing the winde so prosperous as in few daies they landed in great Brittaine where they were all right worthyly wellcommed Heere of doth the author at this time make no more mention because he meaneth to tell ye what happened to the Gentleman of the sea hauing left him at the Knights Castell that was vanquished by Galpan in the Damosels charge who attended his wounds which in fifteene daies were almost thorowly healed Notwithstanding despising rest determined to set on his way so that on a Sunday morning taking leaue of his hoste and his gentle Chirurgion he mounted on Horse-backe accompanied onely with Gandalin who neuer would forsake him and not farre from the Castle they entred a great Forrest It was now about the moneth of Aprill when the Birdes tune their Notes most pleasantly and that all Trees Herbes and Flowers declare the comming of the Spring time this delightsome change made him remember her who aboue all other flowred in excellent beautie and for whom abandoning his libertie Loue hath taken him captiue so that in these thoghts he thus somewhat loud parled with himselfe Ah poore Gentleman of the Sea without Parents or Lands that thou canst auouch how durst thou lift thy heart so high as to loue her who is beyond all other in beautie bounty and birth Ah wretch as thou art oughtest thou not to consider by these three things wherein she is most perfect the best Kinght in the world may not be so hardy as to thinke of louing her And thou poore vnknowne art wrapt in a labirinth of folly louing and dying not daring to tell it or make shew thereof In this complaint was the Gentleman of the Sea so carryed away as forgetting all other matters hee rode crosse the forrest a long space with his Helmet closed till at length lifting vp his head hee behelde a Knight well mounted in the wood by him who long had kept company to heare his sadde discourse When the knight sawe the Prince had discryed him for that cause held his peace he approched neerer him with these words Beleeue me knight it seems you more loue your Friend then shee doth you when in commending her you dispraise your selfe and for ought I vnderstand by your speeches you are no such man as ought to pretend loue therefore it is necessarie I should know who shee is to the end I may supply your defect and serue her Sir knight answered the Prince you haue some reason for these speeches yet hap what shall you can know no more then you doe and I can assure yee that by louing her you can get no aduantage So doe not I beleeue sayd the knight for a man ought to conceiue glory in trauaile or any danger in the seruice of so faire a Ladie seeing that in the end he cannot but gaine his long looked for recompence wherefore hee that loueth in so high a place as you doe should not be agreeued at any thing that happeneth When the Prince heard him speake so sensibly imagining hee vsed these wordes to comfort him he was of better cheere and came more neere to him to continue this talk but the Knight sayd Keepe yee backe for either by friend-ship or force you must tell mee what I haue demaunded Now trust me answered the Prince it shall not be so Goe too then quoth the knight see what wil happen thereon and defend your selfe With right good will sayde the Prince So gan they lace their Helmets taking likewise their Shieldes and Lances but as they seuered them-selues for the Ioust a Damosell came and spake in this manner Knights I pray you forbeare a while and tell mee one thing before the combate if you can for such is my haste as I haue no leasure to tarry the end of your fight At these words they stayed them-selues demanding of her what she desired I would faine quoth shee heare some news of a Knight called the Gentleman of the Sea And what would you with him said the Prince I haue brought him tydings answered the Damosell from Agraies Sonne to the King of Scotland Attend a little replyed the Prince and I will tell ye so much as I know of him All this time was the Knight of the Forrest ready for the Ioust and much offended at her that came to stay them wherefore hee called to the Prince to gaurd him-selfe giuing him such an attaint in the encounter as his Launce flew in pieces but the Prince met him full as both Horse and Man were thrown to the ground when the Horse being more nimble then his Maister seeing him selfe at libertie ran about the field yet the Prince found the meanes to take him againe and bringing him to the dismounted knight sayd Heere Sir take your Horse and hence-forth desire not to know any thing against a mans will The knight would not refuse his gentlenesse for he found him-selfe so shaken with his fall as hee could hardly follow to catch him again in meane while he assayed to remount on his Horse the Prince left him comming to the Damosell that stayed for him demaunding if she knew the man she enquired after No truely quoth she I did neuer see him but Agraies told me that he would presently make himselfe knowne so soone as I should say that I came from him He did not deceiue you therein answered the Prince therfore ye must vnderstand I my selfe am the man and with these words he vnlaced his Helmet when the Damosell saw his face she said In truth now doe I verily beleeue it for your beauty I haue heard very much commended Then tell me quoth the Prince where haue you left Agraies Hard by a Riuer not farre hence sayd she where he staieth with his Troupe attending a fit winde for Passage into Gaule and is very desirous before he go any further to know if you will beare him companie With all my heart replyed the Prince ride then before and conduct mee the way So rode he on with the Damosell and in some short time after they came neer the place where Agraies and his Armie were encamped but yet before they arriued there they heard behinde them one cry Stay knight for thou must tell me what I demanded The Prince turning backe behold the knight whō he so lately dismounted and another that bare him company wherfore hee stayed to take his Armes Now were they so neere the Prince Agraies Campe and he as they all might see the Tourney hauing a farre off noted the Princes comming maruailing what he was that so gallantly managed his Horse
the Castell but get thee walking for here shalt thou set no foote this night Now trust me said Amadis I thinke thou wouldest haue no man of valew in thy company yet before we part I am desirous to know what thou art That will I tel thee quoth the other on this condition that when so euer we meete thou shalt combate with me I will not stick for that answered Amadis Know then said he within how I am Dardan who commands thee not to stray so farre this night but that I may find thee to morrow morning Thou vauntest of thy selfe very much quoth Amadis but if thou wilt cause Torches to be brought hither to giue vs light and come forth presently without longer stay we shall soone see who ought to haue the worsse lodging this night What said Dardan to cōbate with an Owle the enemy of the day must I bring Torches and this night take Armes vnwise is he that so late to gaine such simple honor will either put on spurre or Cuyrate and with these words he went from the gate Heere may the Reader by him-selfe discourse awhile what fruite ouer-braining commonly bringeth with it contrariwise what perfection among all other vertues is in modestie No well grounded courage or gallant disposed body can duely put in exercise the benefit of the one or other if moderation temperance be not their guids therein And albeit valiance hardines is a great gift of God yet are they so pernitious in such as haue them who are transported with passions or the glory of ambition as they be euen no better then cowardise presumtion Eloquence and the facultie of well speaking is a rich and precious gift of nature augmented and encreased by long vse and study to giue light and decking to the faire conceptions of the spirit but it is there a more hurtfull pestilence in a cōmon wealth then when a well spoken Oratour will misuse his art sweetnes of language Haue not some bin knowne to perswade simple people to enterprise things which afterward haue brought their ruine and subuertion I leaue the confidence of the wise and the opinitiue in their owne beauty the one procuring to many the losse of their soules and the other to infinite number the destruction of honor so hurtfull in all things it too much vsurpatiō of ouer-weening and immoderate estimation of our selues I will not heere compare the wisdome of Vlisses with the arrogancie of furious Aiax or the violence of Turnus with the temperance of Aeneas nor make other remonstrances by the successe of great matters happening to mighty personages both Greekes Latines It shall content me to set for example this only accident of indiscreete Dardan to the end that yong Gentlemen who take delight to read this History seeing on the one side the patient magnanimity of Amadis and on the other the furious brutality of Dardan may propose the vertues to be imitated the vices to be detested and punished Amadis then somewhat displeased with the outragious speeches of Dardan departed not so much caring for his lodging as how to be reuenged concluded some-time in walking about and other while in resting by a bush to passe the incommodity of this night in the Forrest thus to beguile the time till day rising As there hee traced vp and downe he heard the speech of some body nere him and looking about espied two Damosels on horse-back accompanied with a Squire after they had saluted him and he them they demanded from whence he came so late armed wherewith Amadis throughly reported all that had happened to him at the Castell Know you said the Damosels the name of the Knight That doe I quoth he for he tolde me his name is Dardan Very true said they hee is called Dardan the proud the most audatious Knight in this country I beleeue it well answered Amadis Sir Knight quoth they seeing you are so vnprouided of lodging if you will take patience to remaine this night in our tentes which are pitched heere hard at hand you shall be welcome He glad of this courtesie rode with them and being there alighted Amadis caused his Squire to vnarme him When the Damosels saw him so faire and of such honest conuersation they were well pleased with his company and so they supped together merily afterward they gaue him a pallad to rest vpon Neuerthelesse before they parted they demanded of him whether he trauailed To the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis And so do we replied the Damosels to see what shall happen to a Lady one of the best and most noble in the Country who hath committed her welfar to the triall of a Combate and it must be within few dayes following bee performed before King Lisuart but yet wee know not who will be the man for he against whom the cause must be defēded is one of the best Knights in all great Brittaine What is said Amadis the Knight so much esteemed especially among so many good It is the same Dardan answered the Damosels from whome so lately you came And on what cause said Amadis ariseth the Combate I pray ye faire Ladyes if you know let mee vnderstand it Sir quoth one of them this Dardan loueth a Knights daughter of the Country who at his second nuptials maried her I am to speake of now hath this Damosell the beloued of Dardan conceiued such hatred against her faire mother that she hath said to her friend how she will neuer loue him except he bring her to King Lisuarts Court and there openly maintaine that all the poore Ladyes goods appertaineth to her and if any gain-say it he to iustifie the same in Combate These news were highly pleasing to Amadis for by these meanes he intended to compasse occasion to be reuenged of the wrong he did him and that in the presence of Oriana who should there perceiue what her Knight was which made him enter into such thoughts as the Damosels well noting it one of them thus spake I pray ye Sir for courtesie acquaint vs with the reason of your sudden musing if it may without offence be knowne Faire Ladies answered Amadis if you will promise me as loyall Gentle-women to keepe it secret and reueale it to no one willingly shall I tell ye all which they solemnely sware to performe I intend quoth he to combate for the Dame you spake of and minde not to faile but I would haue it concealed from any but your selues When they heard what he sayd they were much abashed notwithstanding they made great esteeme of him seeing what they had vttered in praise of Dardan could not affray him but hee would hazard the Combate and therefore shee that alreadie had broken the matter thus replyed Gentle Sir your intent proceedeth frō a high resolued minde and wee will pray for your prosperons successe So gaue they ech to other the good night and went to rest till the morning when they dislodged together Then
but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside ech one reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing left euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwithstanding seeing you are the best King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ve then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would faine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere them which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete no ◅gnorant what medicines should be applied to passionate mindes after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else-where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to confer with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him frō the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most deerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing you which if
in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whom we spake so lately whose cheekes were bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extreamity her latest houer must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewes with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend himselfe which the Duke perceiuing hee left his Nephew with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slaine him Agraies stepped betweene thē hauing dispatched his enemie of his head and hindred the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tel which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ranne flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his necke was broken with dragging along Hereupon Agraies left him returning to his vncle to know how he fared Very well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it grieueth mee that Oliuas is dead for hee lieth still and moueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these words wherefore commanding the Duke and his Nephewes bodyes to be throwne foorth of the field they came both to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his wounds not to be mortall they bound them vp so well as they could saying Friend Oliuas be of good cheere for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt wee not of your health because wee finde little danger in your hurts Alas my Lords quoth Oliuas my heart fainteth and albeit I haue beene heeretofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to knowe whether hee were dead or no and when it was tolde him how hee wanted nothing but speedy cure hee commanded him to bee honourably caryed into the Citie and his own cirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which he did promising to deliuer him well againe within few daies Thus euery one returned disputing diuersly on the end of the Combat and according to their particular affections so that soone after the Queene who was one of the best Ladies in the world was aduised to send for the wife to the deceased Duke that in the Court shee might weare away the cause of her melancholly and to dispatch this businesse shee sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Neece Aldena with her whereof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the friend and beloued of the Dutchesse Not long after she and her Neece arriued at the Court where they were right nobly feasted and entertayned Thus the King spent the time in the Citty of London accompanied with many great Lords knights and Ladies because the fame was blazed throught the world of his honourable courtesie to strange Knights which drew an exceeding number to his court whom he rewarded very bountifully hoping by their meanes not onely to confirme his Realme in peace but likewise to conquere other which some-time had beene subiect and tributary to his Crown yet through the pusillanimity and negligence of the Kinges his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEretofore it hath beene declared how Amadis being with Briolania promised to reuenge the King her Fathers death against Abiseos and his two Sonnes which in one year after he should performe being accompanied with two other Knights Also how when he tooke his leaue of her shee gaue him a Sword because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Sword was afterward broken at the Ladies Castle who was the beloued of Angrioted Estrauaus when he combatted with Gasinan and commanded Gandalin to bring away the peeces thereof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault of him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his master loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered himselfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of thē both Loue who often-times prouoketh his Subiects would no longer continue them in so great ease but rayse some cinders of diuision wherby they might receiue discontentment For this cause he made Amadis remember his promise to Briolania that he should combat Abiseos within one yeare the end whereof was now at hand and being loth to faile therein he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sort Briolania was disinherited of her fathers kingdom such were his discourses on her behalf that although Oriana was loth to grant what hee demanded or to permit his absence from her yet being ouercome with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow said Deere friend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you do me aloweth no excuse Yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine own pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content seeing there is no other remedy though my consent be with greater griefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischiefe will happen to me by this voyage Madam answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wish neuer to haue beene borne Let Briolania then pardon my tarrying for I hold my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agreeable to you Not so sweete friend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall go but make a speedy returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this separation sealed and shee desired him to acquaint the Queene there with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commandement which he did and on the morrow departed with Galaor and Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a Mile but he asked Gandalin if hee had brought with him the peeces of the Sword that Briolania gaue him when hee left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what speede thou canst to ouertake
ended his song hee alighted vnder a tusted tree planted by the high way side thinking there to passe the rest of the night but worse happened to him then he hoped for Gandalin which had heard what hee sayde of Oriana doubting that Amadis had not marked it because his minde was otherwise occupied sayde vnto Durin It were best for mee to goe to my Master to know what hee intendeth to doe Then came hee forth of the bush where he was hidden beheld Amadis that sought for his horse to depart frō thence who as he looked here there he espied Gandalin When not knowing him at the first he cryed Who art thou that commest to surprise me speake and hide thy selfe no longer My Lord answered he I an Gandalin who will helpe you to finde your horse if so it please you When Amadis heard this Ah said hee how durst you persume to follow me hauing so expresly forbidyou beleeue mee thou hast greatly displeased mee let mee see thee no more but depart or else be sure thou shalt die My Lord answered Gandalin mee thinkes you should forget this manner of behauiour and bethinke you how to reuenge the foolish speeches which euen now were vttered by a knight who is not yet far from you for they are greatly to your disaduantage This sayde Gandalin to pacifie his displeasure towardes him that hee might bee the more incensed against the other I did heare him as well as you sayd he and therefore am I content to seeke rest else-where and to depart from hence where all misfortune doth follow me What sayd Gandalin is this all that you are determined to doe What wouldst thou more said he That you fight with him answered Gandalin to make him confesse his presumption I beleeue sayd hee thou wouldest say otherwise seeing thou knowest very well that I neither haue spirit heart not any force hauing lost all in losing her who gaue me life so as now I am no better then a dead man neither is there in Great Brittaine any knight so cowardly that could not easily ouercome mee if I should combate with him so haplesse and hopelsse am I. Trust me answered Gandalin you are in a great errour thus to suffer your heart to saint to let your courage faile euen whē it should most serue you to aduance the honour of her who so neerely toucheth you What report will Durin make here of thinke you who hath heard and seene all and is greatly abshed that now you behaue your selfe no better How sayd Amadis is Durin here I truely sayd Gandalin wee came both together and I beleeue hee followeth you thus to declare your manner of behauiour vnto her that sent him vnto you Get thee gone sayd Amadis thou vrgest mee too much Yet when hee thought that Durin should returne to Oriana his heart was so inflamed that hee called for his armes and mounting on his horse he went toward the knight whom hee found layd vnder the tree holding his horse by the bridle Then Amadis in a great rage sayde vnto him Sir knight who so greatly extollest thy fortune in loue I beleeue that against all right thou hast receined that good that loue hath doue for thee if good it may be tearmed and that thou neuer deseruedst it the which I wil proue with the losse of thy head What art thou answered the other that speakest so audaciously dost thou think that I am fauoured of the fairest Lady in the worlde for any other cause but onely for my valour and high knighthood wherewith I will make thee presently confesse that loue hath reason to fauour me and that it is not for thee to speake thereof It is but thy opinion sayde Amadis but thou must knowe that in despight of thee I am hee who hath least occasion to praise loue because hee hath so vildely deceiued me that I wil neuer dayes in my life put any trust in him knowing how falsely and treacherously he commonly vseth those that most faithfully do serue him And because I haue sufficiently prooued it I will maintaine that he can neuer be so faithfull as I haue found him false That it is so let vs see whether hee hath gained more in thee then he hath lost in me Then the knight mounted on his horse and beeing ready to fight he answered Vnhappy knight depriued of all good and banisht iustly from loue beeing vnworthy of his fauor get thee from my presence for I should commit a most horrible fact to lay my hands vpon such a vild miserable fellow So saying he turned his horse to haue fled away if Amadis had not staied him in calling him Villaine wilt thou then defend thy loue which so highly thou prisest onely with thy countenance and so get thee gone because thou wouldest fly the combat Trust me answered the other thou art in a right opinion for it is true that I haue no desire to proue my selfe against a person of so small desert but seeing thou wouldest that I should breake thy head I am content and if thy heart will serue defend it if thou canst Herewithall they ran one against the other with such force as their Lances flew to shiuers pearcing their shields quite thorough neuerthelesse their armour being good strong staied the stroke yet the knight fell to the ground carrying the raines of his horse with him wherefore he rose again lightly The which Amadis beholding he said vnto him Truely knight if the right which you pretend in so faire a friend bee not better maintained with your sword then it hath beene with your staffe Loue hath made but a bad choyce of you for a valiant champion your Lady a far worser match in lighting vpon such a carpet knight He made no account at all of these reproaches but boldly drew out his sword and comming neere to Amadis laid at him so lustily that hee had beene wounded if with his shield hee had not well warded himselfe wherein his sword was so farre entred that he could not pul it forth again but was forced to let go his holde leauing it sticking fast in the shield of Amadis Who lifted himselfe vp in his stirrops hitting him so sound a blow vpon his head-peece that it pearced euen vnto the quick the blow gliding downe it lighted vpon his horse neck wounded him to the death falling downe in the place and his master vnder him all astonied But Amadis seeing him arise said vnto him Gentle louer I am of the minde that Cupid henceforth should erect a trophie for the high prowesse which you haue shewed in his seruice that as long as you liue you should not cease to sing his praises declare those benefits which vpon you hee hath bestowed As for mee I will goe secke my fortune else where So he set spurres to his horse as he departed he beheld Gandalin Durin when cōming neere them he tooke Durin by the hand and sayd vnto him Friend
Durin I see my misfortune so strange and my sorrow so intollerable as of force I must die which God grant it may be without delay for death onely will giue rest and ease to this torture which vexeth mee Salute from me the Princesse Mabila and thy good sister the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom thou mayst declare my cruel death which I suffer with as great wrōg as euer any knight suffered Before the which I would to God I had the meanes to doe them any seruice in recompence of the duty I doe owe them for all the good they haue done and the fauours they haue purchased for mee Then hee beganne his moane weeping so bitterly as Durin therewith had his heart so stopped with woe that hee was not able to answer one word Wherfore Amadis embraced him and committed him to God At that instant began the day to appeare when Amadis perceiuing that Gandalin followed him hee sayd vnto him if thou determinest to come with me take heede vpon thy life that thou turne me not from any thing which I shall say or doe otherwise I pray thee forthwith to turne another way that I may see thee no more Beleeue me Sir sayd Gandalin I wil do whatsoeuer shal please you Then Amadis deliuered him his armor to bear cōmanding him to pul the sword forth of his shield to cary it to the amorous knight CHAP. V. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him SEeing that it falleth out so fit I will declare vnto you before I passe any further the estate of the amorous Knight of whom wee spake euen now You must knowe that hee was called Patin brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie for there was none more neare the same then hee and the Emperour was already so olde that hee neuer hoped to haue any heire Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia named Sardamira one of the fairest Ladies in the world whom hee loued extreamely And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and torment hee endured in ouer-louing her she answered him My Lord I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee and the better to witnesse the same I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whō I would do more then for you nor whom I would more willingly take for husband because I know your good parts and the high knight-hood where withall you are so famoused These speeches bred so great presumption in the heart of Patin as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world hee entred into such glory that he answered her Madame I haue heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine there to mainteine against all men that her beauty is not cōparable to yours the which I alone will prooue in combate against two of the best knights that dare say the contrary whom if I cannot ouercome I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off In good faith my Lord answered the Queene I am of a contrary opinion for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee if any beauty there bee and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places Hap what may hap answered hee I will doe it for your loue to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue Hereupon continuing in this minde within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart vnto whose Court he shortly after came and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee the King thought him to be some great personage For this cause hee receiued him most honourably appointing him into a chamber to shift himselfe When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him marching with such grauity as those that beheld seeing his comely stature iudged him to bee of great courage But the King tooke him by the hand and conferring together hee sayde vnto him gentle friend I pray you thinke it not strange if I desire to know who you are because I may the more honor you in my Court It may please your Maiesty answered Patin I am not come into this countrey to hide mee but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all others I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly beseecheth you to enquire no further of my affaire vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter When the King heard that he embraced him and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him My good Cosen I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me In cōming thus to visit me in my owne countrey assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter she shall not onely be shewed vnto you but likewise the Queene and all her trayne And so long they continued their talke vntill they had couered for supper Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights as hee much marualled thereat and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his brother as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw After the tables were taken vp it being time to goe to rest the King cōmanded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good entertainment hee could So for that night they departed vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice after the which hee was conducted to the Ladies who receiued him curteously for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand praying him to sit betweene her her daughter Oriana whom at that instant he beheld with such an eye as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira was wholly changed vnto her beeing captiuated with her excellent beauty and goodly grace You may iudge then how he would haue esteemed her if he had seene her in the time of her perfect health which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane pale and wan but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin who was so far beside him-selfe that hee determined to beseech the king to bestow her vpon him in
Faire Forlorne I loue him intirely as well for his valour as also for that his father made me knight which maketh me the more bounden vnto his children and I am very sory for the newes that I haue hard of Amadis before I did come vnto this desert What are they sayd Corisanda Truely answered hee comming hither I met with a Gentlewoman at the entry of a Forrest which sung a pleasant song for the tune but very pittifull by reason of the matter that it contayned Then I enquired of her who made it and shee answered me that it was a knight vnto whoÌ„ God if it bee his pleasure send more ioy then hee had when hee made it for his song doth very wel witnesse that his griefe proceeded from too extreame loue And because I liked it wel I remained with the Gentlewoman so long vntill I had learned it moreouer she did assure me that Amadis did make it and that he did shew her the song at that time when by his melancholy hee was most maistered I pray you sayde Corisanda teach it vnto these two Gentlewomen for by that which you say loue held him then in as great bondage as he now holdeth me I will doe it answered hee both for the honour of him and also of you althought it be a thing farre vnseemely for me to do Herewithall he withdrew the Gentlewomen a part and taught them the song with the tune there-of wherein they tooke great pleasure because the Faire Forlorne did sing it with a lamentable and soft voyce which yeelded more harmony and aptnesse both to the tune and the matter then he could if hee had beene at more liberty in body and minde and the Gentle-women learned it so cunningly that many times after they did sing it before their Mistris who tarried foure dayes in the poore Rocke the fift shee embarqued But before she departed shee demanded of the Faire forlorne whether hee would remaine any long time in that place Madame answered he nothing but my death shall drawe me from hence I doe much maruaile sayde Corisanda what mooueth you to doe so yet seeing that you are in such a minde I will in no sorte disswade yon from it so saying she entred into her ship with her companie bidding the Hermit farewel Then setting saile the winde was so fauourable that in fewe dayes after they landed in Great Brittaine and arriued in the Citie of London where at that time King Lisuart remayned Who knowing of her arriuall hee together with his Queene receiued her royally The King to honour her the more caused her to bee lodged in his owne Pallace And some few dayes after as they were discoursing together the Queen sayd vnto her Good Cosen the King charged mee to tell you that hee tâ—…â—our comming hither to see â—im â—o thâ—nkefully that if you haue any thing to doe with him he will imploy his best meanes to pleasure you Madame answered Corisanda I giue the King most humble tâ—…kes and your grace also there is nothing that importuneth mee more then the absence of Don Florestan whom I thought to haue found in this Court Cosen sayde the Queene wee haue at this time no other newes of him but that hee is gone in search of his brother Amadis who of late is lost we not knowing the cause thereof Then shee tolde her how hee had wonne the Firme Island and that after-wardes hee departed secretly from his fellowes especially the manner how Don Guillan did finde his armour and what diligence hee had vsed to vnderstand what was become of him When Corisanda did see that shee was frustrate of her intention and vnderstood the losse of Amadis the teares stood in her eyes saying Alas what wil become of my Lord and friend Florestan I am sure considering the loue that he beareth vnto his brother that if hee cannot finde him he will lose himselfe so that I shall neuer while I liue see him any more the Queene comforted her so well that shee receiued some hope to heare news from him very shortly Now Oriana was by who had heard all this talke and the loue that Corisanda did beare vnto Don Florestan brother to Amadis for which cause shee had the more desire to doe her honour so as she and Mabila did ordinarily keepe her company taking great pleasure to heare her recite the loue that passed betwixt her and hee friend the cause of their parting and the trauell which afterwardes shee had endured in hope to finde him And as shee made this discourse she remembred her of the time when shee remayned in the poore Rocke where shee found a knight doing penance who during her abode there taught a song vnto her women which Amadis had made being in great melancholy as the companion of the Hermit had assured her Madame answered Mabila I pray you feeing your Gentlewomen haue learned it coÌ„maund them to sing it before my Lady Oriana for I shall bee very glad to heare it seeing it is made by Amadis who is mine owne Cosen Beleeue mee sayd Corisanda I am very well content assuring you that it caÌ„not better please you then it will delight me because of the neernesse of the linage that is betwixt my Lord Florestan him Then shee sent for the Gentlewomens Lutes who played and did sing the song of Amadis so sweetely that it ministred both mirth mone vnto the Ladies which vnto them listened ioy to the eare coÌ„tent for the melody and griefe to the minde in feeling his passion that was so grieuously pained But Oriana whom it most of all touched tooke more heede vnto the matter then the musicke knowing the mischiefe whereof she was cause and the great reason that Amadis had to complaine Where-upon shee was suddenly stricken wâ—… so great sorrow that she went into a wardroabe ashamed for the teâ—â—eâ— that had issued from her eyes iâ—… good a company from which she could not abstaâ— Notwithstanding as shee withdrew her selfe Mabila to couer this fault sayd vnto Corisanâ—a So farre aâ— I perceiue Oriana is not well wherefore I am coÌ„strained to leaue your company at this tâ—â—e and to goe helpe her neuerthelesse if it pleased you I would willingly knowe what was the behauior of him that taught your Gentlewomen the song and wherefore he remayned in the poore Rocke for no doubt hee did then knowe what was become of Amadis Then Corisanda rehearsed vnto her in what sorte they did finde him and the talke he had with her but sayd shee I did neuer see a man more pensiue not more faire considering the miseries he endured Mabila very suddenly began to suspect that it was Amadis himselfe who being so far from all hope had chosen such a solitary place because hee would not be seene of any liuing wight and at the same instant shee departed towardes Oriana whom shee found weeping bitterly Vnto whâ— with a smiling countenance shee sayd Madame in seeking after newes sometimes one learneth
Forlorne leading Oriana by the hand came and beseeched the King that he and his Lady might remaine in the midst of the hall for they were not determined to touch the Iewels except that all the asistance did first misse the gaining of them The which the king did grant vnto him who did first of all take vp the sword which was layd vpon the table by the olde Gentleman named Macandon and the King did draw it out one shaftmont and no more Wherefore Macandon said It may please your Maiesty if there bee not found in your Court any more amorous then you are I shal not depart from hence so contented as I hoped to doe There-withall he took the sword and laid it again vpon the table for so must he doe after euery triall Then Galaor tooke it vp but yet he performed lesse then the King did The which Florestan Galuanes Grumedan Brandoinas and Landin seeing they all one after another tryed what they could doe and yet none of them could vnsheath it so much as Florestan did who drew it sorth a foote and more but then Guillan the pensiue tooke it and he passed Florestan about halfe a foote so that hee came vnto the middest thereof Trust me then sayde Macandon if you did loue but as much againe as you do the sword should bee yours After him there came more then a hundred Knights who did little or nothing therin where-upon Macandon â—esting with them called them heretiques in loue Then Agraies who had staied to bee the last beeing sure as hee thought considering the firme loue which hee did bare vnto his Ladie Olinda that the aduenture was ordained for him and on other stepped forth and beholding his Mistresse hee tooke the sword and drew it forth of the scabbard within 3. fingers breadth and as he strained himselfe to pull it quite forth the fire issued from the blade so hot that it burned part of his apparrel so that he was constrained to leaue it there being very ioyfull neuerthelesse that he had performed more then any of the rest Truly said Macandon you are a loyall knight and you haue almost had occasion to bee content and I satisfied Lastly Palomir Dragonis approched who were but the day before arriued at the court and they gained no more then did Galaor which caused Macandon to laugh saying vnto them My adâ—â—â—ers that you should put both of your parts in the sword together it may be that you shall haue sufficient to defend you hereafter You say true answered Dragonis but if you be this day made knight you shall not be of so yong yeeres but that you may very well remember it hereafter At that word euery one began to laugh in the meane season there was neuer a knight remaining in the Court who did not put himselfe forward to gaine the sword and yet it was all in vaine Wherefore the faire Forlorne holding Oriana by the hand came to take it vp when Macandon said vnto him knight this sword wil fit you better if you may gain it then that which you haue yet it cannot be gotten by force of Armes without constancy in loue It must then be mine answered the faire Forlorne who there-withall did draw it forth of the scabbard as easily as if it had beene his owne and that part of it which seemed to be burning became like vnto the other and was as bright as euer was seene Therewithall Macandon exceeding ioyfull cast himselfe at the feete of the faire Forlorne saying vnto him O noble knight God increase thy honour for in ending my long trauaile you haue greatly honoured this Court. And truly that Lady who is serued of you hath cause to loue you well except she be the most mischieuous dissoyalst woman in the world Now therefore do me this fauour if it please you as to giue me the order of knighthood for by no other then you may I obtaine it nor yet enioy the signory which of right belongeth vnto me ouer many great personages Cause first a triall of the Kerchiefe to be made answered the faire Forlorne and afterward I will performe whatsoeuer I ought to do vnto you Then girded he the sword vnto his side leauing his owne for him that would take it vp and returned to the place from whence hee departed Great was the praise that all meÌ„ gaue vnto him but more great was the emulation of Galaor and Florestan towards him concluding in their minds that so soone as the battell against king Cildadan was finished if they thence escaped with life they would presently seeke him out and chalenge him to the combat wherin they would die or else make it knowne vnto euery one that their brother Amadis was a far better knight then he who as they thought did eclipse his honor by the reputation whch he had gotten in gaining the strangers sword At that instant the Ladies approched to proue which of them might obtaine the Kerchiefe and first of all the Queene began putting it vpon her head notwithstanding the floures did not any whit change their colour for her Whereupon Macandon said Madam if the king your husband haue shewed the little loyaltie that remaineth in him in his triall of the sword me thinks you do now well enough requite him for it The Queene blushed and being halfe ashamed she returned to her place then came the faire Queen Briolania who therein performed as much as the first Vnto whom Macandon likewise said beleeue me Madam coâ—â—idering the great beauty wherewith you are indued you are more beloued theÌ„ louing as wee may plainely see by this kerchief After her came foure kings daughters meruailous faire Eludia Estreletta Aldena and the sage Oliada vpon whose heads the kerchiefe being placed the withered floures began a little to flourish so that there was not any one of them which did not imagine that she should be the owner there-of wherwith Oriana was in a great perplexity Yet in the end the floures returned to their withered colour And for the same cause the Gentlewomen set them downe againe in their places neuerthelesse it was not without receiuing some little frumpe from the olde Gentleman who for one of his age could very fitly apply them In the end Oriana perceiuing that euery one had failed shee was very glad thereof and therefore she made a signe vnto the faire Forlorne that he should leade her to the Table where the triall was to bee made but so soone as the kerchiefe was set vpon her head the blasted floures were as greene and as faire as those that were most fresh so that there was no difference at all to be perceiued Wherefore Macandon cried out Ah Madam you are shee whom I haue sought for fortie yeeres before you were borne now said he to the faire Forlorne I pray you sir deferre not the honour which is by you two due vnto me but if you please as already I haue intreated you make me knight then
named Vngan the Piccard the most experte of them all thus answered My Lord dreames are vaine thinges and for such ought to be esteemed notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours giue vs some time to consider thereon It liketh me wel said the king within 12 daies look that you make me answer But to the end they should not disguise o◠conceale the truth from him he caused them to be seperated so that during the time agreed vpon they might neither see or speake together wherefore to their vttermost they trauailed in what they had promised the King so that the day being come when they should render an occompt of their labour he first tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skill Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tel ye Well hast thou aduised said the King whereupon they were sent for afterward Albert thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whom you saw enter by the secret dore signifieth this Realme which is close well guarded notwithstanding by some right thereto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting forth thence your hart and afterward threw it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles both more lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whom you shall not easily recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he said that soone after I should lose it against the will of him that took the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of another that commanded him to do so then by any will thereto in himselfe thus see ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now said the king to the second named Antalles tel vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me that what he saith shall happen is already effected by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed thereat seeing there is not as yet any part of your Realme lost if you do loose any thing hereafter it must be by such a one as loueth you decrely When the king heard this he nodded his head for it seemed to him that he came neere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more thē the other fel into a laughter which he was sildome wont to doe because he was a man very sad and melancholly yet by chance the King perceiued it wherefore he said Maister Vngan my friend now remaineth none but you say boldly what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into things which is not necessary to be knowne to any other then your selfe therefore let these giue place a while if you please At these words they with-drew themselues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty saw me ere while to laugh it was at one word which little you thinke on yet it is true and will you know what It was that which Antalles said that what he found by your dreame was already happened by the person that best loueth ye Now shall I reueale what you keepe in secret and thinke that none knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue already accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had bene there present But as for the chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what it meaneth and how she whome you loue desirous to deliuer her heart and yours from griefe and sadnesse came to ye entring your chāber by the false dore that was hid from you The hands that opened your sides is the conuinction of you twaine then the heart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Son or a Daughter Now tell me said the King what meaneth the casting thereof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therefore neuer labour for further knowledge thereof Yet would I said the King faine vnderstand it and therefore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseech ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shal reueal you wilnot be displeased with her who loueth you so loyally That promise do I faithfully make thee said the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that heart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessity be forsaken And the other said the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue another childe who shall be caryed away against the will of her that caused the losse of the first Thou hast told me strange things said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast told me concerning the Lady I loue For things ordeined and appoynted by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gaine-say or remedy and therefore men of wisdome should neuer be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacity of men farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue bin so curious to vnderstand referre all things to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the end of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so esteemed of him that from thēce forward he had him neere his person by meanes whereof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the king parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costly in garments and faire in beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfrey the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these wordes made the good Prince more sad pensiue then he was before For this time the Auther leaueth this purpose returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whom he made to be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherefore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which
made to me Madame quoth he I know in my selfe so small deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the Queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haueye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwithstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also
be answered the Prince vnlesse you thinke I haue done wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at hand Seeing it hath so fallen out said the three bretheren dispose of vs as they that remain at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines there before him recite al that hath happened saying withall how you were thereto constrained by a yong Knight that sent ye thether who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this mis-deed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to performe wherefore commending them to God he rode away leauing them together CHAP. VI. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentle-man of the sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knights the Gentle-man of the sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not ridden long till they saw two Damosels come toward them by two sundry waies who addressed them-selues to meete together which when they had done they entred into communication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and whē they were come to the Prince she with the Launce aduanced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three dayes it will stand ye in good steed as therewith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these words thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shal be quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first whereof shall be When one of your best friends shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue whereby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath done these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doe my friend Full well I known quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you must note was Vrganda the vnknowne When the other Damosell who heard the words saw her forsake her company she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doe wherefore she said My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conueneient I would gladly for a while abide with ye deferring a iourny that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demand of whence she was where-to she replied that she was of Denmarke And that himselfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assurance thereof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country speech whereupon he said If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tell me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I see her till now I met her on the way and then she said to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I ◅ot knowing her if I forbare now presently to follow her you must thinke Lady the cause is that I cannot find her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the dark euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chanced that they met with a Squire who demanded where they intended to find lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith said the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you cannot long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct you to a Castle belonging to my father who shall do you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosel thinking this councel good desired the Prince to accept there-of which he did therefore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them derectly forth of the way because he had neuer seene the combates of Knights errand and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought thē to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could the Prince take no rest all the night for thinking on the Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gone and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire said he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage thereto but ouer a long draw-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence thereof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needs passe thether by the bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsaull passage March on then said the Prince wherewith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the sea remaining behind entred into such thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well neere forgotten himselfe but at length he heard the noyse of sixe Halberders armed with Corslets and Helmets who at the entrance of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oath that she should neuer beare loue to hir friend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland against King Perion which she refusing cried to the Prince for his assistance This clamour made him forget his musing when adressing himselfe to the Palliardes he said Traiterous villaines who commanded you to lay hands on this Lady
whereto she condiscended tooke the Prince by the hand saying I beseechye Sir grant the king what he hath requested He seeing her importunate took off his Helmet when presently the king knew him that it was the same man he had knighted at the Ladies motion wherefore embracing him he said Right glad am I to know so deere a friend My Lord quoth the Prince I knew you so soone as I came to the Castell to be the man that gaue me mine order of knight-hood wherewith so please it God I meane to serue you while your warre continueth in Gaule willingly I would not be knowne by any one till your troubles be finished You ha ue already said the King done so much for me as I rest bounden to you while I liue allowing you to dispose of me and mine and if as you say you come into Gaule you shall augment with aduauntage the honor due to you then iustly may I tearme the hower happy that it was my fortune to make so good a Knight Such like words vsed King Perion litle thinking how neere they were allied together thus they rode deuising till at length they came to a double way when he demanded of the King which of those waies pleased him to take This on the left hand answered the King because it guideth directly to my Country God haue you then in his keeping said the Prince for I must needes ride this other way I pray ye quoth the King remember your comming into Gaule as you promised me for the hope I haue in you hath abridged part of my sorrow and giueth me assurance withall that by your meanes I shall recouer my losse So tooke they leaue of each other the king toward Gaule and the Prince in company with the Damosell and Gandalin but because she had now seene what she desired namely the proofe of the Launce which Vrganda gaue him she wold trauaile no further out of her way but turning to the Prince said I haue hetherto my Lord with right good will kept ye company because the Lady that gaue ye the Launce said she brought it to the best knight in the world and surely I haue seene so much as I stand in no doubt of her speeches wherefore I shall now shape my course to find her I am sent to as before I tolde ye I pray ye Lady quoth he tell me what she is It is said she the Princesse Oriana Daughter to king Lisuart of great Brittaine When he heard her named whom he loued so deerely his hart began to tremble in such sorte as he had fallen beside his Horse but that Gādalin staied him yet fetching a great sigh said Ah God my hart faileth me the Damosell thinking some sudden sicknes was the cause thereof would haue had him vnarmed but hee tolde her it was needlesse for he was oftentimes wont to feele such passions The Squire who all this while had beene their guide tooke leaue of the Prince as king the Damosell if her way lay toward the Courte of King Languines which she affirming he said he would accompany her thether because hee had busines of some importance there So hauing courteously saluted each other they returned the same way they came the Prince rode on with Gandalin to seeke aduentures Heere leaueth the Author to tel ye what happened to Galaor whom the Giant caried away and gaue in keeping to the aged Hermet as already you haue heard By this time had Galaor attained the age of sixteene yeeres meruailously encreasing in stature comely perfection hauing no other exercise then reading on a Booke which the olde man lent him discoursing the deeds of Armes of sundry ancient Knights Heerein he tooke so great pleasure as on this occasion as also by a naturall instinct he was desirous to be Knighted neuerthelesse he knew not whether by right such honor appertained to him Very earnestly he questioned thereon with the Hermet but the holy man who knew right well that so soone as he receiued the order he should combate against the Giant Albadan his eyes being filled with teares he thus answered My soone much better were it for you to labour in the safetie of your soule then to aduenture on the order of Knight-hood which is to be maintained with wonderous trauaile Father quoth Galaor very hardly shall I follow the calling which I take against my will but in that whereof my hart hath made choyse if God grant me good successe will I aduance his seruice for there-out may I not be during life The good Hermit who then well perceiued his grounded resolution replied Certes my Sonne seeing you are determined to follow Armes I can well assure ye that through fault of high linage you neede not dispaire of good hap in respect you are son to a King and Queene but keepe that to your selfe and let not the Giant know how I told ye so much When Galaor heard this he was exceedingly contented saying to the Hermit In sooth Father the care I haue had all my life time to be a Knight hath beene very great but now I thanke God and you I am rid thereof for by that you haue tolde me I cannot misse ofit The Hermit noting his earnest affection doubted least soone after he would be gone wherefore he gaue the Giant to know his Schollers forwardnes as also how his constitution did now very well serue him being wonderfull desirous of his knight-hood and therefore he should now deale in the cause as best himselfe pleased No sooner was the Giant enformed hereof but presently he got him to Horse-backe and rode to the Hermit with whom he found Galaor of more large stature then his yeeres expressed very comely and beautyfull in euery parte whereupon he thus spake to him I vnderstand Sonne that you would be a Knight to follow Armes truely you shall prepare your selfe to go with me when time serueth and your desire shal be honorably satisfied Father answered Galaor heerein consisteth the summe of mine affection so not long after the Giant departed from the Hermit taking Galaor with him who falling on his knee before the reuerent olde man desired that as he had fatherly nourshed him so still he would remember him in his deuout orisons The holy man with the teares tricling downe his cheekes kissed and blessed him then mounted Galaor on Hors-back and followed the Giant who brought him home to his Castell where for certaine time he practised to combate at Armes as also brauely to manage Horses hauing all things conuenient for the same and two maisters very expert therein When he had continued a yeere at these exercises the Giant seeing him worthy to receiue honor strong enough to endure chiualrie disposed thereon as you shall read hereafter Now againe doth the Author leaue him and discourseth of that which chanced to the Gentleman of the sea who after he departed from King Perion and the Damosell rod two daies together without any
is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beleeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Worthy Lord answered she he onely of whom I speake hath done him to death after hee had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reueng their foile himselfe combated hand to hand with the Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonor hee lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Court yet doubting the corrupt fauour thereof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victory this Helmet may suffiise Vndoubtedly said the king to al there present it it the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs My Lord quoth she I obtained it by exceeding importunity for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the King to rid vs of all other doubtes He nameth himselfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the sea When the King heard this he was greatly abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus spake By my faith I am assuredly perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him neede not be ashamed thereof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I needed not to haue done seeing Chiualry is in him already so well accomplished Then Araies taking occasion to speake demanded of the Damosell where he might meet with his gentle friend My Lord quoth she he humbly commendeth him-selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thether Good newes faire Damosell said Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may find him there with my good will shall I neuer leaue his company You haue reason so to do answered the Damosel for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must thinke it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertly as the watchfullest eye could not descerne it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was Knighted when at length he was aduertised that the Ladyes attending on the Queene could tell better then anybody els which with much a do he obtained of them Then may the Gentle-man of the sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtisie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too yong for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteously wellcomed the Damosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him letters from a Lady that deerely loued him of whome the History hereafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Army trauailing toward Gaule to his Vnckle King Perion CHAP. IX How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladyes and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers court with his troup three Ships of great Brittaine tooke port in Scotland wherein as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred knights of king Lisuarts as also many Ladyes and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Being arriued at the Court of king Languines they were very graciously entertained especially Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardy knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his Ambassadge which was harty thanks froÌ„ king Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreatance of the Princesse his daughter he requested now to haue her home Mabila his daughter with her to whom he would do all the honor could be deuised Right thankfully did king Languines accept this offer and was content that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine dayes soiourned Galdar and his traine in Scotland during which time they were most honorably feasted and in this while the king prepared other Ships to accompany the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherefore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewels the waxe which she had taken from the Gentleman of the sea This gaue her such a remembrance of him as the teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her hands so that the waxe which shee held in them suddenly brake she espied the letter enclosed therein which so soone as she vnfolded she found there writteÌ„ these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes shee conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenance and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was esteemed at the most but the son of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therefore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her on whom she intirely trusted thus spake My good friend I will declare one thing to ye which no other then mine owne hart and you shall know therefore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madam answered the Damosell seeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willingly shall I dye theÌ„ faile therein wel may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to mee shal be altogether kept secret executed to my power TheÌ„ so it is deere friend said Oriana that you must needs go seek the Gentle-man of the sea whom you shall find at the warres in Gaule and if you chance to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall find his name therein wâ—â—tteÌ„ on the day that he was cast into the sea whereby I know him to be the son of a king which ought inspite him with higher courage hardines to encrease the same hee hath already so well begun You shall likewise tel him how the king my father sent for me and therefore I am gone toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquaint him withall and when hee returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limitting al things in such sorte as he may liue in my fathers Court vntill he receiue other commandemeÌ„t of
deliuering our victorie for if they but onely behold your resolute countenances I am certaine they are not able to endure yee let vs then enter among them for God is our defender At these words the most disheartened tooke courage concluding to stay and fight manly with their enemies who soone after in great furie set vpon them Now did King Abies make knowne his magnanimitie and hardly could Prince Agraies men endure the assault nor the Squadron that King Perion brought for King Abies maimed some other he ouerthrew while his Launce held he dismounted euery knight that met with him Afterward he layd hand to Sword wherewith hee carried himselfe so valiantly as the hardyest were amazed thereat for he made way where euer he came so that king Perions men not able longer to hold out began to retyre so fast as they could toward the Citie Whē the Gentleman of the Sea saw that Fortune was so contrary to them in great spight he entered the throng and fought so fiercely as the most part of the Irish-men were glad to stay while the Gaules without disorder retyred toward the Castle then turning his horse he followed them To defend this brunt there was also king Perion and the Prince Agraies who deliuered testimonie to their enemies by the keen edge of their Swords how well they knew to gouerne themselues in such extremities notwithstanding the Irish-men seeing they had the better stil pursued them with eager courage driuing them confusedly into the Citie hoping that now would be the end of their warre Such was the retire of the Gaules still more and more pressed by their enemies as doubtlesse the Irish had entred the Citie after them but that they were hindred by king Perion Agraies and the Prince who wholly did repulse the throng till their people by them were gotten in But now was tydings brought to king Abies that his cousin Dagenel and Gallin Duke of Normandie were slaine whereat he waxed very displeasant and seeing King Perion with his people were inclosed in the Citie he resolued to take leysure for his reuenge wherein he was deceiued for soone after he was very strongly repulsed which made him almost mad with anger And as he thus raged vp downe one of his knights shewed him the Prince saying My Lord hee whom you see mounted on the white Horse is the man that slewe Prince Daganel and the Duke of Normandie with many other the best in our Armie When King Abies heard that he rode to the Prince with these words Knight thou hast slaine the man whom most I loued in the world but if thou wilt combate I hope to be reuenged so well as I shall haue cause to be quit with thee Your men answered the Prince are two little trauailed to meddle with ours notwithstanding if thou wilt as a Knight reuenge him thou louedst and declare the great hardinesse for which thou art renowned chuse of thy men such as thou shalt like and I if it please the King will doe as much of mine for being equall in number thou shalt gaine more honor then with so great an Armie which thou hast brought into this Countrey without iust occasion Beleeue me quoth the King thou talkest well go to chuse thou thy selfe the number of men how many or few thou thinkest good Seeing you leaue it in my choyse replied the Prince I will make another offer which it may be you will account more cōuenient You are mine enemy for that which I haue done and I yours for the wrong you haue done to this Realme so for our seuerall cause of anger it is not reasonable any other then our selues should suffer let then the battaile be betweene you and me onely and presently if you will without longer dallying yet shall you assure me from your men as I will do you from mine so that none shall moue whether the one or the other be vanquished Right well said King Abies do I allow of thy offer whereupon he chose ten Knights on his parte to garde the field And as the Prince laboured to gaine the like of the King with his consent hee found King Perion and Agraies somewhat loath to grant the Combate as well for the consequence that might ensue as also because the Prince was much wearyed and sore wounded beside wherefore they entreated him to déferre the matter till the day following But the desirous affection he had to be conquerour as also to make a finall conclusion of the warre that hee might returne vnder her obeysance from whom he came to serue king Perion would not suffer him to make any longer delay of the glory and honor which he saw so neere at hand For this cause he vsed so many perswasions to the king as in the end hee was granted the Combate and on his side likewise were tenne knights appointed for his guard and safetie in the field CHAP. X. How the Gentleman of the sea fought a Combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule YOu haue heard in what maner the combat was accorded betweene King Abies the Gentleman of the sea and now already is the greatest part of the day spent wherefore it was agreed by the Lords on either side very much against the wils of the two Combatants that all should be deferred till the morrow morning as well that they might refresh themselues and repaire their battered armour as also for regarding such wounds as they had receiued in the passed encounters Hereupon the two Kings withdrew themselues the one to his Campe and the other to his castle But such is the bruite spred through the Cittie what worthy exploits the Gentleman of the sea had done as he could not passe by them but thus they spake with generall voyce Ah famous Knight God giue thee grace to proceed as thou hast begun impossible is it to find a Gentleman so accomplished with beauty and Chiualrie as he is for our eyes are iudges of the one and our enemies full well haue felt the other But you must note that in the morning when they went to the field the King had giuen the Queene in charge that so soone as the Prince returned frō the warre she should send one of her Ladyes to him requesting him not to be vnarmed in any other place then in her chāber wherefore as he went neere the Kings lodging the Lady came vnto him saying Sir Knight the Queene desires you not to be elswhere vnarmed but in her Chamber where she stayeth your comming In sooth said the King you must needes grant this request and I desire it may be so The Prince condisending went where the Queene staied with her Ladies and no sooner was he entred but presently the Ladyes holpe to vn-arme him yet the Queene her selfe tooke the greatest paine of all and as shee had off his coate of Mayle shee perceiued he was sore wounded which she shewing to the King he said I maruaile Gentle-man seeing
passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without iniury they may carry me into my Country and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councel for my ouer burdened Soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thee who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiance of so gentle a Knight as thou art but withall my hart pardon thee my death wishing thou mayest continue honorable and yet hereafter to remember me When the Prince saw him in such debilitie he was exceeding sorowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combate he would haue dealt much worse with him During these speeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commanded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was gifor their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to the Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the fielde into the Citie euen with such triumphant glory as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not onely ouercome their enemies but restore the Country that is well neere ruinated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combate the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at king Perions Courte and before shee would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward seeing him returne with so honorable a victory she shewed her selfe and taking him aside said Knight may it please you to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie neere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and keeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is onely yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall finde your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whom only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosel said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell seeing shee tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that beheld him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former Traunce thus speaking What now my Lord Take you the Message in so ill part that comes from the onely Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to find you Ah Ladie quoth he on my faith I knew not what you sayd to me for euen as you began to speak I felt the paine to renewe in mee which heretofore you haue seene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is needlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer from me for I know more of your affayres and my Ladies then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you neede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittaine appointing all things in such order as at your arriual you may remaine there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainly knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then shee thinkes you will be and seeing being ignorant of your Linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your Nobilitie you should labour to increase your Fame if you can And then againe shee gaue him the Letter saying Take here the Letter wherein your Name is written and which you had hanging about your necke at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast beene kept by her who hath my heart in her custodie and for whom I haue so often assayed to die yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I seeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender value is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauor the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deaths which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefite O highest God when shall I see the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agreeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his Name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir when I had done my Message to returne with all speed to her that sent me to you therefore be thinke your selfe if you will command me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with mee two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct you whither you please In obeying-you sayd the Damosell I trust I doe seruice to my Ladie Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returued to the King and Agraies who stayed for him him at the entrance of the Citie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the streetes Then came the Queene with her Ladyes Gentle-women to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrkesom to behold yet were they to bee healed without any great daunger of his person For this night the king desired that he and Agraies would supp with him but the Prince making his excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosel to whom he did all the honour that could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good Newes shee brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euety one but most with her whom he caused to stay attending his dispositiō till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a strange occasion which was cause of his longer abode in Gaule then hee expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you hereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI How the
teares into his eyes and altogether praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to meete with his Parents being all this while vnknowne to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demanded of him if hee had no other name thē that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three daies past since I knew there-of for as I came from the Combat against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in waxe when I was found in the sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and herewithall he shewed the letter to the Queene which she full well knew so soone as she saw it Beleeue me said the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis de Gaule It was not long before the bruite hereof was spread through the city that the good famous knight was sonne to King Perion and the Queen Elisena wherefore if euery one reioyced you must thinke the Prince Agrates was not sorry for they were found to bee Cozin germames Among the rest the Damosell of Deamarke had knowledge here-of wherefore considering what comfort this would bee to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to return toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good Newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whom aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to her Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you can not so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shedde so many teares These wordes caused the teares to trickle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the Heauens may safely conduct ye yet let mee entreat your friendly remembrance commanding the vttermost of my endeauours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so endebted to my gracious Mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuerthelesse you may say to her that right soon shall I come to shew my obedience and in like Armor will I be clad as when you saw me combate with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily know me if I cannot compasse the meane to speake with you in this manner departed the Damosel of Denmark On the other side Agrates seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside sayd Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate heart will allow me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to command me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonour she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speed and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the onely cause of my parting with you Now must you note heere-withall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the king of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this yong Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tel ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without lād because al the portiō his father left him was onely a poore Castle for the rest he had spent in following armes entertaining Gentle-men whereupon he had the Sirname of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agrates had with Amadis of whō he requested to know where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin qouth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visite the Court of king Lasuart where I haue heard Chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honour then in the kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may command mein their seruice euē as your self or any other as well in respect of our alliance together as also for the gracious entertainment I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies took his leaue beeing Honourably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the fields he saw a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his Horse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell some-time sayd vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she sayd true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whom thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the Flower of Ireland and such a one as that Countrey shall neuer haue his like Vntill time the good brother of the Ladie must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be broght thither the tribute of other Countryes and he must die by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the onely thing of the world which most he loueth And so it hap ned by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that Countrey whom Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demanded of King Marke of Corne wall his Vncle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the onely thing of the world that hee most loued Now must thou be mindefull hereof sayd the Damsel to the King for Vrganda my Mistresse so cōmandeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whom she gaue the Launce commendeth him-selfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce
deale of trauaile to king Lisuart to whom I am going for the same cause My friend replied the knight you shall do your selfe ouer-much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best king in the world for so poore a knight errand as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the king can put no such strenght into me as I haue seene performed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the knight to grant any other thing you will demand for such authority appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearmes Vrganda vnlooked for came to thē where-with the knight of the Lions was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talke thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of knight-hood and yet he is now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous king Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good and I will councel him not to desist from his former motion for you ought nor to deny him seeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the sea except one Seeing it is so replied the knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be needlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them already It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whom you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I receiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword ready but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder tree and you shall finde it farre more faire and good Heere-with they looked vpon the tree yet saw it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yeeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer saw it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tied to a branch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then beene hanged there and by it was a Scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious Worke-manship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a Sword beseemeth a knight so formall and thinke shee hated you not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most cheerefully did Galaor giue her thankes and the knight likewise thus speaking to them I beseech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire ye Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of king Lisuart answerd the knight where I shal be very glad to see you and because it is no long time since I was knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honour as you cannot chuse but doe the like if you come hither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall command mee So departed he from them returning to the Gyant who stayed for him by the Riuer side where hee had hid himselfe least he should bee seene But now you must here obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whō at large shee vnderstood how the knight of the Lyons was Amadis Son to king Perion of Gaule whose cōming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of Armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by inchantmēt she could not compasse it by reason the Ladie of the Castle was too cunning in that Arte and there had first enchanted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whom they came thither and hee by the Damosell Neece to the Ladie of the Castle that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into the Riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda shee demaunded of Amadis if he knew the man to whom hee gaue the Order of Knight-hood No truely Madame quoth he In sooth answered Vrganda it is great reason you should knowe what he is for he beareth so braue a minde that if you both should meet without further knowledge there might happen betweene yee great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father and mother and the very same whom the Gyant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword where-with I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any knight did in Great Brittaine Amadis concieued hereat such inward ioy as the teares trickled downe his cheekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beseech ye Madame tell mee where I may finde him It is not necessarie quoth she that as yet you should seeke him Why said Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may finde him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what hapned to Galaor the new Knight who beeing arriued where the Gyant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks bee to God and him you sent me to a confirmed knight My sonne quoth the Gyant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it is so well effected will yee graunt mee one request
falleth it out with â—ee by thy maister whom fortune hath euer kept mee furthest from but God knowes my good wil hath alway beene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefs and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Doe then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him know how hee shall behaue him-selfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the window where they talked saying Returne to thy master and tell him that this night he must secertly come to the place thou seâ—st remember this withall how the chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and Hodge in and there is a crosse barred window neere the ground where-through we may easily discerne ech other and talk together for his Cozin is acquainted with mine affaires nor is it necessarie they should bee concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger shee thus proceeded Deliuer him this token from mee as the onely Iewell I most esteem and ere thou goest thou shalt see the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discreet as she will easily vnderstand thee yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tydings from her mother Here-upon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whom the Queene of Scots her mother had sent to her but when she saw it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore Oriana went to the Queene leauing them in deepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Queene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this Countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Son to the King of Gaule of whom you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Queen The Squiâ—e saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since hee heard that he was heere and now he maruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Queene right glad would I be to see so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many Countres wherefore I assure ye if he doe come hither hee shall finde here such honourable entertainment as he shal haue no cause to depart in haste Of his Prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I know little but what common bruite hath blazed abroad but heereof I am certaine how hee was one of the most braue yong Gentle-men that euer I saw when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his master were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge hee gaue me to salue you on his behalfe The name of Heauen be for euer praysed quoth shee hauing preserued our Kins-man from such exceeding danger and now sent him hither so honourably Ah Madam said Gandalin hee were happy indeed if the force of loue made him not in worse case then dead for Gods sake therefore doe you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he finde no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how hee cannot with greater desire employ mee then I haue to doe him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commanded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Queene my mother thou mayest come and speak with vs at al times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreams as hee had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight hee had of his Ladie at the Combate encreased such a desire in him to see her at more libertie as euery houre seemed to him longer then a yeare When hee saw that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes hee came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matters should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerfull couÌ„tenance told him that he brought no fadde tydings and rushing into the matter at first said My Lord God make yee as constant as you haue cause to be conteut for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouer-whelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and know that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your self Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the very trueth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the window and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a change of conntenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that hee made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and the other seemed insatiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull Companion I thought my self altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that duty belongs more necessarily to thee because by thy diligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preferued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commuanded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her self shewed it me Ah God sayd Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me Away from me now all sorrowe and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin See here a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honourable loue to you so he gaue him the Ring which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire Ring that hast beene so happy as to be caried and accounted deere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of much inferiour honor yet hast thou not changed thy mistresse for both thou and â—…re hers and she doth compasse my heart hith greater force theÌ„ thou canst possibly binde in my finger Let vs leaue this talk answered Gandalin and returne to the
happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne frō the warres in Gaule CHAP. XVII What were the aduenturs of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amadis had vanquished king Abies of Ireland and was knowne to his father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where be hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the sea side on a sudden hee had a Hart in chase which when he had some prittie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily deserne the raging bellowes of the sea Suddenly arose an exceeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violence as if heauen and the neather religion would haue met together At length he espied a ship tossed in the tempest vnterly destitute of any safety and which was worse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfertlesse night insuing wherewith he being moued to pittie commanded his Squires as a signall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the ship might chuse their best lading place without perishing in the darke him-selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the helpe of God and dilligence of the mariners as the ship tooke safe harbour nere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly affrighted with the maruailous tempast thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most courteous Princes in the world seeing them so well landed and free from danger sent one of his Squires to will them come and refresh themselues in his pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was loth to be troublesome to them knowing they had now neede of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to see them keeping himselfe close in his chāber The Ladyes being seperated to their owne cōtentmēt the mariners made great fiers on the shoare to dry their garmēts and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then to remoue his affection from where it was setled priuily pried in to behold their countenances they being round set about a fiere reciting to each other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affectiō to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome therewith as being no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed forth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this cry especially Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commanded her women to open the dore which presently they did when Agraies told one of thē who he was that shee might secretly imparte the same to her mistresse the news whereof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commanded him to enter Then were embracings kissings freely entercoursed with al other gracious fauours so kind louers could deuise euen the very point wherein loue triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a maiden with like conte◅ as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there six dayes together beguiling the tune with reciptocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her Damosels perceiued Meane while the sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calm which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whither the King her father had sent her to be nourished by the Queene Brisena Which being vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney hee gaue her assurāce that very shortly he would come to her as well to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to seeke his cosin Amadis in king Lisuarts Court according as hee made him promise wherewith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tary long frō her Thus courteously taking leaue of each other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in fewe dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his Court both by him the Queene Oriana and all the other Ladyes was the Princesse and her trayne graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her father as also in respect of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the sea shore giuing many a long look after the ship which caried away the iewell of his heart and hauing lost the sight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his father soiourned and his Vncle Gaiuanes Without land in whose company he intended shortly to visit King Lisuarts Court For there quoth hee to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King Christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderly follow Armes This Galuanes was of gentle heart and a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their horse armour ech one likewise a Squire attēding on him Hauing wind at wil in short time they landed at Bristow where they made no long aboad but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demāded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thither To see if I can finde the good Knight sayd shee who knoweth how to remedy a griefe I endure at this presēt You abuse your selfe Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demanded you shal finde no other Knight then the great Gyant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorow he wil quickly double it on your own head If you knew so much as I doe quoth the Damosell you would not imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Gyant and killed him in battaile hand to hand Beleeue me virgin replied Galuanes you tell vs matter of great maruaile in respect neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Gyant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one himselfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death and yet this attempt of the King is thought the greatest stratageme that
euer was heard of then sound not your speeches to any likely-hood for this Gyant surpasseth all other in strength cruelty Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath done no lesse then I told ye wherewith she 〈◊〉 the whole manner thereof they reputing it strange and almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew the Knights name His name quoth she is Galaor son to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withal naming my Cosin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing Hereupon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Gyant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of Chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his ayde on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was born hereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath beene already declared to you yet she cōcealed the louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir sayde she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great griefe to the other Ladyes doubting least shee through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castle more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Seeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will performe what Galaor should doe if not in strength yet in good will and therefore be you our guide to the place The Damosel turned her haqueney and led them with such speede to the Dukes Castle that they arriued there the day before the execution should be Now was the Duke set down to dinner when the two Knights entring the great hall humbly saluted him when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that hee should presently know the cause of their comming where-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false and disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered seeing she hath no way mis-done and if it be needfull to proue her innocency by battaile let come two other to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defēders Wel haue you sayd replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knights challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behoueth thee to find some defence for thy selfe For that I am not to seek my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the truth of what I haue said Here-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephew so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other father to him he sayd I pray ye Nephew maintain my quarrell against these two Knights Scarse had he thus spoken but his Nephew returned this answer to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyal Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the false Damosell brought hither It may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in Combate he dealt villainously the Damosell ought to dy because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes Chamber Agraies who found himselfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped forth with this answer In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but wee auouch he hath done no wrong if the Duke please this difference shall be soone decided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the damosel ought to be deliuered the Dwarfe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the cōtrary replied the Dwarffes Champion then calling for his armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle Courser and turning to Agraies who presented him the Cōbare thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whō this quarrell begā too high a price should I set on thy folly We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou canst doe but I am assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reasō then do I leaue thee to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on truth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was done when seeing the Knights prepared to execute their speeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place apointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies being obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Performe the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosel be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not been offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherefore if my fortune make mee Conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde you what I meane to doe said the Duke and otherwise it shall not be Agraies tarrying for no more wordes turned his horse running a braue carrire against the Dwarfes Knight and in the encounter brake their staues gallantly meeting likewise so furiously with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered themselues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to each other their Swordes being verie sharpe the Knights valiant and hautily disposed by means where-of their Armour Helmets and sheeldes were in short time made of slender resistance yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephew had stil the better of his enemy if then he had before esteemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he so to doe notwithstanding hee was so hot and vigorous as often-times he seemed out of breath which made euery one imagine regarding his violence that hee could not long endure But in him it proued farre otherwise for the longer the Combate endured his courage and strength the more increased by reason whereof he became the Conquerour as shall hereafter be declared The Nephew to the Dwarffe found him-selfe so hardly handled as he drew back a little thus speaking to Agraies Me-thinkes Sir Knight wee haue made proofe enough of what we are able to performe
her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let mee not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two from me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames shee was maruailously abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned shee spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wont to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further danger if shee reuiue againe Come I pray yee succour her for now is the time of greatest neede and let these lamentations be referred till another time Mabila perceiuing the Damosell saide true wherefore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenesse some hope of life to bee expected they lifted her vpon the bed when soon after her spirites returned to their office and to qualifie this agonie they could deuise no better means then to busie her eares with some or other speeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speake to vs. Madame saide the other your Amadis is yet aliue and well At the name of Amadis shee opened her eyes turning her head here and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sigh started vp saying Alas sweete friend where is he We vnderstand quoth shee that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wont to vaunt of himselfe without cause feeding himselfe with false praise of deceiuing Knights Why saide Oriana haue I not heard that hee brought his horse and armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as wel be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to try out constancy then finding vs thus weakely disposed hee should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you thinke so simply Madam that Amadis could be ouercome by one and no better a knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of himselfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he finde you not onely dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to griefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by malice can do and thus you both shall die one for another When Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her friend if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the truth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amorously conferred when first he ariued at her fathers Court and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah window the witnesse of my abādoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whom thou causest me remember and by whose gracious words both thou and I were made happy Of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou indure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue done which fayling mee now giueth me strange and insupportable torments to bee my companions and hence-forth shall my sad spirit remaine in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then shee had done in this manner Why Madam thinke you if I held these babling newes for truth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sort the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite all the world to weepe then want consolation for you who stand in such neede thereof But I see so slender appearance of beleefe as I will not before time require repute you vnfortunate because discomforting our selues without asurance The euill hereby may be amended and the good made much more worse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time beene shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he bee dead I care not though our loue were openly knowne for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladies all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demanded for Oriana she answered that she accompanied Mabila whom she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her griefe for her Cosin Amadis Thus was the princesses secret sadnesse couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults between doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoynas entred the palace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew them for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knees before the king were quickly called to remembrance his maiesty thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue tarryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath bin the cause whereout had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen liberty to me this Lady and many more by such deedes of Armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue been deliuered Yet was he once in danger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damosels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whom hee verily thought to be dead What my friend quoth he by the faith thou owest to God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demanded such a questiō Because sayd the King Arcalaus yesterday tolde vs he had slaine him heere-with he declared his speeches and the manner how What a traiterous villaine is that replied Brandoyuas but worse is befalne him then he weeneth as yet hereto he added what passed betweene Amadis Arcalaus as already you haue heard whereby each one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes the King presently commanding that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Queene that shee might vnderstand these happy tidings Into the Queenes chamber is she brought and the Damosell of Denmarke hearing her reporte ran with all speede to the Princesse Oriana who hearing by her the truth of all the passage of her speech was stopt for a long time seeming as one confounded with enchantment thinking in these newes shee gaue her the bag or that she dreamed them but when she recouered the vse of her tongue she thus answered the
Damosell Alas my friend did I raue or toldest thou me that Grindaloya testified to the Queene how Amadis is not dead In good faith quoth the Damosel I came but euen now from her highnes chamber where Grindaloya declared how Arcalaus had deceiued theÌ„ Happy bee this houre sayde Oriana but I pray thee goe tell my mother that Mabila entreates her to sende the Lady to comfort her which she did returning right soone with Grindaloya to Oriana I leaue to imagine whether shee were well entertained or no with all the modest courtesies so glad tidings deserued likewise whether Oriana and Mabila gaue her audience when she recounted Amadis deedes of armes at Valderin the misery of her and many other the danger whereinto he fell afterward by the enchantments of Arcalaus from which hee was deliuered by two strange Damosels The discourse hereof so pleased contented them that I think Grindaloya had an endlesse taske in the reporting for Oriana must heare euery thing often redoubled But repeating the dangers of Amadis and the misery from which he deliuered the poore captiues caused teares so thick as winters haile to trill downe her cheekes Thus taried Grindaloya all day wiih the two Princesses and had not so soone departed but that shee was aduertised how that King Arban of Norwales who loued her deerely expected her returne in the Queenes chamber Good reason had she to take leaue of Oriana and seeke him from whom shee suffered such sorrow But when these loyall louers met together each one was delighted so substantially as Grindaloya thought her griefes well recompenced Now because the Queene vnderstood how shee was daughter to King Ardroyd of Seralis and all her miseries had been for the loue of king Arban with instant intreaty shee procured her stay in the Court doing her all the honour and fauour could be deuised Grindaloya was not curious in granting the Queenes request because king Arban was partaker in the same suite by this occasion the Queene was aduertised that shee had a maruailous faire sister named Aldena who was nourished in the Duke of Bristoyaes castle which made her presently dispatch a Gentleman thither with request that the Dutchesse would send her to the Court This Aldena was the friend to Galaor shee for him suffered such iniurie by the Dwarff as you haue heard before discoursed We haue a long time continued with Amadis now let vs returne againe to Galaor leauing King Lisuart in hope to see him soone in his Court whom Arcalaus said he had slaine in combat CHAP. XXII How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monastery where he soiurned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him shall be declared in this Chapter FIue dayes together aboade Galaor at the Monastery whether he was conducted by the Damozell he deliuered from prison attending there the recouery of his wounds but when hee found himselfe able to weare his Armor he tooke leaue of the sisters and rode on his iourney euen which way fortune pleased to guide for he had minde to no part more then another About mid-day he arriued in a valley in the middest whereof stood a fayre fountain where he found a knight armed hauing no horse Galaor maruailing thereat demanded if hee came thither on foote the knight returning this answere Beleeue me no but riding through this Forrest to a Castle of mine I met with certaine theeues that slew my Horse thus am I brought into the state you behold me by reason my seruants heare not of my misfortune Why You shall haue my Squires monture answered Galaor I thanke you sir quoth the Knight yet before wee part hence you shall know the great vertue of this fountaine for there is no poyson in the world so strong that hath any force against this water wherefore by reason of so soueraigne a benefit often times enuenomed beasts doe drink here-of and are presently healed beside diuerse of this Countrey vse to come hither and finde redresse for all their infirmities In sooth you tell me meruailes replied Galaor and seeing I am now so neere it I will alight to drinke thereof as others haue done Good rrason you should answered the Knight because you are ignorant of comming this way againe Galaor leaped from his Horse bidding his Squire alight to drinke as he did but while they were drinking the knight clasped on his owne head Galaors helmet and taking his Launce mounted on his Horse when leauing the Prince drinking he rode away saying Farewell Knight I must be gone tarry thou here to beguile another as I haue done thee Galaor lifting his head from the water and seeing the Knight make such hast away thus called to him Ah villaine neuer did theefe such a treacherous pranck as thou hast done for thou hast not alone deceiued me but committed an act of great disloyalty which thou shalt well know if euer I meet with thee Yea mary answered the knight rest your selfe there till you recouer some other meane to combat with me Gone is the Knight so fast as he could gallop leauing Galaor chasing like a mad man but seeing there was no remedy he mounted on his Squires horse and pursued him til at length he came to a double way when not knowing which of them to take because he had lost the sight of him hee stood still in great pensiuenes till at length hee saw a Damosel come riding a pace toward him of whom hee demanded if she met not a knight mounted on a bay Courser bearing in a whiâ—â— sheeld a vermilion flower What would you with him replyed the Damosell I would quoth he recouer again my horse Armes for they be mine and by false villanies hee hath carried them from me When happened this said the Damosell wherewith Galaor told her all the discourse Well quoth the Damosell what can you doe to him being thus vnarmed for I thinke hee tooke them not away to restore them againe I care for nothing else said Galaor but to finde him once more Trust me answered the Damosell if you wil grant me one boone soone shall I bring ye together againe Galaor being very desirous hereof agreed to any thing she would demand Follow me then quoth she so turning her horse rode the same way she came keeping coÌ„pany a while together but the Damosell being better mounted then he left him behinde with his Squire rid before so fast that they had lost the sight of her trauailing the space of 3. miles without any news of her but at last on a great plain they saw her returne againe here you must note that the cause of her riding thus before was to aduertise the other knight being her deere friend of their comming and hee had expressely sent her to fetch Galaor to deceiue him of the rest of his Armour which he imagined easily to do without danger seeing hee had gotten the chiefest thing of his defence and afterward he intended to
his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies will ye not see your sister whom you loue so deerly Yes Madam quoth he â—o it please you to giue me lâ—… with he arose and came 〈…〉 who stepping forward to meet him you must think Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcoÌ„med him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia louing him as you haue heard ouermastring her will with reason as a most wise well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand a while asunder from all the rest Yet did Agrates keep neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any answere to his sister She being ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this suddaine mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with each others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauor them with more libery feigning a desire to speake with her Vnckle Galuanes which she prettily coloured in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Vnckle may come hither because it is long time since I saw him and I haue some that to acquaint him with all secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agrates whereupon he went to the Queene thus spake Madam if you could spare mine vnckle a little you might doe his Neece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good said the Queene at which words Galuanes went with him which Mabila seeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Fayre Neece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye do you like Scotland or this Countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the window because I haue many things to tell ye which were needelesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they being of such importance as they are These words shee vttered smiling and with a marueilous good grace cheefely because her brother might court his friend alone And well said Neece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes bee kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes whereof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone When the Prince perceiuing hee had liberty to speake trembling in aboundance of affection he began thus Madam to accomplish your commandement when you parted from mee as also to satisfie my heart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gratious contentment conueyed thereto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my Faith that being neere your person my spirits feele themselues viuified in such sort as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therefore I desire ye if it bee your pleasure to limit mee some better hap hereafter in place where I may often see and doe you seruice And as hee would haue proceeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the griefe you endure we being absent one from another as no other proofe is required then what mine owne heart doth plainely testifie smothering a displeasure worse then death it selfe whereto oftentimes I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerefull hope rebacke this despaire how one day our loue shall meet together with happy contentation And perswade your selfe that I daily trauaile in remeÌ„brance of our mutuall loue meane while sweete friend remporize and dismay not Mistresse sayde Agrates you haue already so bouÌ„d me to you as I must in duty temporize till time you please but I desire yee to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortifie mee withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shall haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer will I faile yee be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteeme yee whereby I may striue to loue you more then any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine onely And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioy therein for it cannot bee without recital of your haughty courage chiualry yet my heart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer bold venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare himselfe so praised vayled his lookes and shee loath to offend him altred her speech demanding what hee was determined to doe On my faith Madam quoth he I wil do nothing but what you please to coÌ„mand me I will then sayd Oliuia that hence-forth you keep company with your Cosen Amadis for I knowe hee loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to bee one of this Court deny it not Beleeue me Madam answered Agrayes both you and such good counselling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I wil more credite with mine affaires then my honourable Cosen Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing hnowledge of him in her fathers kingdome of Denmark where hee performed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her auncient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Queene and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertayned him maruailous kindely as well for Amadis sake whom hee loued as also the curtesie hee shewed her in Scotland when king Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cosen we haue daily desired your presence heere especially your sister who not many dayes since was in great grief by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truly you would haue wondered therat Good reason had she Madam quoth Agraies to be sorrowful and not she alone but all the rest of his linage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cosen dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue
from his shoulders This is quoth hee the rewarde of thy treacheries done to Anthebon and payment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this deede hauing heard Galaor often name her father fell on her knees before him with these words Alas my Lord you haue bouÌ„d me in such duty to you as neuer shall I be able to requite your paines my selfe being of such simple and slender ability but the good will I haue to recompence this benefit hath imprinted daily prayers in my heart to God for you hauing so iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traytour Galaor curteously taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire friend hee were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are seeing you much bettet deserue to be loued and serued then with griefe or fauour to bee offended but tell mee haue you any more enemies in this Castle No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doe you honour and obeysance Let vs goe then quoth hee to let in two Damosels who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand shee commanded the gate to bee opened the two Damosels entered leading Galaors horse but when they sawe their yong Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demanding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth shee I thanke God and this knight who hath done that many other could not doe It was now the vehement hot time of the day wherefore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to bee touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnesse shee began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honorable Lord friend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as well in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceased fathers sake he and I being borne in one Countrie May if it please ye Sir sayde shee to tell mee your name Such as are acquainted with mee answered the Prince tearme mee Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth shee often haue I heard my father speake of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sons to the King of Gaul his liege Lord and Soueraigne As thus they deuised they entered alone into a chamber while the Damosels with the rest were pouiding viands wherefore Galaor seeing time and place so commodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindly shee being a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta himselfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard hee had great reason for it knowing you to bee such a one as I see you are for my selfe who haue so little acquaintance with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happy if you granted me the fauour I desire accepting mee as your friend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde yee my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therefore you 〈…〉 sured how mâ—… you in all things whatsoeuer â—…ring these speeches Galaor still held his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden whereto Brandueta yeelded with greater contentment then all her former resistances to Palingues from whom shee kept her virginity so long that shee was now content to bestow it on the French Prince and hee hauing a good stomacke to such dainty dyet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many mabracings and amorous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Footresse of loue the Damosels came to tell them that dinner was ready wherefore though loath they were forced to leane off accompanying the Damosels to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallery inuironed with trees As they sate at the table and discoursed of many matters among other things Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so strongly considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and king Perions subiect the sooner would they assay to worke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she hee allowed no other entrance then by the basket into this Castle where I haue liued in maruailous griefe and sorrowe as neuer shall I desire to tarry here longer therefore right gentle Lord and friend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not bee a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and thoughâ—… were late yet got they to horse-backe departing from the Castle but for all their haste they were two houres benighted which brake no square in respect of the good newes the good Lady with all her family ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could bee deuised beside the comforted widow cast herselfe at his feete vsing these speeches Worthy Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition whatsoeuer wee enioy because you are the restorer confirmer of all I thank you Madame answered Galaor for your friendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater part of the night beeing spent they brake off talke and bequeathed themselues to rest and Galaor being alone in his chamber remembred his louely breakefast before dinner with his new friend who likewise was so deepe in consideration thereof that shee could wish such another ere supper and whether she did or no iudge you For no sooner knew she euery one to bee in bedde but secretly shee came to Galaors chamber where shee had no churlish speeches to driue her away but most dainty sweete and gracious entertainement what else they did I know not but shee tarryed there till morning and then returned vnseene of any CHAP. XXVII How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosel met another Knight with whom he combated and what happened to him afterward YOu haue heard what haste Amadis made after the Damosell whom the knight led away perforce bearing and misusing her very cruelly but hee happened to meet with another Knight who demanded of him why he rid so fast What haue you to do answered Amadis whether it be my pleasure to ride fast or soft In good faith said the knight Ispeake it as one willing to helpe you if you be offered wrong by any that you may goe in better asurance if you bee affraid
we most desire yet when wisely and discreetely they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are worthy no praise they bee euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more esteeme your succour to mine honour then my life because the difference betweene the is farre incōparable Well said Balays what will you now I shall do for you Let vs leaue these dead carcasses replyed the Damosell and goe where wee may stay till day light I like your counsell answered Balays if I had another horse but being now destitute I know not what to doe We will ride on my horse saide the Damosell till wee finde further remedy so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested themselues till Sunne rising and then they went to horse backe againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the knight who caused Galaors horse to escape away from him hee asked the Damosell what should become of her My Lord quoth shee not farre hence is a house whither when you haue brought mee you may depart to what place you please As thus they rode communing together he sawe a knight come towarde him carrying his legge on his horses necke but drawing neerer he put foote in stirrop couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell both from the horse afterward he vsed these speeches In sooth Lady I am sorie for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue done ye I will bring yee where you shall be contented because he that hath the charge of you is vnworthy to haue so faire a creature in his custody Ere this had Balays recouered himselfe and knowing him to bee the knight he sought for hee drew his sworde saying By thee villaine haue I lost my horse and my companion thou hast in like sorte abused now finding mee vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but both for him and my selfe will I be reuenged on thee else let mee be thought vnworthy of my order What quoth the knight art thou one of them that mocked mee as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockerie on thee Heereupon they presently fell to combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemy got him vnder foot when renting his helmet from his head hee tooke his life as ransome for his villany and breaking his sword in peeces layd them by him then mounting on his horse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their way toward the tree where he left Galaor But because their stomacks well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holy life who bestowed on them such cheer as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her from the theeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slaine her seruants and shee destitute of helpe whereof the holy women were very glad by reason those theeues did much harme in that countrey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell took their leaue and comming to the tree met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherefore they concluded no more to sunder themselues vntill they arriued at King Lisuarts Court By this time the night drew on apace whereupon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her friendly offer wene with her beeing there entertayned and vsed very honourably Early in the morning arming thēselues they thanked their gentle host his daughter framing their course towarde Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented his horse to Galaor which he won from the knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath thereby CHAP. XXX How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heretofore declared the ioy and cōtent of good king Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely minde hee concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificient Court as all his ancestors in Great Brittaine neuer did the like Which Oliues perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cosen germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring hee might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two knights more beside himselfe hee would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other knights Warning hereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclaymation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should bee ready at the Citty of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroade by the Queene to aduertise the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resorte came to the Court where all kindes of pastimes and sporres were inuented without respect of fortunes malice any way who commonly in great assemblie of states when least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attryred entered the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demanding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiesty him-selfe the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well do you seem a King by your porte and countenance yet may it bee doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you see and hereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Mee thinkes my Lord answered the Damosell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doe desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make mee such a liberall offer I hope one day to try the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must bee assembled many valiant men who shll know by the promise you haue made me how worthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualry is honoured by you Damosell sayde the King so much as effects may better my wordes so much the more will it glad me to see good store of hardy knights there present My Lord quoth shee if effects answere your wordes I shall haue great reason to bee contented So tooke shee
with gracious behauiour as they might be termed Lords both in heart and hand the only meane that made them be serued with fedelity Therefore my good friends I desire you all euen in the most intire affection I can vse that you assist me to your vttermost in recouery of good Knights either of our owne or strangers promising you by the faith and word of a king so honorably to entreate and esteeme of them as both they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my nobleÌ„ friends that the better we bee accompanied the more we shall be feared of our enemies our state in greater safety and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new friends cannot make vs forgetfull of our olde let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yeelde and consent thereto Againe I entreat ye and expressely command that each of you presently name such to me as you know happely they being yet vnknowne to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may bee the better affected to our seruice likewise we entreat them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire withdrawing him-selfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commanded to bee well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawne againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good friends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must grant me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particularly know the seruice you haue done me and you â—ast such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Hereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the kings request except Amadis because he was the Queenes knight and al this while was she present at these matters wherefore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord seeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honour your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doe the like to the Ladies and Gentle-women of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentle-men after you shall not deny mee considering that in semblable company good things deserue to bee demanded and granted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answer my friends shall we make the Queene shall we agree to her demand Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a princesse so vertuous Seeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine whatsoeuer she asketh At these words the Queene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hence-forth you would doe such honour to Ladies and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrells against all such as would molest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some suite to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most neede to be holpen This granted hereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wont to do them iniurie meeting them in the fields and knowing they haue such knights as you are for their protect ours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gaine-say it wee will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a law inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII How while this great and loyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to the Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged MEane while this honorable company thus continued free from all danger and mis-hap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delights there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knees before the King thus spake My Lord ech one is merry but my poore selfe who am so crossed with griefe and sorrow as death were the best friend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These wordes were dipt in such aboundance of teares as the King being moued therewith to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to relieue your sadnesse but tell me who is the cause thereof Dread Lord quoth she my Father and Vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whom they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him said the King Because he vanted replied the Damosel that he alone would combat with them and so proud he grew in speeches as at length he defied them Not long after they meeting one day together the knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and vncle could not indure the iniurie but falling to the combat the knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she said procured his comming to maintain a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers being her great enemy wherfore seeing him dead she caused the conquerors to be taken put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my father and vncle often told her that they would performe for her what the knight should haue done But she answered how shee well knew they were not sufficient for the cause therefore should neuer be released vntill they deliuered her two knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whoÌ„ they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doe Know you not Damosell said the King against whom they shoulde combat or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue seene my father and vncle cruelly put in prison where their friends caÌ„ compas no meanes to see them Herewith she began again to weep that euery one pittied to behold her which made the king aske her if the place were far off In fiue daies my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone returned Now trust me said the king you shall not want your ioy for two knights wherefore looke among al these gallants and chuse such as you best fancy My Lord replied the Damosell I am a stranger and know not any one in this Court But
if you please I will iâ—treate the Queene to doe me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doe so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are sayde to bee one of the wisest and most vertuous dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye theÌ„ for the honor of God to take coÌ„passion on a poore Gentlewoman and counsell me which two knights I shall chuse that are best able to support my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demand a matter of great importance yet in such sort doe I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whome I could name in this company TheÌ„ shee shewed her Amadis saying This is my knight And pointing to Galaor sayde This other is the Kings yet be they both bretheren and the best Knights as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one sayd the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replied the Damosell is this Amadis the knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as hee and his brother shall arriue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therefore I desire you to obtaine mee their company Hereupon the Queen called them saying I beseech yee both to succour this woman who standeth in neede of your assistance Amadis was somewhat slow in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and thereby he was certified of her consent wherefore hee thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to do whatsoeuer you shall command me Go then in Gods name quoth she and returne again with all possible speed without tarying for any thing that may happen Hereto they willingly condescended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained hee would speake to Mabila when comming neere her and Oriana hee sayde to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the world sends mee to succour the most wofull woman I euer did beholde Sweete friend quoth Oriana I repeÌ„t that I gaue you so much libertie because my minde telleth me this attempt will proue some-what dangerous to you which I hope the heauens will powerfully defend I am perswaded Madame answered Amadis that as the wonderfull worke-man of the world hath enriched you with beauty beyond all other women he will not suffer you to feele displeasure by any mis-fortune happening to mee for being yours as I am I imagine my selfe so happy as I thinke no euill can chance to mee if I continue in your gracious fauour If it lay in my power replied Oriana I would reuoke your licence of departure but seeing it may not bee I will remaine in prayer for your prosperous successe So taking leaue of her hee and Galaor went to arme them-selue then doing their humble duty to the king they rode away in company of the Damosell As thus they trauailed about mid-day they entred the fortrest which commonly was called the vnfortunate Forrest because neuer any knight errant entred into it that could escape without some michiefe and so these two bretheren deerely experimented for such mishap befell them as they verily thought to lose their liues Still rode they on without any aduenture till the Mo one begaÌ„ to grace the euening yet would not the Damosell shew any signe of stay which made Amadis aske this question Gentlewoman shall we rest out selues here awhile Yea mary quoth shee here before wee shall finde tents ready prouided and people in them who expect your comming make then a little hast I pray you because I will goe before to aduertise them They were very well content therewith and so the Damo sell left them till soone after they espied the tents where they saw her among other Ladyes and knights who bad theÌ„ welcome at their arriuall and being alighted from their horses they were conducted into a Pauillion hauing seruants standing ready to take their armour which they had no sooner put off but was caryed by them into another roome where-upon Amadis demanded why they did so Because replied the Damosell you must lodge where they haue caryed your armour He imagining shee sayde true made no further enquirie but sate downe with his brother on stooles that stood ready for them attending the houre of supper Not long had they sitten there but fiue knights well armed entred furiously vpon them saying Yeelde your selues else you are slaine When Amadis heard and saw their bad behauiour he knew right well they were betraied and starting vp saide to Galaor By God brother wee are treacherously deceiued Theâ— finding no remedy but present death after they had strugled with the knights who eâ—â—ily might haue taken their liues Aâ—…dis thus spake Ah villaines you haue vs now at too much aduantage deliuer vs our armes and this quarrell shal be otherwise decided These wordes will little profit yee answered the Knights yeeld your selues our prisoners or we will kill ye So may you doe sayd Galaor like traitours as you are and I will maintaine my wordes against two or three of you if you dare deliuer me mine armes We need no such proofe replied the knights but if you contend in further speeches you shall deerely buy them with the losse of your liues Now trust me quoth Amades wee rather will dye then be prisoners to such villaines as you are Herewith one of the knights went foorth and comming to a Lady he said Madame they will not yeelde shall wee kill them Stay awhile quoth she and if they graunt not my will deale as you please with theÌ„ Then came the Lady who was mauaileous beautifull into the tent and shewing the countenance of a very angry woman thus spake to Amadis and Galaor Knights yeeld your selues my prisoners otherwise you must die Brother answerâ—d Galaor it may bee shee will pittie vs let vs yeelde our selues to her And Madame quoth hee wee beseech yee deliuer our horses and armour when if all your seruants can conquer vs wee will bee content to submit our selues but if you dâ—nie vs this reasonable request wee must esteeme the lesse of you and they that deale with vs so discourteously I willgiue no credence to you at this time replyed the Lady but would counsell ye to yeeld your selues to mee Whereto at length they accorded seeing they could no way else saue their liues yet knew she not their names for the Damosell that conducted them thither would not tell her because if her Mistresse vnderstood what they were she knew they might not
how she would prooue the vertue of his heart whereupon hee thus answered In good faith Damosel I haue now more neede of â—oy then euer I had notwithstanding I am readie to accomplish any thing I promised you It is the only thing my Lord quoth she of my returne to you being the most loyall King in the world wherefore humbly I intreate yee presently to reuenge my cause on a knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content there-with the villaine violently tooke mee away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is hee enchanted as hee cannot bee done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of Great Brittaine giue him a wound with this Launce and another with this sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Ladie of whom hee had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for shee hateth him aboue all others for which cause she gaue mee this sword and Lance whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it bee done but by you onely who are the chiefe and most vertuous man in this countrey wherefore as you promised mee before so valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often tolde him that by this day I would bee prouided of a knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending onely for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for hee little thinketh that I haue the Sworde and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agreement together if hee remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniury but if he be vanquished hee must doe what I command him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when hee had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels sworde about him leaning his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company hee rode on with her shee carrying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayde My Lord take your helmet for this is he you must deale withall which the King quickly did approaching neare the knight sayd Proud Traytour defend thy selfe and thy lawlesse lust So couching their Launces they encountred together when the King perceiued how his painted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his sword to charge the knight but at the first strok the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hee imagined himself betraied for the knight did what he pleased to him But as hee would haue killed his horse the King being quick nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such sort they strugled together as they both fell to the ground the knight vnderneath and the King vpon him by meanes whereof hee got his sword from him and vnlacing his helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shee could Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cosen quickely or else hee dies When the King heard her name Arcalaus hee looked vp and sawe ten braue knights come running vnto him the one of them vsing these wordes King Lisuart spare the knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one houre If I die answered the King so shall you all for mee like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not onely sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did hee recouer himselfe very quickely like one resolued to defend his life albeit hee sawe death present before his eyes But being vnable to resist so many at length they got sure holde on him when renting off his helmet his shield they bound him fast with a double chaine Afterward they set him on a simple horse two knights still holding the ends of the chain and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmark but the knight against whom the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus sayde Beholde Cosen kin Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus henceforth shall his enemies haue no cause to dread him Villaine quoth the King well know I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my words if thou darest combate with me By God sayde Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all speed to London and say to Lord Barsinan that hee must execute what I willed him for I haue begunne indifferently if hée can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Citie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore hee sayde to his Cosen Take tenne knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prison at Daguanell these other foure shall keepe mee companie for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shew her strange and wonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboade beeing one of the strongest and fairest in the worlde thus the ten knights carryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certainely if heere wee consider the properties of fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more towardes great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well shee witnessed by king Lisuart euen in the time when hee intended most honourably to bee twharted with such a contrary chance For at one instant hee sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemies his Daughter and heire to his kingdome taken from him and all his estate in danger of ruine Hee that was wont to be honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a theefe by a villainous enchanter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this day are called to the greatest honours in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenance suffred him to fall in these dangers to the end hee might remember how al creatures remaine at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time hee was brought so lowe as might be and afterwarde restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI How Amadis
still comforting his dismayed Mistris and shee reioycing in her louely friend Gandalin arriued who had sought his Master all that night and happily found him there with his Lady Now minded they to tarry no longer in this place wherfore making choyce of the knights horses to their owne liking they all mounted Amadis leading Orianaes Palfray by the bridle and shee rehearsing to him by the way what iniury the dead knights had done her as in her life time she neuer endured the like Madame answered Amadis much greater griefe haue I suffered by a liuing creature yet lesse to be feared then the dead who can doe no harme but beauty onely hath hazarded my life Albeit Oriana well knew his meaning yet shee demanded who was the cause thereof Euen you Madame quoth he who hold mee in a life more irkesome then death My Lord said the Princesse neuer with my consent did you sustaine any harme and very sorie would I be you should thinke mee so vnkinde for rather could I affoord to ease your griefe were it in my power to compasse the meane Ah Madame replyed Amadis as by you onely I took my hurt so from you onely must I haue my help and reason reputes it a matter of great inconuenience that such rare perfections should cause so rough passions But if you be indued with such pitty as the rest of your excellencies do plainly promise you will not beholde that in me which you grieue to see in your chiefest enemies euen death gentle Princesse who in my torments awaiteth on me forbearing to strike beeing conquered with this hope that did opportunity and place serue your passed promise shold ease your thoughts and deliuer me from this weighty oppression But see how sweete occasion fauoureth vs and fortune stands aloose from hindering our content doe not you then good Madame let slip this gracious offer when time and place challenge it at your hand considering the argument is vrgent and being now loytered may hardly be againe so well recouered Oriana not so much for these reasons as because her pain was equall with his had not he begun the motion her selfe would haue solicited the same thus answered Great is the force of your perswasioÌ„s but greater the vnfained loue I beare you which hath such authority ouer me as when you shall haue least occasion to demand I am content and constrained to obey yea to repose such a thing in your trust as very hardly can I holde fast in my thoughts Yet I desire you albeit you see me not stored with prouidence that you will carefully mannage our enterprise by warie keeping it from knowledge or suspect rather submitting our selues to the highest displeasure then common reproofe which is containd within no limits Sufficient protestation made Amdais hereof but little batterie needed when the hole was won and riding through a verie thick wood the Princesse became desirous of sleepe because the night before she enioyed no rest whereupon shee acquainted Amadis therewith saying shee must needes sleepe ere she went any further â—Hee beeing no vnprofitable counseller and seeing a daintie plot by a riuers siue shaddowed with boughes from the heate of the sunne aduised her to rest there awhile and dismounting from their horses hee thus spake So please you Madame in this place we may stay till the heate be gone and you rest in tarying for the cold euening in meane space I will send Gandalin to the Towne to bring some viands to refresh vs withall Your reason is good saide Oriana but how shall hee come by meate He shall leaue his horse in pawne answered Amadis and returne on foote Yet I quoth Oriana haue a better helpe then that hee shall sell this ring which can doe vs no better seruice then now in our neede So pulling the ring from her finger she gaue it to Gandalin who taking his leaue as hee came by his Maister saide So good time lost will neuer bee had againe Amadis knew his meaning well enough yet made he no shew thereof but vnarmed him-selfe and Oriana spreading the Damosels mantle on the grasse laide her downe vpon it the Damosell likewise went aside into the wood where shee fell soundly asleepe by reason she watched all the night before Thus remained Amadis alone with his mistresse so glad of her gentle grant and the fauourable houre at hand as hee could not withdraw his eyes from comfort which made him delay time in needelesse gazing In the end though his hands had beene slow in vnarming him all his other members were in better state for not one of them but did his duty The heart was rauished in thoughts the eye in contemplatioÌ„ of excellent beauty the mouth with sweete kisses the armes with kinde embracings and no one mal content in any poynt except the eyes which wished themselues in number like the starres in heauen for their better ability in function thinking they could not sufficiently beholde so diuine an obiect In great paine were they likewise because they were hindered from the pride of beauty for the Princesse held her eyes closed as well to disguise her desire of sleepe as also for the discreet shame conceiued by this pleasure so that shee durst not boldly looke on him she most loued Hereupon carelesly spreading her armes abroad as though she slept in deed and by reason of the exceeding heate leauing her gorget open two little alablaster bowles liuely shewed themselues in her bosome so faire and sweetly respiring as Nature neuer shewed more curious workmanshippe Now Amadis forgetting his former bashfulnesse seeing Fortune allowed him so quaint a fauour let loose the reines of amorous desire with such aduantage as notwithstanding some weak resistance of the Princesse she was enforced to prooue the good and bad together which maketh friendly maidens become faire women Dainty was the good grace and subtiltie of Oriana in shadowing her surpassing pleasure with a feminine complaint of Amadis boldnesse shewing in countenance such a gracious choller contented displeasure as in stead of consuming time in excuses Amadis resaluted her with sundry sweet kisses as also another cause to chide if she wold But she being loth to mixe angry speeches with amiable sollace or with frowning lookes to crosse an equall content thought it better to commend the controule of so kinde a louer and therefore continued this pleasing recreation as neither party receiued occasion of mislike rather with kisses which are counted the seales of loue they chose to confirm their vnanimity then otherwise to offend a resolued patience Ah how many repetitions made Oriana of the paines she suffered in expectation of this day confessing those priuate particularities which none but she her desire were acquainted withall How many matters likewise alleadged Amadis expressing thereby his singular contentment and credible assurance of his perpetuall faith now reckoning all his trauels well imployed more then sufficiently recompensed In these discourses and pleasures they spent most part
vnreasonably she once had thē in her power who might haue grieued me all my life time but God hauing in other places deliuer'd me frō many perils wil not suffer me to perish by so bad woman as she is I desire yee my Lord quoth she to tell mee their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible sayde the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde yee truth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had known them and in sooth the deede might bee reckoned ominous if two such worthy persons had perished Yet when she shall knowe hereof sayd the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. How King Lisuart held open Court in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remayned there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Court in all magnificence many noble personages being there assembled as wel strāgers as others hoping now to make little stay but to return home to their owne houses yet the greater part of them aboad with the King in like manner did sundry worthy Ladies accompany the Queene Among other knights attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cosen Ladasin who as I haue sayde were very good knights but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very fewe were found in the Realme of Great Brittaine that carried more account for deeds of Armes and all other graces beseeming a knight setting aside his musing and melancholy By meanes whereof fewe or none could bee pleasant with him or haue any words from him in company but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughts in such sort with his Lady as hee had minde of none but her And shee of whom wee speake was endued with singular beauty being named Brandalisia sister to the Kings wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in marriage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was arriued at the Court to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and beeing in the presence of many great Lords the Duke beganne in this manner Sir you haue commanded my appearance here this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiesty concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth mee withall whereof I hope sufficiently to cleare my selfe by the rightfull iudgement your selfe shall giue and hee rest condemned like a varlet as hee is for here am I ready to approue against him or any other hee shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deed At these wordes Oliuas arose and with him a great nūber of knights errant all resolued to maintayne this quarrell against the Duke when the King beheld them in such a mutiny hee maruelled whence the cause should proceede when Grumedan speaking for all the rest sayd My Lord because the Duke of Bristoia hath threatened and defied all knights errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it bee so hee hath attempted an ouer fond warre for I thinke there is no knight in the worlde so puissant that will bee induced to such an entetprise But forbeare at this time and offer him no iniury because he is heere to receiue iustice which shall be done according to the counsell of the Princes and Lords present without fauouring any one Then Oliuas falling on his knee before the King beganne in this manner My Lord the Duke who standeth before your Maiesty hath slaine a Cosen germaine of mine hee neuer giuing him occasion of offence wherefore I will iustifie him to bee a villaine and a traytour and will make him confesse it with his owne mouth else shall I kill him and cast him forth of the field The Duke tolde him hee lyed and hee was ready to accomplish what the King and his Court should ordaine wherupon it was determined that this emulation should bee decided by combate which the Duke accepted desiring the King to permit him his two Nephewes in this cause against Oliuas and two other knights This being granted the Duke was very glad thereof for he made such account of his kinsmen as hee thought Oliuas could not bring the like notwithstanding all was deferred till the morrowe following In meane while Don Galuanes asked his Nephew Agraies if hee wold assist Oliuas against the Duke and hee consenting thereto Galuanes came to Oliuas saying Sir Oliuas seeing the Duke is desirous to fight three against three my nephew and I are determined to take your part which when the Duke heard hee remembred that he had defied them in his owne house when Agraies combated with the Dwarffes champion at what time the Damosell should haue beene burned wherefore hee became very pensiue in respect though he esteemed his Nephewes approued good knights yet he repented his wilfull offer gladly would haue excused the matter if hee could being so well acquainted with the behauiour of Galuanes Agraies But considering his promise past before the King and so many noble personages there present hee must of necessity stand thereto wherefore the next morning hee entered the Listes with his Nephewes and Oliuas on the contrarie with his copartners Now were the Ladies standing at the windowes to beholde the issue of this quarrell and among the rest stood Oliuia the faire friend to Agraies who seeing him ready to enter such perill was so dismayed as she could scant tell what countenance to vse By her stood Mabila shee being in no lesse griefe for her Vncle and brother together likewise the Princesse Oriana louing them both in respect of the reasons heretofore declared accompanied the two Ladies in sorrowe fearing their danger but the knights being ready to the combate the King by a Herald commanded the Champions to doe their deuoyre Heereupon with a braue carreer they encountred together Agraies and Galuanes vnhorsing the two Nephewes and albeit Oliuas receiued a wound on the stomacke yet had not the Duke caught hold about his horse neck his fortune had proued as had as his Nephewes Thē drawing their swords they smote so violently against ech other as the standers by wondered at their fiercenes beholding their shields defaced their armour battred coullered with their blood that the victorie hung a long time in suspence For Agrates horse being slaine vnder him brought his life in maruailous hazard because the Duke and one of his Nephews stroue to keep him downe seeking to thrust their swords into his belly or else to smite his head from his shoulders but he was so well armed and of such courage withall as hee held them both play though with exceeding perill Well may you thinke that his friends grieued to see him
in his armes the teares streaming from his eyes with ioy and greeuing to see him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good friends and the enmity conuerted into such Humility as one right glad thereof shee said to Galaor Worthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauinesse yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompenced me So taking each of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castle where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wounds Thus remained the two brethren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he ariued in the countrey of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yeares accomplishing many braue deedes of Armes the renowne whereof continueth to this day And as he returned toward Gaule hee lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his owne reputation as also because the County himselfe had sometime beene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his Chamber where being in bed and somewhat wearie with trauaile he sell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauinesse he felt himselfe embraced and kissed he knew not by whom when starting vp to arise he was so held down that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus mastred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you the king looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his Chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire friend tell me what you are What soeuer Iam quoth she I loue you exceedingly as one that freely giues her selfe to you In sooth replyed the King I very gladly would know your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunity yet can I vse no other continence thē you see but it were necessary quoth the king I should know your name if you meane to be my friend Seeing you constraine me thereto answered the Lady know that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so friendly entertained you Now trust me Madam replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather die then abuse the man I am so much beholding to Will you then refuse me quoth she well may you bee tearmed the worst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will do what is conuenient for your honour and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my Father to thinke himselfe more iniuried by you then if you grant what I desire So starting from the bed she tooke the Kings Sword euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it forth she set the point against her heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortned by my death whereof you are the onely cause As she vttered these words she offered to stab her selfe with the Sword when the king suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impatient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madam for I am content to satisfie your will Hereupon hee kindely embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallified and at that instant she conceiued with childe the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all speede he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visit an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as shee rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfrey she being soon after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her seeing what had happened bringing the childe to the mother said Madam as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some pre-present remedy while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horseback she rode apace to her Ladies Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to be very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speede wherein the Lady and her childe were brought to her Castle secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knew his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custody where he was nourished till the age of eighteene yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who daily instructed him in managing Armes and all braue qualities beseeming a man of value He being growne of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to the Countie his Grand-father who gaue him his knight-hood not knowing what he was returning againe with his motherly Nurse by the way she brake with him in this manner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parenatge but credit my words you are the son to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his daughtr that gaue you your order of knight-hood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed knights in the world Madam quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his son wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull nurse that I will trauaile to fiude my father and not make my selfe known to any one till my deedes declare me worthy to be his son Not long after hee departed from the olde Ladie and accompanied with two squires iournied to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres performing such haughty deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best knight in all those parts When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowne to the king his father but comming into great Brittaine hee heard the fame of Amadis to be maruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by armes as his bretheren had done whom he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the forrest as you heard and afterward combated with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castle of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs
returne to Amadis and Agraies who staied with faire Briolania fiue daies together preparing their armour and euery thing in order which being done they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunt certaine waiting Gentlewomen and squires to doe them seruice by the way When they drew neere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castle of an ancient Lady named Galumba who sometime liued in Briolanias fathers Court and there they were welcomed very honouarbly yet whether Briolania trauailed thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but maruaile which made her request to be satisfied therein Briolanias Aunt tolde her how Amadis was one of the best knights in the world and had promised to reuenge the murthered kings death likewise how hee discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and after-ward ouercame the rest in the Castle at what time the Lions escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make report his companion must needes be of some estimation and well may they bring your enterprise to end considering the truth and iustice of the cause but take heede least the traiterous king worke some treason against them That is the chcefest pointe of my fear ianswered Briolania wherfore wee came to craue your aduise herein Heereupon shee wrote a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then caling a Damosell after shee had giuen her instructions she bad her make hast in deliuering the letter Presently went the Damosell to horse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos and his Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these three must the Combat be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and held more by tyranny then any consent in the Subiects The Damosell entred the Palace on hors-back when diuerse knights came to her requesting her to alight but she made answere she would not til she saw the king and that hee commanded her to leaue her Palfrey Soone after came the king accompanied with his two Sonnes and many great Lords and after shee had saluted him hee boldly bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your command on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crowne said the king I warrant your safety whereupon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you greetes you with this letter which may openly bee read before this royall company and I afterward receiue answere for my discharge whē the king heard openly the nāe of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong hee did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damosells words The most of the Lords there present who sometime were subiects to the slaughtered king seeing the messenger of their lawfull Queene indeede pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited and in their hearts desired of God to plague the treason done to her Father Proceede Damosell quoth the king and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdred my Ladies Father and vniustly keepe her from her inheritance wherefore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sons would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme shee sends you word by me if still you stand vpon such triall shee will bring two knights hither who shal in combat maintaine her cause making you know your disloyalty and treason committed Darison eldest Sonne to the king hearing his Father menaced in this sort grew into great choller and as one moued with despight he arose when without the kings consent hee thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two knights with her men resolued to sight on her behalfe here do I accept the combat for my father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lords to send her my head in requitall of her fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speake as a knight of haughtie mind yet may I doubt these words to proceed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenance but if you will request the king to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a heart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldly make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiesty said the Damosell to giue my Ladies knights assurance that for any mishap you may receiue in the Combat they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three And if you purchase them such a safe conduct they shall bee here within three dayes at the vttermost Darison falling on his knee before the King said You heare my Lord the Damosells demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiesty in the presence of all these great Princes and Lords humbly therefore I beseech you seeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduantage the presuming knights who dare aduenture in the cause of foolish Briolania will imagine themselues conquerors and vs dismaide faint-hearted Cowards hauing openly published that if any one will touch your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combat of vs three you intend to be purged And albe it you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolish knights of King Lisuarts Court who by their ouer-weening and aspiring thoughts make high acompt of their owne deedes in the contempt of others The King who loued Darison as himselfe though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and thereby made him feare the combat granted them safe conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two knights and such as came in their company Here is to be considered that the period of this traitours Fortune was now limited and the iust auenger of all wrongs pointed out rewarde for the treason of him acd his Sonnes as in this discourse may bee euidently seene The Damosel seeing her message had taken such effect as shee desired said vnto them Make your selues ready for to morrow without fayle shall this difference bee desided So mounting on her Palfrey she returned to the Castle of Galumba where being arriued before the knights and Ladies she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish knights of king Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into these speeches By God there are such in company of that good king as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so low as they list but I
and well entertained Fol. 24. Chap. 6. How Vrganda the Vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea Fol. 33. Chap. 7. How the Gentleman of the Sea combatted with the guarders of Galpans Castle and after-ward with his Brethren and in the end with Galpan himselfe Fol. 39. Chap. 8. How the third day after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knights came to the court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife Fol. 43. Chap. 9. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combat with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule Fol. 55. Chap. 11. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisen a his Mother Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub himknight met with his brother Ama. by whose hāa he would be knighted and by no other Fol. 66. Chap. 13. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Fol. 76. Chap. 14. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the Vnknowne he arriued at a Castle where it chanced to him as you shall reade in the discourse Fol. 81. Chap. 15. How King Lisuart caused a sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and knowne Fol. 91. Chap. 16. How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted Fol. 100. Chap. 17. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis Fol. 108 Chap. 18. How Amadis tarrying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidings of his brother Galaor Fol. 206. Chap. 19. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferior in beauty to Angriotes choyce F. 122 Chap. 20. How Amadis was inchanted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how after-ward he escaped the inchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda Fol. 131 Chap. 21. How Arcalaus brought news to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana Fol. 136. Chap. 22. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monastery where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him F. 141 Chap. 23. How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castle and of the matters which were occurrent to him by the way Fol. 150. Chap. 24. How King Lisuart being in the chase saw a farre off three knights armed comming toward him and what followed thereupon F. 154. Chap. 25 How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them Fol. 159. Chap. 26. How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whom hee found slaine on the bed vnder the Tree Fol. 164. Chap. 27 How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whom he combatted and what happened to him afterward Fol. 168 Chap. 28. How Amadis combatted with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him Fol. 174. Chap 29. How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor loose his Horse Fol. 176. Chap. 30. How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time Fol. 179. Chap. 31. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward Fol. 182 Chap. 32. How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the good Citty of London there to hold open and royall Court Fol. 185. Chap. 33. How King Lisuare would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie F. 191 Chap. 34. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby shee had beene wronged Fol. 195. Chap. 35. How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly Fol. 201. Chap. 36. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners wherefore they made hast to giue them succour Fol. 209. Chap. 37. How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison Fol. 216. Chap. 38. How news came to the Queene that the King was taken and how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained long time after-ward Fol. 227. Ch. 41. How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sons to reuenge the kings death who was father to the faire Briolania and of that which followed Fol. 230. Chap. 42. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companions in the Forrest whom when hee found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest point of their combat they knew each other Fol. 235 Chap. 43. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Petion on the faire Daughter to the County of Zealand Fol. 240. Chap. 44. How Galaor and Florestan riding towards the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damosels at the Fountaine of Oliues Fol. 248. FINIS THE SECOND BOOKE Of Amadis de Gaule CONTAINING THE DESCRIPtion Wonders and Conquests of the Inclosed or Firme-Island As also the triumphes and troubles of Amadis in the pursuit of his fayrest Fortunes Moreouer the manifold Victories hee obtained and admirable seruices by him performed for King Lisuart And his notorious ingratitude towards him which was the first occasion of the broyles and fatall warres that no small time continued betweene him and Amadis Translated out of French by A. M. LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES dwelling in Foster-lane 1619. TO THE RIGHT HONORAble Sir Phillip Herbert Earle of Mountgomerie And Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter AMadis in his first Booke kissing your noble hand the second followeth to finde the like fauour encouraged thereto by your euer knowne most honourable nature and affable graces affoorded to the very meanest deseruers The third and fourth Bookes successiuely ensue to make vp the first volume of so famous an history till foure more may in the like manner be finished to present themselues to you their
Amadis as to their new Lord vnder whom they hoped not onely to liue in peace and rest but also hereafter to stretch their Dominions euen ouer their bordering neighbours and further Then euery one might view the rare deuises of this palace amongst which there was a wardrobe whether Apolidon his Lady did most commonly withdrawe themselues so beautifull and sumptuous as it was not onely impossible to make the like but also it was thought very strange and wonderfull how any man might imagine that hee could build so rare a peece of worke seeing that they which were within might see what any man did without very easily but they which were without could not perceiue any thing that was within the same Thus was the firme Island conquered by Amadis which had beene a thousand yeeres and more without a Lord since Apolidon had there set vp his inchantments and the next day the people came from all parts of the Island to offer their dutie and homage vnto their new Lord who receiued them curteously I leaue you then to imagine whether Amadis had occasion to be glad and content or no. They which haue oftentimes bin crossed with aduersitie may better iudge therof thē any others can for they know how to beare and when to bewaile their misfortunes more orderly then such who are accustomed with all prosperity happinesse Neuerthelesse I know not whether of these two extreamities are more cōmendable for the one commonly draweth vnto it an intollerable vaine glory and pride most damnable the other a continual care fraught with desperation very dangerous Therefore euery wise man considering there is nothing parmanent will neither bee proud with the prosperity that fauoureth him nor appaled for any aduersitie that befalleth him but he will swim vprightly as in a calm Sea betweene them both without abusing the one or affrighted with the other The which Amadis could not doe when inconstant fortune made him taste these poysons which for him shee prepared euen in the midst as hee thought of all his prosperities And euen as shee beyond all measure fauoured him holding him vp by the chinne in all chances that hapned to him without crossing him in any thing whatsoeuer in like sort did shee turne her face from him and brought him into such perplexity and sorrow that neither force of armes the continuall remembrance of his Lady nor the magnanimitie of his heart were once sufficient to procure him remedy but onely the grace and mery of our Lord God who in pittie regarded him after hee had sometime remained in the rocke of aduersitie in sorrow and tribulatiou as you may vnderstand from the which hee deliuered him and placed him in greater ease and contentment then before as by the sequel of this historie you shall perceiue You haue heard in the first booke of Amadis in what anguish the Princesse Oriana was for the false report of Ardan the Dwarffe at such time as hee returned backe from his maister to fetch the pieces of the sword which Gandalin had forgotten behinde him at his departure from the Court and how she sostered vp in her minde the hate which she had conceiued against Amadis not being able to accept any councell either from Mabila or the Damosell of Denmarke wrongfully suspected him of falshood who thought on nothing but only how he might serue and honour her with all faithfulnesse Now it resteth to shew vnto you what happened thereof Know you then that from the day wherein this ielousie was first imprinted in her it increased in such sort as it wholly made her forget her accustomed manner of life thinking thence forth on nothing so much as how she might sufficiently reuenge her on Amadis who had as she thought so grieuously offended her And hereupon seeing hee was absent and that shee could not declare vnto him by word of mouth the anguish of her soule shee determined to let him vnderstand it by writing So as one day amongst others beeing alone in her chamber shee tooke pen in hand and writ this letter which ensueth The letter of the Princesse Oriana to Amadis MY intolerable passions proceeding from so many causes compelleth my weake hand to declare by this letter that which my sorrowfull heart can no longer 〈◊〉 from thee Amadis of Gaule most disloyall and pertured louer-For sieing the disloyaltie and inconstancie wherewith thou hast abused mee who am infortunate and frustrate of all good ha◠onely in louing thee abone all things in the world which is now very apparent cheefely in that sowrongfully thou forsookest vs to go with her who considering her young yeeres and indiscretion cannot haue that kindenesse in her either to fauour or entertaine thee I haue also determined for euer to banish from mee this exceeding loue which I did bare vnto thee seeing my sorrowfull heart can finde no other reuenge And although I would take in good part the wrong which thou proferest me yet should it bee a great folly for mee to desire the welfare of such an vnthankfull man for the faithfull louing of whom I hate both my selfe all other things Alas I now perceiue very well but it is too late that most vnluckely I enthraled my liberty to a person so ingratefull seeing that in recompence of my continuall sighs and passions I finde my selfe deceiued and shamefully abused wherefore I charge thee neuer to come in my presence nor vnto any place where I doe remayne be thou assured that I neuer loued thee so exceedingly but now by thy ill deserts I hate thee farre more extreamely Packe thee henceforth else where and try if thou canst with thy falsified faith and hony speech abuse others as vnhappy as my selfe and neuer hope that hereafter any of thy excuses shall preuatle with mee but without further desire to behold thee I will bewaile the rest of my sorrowfull life with aboundance of teares the which shall neuer cease but by the end of Her who forceth not to die but onely because thou art her murderer This Letter being sealed Oriana called a young Esquire brother to the Damosell of Denmarke in whom shee greately trusted and commanded him very expressely without staying one onely houre that hee should goe finde out Amadis in the Realme of Sobradisa and then presently deliuer this Letter which shee had written to him but chiefly that hee should marke his countenance whilst he read the same and that he should bring backe no answere though Amadis would giue it him CHAP. III. How Durin departed to goe toward Amadis vnto whom hee deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt happened thereby WHen Durin had at large vnderstood the will of the Princesse he mounted on horse backe and hasted him so well that the tenth day following hee arriued in the great City of Sobradisa where hee found the new Queene Briolania whom hee thought to be the fairest Lady that euer he had seene except the Princesse Oriana Then did he tell her how he
that brought you into this extreamitie seeing that although shee were a woman so requisit as shee could not bee equalled yet for her such a man as you are to be cast away Father answered Amadis I aske not your counsell herein for I now neede it not but for my soules sake I desire you henceforth to receiue mee into your company which if you refuse to do I see no other remedy for me but to die amongst the beasts of this forrest The old man seeing him so resolute had such compassion of him as the teares fell down his long white beard and answered him Alas my son my abiding in a desert place and I liue a life too strickt for you my Hermitage is at the least seuen leagues within the sea vpon the top of a poore Rock vnto the which no liuing creature can come vnlesse it bee at the beginning of the spring time Notwithstanding I haue already remained thirty yeeres there exempted from all worldly pleasure liuing onely vpon such small almes which some people of this Countrey doe bestow vpon me I promise you father saide Amadis it is the life which I desire and I once intreat you that you would giue me leaue to go with you The which the Hermit at the last granted notwithstanding that he had a long time denied him Heere-withall Amadis kissed his feete saying father command whatsoeuer you shall please for to my power I will euer obay you Then the Hermit saide his euening seruice after the which because hee had eaten nothing all day hee tooke out of his wallet a little bread and fish dried in the sun which was giuen vnto him and willed Amadis to eate with him but he refused it although he had beene three daies without tasting any sustenance Wherefore the hermit saide vnto him My sonne you haue promised to obey me doe this then which I command you and eat for if you should die in this obstinacie your soule should be in very great danger For this cause Amadis durst not denie him but did eat a very little for hee sighed continually not being able to forget the great sorrow wherein he remained After he had taken this small refrection the good old man spread his cloake abroad and laid him downe thereon and Amadis at his feete who was a great while before hee could take any rest tumbling and tossing himselfe as a person ill at ease neuerthelesse in the end being heauie with long watching he fell asleepe and hee dreamed that hee was locked in a chamber so darke that he could see no light at all neyther could he finde any way to come out thereof wherewith he greatly lamented moreouer hee thought that his Cozin Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke came vnto him hauing before them a beame of the Sun which gaue a great light in so darke a place they taking him by the hand said vnto him My Lord come forth from hence if it please you and follow vs into the palace the which he did But at his comming forth he thought that he did see Oriana inuironed with a great flame of fire which made him so afraid that hee cried out helpe helpe my Lady Oriana burneth and there withall he leaped into the fire to saue her Then he tooke her in his armes comming through the flame againe without any hurt at all afterwards hee carried her into a garden the greenest and pleasantest that he had seene At the lowde cry which Amadis did make the good Hermit awaked and taking him by the hand hee asked him what he ailed Father answered he I haue euen now in my sleepe felt such exceeding paine that I meruaile I am not dead Your cry hath witnessed the same said hee but let vs rise for it is time to depart Then he got vpon his Asse and tooke the way toward the Hermitage and Amadis followed him a foote talking together of many things at the last he prayed him to giue him one gift which should not bee hurtfull vnto him the which the old man granted I pray you then said Amadis that so long as we are together you would not tell any man who I am and hence-forth to giue mee another name such as it shall please you then after my death you may tell my brethren of me that they may come fetch my body and carry it into Gaule Your life and death answered the hermit are in the hands of God therefore speake no more thereof for therein you offend him very grieuously and therefore seeing you know him loue him and serue him as you are bound to do he wil succour and helpe you notwithstanding what other name wil you haue Such as it shall please you to giue me said Amadis And as they talked together the olde man had his eye continually vpon him and the more he looked on him the fayrer he thought him to be but he did see him so full of griefe as he determined to giue him a name conformable to his excellency and agreeable to his melancholy Whereupon he said vnto him my Sonne you are yong and of a faire complexion notwithstanding your life is obscure by reason of your sorrow therefore my will is that you bee called the Faire Forlorne Wherewith Amadis was contented liking very well of the Hermet his deuise who not without great occasion had imposed that name vpon him And euen as they were ouertaken with the night they came vnto the Sea side where they found a little boat which the day before was come to seeke the Hermet at his hermitage wherin they imbarked and within a small time after tooke landing at the poore Rock so called because of the barrennesse of the place as the old man had declared to him Who continuing his discourse said Sonne I haue heretofore followed the world as you haue done and my name was Andahod assuring you that during my young yeeres I studied many vaine sciences but in the end being wearie thereof I withdrew my selfe into this poore place where I haue already remained thirty yeeres and more and neuer departed thence vntill yeesterday that I was at the buriall of my sister who died within these few dayes When the Faire Forlorne came into this Solitary place he was exceeding glad hoping that in a very short time his sadnesse and his life would both end at once Thus he remained in the company of the hermit consuming his youth with weeping and continuall lamentations seting at naught all worldly honours especially the glory which he had gotten in fighting with Galpan Abies King of Ireland Dardan the proud and many others whom he had ouercome and he began to despise in himselfe all vanities considering the variablenesse of Fortune who not long before had so highly aduanced him that hee had entred into the forbidden Chamber of Apolidon as in the beginning of the History hath beene mentioned But if he had beene demanded what moued him so to do what would hee thinke you haue answered no other
depended or else hee would end his daies in the seeking of him CHAP. VII How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom he declared the sorrowfull news of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his despaire DVrin hauing left Patin in the forrest as you haue heard made such great hast to returne vnto Oriana to let her know what he had seen of Amadis as the tenth day following he arriued in the Citty of London But so soone as Oriana perceiued him her heart throbbed in such sort as she was faine to goe into her chamber lay her down vpon her bed before shee would speake vnto Durin and shortly after shee commanded the Damosell of Denmarke to cause him to come in and to see that while she talked with him no other should come where she was Then Durin beeing on his knees before her shee said vnto him Durin my friend by the faith thou owest vnto mee tell mee in what estate thou diddest finde Amadis what was his countenance whilest hee red my Letter and what thou thinkest of the Queene Briolania Madam answered he by my faith I wil tell you the very truth although I am sure that vnto you and others it will seeme in a manner incredible At my departure from hence as it pleased you to command mee I went without any stay vnto the Citty of Sobradisa where I found the Queene Briolania who in my opinion next vnto you is the fayrest princesse of the world and of the best grace There I heard news that my Lord Amadis and his fellows were departed to returne vnto this Court but vpon the way they did meete with a Gentlewoman who carried them vnto the firme-Island to proue the strange aduentures thereof whereupon incontinently I tooke my way thither and there I arriued euen as my Lord Amadis passed the Arch of Loyall-Louers vnder the which none might passe that had in any sort falsified his first Loue. How said she hath he so rashly enterprised such an aduenture hauing his disloyalty so fresh before his eyes I know not Madam answered Durin how you beleeue it but sure I am that it hapned better vnto him then you thinke for seeing that he hath gotten more honour then euer any loyall Knight receiued as many can witnesse by the signes which then appeared And although at that instant Oriana would haue seemed for to dissemble the pleasure which she conceiued of these news yet could she not so cunningly do the same but that with extreame ioy her sudden blushing did increase her beautie for the assurance shee had in the loyaltie of Amadis But Durin continuing his discourse said vnto her Madam he hath yet done greater things for after hee had finished this so strange aduenture he heard news that my Lords Galaor Florestan and Agraies thinking to winne the forbidden Chamber were so rudely repulsed from the marble Pillar that their liues were in great perill by meanes whereof my Lord Amadis desirous to reuenge their wrongs with an inuincible courage he passed through all the garded places and maugre all the inchantments hee entred into the Chamber yet was it not without great danger and trauaile Thus did he win the Signory of the firm Island and al the inhabitants there-of haue already sworne vnto him homage and fealty according to the custome of the Country which is one of the fairest and strongest places in the world And I assure you Madame that it is more then an hundred yeeres since any liuing creature hath passed the pillars but onely my Lord Amadis by whose force and strength we haue seene all the singular things and riches of the pallace of Apolidon and the aduentrous Chamber which is renowned thorow all the parts of the Earth During this discourse of his Oriana was almost rauished with the great ease and pleasure that she conceiued in the hope that one day she should bee Lady and owner of such singuler things to her owne and her louers contentment and said vnto Durin Truly Durin fortune hath beene very fauourable vnto him Ah Madame answered he nay rather too rigorous so as I would to God some other had carried him that vnhappy Letter which you writ I deliuered how said Oriana I pray thee tell me what countenance he shewed in reading it Madame I wil tel you since it pleaseth you answered he although I am sure that you will bee very sort when you shal vnderstand what consequence it turned vnto and the mischiefe it brought vnto the best and faithfullest knight in the world In what sort said she You are the cause of his death answered Durin Out Alas said Oriana what is it thou tellest mee You haue forged the sword that hath wounded him to death and I carried it to him so as we are both his murtherers Then declared hee the whole circumstance and manner how he deliuered the letter and the despaire hee entred into after he had read it so as said Durin he did shortly after that secretly departe from the Pallace of Apolidon with Gandalin Isania the Gouernour of the Isle and me and we brought him vnto an hermitage where hee charged vs steightly to follow him no further then hee mounted on horse-back and taking with him neither Helmet Shield nor Lance he fled ouer a mountaine like vnto a mad man Afterward hee rehersed vnto her all the talke which particularly he had vsed vnto them in taking his leaue of them and Durin made this discourse with so many teares as it was very hard to iudge whether hee or Oriana had the more sorrowfull heart And know you Madame saide hee that after his departure notwithstanding his command to the contrary Gandalin and I followed him and found him asleepe by the side of a fountaine yet his sleepe was not long for suddainly hee awaked and raising himselfe vp he began to make the greatest lamentation in the world bewaling King Perion his father then Mabila and others his friends All this while Gandalin and I had our selues for feare of his furie by meanes whereof without any impeachment of vs he passed the most part of the night in the like lamentations vntill about the breake of day that there chaunced a knight to come singing a song which he had made for the loue of you the which Durin recited vnto her as also that which happened vnto Patin which so ouer-charged the heart of Oriana that she remained in a swound looking like one that were dead The which Durin fearing he called the Princesse Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom he saide Goe helpe my Lady who is in a greate perplexitie for a thing which is now too late to be remedied and if shee hath mis-done the punishment is of due vnto her Herewithall he departed leauing the women much amazed for they knew not the cause of this inconuenience much lesse how they might remethe same neuerthelesse they vsed her in such sort that shee came againe
deale but I beleeue thou shalt proue thy selfe a lier and so saying hâ—e strooke at him Then there began between them a sharpe and cruell Combat For withoot any breathing they laid at each other so fiercely that Ladasin and his esquires who were present did not thinke that any of them could escape the death Neuerthelesse they behaued themselues so valiantly that one could not iudge who had the best for they were expert knights hardy and exercised in armes so that knowing how to defend themselues few blowes could hurt them to the quicke Now when their battaile was at the hottest they heard the winding of a horne from the top of the tower wherewithall Guillan was abashed thinking it to be some new supply come to his enemy and on the other side Gandalod suspected it to bee some reuolt of the captiues which he had in his prisons And therefore either of them did their best to vanquish his enemy before the succours should come so that suddainnly Gandalod rushed vpon Guillan thinking to vnhorse him but Guillan embraced him so hard that they both fell to the ground tumbling one ouer another yet holding their swords fast in their hands but it happened so well for Guillan that he had his enemy vnder him By meanes whereof before the other could rise hee gaue him fiue or six great blowes with his sword which in such sort amazed him that from thenceforth he waxed more feeble Notwithstanding getting vp vpon his feet hee both well defended himselfe and better assailed his aduersary giuing sufficient knowledge of the little good will he wished vnto his enemy who so sorely oppressed vpon him that hee was constrained to recoile and turne his back Therefore Guillan marking where he was worst armed did hit him such a blow with his sword vpon the arme that hee quite parted it from his shoulder So as with the extreame griefe thereof he cast forth a loude crie flying towards the tower but Guillan ouertooke him and laide so fast holde vpon his helmet that hee pulled it from his head Then setting his sword to his throat hee saide vnto him Beleeue mee Sir you shall now goe to the king to present him with other heads then you determined but if you will not obey me your owne shall satisfie me Alas answered Gandalod I had rather yeelde my selfe to the mercy of the King then to die presently Whereupon after hee had giuen his faith vnto Guillan they mounted on horseback and Ladasin with them At that instant they heard a great tumult within the tower and beheld one of the warders running away whome they staied to know what the matter was who told them that the prisoners had found the meanes to vnbinde themselues and to come forth of the dungeon wherein they were kept afterwards how they were armed and had already slaine the most part of his fellowes Hee had no sooner ended his speech when hee behelde some of those which he spake of ouer the gate of the tower and three or foure others which pursued a knight and seuen halberders that fled towards a wood hard by and when those which had gained their liberty perceiued Guillan and Ladasin they cryed vnto them that they should kill those tratours that had scaped froÌ„ them Wherefore Guillan his cosin ran before and slew foure of them the rest saued theÌ„selues with their lightnes excepting onely the knight who was taken Then came the prisoners to salute Guillan whom they all knew after some talke which they had together Guillan said vnto them my Lords I cannot tarry long with you for I am constrained to goe forthwith to King Lisuart but my cosin Ladasin shal bear you company vntill you haue refreshed you and afterwards I pray you to come vnto the Court to bring with you these two knights whom I deliuer into your keeping vntill king Lisuart haue taken such order for them as to his Maiestie shall seeme best and let one of you remaine here for the guard of this place vntil I haue otherwise prouided for it The which they promised him to performe thus taking leaue of them hee tooke his shield from his neck and gaue it vnto his esquires and taking the shield of Amadis as he was accustomed the teares stood in his eyes Where-withal the others being much abashed demanded of him what mooued him thus to take his shield froÌ„ his neck and place another in steed thereof with so great sorrow Ah answered he this shield belongeth to the best knight in the world theÌ„ he rehersed vnto them the manner how hee had found it with the rest of the armor of Amadis whom he had since searched for through all the countrey without hearing any newes of him wherewithall euery one of them were very sorry fearing least some great mis-fortune had happened him Thus Guillan followed on his way and rode so long that without any further trouble hee ariued in the Court of king Lisuart where it was already known how Amadis had ended the aduentures of the Firme-Island gained the signorie thereof in like sorte how hee was departed from thence secretly in great anguish Neuerthelesse they knew nothing of the cause thereof except those whom I before haue tolde you of Thus Guillan entred into the hall hauing about his neck the shield of Amadis who was presently known of all the assembly wherefore they flocked about him to heare what he would say but the king was for-most who demanded what newes hee had of Amadis It may please your maiestie answered Guillan I knowe none neuerthelesse if it please you I will before the Queen recite how I did finde his armour sword and his shield which heere you may see Truely said the king I am very well pleased for since hee was her knight it is reason that she first know what is become of him Saying so hee tooke Guillan by the hand led him where the Queen was Then Guillan kneeling down said vnto her weeping Madame not many daies since I found al the armour of Amadis with his shield left all alone hard by a fountaine which is called the fountain of the plaine fielde wherewithall I was so sorrowful that euen at the same instant I fastned the shield vpon a tree leauing in it the keeping of two Gentlewomen that were in my company vntil that I had gone through the countrey to enquire where hee was become But I was neither so fortunate to finde him nor so happy to heare any newes of him wherefore knowing the disert of so good a knight who had neuer any desire but to imploy himselfe to doe you seruice I determined seeing I could not bring him to you to bring you his armes as witnesse of the duty which I doe owe both to your Maiestie and also to him the which you may command if you please to bee set in an open place where euery one may see them as well to heare news of him by such strangers as ordinarily
repaire vnto his Court as also to encourage all such as follow armes to take example by him that was owner of them who by his high knight-hood hath gained the chiefest reputation amongst all those that euer buckled cuirasse on their backs When the Queene vnderstood such news of Amadis neuer was any Lady more sorrowful and answered Guillan It is great pitty for the losse of so good a Knight for I am sure that many at this day do liue which will be sorry for his losse and I giue you most hearty thankes for that which you haue done for him and me together assuring you that those which will put themselus forward to find him shall giue me and all other Ladies cause to wish them wel for his sake which was so much at their commandement But if the Queene for these newes was any whit sorry the king and those of his company were no lesse sad yet was it nothing to the griefe which Oriana sustained For if before she was vexed for the great fault which she had committed at that instant her paine redoubled with so great a melancholy that it was impossible for her to stay there any longer but she withdrew her selfe into her chamber And casting her downe vpon her bed she began to cry Ah wicked woman that I am I may now well say that all the felicity that euer I had is but a plaine dreame and my torment is a very certaine truth seeing that if I receiue any contentment It is onely by the dreames which do nightly solicit me for when I awake all froward Fortune afflicteth my poore spirit so as if the day be vnto me a grieuous martyrdome the darkenesse only bringeth me pleasure and comfort because in my sleepe I thinke that I am before my sweete friend but being awake and quite depriued of that great ioy maketh me too much to feele his absence Ah my eyes no more eies but floods of teares you are much abused seeing that being shut you onely behold him that contenteth you and no sooner opened but all the torment in the world commeth at once to blinde them at the least this death which I feele so neere at hand shall deliuer me from this care and you sweete friend shall be reuenged of the most ingratefull woman that euer was borne Then like a furious woman shee rose vp determining to throw her selfe headlong from the window downe to the ground but Mabila who had followed her preuenting such an inconuenience stayed her setting before her the infamy which she might get if it were but known that she were so minded and more-ouer she did assure her that Amadis would shortly returne saying vnto her How now Madam where is the constancy of a Kings daughter and that wisedome for which you are so much renowned Haue you already forgotten the mischiefe that was likely to haue happened vnto you by meanes of the false newes that Arcalaus brought vnto the Court this last yeare And now because Guillan hath found my Cosins armes is it therefore likely that he should be dead Beleeue me you shall see him againe shortly he wil come vnto you so soone as hee hath seene your Letters This Counsell was authorised with such perswasine reasons that Oriana apeased part of her tormēt But yet these newes so greately troubled her minde that had it not beene for the wisedome of Mabila who often times perswaded her to be quiet there had happened a merueilous incōnenience but in the end shee knew so well how to preuaile with her that she resolued vpon this that the Gentlewoman of Denmark would bring him againe And as they were in these tearmes one came to tell them that the knights and Gentle-women which Guillan had deliuered from prison were arriued wherefore Mabila seeking to with-draw Oriana from fancies brought her where the Queene was vnto whom the two Gentlewomen that had kept the shield of Amadis recited the lamentation which they had seene an Esquire make when he knew the Armour and Shielde that Guillan had found vpon the side of the Fountaine of the plaine field The King was likewise present in whose eyes stood a floud of Teares thinking assuredly that Amadis was dead Then Ladasin and his fellows were seene to come in who brought with them Gandalod prisoner together with the other knight whom they presented vnto the king on the behalfe of Guillan declaring vnto him both the manner of the Combat the talke that passed betweene Gandalod and Guillan and also how that during their incounter the knights that were in the deepe dungeon of his tower had found the meanes to deliuer themselues Is this true said he to Gandalod I caused not long since thy father to be burned in this citty for his great treason and thou shalt likewise be there hanged with thy companion because thou hadst conspired my death Then forthwith he commanded them to bee hanged ouer the Citty wales right ouer against the place where Barsinan was burned as it hath been recited vnto you CHAP. IX How the Faire Forlorne being in the poore Rocke with the Hermit there arriued a ship in the which was Corisanda who sought for her friend Florestan and of that which happened vnto them ONe day the Faire Forlorne being set hard by the Hermit neere vnto the dore of their little house the olde man said vnto him I pray you my son tel me the dream that you had when you awaked on a suddaine sleeping hard by me neere vnto the Fountaine of the plaine field Truely father answered he I will willingly tell it you and I most humbly beseech you likewise to let mee vnderstand be it for good or bad what you thinke thereof Afterwards hee recited the dreame in such sort as you haue heard keeping onely the names of the Gentlewomen secret Then the Hermet remained a good while pensiue when he beholding the Faire Forlorne he began to smile and said vnto him My child I assure you that you haue now more cause to reioyce then euer you had but yet I would haue you know how I vnderstand it The darke chamber in the which you thought your selfe to be out of which you were not able to comforth signifieth this great tribulation wherein you now are The Gentlewomen which afterwardes opened the doore vnto you are some of your friends that continually solicit your cause vnto the Lady whom you so feruently loue with whom they haue so much preuailed that they shall withdraw you from this place The Sunne-beame which went before them are Letters of reconciliation that she sendeth vnto you by meanes whereof you shall leaue me The fire that inuironed this lady sheweth the great loue together with the sad laments that she maketh for your absence as well as you doe for hers And by the faire garden whereunto you did beare her drawing her forth of the flame signifieth the great pleasure which you shall both haue at your meeting Truely my Son I know that seeing
to manifest himselfe in any sort vnto the Damosell of Denmarke who sayd vnto him My friend I haue been enformed by the Hermit that you are a knight and because all Gentlewomen are greatly bound vnto good knights for the benefits and pleasures that they commonly receiue at their hands in defending them and deliuering them from many and great dangers I had a great desire before I departed to see you to giue vnto you such prouisions as are in my ship that shall be necessarie for your health Notwithstanding he answered her nothing neither did hee any other thing but lament and sigh and because that in that little Cell wherein hee remayned there was little light the Gentlewoman did not know whether hee were a dying or no. Whereupon she was ware of a window which she opened by the light whereof shee might behold him more at ease but all the while that she beheld him hee neuer cast his eyes off from her neuerthelesse hee spake not one word but sighed without ceasing like vnto a wight whose heart was ouercharged with woe which moued the Damosel to exceeding pittie And comforting him in the best sorte she could by chance shee espied a scarre which he had vpon his face with a blow that Arcalaus the Enchanter had giuen him when hee rescued Oriana as hath beene recited in the first Booke Wherefore shee thought in her minde that without doubt this was Amadis whom shee â—ought and at the instant shee did know that he was euen the same for the same cause shee being grealy amased cryed out Alas what do I see My Lord you are he that hath made me haue many a weary iourney to find you this sayd she embraced him Alas my Lord sayd shee it is now high time to extend both pitty and pardon vnto her who procured thereunto by some sinister report hath brought you to this great extreamitie beleeue me doth now iustly endure a life worse then death then did she deliuer him the Letter that Oriana had written vnto him Hold sayd she your Lady sendeth you this and commandeth you by me that if you be the same Amadis that you were woâ—t to be and hee whoÌ„ she so much loueth that forgetting all passed faults you come vnto her to the Castle of Mirefleur where a full satisfaction shall bee made vnto you for the sorrowes and anguishes which you haue suffered for your ouer feruent loue Here withall was the Faire Forlorne so greatly rauished that it was a long time before hee could answer one word but hee tooke the Letter which hee kissed without ceasing and afterwards put it next vnto his heart saying O poore heart so long time passioned that hardly hast thou beene able to resist such a tempest notwithstanding the abundance of teares which thou so continually hast distilled that it hath almost brought thee euen to the point of death receiue now this medicine the which only is conuenient for thy health and come forth of this darknes which so long hath blinded thee taking thy strength againe vnto thee to serue her that of her owne free grace causeth thee to reuiue Then opened hee the Letter which contayned The Letter of Oriana to Amadis IF great faults committed by enmitie acknowledged afterwards by humility are worthy of pardon what ought those to bee which are caused by too much abundance of loue Neuerthelesse my loyall friend I will not deny but that I haue deserued exceeding punishment for I ought to haue considered that at such times when any are in the greatest prosperity and mirth then fortune commeth and ouerthroweth them into sorrow and misery furthermore I ought to haue remembred me of your exceeding vertue and honesty which was neuer yet found faulty and most of all though I had died yet should I not haue forgotten the great seruitude of my pensiue heart which proceedeth from no other cause but onely from the same wherein your owne is tyed being certaine that so soone as any flame had beene therein quenched mine had as suddenly beene there-withall acquainted in such sort as the care which it hath had to aswage the mortall desires thereof hath been the onely cause to encrease the same But I haue done amisse like vnto them who being in the top of their felicity and most assured of the loue of those by whom they are beloued not being able to comprehend in them so much good become iealous and suspicious more by their owne imagination then by any reason ouer shadowing this bright happinesse with tha cloud of impatience beleeuing the report of some men it may bee wicked slanderers of small credit and vitious sooner then the witnesse of their owne conference and certaine experience Therefore my constant friend I beseech you bartely to receiue this Damosell â—as beeing sent from her who acknowledgeth in all humility the great fault which she hath committed against you who shall better then my letter acquaint you with the extremitie of my life where of you ought to haue pittie not for any of mine own desert but for your owne reputation who are neither accounted cruell nor desirous of reuenge where you finde repentance and submition especially seeing that no penance may proceede from you more rigorous then that which I my selfe haue ordained for me and the which I doe bâ—re patiently hoping that you will release it restoring vnto me your good fauour and my life together which thereupon dependeth Herewithall a new ioy possessed the minde of the Faire Forlorne and hee quite banished the continuall melancholy which had so long tormented him neuerthelesse the perplexity wherein Oriana remained in expecting newes from him with held part of pleasure wherefore he praied the Damosell of Denmarke to aduise her selfe what she had to do for I feele my selfe said he so farre beside my selfe that I can thinke vpon no other thing but vpon the new restitution of my life which I haue receiued by your meanes I am of the opinion answered the Damosell seeing that these in my company do not know you to tell them that for pittie sake I will cary you to the Firme Island only to see if by changing the aire you may also change your malady the which was accordingly performed Notwithstanding the Faire Forlorne before his departure declared vnto the Hermit how the Gentlewoman had so long sought for him that now they were heere casually met together onely by meere chance and the storme which had brought her vnto the poore Rock And for this cause my father saide he I am constrained to leaue you and to follow her assuring you that so long as I liue I shall neuer forget the good which you haue done for mee for without your good help I had perished both body and soule And seeing that by your deuout praires as I beleeue I haue beene preserued hitherto I most humbly beseech you to haue your poore guest still in remembrance And moreouer to do so much for me that hereafter you would
come neere vnto vs that I may more plainely beholde him for I haue beene tolde that hee is the knight that doth most resemble your brother Amadis Whereupon Galaor called him and he came saluted Oriana who tooke him by the hand they three sate downe together Then the Princesse imagined that she did verily beholde him who beeing absent from her shee had day and night before her eyes and therefore shee began to blush and change her colour Now had Mabila in like fort withdrawn her selfe together with Olinda to giue a better occasion vnto her brother Agraies more priuately to speake vnto her and there withall hee seeing them in a place so conuenient came and saluted them then at their request he sate downe betweene them in taking Olinda secretly by the hand And she who did languish for his loue was the gladdest that might be being sure of his constancy by the proofe which he had made passing vnder the arch of loyall louers in the Firme-Island in recompence whereof she would willingly haue giuen him better intertainement if she durst But the presence of so many witnesses took from them not oâ—… the 〈◊〉 which otherwise they would hâ—â—e gâ—… the one to the other but allâ— the facility and liberty of speech so that their eyes onely serued to supply this default which â—hey imploied therein according to the affections of their passioned harts And as they were in these pleasant tearms there was heard from the chamber as if it had been the voyce of some oppressed with grief wherfore the king would needs know who it was It may please your Maiesty answered an Esquire it is Gandalin the Dwarffe who no sooner beheld the shield and armour of Amadis but they made and yet continue the strangest lamentation that possibly may be What sayde the King is Gandalin here He is if it like your Maiesty answered Florestan It is very neere two monethes since I did finde him at the foot of the hill of Sangâ—in as hee was seeking his Maister and because I did tell him that I had already sought him in euery place hee was content to come with me In good faith said the King I haue alwaies esteemed Gandalin for such a one as now he sheweth himselfe to be for I did neuer see any Esquire to loue his Master better then hee doth When Oriana heard these words especially how that Gandalin was returned without Amadis she was in such a perplexity that shee was likely to haue swouned betweene Florestâ—â— his armes who not knowing the cause of her sudden passion and fearing to affright the King and the company called Mabila who forthwith doubted such a mischance Wherefore leauing Agraies alone with Olinda shee came vnto Oriana and caused her secretly to depart into her chamber and to lie downe vpon her bed where shee remained not loâ—g but that rising vp as it were almost beside her selfe shee sayd vnto Mâ—bila Cosen you knowe that since our comming to this Cittie there hath passed neuer a day wherein wee haue not receiued â—ore displeasure Therefore I am determined to withdrawe my selfe for a certaine time vnto my Castle of Mirefleur for my heart telleth me that in changing the ayre I shall also change my afflictions and that my troubled spirit shall there finde rest Madame answered Mabila I am of the same opinion to the end that when the Damosell of Denmarke doth returne you may more priuately speake with her and pleasure him that shee I hope shall bring with her the which would be very hard yea almost impossible to doe in this place As you loue mee then sayd Oriana let vs not tarry any longer for I am sure the King and Queene will very willingly giue vs leaue Now you must vnderstand that this place of Mirefleur was a little Castle most pleasantly seated two leagues from London built vpon the side of a hill and compassed vpon the one side with the Forrest and vpon the other with many Orchards full of all sorts of trees and pleasant flowers moreouer it was inuironed with many great Fountaines which watered it on all parts And because that once the King being there on hunting with the Queene seeing that his daughter tooke great pleasure in the place hee bestowed it vpon her and afterwards she caused a Nunnerie to bee builded within a bow shot thereof whereunto she sometimes went to recreate her selfe But that I may not degresse ouer farre from my first discourse Oriâ—â—a according as she had determined came and demanded leaue of the King and Queene for her departure the which was easily granted vnto her and therefore shee purposed to depart the next day very earely in the morning And because that Galaor and his consorts would in like sort returne to make a new search for Amadis finding the King at leasure they sayd vnto him If it please your Maiesty wee were greatly to be blamed if wee should any longer deferre the seeking of Amadis because my fellowes and I haue sworne neuer to rest in any place before wee haue heard of him therefore it may please your grace to giue vs leaue to depart to morrowe to doe our endeauours My friends answered the King I pray you deferre your departure yet a fewe daies longer in the meane season I will cause thirty knights to depart from hence who shall goe begin this voyage for I haue great neede of such knights as you are for an enterprise which is happened vnto me the which importeth me greatly both in goods and honour it is a battaile which I haue appointed against King Cildadan of Ireland who is a strong and mighty Prince And to let you vnderstand the cause of this warre Cildadan hath married one of the daughters of King Abies whom Amadis slew in Gaule And although time out of minde the realme of Ireland hath euer beene tributarie vnto the King of Great Brittaine neuerthelesse to haue an occasion of quarrell this Cildadan refuseth the payment thereof and sendeth me word that he will put one hundred of his knights in battaile against the like number of mine vpon this condition that if he be ouercome he will redouble the tribute which I doe demand of him otherwise he will hence-forth remaine free and acquitted the which I haue condiscended vnto So my friends I doe most earnestly entreat you euen as you loue mee not to forsake mee in this my greatest neede knowing assuredly that my enemies are strong and determined to worke my displeasure but by your good helpe and the right that we haue we shal easily ouercome them then shall you goe seeke out Amadis as you haue determined and you shall take as many of my knights with you as you please When they heard this request which the King did make vnto them there was not any amongst theÌ„ that was not content to obey him seeing his necessity so great although that thereby the quest of Amadis was delaied and at the same instant they
pleasure that wee might heare such speedy newes from him as might giue vs cause to reioyce And as they talked together Gandalin cast his eye vpon Florestan who was talking with Corisanda whome Gandalin knew not but hee thought her to be one of the fairest Ladies that euer he had seene therefore hee beseeched the Queen to tell him who shee was the which shee did and the occasion wherefore shee was come into great Brittaine as also the loue which she did beare vnto Florestan for whose sake she staied at the Court if she doe loue him said Gandalin shee may well vaunt that her loue is imployed vpon him in whome all bounty remaineth and he is such a one that hardly may his equal be found in all the world and moreouer Madame I assure you that if your grace did know him so well as I you would not esteeme any knight more then he for he is of a most valiant heart and high resolution He seemeth to be such a one answered the Queen further-more hee is of so good a grace and alied to so many good knights that it is impossible but that hee should bee such a gentle knight as thou hast reported him to be In the meane season Florestan entertained his Lady and Mistris whom he loued most feruently not without a cause for shee was passing faire a rich Lady and alied to the noblest houses in all great Brittaine Who hauing remained yet some few dayes in the Court after his returne shee determined to depart and taking her leaue of the king and Queene she took her iourney toward her own countrey Two whole daies together did Florestan accompany her who promised her that so soone as he heard any newes of Amadis and that the battaile was past betwixt the two Kings Lisuart and Cildadan if he remained aliue hee would come vnto her to tarry with her a long time then taking his leaue of her hee returned vnto the Court But you must vnderstand that Oriana who had not forgotten her determination of going to Mirefleur departed the next morning with her traine where shee had not long remained but that she perceiued the amendment of her health and with the same her hope increased to see him whom shee so greatly desired And because that the king had appointed that during her aboade in that place of Mirefleur the gate should continually bee kept and that no body should enter thereinn Oriana foreseeing for the great desire shee had that it should be so the comming of Amadis shee sent to tell the Abbesse that shee should send vnto her the keyes of the Nunnerie gardens to walke thither sometimes for her recreation the which shee accomplished which were hard adioyning to the Castle but yet inclosed with very high walles And one day as Oriana walked there accompanied onely with Mabila seeing the place fauourable and fit for her purpose as if Amadis were returned she began to thinke of him in such sort and vpon the pleasure she should receiue by his presence that in speaking to herselfe she sayd Ah my onely hope my sollace and my intire refuge wherefore art thou not beere with mee seeing at this present I haue the meanes both to giue vnto thee and also to receiue of thee such case and contentment as we haue so oftentimes desired to receiue one of another At the least I wil not depart from hence vntil I haue wholy satisfied the hurt which by my ouer-great folly I haue procured vnto you but I will here attend your comming And if Fates or fortune doe permit mee to beholde you here shortly I promise you sweete loue to giue you the sure contentment that your seruent loue hath promised vnto you a long time but if my misfortune shall bee an hinderance vnto your speedy returne your only absence shall bee the meanes to hasten my end wherefore I beseech you to take pitty on this my weakenesse and to succour mee for I liue and yet languish in extreame bitternesse And seeing that euer hitherto you haue beene obedient vnto mee without contradicting me in any sort now the necessity beeing such I pray you by that power which you haue giuen mee ouer you that you would come to deliuer mee from death which I feele to approach and tarry not otherwise your delay will cause you ouer late to repent my vnhappy end In this sort did she speak as if Amadis had beene present when Mabila brake off her thought and Oriana changing her talke sayd to her Cosen seeing that wee haue the keyes of this place it were best that Gandalin should make some other like vnto them to the ende that your Cosen beeing returned may goe and come hither when as often as hee shall please It is wel aduised answered Mabila And as they were consulting there was one of the Porters sayd to Mabila Madam Gandalin is without who desireth to speake with you Let him come in answered Oriana for he hath beene brought vp with vs a long time and also he is foster brother vnto Amadis whom God preserue God so doe sayde the Porter it were a great damage that so good vertuous a knight should sustaine any hurt Then went he forth to goe seeke Gandalin and in the meane time Oriana said vnto Mabila I pray you see how your Cosen is beloued and esteemed of all men yea euen of the basest sort of people that are in a manner voyde of all vertue it is true answered Mabila Then Oriana sayde what would you haue mee doe but die hauing beene the onely cause of the ruine of him who is more worth then all the men in the world and who did better loue me then his owne selfe Ah accursed be the houre wherein I was borne seeing that by my folly and light suspition I haue done vnto him so great and so much wrong Madame answered Mabila I pray you forget these imaginations and onely arme you with hope for all this which you both say and doe serueth in no sort to ease your dolour Herewithall Gandalin entred in whom Oriana caused to sit downe by her and after some conference which they had together she recited how she had sent the Damosell of Denmark to seeke Amadis vnto whom shee had written a Letter containing that which you haue heard and what words also she had giuen her in charge to say vnto him therefore said the Princesse in thy opinion doest thou thinke that he will pardon me Madame answered Gandalin Me thinks you are little acquainted with his heart for I am sure for the least word that is in the letter hee will teare himselfe into an hundreth peeces for you if you do but onely command him by more likelyhood may you imagin whether he will be glad to come see you yea or no. And be you assured that seeing the Damosel of Denmarke hath vndertaken the charge to finde him that she will sooner accomplish the same then all the persons in the world
knights ready to begin the search of Amadis according to the appointment of Galaor and Florestan and therefore she was determined not to depart from Queene Brisena vntil they were returned again neyther would she nor her women bee apparrelled with other Garments then of black cloth vntill he were found for such weeds did she weare at such time as hee did make her Queene and now would shee neuer change her manner of life if he were lost In your iudgment said Oriana is she so faire as the report goeth of her So helpe me God answered the Damosell except your grace she is the fairest woman and of the best behauiour that euer I did see shee was very sorry when she heard of your sicknesse and shee sendeth you word by me that she will come and doe her dutie vnto you so soone as you shall thinke conuenient Truely said Oriana I am more desirous to see her then any other that I doe know Madam answered the faire Forlorne beleeu me she well deserueth that you should shew her all the honour you may although heretofore you haue wrongfully sustayned some griefe for her sake gentle loue said the Princesse for Gods sake let vs speake no more of passed melancholies for I am assured that I did thinke amisse You shall yet be better assured answered he by the testimony that you shall receiue of those Iewels which we shall gaine the which will henceforth quite extinguish all those vnhappy fancies that you haue conceiued against me if they should chance to returne againe into your thought increasing in you the opinion of that zeale and dutie which I doe owe and beare vnto you My Lord said Oriana I am well assured that the kerchiefe shall make you beleeue that what wrong soeuer you receiued of me proceeded of no other cause but by the extreame loue which I did beare vnto you we shall see shortly said the Damosell of Denmarke what will happen For the king hath granted your request by Enil In this sort did Oriana and the test of her company passe away the time vntill the day came wherein they must depart to make triall of that which you haue heard which caused her to rise about midnight attiring her as the faire Forlorne had deuised and hee likewise was armed at all points that done they passed through the garden and came to the place where Gandalin held their horses in readines Then mounted they vpon them taking their way toward the Forrest right vnto the Fountaine of the three channels But there Oriana thinking vpon the enterprise which she went about foreseeing the inconuenience and danger thereof not onely if she were disclosed but also how if she failed in gaining the kerchiefe Amadis might haue iust cause to suspect her and by that meanes she might loose that good reputation which shee had gotten with him Herewithall she began to repent her forwardnesse and to tremble so extreamly that the faire Forlorne perceiued it who said vnto her Madam had I thought you would haue been so ill at ease with this voyage I sweare vnto you that I would rather haue died then haue brought you out of doores therefore if it please you let vs returne againe to Mirefleur So saying he turned his horse head neuerthelesse Oriana considering that by her an aduenture so recommendable should bee deferred changed her minde and answered him I beseech you sweete loue not to take any heede vnto the feare that a timerous woman may haue in the middest of this great wood but vnto the vertue and valor that remaineth in you Very sorry was the faire Forlorne because hee had spoken in such sort vnto her doubting lest he had offended her and he said vnto her Madam seeing that your discretion hath surmouted my â—olly I beseech you to pardon me for I assure you my meaning was not to speake any thing that should be offensiue vnto you As they had ended their conference they came vnto the fountaine being yet an houre from day where they had not long stayed before Enil came vnto them whereat they were very ioyfull Then the faire Forlorne saide vnto Oriana Madame behold the Esquire which I promised you to send vnto king Lisuart by whose answere we may determin what to do In faith my Lord answered Enil he sendeth you by me all the assurance that you demand and further he aduertiseth you that the triall of the aduenture beginneth this day after his Maiesties comming from the Chappell All the better said the faire Forlorne wee shall then haue no great cause of stay Hereupon hee gaue him his shield and launce and without putting off his Helmet at all they tooke the right way to London the people had already heard that the knight which did ouercome the Giants should come vnto the kings lodging they said one to another Heauens shield the faire Forlorne from all mischiefe for he is worthy of great praise and most happy may that Lady thinke her selfe to whom he remaineth a seruant These words might Oriana vnderstand very well wherewith she was not a little ioyfull knowing that she was Lady Mistris of him whom so many people did both loue honor afterward they came and alighted at the Palace where they found the king Queen Ladies and a great number of knights already assembled all together in a great hal to make trial who should gaine the old mans Iewels And as soon as they knew of the arriuall of the Faire Forlorne the King rose vp with his traine to receiue them wherefore the Faire Forlorne kneeling down would haue kissed his hands but the K. lifted him vp saying vnto him My good friend you are most hartily welcome hither where you shall be as free as you would wish for you haue done as much seruice for me in so small a time as euer any knight performed either for King or Prince The Faire Forlorne answered not one word but onely bowed himselfe to his maiestie in signe of thankes and without stepping one foote from Oriana whom he held by the hand they came towards the Ladies who did all salute them very courteously You may imagine if the young Princesse were not now in some feare to be discouered being in such an assembly for the Queene her mother stepped vnto her looking her stedfastly in the face although it was couered with a laune and she said vnto her Gentlewoman I do not know who you are for to my knowledge I did neuer see you neuerthelesse for the loue of this knight in whose custody you are that hath done the king so great sernice assure you that in this place shal be shewed vnto you all the honour and seruice that possibly may bee For the which the Faire Forlorne humbly thanked her Maiestie but Oriana without speaking one word held her head down continually Therewithall the king and all his knights withdrew them to one side and the Queene and her Ladies to the other And in the meane time the Faire
the which he granted wherefore Enil according to the custome watched all night in the Chappell and the next morning about the breake of day after seruice was ended hee receiued the order of knighthood by the Faire Forlorne which done they all mounted on horse-back in the companie of Abradan and his two Nephewes who serued them for their Esquires In the end they arriued where king Lisuart had already ordered his battaile being ready to goe meete his enemies who stayed his comming in a plaine field but when the King beheld the Faire Forlorne hee was exceeding ioyfull and there was not any in the company whose courage was not increased at his comming Then hee approached neer vnto the king vnto whom he sayd it may please your Maiesty I am come to accomplish my promise and also I do bring another knight with me for I was aduertised that your number was not full where-withall the king gaue him most hearty thanks and although there was not any one of the hundred knights who were not all approomen and esteemed amongst the best yet king Lisuart after he had ordered his battallion seeing his enemies aproached beganne to make this Oration vnto his armie My fellowes louing friends and countriemen I am sure there is not any one amongst you who knoweth not very well how wee haue vndertaken this battaile with great right especially for the defence of the honour and reputation of the Realme of Great Brittaine which king Cildadan and those of Ireland would abase in denying vnto vs the tribute which they haue time out of minde paid vnto our predecessors for the acknowledgement of the fauours that in times past they haue receiued at their hands Moreouer I am throughly assured that there is not any of you all whose heart is not both valiant and inuincible for which cause there is no need that you should bee further animated or incouraged against those with whom you are to encounter hauing your honor before your eyes which I knowe you doe more esteeme then an hundred liues if it were possible that so many you might haue one after another Therefore then my deere friends let vs boldly march on not respecting a small number of cruell and bloody minded Gyants that are in their troupe for a man is not to be esteemed the valianter by the outward appearance of his great strong and huge members but by the magnanimious couragious heart that remaineth within him you doe oftentimes behold the dogge to master the bull and the sparrow hawke or hobbie to beate the kite Our enemies trust in the force of these monsters without hauing any respect vnto the wrong that they maintaine and wee onely put our trust in God who being the righter of all iniuries will giue vnto vs sufficient strength to vanquish them by the dexterity of our persons our owne endeauours Let vs boldly then march on my friends euery one bearing this minde that hee is able both to combate and conquer the proudest of their troupe assuring you if this day we gaine the honour of the battaile that besides the honour and glory that shal be spread of vs thorow the whole world neuer enemy to great Brittaine dare once hereafter be so bold as to lift vp his head to doe vs the least iniury that may bee Thus did king Lisuart incourage his knights and king Cildadan on the other side did the like vnto his for he went from ranke to ranke to animate them saying vnto them Gentle knights of Ireland if you vnderstand vpon what occasion you goe to fight there is not one of you that will not blame his predecessor for being so slacke in the vndertaking of so glorious an enterprise The kings of Great Brittaine Vsurpers and Tyrants not onely towardes their subiects but also vpon their neighbours haue heretofore without any right exacted vpon their ancestors such a tribute as is very well known hath often beene payd and for this cause wee haue made this assembly and are come vnto this place to defend our liberty which cannot bee paid by any treasure It is your cause it is your right and not you◅ but your childrens who vntill this present time haue beene held and reputed by those whom you see determined likewise to make you seruants and slaues Will you then alwayes liue in this sort Will you continue this yoake vnto your successors are you of lesse courage or of lesse substance then your neighbours Ah if wee are conquerours they shall restore that which they haue had of vs. I am very sure that Fortune doth fauour vs for you see what men of worth are come vnto our ayde knowing our great right Let vs resist them let vs resist them valiant knights I see King Lisuart and his troupe now in feare ready to turne their backs vnto vs. They are as they say accustomed to vanquish but wee will teach them to accustome themselues to be vanquished One thing I would aduise you that euery one helpe his fellow keeping you as close together as possibly you may And longer would hee haue continued his Oration if hee had not seene King Lisuart prepared to ioyne with him Wherefore he retyred into the midst of his squadron and sayd very loud Now haue at them since they will care giue them cold iron enough At this cry euery man prepared to receiue his enemy shewing by their countenance that they were men most hardy and couragious And formost of all did march the Faire Forlorne accompanied with Enil as also Galaor Florestan Agraies Gandalac the Gyant who stole Galaor away when he was but two yeares olde and his two sons Bramandill and Gainus whom Galaor had newly made knights After them Nicoran de Pont Craintif Dragonis Palomir Viuorant Giontes Nephew to the King the most renowmed Brunnio de Bonne Mer his brother Branfill and Guillan the Pensif who all marched after old Grumedan a knight of honour belonging to the Queene who carried King Lisuart his standard On King Cildadan his side the Gyants made the front of the battaile with twenty knights all neere a kinne vnto the King who like a prouident Generall appointed that Mandafabull the Gyant of the Isle of the Vermilliō Tower should remayne vpon the top of a little hill with ten of the best knights in their troupe cōmanding them not to stir from thence vntill they should perceiue assuredly toward the end of the battell that the most valiant knights of Knig Lisuarts fide should be scattered and weary and that then they should rush in vpon them without spearing any man sauing the Kings person Whom they should take prisoner and if they should perceiue any great resistance to be made they should kill him if they could not carry him vnto their ships Thus the two battailes approched so neere one to another that they came to the ioining together there might you haue seene Lances broken armour clattering armes stroken off some crying others breaking the ranks of their
enemies so that this day might be well called a sorrowfull and dismall day for those that were in this conflict the which continued so long vntill the most part of the day was past yet none of them had so much time as once to breath and yet it was so hot that there was neither horse not Knight that was not weary exrteamly trauailed for some lay vpon the ground and the most part of the rest in little better case were so weake that they could scant sit vpon their horses At the same time the Faire Forlorne fearing least the losse should fall vpon their fide begā to shew al his force and strength and he lighted vpon neuer an Irishman nor giant but that hee drew the blood from his body Close by his side did King Lisuart ride who did well shew the great prowesse that remained in him and hee was not ignorant of what consequence the end of this battaile was for loosing the victory thereof he lost his dignity his life and honor by meanes whereof without sparing his person hee was entred in amongst his enemies hauing his right arme all dyed with the blood of those whose liues had passed by the edge of his sword On the otherside Agraies Galaor Florestan hauing from the beginning seen the great force and high Knight-hood that the Faire Forlorne had executed vpon his enemies they who of long time did maligne him determined either to dye or to make knowne vnto euery one that they could also fight as well or better then hee so that this emulation was partly the cause of the animating of them so far that they all had likely to haue lost their liues for Galaor chafed like a Lion that is pursued came rushing in among the Giants and encountred Cartadaque of the inuincible mountaine who already with his battaile axe had ouerthrown at his feete six of king Lisuarts knights although that hee was wounded vpon the shoulder with a blowe that Florestan had giuen him whereby hee lost much of his blood then Galaor came vnto him and with all his strength hee gaue him so great a blowe vpon the head that hee cleft his helmet and the sword passing down along cut of his eare and the helue of his axe close vnto his fist Wherefore the Giant finding himselfe disfurnished of his weapon ran vpon Galaor and lifted him vp with such force that hee tooke him vp from his horse crushing him betweene his armes so streightly that one might easily haue heard his bones cracke Neuerthelesse the Gyant could not sit so sure in his saddle but that hee was forced to fal to the groūd with his burthē wherfore Galaor which yet held his sword in his hand foūd the meanes to thrust him in the beuer of his helmet and it entred so farre into his head that hee there withall yeelded vp the Ghost But Galaor was so tyred that after hee was gotten vp from vnder Cartadaque he had not power to pull his sword from the place wherein hee had thrusted it and that which was worst he was so crouded with the presse of people that hee was likely to haue died vnder the horses feet for many good knights both of the one and of the other side hauing seene the encounter betweene him and the Gyant and the perill of them both were approached of purpose to succour them by meanes whereof the battaile was then very great and maruailous hot for King Cildadan suddenly came to that place who ouerthrew all those hee found in his way and had not the Faire Forlorne beene who with one blowe of his sworde stroke him off his horse Galaor had there surely died or beene taken but when hee beheld King Cildadan on foot beside him he princely seased his sword which hee held and began to defend himselfe and that so valiantly as mauger all his enemies hee made them giue him roome Notwithstanding hee had ouerchafed himselfe so much in this last bickering that hee was quite out of breath and hee fell downe flat vpon the earth There was the Gyant Gandalac who had fostered him vp in his infancy hee seeing him fall was so angry that with great rage hee buckled with Albadanor another Gyant and so many strokes they gaue vnto each other with their clubs that they their horses were ouerthrowne where-with Albadanor had his arme broken and Gandalac his legge But they were not alone that were thus ill intreated for one might haue seene more then six score knights lying vpon the ground and yet was not halfe the day spent Then Mandafabull the Gyant of the Isle of the red Tower who had beene appointed not to depart from the little hill wheee hee remayned vntill the extreamity of the battaile seeing so many knights dead scattered and wounded thought that he might well end this enterprise and that it were very easie for them to defeate the rest by meanes whereof hee began to runne right vnto that place where was the greatest presse crying vnto his knights Take heed that none escape away aliue let all passe by the edge of the sword as for mee I haue vowed to take King Lisuart in hand for hee is mine dead or aliue This cry was heard of euery one especially of the Faire Forlorne who returned from taking of a fresh horse which one of the nephewes vnto his host had reserued for him and fearing that the Gyant would doe as hee said hee came and stepped before the King with Agraies Florestan Brunco de Bonne Mer Branfil Guillan the Pensif and Enil who had all day long behaued himselfe so valiantly that hee was had in very great reputation Now was Mandafabull better seconded then he thought for as hee approached neere vnto the esquadron of King Lisuart Sarmadan the Leonnois Vncle to King Cildadan one of the best knights of his stocke came foorth of the troupe and running against the Faire Forlorne he hit him so right a blow through his shield that he wounded him yet not very much and in passing by the Faire Forlorn did hit him such a thwart blow with his sword vpon the beuer of his helme that he cut both his eyes and the halfe of his visage off throwing him downe starke dead vpon the ground Herewithall Mandafabull and those that were with him beeing mad angry entered pell mell among King Lisuart his knights with such furie that mauger their resistance Mandafabull took hold of the King by the coller and lifted him from his horse carrying him vnder his armes right vnto his shippes But the faire Forlorne was ware of it who ran after him and ouertooke the Gyant hitting him so forcibly with his sworde vpon the arme that hee cut it off hard by the elbow and the blowe sliding downe wounded the King in such sort that the blood sell downe vpon the ground Then Mandafabull with the great griefe that hee felt gaue a loud cry and without going any further he fell downe dead in the place where-upon
the Faire Forlorne seeing that his blow had so well profited as that therewithall hee had slaine such a Gyant and deliuered the King in like sort hee began to cry aloud Gaule Gaule here is Amadis who is yet aliue So saying hee entred amongst the thickest of his enemies who had in a manner lost their hearts by seeing two of the principallest of their army in that sort to be slaine especially knowing that Amadis whom they long before thought to bee dead was present to their confusion And had not Gandaturiell one of the strongest Gyants in their troupe encouraged them againe they had then surely turned their backs but hee valiantly made head against his enemies which being perceiued by Amadis who was desirous to reuenge his brother Galaor whom hee imagined to bee dead he thrust himselfe amongst his enemies and entred into the thickest of the presse so farre that there he had remained without the ayd which King Lisuart brought vnto him who had recouered his horse and there were in his companie Bruneo Florestan Guillan Laâ—asin Galuanes Olinas and Don Grumedan who carryed his standard which was cut asunder betweene his armes All those seeing Amadis in so great danger although the most part of them were very sorely wounded had such exceeding ioy when they knewe that it was hee that they bestirred them in such sort as notwithstanding all the resistance that these Irishmen could make they gaue ayde vnto Amadis and passing on further they found Agraies Palomir Branfil and Dragonis manfully fighting on foote against those that had throwne them downe Yet they were so neerely driuen that they could not any longer withstand the force of their enemies although they had already slaine more then sixe as well Gyants as Irishmen which would haue ouer-runne them and without doubt they had beene so handled had not these succours come vnto them So that they which would haue forced them had enough to doe to defend themselues because that Amadis in spight of them made them to recoyle backe and that in such sort as with the ayde of his troupe hee was the meane that his Cosen Agraies and his fellowes did remount their horses Then the forces of King Lisuart encreased and the Irish troupes decreased who dispairing of all helpe had recourse vnto their vessels which were afloate hard by the shoare to saue their booty if Fortune had not contradicted them but Amadis pursuing the victory chased them with such fury that the most part of the vanquished desired rather to be buried amidst the waues of the Sea then on the shoare which was so died and watered with their blood The which Gandaturiell perceiuing being esteemed amongst all the Gyants one of the stoutest without any feare at all of his death which hee saw ready prepared for him desiring before the end of his dayes to bee reuenged bearing his head somewhat lowe and holding his sharp sword in his hand he would haue stroken at king Lisuart but Florestan stepped before him who hit him so sound a knock with his sword vpon the Helmet that hee made it flie from his head and the King who was hard at hand seeing him bare diuided his pate into two parts Then was there a great slaughter of the Irishmen for they were all now ouerthrowne by Amadis Florestan and Agraies who persued them euen into the Sea where they were swallowed vp with waues wherewith king Lisuart and his people retyred And because that Amadis had marked the place where hee had seene Galaor stroken downe hee prayed his Cosen Agraies others that they would helpe him to finde him amongst the dead Neuerthelesse they had not found him without the helpe of Florestan who knew him by a greene sleeue which hee did weare wrought full of white flowers but hee was so couered with blood dust that they could scant knowe him And I doe not knowe so hard a heart which had then seene the mone that Amadis did make for him that would not haue burst forth into teares for he beholding him in this estate fell down all along vpon him Whereby his wounds did open against which the congealed blood was already setled and I thinke that Amadis had died vpon him if twelue Damosels had not by chaunce come thither suddenly who were very richly attyred and had caused a rich bed to bee brought by their Esquires these finding Amadis so desperate sayde vnto him My Lord wee are come hither to seeke your brother Galaor and if you will euer see him aliue suffer vs to carry him presently away otherwise there is no Chyrurgion in all Great Brittaine that is able to heale him Herewithall Amadis was greatly ashamed because the Damosels had found him in that order and although that hee knew them not yet hearing them speak of his brothers health hee determined seeing the extreame perill wherein he was not to refuse their request though it was to his extreame griefe And therefore he answered them my faire gentlewomen may in please you to tell vs whither you will carry him Not now said they but if you will desire to haue him liue giue him vnto vs without any longer delay otherwise wee will be gone Alas answered he I pray let mee followe you You may not and yet for your sake wee are coÌ„tent that Ardan the Dwarffe and his Esquire shall accompanie him Then they layd him vpon the bed all armed as hee was they caused him forthwith to be carried into the ship from whence they were come which was yet close to the shoare Afterwards they returned againe vnto king Lisuart to entreate him that hee would giue them king Cildadan who lay among the dead and to induce him thereunto they shewed vnto him that although Fortune had fauoured him in this exployt yet hee should not exteÌ„d his cruelty vpon his enemy The which the King considering permitted them to carry him away dead or aliue wherefore the Damosels took him vp and carried him away with Galaor and so soone as they came into the ship they set sayle hauing the winde so faire that suddenly they were out of all mens sight Thus king Lisuart remayned coÌ„querour ouer his enemies going quite through the field to find out as well such of his owne people as those of his enemies that were not yet thoroughly dead to cause them carefully to bee looked vnto by skilfull Surgeons And as hee went from one place to another hee met with Amadis whose face was all to be blubbered with tears vnto whom he had not as yet spoken since his returne and seeing him so heauy after he had knowne the cause of his mone hee shewed an euident signe of the sorrow that he sustayned for Galaors sake whoÌ„ hee loued as dearely as himselfe not without cause for from the first day that hee receiued him for one of his knights he alwaies serued him faithfully neuer forsaking him for any warre or debate that happened betweene his maiesty Amadis as hereafter
the earth and the Queene also who is one of the wisest Ladies that liueth Then shee called Amadis saying vnto him My Lord Amadis come neer and I will tell you to ease you of the trauaile that you should haue in seeking of Galaor that your brother is well and so throughly healed that you shall see him heere very shortly therefore leaue off your determined search of him for hee is in such a place as all the men in the world can neuer finde him Madame answered Amadis when hee was demanded of me by the Damosels that carried him away I imagined that he should be saued by you and that no other but Vrganda would haue vndertaken such an enterprise which hath euer since put mee in good hope without the which I thinke I had beene dead For this one thing I am sure of that there is no knight in the world more bound to Lady or gentlewoman then I am to you for the which I am not able to yeeld you such condigne thanks as I doe owe and you deserue but you know very well that Amadis his life shall neuer be spared to do you seruice Madame said the king will it please you to come and rest you in my Pallace Your Maiesty answered Vrganda shall pardon me for I will remayne this night in my galley and to morrow I wil doe whatsoeuer it shal please you but Amadis Agraies Bruneo and Guillan shall keepe mee companie because I knowe they are as amorous as my selfe and their companie will be a meanes to driue away all melanchollie Doe what you will said the King for you shall be obeyed Then he caused the people to returne vnto the Citty and he himself bidding Vrganda good night departed leauing for her guard a number of archers vpon the sands the next morning the Queene sent vnto Vrganda twelue of her owne hacknies richly trapped vpon the which shee and her women entred into the Cittie and Vrganda rode in the midst of the foure knights which she had ouernigh detained to keep her companie They intertained her with diuerse discourses by the way wherein she tooke so great pleasure that shee said vnto them Beleeue meâ— it would bee a long time before should be wearie of so good companie as this of yours is for I assure you that I finde you all foure so agreeable to my nature that you are particularly euen all one with my selfe for if I bee in loue you are no lesse holding Ladies in most great estimation And this saide Vrganda because that shee languished with extreame loue which shee did beare vnto the faire Knight of whom in our first booke wee haue mentioned vnto you Their conference was no sooner ended when they approached neere vnto the Pallace but the King who there had staied came forth to meete them and as hee embraced Vrganda bidding her heartily welcome she looked round about her vpon the companie and beheld a great number of knights in each place Whereuppon she sayd me thinks your Maiesty is now royally accompanied not onely for the multitude of great personages that are with you but especially for the loue which I am sure they do beare vnto you for which you ought greatly to praise God For the Prince that is beloued of his subiects may be sure to maintaine his estate in great safety therefore your Maiesty must endeauour to entertaine and vse them Kingly that your fortune which hitherto hath fauoured you do not forsake you if you doe otherwise and aboue all things take heede of false reports seeing that it is the very poyson and ruine of such Princes as giue credit vnto them And as the King would haue brought her to her chamber she said vnto him may it please your Maiesty that I may first goe and doe my duty to the Queene I with all my heart gentle Lady answered hee I am sure that shee will be most glad to see you as shee that hath greatly desired to honour and please you Herewithall hee conducted her where the Ladies were and so soone as the Queene did see her she rose vp and kissed her saying that she was exceeding welcome then shee made her sit downe betweene Oriana Briolania whom Vrganda had neuer yet seene and shee found that Briolania was the fairest Lady in they world if Oriana by her excellency had not blemished her beauty and to speake truth there was great difference betweene them two Then Vrganda sayde vnto the Queene Madame I doe now finde that true which I haue euer heard reported Which is that the King was more accompanied with worthy knights then any other Christian Prince and you also attended vpon by the fairest Ladies on the earth for hee which conquered the Firm-Island being a better knight then Apolidon the famous victory which so lately hath beene obtayned against King Cildadan by the effusion of the blood of so many Gyants as there dyed are sufficient witnesses of the one and I am sure to proue the other it will easily be granted vnto me that vnder the firmament it is not possible to finde fairer Ladies then these two heere pointing to Oriana and Briolania but if your Court hath this preheminence it is yet honoured for one thing and farre more recommendable which is the loyalty wherein loue is there maintayned as well to be seene by the proofe of the burning sword and the kerchiefe beset with flowers which aduenture was performed in your presence When Oriana heard her goe so farre in her talke her heart beganne to tremble and she became sorry and pensiue fearing least Vrganda would speake more in disclosing the secresie betweene Amadis and her But Amadis who was present knowing the wisedome of her that knew all things and the doubt of Oriana hee approached vnto her whispering thus in her eare I assure you Madame that Vrganda is ouer discreete to speake any thing foolishly or vnaduisedly And therewithall hee turned vnto the Queene saying vnto her Madame your grace may demaund if it please you of Vrganda what she was that gained the kerchiefe I pray you sayd the Queene tell vs that By my faith answered Vrganda there is great cause why Amadis should know better what shee was then I for shee followed him and after-ward hee deliuered her from the hands of Arcalaus the enchanter and from Lindoraq his Nephew not without great daunger of his person Madame sayd Amadis it was impossible that I should either know her of my selfe better then you did seeing that you knowe that shee desiring to remaine vnknowne would neuer vncouer her face before me yet from you nothing may bee so well concealed that is not at your pleasure reuealed Truely answered Vrganda for your sake I will presently declare vnto you as much as I know The Dâ—…ell whose loyalty is so knowne is no maide for shee is a faire 〈◊〉 aboue all others most excellent and for the same cause did shee conquer the kerchiefe so renowined especially through
deuise Wherunto they all agreed so that the day following knowing that she was neere at hand Amadis accompanied with eight of the best knights in King Lisuarts Court mounted on Horse-backe in very good order But they had not long ridden when they did behold her a farre off comming with Ardan Canila who did lead her she was apparrelled all in black mourning as yet for the death of her father whoÌ„ Amadis had slain This sad apparrell did so much grace her that although of her selfe without any other helpe she was esteemed one of the fairest that might be seen yet was her beauty much more encreased by this mourning weede with the which the liuely whitenesse of her face was the more manifested by the grace which this blacke colour added thereunto and her two cheekâ— seemed like two white roses beautified with a naturall rednesse so as euen then those which had conceiued a mortall hate against her for the mischiefe which she procured vnto Amadis were now forced to loue her Behinde her marched the twelue gentlewomen apparrelled with the like attire After them came the old giant and his son followed with nine knights which all came as pledges Great was the entertainement that Amadis shewed vnto her and the rest of her traine and shee in like sort saluted them most courteously Then Amadis approching more neere said vnto her I promise you Madame that if you bee accounted faire and of good behauiour it is not without great cause seeing that I am now my self an eye witnesse of the truth thereof and truly that man ought to thinke himselfe happy whose seruice it shal please you to like of assuring you that I am willing to do you any pleasure and ready to obey your commandements when Ardan Canila heard him speake so courteously although hee was finally fauoured by Madasima hee was ouercome with iealousie and answered Amadis knight stand back and speake not so priuately vnto her whom you know not Sir said Amadis the cause of my comming hither is not onely to be acquainted with her but also to offer vnto her my person and my goods You are no doubt answered he some good fellow and worthy to be by her greatly imployed neuerthelesse faire sir get you gone from her otherwise I will make you know that it is not for so base a companion as you to vse so great familiarity with a woman of so high worth as she is Whatsoeuer I am answered Amadis yet do I desire to serue her notwithstanding your threats for although I am not of that worth as I would be yet shall not the affection that I beare vnto her bee abated by thy malapert boldnesse But sir you that are so lusty who would make me know my duty depart from her for whom willingly I would employ my best meanes tell mee what you are Ardan Canila exceeding angry beholding Amadis with a sterne and scornefull countenance answered him I am Ardan who am better able to increase her welfare and honour in one day then thou canst with the best meanes thou hast doe her seruice in all thy life It may very well be said Amadis notwithstanding I know that this whereof thou vantest shall neuer by thee bee executed so indiscreete and spightfull art thou And because that thou greatly desirest to know whether I am a sufficient man or not know thou that my name is Amadis of Gaule against whom thou desirest to fight and if this Lady be displeased with ought that I haue said vnto her I wil make her such amends therefore as shee shall please to command at my hands By my Gods answered Ardan Canila if thou tarriest the combat the satisfactioÌ„ which she shall take shall be thy head That would displease me meruailously said Amadis but I will giue her a head that shall bee more welcom to her if she please breaking the marriage of you two being so far vnfit one for another for she is faire wise and of courteous behauiour thou deformed foolish churlish Hereat Madasima the Gentlewomen began all to laugh Ardan to be extreamely angry that to behold his countenance and the rage wherein hee was one might easily haue iudged the little good that hee wished to Amadis vnto whom hee answered not one word more yet he ceased not grumbling and gnashing his teeth vntill hee came before the king Then very indiscreetely he began to say King Lisuart behold here the knights that must now enter into your prison according to the promise which yesterday a gentlewoman made vnto you in my behalfe Wherefore if Amadis dare be so bold to do as he hath boasted I am here ready to breake his head What will you doe answered Amadis Thinkest thou my heart so weake or my right so small that I cannot abate the pride of a man so audacious as Ardan is I assure thee that although I had not vndertaken it yet would I combat thee onely to hinder the marriage betweene thee and Madasima And therefore deferre not to deliuer vp these hostages which thou doest brag off for I verily hope to reuenge the good and valiant King Ardan Angriotta for the great wrong they haue receiued during their imprisoÌ„ment I haue brought them along with me said Ardan knowing that you would demand them but I am in good hope to restore them againe into the power of the faire Madasima and to giue her therewithall the mold of thy cap to testifie that it becommeth not such a gallant as thou art to vse mee with such proude and spightfull tearmes and that â—o the executing therof she may receiue the greater pleasure it may please your king to appoint that she may he set in a place hard at hand to the end that she may both plainely see the reuenge thee 〈◊〉 shall take of thee and 〈…〉 where with thou 〈…〉 same instant the 〈…〉 brought and thâ— faire Madasima together with her twelue Gentle women came to doe their humble duties vnto the Queene and by her side was the old Giant his two sons and the nine knights who all fell vpon their knees before the King At the same time euery one did attentiuely beholde th◠〈◊〉 faire Madasima who shewed such an humble countenance that she was greatly esteemed yet could not Oriana cast one good looke vpon her thinking that shee of her owne will did procure the ruine of Amadis for the which none was more sorrowfull then shee But Mabila who was in like sort neerely touched with the matter 〈◊〉 her in hope that God would â—yde him and that her Cosin might as easily ouer throw and vanquish Ardan Canila as hee did the proâ—… Dardan and many other knights both valiant and stout The pledges then being receiued as the custom was both the knights reâ—ired each of them to the place appointed for them staying vntill the time that they should enter into the field the which the king had commanded to bee closed in with paâ—es Then Gandalin
they would pray them all to meete together and that then they would take counsell what was best to be done And at the same instant Amadis sent Durin to tell the Princesse Mabila that he would if it were possible the night following speake with Oriana about some matter of importance newly fallen out In this sort the day passed and the night approched being alreadie apparrelled in his sable weede wherefore at such time as euery one was in their soundest sleepe Amadis called Gandalin and came vnto that place by the which hee commonly entred into the chamber of Oriana who stayed for him according to the message which shee had receiued by Durin where being arriued without acquainting her at the first with any thing that might displease her after they had a little while discoursed pleasantly together Mabila the Damosell of Denmark who were desirous to sleep or it may be not being able to endure that heat where-with loue did pricke them seeing the kissings embracings where-with these two louers entertained one another sayd vnto them the bed is bigge enough for you two and the darknesse fit for your desires it is now late lie you downe if it please you and afterwardes talke together as much as you wil. Madame said Amadis vnto Oriana by my faith their counsell is very good It is best for vs then to beleeue them answered shee and therewithall hauing nothing vpon her but a cloake cast about her she had quickly gotten her in between a paire of sheets and as shee layd her downe close in her bed hee lent so neere vnto her ouer the beds side that after the curtains were drawne not to encrease his passion but to redouble his pleasure a wax taper being onely lighted vp in the chamber they began to kisse and embrace each other so incessantly that remaining in this great ease their spirits entertained a double delight by the sweet sollace which their metamorphosed soules did mutially receiue from the outward parts of their lippes being brought at the same instant into such an extasie that they were thereby vnable to speake one worde vntill the Damosell of Denmarke thinking that Amadis had beene asleepe pulled him by the garment saying My Lord you may lightly take colde get you into the bed if it please you With this waking as it were forth of a sound sleepe hee setched a deepe sigh Alas deare loue sayd the Princesse should you not be as well at your ease if you were laid downe in the bed by mee as to take so much paine and hurt your selfe Madame answered he seeing it pleaseth you so to command me I will not make it daintie to straine a little curtesie with you No sooner had hee sayde these wordes but that hee threwe him-selfe starke naked betweene the Princesse her armes then begunne they againe their amorous sports performing with cōtentment that thing which euery one in the like delight doth most desire after-wardes they began to conferre of diuers matters vntill that Oriana demāded of him wherefore he had sent her word by Durin that he had somewhat of great importance to tell her Madam answered he I wil declare it vnto you seing that you desire to know it although I am sure it will be both strange grieuous vnto you neuertheles I must of necessity aduertise you thereof because it is of so great cōsequēce You must vnderstand therefore Madame that the King your father yesterday did speake vnto Agraies Galuanes me in such discurteous sort that thereby we wel perceiued little good hee wisheth vs afterwards he recited vnto her word by word of all that had happened how in the end the king rising vp in a great rage told them that the worlde was large enough for them to goe seeke some other place where they might bee better requited then of him And for this cause Madame sayde Amadis wee must of force doe what hee hath commaunded otherwise wee should greatly preiudice our honours remaining against his wil in his seruice seeing that he might presume that wee had no other place to goe vnto where we might be entertained therefore I beseech you not to be offended if in obeying him I am constrained to leaue you for a season You know what power you haue ouer mee and that I am as much yours as you can wish more-ouer I know very well that if I should gaine any bad reputation you are she that would bee most offended therewith so much am I sure that you doe loue and esteeme mee which maketh mee againe to entreate you to allow of my departure and to giue mee leaue vsing your accustomed constancy and vertue Alas answered shee my deere loue what doe you tell me Madame if it please God the King heereafter will acknowledge the wrong that he hath done vnto vs and I shall bee as well wel-come vnto him as euer I haue bin Gentle friend answered the Princesse you do much amisse to complaine of my father for if he hath receiued any good from you it was for my loue by the commandement that I gaue vnto you and not for his sake for I alone did bring you hither and was the cause that you remained with him And therefore it is not hee that must recompence you but I vnto whom you belong It is very true that hee hath alwaies thought otherwise for which hee is the more to bee blamed for answering you so vndiscreetly And although that your departure is the most grieuous thing that could happen to me being a matter of constraint I am content to sortifie my selfe and to prefer reason before the delights and pleasures which I receiue by your presence Therefore will I frame my will to your liking because I am sure that in what place soeuer you shall bee your heart which is mine shall remaine with mee as pledge of the power which you haue giuen me ouer your selfe and yet moreouer my father in losing you shall know by those few that he shall haue left what he hath lost by you Madame said Amadis the fauour which you shew vnto me is so great that I esteeme it no lesse then the redemption of mine owne life For you know that euery vertuous man ought to haue his honour in such estimation that hee ought to preferre it before his owne life In like sort Madam seeing that to conserue it I must of force depart from you doe thus much if it please you for mee as during my absēce to let me heare very often from you And to hold mee alwaies in your good fauour as he who was neuer borne but only to obay and serue you And truely whosoeuer had seene the Princesse then when Amadis took this sorrowfull farwell he might easily haue bin witnes of the passiō which she indured Neuerthelesse Amadis seeing the day constrained him to depart in kissing her sweetly hee rose vp leauing her so ful of sorrow heauines that although shee dissembled as well as shee
the auncient knight Don Grumedan to make his excuse vnto her Maiesty Afterwards taking his leaue of the king with great reuerence he retired vnto his lodging with his friends and companions where they found their dinner ready and as soone as the Table was taken vp euery one went to arme him and they trouped altogether in a place where Oriana might behold them and their number was so great as they were thought to be fiue hundred knights and more the most part of them being Sons vnto kings dukes or earles Afterwards in very good order they all passed along hard by the Queenes lodging Then Mabila being in one of the windows called Oriana who was laid vpon her bed as melancholy as might be saying vnto her Madame I pray you forget your heauinesse and come see how many knights you haue at your commandement All the while my cosin was in the seruice of the king your father he was accounted but as a simple wandring knight but no sooner is he departed from him when hee sheweth that hee is a Prince and mighty Lord as you may now behold and if you haue power ouer him by greater reason haue you power ouer all his troope of whom hee is the chiefe and principall Leader Oriana was so greatly comforted with this sight that euer after she was more merry and at better hearts ease In this sort did Amadis and his followers passe through the Citty and there accompanied them king Arban of North Wales Grumedan a knight of honour belonging to the Queene Brandoinas Queuorant Giontes Nephew to the King and Listoran the good iouster All these were very sorry for the departure of so many good knights especially for Amadis who prayed them that in any matter wherein his honour might bee blemished they would shew themselues to be such friends for him as hee esteemed them And although the king without any occasion had conceiued a hate against him yet they should not cease for all that to be his friends without forsaking the seruice of so good a prince and they answered him that excepting their seruice and loyalty in the which they were by duty bounde vnto the king they would bee ready to pleasure him at all times and places when and where he would employ them for the which hee heartilie thanked them Afterwards hee saide vnto them If you finde the king fit to be spoken vnto you may aduertise him that which Vrganda declared to mee in his presence is now accomplished for shee told mee that the recompence which I should haue in gayning Dominions for another should be hate anger and banishment from that place where most I desired to remaine I haue conquered as euery one knoweth with the edg of my sword and the losse of my blood the Isle of Mongaza thereby enlarging the limits of the realme of great Brittaine and notwithstanding al this the king without cause at all hath requited mee with hate but God is iust and will recompence euery one according to his deserts By my faith answered Grumedan I will not faile to let the King know as much as you haue sayde And cursed be Vrganda for prophesing so right which saide they embraced one another and tooke their leaue but Guillan the pensil whose eyes were full of teares said vnto Amadis My Lord you know my occasion and how I cannot of my selfe doe any thing being subiect so the will of another for whose sake I suffer and endure strange greefes and anguishes which is the cause that I cannot follow you for which I am very sorry and ashamed so great a desire haue I to acknowledge the fauour and honour that I haue receiued of you being in your company beseeching you most humbly at this time to holde me excused Now did Amadis vnderstand in what subiection loue did holde him and hee knew very well by himselfe what paine hee might suffer by meanes whereof he answered him My Lord Guillan God forbid that by my occasion you should commit any offence vnto the Lady whom you loue so constantly but I rather counsell you to be obedient vnto her and to serue her as hitherto you haue done and the King likewise being sure that your honour saued you wil be vnto me in all places a faithfull friend and louing companion Heere withall he embraced him taking his leaue Guillan and his fellowes returned vnto the Cittie and Amadis and his followed on their way to the Firme-Island vntill at the last they arriued along by a riuer vpon the side whereof Amadis had sent before to cause his Tents and Pauillions to be armed and set vp There they lodged for that night praising God in that they had so happily been warned of the Kings ingratitude with whom if they had remained any longer space they had but lost their time But Amadis was so heauie for his banishment from Oriana ignorant when he should see her again that he knew not in what sort to dissemble his malancholie and thus they passed away the night vntill the next morning that they had rode forward on their way In the meane time King Lisuart was in his Pallace who after the departure of so great a number of Knights perceiued that he now was but meanly accompanied Then he began to acknowledge the fault which he had committed and to repent him greatly for the words which he said vnto Amadis At the very selfe same time Gandandel and Brocadan were aduertised what Angriotta had said of them whereat they were maruailously abashed fearing least the King and the rest should dislike of the bad counsell which they had giued vnto him neuerthelesse since there was no remedy they determined to passe it ouer and to worke such meanes that neuer any of those Knights who were departed should enter into the King his fauour againe And the better to bring it to passe they both came vnto him saying Your Maiestie ought greatly to praise God that you are so honestly rid of those men who might haue wrought you much mischiefe for your highnesse knoweth there is nothing more dangerous then a secret enemy Wherefore you haue now no other thing to trouble you neither neede you take any care for your affaires because that wee two will take order and warily prouide for any perill that may happen to this Realme When the king heard them speake so audaciously hee looked vpon them with a sowre countenance and answered them I do much meruaile how you dare bee so presumptuous to perswade me that I should leaue vnto you the gouernment not onely of my house but also of my whole realm knowing that you are nothing fit not sufficient for such a charge Doe you imagine that the Princes and Lords of this monarchie will obay you knowing the place from whence you are descended And if you thinke to play the good husbands desiring to enrich mee by sparing of my treasure vpon whom doe you thinke that I may better imploy it then vpon such Gentle-men
himselfe so well but that hee felt some part of the strokes for he was sore wounded in many places yet was it nothing in respect of the others In the meane time Sarquiles whom Damas had in hand began to be ashamed with the ouer great resistance that his enemy made vnto him and for the same cause setting spurs vnto his horse he found the meanes to buckle with his enemy and as they were strugling together and striuing who should fall first Angriotta doubting that his Nephew would haue the worst drew towards him but before hee came neer vnto him Sarquiles and Damas fell down one vpoÌ„ another By this means was their incounter re-enforced because that Angriotta endeauoured to succour his Nephew the others to relieue their kinsman Who being vnder Sarquiles could by no meanes rise vp for Sarquiles held him so short that pulling off his helmet hee thrust his sword into his throat then seeing his enemy dead hee left him there came running vpon Tarin and his companion who were in a manner out of breath ready to yeeld or to aske mercy The which the King Broquadan Gandandel perceiuing they were so sory that they departed Notwithstanding although they were displeased with this sight yet all the rest of the Court there present tooke pleasure to behold it for the loue which they did beare vnto Amadis his friends And more gladder yet were they when they saw them brought to the extreamity of their vnhappy end For scant had the King turned his head froÌ„ the window but that Angriotta did hit Corian so forcible a blow that hee quite cut off all his right shoulder with the extreame griefe whereof giuing a signe of his death he fell downe kissing the ground with his nose after whom Tarin staied not long before he did as much Thus were the sons of these traitors slaine for the which Madasima Oriana and many others did greatly reioyce Then Angriotta his Nephewes tooke the bodies of the vanquished and dragged them forth of the fields afterwards they demaunded of the ludges if they had performed as much as was requisite who answered that they had Whereupon they both retyred in great triumph accompanied with their friends they came vnto the tents of their fellowes coÌ„ducting with them Madasima and her women because they knew assuredly that King Lisuart was very angry for the good fortune which had hapned vnto theÌ„ so much hurt did he wish vnto Amadis notwithstaÌ„ding that he wel perceiued how his affairs prospered very badly euer since he had driuen him away the FreÌ„ch knights of his coÌ„pany The end of the Second Booke A Table of the Chapters contained in this Second Booke CHAPTER I. THe description of the Firme-Island who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were sound in the same Fol. I. Chap. 2. How Amadis Galaor Florestan and Agraies hauing taken leaue of the faire Briolania to returne vnto King Lisuart were carried into the Firme-Island to prooue the arch of Loyall louers and the other aduentures in the same Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How Durin departed to goe towards Amadis vnto whom he deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt hapned thereby F. 14. Chap. 4. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which hee had left behinde then found him sleeping and how he fought against a Knight whoÌ„ hee did ouer come Fol. 18. Chap. 5. Who was the Knight vanquishea by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him Fol. 23. Chap. 6. How Don Galaor Florestan and Agraies vndertooke the search of Amadis who hauing left his armour changed his name and withdrew himselfe to an Hermitage in the company of a very olde Hermite There to liue solitary F. 27. Chap. 7. How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom hee declared the sorrowfull newes of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his dispaire Fol. 35. Chap. 8. How Don Guillan the Pensiue did bring vnto the Court of King Lisuart the shield armour and sword of Amadis which hee had found lying by the fountaine of the plaine field Fol. 39. Chap. 9. How the Faire Forlorne beeing in the Rocke with the Hermite there arriued a ship in the which was Corisanda who sought for her friend Florestan and of that which happened vnto them Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentlewoman of Denmarke going in search of Amanis after long trauaile coasting along many strange Islands by chance she arriued in the poore Rocke where Amadis was who was called the Faire Forlorne whom she knew how they returned together towards Oriana Fol. 53. Chap. 11. How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadis of whom they could heare no tydings at all wherupon they alreturned vnto the Court of King Lisuart Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How King Lisuart being set at the Table there came before him a strange Knight armed at all points who defied him The conference that Florestan had with him and how Oriana was comforted with the good news that she receiued from Amadis Fol. 71. Chap. 13. How the Faire Forlorne sent Enil his Esquire vnto London to cause a new armour to be made for him what aduenture chanced vnto him in going to Mireflour Fol. 78. Chap. 14. How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his aduenture be went vnto the fountaine of the three Channels from thence he tooke his way to Mireflcur where he found Oriana with whom he remained eight dayes together and at the same â—â—me there arriued in the Court of King Lisuart an auncient Gentlemen bringing with him two Iewels of singular vertue whereby the faithfull louer from the fained might be tryed the which Amadis Oriana determine to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neither be knowne of the King nor any other Fol. 90. Chap. 15. How the Damosell of Denmarke was sent vnto London to know what answer Enil had receiued from the King touching the safe conduct which was demanded by the Faire Forlorne who did afterwards bring Oriana thither to proue the strange Iewels Fol. 99. Chap. 16. How after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana backe againe to Mirefluer he departed that he might be in the battell with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him Fol. 110. Chap. 17. How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to them-selues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower enuironed with the Sea and the other in a Garden enclosed with high walles where they thought they had beene in prison of that which happened there vnto them Fol. 120. Chap. 18 How the euening ensuing the King being risen from the Table walking about the galleries of his Pallace he behâ—ld two great fires vpon the Sea that came directly towards the Citie Fol. 130. Chap. 19. How after the departure of Vrganda the King beeing readie to mount on horsebacke to execute the enterprise which he had determined to make vpon the burning Lake there came before him a Damsel Gyantesse to vnderstand whether his Maiesty would bee pleased to referre the quarrell that hee pretended in his voyage vpon the combate betwixt Ardan Canila and amadis of Gaule with such conditions as shall be declared vnto you Fol. 137. Chap. 20. How Bruneo de bonne Mer did fight with Madamine the ambitious brother to the Damosel iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause he and many others that were desirous to follow him aâ— parted from the Couâ—t Fol. 151. Chap. 21. How Amadis with many others his confederâ—tes forsook the seruice of King Lisuart and went as well to proue the aduentures of the Arch of loyall louers as also of the forbidden chambâ—r Fol. 163. Chap. 22. How Oriana remained in great perplexitie not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she â—â—lt herselfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels Fol. 173. FINIS
a proffer to smite off his heade which Grouenesa seeing cryed Ah gentle Knight haue pittie on him and mee together With aboundance of teares trickling downe her cheekes shee came and fell at the feete of Amadis shewing the affection of her request and her inwarde griefe to beholde her Vncles death all which Amadis well noting feigned himselfe more willing to kill him then before saying If your suite were reasonable I would consent thereto but hee hath so wronged mee and without occasion as I cannot bee satisfied but with the losse of his head Alas my Lord quoth shee for Gods sake demand some other satisfaction for I will doe whatsoeuer you please to redeeme his life Lady answered Amadis there be but two things which may saue his life first the deliuerance of the Damosell againe to mee secondly that you sweare to me as a loyall Lady to meet me at the first open Court held by king Lisuart and there to graunt a boone I shall desire of you Gasinan beholding the danger of his life saide to her Faire Niece suffer me not thorough your default to die but take compassion on mee and promise the knight faithfully what he shall demand which shee presently did wherefore Amadis permitted him to arise said to the Lady I assure yee Madame the suite I must obtayne of you gaine-saith nothing of my promise coÌ„cerning Amadis for I will accomplish it to my vttermost see then no default bee made on your behalfe In sooth my Lord quoth shee I will performe my duty effectually knowing well such men ought to bee honoured for vertue in whom so singular prowesse is apparant much lesse then neede any doubt be made of any thing preiudiciall tomy vnstayned report Be bolde thereof sayd Amadis then was the Damosell sent for and shee being come Amadis demanded if shee would accompany him any further Worthy Sir answered the Damosell I will doe what you please to command mee in respect I haue beene so painefull to you as while I liue I am yours in all obedience But were it your liking considering the affection Gasinan beares mee as hee would rather hazard the combate then deliuer mee albeit by treachery hee carried mee away I gladly could afford to stay with him By heauen faire Damosell replyed Gasinan most true and sincere is my affection towarde you and as I request yee not to forsake mee so doe I desire your good opinion You haue chosen Damosell one of the best knights in the worlde sayd Amadis and seeing you like each other so well with all my heart I leaue yee together They both thanked him very humbly intreating hee would rest himselfe there certaine dayes but hee would returne to his brother Galaor whom hee left vnder the tree by the dead knight by meanes whereof he excused his departure and mounting on horse-backe commanded Gandalin to carry the broken peeces of his sword with him By hap Gasinan ouer-heard him wherefore hee presented him with his sworde which hee accepted and a Launce that Grâ—â—enesa gaue him then leauing the Castle hee tooke the way againe toward the tree where hee hoped to finde Galaor and Balays CHAP. XXIX How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor lose his horse BAlays of Carsaâ—ta offended as you haue heard with the Knightes iniurious pranckes to Galaors horse followed him so fast as possibly hee could but the other had gotten so farre before as Balays heard no tydings of him neuerthelesse hee rode on till about mid-night when hee heard a voyce a long by a Riuers side And shaping his course thither hee found there fiue theeues well armed with Croslets and Hatchets who villainously would force a Damosell one of them dradging her by the hayre of the head in a straite way on the mountaine and the other beating her forwarde with great staues Balays seeing them vilely abuse her entred among them saying Trayterous murderers dare you so boldly lay holde on a Damosell let her alone else shall you die according to your deserts Then running fiercely at one of them his Launce passed quite thorow his body so that he fell downe dead without any mouing Wherupon the other foure would reuenge their companions death altogether inuironed Balays with such sharp assaults as one of them smote downe his horse vnder him yet Balays dismayed nothing thereat but beeing couragiously resolued quickely recouered footing and drawing his sworde layde so fiercely about him that another of them fell downe headlesse at his feet In briefe two more of them accompanied their fellowes in like fortune when the last seeing hee could not preuent like doome fell on his knees before Balays saying Good my Lord haue compassion on me for if I die in this wicked life I haue so long vsed vndoubtedly both body and soule will perish together Since thou doest answered Balays so willingly acknowledge thy fault thy life I giue thee to the ende thy repentance hereafter may make amends for al faithfully hee kept promise with Balays for soone after he became a religious Hermit spending the rest of his dayes in great deuotion But now returneth Balays to the Damosell who being not a little glad she was so happily deliuered gaue him thankes for the succour shee found in such necessity and hee requesting to know how shee happened into this daunger shee thus begun Hauing occasion Sir to trauell in these parts in the narrow way on the mountaine they staied mee it beeing the common place for their theeuish assaults and after they had slaine my seruants they brought mee into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciously deliuered me Her modest behauiour in speech and comely beauty made Balays to waxe somewhat enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very loath to parte with yee but seeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where wee may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindnesse that wee may not lose so good an oportunitie I know not Sir quoth shee how you are minded but had they compelled mee to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde mee excused contrariwife if I should willingly grant you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might then serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewed your selfe a well disposed knight let mee intreate yee to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duty you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberly hee repented that hee had offered her such vndecent wordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied mee yet pardon me for attempting so bad a suite in respect it is no lesse seemely for knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue done And albeit at the first we imagine it a great conquest to obtayne of them what