of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentlemen after you shall not deny me considering that in semblable company good things deserue to be demaunded and graunted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answere my fréends shall we make the Queene shall we agrée to her demaund Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a Princesse so vertuous Séeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine what-so-euer she asketh At these words the Quéene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hencefoorth you would doo such honor to Ladyes and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrels against all such as would mollest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some sute to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most néede to be holpen This graunted héereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wunt to doo them iniurie méeting them in the féelds and knowing they haue such Knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gainesay it we will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a lawe inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How while this great and ioyful assembly endured a Damosell came to the Courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had bine wronged MEane while this honourable companye thus continued frée from all danger and mishap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delightes there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knées before the King thus spake My Lord eche one is merrye but my poore selfe who am so crossed with gréefe and sorrow as death were the best fréend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These woordes were dipte in such aboundance of teares as the King beeing moued ther-with to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to releeue your sadnes but tell me who is the cause therof Dread Lord quoth she my father and vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whome they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him saide the King Because he vaunted replyed the Damosell that he alone would combate with them and so proud he grew in spéeches as at length he defied them Not long after they méeting one day together the Knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and Uncle could not endure the iniurie but falling to the combate the Knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she saide procured his comming to maintaine a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers beeing her great enemy Wherefore seeing him dead she caused the conquerours to be taken and put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my Father and Unckle often told her that they would perfourme for her what the Knight should haue done But she answered how she well knewe they were not sufficient for the cause and therefore should neuer be releassed vntill they deliuered her two Knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whome they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doo Knowe you not Damosell said the King against whome they should combate or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue séene my Father and Unckle cruelly put in prison where their freends can compasse no meanes to see them Héerewith she began againe to weepe that euery one pittyed to behold her which made the King aske her if the place were farre off In fiue dayes my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone and returned Now trust me said the King you shall not want your ioy for two Knights wherfore looke among all these gallants and chuse such as you best fancie My Lord replyed the Damosell I am a stranger and knowe not any one in this Court but if you please I will intreat the Quéene to doo me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doo so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are said to be one of the wisest and most vertuous Dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye then for the honor of God to take compassion on a poore Gentlewoman and councell me which two Knights I shall chuse that are best able to supply my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demaund a matter of great importance yet in such sort doo I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whom I could name in this companye Then she shewed her Amadis saying This is my Knight And poynting to Galaor saide This other is the Kings yet be they bothe bretheren and the best Knightes as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one saide the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replyed the Damosell is this Amadis the Knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as he and his brother shall ariue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therfore I desire you to obtaine me their company Héer-upon y e Quéene called them saying I beséeche ye bothe to succour this woman who standeth in need of your assistaunce Amadis was some-what flowe in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her Gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and therby he was certified of her consent wherfore he thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to doo what-soeuer you shall commaund me Goe then in Gods name quoth she and returne againe with all possible spéede without tarring for any thing that may happen Héer-to they willingly condiscended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained he would speake to Mabila when comming néere her and Oriana he saide to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the worlde sendes me to succour the most woful woman I euer did beholde Swéete fréend quoth Oriana I repent that I gaue you so much libertie because my
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 skil Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tell ye Well hast thou aduised said the King wherupon they were sent for afterward Alberte thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whome you sawe enter by the secret doore signifieth this Realme which is close and well garded notwithstanding by some right therto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting from thence your hart and afterwarde threwe it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles bothe more and lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whome you shall not easilye recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he saide that some after I should loose it against the will of him that tooke 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 an other that commaunded him to doo so then by any will therto in him selfe thus sée ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now saide the King to the second named Antalles tell 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 y t what he saith shall happen is already effected and by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed therat séeing there is not as yet any parte of your Realme lost and if you doo loose any thing héerafter it must be by such an one as loueth ye déerely When the King heard this he nodded his head for it séemed to him that he came néere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more then the other fell into a laughter which he was sildome wunt to doo because he was a man very sad and mellancholly yet by chaunce the King perceiued it wherfore he saide Maister Vngan my fréend now remaineth none but you say boldely what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into thinges which is not necessarye to be knowen to any other then your selfe and therfore let these giue place a while if you please At these woordes they withdrewe them selues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty sawe me ere while to laughe it was at one woord which little you thinke on yet it is true and will yee knowe what It was that which Antalles saide that what he found by your dreame was already happened and by the person that besâ—e loueth yee Nowe shall I reuâ—ale what you keepe in secret and thinke that no one knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue alreadye 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 béene there present But as for the Chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what if meaneth and how she whom you loue desirous to deliuer her hart and yours from gréefe and sadnes came to ye entring your chamber by the doore that was hid from you The handes that opened your sides is the coniunction of you twaine then the hart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Sonne or a Daughter Now tell me saide the King what meneth y t casting therof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therfore neuer labour for further knowledge therof Yet would I saide the King faine vnderstand it and therfore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseeche ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shall reueale you will not be displeased with her who loueth you so loyallye That promise doo I faithfully make thée saide the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that hart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessitie be forsaken And the other saide the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one the desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue an other childe who shalbe caryed awaye againste the will of her that caused the losse of the firste Thou hast tolde me strange thinges said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast tolde me concerning the Lady I loue For thinges ordeyned and appointed by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gain-say or remedy and therfore men of wisdom should neither be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacitie of men and farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue béene so curious to vnderdstand referre all thinges to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the ende 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 estéemed of him that from thence forward he had him néere his person by meanes wherof 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 costlye in garmentes and faire of beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfray the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these woordes made the good Prince more sad and pensiue then he was before For this time the Author leaueth this purpose and returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whome he made be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherfore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which beheld him meruailed therat but one daye among other it happened that Gandales rode to sporte him selfe in the féeldes arming him selfe as became a good Knight for he had dayly accompanied the King Languines at such time as he searched after aduentures and albeit the King discontinued Armes yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise him selfe and as he rode he met with a Damosell that thus spake to him Ah Gandales if many great personages were aduertised of what I knowe certainely I assure thee they would cause thée to loose thy head Wherfore quoth he Because saide the Damosell thou nourishest their death in thy house The knight know not the Woman that thus talked with him but
with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone sée reason proceed from her that did thée wrong who being the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equal loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together we likewise might haue enioyed one sepulchre After these woordes she swouned againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenaunce as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes béeing discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the bodye Mabila dispairing of any life left in her was so surprised with gréef that she was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse and walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let me not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two frō me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames she was meruailouslye abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned she spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wunt to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further daunger if she reuiue againe Come I pray ye succour her for now is the time of greatest need and let these lamentations be referred till an other time Mabila perceiued the Damosell said true wherfore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenes some hope of life to be expected they lifted her vpon the bed whē soone after her sprites returned to their office and to quallifie this agonie they could deuise no better meanes then to busie her eares with some or other spéeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speak to vs. Madame said the other your Amadis is yet aliue and wel At the name of Amadis she opened her eyes turning her head héere and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sighe started vp saying Alas sweete freend where is he We vnderstand quoth she that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wunt to vaunt of him selfe without cause feeding him selfe with false praise of deceiuing Knightes Why said Oriana haue I not heard that he brought his horsse and Armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as well be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to trye our constancie then finding vs thus weakly disposed he should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you think so simply Madame that Amadis could be ouercome by one no better a Knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of him selfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he find you not only dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to greefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by mallice can doo and thus you bothe shall dye one for another Whē Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her freende if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the trueth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amourously conferred when first he arriued at her Fathers Courte and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah windowe the witnes of my abandoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whome thou causest me remember and by whose gracious woordes both thou and I were made happie of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou endure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue doone which fayling me now giueth me strange and insupportable tormentes to be my companions and hence-foorth shall my sad spirit remayne in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then she had doon in this manner Why Madame think you if I helde these babling newes for trueth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sorte the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite al the world to wéep then want consolation for you who stand in such néed therof But I sée so slender appearaunce of beléefe as I wil not before time require repute you infortunate because discōforting our selues without assuraunce the euill héereby may be amended and the good made much more wursse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time béen shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he be dead I care not though our loue were openly known for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladyes all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demaunded for Oriana she answered that she accompanyed Mabila whome she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her gréefe for her Cozin Amadis Thus was the Princesses secret sadnes couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults betwéene doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoyuas entred the Pallace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew thē for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knées before the King were quickly called to remembrance his Maiestie thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue taryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath béene the cause where-out had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen libertie to me this Lady many more by such deeds of armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue beene deliuered Yet was he once in daunger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damsels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whome he verily thought to be dead What my fréend quoth he by the faith thou owest vnto God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demaund such a question Because said the King
had slaine my seruantes they brought me into this place all of them swearing to force me one after another but God and you haue graciouslye deliuered me Her modest behauiour in spéeche and comely beauty made Balays to wexe some-what enamoured which made him thus to interrupt her In sooth faire Damosell I perceiue they haue dealt with ye vngently for they were very lothe to parte with ye but séeing fortune hath allowed such a conuenient meeting euen where we may lay a foundation of loue let me request this fauourable kindenes that we may not loose so good an oportunitie I knowe not Sir quoth she how you are minded but had they compelled me to their lasciuious desires both God and the worlde might holde me excused contrari-wise if I should willingly graunt you such an vnhonourable request what excuse might thē serue either you or me Hitherto you haue shewen your selfe a well disposed Knight let me intreat ye to accompany chiualrie with continence and vertue as by duety you are bound When Balays heard her answere so soberlye he repented that he had offred her such vndecent woordes saying With reason faire virgin you haue fully satisfied me yet pardon me for attempting so bad a sute in respect it is no lesse séemely for Knights to moue Ladies with loue then for them modestly to deny as you haue doone And albeit at the first we imagin it a great conquest to obtaine of them what we most desire yet when wiselye and discreetly they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are woorthy no praise they be euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more estéeme your succour to mine honor then my life because the difference betwéene them is farre incomparable Well saide Balays what will you now I shall doo for you Let vs leaue these dead carkasses replyed the Damosell and goe where we may stay till day light I like your councell answered Balays if I had another horsse but béeing now destitute I know not what to doo We will ride on my horsse saide the the Damosell till we finde other remedie so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested them-selues till Sunne rising and then they went to horsse-back againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the Knight who caused Galaors horsse to escape awaye from him he asked the Damosell what shoulde become of her My Lorde quoth she not farre hence is a house whether when you haue brought me you may departe to what place you please As thus they rode communing togither he sawe a Knight come toward him carying his legge on his horsses necke but drawing néerer he put foote in stirrope couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell bothe from the horsse after-ward he vsed these spéeches In sooth Lady I am sorye for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue doone ye I will bring ye-where you shall be contented because hee that hath the charge of you is vnwoorthye to haue so faire a creature in his custodye Ere this had Balays recouered him selfe and knowing him to be the Knight he sought for he drewe his swoord saying By thee villayne haue I lost my horsse and my companyon thou hast in like sorte abused now finding me vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but bothe for him and my felfe will I be reuenged on thée else let me be thought vnwoorthy of my order What quoth the Knight art thou one of them that mocked me as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockery on thée Héer-upon they presentlye fell to the combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemye got him vnder foote when renting the Helmet from his head he tooke his life as raunsome for his villainye and breaking his swoord in péeces layde them by him then mounting on his horsse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their waye toward the trée where he left Galaor But because their stomackes well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holye life who bestowed on them such chéere as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her frō the théeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slayne her seruants and she destitute of help whereof the holye women were very glad by reason those théeues did much harme in that countey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell tooke their leaue and comming to the trée met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherfore they concluded no more to sunder them-selues vntill they arriued at King Lisuartes Courte By this time the night drew on apace wher-upon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her fréendly offer went with her being there entertained and vsed very honourablye Early in the morning arming them-selues they thanked their gentle hoste his daughter framing their course toward Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented the horsse to Galaor which he wun from the Knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath therby CHAP. XXX ¶ How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heeretofore declared the ioy and content of the good King Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely mind he concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificent Court as all his auncestors in great Brittayne neuer did the like Which Oliuas perceiuing who came as you haue heard to make his complaint on the wrong done him by the Duke of Bristoya in putting to death trayterously his Cozin germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring he might haue iustice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other Knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two Knights more beside himselfe he would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other Knights Warning héereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclamation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should be readie at the Cittie of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroad by the Quéene to aduertise the Ladyes and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resort came to the Court where all kind of pastimes and sports were inuented without respect of fortunes mallice any way who commonly in great assembly of states when
greeuing to beholde the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the Knight Sée my fréend héere is the gifte you demaund and the only thing in the worlde I moste loue but intend you to carrye her hence alone My Lord saide the Knight she shall be accompanyed with the two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my companye when you made me this promise at Windsore and more may I not allow vntill he haue her to whome I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell said the King for it were vnséemely she should be alone among so many men Well quoth the Knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes she béeing scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horsse-back and caused a Squire to sit behinde her on the horsse who might holde her fast least she should fall and very sad counâ—enaunce shewed the Knight saying there was none in the Courte more sorrwofull then him selfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter what-soeuer happened while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking wofully about her a tall Knight well armed came among theÌ„ who not taking off his helmet or saluting the companye tooke Orianaes horsse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchaunter and came in this sort least he should be knowen soone after he commaunded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and séeing there was no other remeeye deliuering a sigh as if her hart would haue split she saide Ah my deer fréend in a haplesse hower for you was the boone graunted because it will be bothe your death and mine Heerin she meant Amadis whome she gaue leaue to departe with the Damosell yet the standers by vnderstood it of her Father and her selfe Thus departed Oriana with them that conducted her who rode apace till they were entred the Forrest néere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horsseback to conduct his Daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any reskewe from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a window to see this sad and pensiue seperation could come no néerer to Oriana her heart was so surprized with gréefe yet by hap she espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making spéede after the Princesse on horsseback when calling him to her she said Dardan if thou loue thy maister stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishap if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessitie By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence perfourme my dutie So giuing the spurres to his horsse he gallopped the same way his Maister rode with y e Damsell But leaue we him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanyed his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the hower of this trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a Swoord hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after she had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God encrease your ioy make you willing to perfourme what you promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy Knights At these words the King knewe her remembring it was she that said how she would prooue the vertue of his heart wherevpon he thus answered In good faith Damosell I haue now more néede of ioy 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 beeing the moste loyall King in the worlde wherefore humbly I intreat ye 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 therewith the villaine violently tooke me away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is he enchaunted as he can not be done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of great Brittayne giue him a wound with this Launce and an other with this Sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Lady of whome he had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for she hateth him aboue all other for which cause she gaue me this Swoord and Launce whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it be done but by you only who are the cheefe and most vertuous man in this Countrey wherefore as you promised me before so many valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often told him that by this day I would be prouided of a Knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending only for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for he little thinketh that I haue the Sword and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agréement together if he remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniurie but if he be vanquished he must doo what I commaund him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when he had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels Sword about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company he rode on with her she carying 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 sayd My Lord take your helmet for this is hée you must deale withall which the King quickly did and approching néere the Knight sayde Proud Traytour defende thy selfe and thy lawlesse lust So coutching their Launces they encountred together when y e King perceiued how his paynted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his Swoord to charge the Knight but at the first stroke the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hée imagined him-selfe betrayed for the Knight did what hée pleased to him But as hée would haue killed his Horsse the King béeing quick and nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such sort they strugled together as they bothe fell to the ground the Knight vndernethe and the King vppon him by meanes whereof he got his Swoord from him and vnlacing his Helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shée coulde Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cozin quicklye or else hée dyes When the King heard her name Arcalaus hée looked vp and sawe tenne braue Knightes come running
Galaor chapter XVIII Fol. 92. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyse chapter XIX Fol. 97. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda chapter XX. Fol. 104. How Arcalaus brought newes to the court of king Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana chapter XXI Fol. 108. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him chapter XXII Fol. 112. How Amadis departed from the Ladies castell and of the matters whiche were occurrent to him by the waye chapter XXIII Fol. 119. How king Lisuart being in the chace sawe a farre off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed there-upon chapter XXIIII Fol. 122. How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauayle to king Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them chapter XXV Fol. 127. How Galaor reuenged the death of the knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree chapter XXVI Folio 131 How Amadis pursuing the knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whome he combatted and what happened to him afterward chapt XXVII Folio 134 How Amadis combatted with the knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him chapter XXVIII 138. How Balays behaued him-selfe in his enterprise pursuing the knight that made Galaor loose his horsse chapter XXIX Folio 140. How King Lisuart held open court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time chap. XXX Folio 142. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the courte of king Lisuart and what happened to them afterward chapter XXXI Fol. 145. How king Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good cittie of London there to hold open and royall court chapter XXXII Folio 148. How king Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of chiualrie chapter XXXIII Folio 152. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of king Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged chapter XXXIIII Folio 155. How king Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly chapter XXXV Folio 161. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that king Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour chapter XXXVI Folio 166. How Galaor rescued king Lisuart from the ten knights that led him to prison chapter XXXVII Folio 172. How newes came to the Queene that the king was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the citty of London chapter XXXVIII Folio 174. How Amadis came to the succour of the cittie of London when it was in this distresse chapter XXXIX Fol. 177. How king Lisuart helde open courte in the cittie of London many daies in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained there long time afterward chapter XL. Folio 181. How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the kings death who was father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed chapter XLI Folio 183. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the forrest whome when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest poynt of their combate they knewe eche other chapter XLII Folio 187. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countye of Zealand chapter XLIII folio 191. How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damoselles at the Fountayne of Oliues chapter XLIIII folio 197. FINIS
this instant wearye with trauaile and ouercome with sléepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his Chamber at a false doore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his handes into his sides and rent foorth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the King said Wherefore commit ye such crueltie This is nothing at all answered he that did this outrage for with you shall remaine an other hart which I must take from ye against my will In great feare he suddenlye awaked and making the â—igne of the Crosse commended him selfe to God Now had the Ladies opened the doore and entred the Chamber wherfore he hearing the noyse suspected some treason especially by reason of his fearefull dreame and lifting vp his head behelde thorowe the Curtaynes the doore open wherof he knew nothing and afterwarde by the light of the Moone he sawe the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Swoord and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta sawe him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be doone héere Doo you my Lord draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence The king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom he so much desired threw his Swoord to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay néere at hand in great affection he came to her whom he loued better then him selfe kissing embracing and shewing y e best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour saide to Elisena Now are you somewhat better contented for in my iudgement although till this time you defended your selfe from many and he likewise hath withstood sundrye assaultes notwithstanding at this present neither the one or other of you hath force or meane which way any longer to warrant or defend your selues As thus she spake she looked where the King had throwen his Swoord which she tooke vp as a witnesse of the oathe and promise he made her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and him selfe then shutting the doore after her she went into the Garden and so the King remained alone with his fair fréend whom after many amourous embracinges infinite kissinges and execution of delightes he behelde verily perswading him selfe that all the beautye of the Worlde was in her reputing him self much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture Sée now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the chéefest flower of her youth being requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the libertie of a Maiden now wun in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her owne thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chaste life caused a sudden alteration of her purpose making her soone after of a faire virgen a faire woman seruing for example to many other who assaying to withdrawe their thoughtes from worldly thinges and despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them and tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the pleasures and delightes in their Fathers Courtes ' wherof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules into poore and religious houses therto in all obedience offering their frée will vowing themselues to the subiection of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladies ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplations and prayers accepting them as their true and singuler pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt them selues from sight of Parents neighbours fréends because that oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth a change of their holye and chaste will And not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the ende that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long laboured in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwithstanding in one only moment seing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise and discretion of Darioletta who would couer the honor of her Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may sée she was at the point to fall into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whoÌ„ hath commonly béen heard speech who not keeping themselues from what I haue saide before haue béene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their sollace Elisena demaunding of the King if his departure should be shortlye or no. Wherfore Madame doo you aske saide King Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires dooth threaten me already with extreame anguish and sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt therof saide the King for although my body be seperated from your presence my hart for euer shall remaine with ye which shall giue strength to vs bothe to you to suffer and to me by my spéedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had been the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forget her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber and speaking somewhat loude saide Madame I know that heertofore you thought my company more agréeable then you doo at this present but it is néedfull that you arise and let vs goe for the time calleth vs. When the King heard her knowing that perforce it must be so he praied Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him woord in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge w t such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge then swéetly kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Cuntry then you imagine therfore I pray ye be not unmindefull of this place So arose Elisena and went vnto her Chamber with Darioletta leauing y e King alone not a little contended with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signify he becaÌ„e desirous to return to his owne Countrey where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences him self likewise in former times took great pleasure therin and vnderstood sundry rules therof Neuerthelesse he soiourned ten dayes with King Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunte
The ten dayes béeing spent King Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to departe and therefore tooke his leaue of the Courte but as he would haue mounted on horseback he perceiued that he wanted his good Swoord wherat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fayrest in the world yet durst he not demaund it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena shoulde thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his chamber In these thoughtes accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came and intreated him to be mindefull of the great gréefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the sollemne promise he had made her Alas my déere freend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to fée her in meane while I commend her to you as mine own proper hart Then taking from his finger a King semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great gréefe but encrease it so that if she had not béene comforted by Darioletta without doubte she had then finished her dayes but so wel she perswaded her to take good hope that by the allegations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothely to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes wherof she not onlye lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mishap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable law y t any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her self from death This sharpe cruell custome endured till the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betwéene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady coulde not be absolued by ignoraunce therof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Swoord God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the world because it was doon so secretly as you haue heard Sée héere the distresse wherin King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she would giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the promptitude of this yong King that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also séeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therfore he was the harder to be found Thus dispayring of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true fréend and only Lord. But at that instant the great and puissāt maker of all thinges by whose permission this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such counsell as she only should remedie these occurrences in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the Pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber vaulte seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer wherto one might easilye discend by a little Iron doore this Chamber by the aduise of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to continue her accustomed solitarye life and would haue none other companion thē Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous gréefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heeruppon was the Keye of the Iron doore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest and assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherfore béeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference and she required councell what should be doone with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta mary it must suffer to redéeme you Ah poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I consent to the death of the creature begotten by the only man of the world whom most I loue Offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth said Elisena although I dye béeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue wee this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great follye to hazard the safetie of that which héerafter may be the onlye cause of your losse and your freend likewise for well you know that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue and you dying no longer can he liue y t so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of al thrée where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand séeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boords of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherin to put the infant with the clothes the swoord which she kept then did she glue thē together in such sorte as y e water should haue no place to enter This beeing doon and made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing therof to Elisena vntil the time of Childe-birthe approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth she This shalbe to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue neede Beleeue me answered Elisena wéeping but little doo I care for any thing that may happen for I féele my selfe too néere the losse of my good and all my ioy Uery soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange and troublesome oppressing her hart with sundrye bitter passions yet notwithstanding all her yrk some plundges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatlye fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliueraunce a faire Sonne which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it séemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would
she haue reputed him had he not beene borne to hard fortune where-to Darioletta was constrained to send him for the redemption of the sorrowfull mother and therfore she deferred it not But euen as before was concluded she wrapped the infant in riche clothes and afterward brought it with the Cofer to Elisena which when the good Lady sawe she demaunded what she would doo therwith Madame quoth she héerein shall your little Sonne be put then will I send it foorth on the water and if it please God he may escape and liue Alas my swéete infant saide Elisena how full of danger is thy destiniâ— In meane while Darioletta tooke incke and parchement and writ therin these woords This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King by these woordes without time she meant that she thought his death to be néere at hand and the name of Amadis was of great reuerence in that Country because of a Sainte there so called to whom this little infant was recommended The letter béeing written and sealed was couered and wrapped in waxe and then with a little golden Chayne fastened about the Childes necke with the Ring that King Perion sent Elisena at his departure Eache thing thus appointed Darioletta came to the wofull mother and in her sight put the Childe into the Chest laying by him the King his Fathers Swoord which he threw on the ground the first night he came to Elisena and this the cause wherfore the Damosell had so well kept it then after the Mother had kist her Sonne as her last farwell the Cofer was made fast very arteficiallye and Darioletta opening the yron doore commending the babe to the heauenlye protection she set it on the Water the course wherof béeing very spéedy full soone caried the Cofer into the Sea which was lesse then halfe a mile from the place Now began the break of day to appéere and the little infant followed his fortune now throwne héere then there according as the boystrous waues pleased but by the will of the highest who when he pleaseth makes impossibilities easie caused it so to fall out that at the same time as this was doone a Scottishe Ship sayled on the Sea wherin was a Gentleman named Gandales who from little Brittaine sailed with his wife into Scotland she hauing béene lately deliuered of a Sonne called Gandalin The morning was both calme and cléere wherfore Gandales might easilye perceiue the Chest floting on the waues which he presently sent out for thinking it to be â—ome matter of great value then the Mariners casting foorth a Skiffe made toward the Cofer and tooke it vp when they had brought it to Gandales he got opeÌ„ the couer and beholding y e goodly Infant within as also the rich clothes wherin it was wrapped he suspected that it came from no meane place as he gathered by the King and the good Swoord So taking it in his armes he was filled with such compassion as he began to cursse the mother therof who through feare had forsaken so cruellye such a beautifull creature and carefully did he cause all things to be kept which he found in the Cofer desiring his Wife that this infant might be nourished as his own Sonne She was heerewith very wel contented so the two children were equally fostered together for neuer had young Amadis suckte the teat but to soone as it was giuen him by his new Nursse he made no refusall therof but beeing very thirstie sucked hartely wherat Gandales and his wife were excéeding glad Now had they the time so fauourable as shortlye they landed in Scotland néere to a Citie named Antailia and soone after they came to their owne Country where little Gandalin and the Childe found in y e sea were nourished together And because Gandales forbad his seruaÌ„ts to vse any speech of his good hap requesting the like of the Mariners to whom y e ship belonged and were to saile els where the two children were estéemed bretheren by such as were ignoraÌ„t of their fortune CHAP III. ¶ How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauayled on his iourney hauing his hart filled with greefe and melanchollie KIng Perion being on his way toward Gaule as already hath béene recited entred into marueilous melancholly as well for the gréefe wherein he had left his Elisena to whome in his hart he wished well as also for his doubtfull dreame beeing in such sort as you haue heard So long rode he in this heauines til he ariued in his country and soone after he sent for all his great Lordes as also the Prelates of his Realme giuing them expresse charge to bring with them the most learned Clarkes in their Countryes and this he did to the ende they might expounde his Dreame When his vassailes had made knowen his will not only those he sent for but many other came to the court shewing the desire they had to sée him and their readines to obey his commaund for they did so loue and reuerence him as oftentimes béeing fearefull to loose him they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow thinking on the dangerous perilles that in chiualrie to win honor he hazarded him selfe so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them which could not be because his hart was discontented till by armes he had brought the greatest aduentures to end The Lordes and Princes thus assembled the King conferred with them on the estate and affaires of the Realme but it was with so sad countenaunce as could be for the occasion of his Dreame made him so pensiue as his Subiectes being abashed therat were in meruailous doubtes notwithstanding after he had giuen them to vnderstand his will and appointed all requisite matters in order he gaue them leaue to departe sending eche one home agâ—â—â—â— to his house only staying with him thrée Astrologers â—eâ—â—ted the most skilfull in those actions and therfore he made choyce of them These men he called into his Chappell there causing them sollemnely to sweare and promise that without â—â—â—e of any thing how daungerous soeuer it were they should interprete to their vttermoste and truelye expresse what he would declare to them wherupon he told them his dreame as hath béen aleady before rehearsed then one of them being named Vngan the Piccard the most experte of them all thus answered My Lord dreames are vaine thinges and for such ought to be estéemed notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours giue vs some time to consider theron It liketh me wel said the King within twelue daies looke that you make me answere But to the ende they should not disguise or conceale the trueth from him he caused them to be seperated so that during the time agréed vpon they might neither sée or speak together wherfore to their vttermoste they trauailed in what they had promised the King so that the daye beeing come when they should render an account of their labour he first
you take the one you must néedes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him saide My Sonne I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I doo their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My Childe that so soone beginnest to proue Fortune now sée I thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thée if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for and suffer that the woords of Vrganda the vnknowen spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to sée the time of those great meruailes promised thée in Armes The King who noted Gandales séeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beléeue me I neuer thought you had béene such a foole as to wéepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you think for and if it please ye to know the trueth I will presently tell ye héere before your Quéene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the Sea and in what equipage and he had procéeded with that which Vrganda foretolde him but that he remembred the oathe he tooke Now my Lord saide Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage When the King heard this he estéemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the childe he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing God hath doone so much for him as to preserue him from so great a daÌ„ger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Quéene so please you hee shall be mine during his young yéeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on y e next morning the King would set forward wherfore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the Sea whom she commaunded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a chéerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance and no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now dooth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion and his newe freende Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard beeing in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosophers the exposition of his Dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his loste the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing therof As he thus sadlye spent his dayes it chaunced that an other Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to knowe that King Garinter her father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pittie her in that the King of Scottes would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garanter was Perion somewhat sorrowful but yet he comforted himself by thinking he should goe to see his freend towards whome he had not diminished one iotte of his affection wherfore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your mistresse that without staying one whole day I shalbe in short time with her The Damosell wel pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so spéedily as he ariued in little Brittayne where he heard newes that King Languines had alreadye gotten all the chéefe of the Country except those Citties which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed him selfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgementes and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming and feasting of one an other the King tolde her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kinred and Subiectes which she did with all dilligence coulde be deuised as also with so great contentation as her hart might desire for héerin onlye consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scottes and how to accomplishe this King Perion was already ariued with his Sister he sent immediatlye for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in dooing honor and welcome to the King his brother At his comming he was graciously receiued by King Perion and after by embracâ—uis they hadsaluted eche other and the nuptialles likewise thorowlye ended the Kinges determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauayling toward Gaule with his Quéene Elisena and somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh him selfe along by a Riuer side and while the tentes were erecting he rode softlye alone by the water bancke imagining how hee might knowe the trueth whether Elisena had a Childe according as his Philosopher told him in expounding his Dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without anye regarde he came to an Hermitage which was néere at hand wherfore finding him selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horsse to a trée that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very auncient religious man who comming to méete him saide Knight is it true that King Perion is maryed to our Kinges daughter Yea verily answered the King Praised be God saide the good Hermite for I knowe certainlye that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replyed the King Euen from her owne mouth saide the good olde man The King then hoping he shoulde heare of him the thing which he moste desired to knowe said I praye ye Father tell me what you haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man héerein should I greatly faulte and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But séeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye knowe what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise saide to me at the time you came firste into this Countrey yet spake she to me so darkelye as I neuer knewe well how to
bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires thē prompt at armes and Knightly chiualrie béeing called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the King of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North partes And albeit she had béene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not cōsent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one him self and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in his gentle hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittayne knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeede in the Realme for he béeing in a strange Countrey where by his hautye déedes and chiualrie he was maried in so good a place therfore they dispatched their Ambassadours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and Subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest him selfe therin CHAP V. ¶ How King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his subiectes desire for his short return prouided his equipage by Sea béeing aided and assisted by the King of Denmarke his Father in Law and afterward set saile toward great Brittain And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new King of great Brittaine accompanied with the Quéene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yéeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therfore during the time of her abode in Denmarke she was commonlye called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana beeing not vsed to the trauaile on the Sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her Father fearing a woorsse mishap intreated the King of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did King Languines and his Quéen accept this charge wherfore King Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to Sea where weighing Anckers hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where béeing arriued before he could abide in quiet asin such occasions it often falleth out certaine Rebelles were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so spéedilye send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the Author leaueth the newe King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the Sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yéeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and and for his good grace both of the Quéene and the other Ladyes was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath béene already declared the young Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart was lefte with the Quéene of Scottes to refreshe her selfe till the King her Father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies coulde be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame hencefoorth so please you shall the Gentleman of the Sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherfore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindenesse in his spirite as during life he meant to serue nor loue any other and therfore foreeuer bequeathed to her his hart but so wel it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betwéene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge therof thought him self vnwoorthy so great good reputing it a very bolde enterprise to thinke theron which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblaunce The yong Princesse who was of the same minde and also in like payne forbare to talke more with him then an other therby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers dooing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which moste they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting eche other with this amorous affection Soone after this yong vnknown prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes and receiue the order of knighthood he saide to himselfe If once I were a knight I would doo such exploytes as should deserue the fauour of my Ladye or dye in the attempte And in this desire one day finding King Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these spéeches My Lord might it stand with your plesure I gladly would receiue my knighthood When the King heard him séeing his young yéeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the Sea Doo you thinke your selfe already strong enoughe for such a weightie charge in sooth it is an easie thing to receiue honor but to maintaine it as behooueth it may be is more hard then you estéeme so that oftentimes a a right good hart is troubled therwith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doo more better is death to him then a shamefull life therfore by mine aduise I would haue you yet a while to forbeare The prince not contented with this answere replyed I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doo all that appertayneth to chiualrie I would not haue beene so bolde to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue been hetherto nourished most humbly I beséech ye to graunt me this peticion that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to séeke else where for obtaining my sute The king highly estéeming the courage of y e youth and doubting least he would departe indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentleman that I will doo it when I sée it necessarye for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what els belongeth Yet tel me faire Sir to whom if I refused would you goe for your order To King Perion saide y e Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Quéene who maketh me beleeue that he wil not deny me when I shall let him vnderstand how she hath nourished me and that I am her seruant It is true quoth the King but for this present haue a little pacience and when time serueth you shalbe honourablye Knighted in meane while he gaue charge that all his néedful accoustrements for the cause should be prouided Now did the King aduertise Gandales héerof who was so contented therwith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Swoord the King and the letter couered with ware which he found in the Chest he tooke out of the Sea Such spéed made the Damosell
and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replyed 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 y e Quéene 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 only I repute my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes saide Oriana you tooke her woords to better end then at that time she meante them which I take in good parte and am content it shalbe so No sooner had she thus saide but the Prince was ouer come with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew therof but saide she would goe to the Quéene to doo what he had desired and returned soon after telling him that her greef was for the Quéen 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 goe succour her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death saide he for without your graious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these woords Oriana smiled saying Séeing theÌ„ you are mine I graunt you to be my Knight and you shall aide y e Quéens Sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thankes 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 handes so pleased you to intreate it I would more willinglye receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that saide 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 graunt it So presently she went to her and tolde what she and the Gentleman of the Sea had concluded to attaine his Knighthood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistaunce in y e sute Mabila who loued the Prince vary well thus answered I assure ye Sister there shalbe no want in me for so well dooth the Gentleman deserue as would make one doo much more then this for him wherfore let him be ready this night in the Quéens Chappell then when time shall serue we will goe with our women to accompanie him and I will send for the King mine Uncle which shalbe somewhat before the break of day that he may come sée me and he being come to vs you and I will mooue him in the matter which I hope he will graunt vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherfore they sent for the Prince and told him all the platforme they had laide who humbly thanking them would prouide all thinges ready for him selfe and therfore 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 Quéenes Chappell because I hope this might to receiue mine order and for I must right soone departe hence I would knowe if you haue any will to beare me company Beléeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I departe from ye Of these woords was the Prince so glad that the teares flood in his eyes with ioy Well saide he prouide all thinges ready as I tolde ye wherin Gandalin faâ—led not for ere supper he took such order as all was doone vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretlye into the Chappell where he armed him selfe except the head and handes So staying there for the Ladyes and King Perion he fell on his knees before the Aultar desiring God to be his aide not only in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortall passions The night being come and the Queene withdrawen the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their women came to the Chappell where the Gentleman of the Sea attended and Mabila hauing sent for King Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My Lord seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hether I pray you graunt Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be lothe saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thank him whom when he behelde so faire he thought all the worlde could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame dooth it please ye to commaund me any thing Not commaund my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of Knighthood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altare When the King saw him he wondered at his goodly stature and said to him My freend would you receiue the order of Knighthood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it doone saide the King who giue you grace so well to proceed therin as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spurre and dubbing him with the Swoord thus spake Now haue ye the order appertaining to a Knight but I would opportunitie had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor not withstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renown shall supply what wanteth heere in perfourmaunce Afterward King Perion tooke leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him and then set on his way toward Gaule commending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimonie of these Louers sweet desires If it seeme to the reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answere that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which think them selues most expert in those pleasing and amourous amoris haue béene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not onlye he dâ—priued them of speech but of iudgement also and it is necessary for such persons to vse greater woordes then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight béeing throughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking y e companie take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for this sudden parting felte new passions in her hart yet neuerthelesse dissembling theÌ„ took him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the Sea you will be gon then but first I pray ye tell me
saying Ah gentle Knight how highlye am I indebted to you you are to this place the most welcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue we this talke saide y e Prince and saye where I may quicklye finde some remedye for my woundes In my house answered the Knight abideth a Niece of mine who shall heale your hurtes better then any other So riding on they arriued at the Castell where being dismounted they walked into the great Hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call him self while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he séeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterward he caused the prince to be vnarmed and laide in a sumptuous bed where his woundes were dilligentlye attended by the Ladye who assured him in shorte time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfullye to doo CHAP VIII ¶ How the third daye after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the Courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince left y e Court of King Languines where he receiued the order of Knighthood the thrée Knightes came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath béen already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the newe Knightes behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King meruaile at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednes could haue harboured in her notwithstanding he thanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any bodye else knewe that the Gentleman of the Sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was he aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought he was gone to visite his father Gandales then the King turning to the Knight in the Litter saide Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithfull as your wife hath béene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doo therin as it shall like your maiestie as for me I will neuer consent that y e thing I moste loue should dye This said the knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with them their Brother in the Litter leauing their Sister to receiue Iustice by the Kings appointmēt who after their departure called for her and saide Woman thy mallice hath béene too great in respect of thy Husbands kindenes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they héerafter offend not in the like and so he commaunded her to be burned aliue The execution béeing doone the King was in greater pensiuenes then before because he knew not who the new Knight should be that parted so suddenly from his Courte but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherfore he said to the King It may be my Lord a young Knight with whome the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when we came hither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord said the Squire but he is both yong and very beautifull beside I saw him doo such rare chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if he liue he will proue one of the best Knightes in the worlde Then discoursed he at large euerye action as also how he deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his tale his desire to know him encreased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happilye can tell ye more tidinges of him for it was my chaunce to meete them together Of what Damosell speakest thou saide the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittayne to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and he demaunded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Wherupon she declared so much as she knew chéeflye the occasion wherfore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the only Knight in the world But in sooth quoth she I knowe not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God saide the King who may it be Now was Oriana voide of all doubting for she wel knew it was her Gentleman of the Sea but she was so gréeued with the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as well she knew not whome she might complaine to for the King her Father sent her woord how she should prepare her selfe in readines to come to him so soone as his Ambassadours should be sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Countrye then there whether she should now goe against her minde not only in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by béeing farre thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardlye afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easilye compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knightes with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring w t his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the King his Unckle there entred a Damosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assemblye I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus procéeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgement it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why he sendes it to you is for that Galpan villainously abused a damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beléeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Woorthy Lord answered she he only of whom I speake hath doone him to death after he had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reuenge their foyle him selfe combatted hand to hand with y
e Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonour he lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Courte yet doubting the corrupt sauour therof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victorie this Helmet may suffise Undoubtedly said the King to all there present it is the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs My Lord quoth she I obtained it by excéeding importunitie for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the king to ridde vs of all other doubts He nameth him selfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the Sea When the king heard this he was greatlye abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus spake By my faythe I am assuredlye perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him néede not to be ashamed therof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I néeded not haue doon seeing Chiualrye is in him alreadye so well accomplished Then Agraies taking occasion to speake demaunded of the Damosell where he might méete with his gentle freend My Lord quoth she he humblye commendeth him selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thither Good newes faire Damosell saide Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may finde him there with my good will shall I neuer leaue his companye You haue reason so to doo answered the Damosell for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the Sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must think it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertlye as the watchfullest eye could not discerne it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was knighted when at length he was aduertised y t the Ladies attending on the Quéen could tell better thē any body els which with much a doo he obtained of them Then may the Gentleman of the Sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtesie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too young for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteouslye welcommed the Dammosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him Letters from a Ladye that déerelye loued him of whome the Historye héerafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Armye trauailing toward Gaule to his Unckle King Perion CHAP. IX ¶ How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Courte of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his only Daughter as also a noble traine of Knightes Ladies and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers Courte with his troupe three Shippes of great Brittain took porte in Scotland wherin as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred Knightes of King Lisuartes as also many Ladies and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Béeing arriued at the Courte of King Languines they were very graciouslye entertained especiallye Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardie Knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his ambassadge which was harty thankes from King Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreataunce of y e Princesse his Daughter he requested now to haue her home and Mabila his Daughter with her to whom he would doo all the honor could be deuised Right thankfullye did King Languines accept this offer and was contēt that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine daies soiourned Galdar and his train in Scotland during which time they were most honourably feasted and in this while the King prepared other Shippes to accompanie the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherfore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewelles the ware which she had taken from the Gentleman of the Sea This gaue her such a remembraunce of him as y e teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her handes so that the ware which she helde in them suddenlye brake and she espied the Letter enclosed therin which so soon as she vnfolded she foūd therwrittē these woordes This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes she conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenaunce and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was estéemed at the most but the Sonne of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therfore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her one whom she intirelye trusted and thus spake By good fréende I will declare one thing to ye which no other then mine owne hart and you shall knowe therfore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madame answered the Damosell séeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willinglye shall I dye then faile therin and well may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to me shalbe altogether kept secret and executed to my power Then so it is déere fréend saide Oriana that you must néedes goe séeke the Gentleman of the Sea whome you shall finde at the warres in Gaule and if you chaunce to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall finde his name therin written on the day that he was cast into the Sea wherby I know him to be the sonne of a King which ought inspire him with higher courage and hardines to encrease the fame he hath alreadye so well begun You shall likewise tell him how the King my Father sent for me and therfore I am gon toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquainte him withall that when he returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limitting all thinges in such sorte as he may liue in my Fathers Courte vntill he receiue other commaundement of me Such was the spéedye dispatche of y e Damosell as without longer stay she iournyed toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof héerafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinewe the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necessary for the same Oriana
in full course againste him breaking their Launces in peeces on his Shéelde but the Prince méeting him that had the foyle in the Forrest threw him againe from his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the gréef wherof made him lye still as if he had béene dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one he drew his Swoord and came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Swoord entring in he pulde it back with such force that the laces brake wherby he brought it quite from his head vpon his swoord then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the Knight quickly clapt his Shéelde before In meane while the Prince got his Swoord into his lefte hand which he could doo verye hardlye and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies Sheeld renting it violently from about his neck and afterward gaue him such a blowe on the head as in great amazemente he fell to the ground Thus did he leaue him there with his companion and rode with the Damosell to the Tentes of Agraies who hauing seene the conclusion of this quarrell meruailed what he was that had so soone ouercome two knights therfore wheÌ„ he came towards him he went forth to meete him and so soone as they knew eche other you need make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but firste he gaue commaundement that the Knightes dismounted in the feeld should be brought thither where they were no sooner arriued but Agraies thus spake to them Beléeue me my fréendes you attempted great folly to meddle with this knight You say true my Lord answered he whose arme was broken yet once to daye I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all y e happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaintes because he stood in feare to displease him During the repetition of these matters the pacience of the one and boldenes of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow morning they mounted on horsse-back shaping their course to Palingues a right good Cittie on the frontiers and the vtmoste parte of Scotland where they found Shipping and embarqued themselues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in séemely order without any hinderaunce they came to the Castell of Baldain where King Perion was besieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted therby and their welcome to be good and gracious chéefely by the Quéene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriâ—all sent to intreat her Nephew Agraies to come visit her which he did béeing accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knightes of good account But you must note that king Perion knew not the Prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„braunce that it was the same man whom he had Knighted and after-ward saued his life at the Castell wherfore thus he spake By déere fréend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth me assurance that I néed feare this warre no further hauing the only Knight of the world so néere me Dread Lord answered the Prince God giue me grace to serue you accordingly for perswade your selfe that while these troubles endure I will make no spare of my person As thus they deuised they entred the Queens Chamber when the King taking the Prince by the hand presented him to her saying Madame this is the good knight of whom here-tofore I tolde ye he defended me from the greatest daunger that euer I was in and therfore I pray ye let no spare of curtesie be made to him héere but giue him the best entertainement the time will affoorde The Queene auaunced her selfe to embrace him but he fell on his knée with these woordes I am seruant Madame to the Quéen your sister and from her I come to serue you with like obedience as to her owne person Right graciously did the good Lady giue him thankes yet little thought she that he was her sonne for she imagined the Sea had deuoured him yet was the Princes presence at that very instant so pleasing to her as her eyes could not be satisfied with beholding him and through a secret moouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembraunce sollicited with the former losse of her two Children whose yéeres she thought would haue equalled the Princes if God had preserued theÌ„ and these occasions vrged the teares into her eyes Thus wept she for hâ—m that nature touched her withall yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince behelde her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherfore he saide Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in short time to recouer your ioye and for mine owne parte trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Quéene with happy successe and for you are the Quéene my sisters knight I will that ye prouide no other lodging but abide heere with vs and all thinges shall be appointed for ye to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refreshe him selfe wherfore taking leaue for y e night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with-helde him by such importunitie as he was constrained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custodie Right soon was the newes of this fresh succour brought to King Abies of Ireland and Daganel his Cozin who made verye small account therof because in those times was king Abies accounted for one of the best knightes that euer was heard of and in respect of his hotte desire to the fight determined séeing new aide was come to his enemy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle a companion as to come sée vs I had rather he would doo it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hastie as I thinke for he feareth you too much albeit he maketh little shewe therof Know you saide Gallin Duke of Normandie by what meanes we may therto constraine him First let vs make an ambushe of the greater parte of our Armie which shall remaine with the King in this Forrest of Baldain theÌ„ you Lord Daganel and my selfe will goe with the rest to present our selues at break of daye before the Cittie and I am certain
that being discryed by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether will take hart and not faile to come running foorth vpon vs. When we sée them approche we wil dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his companie then our enemies pursuing assured victorie in their own conceit will séeke aduantage by our shamefull retire and so be taken themselues in the snare Uerie well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthie Duke giue order that all things be done as you haue appointed Now might yée there behold armed men on horssebacke the Souldiours mustering the Drommes thundering and the Trompets cheerefully sounding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings commaundement fayled in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandye shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honored the Prince by whome he had found such friendship And to make some shew of his affection toward him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they found him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered he had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually he thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared therewithall the slender meanes he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound grief as he expected no other remedie then death The Quéene desirous to knowe the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance bewrayeth some inward displeasure hath any one héere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to be tormented in sléepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoucred the ambushe and the enemyes were very néere the Cittie wherefore presently he commaunded to dorayne the Armie Now was eache one readie to horssebacke especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Cittie gate where they founde Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe foorth thinking he should tarry too long from the fight for he was one of the hardyest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could be found so that if good aduise had béene as readie with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue béen found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who séeing their enemyes to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was not there the greater part of them was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnes to assaile such an vnequall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horsse crying aloud Beshrowe him that taryeth any longer séeing them he is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ranne among them and were immediately mingled together He whome the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandye whome he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouerthrewe both man and horsse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword and as a chased Lion entred the preasse shewing such déedes of Armes as none durst withstand him for he ouerthrewe all that encountred him killing some out-right chyming and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel sawe his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beat him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to reskue him At their arriuall you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent Shéelds scattered on the ground making a great conflicte disorder among the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the contrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualrie as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benommed for the more to harten and chéere vp his men he cryed aloud to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst and what great domage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horsse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remayned Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the verie braines whereupon his men séeing him slaine they that had the best horsses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued themselues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victorie discouered the rere-guard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escapâ—â—â—s but let vs enter pel mel in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surprized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not béene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie meÌ„ themselues being sore wearyed their horsses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly endure their burthen Beside they knewe King Abies was there in person being as you heard before accounted one of the best Knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentleman of the Sea fore-seeing the disorder was like to ensue came and perswaded them rather to dye then loose one â—ote of their honor and reputation saying My friends and companyons be of good chéere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with people astonned and halfe ouercome let vs not make chaunge with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but only behold your resolued countenances I am certain they are not able to endure ye let vs theÌ„ enter among them
for God is our defender At these words the most dishartened tooke courage concluding to stay and fight manly with their enemyes who soone after in great fury set vppon them Now did King Abies make known his magnanimity and hardly could Prince Agraies men endure the assault nor the squadron that King Perion brought for King Abies maimed some other he ouerthrew and while his Launce held he dismounted euery Knight that met with him Afterward he layd hand to Sword wherewith he caryed himselfe so valiantly as the hardyest were amazed thereat for he made way where euer he came so that King Perions men not able longer to hold out began to retire so fast as they could toward the Citie When the Gentleman of the Sea sawe that fortune was so contrary to thē in great despight he entred the throng and fought so fiercely as the most part of the Irish-men were glad to stay while the Gaules without disorder retired toward the Castell then turning his horsse he followed them To defend this brunt there was also King Perion and the Prince Agraies who deliuered testimonie to their enemyes by the kéene edge of their Swords how well they knewe to gouerne themselues in such extremities notwithstanding the Irish-men séeing they had the better still pursued them with eager courage driuing them confusedly into the Citie hoping that now would be the end of their warre Such was the retire of the Gaules still more and more pressed by their enemyes as doubtlesse the Irish had entred the Cittie after them but that they were hindered by King Perion Agraies and the Prince who wholly did repulse the throng till their people by them were gotten in But now was tidings brought to King Abies that his Cozin Daganel and Gallin Duke of Normandye were slaine whereat he wexed verie displeasant and séeing King Perion with his people were enclosed in the Cittie he resolued to take leysure for his reuenge wherein he was deceiued for soone after he was very strongly repulsed which made him almost mad with anger And as he thus raged vp and downe one of his Knights shewed him the Prince saying My Lord he whome you see mounted on the white Horsse is the man that slew Prince Daganel and the Duke of Normandye with many other the best in your Army When King Abies heard that he rode to the Prince with these words Knight thou hast slaine the man whome most I loued in the world but if thou wilt combat I hope to be reuēged so well as I shall haue cause to be quit with thée Your men answered y e Prince are too little trauailed to meddle with ours notwithstanding if thou wilt as a Knight reuenge him thou louedst and declare the great hardines for which thou art renowmed chuse of thy men such as thou shalt like and I if it please the King will do as much of mine for being equall in number thou shalt gaine more honor then with so great an Armie which thou hast brought into this countrey without iust occasion Beléeue me quoth the King thou talkest well go to chuse thou thy selfe the number of men how many or fewe thou thinkest good Séeing you leaue it in my choise replyed the Prince I will make an other offer which it may be you will account more conuenient You are mine enemy for that which I haue done and I yours for the wrong you haue done to this Realme so for our seuerall cause of anger it is not reasonable any other then our selues should suffer let then the battaile be betweene you and me only and presently if you wil without longer dallying yet shall you assure me from your men as I will do you frō mine so y ◠none shall moue whether the one or the other be vanquished Right well said King Abies do I allow of thy offer whereupon he chose ten Knights on his part to gard the féeld And as the Prince laboured to gaine the like of the King with his consent he found King Perion and Agraies somewhat loath to graunt the Combate as well for the consequence that might ensue as also because the Prince was much wearyed and sore wounded beside wherefore they intreated him to deferre the matter till the day following But the desirous affection he had to be conquerour as also to make a finall conclusion of the warre that he might returne vnder her obeysaunce from whome he came to serue King Perion would not suffer him to make any longer delay of the glory and honor which he sawe so néere at hand For this cause he vsed so many perswasions to the King as in the ende he was graunted the Combate and on his side likewise were ten Knightes appointed for his guard and safetie in the féeld CHAP. X. ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the Combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule YOu haue heard in what manner the Combate was accorded betwéene King Abies and the Gentleman of the Sea and now alreadie is the greatest part of y e day spent wherefore it was agréed by the Lords on either side very much against the willes of the two Combatants that all should be deferred till the morrow morning as well that they might refresh themselues and repaire their battered Armour as also for regarding such woundes as they had receiued in the passed encounters Heereupon the two Kings withdrewe themselues the one to his Campe and the other to his Castell But such is the bruite spred through the Citty what worthie exploits the Gentleman of the Sea had done as he could not passe by them but thus they spake with generall voyce Ah famous Knight God giue thée grace to procéed as thou hast begun impossible is it to finde a Gentleman so accomplished with beautie and chiualrie as he is for our eyes are iudges of the one and our enemyes full well haue felt the other But you must note that in the morning when they went to the féeld the King had giuen the Queen in charge that so soone as the Prince returned from the warre she should send one of her Ladyes to him requesting him not to be vnarmed in any other place then in her Chamber wherefore as he went néere the Kings lodging the Lady came vnto him saying Sir Knight the Queene desires you not to be els-where vnarmed but in her Chamber where she stayeth your comming In sooth saide the King you must néedes graunt this request and I desire it may be so The Prince condiscending went where the Quéene stayed with her Ladyes and no sooner was he entred but presently the Ladyes holpe to vnarme him yet the Quéene her selfe tooke the greatest paine of all and as she had off his coate of Mayle she perceiued he was sore wounded which she shewing to the King he said I meruaile Gentleman séeing you are so hurt that you tooke no longer time for your Combate It had béene needlesse answered the Prince for I haue no wound
I thanke God that can kéepe me from the Combate Right soone were the Chirurgions commaunded to looke thereon and they found it greater in shewe then daunger In the meane while supper was prepared during which time they had much talke of the accidents that day past vntill the houre of rest came when each one departed till the next morning Which being come after they had serued God the King sent a rich and goodly Armour to the Prince of better proofe and strength then that he had on the day before wherewith he armed himselfe and hauing taken leaue of euery one mounted on horsseback in company of the King Who bare his Helmet the Prince Agraies his Sheeld wherein was portrayed two azured Lyons in a golden féeld rampant the one against the other as if they both intended murder and an other Prince carryed his Launce In this equipage he set forward to the féeld where the King of Ireland attended his comming well armed and mounted on a goodly black Courser but because King Abies had in former time fought hand to hand with a Giant and vanquished him with the losse of his head therefore he brought to the Combate the like figure in his Sheeld describing the whole order as the deede was done On either side resorted thither a number of people placing themselues for most conuenient sight of the Combate And now were the Champions entred the lysts each one couragiously resoluing against his enemy wherefore without longer tarying lacing downe the sight of their Helmets and commending themselues to God they gaue the spurres to their horsses meeting together so furiously both with launce bodie and horsse as their staues flew in shiuers yet piercing their Armour and both were laid along in the feeld But heate of hart and desire of conquest made them recouer footing quickly and plucking foorth the spields of their launces wherewith they were wounded set hand to Sword beginning such a strange and cruell fight as each one was amazed to sée them endure so much For this fight was not equally matched in respect the Prince was but young well proportioned and of reasonable height but King Abies was so great as he neuer found any Knight y â— excéeded him a handfull euery way being withall so strongly made that he was rather to be accounted a Giant then a man yet was he highly loued and reuerenced of his subiects for the vertue and prowesse which remained in him albeit he was too much audacious and prowd Now were these Champions so animated against each other as well for honor as the consequence of the Combat that without any stay for breathing they layd on such loade as their strokes resounded the fight of twentie men together And well they witnessed no great good will betwéene them for there might ye sée the earth tainted with their blood the pieces of their Sheelds the plate of their Armour scattered abroade and their Helmets so bruised that by reason their Armes being so squandered they were vnable to hold out their strokes for euery blow caused the blood to gushe out aboundantly yet were they of such inuincible courage as they seemed to féele none of this annoyance Héereupon they mainteined such brauerie the one against the other as it could not be iudged who had the better or worsse notwithstanding about the hour of thrée the Sunne gaue an excéeding warme and violent heate whereby they found themselues so chafed in their Armour as they began to waxe somewhat féeble especially King Abies in so much as he was constrained to retire back thus speaking to the Prince I sée thee very neere falling and my selfe am likewise out of breath if thou thinke it good let vs rest awhile for afterward we may more easily finish our enterprise And thus much I tell thée although I haue no cause or desire to fauour thée that I hold better opinion of thée then any Knight that euer I combatted withall moreouer it displeaseth me that I had any occasion to sée thee and much more that I am so long in conquering thée whereby I might take vengeance for his death whome most I loued in the world as thou didst sie y hym in open battaile so likewise will I ouercome thée in sight of both our Camps King Abies replied the Prince I now perceiue it displeaseth thee that thou canst do me no more harme entring so like a Tirant as thou didst to ruinate this countrey And as it often happeneth that he which delighteth in euill can neuer brooke any other sauour so hope I to reward thee so wel for thy paines as thou shalt confesse thou hast wronged these people Beside thus much I aduise thee before hand that I shall giue thee as little leisure or respite as thou hast giuen theÌ„ who haue tasted thy crueltie therefore stick close to thy tackling and defend thy selfe against the Knight whome thou reputest fayling The King then taking his Sword and what was left of his Shéeld thus answered Well mayst thou cursse the boldnes that made thee enter these Lyâ—tes for hence thou shalt not escape without losse of thy head Do what thou canst sayd the Prince for thou shalt rest no more till thou or thine honor be dead Heerewith more cruelly then before they began againe their combate as if they had but euen then entred the féeld and albeit King Abies was so expert by reason of his long exercise in Armes that he knew right well how to defend and offend neuerthelesse the lightnes hardines and promptitude of the Prince made him in the end forget all his industrie for he was so closely followed at an inche as he lost altogether the rest of his Shéeld by which meanes the Prince could endomage him farre better then before whereof he failed not and in so many places withall that the blood streamed downe his Armour in meruailous aboundance causing him by little and little to loose his strength and being in this agony staggering from one side to another he could not deuise what to do to escape the pursuing sword of his enemy Seeing himselfe now deuoyd of all hope he concluded either soone to dye or haue the victorie and taking his Sword in both hands he ran with all his might against the Prince and pierced it so farre into his Shéeld as he was not able to pull it foorth againe Which when the Prince beheld he gaue him such a furious stroke on the left leg that being quite cut from the rest the King was enforced to fall downe and right soone did the Prince set foote vppon him tearing violently his Helmet from his head saying Thou art dead King Abies if thou doest not yéeld thy selfe vanquished Beleeue me I am dead answered the King not vanquished alone but of both the one and other my ouer-wéening hath beene the only cause Notwithstanding since it is so come to passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without iniurie they may carry me into
eyes and all together praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to méete with his Parents being all this while vnknowen to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demaunded of him if he had no other name then that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three dayes past since I knew thereof for as I came from the Combate against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in ware when I was found in the Sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and héere-withall he shewed the Letter to the Quéene which she full well knewe so soone as she sawe it Beleeue me sayd the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the Sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis of Gaule It was not long before the bruite héereof was spread through the Cittie that the good and famous Knight was Sonne to King Perion and the Queene Elisena wherefore if euery one reioysed you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sory for they were found to be Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge heer-of wherefore considering what comfort this would be to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to returne toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whome aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to hir Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you cannot so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shead so many teares These words caused the teares to tricle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the heauens may safely conduct ye yet let me intreate your friendly remembrance commaunding the vttermost of my endeuours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so indebted to my gracious mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuer-the-lesse you may say to her that right soone shall I come to shewe my obedience and in like armour will I be clad as when you sawe me Combat with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily knowe me if I can not compasse the meane to spake with you and in this manner departed the Damosell of Denmarke On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside said Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate hart will allowe me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to commaund me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonor she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speede and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the only cause of my parting with you Now must you note heerewithall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the King of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this young Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tell ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without land because all the portion his father left him was only a poore Castell for the rest he had spent in following Armes and entertaining Gentlemen whereupon he had the Sir-name of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whome he requested to knowe where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visit the Court of King Lisuart where I haue heard chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honor then in the Kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may commaund me in their seruice euen as your selfe or any other as well in respect of our alliaunce together as also for the gracious entertainement I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies tooke his leaue being honorably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the feelds he sawe a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his horsse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell sometime said vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she said true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whome thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the flower of Ireland and such a one as that countrey shall neuer haue his like vntill time the good brother of the Lady must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countreys and he must dye by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the only thing of the world which most he loueth And so it happened by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that countrey whome Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demaunded of King Marke of Cornewall his Unckle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the only thing of the world that he most loued Now must thou be mindfull héereof said the Damosell to the King for Vrganda my mistresse so commaundeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whome she gaue the Launce commendeth himselfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
saue me a great deale of trauaile to King Liâ—â—â—â—â— to whome I am going for the same cause My friend replied y e Knight you shall do your selfe ouer much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best King in the world for so poore a Knight errant as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the King can put no such strength â—nto me as I haue séene perfourmed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the Knight to graunt any other thing you will demaund for such authoritie appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearms Vrganda â—vnlooked forâ— came to them wherewith y e Knight of the Lyons was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talk thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of Knighthood and yet is he now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous King Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good I will councell him not to desist from his former motion for you ought not to deny it him séeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the Sea except one Séeing it is so replyed the Knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be néedlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them alreadie It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a Knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whome you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I receiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword readie but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder trée and you shall find it farre more faire and good Heerewith they looked vp on the tree yet sawe it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yéeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer sawe it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tyed to a braunch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then béene hanged there and by it was a scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious workemanship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a sword beséemeth a Knight so formall thinke she hated ye not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most chéerefully did Galaor giue her thanks and the Knight likewise thus speaking to them I beséech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire yée Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of King Lisuart answered the Knight where I shall be very glad to sée you and because it is no long time since I was Knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honor as you cannot chuse but do the like if you come thither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your Knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall commaund me So departed he froÌ„ them returning to the Giant who staied for him by the riuer side where he had hid himselfe least he should be séene But now you must héere obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whom at large she vnderstood how the Knight of the Lions was Amadis Sonne to King Perion of Gaule whose comming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by enchantment she could not compasse it by reason the Lady of y e Castell was too cunning in that arte and there had first enchaunted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by Knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whome they came thither and he by the Damosell Niece to the Lady of the Castell that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into y e riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda she demaunded of Amadis if he knewe the man to whome he gaue the order of Knighthood No truely Madame quoth he In footh answered Vrganda it is great reason you should know what he is for he beareth so braue a mind y e if you both should méete without further knowledge there might happen betwéene ye great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father mother and the very same whome the Giant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword wherwith I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any Knight did in great Brittayne Amadis conceiued héereat such inward ioy as y e teares trickled downe his chéekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beséech ye Madame tell me where I may finde him It is not necessary quoth she that as yet you should séeke him Why sayd Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may find him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what happened to Galaor the new Knight wâ—â— being arriued where the Giant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks be to God and him you sent me to a confirmed Knight My Sonne quoth the Giant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it
and hauing found it in your selfe neuer reproue it in an other Thou mayst make triall thereof if thou wilt quoth he in the Castell but get thee walking for heere shalt thou set no foote this night Now trust me said Amadis I think thou wouldest haue no man of valewe in thy companie yet before we part I am desirous to knowe what thou art That will I tell thée quoth the other on this condition that when so euer we méete thou shalt combat with me I will not stick for that answered Amadis Knowe then said he within how I am Dardan who commaunds thée not to stray so farre this night but that I may finde thée to morrow morning Thou vauntest of thy selfe very much quoth Amadis but if thou wilt cause Torches be brought hither to giue vs light and come foorth presently without longer stay we shall soone sée who ought to haue y e worsse lodging this night What said Dardan to combat 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 Héere may the Reader by himselfe discourse awhile what fruite ouer-braining commonly bringeth with it and contrarywise what perfection among all other vertues is in modestie No well grounded courage or gallant disposed bodie can duely put in exercise the benefit of the one or other if moderation and temperance be not their guides 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 and presumption Eloquence and the facultie of well speaking is a rich and precious gift of nature augmented and encreased by long vse and studie to giue light and decking to the faire conceptions of the spirit but it is there a more hurtfull pestilence in a common wealth then when a well spoken Oratour will misuse his arte and swéetnes of language Haue not some bin knowen 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 beautie 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 is too much vsurpation of ouer-weening and immoderate estimation of our selues I will not heere compare the wisedome 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 mightie personages both Greekes and Latines It shall content me to set for example this only accident of indiscreet Dardan to the end that young Gentlemen who take delight to reade this Historie séeing on â—he one side the pacient magnanimitie of Amadis and on the other the furious brutalitie of Dardan may propose the vertues to be imitated and the vices to be detested and punished Amadis then somewhat displeased with the outragious spéeches of Dardan departed not so much caring for his lodging as how to be reuenged and concluded sometime in walking about and other while in resting by a bushe to passe the incommoditie of this night in the Forrest thus to beguile the time till day rising As there he traced vp and down he heard the speech of some body néere him and looking about espyed two Damosels on horsseback accompanyed with a Squire after they had saluted him and he them they demaunded from whence he came so late armed wherewith Amadis thoroughly reported all that had happened to him at the Castell Know you said the Damosels the name of the Knight That do I quoth he for he told me his name is Dardan Uery true said they he is called Dardan the prowd the most audacious Knight in this countrey I beleeue it well answered Amadis Sir Knight quoth they séeing you are so vnprouided of lodging if you will take pacience to remaine this night in our Tentes which are pitched héere 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 companie and so they supped together merily afterward they gaue him a pallad to rest vpon Neuerthelesse before they parted they demaunded of him whether he trauailed To the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis And so do we replied the Damosels to sée what shall happen to a Lady one of the best and most noble in the Countrey who hath committed her welfare to the triall of a Combate and it must be within few dayes following be perfourmed before King Lisuart but yet we know not who will be the man for he against whome the cause must be defended is one of the best Knights in all great Brittayne What is said Amadis the Knight so much estéemed especially among so many good It is the same Dardan answered the Damsels from whome so lately you came And on what cause said Amadis ariseth the Combat I pray ye faire Ladies if you know let me vnderstand it Sir quoth one of them this Dardan loueth a Knights daughter of the Countrey who at his second nuptials maryed 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 maintayne that all the poore Ladyes goods appertaineth to her and if any one gaine-say it he to iustifie the same in combat 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 Gentlewomen to kéepe it secret and reueale it to no one willingly shall I tell ye all which they sollemnely sware to perfourme I intend quoth he to combate for the Dame you spake of and mind not to faile but I would haue it concealed from any but your selues When they heard what he said they were much abashed notwithstanding they made great estéeme of him séeing what they had vttered in praise of Dardan could not affray him but he would hazard the combat and therefore she that alreadie had broken the matter thus replyed Gentle Sir your intent procéedeth from a high resolued minde and we will pray for
he was vnséene of any espied a goodly troupe of Lords and Ladies comming toward them whereof he made haste to aduertise the Prince but he was so perplexed as he could not answere wherefore Gandalin tooke him by the arme saying My Lord sée you not what a great traine maketh toward vs At these words he came to himselfe beginning to sigh and lifting his eies to heauen said Gandalin if in this loue I were maister of my strength as I am in diuers other actions neither shouldest thou haue neede to aduertise me nor my selfe be without councell so much as I am But I feele my selfe so oppressed as all the enemyes in the world can not bring me to such extremitie as this ouer-ruling passion doth therefore I pray thée talke to me of the felicitie a man shall enioy in death for other may I not taste and practise no meanes of my life seeing the contrary doth surmount it What my Lord answered Gandalin estéeme you the victorie ouer your selfe so difficult after so many conquests of stout and bold Strangers Why do you not thinke that peraduenture she loueth you as well for whome you endure such assaults and happily by as great reason as you loue her your personage prowesse beawtie and nobilitie of linage can they deserue lesse then the good grace of the most rare and excellent Lady in the world let these humours my Lord repell your desperations Further he would haue proceeded but Amadis brake him off in anger saying Wretch darest thou blaspheme so much as to say that he who hath merited no condition in the world may be equalled with so perfect a thing as is my Lady enter no more into such tearmes if thou wilt not haue me thine enemy and so lose my conuersation Well well said Gandalin I pray ye wipe your eyes least those that come hitherward perceiue you haue wept What aunswered Amadis commes there any body Yea marie quoth Gandalin and now they be at hand héerewith he shewed him y e Knights and the Ladies who were hard by them by time Amadis was mounted Then as though he had stayed for their company he saluted them and riding among the trayne he beheld a Lady very comely and beawtifull who wept verie grieuously whereupon he left the rest and rode with her saying Madame God comfort ye and giue you ioy In sooth answered the Lady and thereof haue I néede in that as now it is very farre from me which except heauen fauour me with better grace I am vtterly out of hope euer to sée againe And so high a Maiestie said Amadis can prouide therefore when he pleaseth notwithstanding if you were so contented I gladly would knowe the cause of your sadnes Beleeue me my friend quoth she all that euer I enioy in this world consisteth in the triall of a Combat By these words he knew this to be the Lady of whom the Damosels had told him before wherefore he enquired further if as yet she had found a Knight on her behalfe No truely said the Lady and which gréeueth me most of all to morrow must my delay be exterminate What will ye then do answered Amadis What would you that I should do quoth she but lament and loose all vnlesse by hap I finde one in the Kings Court who mooued thereto by charitable compassion will courteously defend the right of a desolate widdow Such fortune said Amadis shall I pray may befall ye for I should not be a little glad thereof as well for your owne sake as also because I neuer thought well of your aduersarie I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth she to God I commit the reuenge of my wrong So passed on the Lady and Amadis turning bridle rode back to the Pauillion where he found the Damosels who were already returned from the Towne and presently they told him how Dardan was come into the feeld with full resolution to do his deuoire And trust me said Amadis it was my hap to méete the distressed Lady euen the same whome the case concerneth héerewith he declared all the talke they had together But now is the hower of quiet come and eche one went to rest till the point of day when the Damosels being risen came to tell Amadis how they would goe before to the Towne and send him word when Dardan was readie Not so quoth Amadis I will not be farre behinde ye but let one ride before to aduertise me when Dardan shewes himselfe in the féeld After he was armed they went all to horsseback and being come to the issue of the Forrest he said to the Damosels Now may you goe if you please for I will not depart this place til I heare some newes from you Away they went when Amadis alighting tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe No sooner did the Sunne appeare in the East but the King came to the place appointed for the Combat which was without the Towne hard by the walles where Dardan not long after shewed himselfe in such manner and equipage as an ambitious man vseth to gaine goods and honor also like an amourous Champion to maintaine the quarrell of his beloued who to countenance him with the greater fauour was queintly led by the raynes of his palfray then presenting himselfe before the King on his knees he said My Lord according to the ordenance by you appointed this Lady and I humbly beséech ye that the goods may be deliuered her as is no more then reason for if any Knight oppose himselfe against her héere am I readie for the Combat The King then called for the other Ladyes defendant but she poore soule appeared alone Why Lady quoth the King are you vnprouided of a Champion that you come without any one to sustaine your right So help me God answered she wéeping I am my Lord forsaken of all except you graunt me mercie Great compassion had the King on her for he knew her to be very vertuous but he could not together order reason and the lawe In meane while Dardan who thought no resistance would come sate downe in the middest of y e féeld attending the third hower which was the time according to the custome when the King should pronounce sentence to the conquerour but one of the Damosels seeing now the noedfull time made haste to let Amadis vnderstand what want of his presence was in the féeld For this cause he immediatly mounted on horsseback being armed as appertained commaunded the Damosell and his Squire to goe some other way for he would not be seene by any from whence he came assuring them that if he were victor he would returne againe to the Tent. So departed Amadis alone riding on a braue white Courser as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke in Gaule and arriued at the place where Dardan held the world in wunder of him The King and his Nobles séeing him come from the Forrest stoode somewhat in doubt of him for he caryed such a gallant Knightly countenance as
promised a farre off that his enemie should finde him of hautie disposition which made the King aboue all other desirous to knowe him and thinking she for whose cause he came knew his name he called and demaunded of her the question Dread Lord answered the Lady I neuer sawe the man before nor do I knowe what he is By this time was Amadis entred the feeld when doing reuerence to the King and the Ladies without longer stay he came to Dardan demaunding if he were the man that would maintaine the quarrell of her for whome the poore Lady was put to such trouble because quoth he I am come in her defence and also to keepe promise with thee What didst thou promise me replied Dardan That I would sée thée in the day time said Amadis and wottest thou when it was at such a time as thou being whitled with Wine or glory or else the trust thou hadst in thy strong Castell spakest so outragiously to me standing without wearied both with trauaile and hunger And therefore do I make the lesse account of thée answered Dardan but cause her to come hither for whome thou wilt do such a doubtie déede to know if she will accept thée as her Champion and afterward do the vttermost thou canst When the King sawe they talked so long together he would haue heard what they said but the good widdow came and to her Dardan thus spake Dame this Knight would maintaine thy right wilt thou submit all to what he can do With all my hart quoth she séeing it pleaseth him to stand so much my friend and God spéede him no otherwise then my cause is iust When the two Knights were at the very point to combate the King perceiued that Amadis Sheeld was bruised in two places both with strokes of the Sword and point of the Launce wherefore he said to such as stoode néere him that if the Knight demaunded an other Shéeld he would gladly giue him one but Amadis was so hote in desire to reuenge himselfe and the Lady that he listened to nothing but the Combate Thus the Ladies accord being receiued the two Champions tooke their carrire against eche other so roughly as their Launces pierced their Armour and flewe in pieces without any other harme as yet but when their bodies met Dardan was sent to the ground yet it happened so well for him as holding fast the reines of his horsse he recouered himselfe more nimbly and mounted againe as one both valiant and brauely disposed boldly setting hand to his Sword When Amadis sawe him so quickly vp againe and in such readines for his owne defence he approched to him when began such a battayle betwéene them as euery one present meruailed thereat On all sides were placed the inhabitants of the Towne and many other that came farre off as well on mightie Scaffolds in the féeld as also on the towres and walles of the Castell but aboue the rest the Quéene was there present with her Ladies most desirous to behold who should beare away the honor of this cruell combat for they séemed two so gallant companyons as it was hard at first sight to iudge the better Such were the rigorous strokes deliuered on either side that sparks of fire flewe foorth of their Helmets Armour their Shéelds cut in pieces and their bloud coullering the ground which mooued excéeding compassion in the regardants who seemed copartners in their daunger according as eche one fauoured the welfare of his fréend but the two champions gaue no respect thereto because their desire was to make knowen both to the Ladies themselues the man deseruing highest account Whē King Lisuart saw them endure so long he said aloud that he neuer beheld a more singuler combat pursued with greater courage manhood wherefore he determined not to depart vntill he had séene the finall issue thereof permitting thē to procéede as themselues pleased And to the end quoth he that the conquerour may be dignified with more then accustomed honor I will cause his deserts to be liuely carued in Marble at y e entrance of my Pallace to prouoke the like perfection in all other that are desirous to followe Armes In such manner as you haue heard continued the two Knights a long time the standers by being not able to discerne who had y e better for without taking breath or rest their fury continued as though their strength had more more increased But Amadis who by chance turning his head to the place where y e Ladies stood espied his faire Mistresse louely Oriana whereby he felt his vertue augmēted in such sort y t he was as fresh lusty as if but then he entred the feeld imagining he was become more then a man Now followed he the fight with such cruell extreames as in short time he dissolued y e doubt who should be superiour for Dardan notwithstanding all his defence was cōstrained to drawe back séeking how to escape the wreakefull strokes of his enemy which without ceassing wounded his body in many places his horsse likewise no longer able to endure stumbled so often til at length he set both his knees to the ground which made Dardan think it better to fight on foote wherefore he said to Amadis Knight our horsses are weary faile vs by reason wherof we cannot do as we would if we were on foot me thinks in short time y e doubt would be discided These words did Dardan speake so loud as the King his Lords easily heard them wherat Amadis séemed ashamed thus answering Although it be vnhonorable in a Knight to forsake his horsse so lōg as he can keep him yet since thou thinkest to combat better on foot then on horsseback we will alight and defend thy selfe well for thou shalt haue néed Heerewith they dismounted assailing ech other so couragiously as if but now they begā the combat shewing more sharp cruelty then before they had done yet Amadis euermore kept y e aduantage cōmonly deliuering two strokes for one which made Dardan do nothing but defend his enemies blowes who cōpelled him to turne reqoile as himself pleased so y t ech one accounted him very néere vanquished blaming him because he kept not still on horseback But as he turned héere there flying the slicing Sword of Amadis he was driuē vnder y e Ladies Scaffold which made thē cry Dardan can hold out no longer he is ouercome if he enter y e combat again Yet for all this Amadis would not leaue him but pressed him stil w t such pursute as he brought him hard by the Quéenes Scaffold whē she all y e Ladies said Without question Dardan is but dead At this clamour Amadis vnderstood the voice of the Damsell of Denmarke and lifting vp his head espied her standing by the Princesse Oriana by meanes whereof he became so farre beside himselfe as he set the point of his Sword to the ground forgetting not only the daunger wherin he
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
to sée me at libertie With all my hart replied Galaor so mounting on horsse-back about Sun setting they arriued at the Monasterie where they were receiued with great ioy especially when the Damosell had declared his woorthy déedes of chiualrie for her and albeit he determined a speedy departure yet at the request of y e faire Sisters he taried there longer then before he intended Héere pauseth the Author on this matter to tell ye what happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne from the warres in Gaule CHAP. XVII ¶ What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amâ—â—â—â— AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amaâ—â—â— had vanquished King Agraies of Ireland and was knowen to his Father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where he hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the Sea side on a sudden he had a Hart in chase which when he had some prettie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily discearne the raging bellowes of the Sea Suddenly arose an excéeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violence as if heauen and the neather region would haue met together At length he espied a Ship tossed in the tempest vtterly destitute of any safetie and which was woorsse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfortlesse night ensuing wherwith he being mooued to pitie commaunded his Squires as asignall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the Ship might chuse their best landing place without perishing in the darke him selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the help of God and dilligence of the Mariners as the Ship tooke safe harbour neere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly frighted with y e mercilesse tempest thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most curteous Princes in the wolrde séeâ—â—â— them so well landed and free from danger sent one of â—is Sâ—â—es to will them come and refresh them-selues in â—is Pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was lothe to be troublesome to them knowing they had now néed of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to sée them keeping him selfe close in his chamber The Ladies beeing seperated to their owne contentement the Mariners made great fiers on the shoare to drye their garments and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then remoue his affection from where it was setled priuily pried in to beholde their countenances they béeing round set about a fier reciting to eche other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affection to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome ther-with as béeing no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed foorth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this crye especiallye Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commaunded her women to open the doore which presently they did when Agraies tolde one of them who he was that she might secretly imparte he same to her Mistresse the newes wherof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commaunded him to enter Then were embracinges and kisses fréely entercoursed with all other gracious fauours so kinde louers could deuise euen y e very point wherin loue most triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a mayden with like contentmeÌ„t as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there sir dayes together beguiling the time with riciprocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her 〈◊〉 Damoselles perceiued Meane while the Sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calme which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her Ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whether the King her Father had sent her to be nourished by the Quéene Brisana Which béeing vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney he gaue her assuraunce that very shortly he would come to her as wel to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to séeke his Cosin Amadis in King Lisuartes Courte according as he made him promise wherwith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tarry long from her Thus curteously taking leaue of eche other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in few dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his court both by him the Quéene Oriana and all the other Ladies was the Princesse and her traine graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her Father as also in respecte of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the Sea shore giuing many a long looke after the Ship which caried away the iewell of his hart and hauing lost the sight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his Father soiourned and his Uncle Galuanes without land in whose company he intended shortlye to visite King Lisuartes Courte For there quoth he to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderlye followe armes This Galuanes was of gentle hart a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their Horsse and Armour eche one likewise a Squire attending on him Hauing winde at will in short time they landed at Bristowe where they made no long aboade but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demaunded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thether To see if I can finde the good Knight saide she who knoweth how to remedy a gréefe I endure at this present You abuse your self Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demaund you shall finde no other Knight then the great Giant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorrow he will quickly double it on your owne head If you knew so much as I doo quoth the Damosell you would not
imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Giant and kild him in battell hand to hand Beléeue me Uirgin replyed Galuanes you tell vs matter of great meruaile in respecte neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Giant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one him selfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death and yet this attempt of the King is thought the greatest stratageme that euer was heard of then sound not your spéeches to any likely-hood for this Giant surpasseth all other in strength and crueltie Gentleman answered the Damosell the Knight I speake of hath doone no lesse then I tolde ye wherwith she rehearsed the whole maner therof they reputing it strange almost incredible which caused Agraies to aske her if she knew y e Knightes name His name quoth she is Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule Ah Lady said Agraies you declare the only newes of the world to content me withall naming my Cozin who more commonly was reputed dead then liuing kéer-upon he reported to Galuanes what he had heard concerning Galaor how he was taken away by the Giant and till this instant he neuer heard of him By my faith answered Galuanes the life of him and his brother is miraculous and their beginning of chiualrie so famous as I thinke their like is not to be found through the world but Damosell what would you haue with that Knight My Lord quoth she I seeke his aide on the behalfe of a Damosell who is imprisoned by the accusation of a Dwarffe the most villainous creature that euer was borne heereto she added the whole discourse of Galaor and the Dwarffe as hath been already declared to you yet she concealed y e louely pranck of Aldena And because Sir said she the Damosell will not confirme what the Dwarffe hath auouched the Duke of Bristoya hath sworne that within ten dayes she shall be burned aliue which is an occasion of great greefe to the other Ladies doubting least she through feare of death will accuse some of them and tell withall to what end Galaor came into the Dukes Castell more-ouer of the ten dayes foure are already expired Séeing it falleth out so answered Agraies you neede trauaile no further for we will perfourme what Galaor should doo if not in strength yet in good will and therfore be you our guide to the place The Damosell turned her haqueney and led them with such spéede to the Dukes Castell that they arriued there the daye before the execution should be Now was the Duke set downe to dinner when the two Knightes entring the great hall humbly saluted him and when he saw them he requested they would sit downe to dinner with him but they answered that he should presetly know the cause of their comming wher-upon Galuanes thus began My Lord you detaine a Damosell prisoner by the false disloyall accusation of a traiterous Dwarffe we desire that she may be deliuered séeing she hath no way mis-doone and if it be needfull to proue her innocencye by battaile let come two other Knightes to maintaine the quarrell for we are ready as her defenders Well haue you said replyed the Duke and calling for the Dwarffe thus spake to him What answerest thou to these Knightes challenge who say that falsely thou hast caused me to imprison the Damosell and will proue it against thee in open battaile it behooueth thee to finde some defence for thy self For that I am not to seeke my Lord quoth the Dwarffe I haue such on my behalfe who shall make known the trueth of what I haue saide Héer-with he called a frollick Knight his Nephewe so like him in pitch and proportion as one would haue thought he had no other Father to him he saide I pray ye Nephewe maintaine my quarrell against these two Knightes Scarse had he thus spâ—ken but his Nephewe returned this answere to Galuanes and his companion Well Gentlemen what will you say against this loyall Dwarffe who was so iniured by the Knight the the false Damosell brought hether it may be one of you is the man I speake off but whether it be or no I will proue in combate he dealt villainously and the Damosell ought to dye because she brought him into my Lord the Dukes chamber Agraies who found him selfe most touched in his owne conceite stepped foorth with this answere In sooth neither of vs is the man albeit we desire to imitate his vertues but we auouche he hath doone no wrong and if the Duke please this difference shall be soone discided for on his behalfe will I maintaine that the Damosell ought to be deliuered and the Dwarffe in her stead burned as a traiterous villaine I iustifie the contrary replyed the Dwarffes champion then calling for his Armour full soone was he mounted on a gentle courser and turning to Agraies who presented him y e combat thus spake Would God Knight thou wert the man by whom this quarrel began too high a price should I set on thy 〈◊〉 We shall quickly see quoth Agraies what thou caâ—â— dâ—â— but 〈◊〉 aâ— assured if he were present he would make no account of two such braggers as thou art how iust or vniust the cause were on his side by greater reason then doo I leaue thée to iudge how notably he would handle thee in this consisting on trueth and equitie While these menaces thus passed on either side the Duke stirred not from the table till dinner was doone when séeing the Knightes prepareâ— to execute their spéeches he conducted them with a braue company of Gentlemen to the place appointed to end such controuersies where all accustomed ceremonies béeing obserued the Duke thus spake to Agraies Perfourme the vttermost of your habilitie yet shall not the Damosell be deliuered for to the Dwarffe hath not béene offered iniury alone but to such beside as are of higher reckoning then your selfe My Lord quoth Agraies you caused her to be apprehended only by his false accusation and he hath deceiued your iudgement with a lye wherfore if my fortune make me conquerour you ought by good reason to deliuer her I haue tolde ye what I meane to doo said the Duke and other-wise it shall not be Agraies tarying for no more woordes turned his horsse running a braue carrire against the Dwarffes Knight and in the encounter brake their sâ—aues gallantly meeting likewise so furiouslye with their bodies as they were both laide along on the ground yet quickly they recouered them-selues and vnsheathing their weapons deliuered fierce and cruell strokes to eche other their Swoordes béeing very sharpe the Knightes valiant and hautilye disposed by meanes whereof their Armour healmes and shéeldes were in shorte time made of slender resistaunce yet Galuanes well saw how his Nephewe had still the better on his enemye if then he had before estéemed him a good Knight farre greater reason had he now so to doo notwithstanding he was so hot and
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 attired entred the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demaunding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiestie himself the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well doo you séeme a King by your porte and countenance yet may it be doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you sée and heereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Me thinks my Lord answered the Damsell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doo desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make me such a liberall offer I hope one day to trye 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 be assembled many valiant men who shall knowe by the promise you haue made me how woorthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualrie is honored by you Damosell sayd the King so much as effects may better my words so much the more will it glad me to sée good store of hardie Knights there present My Lord quoth she if effects answere your woords I shall haue great reason to be contented So tooke she leaue of him returning the same way she came where-at euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimitie as whatsoeuer happened he would not be reprooued with cowardise and so déerely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deathes then to sée him suffer any mishap or iniurie Whereupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuenience to alter the promise he had so lightly made shewing it was not beséeming his Maiestie to deale with affayres of Knights and Gentlemen hee béeing placed in authoritye ouer them While they stoode on these tearmes there entred three Knights two of them beeing very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for he was a man of auncient yeares as séemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull couller then commonly hath béene noted in a man of his age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This Knight caryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demaunding for the King the Gentlemen shewed where he sate making him way to his Maiestie before whome he fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is King Lisuart for within these fewe dayes he hath made the most woorthye promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me Knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to bée perfourmed but I would fayne knowe your meaning héerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the Knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honor a matter wherein now adayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Héerein you were tolde trueth sayd the King and you may bée well assured that I will doo my vttermost to aduaunce the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the Knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your Countrey to bee readye at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you héere a thing with me which such a King as you are ought most royally to receyue Then opening the Cofer he tooke foorth a Crowne of golde so sumptuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and precious Stones as neuer was séene a more costlyer Iewell euery one béeing of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mightye Lord. When the King had long and earnestly beheld it hée was verye desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the Knight perceiuing sayde This Crowne my Lorde is of such workemanship as no Ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be estéemed for the King that kéepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the King who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no King but you that euer sawe it but if you like it so well I will make yee a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some daunger to loose All this whyle was the Quéene in place earnestly wishing that the King her husband might haue it where-upon she said to the King Me thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demaundeth Madame quoth the Knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buye it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was séene for beside the precious stones wherwith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sortes of beastes and birdes which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rare and curious piece of woorke not wrought as I thinke by humane capacitie You say true Madame replyed the Knight for the like heereof is not to be found yet may not the riches compare with the propertie and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maryed Ladies then any other because she that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of chéefe regarde answered the Quéen if it haue any such indéed I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the Knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grewe she meruaylous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betwéene the King and her wherfore she said to the Knight Say Sir how doo you estimate this Mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseeche you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the handes of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of gréefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedie while I liue and because I know not well the valewe of these Iewelles I will leaue them in your custodye vntill the day you holde open Courte at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demaund In mean while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue saide you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust
Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hée had her in his custodye neuer did he meane dishonorably against her but by vertuous cogitations brideled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seuere charge lost his life wel-néere when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII ¶ How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersitie of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commaunded silence againe by his Herald when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My freends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthlye Lord that liueth this day in all the Isles of the Occean wherfore I thinke it conuenient that as we in this countrey are y e chéefe so should we be second to no other prince in rendring immortall thankes by good vertuous woorks wheron we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate and commaund albeit Kinges are the heads of their Monarchies and you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue me councell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for me to doo as well for the benefite of my Subiectes as also for our estate And this I assure ye I am fully minded to beleeue your opinions as procéeding from loyall and faithfull subiectes wherfore againe I desire ye that without feare eche one would in particular and generallye aduise what we ought to doo as matter most commendable Héere-with he held his peace and Barsinan Lord of Sansuegua was intreated by all the assistantes to speake his opinion which they did for no other reason but because the King would haue euery one honor him wher-upon after many excuses on his owne behalfe he arose from his seate and making humble reuerence thus spake Séeing it liketh you I should firste declare my censure I desire the King and this company to pardon my ignorance béeing vnwoorthy of this honourable and gracious fauour But me thinkes vnder submission to his pleasure and better aduise of all you my Lords that we should with-draw our selues a while from the presence of his Maiestie where we may more fréelye conceiue our seuerall humours This answere was generally well liked wherfore the King and Quéene lefte them together walking into an other of their Pauillions then Seroloys the Fleming Countie of Clare began in this manner You haue all heard my Lordes the good zeale the King hath to the gouernement not only of the common wealth in his Realm but perticularly to the honourable encrease of chiualrie which he desireth to continue in greater preminence then euer it hath béene And therefore my Lords humbling my selfe to better opinion I think it good to supply the intent of our King y t we all ought to councell him to strengthen him selfe with men and mony for they are the sinnewes of warre and peace whereby all Kings on the earth are maintained in their puissant authoritie For it is most certaine that treasure is for Souldiers and men at Armes by whome Kinges reigne nor ought it for any cause to be else where dispended without committing of true sacrilidge for these affaires are tearmed holye causing the state to liue in tranquilitie and win glorious conquestes of such as séeke to inuade them Beside to attayne the better héerto his Maiestie must séeke meanes to get all the good Knightes he can heare of as well strangers as other intreating them with liberality to send his renown on winges through the world which will fetche from the furthest partes men to his seruice in hope of condigne recompence to their labour By their aid he may easily make him selfe Monarche of all the Princes by East and West for it hath neuer â—éen read or heard that any Prince could make him selfe great except by the assistaunce of valiant and hardye Knights hauing bought their valour in braue attempts I tearm it bought by fauouring honouring and distributing their treasure among them that they may receiue no occasion of dislike but with vnconquerable resolution to pursue victorie As he would haue procéeded in further perswasion the greater parte of the Lordes séemed to allowe of his opinion affirming that better councell could not be giuen which when Barsinan heard he requested audience for him selfe and hauing graunt therof he intended to reuerse this firste aduise because he might verye hardly else goe forward with his secret purpose theÌ„ silence béeing made Barsinan thus beginnes It seemeth by your countenaunces my Lordes that the Countie of Clares opinion is a grounded trueth for I sée the most parte of you auerre the same not hauing heard any thing to the contrary they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my noble fréends that the better we be accompanyed the more we shall be feared of our enemyes our state in greater safetie and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new fréends cannot make vs forgetfull of our old let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yéeld and consent thereto Againe I intreat ye and expressely commaund that eche of you presently name such to me as you knowe happily they being yet vnknowen to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may be the better affected to our seruice likewise we intreate 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 with-drawing himselfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commaunded to be 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-drawen againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good fréends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must graunt me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particulerly knowe the seruice you haue doone me and you taste such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Héereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the Kings request except Amadis because he was the Quéens Knight and all this while was she present at these matters wherfore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord séeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honor your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doo the like to the Ladyes and Gentlewomen
and mooued not Now grew the Lady and her Knights into such anger with Amadis as presently they would haue slaine him and he had not escaped but that an auncient Knight stepped before him with his Sword drawen vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe foorth of the Pauillion yet coulde hee not defende him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder then stepped the auncient Knight to Madasima with these words By God Madame you deale like a very vnreasonable woman causing your people in your presence to murder two Knights after they haue yeelded themselues your prisoners Why Sir quote she did you not see their presumptuous boldnes especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replyed Galaor we rather chuse to dye then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and curteous and we as prisoners will shew obeysaunce to you Seeing you saya so answered Madasima I will binde you my self heereupon she bound their hands w t strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor béeing set on horsses without Saddles and led along by two Sergeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foote hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile all night through the Forrest But Amadis was weery of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull pacience but for the matter Madasima would enforce them to the refusall whereof gaue hope of no better vsage at her hand but for euer to be depriued of his faire Oriana And contrarywise if he consented he should in like manner be banished from her presence being compelled to serue King Lisuart no longer these two extremities troubled his thoughts which the auncient Knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was mooued to pittie him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of y e best Knights in the world Héere you must obserue how the Damosell was the auncient Knights Daughter and repented her treason in deceiuing them séeing how discourteously they were intreated which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safetie for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pittie then good father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Galaor who slewe the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full well â—new the Knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittyed their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to sheeld them from death which was néere at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good chéere Sir Knight for I hope by the help of God ere long to deliuer you from this cruell Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so freendly knowing likewise it was the man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him he thus answered Father I haue no wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she that brought vs hither by y e falsest treacherie in the world I knowe very well said the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you wéene which makes me the more carefull in séeking your good therefore I shall giue you profitable councell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should dye without any remedy because nothing might serue else to expiate her wrath beléeue then what I say and put it in practise You are faire young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the world whereby she conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting she would accept you as her husband or perpetuall freend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doo doo quickly because at y t place whether we are now going she intends to send one of her seruaÌ„ts to King Lisuarts Court whose errand is only to enquire your names for she that conducted you hither perceiuing you should assuredly dye if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so with her as she said she forgot to aske your names only thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the world The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more if you doo it not wursse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so deerely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartely for your great kindnes but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to procéed so farre though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so déeply yet libertie nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wunder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale héerein with my brother he is a Knight more braue and beautifull then I am happily he will consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her fréend my companion and I were for euer at your commaund Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her I hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor he went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to break with her Madame you carrye two prisoners with you but you doo not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the Knight is esteemed y e best Knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed againste you but onlye through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sorte then you began considering if he conceiued liking
to him the one of them vsing these woords King Lisuart spare the Knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one hower If I dye answered the King so shall you all for me like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not only sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did he recouer himselfe very quickly like one resolued to defend his life albeit he sawe death present before his eyes But béeing vnable to resist so many at length they got sure hold on him when renting off his helmet and his Shéeld they bound him fast with a double chayne Afterward they set him on a simple horsse two Knights still holding the ends of the chayne and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke but the Knight against whome the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus said Behold Cozin King Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus hence-foorth shall his enemyes haue no cause to dread him Uillaine quoth the King well knowe I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my woords if thou darest combate with me By God sayd Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all spéede to London and say to Lord Barsinan that he must execute what I willed him for I haue begun indifferently if he can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Cittie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore he sayd to his Cozin Take ten Knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prisons at Daguanel these other foure shall kéepe me company for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shewe her straunge and woonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboad beeing one of the strongest and fayrest in the world thus the ten Knightes caryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certaynely if héere we consider the properties of Fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more toward great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well she witnessed by King Lisuart euen in the time when he intended most honorably to be thwarted with such a contrary chaunce For at one instant he sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemyes his Daughter and heyre to his Kingdome taken from him and all his estate in daunger of ruyne He that was woont to bée honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a théefe by a villainous Enchaunter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this daye are called to the greatest honors in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenaunce suffered him to fall in these dangers to the end he might remember how all creatures remayne at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time he was brought so lowe as might bée and afterward restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI ¶ How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherfore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if she had known their names likewise how they tooke their waye toward London as men right ioyfull of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarff so fast as horsse could gallop wher-upon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinkes my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importaunce for doo you not sée what speede he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when he tolde how the Princesse Oriana was caryed from y e Court against her wil what sorrowful lamentations she made Amadis entred into a dispairing fury demaunding which way they went that had her in charge In sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorowe the Forrest which lyeth on the other side of the Cittie Without more woords Amadis gaue the spurres to his horsse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speak to his brother Galaor who left him not but followed at hand Through y t Cittie they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse and euery one shewed it him verye readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Quéens lodging where she standing at a window ouer-come with gréef espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he had left his Maister Madame quoth he he is gone after them that haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee saide the Quéene then sent she for the Kinges swoord which was accounted one of the best in the worlde saying I desire thee carry this swoord to Amadis and tell him the King for-sooke it this morning he beeing gone with a Damosell to combate for her and she hath giuen him another swoord as yet we heare no tidinges of him either when he will returne or whether he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the swoord set away with speede after his maister whose impacience vrging him to more haste then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule sloughe as he was faine to alight ere he could get foorth again And leading his horsse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor and Gandalin ouertooke him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the Swoord she sent him When he heard how the King was likewise gon his desire of speed encreased to giue him succour but his horsse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as he was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much wursse then his own yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tract of horsses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them we met certaine men leading a Knight two Ladies albeit we durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of y e wood for doubtlesse they be some bad people heer to they added such a discription of the prisoners as they easilye gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good freendes saide Amadis know you none of the
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because the King disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the King how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the King to requite him with many thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone after came Galaors Squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the King how his brother Amadis was gon to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost
likewise the Mothers comfort hauing recouered her Daughter againe but as your iudgementes can better conceiue then I set down matter aboue the reache of common capacitie so doo I leaue it to you and proceede to the King Who to terrifie the traitours thus gotten into hold besieged them seuerelly and to disharten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephewe before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which beeing doone a great fier was made wherin they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectackle and that they were in great want of victualles they yéelded them-selues to the Kinges mercye the most parte of them béeing for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at libertie vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred great trouble afterward betwéene them of great Brittaine and Sansuegua for the Sonne of Barsinan beeing a good Knight vexed King Lisuart with contagious warre as the Historye heere-after at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these mis-fortunes the former ioyes and pastimes began again during which time the Lady and her two Sonnes the messengers of Madasima who were witnesses when Galaor and Amadis promised to forsake King Lisuarts seruice arriued at y e Court When the two Princes were aduertised therof they went and freendly entertained her she saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to kéep your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenaunt with Madasima but presently will perfourm it before the King Entring the great hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiestie deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Courte to see if these two Knightes will obserue a couenaunt which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will scant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and therto she added y e whole circumstance Wherat the King wexing some what offended tolde Galaor that he had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to doo so then be trecherously slaine for had we beene knowen neither you or all the worlde could haue saued our liues but let not your Maiestie be offended for the remedie shall be more readye then you expect In accomplishing my promise to Madasima of Gantasi my Lord I take my leaue of you departing altogether from your seruice certifying you that it is her wil to doo you this displeasure and wursse if she could compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had doone then Galaor turning to the Lady and her two Sonnes said Haue we not now accomplished our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady we must néedes auouch so much You may then return when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she wéened as you may perceiue by the present effect Now my Lord quoth he to the King we haue fulfilled our promise to Madasima and because in graunting her earnest desire the time was not limitted how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter ther-into againe when you please to commaund so that we are yours as faithfull as before When the King and all that were present heard what had past they reioyced exceedingly esteeming Galaor and Amadis well aduised héerin wher-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddow of good meaning they are bound to no more then they haue accomplished for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit And say to Madasima séeing she hateth me so vnreasonably she once had them in her power who might haue greeued me all my life time but God hauing in other places deliuered me from many perilles will not suffer me to perish by so bad a woman as she is I desire ye my Lord quoth she to tell me their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible said the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde ye trueth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had knowne them and in sooth the deed might be reckoned ominous if two such woorthye persons had perished Yet when she shall know heereof saide the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. ¶ How King Lisuart helde open Courte in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater parte wherof remained there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Courte in all magnificence many noble personages béeing there assembled as well strangers as other hoping now to make little stay but to returne home to their owne houses yet the greater parte of them aboad with the King in like maner did sundry woorthy Ladyes accompany the Quéene Among other Knightes attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cozin Ladasin who as I haue saide were very good Knightes but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very few were found in the Realme of great Brittaine that caryed more account for déedes of Armes and all other graces beseeming a Knight setting aside his musing and melancholye By means wherof few or none could be pleasant with him or haue any woordes from him in companie but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughtes in such sorte with his Lady as he had minde of none but her And she of whome we speake was endued with singuler beautye béeing named Brandalisia sister to the Kinges wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in mariage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was ariued at the Courte to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and béeing in the presence of many great Lordes the Duke began in this manner Sir you haue commaunded my appearance héere this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiestie concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth me withall wherof I hope sufficiently to cléere my selfe by the rightfull iudgemēt your selfe shall giue he rest condemned like a varlet as he is for héer am I ready to approue against him or any other he shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deede At these woords Oliuas arose with him a great number of Knightes errant all resolued to maintaine this quarrell against the Duke when the King behelde them in such a mutinie he meruailed whence the cause should proceed when Grumedan speaking for all the rest saide My Lord because the Duke of Bristoya hath threatned and defied all Knightes errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it be so he hath attempted an ouer-fond warre for I think there is no King
in the worlde so puissant that will be induced to such an enterprise But for-beare at this time and offer him no iniurie because he is héere to receiue iustice which shall be doone according to the councell of the Princes and Lordes present without fauouring any one Then Oliuas falling on his knée before the King began in this wanner My Lord the Duke who standeth before your Maiestie hath slaine a Cozin germaine of mine he neuer giuing him occasion of offence wherfore I wil iustifie him to be a villaine and a traytour and will make him confesse it with his owne mouthe else shall I kill him and cast him foorth of the feelde The Duke tolde him he lyed and he was ready to accomplishe what the King and his Courte should ordaine wher-upon it was determined that this emulation should be discided by combate which the Duke accepted desiring the King to permit him and his two Nephewes in this cause against Oliuas and two other Knightes This béeing graunted the Duke was very glad therof for he made such account of his kinsemen as he thought Oliuas could not bring their like notwithstanding all was deferred till the morrow following In meane while Don Galuanes asked his Nephew Agraies if he would assist Oliuas against the Duke and he consenting there-to Galuanes came to Oliuas saying Sir Oliuas séeing the Duke is desirous to fight three against thrée my Nephewe and I are determined to take your part which when the Duke heard he remembred that he had defyed them in his owne house when Agraies combatted with the Dwarffes champion at what time the Damosell should haue béene burned wherefore he became very pensiue in respect though he estéemed his Nephewes approoued good Knights yet he repented his wilfull offer and gladly would haue excused the matter if he could béeing too well acquainted with the behauiour of Galuanes and Agraies But considering his promise past before the King and so many noble personages there present he must of necessitie stand there-to where-fore the next morning he entred the Lysties with his Nephewes and Oliuas on the contrary side with his copartners Now were the Ladyes standing at the windowes to behold the issue of this quarrell and among the rest stood Oliuia the faire fréend to Agraies who séeing him ready to enter such perill was so dismayed as she could scant tell what countenance to vse By her stoode Mabila she beeing in no lesse greefe for her Unckle and Brother together likewise the Princesse Oriana louing them both in respect of the reasons héere-to-fore declared accompanyed the two Ladyes in sorrowe fearing their daunger but the Knights being ready to the combate the King by a Herald commaunded the Champions to doo their deuoyre Héere-upon with a braue carrire they encountred together Agraies and Galuanes vnhorssing the two Nephewes and albeit Oliuas receiued a wound on the stomack yet had not the Duke caught hold about his horsse neck his fortune had prooued as bad as his Nephewes Then drawing their Swoords they smote so violently against eche other as the standers by wundered at their fiercenes beholding their Shéelds defaced their Armour battered and coullered with their blood that the victory hung a long time in suspence For Agraies horsse béeing slaine vnder him brought his life into meruailous hazard because the Duke and one of his Nephewes stroue to keepe him downe seeking to thrust their Swoords into his belly or else to smite his head from his shoulders but he was so well armed and of such courage withall as he held them both play though with exceeding perill Well you may thinke that his freends greeued to see him in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whome 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 extremitie her latest hower must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewe 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 him-selfe which the Duke perceiuing he left his Nephewe with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slayne him Agraies stepped betweene them hauing already dispatched his enemy of his head and hindered the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tell 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 horsse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the Helmet as he fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horsse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ran flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his neck was broken with dragging along Heere-upon Agraies left him returning to his Unckle to knowe how he fared Uery well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it greeueth me that Oliuas is dead for he lyeth still and mooueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these woordes wherfore commaunding the Duke and his Nephewes bodies to be throwen foorth of the feeld they came bothe to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his woundes not to be mortall they bound thē vp so well as they could saying Freend Oliuas be of good cheere for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt we not of your health because we finde little danger in your hurtes Alas my Lordes quoth Oliuas my hart fainteth and albeit I haue beene héer-tofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to know whether he were dead or no and when it was tolde him how he wanted nothing but spéedye cure he commaunded him to be honorably caryed into the Cittie and his owne Chirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which they did promising to deliuer him well againe within fewe dayes Thus euery one returned disputing diuerslye on the end of the Combate and according to their particuler affections so that soone after the Queene who was one of the best Ladyes in the worlde was aduised to send for the wife to the deceassed Duke that in the Courte she might weare away the cause of her melanchollie and to dispatch this busines she sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Niece Aldena with her wherof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the freend and beloued of the Duchesse Not long after she and her Niece arriued at the Courte where they were right nobly feasted and entertained Thus the King spent the time in the Cittie of London accompanied with many great Lordes Knights and Ladyes because the same
was blazed through the worlde of his honorable curtesie to strange Knightes which drewe an exceeding number to his Courte whom he rewarded very bountifullye hoping by their meanes not only to confirme his Realm in peace but likewise to conquer other which sometime had beene subiect and tributarie to his Crowne yet through the pusillanimitie and negligence of the Kings his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI ¶ How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEeretofore 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 yéere after he should perfourme being accompanyed with two other Knights Also how when hée tooke his leaue of her she gaue him a Swoord because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Swoord was afterwarde broken at the Ladyes Castell who was the beloued of Angriote d' Estrauaus when he combatted with Gasinan and commaunded Gandalin to bring away the pieces therof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault in him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his maister loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered him-selfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of them bothe 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 combate against Abiseos within one yéere the end wherof was now at hand béeing lothe to faile therin he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sorte Briolania was disinherited of her Fathers Kingdome Such were his discourses on her behalfe that although Oriana was loth to graunt what he demaunded or to permit his absence from her yet beeing ouer-come with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow saide Deere fréend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you doo me alloweth no excuse yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine owne pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content séeing there is no other remedie though my consent be with greater greefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischéefe will happen to me by this voiage Madame answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wishe neuer to haue béene borne let Briolania then pardon my tarying for I holde my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agréeable to you Not so sweete freend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall goe but make a spéedye returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this seperation sealed and she desired him to acquaint the Quéene ther-with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commaundement which he did and on the morrow departed with Galaor Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a mile but he asked Gandalin if he had brought with him the pieces of y e swoord that Briolania gaue him when he left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what spéed thou canst to ouer-take vs. Alas had he but misdoubted the mishap followed heeron he neuer would haue sent such a messenger for by his rechlesse speeches he endaungered the liues of Amadis and Oriana together as shall heerafter be largely described Gon is the Dwarffe to his Maisters lodging and finding the pieces of the Swoord in the place where Gandalin had directed him returned hastily toward his Maister but passing by the Quéens lodging he heard one call him when looking about he espied the Princesses Oriana and Mabila who demaunded wherfore he had left Amadis Madame quoth he I haue not beene so long from him but I can quickly ouer-take him for this which I carye will let him make no great haste till I come What is it saide Oriana What answered the Dwarffe I can assure ye Madame he prizeth them more then they be woorth for her sake that gaue him the Swoord What is she quoth Oriana The Lady replyed the Dwarffe for whom he now vndertakes the combate And though you be daughter to the best King in the worlde as also fairer in mine opinion then any other yet rather should you haue gained her conquest then all the wealth in this kingdome I know not what thou meanest saide Oriana vnlesse thy maister haue giuen him selfe to her You haue guessed right Madame answered the Dwarffe he is altogether at her commaundement thinking him selfe happie to be her Knight So taking his leaue he posted to ouer-take his maister who little thought on these slaunderous reportes but Oriana entred into such a iealouzie as without regarde of any thing what-soeuer she would haue cast her selfe foorth at the windowe had not Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke stayed her Now riseth frowning anger in her browes and she to misconceiue of the man whose only desire was to doo her seruice With often wringing her handes she calleth to remembraunce in what earnest affection he desired leaue for this voyage which augmented her suspition of the Dwarffes woordes and in such sort was her hart shut vp as no teare might fall from her eyes because those vapours were withdrawen to the most woorthie place in her Heereupon her torments redoubled in extreames as Dido for the tromperie of Aeneas or sad Medea seeing her selfe forsaken of her freend Iason neuer felt like anguish and in fatall fortune she would haue succeeded them but that she was hindered by them about her who found the meanes to defend her from such mishap By this time the Dwarffe ouer-tooke Amadis and the rest when they began to ride some-what faster Amadis not requiring any thing of him nor he reciting what he tolde the Princesse but shewed him the pieces of the Swoord he brought Nor farre had they ridden but they met a Damsell who after she had saluted them demaunded whether they trauailed saying she would aduise them to forsake that way Wherefore answered Amadis Because quoth she for the space of fiftéene dayes no Knight errant passed this way but he hath béene either wounded or slaine And who hath doone them such displeasure said Amadis A Knight answered the Damosell the most valiant man at Armes that euer was seene I pray yée Damosell quoth Agraies bring vs where we may see him You cannot ride farre in this Forrest said she but he will quickly shewe
when he fought with his brother Amadis which made him cary better opinion of the Knight and bothe of them being glad to breath a while Galaor entred into these speeches You see Sir I haue the better of the combate let me therfore know your name and why you conceale your selfe so closely wherin you shall doo me very great pleasure and we may continue freendes else wursse wil ensue then you imagine Be well assured answered the Knight our strife shall not be ended so easily nor am I to be ouercome so lightly as you weene beside I was neuer more desirous to prolong a combate then I am at this instant because I neuer met with the knight that tryed me so wel but to you nor any other will I be knowne except one Knight who hath power to commaund me Be not so opinitiue replyed Galaor for I sweare to you by the faith I owe to God neuer to leaue you til I know what you are and why you conceale your selfe so secretly And I sweare to you quoth the Knight while breath is in my bodye you shal not know it by me and rather would I presently dye then any but two should vnderstand what I am yet I knowe not them but they may and shall haue knowledge of me And what are they saide Galaor you estéeme so much Neither will I disclose them to you answered the Knight Bothe them and my former demaund quoth Galaor I will knowe else one of vs shall dye or bothe together I am well pleased ther-with replyed the Knight So begin they to charge eche other a freshe as if they had not fought together before at all but the strange Knight receiued many cruell woundes which made his strength more and more to faile and the Lady séeing the great danger of his life would suffer him to endure no further peril but comming to Galaor said For-beare Sir Knight would God the Barque and Mariners had suncke before they brought you hither Lady quoth Galaor you ought not to blame me in dooing my deuoire against this Knight who hath outraged me many more beside for which I meane to be reuenged this day For-beare said y e Lady to wrong him any more otherwise you may fall into an extremitie without any mercy It matters not what may happen answered Galaor but nothing shall make me giue ouer vntil he haue satis-fied my demaund And what is that quoth she He must tell me his name replyed Galaor and why so closely he concealeth himself likewise what y e two Knights are of whome he told me but euen now Proceed no further in combate said the Lady and I will satisfye your demaund This Gentleman is named Don Florestan concealing himselfe in this secret manner to finde his two bretheren who are in this countrey accounted such men at Armes that albeit he hath well tryed himselfe with you yet will he not be commonly knowen till he haue accomplished such déedes in chiualrie as may deserue to equall him with them who are at this time in King Lisuarts Court one of them being named Amadis the other Galaor and all thrée the Sonnes to King Perion of Gaule Alas what haue I done quoth Galaor heere brother take my Swoord and therewithall the honor of the fight for I haue offended ouer-much What said the Knight am I then your brother According to this Ladyes spéeches answered Galaor you are and I am your brother Galaor Florestan amazed at this accident fell on his knée saying My Lord I desire you to pardon me for this offence in combatting vnknowen with you was caused by no other reason but that I durst not name my selfe your brother till I had made some imitation of your noble vertues Galaor courteouslye embraced him in his armes the teares streaming from his eyes with ioye and gréeuing to sée him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good freendes and the enmitie conuerted into such humilitie as one right glad therof she saide to Galaar Woorthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauines yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompenced me So taking eche of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castell where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wonndes Thus remained the two bretheren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII ¶ How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he arriued in the Countrye of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yéeres accomplishing many braue déedes of Armes the renowme where-of continueth to this daye And as he returned toward Gaule he lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his own reputation as also because the Countie him-selfe had some-time béene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his chamber where beeing in bed and some-what weary with trauaile he fell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauines he felt him self embraced and kissed he knewe not by whome when starting vp to arise he was so held downe that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus maistred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you The King looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire freend tell me what you are What soeuer I am quoth she I loue you exceedingly as one that freely giues her selfe to you In sooth replyed the King I very gladly would knowe your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunitie yet can I vse no other continence then you see But it were necessary quoth the King I should knowe your name if you meane to be my freend Seeing you constraine me there-to answered the Lady knowe that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so fréendly entertained you Now trust me Madame replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather dye then abuse the man I am so much beholding too Will you then refuse mée quoth she well may you bée tearmed the wurst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will doo what is conuenient for your honor and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my father to think himselfe more iniuried by you then if you graunt what I desire So starting frō the bed she tooke the Kings Swoord euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it foorth she set the point against her
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell