Princesse walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let mee not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two from me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames shee was maruailously abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned shee spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wont to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further danger if shee reuiue againe Come I pray yee succour her for now is the time of greatest needs and let these lamentations be referred till another time Mabila perceiuing the Damosell saide true wherefore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenesse some hope of life to bee expected they lifted her vpon the bed when soon after her spirites returned to their office and to qualifie this agonit they could deuise no better means then to busie her eares with some or other speeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speake to vs. Madame saide the other your Amadis is yet aliue and well At the name of Amadis shee opened her eyes turning her head here and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sigh started vp saying Alas sweete friend where is he We vnderstand quoth shee that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wont to vaunt of himselfe without cause feeding himselfe with false praise of deceruing Knights Why saide Oriana haue I not heard that hee brought his horse and armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as wel be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to try our constancy then finding vs thus weakely disposed hee should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you thinke so simply Madam that Amadis could be ouercome by one and no better a knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of himselfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he finde you not onely dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to griefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by malice can do and thus you both shall die one for another When Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her friend if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the truthâ— she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amorously conferred when first he ariued at her fathers Court and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah window the witnesse of my abaÌ„doned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whom thou causest me remember and by whose gracious words both thou and I were made happy Of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou indure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue done which fayling mee now giueth me strange and insupportable torments to bee my companions and hence-forth shall my sad spirit remaine in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then shee had done in this manner Why Madam thinke you if I held these babling newes for truth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sort the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite all the world to weepe then want consolation for you who stand in such neede thereof But I see so slender appearance of beleefe as I will not before time require repute you vnfortunate because discomforting our selues without asurance The euill hereby may be amended and the good made much more worse especially it will be the meane of disconering what hath so long time beene shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he bee dead I care not though our loue were openly knowne for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladies all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demanded for Oriana she answered that she accompanied Mabila whom she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her griefe for her Cosin Amadis Thus was the princesses secret sadnesse couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults between doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoyuas entred the palace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew them for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knees before the king were quickly called â—oremembrance his maiesty thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue tarryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath bin the cause whereout had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen liberty to me this Lady and many more by such deedes of Armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue been deliuered Yet was he once in danger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damosels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whom hee verily thought to be dead What my friend quoth he by the faith thou owest to God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demanded such a questioÌ„ Because sayd the King Arcalaus yesterday tolde vs he had slaine him heere-with he declared his speeches and the manner how What a traiterous villaine is that replied Brandoyuas but worse is befalne him then he weeneth as yet hereto he added what passed betweene Amadis Arcalaus as already you haue heard whereby each one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes the King presently commanding that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Queene that shee might vnderstand these happy tidings Into the Queenes chamber is she brought and the Damosell of Denmarke hearing her reporte ran with all speede to the Princesse Oriana who hearing by her the truth of all the passage of her speech was stopt for a long time seeming as one confounded with enchantment thinking in these newes shee gaue her the bag or that she dreamed them but when she recouered the vse
Vngan the Piccard the most experte of them all thus answered My Lord dreames are vaine thinges and for such ought to be esteemed notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours giue vs some time to consider thereon It liketh me wel said the king within 12 daies look that you make ine answer But to the end they should not disguise or coâ—ceale the truth from him he câ—â—sed them to be sepereted so that during the time agreed vpon they might neither see to speake together wherefore to their vttermost they trauailed in what they had promised the King so that the day being come when they should render an occompt of their labour he first tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skill Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tel ye Well hast thou aduised said the King whereupon they were sent for afterward Albert thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whom you saw enter by the secret dore signifieth this Realme which is close well guarded notwithstanding by some right thereto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting forth thence your hart and afterward threw it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles both more lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whom you shall not easily recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he said that soone after I should lose it against the will of him that took the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of another that commanded him to do so then by any will thereto in himselfe thus see ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now said the king to the second named Antalles tel vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me that what he saith shall happen is already effected by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed thereat seeing there is not as yet any part of your Realme lost if you do loose any thing hereafter it must be by such a one as loueth you deerely When the king heard this he nodded his head for it seemed to him that he came neere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more theÌ„ the other fel into a laughter which he was sildome wont to doe because he was a man very sad and melancholly yet by chance the King perceiued it wherefore he said Maister Vngan my friend now remaineth none but you say boldly what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into things which is not necessary to be knowne to any other then your selfe therefore let these giue place a while if you please At these words they with-drew themselues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty saw me ere while to laugh it was at one word which little you thinke on yet it is true and will you know what It was that which Antalles said that what he found by your dreame was already happened by the person that best loueth ye Now shall I reueale what you keepe in secret and thinke that none knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue already accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had bene there present But as for the chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what it meaneth and how she whome you loue desirous to deliuer her heart and yours from griefe and sadnesse came to ye entring your chaÌ„ber by the false dore that was hid from you The hands that opened your sides is the conuinction of you twaine then the heart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Son or a Daughter Now tell me said the King what meaneth the casting thereof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therefore neuer labour for further knowledge thereof Yet would I said the King faine vnderstand it and therefore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseech ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shal reueal you wilnot be displeased with her who loueth you so loyally That promise do I faithfully make thee said the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that heart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessity be forsaken And the other said the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue another childe who shall be caryed away against the will of her that caused the losse of the first Thou hast told me strange things said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast told me concerning the Lady I loue For things ordeined and appoynted by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gaine-say or remedy and therefore men of wisdome should neuer be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacity of men farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue bin so curious to vnderstand referre all things to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the end of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so esteemed of him that from theÌ„ce forward he had him neere his person by meanes whereof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the king parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costly in garments and faire in beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfrey the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these wordes made the good Prince more sad pensiue then he was before For this time the Auther leâ—… ueth this purpose returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whom he made to be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherefore in short time he grew and became so faite that all which
and likewise would vse them with gracious behauiour as they might be termed Lords both in heart and hand the only meane that made them be serued with fedelity Therefore my good friends I desire you all euen in the most intire affection I can vse that you assist me to your vttermost in recouery of good Knights either of our owne or strangers promising you by the faith and word of a king so honorably to entreate and esteeme of them as both they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my noble friends that the better we bee accompanied the more we shall be feared of our enemies our state in greater safety and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new friends cannot make vs forgetfull of our olde let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yeelde and consent thereto Againe I entreat ye and expressely command that each of you presently name such to me as you know happely they being yet vnknowne to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may bee the better affected to our seruice likewise we entreat them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire withdrawing him-selfe into the appointed Hal◠where many Tables were prouided which he commanded to bee well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawne againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good friends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must grant me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particularly know the seruice you haue done me and you tast such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Hereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the kings request except Amadis because he was the Queenes knight and al this while was she present at these matters wherefore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord seeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honour your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doe the like to the Ladies and Gentle-women of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentle-men after you shall not deny mee considering that in semblable company good things deserue to bee demanded and granted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answer my friends shall we make the Queene shall we agree to her demand Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a princesse so vertuous Seeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine whatsoeuer she asketh At these words the Queene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hence-forth you would doe such honour to Ladies and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrells against all such as would molest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some suite to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most neede to be holpen This granted hereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wont to do them iniurie meeting them in the fields and knowing they haue such knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gaine-say it wee will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a law inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damofell came to the Court cloa hed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuort in a cause whereby she bad beene wronged MEane while this honorable company thus continued free from all danger and mis-hap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delights there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knees before the King thus spake My Lord ech one is merry but my poore selfe who am so crossed with griefe and sorrow as death were the best friend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These wordes were dipt in such aboundance of teares as the King being moued therewith to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to relieue your sadnesse but tell me who is the cause thereof Dread Lord quoth she my Father and Vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whom they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him said the King Because he vanted replied the Damosel that he alone would combat with them and so proud he grew in speeches as at length he defied them Not long after they meeting one day together the knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and vncle could not indure the iniurie but falling to the combat the knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she said procured his comming to maintain a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers being her great enemy wherfore seeing him dead she caused the conquerors to be taken put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my father and vncle often told her that they would performe for her what the knight should haue done But she answered how shee well knew they were not sufficient for the cause therefore should neuer be released vntill they deliuered her two knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whō they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doe Know you not Damosell said the King against whom they shoulde combat or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue seene my father and vncle eruelly put in prison where their friends cā compas no meanes to see them Herewith she began again to weep that euery one pittied to behold her which made the king aske her if the place were far off In fiue daies my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone returned Now trust me said the king you shall not want your ioy for two knights wherefore looke among al these gallants and chuse such as you best fancy My Lord replied the Damosell I am a stranger and know not
faith Damosel I haue now more neede 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 being the most loyall King in the world wherefore humbly I intreate yee presently to reuenge my cause on a knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content there-with the villaine violently tooke mee away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is hee enchanted as hee cannot bee done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of Great Brittaine giue him a wound with this Launce and another with this sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Ladie of whom hee had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for shee hateth him aboue all others for which cause she gaue mee this sword and Lance whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it bee done but by you onely who are the chiefe and most vertuous man in this countrey wherefore as you promised mee before so valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often tolde him that by this day I would bee prouided of a knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending onely for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for hee little thinketh that I haue the Sworde and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agreement together if hee remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniury but if he be vanquished hee must doe what I command him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when hee had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels sworde about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company hee rode on with her shee carrying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayde My Lord take your helmet for this is he you must deale withall which the King quickly did approaching neare the knight sayd Proud Traytour defend thy selfe and thy lawlesse Iust So couching their Launces they encountred together where the King perceiued how his painted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his sword to charge the knight but at the first strok the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hee imagined himself betraied for the knight did what he pleased to him But as hee would haue killed his horse the King being quick nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such â—ore they strugled together as they both fell to the ground the knight vnderneath and the King vpon him by meanes whereof hee got his sword from him and vnlacing his helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shee could Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cosen quickely or else hee dies When the King heard her name Arcalaus hee looked vp and sawe ten braue knights come running vnto him the one of them vsing these wordes King Lisuart spare the knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one houre If I die answered the King so shall you all for mee like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not onely sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did hee recouer himselfe very quickely like one resolued to defend his life albeit hee sawe death present before his eyes But being vnable to resist so many at length they got sure holde on him when renting off his helmet his shield they bound him fast with a double chaine Afterward they set him on a simple horse two knights still holding the ends of the chain and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmark but the knight against whom the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus sayde Beholde Cosen kin Lisuart is ours A very good priâ—e answered Arcalaus henceforth shall his enemies haue no cause to dread him Villaine quoth the King well know I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my words if thou darest combate with me By God sayde Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all speed to London and say to Lord Barsinan that hee must execute what I willed him for I haue begunne indifferently if hee can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Citie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore hee sayde to his Cosen Take tenne knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prison at Daguanell these other foure shall keepe mee companie for I will leade Oriana to mount Alâ—iâ— where I will shew her strange and wonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboade beeing one of the strongest and fairest in the worlde thus the ten knights carryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certainely if heere wee consider the properties of fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more towardes great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well shee witnessed by king Lisuart euen in the time when hee intended most honourably to bee twharted with such a contrary chance For at one instant hee sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemies his Daughter and heire to his kingdome taken from him and all his estate in danger of ruine Hee that was wont to be honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a theefe by a villainous enchanter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this day are called to the greatest honours in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wife Prince yet the diuine ordenance suffred him to fall in these dangers to the end hoâ— might remember how al creatures remaine at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time hee was brought so lowe as might be and afterwarde restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners
brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea Fol. 33. Chap. 7. How the Gentleman of the Sea combatted with the guarders of Galpans Castle and after-ward with his Brethren and in the end with Galpan himselfe Fol. 39. Chap. 8. How the third day after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knights came to the court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife Fol. 43. Chap. 9. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combat with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule Fol. 55. Chap. 11. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisona his Mother Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him knight met with his brother Ama. by whose hād he would be knighted and by no other Fol. 66. Chap. 13. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Fol. 76. Chap. 14. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the Vnknowne he arriued at a Castle where it chanced to him as you shall reade in the discourse Fol. 81. Chap. 15. How King Lisuart caused asepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and knowne Fol. 91. Chap. 16. How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted Fol. 100. Chap 17. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis Fol. 108 Chap. 18. How Amadis tarrying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidings of his brother Galaor Fol. 206. Chap. 19. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferior in beauty to Angriotes choyce F. 122 Chap. 20. How Amadis was inchanted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how after-ward he escaped the inchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda Fol. 131 Chap. 21. How Arcalaus brought news to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana Fol. 136. Chap. 22. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monastery where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him F. 141 Chap. 23. How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castle and of the matters which were occurrent to him by the way Fol. 150. Chap. 24. How King Lisuart being in the chase saw a farre off three knights armed comming toward him and what followed thereupon F. 154. Chap. 25 How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them Fol. 159. Chap. 26. How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whom hee found slaine on the bed vnder the Tree Fol. 164. Chap. 27 How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whom he combatted and what happened to him afterward Fol. 168 Chap. 28. How Amadis combatted with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him Fol. 174. Chap. 29. How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor loose his Horse Fol. 176. Chap. 30. How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time Fol. 179. Chap. 31. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward Fol. 182 Chap. 32. How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the good Citty of London there to hold open and royall Court Fol. 185. Chap. 33. How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie F. 191 Chap. 34. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby shee had beene wronged Fol. 195. Chap. 35. How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly Fol. 201. Chap. 36. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners wherefore they made hast to giue them succour Fol. 209. Chap. 37. How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison Fol. 216. Chap. 38. How news came to the Queene that the King was taken and how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained long time after-ward Fol. 227. Ch. 41. How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sons to reuenge the kings death who was father to the faire Briolania and of that which followed Fol. 230. Chap. 42. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companions in the Forrest whom when hee found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest point of their combat they knew each other Fol. 235 Chap. 43. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Petion on the faire Daughter to the County of Zealand Fol. 240. Chap. 44. How Galaor and Florestan riding towards the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damosels at the Fountaine of Oliues Fol. 248. FINIS THE SECOND BOOKE Of Amadis de Gaule CONTAINING THE DESCRIPtion Wonders and Conquests of the Inclosed or Firme-Island As also the triumphes and troubles of Amadis in the pursuit of his fayrest Fortunes Moreouer the manifold Victories hee obtained and admirable seruices by him performed for King Lisuart And his notorious ingratitude towards him which was the first occasion of the broyles and fatall warres that no small time continued betweene him and Amadis Translated out of French by A. M. TAM ROBVR TAM ROBOR NI-COLIS ARBOR IOVIS 1610. LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES dwelling in Foster-lane 1619. TO THE RIGHT HONORAble Sir Phillip Herbert Earle of Mountgomerie And Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter AMadis in his first Booke kissing your noble hand the second followeth to finde the like fauour encouraged thereto by your euer knowne most honourable nature and affable graces affoorded to the very meanest deseruers The third and fourth Bookes successiuely ensue to make vp the first volume of so famous an history till foure more may in the like manner be finished to present themselues to you their gracious
for any thing behinde him at least I will carry him his armour I will gladly beare you companie for this night sayd Durin I would to God we might finde him in better cafe then hee was at his departure Then they tooke their leaue of Isania and getting to horse-backe they followed the same way that Amadis had tooke coasting heere and there about the wood so long till fortune brought them where hee lay When his horse sented their horses hee began to neigh whereby Gandalin knew his Master was not farre off wherefore the more secretly to behold his countenance hee allighted comming so neere vnto him as he might easily behold where he slept hard by the riuer side whereupon he stood close watching when he should awake he had not stained long before his slumber left him Then he suddenly started vp as if hee had been frighted At that instant was the Moon withdrawne by the daies approach yet sate hee still on the grasse beginning his moane in a most strange and pittifull manner and bitterly weaping he burst out into these words Alas fortune too inconstant fickle why hast thou first aduanced mee and afterwards ouerthrowne me Now I well perceiue thou canst doe more hurt in one houre then thou wilt do good in a thousand yeares for if heretofore thou haste giuen me any pleasure or ioy thou hast now in a moment cruelly robbed me of all leauing me in bitter tormēts far worse then death and seeing thou wast minded so to serue mee why hast thou not at the least made the one equal with the other because thou knowest that if heeretofore thou didst bestow vpon me any contentment yet was it euermore mingled with great sorrowe In like sort shouldst thou reserue for me some sparke of hope with this cruelty wherewith thou now tormentest me executing vpon me an incomprehensible thing in the thought of those whom thou fauourest who because they feele not this mischiefe doe thinke those riches glories and honours which vnto them thou lendest to bee euerlasting But they forget that besides the troublesom trauels which their bodies doe suffer for the keeping thereof how their soules are in danger to perish therefore For by thy flatteries wanton intisemēts thou vtterly ouerthrowest them in the end compellest them to enter into the labytinth of all desolation from whence they are neuer able to depart And quite contrary are thy aduersities for so much as if a man doe resist thē patiently flying greedy couetousnes disordinate ambition he is lifted out of this vilde place into perpetuall glory Notwithstanding I beeing most vnfortunate could not chuse this good seeing that if all the world were mine and should bee taken from me by thee yet hauing only the good grace of my Mistris it should be sufficient to make me as mighty as the greatest monark the which I also lacking how is it possible for me in any sort to liue Therefore in fauour and recompence of my loyalty I beseech thee not to giue mee a languishing death but if thou art appointed to ende my dayes doe it with-out delay taking compassion of him whose longer life thou art ignorant how irkesome it is This sayd hee fell downe backward vpon the grasse and was as silent as if he had beene in a swound Then within a while after hee cryed Ah louely Oriana you haue wounded me deadly in banishing me discurteously for I will neuer transgresse your cōmandements what danger soeuer may happen mee seeing that if therein I failed my life also were thereby finished notwithstanding for as much as I wrongfully receiue my death the more extream is my dolor But seeing that with my end you shall rest satisfied I neuer esteemed my life at so high a price but I wold if it were possible change it into a thousand deaths to afford you neuer so little pleasure In like sort since it liketh you to execute your anger against me I am very well content if for my affliction you may hence-forth liue at your ease for whether soeuer my Soule flyeth it shall receiue most quiet when it shal know that you remaine contented And vntill mine innocencie shall bee known vnto you I will endeauor to finish the rest of my sorrowfull daies in all bitternesse and displeasure and being dead my spirit shal lament the griefe which wil happen vnto you for the wrong which you haue done to me specialy wanting power to succour you O king Perion my Lord and father how little occasion shall you haue to bewaile my death when you shall neither know the same nor the cause thereof But because that knowing the same it would bee to you a griefe intollerable and yet it could be no mittigation of my torment I pray that my misfortune may to you neuer be manifest least the same should abridge the remainder of your dayes which yet are not determined Then after a small pause he cryed O my second father Galuanes truely I do greatly grieue that my aduerse Fortune doth not permit me to discharge that great bond in which to you I am bound for if my father gaue me life you preserued the same in deliuering me from the danger of the Sea being launched forth into his mercilesse waues euen when I had but newly left my mothers womb and afterwardes I was by you as carefully cherished as if I had beene your deerest childe I am assured good King Arban that you will greatly bewaile my sorrowfull end yet valiant Angriotta d Estrauaux Guillan and a number of my other friends shall assist you to bemone his death who euer loued and held you deere Ah good cosin Mabila what haue I deserued of you or of the Damosel of Denmark that by you I am abandoned when I haue most neede of your ayde Haue you so many times preserued my life doe you now without desert make me pay tribute for my receiued pleasure in consenting to my miserable death Beleeue mee if need were deare friends for your sakes would I bee sacrificed and yet you make no conscience to forsake mee which maketh mee verily to beleeue that you haue denied mee your cōfort heauen and earth haue desired my confusion which shall the lesse grieue me in that I see no remedy Gandalin and Durin hearing these lamentations of Amadis they were so much agrieued therewith that they wept as bitterly as hee yet durst they not shew themselues because hee had so straitly charged them not to follow him But Amadis ceased not his mone vntill hee heard a knight who passed hard by him singing this song LOue sacred Loue most bounden I remaine To thee for thy exceeding bounteous grace On earth what Gentleman may vaunt like gaine Beloued thou makest me in euery place Happy such hap when loue doth so respect me Ne're seru'd I Lady but she did affect me To witnesse this a Princesse word I haue Sweet Sardamira she I know will vow it Whom I in heart a supream◠honour
vnto his league declaring vnto him the whole discourse which he had with the King assuring him that if they might banish Amadis and his alies that from thenceforth they two alone should gouerne the king and his Realme peacebly Brocadan receiuing this counsell for good did afterwards imprint in the King his minde so great iealosie and surpition against Amadis and his fellowes as from that day hee hated them in so strange a sort that hee could not in a manner abide to see them forgetting the great seruices performed by them as well when he and Oriana were deliuered from the hands of Arcalaus as afterwards in the battaile against King Cildadan and in many other places heretofore recited Truely if this King had well remembred the counsell and aduise which hee had receiued of Vrganda hee had not so farre digressed from the bounds of reason although that the like malady doth often haunt al Princes when they take not heed of falling into the like accidents and danger as King Lisuart did Who giuing credit to the deceitfull words of these traitors did ne-uer afterwards visit as hee was accustomed Amadis and the others that were wounded whereat they were not a little abashed but to doe them the more dispite he sent for Madasima and other pledges vnto whom he sayde that if within eight dayes the Isle of Mongaza were not yeelded vnto him according to their promise that then hee would suddainly cause their heads to be smitten off When Madasima heard this rigorous constraint neuer was woman more afraid considering that in performing the will of the King shee should remaine poore and vtterly dishereted and on the other side denying to satisfie his behest shee did see her death prepared so that she was in such perplexitie as not being able to answere him she had recourse vnto her teares Wherefore Andangell the old Gyant answered the King saying If it please your Maiestie I will go with those whom you shall appoint to send vnto the mother of Madasima and I will deale with her in that sort as shee shall accomplish your will yeelding the Countrey and places which you demand otherwise your Maiestie may doe your pleasure with vs. This the King liked well of and euen that day he sent him with the Earle Latin and caused Madasima and her women to bee carryed back to their accustomed prison whether they were brought by diuers Gentlemen Whom she moued greatly to pittie her estate by the complaints and sorrowfull lamentation that she made vnto them praying euery one of them particularly to labour in her behalfe vnto the King so that there was not one amongst them all who promised not to doe for her as much as possibly they could especially Don Galuanes who at that time held her by the arme beholding her with such an eye as hee became of her enamoured and said vnto her Madame I am sure that if it would please you to accept mee for your husband the King would freely bestow vpon vs all the right that he pretendeth in your Countrey I beleeue also that you are not ignorant of my nobility being brother to the King of Scotland and that by me your authoritie shall not be deminished For the rest assure your selfe that I will vse you as you are worthy Now Madasima had known him of long time she was assured that he was one of the best Knights in the world Wherefore accepting the offers of Galuanes shee fell downe at his feete most humbly thanking him for the good and honour which he did offer vnto her and euen then was the marriage betweene them agreed vpon the which afterward Galuanes laboured to effect to his vttermost power And the better to accomplish it some few dayes after he came vnto Amadis and Agraies making them acquainted with that which you haue heard and Agraies said vnto him Vnkle I know very well that loue hath no respect of persons sparing neither young nor olde and seeing that you are become one of his subiects we will beseech the King so much in your behalfe that you shall enioy your desired loue therefore determine to behaue your selfe like a lusty champion for Madasima is a woman not likely to bee pleased with a kisse onely By my faith answered Amadis my Lord Galuanes the King in my opinion will not refuse vs and I promise you that so soone as I am able to walke your Nephew and I will goe vnto his Maiesty to entreat that which you demand But you must vnderstand that whilest these things were in doing Gādandell the better to couer dissemble the treason which he had conspired did goe oftentimes to see and visit Amadis so that one time amongst the rest hee sayd to him my Lord it is long since you saw the King What is the cause there-of answered Amadis Because saide Gandandel by his countenance it seemeth hee beareth you no great good will I know not answered Amadis yet to my knowledge I neuer offended him For this time they passed no farther vntill at another instant this traytour came againe to see him shewing vnto him a better countenance then he was accustomed saying my Lord I told you the other day that I thought by the speeches which I heard the King speake of you that his friendship was not so firme vnto you as it was wont to be and because that I and mine are so greatly bound vnto you for the pleasures which you haue done vnto vs I will truly let you vnderstand how the King hath a very bad opinion of you and therefore looke vnto it So many times did hee repeat this and the like matter vnto Amadis that hee began to suspect least hee had layd some snare to entrap him in whereby the King might conceiue some euill opinion of him And therefore one day when Gandandel perseuered in his aduertisements Amadis being very angry answered him My Lord Gandandel I doe greatly wonder what mooueth you to vse this speech so often vnto me seeing that I did neuer thinke vpon any thing but onely wherein I might doe the King seruice And I cannot beleeue that a Prince so vertuous as hee is would euer suspect mee for a thing which I neuer committed Wherefore neuer breake my head more with such follies for I take no pleasure therein For this cause Gandandel durst neuer after that speake any more thereof vnto him vntill that Amadis beeing healed went vnto the Court but so soone as the King beheld him hee turned his head from him his fellowes not vouchsafing so much as once to looke vpon them Then Gandandel who was hard by them seeing the Kings countenance came to embrace Amadis saying vnto him that hee was glad of his recouery But by my faith sayd he I am very sory that the king vseth you no better notwithstanding now you may know whether the aduertisements that I gaue you were false or nor Amadis answered him not one word but came vnto Angriota Brunco who
Prince by whom thâ—… night you shall receiue such pleasure You say true answered Elisena but what thinke you not that fortune is as fauourable to me as to him for if I be faire is not he one of the most perfect men that hath beene heard of either in personage good grace or hardines assure thy selfe Darioletta my friend that I imagine my selfe so happy as I thinke it is impossible for me to be more therfore let vs make hast I praye thee These words she vttered with such affection that she trembled like the little leafe on the high tree and as she ended those speeches they arriued at the Chamber doore where King Perion was lodged who for the strangnes of this new amorous flame as also the hope he had in Darioletta had not as yet taken any rest Neuerthelesse beeing as then wearye with trauaile ouercome with sleepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his chamber at a false dore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his hands into his sides and rent forth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the king saide Wherfore commitye such cruelty This is nothing at all answered hee that did this ourtage for with you shall remaine another hart which I must take from ye against my wil. In great feare he suddenly awaked making the signe of the Crosse commended himselfe to God Now had the Ladyes opened the dore entred the Chamber wherfore he hering the noyse suspected some treasoâ— especially by reason of his feareful dreame lifting vp his head beheld thorow the curtans the dore open wherof he knew nothing and afterward by the light of the Moone he saw the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Sword and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta saw him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be done here Do you draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence the king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom hee so much desired threw his Sword to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay neere at hand in great affection hee came to her whom he loued better then him-selfe kissing embracing shewing the best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour said 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 sundry assaultes notwith-standing 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 Sword which she took vp as a witnesse of the oath and promise he 〈◊〉 her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and himselfe then shutting the dore after her she went into the Garden and so the king remained alone with his faire freind whom after many amourous embracings infinite kissings and execution of delights he behelde verily perswading himselfe that all the beauty of the world was in her reputing himselfe much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture See now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the cheefest flower of her youth beeing requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the liberty of a Maiden now won in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her one thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chast 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 withdraw their thoughtes from worldly things despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the plesures delights in their Fathers Courts whereof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules in poore and religious houses thereto in offering their free will vowing themselues to the subiectioÌ„ of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladyes ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplatioÌ„s prayers accepting them as their true and singular pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt themselues from sight of Parents neighbours and freinds because oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth a change of their holy chast will and not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the end that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long labored in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwith-standing in one only moment seeing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise discretioÌ„ of Darioletta who would couer the honor of hir Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may see she was at the poynt to fal into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whom hath commonly beene heard speech who not keeping them selues from what I haue saide before haue beene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their solace Elisena demanding of the king if his departure should be shortly or no. Wherfore Madame do you aske said king Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires doth threaten me already with extreame anguish sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt thereof saide the king for although my body is seperated from your presence my hare for euer shal remain with ye which shall giue strength to vs both to you to suffer and to me by my speedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had bin the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forgot her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber speaking somewhat loude saide Madme I know that heretofore you thought my company more agreeable then you doe at this present but it is needfull 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 prayed Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him word in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge with such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge then sweetly
kissing her he saide I assure you Madame that for your sake I will stay longer in this Country then you imagine therefore I pray ye be not vnmindfull of this place So arose Elisena and went to her Chamber with Darioletta leauing the king alone not a little contented with his new acquaintance but dreading his dreame as you haue heard and willing to know what it might signifie he became desirous to returne to his owne Country where as then were good store of Philosophers that were well seene in those Sciences himselfe likewise in former times tooke great pleasure therein and vnderstood sundry rules thereof Neuerthelesse he foiourned ten dayes with king Garinter after his sporting with Elisena who neuer a night failed to visit her louely haunt The ten dayes being spent king Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to depart and therefore tooke his leaue of the Court but as he wold haue mounted on horsebacke he perceiued that he wanted his good Sword whereat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fairest in the world yet durst he not demand it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena should thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his Chamber In these thoughts accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came intreated him to be mindfull of the great griefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the solemne promise he had made her Alas my deere friend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to see her in meane while I commend her to you as mine sowne proper hart Then taking from his finger a Ring sembleble to another that he had he sent it to the desolate louer in treating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great greefe but encrease it so that if she had not beene comforted by Darioletta without doubt she had then finished her dayes but so well she perswaded her to take good hope that by the alligations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came some-what better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothly to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes whereof she not onely lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mis-hap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable lawe that any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such forte could no way excuse her selfe from death This sharpe and cruell custome endured til the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that Country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betweene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady could not be absolued by ignoraunce thereof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Sword God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the worlde because it was done so secretly as you haue heard See here the distresse wherein King Perion left his Elisena which gâ—â—dly she wold 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 seeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therefore he was the harder to be found Thus dispairing of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true friend and onely Lord. But at that instant the great and puissant maker of all thinges by whose permssion this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such councell as she onely should remedie these occurrances in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber-vault seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer whereto one might easily discend by a little Iron dore this Chamber by the aduice of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to coÌ„tinue her accustomed solitary life and would haue none other companion then Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous greefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heereupon was the keye of the Iron dore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape with-out danger Wherefore beeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference she required councell what should be done with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta Mary it must suffer to redeeme you Oh poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I coÌ„sent to the death of the creature begoten by the only man of the worlde whome most I loue offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth saide Elisena although I dye beeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue we this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great folly to hazard the safety of that which hereafter may be the onely cause of your losse and your friend likewise for well you knowe that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue you dying no longer can he liue that so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of all three where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand seeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boards of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherein to put the infant with the clothes the Sword which she kept then did she giue them together in such sorte as the water should haue no place to enter This beeing done made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing there-of to Elisena vntil the time of child-birth approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth
she This shal be to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue need Beleeue me answerd Elisena weeping but little doe I care for any thing that may happen for I feele my selfe too neere the losse of my good and all my ioy Very soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of traualle which was to her very strange troublesome oppressing her hart with sundry bitter passiōs yet notwithstanding al her yrksome plunges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatly fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty with-out danger of her person gaue her in deliuerance a faire Son which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it seemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would she haue reputed him had he not bene borne to hard fortune where-to Darioletta was constrained to send him for the redemption of the sorrowfull mother and therefore she deferred it not But euen as before was concluded she wrapped the infant in riche clothes and after-ward brought it with the Cofer to Elisena which when the good Lady sawe she demanded what she would do therewith Madame quoth she herein shall your little Sonne be put then will I send it forth on the water and if it please God he may escape and liue Alas my sweete infant saide Elisena how full of danger is thy destiny In meane while Darioletta tooke inke and parchment and writ therein these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King by these words without time she meant that she thought his death to be neere at hand and the name of Amadis was of great reuerence in that Country because of a Saint there so ca◅ to whom this little infant was recōmended The letter beeing written and sealed was couered and wrapped in silke then with a little golden Chaine fastened about the Childes necke with the Ring that King Perion sent Elisena at his departure Each 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 Sword which he threw on the ground the first night he came to Elisena and this is the cause wherefore the Damosell had so well kept it then after the Mother had kist her Sonne as her last farewell the Cofer was made fast very arteficially and Darioletta opening the iron dore commending the babe to the heauenly protection she set it on the water the course whereof beeing very speedy full soone caried the Cofer into the Sea which was lesse then halfe a mile from the place Now began the breake of day to appeare and the little infant followed his fortune now throwne heere 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 done a Scottishe Ship sayled on the Sea wherein was a Gentleman named Gandales who from little Brittaine sailed with his wife into Scotland she hauing beene lately deliuered of a sonne called Gandalin The morning was both calme cleere wherefore Gandales might easilye perceiue the Chest floting on the waues which he presently sent out for thinking it to be some matter of great value then the Mariners casting forth a Skiffe made toward the Cofer and tooke vp when they had brought it to Gandales he got open the couer and beholding the goodly infant within as also the rich clothes wherein it was wrapped he suspected that it came from no meane place as he gathered by the ring the good Sword So taking it in his armes he was filled with such compassion as he began to cursse the mother thereof who through feare had forsaken so cruelly such a beautifull creature and carefully did he cause al things to be kept which he found in the Cofer desiring his wife that this infant might be nourished as his owne Sonne She was heerewith very wel contented and so the two children were equally fostered together for neuer had yong Amadis suckt the teat but so soone as it was giuen him by his new nursse he made no refusall thereof but being very thirstie sucked very hartily whereat Gandales and his wife were exceeding glad Now had they the time so fauourable as shortly they landed in Scotland neere to a Citie named Antallia and soone after they came to their owne Country where little Gandalin and the Childe found in the sea were nourished together And because Gandales forbad his seruāts to vse any speech of his good hap requesting the like of the Mariners to whom the ship belonged and were to saile els where the two children were esteemed bretheren by such as were ignorant of their fortune CHAP. III. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauelled on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griefe and melancholie KIng Perion being on his way toward Gaule as already hath beene recited entred into a marueilous melancholy as well for the greefe wherein he had left his Elisena to whom in his hart he wished well as also for his doubtfull dreame being in such sorte as you haue heard So long rode he in this heauines till he ariued in his country and soone after he sent for all his great Lords as also the Prelates of his Realme giuing them expresse charge to bring with them the most learned Clarks in their Countryes and this he did to the end they might expound his dreame When his vassailes had made knowne his will not only those he sent for but many other came to the court shewing the desire they had to see him their readines to obey his command for they did so loue and reuerence him as oftentimes being fearefull to loose him they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow thinking on the dangerous perils that in chiualry to win honor he hazarded himselfe so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them which could not be because his hart was discontented til 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 affairs of the Realme but it was with so sad countenance as could be for the occasion of his dreame made him so pensiue as his Subiectes being abashed thereat 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 each one home to his house only staying with him three Astrologers reputed the most skilfull in those actions and therefore he made choise of them These men he called into his chappell there causing them solemnely to sweare promise that with-out feare of any thing how dangerous soeuer it were they should interprete to their vttermost and truely expresse what he would declare to them whereupon he told them his dream as hath bin already before rehearsed then one of them being named
to whom he seemed no lesse beautyfull then he did to the Queene wherefore he commanded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine one Son In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet to yong to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who said Faire Child will ye go with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarry here with-out him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if you take the one you must needes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him said My Son I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I do 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 fortunate now I see thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thee if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for suffer that the words of Vrganda the vnknowne spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to see the time of those great meruailes promised thee in Armes The King who noted Gandales seeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beleeue me I neuer thought you had bene such a foole as to weepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you thinke for and if it please you to know the truth I will presently tell ye heere before your Queene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the sea and in what equipage and he had proceeded with that which Vrganda foretold him but that he remembred the oath he tooke Now my Lord said 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 Whē the King heard this he esteemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the child he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing god hath done so much for him as to preserue him frō so great a danger that now we be diligent inhis education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Queene so please you he shal be mine during his young yeeres 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 the next morning the King would set forward wherefore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the sea whom she commanded 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 cheerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now doth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion his new freind Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard being in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosphers the exposition of his dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing thereof As he thus sadly spent his dayes it chanced that another Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to know that King Garinter her Father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pitty her in that the King of Scots would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garinter was Perion somewhat sorrowfull but yet he comforted himselfe by thinking he should goe to see his friend towards whom he had not diminished one iot of his affection wherefore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your Mistresse that without staying one whole day I shall be in short time with her The Damosell well 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 speedily as he ariued in little Brittaine where he heard newes that king Languines had already gotten all the cheefe of the Country except those Cities which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed himselfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgments and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming feasting of one another the King told her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kindred and Subiects which she did with all diligence could be deuised as also with so great contentation as her heart might desire for herein only consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scots and how to accomplish this King Perion was already arriued with his Sister he sent immediatly for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in doing honor and wel-come to the King his brother At his comming he was gratiously receiued by King Perion and after by embracings they had saluted each other and the nuptials likewise thorowly ended the kings derermined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauailing toward Gaule with his Queene Elisena somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh himselfe along by a Riuer side while the tentes were erecting he rode softly alone by the waterbancke imagining how he might know the truth whether Elisena had a child according as his Philosophertold him in expounding his dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without any regarde he came to an Hermitage which was neere at hand wherefore finding him-selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horse to a tree that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very antient religious man who comming to meete him said Knight is it true that king Perion is marryed to our kings daughter yea verily answered the king Praised be God said the good Hermit for I know certainly that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replied the king Euen from her owne mouth said the good olde man The king then hoping he shoud heare of him the thing which he most desired to know said I pray ye Father tell me what you
quoth the King but for this present haue a little patience and when time serueth you shal be honorably knighted in meane while he gaue charg that all his needfull accoutrements for the cause should be prouided Now did the king aduertise Gandales heereof who was so contented therewith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Sword the Ring and the letter couered with waxe which he found in the chest he tooke out of the sea Such speede made the Damosell as she came to the Prince at what time he was sporting with Oriana and the other Ladies while the Queene slept At that instant was he in such a sollemne thought of Oriana as not daring to lift vp his eyes to behold her said within himselfe Ah God why hast thou endued this Lady with such exellent beauty that vnhappy I should suffer so extreame passions by louing her Ah mine eyes too high did ye looke when ye beheld her of whome you are not worthy but if the worst happen death shall satisfie this timeritie whereto my hart for her is humbled In this thought he was like to fall downe so had he forgotten and ouergone himselfe when a page came to him saying Gentleman there is a strange Damosell attending with-out who hath brought you certaine presents and would speake with ye When she who loued him heard this message her hart began to tremble in such sorte as being not able to endure this new flame she called to the Prince saying I pray ye stay heere and let the Damosel come in that we may haue the sight of what shee hath brought which he did the Damosell being entred thus spake to him My Lord your good friend Gandales saluteth you as the man whom he onely loueth and hath sentye this Ring this waxe this Sword which he desireth ye for his sake to keepe while you liue The Prince hauing receiued the presents laid the Ring and waxe aside to behold the Sword which being without a sheath was â—…apped in a fine linnen cloth whereat he greatly meruailed and 〈…〉 was musing thereon Oriâ—… the waxe thinking it to be some other thing and said Beleeue me Gentleman for my part I would haue this waxe You may haue it if you please Madame quoth he but me thinkes this faire Ring were better forye I will haue nothing but this waxe said Oriana and so tooke it During these discourses the King came who said to the Prince What thinke ye of that Sword My Lord quoth he I find it a very faire one but I maruaile wherefore it hath no scabbard It is said the King very neer fifteene yeeres since it had one hauing so said he laid it aside proceeding thus You would be a Knight and know not whether you ought to be one or no therefore it is necessary that you vnderstand what you are and I to tell you so much as I know Heereupon he declared how he was found in a chest on the sea with the â—…rd the Ring as you haue alreâ—…rd I beleeue my Lord quoth the Prince that for your pleasure you vse this inuention because the Damosell when she entred said that my good friend Gandales sent me these presents but I think she fayled in her words and would haue said my father Gandales Notwithstanding my Lord if it be so as you haue rehersed I am not displeased thereat except in not knowing of whence I am nor they me yet do I thinke my selfe a Gentleman for my hart perswades me of no lesse Now therefore it is more necessary that I be Knighted then before to the end I may labour to become such a one as may acquire honor and reputation seeing I haue no parents by whom I may be named not knowing what I am When the King heard him speake so vertuously he esteemed much better of him then before thinking him-selfe that he could not but be a man of calling and hardy As thus they were deuising a Gentleman came to the King and said My Lord King Perion your brother is come to the Court The King very glad thereof departed to receiue his brother embracing him thus spake I see my good brother you meant to take me vnprouided for little did I thinke of your so sudden arriual in this country Noble brother answered King Perion I come to request the ayd of my friends because I haue more neede of them at this time then euer I had for Abies King of Ireland threatneth me with strong warre and is with great puissance entred my Kingdome so that he and Dagauel his Cozin haue laid very seuere siedge to me And which is worst of all Fortune hath so hardly dealt with me that certaine whome I trusted haue forsaken me and the greatest part of my other friends are ouerthrown in the skirmishes we haue had together so that now I come to request your succour in this extreame neede Truely brother answered Languines you may be sure thereof and your mis-fortune grieueth me not a little but I wil prouide therefore so well as I can Agraies who was newly knighted being hot and ready to Armes hauing heard the request of his Vnckle and the grant the King his father had made him of assistance came and fell on his knee before him saying I beseech ye father let me obtaine one boone at your hands The King who loued him as himselfe answered Demand what thou wilt for it shall not be denied thee I desire your sufferance quoth Agraies that I may go to Gaule to aid the Queene my Aunte In good faith said the King well content am I and in good equipage shalt thou goe and strongly accompanied When the Gentleman of the sea heard this determination he was more earnest to compasse his enterprise then before and seeing king Perion was present he could not glut his eyes with beholding him onely for the good reporte he had heard of him for he thought not then of any affinitie or parentage but would rather be Knighted by his hand then any other in respect of his high hautghy deedes of Armes And to attaine his purpose he thought best to entreat the Queene hoping that if she would doe so much for him as to moue the King her brother therein she shold not be gainsaid and for he saw her so sad that he durst not speake to her he boldly went to Oriana and setting his knee to the ground said I pray ye Madame tell me what causeth the Queene to be so pensiue Orina beholding the man before her whom she loued in her very Soule albeit neither he or any other knew it was surprized whith such vehemency of loue as she couldhardly tell how to dissemble it yet thus she answered Gentleman of the sea and my friend I will take paine to know then shall I tell ye with all my hart seeing it is the first request that euer ye made to me Madame quoth he I know in my selfe so small
deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haue ye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwith-standing according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also it is necessary for such persons to vse greater words
mary Sir replied the Prince he is now become more patient for hee hath endured the losse of his head When the Knight heard of Galpans death he presently alighted froâ—… his Horse and ran to kisse the Princes feete but he would not suffer him yet could he not hold him from embracing his Sheeld saying Ah Gentle Knight how highly am I indebted to you you are to this place the most wellcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue wee this talke said the Prince say where I may quickly finde some remedy for my wounds In my house answered the knight abideth a Neece of mine who shal heale your hurts better then any other So riding on they arriued at the castle 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 and a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call himselfe while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he seeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterwarde he caused the Prince to be vnarmed and laid in a sumptuous bed where his wounds were dilligently attended by the Lady who assur him in short time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfully to do CHAP. VIII How the third day after the Gentleman of the sea departed from king Languines the three Knights came to the Court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince lest the Court of King Languines where hee receiued the order of Knight-hood the three Knights came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath beene 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 new Knights behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King 〈◊〉 at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednâ—â— could haue â—…boured in her notwithstanding herthanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any body else knew that the Gentlman of the sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was hee aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought hee was gone to visite his father Candales theÌ„ the King turning to the knight in the Litter said Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithful as your wife hath beene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doe therein as it shal like your maistey as for me I will neuer consent that the thing I most loue should die This said the Knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with the their brother in the Litter leauing their sister to receiue iustice by the Kings appoint meÌ„t who after their departure called for her said WomaÌ„ thy malice hath bene too great in respect of thy husbands kindnes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they heereafter offend not in the like and so he commanded her to be burned aliue The execution being doone the King was in greater pensiuenesse then before because he knew not who the new knight should be that parting so suddenly from his Court but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the sea afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherefore he said to the King It may be my Lord a yong Knight with whom the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when wee came thither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord quoth the Squire but hee is both yong and very beautyfull beside I saw him do such rare deeds of Chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if I liue he will proue one of the best Knights in the world Then discoursed he at large euery action as also how hee deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his taile his desire to know him increased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happily can tel ye more tydings of him for it was my chance to meet them together Of what Damosell speakest thou said the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittaine to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and hee demanded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Whereupon she declared so much as she knew cheefely the occasion wherefore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the onely Knight in the world but in sooth quoth shee I know not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God said the King how may it be Now was Oriana voyde of all doubting for shee well knew it was her Gentleman of the sea but shee was so grieued with the news which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as shee well knew not whom she might coÌ„plaine to for the king her father sent her word how she should prepare her self in readinesse to come to him so soon as his Ambassadours should bee sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Country then there whether she should now goe against her mind not onely in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by being far thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardly afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easily 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 Knights 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 with his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the king his Vncâ—…le there entred a Domosell 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 assembly I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus proceeded 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 iudgment it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why hee sends it you is for that Galpans vilainously abused a Damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand
of one man beleeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Worthy Lord answered she he onely of whom I speake hath done him to death after hee had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reueng their foile himselfe combated hand to hand with the Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonor hee lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Court yet doubting the corrupt fauour thereof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victory this Helmet may suffiise Vndoubtedly said the king to al there present â—t it the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs. My Lord quoth she I obtained it by exceeding importunity for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the King to rid vs of all other doubles He nameth himselfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the sea When the King heard this he was greatly abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus speake By my faith I am assuredly perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him needs not be ashamed thereof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I needed not to haue done seeing Chiualry is in him already so well accomplished Then Araies taking occasion to speake demanded of the Damosell where he might meet with his gentle friend My Lord quoth she he humbly commendeth him-selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thether Good newes faire Damosell said Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may find him there with my good will shall I ne-uer leaue his company You haue reason so to do answered the Damosel for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must thinke it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertly as the watchfullest eye could not desceme it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was Knighted when at length he was aduertised that the Ladyes attending on the Queene could tell better then anybody els which with much a do he obtained of them Then may the Gentle-man of the sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtisie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too yong for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteously wellcomed the Damosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him letters from a Lady that deerely loued him of whome the History hereafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Army trauailing toward Gaule to his Vnckle King Perion CHAP. IX How King Lisuare sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladyes and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers court with his troup three Ships of great Brittaine tooke port in Scotland wherein as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred knights of king Lisuarts as also many Ladyes and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Being arriued at the Court of king Languines they were very graciously entertained especially Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardy knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his Ambassadge which was harty thanks froÌ„ king Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreatance of the Princesse his daughter he requested now to haue her home Mabila his daughter with her to whom he would do all the honor could be deuised Right thankfully did king Languines accept this offer and was content that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine dayes soiourned Galdar and his traine in Scotland during which time they were most honorably feasted and in this while the king prepared other Ships to accompany the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherefore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewels the waxe which she had taken from the Gentleman of the sea This gaue her such a remembrance of him as the teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her hands so that the waxe which shee held in them suddenly brake she espied the letter enclosed therein which so soone as she vnfolded she found there writteÌ„ these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes shee conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenance and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was esteemed at the most but the son of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therefore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her on whom she intirely trusted thus spake My good friend I will declare one thing to ye which no oâ—…er then mine owne hart and you â—…all know therefore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madam answered the Damosell seeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willingly shall I dye theÌ„ faile therein wel may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to mee shal be altogether kept secret executed to my power TheÌ„ so it is deere friend said Oriana that you must needs go seek the Gentle-man of the sea whom you shall find at the warres in Gaule and if you chance to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall find his name therein writteÌ„ on the day that he was cast into the sea whereby I know him to be the son of a king which ought inspire him with higher courage hardines to encrease the fame hee hath already so well begun You shall likewise tel him how the king my father sent for me and therefore I am gone toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquaint him withall and when hee returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limittingâ—… things in such sorte as he may liue in my fathers Court vntill he receiue other commandemeÌ„t of me Such was the speedy dispatch of the
Knight of the comlyest grace that euer was seen where he stroue to hide himselfe he was soonest discouered by reason of his brauery in horseman-ship The two Knights ran together in full course against him breaking their Lances in pieces on his shield but the Prince meeting him that had the foile in the forrest threw him again froÌ„ his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the grief whereof made him lie still as if he had bin dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one hee drew his sword came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Sword entringlin hee puld it backe with such force that the laces brake wherby he broght it quite froÌ„ his head vpoÌ„ his sword then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the knight quickly clapt his Shield before In mean while the Prince got his sword into his left hand which hee could doe very hardly and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies shield renting it violently from about his necke and afterward gaue him such a blow on the head as in great amazement hee fell to the ground Thus did hee leaue him there with his companion and rod with the Damosell to the Tents of Agraies who hauing seen the conclusion of this quarrell meruailing what he was that had so soone ouer-come two knights therefore when he came towardes him hee went foorth to meete him and so soone as they knew each other you need not make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but first hee gaue commandement that the knights dismounted in the fielde should bee brought thither where they were no sooner ariued but Agrais thus spake to them Beleeue mee my friends you attempted great folly to meddle with this Knight You say true my Lord answered hee whose arme was broken yet once to day I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all that happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaints because hee stood in feare to displease him During the repitition of these matters the patience of the one and boldnesse of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow Morning they mounted on horse-backe shaping their course to Palingues a right good City on the frontires and the outmost part of Scotland where they found shipping and embarqued them-selues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the Hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in seemely order with-out any hinderance they came to the Castle of Baldain where King Perion was befieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted thereby and their welcome to bee good and gracious chiefly by the Queene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriuall sent to entreat her Nephew Agraies to come visite her which he did being accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knights of good account But you must note that king PerioÌ„ knew not the prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„brance that it was the same man whom he had knighted and afterward saued his life at the Castle wherefore thus he spake My deare friend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth assurance that I neede feare this warre no further hauing the onely Knight of the world so neere mee 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 Queenes 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 defeÌ„ded me from the greatest danger that euer I was in and therefore I pray ye let no spare of curtisie be made to him here but giue him the best entertainment the time will affoord The Queene aduanced herselfe to embrace him but he fell on his knee with these wordes I am seruant Madame to the Queen your sister and froÌ„ her I come to serue you with 〈◊〉 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 mouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembrance solicited with the former losse of her two ChildreÌ„ whose yeeres she thought would haue equaled the Princes if God had preserued them these occasions vrged the teares in her eyes Thus wept she for him that nature touched her withall and yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince beheld her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherefore hee said Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in shorte time to recouer your ioy and for mine owne part trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Queene with happy successe for you are the Queene my sisters Knight I wil that ye prouide no other lodging but abide here with vs and all things shall be appointed for yee to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refresh himselfe wherfore taking leaue for that night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with held him by such importunity as he was coÌ„strained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custody Right soone was the news of this fresh succour brought to K. Abies of Ireland Daganel his Cozin who made very small account thereof because in those times was King Abies accounted for one of the best Knights that euer was heard of and in respect of his hot desire to the fight determined seeing new aide was come to his enimy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle acoÌ„panion as to come see vs I had rather he would do it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hasty as I thinke for hee feareth you to much albeit he maketh little show thereof Know you said Galâ—â— Duke of Normandy by what means we may thereto constraine him First let vs make an ambush of the greater part of our Army which shall remaine with the King in
tSpan◠Forrest of Baldain then you Lord Daganel and my selfe will go with the rest to present our selues it breake of day before the Cittie I am certaine that being descried by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether wil take hart and not faile to come running forth vpon vs. When we see them approch we will dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his company then our enemies pursuing assured victory in their own conceit wil seeke aduantage by our shamefull retire so be takē thēseues in the snare Very well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthy Duke giue order that all things bee done as you haue appointed Now might ye there behold armed men on Horse-backe the Souldiers mustring the drums thundering and the Trumpets cheerefully founding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings Commandement failed in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandie 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 honoured the Prince by whō he had found such friend-ship And to make some shew of his affection towardes him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they foūd him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered hee had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually hee thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared withall the slender means he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound griefe as he expected no other remedie but death The Queene desirous to know the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance berayweth some inward displeasure hath any one heere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to bee tormented in sleepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoured the ambush and the enemies were very neere the Citie where presently he commanded to doraine the Armie Now was each one ready to horse-backe especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Citie gate where they found Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe forth thinking he should tarrie too long from the fight for he was one of the hardiest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could bee found so that if good aduise had beene as ready with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue beene found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who seeing their enemies to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnesse to assaile such an vneaquall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horse crying aloud Beshrow him that tarrieth any longer seeing them hee 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 ran among them and were immediatly mingled together He whom the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandie whō he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouer-threw both man and horse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword as a chafed Lyon entred the preasse shewing such deeds of Armes as none durst with-stand him for he ouer-threw all that encountred him killing some outright chining and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel saw 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 beate him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to rescue him At their arriual you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent and shields scatred on the ground making a great conflict disorder amongst the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the cōtrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualry 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 benummed for the more to hearten and cheere vp his men he cryed aloude to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst what great damage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horse 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 remained Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the very braines whereupon his men seeing him slaine they that had the best horses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued them-selues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victory discouered the rereguard 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 escape vs but let vs enter pell-mell in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surpized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not beene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie men themsolues being sore wearyed their horses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly indure their burden Beside they knew king Abias was there in persō 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 Gentle-man of the Sea foreseeing the disorder was like to ensue came perswaded them rather to die then loose one iot of their honour and reputation saying My friends and companions be of good cheere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with the people astonnied halfe ouercome let vs not make change with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but onely
behold your resolute countenances I am certaine they are nor able to endure yee let vs then enter among them for God is our defender At these words the most disheartened tooke courage concluding to stay and fight manly with their enemies who soone after in great furie set vpon them Now did King Abies make knowne his magnanimitie and hardly could Prince Agraies men endure the assault nor the Squadron that King Perion brought for King Abies maimed some other he ouerthrew while his Launce held he dismounted euery knight that met with him Afterward he layd hand to Sword wherewith hee carried himselfe so valiantly as the hardyest were amazed thereat for he made way where euer he came so that king Perions men not able longer to hold out began to retyre so fast as they could toward the Citie Whē the Gentleman of the Sea saw that Fortune was so contrary to them in great spight he entered the throng and fought so fiercely as the most part of the Irish-men were glad to stay while the Gaules with-out disorder retyred toward the Castle then turning his horse he followed them To defend this brunt there was also king Perion and the Prince Agraies who deliuered testimonie to their enemies by the keen edge of their Swords how well they knew to gouerne themselues in such extremities notwithstanding the Irish-men seeing they had the better stil pursued them with eagar courage driuing them confusedly into the Citie hoping that now would be the end of their warre Such was the retire of the Gaules still more and more pressed by their enemies as doubtlesse the Irish had entred the Citie after them but that they were hindred by king Perion Agraies and the Prince who wholly did repulse the throng till their people by them were gotten in But now was tydings brought to king Abies that his cousin Dagenel and Gallin Duke of Normandie were slaine whereat he waxed very displeasant and seeing King Perion with his people were inclosed in the Citie he resolued to take leysure for his reuenge wherein he was deceiued for soone after he was very strongly repulsed which made him almost mad with anger And as he thus raged vp downe one of his knights shewed him the Prince saying My Lord hee whom you see mounted on the white Horse is the man that slewe Prince Daganel and the Duke of Normandie with many other the best in our Armie When King Abies heard that he rode to the Prince with these words Knight thou hast slaine the man whom most I loued in the world but if thou wilt combate I hope to be reuenged so well as I shall haue cause to be quit with thee Your men answered the Prince are two little trauailed to meddle with ours notwithstanding if thou wilt as a Knight reuenge him thou louedst and declare the great hardinesse for which thou art renowned chuse of thy men such as thou shalt like and I if it please the King will doe as much of mine for being equall in number thou shalt gaine more honor then with so great an Armie which thou hast brought into this Countrey with-out iust occasion Beleeue me quoth the King thou talkest well go to chuse thou thy selfe the number of men how many or few thou thinkest good Seeing you leaue it in my choyse replied the Prince I will make another offer which it may be you will account more cōuenient You are mine enemy for that which I haue done and I yours for the wrong you haue done to this Realme so for our seuerall cause of anger it is not reasonable any other then our selues should suffer let then the battaile be betweene you and me onely and presently if you will without longer dallying yet shall you assure me from your men as I will do you from mine so that none shall moue whether the one or the other be vanquished Right well said King Abies do I allow of thy offer whereupon he choseten Knights on his parte to garde the field And as the Prince laboured to gaine the like of the King with his consent hee found King Perion and Agraies somewhat loath to grant the Combate as well for the consequence that might ensue as also because the Prince was much wearyed and sore wounded beside wherefore they entreated him to 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 hee might roturne vnder her obeysance from whom he came to serue king Perion would not suffer him to make any longer delay of the glory and honor which he saw so neere at hand For this cause he vsed so many perswasions to the king as in the end hee was granted the Combate and on his side likewise were tenne knights appointed for his guard and safetie in the field CHAP. X. How the Gentleman of the sea fought a Combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule YOu haue heard in what maner the combat was accorded betweene King Abies the Gentleman of the sea and now already is the greatest part of the day spent wherefore it was agreed by the Lords on either side very much against the wils of the two Combatants that all should be deferred till the morrow morning as well that they might refresh themselues and repaire their battered armour as also for regarding such wounds as they had receiued in the passed encounters Hereupon the two Kings withdrew themselues the one to his Campe and the other to his castle But such is the bruite spred through the Cittie what worthy exploits the Gentleman of the sea had done as he could not passe by them but thus they spake with generall voyce A◠famous Knight God giue thee grace to proceed as thou hast begun impossible is it to find a Gentleman so accomplished with beauty and Chiualrie as he is for our eyes are iudges of the one and our enemies full well haue felt the other But you must note that in the morning when they went to the field the King had giuen the Queene in charge that so soone as the Prince returned frō the warre she should send one of her Ladyes to him requesting him not to be vnarmed in any other place then in her chaber wherefore as he went neere the Kings lodging the Lady came vnto him saying Sir Knight the Queene desires you not to be elswhere vnarmed but in her Chamber where she stayeth your comming In sooth said the King you must needes grant this request and I desire it may be so The Prince condisending went where the Queene staied with her Ladies and no sooner was he entred but presently the Ladyes holpe to vn-arme him yet the Queene her selfe tooke the greatest paine of all and as shee had off his coate of Mayle shee perceiued he was sore wounded which she shewing to the King he said I maruaile Gentle-man seeing you are so hurt that you tooke no longer time
for your coÌ„bat It had bin needlesse answered the Prince for I haue no wound I thanke God that can keepe me from the Combate Right soone were the Chirurgions commanded to looke thereon and they found it greater in shew then danger 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 goodly Armour to the Prince of better proofe and strength then that hee had on the day before wherewith he armed himselfe and hauing taken leaue of euery one mounted on Horse-backe in company of the King who bare his Helmet the Prince Agraies his Sheeld wherein was portrayed two azured Lions in a golden field rampant the one against the other as if they both inteÌ„ded murder another Prince carried his Launce In this equipage he set forward to the field where the King of Ireland attended his comming well armed and mounted on a goodly blacke 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 Shield 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 them-selues to God they gaue the spurres to their horses meeting together so furiously both with Launce body and horse as their staues flew in shiuers yet piercing their Armour and both were laid along in the field But heat of hart and desire of conquest made them recouer footing quickly and plucking forth 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 see them endure so much For this fight was not equally matched in respect the Prince was but yong well proportioned and of a reasonable height but King Abies was so great as he neuer found any knight that exceeded him a handfull euery way being withall so strongly made that he was rather to be accounted a Giant theÌ„ a man yet was he highly loued reuerenced of his subiects for the vertue and prowesse which remained in him albeit he was too much audatious and proud Now were these Champions so animated against each other as well for honor as the consequence of the Combate that without any stay for breathing they layde on such load as their strokes resounded the fight of twentie men together And well they witnessed no great good will betweene them for there might ye see the earth tainted with their blood the pieces of their Shields the plate of their Armour scattered abroad 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 gush out abundantly yet were they of such inuincible courage as they seemed to feele none of this annoyance Hereupon they maintained such brauery the one against the other as it could not be iudged who had the better or worse notwithstanding about the houre of three the Sunne gaue an exceeding warme and violent heate whereby they found themselues so chased in their Armour as they began to waxe somewhat feeble especially King Abies insomuch as hee was constrained to retire backe thus speaking to the Prince I see thee very neere failing 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 thee although I haue no cause or desire to fauour thee that I hold better opinion of thee then any knight that euer I combated withal moreouer it displeaseth me that I had an occasion to see thee much more that I am so long in conquering thee whereby I might take vengeance for his death whom most I loued in the world and as thou didst slay him in open battaile so likewise will I ouercome then in sight of both our Campes King Abies replyed the Pincâ— I now 〈◊〉 it displeaseth thee that thou canst 〈◊〉 no more harme entering so like a Tytant as thou didst to 〈◊〉 this Countrey And as it often happeneth that he which delighâ—… in euill can neuer broke any other saour so hope I to reward the◠〈◊〉 well for thy paines as thou shalâ— 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 them who haue tasted thy crueltie therefore sticke close to thy tackling and defend thy selfe against the Knight whom thou reputest fayling The King then taking his Sword and what was left of his Shield thus answered Well mayst thou cursse the beldnesse that made thee enter these Lystes for hence thou shalt not escape without losse of thy head Doe what thou canst said the Prince for thou shaltrest no more till thou or thine honour be dead Herewith more cruelly the before they began againe their Combat as if they had euen then entred the field albeit king Abioâ—… so expert by reason of his long exercise in Armes that he know 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 hee was closely followed at an inche as he lost altoâ—her the rest of his Shield by which means 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 meâ—…lous aboundance causing him by little and little to lose his strength and being in this agony staggering from one side to another hee 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 victory and taking his sword in both hands he ran with all his might against the Prince and pierced it so farre into his Shield as he was not able to pul it forth 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 rearing violently his Helmet from his head saying Thou art dead King Abies if thou doest not yeeld thy lelfe vaÌ„quished Beleeue me I am dead answered tht King not vanquished alone but of both the one and other my ouer-weening hath beene the onely cause Notwithstanding since it is so come to passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without
aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to meete with his Parents being all this while vnknowne to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demanded of him if hee had no other name theÌ„ that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three daies past since I knew there-of for as I came from the Combat against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in waxe when I was found in the sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and here-with all he shewed the letter to the Queene which she full well knew so soone as she saw it Beleeue me said the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis de Gaule It was not long before the bruite hereof was spread through the city that the good famous knight was sonne to King Perion and the Queen Elisena wherefore if euery one reioyced you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sorry for they were found to bee Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge here-of wherefore considering what comfort this would bee to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to return toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good Newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whom â—…ue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to her Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you can not so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shedde so many teares These wordes caused the teares to trickle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the Heauens may safely conduct ye yet let mee entreat your friendly remembrance commanding the vttermost of my endeauours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so endebted to my gracious Mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuerthelesse you may say to her that right soon shall I come to shew my obedience and in like Armor will I be clad as when you saw me combate with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily know me if I cannot compasse the meane to speake with you in this manner departed the Damosel of Denmark On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside sayd Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate heart will allow me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to command me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonour she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speed and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the onely cause of my parting with you Now must you note heere-withall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the king of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this yong Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Olinia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tel ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without lâ—d because al the portioÌ„ his father left him was onely a poore Castle for the rest he had spent in following armes entertaining Gentle-men whereupon he had the Sirname of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whoÌ„ he requested to know where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visite the Court of king Lasuart where I haue heard Chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honour then in the kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may command mein their seruice eueÌ„ as your self or any other as well in respect of our alliance together as also for the gracious entertainment I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies took his leaue beeing Honourably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the fields he saw a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his Horse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell some-time sayd vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she sayd true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whom thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the Flower of Ireland and such a one as that Countrey shall neuer haue his like Vntill time the good brother of the Ladie must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countryes and he must die by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the onely thing of the world which most he loueth And so it hapned by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that Countrey whom Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demanded of King Marke of Corne-wall his Vncle which Tristan after-ward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the onely thing of the world that hee most loued Now must thou be mindefull hereof sayd the Damsel to the King for Vrganda my Mistresse so coÌ„mandeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whom she gaue the Launce commendeth him-selfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should deliuer the house from whence I first discended and
euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowne to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode backe the same way she came and the King into the Citie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to keepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honour and happie comming there were Knightly Tourneys daily vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Gyant had carryed away his brother Galaor wherefore hee determined happen what might to goe seeke him and if possible hee 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 entreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemies that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittaine because he was loath to remaine idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Queen yet by opportunitie hee obtained permission for his Voyage nor could they all haue power to with hold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Herevpon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarqing himselfe at the neerest Port of the Sea where by good happe he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittaine landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient City of that Countrey where hee heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obey sance 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 demanded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marry is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any shipping there for my speedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither sayd Amadis In sooth replyed the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whom King Perion not long since had knowne to bee his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruaile hereat for hee thought these newes had not been so farre spread abroad wherefore hee demaunded how she heard thereof I know it qouth she from her to whom the most secret things of all are manifest for she knew Amadis before he knew himselfe or that his Father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what shee is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowne She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which shee now standeth in feare to loose Beleeue me Damosell answered Amadis seeing she who may command euery one doth now please to employ Amadis I assure ye it is needlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seek and therefore let vs goe whither you thinke conuenient What sayd the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct yee 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 Gyant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dubbe him Knight mette with his brother Amadis by whose hand hee would bee Knighted and no other THe Gyant of whom sundry times we haue spoken heereto-fore causing yong Galaor to bee instructed in managing horses all other exercises beseeming a Knight found him so capeable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeere hee was growne meruailous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whom hee most willingly would receiue his order of Knight-hood Notwith-standing before the Gyant mooued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this maner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would bee so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my son answerd the Gyant you haue reasō for your words yet tell me by whō you would receiue your Order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if so it like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Wel haue you aduised sayd the Gyant 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 and strong Castle named Bradoid seated on the toppe of a mountaine enuironed about with Fennes and 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 broad that two Chariots might well meet together on it and at the entrance of the Causey was a draw-bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Heere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly Elme trees where-under the Gyant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shield two Lyons rampant and because the bridge was drawne vp hee could passe no further but called with a loude voyce to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing sayd to the Gyant My Lord if it please you I would grady see what this Knight will doe here Soone after they espyed at the further end of the Causey by the Castle side two other Armed Knights accompanied with tenne 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 sticke for that answered hee that would enter cause you the bridge to bee let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twaine more hasty then his companion aduanced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carreer against the knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both Horse and man to the ground The friend to the dismounted knight thinking to reuenge his iniury gaue forth to meete him and failing in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountered with their bodies as the knight of the Castle fell into the water
same cause My friend replied the knight you shall do your selfe ouer-much wrong to leaue so good an occasion by the best king in the world for so poore a knight errand as I am My Lord quoth Galaor the great state of the king can put no such strenght into me as I haue seene performed by you in the late Combats therefore so please it you accomplish in me my earnest desire I can be much better content answered the knight to grant any other thing you will demand for such authority appertaineth not to me nor to you likewise is it so honorable As thus they stood on these tearmes Vrganda vnlooked for came to theÌ„ where-with the knight of the Lions was very glad and she hauing as yet not heard any of their talke thus spake to her champion What is your opinion of this Gentleman Me thinks quoth he a brauer person was neuer seene but he requireth such a thing of me as is neither in him or me conuenient What is it said Vrganda That I quoth he should giue him the order of knight-hood and yet he is now in trauaile with determination to request the same of the famous king Lisuart Certainly answered Vrganda to make him stay will be a greater cause of euill to him then good and I will councel him not to desist from his former motion for you ought nor to deny him seeing I can assure ye that honor will be better imployed by him then any other in all the Isles of the sea except one Seeing it is so replied the knight in the name of God let it be done goe we then to some Church to performe the vigill It shall be needlesse quoth Galaor to stand about such matters now in that I come not vnprouided of them already It suffiseth then answered the Knight so put he on his right spurre and embracing him said You are now a knight wherefore take the honor of the sword by whom you shall thinke it more conuenient Do you then giue it me said Galaor if you please for by no other will I â—eceiue it with my will Then he called a Squire that held a sword ready but Vrganda stepped before saying No no you shall haue a better take that which hangeth on yonder tree and you shall finde it farre more faire and good Heere-with they looked vpon the tree yet saw it not wherefore they all began to smile and she doing the like said to them In sooth it is almost ten yeeres since it first was hanged there yet no passenger by euer saw it looke better about the tree for sure you cannot but easily behold it Now did they all perceiue it tied to a branch of the tree euen as though it had but euen then beene hanged there and by it was a Scabberd couered with gold shewing most fine and curious Worke-manship on it The Knight of the Lyons tooke it downe and afterward girded it about Galaor saying So faire a Sword beseemeth a knight so formall and thinke shee hated you not who of so long time hath kept it for you Most cheerefully did Galaor giue her thankes and the knight likewise thus speaking to them I beseech ye to hold me excused for I am constrained presently to depart from ye and were it not I must goe where I am attended no companie in the world would I desire more then yours therefore I desire ye Sir to tell me where I may find ye at my returne In the Court of king Lisuart answered the knight where I shal be very glad to see you and because it is no long time since I was knighted I am the more desirous of some abode there to attaine honour as you cannot chuse but doe the like if you come hither Certes said Galaor to that place will I shortly follow ye and Madame quoth he to Vrganda you haue so strictly bound me to your seruice as may it please you to account me your knight I am readie wheresoeuer you shall command mee So departed he from them returning to the Gyant who stayed for him by the Riuer side where hee had hid himselfe least he should bee seene But now you must here obserue that as Galaor thus deuised with Vrganda and the Knight one of the Damosels that was in Galaors company had conference with her that attended on Vrganda of whoÌ„ at large shee vnderstood how the knight of the Lyons was Amadis Son to king Perion of Gaule whose coÌ„ming thither Vrganda had caused to deliuer by force of Armes her friend that there was kept prisoner for by inchantmeÌ„t she could not compasse it by reason the Ladie of the Castle was too cunning in that Arte and there had first enchanted him in despight of her fearing no way to loose him againe but by knightly chiualrie On this occasion the custome there was appointed which Amadis ended and restored as you haue heard the man for whom they came thither and hee by the Damosell Neece to the Ladie of the Castle that in enchaunted furie would haue leapt into the Riuer was conducted to this place So soone as Galaor had left Vrganda shee demaunded of Amadis if he knew the man to whom hee gaue the Order of Knight-hood No truely Madame quoth he In sooth answered Vrganda it is great reason you should knowe what he is for he beareth so braue a minde that if you both should meet without further knowledge there might happen betweene yee great inconuenience Therefore I giue ye to vnderstand how he is your owne brother both by father and mother and the very same whom the Gyant caryed away being then but two yeeres old and a halfe now he is of so goodly stature as you haue seene for whose sake and yours likewise I haue a long time kept the Sword where-with I assure ye he shall do more in exploits of Armes then euer any knight did in Great Brittaine Amadis concieued hereat such inward ioy as the teares trickled downe his cheekes wherefore he said to Vrganda I beseech ye Madame tell mee where I may finde him It is not necessarie quoth she that as yet you should seeke him Why said Amadis is he then constrained to accomplish some predestinate matter before I may finde him Yea verily answered Vrganda and it is not so easie to know as you may imagine Long time thus continued their conference till Vrganda would depart alone with her friend so she commended Amadis to God who presently tooke his way toward Windsore where at this time King Lisuart soiourned Our Historie at this time pauseth of him continuing what hapned to Galaor the new Knight who beeing arriued where the Gyant stayed for him thus spake Father I am now thanks bee to God and him you sent me to a confirmed knight My sonne quoth the Gyant I am not a little glad thereof and seeing it is so well effected will yee graunt mee one request What said Galaor am I to denie you any thing except you
said Amadis I thinke thou wouldest haue no man of valew in thy company yet before we 〈◊〉 I am desirous to know what thou art That will I tel thee quoth the other on this condition that when so euer we meete thou shalt combate with me I will not stick for that answered Amadis Know then said he within how I am Dardan who commands thee not to stray so farre this night but that I may find thee tomorrow morning Thou vauntest of thy selfe very much quoth Amadis but if thou wilt cause Torches to be brought hither to giue vs light and come forth presently without longer stay we shall soone see who ought to haue the worsse lodging this night What said Dardan to coÌ„bate with an 〈◊〉 the enemy of the day must I bring Torches and this night take Armes vnwise is he that so late to gaine such simple honor will either put on spurre or Cuyrate and with these words he went from the gate Heere may the Read 〈◊〉 by him-selfe discourse awhile what fruite ouer-braining commonly bringeth with it contrariwise what perfection among all other vertues is in modestie No well grounded courage or gallant disposed body can duely put in exercise the benefit of the one or other if moderation temperance be not their guids therein And albeit valâ—ance hardines is a great gift of God yet are they so pernitious in such as haue them who are transported with passions or the glory of ambition as they be euen no better then cowardise presumtion Eloquence and the facultie of well speaking is a rich and precious gift of nature augmented and encreased by long vse and study to giue light and decking to the faire conceptions of the spirit but it is there a more hurtfull pestilence in a coÌ„mon wealth then when a well spoken Oratour will misuse his art sweetnes of language Haue not some bin knowne to perswade simple people to enterprise things which afterward haue brought their ruine and subuertion I leaue the confidence of the wise and the opinitiue in their owne beauty the one procuring to many the losse of their soules and the other to infinite number the destruction of honor so hurtfull in all things it too much vsurpatioÌ„ of ouer-weening and immoderate estimation of our selues I will not heere compare the wisdome of Vlisses with the arrogancie of furious Aiax or the violence of Turnus with the temperance of Aeneas nor make other remonstrances by the successe of great matters happening to mighty personages both Greekes Latines It shall content me to set for example this only accident of indiscreete Dardan to the end that yong Gentlemen who take delight to read this History seeing on the one side the patient magnanimity of Amadis and on the other the furious brutality of Dardan may propose the vertues to be imitated the vices to be detested and punished Amadis then somewhat displeased with the outragious speeches of Dardan departed not so much caring for his lodging as how to be reuenged concluded some-time in walking obout and other while in resting by a bush to passe the incommodity of this night in the Forrest thus to beguile the time till day rising As there hee traced vp and downe he heard the speech of some body nere him and looking about espied two Damosels on horse-back accompanied with a Squire after they had saluted him and he them they demanded from whence he came so late armed wherewith Amadis throughly reported all that had happened to him at the Castell Know you said the Damosels the name of the Knight That doe I quoth he for he tolde me his name is Dardan Very true said they hee is called Dardan the proud the most audatious Knight in this country I beleeue it well answered Amadis Sir Knight quoth they seeing you are so vnprouided of lodging if you will take patience to remaine this night in our tentes which are pitched heere hard at hand you shall be welcome He glad of this courtesie rode with them and being there alighted Amadis caused his Squire to vnarme him When the Damosels saw him so faire and of such honest conuersation they were well pleased with his company and so they supped together merily afterward they gaue him a pallad to rest vpon Neuerthelesse before they parted they demanded of him whether he trauailed To the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis And so do we replied the Damosels to see what shall happen to a Lady one of the best and most noble in the Country who hath committed her welfar to the triall of a Combate and it must be within few dayes following bee performed before King Lisuert but yet wee know not who will be the man for he against whom the cause must be defeÌ„ded is one of the best Knights in all great Brittaine What is said Amadis the Knight so much esteemed especially among so many good It is the same Dardan answered the Damosels from whome so lately you came And on what cause said Amadis ariseth the Combate I pray ye faire Ladyes if you know let mee vnderstand it Sir quoth one of them this Dardan loueth a Knights daughter of the Country who at his second nuptials maried her I am to speake of now hath this Damosell the beloued of Dardan conceiued such hatred against her faire mother that she hath said to her friend how she will neuer loue him except he bring her to King Lisuarts Court and there openly maintaine that all the poore Ladyes goods appertaineth to her and if any gain-say 〈◊〉 he to iustifie the same in Combate These news were highly pleasing to Amadis for by these meanes he intended to compasse occasion to be reuenged of the wrong he did him and that in the presence of Griana who should there perceiue what her Knight was which made him enter into such thoughts as the Damosels well noting it one of them thus spake I pray ye Sir for courtesie acquaint vs with the reason of your sudden musing if it may without offence be knowne Faire Ladies answered Amadis if you will promise me as loyall Gentle-women to keepe it secret and reueale it to no one willingly shall I tell ye all which they solemnely sware to performe I intend quoth he to combate for the Dame you spake of and minde not to faile but I would haue it concealed from any but your selues When they heard what he sayd they were much abashed notwithstanding they made great esteeme of him seeing what they had vttered in praise of Dardan could not affray him but hee would hazard the Combate and therefore shee that alreadie had broken the matter thus replyed Gentle Sir your intent proceedeth froÌ„ a high resolued minde and wee will pray for your prosperons successe So gaue they ech to other the good night and went to rest till the morning when they dislodged together Then entreated the Damosels that seeing hee went to the same place they did and in the Forrest kept
not what a great traine maketh toward vs At these words he came to himselfe beginning to sigh and lifting his eyes 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 not my selfe be without councell so much as I am But I feele my selfe so oppressed as all the enemies in the world cannot bring me to such extremity as this ouer ruling passion doth therefore I pray thee talke to me of the felicity 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 esteeme you the victory ouer your selfe so difficult after so many conquests of stout and bold strangers Why do you not think that peraduenture she loueth you well for whom you endure such 〈◊〉 and happily by as great reason as you loue her your persoage prowesse beauty and nobility of linage can they deserue lesse then the good grace of the most rare and exellent Lady in the world let these humours my Lord repell your desperations Further hee 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 conditiō 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 loose my conuersation Well well said Gandalin I pray ye wipe your eyes least those that come hitherward perceiue you haue wept What answered Amadis comes their any body Yea mary quoth Gandalin and now they be at hand here-with he shewed him the Knights the Ladyes who were hard by them by time Amadis was mounted Then as though hee had stayed for their companie hee saluted them and riding among the traine hee beheld a Ladie very comely and beautifull who wept very grieuously where-upon hee left the rest and rode with her saying Madame God comfort yee and giue you ioy In sooth answered the Lady and there of haue I need in that as now it is very farre from mee which except Heauen fauour me with better grace I am vtterly out of hope euer to see againe And so high a Maiestie said Amadis can prouide therefore when he pleaseth Not-withstanding if you were so contented I gladly would know the cause of your sadnesse Beleeue mee my friend quoth she all that euer I enioy in this world consisteth in the tryall of a Combate By these wordes hee knew this to be the Lady of whom the Damosels had tolde him before wherefore hee enquired further if as yet shee had found a knight on her behalfe No truely sayd the Lady and which greiueth mee most of all to morrow must my delay bee exterminate What will ye then doe answered Amadis What would you that I should doe quoth shee 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 widow Such fortune sayd Amadis shall I pray may befall yee 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 Ladie and Amadis turning bridle rode backe 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 field with full resolution to doe his deuoire And trust me sayd Amadis it was my happe to meet the distressed Lady euen the same whom the case concerneth heere-with hee declared all the talke they had together But now is the houre of quiet come and each 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 worde when Dardan was readie Not so quoth Amadis I will not bee farre behinde yee but let one ride before to aduertise me when Dardan shews himselfe in the field After he was armed they went all to horse-backe and being come to the issue of the Forrest he sayd to the Damosels Now may you goe if you please for I will not depart this place till I heare some newes from you Away they went when Amedis 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 Combate 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 honour also like an amourous Champion to maintaine the quarrell of his beloued who to countenāce him with the greater fauor was queintly led by the reines of his Palfray thē presenting himselfe before the king on his knees he sayd My Lord according to the ordinance by you appointed this Ladie and I humbly beseechye that the goods may be deliuered her as is no more then reason for if any Knight oppose him-selfe against her heere am I readie for the Combate The king then called for the Ladyes defendant but she poore soule appeared alone Why Lady quoth the King are you vnprouided of a Champion that you come with-out any to defend your right So helpe me God answered she weeping I am my Lord forsaken of all except you grant 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 Law In the meane while Dardan who thought no resistāce would come sate downe in the middest of the field attending the third houre which was the time according to the custome when the King would pronounce sentence to the Conquerour but one of the Damosels seeing nowe the needefull time made haste to let Amadis vnderstand what want of his presence was in the field For this cause he immediately mounted on horse-backe and being armed as appertained commanded 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 hee 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 wonder of him The king and his Nobles seeing him come from the Forrest stood somewhat in doubt of him for hee carryed such a gallant and Knightly counteuance as promised a-farre off that his enemie should finde him of hautie disposition which made the King aboue all other desirous to know him and thinking she for whose cause hee came knew his name he called and demanded of her the question Dread Lord answered the Ladie
good wil hath alway beene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefs and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Doe then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him know how hee shall behaue him-selfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the window where they talked saying Returne to thy master and tell him that this night he must secertly come to the place thou seest 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 window neere the ground where-through we may easily discerne ech other and talk together for his Cozin is acquainted with mine affaires nor is it necessarie they should bee concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger shee thus proceeded Deliuer him this token from mee as the onely Iewell I most esteem and ere thou goest thou shalt see the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discreet as she will easily vnderstand thee yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tydings from her mother Here-upon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whom the Queene of Scots her mother had sent to her but when she saw it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore Oriana went to the Queene leauing them in deepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Queene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this Countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Son to the King of Gaule of whom you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Queen The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since hee heard that he was heere and now he maruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Queene right glad would I be to see so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many Countres wherefore I assure ye if he doe come hither hee shall finde here such honourable entertainment as he shal haue no cause to depart in haste Of his Prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I know little but what common bruite hath blazed abroad but heereof I am certaine how hee was one of the most braue yong Gentle-men that euer I saw when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his master were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardun and expresse charge hee gaue me to salue you on his behalfe The name of Heauen be for euer praysed quoth shee hauing preserued our Kinsâ—man from such exceeding danger and now sent him hither to honourably Ah Madâ—… said Gandalin hee were happy indeed if the force of loue made him not in worse case then dead for Gods sake therefore doe you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he finde no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how hee cannot with greater desire employ mee then I haue to doe him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commanded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Queene my mother thou mayest come and speak with vs at al times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreams as hee had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight hee had of his Ladie at the Combate encreased such a desire in him to see her at more libertie as euery houre seemed to him longer then a yeare When hee saw that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes hee came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matters should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerfull couÌ„tenance told him that he brought no sadde tydings and rushing into the matter at first said My Lord God make yee 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 Ouer-whelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and know that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your self Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the very trueth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the window and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a change of conntenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that hee made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and the other seemed insatiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull Companion I thought my self altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that duty belongs more necessarily to thee because by thy diligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commuanded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her self shewed it me Ah God sayd Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me Away from me now all sorrowe and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin See here a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honourable loue to you so he gaue him the Ring which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire Ring that hast beene so happy as to be caried and accounted deere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of much inferiour honor yet hast thou not changed thy mistresse for both thou and I are hers and she doth compasse my heart hith greater force theÌ„ thou canst possibly binde in my finger Let vs leaue this talk answered Gandalin and returne to the Damosels who tarry for vs in the Tent but you must dissemble conningly for if they see you altered
intended Heere paused the Author on this matter to tell ye what happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne frō the waries in Gaules CHAP. XVII What were the adpenturs of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amadis had vanquished king Abies of Ireland and was knowne to his father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where he hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the sea side on a sudden hee had a Hart in chase which when he had some prittie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily deserne the raging bellowes of the sea Suddenly arose an exceeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violedce as if heauen and the neather religion would haue met together At length he espied a ship tossed in the tempest veterly destitute of any safety and which was worse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfertlesse night insuing wherewith he being moued to pittie commanded his Squires as a signall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the ship might chuse their best lāding place with-out perishing in the darke him-selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the helpe of God and dilligence of the mariners as the ship tooke safe harbour nere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly affrighted with the maruailous tempast thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most courteous Princes in the world seeing them so well landed and free from danger sent one of his Squires to will them come and refresh themselues in his pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was loth to be troublesome to them knowing they had now neede of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to see them keeping himselfe close in his chāber The Ladyes being seperated to their owne cōtentmēt the mariners made great fiers on the shoare to dry their garmēts and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then to remoue his affection from where it was setlaed priuily pried in to behold their countenances they being round set about a fiere reciting to each other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affectiō to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome therewith as being no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed forth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this cry especially Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commanded her women to open the dore which presently they did when Agraies told one of thē who he was that shee might secretly imparte the same to her mistresse the news whereof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commanded him to enter Then were embracings kissings freely entercoursed with al other gracious fauours so kind louers could deuise euen the very point wherein loue triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a maiden with like contentmēt as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there six dayes together beguiling the time with riciprocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her Damosels perceiued Meane while the sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calm which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whither the King her father had sent her to be nourished by the Queene Brisena Which being vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney hee gaue her assurāce that very shortly he would come to her as well to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to seeke his cosin Amadis in king Lisuarts Court according as hee made him promise wherewith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tary long frō her Thus courteously taking leaue of each other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in fewe dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his Court both by him the Queene Oriana and all the other Ladyes was the Princesse and her trayne graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her father as also in respect of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the sea shore giuing many a long look after the ship which caried away the iewell of his heart and hauing lost the fight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his father soiourned and his Vncle Galuanes Without land in whose company he intended shortly to visit King Lisuarts Court For there quoth hee to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King Christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderly follow Armes This Galuanes was of gentle heart and a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their horse armour ech one likewise a Squire attēding on him Hauing wind at wil in short time they landed at Bristow where they made no long aboad but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demāded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thither To see if I can finde the good Knight sayd shee who knoweth how to remedy a griefe I endure at this presēt You abuse your selfe Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demanded you shal finde no other Knight then the great Gyant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorow he wil quickly double it on your own head If you knew so much as I doe quoth the Damosell you would not imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Gyant and killed him in battaile hand to hand Beleeue me virgin replied Galu anes you tell vs matter of great maruaile in respect neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Giant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one himselfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death
them what we most desire yet when wisely and discreetely they resist our inordinate appetites keeping the thing without which they are worthy no praise they hee euen of our selues more reuerenced and commended This is the cause quoth she why I more esteeme your succour to mine honour then my life because the difference betweene thē is farre incōparable Well said Balays what will you now I shall do for you Let vs leaue these dead carcasses replyed the Demosell and goe where wee may stay till day light I like your counsell answered Balays if I had another horse but being now destitute I know not what to doe We will ride on my horse saide the Damosell till wee finde further remedy so he mounting vp before the Damosell they rode till they came to a pleasant meddow where they rested themselues till Sunne rising and then they went to horse backe againe Now because Balays intended to seeke the knight who caused Galaors horse to escape away from him hee asked the Damosell what should become of her My Lord quoth shee not farre hence is a house whither when you haue brought mee you may depart to what place you please As thus they rode communing together he sawe a knight come towarde him carrying his legge on his horses necke but drawing neerer he put foote in stirrop couching his Launce against Balays and running at him threwe him and the Damosell both from the horse afterward he vsed these speeches In sooth Lady I am sorie for your fall but to amend the wrong I haue done ye I will bring yee where you shall be contented because he that hath the charge of you is vnworthy to haue so faire a creature in his custody Ere this had Balays recouered himselfe and knowing him to bee the knight he sought for hee drew his sworde saying By thee villaine haue I lost my horse and my companion thou hast in like sorte abused now finding mee vnprouided thou takest delight in offering me wrong but both for him and my selfe will I be reuenged on thee else let mee be thought vnworthy of my order What quoth the knight art thou one of them that mocked mee as I rid in the darke I hope now I haue put the mockerie on thee Heereupon they presently fell to combate and many sharpe blowes were giuen on either side till Balays at length fastning holde on his enemy got him vnder foot when renting his helmet from his head hee tooke his life as ransome for his villany and breaking his sword in peeces layd them by him then mounting on his horse and the Damosell on her owne they tooke their way toward the tree where he left Galaor But because their stomacks well serued them to meat they alighted at a little Lodge where dwelt two women of austere and holy life who bestowed on them such cheer as they had the Damosell acquainting them with all her mishap and how Balays deliuered her from the theeues at what time they intended to dishonor her hauing slaine her seruants and shee destitute of helpe whereof the holy women were very glad by reason those theeues did much harme in that countrey After they had refreshed themselues Balays and the Damosell took their leaue and comming to the tree met Amadis there newly returned from his enterprise wherefore they concluded no more to sunder themselues vntill they arriued at King Lisuarts Court By this time the night drew on apace whereupon the Damosell earnestly intreated them to lodge that night at her Fathers which was not farre off they liking well of her friendly offer went with her beeing there entertayned and vsed very honourably Early in the morning arming thēselues they thanked their gentle host his daughter framing their course towarde Windsore but by the way you must note how Balays according to his promise presented his horse to Galaor which he won from the knight and he refused it because he had another so that Balays saued his oath thereby CHAP. XXX How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time I Haue heretofore declared the ioy and cōtent of good king Lisuart for the newes brought by the Dwarffe concerning the health of Amadis and Galaor but the more to shew his princely minde hee concluded at their comming to keepe a most royall and magnificient Court as all his ancestors in Great Brittaine neuer did the like Which 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 Cosen germaine fell on his knee againe before the King desiring hee might haue instice in the cause When the King had considered thereon with them of his blood as also diuers other knights and auncient Gentlemen he decreed that within one moneth all excuses set apart the Duke should come in person to answere Oliuas and if with two knights more beside himselfe hee would iustifie his cause Oliuas should likewise prepare two other knights Warning hereof was presently sent to the Duke and open Proclaymation made the same day that all Gentlemen following Armes should bee ready at the Citty of London on the day of our Lady following in September Like summons was sent abroade by the Queene to aduertise the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the countrey by which meanes great resorte came to the Court where all kindes of pastimes and sportes were inuented without respect of fortunes malice any way who commonly in great assemblie of states when least they thinke of her variable changings often tell leth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attryred entered the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demanding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiesty him-selfe the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well do you so◅ a King by your porte and countenance yet may it bee doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you see and hereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Mee thinkes my Lord answered the Damosell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doe desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make mee such a liberall offer I hope one day to try the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must bee assembled many valiant men who shll know by the promise you haue made me how worthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualry is honoured by you Damosell sayde the King so much as effects may better my wordes so much the more will it glad me to see good store of hardy knights there present My Lord quoth shee if effects answere your wordes I shall haue great reason to bee
contented So tooke shee leaue of him returning the same way shee came whereat 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 magnanimity as whatsoeuer happened hee would not be reprooued with cowardice and so dearely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deaths then to see him suffer any mishap or iniury Wherupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuerience to alter the promise hee had so lightly made shewing it was not beseeming his Maiesty to deale with faires of knights and Gentlemen he being placed in authoritie ouer them While they stood on these tâ—…mes there entred three knights two of them being very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour as all for hee was a man of ancient yeares as seemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull colour then commonly hath been noted in a man of age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This knight carryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demanding for the King the Gentle-men shewed where hee sate making him way to his Maiesty before whom hee fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is king Lisuart for within these few dayes hee hath made the most worthy 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 be performed but I would faine knowe your meaning heerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honour a matter wherein now a dayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Heerein you were tolde truth sayde the King and you may bee well assured that I will doe my vttermost to aduance 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 countrie to be ready at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you heere a thing with mee which such a king as you are ought most royally to receiue Then opening the Cofer hee took forth a Crowne of gold so sumâ—â—ously embelished with Orientall Pearles and pretious stones as neuer was seene a more costlier Iewell euery one being of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especially mighty Lord. When the king had long and earnestly beheld it he was very desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the knight perceiuing saide This Crowne my Lord 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 esteemed for the king that keepeth 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 saw it but if you like it so well I will make ye a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some danger to lose All this while was the Queene in place earnestly wishing that the king her husband might haue it where-upon she saide 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 demandeth Madame quoth the knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buy it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was seene for beside the precious stones wherewith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sorts of beasts and birds which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rate and eurious piece of worke not wrought as I thinke by humaine capacity You say true Madame replied the knight for the like hereof is not to bee found yet may not the riches compare with the property and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maried Ladies then any other because shee that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of cheef regard answered the Queen if it haue any such indeede I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grew she marueilous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betweene the king and her wherefore she sayde to the knight Say Sir how do you estimate this mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseech you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the hands of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of griefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedy while I liue and because I know not well the valew of these iewels I will 〈◊〉 them in your costody vntill the day you holde open Court at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demand In meane while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue sayd you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust me sayd the king seeing you repose such confidence in mee assure your selfe to haue whatsoeuer you request or else they shall bee restored againe It suffiseth quoth the knight the â—…ning to the Lords he thus proceeded Worthy Lords you haue all heard what the king hath promised me that he will restore the mantle the crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me whatsoeuer I shall demâ—d So much his Maiesty hath said replied the Lords we are witnesses thereof Adiew then answered the ancient Knight for perforce I must returne to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But here you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knights which conducted the old man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his helmet open and seemed a young man the other held downe his head as loth to bee knowne being of so tall and mighty stature at no Knight in the Kings Court might bee equalled with him So departed they againe all three together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kings custody CHAP. XXXI How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays being all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Court of King Lisuart where they were wel-commed with exceeding my because Galaor was neuer there
saithfull subiects wherfore againe I desire ye that with-out feare each one would in particular and generally aduise what we ought to doe as matter most commendable Herewith he held his peace and Barsinan Lord of Sansuegua was intreated by all the assistants to speake his opinion which they did for no other reason but because the King would haue euery one honour him whereupon after many excuses on his own behalfe he arose from his seate making humble reuorence thus spake seeing it liketh you I should first declare my censure I desire the King and this company to pardon my ignorance being vnworthy of this honorable and gracious fauor But me thinks vnder submission to his pleasure and better aduise of al you my Lords that wee should with-draw our selues a while from the presence of his Maiesty where we may more freely conceiue our seuerall humors This answer was generally well liked wherefore the King and Queene left them together walking into another of their Pauillions then Saroloys the Fleming Countie of Clere began in this manner You haue all heard my Lords the good zeale the King hath to the gouernement not only of the cōmon wealth in his Realm but particularly to the honorable encrease of Chiualry which he desireth to continue in greater preeminenco then euer it hath beene And therefore my Lords humbling my selfe to better opinion I thinke it good to supply the intent of our King that wee all ought to counsell him to strengthen himselfe with men and money for they are the sinnews of warre and peace whereby all Kings on the earth are maintained in their puissant authority For it is most certaine that treasure is for Souldiers and men at armes by whome Kings reigne nor ought it for any cause to bee else-where dispended without committing of true sacrilidge for these affairts are termed holy causing the state to liue in tranquility and winne glorious conquests of such as seeke to inuade them Beside to attaine the better thereto his Maiestie must seeke meanes to get all the knigh is he can heare of as well strangers as other entreating them with liberality to send his renowne on winges through the world which will fetch from the furthest parts men to his seruice in hope of condigne recompence to their labour By their aid he may easily make himselfe Monarch of al the Princes by Eeast and West for it hath neuer beene read or heard that any Prince could make himselfe great except by the assistance of valiant and hardy Knights hauing bought their vallotr in breue attempts I tearme it bought by fauouring honoring 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 proceeded in further perswasion the greater part of the Lords seemed to allow of his opinion afferssing that better conncell could not bee giuen which when Barsinan heard he requested audience for him-selfe and hauing grant thereof he intended to reuerse this first aduise because he might very hardly else goe forward with his secret purpose the silence being made Barsinan thus begins It seemeth by your countenance my Lords that the County of Clares opinion is a grounded truth for I see the most part of you auerre the same not hauing heard any thing to the contrary notwithstanding I hope to make it knowne to you all and to the king himselfe hereafter how much I desire to be friend him you and the whole Realme The county of Clare hath laid before you that the King your maister ought to strengthen himselfe by the multitude force of strange knights whom he would haue called from all parts of the world in sooth if his opinion were to bee credited and you your selues bound to follow it I am certaine in short time their number would be such as your king who is a good Prince and liberall would not only congratulate them with what he was wont to bestow on you but likewise take your owne from you and giue to them for naturaly matter of nouelty and neuer seene before is most pleasing Hereupon it followeth that whatsoeuer seruice you performe bee it of neuer so high esteemation yet shall you fall into his disdaine and oblinion and strangers life you from the seats which now do promise your securest quiet Therefore my Lords before you conclude this matter is of so great importance as you all ought to bee aduised by good and descreete deliberation in your graue iudgements I hope there is no one in all this assembly that will presume I speake otherwise then reason and the good loue I beare yee doth admonish me for I thanke God I am such a one as neede to regard the greatest Prince my neighbor no more then he doth me but considering I am in so noble compay and hare here receiued such fauour and honour I rather desire God is my witnesse I had neuer beene borne then to flatter men with vaine perswasions You must therefore my Lords diligently fore-see least afterward you repent with too much leysure And heere he paused for the murmour was so great among them as they hardly gaue him time to conclude because the most part of them that accorded to the first opinion were now changed and helde with Barsinan by meanes whereof they could determine nothing but it was appointed how the king should bee acquainted with this controuersie that hee might set downe some better order and after it had againe beene debated in his presence hee thus spake vnto them all My honourable friends I am sure that the loue you beare me your forward desire in doing mee seruice hath brought you into these intricate difficulties and I thinke there is no one of you all but hath spoken so neere to truth as is possible whereby your iudgements are so sound and good as better cannot bee heard from any Notwithstanding it is a thing most sure and certaine that the Kings of the earth are not esteemed great by the number of places in their possession but by the quantity and multitude of their people ouer whom they rule and command For what can one king alone do it may be much lesse thē the simplest of his subiects and befide it shal seem a matter aboue his power to gouerne maintain his estate without people let him abound in neuer so much wealth nor can these transitorie gifts of fortune be better imployed then distributed among such as well deserue them Whereby I gather how euery man of good iudgement will say that good counsell and strength of men is the very treasure indeede If yet you will haue better instance hereof looke on the liues of great Alexander strong Iulius Caesar gentle Hannibel and many other whose names beare the title of immortality they by the treasure of men and not mony were made Kings Emperours Monarchs for they could bountifully distribute their coyne to such as they well knew had best deserued it
of the offence she should commit by causing the death of two so good knights beside shee repented her vnhonorable iourney which now she could no way remedie but only by keping their names vnknown They being thus prisoners to the Lady she entred into these speeches Knights you may see in what estate I hold ye and there is no meane but one for deliuerance which I will acquaint ye withall â—…ary if you doe not fulfill it in steed of giuing you liberty I will cause you to be inclosed in such a dolorous prison as shall be worse to you then death it selfe Lady answered Amadis the matter may be such that we shall easily consent thereto and in some sort againe we will rather die then obey you I know not quoth the Lady how you may conceiue thereof but I can assure ye that if you promise mee not to forsake the seruice of King Lisuart and to go tell him at your departure hence how you do it by commandement of Madasima Lady of 〈◊〉 who enuies his welfare because he keepeth one in his court thee slew the most renowned Knight Dardan you ne-uer shal escape this mercilesse captiuity Madame said Galaor if you do this thinking thereby to offend king Lisuart you much abuse your selfe for we are two poore knights who haue no other riches then our Armour and Horse and hee hath such store of redoubted Seruants as he will little care whether you imprison vs or no yet shall it bee such a shame to vs as you can ne-uer imagine the like because wee are vnable to do it What quoth she loue you better to spend your life time in a most miserable prison then to forsake the seruice of the most disloyall king liuing Now trust me Madame answered Galaor but ill beseems you these bad speeches for he is one of the best Princes in the World and against any knight I will maintaine that neuer was disloyalty found in him In lucklesse time for thee said Madasima hast thou vttered thy loue wherewith shee commanded their hands to be bound That shall I do replied a knight and cut off their heads if you please Hereupon he laid hold on Amadis who was so offended thereat as he lifted his fist to giue him a blow on the care but the knight escaping Amadis caught him about the middle throwing him so violently against the ground that he thought his heart was broken for he lay still and moued 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 ancient knight stepped before him with his Sword drawne vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe forth of the Pauillion yet could he not defend him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder Then stepped the auncient knight to Madasima with these wordes 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 quoth she did you not see their presumptuous boldnesse especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this Man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replied Galaor we rather chuse to die then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and courteous and we as prisoners wil shew obeysance to you Seeing you say so answered Madasima I will binde you my selfe hereupon she bound their hands with strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor being set on horses without Saddles and led along by two Sergeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foot hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile al night through the Forrest But Amadis was weary of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull patience 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 extremitys troubled his thoughts which the ancient knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was moued to pitty him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of the best knights in the world Here you must obserue how the Damosell was the ancient knights Daughtâ—r and repented her trâ—â—son in deceiuing them seeing how discourteously they were 〈◊〉 which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safety for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pitty then good Father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Galaor who flew the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full wel knew the knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittied their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to shielde them from death which was â—…re at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good chieâ—â— Sir Knight for I hope by the helpe of God â—re long 〈◊〉 deliuer you from this cruel Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so friendly knowing likewise it was the Man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him hee thus answered Father I haue no Wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she hath brought vs hither by the falsest treachâ—… in the World I know very well saide the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you weene which makes mee the more caâ—efull in seeking your good Therefore I shall giue you profitable counsell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should die without any remâ—… because nothing might serue 〈◊〉 to expiate her wrath beleeue then what I say and put it in practise You are fayre young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the World whereby shee conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting shee would accept you as her husband or perpetuall friend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doe do quickly because at that place whither we are now going she intends to send one of her seruants to King Lisuarts Court whose errand is onely to enquire your names for she that conducted you hither perceiuing you should assuredly die if her mistresse knew the names of you
the king gaue his horse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp hee fell downe back-ward yet the Knight recouered himselfe and Galaor seeing one fight with the king came to assist him when snatching off his helmet hee would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the king would not suffer him saying hee should liue and dye a theefe The two cosins who were named Don Guilan and Ladasin pursued another knight whome they slew and returning backe againe they knew the king which stroke them into no little maruaile because they heard nothing of his mis-fortune then alighting from their horses they took off their helmets and did him reuerence when hee knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My friends you haue succoured me in a needefull 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 each other I lost you both especially you Lord Guilan your minde being else-where made you forget me These words caused a modest blush in Don Guilan beause 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 entertainment she gaue him tasting together the fruit of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and dayly conceiued such strange suspition thereof as it procured the iniurie was done to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the garden at his returne from faire Aldena whereby the Damosell was in danger of burning as the history here-tofore hath declared to you But while the king thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had got the Nephew of Arcalaus beside his horse and tyed the chaine about his neck the king was bound withall then taking the best horses belonged to the dead knights 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 thankes that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessity But my Lord quoth Don Guilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who oftentimes makes mee to forget my selfe a knight encountred with mee and by force of his Lance cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the king I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladies 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 the greatest muser I euer heard o◅ As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladasin which was not farre thence whither soon 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 gone 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 mis-hap being published in the Cittie might raise some cōmotion amōg the people Credit me quoth the king seeing Amadis vndertooke to follow my daughter I will not as yet account her lost if the traytor Arcalaus worke no new villany by his enchantments but as concerning my happy deliuerance I like well that my Queen should vnderstand thereof Whereupon Ladasin called a Squire whom the king presently sent to the Court as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the king cōmuning with the Nephew of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinsman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to be king of Great Brittain Hereupon the king concluded to make the more hast◅ thinking to finde Barsinan as yet as London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the City of London I If you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poor labouring men not knowing the king Oriana seeing how iniuriously they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide them-selues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were king Lisuarts and his daughters Whereupon so soone as the two knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring through the Citty especially among the knights as they presently armed themselues and mounted on horse backe in such troupes as the fields were quickly couered with men horses At this time was king Arban of Norwales talking with the Queene little thinking on any mis-fortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayde My Lord you tarry heere trifling too long arme your selfe quickely followe the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Citie how certaine villaines haue carried the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed king Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Queene heard these vnhappy tydings not able to vndergoe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but king Arban hauing more minde on the King left her in her Ladies armes hasting with all speed hee could to horse-backe When he was setting foot in stirrop hee heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castle whereby hee gathered they were betraied wherefore hee caused the Queenes lodging to bee guarded and returning to the Citie sawe euery one ready in Armes when chusing so many as hee pleased as also two hundred well approoued knights hee sent two of the cheefest to the Tower of London to vnderstād the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his traine killing and casting ouer the walls al that he met Herein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the knights and men of account were gone to succour the king Highly displeased was king Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the king had been betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences that might happen he ordained his men in battaile placing good watch about the Queenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take the Queen as hee had done the tower but he met with stronger resist thē he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan took a prisoner by whō he was aduertised how king Arbā wold with-stand him euen to the death Now began hee to deuise how by faire speech and falshood he might take the king crauing a
from his shoulder when Barsinan feeling himself so wounded would haue retyred backe to saue himselfe by the speed of his horse but hee fell to the ground as depriued of his sences Wherefore Amadis left him and set vpon the rest who beeing vnable to endure these hotte assaults likewise beholding their Lord dismounted took theÌ„selues to flight for safety of their liues yet were they so closely followed as the most part of them were slain in the field and some few of them escaped into the Tower causing the bridge to be quickly drawen vp after them Hereupon Amadis returned where he left Barsinan because he was not yet dead commanded he should be carried to the Queenes lodging there to bee kept till the Kings returne and as hee would haue put vp his sword hee sawe it soyled with blood wherefore in wiping it hee saide Thou trustie sworde in a happy houre was the knight born to whom thou belongest and as thou art one of the best in the world so is thy Master the most vertuous Prince liuing He vsed these words because it appertained to King Lisuart and was sent him from the Queene by Gandalin as you heard before but now returnes hee with king Arban to the Queenes lodging to comfort her with newes of happie victory All this while the King is hasting toward London giuing order to returne all the knights hee met by the way among whom were Agraies Galuanes Soliuaâ— Galdan Dinadaâ—s and Bernas all which were highly in the Kings fauour as men of vertue and no small deseruing and his Maiesty hauing imbraced them said My noble good friends you had almost lost mee but God bee thanked you haue recouered mee againe by the helpe of these three worthy knights Galaor Guilan and Ladasin In sooth my Lord answered Dinadans so soon as your mishap was knowen in the Citie each one prepared to bring you succour I knowe my good Nephew quoth the king that I am greatly beholding to you all but I pray you take good store of these knights and post with speed to assist the Queene for I doubt she is in no little danger This Dinadans was one of the best knights of the kings linage and well esteemed among men of account as well in respect of his vertues as also his braue behauiour in chiualry so according to the kings command he rode away presently very brauely accompanied The king likewise followed an indifferent pace lest his Nephew should stand in need of helpe and by the way he ouertooke Dâ—â— Grumedan with his daughter Oriuna How ioyfull this meeting was you may easily conceiue that the separation was not so grieuous but this was as gladsome Grumedan told his Maiesty how Amadis left the Princesse with him while hee rode before to assist the Queene thus with repetition of many matters they beguiled the time till they atriued as London where hee vnderstoode the successe of Barsinans enterprise and how valiantly King Arban had resisted him not forgetting the worthy behauiour of Amadis in taking him prisoner and discomfiting his men except a few that saued themselues in the Tower Here would i◠〈◊〉 a worlde of time to report the ioy pleasure and conteâ—… betweene the King and Queen at their meeting likewise the 〈◊〉 comfort hauing reâ—…ed her daughter againe but as your iudgements can better conceiue then I set downe matter aboue the reach of common capacity so doe I leane it to you and proceed to the King Who to terrifie the traytoure thus gotten into holde besieged them seuerally and to dishearten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephew before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which being done a great fire was made wherein they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectacle and that they were in great want of victals they yeelded themselues to the Kings mercy the most part of theÌ„ being for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at liberty vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred very great trouble afterward betweene them of Great Brittaine Sansuegua for the sonne of Barsinan being a good knight vexed king Lisuart with contagious warre as in the History hereafter at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these misfortunes the former ioyes and pastimes beganne againe 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 the Court. When the two Princes were aduertised thereof they went and friendly entertained her shee saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to keepe your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenant with Madasima but presently will performe it before the King Entring the great Hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiesty deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Court to see if these two knights will obserue a couenant which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will sâ—ant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and thereto shee added the whole circumstance Wherat the King waxing somewhat offended told Galaor that hee had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to do so then be trecherously slaine for had wee been a knowne neither you nor all the world could haue faued our liues but let not your Maiesty be offended for the remedy shall be more ready 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 will to doe you this displeasure and worse if she should compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had done then Galaor turning to the Lady her two sonnes sayd Haue we not now accomplish our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady wee must needs auouch so much You may then returne when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she weened 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 limited how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter thereinto againe when you please to command 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 Amadis well aduised herein where-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddowe 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 seeing she hateth me so vnreasonably she once had theÌ„ in her power who might haue grieued me all my life time but
God hauing in other places deliuer'd me frō many perils wil not suffer me to perish by so bad woman as she is I desire yee my Lord quoth she to tell mee their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible say de the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde yee truth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had known them and in sooth the deede might bee reckoned ominous if two such worthy persons had perished Yet when she shall knowe hereof sayd the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. How King Lisuart held open Court in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remayned there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Court in all magnificence many noble personages being there assembled as wel strāgers as others hoping now to make little stay but to return home to their owne houses yet the greater part of them aboad with the King in like manner did sundry worthy Ladies accompany the Queene Among other knights attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cosen Ladasin who as I haue sayde were very good knights but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very fewe were found in the Realme of Great Brittaine that carried more account for deeds of Armes and all other graces beseeming a knight setting aside his musing and melancholy By meanes whereof fewe or none could bee pleasant with him or haue any words from him in company but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughts in such sort with his Lady as hee had minde of none but her And shee of whom wee speake was endued with singular beauty being named Brandalisia sister to the Kings wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in marriage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was arriued at the Court to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and beeing in the presence of many great Lords the Duke beganne in this manner Sir you haue commanded my appearance here this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiesty concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth mee withall whereof I hope sufficiently to cleare my selfe by the rightfull iudgement your selfe shall giue and hee rest condemned like a varlet as hee is for here am I ready to approue against him or any other hee shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deed At these wordes Oliuas arose and with him a great nūber of knights errant all resolued to maintayne this quarrell against the Duke when the King beheld them in such a mutiny hee maruelled whence the cause should proceede when Grumedan speaking for all the rest sayd My Lord because the Duke of Bristoia hath threatened and defied all knights errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it bee so hee hath attempted an ouer fond warre for I thinke there is no knight in the worlde so puissant that will bee induced to such an enterprise But forbeare at this time and offer him no iniury because he is heere to receiue iustice which shall be done according to the counsell of the Princes and Lords present without fauouring any one Then Oliuas falling on his knee before the King beganne in this manner My Lord the Duke who standeth before your Maiesty hath slaine a Cosen germaine of mine hee neuer giuing him occasion of offence wherefore I will iustifie him to bee a villaine and a traytour and will make him confesse it with his owne mouth else shall I kill him and cast him forth of the field The Duke tolde him hee lyed and hee was ready to accomplish what the King and his Court should ordaine wherupon it was determined that this emulation should bee decided by combate which the Duke accepted desiring the King to permit him his two Nephewes in this cause against Oliuas and two other knights This being granted the Duke was very glad thereof for he made such account of his kinsmen as hee thought Oliuas could not bring the like notwithstanding all was deferred till the morrowe following In meane while Don Galuanes asked his Nephew Agraies if hee wold assist Oliuas against the Duke and hee consenting thereto Galuanes came to Oliuas saying Sir Oliuas seeing the Duke is desirous to fight three against three my nephew and I are determined to take your part which when the Duke heard hee remembred that he had defied them in his owne house when Agraies combated with the Dwarffes champion at what time the Damosell should haue beene burned wherefore hee became very pensiue in respect though he esteemed his Nephewes approued good knights yet he repented his wilfull offer gladly would haue excused the matter if hee could being so well acquainted with the behauiour of Galuanes Agraies But considering his promise past before the King and so many noble personages there present hee must of necessity stand thereto wherefore the next morning hee entered the Listes with his Nephewes and Oliuas on the contrarie with his copartners Now were the Ladies standing at the windowes to beholde the issue of this quarrell and among the rest stood Oliuia the faire friend to Agraies who seeing him ready to enter such perill was so dismayed as she could scant tell what countenance to vse By her stood Mabila shee being in no lesse griefe for her Vncle and brother together likewise the Princesse Oriana louing them both in respect of the reasons heretofore declared accompanied the two Ladies in sorrowe fearing their danger but the knights being ready to the combate the King by a Herald commanded the Champions to doe their deuoyre Heereupon with a braue carreer they encountred together Agraies and Galuanes vnhorsing the two Nephewes and albeit Oliuas receiued a wound on the stomacke yet had not the Duke caught hold about his horse neck his fortune had proued as had as his Nephewes Thē drawing their swords they smote so violently against ech other as the standers by wondered at their fiercenes beholding their shields defaced their armour battred coullered with their blood that the victorie hung a long time in suspence For Agraies horse being slaine vnder him brought his life in maruailous hazard because the Duke and one of his Nephews stroue to keep him downe seeking to thrust their swords into his belly or else to smite his head from his shoulders but he was so well armed and of such courage withall as hee held them both play though with exceeding perill Well may you thinke that his friends grieued to see him in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whom we spake so lately whose cheekes were
bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extreamity her latest houer must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewes with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend himselfe which the Duke perceiuing hee left his Nephew with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slaine him Agraies stepped betweene theÌ„ hauing dispatched his enemie of his head and hindred the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tel which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ranne flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his necke was broken with dragging along Hereupon Agraies left him returning to his vncleto know how he fared Very well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it grieueth mee that Oliuas is dead for hee lieth still and moueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these words wherefore commanding the Duke and his Nephewes bodyes to be throwne foorth of the field they came both to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his wounds not to be mortall they bound them vp so well as they could saying Friend Oliuas be of good cheeâ—e for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt wee not of your health because wee finde little danger in your hurts Alas my Lords quoth Oliuas my heart fainteth and albeit I haue beene heereâ—ofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to knowe whether hee were dead or no and when it was tolde him how hee wanted nothing but speedy cure hee commanded him to bee honourably caryed into the Citie and his own cirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which he did promising to deliuer him well againe within few daies Thus euery one returned disputing diuersly on the end of the Combat and according to their particular affections so that soone after the Queeene who was one of the best Ladies in the world was aduised to send for the wife to the deceased Duke that in the Court shee might weare away the cause of her melancholly and to dispatch this businesse shee sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Neece Aldena with her whereof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the friend and beloued of the Dutchesse Not long after she and her Neece arriued at the Court where they were right nobly feasted and entertayned Thus the King spent the time in the Citty of London accompanied with many great Lords knights and Ladies because the fame was blazed throught the world of his honourable courtesie to strange Knights which drew an exceeding number to his court whom he rewarded very bountifully hoping by their meanes not onely to confirme his Realme in peace but likewise to conquere other which some-time had beene subiect and tributary to his Crown yet through the pusillanimity and negligence of the Kinges his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEretofore it hath beene declared how Amadis being with Briolania promised to reuenge the King her Fathers death against Abiseos and his two Sonnes which in one year after he should performe being accompanied with two other Knights Also how when he tooke his leaue of her shee gaue him a Sword because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Sword was afterward broken at the Ladies Castle who was the beloued of Angriote d'Estranans when he combatted with Gasinan and commanded Gandalin to bring away the peeces thereof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault of him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his master loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered himselfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of theÌ„ both Loue who often-times prouoketh his Subiects would no longer continue them in so great ease but rayse some cinders of diuision wherby they might receiue discontentment For this cause he made Amadis remember his promise to Briolania that he should combat Abiseos within one yeare the end whereof was now at hand and being loth to faile therein he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sort Briolania was disinherited of her fathers kingdom such were his discourses on her behalf that although Oriana was loth to grant what hee demanded or to permit his absence from her yet being ouer-come with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow said Deere friend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you do me aloweth no excuse Yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine own pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content seeing there is no other remedy though my consent be with greater griefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischiefe will happen to me by this voyage Madam answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wish neuer to haue beene borne Let Briolania then pardon my tarrying for I hold my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agreeable to you Not so sweete friend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall go but make a speedy returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this separation sealed and shee desired him to acquaint the Queene there with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commandement which he did and on the morrow departed with Gâ—laâ—r and Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a Mile but he asked Gandalin if hee had brought with him the peeces of the Sword that Briolania gaue him when hee left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what speede thou canst to ouertake vs. Alas had he but misdoubted the mishap followed hereon hee neuer would haue sent such
him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good friends and the enmity conuerted into such Humility as one right glad thereof shee said to Galaor Worthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauinesse yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompeâ—â—ed me So taking each of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castle where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wounds Thus remained the two brethren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he ariued in the countrey of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yeares accomplishing many braue deedes of Armes the renowne whereof continueth to this day And as he returned toward Gaule hee lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his owne reputation as also because the County himselfe had sometime beene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his Chamber where being in bed and somewhat wearie with trauaile he fell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauinesse he felt himselfe embraced and kissed he knew not by whom when starting vp to arise he was so held down that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus mastred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you the king looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his Chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire friend tell me what you are What soeuer 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 know your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunity yet can I vse no other continence theÌ„ you see but it were necessary quoth the king I should know your name if you meane to be my friend Seeing you constraine me thereto answered the Lady know that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so friendly entertained you Now trust me Madam replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather die then abuse the man I am so much beholding to Will you then refuse me quoth she well may you bee tearmed the worst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will do what is conuenient for your honour and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my Father to thinke himselfe more iniuried by you then if you grant what I desire So starting from the bed she tooke the Kings Sword euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it forth she set the point against her heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortned by my death whereof you are the onely cause As she vttered these words she offered to stab her selfe with the Sword when the king suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impatient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madam for I am content to satisfie your will Hereupon hee kindely embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallified and at that instant she conceiued with childe the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all speede he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her of fence determined to goe visit an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thitheâ— for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as shee rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfrey she being soon after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her seeing what had happened bringing the childe to the mother said Madam as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some pre-present remedy while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horseback she rode apace to her Ladies Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to be very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speede wherein the Lady and her childe were brought to her Castle secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knew his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custody where he was nourished till the age of eighteene yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who daily instructed him in managing Armes and all braue qualities beseeming a man of value He being growne of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to the Countie his Grand-father who gaue him his knight-hood not knowing what he was returning againe with his motherly Nurse by the way she brake with him in this manner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parenatge but credit my words you are the son to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his daughtr that gaue you your order of knight-hood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed knights in the world Madam quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great same of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his son wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull nurse that I will trauaile to fiude my father and not make my selfe known to any one till my deedes declare me worthy to be his son Not long after hee departed from the olde Ladie and accompanied with two squires iournied to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres performing such haughty deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best knight in all those parts When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowne to the king his father but comming into great Brittaine hee heard the fame of Amadis to be maruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by armes as his bretheren had done whom he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the forrest as you heard and afterward combated with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castle of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who staied with faire Briolania fiue daies together
vntill the moon began to shine and then they knew that they were in a great meddow in which they beheld many Pauillions set vp and people sporting all about them Then said the Gentlewoman vnto Amadis Sir because I see my father you may if it please you come faire and softly and I will goe before to aduertise him of your coÌ„ming that he may do you that honour as you deserue So saying shee gallopped her horse vntill shee came vnto the â—ents where she alighted Then shee tolde her father how these foure knights had followed her hauing a desire to trie the aduentures of the FirmeIsland which he vnderstanding came to meete them and receiued them very courteously afterwards hee led them vnto one of the Pauillions where they rested vntill their supper was ready When they were set downe the gouerner of the Isle discoursed vnto them the aduentures of such Knights and Ladyes which had proued the arch of loyall louers and the other nouelties thereof vntill it was time to goe to rest Whereupon they all with-drew themselues and when day appeared they mounting all on horse-back rode so long that they came to a place which was in breadth no more then a bow shoot of firme ground and all the rest was water And they went on in this straight vntill they came into the entrie of the Island the which was onely fiue leagues in breadth and seuen in length There might they see the sumptuous Pallace of Apolidon whose gates were open and as they drew neerer they perceiued more then an hundred â—aâ—gets or shields placed in three rankes the most parte leaning against two postes and tenne other nailed a little ouer them But there were three which were very high aboue the rest fastned vpon another post which stood forwarder then the first yet did they likewise differ in height for the highest was a faddom aboue the middle-most and the middlemost was a cubit ouer the lowest Then Amadis demanded why they were thus ranked Truely answered the gouernour according to the vallour and knight-hood of those which would haue entred the forbidden chamber their shields are honoured and these which you see neerest the ground belonged to such Knights which could not come neere the brasen piller but these tenne that are higher came vnto it they which ought these two other shields which you see seperated and placed aboue the rest haue done more for they haue passed the piller yet could they not come neere the other of marble as the other hath done whose shield is therfore placed aboue these two which are so much esteemed Then Amadis approched more neere to see if he might know any of them for there was none of them but had written vpon them the names of such as heretofore did owe theÌ„ and he cast his eye vpon the lowermost of the three which hung by themselues ouer the other tenne which had in a field Sables a Lyon Or fanged and aâ—med Argent with a Cheife Gules this hee knewe to bee the shield of Arcalaus Then hee beheld the two vppermost the lower bearing in a field Azure a knight Argent cutting off the head of a Gyant the which hee remembred to bee the shield of king Abies of Ireland who prooued this aduenture two yeares before that Amadis did kill him in Gaule The third which was aboue all the rest had a fielde Azure three Flowers or which he could not know without reading the superscription which sayd This is the shield of Don Quedragant brother to king Abies of Ireland the which was set ouer all the others within these twelue dayes For Quedragant behaued himselfe so valiantly that he came vnto the Marble piller whereunto none other had before approached He by chance passed by the Firme-Island in seeking for Amadis with an intent to fight with him and to reuenge the death of King Abies his brother Much amazed was Amadis seeing the shields of so many good Knights which had all fayled in their purposed enterprise and hee greatly feared least hee might performe as little as they For this cause hee and his company with-drew themselues to goe towarde the arch of loyall louers the which was shewed vnto them Agraies suddenly alighted and approaching neere the forbidden place hee with an indifferent high voice thus spake Loue if euer I haue beene constant let mee now be remembred This sayde hee passed on and entred vnder the arch Then the copper Image began to sound so sweetely as it greatly reioyced the hearers and Agraies stayed not but went on vntill hee came vnto the Pallace where the pictures of Apolidon and Grimanesa were which seemed vnto him as if they had been aliue And he came neer vnto the Iasper piller wherein he beheld two lines written The first contayned Madanil sonne to the Duke of Bargoine hath passed vnder the arch of loyall louers and ended that aduenture The other was the name of Don Bruneo de bonne mer or of the lucky Sea sonne to Vaillades Marques of Troques Scant had he read the last line but he beheld a third which coÌ„tained This is the name of Agraies son to Languines King of Scotland This Madanil loued Aquinda Countesse of Flanders Don Bruneo Melicia daughter to King Perion of Gâ—â—le When Amadis did see that his Cosen was entred without any let at all hee sayde vnto his brethren Will not you proue the aduenture as hee hath done No answered they for we are not so much subiect vnto this passion that wee deserue to make tryall of our loyalty Seeing then that you bee twaine keepe you one another company and I will accompany Lord Agraies if I can Then he boldly entered vnder the arch and as hee passed the copper Image sounded vpon his horne another sound far more melodious then hee yet before had done Moreouer in stead of fire and stinking flame that it cast forth against the disloyall louers flowers and sweete leaues came forth of his horne in such abundance that the place were all couered therewith But for all this Amadis stayed not but passed on euen hard vnto the Images of Apolidon and Grimanesa the which seemed vnto him so well formed as they wanted nothing but speech When Agraies which was entered before perceiued him he came to him and sayde My Lord and Cosen me thinkes we should not hence-forth hide our loues from one another But Amadis without any answere tooke him by the hand and walking together they beganne to discourse of the excellency of the place In the meane season Galaor and Florestan displeased with staying so long for them did intreate Isania the Gouernour of the Isle to shew them vnto the forbidden chamber the which he did Whereupon Florestan sayde vnto Galaor my Lord are you determined to try your selfe No answered hee for I neuer desired to prooue such enchantments I pray you then sayde Florestan to sport you whilest I haue tryed this aduenture Then commending him-selfe to God with his shield
which you haue shewed in his seruice that as long as you liue you should not cease to sing his praiseâ— declare those benefits which vpon you hee hath bestowed As for mee I will goe seeke my fortune else where So he set spurres to his horse as he departed he beheld Gandalin Durin when coÌ„ming neere them he tooke Durin by the hand and sayd vnto him Friend Durin I see my misfortune so strange and my sorrow so intollerable as of force I must die which God grant it may be without delay for death onely will giue rest and ease to this torture which vexeth mee Salute from me the Princesse Mabila and thy good sister the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom thou mayst declare my cruel death which I suffer with as great wroÌ„g as euer any knight suffered Before the which I would to God I had the meanes to doe them any seruice in recompence of the duty I doe owe them for all the good they haue done and the fauours they haue purchased for mee Then hee beganne his moane weeping so bitterly as Durin therewith had his heart so stopped with woe that hee was not able to answer one word Wherfore Amadis embraced him and committed him to God At that instant began the day to appeare when Amadis perceiuing that Gandalin followed him hee sayd vnto him if thou determinest to come with me take heede vpon thy life that thou turne me not from any thing which I shall say or doe otherwise I pray thee forthwith to turne another way that I may see thee no more Beleeue me Sir sayd Gandalin I wil do whatso euer shal please you Then Amadis deliuered him his armor to bear coÌ„manding him to pul the sword forth of his shield to cary it to the amorous knight CHAP. V. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him SEeing that it falleth out so fit I will declare vnto you before I passe any further the estate of the amorous Knight of whom wee spake euen now You must knowe that hee was called Patin brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie for there was none more neare the same then hee and the Emperour was already so olde that hee neuer hoped to haue any heire Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia named Sardamira one of the fairest Ladies in the world whom hee loued extreamely And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and torment hee endured in ouer-louing her she answered him My Lord I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee and the better to witnesse the same I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whoÌ„ I would do more then for you nor whom I would more willingly take for husband because I know your good parts and the high knight-hood wherewithall you are so famoused These speeches bred so great presumption in the heart of Paâ—in as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world hee entred into such glory that he answered hâ—â— Madame I hane heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine there to mainteine against all men that her beauty is not coÌ„parable to yours the which I alone will prooue in combate against two of the best knights that dare say the contrary whom if I cannot ouercome I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off In good faith my Lord answered the Queene I am of a contrary opinion for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee if any beauty there bee and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places Hap what may hap answered hee I will doe it for your loue to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue Hereupon continuing in this minde within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart vnto whose Court he shortly after came and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee the King thought him to be some great personage For this cause hee receiued him most honourably appointing him into a chamber to shift himselfe When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him marching with such grauity as those that beheld seeing his comely stature iudged him to bee of great courage But the King tooke him by the hand and conferring together hee sayde vnto him gentle friend I pray you thinke it not strange if I desire to know who you are because I may the more honor you in my Court It may please your Maiesty answered Patin I am not come into this countrey to hide mee but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all others I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly beseecheth you to enquire no further of my affaires vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter When the King heard that he embraced him and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him My good Cosen I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me In coÌ„ming thus to visit me in my owne countrey assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter she shall not onely be shewed vnto you but likewise the Queene and all her trayne And so long they continued their talke vntill they had couered for supper Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights as hee much marualled thereat and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his brother as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw After the tables were taken vp it being time to goe to rest the King coÌ„manded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good entertainment hee could So for that night they departed vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice after the which hee was conducted to the Ladies who receiued him curteously for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand praying him to sit betweene her her daughter Oriana whom at that instant he beheld with such an eye as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira was wholly changed vnto her beeing captiuated with her excellent beauty and goodly grace You may iudge then how he would haue esteemed her if he had
from thy 〈◊〉 â—ild 〈◊〉 answered Guillan if thou 〈◊〉 â—…forme that thou â—â—â—ggest of it were a great deale but I beleâ—â—â— thou shalt proue thy selfe a liâ—â— and so saying hâ—◠〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 Then there began 〈◊〉 on them 〈◊〉 sharpe and cruell Coâ—… 〈◊〉 without any breathing they laid at each other so fiercely that Ladâ—sin and his esquireâ— who were present did not thinke that any of them could escape the death Neuerthelesse they behaued themselues so valiantly that one could not iudge who had the best for they were expert knights hardy and exercised in armes so that knowing how to defend themselues few blowes could hurt them to the quicke Now when their battaile was at the hottest they heard the winding of a horne from the top of the tower where withall Guillan was abashed thinking it to be some new supply come to his enemy and on the other side Gâ—ndalod suspected it to bee some reuolt of the captiues which he had in his prisons And therefore either of them did their best to vanquish his enemy before the succours should come so that suddainnly Gâ—ndalod rushed vpon Guillan thinking to vnhorse him but Guillan embraced him so hard that they both fell to the ground tumbling one ouer another yet holding their swords fast in their hands but it happened so well for Guillan that he had his enemy vnder him By meanes whereof before the other could rise hee gaue him fiue or six great blowes with his sword which in such sort amazed him that from thenceforth he waxed more feeble Notwith-standing getting vp vpon his feet hee both well defended himselfe and better assailed his aduersary giuing sufficient knowledge of the little good will he wished vnto his enemy who so sorely oppressed vpon him that hee was constrained to recoile and turne his back Therefore Guillan marking where he was worst armed did hit him such a blow with his sword vpon the â—…e that â—oe quite parted it from his shoulder So 〈◊〉 with the extreame grieâ—e thereof he cast foâ—… a loude crie â—â—lyinâ—… towards the tower but Guillâ—â— ouertooke him and laide so fast holde vpon his helmet that hee pulled it from his head Then sâ—â—ting his sword to his throat hee saide vnto him Beleeue mee Sir you shall now goe to the king to present him with other heads then you determined but if you will not obey me your owne shall satisfie me Alas answered Gandalod I had rather yeelde my selfe to the mercy of the King then to die presently Where upon after hee had giuen his faith vnto Guillan they mounted on horseback and Ladasin with them At that instant they heard a great tumult within the tower and beheld one of the warders running away whoâ—â— they staied to know what the â—…ter was who told them that the prisoners had found the meanes to vnbinde themselues and to come forth of the dungeon wherein they were kept afterwards hoâ— they were armed and had already slaine the most part of his fellowes Hee had no sooner ended his speech when hee behelde some of those which he spake of ouer the gate of the tower and three or foure others which pursued a knight and seuen halberders that fled towards a wood hard by and when those which had gained their liberty perceined Guillan and Ladasin they cryed vnto them that they should kill those tratours that had scaped froÌ„ them Wherefore Guillan his cosin ran before and slew soure of them the rest â—aued theÌ„selues with their lightnes excepting onely the knight who was taken Then came the prisoners to salute Guillan whom they all knew after some talke which they had together Guillan said vnto them my Lords I cannot tarry long with you for I am constrained to goe forthwith to King Lisuart but my cosin Ladasin shal beaâ— you company vntill you haue refreshed you and afterwards I pray you to come vnto the Court to bring with you these two knights whom I deliuer into your keeping vntill king Lisuart haue taken such order for them as to his Maiestie shall seeme best and let one of you remaine here for the guard of this place vntil I haue otherwise prouided for it The which they promised him to performe thus taking leaue of them hee tooke his shield from his neck and gaue it vnto his esquires and taking the shield of Amadis as he was accustomed the teares stood in his eyes Where-withal the others being much aâ—ashed demanded of him what mooued him thus to take his shield froÌ„ his neck and place another in steed thereof with so great sorrow Ah answered he this shield belongeth to the best knight in the world theÌ„ he rehersed vnto them the manner how hee had found it with the rest of the armor of Amadis whom he had since searched for through all the countrey without hearing any newes of him wherewithall euery one of them were very sorry seating least some great mis-fortune had happened him Thus Guillan followed on his way and rode so long that without any further trouble hee ariued in the Court of king Lisuart where it was already known how Amadis had ended the aduentures of the Firme-Island gained the signorie thereof in like sorte how hee was departed from thence secretly in great anguish Neuerthelesse they knew nothing of the cause thereof except thosâ— whom I before haue tolde you of Thus Guillan entred into the hall hauing about his neck the shield of Amadis who was presently known of all the assembly wherefore they flocked about him to heare what he would say but the king was for most who demanded what neweâ— hee had of Amadis It may please your maiestie answered Guillan I knowe none neuerthelesse if it please you I will before the Queen recite how I did finde his armour sword and his shield which heeâ—… you may see Truely said the king I am very well pleased for since 〈◊〉 was her knight it is reason that 〈◊〉 first know what is become of hâ—… Saying so hee tooke Guillan by tâ—… hand led him where the Queen was Then Guillan kneeling dowâ— said vnto her weeping Madame not many daies since I found al the armour of Amadis with his shield left all alone hard by a fountaine which is called the fountain of the plaine fielde wherewithall I was so sorrowful that euen at the same instant I fastned the shield vpon 〈◊〉 trâ—e leauing in it the keeping of two Gentlewomen that were in my company vntâ—l that I had gone through the countrey to enquire where hee was become But I was neither so fortunate to finde him nor so happy to heare any 〈◊〉 of him wherefore knowing the disert of so good a knight who had neuer any desire but to imploy himselfe to doe you seruice I determined seeing I could noâ— bring him to you to bring you his armes as witnesse of the duty which I doe owe both to your Maiestie and also to him the which you may command if you please to â—ee
him because he is the knight that I haue euermore seene most valiantly to resist all extremities God grant it said Oriana but I pray you cause Don Florestan to come neere vnto vs that I may more plainely beholde him for I haue beene tolde that hee is the knight that doth most resemble your brother Amadis Whereupon Galaor called him and he came saluted Oriana who rooke him by the hand they three sate downe together Then the Princesse imagined that she did verily beholde him who beeing absent from her shee had day and night before her eyes and therefore shee began to blush and change her colour Now had Mabila in like sort withdrawn her selfe together with Olinda to giue a better occasion vnto her brother Agraies more priuately to speake vnto her and therewithall hee seeing them in a place so conuenient came and saluted them then at their request he sate downe betweene them in taking Olinda secretly by the hand And she who did languish for his loue was the gladdest that might be being sure of his constancy by the proofe which he had made passing vnder the arch of loyall louers in the Firme-Island in recompence whereof she would willingly haue giuen him better intertainement if she durst But the presence of so many witnesses took from them not onely the familiarity which otherwise they would haue giuen the one to the other but also the facility and liberty of speech so that their eyes onely serued to supply this default which they imploied therein according to the affections of their passioned harts And as they were in these pleasant tearms there was heard from the chamber as if it had been the voyce of some oppressed with grief wherfore the king would needs know who it was It may please your Maiesty answered an Esquire it is Gandalin the Dwarffe who no sooner beheld the shield and armour of Amadis but they made and yet continue the strangest lamentation that possibly may be What sayde the King is Gandalin here He is if it like your Maiesty answered Florestan It is very neere two monethes since I did finde him at the foot of the hill of Sanguin as hee was seeking his Maister and because I did tell him that I had already sought him in euery place hee was content to come with me In good faith said the King I haue alwaies esteemed Gandalin for such a one as now he sheweth himselfe to be for I did neuer see any Esquire to loue his Master better then hee doth When Oriana heard these words especially how that Gandalin was returned without Amadis she was in such a perplexity that shee was likely to haue swouned betweene Florestan his armes who not knowing the cause of her sudden passion and fearing to affright the King and the company called Mabila who forthwith doubted such a mischance Wherefore leauing Agraies alone with Olinda shee came vnto Oriana and caused her secretly to depart into her chamber and to lie downe vpon her bed where shee remained not long but that rising vp as it were almost beside her selfe shee sayd vnto Mabila Cosen you knowe that since our comming to this Cittie there hath passed neuer a day wherein wee haue not receiued â—ore displeasure Therefore I am determined to withdrawe my selfe for a certaine time vnto my Castle of Mirefleur for my heart telleth me that in changing the ayre I shall also change my afflictions and that my troubled spirit shall there finde rest Madame answered Mabila I am of the same opinion to the end that when the Damosell of Denmarke doth returne you may more priuately speake with her and pleasure him that shee I hope shall bring with her the which would be very hard yea almost impossible to doe in this place As you loue mee then sayd Oriana let vs not carry any longer for I am sure the King and Queene will very willingly giue vs leaue Now you must vnderstand that this place of Mirefleur was a little Castle most pleasantly seated two leagues from London built vpon the side of a hill and compassed vpon the one side with the Forrest and vpon the other with many Orchards full of all sorts of trees and pleasant flowers moreouer it was inuironed with many great Fountaines which watered it on all parts And because that once the King being there on hunting with the Queene seeing that his daughter tooke great pleasure in the place hee bestowed it vpon her and afterwards she caused a Nunneâ—ie to bee builded within a bow shot thereof whereunto she some-times went to recreate her selfe But that I may not degresse ouer farre from my first discourse Oriana according as she had determined came and demanded leaue of the King and Queene for her departure the which was easily granted vnto her and therefore shee purposed to depart the next day very earely in the morning And because that Galaor and his coâ—sorrs would in like sort returne to make a new search for Amadis finding the King at leasure they sayd vnto him If it please your Maiesty wee were greatly to be blamed if wee should any longer deferre the seeking of Amadis because my fellowes and I haue sworne neuer to rest in any place before wee haue heard of him therefore it may please your grace to giue vs leaue to depart to morrowe to doe our endeauours My friends answered the King I pray you deferre your departure yet a fewe daies longer in the meane season I will cause thirty knights to depart from hence who shall goe begin this voyage for I haue great neede of such knights as you are for an enterprise which is happened vnto me the which importeth me greatly both in goods and honour it is a battaile which I haue appointed against King Cildâ—dâ—â— of Ireland who is a strong and mighty Prince And to let you vnderstand the cause of this warre Cildadan hath married one of the daughters of King Abies whom Amadis slew in Gaule And although time our of minde the realme of Ireland hath euer beene tributarie vnto the King of Great Brittaine neuerthelesse to haue an occasion of quarrell this Cildadan refuseth the payment thereof and sendeth me word that he will put one hundred of his knights in battaile against the like number of mine vpon this condition that if he be ouercome he will redouble the tribute which I doe demand of him otherwise he will hence-forth remaine free and acquitted the which I haue condiscended vnto So my friends I doe most earnestly entreat you euen as you loue mee not to forsake mee in this my greatest neede knowing assuredly that my enemies are strong and determined to worke my displeasure but by your good helpe and the right that we haue we shal easily ouercome them then shall you goe seeke out Amadis as you haue determined and you shall take as many of my knights with you as you please When they heard this request which the King did make vnto them there was not
before the King and deliuered vnto him a Letter sealed with fiue seales hee said vnto him It may please your Maiesty to command this Letter to be read that you may vnderstand the cause of my comming vnto you Then the king tooke the Letter and read it and because it referred to the knights report he answered him thus Friend you may performe your charge when it shall please you Hereupon the knight rose vp and said aloude King Lesuart I defiâ— thee and all thy allies in the behalfe of the mighty Princes Famangomad Giant of the burning Lake Cartadaque his Nephew Giant of the inuincible Mountaine Mandafabull his brother in Law Gaint of the vermillian Tower Don Quedragant brother to the late deceassed King of Abies of Ireland and Arcalaus the enchaunter who doe all send thee word by me that they haue sworne the death of thee and thine And the better to accomplish this their enterprise they will all come in the aid of king Cildadan be of the number of his hundred knights who will assuredly destory thee Notwithstanding if thou wilt giue thy daughter and heire Oriana vnto the faire Madasima daughter to the most redoubted Pamaâ—gomad to serue her for her Gentlewoman they will let thee liue in peace and be thy friends for they will marry her with the Prince Bafigant who doth well deserue to be Lord both of thy Land and Daughter also Therefore King Lisuart chuse thee of these two conditions the best either peace which I aduise thee to except or the most cruell warre that may happen vnto thee hauing to doe with such mighty and redoubted Princes When the King had long giuen eare vnto him to shew that he made small account of such threats he smiling thereat answered him Trust mee Knight they that gaue thee this commission doe thinke farre amisse of me for I haue all my life time thought a dangerous warre better then a shamefull peace because I were worthy of great reprehension both of God and man being King ouer such a mighty nation if I should now through base cowardise suffer them to bee afflicted with cruelty Wherefore returne and tell them that I had rather desire all the daies of my life that warre which they do threaten me withall and in the end to die in battaile then to accord vnto a peace so much to my dishonor And because that I desire to know their mind at large I will send a Knight of mine owne with you who shall in like sort declare vnto them my whole intention and yet I know not if by their lawes all Embassadors or messengers are as free from danger with them as they are with Christian Princes If it please your Maiestie said the knight that he shal go with me I will bee his warrant and will coÌ„duct him vnto the burning lake which is in the Isle of Mongaza where they are assembled with the rest of the hundred to come and meet with you assuring you that wheresoeuer Don Quedragant abideth he will neuer suffer wrong to be done vnto any Truely answered the King hee sheweth himselfe therein to bee a noble Prince but tell mee if it please you what your name is Sir answered hee I am called Landin Nephew to Don Quedragant who am come with him to reuenge the death of King Abies of Ireland mine vnckle neuerthelesse wee could neuer yet meete with him that did slay him and further we doe not well know whether hee bee dead or not I beleeue you well answered the king and I would you did certainely know him to be liuing and that he were here for all the rest would go forward well enough I know well said Landin wherefore your grace saith so you esteeme him to be the best knight in the world neuethelesse I hope to bee in the battaile which is prepared for you and there to performe such worthy deedes of armes to your disaduantage that it may be you will change your opinion By our Lady answered the King I am sorry for that I had a great deale rather that you had a desire to remaine in my seruice notwithstanding this much I tell you that there you shall finde those that can tell how to answere you well enough And you sayde the Knight many other that will pursue you euen vnto shamefull death Wheâ— Florestan heard him speake so boldly and to the preuidence of Amadis his coller was mooued therewithall and hee saide vnto Landin Knight I am a stranger in this Countrey and none of the Kings subiects so that for any thing which you haue saide vnto him I haue no occasion to answer you chiefely because that here are present so many Knights my betters ouer whome I will not in any sort insult Neuerthelesse seeing that you cannot finde Amadis which is as I think for your great profit I am ready to fight with you and will in his stead defend the quarrel that you haue against him And to the end that you may the better know me I am his brother Florestan who doe offer vnto you the combat vpon this condition that if I can ouercome you shall be bound to giue ouer the quarrel that you haue against him and if you ouercome mee reuenge part of your anger on moe Yet thus much by the way you must not thinke it strange that I haue beene so forward in the matter for I haue no lesse cause to sustaine his quarrell against you he being absent then you haue to maintaine that of King Abies whose nephew you are being very well assured that my Lord Amadis is of power sufficient to reuenge me if Fortune permit you to haue the aduantage ouer me My Lord Florestan answered Landin so farre as I perceiue you haue a desire to fight but I cannot satisfie you at this time being in no sort at mine owne disposition as well for the affaires which by another I am appointed to discharge as also for that I did promise before my departure from those Lordes thaâ— haue called me into their company not to enterprize any matter before the Battaile that might hinder me to assist and do my best endeuour therein and therefore at this present hold me excused vntill the battaile be ended then I promise you to accept the combat which you demand and sooner I cannot intend it Beleeue me said Florestan you speake like a worthy Knight for those that haue the like charge that you now haue ought to forget and denie the fulfilling of their owne will to satisfie those from whom they are sent otherwise they might bee blamed seeing that although you should get the victory of this combat to your honour yet it might be that their be foreslowed thorow your stay and hinderance because they doe all repose themselues vpon your charge therefore I am content to defer it vntill the time that you require and because you shall not afterwards faile behold here is my gage At the same instant he threw downe his gloue and Landin
promise if you could not win mine So saying he heard that another knight cried vnto him knight keepe thee from me Wherefore he left the other and putting his Lance in the rest he clapt his spurres to his horse ran on so rightly against him that had challenged him that hee vnhorsed him euen as hee had done the first and as much did he vnto the third and fourth before his Launce did breake whose horses he caused to be taken and tyed vnto a tree Then he would haue bin gone when Enil who had seene that another knight did make him ready said vnto him Sir you haue not yet done behold the fift which which is comming towardes you Then the Faire Forlorne turned his head and did see a knight comming vnto him who brought foure Launces who being come said vnto him Sir knight my Lady Leonor hauing very well perceiued the valour that you haue shewed against her knights and knowing that your Launce is broken shee sendeth you these foure and shee prayeth you that so long as they will last not to spare them against the rest that may come to reuenge their companions I most humbly thank that good Kings daughter answered he and I pray you to tell her grace that for the honor of her I wil so long as I liue do what she shal be pleased to coÌ„mand me but I would neither stay nor come one step forwards for any of these knights that remaine so ouer proud haue I found them in constrayning mee to fight against my will when I would haue passed along on my way Herewithall hee tooke one of the Launces when very suddenly he beheld the fift knight ready to make his course against him werefore hee presently pulled downe his visor and couching his staffe he ranne against him and he did hit him with so great force that hee vnhorsed him as also all the rest not breaking his Launce but onely vpon the last who behaued himselfe better then any of the others for before the Faire Forlorâ— could ouerthrowe him he made two Launces flie to shiuers but at the third time hee made him to lose his stirrops and hee fell to the earth And because hee kept his seate better then any of his fellowes I will tell you who it was his name was Nicoran de Pont Craintif who in those dayes was one of the best runners with a Lance in all the Realme of great Brittaine After that the Fair Forlorne had thus ouerthrowne them all he sent their horses vnto the Princesse Leonor praying her to aduertise her knights that hereafter they should bee more curteous vnto those that passe by the way or else that they should learn to sit faster on horbacke then they had done for they might chance to meete with such a knight that would make them go on foote as they deserued This message did make the knights so much ashamed that they answered not one word but they were greatly abashed that they were all vnhorsed by him whom they so little esteemed neither could they once imagine what hee should bee for his armes were yet vnknowne And Nicoran said beleeue me if Amadis were liuing I would iudge that it was he and I know not any other that would so haue parted from vs. It is not he answered Galasa for he would neuer haue runne against vs that are his friends Did you not see sayd the other how he also refused the ioust Assure you it is he and no other I would it were sayd Giontes King Lisuart his Nephew our shame should then bee the lesse but whosoeuer hee be God shield him from harme The diuell goe with him answered Lasamor he hath broken my thigh and my ribbes yet was I the cause there-of being the onely procurer of mine owne hurt and the first that began the combare In this sort did the Faire forlorne escape from them went forward on his way very ioyfull for his good fortune hauing yet one of the foure Launces whole in his hand Now was it exceeding hot and he was very dry and therefore beholding an Hermitage a farre off he tooke his way thither as well to giue God thankes for his victorie as also to drinke if there were any to be had and when hee came vnto the gate thereof he found three Gentlewomens Palfrayes sadled and bridled the which two Squires did holde Then hee alighted and entered in where hee did see no body Wherefore after that hee had ended his prayers he came forth againe and hee did see the three Gentlewomen who were refreshing themselues by the side of a very shady fountaine towards whom he went and comming vnto them he saluted them They demanded if hee were any of the knights of King Lisuart Gentlewoman answered he I would I were worthy to deserue so good company but I pray you tell me which way are you going at your departure from hence The right way to Mirefleur sayd the Gentlewomen where we shall finde our Aunt who is Abbesse of the Monestary there and my Lady Oriana King Lisuart his daughter And because the weather is hot as you see wee are constrained to stay here in the coole and it were not amisse if you did as wee doe Seeing you are so pleased answered hee I am content to beare you company for me thinks this fountaine is a very fit place for one to rest in but doe you knowe how it is called No sayde they neuerthelesse there is another yet more faire in the bottome of this valley which is called the fountaine of three channels Herewithall they shewed him the place although that he did knowe it better then they for many times hee had there beene a hunting and he had already determined that the same should bee the place where Enil should finde him at his returne from London And as they were in this sorte discoursing together they perceiued vpon the same way a cart which was drawne with twelue horses and guided by two Dwarffes within the which were many armed knights inchained their shields were hanged all along the sides thereof and amongst them were Ladies Gentlewomen that cryed out wept most pitifully before whom marâ—hed a Gyant armed with plates of fine steele hauing vpon his head a maruelious bright shining helme But hee seemed to bee so great that it would haue feared any man to behold him he rode vpoÌ„ a mighty black horse holding in his right hand a Bore-speare the head whereof was more then a cubit in length and there followed behinde the cart another Gyant farre more monstrous then the first of whom the Damosels of the fountaine were so much afraid as they fled to hide them amongst the bushes At the same instant the Gyant which marched before seeing how the Ladies that were in the cart did teare the hairs from their heads for it seemed by their furious behauiours that they very willingly would haue procured their owne death sayde vnto the Dwarffes If you cause not these girles
astonished that hee thought his dayes to bee ended wherefore desiring to bee reuenged hee gaue him such another great blowe with the bill that hee cut off his eare with halfe of his face with the which he yeelded vp the ghost During all this combate the Princesse Leonor and all her company were dâ—…ly praying for the good successe of the Faire Forlorne who seeing that he was dispatched of Basigaâ—t turned vnto Famâ—ngomad who had behelde the death of his sonne for whome hee made so great moâ—e that he was likely to haue gone mad And although that hee was likewise at the point of death yet notwithstanding hee had throwne his helmet from his head holding both his hands before his wound to keepe in his blood that thereby he might prolong his life the more to blaspheme God and his saints not being sorry for his death as he said but because that he had not in his life time destroyed al the churches wherein he had neuer entred And he cryed as loud as he could Ah thou God of the christians it is thâ—n alone that hast wrought the meanes that both I and my sonne who were mighty inough to ouer-throwe one hundred of the best knights in the world are slaine by the hand of a most wretched and feeble villaine And as hee would haue proceeded in his his blasphemy the Faire Forlorne stroke off his head from his shoulders saying Receiue thy reward for all thy crâ—elties which thou hast committed against a number of people And spurning him vpon the belly with his foote hee said Now get thee vnto all the Deuils who haue long expected thy comming Then he tooke vp Basigant his Helmet and threw downe his owne which was broken Enil in like sort brought vnto him Famongomad his horse vpon the which he mounted and came both to vnbinde the prisoners and to doe his duty vnto the Princesse Leonâ—r who gaue him great thankes for his good helpe In like sort so did all the rest of the company Now had the Giants tyed all their horses at the tayle of the Cart wherefore the faire Forlorne went to seeke out the Princesse her Palfrey the which he brought and mounted her vpon the same commanding all the rest to take euery one their owne horse and to get them to London and to carrie vnto king Lisuart the bodies of the two Giants and Basigant his horse which will serue him well in the battaile against king Cildadan But the Knights answered him sir who shall wee say hath done this good for vs you shall tell the king said he that it is a strange knight who is called the faire Forlorne and you may both declare vnto him at large the cause of the combat that I had with the Giants as also the great desire that I haue to doe his Maiesty all the seruice I may whether it be against king Cildadan or any other herewithall they layed both the bodies in the Cart but they were so great that their legs trayled along vpon the ground more then sixfoore and taking leaue of the faire Forlorne they went towardes London praising God and the good knight that preferued them from death But by the way Leonor and the yong Gentlewomen that were with her forgeting their passed perill made them garlands of flours which they set vpon their heads in entring into the Citty theÌ„ the people wondring to see the Giants followed the Cart euen vnto the castle to vnderstand who had done such vallant deedeâ— of armes The â—ing did already know that his daughter was arriued and how shee brought with her two dead Giants whereford he went downe into the Court with the Queen and many knights Ladies and Gentlewomen with them to see what the matter was the which the Princesse Leonor recited vnto him together with all that you haue already heard whereat euery one wondred And euen as shee had ended her discourse in came Don Quedragant who yeelded him prisoner into the kings hands as being sent thither by the faire Forlorne the which increased in all the assistants farther desire to know him that larely had done so many knightly deeds And the king said in good faith I doe greatly meruaile what he may be but is there none of you that doe know him And it was answered him no saying that Corisanda Lady and friend to Don Florestan had found in the poore Rock as heretofore she had declared vnto many a sick knight that was named the faire Forlorne I would said the king that he were in this company beleeue mee that he should not depart from vs for any thing that hee would demand of me CHAP. XIIII How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his adututure hee went 〈◊〉 the Fountaine of the three Chanels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom bee remained eight daies together and at the same time there arriurd in the Court of King Lisuart as ancient Gentleman bringing with him two lewels of singular vertur whereby the faithfull louer from the fayned might be tried the which Amadis and Oriana determined to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neyther be knowne of the king nor any other AFter that the Princesse Leouor and her trayne had taken their leaue of the Faire Forlorne he returned towards the Gentlewomen whom hee had found hard by the fountaine who hauing seene the victory which hee had atchieued had already forsaken the bushes came to meete him Then he commanded Euil to get him to London vnto Gandalin and that during his abode there he should cause such another armor as that of his owne was to be made for him because they were all to broken and battered with the blowes that he had receiued in the former combats moteouer that he should not faile to returne vnto the fountaine of the three chanels vpon the eight day following Thus Enil departed from him and on the other side the Faire Forlorne hauing taken his leaue of the GentlewomeÌ„ rode through the Forrest and they tooke their right way to Mireflure where being arriued they declared to Oriana and Mabila the dangerous combat and glorious victory that was performed in their presence by a knight called the Faire Forlorne When Oriana knew for truth that he was so neere vnto her castle ioy and extreame pleasure accompanied with a most feruent desire entred into her immagination in such sort that vntil she had him in her armes she ne-uer lost fight of the high way that led from the Forrest by the which he was to come By this time was the Faire Forlorne alighted from his horse hard by a little Riuer staying vntill it were night for he would not be seene by any at his entring into Mireflure Then 〈◊〉 put off his Helmet and laide him downe vpon the grasse and there-withall hee began to thinke vpon the instabilitie of Fortune and vpon the miserable despaire wherein not long before he remained when with his
his passions that notwithstanding all the faint resistance that Oriana could make against him hee had that of her which he most desired tasting together of the sweete fruit which they did first sow in the Forrest at such time as Gandalin was gone to seeke for some victuals for them as you haue heard in the first booke And although that Oriana made refusal thereof at the first yet Amadis vsed her so courteously that before they departed from the place they determined to continue their sport whilst they had so good oportunity and from thenceforth not to bee in any doubt eyther of Mabila or the Damosell of Denmarke Eight whole dayes did Amadis remaine at Mirefleur with Oriana leading â—…fe as pleasantly as they could with during all the which time he was not seene of any except of those that were the meanes of his bringing thither as it hath beene tolde you for all the day long hee was close with the Ladies in the chamber and when the euening approched they came forth into the garden where often times after many amorous discourses Amadis alayed the heate of his fire by the sweete embracings of Oriana at the musick of the birds who chanting out their pleasant notes were witnesses of the pleasure that these two louers receiued vnder the shade of the little young Trees where with this place was sufficiently stored Now did Gandalin euery day go and come from London to Mireflure to bring newes from the Court so that one time amongst others hee told Amadis that the Armou which by Enil he had caused to bee made for him would bee very shortly finished Moreouer hee told him that the King was in great doubt for the battaile which he had enterprised against king Cildadan for the most part of those that hee had to deale withall were cruell Giants and without reason and therefore hee had stayed Galaor Florestan Agraies and Don Galuanes to assist him in that encounter Who said Gandalin are so angry for the famous report that is spread abroad of the Faire Forlorne to the disprayse of Amadis as if they had not already passed their promise to the king seeking not to enterprise any combat or voyage before the battaile they had beene already vpon their way to haue sought him out to fight with him and they secretly giue it out that if they doe escape aliue they will not rest vntil they haue both found him and fought with him In good faith answered Amadis they shall see me the sooner if God please but it shall be after another manner then they hope for wherefore do thou returne to the Court and learne if any thing hath since happened Herewithall Gandalin departed who went directly to London where hee found the king ready to sit downe to dinner and euen as they were taking vp the Table there entred in a very antient Gentleman attended vpon with two Esquires apparrelled both in one liuery This old mans beard was shauen and the hayre of his head was white with age who came and knceled before the king and saluting him in the Greeke tongue in which countrie he was borne hee said vnto him It may please your Maiesty the high renowne that is spread in all parts of the world of the knights Ladies and Gentle-women that are in your Court hath beene the only cause that enforced me to addresse my iourney hither to see if in the same I may finde that which this threescore yeeres I haue sought in diuerse countries farre and neere to small purpose Therefore most renowned Prince I beserch your Maiesty to be pleased that to finish my trauaile I may make a proofe of the knights Ladies and Gentle-women in this assembly the which as I thinke will neyther be hurtfull nor displeasing eyther to your Maiesty or to any other Then all the Lords that were present desired to see a thing so rare intreating the king to grant his request the which he easily condiscended vnto therewithall the ancient Gentleman tooke from one of his Esquires a little cofer of Iasper which he did carrie which was in length about three cubits and in breadth a shaftmont and it was garnished with Gold and the most curious damaske worke in the World this little cofer he opened afterward he tooke out of it a Sword so strange as the like was neuer seene the scabberd therof was made of two bright shining bones and as greene as any fine Emeraud so as the blade was to be seene through it not after the manner of other blades for the one halfe of it shewed meruailous bright and the other seemed as if it burned being as red as fire and it hanged in a Belt of the same stuffe as the scabberd was of so cunningly made that any man might easily gird it about him This Sword the Gentleman did hang about his necke that hee might likewise take out of the cofer a kercheif the one halfe where-of was be set with floures as fresh and greene as if they had beene euen then newly gathered and the other halfe was couered with other violets as withered and dry as if they had beene ten yeeres in the Sun neuerthelesse both the one the other seemed to spring from one and the selfe same roote wherewithal the king being abashed demanded of him how these things might bee If it like your maiesty answered the old man this sword cannot bee drawne forth of the scabbard but onely by that knight that amongst all louers is the most constant and that doth best loue his Lady and as soone as hee shall haue it in his hands that part which burneth shall become as cleere and bright as the rest so as the blade shall bee all of one colour In like sort if this kâ—…efe bestrewed with so many flowers be set vpon the head of such a Ladie or Gentlewoman that doth loue her husband or friend with the likePuncâ— constantnesse the withered and drie floures shall appeare againe of a most fresh and liuely colour and your Maiesty may be pleased to know that I cannot be made a Knight but by the hands of this perfect louer that shall draw forth this Sword neyther may I take armes but of her that shall deserue this pretious kercheife For this cause haue I these threescore yeeres conuinually sought in many strange Countries for those by whom I ought to receiue knight-hood but yet hitherto I haue trauailed in vaine now prosecuting my voyage in a manner for my last refuge I am come into your Court imagining that euen as it farre exceedeth the Courts of all other Emperors and kings so I might in like sort in the same find that which in all others I haue failed of I pray you saide the king let mee know the reason why the fire that remaines in the one halfe of this blade doth not burne the scabbard It may please your Maiesty answered the olde man betwixt Tartaria and India there is an arme of the Sea which is soohot
you so that none that doe see vs shall know who we are My Lord said she you know that I will obey you all my life long and that you may dispose of me at your pleasure so as I doe more feare the danger whereinto these Gentlewomen may fall if wee should be discouered then any of our owne and me thinks it were good to heare what their opinion is before we vndertake any thing Whatsoeuer shall please you Madam answered the faire Forlorne that do Then shee called Mabila and the Damosel of Denmarke who were talking with Gandalin vnto whom they declared all that you haue heard And although that vndoubtedly the danger was very great neuerthelesse the gentlewomen seeing that they whom it did neerest touch were as they thought most forward therein they would not speake that which they thought thereof and answered Oriana that in â—oth she should neuer in all her life haue the like occasion to win the most pretions Iewell in the world Well said the Princesse vnto the faire Forlorne doe then what you thinke best I will tel you answered hee how wee may goe I will answered Enil who as yet doth not know what I am to tell the King that a strange Knight with his Lady will make triall of those Iewels if it so please his Maiesty to giue them safe conduct that nothing shal be said nor done vnto them against their wil which granted I will conduct my Lady disguised in strange apparell hauing a very fine laune or cipresse before her face thorow the which she may see euery one and yet shall not she bee knowne of any and I being wholy armed with my beuer downe will leade her By my faith said Mabila your enterprise is great but I haue a garment that my mother did lately send vnto me by the Damosell of Denmarke of the rarest fashion in the world which will be fit for this purpose and if it please my Lady wee will presently try it vpon her herewithall they went for it which being brought she and the Damosell of Denmarke apparelled her there-with after so strange a manner that they all began to laugh seeing the Princesse so disguised and whatsoeuer the faira Forlorne had before determined to doe they thought might now be very easily performed Whereupon they forth-with commanded Gandalin to go buy some faire Palfrey for Oriana and that hee should not faile to bring him to the end of the Castle wall of Mirefleâ—r the night before the trial of these Iewels was to be performed and further that he should aduertise Durin to bring his horse the same euening into that place where hee first alighted when hee entred into the garden For I wil depart said he this night to goe vnto the Fountaine of the three channels where Enil is to meete mee whom I will forth-with send vnto the King to purchase out safe conduct Thus Gandalin departed who did effectually performe whatsoeuer was committed to his charge Therefore so soone as the euening was come the faire Forlorne tooke his leaue of the Ladies who brought him vnto the foote of the garden wall and sliding down on the other side he found where Durin held his horse vpon the which he mounred taking his way towards the Eorrest and about the breake of day he artiued at the fountaine where within a while after Enil came bringing with him the Armor which he had caused to bee made with the which he armed himselfe and then demanded of him what newes there was in the Court My Lord answered hee euery man there speaketh of your prowesse and there is not any one but is very desirous to be acquainted with you Then falling from one speech to another hee began to tell him the newes of the old Gentleman who had brought the Sword and the Kerchiefe Trust me said the faire Foolorne it is now foure dayes ago since a Gentlewoman aduertised mee thereof vpon this condition that I should cary her to the court to make triall of this aduenture therefore I am constrayned to go thither neuerthelesse thou knowest how much I desire not to bee yet knowne of the King nor of any other vntill my deedes do giue them further testimony of my valour then yet they haue For this cause thou must returne vnto London to tell the King that if it please him to giue security vnto a Gentlewoman and me that nothing shall be eyther said or done vnto vs against our wils we will come to make trial of the stranger his request but faile not in like sort to aduertise the Queene and her Ladies how the Gentlewoman constrayneth mee to conduct her thither according to the promise that I haue made vnto her and that otherwise I would not haue come there and after thou had fulfilled my commandement faile not in any case to returne hither the night before these Iewels must be shewed In the meane season I will goe seeke the Gentlewoman who is somewhat far from hence and according to the answere that thou shalt bring vnto vs wee will eyther go forward or return back againe Then Enil departed and the faire Forlorne tooke the way to Miresleur where hee arriued as soone as day was shut in and there he found Durin ready to receiue his horse By whose helpe hee got ouer the wall and entred into the garden where Oriana and the other gentlewomen were of whom he was most courteously entertained but when Mabila espied him comming she said vnto him what is the cause my good Cosin that you are more braue now then you were this last morning Haue you met with any good booty of 〈◊〉 You know not the meaning there of answered Oriana hee went of purpose for this faire Aâ—… thinking to escape by force from this prison wherein we kept him Is it true said Mabila if you determine to fight with vs see that you be well aduised first for you haue somewhat to do And in this 〈◊〉 iesting together they came vnto the Princesse her chamber when his supper was brought vnto him for all that day he neyther had eaten nor drunken fearing least her should haue beene discouered CHAP. XV. How the Damosell of Denmarke was sent vnto London as know what answere Enil had receiued from the King touching the safe conduct which was demanded by the faire Forlorne who did after words bring Oriana thether to prone the strange Iewels AS soone as the faire Forlorne was returned to Mirefleur he told Oriana how Enil was gone to the Court according to their determination concluded the day before Wherupon the Princesse desirous to know an answere and also to prouide all things necessary for their safety before hand shee sent the Damosell of Denmarke vnto the Queen to certify her Maiesty that because she found her selfe some-what ill at case it would please her grace to hold her excused if shee could not as yet come and do her dutie vnto her Highnesse So the Damosell departed and returned not vntill
shal lay vpon me for in him only remaineth the disposition of things to come for which cause my good friend I assure you that I will bee present in this battaile for because I would be partaker of all the good honor or hurt that may happen vnto those which shall accōpany me Greatly did Galaor like of the kings magnanimous determinations and answered him beleeue me it is not for nothing that your Maiesty is estemed the most vertuous and valiantest Prince of the world and if all kings could as well represse the counsell of those who disswade them from their haughtie enterprises none durst be once so bold as to say any thing vnto them but that which should bee for their honour and glory but now your Maiesty may bee pleased to see what Vrganda hath written vnto me Herewithall he began to reade his Letter wherein was contained this which ensueth Vnto you Don Galaor of Gaule most valiant and hardie Knight I Vrganda the Vnknowne doe send all hearty salutations as she who both loueth and esteemeth you I will that you should vnderstand that which must happen vnto you in this cruell battell betweene the two kings Lisuart and Cildadan If you be there be you sure that in the end thereof your large and strong members shall want power to assist your inuincible heart at the departure from the Combat your head shall bee in his power who with the three blowes that he shall strike shall remaine conqueror In faith said the king if the contents of the Letter be true and that you bee in this conflict you see your death prepared which should bee a great losse considering your valiant beginning in deeds of armes therefore I shall so order the matter as at this time you shall be excused from thence It may please your Maiesty answered Galaor I now do very wel perceiue that the counsell which euen now I deliuered vnto you hath displeased your Maiesty when seeing mee sound and able of body you would perswade me to a matter so greatly to my dishonour God forbid that I should herein obey you Gentle friend said the king you speake both vertuously and valiantly for the which I thanke you and for this time let vs leaue off this talke and my aduice is that none do see our Letters for it may bee they may cause some feare astonishment euen in the hearts of those that doe thinke themselues to bee most hardy and valiant By this time they were come so neere vnto the Citty that they entred vnder the gate thereof as the king looked behinde he beheld two knights armed at all points whose horses were ouer-trauelled weary and their armour all to broken in such sort that it was very easy to be perceiued that they had been at some bickering One was Brunco de Bon'Mer and the other Branfil his brother who came of purpose vnto king Lisuart to be of the number of those hundred knights which should bee in the battaile if it pleased him to accept of them But by the way Brunco had beene aduertised how the aduenture of the Sword was atchieued where-with he was meruailous displeased that he came no sooner because hee would haue tried his fortune therein as he had done vnder the Arch of loyall louers the which he had passed and for the firm and constant loue that he did beare vnto Melicia sister vnto Amadis hee did verily beleeue that no such like aduenture might escape him these two knights being come neer did their dutie vnto the king who receiued the very courteously Then said Brunco it may please your Maiesty we haue beene aduertised of a battell which you haue agreed to be executed by a few knights so much the rather ought they to be selected and chosen men For this cause if it would please your highnesse to doe vs this honor that we might be of the same number your Maiesty may bee assured that wee would bee very desirous to serue you The King who had many times beene aduertised of the prowesse of these twaine especially of the valour of Don Brunco who for a yong knight was as much esteemed as any other that might be found accepted of them very willingly and thanked them for their good will Now did not Brunco as yet know Galaor but at the same instant they entred into such acquaintance and familiarity together that vntill the Battell was finished they parted not asunder And as the king entred into his lodging Enil came before him with the head of Lindoraq which did hang by the hayre at the paitrill of his horse and he had in his hand the shield and fingers of Arcalaus the Enchanter by meanes whereof before he was come neer the Palace a great number of people did follow him to know what newes he did bring Afterwards being come into the kinges presence hee declared vnto him the message that the faire Forlorne had sent by him wherewith he was no lesse glad then amased at so many good and blessed chanses that euery day happened and proceeded from this strange knight and hee remained a great while praising extolling him without ceasing In like sort Filipinel who had been to giue defiance vnto the Giants at the same instant approched he recited the names and sirnames of those which were appointed to be in the battell of king Cildadan amongst whom there were found many strong Giants and other knights of great worth who were all embarked already and how before that foure dayes were past they would all take landing in the bay of Vega where the battell was to be foughten then hee told the king how he had found at the burning Lake which stands in the Isle of Mongasa king Arban of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux prisoners vnto Grumadaca wise vnto Famongomad who caused them to suffer infinit miseries and calamities whipping them euery day most cruelly so that their bodies were wounded all ouer and they wrote a letter vnto the king which Filipinel deliuered vnto him the tenure whereof ensueth Vnto the most high and mighty Prince Lisuart king of great Brittaine and to all our Friends and Allies within his Dominions We Arban once king of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux now detained in dolorous prison doe let you know that our misfortune more cruell then death it selfe hath brought vs into the power of the most pittilesse Grumadaca wife to Famongomad who in reuenge of the death of her Husband and Sonne doth daily cause vs to bee tortured with so many and strange torments that it is impossible to bee imagined so as euery houre wee desire the abridging of our daies that thereby we might bee released of our dolors But this mischieuous womā the more to lengthen our paine deferreth our death as much as she may the which with our owne hands we had effected but that the feare of the losse of our soules withheld vs. And for as much as we are at this
longer disswade thee And therewithall he presently went vnto his host and entreated him to giue him an armour for his Esquire who desired to bee made a knight the which he granted wherefore Enil according to the custome watched all night in the Chappell and the next morning about the breake of day after seruice was ended hee receiued the order of knighthood by the Faire Forlorne which done they all mounted on horse-back in the companie of Abradan and his two Nephewes who serued them for their Esquires In the end they arriued where king Lisuart had already ordered his battaile being ready to goe meete his enemies who stayed his comming in a plaine field but when the King beheld the Faire Forlorne hee was exceeding ioyfull and there was not any in the company whose courage was not increased at his comming Then hee approached neer vnto the king vnto whom he sayd it may please your Maiesty I am come to accomplish my promise and also I do bring another knight with me for I was aduertised that your number was not full where-withall the king gaue him most hearty thanks and although there was not any one of the hundred knights who were not all approomen and esteemed amongst the best yet king Lisuart after he had ordered his battallion seeing his enemies aproached beganne to make this Oration vnto his armie My fellowes louing friends and countriemen I am sure there is not any one amongst you who knoweth not very well how wee haue vndertaken this battaile with great right especially for the defence of the honour and reputation of the Realme of Great Brittaine which king Cildadan and those of Ireland would abase in denying vnto vs the tribute which they haue time out of minde paid vnto our predecessors for the acknowledgement of the faâ—… that in times past they haue receiued at their hands Moreouer I am throughly assured that there is not any of you all whose heart is not both valiant and inuincible for which cause there is no need thâ—… you should bee further anâ—… or incouraged against those with whom you are to encounter hauing your honor before your eyes which I knowe you doe more esteeme then an hundred liues if it were possible that so many you might haue one after another Therefore then my deere friends let vs boldly march on not respecting a small number of cruell and bloody minded Gyâ—… that are in their troupe for a man is not to be esteemed the valiâ—… by the outward appearance of his great strong and huge members but by the magnanimious couragious heart that remaineth within him you doe oftentimes behold the dogge to master the bull and the sparrow hawke or hobbie to beate the kite Our enemies trust in the force of these monsters without hauing any respect vnto the wrong that they maintaine and wee onely put our 〈◊〉 in God who being the righter of all iniuries will giue vnto vs suffcient strength to vanquish them by the dexterity of our persons our owne endeauours Let vs boldly then march on my friends euery one bearing this minde thâ—â— hee is able both to combate and conquer the proudest of their troupe assuring you it this day we gaine the honour of the battaile that besides the honour and glory that shal be spread of vs thorow the whole world neuer enemy to great Brittaine dare once hereafter be so bold as to lift vp his head to doe vs the least iniury that may bee Thus did king Lisuart incourage his knights and king Cildadan on the other side did the like vnto his for he went from ranke to ranke to animate them saying vnto them Gentle knights of Ireland if you vnderstand vpon what occasion you goe to fight there is not one of you that will not blame his predecessor for being so slacke in the vndertaking of so glorious an enterprise The kings of Great Brittaine Vsurpers and Tyrants not onely towardes their subiects but also vpon their neighbours haue heretofore without any right exacted vpon their ancestors such a tribute as is very well known hath often beene payd and for this cause wee haue made this assembly and are come vnto this place to defend our liberty which cannot bee paid by any treasure It is your cause it is your right and not yours onely but your childrens who vntill this present time haue beene held and reputed by those whom you see determined likewise to make you seruants and slaues Will you then alwayes liue in this sort Will you continue this yoake vnto your successors are you of lesse courage or of lesse substance then your neighbours Ah if wee are conquerours they shall restore that which they haue had of vs. I am very sure that Fortune doth fauour vs for you see what men of worth are come vnto our ayde knowing our great right Let vs resist them let vs resist them valiant knights I see King Lisuart and his troupe now in feare ready to turne their backs vnto vs. They are as they say accustomed to vanquish but wee will reach them to accustome themselues to be vanquished One thing I would aduise you that euery one helpe his fellow keeping you as close together as possibly you may And longer would hee haue continued his Oration if hee had not seene King Lisuart prepared to ioyne with him Wherefore he retyred into the midst of his squadron and sayd very loud Now haue at them since they will eate giue them cold iron enough At this cry euery man prepared to receiue his enemy shewing by their countenance that they were men most hardy and couragious And formost of all did march the Faire Forlarne accompanied with Enil as also Galaor Florestan Agraies Gandalac the Gyant who stole Galaor away â—…en he was buâ— two yeares olde and his two sons Bramandill and Gainus whom Galaor had newly made knights After them Nicoran de Pont Craintif Dragonis Palomir Viuorant Giontes Nephew to the King the most renowmed Brunniâ— de Bonne Mer his brother Branfill and Guillan the Penfif who all marched after old Grumedan a knight of honour belonging to the Queene who carried King Lisuart his standard On King Cildadan his side the Gyants made the front of the battaile with twenty knights all neere a kinne vnto the King who like a prouident Generall appointed that Mandafabull the Gyant of the Isle of the VermillioÌ„ Tower should remayne vpon the top of a little hill with ten of the best knights in their troupe coÌ„manding them not to stir from thence vntill they should perceiue assuredly toward the end of the battell that the most valiant knights of Knig Lisuarte side should be scattered and weary and that then they should rush in vpon them without spearing any man sauing the Kings person Whom they should take prisoner and if they should perceiue any great resistance to be made they should kill him if they could not carry him vnto their ships Thus the two battailes approched so neere one to
of his knights he alwaies serued him faithfully neuer forsaking him for any warre or debate that happened betweene his maiesty Amadis as hereafter shall bee rehearsed vnto you But the King desirous to manifest the force of his vertue the better to comfort his knights all wounded as hee was lighted from his horse to imbrace Amadis who kneeled down to shew his duty vnto his Maiesty My deere friend sayd king Lisuart you are most happily met I know now very well that without your ayde the realme of Great Brittaine had beene in no small danger and I pray you be not so heauy for the losse of your brother seeing that the Damosels haue assured you of his health In this sorte want king 〈◊〉 comforting of Amadis whom hee caused to mount on horse-backe and afterwards hee brought him into his tent where there was brought somewhat for them to eat because he would depart the next day he appointed ouer night that the dead should bee buried in a Monestarie hard by the place where the battaile was giuen vppon the which place hee had bestowed great riches to cause them to pray for him In like sort hee dispatched a knight to goe in haste to aduertise the Queene of the victory that hee had gotten ouer his enemies and the next morning he tooke his way toward the Câ—â—y of Gonata which was about foure leagues off where hee remayned vntill he and his people were â—ealed While these things were iâ— doing the Queene Brialâ—… got leaue of Queene Brisena that she might goe to Mirefleur to visit Oriana hauing a great desire to see her because she was renowned through all the world for her most excellent beauty Of whose comming Oriana being aduertised she caused the place to bee decked vp as well as possibly it might be and she receiued her most honorably but when she beheld her to beâ—â—â— faire the suspition that shee had conceiued against Amadis was not so thoroughly mortified but that it somewhat reuiued againe in her notwithstanding all the proof that she had had of him eyther by his passing thorough the Arch of loyall louers or by his winning of the olde mans sworde beleeuing assuredly that it was a thing impossible that any man could be so constant as hee might forbe are from louing a creature so beautifull as Briolania was On the other side Briolania verily thought that the often sighes of Amadis in her presence proceeded of no other cause but the affection which hee did beare vnto Oriana for shee was the most rare Princesse and of the sweetest grace that euer shee had seene Thus were these two Ladies suspitious one of another and they remayned together discoursing of diuerse matters agreeable to their affections especially of the vertues and perfections of Amadis But Oriana the better to diue into the thought of Briolania sayde vnto her I doe much maruaile gentle Cosen considering the bond wherein you are tyed vnto Amadis as also seeing that hee is decsended from Emperours and the sonne vnto the king of Gaule that you haue not chosen him for your husband Madame answered Briolania beleeue me I should haue thought my self most happy if the same might haue beene brought to passe but yet of one thing I can assure you the which I pray you to keepe as secret as it deserueth Many times did I motion such a matter vnto him but his continuall sighes did presently yeelde me an answere in his behalfe yet could I neuer vnderstand in what place his loue was so setled so couert and secret is hee in all his affections neuerthelesse let him be whatsoeuer hee will be he shall dispose of me and all that mine is for euer as he shall thinke good Exceeding glad was Oriana to vnderstand these newes by the which shee appeased her new conceiued iealousie against Amadis and sayd vnto Briolania I doe greatly maruaile what shee is whom hee loueth as you say and there is no doubt but that he is 〈◊〉 of the number of these louers by the testimony which the image of the enchanted Arch hath declared of him for according vnto that which hath been recited vnto me it shewed more for him then euer it did for any that there before had passed He loueth without doubt answered Briolania but it is so secret that non may knowe what or where she is In this sort did the two Princesses passe away their time still talking of Amadis during their aboad in the Castle of Mirefleur from whence within a fewe dayes after they departed to go towards Fenusa to see the Queene Brifena where she stayed for King Lisuart who was very glad to see her daugter returne in so good health There they had newes of the victory that the King had against the Prince of Ireland where with their ioy redoubled and God was highly praised but when Queen Briolania knew that he which was called the Faire Forlorne was Amadis of Gaul neuer was there woman more ioyful then she And although that Oriana and Mabila knew the cause thereof very well as you haue heard yet did they dissemble the matter and seemed to wonder thereat no lesse then the rest by meanes whereof Briolania did often times say thus vnto them would you euer haue suspected that Amadis would haue thus disguised himselfe taken a strange name amongst his deerest friends desiring thereby to extinguish his owne renowne by the great prowesse that hee performed vnder the title of a stranger By my faith answered Oriana if hee returne with the King wee must know of him wherefore hee did it and also what shee was that gained the kerchiefe with him I assure you said Briolania that we will not â—â—icke to demand it of him and I beleeue he will willingly tell vs. CHAP. XVII How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to themselues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower inuironed with the Sea and the other in a garden inclosed with high wals where they thought they had beene in prison and of that which happened there vnto them NOw wee will rehearse vnto you the entertaynement that was made vnto King Cildadan and Galaor whom the Gentlewomen had put into the ship and they were carried and so well looked vnto that the third day following they began to amend for vntill then they had lost all manner of feeling and remembrance And Galaor found himselfe to bee layd in a chamber within a garden furnished in the most sumptuous order that euer he had seene the which was supported vp with foure Marble pillers inuironed notwithstanding with great gates of iron through the which he might easily see from his bed where hee lay all the circuit of the garden the which was closed about with high walles not hauing any entrance into it but one little dore couered ouer with plates of iron whereby he thought that hee was in prison Then did he begin to feele such great griefe in his wounds that
together with the Queen in the church and so soone as seruice was ended the King came vato Vrganda and bid her good morrow and shee after her duty done vnto his Maiestie saide that if it were his pleasure to cause the Knights and Ladies in his Court to assemble together that before her departure which should bee very shortly shee would declare something before them that shold happen vnto him heereupon the King appointed a large hall to bee made ready in the which the next morning a great number of Lords and Ladies were come Then Vrganda beeing in the midst of them all addressing her speech vnto the King shee saide vnto him Seeing that your Maiestie hath kept the letters which I did write vnto you and Galaor presently after the Fair Forlorne had obtained the burning sword and the Damosell she kencheife with flowres it may please you now to cause them to be read that euery one may plainely know that I am not ignorant of things before they happen Heereupon hee sent for them and they were read before al the assistance whereby it plainely appeared that shee had wholly foretold the manner of the battaile euen as it happened out and they all greatly wondred thereat especially at the stout heart of the King that would be in a battaile so dangerous when hee was before hand threantned so rigorously by his letter In like sort was it certainly known that the Faire Forlorne had been the cause of the victory by the three blowes that hee gaue The first when he cast King Cildadan at Galaors feet the second in killing Sarmadan the Leonnois and the third when hee succoured the king whom the stout Mandafabul of the virmillion tower did carry vnto his ships whose arme hee cut off close by the elbow which was the cause of his present death And in like sort that which she had said of Galaor was come to passe for his head was certainly at the mercy of the Faire Forlorue at that time when the Damosels demanded to carry him away But now said Vrganda I will tell you in order that which must happen great contention shall arise between the mighty serpent the strong Lion which shall be aided by many cruell beasts they shall come with such fury that a great numder of them shall suffer most cruel death The subtill Roman foxe shall bee wounded with the clawes of the strong Lyon and his skin shall be cruelly torne wherewith the mighty serpent shall bee brought into wonderfull perplexitie In this time the meâ—ke sheepe couered with blacke wooll shall come into the midst of them who by his great humilitie and pittifull bleatings shal pacifie the pride and fiercenesse of their courages causing them to depart one from the other but presently the starued wolues shall discend from the steepe mountaines against the mighty serpent who being by them put to fight with a great part of his traine shall bee closed vp in one of his dens The tender licorne putting his mouth to the eare of the fierce Lion shall awake him out of his sound sleepe with his loud crye making him afterwards to take part of his beasts with the which hee shall speedily goe to the succour of the mighty serpent whom they shall finde so bitten and wounded by these starued wolues that his blood shall bee aboundantly shed vpon the earth at the same time shall he be deliuered from the teeth of the wolues and they be cut in pieces Then the life of the mighty serpent being restored leauing within his den all the poyson of his entrails he shall bee contented to put him-selfe betweene the clawes of the strong Lyon and the white hind who in the dreadfull Forrest did lift vp her greeues to Heauen shall bee taken from thence and called home againe Wherefore noble King may it please your Maiestie to cause this to bee written which before all this company I haue vttered for there is no doubt but all this shall come to passe I will so doe answered hee seeing it pleaseth you but I beleeue there is not any of vs that at the present vnderstands this prophesie Assure you saide shee that a time will come when it shall be manifested vnto all of you So saying she cast her eies vpon Amadis whom she perceiued to be maruailous pensiue and said vnto him My Lord Amadis you muse vpon that which cannot auaile you wherefore expel this fancy from your minde and harken vnto a match that you shall make wherein you shall get little gaine At such time as you shal be wounded to death in the defence of anothers life the smart being yours and the profit his the recompence that you shall reape thereby shall be a wonderfull discontent and a banishnsent from that whereunto you shall most desire to approach Then shall your good rich and sharpe Sword so bruise your bones and in so many places wound your flesh that with the losse of your blood you shall become very feeble and moreouer you shall bee so sharpely pursued that if halfe the world were yours you would giue it that your sword were cast into the bottom of some deepe lake from whence it could neuer be taken forth againe therefore bethinke you of your destiny which shall be such as I haue foretold you Amadis seeing that euery one had their eyes fixed vpon him looked vp with a Imiling countenance and answered Vrganda Madame by the things that are already come to passe wherof you foretold vs we may wel credit and beleeue that which now you tell vs and knowing that I am mortal I am very sure that my life shall not be prolonged one minute longer then it pleaseth God and therfore whilst I may I will endeauour to gaine some reputation rather then seeke to conserue my life Notwithstanding if any perill were to be doubted I should haue more occasion to feare those that doe hourely happen vnto mee then such as are hidden yet to come I know well said Vrganda that it is more easie to draw the Sea drie then afright your vndaunted and magnanimious courage with any further dread of danger And because if it please your Maiesty said shee to the king that I must presently take my leaue of you remember I beseech you what I haue aduertised you of before this great and honourable company as shee that desireth the honour and profit of your Maiesty and stop your eares henceforth from those whose words you shall know to be vniust and peruerse Herewith all she arose from her place and al the company in like fort and shortly after she tooke leaue of the King and of the rest of his court which done she returned into her galley accompanied onely with the foure knights that had conducted her to the Court who hauing seene her embarked returned backe to the Citty but they had no sooner turned their backs when a thicke and great Cloude so ouershaddowed the ship that presently they lost the sight
Mabila sayd vnto her Madame come see how God hath holpē vs Ardan without doubt is ouer-come The great ioy which Oriana receiued at these newes made her suddenly to start vp and looking out of the window shee perceiued how Amadis had stroken his enemy so mighty a blow vpon the shoulder that hee separated it from his necke wherewith he felt such anguish that hee turned his backe but hee ran not farre before Amadis stroke him againe and he pursued him so sharpely as that hee made him recoyle backe euen to the top of a Rocke against the which the Sea did beat so that he could goe no farther Then was Ardā Canila brought between two extreamities for on the one side the deepe and vnmercifull waues set before his eyes his vnhappy end on the other side hee perceiued the sharpe sword of his enemy which did no lesse terrifie him Who pursued him so close that he pulled his helmet from his head and lifting vp his arme hee wounded him most cruelly so that hee fell from the top of the Rocke downe into the Sea and was ne-uer after seene For the which many praised God especiall king Arban of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux because they had seen Amadis in such daunger that they greatly stood in feare of his safety Heerewithall Amadis wiping his sword did put it vp into his scabbard and came whereas the King and the other knights were who in great triumph brought him into his lodging and the more to honour him hee was led between those whom hee had deliuered frō cruell prison that is to say by Arban King of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux And because they were leane pale and almost spent as well with the euill vsage which they had receiued during their imprisonment as also with the griefe and melancholly that they had taken Amadis was desirous that they should lodge in his chamber where they were so well tended and dyeted by the aid of expert Physitions and cunning Surgeons that they did shortly after recouer their health as by the sequell of our History you may vnderstand CHAP. XX. How Brunco de Bonne Mer did fight with Madamaine the ambitions brother to the Damosell iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause hee and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court. THe next day after the combate was ended between Amadis and Ardan as hath beene related heretofore the iniurious Damosell came and presented herselfe before the king beseeching his Maiesty to send him that should fight with her brother whom according vnto promise shee had caused to come thither For sayd the Damosell although my brother be conquerour and cannot take that reuenge of his enemies as the friends of Ardan may rest satisfied for his death yet will it bee some small comforth vnto them notwithstanding Now Brunco was there present who without making stay answered to the rash speeches of the foolish woman said vnto the the King If it like your Maiesty I am the man she speaketh of and seeing that her brother is come hither as shee saith if it be your pleasure and his will wee shall quickly know if hee be such a gallant as hee vaunteth Vnto the which the King condiscended Wherefore they both went immediatly to arme them and anon after they entred into the field whither they were accompanied with certaine knights their friends They beeing then in the place assigned for that purpose the Trumpets sounded to warne them to begin the combate Forthwith they charged their Launces and setting spurres to their horses they ranne the one against the other such force that their Launces flew into shiuers encountring each other with their shieldes and bodies Madamain lost his stirrops and was vnhorsed Brunco wounded in the left side Notwithstanding so soone as hee had finished his carreer hee turned himselfe to his enemy and saw that he had already recouered his feet and held his sword in his hand in a readines to defend himselfe but as Brunco drew neere to charge him he sayd to him Sir knight alight or else assure you that I will kill your horse Truely sayd Brunco at your choyce bee it for it is all one to me to ouercome you on foote or on horsebacke When Madamain saw that his wish came to a good end being as he thouhgt stronger then his enemy who was but little and himselfe in a manner a Gyant he was most glad thereof and sayd to Brunco It were better for you to alight and then you should soon make profe whether you were able to effect that which you make brags of well quoth Brunco so withdrawing himselfe he alighted left his horse then he tooke his shield set hand to his sword approaching vnto Madamain who like a valiant stout knight receiued him coragiously They began to lay on load the one at the other both of thē pretending to get the victory which was the cause that neither shield nor armour of how good temper soeuer was able to withstand their blowes for they hacked them to peeces so that the field in many places was couered with peeces of their shields Now if the knights did assaile one another with great hardinesse their horses did no lesse for they set vppon one another and with their feete and teeth fighting together they did ioyne in such sort that the most part of the lookers on were more intentiue to the combate of the beasts then the fight of the knights Notwithstanding Madamain his horse in the ende had the worse being constrained to leape ouer the barriers and to run away This gaue a great presumption to euery man to imagine that Brunco should obtaine the victory and so it fell out for hee pursued Madamain so neere and brought him to that extreamity that being almost out of breath he sayd vnto Brunco I doe beleeue considering the rage thou art in that thou imaginest the day will not bee long enough to end our quarrell Howbeit if thou doest consider that thy armour is almost vnriuited thou shalt finde that it were better for thee to rest thy selfe then to assaile mee so vndiscreetly as thou doest and therefore I being vnwilling to vse thee so rigourously as thou deseruest I am content to giue thee leaue to take breath that we may afterwards begin the fight more hotly then before Brunco answered thou declarest in plaine tearmes that which is needfull for thy selfe Wherefore I pray thee as lustie as thou art not to spare mee a whit Art thou ignorant of the occasion of our combate Knowest thou not that either thy head or mine must cease this strife I doe assure thee that I am no more determined to listen vnto thy preaching wherefore if thou determine not to dy presently looke to thine owne defence better then thou hast done here-tofore Immediately without any further disputations hee assailed Madamain afresh
thinking that hee had not marked the coūtenance which the King shewed vnto them aduertised him thereof There is no cause answered Amadis that you should take it in ill part seeing that very often a man is intentiue vnto some thing whereon his minde is set that hee taketh no heed vnto that which others doe it may be that the king mused vppon some other matter when wee saluted him therefore let vs returne and speake vnto his Maiesty for that which Galuanes entreated vs. Here withall they approached vnto him and Amadis sayde vnto the King Although if it please your Maiestie that I haue not here-tofore done you that seruice that I desire yet haue I presumed trusting in your good bounty to request one gift of your highnesse which can not but turne greatly to your honour moreouer you shall binde those vnto your Maiestie whom you may pleasure with your gacious grant At this time was Gandandel present who playing the hypocrite as he was accustomed very malapertly took vpon him to speake and answered Amadis Truly if it bee so as you say the King ought not to denie your sute If it like your highnesse saide Amadis the gift which I and my fellowes here present do besech your high-to grant vnto vs is that it would please you to bestow vpon the Lord Galuanes the Isle of Mongaza for the which he shall yeeld you fealty and homage in marying with Madasima by the which fauour your grace shall both aduance a poore Prince and extend your pitty vnto one of the fairest Gentle-women in the world When Brocadan and Gandandel heard this demand they looked vpon the King making a signe vnto him that hee should not grant it to them Yet ne-uerthelesse it was a great while before hee spake considering the deserts of Don Galuanes and the seruices which hee had receiued of him in many places especially how that Amadis had conquered with the price of his blood the land which he required for another ne-uerthelesse hee gaue no eare vnto him although by verture hee was bounden to condiscend vnto a request so resonable yet hee thus answered Amadis That man is ill aduised who requesteth a thing that cannot bee granted I speake this because of you my Lord Amadis who doe entreate mee for that which within these fiue dayes I haue bestowed as a gift vpon my youngest daughter Leonor This excuse had the King fayned of set purpose to refuse Galuanes whereupon Amadis who was greatly discontented with the slender entertainment that he shewed vnto them knowing that this was but an excuse hee could not so much command him-selfe as to hold his peace but that he said vnto the King Your Maiestie doth very well manifest that the seruices which for you we haue done haue beene little pleasing vnto you and lesse profitable for vs. And therefore if these my companions will bee ruled by me wee will hence-forth bethinke vs what to doe Beleeue me my Nephew answered Galuanes you say true and those seruices are very ill imployed which are done vnto those that haue no desire to acknowledge them and therefore euery man of courage ought to beware for whom he aduenture him-selfe My Lords answered Amadis blame not the King for nor granting that which hee hath promised vnto another and let vs onely entreat him that he will be pleased to permit that Galuanes may marry with Madasima And if he grant this fauour I will giue vnto him the Firme-Island Madasima answered the King is my prisoner and if she deliuer not vnto mee the land which she hath promised me shee shall lose her head before the moneth be past By my faith saide Amadis had your Maiestie answered vs more kindly you had done vs no wrong at all if at the least you had a desire in any sort to thinke well of vs. If my entertainement like you not answered the King the world is large enough to finde out some other that may vse you better Truely this word hardly digested turned afterward into a greater consequence then the King thought it would who perceiued shortly after by Brocadan and his companion how hurtfull a thing hatefull and vncourteous speech is as the forgetting of good and his honour is oftentimes the ouerthrow both of a king and realm Amadis was so displeased with this farewell that he said vnto the king If it like your Maiesty I haue hitherto thought that there was neither King nor Prince in the world more indued with vertuous and honourable qualities then you ne-uerthelesse we now by proofe perceiue the contrary Therefore seeing you haue changed your ancient good custome by the aduise of some latter bad counsell wee will goe seeke out another manner of life Do answered the king what you will for you know my minde Saying so hee rose vp in a great rage and went vnto the Queene vnto whom he imparted the whole discourse that he had with Amadis and his companions and how hee was dispatched of them where-with hee was very glad I am in great doubt said the Queene least this your pleasure doe not hereafter turne you to displeasure for you are not ignorant from the first day that Amadis and his confederats entred into your seruice how your affaires haue alwaies prospered better and better so as if you consider that which they haue done for you you shall finde that they haue deserued no such answere as you haue made vnto them Besides when it shall bee manifest vnto others what they both haue done and can doe and the little account you doe make of them for their deserts they may hereafter hope for no better at your handes and therefore will they desist to employ themselues for you reputing them fooles that shall do but the least seruice for so vngratefull a man Tell mee no more of it said the king for it is done but if they make their complaint vnto you tel them that long since I haue giuen that land which they required of me to our daughter Leonor as I did tell them I will doe it answered the Queene seeing it is your pleasure and God grant that all may turne to the best But you must vnderstand that after Amadis and those in his company had seene in what sort the King had left them they went forth of the Palace and as they went to their lodging they concluded to say nothing thereof vnto their friends vntill the next morning against which time they would pray them all to meete together and that then they would take counsell what was best to be done And at the same instant Amadis sent Durin to tell the Princesse Mabila that he would if it were possible the night following speake with Oriana about some matter of importance newly fallen out In this sort the day passed and the night approched being alreadie apparrelled in his sable weede wherefore at such time as euery one was in their soundest sleepe Amadis called Gandalin and came vnto that place by the which
hee commonly entred into the chamber of Oriana who stayed for him according to the message which shee had receiued by Durin where being arriued without acquainting her at the first with any thing that might displease her after they had a little while discoursed pleasantly together Mabila the Damosell of Denmark who were desirous to sleep or it may be not being able to endure that heat where-with loue did pricke them seeing the kissings embracings where-with these two louers entertained one another sayd vnto them the bed is bigge enough for you two and the darknesse fit for your desires it is now late lie you downe if it please you and afterwardes talke together as much as you wil. Madame said Amadis vnto Oriana by my faith their counsell is very good It is best for vs then to beleeue them answered shee and therewithall hauing nothing vpon her but a cloake cast about her she had quickly gotten her in between a paire of sheets and as shee layd her downe close in her bed hee lent so neere vnto her ouer the beds side that after the curtains were drawne not to encrease his passion but to redouble his pleasure a wax taper being onely lighted vp in the chamber they began to kisse and embrace each other so incessantly that remaining in this great ease their spirits entertained a double delight by the sweet sollace which their metamorphosed soules did mutially receiue from the outward parts of their lippes being brought at the same instant into such an extasie that they were thereby vnable to speake one worde vntill the Damosell of Denmarke thinking that Amadis had beene asleepe pulled him by the garment saying My Lord you may lightly take colde get you into the bed if it please you With this waking as it were forth of a sound sleepe hee fetched a deepe sigh Alas deare loue sayd the Princesse should you not be as well at your ease if you were laid downe in the bed by mee as to take so much paine and hurt your selfe Madame answered he seeing it pleaseth you so to command me I will not make it daintie to straine a little curtesie with you No sooner had hee sayde these wordes but that hee threwe him-selfe starke naked betweene the Princesse her armes then begunne they againe their amorous sports performing with cōtentment that thing which euery one in the like delight doth most desire after-wardes they began to conferre of diuers matters vntill that Oriana demāded of him wherefore he had sent her word by Durin that he had somewhat of great importance to tell her Madam answered he I wil declare it vnto you seing that you desire to know it although I am sure it will be both strange grieuous vnto you neuertheles I must of necessity aduertise you thereof because it is of so great cōsequēce You must vnderstand therefore Madame that the King your father yesterday did speake vnto Agraies Galuanes me in such discurteous sort that thereby we wel perceiued little good hee wisheth vs afterwards he recited vnto her word by word of all that had happened how in the end the king rising vp in a great rage told them that the worlde was large enough for them to goe seeke some other place where they might bee better requited then of him And for this cause Madame sayde Amadis wee must of force doe what hee hath commaunded otherwise wee should greatly preiudice our honours remaining against his wil in his seruice seeing that he might presume that wee had no other place to goe vnto where we might be entertained therefore I beseech you not to be offended if in obeying him I am constrained to leaue you for a season You know what power you haue ouer mee and that I am as much yours as you can wish more-ouer I know very well that if I should gaine any bad reputation you are she that would bee most offended therewith so much am I sure that you doe loue and esteeme mee which maketh mee againe to entreate you to allow of my departure and to giue mee leaue vsing your accustomed constancy and vertue Alas answered shee my deere loue what doe you tell me Madame if it please God the King heereafter will acknowledge the wrong that he hath done vnto vs and I shall bee as well wel-come vnto him as euer I haue bin Gentle friend answered the Princesse you do much amisse to complaine of my father for if he hath receiued any good from you it was for my loue by the commandement that I gaue vnto you and not for his sake for I alone did bring you hither and was the cause that you remained with him And therefore it is not hee that must recompence you but I vnto whom you belong It is very true that hee hath alwaies thought otherwise for which hee is the more to bee blamed for answering you so vndiscreetly And although that your departure is the most grieuous thing that could happen to me being a matter of constraint I am content to fortifie my selfe and to prefer reason before the delights and pleasures which I receiue by your presence Therefore will I frame my will to your liking because I am sure that in what place soeuer you shall bee your heart which is mine shall remaine with mee as pledge of the power which you haue giuen me ouer your selfe and yet moreouer my father in losing you shall know by those few that he shall haue left what he hath lost by you Madame said Amadis the fauour which you shew vnto me is so great that I esteeme it no lesse then the redemption of mine owne life For you know that euery vertuous man ought to haue his honour in such estimation that hee ought to preferre it before his owne life In like sort Madam seeing that to conserue it I must of force depart from you doe thus much if it please you for mee as during my absēce to let me heare very often from you And to hold mee alwaies in your good fauour as he who was neuer borne but only to obay and serue you And truely whosoeuer had seene the Princesse then when Amadis took this sorrowfull farwell he might easily haue bin witnes of the passiō which she indured Neuerthelesse Amadis seeing the day constrained him to depart in kissing her sweetly hee rose vp leauing her so ful of sorrow heauines that although shee dissembled as well as shee could this her extreame greefe yet had shee not so much power ouer her selfe but that shee awaked Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke with her loud sighes who thinking her to bee taken with some new disease came hastily vnto her and found that Amadis was already apparrelled Then they demanded of him what moued Oriana in such extreame sort to complaine Amadis tolde them the whole discourse in what sort hee was constrained to forsake the court and the seruice of the king wherefore my louing friends said he I pray you to
go comfort my Lady Which said he tooke his leaue of them and departed leauing al the three Ladies accompanied onely with sorrow and extreame passion Now you must know that so soon as Agraies and Galuanes were come vnto Amadis his lodging they sent vnto all their friends particularly to intreate them to meet there the next morning the which they accordingly performed then they went altogether to the Church to heare seruice at their returne from whence they all walking in a great field Amadis began to speake vnto them in this manner My Lords because that some one may wrongfully blame my Lord Galuanes Agraies me some others here present for leauing the king his seruice as wee are determined to do they and I haue thought good to let you vnderstand what is the occasion thereof I beleeue that there is not any in this company that knoweth not whether since our arriuall in great Brittaine the authority of a Prince bee increased or diminished Wherfore without spending the time in rehearsing the seruices which wee haue done vnto him for the which we had great hope to haue receiued besides his good will a great reward I will declare vnto you particularly with what ingratitude he vsed vs yesterday eueÌ„ as fortune which is mutable inconstant doth often times ouerthrow all things so hath hee changed his conditions eyther by some bad counsaile which he hath receiued or for some sleight occasion wherof we are ignorant But this much I am sure that my Lord Galuanes did desire vs to bee a meanes for him vnto his Maiesty not past eight or ten daies since that hee would bee pleased to permit him to marry with Madasima and in so doing to suffer him likewise to inioy her lands vpon this condition that he should hold them of him and of his Crowne by fealty and homage the which wee promised to performe By meanes wherof so soone as I was able to goe I and others in this company did make this request vnto him but he with-out any regard eyther vnto vs that were sutors or vnto him for whom we sued who is as euery on knoweth brother vnto the King of Scotland as valiant and hardy a knight as possible may be such a one as in the late battell against king Cildadan hath not spared his life but hath done as much as any other that was there he hath not only refused our requests but also giuen vs such iniurious words as were far vnfit and vnworthy such a king And notwithstanding at the beginning wee made small account thereof vntill hee said vnto vs all as we shewed vnto him some reasons for our request that we shold goe seeke else where for such a one as would acknowledge and better esteeme of vs then he did and that the world was wide enough with-out importuning him any further Therefore my fellows and friends since that being in his seruice wee haue beene euer dutifull vnto him so for my part I am yet very well content in this case not to displease him and to get mee forth of his countrie But because it seemeth vnto mee that this his licence to depart doth not onely touch mee and those vnto whom hee spake but all others who are none of his subiects I thought it good to acquaint you therewith to the end that you might bethinke what to doc Much were these Knights amased at the words of Amadis considering that if the great seruises of him and his brethren were so badly requited that very hardly would that little which they had done be recompensed Wherefore they determined to forsake the King and to go seeke their fortune else-where especially Angriotta de Estranaux who to draw the rest vnto his opinion and to follow Amadis hee began to say with a loude voyce My Lords it is yet no long time since I knew the King and for that little acquaintance that I haue had with him I did neuer see a Prince more wise vertuous and temperate then he hath bin in his affaires wherefore I doubt mee greatly that this which hee hath done vnto Amadis and to these Lords present proceedeth nor of his own fancy but he hath bin incited thereunto by some wicked malicious persoÌ„ who hath perswaded him to vse theÌ„ in that sort And because that for these eighteene daies I haue seen Gandandel Brocadan very often consulting with him and that so he hath been more priuat with them then any other I feare me that they are the men that haue bin the chiefe workers of this mischiefe for I haue known theÌ„ of long time for the most malicious persons in all the world Therefore I am determined euen this day to demand the combat against them and to maintain that fasly and wickedly they haue set discord betweene the king and Amadis and if they will make excuse because of their age they haue each of them a sonne which of long time haue borne Armes against whom I alone will fight if they dare bee so bolde to maintaine the reason of their wicked parents Ah my Lord Angriotta answered Amadis I should bee very sorry that you should hazard your body in a matter so vncertaine By my faith answered Angriotta I am very sure thereof and I haue perceiued it of long time so that if the king would bee pleased to tell but what hee knoweth hee would affirme them to be such as I say I pray you Gentle friend said Amadis deferre it yet for this time to the end that the king may haue no cause to bee discontented for if those whom you speake of who haue alwaies shewed to mee a friendly countenance haue beene so malicious as to play false play behinde my backe assure you that at length their wickednes shall bee discouered and their desert recompensed then shall you haue reason to accuse them Well answered Augriotta although this is against my will yet I am content to deferre it but beleeue mee that heereafter I shall both complaine and bee reuenged of them well enough For the rest my good friends saide Amadis if it pleased the King and Queene to vouchsase to see mee I am determined to goe forthwith and take my leaue of them and so to retire vnto the Firme-Island in hope that those which will follow mee shall wholly bee pertakers with mee in all the good and pleasure which there I shall haue And as you doc know the Coâ—â—trey is pleasant and wealthy full of faire women store of forrests and many riuers fit for hauking furthermore diuers as well of our acquaintance as of strangers wil come and visit vs besides in our neede if we shall want any aide and that king Lisuart will attempt any enterprise against vs we shall bee supported by my father from the Countrey of little Brittaine and from Scotland especially from the Realm of Sobradisa the which the Queene Briolania will wholly yeelde into our hands at all times when wee shall please Seeing that you
are in these tearmes answered Quedragant now may you know those which do loue your coÌ„pany from those which doe not By my faith said Amadis I am of the opinion if any loue his owne particular profit that hee should not forsake so good a Master yet those which will follow mee shall neither fare better nor worse then mine owne selfe And as they thus consulted in the meddow the king happened to come by them accompanied with Gandandell and many other knights and seeing them together he did passe on making as though he saw them not Then caused he a cast of Iackes or Hobbies to be let flie at a Larke and after hee had a while solaced himselfe with this pastime hee returned backe vnto the Citty without speaking eyther to Amadis or any other in his companie CHAP. XXI How Amadis with many others his confederats for sooke the seruice of King Lisuart and went as well to proue the aduentures of the Arch of loyall Louers as also of the forbidden chamber WHen Amadis did see that the king perseucred still in the euill opinion which he had conceiued against him and his according to his former determination at his coming forth of the meddow he went vnto the court and he found the king ready to sit downe to dinner Then approching vnto him he said may it please your Maiesty if in any thing I haue offended your grace God and your selfe can witnesse assuring you that although the seruices which I haue done vnto you haue beene very small yet the will which I haue had to acknowledge the benefits and honour which it hath pleased you to bestow vpon mee hath beene exceeding great You tell me that I should seeke abroad for one that would better requite me then you giuing me therby to vnderstand the small desire you haue that I should obey you not that I will depart from you as my liege Lord and Soueraign for I was neuer subiect to you nor any other Prince God only excepted but I take leaue of you as of him who hath done me great good and honour and vnto whom I doe beare affectionate loue and desire of seruice Scant had hee spoke this word when suddenly these in like sort did take their leaues viz. Galâ—anes Agraies Dragonis Palomir Brunco de Bon Mer Branfill his brother Angriotta d'Estraâ—aux Grindonan his brother Pinores his Cosin and Don Quedragant who stepped before all the rest saying vnto the King Your Maiesty knoweth that I neuer had come nor remayned in your Court but at the instance and request of Amadis willing and desirous to bee his friend for euer and seeing that by his occasion I became yours by the like reason will I now leaue your seruice and hereafter forsake you for what hope may I haue that my small seruices shall bee regarded when his being so many and great are so badly requited with-out remembrance how greately you are indebted vnto him in deliuering you from the handes of Mandafabull and for the victory also which you haue obtained of king â—ildadan with the price of his blood and other of his kindred I could well remember you of the good turne which he did vnto you when hee deliuered you and your daughter Oriana as I haue many times heard it said from the hands of Arcalaus and now of late my Lady Leonor whom Famangomad and Basigant his sonne the crullest giants in the world had taken prisoner with intent to put her to death for which cause the ingratitude which now you shew vnto him is so great that it quite depriueth you from all knowledge of the truth And therefore he ought to make no lesse account of this his short farewell then of the slow reward hee hath receiued for the seruices past As for me I am determined to follow him and to forsake your court togither with him Whereunto the king replied Don Quedragant your tongue doth well declare the little loue you beare vnto me yet notwithstanding mee thinks you are not so tied nor alied vnto Amadis as in accusing me you should excuse him as you do but your thought is otherwise you say more then you thinke Your Maiesty may speake what you please said Quedragant like a mighty Lord as you are neuerthelesse you much mistake mee in thinking me to be a dissembler or a counterfeiter of leasings as a number of others about you are by whom I am sure that in the end you shall finde your selfe but badly serued Moreouer before many dayes be past you shall perceiue who are the friends of Amadis Which said hee retired and Landin stepped forth saying to the king may it please your Maiestie I haue not found one in all your court that was able to giue any ayde or comfort to my wrongs but onely my Lord Amadis whom I now do see ready to depart from your seruice for the wrong that you haue done vnto him for which cause not desiring to forsake him nor my Vncle Don Quedragant also I do take my leaue of you Truly Landin answered the king so far as I perceiue wee are assured that henceforth you haue no desire to remaine with vs. Beleeue mee if it like your Maiesty said he looke what they are so will I bee for during my life will I obey them At that instant there stood in a corner of the hall whispering together Don Brian of Moniasta a most renowned knight sonne to King Ladasan and to one of the sisters to king Perion of Gaule Vrlandin son to the Earle of Orlanda Grandores and Madansill of Pont d'argent Listoran of the white Tower Ledaâ— of Fryarqua Tantilies the haughty and Don Grauat de Val Craintif All these came vnto the king and said Your Maiesty may be pleased to vnderstand that the occasion of our comming hither was to see Amadis and his brethren and to be their friends if it were possible And euen as they were cause of the seruice that you haue receiued of vs they also shall bee the meanes that we will forsake you and we do take leaue of your grace to keepe them company When the king perceiued that hee was so suddenely forsaken of such a great number of good knights hee was highly displeasd for very spight he would not permit Amadis to goe take his leaue of the Queene who as much as in her lay did wholy oppose her selfe against the counsell of Gandandell and his companion And therefore Amadis intreated the auncient knight Don Grumedan to make his excuse vnto her Maiesty Afterwards taking his leaue of the king with great reuerence he retired vnto his lodging with his friends and companions where they found their dinner ready and as soone as the Table was taken vp euery one went to arme him and they trouped altogether in a place where Oriana might behold them and their number was so great as they were thought to be flue hundred knights and more the most part of them being Sons vnto kings dukes or earles After-wards
in very good order they all passed along hard by the Queenes lodging Then Mabila being in one of the windows called Oriana who was laid vpon her bed as melancholy as might be saying vnto her Madame I pray you forget your heauinesse and come see how many knights you haue at your commandement All the while my cosin was in the seruice of the king your father he was accounted but as a simple wandring knight but no sooner is he departed from him when hee sheweth that hee is a Prince and mighty Lord as you may now behold and if you haue power ouer him by greater reason haue you power ouer all his troope of whom hee is the chiefe and principall Leader Oriana was so greatly comforted with this sight that euer after she was more merry and at better hearts case In this sort did Amadis and his followers passe through the Citty and there accompanied them king Arban of North wales Grumedan a knight of honour belonging to the Queene Brandoinas Queuerant Giontes Nephew to the King and Listoran the good iouster All these were very sorry for the departure of so many good knights especially for Amadis who prayed them that in any matter wherein his honour might bee blemished they would shew themselues to be such friends for him as hee esteemed them And although the king without any occasion had conceiued a hate against him yet they should not cease for all that to be his friends without forsaking the seruice of so good a prince and they answered him that excepting their seruice and loyalty in the which they were by duty bounde vnto the king they would bee ready to pleasure him at all times and places when and where he would employ them for the which hee heartilie thanked them After-wards hee saide vnto them If you finde the king fit to be spoken vnto you may aduertise him that which Vrganda declared to mee in his presence is now accomplished for shee told mee that the recompence which I should haue in gayning Dominions for another should be hate anger and banishment from that place where most I desired to remaine I haue conquered as euery one knoweth with the edg of my sword and the losse of my blood the Isle of Mongaâ—a thereby enlarging the limits of the realme of great Brittaine and noâ—withstanding al this the king with-out cause at all hath requited mee with hate but God is iust and will recompence euery one according to his deserts By my faith answered Grumedan I will not faile to let the King know as much as you haue sayde And cursed be Vrganda for prophesing so right which saide they embraced one another and tooke their leaue but Guillan the pensif whose eyes were full of teares said vnto Amadis My Lord you know my occasion and how I cannot of my selfe doe any thing being subiect so the will of another for whose sake I suffer and endure strange greefes and anguishes which is the cause that I cannot follow you for which I am very sorry and ashamed so great a desire haue I to acknowledge the fauour and honour that I haue receiued of you being in your company beseeching you most humbly at this time to holde me excused Now did Amadis vnderstand in what subiection loue did holde him and hee knew very well by himselfe what paine hee might suffer by meanes whereof he answered him My Lord Guillan God forbid that by my occasion you should commit any offence vnto the Lady whom you loue so constantly but I rather counsell you to be obedient vnto her and to serue her as hitherto you haue done and the King likewise being sure that your honour saued you wil be vnto me in all places a faithfull friend and louing companion Heerewithall he embraced him taking his leaue Guillan and his fellowes returned vnto the Cittie and Amadis and his followed on their way to the Firme-Island vntill at the last they arriued along by a riuer vpon the side whereof Amadis had sent before to cause his Tents and Pauillions to be armed and set vp There they lodged for that night praising God in that they had so happily been warned of the Kings ingratitude with whom if they had remained any longer space they had but lost their time But Amadis was so heauie for his banishment from Oriana ignorant when he should see her again that he knew not in what sort to dissemble his malancholie and thus they passed away the night vntill the next morning that they had rode forward on their way In the meane time King Lisuart was in his Pallace who after the departure of so great a number of Knights perceiued that he now was but meanly accompanied Then he began to acknowledge the fault which he had committed and to repent him greatly for the words which he said vnto Amadis At the very selfe same time Gandandel and Brâ—cadaâ— were aduertised what Angriotta had said of them whereat they were maruailously abashed fearing least the King and the rest should dislike of the bad counsell which they had giued vnto him neuerthelesse since there was no remedy they determined to passe it ouer and to worke such meanes that ne-uer any of those Knights who were departed should enter into the King his fauour againe And the better to bring it to passe they both came vnto him saying Your Maiestie ought greatly to praise God that you are so honestly rid of those men who might haue wrought you much mischiefe for your highnesse knoweth there is nothing more dangerous then a secret enemy Wherefore you haue now no other thing to trouble you neither neede you take any care for your affaires because that wee two will take order and warily prouide for any perill that may happen to this Realme When the king heard them speake so audaciously hee looked vpon them with a sowre countenance and answered them I do much meruaile how you dare bee so presumptuous to perswade me that I should leaue vnto you the gouernment not onely of my house but also of my whole realm knowing that you are nothing fit nor sufficient for such a charge Doe you imagine that the Princes and Lords of this monarchie will obay you knowing the place from whence you are descended And if you thinke to play the good husbands desiring to enrich mee by sparing of my treasure vpon whom doe you thinke that I may better imploy it then vpon such Gentle-men and knights as are in my seruice Seeing that the Prince cannot be named a king but only because hee hath many at his commandement And if in times past I haue shewed my selfe liberall vnto those whom at your instance I haue driuen away euen by them was I maintained feared and redoubted and therefore content you with that you haue done without any farther dissembling forging of matters otherwise you shal know that you nothing please me therewith Saying so he left them much abashed at these wordes and hee mounted on
of all liberty to make him a louer and seruant vnto this Madasima vnderstood the outrage that was likely to be offered vnto her his courage increased in such sort that in great choller hee sayd My Lords here is not any of you knoweth not that my Lord Amadis and wee are all departed from the Court of king Lisuart especially for the bad vsage that hee hath offered vnto Madasima vnto whom I bear such loue as a husband should vnto his wife and therefore I beseech you very earnestly to aid and assist me for I haue promised to stick to her and to helpe her though I should die in the quarrell Then Florestan vnderstanding the aid which Galuanes demanded had not the patience to let any other answer before him but rose vp saying My Lord Galuanes if it were possible to make a peace for her with the king that were the best course but I assure you if wee must make it with our swords I am alwaies ready to assist you My Lord answered Briā of Moniasta we do al very wel know that you are both valiant hardy knights neuerthelesse this enterprise which you determine toucheth you no more in particular then it doth all vs in generall for we are departed frō the Kings seruice all vpon one occasion and therefore it is reason that all of vs should succor him that hath most need of helpe And although wee had no desire to aide Don Galuanes heere present yet are wee bound to fauour Ladies in all that we can and amongst other Madasima and hers assuring you that through my fault they shall neither haue hurt nor displeasure By my faith said Quedragant you speak vertuously and according to good reason for doing otherwise we should be vnworthy of the name of knights and although I were my selfe alone yet would I seeke aide to execute that which you haue determined knowing that the poore Madasima forsaken of euery one hath freely yeelded her selfe into the King his prisons not by her owne will but by the dutifull obedience which shee desired to shew vnto her mother For which cause if the king pretend any right vnto the lands of the Isle of Mongaza I say hee doth wrong My Lords answered Amadis those things which are debated by sound deliberation doe assuredly come vnto good end you need not doubt that enterprising this which you determine you shall performe it vnto your honour yea although it were more dangerous and difficult then it is neuerthelesse if it please you I will declare what I thinke thereof You doe all conclude so farre as I see to set at liberty the twelue Damosels now prisoners with king Lisuart Therefore I am of the opinion that twelue of you without any more should vndertake this enterprise so euery one of you shall haue one of them and the twelue gentlewomen shall bee particularly bound vnto twelue knights and the rest of this company shall spare themselues and tarry heere to preuent such inconueniencies as may happen Mee thinkes that Galuanes vnto whom this matter doth chiefly appertaine deserueth well to be the first man that shall be named next Agraies his nephewe Florestan my brother Palomir Dragonis Brian Nicoran Orlandid Garnat Imosil brother to the Duke of Burgoine Madansil and Eaderin You twelue are such valiant knights as you may answere twelue others whatsoeuer they bee and King Lisuart cannot deny the combate although it should bee against the chiefest of his Realme considering the houses from which you are descended This counsaile was so well allowed of all that about mid-night following the twelue knights mounted on horse-backe taking their way vnto the Citie of Thassillana in the which the King soiourned CHAP. XXII How Oriana remayned in great perplexity not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she felt her selfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels A Little before it hath beene tolde vnto you how Amadis remained eight daies in Mirefleur with Oriana contenting their affections and desires to the full in such sort as two moneths after or there about the Princesse doubted that she was with childe neuerthelesse for the little experince that shee had in such matters she made no account thereof vntill after the departure of Amadis whē the liuely coulour in her face beganne to fade and decay and her stomack waxed very bad and weake so that this doubt was turned into a certaintie wherefore shee determined to acquaint Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke therewith as vnto those whom she esteemed the true treasurers of her secrets For which cause beeing one day withdrawne into her closet hauing her eyes full of teares and her heart oppressed with griefe shee sayd vnto them Alas my deare friends and louing counsellors I do now well perceiue that Fortune wil wholy work my ruine and ouerthrowe You haue seene what in conuenience hath happened of late vnto the person whom I doe most loue in the world and now that which is worst of all the thing which I haue most feared and doubted is lighted vpon mee For certainely I am with child and I know not what I shall doe that I be not discouered and vndone Much abashed were these two Damosels at this neuerthelesse as those which were wise well aduised they dissembled that which they thought thereof And Mabila answered Oriana Take no care Madame God shall prouide well enough for you if it please him but by my faith said shee in smiling I alwaies doubted that vnto such a Saint such an offering would be brought Oriana smiled to see with what a prettie grace Mabila deliuered this pleasant speech answered her For the honour of God doe you both aduise to giue mee some remedy and then you shall see if I cannot requite your frumps As for mee I thinke it best that wee find the meanes to retyre vnto Mireflure or elsewhere frō the Court staying the time vntill it shall please God to regard me in pitty for I feele my belly to rise and I see my face already waxen leane Madame sayde the Damosell of Denmarke it is an easie matter to preuent an inconuenience when it is foreseene before it happen I will tell you answered the Princesse whereupon I haue bethought mee It is necessarie that you Damosell doe hazard your life for the sauing of my honour You see that I doe put more trust in you then in any other person that liueth Madame sayde shee you knowe or at the least you should know mee so well that I haue neither life nor honour which I holde so deare that I would not aduenture to doe you seruice I beleeue it answered Oriana and also you may bee assured that if God doe lend mee life and health I will acknowledge and requite it to the full wherefore depart to morrow morning and get you to Mirefleur finde the meanes to speake with the Abbesse
tell her that you are with childe praying her earnestly to keepe your counsaile as secret as shee would doe her owne and that she would doe you that good as to finde out some woman to nurse the fruite that God shall send you the which you shall cause to bee layd within the entry of her Church porch as a thing found by chance I am sure that shee loueth you as much as any woman liuing and shee will willingly doe this good turne for you By this meanes shall my honour be saued and yours little or nothing the worse Repose your selfe vpon me sayde the Damosell I will play this part well enough and therefore bee you merry In the meane season do you purchase leaue for your departure and follow me These and such like were the consultations of these three Damosels whom wee will for the present leaue to returne vnto king Lisuart who after that the Earle Latin was returned backe againe and that he had declared vnto him how Grumadaca the old Gyantesse was not determined to yeelde the Castle of the burning Lake nor the three strong places whereof we haue spoken he by the counsaile of Broquadan and Gandandel sent for Madasima to come vnto him vnto whom he said Damosel you knowe how you and your women are entred into my prisons vpon this condition that if your mother did nor yeeld into my hands the Isle of Mongaza with the burning Lake the other places therunto belonging your heads should answer me for it And because I haue beene of late certified by those which I sent thither of the refusall which she hath made I will make you an example of it that euery one thereby may see what a matter of importance it is not to keepe promise with a King for you shall all die When the poore Lady heard this conclusion so rigorous the faire vermilion colour of her face was sodainely changed into a pale and deadly hew and falling at the king his feete shee answered him If it like your Maiesty the death which you threaten vnto me doth so much trouble my spirits that I haue no meanes nor power to make you an answere But if there be any in this companie that taketh pittie vpon twelue poore distressed Damosels I doe most humbly beseech him to take our quarrell in hand for if I haue entred into your prison I did it by the cōmandement of my mother and they by my perswasions did the like And although that by reason euery Gentleman bearing armes is bound to maintaine the right of afflicted women if by misfortune wee cannot finde any that taketh compassion of our miserie yet it may please your Maiesty mittigating the rigour of your lawes to extend your mercy and to heare vs in our iustifications as reason and equity willeth When Gandandel heard Madasima speake so boldly hee suddenly answered saying vnto the King if it please your Maiesty there is no reason that these women should bee suffered thus to pleade for if you cause them not to die euery one will doe as they doe neuer performing any thing that they do promise vnto you They are come hither as pledges nothing ignorant of the conditions wherefore then shall there bee any wrong done vnto them to cut off their heads for not yeelding that which they haue promised My Lord Gandandell answered the good knight Grumedan if it please the King his Maiesty shall not doe as you counsaile him for mercy is more commendable in a King then cruelty which he may vse when it pleaseth him You know that these women more by the cōmandemēt of a mother and the obedience of a childe then by any their owne wils haue beene constrained to yeelde themselues prisoners as they are and euen as God loueth those that are humble and dutiful so also the King who is his minister ought not to despise them Moreouer I haue beene aduertised that certaine knights are already departed from the Firme-Island to maintaine their quarrell against you and the right which they haue and therefore my Lord Gandandel if you or your sonnes dare maintaine this counsell which you doe giue vnto the King for good it may bee you may finde that you or they which shall haue to doe with them shall not be all at their best ease Gandandel hearing Grumedan to speake so vertuously could willingly haue wished the words vnspoken which he vttered so lightly but now it was too late to remedy that which was past helpe wherefore to saue his honour he answered Dan Grumedan you seeke to purchase me displeasure and yet haue I not any way deserued it of you As touching my sonnes there is not any in this company who knoweth them not for valiant and bolde knights and such as will maintaine before all and against all men that this which I haue sayde vnto the King is according to right and equity Wee shall shortly see what they will doe sayd Grumedan but vpon mine honour I speake not this in that I wish you any hurt but onely because it seemeth vnto me that you counsaile the King amisse Now did the King certainly know that against all right and without any cause at all hee had banished Amadis notwithstanding his ancient vertue could not banish this new passion but hearing Grumedan speake so wisely hee willingly gaue eare vnto him and after-ward demanded of him who were the knights that came for Madasima Grumedan named them all vnto him one after another Truely sayd the King for so small a number they are men of worth and valiant knights Gandandel did now very well perceiue that his affaires were like to prosper worse and worse knowing his two sonnes to be no such men as to match or compare with Don Florestan Agraies Brian or Garnet of the fearefull valley Wherefore so soone as the King had sent the Damosels backe againe to prison he went to seeke out Brocadan vnto whom he wholy recited all that which Grumedan had sayde vnto the king in his presence at which hee was no lesse amased then hee whereupon they both retyred into a chamber that they might more priuately conferre together And as they were in this consultation that Brocadan reprooued Gandandel cursing the houre that euer he was aduised by him to bring Amadis into these tearmes a yong knight named Sarquiles Cosen vnto Angriotta de Estranaux being in loue with one of the Neeces of Broquadan was by chance hidden behind the Tapestrie of the same chamber staying for some signe or watch word which was to be giuen vnto him by his louing Mistresse hee I say heard all their counsaile whereat hee was wonderfull abashed For which cause incontinently after the traytours were departed hee came foorth from his place where hee had almost all that day beene hidden and the next morning hee armed him and as if he had beene come some farre iourney he entred into the Pallace where the king was vnto whom he came and sayd If it may please
next morning at their returne from church hee caused the twelue knights of the Firme-Island to bee called vnto whom he said My friends you may carry away with you the Damosels which you demand when it shall please you for I set them at liberty because that this night the Earle Latin hath written vnto me that he hath the Isle of Mongaza in his hands and that the olde Giantesse is deceased If any were glad here-of you may beleeue that the two traitors Broquadan and Gandandel were nothing sorry for as much as they did perceiue that if this had not happened their treason had bid discouered TheÌ„ Imosel answered the king If your Maiestie doe but Madasima right shee must not remaine poor nor disinherited seeing your grace knoweth that children are bound to obey their parents as shee hath done more by feare then free will And so if it please your Maiesty vsing your accustomed liberality you should shewe her some grace and fauour shewing thereby an example to all other vertuous and couragious Princes to do the like Imosel sayde the king let it suffice you that the Damosels are at liberty for I cannot reuoke the gift which I haue made to my daughter Leonor of the land which you demand I most humbly beseech your Maiestie answered Galuanes to haue pitty vpon her and mee who at this preseÌ„t ought to hold the place descended froÌ„ her ancestors of whom shee is the lawfull inheretrix especially of the land which you doe take from her and if it please your highnesse in remembrance of the seruices which I haue done vnto you you may restore them vnto vs to hold them of your grace by fealty and homage I haue said enough my Lord Galuanes answered the king that which is done cannot be vndone Trust me answered he seeing I can neither haue right nor reason of you I will trie if I may get it some other way Doe what you can said the king I am in good hope seeing I haue won if froÌ„ greater then you to desend it against those that are lesse theÌ„ they Sir answered Galuanes he which got it for you hath bin very badly recoÌ„pensed therefore Care not you for that saide the King if he of whom you speake dare but aduenture to aide you I dare bee so bolde as to withstand him and to make him beshrew himselfe Agraies hearing these threats was exceeding angry and in great choller answered Sir although my Lord Amadis was neuer other theÌ„ a waÌ„dring knight yet did he that good for you which as yet you neuer recompensed for he hath many times defended you and deliuered you from death Florestan did well perceiue that Agraies entred into farther tearmes then was fit hee should for which cause he a little pulled him back and said vnto the king Sir although you be a king and a great Lord yet it may be you shall finde somewhat to do to vse my Lord Amadis in such sort as you threaten him By my faith said Brian Amadis hath done you too many seruices to be thus badly requited especially he being sonne vnto a Prince as worthy as your selfe Soft and faire Don Brian saide the king we know wel enough that you are one of his friends I am and so ought to be said Brian for euery one knoweth that I am his cosin german and therefore it were a shame not to succour him in his neede Truely answered the King for the same cause doe I hold you excused And as they were in these tearmes Angriotta de Estrauaux Sarquiles his Nephew came before the King who beeing armed at all points did their duty vnto his Maiestie but when the knights of the Firme-Island did beholde them they greatly wondered for they knew nothing at al of this their enterprise Then Angriotta with a loud voice began his speech in this manner May it please your Maiestie my Nephew and I heere preseÌ„t do beseech your grace to cause two traitors that are in your Court Broquadan and Gandandel to appeare before your Maiestie vnto whom I will declare the treason which they haue done against you Much affrighted was Broquadan and his companion hearing Angriotta speake after this manner who continuing his speech saide If it like your highnesse these two wicked persons of whom I speake without respect or feare of God or men haue faisly accused my Lord Amadis other of a matter wherein they neuer so much as in thoght offended By means whereof I dare well say that you haue banished from you the best Knights that euer entered into Great Brittaine therefore if those traitours dare maintaine that they be not such as I tearme theâ—â— I alone by the help of God and the edge of my sword will make them confesse it And if they ought to bee excused by reason of their age there is neither of them both which hath not a sonne of long time bearing armes and well enough esteemed of amongst the Knights of your court against whom I will fight if they will maintain the quarrell of their wicked fathers Most mighty soueraigne answered Gandandel doth not your grace see the boldnes of this proud iniurious fellow who is come into this countrey to no other end but onely to shame the Gentlemen of your court By my faith if your Maiestie would haue beleeued me long agoe so soone as hee had entred into your Realme hee should haue bin hanged vp vpon the first tree that he had come vnto but seeing that your grace doth suffer him you must not hereafter be abashed if Amadis in his owne person doe come euen hither to iniurie your owne selfe Notwithstanding thus much I protest that by the liuing God if I were as young now as when I began to enter into the seruice of the late deceased king your brother vnto whom I haue done many great seruices I am well assured that Angriotta durst not so much as haue dreamed to vtter halfe these iniurious words of me as hee hath proferred now before your Maiesty But the gallant doth well know that I am olde and erased as well by the great number of my aged yeeres as by the infinit wounds which I haue receiued in a manner in all the parts of my body in the warres of your predecessors witnes wherof are yet these relikes Saying so he 〈…〉 his breast vpon the which were many scarres apparrantly to be â—…ne Villaine said Angriotta 〈…〉 thinke to defend thee with the cloquence of thy tongue But by the faith of a Knight if the King do but iustice vnto vs both hee shall apparrantly perceiue thy great treason There-with all Sarquiles stepped forth and kneeling downe hee said vnto the King It is long since I did aduertise your Maiestie that so soone as my Lord Angriotta heere present should come vnto your Court I would let you vnderstand that which with my two eares I did hear spoken by the mouth of these two traitors heereupon hee recited word by word the
were displeased with this sight yet all the rest of the Court there present tooke pleasure to behold it for the loue which they did beare vnto Amadis his friends And more gladder yet were they when they saw them brought to the extreamity of their vnhappy end For scant had the King turned his head froÌ„ the window but that Angriotta did hit Corian so forcible a blow that hee quite cut off all his right shoulder with the extreame griefe whereof giuing a signe of his death he fell downe kissing the ground with his nose after whom Tarin staied not long before he did as much Thus were the sons of these traitors slaine for the which Madasima Oriana and many others did greatly reioyce Then Angriotta his Nephewes tooke the bodies of the vanquished and dragged them forth of the fields afterwards they demaunded of the Iudges if they had performed as much as was requisite who answered that they had Whereupon they both retyred in great triumph accompanied with their friends they came vnto the tents of their fellowes coÌ„ducting with them Madasima and her women because they knew assuredly that King Lisuart was very angry for the good fortune which had hapned vnto theÌ„ so much hurt did he wish vnto Amadis notwithstaÌ„ding that he wel perceiued how his affairs prospered very badly euer since he had driuen him away the FreÌ„ch knights of his coÌ„pany The end of the Second Booke A Table of the Chapters contained in this Second Booke CHAPTER 1. THe description of the Firme-Island Who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were found in the same Fol. 1. Chap. 2. How Amadis Galaor Florestan and Agraies hauing taken leaue of the faire Briolania to returne vnto King Lisuart were carried into the Firme-Island to prooue the arch of Loyall louers and the other aduentures in the same Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How Durin departed to goe towards Amadis vnto whom he deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt hapned thereby F. 14. Chap. 4. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which hee had left behinde then found him sleeping and how he fought against a Knight whoÌ„ hee did ouer come Fol. 18. Chap. 5. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him Fol. 23. Chap. 6. How Don Galaor Florestan and Agraies vndertooke the search of Amadis who hauing left his armour changed his name and withdrew himselfe to an Hermitage in the company of a very olde Hermite There to liue solitary F. 27. Chap. 7. How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom hee declared the sorrowfull newes of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his dispaire Fol. 35. Chap. 8. How Don Guillan the Pensiue did bring vnto the Court of King Lisuart the shield armour and sword of Amadis which hee had found lying by the fountaine of the plaine field Fol. 39. Chap. 9. How the Faire Forlorne beeing in the Rocke with the Hermite there arriued a ship in the which was Corisanda who sought for her friend Florestan and of that which happened vnto them Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentlewoman of Denmarke going in search of Amanis after long trauaile coasting along many strange Islands by chance she arriued in the poore Rocke where Amadis was who was called the Faire Forlorne whom shew knew how they returned together towards Oriana Fol. 53. Chap. 11. How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadis of whom they could heare no tydings at all whereupon they al returned vnto the Court of King Lisuart Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How King Lisuart being set at the Table there came before him a strange Knight armed at all points who defied him The conference that Florestan had with him and how Oriana was comforted with the good news that she receiued from Amadis Fol. 71. Chap. 13. How the Faire Forlorne sent Enil his Esquire vnto London to cause a new armour to be made for him what aduenture chanced vnto him in going to Mireâ—â—eur Fol. 78. Chap. 14. How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his aduenture he went vnto the fountaine of the three Channels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom he remained eight dayes together and at the same time there arriued in the Court of King Lisuart an auncient Gentleman bringing with him two Iewels of singular vertue whereby the faithfull louer from the fained might be tryed the which Amadis Oriana determine to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neither be knowne of the King nor any other Fol. 90. Chap. 15. How the Damosell of Denmarke was sent vnto London to know what answer Enil had receiued from the King touching the safe conduct which was demanded by the Faire Forlorne who did afterwards bring Oriana thither to proue the strange Iewels Fol. 99. Chap. 16. How after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana backe againe to Mirefluer he departed that he might be in the battell with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him Fol. 110. Chap. 17. How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to them-selues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower enuironed with the Sea and the other in a Garden enclosed with high walles where they thought they had beene in prison of that which happened there vnto them Fol. 120. Chap. 18 How the euening ensuing the King being risen from the Table walking about the galleries of his Pallace he beheld two great fires vpon the Sea that came directly towards the Citie Fol. 130. Chap. 19. How after the departure of Vrganda the King beeing readie to mount on horsebacke to execute the enterprise which he had determined to make vpon the burning Lake there came before him a Damsel Gyantesse to vnderstand whether his Maiesty would bee pleased to referre the quarrell that hee pretended in his voyage vpon the combate betwixt Ardan Canila and Amadis of Gaule with such conditions as shall be declared vnto you Fol. 137. Chap. 20. How Bruneo de bonne Mer did fight with Madamine the ambitious brother to the Damosel iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause he and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court Fol. 151. Chap. 21. How Amadis with many others his confederates 〈◊〉 the seruice of King Lisuart and went as well to proue the aduentures of the Arch of loyall louers as also of the forbidden chamber Fol. 163. Chap. 22. How Oriana remained in great perplexitie not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she felt herselfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels Fol. 173. FINIS
where he was drowned and the conquerour rode on which the Halberders seeing presently drew vp the bridge againe after him When the Damosels saw he was thus closed in they cryed out aloud vnto him that he should returne as he was about so to do he espied three other Knights well armed come toward him who very audaciously thus spake Vnhappy was the houre to thee wheÌ„ thou didest passe this bridge for thou shalt dye in this water where he is drowned that was of greater reputation then thou art Here-with they all three together ran against him and met him so firmely as his Horse was like to haue fallen ouer backward yet hauing broken their Launces on him he was at this encounter wounded in two places neuerthelesse one of them he met in such order as his armour vnable to resist the pointe of the Launce pierced through with such violence that the trunchion still remained in his body This done couragiously he drew his sword adressing himselfe to the other twaine and they in like manner against him where-upon began a dangerous Combate betweene them but he with the Lions in his Shield doubting his death laboured so much as he could to ouer-come his enemies giuing one of them such a stroke on the right arme as being cut from the body it fell sword and all to the ground wherefore feeling himselfe thus wounded he galopped with all speed to the Castell crying Helpe my friends helpe your Lord who is in danger of killing When the Knight of the Lions heard that he with whom he must yet deale was the Lord of the Castell he deliuered him such a rigorous blow on the Helmet as made him loose his stirrops and ready to fall had he not got hold about the neck of his Horse in this staggering the Knight of the Lions rent his Helmet from his head and he perceiuing himselfe vnarmed thought to escape by flight as the other did but his enemy got betweene him and the Castell saying Thou art dead if thou yeeld not thy selfe my prisoner Alas answered the amazed Knight I am dead indeede if you please but as you are a Gentleman take pitty on me for I doe yeeld my selfe your vanquished Suddenly the Knight of the Lions looking about espied other Knights and armed men on foote that came in great hast from the castell to succour their Lord wherefore he stepped to his conquered prisoner and holding his sword against his throate said Command thy men to returne else shalt thou presently die Then he who saw his life in such perill cryed to them made a signe with his hand that if they loued him they should returne where-upon they beholding their Lords life at his enimies swords pointe obeyed his command with all possible speed Yet is not this enough said the conquerour cause now the bridge to be let downe which he did and they came both forth on the causey where the Ladyes taried but when the Knight of the Castell beheld them and that one of them was Vrganda the vnknowne Ah my Lord quoth he if you keepe me not from this Lady I am but dead Nay beleeue me answered the Knight that will not I do but rather am to deale with thee as shee shall command me then stepping to Vrganda he said Madame see here the Lord of the Castell what is your pleasure I shall do with him Smiâ—e off his head answered Vrganda if he will not deliuer you my friend whom he keepeth in prisoÌ„ Here-with he lift vp his sword to feare him when the Knight falling on his knee cried Ah my Lord kill me not I will obey whatsoeuer she commandeth Dispatch it quickly then said the Knight of the Lions So caled the Lord to one of the halberders within saying Go to my brother and tell him if euer he intend to see me aliue let him quickly cause the imprisoned Knight to come hither and the Damosel that brought him with her Right soone was the messenger gone on this errand returning immediatly with the Damosell and the Knight to whom the Knight of the Lions thus spake Thanke this Lady who hath done so much for ye and truely great cause you haue to loue her in that she hath taken wonderfull paines to deliuer you from this â—hraldome I do loue her answered the restored Knight and so will continue better then I haue done heretofore But before he could finish these words Vrganda ran and embraced him the like did he to her afterward the conquerour demanded what should be done with her that brought him thither It is necessary that she dy replied Vrgada to let her know the price of so hainous an offence Presently was the poore Damosel so strangely enchanted as she ran skipping ouer the marrish quag-mires and turning backe againe would haue throwne her selfe into the water had not the knight of the Lions intreated Vrganda to pardoÌ„ her trespasse for this time Prouided saide Vrganda that she returne no more to offend me otherwise she shall pay for altogether WheÌ„ the Lord of the Castle saw the Damosell was remitted at his request who ouercame him he thus spake My Lord I haue performed what hath bin commanded therefore I pray ye giue me leaue to depart from her that neuer loued me In sooth answered Vrganda for honor of him by whom you make your suite I am content and you may returne He being gone the Knight of the Lions who yet maruailed by what occasion the Damosell was driuen into that furie asked what moued her so to do Ah my Lord quoth she me thought one came round about me and would haue burned me with a lighted torch therefore to saue my selfe I sought to leape into the water At these words the Knight fell into a laughter saying Your folly hath beene ouer great faire Damosel to worke her ill who knowes how to reuenge it Galaor stood and had seene all these things where-upon he thus spake to the Giant Beleeue me father I very much desire that this worthy man should giue me my order for if King Lisuart be renowned it is for his possessions but this Knight deserues it by his strength and valour I am well content answered the Giant go and request it of him if he deny you the fault is his owne So Galaor went forward accompanied with foure squires and two Damosels when comming to the Knight of the Lions he found him yet vnder the trees At his arriuall he was curteously receiued by the Knight who reputed him one of the most comely Gentlemen that euer he had seene afterward Galaor thus began Gentle Sir I am come to entreat a fauour at your hand Truely answered the Knight if your request be reasonable it will the sooner be granted My suite Sir quoth Galaor is for nothing else but that it might please you to giue me the order of knight-hood and in so doing you shall saue me a great deale of trauaile to king Lisuart to whom I am going for the
bee the losse of the most gentle knight in the world but of the neorest kinsman that you haue and ouer and besides it will be vnto you a great blemish Therefore my Lords I beseech you in performing the duty of a brother a friend and a companion to begin his search a fresh without sparing therein at all either time or toile This perswasiō did Gandalin make in weeping so extreamly that it greatly pittied the three knights to behold him so as they concluded after they had beene in the Court if they heard not news of Amadis to begin a new pursuit to compasse the whole world about till they had found him and vpon this determination after they had heard diuine seruice they departed from the hermitage and tooke the way towards London But as they approched nere vnto the Cittie they were ware of the King who was already in the fields accompanied with many noble men and valiant knights for hee celebrated that day with all magnificence because that vpon the same he was crowned peaceable king of great Brittaine which was the principall occasion that many knights came to serue him Who beholding Galaor and his fellowes comming towards them shewed the king thereof and they in the mean season were hard at hand But because Florestan had neuer before seene such an assembly Galaor said vnto him Brother behold the king Now had they all three their head-pieces off wherefore some in the company did know them all forth-with except Flotestan the King imbraced them demanding how they fared Then Florestan alighted to kisse his hands the which he refused And because he was the Gentleman that did most of all resemble Amadis and that heretofore he had heard speaking of him he began to suspect that it was his brother and therefore he saide vnto Galaor I beleeue that this is your brother Florestan It is he indeede if it please your Maiestie who hath a great desire to doe you seruice Ah saide the king I would Amadis were now heere that I might see you all three together what saide Galaor hath your grace heard 〈◊〉 newes of him No saide the king but what haue you heard It may please your Maiestie answered he wee haue all three sought him a whole yeere yet haue we done no good but lost our labour and we did thinke to haue found him here in your Court wherefore seeing your grace hath certified me to the contrary I am in worse hope of his recouery then before So am not I saide the king for I am perswaded the heauens haue not endued him with such perfections to forsake him after this manner which maketh me to beleeue that we shall very shortly heare some tidings of him Whō they had ended their talke they entred into the Cittie where the Queene and the other Ladies were incontinently aduertised of their arriuall wherewith they were as glad as might bee especially Olinda the friend to Agraies who very lately was aduertised that he had passed vnder the arch of faithfull louers and shee expected his comming with as great deuotion as Corisanda did the arriuall of Florestan Then Mahila imagining to do Oriana a pleasure ran to aduertise her but she found her with-drawn into her chamber where shee sawe her leaning her head vpon one of her hands and reading in a booke to whom she saide Madame will you please to come downe to see Galaor Agraies and Florestan who are now newely heere arriued Whē she heard her speake nothing of Amadis a new feare strook at her heart so that she knew not what to doe and the teares distilled from her eyes in such aboundance that her speech failed Neuerthelesse in the end not beeing able to dissemble her griefe shee answered Mabila my cosin and sweet friend how would you haue me to go see them in good sooth I haue not my minde so well setled that I may dissemble or hide that which in their presence I ought to doe Moreouer mine eyes are ouerswollen with much weeping and that which worse is it is impossible for to behold those whom I did neuer see but in the company of your cosin whom I haue so highly offended Heerewithall her heart was likely to haue left her sorrowfull body and she cryed My God how doe you permit mee wretched woman to liue being so worthy of death Ah my deere loue I doe now feele a double griefe for your absence seeing Galaor the rest to returne without you whome you loued as deere as your selfe who knowing the iniury and wicked act that I haue cōmitted against you shall haue iust cause to procure my ruine whereunto I consent with a good will seeing that so vnaduisedly I haue beene the meanes of your losse Herewithall she had fallen downe all along if Mabila who streight espied it had not staied her vp saying vnto her Madame will you alwaies continue these strange passions I know well that in the end you will publish that to your shame which we doe most desire should be kept secret Is this the constancy which you ought to haue especially seeing that day by day we expect to heere good newes by the Damosell of Denmarke Alas answered shee you speake at your pleasure is it possible that shee may finde him hauing the charge but to seek him onely in Scotland seeing that his brethren haue in a manner compassed all the West without hearing any newes at all of him You abuse your selfe saide Mabila it may bee that they had found him but that hee kept himselfe secret from them the which he wil neuer do frō your Gentlewoman knowing that she is priuie to both your loues And therefore be of good cheere vntill her returne and then doe as you shall thinke good and for this time let vs goe if it please you towards the Queene who demandeth for you Well answered Oriana I am content to doe what you will Then shee dried her eyes and went in the Queenes chamber into the which the three knights were already entred who seeing her comming did their duty vnto her at the same time the King held Galaor by the hand vnto whom he said behold I pray you how your good friend Oriana is impaired since you did last see her In good faith answered Galaor your Maiestie saith true and I would with all my heart that I might doe her any pleasure that might purchase her former health Herewithall Oriana smiled saying vnto Galaor God is the only comforter of all men so that when his pleasure is my health shall bee restored and your losses recouered which no doubt are great for so deere a brother Amadis was vnto you And I would that the trauell which you haue taken to seeke him in farre countries had brought some fruit as well for the good of you and yours as also for the seruice of the King my father vnto the which hee was wholly adicted Madame answered Galaor I trust that wee shall very shortly heare some newes of