as the Knight of the Castell fell into the water where he was drowned and the conquerour rode on which the Halberders séeing presently drew vp the bridge againe after him When the Damosels sawe he was thus closed in they cryed aloud to him that he should returne and as he was about so to do he espied thrée other Knights well armed comming toward him who very audaciously thus spake Unhappy was the hower to thee when thou didst passe this bridge for thou shalt dye in this water where he is drowned that was of greater reputation then thou art Héerewith 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 being vnable to resist the point of the Launce pierced through with such violence that the trunchion still remained in his body This done couragiously he drewe his sword addressing himselfe to the other twayne and they in like manner against him where-upon began a dangerous combate betwéene them but he with the Lions in his Shéeld doubting his death laboured so much as he could to ouercome his enemyes giuing one of them such a stroke on the right arme as being cut from his body it fell sword and all to the ground wherefore féeling himselfe thus wounded he gallopped with all spéed to the Castell crying Help my fréends help your Lord who is in daunger of killing When the Knight of the Lyons heard that he with whome he must yet deale was the Lord of the Castell he deliuered him such a rigorous blowe on the Helmet as made him loose his stirrops and readie to fall had he not got hold about the neck of his Horsse in this staggering the Knight of the Lyons rent his Helmet from his head and he perceiuing himselfe vnarmed thought to escape by flight as the other did but his enemy got betwéene him and the Castell saying Thou art dead if thou yéeld not thy selfe my prisoner Alas answered the amazed Knight I am dead in déede if you please but as you are a Gentleman take pittie on me for I do yéeld my selfe your vanquished Suddenly the Knight of the Lions looking about espyed other Knights and armed men on foote that came in great haste from the Castell to succour their Lord wherefore he stepped to his conquered prisoner and holding his sword against his throate sayd Commaund thy men to returne else shalt thou presently dye Then he who sawe his life in such perill cryed to them and made a signe with his hand that if they loued him they should returne where upon they beholding their Lords life at his enemyes swords point obeied his commaund with all possible speed Yet is not this enough sayd the conquerour cause now the bridge to be let downe which he did and they came both foorth on the causey where the Ladyes taryed 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 kéepe me not from this Lady I am but dead Nay beléeue me answered the Knight that will not I do but rather am to deale with thée as she shall commaund me then stepping to Vrganda he said Madame see héere the Lord of the Castell what is your pleasure I shall do with him Smite off his head aunswered Vrganda if he will not deliuer you my friend whome he kéepeth in prison Héere-with he lift up his sword to feare him when the Knight falling on his knée cryed Ah my Lord kill me not I will obey what so euer she commaundeth Dispatch it quickly then said the Knight of the Lyons So called the Lord to one of the Halberders within saying Go to my brother and tell him if euer he intend to sée me aliue let him quickly cause the imprisoned Knight to come hither and the Damosell that brought him with her Right soone was the messenger gon on this errand returning immediatly with the Damosell and the Knight to whome the Knight of the Lyons thus spake Thanke this Lady who hath done so much for ye and truely great cause you haue to loue her in that she hath taken wonderfull paines to deliuer you from this thraldome I do loue her answered the restored Knight and so will continue better then I haue done heeretofore But before he could finish these words Vrganda ran and embraced him the like did he to her afterward the conqueror demaunded what should be done with her that brought him thither It is necessary that she dye replyed Vrganda to let her knowe the price of so hainous an offence Presently was the poore Damosell so strangely enchaunted as she ran skipping ouer the marrish quag-mires and turning back againe would haue throwen her selfe into the water had not the Knight of y e Lyons intreated Vrganda to pardon her trespasse for this time Prouided said Vrganda that she returne no more to offend me otherwise she shall pay for all together When the Lord of the Castell saw the Damosell was remitted at his request who ouercame him he thus spake My Lord I haue perfourmed what hath beene commaunded therefore I pray ye giue me leaue to depart froÌ„ her that neuer loued me In sooth answered Vrganda for honor of him by whome you make your sute I am content and you may returne He being gone the Knight of the Lyons who yet meruailed by what occasion the Damosell was driuen into the 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 Damosell to worke her ill who knowes how to reuenge it Galaor stood and had séene all these things where-upon he thus spake to y e Giant Beléeue me father I very much desire that this worthie man should giue me my order for if King Lisuart be renowmed it is for his possessions but this Knight deserues it by his strength and valour I am well content answered the Giant goe and request it of him if he deny you the fault is his owne So Galaor went forward accompanyed with foure Squires two Damosels when comming to the Knight of the Lyons he found him yet vnder the trees At his arriuall he was courteously receiued by the Knight who reputed him one of the most comely Gentlemen that euer he had séene afterward Galâ—â—â— thus began Gentle Sir I am come to intreat a fauour at your hand Truely answered the Knight if your request be reasonable it will the sooner be graunted My sute Sir quoth Galaor is for nothing else but that it might please you to giue me the order of Knighthood and in so doing you shall
killedst as thou vauntest in combate hand to hand In sooth what I euer doubted is now come to passe why doost thou not attēd this Knight who looketh for thée if there be any manlye hart or spirit in thée shewe it now in néed when thy life dependes theron At these woords Galaor looked more aside and espyed Palingues well armed who was opening the doore of a Tower to saue him selfe wherfore he stepped to him saying Beléeue me Knight this flying will little aduantage thée and lesse the strong hold thou wouldst enter into for thou must answer the life of good Anthebon whose death thou didst compasse by monstrous villanye Palingues séeing there was no other remedie turned and fiercely smote at Galaor his swoord entring so farre into the Princes sheelde as he was not able to pull it out againe by meanes whereof Galaor reached him such a blow that there-with his right arme was cut quite from his body the gréefe wherof so pained him as he ranne into the chamber where the Lady was thinking by this poore shift to defend his life But Galaor getting holde on his legges dregged him along on his backe out againe and with his Swoord smote his head from his shoulders This is quoth he the reward of thy trecheries doone to Anthebon and paiment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this déede hauing heard Galaor often name her Father fell on her knées before him with these woordes Alas my Lord you haue bound me in such duety to you as neuer shall I be able to requite your paines my selfe béeing of such simple and slender habilitie but the good will I haue to recompence this benefite hath imprinted dayelye prayers in my hart to God for you hauing to iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traitour Galaor courteouslye taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire fréend he were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are séeing you much better deserue to be loued and serued then with gréefe or fauour to be offended but tel me haue you any more enemies in this Castell No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doo you honor and obeysaunce Let vs goe then quoth he to let in two Damoselles who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand she commaunded the gate to be opened and the two Damoselles entred leading Galaors horsse but when they sawe their young Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demaunding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth she I thanke God and this Knight who hath doone that many other could not doo It was now the vehement hotte time of the day wherfore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refreshe him selfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to be touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnes she began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honourable Lord and freend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as wel in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceassed Fathers sake he and I beeing borne in one Countrey Maye if it please ye Sir saide she to tell me your name Such as are acquainted with me answered the Prince tearme me Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth she often haue I heard my father speak of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sonnes to the King of Gaule his liege Lord and soueraigne As thus they deuised they entred alone into a chamber while the Damosells with the rest were prouiding viands wherfore Galaor seeing time and place so cōmodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindely she beeing a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta him selfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard he had great reason for it knowing you to be such a one as I sée you are for my self who haue so little acquaintaunce with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happie if you graunted me the fauour I desire accepting me as your fréend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde ye my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therfore you may be certainly assured how my desire is to please you in all thinges what-soeuer During these speeches Galaor still helde his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden wherto Brandueta yéelded with greater contentment then all her former resistaunces to Palingues from whome she kept her virginitie so long that she was now content to bestowe it on the French Prince and he hauing a good stomach to such daintye diet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many imbracinges and amourous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Fortresse of loue the Damoselles came to tell thē that dinner was ready wherfore though loth they were forced to leaue off accompanying the Damoselles to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallarie enuironed with trees As they sat at the table and discoursed of many matters among other thinges Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so stronglye considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and King Perions subiect the sooner would they assaye to woorke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she he allowed no other entraunce then by the basket into this Castell where I haue liued in meruaylous greef and sorrow as neuer shall I desire to tarry heere longer therfore right gentle Lord and freend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not be a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and though it were late yet got they to horsse-back departing from the Castell but for all their haste they were two houres benighted which brake no square in respect of the good newes the good Lady with all her familie ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could be deuised beside the comforted widowe cast her selfe at his feete vsing these speeches Woorthye Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition what-soeuer we enioy because you are the restorer and confirmer of all I thanke you Madame answered Galaor for your freendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater parte of
tooke Albert of Champaigne aside and said to him Thou knowest how thou hast sworne and promised to tell me what thou hast found by thy skil Sir answered Albert let then the rest be called into your presence for before them will I tell ye Well hast thou aduised said the King wherupon they were sent for afterward Alberte thus began My opinion is my Lord that the closed Chamber and him whome you sawe enter by the secret doore signifieth this Realme which is close and well garded notwithstanding by some right therto some one shall come to take it from you And like as he thrust his handes into your sides renting from thence your hart and afterwarde threwe it into the Riuer euen so shall your Townes and Castles bothe more and lesse be priuily stolen from you and put into his hand from whome you shall not easilye recouer them And what meaneth the other hart said the King which I dreamed should remain with me and yet he saide that some after I should loose it against the will of him that tooke the first from me It seemeth by this answered Albert that some other shall inuade your Country as the first did yet constrained more by force of an other that commaunded him to doo so then by any will therto in him selfe thus sée ye my Lord all that I can tell ye Now saide the King to the second named Antalles tell vs your aduise Me thinkes Sir quoth he that Albert hath very well saide and I am of his opinion except in this for ought I can learne as the cause sheweth me y t what he saith shall happen is already effected and by the person that most loueth ye notwithstanding I am greatly amazed therat séeing there is not as yet any parte of your Realme lost and if you doo loose any thing héerafter it must be by such an one as loueth ye déerely When the King heard this he nodded his head for it séemed to him that he came néere the marke but Vngan the Piccard who knew much more then the other fell into a laughter which he was sildome wunt to doo because he was a man very sad and mellancholly yet by chaunce the King perceiued it wherfore he saide Maister Vngan my fréend now remaineth none but you say boldely what you haue gathered My Lord quoth he peraduenture I haue seene into thinges which is not necessarye to be knowen to any other then your selfe and therfore let these giue place a while if you please At these woordes they withdrewe them selues leauing the King and Vngan alone who thus spake If your Maiesty sawe me ere while to laughe it was at one woord which little you thinke on yet it is true and will yee knowe what It was that which Antalles saide that what he found by your dreame was already happened and by the person that besâ—e loueth yee Nowe shall I reuâ—ale what you keepe in secret and thinke that no one knowes but your selfe You loue my Lord in such a place where you haue alreadye accomplished your will and she whom you loue is surpassing faire then tolde he all the gests and fashions of her as if she had béene there present But as for the Chamber you found shut you know Sir full well what if meaneth and how she whom you loue desirous to deliuer her hart and yours from gréefe and sadnes came to ye entring your chamber by the doore that was hid from you The handes that opened your sides is the coniunction of you twaine then the hart taken from ye sheweth that she hath by you a Sonne or a Daughter Now tell me saide the King what meneth y t casting therof into the Riuer My Lord quoth he that nothing concerneth you therfore neuer labour for further knowledge therof Yet would I saide the King faine vnderstand it and therfore feare not to tell me for any harme that may happen Seeing you will needes haue it answered Vngan I beseeche ye Sir assure me while you liue for any thing that I shall reueale you will not be displeased with her who loueth you so loyallye That promise doo I faithfully make thée saide the King In good sooth Sir quoth Vngan that hart that you saw throwen into the water is the first infant she shall haue by you who must of necessitie be forsaken And the other saide the King that shall remaine with me what meaneth that You may answered Vngan vnderstand by the one the desseigne of the other which is that she shall conceiue an other childe who shalbe caryed awaye againste the will of her that caused the losse of the firste Thou hast tolde me strange thinges said the King and would God the mis-fortune of my Children were not so true as what thou hast tolde me concerning the Lady I loue For thinges ordeyned and appointed by the highest answered Vngan none knoweth how to gain-say or remedy and therfore men of wisdom should neither be sad or reioyce at them because oftentimes the Lord disposeth matters beyond the capacitie of men and farre otherwise then they expect For this cause my Lord forgetting all that I haue said and which you haue béene so curious to vnderdstand referre all thinges to God desiring him in these your affaires and all other to limit the ende of them to his honor and glory and thus in mine opinion you ought to set downe your rest The King was highly contented with Vngan and so estéemed of him that from thence forward he had him néere his person by meanes wherof he receiued many great fauours Now it happened that at that instant as the King parted from the Philosophers a Damosell presented her selfe before him right costlye in garmentes and faire of beauty thus speaking Vnderstand King Perion that when thou recouerest thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland shall loose her flower So giuing her Palfray the bridle and the King not able to stay her she rode away these woordes made the good Prince more sad and pensiue then he was before For this time the Author leaueth this purpose and returneth to speake of the infant that Gandales caused to be nourished whome he made be called the Gentleman of the Sea Now was he curiously entertained wherfore in short time he grew and became so faire that all which beheld him meruailed therat but one daye among other it happened that Gandales rode to sporte him selfe in the féeldes arming him selfe as became a good Knight for he had dayly accompanied the King Languines at such time as he searched after aduentures and albeit the King discontinued Armes yet Gandales would oftentimes exercise him selfe and as he rode he met with a Damosell that thus spake to him Ah Gandales if many great personages were aduertised of what I knowe certainely I assure thee they would cause thée to loose thy head Wherfore quoth he Because saide the Damosell thou nourishest their death in thy house The knight know not the Woman that thus talked with him but
Mabila and their companye were embarqued then taking leaue of the King and Quéen at the Sea side they set saile hauing the winde so prosperous as in few daies they landed in great Brittaine where they were all right woorthily welcommed Héere-of dooth the Author at this time make no more mention because he meaneth to tell ye what happened to the Gentleman of the Sea hauing left him at the Knightes Castell that was vanquished by Galpan in the Damoselles charge who attended his woundes which in fiftéene daies were almost thorowly healed Notwithstanding despising rest determined to set on his waye so that on a Sunday morning taking leaue of his hoste and his gentle Chirurgion he mounted on Horsse-back accompanied only with Gandalin who neuer would forsake him and not farre from the Castell they entred a great Forrest It was now about the moneth of Aprill when the Birdes tune their notes most pleasantly and that all Trées Hearbs and Flowers declare the comming of the Spring time this delightsome chaunge made him remember her who aboue all other flowred in excellent beautye and for whome abandoning his libertie Loue had taken him captiue so that in these thoughtes he thus somewhat loud parled with him selfe Ah poore Gentleman of the Sea without parents or landes that thou canst auouch how durst thou lift thy hart so high as to loue her who is beyond all other in beauty bouÌ„ty and birthe Ah wretche as thou art oughtst thou not to consider by the greatnes of these thrée thinges wherin she is most perfect y e best Knight in y e world may not be so hardie as once to think of louing here And thou poore vnknowne art wrapped in a labirinthe of follie loouing and dying not daring to tell it or make shewe therof In this complaint was the Gentleman of the Sea so caryed away as forgetting all other matters he rode crosse the Forrest a long space with his Helmet closed till at length lifting vp his head he behelde a Knight well mounted in the wood by him who long had kept him company to heare his sad discourse When the Knight saw the Prince had descryed him and for that cause helde his peace he approched neerer him with these woordes Beleeue me Knight it séemes you more loue your fréend then she dooth you when in commending her you dispraise your selfe and for ought I vnderstand by your speeches you are no such man as ought to pretend loue therfore it is necessary I should knowe who she is to the ende I may supplye your defect and serue her Sir Knight answered the Prince you haue some reason for these speeches yet hap what shall you can know no more theÌ„ you doo and I can assure ye y t by louing her you can get no aduauntage So doo not I beléeue saide the knight for a man ought to conceiue glorye in trauaile or any danger in the seruice of so faire a Lady seeing that in the end he cannot but gaine his long hoped-for recompence wherfore he y t looueth in so high a place as you doo should not be agréeued at any thing that happeneth When the Prince heard him speake so sensiblye imagining he vsed these woordes to comfort him he was of better chéere and came more néere him to continue this talke but the knight saide Kéepe ye back for either by fréendship or force you must tell me what I haue demaunded Now trust me answered the Prince it shall not be so Goe to then quoth the knight see what will happen theron and defend your selfe With right good will saide the Prince So gan they lace their Helmets taking likewise their Shéelds and Launces but as they seuered themselues for the Ioust a Damosell came that spake in this manner Knightes I pray ye forbeare a while and tel me one thing before the combate if you can for such is my haste as I haue no leysure to tarrye the end of your fight At these woordes they stayed them selues demaunding of her what she desired I would verye faine quoth she heare some newes of a knight called the Gentleman of the Sea And what would you with him said y e Prince I haue brought him tidings answered the Damosell from Agraies Sonne to the King of Scotland Attend a little replied the prince and I will tell ye so much as I know of him All this time was the knight of the Forrest readye for the Ioust and much offended at her that came to staye them wherfore he called to the Prince to garde him-self giuing him such an attainte in the encounter as his Launce flew in péeces but the Prince met him so full as bothe Horsse and Man were throwen to the ground when the Horsse being more nimble then his maister seeing him selfe at libertie ran about the féelde yet the Prince found the meanes to take him againe and bringing him to the dismounted knight saide Héere Sir take your Horsse and hence-foorth desire not to know any thing against a mans will The knight would not refuse his gentlenes for he found himselfe so shaken with his fall as he could hardlye followe to catche him againe and in meane while he assaied to remount on his horsse the Prince left him comming to the Damosell that staied for him demaunding if she knew the man she enquired after No truely quoth she I did neuer sée him but Agraies tolde me that he would pâ—esently make him selfe knowne so soone as I should saye that I came from him He did not deceiue yee therein answered the Prince therefore you must vnderstand I my selfe am the man and with these woordes he vnlaced his Helmet when the Damosell saw his face she said In trueth now doo I verily beleeue it for your beauty I haue heard verye much commended Then tell me quoth the Prince where haue you left Agraies Hard by a Riuer not farre hence saide she where he staieth with his troupe attending a fit winde for passage into Gaule and is very desirous before he goe any further to know if you will beare him companie With all my hart replied the Prince ride then before and conduct me the way So rode he on with the damosell and in some short time after they came neere the place where Agraies and his Armie were encamped but yet before they arriued there they heard behynde them on cry Stay Knight for thou must tell me what I demaunded The Prince turning back behelde the Knight whom he so lately dismounted and an other that bare him company wherfore he stayed to take his Armes Now were they so néere the Prince Agraies Campe and he as they all might see the tourney hauing a farre off noted the Princes comming meruailing what he was that so gallantly managed his Horsse and to saye soothe he was in his time a Knight of the comlyest grace that euer was seene and where he stroue to hide him self he was soonest discouered by reason of his brauerie in horsseman-ship The two Knights ran together
me saide the King séeing you repose such confidence in me assure your selfe to haue what-soeuer you request or else they shalbe restored againe It suffiseth quoth the Knight then turning to the Lordes he thus procéeded Woorthy Lordes you haue all heard what the King hath promised me that he wil restore the Mantle and y e Crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me what-soeuer I shall demaund So much his Maiesty hath saide replyed the Lordes and we are witnesses therof Adiew then answered the auncient Knight for perfocre I must return to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But héere you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knightes which conducted the olde man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his Helmet open and séemed a young man the other held downe his head as lothe to be knowen béeing of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kinges Court might be equalled with him So departed they againe all thrée together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kinges custodye CHAP. XXXI ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Courte of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays béeing all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Courte of King Lisuart where they were welcommed with excéeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowen but by renowne of his famous chiualrie Beside eche one reioyced to sée Amadis who by y e false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the villainous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their combate together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Quéene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgement remembring that when long absent louers méete lookes sighes and teares are familiarly entercoursed béeing the only means to conteÌ„t ech others hart Yet Amadis thought it not best to staÌ„d still thus musing least euery eye should growe cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Quéene saying Madame according to your charge at my departure from the Courte I haue brought this Knight whom I present as only yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Madame said the King you doo me wrong if you take them both Amadis already is yours me thinkes you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for me You aske no small matter answered the Quéene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine not-with-standing séeing you are the best King that euer reigned heer so good a Knight is wel bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ye then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinkes that any thing so great a Prince demaundeth should be graunted if it were possible heere am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like therof because he hath greatest authoritie ouer me It contents me very well saide the Quéene that you should doo as your brother commaundeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeed Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellowe seruant to the Queene With all my hart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen me to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thank you Sir quoth the Quéene now may I boldelye giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a freend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this Knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreat him according to his desertes which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madame answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and estéeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues wherby to induce me which none can valewe or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladly would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him self that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers deserte or any other what-soeuer So remained Galaor in the Kinges seruice from which he could not be seperated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as we shall haue occasion to declare héereafter All this while Oriana Mabila and Oliuia had withdrawen themselues from the other Ladyes likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus graciously entertained by the King and Quéene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray yée cause the Knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to sée him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if he thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would fayne speake with you and desire you to come a little more néere them which he presently did But Mabila being wise and discreet not ignorant what medicines should be applyed to passionate mindes after they all thrée had saluted them Mabila tooke Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit betwéene Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure fréends whome I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present busâ—nes else-where as I must of necessitie leaue you awhile Thus deuised she to bring the loouers together and by a pretty wyle gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughtes with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conferre with his Lady and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreame loue tooke from him the facilitie of spéeche yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplyed the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My Lord and fréend what dolour greefe did the traytour procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore mayden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustaine such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other
ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he saide within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best knightes in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their King had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Uenison laide on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Quéene was immediatly aduertised of King Perions arriuall and therfore made speedy prouision of all thinges necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their comming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences doon on all sides the two Kinges sat downe so did the Quéene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had Loue secretly ambushed him selfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quicke and thence forward holde a sure conquest of her The like in King Perion who thought of nothing but a fréendlye entertainement yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena and she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearring regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesie but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong King and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that power he had his hart francke and frée without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner time they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with-drawen when the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherfore Elisena arose to followe her but as she stepped forward she let fall a King which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her think on other matters Now was king Perion some what néer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes méete together as the King had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her King Wherupon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a swéet regarde humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doo you for my whole life time shalbe imployed to obey you Constrained was Elisena without answering him to followe the Queene her mother so surprized and altered as very néere she had forgotten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden and vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguishe she went and discouered the same to a faithfull Damsell of hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councell her how she might safely know if King Perion had not else-where placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showen her might procéed from force of that impression which had so lately seaâ—ed on her hart The Damosell mernailing at this so sudden mutation and in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her pitteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherwith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye hee hath lefte no place in your iudgemente where counsell or reason may be entertayned and therfore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obay you I shall doo what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretion and the great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garmentes for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I perfourme this seruice and you gentle Squire maye goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Cuntry made no deniall but willinglye suffered her to take the Garments wherupon she entred the Chamber where the found the King laide on his bed who séeing her enter and knowing wel it was she whom he had séene to conferre with Elisena most priuatelye and in whom aboue all other she put chéefest trust he thought that she would not come in that sorte to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he saide Faire fréend what demaund ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I saide the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left naked and despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this Country I was frée from all passions and doubled nothing but of aduentures that might happen to knightes errant but now I know not in what sorte entring this Courte by some one of your Ladies haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell knowe how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my self happy by dooing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you will promise me saide the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say holdâ—â—â— your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my fréende quoth he I giue ye to vnderstand that at what time I behelde the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamelye tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I finde not remedy for my greefe the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the minde of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answere My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other thinges ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to Wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shalbe satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dollour then your are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you doo not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke
The ten dayes béeing spent King Perion forcing his will and notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of Elisena which were excessiue resolued to departe and therefore tooke his leaue of the Courte but as he would haue mounted on horseback he perceiued that he wanted his good Swoord wherat he became somewhat offended because it was one of the best and fayrest in the world yet durst he not demaund it fearing least the loue of him and Elisena shoulde thereby be discouered or King Garinter angry with them that visited his chamber In these thoughtes accompanied with infinite regrets without longer stay he tooke his way toward Gaule albeit before his departure Darioletta came and intreated him to be mindefull of the great gréefe wherein he left his Elisena and of the sollemne promise he had made her Alas my déere freend saide the King I pray ye to assure her on my parte that she shall haue no cause of offence and that right soone I meane to fée her in meane while I commend her to you as mine own proper hart Then taking from his finger a King semblable to an other that he had he sent it to the desolate louer intreating her earnestly for his sake to giue it her This present did no whit lessen her great gréefe but encrease it so that if she had not béene comforted by Darioletta without doubte she had then finished her dayes but so wel she perswaded her to take good hope that by the allegations she laid before her of dangerous occurrences she came somewhat better to her selfe and learned thence forward more smoothely to dissemble her sorrowe till she felte her selfe great with Childe by meanes wherof she not onlye lost the taste of her food but also the pleasure of rest and the faire cullour of her countenance Now on the highest step of mishap was her sorrow set and not without cause for in that time was there an inuiolable law y t any woman or maiden of what quality or estate soeuer offending in such sorte could no way excuse her self from death This sharpe cruell custome endured till the comming of the vertuous King Arthur the best Prince that euer raigned in that country which he reuoked at the time as he killed Floian in battaile before the Gates of Paris But many other Kinges were betwéene him and Garinter who maintained that lawe and for this cause the sorrowfull Lady coulde not be absolued by ignoraunce therof albeit that by the oathes and promises of King Perion on his Swoord God would remit the offence yet knew she not how to excuse her faulte to the world because it was doon so secretly as you haue heard Sée héere the distresse wherin King Perion left his Elisena which gladly she would giue him to vnderstand if possible she could but it might not be for she knew the promptitude of this yong King that tooke no rest in any place where he came nor was his hart satisfied except in this with following armes as also séeking strange and hazardous aduentures and therfore he was the harder to be found Thus dispayring of this succour she thought there was no remedy for her life for which she made not so much mone as the losse of the sight of her true fréend and only Lord. But at that instant the great and puissāt maker of all thinges by whose permission this act was appointed to his seruice inspired Darioletta with such counsell as she only should remedie these occurrences in such sort as you shall presently vnderstand In the Pallace of King Garinter there was a Chamber vaulte seperated from the rest neere to which was a riuer wherto one might easilye discend by a little Iron doore this Chamber by the aduise of Darioletta did Elisena request of her father as well for her ease as to continue her accustomed solitarye life and would haue none other companion thē Darioletta who as you haue heard knew the occasion of her dollorous gréefes This request she lightly obtained the King thinking his daughters intent to be as she feigned and heeruppon was the Keye of the Iron doore giuen to Darioletta to open when it pleased Elisena to recreate her selfe on the water By this meane had she a place proper to her affaires and so was in better rest and assurance then before for well was she aduised that in this place more commodiously then any other might she prouide to escape without danger Wherfore béeing there one day alone with her Damosell they fell in conference and she required councell what should be doone with the fruite that she trauailed withall What answered Darioletta mary it must suffer to redéeme you Ah poore maidenly mother saide Elisena how can I consent to the death of the creature begotten by the only man of the world whom most I loue Offend not your selfe quoth Darioletta for if you should dye hardly would it be permitted after you to liue In sooth said Elisena although I dye béeing culpable it were no reason the little innocent should suffer Leaue wee this talke answered Darioletta seeing it were great follye to hazard the safetie of that which héerafter may be the onlye cause of your losse and your freend likewise for well you know that if you be discouered you shall dye and the infant shall not liue and you dying no longer can he liue y t so deerely loueth you So shall you alone cause the death of al thrée where contrarywise if you escape the perill the time will come when you may haue together children enow which will make you forget the affection you bare to this first And as this Damosell was thus inspired so would she before hand séeke to preuent the inconuenience in this manner She got foure little boords of such largenes as was necessary to make a Chest wherin to put the infant with the clothes the swoord which she kept then did she glue thē together in such sorte as y e water should haue no place to enter This beeing doon and made fit she put it vnder the bed without declaring any thing therof to Elisena vntil the time of Childe-birthe approched and then Darioletta saide What thinke ye Madame this little Cofer is made for In good faith I know not quoth she This shalbe to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue neede Beleeue me answered Elisena wéeping but little doo I care for any thing that may happen for I féele my selfe too néere the losse of my good and all my ioy Uery soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange and troublesome oppressing her hart with sundrye bitter passions yet notwithstanding all her yrk some plundges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatlye fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliueraunce a faire Sonne which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it séemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would
and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replyed the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the King your Father left you in this Country if you remember and when y e Quéene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours only I repute my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes saide Oriana you tooke her woords to better end then at that time she meante them which I take in good parte and am content it shalbe so No sooner had she thus saide but the Prince was ouer come with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew therof but saide she would goe to the Quéene to doo what he had desired and returned soon after telling him that her greef was for the Quéen of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would goe succour her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death saide he for without your graious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these woords Oriana smiled saying Séeing theÌ„ you are mine I graunt you to be my Knight and you shall aide y e Quéens Sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thankes telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose handes so pleased you to intreate it I would more willinglye receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that saide she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner graunt it So presently she went to her and tolde what she and the Gentleman of the Sea had concluded to attaine his Knighthood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistaunce in y e sute Mabila who loued the Prince vary well thus answered I assure ye Sister there shalbe no want in me for so well dooth the Gentleman deserue as would make one doo much more then this for him wherfore let him be ready this night in the Quéens Chappell then when time shall serue we will goe with our women to accompanie him and I will send for the King mine Uncle which shalbe somewhat before the break of day that he may come sée me and he being come to vs you and I will mooue him in the matter which I hope he will graunt vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherfore they sent for the Prince and told him all the platforme they had laide who humbly thanking them would prouide all thinges ready for him selfe and therfore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine Armour so closely as you can into the Quéenes Chappell because I hope this might to receiue mine order and for I must right soone departe hence I would knowe if you haue any will to beare me company Beléeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I departe from ye Of these woords was the Prince so glad that the teares flood in his eyes with ioy Well saide he prouide all thinges ready as I tolde ye wherin Gandalin faâ—led not for ere supper he took such order as all was doone vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretlye into the Chappell where he armed him selfe except the head and handes So staying there for the Ladyes and King Perion he fell on his knees before the Aultar desiring God to be his aide not only in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortall passions The night being come and the Queene withdrawen the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their women came to the Chappell where the Gentleman of the Sea attended and Mabila hauing sent for King Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My Lord seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hether I pray you graunt Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be lothe saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thank him whom when he behelde so faire he thought all the worlde could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame dooth it please ye to commaund me any thing Not commaund my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of Knighthood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altare When the King saw him he wondered at his goodly stature and said to him My freend would you receiue the order of Knighthood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it doone saide the King who giue you grace so well to proceed therin as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spurre and dubbing him with the Swoord thus spake Now haue ye the order appertaining to a Knight but I would opportunitie had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor not withstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renown shall supply what wanteth heere in perfourmaunce Afterward King Perion tooke leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him and then set on his way toward Gaule commending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimonie of these Louers sweet desires If it seeme to the reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answere that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which think them selues most expert in those pleasing and amourous amoris haue béene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not onlye he dâ—priued them of speech but of iudgement also and it is necessary for such persons to vse greater woordes then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight béeing throughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking y e companie take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for this sudden parting felte new passions in her hart yet neuerthelesse dissembling theÌ„ took him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the Sea you will be gon then but first I pray ye tell me
constrained all Ladies and Damoselles that passed by his Castell to enter in where villamously he took his pleasure of them and not contented therwith enforced them to sweare that while they liued they should beare affection to none but him if any denied he caused them cruellye be put to death Likewise he compelled such Knightes as trauailed that way to combate one alone against his two Bretheren but if they were vanguished hee would force the conquerour to deale with him selfe he being the most hardy Knight in all those partes If it happened that he brought them into any debilitie he would take from them all they had turning them away on foote after he had made them sweare to name them selues while they liued the vanquished by Galpan otherwise he would depriue them of life But God displeased with the crueltie which so long time he had vsed to the hurt of many good people would now alter this great inconuenience and that Galpan with his complices should receiue guerdon to their desertes making them an example to all other as you shall heare presently recited CHAP. VII ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his Bretheren and in the end with Galpan him selfe BY this time the Gentleman of the Sea is come néere y e Castell where he saw a Lady cōming towards him greatly afflicted hauing no other companye then a Squire and a Page This sorrowfull woman breathed foorthe many gréeuous sighes shewing a violent kinde of warre betwéene her handes and the golden tresses of her haire which she discheueled and rent very pittifully Héerat was the Prince not a little amazed and willing to knowe what mooued her to these extreames he came to her with these spéeches Faire Gentlewoman I pray ye tell me the cause of your sorrowe Ah my Lord quoth she death would be now right welcome to me beeing the only fréend to beare me companie for such is my misfortune as teares are more conuenient for me then remembraunce of the cause In sooth Ladye saide the Prince if in any respecte I can doo ye good you shall finde me readye with all my hart Beeing sente Sir quoth the Damosell by my Mistresses commaundement to a young Knight a man of some account in these partes and passing along this waye foure cruell villaines set vpon me and whether I would or no brought me into this Castell where a traiterous Knight dishonourably forced me compelling me afterward to sweare that I should neuer loue any fréend but him This complainte mooued the Prince to great admiration and thus he answered Follow me Lady for your iniurye shalbe reuenged if God giue me leaue Héer-upon the Damosell immediatly went with him and by the way he desired her to tell him what the man was to whome she was sent If you reuenge my wrong quoth she I will tell ye but I can assure ye he is such a one as will be right sorye when he heares of my misusage Great reason said the Prince hath he so to doo and as thus they communed together they came to the place where she shewed him the foure Gardants to whom he presently said Disloyall varlettes wherfore haue ye so abused this Ladye as she trauailed on her iourny Because quoth they we stood in no feare of you but if you get ye not gone the sooner your entertainement shalbe woorsse then hers was Without any more talking he drew his Swoord and comming to one that heaued his Hatchet against him quite cut away the right arme from his bodye then turning to another cleft him ouer the face to the very eares When the rest saw their companions thus maimed they fled away so fast as they could running through a by waye along a Riuer side but the Prince making no shew of pursuing thē wiped his Swoord and put it vp againe then comming to the Damosell bad her goe forwarde My Lord quoth she hard by is a gate where I found two armed Knightes attending Well saide he and I shall finde them when I come thether So rode they on and as the Prince entred the base Courte he sawe the Dungeon doore open and an armed Knight on Horseback come foorth after whome they within let downe a Porte cullis and shut the doore againe then the Knight of the Castell auauncing him selfe very boldely thus spake to the Prince Poore wretch too soone art thou come hether to receiue shame and dishonour Dishonor quoth the Prince tush these are but woordes leaue what shall happen to the prescience of God who only is skilfull therin and tell me if thou be the villaine that did force this Lady No answered the Knight but if it were I what then I meane quoth the Prince to reuenge her wrong if I can Goe to saide the Knight I shall see then what kinde of reuenge you vse So giuing the Spurres to his Horse ran as fiercely as he could against the Prince yet he failed in the attainte but the Prince méeting him with full carrire gaue him such a gréeting with his Launce through the Sheeld as the armour being vnable to resist it let passe y e yron thorow both his shoulders wherby he fell downe dead in the place Hauing withdrawen his Launce prepared him selfe for an other that came to succour the firste who pearcing quite through the Princes Shéeld left the head of his Launce in his Armour which was of sufficient proofe but in the encounter he met his enemy to directly as he rent the Helmet from his head casting him so violently of his Saddle as he was able to sit no more on horse backe The Knight seeing him selfe thus vnarmed cryed for some other to come help him wher-upon three Halberders issued foorth to whome he saide Look well my fréendes that this man escape vs not At these woordes they ranne all thrée violentlye on the Prince and buckled so néere him as they slew his horsse betwéene his legges wherby he was constrained to fight on foote and so offended was hee therat that hauing recouered him selfe he smote his Launce through the Knights head which made him presently yéeld the ghoste And now he bestirres him self against the other thrée who cowardly stealing behinde him wounded him on the Shoulder wherby he lost a great quantity of his blood but full well he recompenced the villaine that did it letting foorth the deerest blood he had in his body by cleauing him with his Swoord as it had béene an Axe The other two terrified héere-with ran vp into a long Gallerie crying Come my Lord come quickly for we are all vanquished In meane while the Prince séeing his owne Horsse was slaine mounted on that belonged to the Knight he slewe last soone after he saw another Knight stand looking foorth at a doore who perceiuing the Prince had espied him said What hath mooued thée to come in héere and kill my people Nothing els answered the Prince then the desire I haue to
e Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonour he lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Courte yet doubting the corrupt sauour therof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victorie this Helmet may suffise Undoubtedly said the King to all there present it is the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs My Lord quoth she I obtained it by excéeding importunitie for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the king to ridde vs of all other doubts He nameth him selfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the Sea When the king heard this he was greatlye abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus spake By my faythe I am assuredlye perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him néede not to be ashamed therof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I néeded not haue doon seeing Chiualrye is in him alreadye so well accomplished Then Agraies taking occasion to speake demaunded of the Damosell where he might méete with his gentle freend My Lord quoth she he humblye commendeth him selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thither Good newes faire Damosell saide Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may finde him there with my good will shall I neuer leaue his companye You haue reason so to doo answered the Damosell for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the Sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must think it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertlye as the watchfullest eye could not discerne it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was knighted when at length he was aduertised y t the Ladies attending on the Quéen could tell better thē any body els which with much a doo he obtained of them Then may the Gentleman of the Sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtesie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too young for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteouslye welcommed the Dammosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him Letters from a Ladye that déerelye loued him of whome the Historye héerafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Armye trauailing toward Gaule to his Unckle King Perion CHAP. IX ¶ How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Courte of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his only Daughter as also a noble traine of Knightes Ladies and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers Courte with his troupe three Shippes of great Brittain took porte in Scotland wherin as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred Knightes of King Lisuartes as also many Ladies and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Béeing arriued at the Courte of King Languines they were very graciouslye entertained especiallye Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardie Knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his ambassadge which was harty thankes from King Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreataunce of y e Princesse his Daughter he requested now to haue her home and Mabila his Daughter with her to whom he would doo all the honor could be deuised Right thankfullye did King Languines accept this offer and was contēt that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine daies soiourned Galdar and his train in Scotland during which time they were most honourably feasted and in this while the King prepared other Shippes to accompanie the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherfore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewelles the ware which she had taken from the Gentleman of the Sea This gaue her such a remembraunce of him as y e teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her handes so that the ware which she helde in them suddenlye brake and she espied the Letter enclosed therin which so soon as she vnfolded she foūd therwrittē these woordes This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes she conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenaunce and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was estéemed at the most but the Sonne of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therfore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her one whom she intirelye trusted and thus spake By good fréende I will declare one thing to ye which no other then mine owne hart and you shall knowe therfore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madame answered the Damosell séeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willinglye shall I dye then faile therin and well may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to me shalbe altogether kept secret and executed to my power Then so it is déere fréend saide Oriana that you must néedes goe séeke the Gentleman of the Sea whome you shall finde at the warres in Gaule and if you chaunce to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall finde his name therin written on the day that he was cast into the Sea wherby I know him to be the sonne of a King which ought inspire him with higher courage and hardines to encrease the fame he hath alreadye so well begun You shall likewise tell him how the King my Father sent for me and therfore I am gon toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquainte him withall that when he returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limitting all thinges in such sorte as he may liue in my Fathers Courte vntill he receiue other commaundement of me Such was the spéedye dispatche of y e Damosell as without longer stay she iournyed toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof héerafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinewe the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necessary for the same Oriana
for God is our defender At these words the most dishartened tooke courage concluding to stay and fight manly with their enemyes who soone after in great fury set vppon them Now did King Abies make known his magnanimity and hardly could Prince Agraies men endure the assault nor the squadron that King Perion brought for King Abies maimed some other he ouerthrew and while his Launce held he dismounted euery Knight that met with him Afterward he layd hand to Sword wherewith he caryed himselfe so valiantly as the hardyest were amazed thereat for he made way where euer he came so that King Perions men not able longer to hold out began to retire so fast as they could toward the Citie When the Gentleman of the Sea sawe that fortune was so contrary to thē in great despight he entred the throng and fought so fiercely as the most part of the Irish-men were glad to stay while the Gaules without disorder retired toward the Castell then turning his horsse he followed them To defend this brunt there was also King Perion and the Prince Agraies who deliuered testimonie to their enemyes by the kéene edge of their Swords how well they knewe to gouerne themselues in such extremities notwithstanding the Irish-men séeing they had the better still pursued them with eager courage driuing them confusedly into the Citie hoping that now would be the end of their warre Such was the retire of the Gaules still more and more pressed by their enemyes as doubtlesse the Irish had entred the Cittie after them but that they were hindered by King Perion Agraies and the Prince who wholly did repulse the throng till their people by them were gotten in But now was tidings brought to King Abies that his Cozin Daganel and Gallin Duke of Normandye were slaine whereat he wexed verie displeasant and séeing King Perion with his people were enclosed in the Cittie he resolued to take leysure for his reuenge wherein he was deceiued for soone after he was very strongly repulsed which made him almost mad with anger And as he thus raged vp and downe one of his Knights shewed him the Prince saying My Lord he whome you see mounted on the white Horsse is the man that slew Prince Daganel and the Duke of Normandye with many other the best in your Army When King Abies heard that he rode to the Prince with these words Knight thou hast slaine the man whome most I loued in the world but if thou wilt combat I hope to be reuēged so well as I shall haue cause to be quit with thée Your men answered y e Prince are too little trauailed to meddle with ours notwithstanding if thou wilt as a Knight reuenge him thou louedst and declare the great hardines for which thou art renowmed chuse of thy men such as thou shalt like and I if it please the King will do as much of mine for being equall in number thou shalt gaine more honor then with so great an Armie which thou hast brought into this countrey without iust occasion Beléeue me quoth the King thou talkest well go to chuse thou thy selfe the number of men how many or fewe thou thinkest good Séeing you leaue it in my choise replyed the Prince I will make an other offer which it may be you will account more conuenient You are mine enemy for that which I haue done and I yours for the wrong you haue done to this Realme so for our seuerall cause of anger it is not reasonable any other then our selues should suffer let then the battaile be betweene you and me only and presently if you wil without longer dallying yet shall you assure me from your men as I will do you frō mine so y ◠none shall moue whether the one or the other be vanquished Right well said King Abies do I allow of thy offer whereupon he chose ten Knights on his part to gard the féeld And as the Prince laboured to gaine the like of the King with his consent he found King Perion and Agraies somewhat loath to graunt the Combate as well for the consequence that might ensue as also because the Prince was much wearyed and sore wounded beside wherefore they intreated him to deferre the matter till the day following But the desirous affection he had to be conquerour as also to make a finall conclusion of the warre that he might returne vnder her obeysaunce from whome he came to serue King Perion would not suffer him to make any longer delay of the glory and honor which he sawe so néere at hand For this cause he vsed so many perswasions to the King as in the ende he was graunted the Combate and on his side likewise were ten Knightes appointed for his guard and safetie in the féeld CHAP. X. ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the Combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule YOu haue heard in what manner the Combate was accorded betwéene King Abies and the Gentleman of the Sea and now alreadie is the greatest part of y e day spent wherefore it was agréed by the Lords on either side very much against the willes of the two Combatants that all should be deferred till the morrow morning as well that they might refresh themselues and repaire their battered Armour as also for regarding such woundes as they had receiued in the passed encounters Heereupon the two Kings withdrewe themselues the one to his Campe and the other to his Castell But such is the bruite spred through the Citty what worthie exploits the Gentleman of the Sea had done as he could not passe by them but thus they spake with generall voyce Ah famous Knight God giue thée grace to procéed as thou hast begun impossible is it to finde a Gentleman so accomplished with beautie and chiualrie as he is for our eyes are iudges of the one and our enemyes full well haue felt the other But you must note that in the morning when they went to the féeld the King had giuen the Queen in charge that so soone as the Prince returned from the warre she should send one of her Ladyes to him requesting him not to be vnarmed in any other place then in her Chamber wherefore as he went néere the Kings lodging the Lady came vnto him saying Sir Knight the Queene desires you not to be els-where vnarmed but in her Chamber where she stayeth your comming In sooth saide the King you must néedes graunt this request and I desire it may be so The Prince condiscending went where the Quéene stayed with her Ladyes and no sooner was he entred but presently the Ladyes holpe to vnarme him yet the Quéene her selfe tooke the greatest paine of all and as she had off his coate of Mayle she perceiued he was sore wounded which she shewing to the King he said I meruaile Gentleman séeing you are so hurt that you tooke no longer time for your Combate It had béene needlesse answered the Prince for I haue no wound
eyes and all together praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to méete with his Parents being all this while vnknowen to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demaunded of him if he had no other name then that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three dayes past since I knew thereof for as I came from the Combate against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in ware when I was found in the Sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and héere-withall he shewed the Letter to the Quéene which she full well knewe so soone as she sawe it Beleeue me sayd the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the Sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis of Gaule It was not long before the bruite héereof was spread through the Cittie that the good and famous Knight was Sonne to King Perion and the Queene Elisena wherefore if euery one reioysed you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sory for they were found to be Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge heer-of wherefore considering what comfort this would be to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to returne toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whome aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to hir Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you cannot so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shead so many teares These words caused the teares to tricle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the heauens may safely conduct ye yet let me intreate your friendly remembrance commaunding the vttermost of my endeuours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so indebted to my gracious mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuer-the-lesse you may say to her that right soone shall I come to shewe my obedience and in like armour will I be clad as when you sawe me Combat with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily knowe me if I can not compasse the meane to spake with you and in this manner departed the Damosell of Denmarke On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside said Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate hart will allowe me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to commaund me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonor she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speede and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the only cause of my parting with you Now must you note heerewithall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the King of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this young Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tell ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without land because all the portion his father left him was only a poore Castell for the rest he had spent in following Armes and entertaining Gentlemen whereupon he had the Sir-name of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whome he requested to knowe where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visit the Court of King Lisuart where I haue heard chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honor then in the Kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may commaund me in their seruice euen as your selfe or any other as well in respect of our alliaunce together as also for the gracious entertainement I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies tooke his leaue being honorably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the feelds he sawe a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his horsse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell sometime said vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she said true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whome thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the flower of Ireland and such a one as that countrey shall neuer haue his like vntill time the good brother of the Lady must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countreys and he must dye by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the only thing of the world which most he loueth And so it happened by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that countrey whome Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demaunded of King Marke of Cornewall his Unckle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the only thing of the world that he most loued Now must thou be mindfull héereof said the Damosell to the King for Vrganda my mistresse so commaundeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whome she gaue the Launce commendeth himselfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should
and hauing found it in your selfe neuer reproue it in an other Thou mayst make triall thereof if thou wilt quoth he in the Castell but get thee walking for heere shalt thou set no foote this night Now trust me said Amadis I think thou wouldest haue no man of valewe in thy companie yet before we part I am desirous to knowe what thou art That will I tell thée quoth the other on this condition that when so euer we méete thou shalt combat with me I will not stick for that answered Amadis Knowe then said he within how I am Dardan who commaunds thée not to stray so farre this night but that I may finde thée to morrow morning Thou vauntest of thy selfe very much quoth Amadis but if thou wilt cause Torches be brought hither to giue vs light and come foorth presently without longer stay we shall soone sée who ought to haue y e worsse lodging this night What said Dardan to combat with an Owle the enemy of the day must I bring Torches and this night take Armes vnwise is he that so late to gaine such simple honor will either put on Spurre or Cuyrate and with these words he went from the gate Héere may the Reader by himselfe discourse awhile what fruite ouer-braining commonly bringeth with it and contrarywise what perfection among all other vertues is in modestie No well grounded courage or gallant disposed bodie can duely put in exercise the benefit of the one or other if moderation and temperance be not their guides therein And albeit valiance hardines is a great gift of God yet are they so pernitious in such as haue them who are transported with passions or the glory of ambition as they be euen no better then cowardise and presumption Eloquence and the facultie of well speaking is a rich and precious gift of nature augmented and encreased by long vse and studie to giue light and decking to the faire conceptions of the spirit but it is there a more hurtfull pestilence in a common wealth then when a well spoken Oratour will misuse his arte and swéetnes of language Haue not some bin knowen to perswade simple people to enterprise things which afterward haue brought their ruine and subuertion I leaue the confidence of the wise and the opinitiue in their owne beautie the one procuring to many the losse of their soules and the other to infinite number the destruction of honor so hurtfull in all things is too much vsurpation of ouer-weening and immoderate estimation of our selues I will not heere compare the wisedome of Vlisses with the arrogancie of furious Aiax or the violence of Turnus with the temperance of Aeneas nor make other remonstrances by the successe of great matters happening to mightie personages both Greekes and Latines It shall content me to set for example this only accident of indiscreet Dardan to the end that young Gentlemen who take delight to reade this Historie séeing on â—he one side the pacient magnanimitie of Amadis and on the other the furious brutalitie of Dardan may propose the vertues to be imitated and the vices to be detested and punished Amadis then somewhat displeased with the outragious spéeches of Dardan departed not so much caring for his lodging as how to be reuenged and concluded sometime in walking about and other while in resting by a bushe to passe the incommoditie of this night in the Forrest thus to beguile the time till day rising As there he traced vp and down he heard the speech of some body néere him and looking about espyed two Damosels on horsseback accompanyed with a Squire after they had saluted him and he them they demaunded from whence he came so late armed wherewith Amadis thoroughly reported all that had happened to him at the Castell Know you said the Damosels the name of the Knight That do I quoth he for he told me his name is Dardan Uery true said they he is called Dardan the prowd the most audacious Knight in this countrey I beleeue it well answered Amadis Sir Knight quoth they séeing you are so vnprouided of lodging if you will take pacience to remaine this night in our Tentes which are pitched héere hard at hand you shall be welcome He glad of this courtesie rode with them and being there alighted Amadis caused his Squire to vnarme him When the Damosels saw him so faire and of such honest conuersation they were well pleased with his companie and so they supped together merily afterward they gaue him a pallad to rest vpon Neuerthelesse before they parted they demaunded of him whether he trauailed To the Court of King Lisuart answered Amadis And so do we replied the Damosels to sée what shall happen to a Lady one of the best and most noble in the Countrey who hath committed her welfare to the triall of a Combate and it must be within few dayes following be perfourmed before King Lisuart but yet we know not who will be the man for he against whome the cause must be defended is one of the best Knights in all great Brittayne What is said Amadis the Knight so much estéemed especially among so many good It is the same Dardan answered the Damsels from whome so lately you came And on what cause said Amadis ariseth the Combat I pray ye faire Ladies if you know let me vnderstand it Sir quoth one of them this Dardan loueth a Knights daughter of the Countrey who at his second nuptials maryed her I am to speake of now hath this Damosell the beloued of Dardan conceiued such hatred against her faire mother that she hath said to her friend how she will neuer loue him except he bring her to King Lisuarts Court and there openly maintayne that all the poore Ladyes goods appertaineth to her and if any one gaine-say it he to iustifie the same in combat These news were highly pleasing to Amadis for by these meanes he intended to compasse occasion to be reuenged of the wrong he did him and that in the presence of Oriana who should there perceiue what her Knight was which made him enter into such thoughts as the Damosels well noting it one of them thus spake I pray ye Sir for courtesie acquaint vs with the reason of your sudden musing if it may without offence be knowne Faire Ladies answered Amadis if you will promise me as loyall Gentlewomen to kéepe it secret and reueale it to no one willingly shall I tell ye all which they sollemnely sware to perfourme I intend quoth he to combate for the Dame you spake of and mind not to faile but I would haue it concealed from any but your selues When they heard what he said they were much abashed notwithstanding they made great estéeme of him séeing what they had vttered in praise of Dardan could not affray him but he would hazard the combat and therefore she that alreadie had broken the matter thus replyed Gentle Sir your intent procéedeth from a high resolued minde and we will pray for
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
much inferiour honor yet hast thou not changed thy Mistresse for both thou and I are hers and she doth compasse my heart with greater force then thou canst possibly binde in my finger Let vs leaue this talke answered Gandalin and returne to the Damosels who tarrie for vs in the Tent but you must dissemble cunningly for if they sée you altered from your wunted mellanchollie it may be some hinderance to your determination So they brake off communication and went into the Pauillion where Amadis nothwithstanding Gandalins councell could not but shew himselfe pleasantly disposed whereat the Damosels were very glad because such behauiour better beséemeth him then his former pensiuenes When the houre of rest was come eche one went to his accustomed lodging and soone after Amadis seeing the time commodious for his enterprise arose and found Gandalin who had alreadie prepared for their iourney wherefore being armed they mounted on horsseback taking the most conuenient way for their purpose to the Towne When they came to the Garden which Oriana had before shewed Gandalin they alighted and tyed their horsies at a tuft of trées néere adioyning afterward they went through a hole which a water-course had made in the garden wall and approached the window where Oriana lay faire and softly did Amadis knock thereon with his finger she not yet sléeping who expected his comming and when she heard the louing signall of hir friend she awaked Mabila saying Sweete Sister I thinke your Cozin knocketh at the windowe My Cozin answered Mabila it may be so but you haue greater interest in him then I or all other of his linage together Mabila presently arose and lighted a waxe taper which she had hid for the nonce when Oriana likewise was got out of bed they came together and opened the casement where they found Amadis no more attending then he was attended If they were then well pleased it were folly to enquire for all the contentinents in the world might not be compared with the ioy of séeing eche other And without question they had two inducing reasons heereto for beside the nourishment they receiued together in their younger yeares and their first amitie continued by the remembrance and good opinion they had of eche other their beautie and perfectons were so correspondent as if they had neuer seene one another till that verie instant yet had they cause enough to loue together Oriana had on such braue attire beséeming the night as set the hart of her louer on fire for vnder a fine and daintie white frontlet appeared the rarest golden tresses of haire that euer nature made and about her shoulders she had a mantle of figured cloth of gold imbroidered all ouer with rich and costly flowrets as it might beséeme the greatest Maiestie in the world And for her selfe a thing more faire was impossible to be found the inward conceit of her present comfort decked her face with such a heauenly beautie as it séemed that nature in pride of her arte made this péece to excell all other in perfection I will leaue you then to consider on the iudgement of Amadis who when the was nothing so glorious in fairenes thought her worthie the loue of the best Knight in the world now if he stoode mute blame him not hauing the only iewell of his heart before him and therefore she to breake off this silence first spake in this manner My Lord if I haue giuen you the libertie contrary to my dutie and custome to see me in this place at an houre so vnfitting you must commit the offence to the securitie which our former nutturing together loyally promised and likewise to the good opinion of your great vertues since that time encreassed which hath conquered no lesse fauour in me then honor and renowne in all other places Amadis to auoid further silence thought it better to let his spéeches passe at aduenture thē by holding his peace to be reputed vnworthie this happines or not so feruently touched with loue as she was to exclude all which doubts he thus replied Madame I account my selfe not so much fauoured by fortune in any thing else as honored at my first entrance into your seruice euen the verie highest tipe of grace she could affoord me nor do I féele my self so beholding to my vertues as I rest double bound to them that report so well of me But when both these benefits shall be excluded yet is my loue and seruice to you so affectionate as they can deserue no lesse then this secret gentlenes and when you shall allow me more ample courtesie it may commaund a stricter bond of dutie but not of affection for that is alreadie so substantially grounded that the vttermost good you can do me is neither able to augment it or the sharpest vnkindnes diminish it I know not whether it be séemely for a man to confesse the extremities he hath infinite times endured by this passion the verie least griefe I receiued hath béene the losse of rest and banishment of sleepe from mine eyes and yet to afflict me with greater torment my spirit hath séene in a dreame what it vncessantly desired How many times hath it happened to me in thinking on you to be so confounded that such as haue séene me reputed me not only depriued of common sence but euen of verie life it selfe What woman what childe well beaten hath euer powred foorth so many teares as I poore Knight haue done yea my very chiefest enterprises haue I sprinckled withall for your sake not as feeling my selfe a happie subiect in loue but rather too little merit in my selfe and much lesse hope This fauour procéeding from you in deigning to heare me is greater then euer I durst hope forand so far◠doth it surmount my passions as I cannot expresse the least part of my ioy my tongue likewise séemeth as vnprofitable and ignorant of his office hauing béene so long from seruing me to you But aboue all this impuissance in spéech shall on my behalfe testifie to you what all the words in the world cannot deliuer with sufficient trueth for as all other beautie in comparison of yours is nothing so before mine affection all the other habilities of my soule vanish away and become of no reckoning Will you then good Madame with your courtesie supply my insufficeincie and with pittie giue me both life and my selfe and conserue that which else cannot be vnlesse it be yours only These words vttered Amadis with such interruption of sighes and teares as witnessed he had no intent of feigning but rather knew how to suffer then speake wherewith Oriana mooued to compassion thus answered I make no doubt déere freend but you loue me in respect of the paines you haue taken for me as also by what you haue now told me and though I should haue no signe thereof by speech or ought else yet am I content to beléeue because my hart hath no other desire but héerein conceiueth greatest
rode together to Windesore where they had good hope to finde King Lisuart CHAP. XVIII ¶ How Amadis tarying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidinges of his brother Galaor BY the discourse past you haue vnderstood how Amadis after he had in open feelde foyled and ouer-come the audacious proud Dardan was stayed in King Lisuarts Courte by the Ladies request expressely to be the Queenes Knight his entertainement by the King fauour and manifolde other curtesies you haue likewise heard It now came so to passe that as he was one day deuising among the Ladyes a Damosell entred the Quéenes chamber who falling on her knées before the Queene said Madame is not a Knight héere that beareth azured Lyons in his armes The Quéene perceiuing she meant Amadis answered Damosell what would you with him Madame quoth she I haue brought him tidings of a new Knight who hath begun in déedes of Armes so rarely as euer did any You speake very much answered the Quéene but you perhaps being acquainted with none but him thinke therefore he is beyond all other It may be so replyed the Damosell yet when you vnderstand what he hath accomplished I thinke your selfe will agrée to my saying I pray ye then quoth the Quéene tell vs what he is When I see the good Knight answered the Damosell he who caryeth such estimation from all other I will tell him in your presence and other newes which I am charged to acquaint him withall The Quéene was now more desirous to know him then before wherefore shewing her Amadis she said Sée héere Damosell the man you aske for Madame quoth she in respect you speake it I beléeue it for a Quéene of such state as you are is frée from beguiling then comming to Amadis she thus procéeded My Lord the young Gentleman whome not long since you Knighted before the Castell of Bradoid when you vanquished the two Knights on the bridge and the other on the cawsey where you tooke the Maister thereof prisoner and deliuered by force of armes the freend to Vrganda most humbly saluteth you by me being the man whome he reputeth as his Lord and giueth you to knowe how he endeuoureth to reach the height of honor which he will attaine or dye in the attempt likewise when he shall perfourme some-what worthie the name of Chiualrie he will acquaint you with more then yet you knowe vntill which time he shrowdes it in silence Amadis soone remembred â—he spake of his brother wherefore with ioy the teares dewed his chéekes and the Ladyes well noting this alteration meruailed thereat especially Oriana who as you haue heard heeretofore was grounded in such affection toward him as she was well néere depriued of power to dissemble it In meane while the Quéene desirous to heare what déedes of prowesse the new Knight had perfourmed said to the Damosell I pray ye continue your message and tell vs the braue beginning of chiualrie you spake of Madame quoth she the first place where he made proofe of himselfe was at the Rock of Galteres where he combatted with the great and terrible Giant Albadan whome in open feeld hand to hand he ouercame and slew héereto she added the manner of the fight assuring her that she had seene the same Greatly were all the hearers abashed at these newes but aboue all the rest the Quéene who demaunded of the Damosell if she knewe whether he trauailed from thence Madame quoth she I parted from him soone after leauing him in the company of a Damosell who came from her Mistresse to séeke him because she was desirous to knowe him at which time he went with her and since I neuer sawe him What thinke you héere-of Sir Amadis said the Quéene do not you know of whence he is Yes truely Madame answered Amadis although I can say but little héerein I thinke he be mine owne brother for so Vrganda not long since assured me Doubtlesse quoth the Quéene the fortune of you both is admirable and I meruaile how you could come to the knowledge of your Parents or they of you yet would I be glad to sée that Knight in the Kings seruice While these spéeches endured Oriana who sate farre from the Quéene and heard none of these newes was in such griefe to sée Amadis shead teares as being vnable to conceale the same she said to Mabila I pray ye faire friend call your Cozin Amadis that we may knowe what hath happened to cause him mourne Mabila made a signe to Amadis to come and when he was with them Oriana shewing her selfe some-what grieued thus began Sir Amadis it may full well be said that by some Lady you are now mooued to pittie I pray ye tell vs what she is and from whence this Damosell brought you these tidings Amadis quickly perceiued his Mistresses disease wherefore he declared all that the Damosell tolde the Queene which appeased the iealouzie of this hot louer made her shew more amiable countenance thus speaking to Amadis Alas my Lord I must intreat ye to pardon the fault raysed only by fond suspition against you I promise ye Madame quoth he there is no cause of pardon nor did my heart euer thinke amisse against you but could you like thereof that I should go séeke him the Damosell departed from and bring him hither with me to serue you for this I am assured if I bring him not it will be very hard to get him hither Beléeue me answered Oriana I could gladly with so good a Knight in this companie and therefore I thinke you shall do well to go seeke him yet before you depart acquaint y e Queene heerewith that she may imagine how by her commaundement only you enterprise this iourney Humbly did Amadis regratiate his Mistresse and according to her councell he went to the Queene to whome he began in this manner It were good in mine opinion Madame that the King had this Knight likewise to attend on his seruice Certes quoth she I would it might be so if it were possible If you will graunt me leaue said Amadis to goe find him I haue no doubt of bringing him hither otherwise I knowe you shall hardly see him till he haue made himselfe knowne in many other places You doo very much for the King quoth she if he doo come neuerthelesse I referre it to your owne discretion Thus Amadis obtained licence to depart which he did very early the next morning hauing no other company then Gandalin and spending most part of the day riding through a Forrest he sawe a Lady come toward him accompanyed with two Damosels and foure Squires who weeping very greeuously conducted a Knight in a Litter whereat Amadis being abashed demaunded what mooued them to be so sorrowfull and what he was they had in the Litter He is quoth the Lady the only cause of my care and pensiuenes my Lord and husband who is wounded in such sort as I feare his death Amadis
think not so Stand on your owne defence then replied the Knight wherwith they gaue the carrire against eche other méeting together so furiouslye as the Knight was vnhorssed yet held he fast the reines of his bridle till they brake in his hand which caused him to fall on his neck to the ground where he lay without remembraunce of him selfe or any other Héerupon Amadis alighted and pulling the helmet from his head perceiued that he was in a swoune wherfore he buffetted him in such sort as he came to him self again Thou art but dead said Amadis if thou yéeld not thy self my prisoner When the Knight saw the naked Swoord ouer his head fearing his death he yeelded Then Amadis mounted againe perceiuing Angriote already on horsse-back ready to reuenge his brothers iniurie and a Squire came to the Prince bringing him a Launce which he presented him with-all from Angriote Soone after they encountred so gallantly as their Launces flewe in péeces without any further harme and ending their carrire Amadis quickly drewe his Swoord turning to Angriote who thus spake Make not such haste Knight to combate with the swoord because thou shalt haue time enough for that annon this he saide in respect he reputed him self the best at the swoord that might be found But I pray thée quoth he let vs ioust till our Launces faile or one of vs be sent to y e earth Knight answered Amadis I haue weightye busines else where and may not trifle time with tarying héere What said Angriote thinkest thâ—â— to escape me so lightly I promise thee it is the least parte of my thought yet I pray thee let vs tyre one course more Amadis was content and taking such Launces as eche of them liked finished the ioust with such violence as Angriote was cast down and his horsse vpon him Amadis leaping from his saddle saw that a small trunchion of a Launce had a little entred his body yet scorning any shame should be discerned on his side fighting for the honor and beauty of his Goddesse Oriana snatched foorth the trunchion and marched with his swoord drawen against Agriote who seing him come said I sée sir Knight thou art very yong and me thinkes before it be woorsse with thee thou wert better to confesse my Lady fairer then thine Then should I lye very fowlly answered Amadis and by my will I shall not dissent so farre from the trueth These speeches enkindled choller on either side which made them charge eche other with such vigour as not only they that behelde them but euen theÌ„selues were driuen into doubts thinking it impossible to endure so extreamely And to say sooth the cause was hard for Amadis vndertooke the honor of his Lady for which he could rather chuse a thousand deathes then she should loose one iotte of her excellence and this opinion still whetted on his courage that Angriote was compelled to diuers simple shiftes to auoide the fierce assaultes of his valiant enemye who had wounded him in twenty seuerall places and he perceiuing his death at hand stepped aside thus speaking to Amadis Beleeue me sir Knight there is more valour in thee then I imagined Yéeld thy selfe said Amadis so shalt thou doo wisely seing thou art already brought into such danger for with the finishing of our combate thy life will likewise end which can be no pleasure at all to me in that I estéeme of thee better then thou weenest These woordes he vsed as well for the braue chiualrie he noted in Angriote as also y e great honestie he shewed to the Lady in his possession wher-upon Angriote returned this answere It is reason I should yeeld my selfe to the best Knight in the world and the like all other to doo that beare Armes beleeue me then gentle Knight I not so much sorrow for my foyle as the wreakfull chaunce threatned to me by loosing this day the only thing in the world I most loue That shall you not quoth Amadis if I can helpe it beside the Lady should shew her selfe very ingratefull if she acknowledge not your honourable paines in her defence and it cannot be but she will requite ye with the good you haue deserued As for me I promise ye to imploye my vttermost habilitie in causing her consent therto so soon as I shall returne from a searche I haue now in hand My Lord saide Angriote in what place may I héer-after finde you In the Courte of King Lisuart answered Amadis where by Gods helpe I meane shortly to be So tooke he leaue of Angriote who gladly would haue had him to his Castell but he might not be hindered of his iourney Thus dooth Amadis followe the Dwarffe who guided him fiue dayes together without any aduenture shewing him at length a meruailous strong and pleasant Castell saying Sir within yonder holde you must perfourme the promise you made me And I will doo it for thée answered Amadis if it consist in my power I am in good hope therof quoth the Dwarffe in respect I haue séene some proofe of your Fortune but know ye Sir how the place is named No verily saide Amadis for till now I was neuer in this countrey It is called Valderin replied the Dwarffe and thus deuising they came néere the Castell when the Dwarffe willed him to take his Armes Why said Amadis shall we haue any such neede Yea mary quoth the Dwarffe for they suffer none to come foorth that enter so lightly Amadis buckled on his helmet riding in before the Dwarffe and Gandalin following after then looking on euery side they could see no creature This place said Amadis is not inhabited where is y e request thou saidt I should doo for thee Credit me Sir saide the Dwarffe I haue sometime séene héere a most braue Knight and the strongest in chiualrie that euer I saw who in that Porche killed two Knightes one of them béeing my maister him he put to death very cruellye without regarde of fauour or mercy In reuenge wherof I would desire that traitours head which I haue long fayled in obtaining because all such as I brought hither haue lost their liues or remaine héere in captiuitie Thou doost the part of a loyall seruant answered Amadis yet oughtest thou to bring no Knight hither before thou tell him against whome he shall fight My Lord quoth y e Dwarffe the man is knowen well enough reputed for one of the best Knights in the world therefore when I haue named him I could not méete with any so hardy as to reuenge my cause Belike then thou knowest his name said Amadis Yea my Lord replyed the Dwarffe he calleth himselfe Arcalaus the enchaunter Amadis héereupon went further in looking round about if he might see any body but all was in vaine wherefore to rest his horsse he stayed there till euening saying to the Dwarffe What wilt thou I shall do now it is so late Alas my Lord quoth he the night being so néere at hand me thinks it
with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone sée reason proceed from her that did thée wrong who being the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equal loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together we likewise might haue enioyed one sepulchre After these woordes she swouned againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenaunce as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes béeing discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the bodye Mabila dispairing of any life left in her was so surprised with gréef that she was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse and walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let me not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two frō me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames she was meruailouslye abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned she spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wunt to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further daunger if she reuiue againe Come I pray ye succour her for now is the time of greatest need and let these lamentations be referred till an other time Mabila perceiued the Damosell said true wherfore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenes some hope of life to be expected they lifted her vpon the bed whē soone after her sprites returned to their office and to quallifie this agonie they could deuise no better meanes then to busie her eares with some or other spéeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speak to vs. Madame said the other your Amadis is yet aliue and wel At the name of Amadis she opened her eyes turning her head héere and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sighe started vp saying Alas sweete freend where is he We vnderstand quoth she that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wunt to vaunt of him selfe without cause feeding him selfe with false praise of deceiuing Knightes Why said Oriana haue I not heard that he brought his horsse and Armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as well be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to trye our constancie then finding vs thus weakly disposed he should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you think so simply Madame that Amadis could be ouercome by one no better a Knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of him selfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he find you not only dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to greefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by mallice can doo and thus you bothe shall dye one for another Whē Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her freende if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the trueth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amourously conferred when first he arriued at her Fathers Courte and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah windowe the witnes of my abandoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whome thou causest me remember and by whose gracious woordes both thou and I were made happie of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou endure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue doone which fayling me now giueth me strange and insupportable tormentes to be my companions and hence-foorth shall my sad spirit remayne in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then she had doon in this manner Why Madame think you if I helde these babling newes for trueth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sorte the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite al the world to wéep then want consolation for you who stand in such néed therof But I sée so slender appearaunce of beléefe as I wil not before time require repute you infortunate because discōforting our selues without assuraunce the euill héereby may be amended and the good made much more wursse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time béen shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he be dead I care not though our loue were openly known for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladyes all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demaunded for Oriana she answered that she accompanyed Mabila whome she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her gréefe for her Cozin Amadis Thus was the Princesses secret sadnes couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults betwéene doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoyuas entred the Pallace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew thē for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knées before the King were quickly called to remembrance his Maiestie thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue taryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath béene the cause where-out had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen libertie to me this Lady many more by such deeds of armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue beene deliuered Yet was he once in daunger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damsels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whome he verily thought to be dead What my fréend quoth he by the faith thou owest vnto God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demaund such a question Because said the King
to finde there the Princesse Oliuia the choice Ladye and Mistresse of his hart But when they came among the Ladies their entertainment was good and gracious especially by the Quéene her selfe who caused them to sit down by her as meaning matter of more priuate conference Many familiar spéeches were entercoursed betwene them and practising by all meanes to welcome them honourably for she was the only Quéen of the world that soonest could win the harts of Gentlemen and therin took no little pleasure by meanes wherof she was loued of most and least beeing reputed the most vertuous Lady liuing Now had Oliuia made choise of her place next Mabila thinking Agraies would soonest come to his Sister when he left the Queene but while he beguiled the time with her his eye glaunced on the obiect of his heart which he being vnable to dissemble was compelled to a sudden alteration of countenance and could not withdraw his lookes from the Adamant of his thoughts which the Queene somewhat noted yet imagined his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies wil ye not see your Sister whome you loue so deerely Yes Madame quoth he so it please you to giue me leaue Heerewith he arose and came to Mabila who stepping forward to meete him you must thinke Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcommed him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia loouing him as you haue heard ouer-maistring her will with reason as a most wise and well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand awhile asunder from all the rest Yet did Agraies keepe neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any aunswere to his Sister She beeing ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this sudden mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with ech others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauour them with more libertie feigning a desire to speake with her Unckle Galuanes which she prettily coullered in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Unckle may come hither because it is long time since I sawe him and I haue somewhat to acquaint him withall secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agraies wherupon he went to the Queene and thus spake Madame if you could spare mine vncle a little you might doo his Niece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good saide the Quéene at which woordes Galuanes went with him which Mabila séeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Faire Niece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye doo you like Scotland or this countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the windowe because I haue many thinges to tell ye which were needlesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they béeing of such importance as they are These woordes she vttered smiling and with a meruailous good grace cheefelye because her Brother might courte his freende alone And well saide Niece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes be kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes wherof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone when the Prince perceiuing he had libertie to speake trembling in aboundaunce of affection he began thus Madame to accomplish your commaundement when you parted from me as also to satisfie my hart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gracious contentment conuayed therto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my faith that beeing neere your person my spirits feele them-selues viuified in such sorte as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therfore I desire ye if it be your pleasure to limit me some better hap héer-after in place where I may often sée and doo you seruice and as he would haue procéeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the gréefe you endure we béeing absent one from an other as no other proofe is required then what mine own hart doth plainly testifie smothering a displeasure wursse then death it self wherto often-times I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerfull hope reback this despaire how one day our loue shall meete together with happie contentation And perswade your selfe that I dayly trauaile in remembraunce of our mutuall loue meane while swéete fréend temporize and dismay not Mistresse said Agraies you haue already so bound me to you as I must in dutye temporize till time you please but I desire ye to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortefie me withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shal haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer wil I faile ye be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteem ye wherby I may striue to loue you more theÌ„ any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine only And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioye therin for it cannot be without recitall of your hautye courage and chiualrie yet my hart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer-bolde venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare him selfe so praysed vayled his lookes and she lothe to offend him altered her spéech demaunding what he was determined to doo On my faith Madame ê™ he I will doo nothing but what you please to commaund me I will then saide Oliuia that hence-foorth you keepe companye with your Cozin Amadis for I know he loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to be one of this Court deny it not Beléeue me Madame answered Agraies both you such good councelling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I will more credit with mine affaires then my honourable Cozin Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing knowledge of him in her fathers Kingdome of Denmarke where he perfourmed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with
least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attired entred the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demaunding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiestie himself the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well doo you séeme a King by your porte and countenance yet may it be doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you sée and heereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Me thinks my Lord answered the Damsell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doo desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make me such a liberall offer I hope one day to trye the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must be assembled many valiant men who shall knowe by the promise you haue made me how woorthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualrie is honored by you Damosell sayd the King so much as effects may better my words so much the more will it glad me to sée good store of hardie Knights there present My Lord quoth she if effects answere your woords I shall haue great reason to be contented So tooke she leaue of him returning the same way she came where-at euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimitie as whatsoeuer happened he would not be reprooued with cowardise and so déerely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deathes then to sée him suffer any mishap or iniurie Whereupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuenience to alter the promise he had so lightly made shewing it was not beséeming his Maiestie to deale with affayres of Knights and Gentlemen hee béeing placed in authoritye ouer them While they stoode on these tearmes there entred three Knights two of them beeing very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for he was a man of auncient yeares as séemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull couller then commonly hath béene noted in a man of his age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This Knight caryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demaunding for the King the Gentlemen shewed where he sate making him way to his Maiestie before whome he fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is King Lisuart for within these fewe dayes he hath made the most woorthye promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me Knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to bée perfourmed but I would fayne knowe your meaning héerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the Knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honor a matter wherein now adayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Héerein you were tolde trueth sayd the King and you may bée well assured that I will doo my vttermost to aduaunce the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the Knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your Countrey to bee readye at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you héere a thing with me which such a King as you are ought most royally to receyue Then opening the Cofer he tooke foorth a Crowne of golde so sumptuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and precious Stones as neuer was séene a more costlyer Iewell euery one béeing of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mightye Lord. When the King had long and earnestly beheld it hée was verye desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the Knight perceiuing sayde This Crowne my Lorde is of such workemanship as no Ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be estéemed for the King that kéepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the King who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no King but you that euer sawe it but if you like it so well I will make yee a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some daunger to loose All this whyle was the Quéene in place earnestly wishing that the King her husband might haue it where-upon she said to the King Me thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demaundeth Madame quoth the Knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buye it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was séene for beside the precious stones wherwith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sortes of beastes and birdes which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rare and curious piece of woorke not wrought as I thinke by humane capacitie You say true Madame replyed the Knight for the like heereof is not to be found yet may not the riches compare with the propertie and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maryed Ladies then any other because she that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of chéefe regarde answered the Quéen if it haue any such indéed I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the Knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grewe she meruaylous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betwéene the King and her wherfore she said to the Knight Say Sir how doo you estimate this Mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseeche you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the handes of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of gréefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedie while I liue and because I know not well the valewe of these Iewelles I will leaue them in your custodye vntill the day you holde open Courte at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demaund In mean while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue saide you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust
greeuing to beholde the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the Knight Sée my fréend héere is the gifte you demaund and the only thing in the worlde I moste loue but intend you to carrye her hence alone My Lord saide the Knight she shall be accompanyed with the two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my companye when you made me this promise at Windsore and more may I not allow vntill he haue her to whome I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell said the King for it were vnséemely she should be alone among so many men Well quoth the Knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes she béeing scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horsse-back and caused a Squire to sit behinde her on the horsse who might holde her fast least she should fall and very sad counâ—enaunce shewed the Knight saying there was none in the Courte more sorrwofull then him selfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter what-soeuer happened while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking wofully about her a tall Knight well armed came among theÌ„ who not taking off his helmet or saluting the companye tooke Orianaes horsse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchaunter and came in this sort least he should be knowen soone after he commaunded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and séeing there was no other remeeye deliuering a sigh as if her hart would haue split she saide Ah my deer fréend in a haplesse hower for you was the boone graunted because it will be bothe your death and mine Heerin she meant Amadis whome she gaue leaue to departe with the Damosell yet the standers by vnderstood it of her Father and her selfe Thus departed Oriana with them that conducted her who rode apace till they were entred the Forrest néere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horsseback to conduct his Daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any reskewe from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a window to see this sad and pensiue seperation could come no néerer to Oriana her heart was so surprized with gréefe yet by hap she espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making spéede after the Princesse on horsseback when calling him to her she said Dardan if thou loue thy maister stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishap if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessitie By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence perfourme my dutie So giuing the spurres to his horsse he gallopped the same way his Maister rode with y e Damsell But leaue we him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanyed his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the hower of this trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a Swoord hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after she had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God encrease your ioy make you willing to perfourme what you promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy Knights At these words the King knewe her remembring it was she that said how she would prooue the vertue of his heart wherevpon he thus answered In good faith Damosell I haue now more néede of ioy then euer I had notwithstanding I am readie to accomplish any thing I promised you It is the only thing my Lord quoth she of my returne to you beeing the moste loyall King in the worlde wherefore humbly I intreat ye presently to reuenge my cause on a Knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my Father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content therewith the villaine violently tooke me away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is he enchaunted as he can not be done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of great Brittayne giue him a wound with this Launce and an other with this Sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Lady of whome he had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for she hateth him aboue all other for which cause she gaue me this Swoord and Launce whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it be done but by you only who are the cheefe and most vertuous man in this Countrey wherefore as you promised me before so many valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often told him that by this day I would be prouided of a Knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending only for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for he little thinketh that I haue the Sword and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agréement together if he remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniurie but if he be vanquished he must doo what I commaund him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when he had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels Sword about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company he rode on with her she carying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge Knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayd My Lord take your helmet for this is hée you must deale withall which the King quickly did and approching néere the Knight sayde Proud Traytour defende thy selfe and thy lawlesse lust So coutching their Launces they encountred together when y e King perceiued how his paynted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his Swoord to charge the Knight but at the first stroke the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hée imagined him-selfe betrayed for the Knight did what hée pleased to him But as hée would haue killed his Horsse the King béeing quick and nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such sort they strugled together as they bothe fell to the ground the Knight vndernethe and the King vppon him by meanes whereof he got his Swoord from him and vnlacing his Helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shée coulde Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cozin quicklye or else hée dyes When the King heard her name Arcalaus hée looked vp and sawe tenne braue Knightes come running
quoth the King and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdered my Ladyes father and vniustly keep her from her inheritaunce wherfore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sonnes would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme she sendes you woord by me if still you stand vpon such triall she will bring two Knightes hither who shall in combate maintaine her cause making you know your disloyaltye and treason committed Darison eldest sonne to the King hearing his Father menaced in this sorte grew into great choller and as one mooued with despight he arose when without the Kinges consent he thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two Knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe héere doo I accept the combate for my Father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lordes to send her my head in requitall of her Fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speak as a Knight of hautie minde yet may I doubt these woordes to procéed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenaunce but if you will request the King to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a hart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldely make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiestie saide the Damosell to giue my Ladies Knightes assuraunce that for any mishap you may receiue in the combate they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three and if you purchase them such a safe-conduit they shall be heere within thrée dayes at the vtter-most Darison falling on his knée before the King saide You heare my Lord the Damoselles demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiestie in the presence of al these great Princes and Lordes humbly therfore I beséeche you séeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduauntage the presuming Knightes who dare aduenture in the cause of foolishe Briolania will imagine them-selues conquerours and vs dismaied fainte harted cowardes hauing openlye published that if any one will touche your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combate of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolishe Knightes of King Lisuarts Courte who by their ouer-wéening aspiring thoughtes make high account of their owne déedes in the contempte of others The King who loued Darison as him self though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and therby made him feare the combat graunted theÌ„ safe-conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two Knights and such as came in their company Héere is to be considered that the period of this traitours fortune was now limitted and the iust auenger of all wronges pointed out reward for the treason of him and his sonnes as in this discourse may be euidently séene The Damosell séeing her message had taken such effect as she desired said vnto them Make your selues readie for to morrow without faile shall this difference be discided So mounting on her Palfray she returned to the Castell of Galumba where béeing arriued before the Knights and Ladyes she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish Knights of King Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into thâ—se spéeches By God there are such in company of that good King as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so lowe as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-maistred him when he vttered woords of such great indiscretion Trust me my Lord answered Briolania you cannot say or doo so much against these traytours as they iustly deserue You knowe what villainie they did to the King my Father and how long time they haue disinherited me let pittie then preuaile on my behalfe seeing in God and you I haue reposed my selfe with assured hope of sufficient reuenge Amadis whose heart was submisse to vertue and all gentlenes mooued with compassion sayd Madame if God be so pleased ere to morrow at night your sorrow and sadnes shall be conuerted into pleasure and content Heerupon they concluded to set forward verie early the next morning which made them depart to their chambers except Briolania who sate conferring with Amadis on many matters when oftentimes she thought to motion mariage betwéene him and her but suspecting by his continuall sighes as also the teares streaming from his eyes that some other Lady was cause of these passions she kept silence and taking her leaue bad him good night On the morrow they goe all to horsseback and comming to the Citty of Sobradisa their arriuall was verie welcome to many who séeing the Daughter of their late soueraigne Lord and knowing the monstrous trecherie of his brother they instantly desired her prosperous successe because they bare her singuler affection Abiseos remembring the wrong he had done her and his bloody treason so vnnaturally committed seemed terrified in countenance because the woorme of conscience reuiued his heinous offence yet hauing been so long obstinate and indurate in his sinne thought fortune would now assure his quietnes confirme his state to continue in tranquilitie But when he sawe how the people flocked about her not shewing any reuerence to him his Sonnes albeit they were royally accompanyed with Lords he exclaimed on them in this maner Ah wretched and bad minded people I see what comfort you take by the presence of this Girle and how your sences are caryed away with her now may I well iudge you rather could accept her as your Soueraigne she being a woman not capable of such an office then I y t am a hardy Knight Her weakenes you may note because she hath in so long time gotten but two Knights who are come to receiue an ignominious death which in sooth I cannot chuse but pitty When Amadis heard these taunting woords he was so enraged as if the blood would haue gushed from his eyes and raising himselfe on his stirrops that euery one might heare him he thus answered Abiseos it may be easily discerned that the arriuall of the Princesse is scant pleasing to thée in respect of thy horrible treason committed murdering her father thy eldest brother but if thou haue any feeling of vertue and art repentant for thy foule misdéed yéeld to her what thou hast vniustly vsurped so shall I discharge thée of the combate prouided thou aske God forgiuenes and vse such repentance as beseemeth a sinne so hainous that by loosing honor in this world thou mayst seeke the saluatioÌ„ of thy soule héereafter Darison prouoked to anger by these speeches anaunced himselfe and before his father had leysure to reply he
Galaor chapter XVIII Fol. 92. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyse chapter XIX Fol. 97. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda chapter XX. Fol. 104. How Arcalaus brought newes to the court of king Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana chapter XXI Fol. 108. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him chapter XXII Fol. 112. How Amadis departed from the Ladies castell and of the matters whiche were occurrent to him by the waye chapter XXIII Fol. 119. How king Lisuart being in the chace sawe a farre off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed there-upon chapter XXIIII Fol. 122. How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauayle to king Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them chapter XXV Fol. 127. How Galaor reuenged the death of the knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree chapter XXVI Folio 131 How Amadis pursuing the knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whome he combatted and what happened to him afterward chapt XXVII Folio 134 How Amadis combatted with the knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him chapter XXVIII 138. How Balays behaued him-selfe in his enterprise pursuing the knight that made Galaor loose his horsse chapter XXIX Folio 140. How King Lisuart held open court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time chap. XXX Folio 142. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the courte of king Lisuart and what happened to them afterward chapter XXXI Fol. 145. How king Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good cittie of London there to hold open and royall court chapter XXXII Folio 148. How king Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of chiualrie chapter XXXIII Folio 152. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of king Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged chapter XXXIIII Folio 155. How king Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly chapter XXXV Folio 161. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that king Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour chapter XXXVI Folio 166. How Galaor rescued king Lisuart from the ten knights that led him to prison chapter XXXVII Folio 172. How newes came to the Queene that the king was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the citty of London chapter XXXVIII Folio 174. How Amadis came to the succour of the cittie of London when it was in this distresse chapter XXXIX Fol. 177. How king Lisuart helde open courte in the cittie of London many daies in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained there long time afterward chapter XL. Folio 181. How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the kings death who was father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed chapter XLI Folio 183. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the forrest whome when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest poynt of their combate they knewe eche other chapter XLII Folio 187. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countye of Zealand chapter XLIII folio 191. How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damoselles at the Fountayne of Oliues chapter XLIIII folio 197. FINIS