so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
of you you may therby easily induce him to loue vnder that cerimonye draw him to doo what your selfe shall desire In sooth replyed Madasima I will assay to know if he be such a one as you report him to be Doo Madame quoth he and you shall finde him one of the fairest Knightes that euer you behelde Héer you must note that the Knight no sooner left Galaor when he went to the Lady but he tooke occasion thus to talke with his brother You see my Lord the estate wherin we are which requireth some notable dissimulation at our handes I beseech ye therfore moderate your anger because alreadie it endangereth our liues and for a while follow my direction By heauen brother answered Amadis death had béen very welcome to me but since you wish me to be gouerned by you I am content desiring the conseruation of our honors which beeing lost we are vnworthye to liue Further they could not proceed because Madasima came and interrupted them when calling him aside and faire day was displayed on the earth his beautye and good grace so especially contented her as she became surprised with his loue which she shaddowed vnder demaunding how he fared Madame saide Galaor I fare wursse then you should were you in my power as I am in yours for I would doo you what seruice and pleasure possible I could and you vse the contrarye to me I hauing giuen no occasion of offence reason willeth I should rather be your Knight to loue and honor you then your prisoner thus vnkindely bound as I am And surely I cannot but meruaile heerat considering the simple conquest you haue therby vse then such rigour to vs as women so diuinely adorned are wunt to doo Madasima hearing his gentle language was more and more enflamed with his loue yet striung to dissemble it she merily said Tell me faire Sir if I chuse you as my fréend and deliuer you from prison will you for my sake leaue the seruice of King Lisuart and afterward tel him how you did it by my meanes With all my hart Lady answered Galaor and to perfourm it you shal haue what oathe you please both of me and my companyon for he will doo no more thē I request him Credit me quoth Madasima if before this companye you will promise to obey me presently you shal enioy your liberty Beholde me ready replyed Galaor Yet is not this enough answered Madasima for you shall sweare it in the presence of a Ladye where I am intended to lodge this night in meane while you must assure me not to departe my companye We will not on my faith Madame quoth Galaor and calling Amadis caused him to affirme as much wher-upon they were vnbound and set at libertie their Squires likewise as fréendly vsed and mounting on their owne horsses rode at their ease as they did before But Madasima Galaor still continued their amorous discourses till they arriued at a Castle named Albies the Lady wherof receiued them very honourably in respect of great fréendship betweene Madasima and her Néedlesse were it to tell ye of their good cheere it could not but be answerable to the time and company but after supper Madasima demaunded of Galaor if he meant to keepe his promise he made her by the way What else Madame quoth he prouided you be so good as your woord to me Make no doubt ther-of replyed Madasima then framing her spéeches to the Lady of the Castell and also to two Knightes that were her Sonnes she proceeded in this manner My good fréends I pray you hear a couenaunt betwéen me these two Gentlemen because heer-after you maye be my witnesses They are my prisoners and vnder these conditions I haue released them that one of them shall continue my freend and bothe of them forsake the seruice of King Lisuart telling him how for my sake and in despight of him they haue doone it Heer-upon I intreate this fauour at your handes as to meete me at the Courte of that wretched King on the day they must declare this message to see how contentedly he will take it but if they fulfill not their promise hence-foorth you shall publishe in all places the heinous offence by them committed and ten daies I giue them to execute this charge I am wel pleased said the Lady of the Castell to doo a greater matter for you then this if they as willinglye consent therto We praye you quoth Galaor not to faile héerin for we haue promised and will performe it Receiue then your libertie answered Madasima yet must you not departe this night these woordes she spake because she intended to seale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to an other whether soone after Madasima repaired she beeing young beautifull aduenterously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling ladders to the walles quicklye got possession of the Forte And so well liked she these amorous skirmiges as afterward she reported in many places how she neuer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did she but in hope of his spéedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honor she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as héereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were fréendly entertained in an Hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV ¶ How King Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly FOure dayes after Amadis and Galaor departed from the Court the auncient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Quéene as you haue heard when falling on his knée before the King he began in this manner I meruaile my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not y e Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning as yet to prooue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the Knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like them not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue graunted my demaund and happily it would prooue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beséeche yée my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer héere Now was the King
if the traitour Arcalaus woorke no newe villainie by his enchauntments but as concerning my happye deliueraunce I like well that my Quéen should vnderstand therof Wher-upon Ladasin called a Squire whom the King presentlye sent to the Courte as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the King communing with the Nephewe of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinseman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to bée King of great Brittayne Héere-upon the King concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of Landon IF you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poore labouring men not knowing the King and Oriana séeing how iniuriouslye they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide themselues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were King Lisuarts his daughters Where-upon so soone as the two Knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring thorough the Cittie especially among the Knights as they presently Armed them-selues and mounted on horsseback in such troupes that the féelds were quickly couered with men and horsses At this time was King Arban of Norgalles talking with the Quéene little thinking on any such misfortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayd My Lord you tary héere trifling too long arme your selfe quickly and follow the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Cittie how certaine villaines haue caryed the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed King Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Quéene heard these vnhappie tidings not able to vnder-goe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but King Arban hauing more mind on the King left her in her Ladyes armes hasting with all spéed he could to horsseback When he was setting foote in stirrop he heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castell whereby hée gathered they were betrayed wherefore hée caused the Quéenes lodging to bée guarded and returning to the Cittie sawe euery one readie in Armes when choosing so many as he pleased as also two hundred well approoued Knights he sent two of the chéefest to the Tower of London to vnderstand the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his trayne killing and casting ouer the walles all that he met Héerein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the Knights and men of account were gone to succour the King Highly displeased was King Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the King had béene betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences as might happen he dorayned his men in battayle placing good watch about the Quéenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take her as he had done the Tower but he met with stronger resist then he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan tooke a prisoner by whome he was aduertised how King Arban would withstand him euen to the death Now began he to deuise how by faire spéech and falshood he might take the King crauing a parle with him whereto King Arban willingly agréed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought till now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised Knightes in the worlde but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I thinke withall that what you doo is for safetie of your honor Heerin you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will be but the losse of you and your men in respect King Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proof wherof euen he that slewe him will ere long send me his head Sith Fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this Countrey dare you deny to make me King Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall intreate you so well as any Prince in my Realme suffering you still to enioy the Countrey of Norgalles and particulerlye beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered King Arban full well doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy trecherye in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue me become a traytour to his freendes as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doo the wurst thou canst thy villainie only will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put therto What saide Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as King in London Neuer shall traitour replyed Arban be King of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable King of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue saide I finde my selfe deceiued wherfore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despight of thee I will reign King in great Brittaine Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will kéep thee from such climbing as if the King my Maister were héere personallye present Then began the assault afresh King Arban withdrawing him selfe to harden his men beeing meruailously offended at Barsinans woordes Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood he brauelye on his defence many beeing slaine and sore wounded neuer-thelesse he was euer-more formoste in the fight and last at the retreit which was caused by the night ensuing Nor néede we doubt considering the puissaunce of Barsinan and the fewe on the contrary side but King Arban would take his aduauntage in resistaunce by compelling them to the narrowe stréetes where foure on a side could hardly deale together which turned to the great disaduauntage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with freshe supply still encouraged his men The retreit being sounded either side with-drawen King Arban séeing his Souldiours sore wearied by the hot skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indéed he came and comforted them in this manner My louing companyons and fréends this day haue you so woorthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will procéede better and better Remember the cause of your fight
villaines and ransomed me with the price of their liues They were vnwise to resist said Grumedan when you had so good a champion but I pray you my Lord what is become of your brother Euen in the same place answered Amadis where they seperated the father from the daughter we seuered our selues he posting after the King and I followed Arcalaus who led away Madame Oriana The better hope haue I of his succour quoth Grumedan seeing so good a Knight hath taken it in hand Héerevpon Amadis told him the horrible treason of Arcalaus and Barsinan Let me therefore intreat ye quoth he to conduct the Princesse leasurably after while I make hast before least the Queene be distressed because I doubt the traitour will offer her iniurie I thinke it likewise expedient that you cause all the Knights to returne you meete withall for if the King should be reskewed by multitude of men there is enow before alreadie and more then néedes So leauing his Lady with Don Grumedan he made all the haste he could toward London ouertaking the Squire by the way that came from the King who told him all the newes of his deliuerance which was no little ioy to Amadis hearing the fortunate successe of his brother Galaor There met he with an other likewise who made report of Barsinans dealings at London wherefore entring y e Cittie so couertly as he might the first he met withall was King Arban of whome he was louingly embraced and welcommed with request of what newes he brought None but good answered Amadis and such as you are desirous to heare but because I doubt the Queene is scant mery let vs goe sée her for happily she will be glad of our comming So rode they to the Court together Amadis still kéeping the Squire with him that came from the King and when they entred the Quéenes presence Amadis falling on his knée began in this manner Madame this Gentleman left the King well this morning and at libertie whereof his Maiestie certifieth you by him my selfe likewise not long since left your Daughter with Don Grumedan and very shortly they will be with you But because I vnderstand that Barsinan mollesteth you with trecherie suffer vs I pray you to go sée what he can doo When the Quéene heard these ioyfull tidings her inward content tooke away the libertie of her speeche nor could she doo any thing but lift her hands and eyes to heauen applauding his name from whome this good proceeded and by gestures deliuering some signe of thanks to Amadis At length hauing ouercome this delightfull passion and intending to question further concerning these newes the allarme was sounded wherefore King Arban Amadis hyed to the barres where they found Barsinans men giuing an eager charge as hoping to conquer the contrary part But Amadis thrusting him-selfe formost caused the barres to bée taken downe and accompanyed with King Arban brake in couragiously vpon the enemy a noble president to their Souldyours who being chéered by this onset tooke hart and followed Now wexed the skirmish to be hot indéed so that on both sides very many were slaine which Barsinan perceiuing and trusting in his multitude to suppresse the weaker part came formost him-selfe in person thinking now he sawe the barres open to driue his aduersaryes back againe into the Cittie When Amadis noted his forwardnes he stepped back and chaunged his Creast and Shéeld with a simple mercenarie Soldiour yet reseruing his Launce which with a strong carrire pierced through his Armour and wounding Barsinan brake in pieces in his flesh Then drawing his Swoord he gaue him such a stroke on the Helmet as he was astonnied there-with and redoubling his blowe cut his right arme quite from his shoulder when Barsinan féeling him so wounded would haue retyred back to saue him-selfe by the spéed of his horsse but he fell to the ground as depriued of his sences Wherefore Amadis left him and set vpon the rest who being vnable to endure these hot assaults likewise beholding their Lord dismounted tooke themselues to flight for safetie of their liues yet were they so closely followed as the most part of them were slaine in the feeld and some fewe of them escaped into the Tower causing the bridge to be quickly drawen vp after them Heere-upon Amadis returned where he left Barsinan and because he was not yet dead commaunded he should be caryed to the Quéenes lodging there to be kept till the Kings returne and as he would haue put vp his Swoord he sawe it soyled with blood wherefore in wiping it he said Thou trustie Sword in a happy houre was the Knight borne to whome thou belongest and as thou art one of the best in the world so is thy Maister the most vertuous Prince liuing He vsed these words because it appertayned to King Lisuart and was sent him from the Quéene by Gandalin as you heard before but now returnes he with King Arban to the Quéenes lodging to comfort her with newes of this happie victorie All this while the King is hasting toward London giuing order to returne al the Knights he met by the way among whome were Agraies Galuanes Soliuan Galdan Dinadaus and Bernas all which were highly in the Kings fauour as men of vertue and no small deseruing and his Maiestie hauing embraced them said My noble good freends you had almost lost me but God be thanked you haue recouered me againe by the help of these thrée woorthie Knightes Galaor Guilan and Ladasin In sooth my Lord answered Dinadaus so soone as your mishap was knowen in the Cittie eche one prepared to bring you succour I knowe my good Nephewe quoth the King that I am greatly beholding to you all but I pray you take good store of these Knights and post with spéede to assist the Quéene for I doubt she is in no little daunger This Dinadaus was one of the best Knightes of the Kings linage and well estéemed among men of account as well in respect of his vertues as also his braue behauiour in chiualrie so according to the Kinges commaund he rode away presently very brauelye accompanied The King likewise followed an indifferent pace least his Nephewe should stand in need of helpe and by the way he ouer-tooke Don Grumedan with his daughter Oriana how ioyfull his méeting was you may easily conceiue that the seperation was not so greeuous but this was as gladsome Grumedan told his Maiestie how Amadis left the Princesse with him while he rode before to assist the Quéen thus with repetition of many matters they beguiled y e time till they arriued at London where he vnderstood the successe of Barsinans enterprise and how valiantly King Arban had resisted him not forgetting the woorthye behauiour of Amadis in taking him prisoner and discomfiting his men except a few that saued them-selues in the Tower Héere would it aske a worlde of time to reporte the ioye pleasure and contentment betwéene the King and Quéene at their meeting
in the worlde so puissant that will be induced to such an enterprise But for-beare at this time and offer him no iniurie because he is héere to receiue iustice which shall be doone according to the councell of the Princes and Lordes present without fauouring any one Then Oliuas falling on his knée before the King began in this wanner My Lord the Duke who standeth before your Maiestie hath slaine a Cozin germaine of mine he neuer giuing him occasion of offence wherfore I wil iustifie him to be a villaine and a traytour and will make him confesse it with his owne mouthe else shall I kill him and cast him foorth of the feelde The Duke tolde him he lyed and he was ready to accomplishe what the King and his Courte should ordaine wher-upon it was determined that this emulation should be discided by combate which the Duke accepted desiring the King to permit him and his two Nephewes in this cause against Oliuas and two other Knightes This béeing graunted the Duke was very glad therof for he made such account of his kinsemen as he thought Oliuas could not bring their like notwithstanding all was deferred till the morrow following In meane while Don Galuanes asked his Nephew Agraies if he would assist Oliuas against the Duke and he consenting there-to Galuanes came to Oliuas saying Sir Oliuas séeing the Duke is desirous to fight three against thrée my Nephewe and I are determined to take your part which when the Duke heard he remembred that he had defyed them in his owne house when Agraies combatted with the Dwarffes champion at what time the Damosell should haue béene burned wherefore he became very pensiue in respect though he estéemed his Nephewes approoued good Knights yet he repented his wilfull offer and gladly would haue excused the matter if he could béeing too well acquainted with the behauiour of Galuanes and Agraies But considering his promise past before the King and so many noble personages there present he must of necessitie stand there-to where-fore the next morning he entred the Lysties with his Nephewes and Oliuas on the contrary side with his copartners Now were the Ladyes standing at the windowes to behold the issue of this quarrell and among the rest stood Oliuia the faire fréend to Agraies who séeing him ready to enter such perill was so dismayed as she could scant tell what countenance to vse By her stoode Mabila she beeing in no lesse greefe for her Unckle and Brother together likewise the Princesse Oriana louing them both in respect of the reasons héere-to-fore declared accompanyed the two Ladyes in sorrowe fearing their daunger but the Knights being ready to the combate the King by a Herald commaunded the Champions to doo their deuoyre Héere-upon with a braue carrire they encountred together Agraies and Galuanes vnhorssing the two Nephewes and albeit Oliuas receiued a wound on the stomack yet had not the Duke caught hold about his horsse neck his fortune had prooued as bad as his Nephewes Then drawing their Swoords they smote so violently against eche other as the standers by wundered at their fiercenes beholding their Shéelds defaced their Armour battered and coullered with their blood that the victory hung a long time in suspence For Agraies horsse béeing slaine vnder him brought his life into meruailous hazard because the Duke and one of his Nephewes stroue to keepe him downe seeking to thrust their Swoords into his belly or else to smite his head from his shoulders but he was so well armed and of such courage withall as he held them both play though with exceeding perill Well you may thinke that his freends greeued to see him in this distresse especially the three Ladyes of whome we spake so lately whose cheekes were bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extremitie her latest hower must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewe with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend him-selfe which the Duke perceiuing he left his Nephewe with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slayne him Agraies stepped betweene them hauing already dispatched his enemy of his head and hindered the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tell which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horsse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the Helmet as he fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horsse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ran flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his neck was broken with dragging along Heere-upon Agraies left him returning to his Unckle to knowe how he fared Uery well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it greeueth me that Oliuas is dead for he lyeth still and mooueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these woordes wherfore commaunding the Duke and his Nephewes bodies to be throwen foorth of the feeld they came bothe to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his woundes not to be mortall they bound thē vp so well as they could saying Freend Oliuas be of good cheere for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt we not of your health because we finde little danger in your hurtes Alas my Lordes quoth Oliuas my hart fainteth and albeit I haue beene héer-tofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to know whether he were dead or no and when it was tolde him how he wanted nothing but spéedye cure he commaunded him to be honorably caryed into the Cittie and his owne Chirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which they did promising to deliuer him well againe within fewe dayes Thus euery one returned disputing diuerslye on the end of the Combate and according to their particuler affections so that soone after the Queene who was one of the best Ladyes in the worlde was aduised to send for the wife to the deceassed Duke that in the Courte she might weare away the cause of her melanchollie and to dispatch this busines she sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Niece Aldena with her wherof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the freend and beloued of the Duchesse Not long after she and her Niece arriued at the Courte where they were right nobly feasted and entertained Thus the King spent the time in the Cittie of London accompanied with many great Lordes Knights and Ladyes because the same
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
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
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because the King disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the King how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the King to requite him with many thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone after came Galaors Squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the King how his brother Amadis was gon to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost
Mellin de Sainct Gelays au Seigneur des Essars N. de Herberay traducteur du present liure d'Amadis de Gaule Au grand desir à l'instante requeste De tant d'amys dont tu peux disposer Vouldrois tu bien o amy t'opposer Par vn reffus de chose treshoneste Chascun te prie ie t'en admoneste Que l' Amadis qu'il t' a pleu exposer Vueilles permettre au monde exposer Car par tes faitz gloire honneur acqueste Estimes tu que Caesar ou Camille Doibuent le cours de leuâ—r claire memoire Au marbre au fer à cyseau ou enclume Toute statue ou medaille est fragile Au fil des ans mais la durable gloire Vient de main docte bien disante plume Antoine Macault Secretaire vallet de chambre du Roy Aux Lecteurs Diuins espritz Françoys de hault scauoir comblez Qui par viue vertu merite louable En bien escripuant ceulx qui bien font ressemblez Prenez exemple icy certain honorable Que loz immortel vient d'oeuure non paroissable Comme est le present liure Et vous oisifz cessarts Suyuez ce translateur qui des branchuz Essars Du parler Espaignol en essartant deffriche Nostre Amadis de Gaule le rend par ses artz En son premier Françoys doulx orne propre riche THE FIRST BOOK OF Amadis of Gaule Discoursing the Aduentures and Loue of many Knightes and Ladies as well of the Realme of great Brittayne as sundry other Countries c. CHAP. 1. Of whence the Kinges Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knightes as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following theron SOone after the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ there reigned in little Brittaine a king named Garinter enstructed in the lawe of veritie and highlye adorned with many laudable vertues hauing a Noble Ladye to his Wife by whom he had two beautifull Daughters The eldest béeing maried with Languines King of Scottes was commonly called the Lady of the Garland because the King her Husband taking great pleasure to beholde the golden tresses of her haire would haue them no otherwise couered then with a faire circle or chaplet of Flowers Languines enioying by his Quéene Agraies and Mabila of whom this present History often maketh mention The other yongest Daughter to this King Garinter was named Elisena very much excelling the eldest in beauty and though she had beene oftentimes desired in mariage by sundry Princes and great Lordes yet as then she had no will therto but for her solitarye and holy life was commonly called of euery one the lost Virgin in Deuotion considering that in a person of such estate endued with such excellent beauty and solicited by so many great Princes this strickt religion was not conuenient King Garinter béeing somwhat in yéeres for recreation tooke pleasure in Hunting when at one time among other it happened that hauing appointed a méeting néere one of his Cities called Alyma a Hart was put foorth in pursuite whereof him selfe wandred very farre wherfore séeing he had lost both his people and game commending him selfe to God he began to make somewhat the more haste til hauing trauersed first one way and then another at the very entraunce into a Wood he saw two Knightes fighting against one Soone had he knowledge of the twaine in y t they were his own Subiectes of whom he had heard sundrye complaintes but slender order was taken in the cause by reason of the great alliance they had in the Cuntrye as also for that they kept themselues still in this great Forrest Who the third should be he meruailed and for that time he so well liked the valour of the one Knight as he feared not what might happen to the other twaine wherfore he withdrew him selfe a little further into the Forrest because he might the better beholde the issue of the fight which sorted to such effect as by the strength of the one Knight both the other were vauquished and slaine The King beholding what had happened came foorth of the Wood when the Knight seeing one so néer him aboâ—e thus demaunded Gentle Sir what Câ—â—try is this where Knightes errant are thus assayled by robbers théeues Let this be no wonder to you Sir answered the King for this Cuntry yéeldes as other doo both good and bad As for them that thus assaulted you they haue done diuers and villainous outrages not onlye in this Wood which hath been their accustomed receptacle but like wise in many other places and chéefely against their Lord and King who could not execute iustice on them in that they were allyed to the best houses in this Realm And where may I finde the King you speake off said the Knight for I am come to séeke him to bring him newes from a great fréend of his Happen what shall answered Garinter I will tell ye so much as I knowe vnderstand then for a trueth that I am the man you aske for At these woordes the Knight took of his Helmet and throwing downe his Shéeld ran to embrace him saying that he was the King Perion of Gaule who of long time had been destrous to know him Greatly were these Kinges contented that their méeting was in such fortunate manner and conferring togeather on many matters they tooke the waye through the Wood toward the Citie where they thought to finde the Hunters but suddenly a Hart ranne before them which with some danger had escaped the toyles wherfore the Princes gallopped after the Déere hoping to kill it ere they gaue ouer But it fell out otherwise for in the pursuite as they came into the thickest of the wood a chafed Lyon ran before them which in their sight seayed on the Hart and hauing with his strong pawes torn it in péeces turned againe when running furiouslye against the two Princes he watched his aduauntage as if they had angred him which the King Perion perceiuing in laughter saide You shal not be such a glutton maister Lyon but you shall leaue vs parte of the game And héerwith presently he alighted because his Horsse would not come néer the beast so drawing his Swoord and clasping his shéeld on his arme not regarding y e cryes of King Garinter who laboured to disswade him froÌ„ the attempt he marched to the Lyon who for defence of his pray can eagerly against the King and so betwéene them began a new warre But the Lyon being quick and nimble did so much as he got his enemye vnder him yet was the Kinges hart so good that albeit he was in verye great perill of his person he was not abashed one iotte but turned him selfe in suche sorte as he thrust his Swoord into the belly of the beast which at that instant fell downe dead before him The King séeing what had happened was so
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
you take the one you must néedes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him saide My Sonne I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I doo their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My Childe that so soone beginnest to proue Fortune now sée I thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thée if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for and suffer that the woords of Vrganda the vnknowen spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to sée the time of those great meruailes promised thée in Armes The King who noted Gandales séeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beléeue me I neuer thought you had béene such a foole as to wéepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you think for and if it please ye to know the trueth I will presently tell ye héere before your Quéene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the Sea and in what equipage and he had procéeded with that which Vrganda foretolde him but that he remembred the oathe he tooke Now my Lord saide Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage When the King heard this he estéemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the childe he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing God hath doone so much for him as to preserue him from so great a daÌ„ger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Quéene so please you hee shall be mine during his young yéeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on y e next morning the King would set forward wherfore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the Sea whom she commaunded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a chéerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance and no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now dooth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion and his newe freende Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard beeing in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosophers the exposition of his Dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his loste the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing therof As he thus sadlye spent his dayes it chaunced that an other Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to knowe that King Garinter her father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pittie her in that the King of Scottes would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garanter was Perion somewhat sorrowful but yet he comforted himself by thinking he should goe to see his freend towards whome he had not diminished one iotte of his affection wherfore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your mistresse that without staying one whole day I shalbe in short time with her The Damosell wel pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so spéedily as he ariued in little Brittayne where he heard newes that King Languines had alreadye gotten all the chéefe of the Country except those Citties which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed him selfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgementes and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming and feasting of one an other the King tolde her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kinred and Subiectes which she did with all dilligence coulde be deuised as also with so great contentation as her hart might desire for héerin onlye consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scottes and how to accomplishe this King Perion was already ariued with his Sister he sent immediatlye for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in dooing honor and welcome to the King his brother At his comming he was graciously receiued by King Perion and after by embracâ—uis they hadsaluted eche other and the nuptialles likewise thorowlye ended the Kinges determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauayling toward Gaule with his Quéene Elisena and somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh him selfe along by a Riuer side and while the tentes were erecting he rode softlye alone by the water bancke imagining how hee might knowe the trueth whether Elisena had a Childe according as his Philosopher told him in expounding his Dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without anye regarde he came to an Hermitage which was néere at hand wherfore finding him selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horsse to a trée that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very auncient religious man who comming to méete him saide Knight is it true that King Perion is maryed to our Kinges daughter Yea verily answered the King Praised be God saide the good Hermite for I knowe certainlye that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replyed the King Euen from her owne mouth saide the good olde man The King then hoping he shoulde heare of him the thing which he moste desired to knowe said I praye ye Father tell me what you haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man héerein should I greatly faulte and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But séeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye knowe what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise saide to me at the time you came firste into this Countrey yet spake she to me so darkelye as I neuer knewe well how to
comprehend her woordes for she saide That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should holde their gouernement in Gaule and their hartes in great Brittaine and from thence they should goe to deuoure the beastes of other Countries but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these woordes I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification heereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the King hauing commended the holye man to God returned to his Tentes where he saluted his Quéene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his minde was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracinges the King by an apte meane recounted to her what his Astrologers had saide on his dreame earnestlye desiring her to tell him whether she had any Childe by him or no. When the good Ladye heard this she was surprised with shame in such sort as willingly she could haue wished her self dead and therfore altogether denyed the trueth so that at this time the King might not knowe what hee desired On the morrowe they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queene was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath béene héeretofore rehearsed the King bare her singuler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realm then he was wunt to doo so that not long after the Quéen brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia But the little Galaor being two yeeres and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the King his Father soiourning not farre from the Sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a windowe toward the Garden where was theÌ„ the Queene with her Sonne and Ladyes sporting there entred at a posterne doore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge and mighty Mace When the companye of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whome he tooke in his armes and in a laughter saide By my faith the Damosell saide true So without dooing any thing els taking away the Childe returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowful Queene who sawe her sonne caryed away forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but wheÌ„ she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguishe she was for her Sonne in crying saide Ah help me Mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she took it to see him caried away whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred her other Sonne throwen into the Sea wherfore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who sawe all this in the place where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Sonne at last came to y â— Queen finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the moste greeuous moue in the Worlde regreting this newe losse by whome she before hoped to vnderstand of her firste and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that behelde her All this while the King laboured to perswade her wherby at last she reobtained the reason y t before was absent wherupon the King saide Madame we must thanke God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidentlye sée hath happened the effecte of my Dreame wherof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Hencefoorth therfore feare not to declare what is become of the firste for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these woordes the mournefull Mother forgetting none of the faulte committed tolde him the mis-fortune of her firste borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it thorowe feare of death according as was the lawe of the Countrey In good faith Madame answered the King well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therfore I pray ye to take their desteny so discreetly as you may for I trust in God that séeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to affoorde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that wee shall heare good tidinges of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the yong Prince was of the Countreye of Leonâ—â— Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherin he had two strong places He was not a bloodye man as manye other were but of gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doo great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the Winde as hee arriued in his Countrey which hee had caused â—o be peopled with Christians and there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whome he went saying Father take this Childe and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a Knight for I assure ye he is the Sonne of a King and a Quéene Ah saide the Hermite why haue ye doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who moste vnhappilye killed my Father as you knowe and at this present forcibly holdes from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me beeing thus embarqued to execute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who saide Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be doone by the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demaunded by her faith whether she tolde me true or no. That shalt thou sée quoth she At what time the two braunches of one tree shalbe ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should finde him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these means remained little Galaor in the holy mans charge and there he staide so long till he was of yéers to receiue the order of Knighthood as héerafter shalbe recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a King named Falangris who dying without Children left one of his
whether you be the Sonne of Gandales or no for according to the good opinion I haue of you I thinke ye to be issued of better place Then rehearsed he all that King Languines had tolde him wherin she conceiued very great pleasure which doon they committed eche other to God So departed the Prince from this companie and right soon found Gandalin who attended for him at the Kinges lodging doore with the rest of his Armes and his Horsse wheron he mounted and left the Cittie vnséene of any because as yet it was not day so rode they on till they came into a Forrest Now is the greatest parte of the daye spent before they would refreshe them selues in any place but hunger constrained them to feede on such viandes as Gandalin had brought with him from the Cittie During this time they heard in the wood on their right hand the voice of some one which seemed to them very dolefull wherfore the prince rode presently that way where he found a Knight dead and hard by him an other in little better case for he was so wounded that he had no hope to liue As for the partie that so cried it was a woman who lay vpon the Knight pressing him so sore as made his hart to faile him and which was woorst of all the villanous woman to cause his death the sooner cruelly thrust her handes into his woundes But when the wounded Knight espied the Prince so well as he could he craued succour saying Ah gentle Sir for Gods sake suffer me not to be thus murthered by this ribaude Greatly was the Prince abashed at this wicked dealing and therfore very roughly thus spake Woman withdraw your self for you doo the thing not beséeming you or your like She as one ashamed retired and y e Knightful of anguish fel in a swoune which made the Prince verye desirous to knowe what he was but fearing that he had alreadye yeelded his breath quickly alighted and vsed such good meanes as reuiued him againe when he began to crye Ah I am dead good fréendes bring me to some place where I may haue councell for my soule Take courage answered the Prince for you shall haue what you demaund but I pray ye tell me what fortone brought ye hither or where is he that hath thus hardly intreated ye It is said the Knight through this wicked woman who albeit I was rich and puissant yea far much more then she I made choice for the good loue I bare her and espoused her as my wife neuerthelesse she discourteous creature forgetting the good and honor I had doon her hath sundry times abandoned her honest regarde namelye this night past with this Knight héere dead whom I hauing neuer before séene by chaâ—â—ice yesterday he came to me and this last night thus villanouslye abused me where taking him with the déed we had a combate together wherin as you see he lost his life But when this strumpet sawe I had slaine him fearing I would doo as much to her she fell at my féete and desired pardon wherto I easily condiscended prouided that she offended no more Héerupon I intreated her to binde vp my woundes but she perceiuing how gréeuously I was hurt brought into very weak estate through ouer-much losse of my blood to reuenge the adulterous Uillaines death she assaied to kill me outright and to make me languish the more in dying cruelly she thrust her handes into my woundes so that well I perceiue I cannot long liue Therfore I beséeche ye good Sin help me to an Hermitage which is néere at hand where I shall finde some religious man to comfort me in the agonie of my Soule Such compassion tooke the Prince on him as he and Gandalin taking him in their armes caried him on a horsse to the Hermitage in meane while the wretched woman stole away priuilie and a little before she fearing that her Husband would be reuenged on her sent for helpe to thrée of her bretheren who dwelled not farre from that place giuing them to vnderstand which way they should come In her wandring they met with her and she had no sooner espied them but she thus cryed out Ah helpe me good bretheren for héerbefore is a theefe who hath slaine this Knight which lyeth héere and hath beside so wounded my Husband as there is no hope of life left in him let him not therfore escape ye nor he that is in his company because the one is as déepe in the euill as the other Such like spéeches vsed this Harlot that by the death of the Prince and Gandalin her treason might be couered therfore that her Husband should not dye alone with her will she shewed them the Gentleman of the Sea euen as he returned from the Hermitage where he left the wounded Knight Héeer-upon the thrée bretheren too light of beléefe gallopped toward him crying Traitour thou art but dead You lye villaines answered the Prince for right well shall I defend my selfe from such traitours as you are Bestirre thy self then said the bretheren for thou hast offended vs all three and we all will be reuenged on thée if we may By good hap the Prince had his Shéeld and Launce ready and his Helmet very well laced wherfore without any further answere he sharpely charged them and méeting with the first pearced through both his Shéeld and arme and withall threw his Horsse and him so fiercely against the ground as his right shoulder was broken in the fall in like manner was one of his horsse legges so that neither the one or other could rise At this encounter he brake his Launce wherfore he suddenly drew his Sword and addressing him selfe to the other twaine gaue one of them such a forcible stroke as sâ—icing through his Armounr entred the fleshe to the very bone on his shoulder likewise so that therwith he fell from his Saddle Being thus dispatched of two he came to the third and saluted him with such a sound blow on the Helmet as the poore Gentleman was constrained to embrace the neck of his Horsse therby to sheeld himselfe from falling finding him self as greatlye amazed as y e other were Heer-upon the woman that brought theÌ„ thether fled away which y e Prince perceiuing cryed to Gandalin that he should stay her in meane while the first Knight hauing recouered him selfe vsed these spéeches to the Prince We know not Sir whether this fight hath beene for right or wrong For right it could not be answered the Prince vnlesse you think I haue doone wrong in succouring the husband of this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dye When the thrée Knightes heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had béen abused by their Sister wherfore they thus replied Insooth my Lord so please ye to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assuraunce so to doo said the Prince yet will I not acquite ye from the
in full course againste him breaking their Launces in peeces on his Shéelde but the Prince méeting him that had the foyle in the Forrest threw him againe from his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the gréef wherof made him lye still as if he had béene dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one he drew his Swoord and came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Swoord entring in he pulde it back with such force that the laces brake wherby he brought it quite from his head vpon his swoord then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the Knight quickly clapt his Shéelde before In meane while the Prince got his Swoord into his lefte hand which he could doo verye hardlye and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies Sheeld renting it violently from about his neck and afterward gaue him such a blowe on the head as in great amazemente he fell to the ground Thus did he leaue him there with his companion and rode with the Damosell to the Tentes of Agraies who hauing seene the conclusion of this quarrell meruailed what he was that had so soone ouercome two knights therfore wheÌ„ he came towards him he went forth to meete him and so soone as they knew eche other you need make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but firste he gaue commaundement that the Knightes dismounted in the feeld should be brought thither where they were no sooner arriued but Agraies thus spake to them Beléeue me my fréendes you attempted great folly to meddle with this knight You say true my Lord answered he whose arme was broken yet once to daye I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all y e happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaintes because he stood in feare to displease him During the repetition of these matters the pacience of the one and boldenes of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow morning they mounted on horsse-back shaping their course to Palingues a right good Cittie on the frontiers and the vtmoste parte of Scotland where they found Shipping and embarqued themselues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in séemely order without any hinderaunce they came to the Castell of Baldain where King Perion was besieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted therby and their welcome to be good and gracious chéefely by the Quéene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriâ—all sent to intreat her Nephew Agraies to come visit her which he did béeing accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knightes of good account But you must note that king Perion knew not the Prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„braunce that it was the same man whom he had Knighted and after-ward saued his life at the Castell wherfore thus he spake By déere fréend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth me assurance that I néed feare this warre no further hauing the only Knight of the world so néere me Dread Lord answered the Prince God giue me grace to serue you accordingly for perswade your selfe that while these troubles endure I will make no spare of my person As thus they deuised they entred the Queens Chamber when the King taking the Prince by the hand presented him to her saying Madame this is the good knight of whom here-tofore I tolde ye he defended me from the greatest daunger that euer I was in and therfore I pray ye let no spare of curtesie be made to him héere but giue him the best entertainement the time will affoorde The Queene auaunced her selfe to embrace him but he fell on his knée with these woordes I am seruant Madame to the Quéen your sister and from her I come to serue you with like obedience as to her owne person Right graciously did the good Lady giue him thankes yet little thought she that he was her sonne for she imagined the Sea had deuoured him yet was the Princes presence at that very instant so pleasing to her as her eyes could not be satisfied with beholding him and through a secret moouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembraunce sollicited with the former losse of her two Children whose yéeres she thought would haue equalled the Princes if God had preserued theÌ„ and these occasions vrged the teares into her eyes Thus wept she for hâ—m that nature touched her withall yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince behelde her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherfore he saide Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in short time to recouer your ioye and for mine owne parte trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Quéene with happy successe and for you are the Quéene my sisters knight I will that ye prouide no other lodging but abide heere with vs and all thinges shall be appointed for ye to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refreshe him selfe wherfore taking leaue for y e night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with-helde him by such importunitie as he was constrained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custodie Right soon was the newes of this fresh succour brought to King Abies of Ireland and Daganel his Cozin who made verye small account therof because in those times was king Abies accounted for one of the best knightes that euer was heard of and in respect of his hotte desire to the fight determined séeing new aide was come to his enemy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle a companion as to come sée vs I had rather he would doo it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hastie as I thinke for he feareth you too much albeit he maketh little shewe therof Know you saide Gallin Duke of Normandie by what meanes we may therto constraine him First let vs make an ambushe of the greater parte of our Armie which shall remaine with the King in this Forrest of Baldain theÌ„ you Lord Daganel and my selfe will goe with the rest to present our selues at break of daye before the Cittie and I am certain
that being discryed by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether will take hart and not faile to come running foorth vpon vs. When we sée them approche we wil dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his companie then our enemies pursuing assured victorie in their own conceit will séeke aduantage by our shamefull retire and so be taken themselues in the snare Uerie well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthie Duke giue order that all things be done as you haue appointed Now might yée there behold armed men on horssebacke the Souldiours mustering the Drommes thundering and the Trompets cheerefully sounding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings commaundement fayled in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandye shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honored the Prince by whome he had found such friendship And to make some shew of his affection toward him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they found him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered he had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually he thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared therewithall the slender meanes he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound grief as he expected no other remedie then death The Quéene desirous to knowe the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance bewrayeth some inward displeasure hath any one héere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to be tormented in sléepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoucred the ambushe and the enemyes were very néere the Cittie wherefore presently he commaunded to dorayne the Armie Now was eache one readie to horssebacke especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Cittie gate where they founde Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe foorth thinking he should tarry too long from the fight for he was one of the hardyest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could be found so that if good aduise had béene as readie with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue béen found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who séeing their enemyes to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was not there the greater part of them was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnes to assaile such an vnequall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horsse crying aloud Beshrowe him that taryeth any longer séeing them he is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ranne among them and were immediately mingled together He whome the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandye whome he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouerthrewe both man and horsse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword and as a chased Lion entred the preasse shewing such déedes of Armes as none durst withstand him for he ouerthrewe all that encountred him killing some out-right chyming and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel sawe his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beat him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to reskue him At their arriuall you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent Shéelds scattered on the ground making a great conflicte disorder among the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the contrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualrie as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benommed for the more to harten and chéere vp his men he cryed aloud to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst and what great domage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horsse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remayned Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the verie braines whereupon his men séeing him slaine they that had the best horsses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued themselues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victorie discouered the rere-guard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escapâ—â—â—s but let vs enter pel mel in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surprized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not béene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie meÌ„ themselues being sore wearyed their horsses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly endure their burthen Beside they knewe King Abies was there in person being as you heard before accounted one of the best Knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentleman of the Sea fore-seeing the disorder was like to ensue came and perswaded them rather to dye then loose one â—ote of their honor and reputation saying My friends and companyons be of good chéere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with people astonned and halfe ouercome let vs not make chaunge with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but only behold your resolued countenances I am certain they are not able to endure ye let vs theÌ„ enter among them
my Countrey and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councell for my ouer-burdened soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thée who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiaunce of so gentle a Knight as thou art but with all my heart pardon thée my death wishing thou mayst continue honorable and yet héereafter to remember me When the Prince sawe him in such debilitie he was excéeding sorrowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combat he would haue dealt much worsse with him During these spéeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commaunded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was giuen for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to y e Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the féeld into the Cittie euen with such triumphant glorie as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not only ouercome their enemies but restore the countrey that is wel-néere ruynated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combat the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at King Perions Court and before she would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward hauing séene him she searched was so honorably returned she shewed herselfe and taking him aside said Sir Knight may it please ye to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie néere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and kéeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is only yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall find your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whome only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosell said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell séeing she tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that behelde him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former traunce thus speaking What now my Lord take you the message in so ill part that commes from the only Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to finde you Ah Lady quoth he on my faith I knew not what ye sayd to me for euen as you began to speake I felt the paine to renewe in me which héeretofore you haue séene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is néedlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer frō me for I knowe more of your affaires and my Ladyes then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you néede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her Father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittayne appointing all things in such order as at your arriuall you may remayne there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainely knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then she thinks you will be and seeing being ignorant of your linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your nobilitie you should labour to encrease your fame if you can And then againe she gaue him the Letter saying Take héere the Letter wherein your name is written and which you had hanging about your neck at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast béene kept by her who hath my hart in her custodie and for whome I haue so often assayed to dye yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I séeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender valew is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauour the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deathes which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefit O highest God when shall I sée the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agréeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir so soone as I had done my message to returne with all spéede to her that sent me to you whereby she might vnderstand some newes of you therefore bethinke your selfe if you will commaund me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with me two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct ye whether you please In obeying you replyed the Damosell I trust I do seruice to my Lady Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him at the entrance of the Cittie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the stréetes Then came the Quéene with her Ladyes and Gentlewomen to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrksome to behold yet were they to be healed without any great danger of his person For this night the King desired that he and Agraies would sup with him but the Prince making excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosell to whome he did all the honor could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good newes she brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euery one but most with her whome he caused to stay attending his disposition till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a straunge occasion which was cause of his longer aboade in Gaule then he expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you heereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King
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
his Quéene Amadis Galaor Agraies Don Galuanes and certaine other his most fauoured the rest kept themselues in their Tentes according as the Herbingers had in quarters limitted them With sundry sortes of pastimes was the King entertained which continued till Fortune enuying his felicitie chaunged them into gréefe and teares by the meanes of a Lord no subiect to y e King but his néerer neighbour then fréend named Barsinan a man opulent in riches and endued with fewe vertues as may be gathered by the matter ensuing This Barsinan was Lord of a countrey called Sansuegua and very familiar with Arcalaus the enchaunter who not long before came to him and cōferred with him in this manner My Lord quoth he the great desire I haue to doo you seruice hath made me inuent the meane if you like therof to deliuer in short time the Realme of great Brittayne quietlye into your handes without much hazarding your person or any great expence When Barsinan who was a very ambitious man heard the woordes of Arcalaus who promised to make him King if he would he thus replyed In good faith my deere freend Arcalaus if thou canst perfourme the thing thou vauntest of no feare shall hinder me to hazard my person much lesse will I reckon of expence if I sée any likely-hood in the compassing It is a thing saide Arcalaus very easie to be doone and presently shall you vnderstand by what meanes prouided that you sweare to me after you are seated in the regiment to make me super-intendent and cheefe maister of your housholde That will I answered Barsinan with any thing else thou shalt desire Marke then the platfourme quoth Arcalaus You know how King Lisuart hath openlye published this feaste of September to holde open Courte whether you must goe well accompanied with Knightes then shall I order the matter in such sorte that I will cary away the King prisoner no man aliue beeing able to succour him in like manner will I cary thence his daughter whom you shall take to wife and afterward will I send ye the Kinges head Thus in respect the Princesse is right heire to the crowne and you enioying her in marriage beeing well accompanied with Knightes as I tolde ye easily may you make seazure on the Realme nor shall you finde any to speake against it In sooth answered Barsinan if such an enterprise might sorte to effect I would make thée more riche and mighty then euer were any of thy linage as also the chéefe commaunder in my house It suffiseth saide Arcalaus your selfe shall soone perceiue that sildome I enterprise any thing but it comes to passe then fayle not to be present in the assembly at London So came the traytour Barsinan to king Lisuart feigning his intent to doo him honour wherfore the King sent many of his Knightes entertaining him as a most noble fréend appointing his lodging and all thinges else necessary for him and being with the King in his Pallace he entred into these spéeches My Lord vnderstanding what royall magnificence you meane to keepe in your Courte as also the good Knightes and braue men were heer to be seen this day I intended to honor you w t my person not as your vassaile or subiect holding my Countreye of God and by the swoord but as your good neighbour and freend if you please Trust me quoth the King you doo me very great pleasure and honor and I thanke you for this gentle paines that you would be seen in so good companye assuring you Lord Barsinan and my fréend this courtesie shall be remembred in what I maye for I make very especiall account of you Your Maiesty dealeth very kindely with me replyed Barsinan and I protest on my faith to be readye in councelling your affaires for the best according as I haue a long time desired Sée how the traytour lyed in euerye woord but the good King misdoubting nothing requited his offer w t many thanks and to doo him the greater honor appointed his lodging in his owne Pallace him selfe and his Quéene going foorth of the Cittie with their Tentes and pauillions imagining he could not doo too much for the traitour And firste he acquainted him with his whole enterprise and wherfore he caused this great assembly declaring the meanes and Sirnames of the best cōmended Knightes their hautie prowesse and resolutions among whom he forgot not Amadis and Galaor whose hardines was impossible to be equalled they two being accomplished with all the vertues required in chiualrie When the King was with-drawen to his Tentes and Barsinan to the Pallace he began to consider on the strength of his Maiestie as also the loue and obeysaūce so many great Princes shewed him which made him vnable to enioy any rest and often-times he repented his foolish enterprise seeing how hard it would proue in execution Now he minded to alter his determinatiō when suddenly another opinion entred his braine so that wauering vp down in his thoughts he could not resolue on any certaintie On the next morning he came to y e King who was now clothed in his royall ornaments because it was y e first day of open Court and be commaunded one to goe to the Quéene willing her to send him the Crowne he had of the Knight and she to clothe her selfe in y e sumptuous mantle Heereupon she presently sent for the Cofer and opening it found nothing therein whereat she was greatly amazed considering she trusted no body with the keye thereof but her owne selfe and euermore caryed it about her But knowing not how to remedie this mishap she acquainted the King therewith who in great displeasure came to her saying I meruayle Madame you haue kept so badly the Iewell which would haue so greatly honored this time considering vnder what condition it was left with vs. On my faith my Lord quoth she I knowe not what to say I found the Cofer fast lockt and none but my selfe hath kept the keye of it But in a dreame this last night me thought a Damosell willed me to shew it her which I did afterward she demaunded the keye and I gaue it her when opening the Cofer she tooke foorth the mantle and the Crowne locking it againe and laying the keye where I tooke it This done she put the mantle about her and the Crowne on her head they beseeming her so well as I receiued great pleasure in beholding her and thus she spake That her selfe or she from whome she came before fiue dayes should rule in the countrey of a mightie King who at this time laboured to defend it and to conquer it from other Heereupon I demaunded what she was and she answered You shall knowe at the time I haue spoken of So she vanished frō me with the Crowne and the mantle but on my faith I knowe not if this vision came to me sleeping or whether it be of truth The King was now in greter meruaile then before willing her to dissemble the matter and not
to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the Knights and Ladyes in the place appointed for the ceremonyes of the day where sitting downe in two chayres of state the King called his Knights about him the Queene her Ladyes with whome she communed Now had his Maiestie giuen order that néerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norgalles well armed holding his Swoord readye drawen and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald he commaunded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady very richly attired and with her twelue other Damosels in like brauerie For in those dayes the great Lords and Ladyes were wunt to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betwéene them this faire Lady addressed her spéeches to the King deliuering them in fourme following My Lord most humbly I beséeche yée to graunt me audience and giue me reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiestie meaning Amadis Long time haue I béene requested by Angriote d' Estrauaus to be his Wife who I am assured is in this royall presence héereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why he kept y e vale of the Pines how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abādon Armes Neuerthelesse quoth she they departed fréends and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledge I withdrew my selfe to a Castell of mine where I kept such a strong guard and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange Knight to enter there without licence but that Knight comming thither vanquished my gardants and hath vtterly abollished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised me to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chaunced an vnhappie combate betwéene him and this Knight mine Unckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiestie held open Court I should héere present my selfe to graunt a request he must demaund of me To satisfye my promise I am come hither and desire to knowe what he will commaund me at which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the combates therefore am I ready héere to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she perfourme her owne promise On my conscience quoth she if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you knowe I am ready to fulfill my offer demaund what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so déerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what manner of demaund is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would mary with such a one as is well woorthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth Knight quoth she this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replyed Amadis but I will perfourme it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote héerein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must néedes confesse your selfe satisfyed he gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renowmed Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now doo I well perceiue that art nor cunning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue doone my vttermost to escape Angriote not only for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chaste and single I would not bring my libertie into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come néerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and riche he is a young and braue disposed Knight as you are riche in goods and possessions euen so is he in bountie and vertue not only in déedes of Armes but in all other good quallities beséeming a Knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heere-upon she stepped to the Quéene saying Madame you are estéemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall doo Faire fréend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote hath gotten among the good he well deserueth not only to be aboundant in riches but to be loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis thinke not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned me of folly but making triall of his valour and hardines yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinks the iustice of the cause commaunds that not only my self but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labour in seeking remedie for you both in him the extreame passions he endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse greefes knowen to you Now trust me Sir quoth she such praise haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then trueth wherefore following your councell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall commaund me Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to doo my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then heere I giue her you replyed Amadis on this condition that you shall be foorthwith maryed together and continue in honorable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commaundement Presently the King called for the Bishop of Saleme wha◠conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Cittie and there the wedding was sollemnized with great ioy and Triumphes wherefore we may well say that not men but God appointeth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which
to him the one of them vsing these woords King Lisuart spare the Knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one hower If I dye answered the King so shall you all for me like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not only sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did he recouer himselfe very quickly like one resolued to defend his life albeit he sawe death present before his eyes But béeing vnable to resist so many at length they got sure hold on him when renting off his helmet and his Shéeld they bound him fast with a double chayne Afterward they set him on a simple horsse two Knights still holding the ends of the chayne and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke but the Knight against whome the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus said Behold Cozin King Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus hence-foorth shall his enemyes haue no cause to dread him Uillaine quoth the King well knowe I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my woords if thou darest combate with me By God sayd Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all spéede to London and say to Lord Barsinan that he must execute what I willed him for I haue begun indifferently if he can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Cittie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore he sayd to his Cozin Take ten Knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prisons at Daguanel these other foure shall kéepe me company for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shewe her straunge and woonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboad beeing one of the strongest and fayrest in the world thus the ten Knightes caryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certaynely if héere we consider the properties of Fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more toward great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well she witnessed by King Lisuart euen in the time when he intended most honorably to be thwarted with such a contrary chaunce For at one instant he sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemyes his Daughter and heyre to his Kingdome taken from him and all his estate in daunger of ruyne He that was woont to bée honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a théefe by a villainous Enchaunter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this daye are called to the greatest honors in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenaunce suffered him to fall in these dangers to the end he might remember how all creatures remayne at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time he was brought so lowe as might bée and afterward restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI ¶ How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherfore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if she had known their names likewise how they tooke their waye toward London as men right ioyfull of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarff so fast as horsse could gallop wher-upon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinkes my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importaunce for doo you not sée what speede he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when he tolde how the Princesse Oriana was caryed from y e Court against her wil what sorrowful lamentations she made Amadis entred into a dispairing fury demaunding which way they went that had her in charge In sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorowe the Forrest which lyeth on the other side of the Cittie Without more woords Amadis gaue the spurres to his horsse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speak to his brother Galaor who left him not but followed at hand Through y t Cittie they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse and euery one shewed it him verye readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Quéens lodging where she standing at a window ouer-come with gréef espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he had left his Maister Madame quoth he he is gone after them that haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee saide the Quéene then sent she for the Kinges swoord which was accounted one of the best in the worlde saying I desire thee carry this swoord to Amadis and tell him the King for-sooke it this morning he beeing gone with a Damosell to combate for her and she hath giuen him another swoord as yet we heare no tidinges of him either when he will returne or whether he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the swoord set away with speede after his maister whose impacience vrging him to more haste then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule sloughe as he was faine to alight ere he could get foorth again And leading his horsse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor and Gandalin ouertooke him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the Swoord she sent him When he heard how the King was likewise gon his desire of speed encreased to giue him succour but his horsse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as he was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much wursse then his own yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tract of horsses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them we met certaine men leading a Knight two Ladies albeit we durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of y e wood for doubtlesse they be some bad people heer to they added such a discription of the prisoners as they easilye gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good freendes saide Amadis know you none of the
not onely to maintaine your good King but your owne liberty against a tirant a traitour and what worsse who would buy his vsurping in this Kingdome with the blood of you your wiues and children Sawe you not how he vsed them he tooke in the Tower Beholde you not the end of his purpose which is to ruinate this noble Realme that hath by diuine prouidence beene so long time preserued and euermore continued in reputation floorishing with loyall subiectes to their Prince Heard you not the flattering perswasions which the Rebell vsed before the assaulte thinking to conquer vs by his golden tongue In vaine is his labour I am right well assured that no one of you but wil dye a thousand deathes before he shall conceiue any other minde in you I sée by your resolued countenaunces if I should thinke or say otherwise I were a monstrous offendour for if he haue more men then we we haue more hartes of courage then he which forbiddeth all occasions of dismaying setting before your eyes the famous account you shall liue in héer-after By their lookes you might discearne at their retire how vnwilling they will be to trye you againe and respect not the traiterous woordes of Barsinan our King liueth and will right spéedily come to succour vs. In meane while I intreat as my fréendly companyons let nothing dismay your hope but continue as you gaue begun with this famous resolution that it is more honourable to dye for libertie then to enioy a life by thraldome and slauerie vnder a wicked iniurious and trayterous Prince When the King had ended his oration there was no one in the company how sore hurt soeuer he was but would couragiouslye encounter Barsinans power and bid him brauely good morrow the next day in the Tower where-with the King not a little contented returned to the Queenes lodging his face couered with sweat and his Armour all bloodye by reason of fiue wounds he receiued in fight The Ladies seeing him in such pittious plight were meruaylouslye abashed especiallye the Queene who well-neere dead with greefe and feare together then as a woman in middest of dispaire she saide Alas deere Nephewe what shall we doo we are all but dead Madame answered King Arban all will goe well if God be pleased in vaine doo you thus discomfort your selfe for I hope to heare good tidinges of the King and the traitours that seeke to vsurpe his Kingdome by your good and loyall subiectes shall receiue deserued punishment God graunt it quoth she but you are so wounded as I think it impossible for you to be at the battell if Barsinan come to morrow againe nor can our men doo any thing without you Be not you troubled ther-with Madame replyed King Arban for while my soule suckes her spirit from the ayre I will not for-sake my charge So bidding her good night he went to haue his woundes dressed and after-ward turned to his Souldiours merilye passing the night among them Barsinan on the other side got into the Tower of London which he had wun and numbring his men found that his power was greatly weakened yet would he make no shew thereof for dismaying the rest but shewing a dissembling countenaunce thus spake to them My fréendes it suffiseth that I haue showen mine enemies what you are and they if I thinke good to stand at my mercie wherefore I am determined without any further losse of you to rest our selues fiue or sixe dayes till Arcalaus send me the head of King Lisuart and then the sight thereof will make them not dare to resist me any longer but in hope of fauour will yéeld them-selues Eache of you therefore reioyce and be of good chéere for when I am King right richly will I reward you all So went they to rest till the next morning when Barsinan being armed mounted on horsseback with twentie Knightes in his companye and came to a Port which one of King Arbans Knights kept who seeing this troupe presently sounded an allarme But Barsinan sent him woord how he came to parle only and desired truce beside for sixe houres whereof King Arban was immediatly aduertised who graunted the truce Barsinan required and likewise for fiue dayes Conditionally that he should offer no violence to any house in the Cittie or practise any entraunce during the limitted time beside if the King returned in that space the difference should bée left to his disposition Barsinan was contented with these conditions because he accounted King Lisuarts death certaine where-upon he said to Arban I hope this little truce will be an entrance into a perpetuall peace betwéene vs for I dare assure yee King Lisuart is dead and his Daughter must be my Wife as within these fiue dayes ensuing you shall euidently sée What quoth King Arban thou hast then put him to death and couldst thou deale so traiterously with him that gaue thée such honorable entertainement in his Court rather will I presently dye then continue one hower of peace with thee get thée gone therefore quickly or I will send thee hence in pieces Is it true quoth Barsinan well mayst thou threaten me but it is in me to make thee repent it Thus returned he to his Souldiours acquainting them with his honest offers to King Arban and the audacious answere he returned for them CHAP. XXXIX ¶ How Amadis came to the succour of the Cittie of London when it was in this distresse NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood familiarly deuising with the Princesse Oriana thinking on nothing but their swéete contentation and among other discourse Amadis intreated her to tel him what spéeches Arcalaus had with her by the way On my faith Sir quoth she he confounded my senses with perswading me to reioyce saying Before fiue dayes were expired I should reigne as Quéene in great Brittayne enioying Barsinan to my husband him-selfe likewise should be chéef gouernour and maister of his house in recompence of the seruices he did for him in giuing him my fathers head and me to be his wife Ah heauens said Amadis what treason is this in Barsinan who shewed him-selfe such a fréend to the King God shield he doo no wrong to the Quéene In sooth I greatly doubt it replyed Oriana it were good therefore we hasted to sée With all my heart quoth Amadis so mounting on horsseback they rode toward London méeting many Knights by the way that followed the King whome still he directed in their course certifying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search Within a while after Oriana espyed Don Grumedan an auncient Knight of honor to the Quéen and twentie Knights more with him who all that night had searched the Forrest for the King but when he sawe her the teares stood in his eyes with ioy desiring to heare some newes of the King her father Credit me Sir quoth she not farre from the Cittie were we sundered when God ordained so well for me that Amadis deliuered me from the
likewise the Mothers comfort hauing recouered her Daughter againe but as your iudgementes can better conceiue then I set down matter aboue the reache of common capacitie so doo I leaue it to you and proceede to the King Who to terrifie the traitours thus gotten into hold besieged them seuerelly and to disharten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephewe before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which beeing doone a great fier was made wherin they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectackle and that they were in great want of victualles they yéelded them-selues to the Kinges mercye the most parte of them béeing for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at libertie vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred great trouble afterward betwéene them of great Brittaine and Sansuegua for the Sonne of Barsinan beeing a good Knight vexed King Lisuart with contagious warre as the Historye heere-after at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these mis-fortunes the former ioyes and pastimes began again during which time the Lady and her two Sonnes the messengers of Madasima who were witnesses when Galaor and Amadis promised to forsake King Lisuarts seruice arriued at y e Court When the two Princes were aduertised therof they went and freendly entertained her she saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to kéep your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenaunt with Madasima but presently will perfourm it before the King Entring the great hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiestie deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Courte to see if these two Knightes will obserue a couenaunt which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will scant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and therto she added y e whole circumstance Wherat the King wexing some what offended tolde Galaor that he had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to doo so then be trecherously slaine for had we beene knowen neither you or all the worlde could haue saued our liues but let not your Maiestie be offended for the remedie shall be more readye then you expect In accomplishing my promise to Madasima of Gantasi my Lord I take my leaue of you departing altogether from your seruice certifying you that it is her wil to doo you this displeasure and wursse if she could compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had doone then Galaor turning to the Lady and her two Sonnes said Haue we not now accomplished our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady we must néedes auouch so much You may then return when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she wéened as you may perceiue by the present effect Now my Lord quoth he to the King we haue fulfilled our promise to Madasima and because in graunting her earnest desire the time was not limitted how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter ther-into againe when you please to commaund so that we are yours as faithfull as before When the King and all that were present heard what had past they reioyced exceedingly esteeming Galaor and Amadis well aduised héerin wher-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddow of good meaning they are bound to no more then they haue accomplished for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit And say to Madasima séeing she hateth me so vnreasonably she once had them in her power who might haue greeued me all my life time but God hauing in other places deliuered me from many perilles will not suffer me to perish by so bad a woman as she is I desire ye my Lord quoth she to tell me their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible said the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde ye trueth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had knowne them and in sooth the deed might be reckoned ominous if two such woorthye persons had perished Yet when she shall know heereof saide the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. ¶ How King Lisuart helde open Courte in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater parte wherof remained there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Courte in all magnificence many noble personages béeing there assembled as well strangers as other hoping now to make little stay but to returne home to their owne houses yet the greater parte of them aboad with the King in like maner did sundry woorthy Ladyes accompany the Quéene Among other Knightes attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cozin Ladasin who as I haue saide were very good Knightes but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very few were found in the Realme of great Brittaine that caryed more account for déedes of Armes and all other graces beseeming a Knight setting aside his musing and melancholye By means wherof few or none could be pleasant with him or haue any woordes from him in companie but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughtes in such sorte with his Lady as he had minde of none but her And she of whome we speake was endued with singuler beautye béeing named Brandalisia sister to the Kinges wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in mariage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was ariued at the Courte to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and béeing in the presence of many great Lordes the Duke began in this manner Sir you haue commaunded my appearance héere this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiestie concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth me withall wherof I hope sufficiently to cléere my selfe by the rightfull iudgemēt your selfe shall giue he rest condemned like a varlet as he is for héer am I ready to approue against him or any other he shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deede At these woords Oliuas arose with him a great number of Knightes errant all resolued to maintaine this quarrell against the Duke when the King behelde them in such a mutinie he meruailed whence the cause should proceed when Grumedan speaking for all the rest saide My Lord because the Duke of Bristoya hath threatned and defied all Knightes errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it be so he hath attempted an ouer-fond warre for I think there is no King
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