death and my self more particularly who had by this time lost my honour or my life if you had been lesse strong and valiant I am exceeding glad said Rozalmond that I have diverted so great a mischief But how fell you into it By my disdain of this traitors affections answered she whom I would never suffer to visit me being perswaded that so il-favoured loath some and vicious a man was uncapâ—ble of love and most unworthy the affection of a woman of my quality He was indeed said Rozalmond too ugly and you too fair to have any part in your good grace Wherefore I was resolved to die said she and would hâ—ve câ—st my sâ—lf out of the window headlong before he should havâ— satisfied his beastly appetite upon me for having been advertised that he had surprised my house I suddenly fled into these chambers upon the confidence of three doors fast locked barred upon me with a purpose neverthelesse if it came to the worft to break mine own neck and by an honourable death prevent the grief of enduring the approaches and violence of so mishapen a monster who hath met with the justice of the Gods in his crime and his defeat having rendered me mistris again of my house I assure you Sir that you may absolutely command it Whereupon taking him by the hand she led him into a goodly chamber where Artander having unarmed him she caused him to put on a rich cloak which became him so well that this Gentlewoman named Basiliana could not behold him without the feeling of a secret fire that began to consume her heart Good Gods said she to her self how happy were I if this gallant Knight would love me as much as Dramant did I should soon change my minde and would not forbid him to represent his passions unto me I must incourage him unto it then and by my carriage let him know that I will be more facile to his desires then I was to his whom he hath slain which I may do without shame for covering my boldnesse with the resentment I ow to his assistance I may make him beleeve that my caresses are without artifice and so carry him insensibly to crave some more particular favours This resolution seeming proper to her for her contentment and having presented him with confects she drew him to walk in the garden whilst preparation was made for supper and buriall for the dead bodies Seeing her self alone with him and in the liberty to speak she would fain have begun and discovered her thoughts but bashfulnesse stopt her wouth as often as she opened it for that purpose ever and anon she changed colour and remaining silent she left her eyes to perform that office whereby Rozalmond judged easily of her pain but remembering his Armazia and not permitting his heart to conceive a thought to the prejudice of his love he made as though he understood not the mysterie of so great a silence and entertained her with ordinary discourse wherewithall not being contented it made her at last resolve to break the ice and begin this language to him with a sigh I have reason to rejoyce at your arrivall in these parts whereby your valour hath preserved me but withall I am much afraid Sir that it hath drawn me out of one danger to plunge me into another far greater for loving you more passionately then the small time of my acquaintance with you will seem to permit and doubting to finde your affections ingaged to some happier beauty I can expect no other then a wretched death from the refusall you will make me of corresponding to my desires I have discovered this secret unto you being unable to conceal it not with an opinion that you will despise what is so freely offered you but to oâ—lige you to be acknowledging for it Weigh this well Sir for my life and death is in your hands and upon your answer depends all that I can hope for or fear in this world This discourse ending with tears whereby she thought to move him unto pity she would have fallen on her knees before him but Rozalmond not permitting it sâ—id unto her Madam the truth is your speech doth not only amaze but much perplexe me for knowing how far the power of love doth extend I would gladly both give you some reliefe and yet not offend against mine own duty but considering to what I am obliged I may not for many reasons satisfie your desire The first is that I am forbidden by the religion which I hold to love any other woman but her whom heaven hath lawfully legitimated me especially Idolaters as you are the second is that I am not permitted as a Knight to spoyle a woman of her honour after I have nobly preserved it since our order is chiefely instituted for the preservation of Ladyes the third and most important of all is that my heart being ingaged under the power of another that loves me I may not to please you deceive her unlesse I will become a disloyall traitor thus have I dealt as frely with you as you have done with me and letting you see what cause I have to deny you it must oblige you to clear me from all ingratitude the meeknesse of men I confesse is great but we are to doe all things with reason and never so to subject our selves as not to be our owne masters still What glory should I gaine by the succour I have given you if I should now undo you and what were you the better for escaping Dramants violence if under the colour of my services I should do you the like wrong Not a whit Madam nor could your beauty that might seeme to excuse me before the world leave me without blame before heaven I must be then more constant and you more generous to the end that the victory obtained over our own desires may settle a quiet peace in our consciences You have given me reasons answered she with a sad countenance which are but so many shifts for to excuse your self upon the difference of our religions is nothing men are generally borne for the satisfaction of one another and a single opinion ought not to be denied them in that point to say also that it were a dishonour for you to cast me away after you have saved me from shipwrack is but a poore obligation for it is not to ruine but to preserve what is frely given you that only that alone which you may insist upon is that you will not betray a Lady that truly loves you but thereunto likewise I answer how you shall do her no wrong in loving me at at this time since my intention is not to deprive her absolutely of the power which her merit hath assuredly given her over you neverthelesse I will not presse you further but leaving you to the liberty either of contenting me or making me to dye I will only beseech you to read in my eies that which I shall suffer in
earnestnesse of affection that having bestowed certaine yeares therein he became so perfect an Artist as he surpassed all those that had travelled in those studies before him aswell as those that came after him yet was it not his purpose to make use thereof as many doe to the hurt or ruine of any but for the glory of Christendome which he so tooke to heart that all his actions had no other ayme but the preservation of those whose worth was able to mayntayne it at the due heigth as you may well judge by the sequele of this History Seeing then that Don Belianis a Prince as vertuous and valiant as could be named was somewhat enfeebled by the battell that he had fought before Constantinople with Perineo Soldan of Persia the most valiant of all the Pagans that then lived the Empresse of Almayne Claristea who might also bee termed the mirrour of Armes and Ariobarcan Emperour of Tartary he wrought so powerfully upon the mindes of that brave Pagan and of that valorous Lady as admiring the vertue of so gallant a man they determined to turne Christians and become his friends upon condition that the Persian should marry the Infanta of Greece named Sirenna which was accomplished presently after his Baptisme In which holy Sacrament he was accompanied with Salinterne without Farre his sonne and the bastard of Don Belianis Polistor of Nubia and Polistea de la Selva whom he had by the Queene of the Garamantes and had followed the Pagan colours before they knew Don Belianis for their Father This peace and this marriage cheered all Greece and particularly our Alcander who then thought it well and sufficiently supported But being continually carefull for the quiet of these Princes he had one day a curious desire to understand what good fortune was to attend their designes and life withdrawing therefore himselfe from all resort of company hee began to make his ordinary invocations and found onely by the motion and aspect of the starres that the house of Greece was to suffer a totall ruine and that these Princes were threatned with an eminent death The knowledge heereof did mightily afflict him but carrying a greater minde then to yeeld to this calamity hee made new conjurations the spirits were invoked and all the powers of Hell were summoned to appeare neverthelesse he saw nothing but signes of death and presages of misfortune Let the starres sayd hee bee froward let all the Divels in Hell conspire together to subvert the Empire of the Christians yet will I change their influences and overturne their designes For having sometimes restored life to those which breathed no more I may be permitted to preserve such as are yet in the world Thus speaking hee enfolded himselfe in a cloud and transported himselfe into the dangerous forrests of the great kingdom of Martan neere to the Empire of Mexico where long before he had built a Castle of wondrous workmanship But doubting that the charms which he had set upon it were not powerfull enough for the great purpose he had in hand hee emploied all his skill which surpassed that of all other men layd such strong enchantments upon three divisions of lodgings that hee had built in a triangular forme as those which should be inclosed therein should not grow old or bee impayred in any sort whatsoever yet not desiring that this his worke should last till the end of the world for hee well foresaw that the necessity of Christendome would one day oblige him to suffer it to be dissolved ordayned that the enchantment should be defeated by the valour of sixe the bravest Knights accompanied with as many the fayrest Ladyes of the world Thinking then that he had done enough hee presently transported himselfe to Constantinople and having talked a while in private with Don Belianis hee desired him to goe into his Chariot and with him his Sonne Belforan Fortiman of Greece his grandchilde Polistor of Nubia Polistea de la Selva Policentes sonne to Perineo Don Clarinell Don Astrides his sonne Perineo Furibond the brave Giant Salintern without feare Hermiliana the Amazon wife to Don Clarinel Florisbella wife to Don Belâ—anis the Princesse Belianisa wife to Belforan Sirenna wife to Perineo and the fayre Bergeline her daughter This done having touched the Griffons with a rod that he had in his hand they cut the ayre with incredible swiftnesse and carried him to the house which hee would have called by the name of the Castle of Treasure Where with some teares hee enclosed these Princes in one quarter of the Lodgings assuring them that they should bee enlarged after certayne ages and at such time as Christendome should have extreame need of their assistance These things being done his minde might wel have beene contented but the exceeding care that he had to effect his designes not suffering him to be quiet hee againe turned over his bookes And finding that before the time these Princes should be disinchanted certayne most excellent Knights should be borne which yet should not arrive to the perfection necessary for the putting an end to his enchantments hee resolved also to preserve them in the same Castle with the Emperour Don Belianis For which cause therefore as soone as the incomparable warriour the Knight of the Sun was borne he was infinitely carefull of his safety assisted him with his Arte without his privity and knowing that after certayne yeeres hee was threatned with a disastrous end by the practise of some traytors who should murther him one night in his bed he carried him also away as he had done Don Belianis and with him all the principall Knights of his Court who were to run no lesse hazard and placing them in the second division of the lodgings hee reserved them for that furious encounter wherein the glory of all Christendome or the ruine of the Pagans was to be disputed The names of those enchanted with him were his sonne Claridiano of the Spheare Rosiclere Claramant Poliphebo Don Eleno of Dacia Rosabell sonne to Rosiclere Clarabel bastard to Rosabel and Leobant his brother Besson Bramidor the brave Giant the Empresse Claridiana and the Princesse Olivia wife to Rosicleere Their life was pleasant and the contentment of Alcander infinite For as often as hee considered that Christendome should one day triumph over her enemies by his assistance he esteemed himselfe blessed to be so favoured by heaven and determining not to neglect such grace hee persevered in his good desire whence it came that after certayne ages were past being in the castle of Treasure he understood the lamentable losse which the Christians were to sustayne and the death of those great Monarchs Amadis of Gaule and of Greece with many others of their blood Which for the reasons before alledged being desirous to remedy hee transported himselfe the same night as that great battell was fought in the fields of the Soldan of Aleppo to the place where so many bodies lay extended gave an honourable sepulture to those
Christian Princes which were dead as you have heard in the first Chapter and carryed away those in whom he found any hope of life to that wonderfull Castle appointing them the third division of lodgings the names of whom were The great King Amadis of Gaule Amadis of Greece enchanted as you have heard Don Silves de la Selva Agesilan Amadis d' Astre Astropolo Fortiman Anaxartes Penthesilea Argantes Florartan Lucentio Falanges d' Astre Arlantes his sonne Arlanges of Spayne Lucidamor of Boetia Floreni Emperour of Rome Filisel of Montespin Zayr Flores of Greece second sonne to Esplandian Filon King of Sibila Artaur his Brother King of Mount Libanus and Lindamart of Rhodes But because there may arise a doubt in this Discourse for that all these which I now have named were inclosed in the Monument that appeared in the field of the battell after the darkenesse was past the Reader may remember if he please that these of whom I now speake were in a posture there diâ—â—ering from theirs who were fully and really dead and that the wise man did so order it to comfort those great Knights after so heavy a losse These Princes then being enchanted with Don Belianis and the Knight of the Sunne though they knew it not Alcander who would not doe a curtesie to halfes first healed them of their wounds And then desiring they should not be lesse happy then the rest presented them a little while after with some of the Princesses they loved whom he had brought from Constantinople to the extreame discontent of those that remayned behinde There was the Queene Oriana the Empresse Niquea delivered not long before of a sonne whose birth was celebrated by an infinity of fires appearing in the ayre and whom at his Baptisme shee named Amadis of Trebisond Diana Axiana the Princesse Oriana wife of Anaxartes Cleosila Sestiliana Radiana Oristila Anaxarea Theodorina Belisaura Claire estoille Sclarimena and Timbria Having then prepared soveraigne baths for them made with a million of rare simples gathered at such time as they were in most vertue he bathed them eight dayes together at the end whereof King Amadis and his wife seemed to bee but forty yeeres old and every man as fresh and lovely as they were at that age the Emperour Amadis of Greece and the Princesse Niquea but thirty five Don Silves Agesilan and the rest not above thirty This done he carried them all into a fayre chamber and thus spake unto them Mighty Princes you perceive by the helpe that you have already received at my hands the desire I have to doe you service I will not therefore excuse my selfe unto you for holding you restrayned in this maner since I have no other end for it but the augmentation of your glory All things must have their course and the malignant influences of the starres must have time to passe over The day will come when you will see your off-spring with more contentment then ever expect it with so much the more patience In the meane time I will go from hence to take care for the affayres of those which concerne you neerely Saying thus hee went out of the doore which shut of it selfe with a strange violence leaving those Princes and Princesses so inchanted as they did not remember any thing without that place whatsoever CHAP. III. Most of the Prinâ—â—â— of Greece die Alcander goes to visit the wise Alquif and Urganda THE newes of the death of so many Kings Princes and Emperours and the carrying away of the Queene Oriana with the rest which were enchanted in the Castle of Treasure was the cause of so much griefe to those Ladyes that remayned at Constantinople expecting what would be the issue of that warre as not able to withstand the violence thereof they yeelded to the necessity of death leaving Christendome a world of sorrow for so great a losse The Empresse Leonine was the first that payd that tribute of nature but followed so close by the yong Princesse of Sardamyra the wife of Sistra that the funerals of the one served also for the other After them died almost at the same time the Empresse Arbra Briolania the Queene of France wife to Lucidor the Queene of Traramate and Mesopotamia Melicia wife to Bruneo of the good Sea Lardenia Laciana Gricelarie Olinde the Queenes of Corinth Saba Bohemia the wife of Guillan the pensive the Queenes of the Garamantes of Pentapoly Galacia and Ireland the wives of Girafer of Vaillades of Don Frisus of Lusitania the Queene of Dacia the Empresse Brisenne Darayde Queene of Cores the wife of Stilpon and the Queene of Rhodes who were all interred in the Emperours great Chapell with so many complaynts and teares that nothing was heard in any part of the City but cries and lamentatioâ—s Now whilest the ceremonies of so many obsequies were performing Alcander who had no care more pressing then the preservation of those Princes went in his Chariot of the Griffons to the unknowne Island whâ—re the wise Alquif was with Vrganda Zirzea and Zirenna but not desiring to present himselfe unto them without some demonstration of his skill he in a moment raysed such horrible flashes of lightning in the aire so great an earthquake as those reverend old folkes seeing so furious a tempest beyond the order of nature beleeved that those thunders were presages of their deaths So that disposing themselves to seeke the mercy of heaven which never refuseth grace to us when with humility we seeke it they fell upon the earth and lifting up their eyes they met with a new terrour when as they espied the fearefull Chariot in which Alcander appeared seated with such a majesty that if they had not beene instructed by the light of fayth that one only God was to be acknowledged they had adored him never so much as dreaming that it was done by art Magicke or that this incounter could proceed from the skill of any mortall man For beleeving that none in the world was more expert in that art then they they could never imagine that any man could finde them out in their Island unlesse they pleased to permit it Alcander reading their amazement in their lookes and motions would not keepe them any longer in payne Most venerable persons sayd he be not dismayd to see me heere at this present and in this maner That almighty God who hath endued you with the knowledge of things above nature for the good of his people hath imparted to mee the same favours which he hath bestowed upon you and made me no lesse zealous of his glory and service I am not come hither now to trouble you as you imagine but indeed to conferre with you about certayne things which shall be necessary for the welfare of the Princes of Greece whose vertue hath begotten such an affection in me towards them as I will not entertayne a thought but for the augmentation of their glory I know that you have alwayes infinitely loved them that
who had written unto them they were no whit dismayed and taking it for a good testimony of his love to them in that he had not left those bodies in the middest of so many enemies they prepared for their departure with the lesse griefe The time then of their remoove being come all those troopes began to march severall wayes For Spheramond Dorigell Sylvan Amanio d'Astre and the fayre Savage tooke a way farre different from that which the others had determining to spend some time in seeking adventures abroad The beauteous Savage seeing her self alone renewed her sorrow for the losse of her husband whilest Silvan travelled with no lesse discontent for that of his fayre Licinia of whose death he had heard and that Spheramond Amanio d'Astre and Dorigell lamented so great a disaster although the glorious death of their kinsmen did yeeld them some comfort Having thus passed two or three dayes without meeting any adventure worthy their undertaking Spheramond about the time that the Sunne was in the middest of his course felt himselfe so drowsie that he was constrayned to lie downe to sleepe commanding his Squire to let their horses graze The extreame paines that before he had taken and the delicacy of the place made his rest so pleasing unto him as he did not wake till night nor would peradventure have done till the next day if the noyse of a Chariot passing by him had not made him to rise in all haste he was about to have called his Squire for to bridle his horse but the voyce of one that lamented stayd him for to learne the cause thereof Listening then attentively and looking that way the voyce came he saw a Chariot passe by him drawne with sixe great horses wherin sate three dreadfull Giants every one of them holding a Lady in his armes two of the which seemed to be rather dead then alive and the third was she that made those cries and lamentations which hee had heard Iust Heaven sayd she will you not send some succour to these great though miserable Princesses Or will you permit them to remayne in the hands of these villayns who questionlesse will without respect of their quality strive by force to robbe them of what is most deare unto them O God! what a losse will Christendome receyve And you brave Princes how much will it grieve you to heare of this disaster I lament your misfortune asmuch as the death they are going to suffer This voyce being lost in the ayre left nodesse pity then anger in the minde of this Prince For finding by this speech that they were Christians of eminent quality and thinking also that he had beene acquaynted with the sound of that voyce he was moved with an extreame desire to succour them So calling his Squire hee made his horse to be brought him and quickly mounting upon him he galloped the same way that he saw the Chariot take hoping to reach those Giants in a little time and to fight with them at any rate whatsoever But the night was so darke that not knowing which way he tooke hee entred into a Forrest where the first that he met with was a reverend old man holding a torch in his hand who taking his horse by the bridle sayde unto him Valiant Prince be not offended if I take the liberty to stay you at this present For desiring your safety as much as my owne welfare I cannot let you passe without advertising you that you are infallibly lost if you obâ—â—inately pursue the designe you have in hand and light upon those this night whom you now are following The day will bee more fit for your purpose then this darkenesse and patience alone is that must procure you what you now so earnestly wish for Enquire not what I am nor why I meddle thus with youraffayres It is not yet time that you should know mee nor that you should thorowly understand my intentions as I doe your thoughts Onely alight and goe into this Tent that you see heere and tarry for day light to finish your enterprise which is of more importance then yet you conceive I do not know answered Spheramond somewhat wondring to meet that man in such a place and at so unseasonable an howre how you can bee obliged to wish and seeke my good with so much demonstration of friendship since I doe not remember that ever I saw you before But happen what may I will gladly obey you my necessity and the time also advising mee therunto Thus speaking he alighted leaving his horse with a little Dwarfe who was there as of purpose and entred the Tent which hee thought was the fayrest that ever he had seene Without doubt sayd hee then you love me not a little that have provided me so magnificent a lodging for I did not expect to be so well accommodated to night But beleeve it you shall not find me ungratefull if you please to make use of me Saying so he went to embrace this man but he was no more to be seene wherat he was somewhat amazed yet supposing all this to bee done by inchantment hee began to survey the Tent and found in one of the corners of it a Table covered with plenty of delicate meat which so whetted his stomacke that hee sate him downe to supper where having well asswaged his hunger hee walked about the Tent and finding a bed ready made hee layd him downe upon it and fell into so sound a sleepe that the sunne was of a good height before he awaked and then being much amazed to find himselfe armed with new and excellent Armes his Squire snoring at his feet and neyther Wood nor Tent to be seene but a playne so large as it could not limit his view howbeit his wonder ceasing by the remembrance of such like encounters when as hee was a Knight errant hee jogd his Squire to waken him And having not forgotten the adventure that he met with the night before nor the discourse of the old man he quickly got to horse and tooke the first way hee lighted upon wherein he rode till Sunne setting when as hee perceived a Castle before him garnished with twelve towres so fayre and strong that it was impossible to better them this curiosity inviting him to view this building neerer hand he approached to it and going about it he was so attentive in observing it as hee could hardly give over But seeing night now come on he tooke the hammer of the gate and knocked very hard At the noyse whereof a Giant appeared upon the Battlements who with a hoarse and dreadfull voyce sayd unto him Withdraw thy selfe wretched creature and come not hither to seeke that which all men else are afrayd to find the gate may not be opened this night for so are wee commanded what ever occasion shall fall out but if thou wilt tarry till tomorrow I will bee content to heare what thou hast to say Therewith he retyred himselfe leaving Spheramond ill satisfied
into the estate wherein you now see him Iudge now if I have not reason to torment my self since I have lost by his death all that can be dear unto me and do not condemn my sorrow which to me appears but too just and reasonable I rather said Florisel do commend your resentment of such a losse howbeit I have no great reason to combat this Knight upon the quarrell since it hath been fairly carried and according to the lawes of Knighthood but seeing he professeth himself an enemy to Christians whose protector I am bound to be I promise you to seek him to the worlds end for to revenge the death of Balard and to rid this Country of so pernicious a Knight Saying thus he sent for his arms nor would he returne to the City but went his way with Lidora so was the Gentlewoman called not being to be diverted from this enterprise for any entreaty could be made him CHAP. IX Who the Knight ardant was and why be hated the Christians THey that have bestowed any time in reading this famous history have found in the twelfth book of Amadis that Don Rogel of Greece being at sea with Persea Princesse of Persia and Don Brianges of Boetia was one day so tossed with a tempest that after they had with no good successe used all the labour and skill of the mariners he at the last found himself hurried away with the storm and thrown into the billows from whence yet he escaped rather by the permission of God then by the strength and addresse of his swimming it being the pleasure of the Almighty that he should not at that time miscarry That afterwards he fell in love with Florelle Queen of Canabea who died the same day that he left her And that the great Giant Exceladus opened her womb to take out the child whereof she was ready to be delivered being gone nine months and above of her time which after he had wrapped up in a virgin parchment he carried away with him and in brief all the rest that is particularized in the 97. Chapter of that Book But for that the History of that miraculous Infant is not as yet come to light at least only vented by an ignorant Translator I held it no lost labour to acquaint you with what I have found in an old fragment written by Alquif entituled the Orientall History of the Imperiall House of Greece which was found in Constantinople when it was taken by the French in the time of Baldwin of Flanders and afterwards brought into France by Geffrey de Ville Hardovin Marshall of Champaigne who compiled the history of that expedition the rather for that the sequell of my discourse doth not permit me to passe by his name and acts in silence This Infant then as you have known was called Fulgoran by reason of a little blaze which being cut out of his mothers belly appeared upon his breast and brought up with all maner of care by that Magician Giant who found by his art that he would be infinitely valiant and one day do some great mischief to Christendome he daily instructed him in the handling of his arms and often enformed him of the honor that brave Knights had acquired to themselves to the end to render him ambitious of such glory and vertue by their example And in brief he had so trained up his youth that except the hate of the name of a Christian which he had deeply engraven in his soul he might boldly vaunt that he had framed a master piece of him As soon as he perceived that he was able to beare arms he made him a Cuirace of the colour of flaming fire a cask of the best temper in the world and a shield of so good proof as with that greatnesse of courage and ability of body which he knew him endued withal he might well believe that he was invincible These being all in a readines he took him one day aside and thus spâ—ke to him It is in my opinion time my sonne that you should begin to attempt the effecting those things which the destinies have promised unto you to the end you may not frustrate the hope that I have conceived of your valour You shall the refore this night watch the Arms that I will give you and prepare your self to depart to morrow for to seek the adventure of the world Be gentle and easily intreated to pardon patient in labour love your Religion and above all things take heed that conversing with Christians do not one day make you of another faith I shall have my share with you in the glory that you shall gain and shall be infinitely pleased if your praises may reach to the furthest end of the world This yong Prince who had naturally a disposition to goodnes with a courage nothing inferiour to his father promised the Giant with care to remember his instructions watcht his Arms was the next morning Knighted by the Giant and loth to lose time mounted on a hors that had not many fellows on the earth and departed the same day under the protection of his Gods Passing then along with an extream desire of meeting with some adventure worthy of his courage he spent three hours in crossing certain forrests withouâ— lighting upon any one of whom he might enquire where he was but at the end therof he entred into a great plain where under certain trees he saw an old man sitting who rising up with incredible nimblenes thus saluted him Gentle Prince I have ever since morning waited heer for you to discover unto you a secret that much imports you You beleeve that Enceladus is your father because he hath hitherto had the education of you but from hencefoorth be not any more of that opinion for you are sonne to one of the bravest and greatest Princes in the World and whom you shall never know but with an extream hazard of your life For the rest remember the good counsell your foster Father gave you I mean be liberall curteous patient in adversity easily intreated to forgive and ready to relieve those that are distressed But do not follow his advice of never being an enemy to the Religion which you now professe The time shall come wherin you shall feel so much delight in another that is better and more conducing to your happines then this is that you will quickly find how much my counsel is more profitable for you then his You are amazed to hear me talk to you in this maner and it may be will make little account of what I speak because you know me not but you will one day see how much my meeting with you at this time did concern you Follow now the way you are in since the destinies have put you into it and be assured that in the greatest danger I will not be far from you as well for your own merit as for the affection which Iow to the vertue of your Father This said he vanished out
call me ingratefull The service that I will do you with my arms shall make amends for this default in the mean time if you have a minde to tarry heere I will remove further that I may not trouble your repose Thus it is said shee in choler that poore spirits use to excuse themselves Sleep since you care more for a nap then you do for my life The Gods who are alwaies just will one time or other revenge your despising of me and make you thorowly feel the pain that I suffer by your ingratitude Saying so she withdrew under another tree with extream discontent leaving Prigmaleon in no lesse disquiet of mind for remembring his Polixena from whom he durst not assure himselfe a better entertainment then now he had given that amorous damsell he never could shut his eies and in that trouble he continued till the sun being risen made him get to horse where entring into a forrest that befell him which shall be deliverd to you in the next Chapter CHAP. XLI Prigmaleon meets with Melina she gives him an account of Griolanis his fortunes with the issue of the combat between him and the Knight of the Savage PRigmaleon travelling in the forrest under the shadow of the trees entertained himselfe with his ordinary fancies and thought of nothing lesse then the damsell which still followed him though it were with much discontent and ashamed for having been so refused when as on the sudden he heard the voice of a person who seemed to be much afflicted Those laments comming to his ear put him out of his musing and made him presently goe to a bush from whence the noise did come where at the foot of it he saw a Lady that holding a ponyard in her hand spake these words Melina it is time for thee to die since thy Knight is lost for thy dayes would be but anguish and every thought of him an insupportable torture when thou shalt remember that thou wert the cause of his death by putting him upon a busines which could no way conduce to thy content It had beene much better done to have kept him still in thy house amidst a thousand pleasures then to carry him abroad to the hazard of his life But since this mischief is not to be remedied thy desire to accompany him must be without fear neither must thou shrinke from death to follow him Lifting up then her hands she was ready to strike the dagger into her bosome if Prigmaleon who perceived her intent and therefore was lighted from his horse had not suddenly laid hold of her and remonstrated that despair was a greater offence then that for which she so much sorrowed Stay Madam said he stay your hand I beseech you and do not in this sort run headlong to perdition The shortest follies are the best and when you have well considered that the shedding of your bloud will not restore him to life whose death you lament you will without doubt preserve it and beleeve that it were better to appease his ghost with some other kind of duty then to incense the Gods with a new murther Alas answered she looking upon him if you knew the occasion I have to desire to die you would not now divert me from this designe I do not doubt said he but the cause of your grief is very important but yet I say that it ought not to transport you from your reason and if you could give your self some relaxation in imparting it to me you should doe much for my satisfaction and perhaps not a little for the ease of your mind I am content to do it answered she letting the poniard go but it shall be upon condition that you shall leave me at liberty to do what I please if you find the occasions that I have to be just Prigmaleon having promised her not to crosse her will provided hee might do it with reason she sat down upon the grasse and thus began her discourse Walking one evening in a wood neere the house in which I am ordinarily resident I met a Knight who being strayed out of his way did so curteously entreat me to grant him lodging for that night as beside the law of charity which doth bind us not to refuse our helpe to those that doe need it I felt my self also forced by the fair language and by the grace that he used in his request to give him my hand and to lead him to my house assuring him that there he should receive the best entertainmenâ—â—hat I could possibly give him As soon as we were come there and that by the light of the torches I had seen his face I found him so lovely and all hâ—â— actions so pleased me that not to dissemble I could not keep my self from falling in love with him I then made him to be served at the Table and sometimes serving him my self with the strength of my affection I so obliged him to my curtesie that assuredly hee did beare mee some good will which infinitely rejoiced me but fearing to lose him as soon as I had gotten him my contentment was thereby much weakened To remedy that doubt I resolved to arrest him with my caresses I mean to give my selfe wholly to him without any reservation at all Taking him then by the hand after he had supped I went and fate down with him upon the beds feet besought him to tell me his name his quality and passing from those ordinary tearms to those of love I made an ostentation not of my bounty for of that his eyes could be judge but of my birth and quality eminent enough for the ambition of any Knight that were not a Prince the conveniencies that I was Mistrisse of my estate my humour not unpleasing and briefly all that came in my head and which I beleeved might serve to make him to affect me but fearing all these charmes would not be able to stay him I entreated him to grant me one favour which I intended to desire of him The entertainment said he which I have heer received from you doth not permit me to be ingratefull in refusing you Madam you shall have of me all that you please to command As for the first point of your desire I will tell you freely that I am called Griolanis born in Macedon of parents unto whom fortune truly hath done wrong in not conferring scepters on them for a recompence of their vertue I travell thorow the world to purchase glory and raise my ambition beyond the limits of my birth and should reckon my self most happy if I might deserve the greatnesse of your fortune in possessing of you but not thinking it fit to aim so high before my valour hath made me worthy of so great a favour I will put off the further treating thereof till some other time and in the mean while beseech you to let me freely know what you desire of me To have you maintain a justs in favour of me answered I exceedingly
I know wherefore I am said he Mascarin the amorous that sirname will I assume for the love of this Shepherdesse otherwise called the little Favourite because my Master the Count d' Aglas respecting me above all his other servants imparts his secrets to me and imploies me in matters of consequence will you have a testimony of it Why I come now by his commandment from a very fair Gentlewoman whom he loves passionately having thought none worthy of this charge but my self By my faith said Clarisel these are qualities very eminent indeed but yet my friend you must seek out greater if you mean to enjoy this Shepherdesse her beauty renders her glorious and raises her thoughts to desire a Knight that is excellent in arms for to match with her I am one my self howbeit without hope and my want of merit obligeth her to deny me that which she ows to my affection Are you a Knight said Masâ—arin Never take me for an honest manif I be not so ere long wherefore prepare your self to just with me for I like not a rivall of so handsome a presence as yours and your death shall free my suit of all competition Saying so he bowed himself below the pommell of his saddle for his chin was but a little above it in that manner doing obey sance to Miralinda and leaving them almost burst with laughter he past on with more love then body or good grace Being strucken then to the heart he made incredible haste and the same day came to his Master before whom he kneeled down and in stead of giving him an account of his journey he said unto him My Lord if the consideration of my services have begotten a will in you to give me some recompence do not refuse me one boon which I will demand of you for the good news I bring you His Master that saw him so earnest was somewhat amazed at his speech but desirous to know the businesse he promised him all that he would require You shall make me Knight then said he within these four or five dayes and bestowing arms on me answerable to the proportion of my body leave me power to obtain a Mistris I will not say the fairest she pherdesse but the rarest woman on the earth I have already placed her in my heart and there is nothing wanting to the absolute possession of her but the courage to defeat an audacious Shepherd that follows her and brags he is a Knight for my part the overthrow of most horrible Gâ—ants were possible for me out of the new power infused into me by the vertue of this beauty so that I am most assured very easily to vanquish this rivall and to see my self shortly the happiest man of the world The Count not being able to forbear laughing at his Favourites pâ—ssion said unto him Thou hast talkt enough of thine owne love Mascarin but thou sayest nothing to me of my Lady Marvell not at that answered he I am so taken with this Shepherdesse that I can think of nothing else yet it is fit that I should satisfie you touching your demand Your Mistris is wholly yours and as I may conclude by her carriage towards me there wants nothing but your presence to render you contented Would you have better news then this No said the Count for I am happy indeed if it be true Why do you doubt of my fidelâ—ty said Mascarin That I do not answered the Count for I finde that thy new passion doth not transport thee so as to make thee speak otherwise then thou shouldest You may build upon it said the Dwarf and do but take order that I may be furnished with arms upon my life I le lodge you in your Mistrisses bed assoon as you have made me Knight This discourse being past not without a world of laughter the Dwarf retired himself in expectation of the next morning which was no sooner come but he so prest his Lord that he sent him to the next town caused light arms to be made fit for him who having put them on with such Ceremonies as his Master had devised for to make himself sport stood upon such puntillioes as if he would have made all the world to fall by the edge of his sword I will see now said he taking a lance greater then himself whether this Shepherd dare affront me or be my rivall and let me not live if I do not overthrow him at the first encounter wherefore my good Lord said he to his Master give me leave to commence my knighthood with the most glorious conquest of the earth I will not hinder thee said the Count who took wonderfull delight in his humour but I foresee that thou wilt catch a fall No no said he couragiously getting up on his horse the prize will animate my forces therewith setting spurs to an old jade upon the which he was mounted away he went to Bellombre with all the speed he could and came thither just at such time as Miralinda and Clarisel sitting under the shadow of those lofty firretrees were singing an air upon the happy incounter of their loves By heaven said he addressing his speech to Don Clarisel and shaking a lance which might be of the length of an ell in stead of singing thou hadst need begin the lamentations of thy death or else resolve never to love my Shepherdesse more O me said Clarisel laughing in good earnest with Miralinda to behold the equipage of this piece of man what new Knight have we here and with what a grace does he manage a lance Shepherd answered he in a mighty rage it is no time to jeer I mean to be the death of thee wherefore betake thee to thy arms and then thou shalt see that though my body be lesse my courage is greater then thine Why doest thou think that I shall need arms to vanquish thee said Clarisel I arms said Mascarin for I would be loth to fight with thee upon advantage but if thou wilt make thy self unworthy of the favour which I offer I le soon rid the world of thee Wherewithall he charged his lance set spurs to his horse and ran against Clarisel who taking wonderfull delight in this sport stept aside and with a little rap of his sheephook tumbled him so prettily out of his saddle that Miralinda thought she should have killed her self with laughing Now art thou my prisoner said Clarisel taking him by the collar and therefore yeeld me up the Shepherdesse or resolve to die That were against reason answered the Dwarf for thou camest behinde me and didst not vanquish me fairly Well said Clarisel wilt thou run once morethen and quit thy pretensions if thou art overthrown I by my knighthood said he and will never crosse thee more if I chance to be so unhappy as to tumble once again So mounting on his horse he charged his little lance and ran very couragiously against Clarisel but receiving another rap on his head with the
and the grasse all died with his bloud which made me admire the valour of this Knight who fought with an admirable grace and seemed to recover new forces with time nothing moved with the fury of his enemy who despairing of safety took his huge curtelâ—x in both his hands and let it descend with such violence upon the Knights shield that he made him recoil two or three steps back upon which advantage he approched to the damsell whom this brave warriors Squire had untied and who was then recounting unto me how she fell into that misfortune and at one stroke divided her head and body in two peeces the like he had done to me for to that end he had advanced his curtelax had I not by switching my Nag avoided the blow which light upon the buttocks of my horse who presently fell down dead Imagine I pray you what extremity I was in seeing my self on the ground truly I thought I should die no other death but the Knight of the Palms arriving therupon delivered me instantly from that fear for having taken his sword in both his hands he discharged it so furiously upon the Giants shoulder that he cleft him to the very wast This victory giving me no lesse content then it did him glory we rode on I being mounted on the damsels horse because mine was slain howbeit this valiant Knight having understood from me what I told you but now returned presently to the place of the combat caused that French damsell to be interred and committing the Giants head unto me desired me in recompence of the service he had done me by freeing me from the captivity of Ariston to come and present this head unto you and assure you that you shall never mâ—et with a Knight that is more at your commandment then himself I am discharged of my promise and now Sir there rests nothing but to know of you whether I may be able to serve you according to your greatnesse and the respect which I bear to that good Knight to whom I am tied in such powerfull obligations Your pains much oblige me answered Lucendus and no lesse am I indebted to the affection of that worthy Knight who hath delivered me from the danger of such an eaemy wherefore I wish he were heer that I might know him and render him that honour which is due to his vertue in the mean time if you see him let him know that whensoever I shall have the happinesse to encounter with him it shall well appear that I am sensible of curtesies And for your own particular think whether I am able to do any thing for you be confident that you shall not be denied What I most desire said the Damsell is the honour of your favour with the assurance whereof I humbly kisse your hands Saying so she made a low obeisance to all the Princes there present and departed leaving the Emperour with an extream desire to see this valiant Knight of the Palms and to know whether the effect did answer so many praises which this Damsell gave him CHAP. XXIV The marvellous acts done by the Knight of the Palms at his entrance into the Castle of Serpents from whence he delivers four young Princes of Greece with the excellent Amadis of Prebisond son to Amadis of Greece and Niquea inchanted in the monstrous Island ever since he was four months old WHilst Cilena was travelling on in her journey Alcidamanâ— having lost his way in a forrest rode extreamly discontented for that he had not followed the Damsell inchantresse but thinking that she knew well enough how to finde him out upon any occasion it did somewhat mitigate his displeasure Having then passed thorow the Empire of Greece he incountred upon a day with two Squires who with their tears giving testimony of much sorrow made him to draw neer unto them for to comfort them Questionlesse said he unto them you are not afflicted thus without some just cause but when you shall consider that your weeping is to no purpose you will then be appeased for to think on the remedies which shall be necessary for your misfortune Noble Sir said one of them you may judge our tears to be immoderate But alas We shall never be able to shed so many as may serve worthily to bewail both our own losse and that which the whole world hath received by being this day dâ—prived of four Knights which undoubtedly might boast themselves to be of the best on the face of the earth How came they by their ends said Alcidamant By the greatest treason that can be imagined answered the Squire and no man breathing could possibly avoid such a like mischance unlesse he had warning of it They went out all four out of Constantinople some three dayes since with a purpose to seek such adventures as may give reputation unto men and had the same day a dangerous combat with four other excellent Knights the honour whereof was so generously disputed that the night surprizing them they retired with equall advantage into a wood resolving to finish their battell the next morning assoon as they could see but having strange visions they arose all at one instant and taking their horses they followed the first way that they met withall which led them at length to a house about six miles hence where as they were going in at the intreaty of a wicked damsell who pretended to do them honour and service they fell into certain fosses from whence they cannot hope to be redeemed but by death Truly said Alcidamant though I hold the mishap of these Knights to be so great as to oblige you to bewail them yet you must labour their deliverance and not stand vainly complaining in this manner Go back I pray you and guide me for I will either die or succour them Now God vouchsafe to prosper so great a designe answered they falling on their knees before him and reward the good you intend to these Knights Come Sir we will most willingly conduct you but beware of those false bridges which overturn assoon as one sets a foot upon them lest you be overtaken as our Masters were I le take as good heed as I can said Alcidamant but in the mean time let us make haste lest the night prevent us in our enterprise Whereupon setting spurs to their horses they rode so fast that in an hour they discovered the Castle whereinto as the Knight was about to enter he heard one call to him looking therefore all about to see who it might be he perceived in the way that he came the damsell inchantresse who had brought him out of France whereof he was exceeding glad and turning about to meet her he said In good faith sweet heart your absence hath much troubled me but now I am well satisfied in this your return It is in good time for you said she for you are undertaking a most dangerous adventure which you cannot easily accomplish without my help shun the
great gate of the house as these Squires have advised you for otherwise all the world shall not be able to deliver you out of captivity enter in at a little wicket you see on the left hand leave the shield you bear and make use of this at my saddle bow be sure you part not from the same Ring which was given you when you fought the first combat for Melania yeeld not to the intreaty tears nor sighes of any woman whatsoever and above all things make much of the new sword which shall come to your hand for it is the best on the earth and without it you should never see an end to the adventures which are to befall you This said Alcidamant having curteously thanked the damsell took the shield which she gave him whereupon there was no figure presented and alighting from his horse with his sword in his hand he drew towards the wicket which he saw stood open when as a damsel issuing out of the Castle said unto him Knight whether run you so and why do you use your arms where you shall be gladly entertained with all respect Sheath up your sword for heer is none that means to oppose you and not to disaccommodate your self with stooping at the wicket take the way that leadeth to the great gate where you may enter at pleasure Yes no doubt said Alcidamant if I would make you sport with a leap I am too well informed of your villany and if you get you not packing the sooner I will quicly take your head from your shoulders to revenge an infinite number of good Knights which you have betrayed under colour of giving them fair entertainment What said she stepping in again do you threaten me in mine own house Come come my masters cut me this rascall in pieces and revenge me of his insolence Herewith Alcidamant being in the Castle yard heard a great noise and saw thirty armed men come forth who suddenly incompassed him about and endeavoured to smite him to the ground but this incomparable warrior nothing amazed set upon them so furiously that at three strokes he laid three of them stretch'd along upon the earth and pressing in amongst the rest he cut off the arm of one and the leg of another cleft the third to the teeth divided the body of the fourth in two pieces and made so great a slaughter that his very enemies wondered at it and came no more neer him but in fear which so incensed the Mistris of the house that opening an iron door she let forth two Serpents of twenty foot in length and twelve in heighth and of such an horrible shape that they would have daunted the most assured courage of the world These Monsters being at liberty began to run up and down the Court and meeting with those Knights crush'd some of them between their teeth and tore the rest with their claws In the mean time the Knight of the Palms who could hope for no better usage making towards one of them whilst the other was sucking the bloud of those he had slain by good fortune gave him such a thrust in the flank that he sheathed half of his sword within his body which made him so mad that lifting up his tail of ten foot in length he let it flie at the Knight with such violence that he laid him on the ground three strices off and opening his fearfull jaws was like to have swallowed him if retaining his judgement amidst the danger he had not thrust his sword into his throat wherewith he gave him a wound as great as the former and overthrew him dead in the place This blow coming in season the Knight got suddenly up and taking his good sword in hand again which the Serpent in the pangs of death had made him let go he ran presently towards the other and discharged so weighty a blow upon his head that he made him sink to the ground but the scales being hard the blade rebounded in the air as if he had struck upon an anvill with this the Serpent shewing his bloudy teeth came fiercely upon him and put him in such distresse that he was about half an hour shifting sometimes on the one side and then on the other to shun the fury of the beast but thinking that he must either die or instantly vanquish and remembering that he had not found the belly of the other so hard as the scales of this he thrust him into the flank with such fury that his guts came forth with the sword which put him into such a rage that making a number of horrible leaps he filled the air with a most dreadfull noise The Knight judging this to be the stroak of death withdrew aside to prevent further inconvenience and wiping his sword in the grasse thought to have rested himself when it came into his mind that glory is not to be acquired but in the finishing of an enterprise wherfore seeing a great pair of stairs he ran couragiously up and finding a door open entred into a great Hâ—ll where six furious Savages who seemed to uphold the building on their shoulders assaulted him with each of them a massie club in his hand It was then that he was most amazed not imagining that ever he should be able to overcome so many monsters at once but assuming new courage he opposed his left arm and his shield against the fury of some blows of the clubs which they discharged at his head and clasping his sword fast in his hand he gave the first so dangerous a stroak that he opened him even to thâ— very wast This happy blow reviving his forces he began to lay about him on all sides and bare himself so generously that in three howrs he put them all to the sword howbeit so wearied that if the night had not come to give him leave to breath a little he could not have passed on to undertake any further combat Remaining then somewhat amazed in the dark he stood leaning a while upon the pomell of his sword but hearing no stir in the Hall he sate him down upon the pavement where the pains he had taken would have invited him to sleep but thinking it not safe to rest in so dangerous a place he continued as a man that looks every minute to be assailed by his enemy Having been three howrs and more in this estate he beheld five or six damsels come in with each of them a torch in her hand whereof one which seemed to be Claristea said unto him How now dear heart can you be so neer me and never desire to see me truly I have great cause to complain of you and to say that all my caresses have been very ill imploid Pardon me Madam said he rising up Ignorance must excuse my fault for to tell you true I thought you to be rather in France then heer We have been taken said she by a Magician and are so restrained that we shall never get hence if
reasons he rendred her fearlesse and her hope greater The time which he could stay with her being sweetly past away he retired to his chamber and slept two howrs at the end whereof the Sun growing somewhat high he arose armed himself with his rich armour wherein he seemed a Mars and going to take horse he was told that the forces of the Iland of Silvana amounting to six thousand choyce Knights were arrived New occasions said he then speaking to the Captains that followed him must have new resolutions this supply comes very opportunely and not to let them cool put them presently in battell aray with four thousand of ours the rest shall serve to guard the walls with the inhabitants but be sure to commence no fight till the combat between Fangomadan and me be ended my companion will take care to dispose of you as you should be Herewith the Knight of the Lions being particularly advertised of his designe gave his Lance that he carried in honour to his Squire and letting him go instantly ordained that which was to be done and put ten thousand men in order after he had given notice thereof to Merodiana who being richly attired was already on the walls for to encourage her lover and be judge of his valour I am resolved said she when she was acquainted with the busines in all things to follow the counsell of the valiant Knight of the Palms therefore let his command be executed The Knight of the Lions seeing his men disposed and being very well satisfied with this answer went out to behold the combat of his companion who finding the Giant in the Lists met him so roughly with his Lance that he made him â—lie to the ground himself remaining somewhat astonished with the encounter The Giant seeing himself overthrown contrary to his expectation rose sooner then could be imagined of so huge a masse of flesh and drawing out a great and weighty courtelax struck such furious blows at his enemy that the least of them had been able to have cut him asunder if he had received it but having avoided them with an admirable dexteritie he charged him so bravely both with point and edge that he amazed both the Armies The Giant stormed exceedingly for that he could not fasten one stroke on his adversary and casting a thick smoke out of the visor of his helmet he hindred himself from seeing where to place his blows whereas Alcidamant that fought with judgement spent not a minute unprofitably The first fury of these warriours having endured above two howrs the place was covered with the Giants Arms which went to pieces whensoever the rich sword of his enemy fell upon them the bloud trickled down from three or four parts of his body and that which carried his choller to the highest degree of rage was that his adversaries armour appeared entire Merodiana beheld this combat with strange motions if the Giants courtelax were aloft she feared the violence of it and she rejoyced when she saw it light without effect she considered the valour of her Knight admired his agility in saving himself from his enemies sword wondred at the force of the blows which he gave and above all took extream pleasure in the grace of his fight Am I not very happy said she to her self to enjoy a Knight the bravest of all that live and is it not exceeding glory for me to triumph over him under whom the strongest Giants of the earth are constrained to bow Yes without doubt and I doe not repent the giving of him that which he hath nobly gotten would to God Fangomadan were dispatched out of the way that my content might be perfect I would then embrace this gallant warriour and in despight of detraction declare before all that I love him infinitely Entertaining her selfe with these thoughts she fixed her eyes upon him and perceiving the Giant to be more unweldy and her lover far abler as she conceived then at the beginning of the combat she was transported with excesse of joy This while Alcidamant pursued his advantage charged his enemy more furiously then before and observing that Merodiana beheld him accused himself for being so long defeating a man in the presence of her whose favours had made him most happy Vext then then to see the victory so long disputed he took his sword in both his hands and letting it fall terribly on his enemies shield he so astonished him that he made him reel three or four steps backward whereupon taking his advantage he redoubled such a dangerous blow on his head that he cleft it in twain to the unspeakable contentment of Merodiana and her subjects who seeing the good Knight of the Lions in the head of their troops set forth in good array and following the Conquerour of the Giant who made them way with his sword they fell so furiously upon the enemies amazed with the death of their master that they slew above two thousand at the fiâ—st bout the rest betook themselves instantly to flight where the slaughter was so great that of seventeen thousand there escaped not fully two hundred who got to the Armie of Fangomadans cousin relating unto him the absolute defeature of the other forces with the death of the King which put him into such a rage that drawing all the garrisons out of the strong places which he held into one body of an Army he resolved to affront the Conquerours and in their overthrow revenge the losse of his companions Advancing then whilst the two strangers refreshed themselves with the Armie which commended them to the skies and especially him of the Palms whom they would fain have adored if he would have permitted it he presented himself three dayes after before Alfarta where the fight commencing by light skirmishes grew so hot upon the arrivall of the two invincible warriours who were accompanied with eight hundred horse that they came to a generall battell in the which the army of these new enemies greater by the half then the former were all cut in pieces by the exceeding valour of Alcidamant and his companion who thundring wheresoever they went assured their souldiers made them fight without feare and so terrified their adversaries that they were dead before the swords of these lightnings of warre fell upon them The enemies being in this manner utterly defeated the whole Island reverted to the obedience of the fairest Merodiana who daily found out new entertainments for her lover and having no other care but to please him held her selfe the happiest Princesse of the world CHAP. XLI The Infanta Silvana falls in love with Alcidamant goes from her Iland to Merodiana for to see him and having found him a hunting she enjoyes him by a notable trick THE people breathing now in peace after so many troubles the Companies were discharged and especially those of the Iland of Silvana who giving account to their Mistris of the successe of the war so published the praises of the Knight of
you infallibly This resolution being taken they got them to bed where with infinite content they lay till morning when as Lucibel sent for the Pilot of his Barque who promised him that it should be in a readiness against the time appointed CHAP. XX. Amadis of Trâ—bisend Floridan and Lucibel caâ—â—y away the Infanta's of Martaria the dreadfull Combat maint aiâ—ed by them on the Sea short they are strangely succoured when they are past all hope of life THE violence of the Pagan Princes desires exceedingly pressing them they arose with the Sun which was to give light to the day of their Nuptials and putting on very rich apparell to appear with the moregrace in their Ladies eyes they descended into the great Hall of the Palace whither not long after came those excellent Princesses so fearfull of the danger wherinto their Lovers were ready to expose themselves that a shivering palenesse eclipsed much of the lustre of their beauty they felt strange palpitations of heart and beholding so much people assembled they greatly doubted that their Enterprise would not succeed so happily as they wished Some small discourse being past upon occasion of the prepared magnificences there entred two Knights in gilt Arms who kneeling before the Emperour desired his hands to kisse Now truly said the Emperour who knew them to be Luparbaâ— and the gentle Knight Meander Nephew to the great Duke of Moscovie of whose valour in the wars between the Emperour of the Parthians and the King of Sibilla there was so much talk you are most heartily welcome for I joy more in your arrivall then I can well expresse Sir answered Meander no men living can be more your Majesties humble servants then we are saying so they arose and went to do their duty unto the great Soldan of Aralafia and to the King of Cabilla by whom and by Rifantes and Meridoran they were received with as much honour as might be Their complements being over two other Knights entred covered with grey arms whereof 〈…〉 falling on his knees before the Emperour said unto him 〈…〉 of Martaria the fame of your magnanimity and goodâ—â—◠〈…〉 us hither to obtain one boon of your Majesty Say on 〈…〉 who felt himself tickled with the prayses which the Knight gave him it shall be granted you very willingly I expected no lesse from you greatnesse replyed the Knight Sir that which I desire is you will vouchsafe to take compassion of two Lovers who are buried alive in a Coach which is below in your Palace-yard by the malice of an old Sorceresse that maligning their faithfull affections retains them there in most â—â—ell torments be pleased therfore to command these fair Princesses to delâ—ver them from their sufferings for the end of this adventure depending on three excellent and rare beauties I hope to see it now finished in regard I do not think that the whole world can furnish three such again as your daughters are Verely answered the Emperour it much contents me that my daughters should joyn the glory of this adventure to the triumphs that we make for the celebration of their Nuptials with these valiant Princesse wherefore I like it well that they go along with you and to encourage them thereunto I will in person accompany them down Whereupon the Princesses who know their Lovers began to descend the Palace stairs trembling as if they had not an hour to live but remembring how much it concerned them they assumed new courage and taking one another by the hand they got them suddenly into the Coach and the 〈…〉 their saddles which done the Coach-man drove away aâ— though he had been mad whilst Amadis lifting up the visier of his 〈…〉 the Emperour thus Prince of Martaria think that Herâ—â—â— will not permit thee to be the Tyrant of thy Daughters contentment they are noâ— in the power of Amadis Prince of Greece and Trebisond and not of â— womâ—n Slave as thou hast hitherto beleeved Wherwith going to spur his Horse Luparâ—â—n that was next him with a proud countenance seized on his bridle which our Warrior perceiving lift up his fist Gauntlet and all and struck him on the head with such horrible violence as he layd him dead at the Emperours feet with his brains beaten out and observing that Meander had drawn his Sword and was striking at him he presented his Shield to the blow which was strong and mighty howbeit knowing that then he was to shew what he could doe he discharged so terribly on his Helmet that he divided his head in twain and not staying till he was invironed by the presse he gallopped away leaving all the assistants terrified with those dreadfull blows the Emperour grieving for the death of those two Knights and the Lovers in the supremest degree of rage to see themselves so cunningly deprived of their expected felicity O yee gods said the Emperour shall I receive so great an affront without some horrible revenge To armes Knights to arms and let not these villains escape so Herewith fifty Knights which always attended ready armed for every occasion posting after our Warriours overtook them hard by the Sea-side and charged their Laâ—â—ces all at one instant but Amadis and Floridan that only stood them whilst Lâ—â—iâ—â—l conducted the Ladies into the Bark remayning firm in their 〈◊〉 let them breake all their staves upon them and then 〈◊〉 aâ— charge them in such sort that in an instant they had layd ten 〈…〉 and intreating the rest no better they followed them 〈…〉 at the return of Lucibel there were but six left who 〈…〉 as fast as they could drive rendred their retreat free 〈…〉 Rifâ—â—â—es and Meridâ—â—â—â— arrived followed a far off by four 〈…〉 before whom marched the Gyant of the cruell Iland Our warriours seeing them comming with strange fury took three good Launces which they had reserved and being carried with no lesse rage they incountred them so dangerously as they were all cast out of their saddles the Prince of France excepted who ran his Launce quite thorow the body of Meridoran overthrowing him dead to the earth but the otherâ— arising all together began so dreadfull acombat that the shâ—re seemed to tremble under the violence of their strokes These Pagan Princes being infinitly incensed with jealousie Brizardan gave 〈◊〉 so mighty ablow on his Shield that his arm not able to support the force thereof it beat it so rudely against his head as he was forced to knock his chin against his breast and Rifantes discharged his Sword so on Floridan that notwithstanding the opposition of his Shield which was â—leâ—t aâ—under he received a deep wound in the shoulder which put our Grecians into such fury that doubting leâ—t they should be forced to sustain the assaults both of these Warriours and of these Troops which they saw come gallopping 〈◊〉 on them they discharged their Swords with such a Tempest the 〈◊〉 â—rizardâ—â—â— Helmet and the other on Rifanâ—â—s Shield that the Soldâ—â—â— was overthrown under the horses
said Trasiclea to her is that you would tell us why you kneele thus before this flame what is the cause of your complaints and of your retreat into this Desart place That were to renew my sorrows answered she but I take such delight in the rehearsall of my miserie that I shall be as ready to relate as you are willing to heare it This fire which but testifies the same that hath long consumed my heart serues for a sacrifice to the ghost of noble ClarismonÌ„d one of the loveliest Knights that was in all the Kingdome of Filamon whose body is buried under the ashes of this fire that every day is renewed by me just at this hour his death is as strange as the history of our loves which not to abuse your patience I will recount unto you as briefly as I can This Knight a great friend to one named Martander being taken with that little beautie wherwith it pleased heaven to indue me shewed himself so desirous to be in all places and companies where I had occasion to be present that by his looks and cariage I easily came to know he was in love with me howbeit being then I may well say blind because I did not consider his merit I could not by any means affect him but contrarily carrying some particular good liking to Martander that cared not for me the sight of him did very much displease me I found fault with all that he did and the more he laboured to serve me the more was I incensed against him His suit then being troublesome unto me I resolved to let him understand that he much dis-obliged me by soliciting me in that manner and accordingly taking occasion on a time when he besought me to carry a gentler mind and to have some compassion of his suffering I told him how my actions were the images of my thoughts how I had shewed sufficiently that I did not love him and how in vain he expected reliefe from me for if I would give my self to any one Martander should have more power over me then all the Knights on the earth Hereat Martander who was then present with Clarismond gave me many humble thanks for the election I was willing to make of him but Madam said he being Clarismonds friend I may not receive the honour of your favour which would be better conferred where it is due then on me Some moneths passing away Clarismond obstinate in his suit I in my hate to him and affection to Martander these two friends plotted together how to deceive me You may doe me a most friendly part said Clarismond one day to Martander Parmolina so is this miserable called that speaks to you loves you with passion and when you please you can prevaile with her to grant you any thing serve me faithfully I beseech you feigne as much love to her as she bears you and labour to obtain of her that she will spend one night with you upon promise you may make her of rendring her kisses legitimate the dark keeps all things unknown I wil goe to her in your stead and so by this means you shal save my life which otherwise cannot long continue Martander who to help his friend would have made no difficultie to have gone even into Hell most willingly undertakes this affaire comes to me and craving my pardon for his so long neglect of my affection in such manner counterfeits the motions of a man transported with love and impatience that I verely believed he was throughly taken his sighes very much grieved me the vows that he made never to adore any but my self exceedingly contented me I was sensible of his passions what should I say more There was nought resting to render us the happiest Lovers in the world but the fruition of our desires wherunto he laboured to arrive for the satisfaction of his friend but finding dangerous obstacles therein by reason I lay alwayes in my Mothers chamber in a bed apart by my self I could not resolve to run such hazard neverthelesse what could not the tears of a Lover or of one that seemed so effect in the heart of an amorous Girle At length I past by all respects and promising him to leave all our dores open I sent him away so contented as he seemed not to envy any felicitie whatsoever Midnight then being come I received Clarismond in mine arms thinking it was Martander and losing my self in his embraces I little thought of this change of persons insomuch that the next day I spake to Martander as thinking I had acted that with him which I had done with Clarismond and as for him he carryed the countenance of a man so infinitely pleased as it was a fortnight before I knew by what cunning I was deceived because we durst not speak but very softly in regard of my Mother howbeit Clarismond not induring to tast his delight any longer under the coverture of another discovered himself one night as we were in the middest of our pleasure and freely confest to me that he was constrained to have recourse unto wiles since he could not other wayes prevaile I will not tell you how much I was astonished at this discourse nor what errour I was then about to have run into by crying out as though I had been ravished by force but to proceed I will assure you how instantly changing my mind with the consideration that the matter was past remedy I loved Clarismond a thousand times more than ever I had done Martander and began to haâ—e Martander far more than ever I had done Clarismond unto whom excusing my self upon the weaknesse of my judgement which had not permitted me to choose the better partie I protested so much love and gave him such testimony therof by my most kind usage of him and caressing of him anew as he thought himself happy in disclosing this trick unto me But now see what sport love makes with men Martander hearing Clarismond continually talk of the unspeakable delight he enjoyed with me began to love me most passionatly and preferring his affection before his friendship he began to vow and protest that truly unto me which he had dissembled before hoping that the passion I had been in for him was not yet quite extinct I am not able to expresse what infinite content I received to behold him sigh at my feet and rejoyeing to see him languish through his own fault I told him that my Mothers in-disposition detained me from receiving him a-nights as I was wont but at length no longer to abuse him I plainly said unto him how I very much wondered to heare him desire a treasure which belonged unto Clarismond and knowing well enough that he possest it I could hardly beleeve he could be so wicked as to seek to bereave him of it At this speech he was so confounded that he was ready to dye with griefe and indeed he lay three weeks sick upon it at the end wherof being unable any longer
Pagan Brufaldor into such a fury that turning his horse upon Leonidas of Mesopotamia he gave him so violent a stroke on the shoulder that his sword notwithstanding his Arms made way to his very waste dividing his body into two parts which so displeased Russian who saw the sad effect of the blow that clasping his sword fast in his hand he returned the Pagan such an exchange as cutting his shield in two he gave him a great gash on the arm and so quiting him he flew upon Moranteon Soldan of Circassia wounding him very dangerously on the shoulder and perceiving Brizardan grapling with his friend Cilindor whom he doubted might be too weak to fustain so strong a charge he made towards them with an intent to discharge full on Brizardans head but Torismond the valiant Pagan prevented his blow by giving him such a smart stroke on the arm as made his sword fall out of his hand and yet without any other harme save onely a slight hurt which put him into such a choler as suddenly taking hold again on the handle of his sword that was fastned with a riband to his wrist he let it fly in such sort at his Adversary that he cut him almost in two pieces sending him dead to the ground In the middest of these hurliburlies the brave Esquilan entring on the other side of the Campe strook no lesse astonishment into the minds of those that encountred him than the other had done before no resistance could withstand the fury of his sword Brandimanda seconded him with equall heat and courage and the gentle Amazon Alterea followed them both so close that she seemed to threaten no lesse a ruine than the former At this new alarum Falanzar Idatcan Emperour of Melly Armandor King of Russia with Fierastron the proud Gyant of Balivan advanced themselves in the head of forty thousand men but the fear of those that ran away having put their souldiers which they led into disorder the Greeks charged them with such fury that more then six thousand of them were beaten down the greatest part wherof were stifled under the horses feet The unpleasing sight of this accident had driven Falanzar into despair but that he earried too generous a mind for to harbour so base a guest wherfore meeting with Esquilan he discharged so terrible a blow on his Helmet as he made him knock his chin against his breast being very much astonished at the mighty strength of this Pagan but grinding his teeth together for anger he advanced his sword and let it descend with such a rage on this Caliph that he overthrew him on the crupper of his horse casting out great abundance of bloud at his mouth In the mean while Brandimanda and Fierastron Iaalcan and the gentle Alterea charged one another home and made a quick exchange of most fiercestroaks But Esquilan who would not afford them any leisure to rally their troups and who judged that to be no fit season for him to be a spectator of a single combat let fall on Idalcan Emperour of Melly so furious a blow that he cut his arm sheere from his body and at the same instant with another which he layed on Fierastrons head-piece he quite deprived him of his senses which being done he put his men into good order and following the example of Russian who took the way that led into the Citie he made an honourable retreate in spight of threescore thousand Horse and fourscore Gyants which came in the pursuit of them This courageous and prudent retreat and the death of the Emperour of Melly that ensued two houres after with the great slaughter of their men which amounted to the number of thirty nine thousand the Christians having left on the place but five thousand six hundred having enraged the Pagans they resolved every man of them to dye on the place or els that very day to win the Citie which together with all the Christians therin they would consume to ashes in satisfaction of so great a losse Their Troupes then being ranged and every Captain having received order to charge his Company with the carriage of a certain number of scaling-ladders the Army was divided into three bands each consisting of one hundred and fiftie thousand men Falanzar led the first with the which was Brufaldor King of Gedrosia the proud Knight Arastron generous Alceus Marisgolf that terrible and mighty Gyant twenty Knights of the best repute in the whole Army and threescore Gyants The second was commanded by Astrurion the great Sultan of Brutacan the good Knight Armorand Brizardon Soldan of Aralafia fifty Gyants and twenty two other Knights who had purchased a great renown by dangerous adventures The third by Marmaran Sophy of Bultara with King Armandor of Russia of the Gyants race Palamedes King of Cassandria the redoubted Tipheus Barcandor fifty Gyants three and twenty Knights of no mean esteem and Broncaldion King of the Arcofibrats who had the leading of twelve hundred Elephants The christian Princes who slept not in the mean while seeing these presumptuous preparations put threescore thousand Knights into the Town and so furnishing the wals with abundance of pitch sulphur boyling oyle stones and other necessaries for their Enterprise made up three bands the first was conducted by Russian with Cilindor the second by Esquilan with Algantas chiefe Generall of Ethiopia and the third by Brandimanda with Alteria who lodging themselves close under the wals with a resolution not to appear before the enemies had almost gayned the top expected the comming of their troops which hearing no noyse at all in the Town were perswaded that the Christians were all asleep whereupon they presently fastned their scaling Ladders which their Gyants and other Knights of the best spirits first ascended to give encouragement to the rest to follow them but on the instant they perceived fifty thousand men who with a sudden tempest of stones oyle pitch and sulphur overturned all those that were then upon the Ladders and began to dam up the Moat with dead bodies then the assault became most violent and cruell The Gyants enraged to see their Companies lye groveling on the ground the Ladders broken ten thousand Souldiers massacred as it were in a moment began to grow carelesse of their lives they got upon the wall and fell to grapling with the Christians fighting rather like furies than mortall men there were scarce any that durst oppose the violence of their swords unlesse it were Russian Esquilan Brandimanda Alteria Cilindor and some few of the valiantest who perceiving the favour the wall afforded partly in sheltring them and annoying their enemies delivered such blows on the Pagans as for the most part carried death along with them Russians represented a Thunderbolt overturning as many Gyants and Knights as it lighted on neither was Esquilans or 〈◊〉 's much lesse terrible than it but the Pagans the greater the number of the Christians were which they perceived on the Battelments the more resolute
that they might surprize the Enemie asleep and accordingly they entred into a little thicket where having taken a little rest they arose and advancing towards their Enemies they entred pell-mell amongst them with such fury that above five hundred men lost their lives in lesse than halfe an houre the Tents went to ground Pavillions were overturned and the massacre continued with such horrour as the Sun seemed loth to appeare because it would not be spectatour of so cruell a butchery The famous Amadis of Gaule pressed thorow them like lightening Amadis of Greece thundered every where the invincible Knight of the Sun over-run all like a torrent Belianis of Greece carried himself like a fury the foure excellent Ladyes Trasiclea Claridiana Pentasilea and Hermiliana did wonders Belstoran Rosicler Claramant Poliphebo Don Silves Fortiman of Greece Amadis d' Astre and â—he rest cut off arms cleft men in two hewed Knights in peeces and nothing appeared before them but went to the ground the uprore increased the whole Camp put themselves in Arms the Christians were amazed and could not imagine from whence so great a disorder should proceed were it not from the Army of Martaria that was every day expected briefly all was in confusion and the Commanders not able to be informed by those that fled of the cause of this tumult knew not what to resolve upon neverthelesse Falanzar a prudent and couragious Prince advancing with Brufaldor King of Gedrosia Roussardan the furious Bravorant King of Morimont Marisgolf the grand Salvage and Furiander his son encountred these fifty redoubted Warriours and seconded by twenty thousand Horse thought to vanquish them very easily but Amadis of Greece the Knight of the Sun Amadis of Gaule Rosiclere Poliphebo Belianis and Belfloran having arrested the furie of these seven proud Pagans that were perswaded they could carry all the world before them the rest flew in amongst their troops so couragiously that after they had past two and thirty Gyants by the edge of the Sword they put them to flight with an incredible slaughter In the mean time the Combat between these fourteen Knights became most horrible and cruell howbeit our Pinces not meaning to stay till the whole Campe were in arms to invest them having valiantly dif-ingaged themselves out of their hands drew towards the Citie but encountring the proud Knight Arastron who came accompanied with Marmoran Sophy of Bultara Brizardan Soldan of Aralafia Gorgophon 〈◊〉 the great Caliph of Francapia Moranteon Soldan of Circassia Fierâ—sâ—on the redoubted King of Balivan Barcandor and Bucarguant their pastage thither grew more difficult than they expected neverthelesse Trasiclea Don Silves Amadis d' Astre Claridiana Claridian her son Claramant Fortiâ—â—â— and the gentle Doliftor of Nubia opposing themselves to these nine Warriours there began a most cruell and furious fight between them whilst the rest had much adoe to save them from an hundred thousand men that came in from all parts and questionlesse they had been in great danger if Florisel of Niquea who imagined that they were some valiant Knights that laboured to passe unto his Camp had not suddenly issued forth with thirty Princes of Greece and fifty thousand Horse which falling furiously on these disordered troups overthrew so many to the ground as it was almost covered with them Then it was that those brave Champions hearing Grecia cryed on all sides took new courage and flying amongst the Pagans made so great a slaughter that if Falanzar had not caused his Forces to retyre his Army had been in danger to have been cut in peeces although he was assisted with two hundred Gyants but this prudent Monarch and his followers after his example having quit the combat which they had with Amadis of Gaule and his friends the Christians had liberty to return to the Citie where that great Amadis of Gaule with Amadis of Greece and Don Silves being discovered Florisel Don Rogel and the other Princes of Greece were so confounded as they remained a good space without speaking a word beleeving that this succour proceeded from the art of Alquif or Urganda and that those personages were no other than Fantosmes but being cleered from that by the speech of these great Princes who declared unto them how they had been preserved in the Castle of Treasure and delivered by Rozalmond Alcidamant and their Companions together with Belianis and the Knight of the Sun whom they made known unto them Florisel Don Rogel and Spheramond were ready to swoun for joy they fell on their knees before their Grandfathers embraced Don Silves Pentasilea Amadis d' Astre Agesilan Fortumian and the rest and with much honour caressed the Knight of the Sun Don Belianis of Greece and their companions My Lord said Florisel of Niquea embracing the knees of Amadis of Greece am I so happy as to behold you again I never thought it possible and when I saw you enter into the crystall Chamber of Cenotaph where you were inchanted I verely beleeved that the clap of thunder which brake forth at that instant was the signe of your death But how true O great Alcander was your prediction then and now I understand the meaning of those secret words you wrote unto me as also the Prophecie you left at Constantinople for the Crowes which were to assemble to possesse the sleeping Eagles neast are with out doubt these enemies that lye about our Walls and now I see that Prophecie fulfilled which said The Earth shall open to render forth the treasure it concealed and the tears shed for a losse not suffered shall be changed into gladness The truth hereof is unquestionable and the excess of my content past all expression Florisel having said thus Prigmaleon Fulgoran and Russian made themselves known to the new commers and Silvan having with a thousand embraces received Don Silves and the faire Pentasilea his mother some hours were spent with incredible rejoycing at the end whereof and just as they were sitting down at a table a souldier entred who as a most prodigious matter delivered that Zeiden had been recovered by the valour of six Knights alone who in one day had slain six Gyants and seven thousand five hundred Knights that guarded it looke said Amadis of Gaule here is new occasion of joy which doubtlesse arrives unto us by Rozalmond Alcidamant and their companions who are said he speaking to Florisel the best Knights of the world my Lord answered Florisel I have seen them in fight and must thereupon conclude as you have done Herewith sitting down to dinner they were served in great state with all the exquisite meats that possibly could be had where we will leave them and return unto the Pagans CHAP. LI. The Pagan Princes present the Combat of an hundred to an hundred unto the Christians they accept of it the forces of Martaria with the assistance of Rozalmond and his friends defeats Artogants Army that besieged Goraxa WHilst the Christian Princes were drowned in pleasure and gladnesse the
the conduct of the King of Arbales his Cousin to withstand all attempts of his neighbours if they should chance to stir in his absence he resolved in person to conduct an Army of fourscore thousand Horse into Aethiopia Having then accodingly imbarqued them with his Sons-in-law and himself he was carryed with so prosperous a gale that having run along by the coasts of Guinea Cephala and Calicut in seven and thirty dayes he arrived within three leagues of Zeiden where informing himself of the state of the War he understood that Artogant the Soldan of Francapa being separated from the body of the Army held Goraxa very straightly besieged with great likelihood of carrying it in regard it could not be succoured without much prejudice to the Christian forces whereupon putting his men in battell array he marched toward Goraxa with a resolution to charge the enemies and accordingly finding them prepared to receive him for that Artogant had been advertised of their discent he caused Lucibel and Sestilian to advance with thirtie thousand Horse who incountring six Gyants in the head of forty thousand men they charged their Launces so luckily as two of the Gyants were run thorow and thorow The incounter of these first troops was very furious and so many Knights were overthrown that within lesse than halfe an hour the ground was all covered with them Lucibel and Sestilian having broken their staves in the bodies of the two Gyants began to disorder the Pagans and overturning all that came in their way they filled every part with such fear as the souldiers flying from the tempests of their swords declined them more than they would have done the pestilence On the other side the four Gyants enraged at the death of their companions made so great a slaughter as was most lamentable to behold In this sort the fight became most cruell and bloody and every minute so many men fell that in the field was nothing but heaps of dead bodyes Two hours being spent in the heat of this first conflict and the victorie as it were hanging in equall ballance there arrived six Warriours from Zeidens side who understanding by an hurt souldier of all that had past they fell in amongst the Pagan troups and began to make such a massacre of them as they were no lesse dreaded than all the Army besides they cut off arms and heads cleft men down to the waste divided Knights in two and the fury wherwithall they fought was so great that they alone seemed able to destroy all the Pagan host The Gyants perceiving this disorder went and ran all foure together with such confidence against those six incomparable Warriours as if they would easily have layd them in the dust but they were so rudely incountred that two of them had their arms swords and all sent to the ground and the other two were cleft down to the teeth Then it was that the Pagans beholding so sudden a defeat of those foure Colosses in whom they had placed all their hope betook them to flight ready to be cut all in peeces had not the Soldan of Francapa come in to their succour with ten Gyants and threescore thousand Horse The arrivall of these new forces having restored their courages they turned head against the Christians and began to lay about them with incredible valour but the Emperour of Martaria approching with Persides and Floridan the fight began to be so hot and violent that the face of the whole field was covered over with slaughtered carkasses and the ayr sounded nothing but cryes and lamentations of dying men The Gyants did wonders they cut and hewed down all before them and keeping themselves still close together they made such a miserable havock whersoever they went as it was a spectacle of incredible horrour The Martarian Emperour desiring to shew that he was a Christian ran without fear into danger being guarded by the thundring swords of Persides Floridan Lucibel and Sestilian who alwayes accompanied him and the slaughter was so great wheresoever they past that the Gyants being unable to arrest their â—â—ying people advanted to incounter them and charged them with such fury as Sestilian and the Emperour were overthrown under the horses feet where doubtlesse they had been stifled had not Persides Lucibel and Floridan kept off the enemy till such time as their followers had taken them up and carried them out of the presse This while the three Princes were in much danger amidst so many Gyants and being oppressed on so many sides they had little hope of escaping with life when as those six Champions that came from Zeiden incountring upon that place fell in with the Gyants and discharged their swords all at one instant with such a tempest that six of them sunk down dead at the feet of the three besieged Princes who knowing those six incomparable Warriours to be Rozalmond Alcidamant and their companions were so far incouraged that clasping their swords fast in their hands they delivered three such horrible blows as three of those Colosses fell downdead on their fellows The Pagans neverthelesse being nothing dismayed stood very stoutly it after the example of the Soldan of Francapa who that day rendred marvellous proof of his force and courage in so much that the Pagan Army being resolutely bent to fight it out were within three hours cut al in peeces six thousand only excepted which with Artogant saved themselves in a wood leaving the Christian Princes with the losse of thirty thousand men whereof they were not much sensible the rather for that the Emperour and Sestilian were well recovered of their hurts Having continued then some time to bury their dead during the which Rozalmond and his friends had recounted the deliverance of Amadis of Gaule and of so many inchanted Princes with all that had past in that adventure The Emperour raysed his Camp and marched on towards Saba being somewhat perplexed with thinking how he should get to the Citie by reason of the enemies lying round about it but having learned of certain Courriers who had been sent to seek Alcidamant and his fellows for to be of the number of the Combattants that there was a truce between the Pagans and them he quietly advanced without any impeachment to the gates of the Citie where all those great Princes did the Emperour of Martaria so much honour and so caressed those excellent Knights that came along with him as cannot well be expressed in words wherefore I will passe it over and relate the combat betwixt the Christian Princes and the Pagan Kings for the determination of their wars CHAP. LII The dreadfull combat of an hundred Christians against so many Pagan Princes the end thereof with the bloody slaughter of all the enemies troops HAd not the hope of an horrible revenge in some sort mittigated the displeasure which the pagans conceived upon the advertisement of the defeat of Artogants Army by the Martarian forces they would have been even mad with rage
Media against Barcandor Fulgoran against the gentle Knight Armorand Don Silves against the generous Alceus the Knight of the Sun against Bucarguant Belianis against Brizardan and all the rest sought so well that four hours were spent before it could be discerned to whom the victory would incline but Rozalmond and Alcidamant seeing it was time to display the uttermost of their forces by some remarkeable blows discharged with such force the one upon Bucarguant who had left the Knight of the Sun almost senslesse and the other on Barcandor his brother as they cleft them down both to the teeth and continuing in this rage Alcidamant cut the Soldan of Circassiaes head in peeces and Rozalmond the King of Gedrosiaes The death of these four mighty Pagans being accompanied with the slaughter of sixteen Gyants and of Alâ—rban Danizel Argilles and Rodismond the number of the Infidels began to diminish which perceived by Bravorant Gorgophon Roussardan Fierasâ—on Marisgolfe the grand Salvage Antomedon Typheus Marmaran and the proud Knight Arastron they discharged such horrible blows upon their enemies that having hurt them all very dangerously they fell in with such fury amongst the Christians as the valiant Anaxartes was cut in peeces by Bravâ—rant Argantes Emperour of Germany by Gorgophon Lindâ—â—â—â—t King of Rhodes by Roussardan Olidor of Siramque by Fieraston Anazander King of Dardania by Marisgolfe Floridan his brother by the grand Salvage the remayning Câ—nophale by Antomedon Liscâ—â—d King of Siconia by Typhâ—â—s Grandimer by Marmoran and the gentle Dorigel Lord of the fortunate Hands by Arastron wherewith the Princes of Greece were so displeased as Rozalmond Alcidamant Amadiâ— of Trebisond Claâ—â—sel Grian Grioâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—erâ—ides Claridâ—an and Belâ—â—â—â— having incountred them vowed never to leave them till they had revenged their deaths whereupon the combat renewed with more cruelty than before wherein Arlanges of Spain Arlantes his sonne Cassiaâ—â—s and the Duke of Laâ—azo were likewise slain But Amadis of Gaule Amadis of Greece Florisel of Niquea the knight of the Sun Rosicler Poliphebo Don Eleno of Dacia and Lucibel of France joyning together began to run over the field with such rage that having layd nine Gyants dead at their feet namely Radamant the cruell the strong Pandaro Razartes Coriander Artiliâ—n Gedereon King of Arginaria Rindar Broncaldion King of the Arcofibrats and Meliander the rest were cut in pieces together with Artogant who dyed by the hand of the Knight of the Sun so that of the hundred Pagan Knights there remained no more but the mighty Bravorant Gorgophon Roussardan the grand Salvage Furiander Typhaeus Antomedon Fierastron Marisgolf Marmaran Arastron Brizardan Policastaleon Astrurion Soldan of Brutacan with whom Don Rogel had fought all day without any advantage the generous Alcaeus and the gentle knight Armorand who by no means induring any speech of rendring themselves combatted like desperate men but having continued fighting almost two houres after the rest they were fain at length to fall at the feet of their enemies more voyd of bloud than of courage The Victory being thus gloriously obtained the Judges went and parted the ten Amazons sent them out of the field with equall honour and causing those sixteen famous Pagan knights to be conveyed into the Citie that their wounds might with the more care be looked unto the Christian Princes were marching out of the Lists in triumph with the Emperour of Martaria who greatly rejoyced at their good fortune when as they perceived the Enemies troops ranged in battell array under the conduct of the great King of Maâ—ritania Zazifalt and Monomatapan to make towards them for to refcue the Pagan knights out of their hands whereat being marvellously incensed they put themselves in the head of their Squadrons and fell in upon them with such fury as the Pagans wanting valiant and skilfull Leaders began within lesse than an houre to betake themselves to flight wherupon our Souldiours were so encouraged that imitating their renowned Commanders they made such a terrible maâ—saere as the ground for foure leagues about was covered all over with dead bodyes and that which rendred the defeat yet greater and more horrible was the Sea which hemmed them in almost on every side so that since the Creation of the world so great a slaughter was never seen for of foure hundred and three score and sixteen thousand men the remainder of so prodigious an Army scarce fifteen hundred escaped and that by the benefit of the night The Christian Princes seeing themselves absolutely victorious returned into the Citie where they found that they had lost of personages of marke Luâ—â—ndâ—â— Anaxâ—â—tes Argantes Emperour of Germanie Melindus King of Cloton the Cenophâ—â—es Floâ—ariaâ— of Thrace Luceneio Lâ—cidâ—mor Florâ—nio Emperour of Rome Filizel of Montespin Don Flores of Greece Zair Filin Artaurus 〈◊〉 of Rhodes Arlanges of Spain Arlantes his son Dorigel of the fortunate Ilands Golâ—â—â— his Wife young Leodâ—â—â—â— the valiant Trâ—ilâ—â— Grandâ—â—â—â— the Duke of 〈◊〉 Floridan of So pradiza Perion of Turkie Florestan of Sardinia Cassianus Anaxander King of Dardania Floradin Gelodan Prince of Moldavia Alettha Oriander King of Sardamira Oroncius Alvida the Queen Castora the King of Catay Rozaphar Parmenian of Cyprus Garmantes Don Smaldo and Tymbres of Egypt wherof some were slain in the Combat the rest in the battell much were they grieved for their deaths and with many tears did they lament them but they were comforted for that they dyed in the bed of honour and that also the principalls had been preserved from the fury of so bloudy a day for which having rendred humble thankes unto heaven they gave order for the curing of the wounded and solemnizing the Funerals of the deceased with all kind of pomp and magnificence CHAP. LIII The Pagan Knights are delivered Alcidamant Amadis of Trebisond and Rozalmond are crowned Emperours of Tramazond Martaria and Gardacia The separation of all these Princes THE Pagan Knights being mad with rage for the slaughter of so many Kings and valiant Gyants that had kept all the world in awe but much more for that they were vanquished by their enemies would not suffer the Chirurgians to dresse their wounds desiring rather that a speedy death might free them from the miserie of a long expected captivitie which being declared unto the King of great Brittain he went the next day to visit them and knowing that whatsoever he should doe would be authorized by the Christian Princes having found them all in a room together he said unto them Knights I imagine that if fortune had favoured your designes and that we had been in your power as now you are in ours you would have taken pleasure to have made us suffer unworthy things for the satisfaction of your revenge but we will let you see that the Princes of Greece are gentlier disposed that they love not slaughter nor bloud neither doe at any time shed it but when as they are obliged therunto either for the maintenance of the order of Knighthood
or to defend themselves from such as doe assail them your despaire hath made you decline the remedyes which we would have given you for the healing of your wounds you shall goe and seek them where you please to which end we set you freely at liberty wherby also we desire you should know that we never did nor will fear the greatnesse of your armes If you shall be sensible of our courtesies and shall at your return contain your subjects in peace we shall be very glad of it if otherwise it shall not much trouble us Whereupon having formerly commanded a ship to be rigged and victualled he caused them to be carried aboard without attending any answer letting them goe to Gorgophons Island wonderfully amazed to find such courtesie from enemies that had been so exceedingly outraged howbeit all this could not worke upon their hardned hearts for they resolved to be revenged at any rate whatsoever and once more to turn the world upside down This affaire being then expedited Amadis accompanied with seven or eight of the Grecian Princes that kept not their beds went to visit the beautifull Emperesse of the Amazons and did her so much honour as she repented the employing of her Armes against them Soveraigne Prince said she after a most gentle manner I would not beleeve that you and yours were every where invincible nor could think that the applause which the world gave you were justly due to you but having seen incredible effects of your matchlesse valour and found a generosity in you not common to other men I say the world doth you wrong not to erect Altars unto you wherefore I beseech you to passe by that which I have done against you and to honour me so far as to place me in the number of the truest friends you have Great Lady answered that magnanimous King and bowing himselfe for to kisse her hands I doe no longer lament the losse we have sustayned seeing we have gotten so fair a thing as your most excellent selfe your desire doth very much oblige us and the performance of your commandements shall alwayes be our uttermost ambition Hereupon having intreated her to take a lodging with them in the citie she and the Queens her followers were conducted by him and the Princes thither and were brought to Trasicleas Chamber where all the other Princes were assembled by whom being infinitely caressed both sides stood amazed at each others beauties Shortly whereupon it grew to be a very great court for Cassandra arriving from Corolandaya with all those excellent Ladies of whom we have spoken heretofore and all the brave Knights being recovered of their hurts made up such a royall presence that it much astonished this fair Emperesse but when as Rozalmond Alcidamant Amadis of Trebisond Clarisel and Griolanis presented themselves for to kisse her hands she was so ravished with the sight of their goodly personages and gallant demeanour as she could not forbeare saying openly that now she had seen all that the world had of most rare a prayse that blushing made these Princes protest they would serve her eternally Whilst all was thus in joy and tryumph and that the Princes were talking of their own departure and dismissing of the Christian forces two ancient Knights entred into the hall in mourning weeds which looking round about at length went and kneeled before Trasiclea who presently knowing them demanded what news they had brought from Tramazond Very bad Madam answered one of them for being to acquaint you with the decease of our Emperour we are assured that naturall affection will make you rather lament his death than rejoyce to see your selfe Mistris of his Scepter which now doth attend you and your faithfull subjects wish for nothing so much as your presence to appease certaine troubles arising from the ambition of the great Lords that strive for the government of the Empire wherefore we most humbly beseech you in tender compassion of your poor people to resolve upon as speedy a departure thither as convenience will permit At this speech Trasiclea dissolved into tears and so bewayled the losse of her Father that it pittyed every one to behold her but after they had for a while given way to her sorrows the Princes endeavored all they might to comfort her especially Alcidamant who desired her to consider that the condition of all men was infallibly to dye so that by degrees having asswaged her griefe the King of great Britain propounded the coronation of her and Alcidamant which two days after was solemnized on a scaffold erected for that purpose where in their richest roabs Alcidamant and she two dayes after presented themselves on their knees before Amadis the Emperour of Martaria Belianis of Greece and the Knight of the Sunne who with many ceremonies set two Imperiall Crowns on their heads and caused them to be placed on two Thrones where all the Princes that were present went and kissed their hands except the Emperour Amadis of Greece Florisel of Niquea Don Rogel and Spheramond which kissed them on the cheek All these solemnities being finished Alcidamant and his Lady descended from their Thrones when as the Emperour of Martaria causing silence to be made spake thus My Lords the age wherein I am more proper for rest than for the cares that wayt upon Kings advises me to lay them all upon the Princes which it hath pleased heaven to bestow on my daughters wherefore said he taking Amadis of Trebisond and Palmirenna by the hands let these be placed in those Thrones as Emperours of Martaria as for Floridan he shall be King of Orgalia and Lucibel of Cleogena two states that hold of my Empire wherupon taking the Crown from off his own head he delivered it unto Amadis of Greece who with Florisel of of Niquea Don Rogel and Spheramond crowned Amadis of Trebisond in the same manner as they had done Alcidamant This done the two new Emperours marching formost with their Ladies were conducted to the Palace with more magnificence than can be well exprest and the feast was far more sumptuous than at any time before during the which all the young Princes waited upon Alcidamant Amadis of Trebisond and their wives The rest of that day and eight dayes after were spent amidst incredible contentments at the end wherof every one preparing himself for his departure Florimond of Canabea that at the suit of Rozalmond had been sent Ambassadour to the Emperour of Gardacia by Spheramond for to advertise him of Armazia's deliverance and to desire him that he would be pleased to bestow her in mariage on his Son returned with this report that having been marvellously caressed by that great Emperour he had noly approved of the match but had resigned and sent his Crown to Rozalmond wherupon the former Ceremonies were renewed and that brave Knight was Crowned by the two new Emperours Prigmaleon and the renowned Amadis of Gaule Feastings and tryumphs were likewise revived with as much or more magnificence than before to the unspeakable joy of all these Princes and especially of Fortiman of Greece Belianis grand-child who unable to behold the excellent beautie of Penamonda Rozalmonds Sister without adoring her began to breath forth a thousand amorous passions wherof we will speak more at large in our fourth part These delights continued fifteen dayes together during the which the Christian Army had been dismist and sent away all these Princes separated themselves with many tears Amadis of Gaule Amadis of Greece Don Silves Clarisel of Guindaya the valiant Esquilan of Poland and the beautifull Empresse of the Amazons who would needs accompany them went with their Wives to Constantinople Florisel of Niquea into Trebisond with Falanges Alastraxerea Agesilan and his fairest Diana Don Rogel with Persides and Fulgoran into Persia Amadis d' Astre to the Empire of the Parthians where the faire Infanta Rosiliana was ready to expire with joy at his arrivall Fortunian into France with Florisel Rozalmond Russian and Silverin of the Desart into Gardacia Amadis of Trebisond Floridan and Lucibel with their Father-in-law into Martaria Alcidamant with Trasiclea Grian and Brandimanda to Tramizond Griolanis and his beautious Adelazia to Corolandaya Prigmaleon remained in Aethiopia untill such time as his Subjects were somewhat better assured The Knight of the Sun and Belianis according to the great Alcanders directions set forth with their kinsmen towards China and the Empire of Mexico And all the other Christian Princes embarquing themselves set saile for their own Countreys where we will leave them to enjoy all the happinesse of peace for to finish this third Volumne in the sequell whereof shall be seen the adventures of Don Belianis and of the Knight of the Sun together with a continuation of the marvellous acts of Alcidamant Rozalmond Clarisel Persides and other young Knights of Greece FINIS