to vse his Sword and stand as defence for all such as are in need no doubt but Heauen will be his helpe in defending him from all harme and encreasing his great renowne Then came Leonorina the onely daughter to the Emperor with the two daughters to Barandel King of Hungarie 〈◊〉 who was so rich in beauty and all choyce perfections that she seemed a rare pearle among the very fairest Princesses of the world And that which most of all did illustrate her rarities was her extraordinary wisedome and delicate carriage in regard whereof euery one tooke delight to behold her but much more to keepe her company Hauing done a gracious reuerence to the Emperour and afterward to her Mother shee sate down at her feet Then our Knight looking on her remembred when Oriana was left by King Lisuart in SCOTLAND being then about her age at which time Loue depriued him of his liberty and gaue him wholly as her seruant Immediatly all the fauours of amitie gracious entertainments since their first acquaintance presented themselues to the eyes of his soule and his affection being no way weakened or impaired either by length of time or distance of place but rather much more encreased threw such a sudden amorous affliction vpon him that he was wonderfully pensiue in this melancholy fit he thus spake to himselfe silently Oh happy prison which by good reason tooke my spirit captiue for more admittance into greater libertie Oh sweet death occasion of a double life Oh quick remeÌ„brance that canst keepe such an affectionat â—oue so couert Poore Amadis farre off from thy louely felicity what canst thou hope for heereafter wouldst thou hinder the issue of thy life whereby thou mayst be rid of so many miseries Ah Oriana the true exemplary of all vertue thy absence is so grieuous to me as I can neuer hope to recouer ioy With the conclusion of this priuate imparlance he breathed forth a loud-speaking sigh which the Emperour perceiuing became full of maruaile thinking some strange accident had befalne him But instantly they noted a chearefull reuiuing of his spirits and his lookes to bee as fresh and faire as before yet as ashamed of his soules sudden rapture in this kinde to lay his passions so open to euery eye the new tincture in his countenance gaue euident testimony This raised a more earnest desire in the Emperor then before to know whence such a sudden vnexspected mutation should proceed vrging the opinion of Gastilles therein Trust me Sir quoth he I am not able to iudge in this case but ratherstand as one confounded to see that such a man as he is should declare so little discretion in such an assembly Assure your selfe replyed the Emperour this passion proceeded from some intimat affectioÌ„ to her that hath the highest command ouer him It may be so answered Gastilles but to clear all doubt let M. Elisabet be questioned in this case Then was he called the Emperor said to him Elisabet my long-loued friend I am desirous to know one thing of you which I charge ye by the faith you beare to God to resolue mee in if you can And I sweare to you vpon my soule that by mee it shall neuer bee discouered Sir answered Maister Elisabet you may well perswade your selfe that I will not lye to a personage of your greatnesse but will tell you freely any thing I know Can you quoth the Emperour yeeld a reason why our new-come knight both sighed and wept so lately I desire you not to conceale it from me for if hee stand in need of any thing whatsoeuer assure your selfe hee shall be supplied in such good sort as he shall haue iust cause to shake off all melancholy Sir replyed Elisabet heerein I can say nothing to you for he is such a man the very closest in such maters as he will not haue manifested as I neuer saw the like No man can better dissemble his priuate fantasies yet I haue often seene him in such extremities that if a man might gather iudgment by sighing I haue imagined that his heart must needs split in sunder yet neuer was it possible for me to know the cause But thus much I verily conceiue that it must needs be the controulling power of loue which torments him in such tyrannicall maner being perhaps far off from her whoÌ„ he affecteth I iumpe with you in opinion said the Emperour and I could well wish that his loue were to some Lady of this country for I would be so liberall in bountie to him as there is neither King Prince or Lord so potent but might repute himselfe happy to match his daughter in marriage with him that thereby we might be the more certaine of his company And if you Maister Elisabet my hearts true friend can worke this mater out of him by your wit rest thus resolued that you shall well vnderstand my acceptation of the seruice which you may doe in this kinde and therefore let me perswade you to pursue it Sir quoth he you shall perceiue that I wil do my vttermost heerein So the Emperor rising went to the Empresse taking her aside said Madame you haue lately seen as wel as my selfe what sadnes our knight of the greene Sword suddenly fell into we cannot gatherwhat should moue him thereto therfore I entreat you to deuise some meanes wherby we may know it likewise if hee will consent to stay here still with me I wil not be sparing to him in any demaund whatsoeuer My Lord said she it were best in my iudgement that to morrow we should attempt this enterprise for I will take him at such apt oportunitie as he shal haue work enough to deny me In the meane while I will allow such gracious fauours towards him as both you and I will preuaile in that wee would haue So they spent out the whole day entertaining the knight beyond all compas and on the morrow after Dinner the Emperour caused the Ladies to meet there againe where at the first encounter hee was charged by the Empresse who the better to gaine her intent smyling as it were by way of deuising said Sir Knight since you came into this Court I wel remember that a mightie melancholy fitte seazed on you suddenly and it is no longer since then yesterday let me entreate ye fair Sir to tel me whence it should proceede for if it were occasioned by any iniurie either done heere or any-where else within the Emperors commaund bee well assured that you shall bee righted And if it might stand with your good liking to abide heere with my Lord the Emperor no knight in all his house can find better welcome I would perswade you thereto if I might Madam quoth he if I had so much power as to commaund my selfe I should thinke it a happines for me to haue so gracious an offer but being compelde to obey mine owne hearts affections which no way may permit
one of those which you receiued in Greece from Queene Menoressa well then said Amadis seeing it is so it shall be fittest for you that the night before you goe to the battel you performe the watch in the King my fathers Chappell in the morning I will present you Armed to him according as to order appertayneth because I holde it impossible to receiue your knighthoode from a wortheir man Vpon my faith my Lord quoth Gandalin I neuer had any other desire but to receiue it from your selfe Be it said Amadis as you please Lasiuda Squire to Brunâ—â— replied Gandalin not long since tolde me that his Master had likewise yeelded to his knighthâ—od and that hee and I should performe our watch together and so be companions in the battaile Aâ—adis answered him not a word but went into the Kings Tent who had giuen order that the Campe should march on earely the next morning because his scouâ—es and spies had assured him that the enemie approached neare So marched the two Armies each against other and on the third day following they came in sight halfe a mile off and there encamped performing many aduenterous skirmishes as well on horsebacke as on foot especially the Romanes who still pressed them of the Enclosed Isle to fight because they found the place aduantageable for them But King Perion vnderstood their meaning well enough fortefying his Campe with great trenches defending all passages with his artilery Thus they maintained them-selues three daies together skirmishing well-neare from morning to night and longer time they had thus temporised but that they receiued information how Archalaus had induced King Aranigne to the leuying of a powerfull Army and marched on speedily to encounter with them Hereupon the two Camps grew iealous of one another not knowing to whether side they inclined for King Lisuart imagined they came in ayde of Amadis and Amadis presumed the like for King Lisuart and this was their onely motiue of their falling to fight according as you shall heare hereafter But before it came so to passe Gasquilan King of Swetia who had expressely left his courtrie to fight with Amadis sent a Trompet to him who being come into his presence spake in this manner Lord Amadis the King of Swetia my Master sends you worde by mee that at such time as King Lisuart vndertook the warre against Galuaues in the Isle of Mongoza he then departed from his kingdome with intention onely to approue his manhood against you not for any hatred or malice hee beares you but onely in regarde of your great fame and renowne And being no way able to meet with you he was enforced being then wounded to returne home againe frustrated of his expectation And hee had not now left his owne lande againe but that hee was aduertised by King Lisuart of your vndertaking this hardy enterprise And continuing still in his former deliberation hee entreates you in meere curtesie that to morrowe you would breake three Lances with him for if you delay it till the day of battaile hardly shall you approue your selues each against other according to his honourable desire Trompet answered Amadis I haue long since heard of this which thou tellest me and of thy Masters earnest desire and doe also verily beleeue that it proceeds from true magnanimity of spirit in him Now although there is great difference betweene my actions and the fame noysed abroad of mee yet I am well contented that hee should holde such reputation of me as he doth and knowing him to bee no lesse then he is I could rather wish that his proofe of mee might be in some such place where hee might receiue more seruice by me My Lord said the Trompet he well remembers how matters past between you and Madraque the Giant of the Sadde Island and albeit they concerned him somewhat neare as a sonne to a father yet being aduertised of the curtesie you extended towards him hee reputeth you rather worthie of commendation then any manner of reuenge So this desire in him of triall with you is not for any enuiâ— he beares to your iust reputation but only thus that if hee happen to preuaile hee shall winne that which by no meanes else he could attaine vnto If hee sâ—staine the â—oylâ— yeâ— hâ—â— will holde his eâ—… the lesse the worlde beeing so 〈◊〉 ently informed of your maniâ—odâ— victories not only against the â—ery â—toutest and strongest Giants but likewise against most cruell and supernaturall beasts Depart then replied Amadis and to morrow morning thy Master shall fiâ—de me here ready on this plaine to accomplish his pleasure and so the Tromper returned thence before we passe any further I wil reporte the principall cause which mooued this great Prince Gasquilan to trauaile through so many countries onely to approoue him selfe against Amadis In the third Booke of our History hath been related to you that he was the soâ—ne of Madraque and of the sister to Laucine King of Swetia which Laucine dying without heires Cosquilan beeing knowne in many places to bee one of the most gentle Knights that the worlde yeelded was called by them of Swetia and elected to bee their King Afterward he fell in loue with a yong and beautifull Princesse named Pinela who was both an heire and orphane by death of her father and mother and many lands Seigneuries bordering and adioyning to them of Gasquilin belonged to her as her right and inheritance His extreamity in affection to her prouoked him to vndertake many bolde aduentures which hee worthily effected not without great perill to his person neuerthâ—lâ—sse kindnesse in her was but coole to him in regarde hee was deriued from a Giant so proude and cruell as by no meanes thee would accept him for her husband notwithstanding his most earnest and honest pursuâ—e Whereat Gasqâ—ilâ—â— growing discontented threatned intire â—…ine and detestation both of her and hers which one of her faithfull subiects fearing aduised her to vse a little dissimulation and to temporise hereon so well as shee could She lent such liking to this perswasion that at one time among many other Gasquilan vsing his wonted opportunities with goodly discourse protestations as louers in like afflictions can easily performe she as a Lady discreet and quicke of apprehension answered him in this manner My Lord seeing Heauen hath endowed mee with such riches as I now enioy no dread of danger or of death it selfe can make mee falsifie the promise I made to my deceased father which was neuer to marrie but vpon one especiall condition What was that sayde Gasquilan I solemnely swore quoth she to him before hee died neuer to ioyne in marriage but with the best Knight in the world if it lay in my power to winne him and although he were neuer so poore yet I would haue no other husband Hereupon I made diligent inquisition who might be this only man of men and haue receiued credible intelligence that Amadis de Gaule cannot be seconded
of seeing his Court any more It greatly grieued Galaor to heare these newes considering what harme might ensue thereby in time And on the other side hee had continually beene so affected to the seruice of King Lisuart as hee could not forsake him notwithstanding his loue to Amadis or any other and being vnable to conceiue what should mooue him thus to estrange himselfe from the place he sometime so highly esteemed hee desired to vnderstand the cause Brother answered Amadis you may well think I doe it vpon vrgent occasion and I would to God I could no more remember it seeing the thought thereof is death to me and therefore I pray yee spare any further speech in this case Where-to Galaor gladly yeelded and finding discourse on contrary matters they arriued at Monstrel where they went on shoare because they vnderstood that King Perion soiourned there for it was the neerest Towne that he had in Great Brittaine and there he made expressely his aboad to heare tidings of his Sonnes Amadis and Galaor No sooner did hee behold the Ship put into the Port but hee sent to know who were in it and the Messenger deliuering his errand to Amadis was answered that King Cildadan and Bruneo were come thither onely to doe their duty to the King who was not a little ioyfull of the newes hoping that they would informe him in what he further desired So mounting on horseback they rode on to the Court but Amadis and Galaor went another way for they desired first to see their mother to trye if shee would acknowledge them or no. So as the King came forth of the Towne they entred the Castell where they met an Esquire to whom they said Friend we would intreate if you were so pleased to acquaint the Queene that two knights of her kinred desire to doe her reuerence and to see her The Squire was quick in deliuering the message and brought them answere that they might enter Heere you must obserue that the had not seene Galaor since such time as hee was carried away by the Gyant being then but two yeares old Neuerthelesse so soone as they came before her beholding Amadis instantly she presumed the other to be Galaor and was so rapt with extremity of ioy that as shee was about to embrace them she fell forward on them as entraunced being vnable a long while to speak vnto them at last she said Ah blessed Virgin Mary what do I behold deare ioyes hath Heauen so fauoured mee as to let mee see you both together So she swouned againe betweene their armes but shee was quickly recouered by her Ladies and then came to Melicia who had no meane part in this nouell ioy Thus the Queene had now her three children with her and called to mind her passed misfortunes not onely in respect of Amadis but also of Galaor the one escaping the dreadfull shipwrack on the Sea the other from the hands of the Gyant Albadan and now what with sorrow past and ioy in presence so strong a warre fought with her affections that her chearefull countenance became quite changed Notwithstanding after she had recouered her spirits and some ordinary discourse past betweene them shee demaunded if they came alone into Gaule Madame answered Amadis King Cildadan came with vs in the Ship and Bruneo also in company who by great misfortune chaunced to bee wounded some few dayes since He is a good knight valiant and hardy and my desire is he may find entertainement fitting his desert Trust me Sonne quoth she he shal haue heere all the honor and respect may best be deuised as well for his owne sake as for your faire affection towards him And I will command your Sister who knowes right well how to cure all kinde of wounds that shee shall bee carefull of his health Sister saide Galaor I ioyne with my Mother in this suit to you for he is worthy of all helpe and I know no Gentleman liuing more forward then hee in the seruice of faire Ladies Witnesse the Arke of loyall Louers where he made proof of his loue to one that well may esteeme her selfe most fortunate to be honoured with the seruice of so loyall a man as neuer could be taxed with any disloyalty When Melicia heard these words of her brother Galaor in behalfe of him whom she loued as dearely as her owne life she could not auoid blushing neuerthelesse being discreetly wise she modestly excused this alteration and said to her Brother Galaor Sir since it stands so well with the lyking of you and my Mother heere I promise yee that I will vse my very best endeauour in his seruice At this pause entred the Kings Cildadan and Perion who as yet had not heard of his Sonnes arriuall that kneeled downe and did him humble reuerence Enfoulding them louingly in his armes he demaÌ„ded what fortune had broght them thus together considering the generall report that Galaor was lost on the day of battaile which King Cildadan had against King Lisuart You say very true Sir replyed Amadis and so began to discourse how he and Brunco arriued at the Sad Isle Alas quoth King Cildadan can we talke heâ—re of Bruneo and wrong him so much as leaue him so long a while in the Ship when it were much better for him to bee on land In sadnesse answered the Queene there is nothing more contrary to a greene wound then coldnes of the water And therefore instantly commaunded that hee should be conueyed into one of the best Chambers in the Castell which accordingly was done forth with Then came the Ladies to visite him and the Queene gaue him most gracious welcome desiring him to be of good cheere For heere is my Daughter quoth she right skilfull in the Art of Chirurgerie that meanes to bee your often visitant But Bruneo tooke these words otherwise then the Queene meant them because as formerly hath beene related he affected Melicia with his soules best integritie and for her loue onely and none other had approoued and ended part of the aduentures of the Enclosed Island Nâ—uerthelesse at this time he knew how to gouerne his passions thanking the Queene most highly for this her kinde and gracious offer So she withdrawing left her Daughter and some other of her Ladies to prouide such things as were needfull for him By this aduantage of time and place Melicia seated her selfe so apparantly in his eye as he might perfectly apprehend the raâ—â—â—y of her beauty which fed his â—â—pes with such ease and happiâ—es thâ—… he coueted no recouery of his new receiued wound feeling the smart of the olde one and gâ—uen him by loue so long agoe And no little comfort did he receiue by the sweete speeches of the faâ—e young Prâ—ncesse who gaue him assurance that in very short time his wounds would be cured prouided that he perfoâ—med wholly what sheâ— appointed him For otherwise quoâ—h sheâ—… you may fall into farre greater danger I trust Madame quoth he not to disobey
and committed to the care of his Nurse and her husband they returned home to their house where they tended him with such louing respect that time brought him to such comely shape and growth that euery eye delighted to look on him Thus as their owne Sonne they nursed and prouided for him vntill such time as they returned him againe to the Hermite according to his former appointment CHAP. IIII. How King Lisuart fought a Battell against the Knights of the Enclosed Island whom he vanquished And of the great liberalitie he vsed afterward to Galuanes in restoring him to all the lands and Seigneuries belonging to Madasima HEeretofore you haue heard how King Lisuart and his Army landed in the Isle of Mongaza where they found King Arban fortified in the mountaines doubtfull of Galuanes and his forces who twise or thrise had giuen him shrewd repulses Now you are to vnderstand that after they were thus met together the King gaue command to raise his Campe and passe thence to the plaine Champian ground for hee had aduertisement that the knights of the Enclosed Island were departed from the Burning Lake as purposing to bid him battaile So marched on these two Armies each against other and had giuen charge the very same day but that night preuented them and therefore they were constrained to deferre it till the next morning Then arming themselues King Lisuart ordayned his forces into three bat tallions the first led by Galaor and fiue hundred knights among whom were Norandell Guillan the Pensiue Ladasin and Cendtle The second was guided by King Cildadan with seuen hundred other knights hauing in their company Ganides Brandoynas and Philippinell The third King Arban of Northwales had charge of with Don Grumedan and many other knights beside both bold and valiant appointed as guard for the person of King Lisuart who before he meant to enterfight beholding his enemies approach so neere him gaue these speeches to al his followers My worthie friends you haue heere present before your eyes the reason that mooued vs to crosse the Seas to defend the honor of Great Brittaine and this Country which is ours as is most notoriously manifest by our agreements made with Ardan Canile auouched by Madasima the aged Giantes her Mother And yet notwithstanding vnder what couller or pretence I know not they haue dared to make their entrance and by treason haue surprized both the Towne and Castell of the Burning Lake where wee planted the Count Latin as our Vicegerent whom they yet detaine as prisoner and many more with him This hath raised their courage to such a height of arrogancie that they hold Fortune to be onely their Goddesse and that she with them will beate vs hence euen home to our owne houses whereto it appeareth they will likewise lay claime to order them and vs by their own disposition But you shall see it fall out quite contrary for the reputation wherein wee haue so long time liued and the hand of Heauen I am assuredly perswaded will not suffer vs to be disgraced by them For I dare engadge mine honour that there is no one man among ye but will rather dye with credit and vertuous repute then liue in obloquie and detested shame And such perfect acknowledgement I haue had of you for many yeares together that I must iustly confesse I haue no meane occasion both to loue and highly esteeme ye And if I had receiued no such knowledge of ye yet it cannot be denied but that from the very houre of my birth Fortune strictly engadged me to yee all as well in regard of the sidelitie euer-more continued by ye to your former Princes as also for the manifold seruices done by yee to me in diuers places Especially against barsinan when he deliuered me into the hands of Arcalaus to make himseâ—â—e King And â—…y in the battell which I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King Cildadan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to euery one All which reasons haue grounded this beleefe in me that without respect to some particulars who haue entred into rebellion against vs being heeretofore our friends and now coueting the best and dearest blood in your bodies you will declare such zeale in dutie according to your auncient vertue and faithfulnesse that we shall let them soon perceiue how fondly they haue opposed themselues against vs. And that shall we very easily doe being farre aboue them in number and that which is beyond all things else the right being on our side So let vs boldly marche on to meet them foryee see how forward they are to the field While the King was thus busied in these remoustrances Galuanes sate not idlely downe on the other side but being in the midst of his battalions went from ranke to rank persuading his knightsto fight manfully vsing these or the like speeches to them Vnderstand my deare friends and companions in Armes that the chiefe and most soueraigne happines that can be in any Army what-soeuer is to haue one sole Head or Commaunder whose wisedome in ordinances and counsell in things requisite to bee done may compasse obedience for the execution of his command Now it is apparent that yee haue not heere one Captaine onely and such a man as I haue noted to yee but two or three yea more then twentie who are all so sweetly linked together as if it were but one will one heart and one aduice Seeing then that this prime felicity is not wanting to vs let vs appropriate our selues to the second and helpe forward my fortune in ayding vs against a King the most ingratefull man of the world who maketh full account to ruinate our goods and liues with a great and powerfull Army brought hither against vs onely to impouerish and exterminate the right of a silly Gentlewoman But he may come short in his account for we will aide and maintaine her cause so long as life remaineth in our bodies according to our oath and promise whereto we obliged our selues when we receiued the order of knighthood But if we dye with this attempt it shall be to vs immortall glory that wee had so iust occasion to fight against him who ought to desend the right of all Ladies So that that which in many men may be tearmed rashnes or presumption in vs will be truely 〈◊〉 vertue and magnanimitie of courage Proceed we on then bolâ—…y and enter the field not drâ—…ding death or any danger whatsoeuer honour being the onely obiect before our eyes For in such martiall actions Fortune admitteth neither feare or doubt And if wee come off with victory they so farre outgoing vs in number our glory will bee the greater and our fame the further enlarged hauing enterprised with such height of spirit a matter almost incredible to men Such were the words of the gentle knight Galuanes to his followers which animated them so sprightfully as they imagined the time ouertardied till they were at fight But Quedragant required a little longer respit And in the mean while quoth
because I receiued Letters some few dayes since from him whereby he gaue me to vnderstand that neither he nor Florestan would stirre out of Gaule vntill they heard some newes from me I cannot chuse then replyed the King but maruaile of whence and what they are I know not quoth Galaor but whatsoeuer they are heauen shreld them from any il successe for neuer in my life did I looke on more braue and worthie Knights or men that could doe more for you then this day they haue done So spent they out the rest of the day in no other discourse almost but onely concerning the knights of the Serpents And raising their Campe on the morrow they went to Gandale where the Queene and Ladies awayted the Kings comming there also hee brake vp his Atmy discharging euery man to his owne home CHAP. VI. How the three Knights of the Serpents returning homeward into Gaule were by contrary fortune cast on the place where Archalaus the Enchanter dwelt who resolued on their death and what afterward befell them THree whole dayes together King Perion his two Sonnes kept theÌ„selues closely hidden in the Forrest as well for ease and refreshing after so great toyle as in expectation of a conuenient winde for shipping which on the fourth day fortunatly happened so they set sayle with a purposed intent for returning home into Gaule But it fell out farre otherwise with them for hardly had they attained into the maine Sea but it began to swel and rise in such dreadfull manner being stirde and enraged with contrary windes as if Heauen and earth had contended together and the Ship was so hurried by impetuositie of the waues that notwithstanding all the paines and endeauours of the Mariners they were constrained and driuen backe againe towardes the coast of Great Brittaine to land farre enough from the place where they tooke shipping There the three knights went on shore and mounting on their horses without any Squire to attend them they would needs seek after some aduenture vntill the Sea should be better setled hauing left expresse command with their men not to depart thence till their returne They had not ridden any great length of ground but descending downe a Rocke to a goodly plaine they â—…et with a Lady attended by threâ— Squires and two Damosels each carrying a Falcon on their fist as if they intended an hourely flight The Lady beholding them made way with her Palfray towards them deliuering mostâ— gracious gesture for their happy meeting and vsing ceremony of kinde salutation gaue them to vnderstand by apparant signes that she was bereft of speech and dumbe Most louely and faire she appeared to the knights which moued them to compassionat greatly her hard fortune and she going to him that had the golden Helmet making signes of embraces and offers to kisse his hand gaue outward notice both to him and the rest of request to haue them accept alodging in her castel which was at hand And lest the knights should mistake her meaning she made the like signs to her Squires who fully acquainted them with her desire entreeting them at their Ladies motion to accept of one nights entertainment in her Castell The knights being somewhat crazie and wearied with the rough tempest endured on the Sea imagined that her will accorded with their words and that no treason lay hid vnder this honest out-side yeelded to hers and their request riding softly on with her and entring into a pleasant seated Castel where they were most graciously entertained and conducted to a very goodly Chamber and there they vnarmed themselues When they were set downe at the Table for Supper diuers Damosels came each of them hauing an instrument and began to play most melodiously passing the time away in these pleasing recreations vntill the houre for rest drew neere Then withdrew the Musicians and the thred knights being left all alone layed â—hrm downe in one bedde together where soone after they fell asleepe as men that had some neede of repose Heere yee are to obserue that the Bed wherein the knights lay was fixed vpon a vice or screw to bee let downe and mounted againe without any noyse at all into a dungeon of twenty fathome deepe and there the knights found themselues in the morning at their awaking whereat they were not a little amazed perceiuing themselues to bee betrayed for they could not discerne any light at all nor deuise how they should bee transported thither At length they arose to finde either some window for aire or doore for passage to get forth but all was in vaine no likelyhood appeared anywhere of opening or that might yeeld them the smallest comfort But continuing on in this doubtfull maze they could heare the steppes and treadings of people ouer their heads and about seauen or eight houres after they saw a window opened vp aloft and a knight but meanely aged putting thorow his head demaunding very vnmanerly what new-come guests came so willingly to looke for good entertainment there By my faith lustie Roisters quoth hee since I haue gotten hold of yee I shall bee soundly reuenged of the wrongs ye haue done me but that your liues is not any part of sufficient payment I am not now to â—…arn that you are they which caused the ouerthrow of Aranigne and his Army maintaining the quarrell of that wicked Lisuart and let me now tell ye that you are in the power of Archalaus who will soone enough make knowne what loue hee beares yee Looke well vpon mee and if you neuer saw mee before this instant take good notice of me now to know me againe if you can scape from me Oh how glad a man should I bee if that villaine Amadis de Gaule were one among yee By my soule I would not sleepe till I had cut off both his nose and hands and put him to the most cruel death that euer was deuised Presently came the Lady who the day before counterfeited her selfe to be dumbe and said Vncle yonder youngest man pointing to Amadis is the knight that wore the golden Helmet who you said had so brauely behaued himselfe in Armes This Lady we now speake of was the daughter to Ardan Canile naming her selfe Dâ—…raa the most malicious and subtile woman that those times affoorded and had not come into these parts but only to take Amadis and procure his death which was the principall reason why she dissembled her selfe to be dumbe No sooner had she vttered these words but Archalaus went frem the window and shutting it againe in most churlish manner said to the knights Be as merry as yee may for before night I wil haue your heads cut off and then I le send them to king Aranigne in satisfaction of the iniuries hee receiued by your meanes Much more amazed now then euer was King Perion and his sonnes to see themselues thus in the power of Archalaus and perceiuing so palpably that vnder the counterfaited shew of dumbnes the
Lady â—…hom they meant al good to had thus deceiued them But that which redoubled the sorrowes of Amadis and Florestan was to behold their aged Father in such danger now vpon the very ending of his dayes this mooued them to such compassion as they could not refrain from weeping Neuerthelesse hee being a wise and vertuous Prince beganne not onely to be of courage but also to comfort them in this manner How now my Sonnes are yee so soone daunted at the dissemblings of Fortune are yee now to learne her mutabilities vpon my faith I did euer hold ye to be more strong and constant Let mee entreate one fauour from yee to lay no more affliction on me then I am possessed of already For your extremity of sadnesse doth so ouer weigh my soule as that is sufficient onely to be my death Therefore resume your wonted courage and let vs put our trust in God he is almighty and able to free vs from this place committing all care to him and resting perswaded of his prouidence But who could euer haue imagined that escaping the dangers in so bloody a Battaile we should fall into such an accident by the persuasions onely of a silly woman and vnder the couller of such a dumbe deuice Therefore louing Sonnes seeing we are not in case to dispose of our selues setting apart all naturall pitty and compassion which either you can haue of me or I of you let vs be patient and not mislike our fortune which we are not able any way to mend Amadis and Florestan hearing their Father speake with such a chearefull and constant resolution it appeared to them that they were disburdened of the heauiest load of their disaster and therfore concluded to reioyce in all tribulations whatsoeuer should happen vnto them And so they spent all the rest of the day without receiuing either meat or drinke till somewhat late in the euening at which time Archalaus came to them againe and opened the window accompanied with Danarda and two auncient knights bearing in their hands faire lighted Torches and calling to his prisoners he said Knights you that sleep so soundly at ease is not your appetite yet stirring to eate some good meate if you could come by it Sir answered Florestan if you were pleased to giue vs any By my soule replyed Archalaus I haue no will to giue yee any but rather to take meate from ye if ye had it Notwithstanding because ye shall not bee altogether discomforted to delight ye a little I haue some good tidings to tell yee whereof perhaps you will be ioyfull This euening two Squires and a dwarfe came hither making enquiry after certaine knights bearing Armes of Serpents them haue I also taken into my custody and allowed them as faire a lodging as yours is but if they tell me not to morrow morning of whence and what you are you cannot imagine a death more cruell then that I will put them to Heerein Archalaus did not dissemble with them for they in the Shippe perceiuing that not any of them returned againe sent forth Gandalin the Dwarfe and Orpheus the Arras-weauer to vnderstand what was become of them arriuing by chance at the same Castell where their Lords and Maisters were imprisoned The three knights hearing these newes were greatly discontented and not without especiall cause for they stood in doubt lest torment or some other meanes should cause them disclose whatthey would haue concealed Yet Amadis making no outward shew thereof returned this answere to Archalaus Trust me Sir when you shall know of whence and what we are I am well assured that you will allow vs better wel-come then hitherto you haue done For your selfe being a knight as wee are and perhaps heretofore falne into the trecheries of Fortune as now we are would finde the fauour of a friend as we could affoord the like to you stood you in the like necessity as we do And if any mater of manhood be in vs me thinks that might well instruct yee aboue all things else to offer vs no wrong How now Sir answered Archalaus haue yee learnde to prate so boldly you shall finde who it is that holdes dispute with ye and whether I offer ye wrong or right And let this bee your comfort that like fauous as I would vse to Amadis de Gaule were he in my power the very same and no other will I extend to you Vncle said Dinarda if you meane to send their heades to King Aranigne doe it not vntill seuerity of famine haue caused their death for suffering them to liue somewhile in misery death will then appeare the more welcome to them Beleeue me Niece quoth he it is well aduised and I am content to allow there-of whereupon hee said vnto them that they should haue some small mater of feding prouided they must resolue him whether hunger or thirst most offend them answere therefore on your faith which is the most irk esome to yee Seeing said King Perion you coniure vs so powerfully I could like well to haue meate but thirst doth afflict vs in much extreamer manner So quoth Archalaus I haue a piece of fat Lard which hath lien in powder aboue these three moneths that I am sure will quenche your thirst Presently it was brought and hee hurling it in at the grate said There take it friends make good cheare with it and say not now but you are kindly entertained So they departed leauing a Damosell at the window to listen what speeches should passe betweene them Much talke had she heard concerning the feature of person and manly prowesse of him that wore the golden Helmet especially that in the late battell against King Aranigne hee had declared such deeds of Armes as no knight else could performe the like This raised in her great pitty and compassion and for his sake she prouided a Flagon of wine and water which letting down softly to them she said Gentlemen be secret in this fauour I send ye and as I may I will defend ye from perishing The knights returned her most hartie thankes so shutting fast the window she bade them go to such rest as that foule place would assoord them Now concerning the entertainment of Gandalin and the two other that sought after King Perion and his company being falne into the hands of Archalaus as hath bin said already be it knowne to yee that they were suddenly shut vp in a darke vault ouer the Chamber where the supposed dumbe Lady had formerly lodged their Masters There they found two knights and a Damosell wife to the elder of the knights who had long time beene kept there as prisoners who declared to the Squires that by the window of their prison they saw three knights bearing Armes of Serpents brought in thither and very worthy welcome giuen them at the first Neuerthelesse quoth one of them at length they were let down into a deepe Dungeon by the most horrid treason that euer was heard of for the Bedde
the ruin of so beautifull a place without any meanes in me to helpe it As they rode on the way at the entrance of a neere neighbouring Forrest they espied two knights refreshing themselues by the brim of a goodly Spring or Fountaine who seeing the Litter attended by fiue knights and two Damosels they imagined that some wounded body was therin where upon they made toward it to be resolued which when Archalaus perceiued he said Go bid yonder high-way spies come to me and if they make any deniall hew them in pieces but be carefull that you doe not tel them who I am lest they flye away with feare Heere you must note that these two thus sent for by Archalaus were Galaor and his companion Norandel to whoÌ„â—hen the other knights came fiercely they commaunded them to lay downe their Armes and come speake with him that was in the Litter What saucie Sir is hee said Galaor that would haue vs disarme our selues and then come to him You shall know no more then you doe replyed one of the other knights but if yee vse any longer contesting we wil make ye come to him with cudgelling I would laugh at tha tsaid Norandel I am sure you meane not as you say That shal appeare quoth they and so ranne against them but Galaor and Norandel vnhorsed the first two they met withall albeit they all fiue gaue the encounter together and yet could not stirre them in their saddles The fight grew fell and fierce betweene them but the knights belonging to Archalaus were not able to endure the blowes of the other two who tooke such order with them that three of them were slaine out tight and the other fled into the wood to saue themselues whom they resused to follow lest he in the Litter should get away from them in the meane while To the Litter they came found Archalaus left all alone because they that kept him company had quite forsaken him vpon the soile flight of the siue knights only there was a Boy remaining who guided the horses of the Litter Archalaus was not a little amazed to see him-selfe in the power of strangers who might well be reuenged on him for the outrage done them neuerthelesse be thinking himselfe on a sudden subtile shift he saluted them in very humble manner But they being iustly moued with choller comming neere and offering to strike him said Treacherous thiefe is this thy maner of behauiour to knights errant seeking their death that neuer offended theeâ— I sweare by heauen this is the last outrage thou shalt doe to any man liuing Galaor hauing spoken these words lifted vp his arme to smite him but Archalaus in great feare cryed out Alas my Lords for Gods sake mercy Mercy quoth Galaor If Grumedan iudge thee worthy of mercy thou mayest perhaps haue it otherwise not for to him shalt thou goe and by him shall thy vill any be sentenced Worthy Lords answered Archalaus you cannot doe me a greater pleasure then bring mee to my Cousin Grumedan who knowes me to bee another manner of man then you imagine me It is not vnknowne to him that at all times I haue laboured serued and honored Knights errant such as I now perceiue you are When Galaor and Norandel heard him speake so honestly and named Grumedan to be his kinseman they were halfe offended with themselus that they had giuen him such rough language and answered him thus What moued you then to send vs such an iniurious command by your men In good faith my Lords quoth he if you please but to heare me I will acquaint you with the whole truth Know then that as I not long since crossing the For est of the Black Lake I met with a Damosell who made complaint vnto me of a great wrong done her by a knight which my duty and order binding me to repairâ—e I pursued him according to her direction and entring the Combate with him before the Count of Ganceste soyled him But it chanced afterward as I returned hometo my Castell that villaine Traytour which first of all you slew accoÌ„panied with two other knights who lay closely ambushed to entrap me watching their fittest oportunity did all set vpon me and would forcibly compell me to make them Lords and Commanders of mine owne dwelling What shall I more say to ye They followed mee with such violence as notwithstanding all I could doe in my best defence they tooke me and sed me prisoner to a Fortresse not farre hence where they long time detayned mee in the most iniurious manner could be deuised not permitting so much as the dressing of such wounds as I had receiued in fight against them and are heere apparant to your view With these words hee shewed them diuers skarres and hurts And because quoth he they stood in feare lest I should escape froÌ„ them and go to the Court of good King Lisuart there to require ayde and instice of the gentle knight Amadis de Gaule or of his noble Brother Galaor by the suitherance of my Cousin Don Grumedan this very day they had me along with them in this Litter because I was not able to endure trauaile on horse-back purposing to carry me God knowes whether doubting the friendship and helpe of my honourable kinsmen that laboured to release mee out of their thraldome some few dayes since In which respect they no sooner espied you but thinking you to lye in waite for the same occasion they made no conscience in abusing you as they had done mee in most rigorous maner Worthy Sir replied Galaor on the faith of a knight by this discours of yours they were truely villaines For you being kinsman to one of the best-deseruing men in the world your wrongs haue bin too great and vnsufferable But let me entreat you to tell vs your name and to pardon the iniurie wee haue likewise done ye being ignorant of whence and what you were I am named quoth Archalaus Branfiles and know not whether you haue heard of me heere to fore or no. Yes that I haue and vnderstand your merit among the very best answered Galaor in doing all honorable courtesies to knights errant at what time soeuer you can compasse the meanes as Don Grumedan himselfe hath many times told me I am glad of it quoth Archalaus and seeing you haue receiued knowledge of me let me in kindnesse obtaine so much fauour at your hands as to take off your Helmets and to tell me your names that I may returne thankes to my Cousin Grumedan for your extraordinary curtesie This knight saide Galaor my deare friend and companion is called Norandel and he is Sonne to King Lisuart And I am Galaor brother to Amadis de Gaule Happy man that I am answered Archalaus dissemblingly lifting vp his eyes to heauen could any greater felicity befall me then to bee thus relieued with two of the best knights in the world This conference he continued the longer taking good note and obseruation of
the second Booke that Patin being then no more then a meane knight without any great estate or possession liued onely in hope to bee heereafter Emperour of Rome when the death of his brother happened who had no procreated heire of his body This perswasion in respect of his loue to the Queene Sardamira whom he most intirely affected made him vndertake the voyage of Great Brittaine where he was most honourably entertained by King Lisuart especially after he knew him to be the Emperors brother There he grew forgetfull of his first loue beholding the beauty and comely graces of the Princesse Oriana whom he requested in mariage of the King her Father Vpon the answere made him he determined to shewe himselfe among the most valiant spirits in searche of straunge aduentures and combatting all errant knights he should meet withall Crossing through the Forrest whereas then Amadis was despairing of euer seeing his Oriana any more in regard of his banishment signified to him by Durin brother to the Damosell of Denmarke he beganne to sing the praises of the Princesse and to glorifie himselfe in the loue she bare him in his opinion At which time Amadis and he fought together where Patin was conquered and sore wounded in the head in regard whereof he returned to Rome without going backe to King Lisuarts Court leauing his marriage in suspence till some other time But it fell out so well for him that so soone as he was there arriued the Emperour his brother left his life leauing him sole heire to the Empire Whereupon he had far greater desire then before to finish the affection he had begunne hoping by reason of the great dignity whereto he was now aduanced he should the more easily compasse his long-desired marriage Which the sooner to effect he sent Ambassadours to King Lisuart with a new request of his daughter in marriage heereto were appointed Saluste Quide Prince of Calabria Brondariel de Roce the great Maister the Archbishop of Tarente and the Queene Sardamira accompanied with a gallant troupe of knights Ladies and Gentlewomen to bring home the Princesse Oriana as they hoped But matters happened to another end as heereafter more at large shall be related to you CHAP. X. How within some while after the Knight of the greene Sword had hoysed saile into the maine Sea and had quite left the Islands of Romania By hard fortune he was cast vpon the Deuils Island where he fought with a Monster named Endriagus THe Mariners hauing set their sayles with full intent for Constantinople so soone as they had lost sight of the Isles of Romania the Sea exalted it selfe in such sort and grew to such a dreadfull tempest that notwithstanding all paines the Mariners could take for best guiding and gouerning the Ship it was so tost with contrary windes and waues as very many times they were in manifest peril of shipwrack And being out of all further hope safety not appearing so much as in a glimpse of assurance they attended onely the mercy of God and continued in this extreamity the space of 8 dayes without knowing where or in what part they were For the tempest of winde haile and raine was so thick and continuall as it seemed that heauen and earth and the Sea would meete together But at length the Ship was throwen on Shoare about two houres before day and with such violence as they feared it would be split for it was driuen out of the Sea on drye land Notwithstanding they sustayned no harme at all which gaue them better hope then formerly they had so that when bright day appeared they knew themselues to bee in the deuils Island which by reason of a straunge Monster there abyding was so dispeopled as no liuing creature repayred thither Then a new feare seazed on them and now they despaired of their liues more then before so that they were euen ready to throw them-selues into the deepe when the knight of the greene Sword demanded of them what might be the reason of this terror Alas Sir quoth they where doe you imagine wee are landed what gulfe what shipwrack could haue beene worse to vs then this Now wee are in compasse of the Deuils power who in the forme of a cruell Monster ruinates all this Country How said the knight I see nothing yet that should thus amaze ye therefore tell me I pray ye what deuill or Monster is it that workes this great despaire in ye Then Maister Elisabet lesse dismayed then any of the rest spake for them al saying Vnderstand Sir that this Island wheron our disaster hath brought vs was not long since in the possession of a Giant the most bloody Tyrant that liued in all the Isles he had to wife an honourable Lady as wise milde and vertuous as hee was wicked and cruell of whom he begot a daughter named Brandaginda that was in her time one of the goodliest Ladies in the world And although many great Lords and men of high merite would gladly haue enioyed her in marriage yet notwithstanding the rigour of the Giant was so extreme as he still kept them off because by no meanes hee would haue her to marry In regard where-of this Mayden encreasing in yeares and those desires that would faine experiment what happinesse it was to liue with a man knowing withall that her father had set downe his resolution neuer to bestow her as a wife on any man preuailed so much by insinuating blandishments and incestuous demonstrances that she drew him to affect her and had his company carnally But that which was much worse shee machinated the death of her owne mother that the more boldly and without feare she might liue still in this horrid incest wherto the Giant gaue quick consent This Mayde that was perceiuing her selfe to grow great with childe one day as her mother and shee walked together in an Orchard passing by a deepe Well she thrust her therein so rudely as she brake her neck in the fall Now because the people began to murmure the Giant told them that he vnderstood by three of his gods one in the likenesse of a Griffon the other as a Lyon and the third in the shape of a man that of him and his daughter should bee borne a creature so much to be respected and feared through all the Countrie that none of his neighbours should dare to attempt any harme against him And vnder this colour he openly married his wicked daughter who within no long time after was deliuered of a Monster in such manner as I shall shew vnto ye It was so full of haire on the face feete and hands as it appeared to be a Beare all the rest of the body was couered ouer with scailes so hard and strong as no arroâ—…ot from a Bow could pierce them beside they were so broad great that they extended quite ouer the backe defending it like so many Shields so that no instrument of yron could enter thorow them From vnder
his blow that lighting on his snout it entred into one of his nostrils which were great and wide staring so farre that it pierced the braine extreamely This made Endriagus so mad that hee got our knight fast about the body and with his sharpe-pointed clawes tore his coate of maile yea and entred through the flesh to the bone when questionlesse he had quite kild him but that his owne blood so ouerstifled his stomacke that letting loose his hold he fell downe back-ward And as he rendred his spirit the deuill came out of his body causing such a clap of thunder as all the whole Island shooke with the sound thereof This noyse being heard by them in the Castell they perswaded themselues thereby that their knight was then at the Combate and albeit they were in a safe and well-defenced Fort yet the best and boldest man of them all was ouercome with extraordinary feare Endriagus being thus vanquished our knight rose very faintly and purposing to goe finde Gandalin who was then comming towards him hee fell downe againe in a swoune by a little perling brooke that descended from the mountaine Then Gandalin imagining his Maister to bee dead fell into most dolefull lamentations but comming neere him he beheld him to breath wherupon he vnarmed him Then recouering his spirits called to Gandalin saying My deare Friend Gandalin now thou shalt see the ending of my dayes let me entreate thee by the kinde nourishing which I receiued from thy father and mother that as thou hast been loyall to me in my life thou wilt continue so in death and so soone as my vitall spirits haue forsaken me to take out my heart and beare it to my dearest Mistresse Tell her Gandalin that as it veelded it selfe hers the same day I first saw her and euer since hath continued better and better in her seruice while it was lockt vp in this brest or sad habitation neuer wearied in any obedience to her that shee would be pleased so to receiue it now in remembrance of him that kept it for her and in so doing I beleeue that my soule shall haue the happier rest in another world As hee meant to speake more words fayled him and againe hee swonded Then Gandalin without staying to answere him mounted on the top of the Rocke and winded the horne which he caryed to giue signall of the death of Endriagus so loude that Ardan the dwraff who was then on the highest of one of the Castle Towers easily heard it Wherevpon hee ranne downe presently to acquaint Maister Elisabet therwith desiring him to make haste to his Maister who perhaps stood in great neede of his helpe Maister Elisabet hauing all things in a readinesse mounted on horse-backe directing his course as fast as hee could ride towards the place where hee still heard the sound of the Horne Not long had he iourneyed but he espyed Gandalin who comming to meete him cryed out afarre off Alas Maister Elisabet Endriagus is dead but if you prouide not the sooner for my Lord hee is gon likewise How man quoth he Alas said Gandalin he hath already lost so much blood as hee is not a ble to speake a word Very sadde and sorrowfull was Maister Elisabet at these newes and ran quickly to the place where the Knight lay so weake and ouer spent as hee had no motion of his pulse yet his eyes were wide open wherefore to comfort him Maister Elisabet sayd How Sir Kinght will you declare such debilitie of courage hauing brought to end so great and glorious an interprise doe yee not know that I am heare to make you sound and well againe so soone as pleaseth God When the Knight heard him hee stroue to make answere but could not Then they layd him softly vpon a cloake and hauing wholly vnarmed him Maister Elisabet viewed his wounds which he found to be so many and dangerous as hee stood in great doubt of his recouery Neuerthelesse hee resolued to performe so much as possibly he could and instantly applyed so soueraigne vnguents as both stanched his bleeding and so assawaged all vigour of paine that his speech came to him againe when with a very feeble and low voyce he thus spake Oh my Lord God who to redeeme mee tooke humaine flesh in the blessed Virgins wombe and afterward didst suffer a most dolorous and painefull Passion take pitie on my soule for I well knowe that my bodie is no better then earth Truely Sir answered Maister Elisabet you haue good reason to recōmend yourself to him considering that by his assistance you shall receiue the speedier helpe As he ended these words there arriued diuers of the Marriners who taking him vp gently in their armes conuayed him thence to the Castle where laying him in his bed he was so voyd of allhis sences as hee felt not any thing was done to him Thus he continued all night complayning continually as one that endured much yet without vttering any one worde till about breake of day he fell asleepe Hereupon Maister Elisabet commanded all to auoyd the chamber to preuent any noise for offending him and sate downe close by him till hee heard him wake and cry Gandalin Gandalin shield thy selfe from this deuill so cruell and daungerous In good faith Sir replyed Maister Elisabet if you had been as safely shielded as hee your health were the surer and your recouerie the lesser At these words our Knight opened his eyes and knowing Maister Elisabet said vnto him Oh Maister where are we Where quoth hee in such a place where you shall doe well enough by the grace of God And perceiuing his Feauer to haue left him hee brought him food to eate was so diligent in care ouer him that before night hee recouered his memorie perfectly and beganne to know and speake to euery one Maister Elisabet seeing all danger to be well quallified both hee and all the rest gaue thanks to God for it and continued still so respectiue of him as hee grewe hourely better and better notwithstanding for twentie dayes hee kept his bed without any habilitie of rising At length Maister Elisabet perceiuing that without any great perill to the his person hee might endure the Sea especially his Feauers beginning to forsake him one day as they sate deuising together he sayd My Lord thankes be to God you are soundly recouered and in mine opinion when best shall please you you may goe aboard your shippe whereto I so much the rather counsell you because our victuals growe so short that if wee dislodge not hence the sooner we shall be quite emptied My louing friend answered our Knight I may iustly say that next vnto God you are the man to whom I am most beholding deliuering mee from the great daunger wherein I was And let mee assure yee that so long as my soule liueth as a guest in this bodie you haue a Knight ready to bee employed for you without reseruation of hazard or perill whatsoeuer for you haue
Emperour as I am enformed three dayes more to keepe him company Faire Knight let me entreate ye to afford me two dayes beside his during which time you shall be dayly if you please with me and my Gentlewomen because without any impeachement wee may the better gouerne you Therefore aduise your selfe with a good heart we hauing you heere among vs will compell you thereto perâ—â—â—ce As shee thus spake shee made a signe to her Gentlewomen to lay hold on him Seeing himselfe thus engirt by them all what amiable graces and milde forces they seazed him with by a voluntary importunity he promised to obey them in this or what else they would command him and smyling hee thus speke vnto the Princesse Leonorina Why Madame being vnable to escape so sharpe an imprisonment as is heere presented to my face doe you imagine that I dare any way contradict you or yours In good faith Sir answered one of the Gentlewomen you doe the wiser for if you did the contrary you would be in greater daunger then when you fought with the Monster Endriagus Truely Ladies quoth he I beleeue ye assuredly considering it is certaine that a man shall haue more labour in offending such Angels then if he contended against twenty worse Deuils then he was Wherefore I had much rather attempt againe such another like warre as that then fall into the perill of your displeasure Remember then Sir answered Leonorina what you haue promised and looke that you bee carefull in keeping it Thus our knight continued in Constantinople fiue dayes longer then he purposed during all which time he was a good companion among the Ladies and Gentlewomen who neuer ceased to enquire of him concerning the singularities of the Firme Island the Defended Chamber the Arche of lorall Louers and also the Portraitures of Apolidoâ— and Grimenesa Likewise concerning the Ladies of King Lisuarts Court the fashion of their garments their manner of behauiour and a thousand other things such as ouer curious women most commonly couet to know And as hee made answere stil to his best power in cases of this nature he considered with himselfe that if his Oriana could haue made one in this faire company he should haue thought that all the bright beauties in the world were there congregated together At last he grew so distracted in his soule that words began to faile him and he stood as falne into a traunce Which the Queene Menoressa Lady of the Isle Gabasta perceiuing shee held him so strongly by the arme that immediatly hee came to himselfe againe Then he well perceiued that hee had fayled in some one kinde or other wherefore in excuse of him-selfe he said vnto them I beseech ye Ladies thinke it not strange that hauing before mine eyes so many admirable beauties wherewith both God and Nature hath bounteously enriched you all I should finde my sences quite transported from their vsuall course by remembring one of whom I did sometimes receiue so many gracious fauours that finding my selfe now to bee farre off from her I endure a torment worse then death my spirit being rapt out of my body and liuing in her to serue and obey her as I ought to do Wherefore Loue being to blame for the fault wherein I haue offended before you should deseruedly receiue the punishment and not I whom hee tormenteth with too much rigour Great compassion tooke all the Ladies and Gentlewomen on the affliction which they beheld our Knight continually to suffer and euery one stroue to comfort him so well as she could But the day being come when he must needes take leaue for imbarquing himselfe the Queene Menoressa who bare him an intire secret affection said vnto him Sir Knight by something that I know your long absence hence will scarcely be well taken but seeing wee must needes endure your losse I pray yee to accept a gift of me which I am very desirous to bestow vpon you Then shee called for sixe Swords the very fairest and best tempered that euer were seene desiring him to furnish his friends with them and not to be vnmindfull of her Madame quoth the Knight your gift is such that for your sake they shall come to the hands of sixe knights the best in mine opinion this day liuing and of whom you may and shall dispose at all times and in all affaires you will please to command them That is the matter said the Princesse Leonorina which wee all together moue vnto you By my faith Madame quoth he all my life-time I shall be yours ready in obeisance when you please to imploy me I thanke you Sir replyed the Princesse and doe more-ouer entreate you that you would please so much to honour vs as to send hither someone of your linage to remaine particularly ours and to serue vs all as need shall require Madame quoth hee I make no doubt but before any long time to send you a neere kinfeman of mine who being in your seruice you may well vaunt that you haue one of the best knights in the world This he spake as thinking of his Brother Galaor whom he intended to cause to come and serue the 〈◊〉 perour both for the augmentation of his renowne and the bigher honour of the Princesse But it fel out otherwise for in steed of Galaor Esplandian arriued there some while after who for the loue of the I'rin cesse Leonorina fought many a braue fight as you shall vnderstand when we come to speake thereof Let it suffise vs now that the knight of the greene Sword was shipt as that day and setting sayle with Master Elisabet launched forth into the maine bound with prosperous gales for his returne to Remania Wherefore we will be a while silent of him to tel ye that much about this season the Prince Saluste Quide the Queene Sardamira with their traine arriued in Great Brittaine to conclude with King Lisuart the marriage of the Emperour and Oriana And perswading themselues that the voyage should answere their owne intention they published in all places as they passed along that they should shortly returne backe with the Empresse But GOD in whose hand all things are declared heerein that hee doth oftentimes dispose matters quite contrary to the opinion of men who neither loue or repose any confidence in him but thinke to command both times and the starres according as it commeth into their owne braine Wherein they finde themselues both mockt and deceiued â—euen as these Ambassadours did who were entertained with the greatest triumphes and honour that the King could possibly make them CHAP. XII How the Knight of the greene Sword departed from Constantinople to satisfie the promise which hee formerly had made to the faire Grasinda And of that which afterward happened to him OVr knight of the green Sword being on Shipboord and set foorth from the Port of Constantinople as already hath beene related to yee the windes were so fauourable to him that in lesse then twenty dayes
dinner our Knight accompanied with many Lords and Gentlmen rode into the Forrest There they met with great store of wilde beasts who being well nere spent with running made backe againe vpon the pursuing Houndes But as our Knight earnestly followed a Hart which had escaped from the toyles both hee and Gandalin were strayed so far into the woods as they were enforced to spend the whole night there by not knowing how to recouer againe their way of entrance And as they traced from one side to another at length they came neere to a very beautifull Fountaine enuironed round about with trees of such heighth as it was impossible almost to meet with taller There they resolued to abide till the next morning wherefore alighting from their horses they first watered them and after tooke off their bridles to let them graze And because our Knight could not so soone betake himselfe to rest hee walked along vnder the faire-spreading trees and discerned somewhat neere him a white horse lye dead all couered with fresh-bleeding woundes which hee had lâ—tely receiued Moreouer he heard the voyce of a man complayning very lamentably as one that felt intollerable paine and anguish but being vnable to discerne from whence it proceeded by reason that the night was so darke and cloudie he drew as neere to the clamour as he could to listen the cause why he thus complayned Then the voyce seemed louder to his attention then before and he could easily vnderstand the deliuery of these speeches Ab miserable man vnfortunate Bruneo de bonne Me now thou dost too plainly perceiue that thou art enforced to finish thy dayes and all thy affectionate desires wherewith thy loyall heart hath beene so long time afflicted Ah Amadis de Gaule my worthy Lord neuer more shalt thou see thy faithfull companion Bruneo for in the quest of thee according as thy well-beloued Sister Melicia commanded me I fell into the hands of Traytours who haue wrought my death without the ayd or succour of any friend to helpe me O vnkinde Fortune vtter enemy to my felicity thou hast throwen me so farre off from all remedy as I haue not so much as the meanes whereby I might make knowen my disaster to any one that should reuenge my wrongs which were no meane comfort to mee in this wofull case and the more contentedly would my poore soule part out of this wretched world Ah Melicia floure and mirrour of all vertuous perfections this night thou losest the most loyall seruant that euer Lady or Gentle-man had for my whole life-time was deuoutly dedicated onely to obey and please you in all faithfull seruices And vpon my soule if you well consider it perhaps you will finde this lesse extreame for you being assured that you shall neuer meete with any other so constant to you as your Bruneo Now doth the lampe of my life beginne to burne dimbe and my afflicted heart loseth all his forces wherewith by your remembrance onely I haue heeretofore performed many manly deedes of Armes and Chiualrie Now therefore I must needes recommend it to you entreating you so to fauour and respect it as neuer sinning against you in loyaltie Death that hath seazed on me thou shewest thy selfe too sharp and rigorous to me in robbing me of all my happines all my ioy and pleasure in one instant Nor doe I expressely blame thee for depriuing me of my life but because thou couldst not permit mee before my death to accomplish the charge imposed by Melicia on me which was to find out her brother Amadis Heere he paused awhile but presently proceeded on againe thus Alas this commaund was the very first that euer she did put me in trust withall and now as I too plainly perceiue must bee the last also Whereby I feele a double torment for if I could haue had the meanes to satisfie her heerein my trauaile though ending in death I should haue esteemed happy And that deare Mistresse is my chiefest affliction that my dayes are cut off before I had the power to acknowledge the infinitie of gracious fauours by you bestowed on me but rest you well assured and on my soul I protest it that I neuer stood in feare of death in whose face I haue oftentimes hazarded my fortunes but grieue to finishe my life thus in louing you too affectionately Then a heart-breaking sigh interrupted his speech which yet againe he quickly recouered saying Ah my deare friend Angriote Estrauaux where art thou now how hast thou forsaken me Thou hast maintained this quest with mee a long time together and now in need hast left me not affording mee any comfort or succour And yet I haue little reason to blame thee because my selfe was the meanes of our separation this day to both our great misfortunes that sundered vs from euer meeting any more Then began he to sigh extremely and the coldnesse of his stomack breaking foorth many hickoâ—… among innumerable sighes made a strange confusion of his words â—ollowly vttered In regard whereof our Knight who had well vnderstood all these wofull complaints could not refrain from teares neuerthelesse going at last to the place where he lay he thus spake to him My kind friend Bruneo what dismall mishap hath thus befalne thee I pray thee be of good cheare and put thy trust in our Lord God who hath done so much both for thee and me as to conduct mee to this place where I will compasse some meanes to helpe thee Bruneo conceipted in himselfe that these wordes came from his Squire Lasinde whom he had sent to seeke some Religious man by whom hee might be confest before his death wherefore he thus answered Alas my deare Lasinde thou hast tarâ—…d too long for I feele my fainting in such forwardnesse that I cannot accomplish now what I purposed Therefore let me entreate thee that so soone as my soule hath forsaken this her sad habitation thou wouldst returne into Gaule to faire Melicia whom when thou hast acquainted with my mischance present her the rightsleeue of my shirt thus tincturde in my true heart-blood and seauen letters foulded vp therein which I haue alwayes hitherto kept as carefully as mine own life And because strength fayleth me doe thou supply out the rest that should be said assuring her that the griefe she will conceiue for my misfortune by thinking her selfe to be the cause thereof sending me in search of her Brother Amadis did more torment me then any torture else could doe Why how now deare friend answered our knight doest thou thinke me to be Lasinde thy Squire why man I am thy companion Amadis for whose sake thou art falne into this great danger Therefore take heart man be of good comfort and I will bring thee to so worthy a man as shall restore thee to health againe very speedily Now albeit Bruneo was so weake by the great aboundance of blood which he had lost as hee was no longer able to speake yet knowing Amadis by his voyce
and seeing him so neere him hee â—weetly embraced him as he accordingly did the like to him enterâ—…ingling the teares together that fell from their eyes which was performed in such sort as they that had beheld them would haue thought they had seene one soule diuided betweene two most louing and intimate friends And as they were thus compassionating each other Gandalin who had all this â—…le heard their resounding of their words came thither to whom our Knight of the Greene Sword said 〈◊〉 come neere and helpe me to vnarme my kinde companion Bruneo which Gandalin did both perâ—oâ—…ming it so gently as they could and his Armour being 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sweet hearbs at more ease By this time the breake of day beganne to appeare and our knight commaunded Gandalin to go finde Maister Elisabet with all possible speed beside to entreate Madame Grasinda to send thither with him a soft horse-litter for conueying Bruneo to her Palace Gandalin heerein was so diligent that hee made a very speedie returne bringing Master Elisabet thither with him who seeing the two friendes thus disconsolate and making much moane each to other he said Good my Lords feare not any thing for by the grace and helpe of God I wil prouide whatsoeuer is needfull Then visiting the wounds of Bruneo he found them shut and closed by reason of the nights extreame coldnes notwithstanding hee applied such excellent ointments to them as before they parted thence his paine was well appeased and he fell fast asleep which gaue vndoubted hope to Maister Elisabet that the worst of daunger was past whereof when he had aduertised our knight no newes could be more comfortable to him As thus they sate expecting their sicke friends awaking they espied a man comming towards them carying the heades of two Knights at his saddle bow and holding an Axe in his hand all bloody He seeing so many sit there together grew fearefull but our Knight of the Greene Sword knowing him to be Lasinde the loyall Squire to Don Bruneo arose accompanied onely with Gandalin to meete him This made the Squire much more timorous and perceiuing them thus comming towards him he turned bridle to fly away After him followed our Knight running into a very deepe bottome or vallie where the thicknes of the brakes bushes hindred him from sight of the Squire wherfore he cryed so loud as hee could Whither fliest thou Lasinde stay many for I am one of thy friends When Lasinde heard himselfe named he turned his face and presently knew Amadis wherefore alighting from his horse most humbly he saluted him saying Alas my Lord doe not you know the heauy newes of my good Master who lies slaine in this Forrest At speaking these words he made most pittifull lamentation and then began again thus Surely Sir you wil not thinke what trauaile he hath endured onely in the search of you so earnest was his desire to find you which would to God he had done before this great misfortune befell him by the villainous treachery of two traytors whose heades you may heere behold not long since deliuered mee by Angriote Estrauaux He gaue me expresse command to present them to my Lord if hee were liuing if not to lay them so neere to his dead body as I could that the world might witnesse iust reuenge taken on them Lasinde answered our Knight he is liuing thankes bee giuen to God for it and I left him vnder yonder trees in better disposition then thou imaginest Notwithstanding hee is yet so feeble by his great expence of blood as he could not declare how or by whom hee was thus wronged and if thou wilt follow me thou shalt finde him in no worse estate then I tell thee But beware vpon thy life that before any whosoeuer thou call me none other then the Knight of the Greene Sword It shall bee done Sir quoth the Squire seeing it is your pleasure so to command me Come thou then with Gandalin replyed our Knight and I will haste thither before because I would haue no man to know that I haue spoken with theeâ— therefore remember what thou hast in charge Away goes our Knight leauing Gandalin and Lasinde together returning towardes Bruneo where soone after both the Squires arriued also Lasinde made a low reuerence to the Knight of the Greene Sword and as if he had neuer seene him said Blessed be the houre my Lord that conducted you hither so happily to meere with my good Master Bruneo who in the quest of you hath beene so abused as now your owne eyes are testimonies of his extremitie Friend Lasinde answered our Knight thou art wel-come and I pray thee tell me what fortune drew him and thee hither and by whom came hee thus wounded My Lord that you shall know presently giue me but leaue first to speake to him Now was Bruneo awaked from his sound sleepe and felt himselfe in indifferent disposition wherefore they admitted Lasinde to come neere him speaking thus Sir your kinde companion Angriote Estrauaux hath sent you the two Traytours heads whom he fought withall and slew knowing what iniury they had done to you And he is gone to a Monastery of Ladies in this Forrest to stenche the bleeding of a wound which hee receiued in his right legge and there hee will make no long abyding but intendeth to see you aliue or dead I pray GOD quoth Bruneo that hee will defend him from all euill but how couldst thou finde me out in this Desart place so farre estranged from all resort Sir said the Squire Angriote commanded me to goe directly to that part of the wood where I should discerne the taulest trees because hee vnderstood by the Traytours them-selues that there they had wounded you to death which vrged him to such extreme sorrow as no mans could be more Before God replyed the Knight of the Greene Sword it were great pitty that Angriote should suffer any wrong for he is a man of especiall merit and one that I would very gladly see Therefore Lasinde conduct mee if thou canst where hee is while Gandalin and these other conuey thy Maister to such a place where I know he shall be most kindly welcome So they layed him gently in the Litter and our Knight put on the Armes of Bruneo bruised and battered as they were and he rode with the Squire into the Forrest where they had not trauailed long together but they espied Angriote come ryding towardes them with his lookes deiected to the ground like to a man very sad and melancholly Behind him they saw foure knights also making haste after him all well armed and mounted pursuing amaine vpon the spurre and crying out so loud as they could Turne turne thee Traytour for thou must leaue thy head behinde thee in reuenge of both theirs whom thou hast treacherously slaine being men of much more desert then thy selfe At this crye Angriote turned backe and prepared for his owne defence which our Knight
and desire them with thee to returne to the Enclosed Isle Finding there Quadragant and Agrayes entreate them from me to keep them-selues there together vntil the time of my arriuall which shall be by Gods helpe within eight dayes little more or lesse Say also to my Brother Florestan and to thy father Gandales that I would haue them to take order for prouiding so many Shippes and other Vessels in a readinesse as they can procure For I purpose to be seene shortly in a place where if they be so pleased I would gladly request their company and thou knowest sufficiently Gandalin what diligence is required in a case so important as this is wherefore once more I desire thee not to bee slow or tardie heerein Then he called the Dwarfe to him and said Ardan goe with Gandalin and follow those instructions which he shall giue thee from mee So Gandalin according to his Masters commaund went to Grasinda in this maner Madame quoth he we two are determined to leaue the Greeke Knight and goe abord this Shippe because wee would trauaile along with these two Knights in the searche for Amadis de Gaule Therefore good Madame consider with your selfe if you haue any seruice to comand vs returning you most humble thankes for your manifold fauours done vs without any merite at all on our behalfe The like they said to the Greeke Knight Angriote and Brunco and so went aboorde the Shippe to Dragonis Heere I must tell ye that Angriote was made acquainted with this intention wherefore to palliate and conceale it the more cleanely he called to Dragonis saying Sir Knight this Squire and Dwarfe are desirous to keepe you company in your quest of Amadis de Gaule because as themselues say they somtime serued him Dragonis and Enili knew them immediatly which made them the more willing to accept their company entertaining them with very kinde and louing respect but much more welcome were they when they vnderstood what Gandalin tolde them which made them weigh Anker presently and set on towards the Enclosed Isle The like did our Greeke Knight and his company hoping that day to take harbour in the neerest Hauen to Tagades where as then King Lisuart kept his Court. Heere were assembled with him most of the worthiest Lords in his kingdome whom purposely he had called together to conclude the marriage of his Daughter Oriana with the Emperour But they respecting the good and welfare of the Realme as it became loyall and true Counsellers to doe were all of a quite contrary opinion shewing him by many sound and probable reasons that hee went against all right and equitie committing his chiefe Heire into the subiection of a presumptuous and giddie-headed stranger who as they approued by precedent examples might as quickly grow in hatred to her as he was haire-brained in his ouer-sudden affection All which notwithwanding the King would not listen to but alleage still such peremptorie reasons meete and conuenient for such a Prince as will allow nor like any aduice but his owne In which regard Count Argamont absented himselfe from this meeting to a Castell of his owne which was some two dayes iourney from the Court notwithstanding he was sent for againe and againe and so much importuned as he was brought thither in a Litter hee being so weake and impotent by age as hee was not able to sit on horse-backe The King being aduertised of his comming neere the Court mounted on horsebacke to meet him and the next day hee sate in councell among his Lords deliuering diuers considerations for maintenance of his former opinion till at length speaking to Argamont thus hee said Honorable Vncle you are sufficiently acquainted with the occasion why I haue called together this great assembly which plainly is for mariage of my daughter with the Emperour of Rome a matter by him most earnestly labored and desired Wherefore let mee entreate you first to tell mee what you conceite thereof to the end that these Lords may the more freely afterward acquaint mee with their seuerall opinions A long while the old Earle excused him-selfe till being vrged thereto by the Kings expresse commaund after some alligations for his owne defence he spake as followeth My Lord seeing it is your pleasure that I should speak my minde in this noble assembly concerning the Emperours marriage with the Princesse Oriana I most humbly beseech you to receiue in good part what I shall say I know it to be treason in as high a degree to dissemble with a Prince in matter of good counsell as otherwise to offend against his royall person and therefore without any clouding or dissembling credit what I speake in my poore aduice albeit I haue often enough told it you before Sir you know that Madame Oriana your eldest Daughter ought to succeede you and by iust reason is heire to the Countries which God and Fortune hath giuen to your charge whereto by the right of Nature she hath more true title then euer you had or could pretend For it fell to you onely by the death of King Falaugris who was but your Brother and shee is your owne Daughter and the eldest Therefore consider with your selfe that if the like had beene done to you which now you purpose to the Princesse Oriana you could not haue bin at this day so great a Lord as you are Why should you exile her as it were hence to plant my Niece Leonora in her place considering shee neuer offended you to our knowledge And if you thinke that by marrying her to the Emperour Patin you shall thereby make her a greater Princesse and most happily prouided for in your imagination Beleeue me my Lord you come very farre short of your account For you are not ignorant that if they haue children together she suruiuing the Emperour shall but simply remaine Dowager of Rome in steed of being after you Lady and Queene of this kingdome Nay which is much more doe you thinke that your Subiects will euer agree thereto I am perswaded in my soule if they should say yea it were against the Religion of their soules And therefore Heauen fore-fend that I should tell you otherwise then my conscience assures me to be true albeit I know to my no litle griefe that let vs alleage whatsoeuer we can you will be gouernde by your own fancie Wherfore most humbly I desire you to pardon what I haue said being compeld thereto by your seuere iniunction against which may bee no gain-saying Then he sate silent and the King gaue order that euery man should deliuer his minde but they all agreed with the opinion of Count Argamont which the King perceiuing he thus replyed My Lords I haue fully vnderstood your seueral iudgements all which notwithstanding how can I with mine honour reuocate what I haue already promised to the Emperours Ambassadours Therein quoth the Count and the rest you may doe as you please for wee haue discharged our dutie By this time the day
the East as there is no Greeke Knight so hardie and aduenturous that dare contend with a Knight of Rome Alas I see the death of this miserable vnfortunate fellow whom I shal so boysterously ouer-throw at the first blow that the very reines of his backe will flye in sunder and not onely the Crowne must be my boory but the glorious Lady also who hath taken so much paine and trauaile to come hither into this Country heere to receiue perpetuall shame and infamie Speaking thus he rode toward the Ladies and addressing himselfe to Olinda demaunded of her if she pleased to deliuer him her Crowne that thereby hee might defend her beautie For in mine opinion quoth he any man of good iudgement will confesse that iustly you ought to haue that other Crowne which the fond Greeke hath placed on the Perrou Moreouer I haue made choyce of you among all the rest to be my best beloued wherefore I beseech you grant me leaue that I may begin the Combate for you as she to whom I am vowed and dedicated For no sooner shall the Empresse haue made her entrance into the great City of Rome but there I meane to make you my wife as sole Lady and gouernesse of me and all my greatest fortunes Olinda tired and much troubled with this idle talke of Saluste Quide made him no answere but turning her face another way feigned a conference with one of her owne company which the Prince perceiuing as halfe in anger thus he spake to her It seemeth Madame by your manner of behauiour that I am a man vnable to execute what I haue spoken but let mee neuer haue loue or any esteeme of you if I doe not perfourme much more Only this being granted that my first encounter with the Launce may haue but your gracious looke and that you turne not your face till it be done This earnest importunity did so embellish the beautie of Olinda by a most sweet and amiable blush that she knew not how to bee rid of this vexation making no account at all of his words Which the Queene obseruing she took the Crowne from her head and sent it to the Prince Saluste who receiuing it very thankfully went to the base or Perron and set it by that belonging to Grasinda Afterward taking a strong Lance he beganne to shake it in such sort as if he meant to snap it in sunder then ryding proudly to the King with his Helmet on his head and Shield about his necke thus hee spake King Lisuart I shall soone let you see the difference betweene vs that are Romanes the Knights of your Court for this braue presuming Greeke that thinkes to combate with so many one after another shal presently receiue the greatest shame that euer Knight did And then let his other two companions come if they please to reuenge his cause if they can for this I dare promise you that before I depart from hence I will present you with their heads insteed of Crowns So much offended was Grumedan at these arrogant proud wordes of Saâ—uste as he could hardly forbeare to smite him Neuerthelesse in regard of the Kings strict countermaundes before he dissembled his anger and went to him only with this answere Lord Saluste you haue not yet forgot the Combate that must bee betweene you and me if as you say you escape from the Greek come fairely off My memorie is more perfect then so replyed Prince Saluste and your selfe shall haue good cause to remember it So closing his beauer clasping close his Shield and placing his Launce in the rest he ranne mainly against the Greeke Knight who met him with such force neither of them failing in the attaint that Saluste was vnhorsed and our Greeke Knight finishing his race found a truncheon of the Launces shaft sticking in his Shield whereby euery man thought that hee had beene wounded But hee quickly declared that there was no such matter and snatching it out threw it on the ground turning againe to meete with his enemie who moued neither hand nor foot he was so daunted with the fall And not without great cause considering what a height he fell and the heauy charge of his armour so that his right arme was broken in twaine And yet it happened farre worse to him for in falling downe his left foot hung fast in the stirrop and being vnable to get it forth his horse offended at his vnfashionable burden gaue him such a blow with his foote on the Helmet that it fell off from his head and he lay still as one entranced The Greeke Knight beholding him in this pittifull condition spake out so loud as euery one might heare him Beleeue me gentle Romaine the Lady for whom you haue performed this rare chiualry is wonderfully beholding to you notwithstanding if you doe not quit her Crown from my Mistresse who deserues it better then she as excelling all in beautie you lye fairely for the losse of your head presently But Saluste made him not any answere whereupon the Knight rode to the King thus speaking in Greeke to him Sir he that so lately gaue perswasions to your people to relye confidently in his manhood will not now render his Ladies Crowne to my Mistresse to whom by the testimony of all present it iustly appertaineth Wherefore may it please you as an vpright Iudge to doe me right otherwise I will smite off his head before this faire assembly Then suddenly turning bridle and alighting from his horse he went to Prince Saluste making shewe as if he meant to kill him Which Count Argamont seeing said to the King Sir you ought in my minde to graunt the Greeke Knight what he demaundeth and saue the life of the other else you may heereafter bee blamed for it And why answerd Grumedan I pray you Lord Argamont let Fortune deale as pleaseth her Haue you not yet seene enough of these Romaines saucinesse I protest to you vpon my faith that with their peremptorie audaciousnesse they are become as malicious as olde Monkies and you shall perceiue it by experience if the Greeke Knight bee hindred from pursuing his victory For although Saluste be so neere his ending yet I dare giue you all my lands and goods if the King doe saue him that he will iustly say hereafter he saued him from death that will bee the greatest enemie to his life Therefore I beseech you Sir delay your sentence for a while till it may be certainely knowen what will bee the issue of the fight During this discourse the Greek Knight made shew of disarming Saluste for more easie smiting off his head from his shoulders which the King fearing prayed his Vnckle to vrge the stay and to graunt him the Crowne which hee desired Then the olde Earle arose and tolde him in the Greek tongue what the King had commanded him Heereupon the Knight stept backe and putting his Sword vp into the sheath spake to the Count in this manner In honour of so
beseech you so much as a man may doe that before you send her so farre hence you would maturely consider it and iudge thereof without any partiall affection For as we commonly see that a wise man seldome fals into any errour when he is guided and led by reason euen so we discerne the contrary when he pâ—esumeth so much vpon himselfe that he will allow of no counsell but out of his owne braine then he falles into greater dangers then all his after-wit can recouer as by wofull experience hath bin obserued in many Princes You see my Lord what extremitie your Daughter Oriana is in and if you well consider thereon you may easilie iudge what inconuenience may happen to her person by an inward violent-conceiued despaire which afterward all your life-time you may at leysure repent Beyond all this you will runne into an vnauoydable blame not only of strangers but euen of your owne subiects and thereby grow hatefull to them whereon must needes ensue many mis-fortunes Therefore beleeue the counsell of them that solie desire the good benefit and honour of you and your kingdome whereby no perill what-soeuer can happen to you in so doing but if it should fall out otherwise yet you stand clearely excused and they bound to prepare all possible remedies These considerations my royall Maister do importune my soule with endlesse imprecations that you would vse a fatherly pitty and please these Ambassadors by some other means then the precious price of your daughters blood Vncle quoth the King these words haue moued too much therefore if you meane to please me vse no more of them So turning from him he espied the Prince Saluste Quide and Brandaiell enter the Garden who being come neerer called them to him saying Lords my daughter is now come to court and she is somewhat sickly but I trust she will be better amended to morrow Sir answered Brandatell we gladly would haue her deliuered to vs so soone as may stand with your liking because the Emperour our Master exspects her day by day according as he hath written to you You know replyed the King that I haue conseâ—ted to his request against the whole opinion of the knights of my Court yea and contrary to her will too Notwithstanding I haue done it in regard of the Emperors vertues and the hope I haue of her honorable respect and entertainment In the meane while forbeare a little that she may forget what shee must forsake and prouide your shipping in a readines for this next weeke ensuing I will deliuer her to you fully furnished My Lord answered the Prince Saluste Quide it is not to bee wondred at if at the first she mouâ—ne for parting from you but I am well assured that so soone as she shall be arriued at Rome beholding so many great Lords to giue her obeysance the triumphes prepared to welcome her and aboue all the choyce loue and respect of the Emperour to her her ancient breeding will easily bee forgotten Moreouer if you please to grace Olinda with her company I meane to make her my wife so soone as she comes there because I finde her to be a wise and vertuous Lady Beleeue me quoth the King I wishe it might bee so And then he entred into a large discourse of such especiall vertues remaining in her as more could not be found in any Lady By this time the Tables were couered for dinner in the midst wherof they that intended to combate with Grumedan came and presented themselues speaking thus to King Lisuart Sir you know what words were vsed some few dayes past by Lord Grumedan to the great disgrace of the Romanes so that Prince Saluste and we with him do come to challenge him the combate Because hee shall well know that it ill becomes such an old dotard as he is to make comparison with knights of Rome therefore if you be so pleased it shall be performed tomorrow for it grieues vs that he should remaine so long vnpunished Don Grumedan hearing himselfe thus abused beganne to change colour and as hee was about to make answere the king seeing him in choler arose and said to him Grumedan you haue euermore hitherto beene wise and temperate especially in speech let mee then request you to conceale your displeasure and onely answere to the combat which these Knights doe vrge you to Sir said Grumedan seeing it is your will it shall be so and to morrow I will not faile to meete them in the field according to my promise where I hope to reuenge the wrong they haue done mee in your presence So the King rose from the Table and went into his Chamber with Grumedan demaunding there of him where were they whom he had chosen to take his part Sir said he first I know the right on my side and if Galaor come to morrow as I think he will I am well assured that hee will beare me companie but if hee come not then will I fight with them all three one after another That may not be answered the king for you haue consented to three against three and so the oath remaines before me recorded which makes me stand in great doubt of you because they are young and strong you aged and weake and without any to helpe you Sir said Grumedan God who hateth pride and presumption wherewith they are too much enflated can prouide helpe when it is least looked for But if the worst should happen I know two of mine owne kinsemen that wil not deny to ayde me against them were they farâ—e better knights then they are The King pausing a while suddenly said I haue considered otherwise for you I will disguise my selfe and second you in the cause for assure your selfe you and I shall well hold out against them all three God forbid Sir answered Grumedan that you should so endanger your royall person for me Why said the King in better place I can neuer doe it and neuer else can I iustly acknowledge the manifold seruices you haue done for me hazarding your life in so many seuerall dangers onely for the defence of me and my Realme Sir quoth he the present demonstration of your gracious goodnes towardes me hath so farre enlarged the obligation of my duty to you that if I could dye a thousand deathes in your seruice I should yet confesse my selfe more indebted to you â—ut neuer feare man replyed the king my heart hath yet courage enough and this arme is endued with sufficient strength to maintaine a quarrell of greater moment Pardon me Sir said Grumedan neuer will I giue consent thereto considering what wrong you shall doe to your selfe you being a king of vpright iustice should deale as truely with a stranger as him that is your familiar friend Well quoth the King seeing you are so earnest I will vrge it no further although it goes much against my minde goe then and prouide for your busines for you haue no time now of trifâ—ing delaying
very word Amadis the Princesse seemed to rise as with a sudden start demaunding where is Amadis Madame quoth she I heard him I am certaine euen now both speake and fight in the same Shippe where we now are Doe not you yet heare the noyse among the other Shippes Vndoubtedly the fight is hot and fierce Come come deare Mabila answered Oriana questionlesse you are in a dreame No vpon my soule replyed Mabila I heard the slashes of Swordes and the noyse of a very potent Fleete At this very word Amadis entred and seeing Oriana he fell on his knee before her But she ouer-come with extremitie of ioy held him by the arme and glewed her lippes so fast to his as if she meant they should neuer be parted and thus she stood a long while robde of all power for speech till at length she said Ah my dearest Loue seeing I am now in your custody I feare not them that would take me from you or going any further with them for Death it selfe shall now neuer more diuide vs. Madame said he one of the greatest fauours that euer heauen affoorded me is this in giuing me so good an occasion of returne into this country onely to doe such needfull seruice As they meant to continue longer this kinde of discourse Mabila said vnto them Why stand you musing in this manner Doe you not see Sir what need there is of your helpe in yonder other Ships where the fight is fiercer and fiercer Good Cousin goe and succour your deare friendes you may afterward conuerse at more leysure with the Princesse Goe then deare hart said Oriana and returne againe so soone as you can to me Then he departed out of the Cabin leauing Oriana and Mabila to the charge of Angriote and entring his owne Ship beheld Landin de Faiarque and his associats assayled by a Romane Vessell that pressed very furiously vpon them But hee made in with such a strength as they were soone sunke And now remained no more to bee fought withall but that Ship wherein the Prince Saluste Quide was which resisted stoutly against Agraies and Quedragant Neuerthelesse at the arriuall of Amadis the Prince by no meanes could auoyde but that he was smitten downe vpon the Orelope Agraies who hated him to the death because he caried away his beloued Olinda forcibly caught the Helmet from off his head and at one blow parted it from his body Now the Knights of the Enclosed Isle seeing Fortune had bin so fauourable to them placed guardes vpon the conquered Ships while Amadis went to enquire for the Queene Sardamira and the other Ladies whom he found in the Ship where the Prince Salust Quide lay slaine quaking like leaues vpon a tree When Olinda espied Agraies she more ioyfull then euer ranne and embraced him before he had a sight of her but afterward ouercome with the same extremity of delight making a low reuerence to her he said Madame I pray you pardon what I haue done to the Prince Saluste Quide who in seeking to make you his wife and mistresse hath receiued the reward of his presumption by my Sword Sir quoth she I know not what might mooue him to affect me so much considering I neuer shewed lesse loue to any man liuing therefore what he sought to compasse by extremity hath returned vpon him condigne punishment and now I neede mourne the lesse for a whole yeare But I pray you tell me how you happened to succour vs in such a need Madame said he that must be related at more leysure when all this tumult is blowen ouer While Agraies and Olinda were thus in talke together Amadis conferred with the Queene Sardamira who knew not him and comforted her desiring her not to be grieued for the disaster happening to her company but shee wept so extreamely as that it would haue moued any heart to pitty which made him leaue her and goe to the Damosell of Denmarke Then the Queene demaunded of Florestan what he was that had spoken to her Madame quoth he it is Lord Amadis that worthy Knight Nay then said she I am of better comfort then euer and cannot faile of good entertainment in his company for all my life time I haue heard that all Ladies and Damosels receiued from him nothing but honor Amadis ouer-hearing her left the Damosell of Denmarke and returning to her againe said Madame you may thinke your selfe as safe and welcome into this company as when you were with the Prince Saluste Quide and therefore bee no longer disconsolate Lord Amadis answered shee I haue heard euery where reported what honorable fauours you haue extended to women which giueth mee some perswasion that you will deale with me no worsse but better if you can And reason good Madame said he for you being a Queene deserue to haue the very best entertainement And as for my selfe I promise you on my faith that I will endeuour what I can for you and to begin my word with you if you be so pleased I will conduct you to Madame Oriana to the end that you being both together may enioy consolation one with another equall to your owne contentments and liking Then Amadis commanding the two Ships to be vnited together and entring into that where the Princesse was leading the Queene Sardamira by the hand he presented her to Oriana saying Madam here is the Queene Sardamira and all the Ladies and Gentlewomen that should attend you who desire that you would accept of their company Amadis quoth she I am your prisoner and therefore you may and must command me well knew Amadis that she spake these words onely to palliate their close affections wherefore hee would not answere her one word but Oriana shaping her course to the Queene spake thus For ought I can perceiue Madam we must take another way now then going to Rome and endure our fortunes patiently because there is no other remedy Further on shee would haue thus proceeded but that Agraies entred the Cabine leading Olinda by the hand which Oriana perceiuing she left the Queene Sardamira and came and imbraced them as one that had not in a longtime seene them The like she did to Florestan Quedragant and many more thanking them perticularly for their seuerall fauours done vnto her especially Garnate to whom shee said My worthy friend Garnate but for you I had beene dead but the letter you brought me from Florestan did presently reuiue me Madame said he I did but my duty as very glady I would doe in all occasions else you please to command me After these courtesies to all that came and presented themselues before her she called Amadis aside and said vnto him Beleeue mee sweet friend if I had gone on but a little further all your right had beene lost with mee but our Lord hath prouided better for vs both and now I am where willingly I would be Madam quoth hee I haue not done any thing for you equall to the infinite of
as you haue apt meanes if you please to accomplish your promise and vpon so iust a quarrell as possibly can bee offred According as Maister Elisabet shall further impart vnto you whom I humbly entreate you to credit on the behalfe of him that in all dutie kisseth the hand of your Imperiall Maiestie Your Highnesse loyall Knight and seruant Amadis de Gaule Such was the dispatch of Maister Elisabet who going aboord his Ship setting saile very soone after arriued in Greece The very same day Amadis gaue order to Tantiles Maister of the houshold to Queene Briolania to depart for the Realme of Sobradisa towards his Misâ—resse saying thus to him My deâ—â—e friend Tantiles thou knowest as well as wee our selues how we stand bound for the maintenance of warre and how highly mine honour will be endamaged if the end of this beginning fall not out to our intention goe therefore to thy royall Queene to whom after thou hast done my humble dutie say I desire her to send mee such a supply of soldiours as possibly shee may Thou maist at large acquaint her with all matters past the condition wherein we now are and into what daunger we may fall Moreouer tell her and bid her well remember it that this matter touching me concerneth her selfe as neerely being hers as she doth very well know My Lord answered Tantiles the Queene my Mistresse will conceiue more delight then you can imagin that she may compasse any meanes to let you know how desirous she is to doe any thing worthy your acceptance And beleeue it assuredly that so soone as shee shall heare these tydings she will take such order in the matter you send for as you shall quickly see me returned with a sufficient power of men Deliuer her then quoth Amadis this Letter and make what dilligent speed thou canst So he gaue him the Letter contayning these liues The Letter sent from Amadis to Briolania Queene of Sobradisa I Am perswaded Madame after you haue heard by Tantiles Maister of your Houshold the cause that mooues me to send to you in such haste that you will allow much fauour to what he shall tell you on my behalfe Assure your selfe that in making vse of your gentle breeding you will not now saile mee no more then you thinke I should doe being alwaies readie to set foote in stirrop for you where any necessitie can offer it selfe And because he hath beene euermore present at all such occurrences as haue happened to me since my returne into this Country and I haue giuen him charge to let you know them at large I will not be troublesome to you in reading ouer a tedious long Letter But earnestly entreat you that crediting him you will alwaies containe mee in your gracious fauour whereof I desire to pertake so long as I liue That Amadis who is yours So Tantiles departed and without soiourning in any place trauailed so deuoutly that he soone arriued in the Kingdome of Sobradisa On the otherside Gandalin was appointed to goe for Gaule for which cause Amadis taking him aside thus spake to him Gandalin thou art he who alwaies hath beene the guardian of my most intimate occasions by the loue which our youngest yeares bred in vs euen as if nature had inuited vs to a perfect brother-hood Thou knowest that my honour is thine and that thine concerneth mee as much as mine owne Thou seest what a businesse is begunne vpon me of what consequence it is and what conclusion is resolued on by all the Knights to imploy our friends and kinred for some powerfull ayde to withstand the forces of King Lisuart if he aduenture to set vpon vs. And for this cause I haue sent Messengers to diuers Princes from whom I hope to receiue such bands of men as shall make vp an able Armie Now albeit thine absence will be somewhat grieuous to me yet notwithstanding relying more vpon thy diligence then any other seruice now to be done mee I am determined to send thee to King Perion my father who of long time hath knowne thee and to whom better then any other thou canst disclose of what importance this warre will prooue to mee if King Lisuart doe begin it For as thou maist truely tell him in part it concerneth him the ingratefull King hauing done so many high disfauours to all them that are of our linage excluding them from his Court after such an infinity of great good seruices by them done to him what thou knowest spare not fully to acquaint him withall both what thou hast seene and in what necessitie thou didst leaue vs. And yet neuerthelesse boldly say vnto him and assure him thereof in the loyall dutie of a sonne that I feare not any power whatsoeuer hauing right and iustice on my side and so many worthy Knights to assist me in my cause Tell him moreouer Gandalin that I had neuer attempted so great an enterprise had it not beene that seeing God had called mee to the order of Knight-hood I neuer minded any thing more but to performe the dutie of a Knight defending to my power the wrongfull disgraces offred by many especially to Ladies and Gentlewomen who ought to bee preferred before all other persons and for whom I haue often put my life in perill without hope of any other recompence from them then pleasing God by so well a done deed and augmenting mine owne renowne through the world And this was the onely cause that mooued mee to forsake mine owne Countrie to seeke among strange nations for such as stood in need of my helpe where I haue met with many perillous aduentures as thou thy selfe hast seene and can at large recount Namely that arriuing in this Isle I was aduertised how King Lisuart forgetting the glory of God right towards men councell of his Lords and the verie naturall instinct which euery good father commonly beareth to his child would needs euen in a manner of extreame cruelty banish from his Kingdome Madame Oriana his owne daughter and principall heire to giue her against her will as wife to the Emperour Patin of Rome whom she hateth to the death Hereof shee made complaint not only to them of the Realme of Great Brittaine but require â—â—yde and â—uccour of all Knights bearing Armes as well by letters and messages as otherwise desiring them with heaued vp 〈◊〉 and fountaines of teares flowing 〈◊〉 her eyes to take pittie and compassion vpon her miserie And so much her prayers and oppressions preuailed that the Lord and ruler of all things locked on her with a mercifull eye inspiring the hearts of many good Knights to meete here in this place euen by miracle as it were where I found them as thou knowest resolued to aduenture their liues for setting her at libertie by force and other Ladies keeping her company Considering that in doing otherwise they should iustly deserue blame in following times giuing many occasion to presume that cowardise only kept them from this commendable ayde being
Brian said Madame if you please to coÌ„mand any thing to the King your father or to your mother the Queen wee are appointed from this companie to depart for Great Brittaine about your businesse Now was Amadis withdrawn aside with Mabila while Agraies coÌ„ferred with Olinda and Florestan and Angriote with Grasinda And well we may conceiue that Amadis was in a strange perplexity seeing her so neare him whom hee loued aboue all creatures in the world and yet hee durst not so much as speake to her but regarded her with a stedfast eye whereto her eye also seemed to make answere euen as if an imparlance had passed between them which made his words to Mabila to sauour of idle and fond imperfection But shee well knowing the Saint of his deuotion to cure him of his ouer-awing fit bethought herselfe of the most honest meanes that could be both to quicken him and recouer some spirit likewise in Oriana saying soddenly Madame you promised Gandalin yester day that you would write to Queene Elisena and to Melicia and for ought I heare to the contrary he is presently to depart and you haue forgot your letters Oriana who vnderstood well enough at what marke shee aymed answered Let him come hither and by word of mouth I will as well satisfie him as if I had troubled him with my Letters Then one of the Damosels arose and going foorth of the Chamber called for Gandalin who presently entred with her Well had hee beene instructed by Amadis concerning what hee was to doe if the Princesse would speake with him before this company wherefore beeing come where she was hee made her an humble reuerence and then to his Master who talked all this while as I formerly told you with Mabila It was not long before Oriana who sate between Quedragant and Brian arose and taking Brian by the hand said to him I pray you Cosen to witnesse with mee what message I shall send by Gandalin to the Queene of Gaule and her daughter Melicia to the end that you may report it to the King my father if hee inquire any such matter of you In the meane while Lord Quedragant if so hee be pleased shall abide with the Queene Sardimira who knowes well enough how to entertaine him But Brian who was one of the most gentle and courteous Knights liuing would not follow her but with an amiable smile thus answered Madame you must pardon me for beeing appointed as I haue told you to goe to the King about your businesse my friends heere may grow suspitious of me and stand in doubt that I may be so subborned by your gracious speech as I shall shew my selfe more milde and tractable to him then consists in my commission and the charge I haue receiued from them Nay Sir replied Oriana heare but the reason why I would haue you acquainted with this message It is to no other end but by hearing mine owne tongue to relate my hearts tribulations wich I desire should bee knowen not onely in Great Brittaine but likewise in all countries of the world you would bee the more indulgent to mediate my peace and to deliuer al these Ladies from imprisonment And if you were affected to any one amongst them her vertue might preuaile against any sterne deliberation Oriana deliuered these wordes with such a gracious demeanour as they all tooke delight to heare and behold her Especially Brian who although he was young faire and of goodly forme yet was hee more addicted to follow Armes then loue and fewe Knights were more actiue then hee to handle his launce and sword for the defence of iniured Ladies whensoeuer they stood in need of his help Whereby hee became a friend to all in generall and did them infinite particular seruices which being desirous that Oriana should take knowledge of thus hee answered By my faith Madame you may esteeme of mee as you please but if I should long tarrie in so good company I greatly feare I should soone lose that which I haue alwaies held as mine owne since first I had knowledge of my selfe Therefore I had need to get me further off and leaue my roome to Lord Amadis your Cosen they may serue you for witnesses if they be so plâ—â—â—sed At these wordes euery one 〈◊〉 led for he retired with such a grace as declared some bashfulnesse of what hee had spoken leauing Oriana close by Amadis who neuer had any priuate conference with her since his departure from King Lisuarts seruice But now seeing opportunity so graciously fauour him as he might freely speake what hee vvould hee was so vtterly lost in ioy that â—â—e stood trembling as one vnable to vtter a vvord But Oriana laying her right hand vpon his arme caught holde vvith her other vpon his hand locking it fast in hers to testifie the vigour of her affection said Deer friend though no greater happinesse in this vvorld can befall mee then continually to enioy your â—…ed presence yet it hath been no mean discomfort to mee that beeing so neare one to another â—â—e houe bin barred from such a blessing Neuerthelesse I accoumpt my selfe highly beholding to fortune for deliuering me into your power as all my life time I haue desired and wherewith I hope also neuer to part so long as my soule shall liue in this body for it had as I thinke neuer beene created but only to be dedicated in seruice and obedience vnto you yet I knowe very well that we frequenting one with another as sometimes we did in Great Brittaine mine honour may receiue endamagement for the newes of my surprizall is alreadie so diâ—ulged that if wee dissemble not our priuate passions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereby may ensue vnto vs. Therefore I hold it better to gouerne our selues rather by discretion then the lauish power of fond affection which if wee doe we may may alwaies presume that the charitable deed you haue done is no more than the commendable custome among all good Knights that make no spare of their liues to succour afflicted persons especially women so badly vsed as I haue beene And beleeue mee sweete friend if herein you will not follow my counsell by weening to borrow some stolne delight and contentment we shall but formalize an imagâ—…e happinesse lose that vtterly which the wise attending for time will vndoubtedly bring vs. Madame answered Amadis I neuer had any other thought but how I might best bee obedient to yâ—â— neither shall haue any other so 〈◊〉 as I liue because I haue no other maintainance for this poore life of 〈◊〉 But let mee be regarded in your pittie for if you thus 〈◊〉 â—p your sâ—lfe and suffer me to see you no oftner then I doe it is impossible but that the melancholie which ouer-masters mee will hasten my death very suddenly I doe not vrge those priuâ—… which your gracious fauours affordâ—â— me in Great Brittaine or that euery eye sâ—â—uld discern then but 〈◊〉 â—…ght may sometime befrend
returned to his Chamber more sad in soule than appeared by his outward behauiour his melancholie encreased more more vpon him to see himselfe so meanely accompained in worse manner then he was wâ—…re especially when 〈◊〉 came told him that the 〈◊〉 was very ill through griefe and sorrow mightily seazing on her Hereupon hee went to see her where not finding his daughter nor the other Ladies and Gentlewomen that vsually kept her company his secret conceit of griefe began more plainely to expresse it selfe so that the tears trickled downe his reuerend beard No sooner was hee entred the Chamber but the Queene beholding him fell downe in a swoone yet hauing good helpe about her quickly she came to her selfe again Then the King embraced her in his armes and to comfort her spake in this manner Madame I was perswaded that your vertue and wisedome would preuaile against this womanish weakenesse especially those matters about which you thus afflict your selfe being brought to so good an end that our daughter may iustly stile her selfe one of the greatest Princesse in all Europe Wherefore I pray you be better comforted and if you will not doe it for your owne sake yet let it be done for mine otherwise you will giue mee occasion to misconster worse than I doe The Queen well vnderstanding all that hee saide would expresse no outward appearance thereof but sighed without any intermission which mooued the King to such compassion as he could not refraine from weeping But because hee would not be noted hee went downe into the garden where he walked sadly alone by himselfe till such time as King Arban came vnto him who not seeming to perceiue the Kings sorrow said Sir your huntsmen willed mee to tell you that they haue found in this neare neighbouring Forrest the greatest Hart that euer was seene may it please you to morrowe to goe see the pastime yes with all my heart answered the King As thus they continued talking diuerse Knights came thither who to alter him from his melancholie disposition fell into diuersitie of discourse some of hunting others of hawking so that all the rest of the day they talked of nothing else But the next morning as they were readie to mount on horseback fortune who is seldome satisfied with any passed misfortunes brought a new occasion of much greater sorrowe For some of the Romanes which had escaped from the prisons in the Enclosed Isle presented themselues before the King in very sory and base garments declaring at large all their disaster his daughters surprisal death of the Prince Saluste Quide You may now imagine whether these bad tidings amazed him or no notwithstanding declaring constancie vnconquerable wisdome hee made shew of little or no distaste at all but answered as if the matter concerned him a great way off Friends quoth hee I am sorrie for the death of the Prince Saluste Quide and the mishap befallen to you but for the wrong done mee by them of the Enclosed Isle I haue been vsed to receiue oftentimes to returne also the like Alarums knowing well enough how to reuenge greater iniuries Be of good cheere and at my returne from hunting I will further consider on your businesse Then calling for one of the masters of the house-holde hee commanded them to giue them good entertainement Away rode King Lisuart and his traine declaring a iocond spirit all the way euen till hee was well entred into the Forrest where he continued three whole daies pulling downe many a goodly Deare On the fourth day he returned to the citie and comming to the Queens lodgings shewed himselfe much more cheerefull then euer hee was since his daughters departure So soone as hee was entred his Chamber hee commanded euery one to auoide and sitting downe in a chaire by her thus he began Madame in matters of slender consequence which ensue by accident men may haue some cause to expresse passion and melancholy but as they proceede from â—…iall grounds so ought they to bee forgotte with as 〈◊〉 remedie But when a man shall bee offended by some one not only in his person and goods but in his honour and reputation then it agrees with good reason not only to declare passion and melancholie but also to practice all meanes of prouision to take vengeance on him that committed the offence and to let the world vnderstand beside how highly the greatnesse of the case hath mooued him to impatience I speake not this to you without cause you haue declared a sorrow too apparant for the absence of your daughter according to the naturall inclination of mothers and yet notwithstanding I should account my selfe happy by a conceiued hope of soone forgetting such griefe But in the tayle as we vse to say is the venomous sting hidden and the end of actions doe approue their good or euill and therefore I must tell you that such an iniury hath lately been done me and toucheth me so neare as I shall neuer take rest till I haue satisfactioÌ„ answerable to my desire The Romans that had the conducting of your daughter are discomfited the Prince Saluste Quide slaine Oriana and all the other Ladies in her company taken prisoners by the knights of the Enclosed Isle who imagine themselues not meanely happy by such a victorie hauing done as they thinke more than euer any men did in great Brittaine And because the same thereof will soone spread it self thorow the world it is very requisite that you should dissemble sorrow and vse more prudence than passion In so doing you shall remaine highly commended our enemies daunted and I extraordinarily contented hoping to prouide so well in this case as your honour and mine shall be sufficiently defended When the Queene had heard these newes she sate very pensiue not speaking a word And as shee was one of the wisest and best aduised Ladies in the world dearly louing to her husband so could she suddenly consider that it was more necessarie to procure peace betweene the King and the Knights of the Enclosed Isle then to sharpen his fierce spleen against them theirs being also as hotte towards him whereupon she returned him this answer My Lord you haue conceited as best pleased your selfe of my inward affliction for the separation of me and my daughter But as concerning the fauour done her by the Knights of the Enclosed Isle if you doe but well consider the time when you were a Knight errant like vnto them and what you your selfe haue done in the like cases you would gently excuse them in the greater part of their enterprise Doe you thinke that hauing heard the lamentable moanes she made euen commonly noised in euery countrie how in meere despight of her you would marry her to the Emperour that this would not mooue them to lend her ayde No man better than your selfe doth know that nothing is more commended by God and man then helpe and succour giuen to wronged Ladies especially when it
is so vrgently required by very strong reason then ought they to afforde it your daughter whom they haue knowne and well thought on so long a time Beleeue it my Lord they can receiue no shame by the deed and your selfe will confesse in the end that their attempt shold not bee displeasing to you they presuming it may be that you haue beene greatly importuned to this marriage and yeelded thereto against your liking I well perceiue quoth the King that you are not much offended with the matter but rather you can both like and allow thereof but I sweare by God I will make them dearely repent it So rising in a great rage hee flung out of the chamber entring into his owne sound there King Arban Grumedan and Guillan le Pensif who went not from him till hee had tolde them all the conference betweene him and the Queene and what an answere she made him Now because they saw him much incensed they thought good to conceale what the meant to say and mildely by little little brake off these speeches But it chanced on the morrowe following that as the Queene came from hearing Masse Durin brother to the damosell of Denmarke fell on his knee before her and presented her a Letter which Oriana had written to her as followeth CHAP. VII A Letter sent by the Princes Oriana beeing in the Enclosed Isle to the Queene her Mother MAdame although you cannot but be alreadie aduertised of my misfortune such as it is yet I thought it â—…ient to let you knowe part of my mournings And as a beginning to this Letâ—er I beseech you most humbly to consider how mishap hath continually followed mee since my banishment from your Countrie from the King my father and you also than which nothing could be more â—â—â—some to me Neuerthelesse not so satisfied I was burried by such a tempest that the Romans which conducted mee beeing ouercome wee were brought to the Enclosed Isle by them who knowing the wrong done vnto vs hazarded their liues to stay our passage any further And because I stand in doubt that such a matter will not be pacified betweene my father and them without great effusion of blood except you Madame haue some respect thereto I thought fit to send this bearer to you entreating you for the honor of God to take compassion on your poore desolate daughter and worke so much with the King that I may returne againe to him and reobtaine his â—…ed fauour hauing no way offended him except hee be displeased that I haue beene too obedient to him for therein onely I confesse my selfe culpable and not otherwise For the rest to tell you how they in whose power I am and the Ladies with me are minded they haue sent Ambassadours to my father as well to knowe how hee likes their succour giuen mee as also to mediate his pittie towards mee Herein Madame according as I haue giuen charge to Durin hee will further instruct you at his arriuall and lend a helping hand to plant peace if you can to such a dangerous warre begun by misfortune for her sake who remaineth Your most humble and obedient Daughter Oriana After the Queene had aduisedly read and re-read ouer this Letter but not without teares shee said to Durin that shee would speake with the King and afterwards giue him an answere And as shee was enquiring of him what entertainement Oriana and her company had in the Enclosed Isle the King came whom shee withdrawing into her Cabinet casting her selfe downe at his feet weeping bitterly shee thus spake to him Alas Sir for the honour of God take compassion on your daughter and read if you please this Letter which she hath sent me The King seeing the Queen so drowned in teares tooke her vp from the ground and receiuing the Letter from her read the contents thereof then to appease the extreamitie of her passions hee thus answered Madame the Ambassadours will soone be here that are sent from thence haue patience till I haue heard them speake They may perhaps giue me such satisfaction as the iniurie which I haue receiued will bee forgotten And they may bring such a message as I will rather consent to mine owne ruine and desolation of all mine estates than to peace Much better doe I affect to die with honour poore and disinherited than to liue amighty King miserably wretched faint-hearted clowded with the teares of you and your daughter Wherefore speake no more hereof to me except you purpose to offend me And so leauing her hee departed out of the chamber Afterward she called for Durin and said vnto him Friend Durin returne to my daughter Oriana and tell her that I can send her no answere vntill the Ambassadors shal be arriued here for the King till then knowes not how to determine on his businesse But assure her I will essay all possible meanes to do what she hath desired me And say I entreate her alwaies to fixe her owne honour before her eyes without which I shall desire her death Bid her remember that a wise and discreet soule is best discerned in aduersitie and not in the flattering times of prosperity And seeing our Lord hath suffered her to bee borne a Princesse and the daughter of so great a King reason doth require that vertue should bee more familier with her than with a body of baser condition in all aduersities whatsoeuer that can happen to her Alwaies committing the managing of her chiefest affaires to God whom I hartily pray to blesse her preserue her in his â—ase protection vntill such time as we shall meet againe together Durin being thus dispatched by the Queene tooke his way towards the Enclosed Isle and some few daies after his departure as the King was sitting downe to dinner in the great Hall an Esquire suddenly entred who gaue him a Letter of credence which when hee had read hee demanded of the Squire of whence and what hee was Sir answered the Squire I am seruant to Quedragant of Ireland who hath sent me to you about such a businesse as I will relate if you please to heare mee Honest friend said the King speak your pleasure Sâ—… quoth the Squire my Master Brian de Moniaste being sent from the Enclosed Isle are landed in your countrie to acquaint you with some especiall matters from Lord Amadis de Gaul and other Knights that are in his company But before they passe any further or come neare your Court they send you word by mee vnder your gracious fauor that they require safe conduct for their comming Otherwise they are determined to publish their message in all parts of your Land and in other kingdomes beside before they make returne to them that sent theÌ„ Wherefore Sir aduise your selfe and send them your intention Well knewe the King whereat the message aymed and therefore he thought it not conuenient that they should proclaime their cause thorough his kingdome a matter not to be done but
was not a little mooued and fearing that hee would not keep promise with him a Brigandine was presently prepared and his Nephew Giontes sent in all haste to Rome to know the cause of this delay and so he parted from Vindilisore CHAP. XIII How Grasandor Sonne to the King of Bohemia sayling vpon the Sea met with Giontes and of that which happened to them YOu haue already heard that Grasandor hauing taken leaue of the King his father was shipt to Sea accompanied onely with twenty Knights sayling towards the Enclosed Isle Earely in a morning about sunne rising hee discouered the Brigandine wherein Giontes was which foorthwith hee boarded hauing the winde more at will than the other had Then Grasandor being desirous to know whether hee went commanded 〈…〉 should come before him for hee had no power of contradiction because hee had none but Manners aboard with him Wherefore hee gaue him to vnderstand that his voyage was to Rome thereto enioyned by King Lisuart entreating that hee might be no longer staied because his businesse required expedition Grasandor replied thus Before God quoth he hee that hath sent you is no well-wisher to Lord Amadis to whom I am an eternall vowed friend therefore you must reli mee your name and what commission you haue to Rome otherwise you cannot easily passe from me If by concealing what you demand answered Giontes the least iot of the King my masters honour might be deminished death could not compell me to disclose it But redounding to his fame with no meane aduantage being a matter of no great secrecy know Sir that my name is Giontes a Knight of Great Brittaine and Nephew to the King of whom I spake who hath sent me to the Emperour to hasten those forces formerly promised him for his intended warre against them that haue wrongfully surprised his daughter Oriana and diuerse other in her company vnder conduct of the Prince Saluste Quide and other Romanes whereof som were slain others takeÌ„ prisoners Now Sir hauing thus satisfied you I pray you let me be stayed no longer Goe a Gods name answered Grasandor and remember that your King and his Emperour shall sinde with whom they haue to deale if they aduenture to assaile Amadis and them that will be in his company So they parted Grasandor hastening towardes the Enclosed Isle 〈…〉 beeing ariued hee was most ioy fulle welcomed Amadis and the rest entertayning him in most 〈…〉 manner Then hee reforted to them how hee met with Gâ—…tes at Sea who went to hasten the Emperour of Romes Army and what other speeches had passed between them Also how the King his father was leuying men in his Kingdome to follow after him with all possible speed and very shortly they were to bee expected with Count Galtines and Ysario who stayed behinde only for their conduct In the meane while quoth hee I as one entirely affected to you am come before to offer you both my loue and seruice You are most heartily welcome answered Amadis the King your father binds mee more and more both to him and you in all I can Now obserue how from that very instant the Army for the Enclosed Isle gathered strength and grew compleate within fifteen daies after For King Perion ariued there with three thousand Gaules all well experienced and hardy warriours Galtines with fifteen hundred Tantiles for Queene Briolanis with 12 hundred Branfill brother to Brunes with six hundred Two thousand were sent by Ladasin King of Spaine to his sonne and other fifteene hundred came from Scotland sent to Agraies besides two thousand which Libeo Nephew to Master Elisabet brought from Grasindaes Prouinces all carrying Turkie Bowes Eight thousand likewise came vnder the conduct of Gastiles sent from the Emperour of Constantinople all these being encamped on a goodly plaine hard by the maine Rock of the Enclosed Isle couragiously expected the enemies comming And you must thinke that it was a goodly sight to behold so faire an assembly for there was not a man among them but his very lookes expressed the resolution of his soule and that hee was a warriour indeed which pleased Amadis so highly as nothing could more content him But the Princesse Oriana thinking continually on such mischances as might ensue in such cases had euermore her eyes filled with tears refusing all comfort that came from the women wherewith Mabila acquainted Amadis who was not a little grieued thereat And seeing he had no better meanes to delight her then to present before her eyes how many valiant men had vnder-taken Armes in her defence hee sent to entreate her that she would bee pleased to behold them on the morrowe all ordered in the forme of a maine battell and therefore secretly gaue the alarum which she and the other Ladies accepted verie pleasingly For from their windowes they could discerne all the field Amadis in the night time had closely ambushed an hundred men and three hundred Harquebuziers to confront them sayling all along the Sea shoar and about ten of the clock the next morning they entred into skirmish the Allarum being giuen on either side The morning after sunne-rising prooued very foggie and mistie so that the Ladies could not discerne any of the sport but after that the sunne had scattered the mists then the warriours ranged their battalions and the Harquebuziers plaied hotly with their shotte so that the Scouts and Centinells fearing to bee surprised on either side made their escapes queint and cunning Then was the whole campe so moued euen as if the heauens had thuÌ„dered by the noise of Drummes Trumpets and Clarions cheerfully sounding on euery side And as they laboured for winning of Ensines the men appeared like Ants very properly stealing abroad forth of their earth where all summer they made their prouision for winter In the meane while the Ladies were on all sides at their gazing windowes beholding this militarie controuersie which serued as a pleasing passe-time to them by reason of the intelligence Amadis had giuen them thereof the day before As thus they were pell mell together Mabila with a very gracious respect came to Oriana speaking thus By my faith Madame there are many great Princes and Potentates who haue not such plenty of men at command as you haue I referre my selfe to this instant spectacle before your eyes What say you yourselfe Is it not true How happy then were you in making due consideration hereof and how much you can command in him to whom this whole Army affordeth obedience I am perswaded that if King Lisuart and the Emperour which neuer shal be your husband did but beholde what you now doe they would consider twice on their enterprise before they ventured any further forth of their countries Wherefore it is no more then necessarie that hence-forward you should refraine your sighes tears and shew a much more cheerefull disposition then hitherto you haue done Deare Cosen answered Orania it is impossible for mee to be pleasantly
humoured when I consider mine owne instant miserie For well you know that if the King my fathers power and this belonging to your kinsman doe but once ioyne or meete together it will prooue to the ruine of the one or other or perhaps of both together Which were an vnrecouerable mischiefe to me as well for the dutie which nature commandeth in mee to my father as also the affection I beare to Amadis How then can I any way haue coÌ„tentment would God I were deade rather than I should liue to see such mighty inconueniences With these words the teares streamed aboundantly from her faire eyes Why how now Madame saide Mabila doe you thinke that our Lord hath forgotten you I dare promise you hee will no more leaue you now then hitherto hee hath done if you repose your trust in him For your innocence is generally knowne and that against your will this great a doe hath beene begun therefore neuer grieue your selfe so much because it may fall out the worse for you and be offensiue likewise to my noble Cosen and all the other worthie Knights who desire nothing more than to doe you seruice All this while King Perion since his ariuall had not seene the Princesse Oriana wherefore after this pleasant battaile was ended he demanded of Agraies if hee could compasse the meanes to speak with her because hee would gladly doe her reuerence Agraies made him answere that hee would worke the way for him and presently went to the Princesse acquainting her with King Perions desire Hee shall be most graciously welcome quoth she whensoeuer it pleaseth him to come But deare Cosen what is your opinion of my misfortunes Am not I the most vnhappy creature in the world to see so many great Princes and good Knights troubled and all about my business Madame said hee we are all yours and there is not a man among vs that will not gladly with a good heart be employed in your seruice and all account their paines sufficiently rewarded if you but vouchsafe to accept it Alas Sir answered she I know not how I shal any way be thankfull to you all for this great grace but I will entreate our Lord to requite it Madame replied Agraies if you dislike not what wee doe would be a little more cheerfully humorous then hitherto you haue been you should binde vs all in much more dutie to you Beleeue it Cosen quoth shee I will 〈◊〉 with my paâ—… much as possibly I can And because I vnderstand that the 〈◊〉 to the King of 〈◊〉 is also 〈◊〉 â—riued I pray you to let him come along with King Perion So Agraies tooke leaue of her and went to seeke the King of Gaule and Grassandor to whom hee declared that Oriana attended their coÌ„ming and that they should be most kindly welcome Wherefore without any further delaying they went vnto her accompanied with Amadis Florestan and diuerse others Entring into the Princesse chamber shee attended on by the other Ladies and Gontlewomen went to entertaine them And then King Perion who had not seene or spoken to her since shee aboad with the Queene of Scots demanded of her whether shee knew him or no. My Lord quoth she although I neuer saw you more then once yet I do well remember the request you granted mee when you made your sonne Amadis Knight It is true answered the King and seeing you were the cause of the first honour that euer he receiued I hold it reasonable that hee should bee thankfull therefore to you so long as he enioyeth life While thus they talked together Grassandor conferred with Mabila whom hee found so discreetly wise and endued with such singular graces as thence forward he grew enamoured of her so that he married her as you shall read hereafter In the meane space Queen Briolania discoursing with Quedragant shee said vnto him Sir but for our former intelligence of your mornings battaile neuer had women beene in the like terrour and amazement How Madame answered Quedragant was it more dreadfull then the late attempt of your Cosen Tiron No by my faith said shee for then I expected nothing else but death and but for you I had been in the greatest danger that euer could happen to any Lady or Gentlewoman but thanks be to God and your good succor I now haue time to be fully reuenged Madame saide Brian your beauty and vertue doe plainely deliuer that you haue no power to take any such reuenge as you speak of but rather speakes pardon in the fairest language and presumes of more loyalty in him hereafter then precedent times haue warranted from him Truely Sir quoth she I could well like of so good an inclination in him and if you think it meet wee will send for him immediately to vnderstand how his minde is affected assuring you that it would be no little ioy to me if I could kindly reconcile him in regarde he is young my very neare kinsman and of better spirit as I thinke then euer was in his father or other brethren Madame replied Brian you could neuer speake more vertuously then now you do I pray you send for him to the end if hee stand so addicted hee may promise fidelity to you in the presence of so many good Knights as now are here It liketh me well answered she for hee is prisoner to you two and none of mine and therefore dispose of him as you please Instantly was Tiron sent for who being come before so great a company expected no other arrest then death and therefore was not a little amazed when hee heard Briolania thus speake to him Tiron these two Gentlemen whom you know well enough haue entreated mee to shew you mercy and I am well enclined thereto neuer minding the treason of your deceased father against me prouided that you deliberate and promise mee hence-forward to follow vertue as zealously as your life hither to hath beene lewde and wicked Also to make amends for the wrong you haue done mee and endeauour to become a loyall faithfull seruant and doing so I will not vse you as a prisoner but as my Cosen and nearest kinsman Therefore tell mee presently without any dissimulation how you stand resolued for being issued from the royall blood of a King you should highly shame your selfe to deliuer now such wordes as hereafter should not be effectually performed Alas Madame quoth hee if you please to take pitty on me while I liue I will neuer more offend you and therfore I most humbly entreat you euen for Gods sake to forgiue mee As for my fathers transgressions I cannot yeeld you any reason for them considering I was then so young as all remembrance of him is quite bereft me But for mine owne particular I protest and promis to you Madam that I wil be iust faithfull to you if you please to forget my former errour towards you which rather was the guilt of my youth then any other willing sinne If
very fiercely And here you may be well assured that there was not only sharpe assailing but likewise as manfull defending some beeing grieuously wounded others slaine outright and many troden to death among the horses feet For King Cildadan came freshly in vpon them with a great number of his Irishmen and Gastiles also so well accompanied as heere now was the maine violence of the battaile because both the horse and foot were mingled together Neuerthelesse King Lisuarts side foūd themselues sorely oppressed by reason that Amadis Lasinde Gandalin Balays Landin and diuerse others their followers charged them in the rere and had driuen them to flight but for Floyan who shouldred vppe the re-enforce of the Romanes by him freshly rallied together againe Notwithstanding this hotte resistance lasted not long for Amadis meeting with Floyan slew him in the Emperours presence who hoping to reuenge his death ranne in vpon Amadis who knowing him well enough redoubling his strength only in the hatefull spleene he bore him as the Emperour lifted vp his arme with intent to smite him on the head Amadis aymed at him so directly that hitting iust in the shoulder ioynt hee parted it quite from his body and the griefe therof was so violent to him that instantly hee fell downe dead to the ground By meanes whereof the Romanes growing into great terrour and dismay began to turne their backes flying away so confusedly as neither King Arban or any other beside had power to stay them what-soeuer good wordes they spake vnto them Now did King Lisuart apparantly perceiue that Fortune stood not fauourable for him and his that day and the losse of the battaile could not bee auoided yet notwithstanding desiring rather to die with his sword in his fist than to saue life by a shamefull flight hee would needes enter in among the prease but King Arban staying him spake thus Alas Sir lose not your life desperately and with your owne consent Will you fight alone against a whole Armie doe you not see the Romanes in a confused disorder and the most parte of our owne men discomfited Oh let it please you to retire and saue the rest with whom wee may at some other time better deale with the enemy then now we can doe Wel knew King Lisuart that he spake no otherwise then true wherefore while his people retired he such as hee could best assure remained still vpon the rere defending them-selues against all pursute Slender warrant of safety had this beene to him or them but for Amadis who foreseeing what discontent it would bee to Oriana if the King her father should be vnterly foyled said to King Perion My Lord our enemies flie I pray you without arther hazarding our owne fortune let vs content our selues with the honour wee haue already this day receiued for if wee pursue on after him darke night will ouertake vs and it may bee like desperate men in reuenging their great losse wee may fall into no meane danger Leaue them then to their owne shame and let vs retreat our owne men that are ouer spent and wearie Be it so answered King Perion How said Agrates now that victory sweetely presents herselfe vnto vs shall wee willfully refuse her By God deare Cosen you are well worthie to be no better accounted of then as filly Knight errant Would you replied Amadis haue your men murder one another for lack of others to fight withall Is not the Sunne set and night so neare as if wee should holde on any further in fight wee shall not knowe our enemies from our friends I pray you Sir let vs rest thus satisfied Well knew Agraies to what end Amadis made this excuse wherefore without vrging any further reply in great choller hee turned bridle and gallopt on the other side because Amadis had caused retreate to be sounded Then euery man fell backe and King Perions Armie encamped in the same place where they had fought as a signall of victory hoping the next day to finish finally what they had begunne But soon after an Heralde came to demanded the the Emperours bodie and another truce for foure daies during which time they might bury their dead It was consented vnto contrary to the opinion of many but onely by the meanes of Amadis CHAP. XIX Of the conference which King Lisuart had with the Romanes after the fought battaile And how the holy man Nascian who had nourished Esplandian in his younger yeares hearing of this warre departed from his Hermitage to come to the two Kings to make peace betweene them THe truce confirmed as formerly hath been said King Lisuart gaue commande that the Emperors body shold be brought with the greatest magnificence that could be deuised and so to be placed in his owne Tent. Now because hee stood in some feare that the Romanes would fight no more because their chiefe commander was dead hee resolued to speake vnto them as well to encourage them as to vnderstand how they were affected Hereupon the day following hee sent to entreat Arquisill that hee would conduct them in order of battaile for their better apprehending what hee had to say vnto them Whereunto Arquisill gladly condiscended and hauing assembled them in a goodly meadow King Lisuart came vnto them and placing himselfe in the middle squadron spake as followeth Honorable and worthie friends you haue seene and experimented in these two encounters how Fortune hath showen herselfe our heauie enemy so that in bestowing her frownes on vs shee triumphes in the death of my kinde brother and your royall Master besides many other valiant Knights who by effects in seeking reuenge on his enemies were willing to finde what they sought for because it was the very fairest experience they could make of their vertue for gaining the glory they haue aspired vnto And for their better attaining thereto the hazard of their liues seemed as a matter of no moment vnto them but that it was much more honourable to die in defending themselues valiantly thē to escape by a shamefull recoile So that to auoide falling into such a high dishonour they rather gladly desired by expressing the very greatest magnanimity of courage to endure Fortune then yeeld to feare Nor doe I hereby vrge any taxation against them that haue escaped with life knowing well how worthily they haue all carried themselues but rather to entreate them that in preferring honour before sorrow for the losse of your friends companions you would essay the truce being ended to reuenge their misfortune fighting couragiously against them who swell in heart too proudly of their victory I am verily perswaded that wee ought no lesse expose our selues to hazards and dangers then if wee had preuailed against them as they haue done against vs nor to declare any abatement of courage either in assayling them or defending our selues if fortune should continue her disfauour to vs. Considering that if wee all die here it is an immortall glory to vs and a more honourable
buriall then any man can wish for For the whole earth in generall is the rightfull graue wherein to interre the bodies of men illustrious and famous whose memories are not so well preserued by priuate inscriptions epitaphes as by their owne legittimate renowne which extendeth and publisheth it selfe in the remotest nations who doe more discreetly consider in their soules the height and aduancement of their courage then the disaster which hath befallen them For it hath bin vniuersally obserued that negligence the fittest attendant for shame is much more irkesome and distastefull to a man that hath a found and entire minde then any death whatsoeuer happening to him by valour with vnconquerable hope of publike glory All this confirmeth my beleefe deare and worthie friends that scorning to degenerate from your famous predecessors you will performe so much that the world shall witnesse your great vertue and constancy and that the death of your Prince is not the stroke that strikes you all dead Wherefore I desire you to let mee vnderstand how you are addicted to the end that according to your resolution I may set in order such affaires as are needfull for my selfe Assuring you in the worde of a King that were I sure to dy a thousand deaths yet will I not depart from hence till I see the end of mine enemies or they of me These words so exalted the harts of the hearers that they answered as with a common consent they were now more willing to fight then euer for which King Lisuart thanked them most hartily All this beeing done hee gaue order that the Emperours body should be carried to the Monastarie of Lubania vntill better opportunity should serue to performe such sollemne obsequies funerall pompe as in like cases is required Then he sent his Chirurgions to haue dilligent care of the wounded to whom he gaue great gifts and promises as also to many Captaines of the Armie And this hee did not without great cause for euery mans hope next to the fauour of his Prince of honest â—eeâ—mpence for his pains makes hin Nâ—oft-times fight and aduenture 〈…〉 life the more boldly as now all these men were resolued to doe at their next encounter But God in whose hands all things doe consist ordered matters farre otherwise as forthwith shall be declared amply to you The fame of the marriage of Oriana with the Emperour of Rome had spread it selfe in so many places that the good olde Hermit who nourished Esplandian in his infant daies had intelligence therof especially of the Kings subiects dislike in compelling his daughter against her will to vndergoe a businesse so displeasing to her and lastly what succour was sent to Amadis in the Enclosed Isle wherupon two great Armies were met in field together Here I must also tell you that hee well knew the successe of their loue the estate and conscience of Oriana how she and Amadis had promised marriage ech to other vnder which contracted couenant Esplandian was begotten and therefore she could not be giuen in marriage to any other but our Lord would be highly displeased therewith For this cause hee concluded to trauaile to the Enclosed Isle to obtaine leaue licence of her to acquaint King Lisuart with so much as hee knew Here-upon so ouer-spent with yeares as hee was hee mounted on his Asle and accompanied onely with another good man bequeathed him-selfe to trauaile and ariued at the Pallace of Apolidon immediately after King Perions departure wherwith he was not a little discontented fearing hee should not execute his enterprise so speedily but that the two Armies would preuent him Oriana was quickelod quainted with his comming aâ—…ee entertained most humanely but she was much amazed why he should vndetake so long a iourney and at a time so vnbefitting hee being aged aboue three score yeares wherein shee being desirous to be resolued and taking him alone with her into her Cabinet falling into teares thus she spake Ah my good father it is much worse with menow then when I first saw you yet heauen I hope will send mee comfort Madame answered Nascian for this cause onely did I leaue my small Hermitage hauing heard that the Emperor of Rome and the King your father marched towards these limits to bid battaile to Amadis and others with him Now foâ—…ing what inconueniences will ensue if their intent growe to execution as well by the slaughter of many who must needes perish in such a purpose as also by the haâ—â—ous offence to heauen because as I am enformed this cruell warre began about your marriage to Patin I trauailed hither to you to vnderstand the truth of all and to esâ—ay â—f it bee possible to pacifie these troubles to the glory of God and to the honour and profit of his people For you know Madame that I aâ— not ignorant in some secrets of your conscience and what sinne you shall commit in beeing giuen as wife to any other then to him who already is your owne as heretofore you haue disclosed to me Pawsing a while and giuing a great sigh thus hee proceeded againe But deare Madame because I receiued this secret in confession it is not lawfull for me to reueale it without your owne good will and consent Wherefore matters standing on such tearmes as they doe mee thinkes you ought to be well aduised and to compasse some meanes whereby the King your father may be acquainted with the promise past between you and Amadis to the end that hee may no further sinne thorough ignorance And so much the rather because you are now in such a place where he is not able to do you any harme But if you should happen into his power as heretofore you haue bin yet you ought to preferre the feare of God before any other respect whatsoeuer although it extend to his displeasure which I hope well to moderate if you will permit me to speake with him Alas father said Oriana in you only lieth my remedy and comfort doe therefore what shall please you and entiâ—ate our Lord to respect mee in pittie Madame replyed Nascian I am assured hee will helpe you for hee listeneth to any sinner that turnes to him with a contrite heart and is sorrowfull for offending him And by his fauour also grace will be granted me to finish the taske I haue vndertaken both to his seruice and your contentment And because the two Armies are neare to one another and I feare their meeting before I shall bee come to them may it please you to let mee part hence this day least some inconuenience may happen by my negligence and the fruite I expect by my labour perish not through slothfulnesse Father said Oriana no doubt but God will be your guide and I earnestly entreat you that if you see young Esplandian to preuaile so much by your endeauour as to bring him hither at your returne Then shee commanded dinner for him and after hee had refreshed himselfe hee mounted on his
consideration should be vsed for diuiding their estates goods amongyou As for my selfe I deny any part or portion belonging to mee holding my selfe sufficiently satisfied if I can compasse any means of doing you any perticular pleasure or seruice When they that were not meanly affected to their Ladies heard him vse these wordes and knewe what power he had to forward them that way you may well imagine that they did not lende any deaffe â—are to such a pleasing motion especially Agraies who earnestly entreated him to giue his honourable furtherance for his marriage with the faire Olinda Bruneo with Melicia Grasandor with Mabila and Quedragant who neuer loued till then declared his affection to Grasinda saying I now sufficiently vnderstand that youth and time haue heretofore been contrary to my quiet hauing then no other care but for the managing of my Horse and Armes but at this instant yeares and reason constraines mee to another kinde of condition so that if it like Madame Grasinda to accept me as her husband I shal account my happinesse equall to any mans of what condition soeuer he be Before God said Florestan I was once determined to returne into Aliemaine so soon as the businesse concerning my Lord Amadis was ended as well to see my mother as many other mine endeared friends Neuerthelesse I know not with what eie I obserued the Queen Sardamira but this I am well assured that if I could compasse the meanes to marrie her I should easily forget mine intended voyage and all things else whatsoeuer But others more free from loues imperious subiection hauing their mindes wholly addicted to follow Armes spake in a quite contrary language desiring Amadis to imploy them in the conquest of Arauignes kingdome the countries belonging to Barsinan or any where else And we request quoth they no other part of booty but the means of winning renowne honour and Chiualrie Hereupon Amadis returned theÌ„ answere Seeing you are of this disposition with the good liking of the company I will make a present diuision On Quedragant I bestowe the countrie of Sansuega for his larger portion in marrying with Grasinda To you Bruneo I giue the kingdom of Arauigne with my sister Melicia And as for my brother Florestan I will worke so with the Emperour that hee shall giue him the countrie of Calabria with the Queen Sardamira whom hee so dearely affecteth As for my Lord Agraies and Grasandor they are thankes bee to God rich and mighty enough by means of their fathers will content themselues as I thinke to enioy those beauties that affect them What else remaineth shall be distributed particularly according to the merit of euery man so soon as King Lisuart shall be heere ariued Which they all liked well and so we leaue them returning to their lodgings attending the time when they should goe and conuerse with their Ladies according to their wonted custome CHAP. XXVI How Bruneo de bonno Mer and Branfill were appointed to iourney into Gaule to fetch the Queene Elysena and Galaor and of those aduentures that happened to them in their returning back againe SOme fewe dayes after that K. Perion and the other Knights were come to the enclosed Isle Agraies Brunco and they that had hope of speedie marriage fearing least the absence of the Queene Elysena and Galaor might cause a further deferring of that long desired day Came and humbly requested King Perion that he would send for them whereto he presently yeelded Whereupon Bruneo made first tender of his seruice saying Sir I humbly intreate you that none other then my brother and I may haue this charge for otherwise you shall doe vs wrong Well then answered the King smyling to himselfe if I should graunt your owne request I am perswaded you would more gladly keepe company with Melicia then vndertake so long a iourney from her In good faith Sir replied Bruneo to be alwayes neere her is the only happinesse I can desire notwithstanding I am willing to goe for the Queene and Galaor only in my earnest affection to doe them seruice By my faith said Angriote you must not performe this voyage without my companie Why then quoth the King goe you all three and heauen grant that you may finde my sonne in better estate then when I left him Sir answered Ysanio some few daies since certaine Merchants comming from Gaule gaue mee credible assurance that hee was well recouered because they had seene him complayning only that his countenance was as yet pale and Wan by reason of his long sicknesse These newes were highly pleasing to the King and all the companie in regard whereof Bruneo and his two other friends tooke shipping the next morning and sayled with such prosperous Windes that in few dayes after they landed where the Queene then lay of whom they were most gratiously entertayned especially by Galaor because hee longed to heare tidings from his brother and other friends And as hee embraced them with the tears trickling downe his cheekes hee said By my faith my good Lords misfortune hath so long kept mee companie that considering what iniurie she hath done mee in with-holding me all this while from you and the exercise of Armes it hath beene well neere a Thousand deaths to me My Lord quoth Bruneo wee haue brought you such newes as will make a sufficient satisfaction for all the anguish you haue endured So hee declared before the Queene the encounter and battailes betweene the Kings Perion and Lisuart what great dangers and perils they were in by the sudden onset of King Arauigne and Archalaus And last of all the league of loue and amity combined on both sides and the seuerall marriages consulted and agreed vpon hereat Galaor was somewhat amazed hauing neuer heard any thing of such attempts and answered Bruneo thus Is it possible that my noble Lord king Lisuart should be in such extreamity and I not neare him Vpon my soule I must now confesse that Fortune loued mee much better then euer she did For had I not beene sicke whatsoeuer dutie I owe to the King my father I should haue made no spare of my life to succor the other Yet it had fallen out worse for mee if in the time of my sicknesse I had receiued any certaine tydings of this matter vndoubtedly it had beene my death to faile him in a necessity so vrgent It is much better saide Bruneo that all things are past in so good order Then taking him by the hand thus he proceeded I receiued charge from my Lord Amadis to doe his re-commendations to you and to desire you that you would cheere vp and recreate your spirits in the best manner you can deuise for he is minded if you thinke it so conuenient to haue you ioyned in marriage with Queen Briolania so soone as you shall be ariued there And wee were expressely sent from king Perion to conduct the Queen to the Enclosed Isle where he attendeth her comming with a goodly traine of
Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Son quoth she to Galaor we will part hence this next ensuing weeke in the meane while take order for shipping and all things needefull for our voyage And therefore presently sent for sailers who hauing vnderstood his pleasure made immediate prouision of the very best Ship the King had and went aboarde the sixt day following Not farre had they sailed from the coast of Gaule but they descried a vessell on the Sea well fitted with the winde and making nimble speed the Pilot or Master striking saile so soone as hee espyed the Queenes shippe Whereupon the Knights of the Enclosed Isle thinking them to be Coursaires or Pirates forthwith armed themselues and to vnderstand the truth sent one of their Squires in a Squiffe towardes them to demand of whence they were and whither they intended The Squire drawing neare vnto them called out aloude vnto them saying Hoe aboard there they in the Shippe here not farre off from you in kindnesse sent to knowe what you are and whither you are bound My friend quoth a knight standing on the Decke there is a Ladie of honour in this vessell whose voyage tendeth to the Enclosed Isle Beleeue mee Sir replied the Squire then shee hath met with company if she be so pleased for they that sent mee to you are sayling thither and you may safely come aboard them Which words being ended he returned to them he came from In the meane space that knight that was aboue went downe to the Ladie and acquainted her with the Squires message by meanes wherof shee sent one in a Frigate presently away to vnderstand the truth and whether vpon the Squires words shee might safely come to them or no and so went nearer to the Queenes Ship where Angriote being first of all seene the other Knight spake thus vnto him Sir a Squire of yours not long since came to vs to know what wee were and whither our trauaile intended Wee gaue him answere that wee were bound directly for the Enclosed Isle and thither hee said was likewise your intention now Sir because wee haue in charge a Princeste of great esteeme we pray you giue vs some assurance of your companie Knight answered Angriote if you please to come aboord of vs the Ladie you talke of shall finde a Queene heere who wil gladly welcome her into her company and giue her as gracious entertainment as shee can desire to haue Sir said the knight I heartily thanke you for her and this I dare assure you that hauing heard her cause and the reason of her trauailing thus on the Sea you will so much compassionate her case as not to deny her your helpe if shee require it of you So taking leaue hee returned to the other vessell which presently came and ioyned with the Queens Then came vp a Ladie in a garment of black cloath shewing both she and all her companie very sad and disconsolate lookes whereat Angriote who well obserued them was much abashed reputing her by her countenance to bee a Lady of good discent and reputation And courteously saluting her demanded if shee pleased to ascend and visit the Queene Sir Knight quoth shee I will doe what shall please you neuerthelesse I pray you name her to me and them that are in her companie Madam said Angriote she is the Queene of Gaule my Lord Galaor her sonne is with her and three other knights of the Enclosed Isle whither we are sayling Then will I attend vpon her and you thither replied the Lady So Angriote supporting her by the hand brought her into the Queenes Cabin and shee hauing vnderstood all that you haue heard already welcommed her most gratiously but the Lady â—…ing much oppressed with griefe fell downe at her feete intending to kisse them which the Queene would not permit put raysed her gently desiting to know the cause of her sorrow Madam quoth shee though now I am left quite naked of all fortunes blessings and fauours hauing no other comfort or repose but only the recytall of my misfortunes yet you may beleeue mee that I was not long time since a â—…dy of great qualitie and married to the disceaâ—ed King of Dacia by whom I had two Sonnes and one only infortunate daughter and so much the more infortunate in hir Birth by being the death of the King hiâ— Father and the totall ruine of mee and her brethren for you must vnderstand Madam that after shee was married to the Duke of â—…tia one of the greatest neighbouring Princes to my Countrie by how much the day of her Bridall was pleasing by so much the more was this mariage wretched and miserable For very soone after the solemnitie the Duke my new sonne in Law beeing yong and ambitious of rule conspired the death of my husband and of my two other children the eldest of them hauing not as then attained to the age of fourteene yeares According to his proiect so did he performe it vpon my Lord appointing a day pretending an honest visitation of vs accompanied with a great number of his people which as hee said were brought with him for our greater honour the King my husband no way misdoubting the premeditated treason rode foorth to meete him and as hee embraced him tâ—… villaine drewe a pocket-dagger and cruely murdered him Both my sonnes in a faire fortunate hoâ—â—e for them came riding a good distance behinde their father and heairng of this bloody tumult returned in a maine gallop backe to the Citie where the traytor holds them as yet sharply besieged Then was I absent in a pilgrimage to our Ladie at a very ancient Church builded on the top of a high Promoâ—â—oâ—â—e and there I was aduertised of my mis-hap If then I was in woefull extreamâ—…y or no be you my iudge good Madame considering I in a moment found my selfe vtterly destitute of all remâ—â—â—e and forsaken of any hope so that but for the comfort and aduise giuen mee by these two Knights which keepe me company I had not liued one only houre They called to remeÌ„brance one nan ed Amadis de Gaule who is said to be the refuge and support of all afflicted Ladies neuer denying them his assistance Whereupon I haue attempted this long voyage to finde him at the Enclosed Isle where hee is affirmed certainely to be with a great number of other good Knights his companions in Armes When the wrong done me by this wicked sonne in lawe shall be knowne to that noble Lord and his other friends how extreamly hee maintaines the siege against mine owne naturall sonnes I hope hee and they will take compassion on me and giue mee such succour as by meanes thereof I shall expell the enemy out of my countrie for my subiects attend nothing else but to vndertake Armes against him they want but only a comamnder to leade them Greatly was the Queen mooued to pittie hearing the misfortunes which besell the Queene of Dacia and the three Knights were so nearly
Gaule or no I answered him hee was and that you your brethren knew mee for such a one as had dedicated her whole life to your seruice Musing a while to himselfe at last hee tolde mee hee was so desirous to see you that if I could coÌ„passe the meanes of bringing you to him and that you would fight with him for our libertie he would allow this small Barke and this Mariner because hee would reuenge the death of his father Mandafabul whom you slew cowardely as hee said in the battaile betweene the Kings Cildadan and Lisuart at such time as you cald your self the Bright Obscure Moreouer that you tooke him vnprouided as he carried away the King of Great Brittaine prisoner in his Ship And that you might haue the more occasion of going with me and by an vrgent motiue to commiseration hee permitted me to beare the dead bodie of my sonne along with me according as you sawe at our meeting But first of all I demaunded of him that if it were my good hap to finde you what security you should haue of wrong or iniurie from any but him-selfe only My faith and worde alone quoth he which I will maintaine so long as breath is in my bodie not only against him but any other Knight whatsoeuer that would come hither with me in this seruice Thus Lord Amadis perceiuing the offers he made me and the extreamity I was in I was so bolde to vndertake what you haue heard trusting in the mercy of heauen and your goodnesse which neuer was denied to any that desired your helpe For I am verily perswaded that you will easily ouercome this Diuell that maintaines so wicked a custome in his countrie Deare friend answered Amadis I am very sorry for the death of your son what else remaineth to be done I will die but you shall haue reason So they sayled on three dayes three nights together and on the fourth discouering a small Island in the midst whereof stood a Castle somewhat farre off which made him demand of the Mariner if hee knew the name of it and to whom it appertayned To king Cildadan quoth the Mariner and it is commonly called the Isle of the Infants Let vs goe a shoare there said Amadis to refresh our selus with water and victuals for wee know not what necessitie wee may fall into hereafter Hereupon the Mariner strooke in close to the foote of a Rocke from whence they beheld a Gentleman descending who coming neere to them faluted Amadis demaÌ„ding of whence and what he was I am quoth he a knight of the Enclosed Isle from thence I came not long since thereto expressely moued by this Lady to haue some reason done her if I can for an iniurious wrong offered her by one abyding in an Island not farre from this as I am giuen to vnderstand The Gentleman requested to know his name Balan answered Amadis Well Sir quoth the other and what course doe you meane to take therein Fight with him replied Amadis and pluck downe his ouer-daring Pride whereby he iniurieth many that neuer offended him The Gentleman beganne to smile and in a mocking manner nodding his head said Sir Knight of the Enclosed Isle there is a great difference betweene saying and doing I can easilie beleeue that you came hither with such animation but I am wonderfully affraide that before you returne backe if you purpose to goe on any further a great part of the heate which I now see in you will bee more calmely qualified Therefore sir I woulde aduise yee to turne some other way for if the Lord of the Isle from whence you now came who is as I vnderstand and haue many times heard Amadis de Gaule and his two brethren Don Galaor and Florestan accounted amongst the very best Knights in the World this day liuing had met together and gone about such a fond enterprise as you haue now vndertaken they were sure to be much rather reprehended then allowed for wise and discreete men And because you are in mine opinion one of King Lisuarts knights to whom my Master King Cildadan is an intimate friend I would perswade you to beleeue me otherwise worse will befall you and you must needs prooue a murtherer of your selfe being aduised and will not auoid it I know not what may happen answered Amadis but I haue heard all my life hitherto that it is an Article proper and peculiar to them that couet the supream place of honour and renowne to attempt occasions of most danger and difficultie Not that they intend to bee so highly esteemed But to shunne discouraging in so braue an enterprise And seeing I am now so forward on my iourney death it selfe cannot alter mine intention wherfore Sir I entreate you in courtesie to helpe vs with fresh water and victuals for which we will be thankefull to you With all my heart replied the Gentleman and more I will beare you companie thither to see the successe of your fortune and whether you shall speede well or ill with the Giant CHAP. XXXIII How Amadis sayled away from the Port of the Island of the Infanta to pursue the purpose he had formerly intended THE Barque belonging to Amadis being furnished with fresh water and victuals the Gentleman of the Isle snipt himselfe with them and set sayle away And as they were conuersing together the Gentleman who indeed was a Knight of good fame demanded of Amadis if hee did euer know King Cildadan Yes truely quoth he I haue oftentimes â—eene him among many good Knights and no long time since in the contentions which King Lisuart and Amadis had together Where he carried himselfe so valiantly as I neuer saw any Knight of more merit By my faith sir replied the other it is great pittie that Fortune fauors no better his high deseruing but euermore turnes her back vpon him yea and ouer-rigorously in making him who is borne to great occasions tributorie to king Lisuart Of that tribute answered Amadis he stands now discharged for the King you talke of hath freely forgiuen it him for the noble deedes of Armes hee hath discerned in him and for his many seruices done to him during the time of his hotte employments Wherefore the taxation which was such a blemish to his renowne not by any fault in himselfe but only vpon accident is now cleerely acquitted But know you this for truth said the Knight Yes verily quoth Amadis And so related the whole businesse to him according as you haue heard it already Then the knight lifting vp his eyes and hands to heauen said Blessed be the name of God who hath permitted my good King and Master to enioy the right which is due vnto him Sir Knight said Amadis haue you at any time seene Balan Yes that I haue answered he I pray you replied Amadis to certifie mee what you know concerning him That will I very gladly said the knight and perhaps in better manner then any man else you could
light vpon Vnderstand then sir that hee is Sonne to the fierce Giant Mandaffabull the same man that Amadis when hee tearmed himselfe the Bright Obscure slew and on the very day when the king my Master and he of Great Brittaine fought a hundred against a hundred wherein perished many other Giants all neighbours to this countrie and kinsemen to Balan whom you now enquire for By the death of his father he became and yet remayneth Lord of the Red Island where hee maketh his aboade at this instant it being one of the most fertill Islands in all the Easterne Sea and of the greatest reuenues by meanes of the frequent resort of strange Marchants that land there at all times of whom hee exacts an infinite tribute Now sir you are to obserue beside that if his father was valiant and not meanely experienced in Armes His sonne exceedeth him in all things only crueltie excepted For looke how much the one was a Tyrant and most inhumane the other is so much the more mild peaceable and gracious so that it appeareth almost a miracle in nature to see men issued of one the same linage to be so different in their qualities In this point I must tell you a generall opinion that this faire demeanour became hereditarie to him only by vertue of his mother who was one of the most modest benigne and affable Ladies then to be seene farre differing herein from the other Giantesse wife to Famongomad and her owne sister shee beeing the most foule deformed sluttish and vnhansome creature that euer was seen of her kind Whereby may bee collected that two such contrarie complexions seldome haue power to agree together being deriued from such discordant nature Notwithstanding the reason hereof in my poore opinion may be thus rendred that vertue most commonly is a companion with beauty and comely feature but is a meer stranger to vgly deformity and base disposition Now Sir I am further to tell you that it is more then twenty yeares since I was appointed Gouernour of the Isle where you found me therefore I can speake to you the more vnderstandingly as a man most frequent in knowledge of any thing you can demand of me For since the yongest years of the King my maister I neuer went out of this Climate by reason of the faithfull trust reposed in me especially in those daies when the rich golden Sunne shone not so aboundantly on him as in later times it hath done For by his prowesse and other high deseruings he married the daughter to King Abies of Ireland who was slaine by Amadis when hee entitled himselfe by the name of the gentleman of the Sea or the like kinde of appellation Beleeue mee Sir saide Amadis you haue done me a great pleasure so well to acquaint mee with the conditions of Balan whom I could wish for mine owne benefit to be of another kinde of Character then you haue now described him to me For if hee had beene indued with such plenty of vices as you haue giuen him to mee in vertues hee cannot expect when time shall serue for our meeting any hope in his owne ability of strength And let mee tell you till this instant I neuer stood in feare of his vtter-most power albeit I cannot now well resolue what to thinke of my selfe in a case of such strange contrariety Neuerthelesse come what can more precious to mee is mine honour then my life And let mee further entreate you to tell mee if hee be married and whence he had his wife In good faith quoth the Knight neuer man had better fortune in marriage then he enioying one of the most virtuous Ladies that can be she being daughter to Gandalack Lord of the Rocke of Galtares by whom he hath a sonne aged as I imagine about fifteen yeares Very sorrie was Amadis when he vnderstoode for a certaintie what alliance was between Balan Gandalack whom he loued dearely for the nourishing which his brother Galaor had of him in the time of his infancie and he could wel haue wished that this combate might haue been against some other person although it should fall out more doubtfull and dangerous to him But if it were against his owne brother hee could not now denie it in regarde of his promise passed to Darioletta And so long they held on discourse that darke night ouer-tooke them yet they sayled on merrily still till somewhat â—arely the next morning they discouered the Island with the red Tower whereby the whole countrey had her name because in the midst thereof was a goodly Castle builded enuironed with great Towers and such walles as were of no meane maruell to be seen Then the Knight seeing Amadis take some delight in beholding theÌ„ said Sir this Castle which you see yonder was not built as this day noâ— more then an hundred since but as you now see it so doe ancient Histories speake of it that he who first founded it was named Ioseph sonne to that Ioseph of Aramathia who brought the Sangreal into Great Brittaine at such time as the whole land consisted of Paganes But by his meanes the most part of the people conuerted to the faith of Iesus Christ not without suffering many incursions of hostile enemies that dayly came in vpon them grieuously molested them from time to time To preuent this annoyance this Tower was thus erected in manner as you now beholde it but after-wards as all things haue their changes with the alteration of times if fell into the hands of Giants who tooke great paines to re-people the Isle with worshippers of Idols excluded all them that honoured the true God Neuerthelesse our Lord prouided so wel for them that in despite of their enemies they still continued heere though not in so great a number or enioying such libertie as formerly they had yet partly by paying great taxations and tributes and other of lesse ability by continuall seruitudes to the Giants vntill such time as Balan came to bee Lord thereof who as I haue alreadie tolde you is debonnaire vertuous and of Catholique religion whereby hee is very naturally beloued of all his subiects Now although the Knight declared all these good qualities and many more in the Giant to Amadis yet all were but as fuell to fire enflaming him so forwardly that hee entreated him to goe before and to let the Giant vnderstand that a Knight of the Enclosed Isle was come thither with a Ladie whose sonne he had slaine and kept her husband daughter seruants prisoners And if by combating with him and vanquishing him they might be deliuered hee reque sted security against all men but himselfe otherwise let him not aduenture to come neare the Port because the challenger held it as his refuge The Knight forthwith entred into a small Skiffe leauing Amadis and his company at the hauen in expectation of his returne So soon as he came near the Giant he knew him as one whoÌ„ he had many times seene
so strictly am I bound by my vow I am verily perswaded answered the Gouernour that many other haue seene extraordinarie actions of Armes and doubtlesse performed with no meane honour but if they knew as well as I his admirable valor in this haughty attempt and resolution in the execution I thinke in my poore opinion they would confesse it to exceed all former presidents whatsoeuer Honor be attributed to heauen said Grasanaor for this blessed fauour And now there remaines no more to compleate my contentment but onely to stay no where till I haue found him may it therefore please you to lend mee some one skilfull Mariner of yours to be my helpe in this negotiation With all my hart said the Gouernour and victualls also for your vessell if you are in such necessity Then the Gouernour of the Isle called for one of his chiefest Pilots and presenting him to Grasandor said This man came from thence but yesterday and very well knowes how to conduct you thither I thanke you Sir replyed Grasandor So after some little time of rest his desire stil prouoking him to see the man he sought for the went aboard and without any sinister fortune landed the next morning in the Island of the Red Tower enquiring there of Balans people if Amadis were there as yet or no. You shall find him aboue at the Castle quoth they and if you please wee will conduct you thither So they ascended vp the Rocke as they set foot within the Castle gate Grasandor espied Amadis to whom he ran and caught him fast in his armes My dearest friend quoth Amadis what fortune hath conducted you hither How fares Madame Oriana and all the other Ladies in her companie Trust me Sir answered Grasandor all are in good health considering their griefe for your so sudden parting from them And by their aduice I put my selfe vppon your quest with solemne vow not to giue ouer till I found you otherwise Madame Oriana could not haue liued three dayes such was her extreame sorrow for your absence Yet she considered very wel that you would not haue parted so peremptorily if some earnest occasion had not enforced it My returne saide Amadis shall bee sooner perhaps then shee expects That will be no discontent to mee answered Grasandor onely let vs stay heere sixe or eight dayes because the Seas haue beene somewhat offensiue to mee With right good will replyed Amadis for I would also haue my wounds thoroughly cured before I did aduenture on any trauaile CHAP. XXXVI How Amadis being in the Island of the Red Tower conferring with Grasandor espied a small Foist on the Sea which put into the Port hauing people in her that told them tidings of the Armie which was gone for Sansuegua and to the Isles of Landes or the Profound Isle VPon a day as Amadis and Grasandor walked together in priuat conferrence concerning the Princesse Oriana being on the verie highest hill or Rock of the Red Island they descried a farre off on the Sea a Foist of no great bignesse making towards the Land Hereupon they began to descend to know what persons were in her and no sooner were they downe the Rocke but one of their Squires whom they had sent before for news returning backe told them that the vessell was in the hauen and it was a Master of the housholde to Madasima for by that name hee had stiled him-selfe Scarcely had he finished this report but Nalfon who was the man we now speake off came to meete them and Amadis knew him immediatly demanding of him whether he went and what newes hee could tell them Nalfon who likewise knew him perfectly humbly saluted him wondring not a little to see him in those parts where Balan commanded and knowing also his hatred to him because hee was the man that slew his Father Wherfore after some few courtesies passing betweene them Nalfon said Trust me my Lord I would neuer haue enquired for you in this countrie neither can I well imagine what aduenture should draw you hither My honest friend answered Amadis it was the will of Heauen to haue it so and for what reason I shall haue better leisure to tell you but first acquaint me in what estate you left my brother Galaor and Galuanes as also if you met with Dragonis My Lord quoth Nalfon they neuer were in better condition and I shall tell you some things that will content you Know then Sir that after Galaor and Dragonis were dislodged from Sobradisa with their Armie My Lord and Master Galuanes well accompanied with Souldiers which he had leuied in the Isle of Mongaza came to ioyne with them at a place commonly called the Rocke of the Damosell Enchantresse which is on a Promentary farre in the Sea I know not if euer you heard anie speech thereof or no. Yes that I haue replied Amadis Garnate of the Dreadfull Dale heretofore told mee of it how he being sicke sayled by this coast but in regard of his great infirmitie then hee could not make any proofe of that which gladly he would haue done Wherfore I pray you discourse at large what you know thereof because I haue beene credibly enformed that many Knights of name haue bin lost in that passage On my Faith sir answered Nalfon not anything I know shall be concealed from you and then he thus began The common â—ame is that this Rock was so called by reason of a Damosell there dwelling who was in her time very curious in vnderstanding all magicall Sciences and grew so expert in them that shee wrought wonderfull things and farre beyond the power of nature Among the rest shee erected there the most sumptuous building that euer was seene and afterward she preuailed so powerfully by her skil that she drew thither were they neuer so farre off all Ships passing to Ireland Norway Sobradisa the Isle of Lands or the Profound Isle they not hauing any power or meanes what windes soeuer blew to helpe themselues but by meere constraint were brought to take landing not farre from her abyding whence they could not be discharged except shee pleased There she stayed them and compulsiuely kept them taking of their marchandises or goods whatsoeuer liked her best especially errant Knights if they had any aboard and them she would make afterward to combate one with another euen to death many times and therein she tooke very great delight But as it often happeneth that suc as deceiue others come in the end to bee deceiued themselues so shee of whom I speake hauing heaped together infinite treasures and by such meanes as I haue related thinking still to liue by her Artes and contrarie to the course of nature as if she had power and command ouer the Starres was taken tardy in her owne strength For the awefull arme of Heauen no longer suffering the mischiefe which vndeseruedly shee had exercised vpon many did darken her vnderstanding in such sort that she who was wont to abuse the very best
on their affaires the others left them alone and departed thence Then King Arauigne demanded of him what hee conceiued of his hard Fortune And breathing forth a sigh sufficient to haue broken a bigger heart hee stood along while silent as being vnable to deliuer a word till at last thus he spake Ah my deare friend Balan if your Father Mandafabull were now liuing how Irkesome would my mishap be to him And to speake truely matters are mightilie altered since his death For it is not fully a yeare since I stood vpon no meane tearms of being the very greatest King in all the West but now I am beecome the poorest and most miserable man in all the World How Sir replied Balan it seemes you distrust the mercy of the almighty in whose power it is to dispose of you as best liketh him If Fortune haue once frowned on you is her wheele so fast nayled or printed as shee cannot lift you to the place from whence you are fallen Let me perswade you Sir not to bee thus discomforted but in kingly patience to thanke God for all and hee will not forget you Walking on along with him hee beganne thus againe I knowe very well Sir that hardly can you expresse constancie or courage in such cases of so sharpe affliction and vneasie to bee endured as your imprisonement is Yet I can desire no better experience therein then the like misfortune hath ministred to mee in permitting mee to bee vanquished by the same man that was the worker of your downefall Notwithstanding let mee take it ill or well bee pleased or offended at my foyle I see no other remedy but only to arme my selfe with patience and sooner to forget the iâ—iurie I haue receiued then my selfe For the rest I am of opinion that it is possible to treate on some good agreement betweene you and these Princes who I am perswaded will therein listen to you if such a motion proceede from your selfe How can that be done quoth the King except in forgoing all which they pretend to haue conquered from me and I had rather die bearing the name of an imprisoned King then to liue a begger at libertie If after death saide Balan life were easie to bee recalled backe againe I should ioyne with you in this opinion but hauing nothing dearer to vs in this worlde wee should preserue it so long as is possible for vs. My worthy friend Balan replied the the King doe with mee what you please into your hands I commit my selfe my life my goods honour beseeching you intirely to remember my businesse in such nature as I make no doubt but you will Now because they saw Enill comming in to them they altred their discourse and Balan taking leaue of him went to finde Galuanes and Galaor who staied his returne in the Tent of Agraies There hee declared what speeches had past between him and the King Arauigne And in my minde quoth he considering the humor wherein I left him I thinke it were good to make him some offer giuing him some countrie of his own for a place of retirement where hee may weare out the remainder of his dayes and be contented to resigne vp all the rest The whole company was well pleased heere-with and highly allowed the aduise of Balan for to speake vnpartially hee was one of the wisest men and as sound in iudgement as any where else was to be found Wherupon they entreated him to mediate this matter with Arauigne committing all to his discretion because indeede they themselues were halfe tyred and grew wearie of the warre On the next morning hee went to the King Arauigne and among diuerse others remonstrances told him how at his request and only by his meanes hee had so well preuailed with the Princes of the Army that they were all contented to leaue him parte of the Isles of Landes in full and intire soueraignty Which liked him well considering it was much better for him to continue King of a little then to be Lord of nothing Hereupon the City was surrendred and certaine Shippes and victuals were giuen him for his retreate into the Isle of Liconia And the very same day Brunâ—o was crowned king with great magnificence So hauing receiued their homages and faithfull aleagance for the whole Countrie their Army being in this time well refreshed they set away to the Citty of Calaffan in the Realm of Sansuâ—gua Whereof the people being aduertised assembled themselues in great numbers and electing Captaines and Commaunders among them resolued to attend their comming and bid them battaile before they would suffer any besieging But they tarried so long for their mustered forces that I am loath to dâ—lâ—y you in so idle an expectation Let it suffice then that the Countrie of Sansuegua was conquered and because it is not any thing 〈…〉 or incident to our Historie to tell you in what manner it was performed we will bee silent therein at this time leauing the â—…e to them of the Enclosed Isle and now wee will tell you what happened to King Lisuart after his reâ—… into Great Brittaine CHAP. XXXVIII How King Lisuart being hunting was taken prisoner by Enchantment and very strangely ALthough our History hath long discontinued from speaking of King â—isuâ—â—t and of any thing happening to him since hee went imbarqued from the Enclosed Isle returning home to his Countrie of Great Brittaine yet I now finde apt occasion to bee no longer forgetfull of him but to declare how afterward hee caâ—ied himsese as being a matter fit for our purpose in this place â—…sten then to mee Lords and faire Ladies and you shall vnderstand a new kinde of subtiltie which fortune made him taste of to let him the better know what slender assurance he had of her fauours for at such time as hee thought to bee most at quiet after so many warres discords passed wherwith already you are fully acquainted this accedent ensuing hapned to him First he resolued with him selfe to make some indifferent long soiourning in the Citty of Fâ—nusa because it was seated in a very sweete ayre and highly comodious for Forests and faire Riuers well stored with all kindes of beasts fit for game wherein he tâ—…e no meane delight and pleasure And albâ—â—t his aged yeares required ease and rest as most meetest for him yet such was his forward will and noble magnanimitie of spirit as he would by no meanes yeelde thereto but rather daylie sighed and sorrowed that he could not performe what formerly he had done and bee seene in such aduentures and combats as continually befell him in the beginning of his raigne This disputable questioning betweene his desire and ability of body drew his soule into an vnacâ—ustomed sadnesse making him become so pensiue and melanâ—â—â—lie as hee would â—â—nder himselfe from all company and delighted in no other pastime but to walke abroad sometimes with his Cross-â—ow to strike a heart â—inde or â—idde in the Forrest Hereupon it fortuned that
hee purposed to expect succour if hee should be pressed thereto stealing on by little and little from the mountaine and marching on vpon the plaine Which when Esclanor noted he sent to bid king Aranigne that hee should put on with all haste by the the most secret passages but the way was so straite and narrow as they could not march but two together at the the most By which meanes before they could attaine to king Lisuart hee and his were very neare to the Citie whereat Arauigne began to despaire fearing to faile vtterly in his enterprise By this time also Esplandian and Sergill whom the Hermite had sent to king Lisuart finding his Campe dislodged made such speed that they sawe the men both horse and foot descending downe the mountaine Then they presently coniectured that this was the Armie of king Arauigne whereof they heard the Queene Brisania speake before they parted from her Wherefore fearing this power to be ouer great for that of king Lisuart who had beene almost vtterly ouerthrone in the precedent battailes they grew to great dismay so that Esplandian said to Sergill Brother I pray you that wee may returne to Lord Amadis and let him vnderstand what wee haue seene Sergill was very willing and returning the same way they came they rode so dilligently that by the breake of day they alighted in king Perions Campe where hee had newly receiued intelligence that king Arauigne and his people marched thorough the countrie and therefore kept his Armie for the most part all that night in order of battaile Esplandian and Sergill going to the Tent of Amadis found there the Hermite Nascian who was not a little amazed to see thē so quickly returned demanded of them whither they went Father answered Esplandian it is very needeful that I should speake with Lord Amadis to let him know some matters that do greatly concerne king Lisuart and his troupes Now Amadis had but withdrawne himselfe a while only for a little refreshing because all the night hee had been in Armes notwithstanding when hee heard what the young Gentle-man had saide hee called him to him demanding of him the estate of the matter My Lord quoth he king Arauigne hath besieged the King my Master neare vnto the city of Lubania with such a power as if you send him not succour that speedily I thinke you shall neuer see him while you liue but either taken or slaine and all that are with him Wherefore I pray you doe so much for him as you are wont to do for many others who it may bee are not in such deepe distresse as hee When Amadis heard these news remembrance of displeasing his Ladic Oriana if her father should be discomfited and by his most deadly enemy in the world through defect of assistance from him enflamed so his soule that without answering so much as a worde hee went to king Perton speaking thus My Lord for ought I heare king Arauigne hath turned his backe on vs to fight with king Lisuart and is already so neare him that it is a great aduenture but hee will bidde him battaile Whereat I shall not be a little displeased knowing well that they of Great Brittaine haue lost so many of their men against vs as they are not able now to outstand a fresh force Moreouer if they should bee ouerthrowne being come forth of their Campe in hope of future peace betweene them and vs it will appeare to many that this ambuscado was laid for them by our inuention and that by our meanes king Arauigne was thus treacherously set vpon them to our most high disparagement among all them that shall so imagine of vs. Wherefore I entreate you Sir that with a part of this Armie I may go before and giue them succour Sonne answered King Perion doe what you think best and if you goe before I will follow and backe you if by mischance you should be preuented Amadis most humbly thanked him and parting thence met with Florestan Quedragant Garuate and Gastilles whom he acquainted with his enterprise where-to they gaue good allowance Here-upon they forthwith set their men in order marching directly for Lubania fully resolued to fight with king Arauigne and his men if they might meet them in the field CHAP. XXII How King Lisuart was assaulted by King Arauigne brought into great danger And of the succour giuen him by Amadis in his necessity WE haue heretofore very amply declared how King Lisuart had intelligence by his vant courers that the Armie of King Arauigne pursued him by meanes whereof hee dislodged hoping to gaine the Citie of Lubania before the fight For he knew well enough that he had not strength sufficient to stand against so great an hoste of men and freshly come into the field but he was suddenly set vpon and followed so hotly as hee had small meanes of helping himselfe The two Camps began to skirmish together continuing fierce assaults eace against other vntill darke night ouer-tooke them wherefore they were constrained to remaine encamped near one to another in expectation of the morning to beginne againe in better manner then before they had done King Lisuart by no meanes would retire as fearing to affright his followers and wholy disharten them and therefore making a vertue of necessity so soone as the night was spent he ordered his battaile so well as hee could determining to die among his men rather then blemish his honor in the least degree Barsinan who led the vantguarde for king Arauigne first gaue the onset with his troupes but before they came to handy blowes many were laide on the earth with the great Ordenance which plaied vpon then without ceasing Neuerthelesse at length they entred fight pell mell and Grisall who was Ensigne bearer to Archalaus was ouer-throwne in this first encounter by Norandell albeit Archalaus laboured his vtmost to releeue him But king Cildadan accompanied with many of his chiefest men began to breake through the prease whereby Barsinan had beene instantly foyled but for the re-enforce which king Arauigne sent by the Duke of Bristoy Now might you haue seen many Launces shiuering in the ayre and both horse foot weltring in their blood on the ground a sight most pitifull to beholde For king Lisuart playing at double or quit attended by the rest of his Armie came vpon the flankes of his enemies and the first hee met withall was the brother to Aluinas whom Florestan slew at the Fountaine of Oliues where the three Damosels were guarded by the Dwarsse whō hee vnhorsed so lubberly that hee brake his necke by his horses falling vpon him Pursuing on his purpose Archalaus espied him who knew him very perfectly and followed on so fast that hee shewed him to Barsinan saying You haue no other worke to doe but instantly to reuenge your fathers shamefull death for that is hee which made him so suffer Then Barsinan called to him ten of his Knights with whom hee came and set
vpon King Lisuart and ouerthrewe him to the ground where hee was enclosed on all sides by Archalaus and a great many more who laboured their very vttermost as hoping to take him But Philipinell with them that had the day before discouered the Armie of Arauigne came and succoured him notwithstanding their lot had fallen soule but for king Cildadan Arquisill Norandell and Brandoryas Now grew the fight fiercer and fiercer for these foure rushed thorough the croudes so boisterously that they bare downe horse man before them and notwithstanding al resistance the enemy could make they remounted the King vpon Norandells horse for he had alighted that the King might haue him Then taking a Sworde in both his hands which he found by good fortune hee performed therewith such extraordinarie deeds of Armes as in meere despite of Barsinan and his followers hee horsed himselfe againe wherein Brandoyuas was no meane help to him Archalaus then wel perceiued that they must needs haue the worst except king Arauigne came vppe with his troupes wherefore hee sent a young Squire of his and bad him goe tell him that hee was much amazed why he should leaue him thus in so serious a businesse The Squire ranne presently and performed his charge but Archalaus answered him that he thus delayed hoping to draw King Lisuart and his men further off from the Cittie that hee might be the more easily encompassed at pleasure But now hee marched on with his squadron which furiously brake in vpon King Lisuarts forces who were then so wearied and few in number as they were repelled to retire euen within the gate of the City where they saued themselues by the meanes of king Cildadan Arban Grumedan Norandell Guillan Arquisill and others who followed in the traine Now if these worthie men declared thus rescuing their greatnesse of spirit you must conceiue that king Lisuart as plainely witnessed that hee forgot not his honour in such a necessity for neuer was any Knight seene that more forwardely aduentured his person to perill then he did nor with more allacrity of courage intending to reuenge his owne death if such should be his fatall disaster And as hee was in this extreamitie Grumedan who carried the standard and King Arban were beaten downe before his face and taken prisoners whereat he became most impatient and with all his force would needs enter into the throng to succour them But some of his beeing more discreetly aduised kept him backe and finding meanes to get him into the Citie and then shut vp the gates So king Arauigne remained master of the field not without great losse of his men which yet were but few in regarde of them belonging to king Lisuart who found then by experience what dismall harme hee had endured by giuing ouer-much credit to the persawsions of Brocadan Gandandell by whose treacherous meanes hee had banished Amadis from his Court and many other worthie Knights for which he now intirely grieued And not without good cause considering what slender hope he had to free himselfe from the danger which round had engirt him By this time king Arauigne was withdrawne into the middest of his troupes to take counsell whether they should now instantly assault the Citie or deferre it till the morning Now as in such affaires opinions are diuerse so some gaue aduice to refresh their people already much wearied Others spake to the contrarie alleadging that they should not permit their enemies thus to rampire in themselues or let them take heart but liuely and without any delay to followe vpon them to encrease their feare and weaken their courage Wherupon king Arauigne commanded Barsinan and the Duke of Bristoy to leade their troupes vp one side of the Citie while he and his gaue the assault on the other and that either side should striue for soonest entrance Then Drums and Trumpets sounded the assault and men on all sides ran to the wals where they found king Lisuart his men with the inhabitants of the Citie that gaue them two or three stout repulses with Harquebuze sâ—oâ—â—e Darts and Crosbowes All which discouraged not King Arauigne a iot but rather did whette him on more and more and had not darke night preuented them king Lisuart had beene shrewdly enforced and the Cittie surprised But the obscurity was so great as they could not discerne one another in regard whereof king Arauigne caused retreate to be sounded hoping to begin againe at the breake of day or else that they within the Citie should yeeld to his mercy CHAP. XXIII How Amadis came to the succour of King Lisuart And of the valiant ouerthnow of King Arauigne BY the precedent chapter you haue heard how the young Gentleman Esplandian Sergill hauing discouered the Armie of Arauigne and doubting that king Lisuart was not strong enough to fight with him made a short returne to Amadis entreating his succour whereto he willingly yeelded Notwithstanding hee could not proceed on so speedily albeit hee trauelled night and day but King Lisuart was fallen into great perill of his person as euer before had happened to him which danger thus befell him only by meanes of vnhappy guides that conducted Amadis and his troupes wandring about mid-night farre out of the way without knowing where they were which much displeased Amadis Hereupon he demanded of them if they were farre from the mountaine or no. The guides answered that in their opinion considering how farre they had alreade gone they could not bee neare wherefore hee commanded Gandalin to ride so farre on either side as hee might reach some matter of discouery Then he got vp on the highest part of all to try if hee could see the fire in king Arauignes Campe beeing led all the way by one of the guides and far they had not gone but Gandalin descried the enemies fires in their Camp which he shewed to the guide demanding of him if now hee could giue them better direction without any more straying wherein he warranted him therefore bad him boldly followe him Returning backe to Amadis they declared what they had seene to his no little contentment as hoping to take king Arauigne napping Moreouer he was partly desirous to let King Lisuart perceiue how willing hee was yet to doe him seruice notwithstanding all his former hatred to him and therefore rode on hard all the night Yet could hee not ariue there so soone but King Arauigne had begunne the assault againe so sharpe and hotly as gaue great danger to them within the Citie because the enemies were become masters of the principall part by meanes whereof they entred in by such numbers as king Lisuart was compelled to betake himselfe to a very little street or passage being followed by some of his chiefest Knights and there he resolued to liue or die rather then hee would yeeld himselfe a prisoner to his proud foe Here began extreamitie to shew it selfe apparantly for like men despairing of any helpe or remidy they