be Lady you can tell me who hath caryed away the dead knight that lay vnder the tree not farre hence If you wil promise me quoth she to reuenge his death which is an exceeding great griefe to many I will resolue you therein I will not stick for that answered Galaor for it seemeth by your words it is an act of iustice to do it Very true said the Damosell mount vp before me on my Palfary and I shall direct ye to your desire WheÌ„ they had ridden about two miles shee shewed him a maruailous faire castle and alighting at the gate she bad him enter But remember quoth she what you haue promised And because I haue solicited you heereto I pray yee let me vnderstand your name I am called Galaor quoth hee and thinke you shall heereafter finde mee in king Lisuarts Court then any where else I am satisfied said the Damosell to God I commend yee then thee turned bridle and rode away but Galaor entred tâ—…stle where he found the dead laid in the middest of the Court by him stood many making great lamentation Neuerthelesse Galaor approching neere and stepping to an anciant knight demanded of him what the dead knight was Sir answered the olde man while hee liued hee was such a one as all the world may bemone his mis-fortune Do you know his name saide Galaor He is called Anthebon replied the other one of the most vertuous Gentlemen that euer liued in Gaul When Galaor heard he was a subiect to king Perion his father his heart began to storme and as hee pittied him the more so his desire encreased to reuenge his death whereupon hee entreated the knight to acquaint him with the truth of this tragicall accident Sir quoth he this infortunate Gentleman which you see was in respect of his bounty and vertue maryed to a wife who now lamenteth for him she being the Lady of this Castle In time they had a very faire daughter and she growing in yeeres was beloued by a knight our too neere neighbour but the young Damosell euer hated him and aboue all other could not abide him Where-of he getting intelligence determined by some meane or other to steale her hence and being so resolued forgetting God as also his owne honour watched when this goodknight as customely he vsed should goe to the cornered street there to sucour such as often were distressed because it is the most dangerous place in this countrey Knowing him thus to bee from home the disloyall wretch entred this Castle and finding the maiden in comâ—…y of her mother with diuerse Gentlewomen heere disporting mauger them all forcibly hee tooke her away before wee could fall the bridge to succâ—r her Hereupon as wee afterward vnderstood shee did nothing day and dight but grieuously mourne despising all the inticing blandishments the knight vsed to her which in the end displeased him so much as hee began in this sort to reprooue her Lady you know that I loue yee with all my heart desiring onely to haue the like of you meaning no otherwise then honorably to make you my wife but you scornefully disdaine me albeit I am discended of a more noble house then your father is which maketh mee maruell very much what should moue you thus to bee mine enemy In good faith I will tell yee quoth shee I heretofore made promise to my mother and such is still my deliberation that I would neuer match with any husband if hee were not so good a knight and comparable with my father in chiualry for which shee made choyce of him among all otâ—er knights to which wordes he thus answered By heauen I see you loue me now for â—re it bee long I will make sufficient proofe that I am a better man at armes then he Within a while after hee left his Castle beeing well mounted and armed placing himselfe vnder the tree where you sawe this knight dead to what intent I cannot tell but vnhappily the Lord of this Castle came that way hauing left his horse and Armour because hee onely intended to take the ayre The cowardly wretch seeing what aduantage hee had of him and remembring the promise hee made his Lady thought it place commodious to get him reputation and no witnesses by to report the contrary so without giuing him warning or speaking one word to him stealing behinde him smote his Launce thorough his necke as you heere beholde Thus vnprouided of defence likewise suddenly and most villainously was this good knight slain and yet the blody traytour not satisfied alighting from his horse gaue him many needlesse cruell woundes with his sworde and so despitefully left him there In good faith answered Galaor the deede is monstrous vnable to passe without common reprehension but seeing you haue vouchsafed mee this fauour I pray ye tell me why was he afterwarde laide on such a costly bed vnder the tree Because it being a continuall passage for knights errant said the olde man to try if any would be so honourably prouoked as to reuenge an act of such sâ—ame and contempt after wee had acquainted them with this sad discouse I found him alone at the tree replyed Galaor what was the cause then you left him so Your demaund is not amisse â—quoth the olde man for foure Squires were euer wont to guarde him but because the knight who did the murther came and threatened to kill them we were coÌ„strained to bring away the body hither I maruell sayde Galaor that I heard not the noyse it may well bee sayd I slept soundly Are you he replyed the old man whom we found leaning asleep on your helmet The very same man answered Galaor Why did you rest so homely there quoth the old man To reuenge his death sayd Galaor if by reason I might doe so much Ah worthy Sir answered the old man heauen grant the finishing thereof to your honour then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed whereon the dead man lay thus speaking to the sorrowfull Lady Madame this knight saith to his power he will reuenge the death of your Lord. Alas gentle knight quoth she the God of heauen keepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or friend in this countrey who will doe so much for me because my Lord was a stranger yet whlie he liuid euery one shewed great friendship in lookes but now their kindnes is cold enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrie my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said the Lady the sonne to King Perion of Gaule whom my deceased Lord often told me was in king Lisuarts Court Neuer came I there Madame replyed Galaor in all my life but tell me what he is that did this treason and in what place I may find him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perill you will mislike the enterprise as
not quoth she This shal be to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue need Beleeue me answerd Elisena weeping but little doe I care for any thing that may happen for I feele my selfe too neere the losse of my good 〈◊〉 my ioy Very soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of trauaile which was to her very strange troublesome oppressing her hart with sundry bitter passiōs yet notwithstanding al her yrksome plunges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatly fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty without danger of her person gaue her in deliuerance a faire Son which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it seemed to hero wonderfull feature and happy would she haue reputed him had he not bene borne to hard fortune where-to Darioletta was constrained to send him for the redemption of the sorrowfull mother and therefore she deferred it not But euen as before was concluded she wrapped the infant in riche clothes and afterward brought it with the Cofer to Elisena which when the good Lady sawe she demanded what she would do therewith Madame quoth she herein shall your little Sonne be put then will I send it forth on the water and if it please God he may escape and liue Alas my sweete infant saide Elisena how full of danger is thy destiny In meane while Darioletta tooke inke and parchment and writ therein these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King by these words without time she meant that she thought his death to be neere at hand and the name of Amadis was of great reuerence in that Country because of a Saint there so called to whom this little infant was recōmended The letter beeing written and sealed was couered and wrapped in silke then with a little golden Chaine fastened about the Childes necke with the Ring that King Perion sent Elisena at his departure Each thing thus appointed Darioletta came to the wofull mother and in her sight put the Childe into the Chest laying by him the King his Fathers Sword which he threw on the ground the first night he came to Elisena and this is the cause wherefore the Damosell had so well kept it then after the Mother had kist her Sonne as her last farewell the Cofer was made fast very arteficially and Darioletta opening the iron dore commending the babe to the heauenly protection she set it on the water the course whereof beeing very speedy full soone caried the Cofer into the Sea which was lesse then halfe a mile from the place Now began the breake of day to appeare and the little infant followed his fortune now throwne heere then there according as the boystrous waues pleased but by the will of the highest who when he pleaseth makes impossibilities easie caused it so to fall out that at the same time as this was done a Scottishe Ship sayled on the Sea wherein was a Gentleman named Gandales who from little Brittaine sailed with his wife into Scotland she hauing beene lately deliuered of a sonne called Gandalin The morning was both calme cleere wherefore Gandales might easilye perceiue the Chest floting on the waues which he presently sent out for thinking it to be some matter of great value then the Mariners casting forth a Skiffe made toward the Cofer and tooke it vp when they had brought it to Gandales he got open the couer and beholding the goodly infant within as also the rich clothes wherein it was wrapped he suspected that it came from no meane place as he gathered by the ring the good Sword So taking it in his armes he was filled with such compassion as he began to cursse the mother thereof who through feare had forsaken so cruelly such a beautifull creature and carefully did he cause al things to be kept which he found in the Cofer desiring his wife that this infant might be nourished as his owne Sonne She was heerewith very wel contented and so the two children were equally fostered together for neuer had yong Amadis suckt the teat but so soone as it was giuen him by his new nursse he made no refusall thereof but being very thirstie sucked very hartily whereat Gandales and his wife were exceeding glad Now had they the time so fauourable as shortly they landed in Scotland neere to a Citie named Antallia and soone after they came to their owne Country where little Gandalin and the Childe found in the sea were nourished together And because Gandales forbad his seruāts to vse any speech of his good hap requesting the like of the Mariners to whom the ship belonged and were to saile els where the two children were esteemed bretheren by such as were ignorant of their fortune CHAP. III. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauelled on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griese and melancholie KIng Perion being on his way toward Gaule as already hath beene recited entred into a marueilous melancholy as well for the greefe wherein he had left his Elisena to whom in his hart he wished well as also for his doubtfull dreame being in such sorte as you haue heard So long rode he in this heauines till he ariued in his country and soone after he sent for all his great Lords as also the Prelates of his Realme giuing them expresse charge to bring with them the most learned Clarks in their Countryes and this he did to the end they might expound his dreame When his vassailes had made knowne his will not only those he sent for but many other came to the court shewing the desire they had to see him their readines to obey his command for they did so loue and reuerence him as oftentimes being fearefull to loose him they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow thinking on the dangerous perils that in chiualry to win honor he hazarded himselfe so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them which could not be because his hart was discontented til by armes he had brought the greatest aduentures to end The Lordes and Princes thus assembled the King conferred with them on the estate and affairs of the Realme but it was with so sad countenance as could be for the occasion of his dreame made him so pensiue as his Subiectes being abashed thereat were in meruailous doubtes notwithstanding after he had giuen them to vnderstand his will and appointed all requisite matters in order he gaue them leaue to departe sending each one home to his house only staying with him three Astrologers reputed the most skilfull in those actions and therefore he made choise of them These men he called into his chappell there causing them solemnely to sweare promise that without feare of any thing how dangerous soeuer it were they should interprete to their vttermost and truely expresse what he would declare to them whereupon he told them his dream as hath bin already before rehearsed then one of them being
you haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man herein shall I greatly fault and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But seeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye know what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise said to me at the time you came first into this country yet spake she to me so darkely as I neuer knew well how to comprehend her words for she said That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should hold their gouernment in Gaule and their hearts in great Brittaine and from thence they should go to deuoure the beastes of other Countryes but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these words I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification hereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the king hauing commended the holy man to God returned to his tents where he saluted his Queene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his mind was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracings the king by an apt meane recoūted to her what his Astrologers had said on his dreame earnestly desiring her to tel him whether she had any Child by him or no. When the good Lady heard this she was surprised with shame in such sorte as willingly she could haue wished her selfe dead and therefore altogether denied the truth so that at this time the king might not know what he desired On the morrow they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queen was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath bene heretofore rehearsed the king bare her singuler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realme then he was wont to doe so that not long after the Queene brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia But the little Galaor being two yeeres and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the king his father soiourning not farre from the sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a window toward the Garden where was then the Queene with her son Ladies sporting there entred at a postern dore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge mighty Mace When the company of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whom he tooke in his armes and in a laughter said By my faith the Damosell said true So without any thing else taking away the Child returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowfull Queene who saw her son caryed away Forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but when she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguish she was for her Sonne in crying said Ah helpe me mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she tooke it to see him caried away whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred her other Sonne throwne into the sea wherefore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who saw all this in the place where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Son at last came to the Queene finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the most grieuous mone in the world regreeting this new losse by whom the before hoped to vnderstand of the first and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that beheld her All this while the king laboured to perswade her whereby at last she reobtained the reason that before was absent whereupon the king said Madame we must thank God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidently see hath happened the effect of my dreame whereof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Henceforth therefore feare not to declare what is become of the first for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these words the mournefull mother forgetting none of the fault committed told him the mis-fortune of her first borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it throw feare of death according as was the law of the Country In good faith Madame answered the king well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therefore I pray ye take their desteny so secretly as you may for I trust in God that seeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to afforde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that we shall heare good tidings of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the yong Prince was of the Country of Leonois Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherein he had two strong places He was not a bloudy man as many other were but of a gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doe great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the wind as he arriued in his country which he had caused to be peopled with Christians there he kepta Hermite of most holy life to whom he went saying Father take this child and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a knight for I assure ye he is the son of a king and a Queene Ah said the Hermet why haue you doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who most vnhappily killed my father as you know and at this present forcibly holds from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me being thus embarqued to execute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who said Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be done by the son to king Perion of Gaul who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demanded by her faith whether she told me true or no. That shalt
thou see quoth she At what time the two braâ—ches of one tree shall be ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should find him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these meanes remained little Calaor in the holy mans charge and there he staied so long till he was of yeeres to receiue the order of Knight-hood as hereafter shal be recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a king named Falangris who dying without children left one of his bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires then prompt at armes and Knightly chiualry being called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the king of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North parts And albeit she had bene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not consent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one himselfe and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in hiâ— geâ—tâ—e hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittaine knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeed in the Realme for he being in a strange country whereby his hauty deeds and chiualry he was maried in so good a place therefore they pispatched their Ambasladours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest himselfe therein CHAP. V. How King Lisuart sayling by sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his Subiects desire for his short returne prouided his equipage by Sea being aided and assisted by the king of Denmarke his father in law and afterward set saile toward great Brittaine And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new king of great Brittaine accompanied with the Queene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yeeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therefore during the time of her aboad in Denmarke she was commonly called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana being not vsed to trauaile on the sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her father fearing a worse mis-hap intreated the king of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did king Languines and his Queene accept this charge wherefore king Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to sea where weighing Anckers and hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where being arriued before he could abide in quiet as in such occasions it often falleth out certaine rebels were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so speedily send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the author leaueth the new King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yeeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and for his good grace both of the Queene and the other Ladies was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath beene already declared the yong Princesse Oriana daughter to King Lisuart was left with the Queene of Scots to refresh her selfe till the King her father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies could be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame henceforth so please you shall the Gentleman of the sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherefore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindnsse in his spirite as during life he ment to serue nor loue any other and therefore for euer bequeathed to her his heart but so well it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betweene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge thereof thought him-selfe vnworthy so great good reputing it a very bold enterprise to thinke thereon which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblance The yong Princesse who was of the fame minde and also in like paine forbare to talke more with him then any other thereby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers doing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which most they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting each other with this amorous affectioÌ„ Soone after this yong vnknowne Prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes receiue the order of Knighthood he said to himselfe If once I were a Knight I would do such exployts as should deserue the fauour of my Lady or die in the attempt And in this destre one day finding king Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these speeches My Lord might it stand with your pleasure I gladly would receiue my Knight-hood When the King heard him seeing his yong yeeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the sea Do you thinke your selfe already strong enough for such a weightie charge In sooth it is an easie thing to receine honor but to maintaine it as behooueth 〈◊〉 may be is more hard then you esteeme so that oftentimes a right good hart is troubled therewith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doe more better is death to him then a shamefull life therefore by mine aduise I would haâ—e you yet a while to forbeare The Prince not contented with this answere replied I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doe all that appertaineth to Chiualrie I would not haue beene so bold to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue beene hitherto nourished most humbly I beseech ye to grant me this petition that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to seeke else where for obtaining my suite The king highly esteemed the courage of the youth and doubting least he would depart indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentle-man that I wil do it wheÌ„ I see it necessary for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what else belongeth Yet tell me faire Sir to whome if I resused would you go for your order To King Perion said the Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Queene who maketh me beleeue that he will not denie me when I shall let him vnderstand how shee hath nourished me and that I
aduenture and on the third about mid-day he arriued at a very goodly Fortresse that appertained to a Gentleman named Galpan This Galpan was then the most valiant Knight in all that Country and therefore was greatly feared of all his Neighbours yet did he there maintaine an abhominable and wicked custome forgetting God who was cheefely to be honored bequeathed his endeuours to the seruice of the Diuell For he constrained all Ladies and Damosells that passed by his Castell to enter in where vilainously he tooke his pleasure of them and not contented therewith enforced them to sweare that while they liued they should beare affection to none but him if any denied he caused them cruelly to be put to death Likewise he compelled such Knights as trauailed that way to combate one alone against his two bretheren but if they were vanquished he would force the conquerour to deale with himselfe he being the most hardy knight in al those parts If it happened that he brought thē into any debilitie he would take from them all they had turning them away on foote after he had made them sweare to name them-selues while they liued the vanquished by Galpan otherwise hee would depriue them of life But God displeased with the cruelty which so long time he had vsed to the hurt of many good people would now alter this great inconuenience and that Galpan with his complices should receiue guerdō to their deserts making them an example to all other as you shall heare presently recited CHAP. VII How the Gentleman of the sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his bretheren and in the end with Galpan himselfe BY this time the Gentlemam of the sea is come nere the castle where he saw a Lady comming towards him greatly afflicted hauing no other company then a Squire and a Page This sorrowfull woman breathed forth many griueous sighes shewing a violent kind of warre betweene her hands and the golden tresses of her haire which she discheueled and rent very pitifully Hereat was the Prince not a little amazed and willing to know what moued her to these extreames he came to her with these speeches Faire Gentlewomā I pray ye tel me the cause of your sorrow Ah my Lord qd shee death would be now right welcome to me being the onely friend to beare me company for such is my misfortune as teares are more conueniēt for me then rememberance of the cause In sooth Lady saide the Prince if in any respect I can do ye good you shall find me ready withall my hart Being sent Sir quoth the Damosell by my mistresses commandement to a yong Knight a man of some account in these parts and passing along this way foure cruell villaines set vpon me and whether I would or no brought me into this Castel where a traiterous Knight dishonorably forced me compelling me afterward to sweare that I should neuer loue any friend but him This complaint moued the Prince to great admiration and thus he answered Follow me Lady for your iniury shal be reuenged if God give me leaue Heereupon the Damosell immediatly went with him and by the way he desired her to tell him what the man was to whom she was sent If you reuenge my wrong quoth she I will tell ye but I can assure ye he is such a one as will be right sory when he hears of my misusage Great reason said the Prince hath he so to do and as thus they communed together they came to the place where shee shewed him the foure Gardants to whom he presently said Disloyall varlets wherefore haue ye abused this Lady as she trauailed on her iournie Because quoth they wee stood in no feare of you but if you get ye not the sooner your entertainment shal be worse then hers was Without any more talking he drew his Sword and comming to one that heaued his hatchet against him quite cut away the right arme from his body then turning to another cleft him ouer the face to the very eares When the rest saw their companions thus mained they fled away so fast as they could running through a by way along a Riuer side but the Prince making no shew of pursuing them wiped his Sword and put it vp againe then comming to the Damosell bad her go forward My Lord quoth she hard by is a gate where I found two armed Knigthts attending Well said he and I shall find them when I come thether So rode they on as the Prince entred the base court he saw the Dungeon dore open and an armed Knight on Horse back come forth after whom they within let downe a Port-cullis and shut the dore againe then the Knight of the Castell aduancing himselfe very boldly thus spake to the Prince Poore wretch too soone art thou come hether to receiue shame and dishonor Dishonor quoth Prince tush these are but words leaue what shall happen to the presence of God who only is skilfull therein and tell if thou be the villaine that did force this Lady No answered the Knight but if it were I what then I meane quoth the Prince to reuenge her wrong if I can Go to said the Knight I shall see then what kinde of reuendge you vse So giuing the Spurrs to his Horse ran as fiercely as he could against the Prince yet he failed in the attaint but the Prince meeting him with full carire gaue him such a greeting with his Launce through the Sheeld as the armour being vnable to resist it let passe the yron through both his shoulders whereby he fell downe dead in the place Hauing with-drawne his Launce prepared him-selfe for another that came to succor the first who pearcing quite through the Princes Sheeld left the head of his Launce in his armour which was of sufficiēt profe but in the encounter he met his enimie so derectly as he rent his Helmet from his head casting him so violently off his Saddie as hee was able to sit no more on Horse-backe The Knight seeing himselfe thus vnarmed cried for some other to come helpe him whereupon three Halberders issued forth to whom he said Looke well my friendes that this man escape vs not At these words they ranne all three violently on the Prince and buckled so neere him as they slew his Horse betweene his leggs whereby he was constrained to fight on foote and so offended was he thereat that hauing recouered himselfe he smote 〈◊〉 Launce through the Knights head which made him presently yeeld the ghost And now he bestirres himselfe against the other three who cowardly stealing behinde him woūded him on the shoulder whereby he lost a great quantity of his bloud but full well he recompensed the villaine that did it letting forth the deerest bloud he had in his body by cleauing him with his Sword as it bad beene an Axe The other two terrified heer-with ranne vp into a long Gallery crying Come my Lord come quickly for we are all vanquished
our Army which shall remaine with the King in this Forrest of Baldain then you Lord Daganel and my selfe will go with the rest to present our selues at breake of day before the Cittie I am certaine that being descried by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether wil take hart and not faile to come running forth vpon vs. When we see them approch we will dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his company then our enemies pursuing assured victory in their own conceit wil secke aduantage by our shamefull retire so be takē thēseues in the snare Very well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthy Duke giue order that all things bee done as you haue appointed Now might ye there behold armed men on Horse-backe the Souldiers mustring the drums thundering and the Trumpets cheerefully sounding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings Commandement failed in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandie shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honoured the Prince by whō he had found such friend-ship And to make some shew of his affection towardes him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they foūd him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered hee had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually hee thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared withall the slender means he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound griefe as he expected no other remedie but death The Queene desirous to know the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance berayweth some inward displeasure hath any one heere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to bee tormented in sleepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoured the ambush and the enemies were very neere the Citie where presently he commanded to doraine the Armie Now was each one ready to horse-backe especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Citie gate where they found Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe forth thinking he should tarrie too long from the fight for he was one of the hardiest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could bee found so that if good aduise had beene as ready with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue beene found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who seeing their enemies to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnesse to assaile such an vneaquall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horse crying aloud Beshrow him that tarrieth any longer seeing them hee is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ran among them and were immediatly mingled together He whom the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandie whō he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouer-threw both man and horse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword as a chafed Lyon entred the preasse shewing such deeds of Armes as none durst with-stand him for he ouer-threw all that encountred him killing some outright chining and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel saw his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beate him downe which they had done but that Agraies Perceiuing it came with his troupe to rescue him At their arriual you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent and shields scatred on the ground making a great conflict disorder amongst the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the cōtrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualry as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benummed for the more to hearten and cheere vp his men he cryed aloude to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst what great damage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remained Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the very braines whereupon his men seeing him slaine they that had the best horses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued them-selues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victory discouered the rereguard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escape vs but let vs enter pell-mell in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surpized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not beene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie men them-selues being sore wearyed their horses so ouerlaboured as they could hardly indure their burden Beside they knew king Abias was there in persō being as you heard before accounted one of the best knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentle-man of the Sea foreseeing the disorder was like to ensue came perswaded them rather to die then loose one iot of their honour and reputation saying My friends and companions be of good cheere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with the people astonnied halfe ouercome let vs not make change with them taking their feare and
passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without iniury they may carry me into my Country and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councel for my ouer burdened Soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thee who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiance of so gentle a Knight as thou art but withall my hart pardon thee my death wishing thou mayest continue honorable and yet hereafter to remember me When the Prince saw him in such debilitie he was exceeding sorowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combate he would haue dealt much worse with him During these speeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commanded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was gifor their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to the Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the fielde into the Citie euen with such triumphant glory as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not onely ouercome their enemies but restore the Country that is well neere ruinated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combate the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at king Perions Courte and before shee would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward seeing him returne with so honorable a victory she shewed her selfe and taking him aside said Knight may it please you to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie neere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and keeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is onely yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall finde your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whom only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosel said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell seeing shee tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that beheld him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former Traunce thus speaking What now my Lord Take you the Message in so ill part that comes from the onely Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to find you Ah Ladie quoth he on my faith I knew not what you sayd to me for euen as you began to speak I felt the paine to renewe in mee which heretofore you haue seene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is needlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer from me for I know more of your affayres and my Ladies then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you neede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittaine appointing all things in such order as at your arriual you may remaine there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainly knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then shee thinkes you will be and seeing being ignorant of your Linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your Nobilitie you should labour to increase your Fame if you can And then againe shee gaue him the Letter saying Take here the Letter wherein your Name is written and which you had hanging about your necke at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast beene kept by her who hath my heart in her custodie and for whom I haue so often assayed to die yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I seeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender value is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauor the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deaths which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefite O highest God when shall I see the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agreeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his Name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir when I had done my Message to returne with all speed to her that sent me to you therefore be thinke your selfe if you will command me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with mee two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct you whither you please In obeying-you sayd the Damosell I trust I doe seruice to my Ladie Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returued to the King and Agraies who stayed for him him at the entrance of the Citie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the streetes Then came the Queene with her Ladyes Gentle-women to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrkesom to behold yet were they to bee healed without any great daunger of his person For this night the king desired that he and Agraies would supp with him but the Prince making his excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosel to whom he did all the honour that could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good Newes shee brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euety one but most with her whom he caused to stay attending his dispositiō till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a strange occasion which was cause of his longer abode in Gaule then hee expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you hereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI How the
circumstance of their deaths hereat he was very much abashed then falling to their cheer they begiled the time with sundry pleasant deuises yet Amadis could thinke of nothing else but how he might make his arriuall knowne to Oriana wherefore they were no sooner risen from the table but he tooke Gandalin aside and thus began My friend thou must of necessity goe to the Court and labour secretly to finde the Damosel of Denmarke to whom thou shalt report that I am here attending to heare from her what I shall do Gandalin with all possible speed departed and the better to execute his enterprise he went on foote when being come to the Pallace not long had hee stayed till he saw her he looked for who was as busie as he in the selfe-same cause yet at the first she knew him not but quickly remembred she had seene him in Gaule with Amadis and embracing him demanded where his Maister was Why Lady quoth Gandalin did not you see him to day it was hee that vanquished proud Dardan and hath with drawne himselfe to the Forrest to heare from his mistresse dâ—sâ—…g you by me to let him vnderstand what he must do Right welcomâ— said the Damosell is he into this Country being the man desired aboue all othes but my Lady must needes see thee therefore follow me If any one aske who thou art say thou bringest letters to Oriana from the Queen of Scots and likewise thou art come to look for Amadis who is arriued heere as thou hast heard by these meanes thou mayest come to her without heere-after suspition Thus was Gandalin conducted into the Queenes chamber where the Princesse Oriana was to whom the Damosell of Denmarke came and speaking some-what loude sayd Madame heere is a Squire sent to you from the Queene of Scots Oriana weening she had said true arose to wel-come him but when she knew Gandalin the vermillion collour arose in her cheeks and was so ouer-come with ioy as shee knew not well what countenance to vse yet Gandalin as well aduised set his knee to the ground saying Madame the Queene my Mistresse heartily saluteth you as the Lady she loueth and esteemeth aboue all other of her Kinred desiring to heare some newes from you for here she greetes you with all that she doth know Then gaue he her a Letter which he had seigned hauing nothing written therein but the superscription on the out-side where-upon she went aside with Gandalin to one of the Windowes making shewe to heare the rest of his charge but she demaunded where he had left his master Madame answered Gandalin he with-drew himselfe into the Forrest so soone as he had conquered DardaÌ„ Good friend said Oriana tell me by the faith thou bearest to him how he fareth Euen so faire Princesse quoth Gandalin as the man that is altogether yours he liueth onely by remembrance of you and yet suffereth such anquish in his soule as neuer Knight endured by the onely feare he susteineth least hee should not be yours mistrusting his owne deserts for so high a seruice His greatest hope is in your princely kindnesse and knowing him so long as alsowhat he is that you will not forget him Wherefore I beseech yee Madame take compassion on him appoint a meeting together then resolue him make me a happie messenger and discharge your selfe of your deuoire for hitherto hath hee endured such sorrow as no man is able to suffer the like Often haue I seene him thinking on you so farre beyond himselfe as he hath fallen downe dead in a manner before mee so that I haue imagined noting the abundance of his teares his poore heart to be distilled into water through the conduits of his eyes If he should die ye offered him great wrong for he is yours easily can ye not finde another so worthy of you Nor need you doubt but if you graunt the houre of lengthning his life he will surpasse in Chiualrie the best Knight that euer bare Armes wherein if he be happy by his vertue yet hath he mishap to counterpoâ—se the same onely through the passions he endureth for you If now you will not deigne to afford him remedy much better had it beene for him that fortune had let him preish in the sea to the mercy whereof in his cradle coffin he was commited then after his preseruation by such strange meanes to suffer him dye by a worse shipwrack then the other But if his dismall starres wil not diuert this danger happy might he haue accounted himselfe if he had neuer come to the knowledge of his parents whose griefe likewise he greatly increaseth to see him so consume dye before his day being vnable to diuine or vnderstand the cause thereof Gandalin all this while accompained his words with such teares and often among breathed foorth so many mournefull sighes as would haue enforced the very Rocks to rueth but perceiuing Oriana was touched to the quicke he began againe in this manner Ah gentle Madame consent not to the death of such a Seruant of yours and so good a Maister of mine for beside the common losse which will be great in you alone shall consist the fault more-ouer you shall maculate that perfect beautie with the high condemned staine of crueltie and ingratitude Here did he knit vp his perswasion attending an answere from the Princesse but shee was not able to deliuer one word so vehemently was her heart surprized and ouer-come and holding downe her head let fall wonderfull streames of teares downe her daintie checkes which enforced her to turne on the other side least she should be discried then when as Gandalin would haue begun againe she stayed him with a piercing sigh saying Ah my friend I pray thee say no more vnlesse thou be willing to see me die here presently Now stood shee silent a prettie while often wringing and straining her fingers with griefe then setting apart all dissimulation she softly thus spake The assurance thou giuest me of thy masters loue is highly pleasing and agreeable to me but the passion thou sayest he endureth tormenteth me to the very death so that I feele both his paine mine owne Ah God let me not be the occasion of death to a man so high and precious of desert as hee is rather let me worke mine owne death for if he die I may not liue one houre Thou art come to tell me his painefull trauaile now thou mayest goe to let him vnderstand mine which if thou knewest so wel as thou doest thy maisters instead of blaming me with crueltie thou wouldst rather iudge me vnfortunate and if I vse any crueltie it is against my selfe whom I haue depriued of rest pleasure and well-neere life it selfe The lesse succour can I giue to mine owne destresse because as it often happeneth to our sects when thinking to draw neere such as we desire we are furthest off and seeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so
happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne frō the warres in Gaule CHAP. XVII What were the aduenturs of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amadis had vanquished king Abies of Ireland and was knowne to his father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where be hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the sea side on a sudden hee had a Hart in chase which when he had some prittie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily deserne the raging bellowes of the sea Suddenly arose an exceeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violence as if heauen and the neather religion would haue met together At length he espied a ship tossed in the tempest vnterly destitute of any safety and which was worse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfertlesse night insuing wherewith he being moued to pittie commanded his Squires as a signall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the ship might chuse their best lading place without perishing in the darke him-selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the helpe of God and dilligence of the mariners as the ship tooke safe harbour nere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly affrighted with the maruailous tempast thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most courteous Princes in the world seeing them so well landed and free from danger sent one of his Squires to will them come and refresh themselues in his pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was loth to be troublesome to them knowing they had now neede of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to see them keeping himselfe close in his chāber The Ladyes being seperated to their owne cōtentmēt the mariners made great fiers on the shoare to dry their garmēts and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then to remoue his affection from where it was setled priuily pried in to behold their countenances they being round set about a fiere reciting to each other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affectiō to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome therewith as being no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed forth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this cry especially Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commanded her women to open the dore which presently they did when Agraies told one of thē who he was that shee might secretly imparte the same to her mistresse the news whereof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commanded him to enter Then were embracings kissings freely entercoursed with al other gracious fauours so kind louers could deuise euen the very point wherein loue triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a maiden with like conte◅ as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there six dayes together beguiling the tune with reciptocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her Damosels perceiued Meane while the sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calm which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whither the King her father had sent her to be nourished by the Queene Brisena Which being vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney hee gaue her assurāce that very shortly he would come to her as well to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to seeke his cosin Amadis in king Lisuarts Court according as hee made him promise wherewith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tary long frō her Thus courteously taking leaue of each other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in fewe dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his Court both by him the Queene Oriana and all the other Ladyes was the Princesse and her trayne graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her father as also in respect of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the sea shore giuing many a long look after the ship which caried away the iewell of his heart and hauing lost the sight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his father soiourned and his Vncle Gaiuanes Without land in whose company he intended shortly to visit King Lisuarts Court For there quoth hee to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King Christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderly follow Armes This Galuanes was of gentle heart and a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their horse armour ech one likewise a Squire attēding on him Hauing wind at wil in short time they landed at Bristow where they made no long aboad but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demāded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thither To see if I can finde the good Knight sayd shee who knoweth how to remedy a griefe I endure at this presēt You abuse your selfe Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demanded you shal finde no other Knight then the great Gyant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorow he wil quickly double it on your own head If you knew so much as I doe quoth the Damosell you would not imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Gyant and killed him in battaile hand to hand Beleeue me virgin replied Galuanes you tell vs matter of great maruaile in respect neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Gyant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one himselfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death and yet this attempt of the King is thought the greatest stratageme that
in these affaires wherefore I am of the opinion that he whose quarrell I vndertake the other for whom you entred fight are not faulty in any thing wherewith they are charged otherwise our combate could not thus long haue endured but victory wold fal to one of vs. Wel hast thou sayd answered Agraies that the Knight for whom I venter is iust and loyall but the Dwarffe is a villaine and a traitour nor will I suffer thee to rest till with thine own mouth thou coÌ„fesse as much defend thy selfe therefore better then thou hast done These angry wordes did somewhat eleuate the Dwarffes Knights courage but he had lost so much bloud that he was no longer able to holde out by meanes whereof Agraies took his pleasure on him because the other did nothing but defend his strokes which when the Duke beheld by reason he fauoured him he was highly displeased and to shun the sight of his death departed toward his Castle swearing thence forward to worke reuenge for him on all Knights errant by doing then all the shame he could possibly deuise He being in this furie spake so loude as Galuanes ouerheard him wherefore he thus answered Duke thou doost enterprise a great war especially against such as are known to more worthy Lords theÌ„ thou art seeking thus to smother vp the blame of others As thus he contended with the Duke the Dwarffes champion fell at Agraies feete who immediatly snatching off his Helmet caught him by the head giuing him many blowes with the hilâ—s of his Sword on the face saying Confesse the disloyalty of the Dwarffe otherwise thy life is at an end Ah gentle Knight quoth he giue me my life for I truely confesse that hee who you fight for is vertuous and loyall promise withall to gaine the Da mosels release from imprisoÌ„ment but for Gods sake I desire ye let me not reprooue the Dwarffe mine Vnckle with treason These words were by all the assistance easily vnderstood which mouing Agraies to pitâ—â—e he thus answered For the Dwarffe I will do nothing but for you being a good Knight I grant the fauour of your discharge prouided that you labour to your vttermost for the Damosels release from prison according as you haue faithfully promised All this while the Duke heard none of these words because hee was gone somewhat further off but Galuanes laid hold on his horse bridle saying By God Duke you shall not departe hence vntill you haue seene he extreamity of your Champion for he is either dead or vanquished what answer then make ye concerning the Damosels right the treacherous iniury offered her by the Dwarfe What saide the Duke thinkest thou I will breake mine oath or do any otherwise then I haue determined I know not quoth Galuanes what conclusion you haue appointed Mary this replied the duke that she shâ—â—be to morrow morning burn'd if she tell not what moued her to cause the Knight come hither whoÌ„ she conducted Why quoth Galuanes will ye not then deliuer her No said the Duke and if thou prouide not for thy speedy departure out of my Country thou shalt well know that thou hast displeased me Is it true answered Galuanes doe ye threaten me contrarie to all equity and will not discharge the Damosell so honourably iustified By heauen henceforth I defie thee as well on mine own behalfe as all other Knights errant whatsoeuer Very well quoth the Duke the like do I to thee and al such as thou resemblest So went the Duke into his Castle and Galuanes returned in an exceeding chafe to Agraies but reioycing at his Nephewes glorious victory he somewhat quallified his angry choller yet did he tel him all the Dukes menaces and what defiance had passed on either side wherewith Agraies was very much moued chiefely for the wrong he threatned to the Damosell whereupon he thus replied In sooth my Lord and Vncle it is against all reason that such a paâ—liard as the Duke possessed of so great a signorie should cary so vile and bad a minde Hauing thus spoken he called for his horse which being brought him he mouÌ„ted thereon speaking thus to the vanquished Knight My friend remember your promise accomplish it so soon as you can that the Damosell may be released from her imprisonment In good faith quoth he I will performe my vttermost hability therein So rode away Agraies and Galuanes toward the Forrest of Arinida where wheÌ„ they entred Galuanes thus began You know Nephew that I haue defied the Duke in respect of the iniurie he offered vs but if I might giue aduise I would thinke it good for vs to ambush our selues a while in this wood where we may easily take him or some of his I promise ye saide Agaies I like well your counsell wherefore without passing any further they made choyce of a little thicket where they alighted sending their Squires to the Towne to prouide them victuals On the other side the Duke as you haue heard being with-drawn to his Castle grewe into such displeasure against the Damosel as he thought presently to send her to the fire where-upon he called for her willed her for to haue minde of her soule because the next morning shee should bee burned if quickly she declared not the truth of the Knight but all these threatnings could not drawe one word from her Now because the vanquished Knight had promised Agraies to labour for her deliueraÌ„ce to the Duke so soone as hee returned from the field hee came and fell on his knees before the Duke beseeching him most instantly to graunt what he had promised on the Ladies behalfe But the Duke by all meanes excused the matter saying he had sollemnely vowed she should dye if she reuealed not the thing he was desirous to know Therefore quoth he I will rather consent to the ruine of my whole Estate then in one iotte to the breach of my oath In this manner was the Knight denyed and the next morning very earely he sent for the Damosell to whom hee spake thus as followeth Thou lewd and disobedient woman now make choice of the fire or resolue me in the matter I haue demanded for one of them thou must doe My Lord quoth shee you may appoint what you thinke good but if I die in this manner it will be against all law and reason Presently he committed her to two Sergeants at Armes accompanied with ten Knights well prouided for their defence and for the more suretie that shee should not be rescued himselfe mounted in person on a goodly great horse then leauing the towne along they ride thorow the fieldes by the Forrest side and being come to the place prepared for execution he commanded foorth-with she should be throwne into the fire saying Let the stubborne Strumpet die in her obstinacie But Agraies and Galuanes being ready armed to aduenture their fortune discerned when the troupe came from the towne toward the forrest wherefore without longer tarying hauing
heard them but turned againe then doubting they inded some harme to him he clasped on his Helmet and his Shield yet had he no Lance nor they likewise Alas my Lord quoth the Dwarffe what will ye doe consider you not they be three and you alone What matters that answered Amadis if they assayle me without reason why by good right I must assay for mine owne defence On these speeches they came to him in this manner Sir knight we would demaund one thing of you which we desire ye not to denie otherwise you may not so easily escape vs. The sooner shall I grant it quoth Amadis if it bee reasonable Tell vs then as you are a loyall Gentleman where you imagine we may find him that slew Dardan Hee who could doe no lesse then speake the trueth thus replyed I am hee albeit I would haue you thinke that I doe not so soone fulfill your request in respect of adding any praise to my selfe When the knights heard him they cryed altogether Ah traytour thou dyest and drawing their swords set violently vpon him Amadis offended to see him-selfe thus assailed by them whom ere-while he had so friendly pacified resisted them with such resolute courage as at the first stroke he smote one of their armes from the body the griefe whereof made him fall beside his horse the secōd also felt his sword so peizantly that hee cleft his head to the very teeth and sent to keepe his fellow company When the third beheld their bad successe hee put the spurres to his horse and got him away but Amadis being not so well mounted let him escape returning to Gandalin and the Dwarffe who thus spake Credite me my Lord hence-foorth will I trust better to your wordes then I did let vs therefore make haste hence if you please So riding along at length the Dwarffe shewed him in a pleasant valley two high Pine-trees neere which was a Knight mounted on a lustie Courser and two other whom not long before hee had vanquished they running to catch their horses there strayed about the field And looking againe hee espied another knight lay leaning on his helmet hauing his shield by him and twentie Launces reared against the Pines with two spare horses likewise ready furnished My Lord quoth the dwarffe doe you see the Gentleman that leaneth on his Helmet What then sayd Amadis He is replyed the Dwarffe the good Knight I promised to shew you Knowest thou his name quoth Amadis He nameth himselfe answered the Dwarffe Angriote distranans and is the best knight that I haue heard report of Tell mee then said Amadis why he keepeth there so many Launces I can therein answered the Dwraffe full well resolue ye listen then a while He loueth a Ladie of this countrey who hateth him aboue all other neuerthelesse he hath preuailed so much by fight as her parents were constrained to giue him her After he had gotten her into his power he thought himselfe the happiest man in the world but shee tolde him he should wade into no such fond opinion because hee tooke a yong Ladie against her will And albeit quoth shee perforce you haue enioyed me yet while I liue neuer shall I loue ye if you do not performe one thing for me What Lady answered Angriote is it within compasse of my puissance That is it said she Cōmand then sweete Madame replied Angriote for I will accomplish it euen to the death The Lady whose euill will was toward him exceeding great thinking to appoint him a place most conuenient for his death or else to get him there so many enemies as her Parents might enioy better assistance to take her from him intreated him and his brother to guard this vale of Pines against all knights errant that shold passe this way causing them by force of Armes to take an oath how they should afterward trauaile to King Lisuarts Court there to confesse her more beautifull thē the Ladyes they loued And if it so fell out that the brother to Angriote whome you see on horse-back were vanquished and could endure the combate no further then Angriote should keepe this passage alone during the space of one whole yeere 〈◊〉 this cause they depart not hence all the day time and at night returne to a Castle on the mountaine you see at hand hauing already maintained their enterprise three moneths in all which time Angriote neuer set hand to Sword against any Knight because his brother hath stil beene conquerour Trust me said Amadis I beleeue thou sayest true and so I heard in the Court of King Lisuart where not long since a Knight arriued who confessed Angriotes Lady to be more faire then his friend and me thought he called her name Grouonesa Very true quoth the Dwarffe but now seeing you are resolued remember your promise to me and bare mee company as you sayd you would With right good will answered Amadis which is the way Euen ouer this vale replied the Dwarffe but because of this hinderance as yet I thinke wee shall very hardly passe Care not thou for that sayd Amadis so giuing his horse the spurres he rode on and soone after he met a Squire who thus spake to him Go no further Gentleman if you will not grant the Lady vnder the Pine to be more beautifull then your Mistresse Neuer will I yeelde to such a slander replied Amadis without force or extreame constraint Returne then sayd the Squire otherwise you must combate with the twaine you see before If they assaile me quoth Amadis I must defend my selfe so well as I can so vsing no more words he rode on forward CHAP. XIX How Amadis combated against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladyes were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyce WHen Angriots brother saw him comming he tooke vp his weapons and met him saying Beleeue me Knight you haue committed folly in not graunting what our Squires gaue you warning of you must therfore enter combate with me As for the combate answered Amadis I like it much better then to confesse the greatest lye in the world I know well sayd the Knight you must do it with disaduantage in an other place And trust me quoth Amadis I thinke not so Stand on your owne defence then replied the Knight wherewith they gaue the carrire against each other meeting together so furiously as the knight was vnhorssed yet held he fast the raines of his bridle till they brake in his hand which caused him to fall on his necke to the ground where hee lay without remembrance of himselfe or any other Heereupon Amadis alighted and pulling the Helmet from his head perceiuing that he was in a sound wherefore he buffetted him in such sorte as he came to himselfe againe Thou art but dead sayd Amadis if thou yeeld not thy selfe my prisoner When the Knight saw the naked sword ouer his head fearing his death he yeelded Then
not tall fellow but let vs go down these staires to see who is beneath My Lord quoth the Dwarffe for Gods sake spare me nothing in the world can make mee goe into such a fearefull place If thou goe hence said Amadis how wilt thou enioy the thing I promised thee or know that I do my indeuour therein Ah Sir quoth he I acquite you and holde my selfe fully satisfied But so do not I answered Amadis because hereafter thou shalt not say I brake my promise On my faith Sir sayd the Dwarffe I freely discharge ye and if you please to let me go I will tarry for you in the way as we came hither Get thee gone then replied Amadis for heere will I abide till to morrow morning attending the Knight In this manner the poore dwarfe escaped thence and Amadis went downe the staires comming into a plaine place so darke that hee could not imagine where he was yet he proceeded on and by groping on a wall felt a barre of iron whereat hung a key which he took opening therewith a chaine that locked a port-cullis then heard he a lamentable voyce thus complaining Ah God how long shall we remaine in this miserie sweete death why stayest thou from succouring vs who call to thee as our last refuge Soone after the voyce ceased which made him holde on his way and enter a vault hauing his sword and Shield ready then passing further he came into a great Pallace at the entrance whereof hung a lampe burning sixe men laide along asleepe with their Shields and Hatchets lying by them the best of which he took himselfe They not awaking hee went on by them and soone after heard another grieuous lamentation in this manner Ah God full of pitty and mercy send death if it please thee to deliuer vs from this hell Now was Amadis in worse case then before for one of the sixe Souldiers suddenly awaking sayd to his fellow Arise take these rods and make that cursed creature sing another kinde of song who hath thus disturbed vs in our sleepe Mary and I shall answered the other so hee arose and tooke the rods but as he went he chanced to see Amadis before him whereat he was somewhat affraid yet to be better assured he demanded who is there I quoth Amadis What art thou said the other I am quoth he a strange Knight Who brought thee hither sayde the Souldier without any licence No body answered Amadis but my selfe alone The worse for thee replied the Souldier now must thou be enclosed among these infortunate people who cry as thou hearest Then stepping back he shut the dore against Amadis and waking his companions said My friends I haue found a strange knight who to his harme hath entred on his good will Let me talke with him answered the Iaylor and if I lodge him not worse then the rest then blame me So taking his hatchet and Shield he came to Amadis with these words Caitife if thou wilt not die throw downe thy weapons least with my hatchet I slice thy flesh make carbonadoes of it Very angry was Amadis to be thus threatned wherefore he returned this answer Slender is thy reason in thinking to feare me with thy words but the Deuils shall affright thee a great deale more for I will make them a present with thy soule which so long hath giuen power to thy wicked body in doing euill Presently they smote at each other with their hatchets the ioylor deliuering his stroke on the helmet of Amadis so that it entred very far therein Amadis cutting through the iaylors Shield enforced him to throw both it and his hatchet downe to stand to the only defence of his sword which endured not long likewise wherefore he minded to grapple Amadis about the body because he was a man of maruailous strength yet could he not do so much as hee meant in respect Amadis was a Knight both stiffe and sturdy Neuerthelesse the iaylor griped him very cruelly till the Prince gaue him such a blow on the face as brake his iaw bones which compelling him to fall downe amazed Amadis had the meane to accomplish his promise seperating with his sword the body from the soule The other Souldiours that beheld this fight not thinking the iaylor was dead indeede cryed to Amadis how on perill of his life he should not kill him least they likewise should send him after I know not answered Amadis what may become of me but I am certaine he is safe enough for doing any more harme herewith hee drew his sword and taking vp his hatchet againe marched toward them that came against him who charged him very sharpe and roughly yet the first he encountred with followed the iaylor so did the second and the fourth being smitten on his knees to the ground had dyed but he appealed for mercy the other twaine bearing him company in the same suite Cast downe your weapons sayd Amadis and shew mee them that complained so wofully which they did guiding him the way to the captiues when Amadis hearing another voice somewhat neer him demanded what he was My Lord replied the Souldier it is a Lady in extreame anguish Open the dore quoth Amadis that I may see her Then one of them ran where the iaylor lay dead and taking two keyes from his girdle opened the dungeon where the Lady was enclosed but she imagining the iaylor entred cryed Alas man take pitie on me and oppresse me with no more torments Ah King quoth she breathing forth a bitter sigh hard was my lot to be beloued of thee seeing I buy my affection so deerely Her grieuous moanes moued such cōpation in Amadis as the teares trickled downe his cheekes returned her this answer Lady I am not the iaylor that locked you heere but the man who meanes to deliuer you hence if I can a strange Knight seeking my fortune euery where Alas my Lord sayde she what is become of the iaylor and his companions He and some of them answered Amadis are sent to hell to looke their copes-mates then one of the Souldiers hauing brought a light the Prince saw how the Lady was tied by the neck with a great chaine which had so worne disployed her garments as the naked flesh appeared in many places and when she beheld that Amadis pittied her shee thus spake Although my Lord I am at this present sequestred frōal my lifehood yet time hath been when I was the wealthy daughter to a King and for a King you finde me in this misery Lady quoth Amadis it behooueth you to embrace patience these are but the mutabilities of fortune which no one is able to preuent or escape and if the man for whom you haue thus suffered be of any account or loueth you I am sure he will conuert right soone this poore estate into rich aboundance and remunerate your long sorrowes with ioy and gladnes So he caused the chaine to be taken from her neck commanding
garments to be brought and put about her wherefore hee that brought the lights ran for a scariet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the iaylor and cast it about the Ladies shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her forth of the darke prison saying She should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many woūds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers in this Castle without desert althought your bodies at this instant cānot receiue cōdigne vēgance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame saide Amadis while I go to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the port-cullis he met the Souldier that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demandeth where the Knight is that entred heere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torch before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fal which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Villaine fearest thou being in my guarde goe on Thē assending the staires they came into the open Court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cleare and the weather faire but the Lady feeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knees before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almighty protect thee and require the good I haue receiued by thee deliuering me from comfortlesse darkenesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not searing he had lost him wherefore he saide If the best Squire in the world be dead I will take such reuenge for his death may I but find his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouer-come with griefe hee heard one crie wherefore hee ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great piece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthy stinking sauours neere him he espied Gandalin tied to a tree toward whom hee was going to vnbinde him but hee saw the Dwarffe had greatest need of help wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his feete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer entreated thee thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming forth of the Castle as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he staied ul day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanied with two of the Souldiers the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place where-into he saw a horse led which Amadis being desirous to see came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it fly open finding the horse there ready sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castle by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarffe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demanding what the King was she loued so deerly and for whom she had sustained such iniury Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whom I loue so loyally this diuelish enchanter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presēce imagining the griefe here-of would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succor by reason of the traiterous villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke cloud enuironed me which hindred them from following mee to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought mee forth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you spake of It is King Arban of Norwales answered the Lady whom it may be you know I know him right well replied Amadis for he is one whom I deerly loue and now do I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appeared when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a window who thus demanded Art thou he that didst kill my iaylor my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so treacherously putteth knights to death abusing likewise both Ladyes and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard of As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldnes in asking me what I can do whether it bee wrong or right Herewith hee went from the window and not long after came downe into the Court being well armed mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knights in the world yet no Gyant wherefore when Amadis behelde him of such stature hee doubted not of his great force and strength Arcalous perceiuing hee eyed him so much demāded what moued him so to doe I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldest be a man of exquisite Chiualrie but thy peruerse and humaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me sayde Arcalaus I thinke my selfe highly beholding to fortune who hath brought thee hither to make mee such a smooth sermon but all this will not helpe thee therefore defend thy selfe So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their Shields as the shiuers flewe vp into the aire and with such violence met their horses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose with their swordes began a bloudy combate wherein desire of victorie and hauty resolution of vncōquerable courage made thē continue a long time till Arcalaus retiring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thee I may yet commend thy boldnes in entring heere My death answered Amadis is in the hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thee
and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischiefes as a present perishing of soule and altogether But seeing thou wouldest so gladly know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Queene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting A calaus aduancing his Shield came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full well how to welcome him and such eager strokes past on either side as their shields were scattered in pieces about them likewise many plates of their Armour Now was it about the third houre wheÌ„ Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his bloud was forced to send vp and down before his enemy and seeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that part of the Castle where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuit still continued his feare whereupon he stept into a chamber at the dore whereof stood a Lady beholding the combate and he was no sooner encred the roome but be caught vp another sword turning his face â—o Amadis saying Enter this chaÌ„ber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Arcalaus for thy pleasure What saide Amadis thinkest thou so slily to escape so placing his shield before he entred the chamber but as hee lifted vp his sword to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that hee fell to the ground as he had beene dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thee dye as I desired sleepe then till I wake thee How say you Lady quoth he to her that stood by am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indeed saide she he is now altogether at your commandement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not feeling any thing was done to him afterward Arcalaus put on himselfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his body then hee intended to iourney to the court where each one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slaine him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prisoÌ„ made such mone as would haue melted a heart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenance was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus sawe the Lady lament he sayde Dame seeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardy Chamhion These wordes made Gandalin in such despare as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldely combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaÌ„ded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady seeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her griefe and withall Ah God quoth she how yiksome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcaldus calling his wife sayde So soone as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will go to the Court of King Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenant that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fifteene daies following to publish his victory openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shal quarrel with me about his death and I shall obtain the greatest glory in the world hauing ouercome him that conquered everyone TheÌ„ went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commanding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indeede would not goe with him desiring some one to kil him and to enforce Arcalaus doe him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traitour villaine hauing slaine the most loyall knight in the world Arcalaus made no account of his words but beecause he would not goe willingly he dragged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungeon saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldest endure no more paine but heere thou shalt suffer worse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horse of Amadis and accoÌ„panied with three Squires rode toward the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward escaped the enchantments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamenrations for him as euery one pittied her shee thus speaking to the wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladies beholde yee not the beauty of this braue Gentle-man who in so young yeeres was the onely Knight in the world mis-hap attend on such who by enchantment iniurie men of vertue O soueraigne creator why doost thou suffer so bad minded people to liue The wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addicted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to beholde his dealings and continually praied for his amendmeÌ„t comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they saw two other Ladyes enter the chamber each one bringing in her hand good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stirre him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little casket she carried a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times another voyse answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voyces were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came another book flying into the chamber seeming as if the winde caryed it and fell downe at her feete that reade she pulling it in foure parts burned it at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand said Lord Amadis arise you haue slept too long vneasily Immediately Amadis awaked and rising vp thus spake Alas where am I I maruaile that I am aliue Beleeue me Sir answered the Lady such a one as you are must not dye in this sorte rather wil the heauens permit that they who haue deserued it shall dy by your hand Herewith the two strange Ladyes not saying any more returned the same way they came leauing Amadis much amazed at this aduenture and looking about for Arcalaus but he was aduertised by Grindaloya how he was gone to the court of King Lisuart clad in his Armour and mounted on his horse to reporte that he had slaine him in combate Indeede I felt quoth Amadis when he vnarmed me but on my faith methought I dreamed and seeing he is gone with my armour I will make his to serue me at
thereof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when hee was enchanted mine Aunt Vrganda sent me to the Castle of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen shielde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many waies bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damosels the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing else wherein to cōmand me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and wee wil returne from whence we came Fare well sweet Virgins replied Amadis remember my humble duty to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this manner rode the Damozels one way and Amadis another wherefore wee must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castle of Valderin CHAP. XXI How Arcalaus brought newes to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regreets especially the Princesse Oriana SVch speede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchanted hee being as I haue saide clad in his armor and mounted on his horse that the tenth day following hee arriued neer the court of king Lisuart who was riding abroade in the fields to take the aire accōpanied with his Lords along the forrest side They seeing Arcalaus come a far off hauing on the armor of Amadis imagining it was hee indeede diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found thēselues deceiued by reasō Arcalaus had his head and hands vnarmed wherefore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these words Sir I come to acquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battaile that some-time bare these armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne prayse which were more honorable for me being reported by another in mine absence yet am I constrained to do no lesse seeing the couenant was betweene me him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should dispoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full loth was I to be so cruell because hee tolde mee hee was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so hee named himselfe whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in truth that I was Arcalaus whom fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this armour and horse which as a testimony of my victory I brought with mee Ah God sayde the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight in the world dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue to course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares both in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning himselfe likewise very sad and grieued but you must thinke he went not without great store of curses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and speedy death which with their Swordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him themselues but that they heard howe Amadis was slaine by an accorded battaile The King being ouercome with pensiuenesse and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Queene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures in to mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noyse she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Lady too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came weeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady bee too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she sayde Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true madame answered the Damosell but what remedy you must not likewise dy for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought shee had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Helpe Madame my mistresse dyeth She being come saw that shee neither moued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indeed wherefore she commanded the Damosell to shut the dore to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not breake foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more libertie as also bathing her temples and pulses with vineger cold water she recouered againe when deliring a faint figh with a feeble voise she thus spake Ah sweete friends hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God find him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole world who is replete with griefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse maruailous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the world behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that rekoning thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining heere alone after thee can giue but wounding and vnthankfull speeches Ah cruell death sufficed it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered steele but thou must kill him out-right with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone see reason proceede frō her that did thee wrong who beeing the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equall loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together wee likewise might haue inioyed one sepulchre After these words she swounded againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenance as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes being discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the body Mabila desparing of any life left in her was so surprised with griefe that shee was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse walking some-what aside by
her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let mee not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two from me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames shee was maruailously abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned shee spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wont to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further danger if shee reuiue againe Come I pray yee succour her for now is the time of greatest neede and let these lamentations be referred till another time Mabila perceiuing the Damosell saide true wherefore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenesse some hope of life to bee expected they lifted her vpon the bed when soon after her spirites returned to their office and to qualifie this agonie they could deuise no better means then to busie her eares with some or other speeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speake to vs. Madame saide the other your Amadis is yet aliue and well At the name of Amadis shee opened her eyes turning her head here and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sigh started vp saying Alas sweete friend where is he We vnderstand quoth shee that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wont to vaunt of himselfe without cause feeding himselfe with false praise of deceiuing Knights Why saide Oriana haue I not heard that hee brought his horse and armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as wel be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to try out constancy then finding vs thus weakely disposed hee should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you thinke so simply Madam that Amadis could be ouercome by one and no better a knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of himselfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he finde you not onely dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to griefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by malice can do and thus you both shall die one for another When Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her friend if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the truth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amorously conferred when first he ariued at her fathers Court and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah window the witnesse of my abādoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whom thou causest me remember and by whose gracious words both thou and I were made happy Of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou indure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue done which fayling mee now giueth me strange and insupportable torments to bee my companions and hence-forth shall my sad spirit remaine in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then shee had done in this manner Why Madam thinke you if I held these babling newes for truth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sort the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite all the world to weepe then want consolation for you who stand in such neede thereof But I see so slender appearance of beleefe as I will not before time require repute you vnfortunate because discomforting our selues without asurance The euill hereby may be amended and the good made much more worse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time beene shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he bee dead I care not though our loue were openly knowne for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladies all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demanded for Oriana she answered that she accompanied Mabila whom she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her griefe for her Cosin Amadis Thus was the princesses secret sadnesse couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults between doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoynas entred the palace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew them for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knees before the king were quickly called to remembrance his maiesty thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue tarryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath bin the cause whereout had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen liberty to me this Lady and many more by such deedes of Armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue been deliuered Yet was he once in danger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damosels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whom hee verily thought to be dead What my friend quoth he by the faith thou owest to God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demanded such a questiō Because sayd the King Arcalaus yesterday tolde vs he had slaine him heere-with he declared his speeches and the manner how What a traiterous villaine is that replied Brandoyuas but worse is befalne him then he weeneth as yet hereto he added what passed betweene Amadis Arcalaus as already you haue heard whereby each one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes the King presently commanding that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Queene that shee might vnderstand these happy tidings Into the Queenes chamber is she brought and the Damosell of Denmarke hearing her reporte ran with all speede to the Princesse Oriana who hearing by her the truth of all the passage of her speech was stopt for a long time seeming as one confounded with enchantment thinking in these newes shee gaue her the bag or that she dreamed them but when she recouered the vse of her tongue she thus answered the
kill him or put him to some notorious shame For this cause he taryed in a Pauilion erected by him on the plaine and no sooner came she to Galaor but thus she spake Gentlemā to the end I might not faile in my promise I forsooke your cōpany a while only to see if the man you looke for were in the place I left him or no there haue I found him little thinking on your coming and in yonder Pauilion may you speake with him at pleasure As thus they deuised together they came to the Tent wherefore Galaor alighted to enter but the Knight meeting him at the doore said Sir knight what moueth thee to come in here without licence trust me it is but little for thy profit because thou must here leaue the rest of thine Armour or die presently Thou mayst be therein deceiued answered Galaor and the wordes of such a wretch as thou art cannot feare me This reply very angerly incensed the Knight lifting vp his sword to smite the Prince on the head but Galaor cunningly escaped the blowe giuing his enemy such a stroake on the top of his helmet as made him sit one knee to the ground then quickly laying hold on him got the helmet beside his head spurning him so strongly with his feete that therewith hee fell on his face to the earth When the Knight beheld himselfe in such danger he called with a loud voice to the Damofell for succor where-upon she stepped to Galaor saying that hee should holde his hand for this was the boone he promised to giue her But he being in extream choller gaue no eare to her speeches bringing the Knight into such estate as hee left no vitall motion in him whereat the Damosell being ready to despaire breathed forth many grieuous lamentations saying Alas wretch that I am too long haue I trifled time for in seeking to beguile another my selfe am worthiely requited with deceite And thou traytor quoth shee to Galaor who hast thus cruelly put him to death heauen send thee a more worse and haplesse end for by thee haue I lost my only felicity in this world for which bee well assured it shall cost thee thy life because thou hast broken promise with mee and in such a place will I demand reuenge on thee as nothing but thy death shal expiate my anger wert thou a Knight of greater hardinesse then thou art if then thou make refusall there I shall haue more then iust occasion to publish in all places the pusillanimity of thy faint hearted courage Faire Damosell answered Galaor if I had thought his death would haue beene so grieuons to you I could haue spared part of my displeasure though iustly hee deserned no lesse but you spake when it was too late The worse for thee replyed the Damosell because thy death shall recompence his Galaor seeing shee continued her threatning speeches without any further answere left her lacing on his helmet mounting on the horse the dead Knight tooke from him and hauing ridden a pretty while hee looked backe to see if the Damosell followed him when perceiuing her hard at his horse heeles demanded of her whither shee trauailed With thee answered the Damosell and neuer will I leaue thee till I haue found opportunity to request the boone thou didst promise me which shal be the losse of thy head by some euill death Me thinkes it were better sayde Galaor for you to take some other satisfaction of me and happily might bee more pleasing to you Not any thing else quoth shee thy soule shall accompany his whom thou hast slaine else neuer shalt thou accomplish what thou hast promised mee Well well answered Galaor I must stand to the hazard of that as I may thus quarreling they rode on three dayes together and entered the Forrest of Angaduze an aduenture there happening to them whereof the Author hereafter maketh mention But now he returneth againe to Amadis who taking his leaue of Vrgandaes Damosels as you haue heard before recited rode on till about noone time when issuing forth of the Forrest hee saw on a plaine a very faire Castell whereout came a goodly Chariot so brauely equiped as euer he beheld any it being drawen by two braue red steedes which were couered with imbroydered crimson sattin as it made a very dainty and seemely shew The Chariot was guarded by eight armed Knights yet Amadis being desirous to see who was in it drew somewhat neere to lift vp the rich couering but one of the Knights came to him with these rough wordes Keepe backe Sir Knight and bee not so bold to come thus neere What I doe answered Amadis is for no harme Whatsoeuer it bee replyed the other trouble your selfe no further in respect you are not worthy to see what is here couered for if you enterprise the like againe it will value your life because thou must deale with all in this troupe and some such one is amongst vs as is able alone to get the maistrie of thee more easily then may wee altogther vse thee as we list I know not sayd Amadis the Knights valour you speake of but hap good or bad I will see what is in the Chariot Herewith hee tooke his Armes which the two Knights seeing that rode formost they ran both against him the one breaking his Launce and the other missing but Amadis sped otherwise for the first very easily hee cast from his saddle the other he threw both horse and man to the ground Then Amadis went towarde the Chariot yet was he stayed by two other Knights one of them being likewise dismounted and with his sword hee gaue the other such a welcome on the pate as hee was glad to keep himselfe from falling by catching fast holde about his horse necke when the other foure sawe their companions so vsed by one Knight they maruailed not a little and being willing to reuenge their iniury altogether fiercely charged Amadis With this last assault hee found himselfe sore combred for one of them tainted him in the shield and another in his armour as hee escaped hardly from beeing ouerthrowne notwithstanding hee held out valiantly deliuering such stroakes to the first he met as hee fell beside his horse in a swoune The three that remayned turned their faces seeking which way they might soonest hurt him but hee snatched a Launce from one of them which yet remayned whole and met one with such a full carriere that piercing quite thorough his throate hee fell to the ground and gaue vp the Ghost After his death he came to another of them and with his sword smote the helmet from his head when seeing hee was a very ancient knight hauing his head and beard so white as snowe mooued with pittie he friendly thus spake Father henceforth it were good you left the vse of armes to younger then your selfe seeing you haue liued so long without gayning honour or commendation marry your age doth now excuse yee In good faith answered the Knight your
his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies will ye not see your sister whom you loue so deerly Yes Madam quoth he â—o it please you to giue me lâ—… with he arose and came 〈…〉 who stepping forward to meet him you must think Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcoÌ„med him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia louing him as you haue heard ouermastring her will with reason as a most wise well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand a while asunder from all the rest Yet did Agrates keep neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any answere to his sister She being ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this suddaine mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with each others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauor them with more libery feigning a desire to speake with her Vnckle Galuanes which she prettily coloured in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Vnckle may come hither because it is long time since I saw him and I haue some that to acquaint him with all secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agrates whereupon he went to the Queene thus spake Madam if you could spare mine vnckle a little you might doe his Neece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good said the Queene at which words Galuanes went with him which Mabila seeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Fayre Neece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye do you like Scotland or this Countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the window because I haue many things to tell ye which were needelesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they being of such importance as they are These words shee vttered smiling and with a marueilous good grace cheefely because her brother might court his friend alone And well said Neece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes bee kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes whereof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone When the Prince perceiuing hee had liberty to speake trembling in aboundance of affection he began thus Madam to accomplish your commandement when you parted from mee as also to satisfie my heart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gratious contentment conueyed thereto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my Faith that being neere your person my spirits feele themselues viuified in such sort as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therefore I desire ye if it bee your pleasure to limit mee some better hap hereafter in place where I may often see and doe you seruice And as hee would haue proceeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the griefe you endure we being absent one from another as no other proofe is required then what mine owne heart doth plainely testifie smothering a displeasure worse then death it selfe whereto oftentimes I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerefull hope rebacke this despaire how one day our loue shall meet together with happy contentation And perswade your selfe that I daily trauaile in remeÌ„brance of our mutuall loue meane while sweete friend remporize and dismay not Mistresse sayde Agrates you haue already so bouÌ„d me to you as I must in duty temporize till time you please but I desire yee to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortifie mee withall so that if you continue your graces to me as you haue begun I shall haue strength to serue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer will I faile yee be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteeme yee whereby I may striue to loue you more then any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine onely And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioy therein for it cannot bee without recital of your haughty courage chiualry yet my heart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer bold venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare himselfe so praised vayled his lookes and shee loath to offend him altred her speech demanding what hee was determined to doe On my faith Madam quoth he I wil do nothing but what you please to coÌ„mand me I will then sayd Oliuia that hence-forth you keep company with your Cosen Amadis for I knowe hee loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to bee one of this Court deny it not Beleeue me Madam answered Agrayes both you and such good counselling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I wil more credite with mine affaires then my honourable Cosen Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing hnowledge of him in her fathers kingdome of Denmark where hee performed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her auncient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Queene and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertayned him maruailous kindely as well for Amadis sake whom hee loued as also the curtesie hee shewed her in Scotland when king Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cosen we haue daily desired your presence heere especially your sister who not many dayes since was in great grief by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truly you would haue wondered therat Good reason had she Madam quoth Agraies to be sorrowful and not she alone but all the rest of his linage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cosen dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue
beene auenged and accompanied with many other Ah sayde she the villaine Arcalaus shrewdly affrighted vs and euill death betide him for troubling this royall Court in this sorte By this time the King was ready to the table wherefore he sent for the three knights from the Queen commanding them to sit downe by him in company of many great Lords and Barrons And as the seruice came in two Knights entred the hall who falling on their knees before the King the first of thē thus spake God prospet your Maiestie with increase of ioy and honor most humbly I desire to know if Amadis of Gaule be in this Court. Not at this present answered the King but we could wish he were heere Right glad would I be sayd the Knight to finde him because by his meanes I hope to recouer what I am now farre from Tell vs my friend quoth the King if you please who you are My Lord replied the stranger I am a sad Knight named Angrioted ' Estranaus and this other is my brother when King Arban of Norwales who was there present heard him speake of Angriote hee started from the table and stepping to the King sayde Doth not your Maiestie know Sir Angriote such as haue dealt with him wil say he is one of the best knights in your Kingdome My friend quoth the king to Angriote I pray you arise and pardon me if I haue not honoured you according to your deserts for the fault was only cōmitted through ignorance but be sure you are welcome that with heart but say I desire ye how came you acquainted with Amadis My Lord replyed Angriote I haue knowne him no long time and my first ac quaintance was very deerely bought for I neuer thought to dye till I was wounded but he that did me the harme promised after-ward to giue me help which is very needfull now to cure me hereto he added the whole accidēt as you heard it before In sooth sayde the king I would be glad these matters should haue a good end but now come sit downe with vs to dinner afterward we will consider thereon as we may Next to king Arban was Angriote placed and as they were about to rise from the table Dardan the Dwarffe to Amadis entred the hall whom Angriote knowing called him demanding where he had left his Maister because he saw him last in his company Sir quoth the Dwarffe wheresoeuer I haue left him hee maketh good account of you then falling on his knee before the King hee thus began Amadis my Lord humbly saluteth your maiestie and all the rest of his friends in this Court Dwarffe sayd the king where didst thou leaue him In such a place my Lord quoth the dwarffe where he is of good cheere but if you would knowe any more it must be in the presence of the Queene With right good will answered the King and heereupon sent presently for the Queene shee quickly comming being attended on by diuers beautifull Ladyes the most part of them the amourous friends to the knights then wayting on the king whereby they purchased leaue during the Dwarffes discourse to deuise with them at better leysure then long time before they could but the Dwarffe beholding the Queen present thus proceeded Madame my Lord and master Amadis in all humble reuerence saluteth your excellency commanding mee to tell ye that he hath found Prince Galaor his brother hee sought for Now trust me said the Queene I am heartily glad thereof But on my credit Madame quoth the Dwarffe neuer was heard of such a perillous meeting of two brethren for if God had not the better prouided both the one and the other had neuer beene seene againe so neere were they both at the point of death but by hap a good Knight arriued there who names himselfe Balays and hee found the meanes to agree them Then tolde hee all the whole accident how Balays slew the Damosel that procured their quarrell for which Balays was highly commended of them all But where hast thou left them replyed the Queene At the Castle of Carsanta Madame sayde the Dwarffe where Balays dwelleth frō whence I was dispatched hither with this message But tel me Dwarff quoth the Queene what thinkest thou of Galaor I thinke Madame answered the Dwarffe that hee is one of the goodliest knights in the world carrying a resolution not one iot inferiour to the best and did you see him in company of my Lord you could make little difference betweene them I maruaile saide the Queene that they come not hither Assure your selfe replied the Dwarffe no sooner shall they recouer health but they will be here with you for so they expresly cōmanded me to tell yee So ioyfull was the King hereof that he minded to keepe open Court after they were come commanding his Lords Barons not to depart his Court whereto they all willingly cōdescended He likewise desired the Queen to send for all the chiefe Ladies in the Realme For the more honorably quoth hee you are attended on by Ladies the more Knights shall they finde heere to deserue their loue on whom I will bestow many rich gifts and presents CHAP. XXV How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them SO long soiourned Amadis and Galaor at the Castle of Balays of Carsanta as their wounds beeing thorowly healed they intended to returne to King Lisuarts Court before they would enterprise any other aduenture Balays who desired to beare them company for the familiar acquaintance he had now with them intreated them to afford him so much fauour where-with they were very well cōtented Departing thence they rid toward Windsor and after they had iournied fiue dayes they came into a foure corned way 〈…〉 the middest whereof stood a tree 〈…〉 vnder it a dead Knight lay on a rich bed with great waxe tapers standing burning at the boulster and feete which notwithstanding any great winde could not be extinguished The dead knight was vnarmed not couered with any thing wherfore easily might a great many wounds be deserned on his head and a trounchion of a Lance peirced with the iron quite through his necke and throate beside in such manner did the dead Knight holde vp his hands thereon as if he would haue pulled foorth the Lance. Greatly was Amadis and the rest amazed hereat and faine they would know what the knight shold bee but they could see no body of whom they might enquire nor any place neere that was inhabited which moued Amadis thus to speake Doubtlesse without some great occasion this knight was not brought into this place beeing alone and furnished in this strange manner if wee stay heere a while some aduenture or other must needes ensue thereon And so think I answered Galaor whereupon hee thus spake Brother this rash oath some-what displeaseth me for I doubt it will be an occasion of our long tarying in this place What I
haue said answered Galaor is done with these words he alighted from his horse and sate downe at the dead knights feete which the other twaine perceiuing concluded not to leaue him but euen to take such part as he did Now was it between noone and euening when they being thus dismounted might at more ease visite the wounds of the dead man and Amadis seeing his hands on the trunchion in his throate confounded with griefe and maruaile hee sayd Doubtlesse hee yeelded his spirite as he now holdes his hands because they still remaine in the place And as they were thus communing together they heard a great noyse of some comming toward them when presently they espied a knight and two Squires the one bearing a shielde and helmet and the other driuing a Damosell before him she giuing many shreekes and out-cryes because the knight smote her often with the end of his Launce and thus they passed by the bed where the dead knight lay when the Damosell sawe the three knights by the coatse cryed Ah good knight who lyeth on the bed wert thou aliue I am sure thou wouldest not suffer me to bee thus cruelly handled if hazarding thy body in a thousand perrils might defend me would God the death of these villaines had excused thine Sayst thou so quoth the knightt that vsed her so hardly and thou shalt know the price of thy words then smote her with his Lance so cruelly ouer the head as made the blood in great aboundance to trickle downe her face and so rode on still beating her which Amadis grieuing to beholde said to his companions In sooth neuer did I see such a bad minded knight to out-rage a poor Damosell in such pittifull manner but if God be my guide he shall not long abuse her so Therefore brother quoth he to Galaor if I tarry too long set forward I pray ye to Windsore with Balays and I will come thither with what speede I may theÌ„ mounting on horse-back hee commanded Gandalin to follow him and gallopped after the knight who by this time had gained a great deale of ground Thus remained Galaor and Balays alone there till night which being very darke they could not see but heard a knight come riding the same way which Amadis took who complaning of griefe in his legge lay holding himselfe about his horse necke but when hee espied Galaor and Balays he demanded if they knew the knight that rid so fast the same way he came Why aske you answered Galaor Because sayd the knight I would hee might breake his necke for hee runneth so rudely as if hee followed some Diuell What rudenesse hath hee offered you answered Galaor He would not tell mee quoth the knight neither by entreatance or other curteous meane why hee made such haste and I seeing him so selfe willed layde holde on his horse bridle resolued to make him pay for his boldnes and to satisfie me either by friendship or force Well answered Balays what did hee there tell ye Nothing to my demand replyed the knight but peremtorily thus spake That hee would tarry no longer to tell mee except I first combated with him Hereupon we charged each other he giuing me such a shrewde push with his Lance as I and my horse were tombled quite ouer and in the fall I brake my legge as you may beholde When Galaor and Balays heard his reporte knowing full well hee spake of Amidis they fell into a great laughter saying In good faith now are you taught against another time not to bee ouer importunate to knowe any thing against a mans will Belike you mocke me then answered the knight and trust mee you may happen to repent it then comming neere Galaors horse hee gaue him such a blowe on his nose as making him furiously to break his bridle gaue him liberty likewise to run about the field and thinking he was not reuenged enough sought how to serue Balays horse in the same sorte but they both stepped between with their Lances kept him off which the knight perceiuing giuing the spurs to his horse he rode away saying If I had sped the other knight so well I would haue thought my selfe halfe recoÌ„penced learne you then to scorne me another time Is it true said Balays and God neuer help me in my need if I make thee not leaue thy horse for the other thou hast sent raunging Presently he leapt into his saddle desiring Galaor to stay for him til morning for then at the vttermost he hoped to returne By these accidents is Galaor left alone attending newes of the matter he vowed for hee had sent his Squire to recouer his horse which by mishap tooke his way into a thicke woode In meane while the greater part of the night is spent Galaor could enioy no rest through extreame affection after his enterprise but about breake of day hee found his spirits so ouer-watched as whether he would or no he was complled to take off his helmet shield and leaning on them forgot himselfe so much that when hee awaked hee neither saw the candles burning or the dead knight which lay on the bed whereat he became so sorrowful as he entred into these complaints Well I perceiue that I am vnworthy so high an enterprise seeing so fondly I haue fayled in such an easy matter Now see I how Fortune through this my sioathfulnes scorneth the little fauour she shewed mee at the beginning and well may she do so seeing I would so carelesly fall asleep at such a time as she commanded me to watch But seeing I haue so wilfully offended I will amend it by an answerable penance for I will recouer on foote with the trauel of my body the murdered man carried from me in my sleep Then followed he the track of their feet whom he imagined had conuayed thence the Knight and walking on warily as loth to faile thereof he heard the neighing of a horse which made him shape his course thither-ward albeit hee could diserne nobody yet passed he further because hee heard the like noise of other horses Not far had he gone but he espied two Knights armed one of them being alighted from his horse reading certâ—ine letters engrauen on a stone after-ward he sayde to his companions In vaine did they make mee come to this place for I vnderstand not one word of them wherewith hee mounted againe and they rode away not seeing Galaor but hee called to them saying Gentlemen can ye tell me who hath caryed away a dead knight who not long since lay vnder a tree in the foure cornered streete behinde Verily answered one of them wee knowe nothing thereof but about mid-night we saw three Damosels passe by and ten Squires with them conducting a litter Which way did they take said Galaor This on the left hand replied the knight so giuing them thankes he went the same way he was directed soon after saw a Damosell comming toward him to whom he said It may
but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside ech one reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing left euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwithstanding seeing you are the best King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ve then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would faine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere them which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete no ◅gnorant what medicines should be applied to passionate mindes after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else-where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to confer with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him frō the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most deerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing you which if
you grant me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanied with such aboundance of teares as was no small griefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to mee for should you die I were vnable to liue one houre after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine owne case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeauour can compasse no meane to yeelde vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen bee it hate of Father Mother Kinred Friends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weighty burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martyrdome of our hearts may easily bee discouered No doubt these wordes were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such cheerefull life to his hope that hee was rauished with inwarde conceit thereof when shee seeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Queen must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honour the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Queene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladies to censure on the brethren but they resembled each other so like as little difference could bee discerned betweene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect amongst all Knights both in beauty noblenesse bounty and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispt and faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go see her daughter and the other Ladies when he regarding the excellent beaury of Oriana imagined such another was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of colour he suspected her to be the onely cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was hee welcommed among the Ladies and diuerse familiar speeches passed betweene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his vnckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath been declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittaine soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falaugris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countries to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might bee named Knights of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunate king forgot the author of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happy Realme fell into persecution and the illustrous state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might know how he onely is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall here vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing coÌ„cluded to hold the most royal and stately Court that euer king did in the Realme of great Brittayne commanded that on the 5. day following all the Lords of his Kingdom should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualâ—ie which he intended to maintaiue with all honour might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yelde him obeysance began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his estate and person in danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to keepe his Court at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendance especially so many young Gentlewomen beeing there present some to regard the magnificeuce of the Court other to do seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewist for greater maiestie of his Court ordained that none of this assembly should lodge in the Cittie but to erect their Pauillions in the fields and meddowes along the banckes that hemmed in the faire riuer of Thames least the extreame heate might be hurtfull to them all which being done according to appointment the fields seemed as a most royall Camp or as if the greater part of the world were there assembled But because the king arriued there two or three daies before the feast he went to his Pallace accompanied onely with his Queene Amadis Galaor Agraies Don Galuanes and certaine other his most fauoured the rest kept themselues in their tents according as the herbingers had in quarters limited them With sundry sorts of pastimes was the King entertained which continued till fortune enuying his felicitie changed them into griefe tears by the meanes of a Lord no subiect to the King but his nerrer neighbour then friend named Barsinan a man opulent in riches and endued with few vertues as may be gathered by the matter ensuing This Barsinan was Lord of a Countrey called Sansuegua and very familiar with Arcalans the enchanter who not long before came to him and conferred with him in this manner My Lord quoth hee the great desire I haue to doe you seruice hath made me inuent the meane if you like thereof to deliuer in short time the Realme of great Brittaine quietly into your hands without much hazarding your person or any great expence When Barsinan who was a very ambitious man heard the wordes of Asculaus who promised to make him King if he would he thus replied In good faith my deere friend Arcalaus if thou canst performe the thing thou vauntest of no feare shall hinder me to hazard my person much lesse will I reckon of expence if I see any likely-hood in the compassing It is a thing saide Arcalaus very easie to bee done and presently shall you vnderstand by what meanes prouided that you sweare to me after you are seated in the regiment to make me
perceiuing you should assuredly die if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so wiâ—h her as she said she forgot to aske your names onely thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the World The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more If you do it not worse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so doâ—â—ely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartily for your great kindnesse but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to proceede so far though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so deepely yet liberty nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wonder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale herein with my brother he is a knight more braue and beautifull then I am happely hee wil consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother Which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her friend my companion and I were for euer at your command Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her and hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor hee went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to breake with her Madame you carry two prisoners with you but you doe not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the knight is esteemed the best knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed against you but onely through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sort then you began considering if he conceiued liking of you you may thereby easily induce him to loue and vnder that ceremony draw him to do what your selfe shall desire In sooth plyed Madasima I will assay to know if he be such a one as you report him to be Do Madame quoth he and you shall finde him one of the fairest Knights that euer you beheld Here you must note that the Knight no sooner left Galaor when he went to the Ladie but he tooke occasion thus to talke with his brother You see my Lord the estate wherein we are which requireth some notable dissimulation at our hands I beseech ye therefore moderate their anger because alreadie it endangereth our liues and for a while follow my direction By Heauen brother answered Amadis death had beene very welcome to mee but since you wish me to be gouerned by you I am content desiring the conseruation of our honours which being lost we are vnworthie to line Further they could not proceede because Madasima came and interrupted them when calling him aside and faire day was displayed on the earth his beautie and good grace so especially contented her as she became surprized with his loue which she shaddowed vnder demanding how he fared Madame said Galaor I fare worse then you should were you in my power as I am in yours for I would do you what seruice and pleasure possible I could and you vse the contrarie to me I hauing giuen no occasion of offence reason willeth I should rather be your knight to loue and honour you then your prisoner thus vnkindelie bound as I am And surelie I cannot but meruaile hereat considering the simple conquest you haue thereby vse then such rigor to vs as women so diuinelie adorned are wont to do Madasima hearing his gentle language was more and more enflamed with his loue yet striuing to dissemble it she merrilie said Tell me faire Sir if I chuse you as my friend and deliuer you from prison will you for my sake leaue the seruice of King Lisuart and afterward tell him how you did it by my meanes With all my heart Lady answered Galaor and to performe it you shall haue what oath you please both of mee and my companion for he will doe no more then I request him Credit me quoth Madasima if before this company you wil promise to obey me presentlie you shall enioy your libertie Behold me ready replied Galaor Yet is not this enough answered Madasima for you shall sweare it in the presence of a Ladie where I am intended to lodge this night In meane while you must assure me not to depart my company We will not on my faith Madame quoth Galaor and calling Amadis caused him to affirme as much whereupon they were vnbound and set at libertie their â—quires likewise as friendlie vsed and mounting on their owne horses rode at their ease as they did before But Madasima and Galaor still continued their amorous discourses till they arriued at a Castle named Albies the Lady where-of receiued them very honourably in respect of great friendshippe betweene Madasima and her Needelesse were it to tell you of their good cheere it could not but be answerable to the time and company but after supper Madasima demanded of Galaor if he meant to keepe his promise he made her by the way What else Madame quoth he prouided you be so good as your worde to me Make no doubt thereof replyed Madasima then framing her speeches to the Lady of the Castle and also to two knights that were her Sonnes she proceeded in this manner My good friends I pray you heare a couenant betweene me and these two Gentlemen because hereafter you may be my witnesses They are my prisoners and vnder these conditions I haue released them that one of them shall continue my friend and both of them forsake the seruice of King Lisuart telling him how for my sake and in despight of him they haue done it Hereupon I intreate this fauour at your hands as to meete me at the Court of that wretched King on the day they must declare this message to see how contentedly he will take it But if they fullfill not their promise hence-forth you shall publish in all places the heynous offence by them committed and ten dayes I giue them to execute this charge I am well pleased said the Lady of the Castle to doe a greater matter for you then this if they as willingly consent thereto We pray you quoth Galaor not to faile herein for we haue promised
how she would prooue the vertue of his heart whereupon hee thus answered In good faith Damosel I haue now more neede of â—oy then euer I had notwithstanding I am readie to accomplish any thing I promised you It is the only thing my Lord quoth she of my returne to you being the most loyall King in the world wherefore humbly I intreate yee presently to reuenge my cause on a knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content there-with the villaine violently tooke mee away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is hee enchanted as hee cannot bee done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of Great Brittaine giue him a wound with this Launce and another with this sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Ladie of whom hee had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for shee hateth him aboue all others for which cause she gaue mee this sword and Lance whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it bee done but by you onely who are the chiefe and most vertuous man in this countrey wherefore as you promised mee before so valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often tolde him that by this day I would bee prouided of a knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending onely for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for hee little thinketh that I haue the Sworde and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agreement together if hee remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniury but if he be vanquished hee must doe what I command him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when hee had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels sworde about him leaning his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company hee rode on with her shee carrying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayde My Lord take your helmet for this is he you must deale withall which the King quickly did approaching neare the knight sayd Proud Traytour defend thy selfe and thy lawlesse lust So couching their Launces they encountred together when the King perceiued how his painted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his sword to charge the knight but at the first strok the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hee imagined himself betraied for the knight did what he pleased to him But as hee would haue killed his horse the King being quick nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such sort they strugled together as they both fell to the ground the knight vnderneath and the King vpon him by meanes whereof hee got his sword from him and vnlacing his helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shee could Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cosen quickely or else hee dies When the King heard her name Arcalaus hee looked vp and sawe ten braue knights come running vnto him the one of them vsing these wordes King Lisuart spare the knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one houre If I die answered the King so shall you all for mee like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not onely sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did hee recouer himselfe very quickely like one resolued to defend his life albeit hee sawe death present before his eyes But being vnable to resist so many at length they got sure holde on him when renting off his helmet his shield they bound him fast with a double chaine Afterward they set him on a simple horse two knights still holding the ends of the chain and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmark but the knight against whom the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus sayde Beholde Cosen kin Lisuart is ours A very good prize answered Arcalaus henceforth shall his enemies haue no cause to dread him Villaine quoth the King well know I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my words if thou darest combate with me By God sayde Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all speed to London and say to Lord Barsinan that hee must execute what I willed him for I haue begunne indifferently if hée can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Citie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore hee sayde to his Cosen Take tenne knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prison at Daguanell these other foure shall keepe mee companie for I will leade Oriana to mount Aldin where I will shew her strange and wonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboade beeing one of the strongest and fairest in the worlde thus the ten knights carryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certainely if heere wee consider the properties of fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more towardes great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well shee witnessed by king Lisuart euen in the time when hee intended most honourably to bee twharted with such a contrary chance For at one instant hee sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemies his Daughter and heire to his kingdome taken from him and all his estate in danger of ruine Hee that was wont to be honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a theefe by a villainous enchanter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this day are called to the greatest honours in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wise Prince yet the diuine ordenance suffred him to fall in these dangers to the end hee might remember how al creatures remaine at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time hee was brought so lowe as might be and afterwarde restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI How Amadis
returne to Amadis and Agraies who staied with faire Briolania fiue daies together preparing their armour and euery thing in order which being done they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunt certaine waiting Gentlewomen and squires to doe them seruice by the way When they drew neere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castle of an ancient Lady named Galumba who sometime liued in Briolanias fathers Court and there they were welcomed very honouarbly yet whether Briolania trauailed thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but maruaile which made her request to be satisfied therein Briolanias Aunt tolde her how Amadis was one of the best knights in the world and had promised to reuenge the murthered kings death likewise how hee discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and after-ward ouercame the rest in the Castle at what time the Lions escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make report his companion must needes be of some estimation and well may they bring your enterprise to end considering the truth and iustice of the cause but take heede least the traiterous king worke some treason against them That is the chcefest pointe of my fear ianswered Briolania wherfore wee came to craue your aduise herein Heereupon shee wrote a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then caling a Damosell after shee had giuen her instructions she bad her make hast in deliuering the letter Presently went the Damosell to horse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos and his Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these three must the Combat be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and held more by tyranny then any consent in the Subiects The Damosell entred the Palace on hors-back when diuerse knights came to her requesting her to alight but she made answere she would not til she saw the king and that hee commanded her to leaue her Palfrey Soone after came the king accompanied with his two Sonnes and many great Lords and after shee had saluted him hee boldly bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your command on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crowne said the king I warrant your safety whereupon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you greetes you with this letter which may openly bee read before this royall company and I afterward receiue answere for my discharge whē the king heard openly the nāe of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong hee did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damosells words The most of the Lords there present who sometime were subiects to the slaughtered king seeing the messenger of their lawfull Queene indeede pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited and in their hearts desired of God to plague the treason done to her Father Proceede Damosell quoth the king and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdred my Ladies Father and vniustly keepe her from her inheritance wherefore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sons would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme shee sends you word by me if still you stand vpon such triall shee will bring two knights hither who shal in combat maintaine her cause making you know your disloyalty and treason committed Darison eldest Sonne to the king hearing his Father menaced in this sort grew into great choller and as one moued with despight he arose when without the kings consent hee thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two knights with her men resolued to sight on her behalfe here do I accept the combat for my father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lords to send her my head in requitall of her fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speake as a knight of haughtie mind yet may I doubt these words to proceed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenance but if you will request the king to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a heart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldly make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiesty said the Damosell to giue my Ladies knights assurance that for any mishap you may receiue in the Combat they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three And if you purchase them such a safe conduct they shall bee here within three dayes at the vttermost Darison falling on his knee before the King said You heare my Lord the Damosells demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiesty in the presence of all these great Princes and Lords humbly therefore I beseech you seeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduantage the presuming knights who dare aduenture in the cause of foolish Briolania will imagine themselues conquerors and vs dismaide faint-hearted Cowards hauing openly published that if any one will touch your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combat of vs three you intend to be purged And albe it you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolish knights of King Lisuarts Court who by their ouer-weening and aspiring thoughts make high acompt of their owne deedes in the contempt of others The King who loued Darison as himselfe though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and thereby made him feare the combat granted them safe conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two knights and such as came in their company Here is to be considered that the period of this traitours Fortune was now limited and the iust auenger of all wrongs pointed out rewarde for the treason of him acd his Sonnes as in this discourse may bee euidently seene The Damosel seeing her message had taken such effect as shee desired said vnto them Make your selues ready for to morrow without fayle shall this difference bee desided So mounting on her Palfrey she returned to the Castle of Galumba where being arriued before the knights and Ladies she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish knights of king Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into these speeches By God there are such in company of that good king as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so low as they list but I
ouerthrow two such puissant Knights esteemed amongst them the best in the World but Amadis beholding no other resistance returned to Darison who fought with Agraies they behauing themselues so manfully against each other as the people thought they neuer saw a brauer combat At length Abiseos recouered againe and seeing his Sonne Darison in danger of his life came to assist him giuing Agraies such a wound in the throate as his Cozin thought he had beene slayne outright But soone did hee requite Abiseos for it by seperating his wounded Arme from his body euen the same Arme wherewith he killed the King his Brother which made him fall downe dead to the ground whereupon Amadis called to him saying Abiseos this is punishment in member whereby thou didst thrust thy selfe into the Crowne and now hast receiued death according to thy desert Then hee turned about to helpe Agraies but he met him with the head of Darison in his hand whereat all the people gaue a great shoute and humbled themselues to Briolania as their lawfull Queen This was the end of the wretched Father and his Sonnes seruing at this day for an example to such as shamefully vsurpe the right of others which though they enioy for a small season yet when the God of power letteth loose his arrows against them they fall into open and detested ruine Let euery man therfore set before his eys that no euill remaineth vnpunished and the end concludeth these two principles the eternall beatitude of the celestiall Soules and the mercilesse excruciaments of miserable damned creatures Thus see you what lot fell to Abiseos and his children vsurping the kingdome by homicide and tyrany euen by the death of his own naturall brother therefore heauen repayed him with a miserable end by the conquering Sword of Amadis and Agraies who dragged them along out of the field demanding if any other would withstand the right of Briolania By one of the chiefest Lords in the Country named Goman they were answered she had no more enimies to gaine-say her which he testified with an hundred knights of his owne kinred All the people being there ready to receiue their Queen Briolania and do her homage as beseemed faithfull Subiects Here-upon Amadis and Agraies conducted the new Queene to the Palace Royall where they were presently vnarmed and Chirurgeons commanded to attend their wounds in meane while Briolania was confirmed in the regiment by a generall oath of the Subiects taken to their Soueraigne with such ioy as neuer was the like in Sobradisa But because the two knights were very sore wounded and their hurts found to be somewhat dangerous all sports and pastims accustomed at such solemnity were referred til the time of their recouery which to compasse the sooner their lodgings were appointed in seuerall chambers that none might trouble them with tedious talking lest a continuall feuer should come vpon them Notwithstanding Briolania as one not ingratefull for the good she receiued by them would not depart from them eyther day or night but onely at the time of repast so that by her kinde and diligent attendance the danger of their sicknesse was expelled the sooner See here the true and certaine history for what is said more concerning the loue of Amadis this Princesse hath been inuented and falsely faigned according as I haue said before therefore we will cease seeing here it goes no further vntill the contrary may apparantly be knowne as in the History following is declared CHAP. XLIIII How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damosels at the Fountaine of Oliues GAlaor and Florestan being at the Castle of Corisanda as you haue heard they soiourned there til their wounds were healed afterward they concluded on their departure to seek Amadis in the realme of Sobradisa desiring they might come thither before the beginning of the cōbat to haue part of the perill in fight and glory in conquest But when Florestan should take leaue of his Lady her griefe and teares vnspeakable able to mooue ruth in a heart of fl◅t although Florestan assured her of his speedy returne Notwithstanding all these mones forward they set to the Realme of Sobradisa Florestan crauing a boon of his brother by the way to wit that he would not combate on the way for any thing which might happen vntill he were able to hold out no longer With much a doe he obtained his request so rode they on foure dayes together not meeting with any aduenture worthy the rehearsall but toward Sun setting they met a knight hard by a Tower who intreated them earnestly to lodge there that night which gentle offer they accepted and entring with the knight they conferred on many matters till supper was ready The knight was of comely stature well spoken but his countenance was so sad melancholly as Galaor began thus to question with him Me thinkes Sir you are not so merry as you should be but if wee may any way help your pensiuenesse tell vs and you shall finde vs willing to performe it I beleeue assuredly quoth their host that like good knights you would doe as you say but my sadnesse is caused through extream loue a matter not to be reuealed and therefore the rather to be pardoned So sate they downe to supper which beeing ended Galaor and his brother were condcted to their chamber where they reposed themselues till the next morning when mounting on horse-backe their host would accompany them a little on the way and calling for his Iennet but putting on no Armour hee rideth with them this did hee to see what should happen to them because in the way hee guided them he hoped to see some proofe of their manhood when if they were vanquished or slaine he might the more easily escape from them Not farre had they trauelled but they came to a place called the fountaine of Oliues because in the midst of the water grew three high Oliue trees Heereby they espyed three beautifull Damosels and a Dwarffe sitting aloft in one of the trees whereupon Florestan saluted them very curteously as one not to learne his behauior toward Ladies then one of the Damosels requiting his salutation sayd Sir knight if heauen haue endued you with as great bounty as comely perfection no doubt but you are sufficiently enriched Faire Damosell answered Florestan if my outward appearance doth please you my inward vertue you may try if you haue any need You speake so kindely quoth the that I will presently make proofe of your valour to see if you can carry mee hence from this place In sooth Lady replyed Florestan if of your selfe you be willing to goe I know no reason to the contrary why you should not Herewith he commanded the squire to set her on a palfray which was tied ready furnished at one of the oliue trees but whē the dwarfe behelde it hee cryed out aloude Come forth sir knight come forth for here is one will cary away your
for any thing behinde him at least I will carry him his armour I will gladly beare you companie for this night sayd Durin I would to God we might finde him in better case then hee was at his departure Then they tooke their leaue of Isania and getting to horse-backe they followed the same way that Amadis had tooke coasting heere and there about the wood so long till fortune brought them where hee lay When his horse sented their horses hee began to neigh whereby Gandalin knew his Master was not farre off wherefore the more secretly to behold his countenance hee allighted comming so neere vnto him as he might easily behold where he slept hard by the riuer side whereupon he stood close watching when he should awake he had not staied long before his slumber left him Then he suddenly started vp as if hee had been frighted At that instant was the Moon withdrawne by the daies approach yet sate hee still on the grasse beginning his moane in a most strange and pittifull manner and bitterly weeping he burst out into these words Alas fortune too inconstant sickle why hast thou first aduanced mee and afterwards ouerthrowne me Now I well perceiue thou canst doe more hurt in one houre then thou wilt do good in a thousand yeares for if heretofore thou haste giuen me any pleasure or ioy thou hast now in a moment cruelly robbed me of all leauing me in bitter tormeÌ„ts far worse then death and seeing thou wast minded so to serue mee why hast thou not at the least made the one equal with the other because thou knowest that if heeretofore thou didst bestow vpon me any contentment yet was it euermore mingled with great sorrowe In like sort shouldst thou reserue for me some sparke of hope with this cruelty wherewith thou now tormentest me executing vpon me an incomprehensible thing in the thought of those whom thou fauourest who because they feele not this mischiefe doe thinke those riches glories and honours which vnto them thou lendest to bee euerlasting But they forget that besides the troublesom trauels which their bodies doe suffer for the keeping thereof how their soules are in danger to perish therefore For by thy flatteries wanton intisemeÌ„ts thou vtterly ouerthrowest them in the end compellest them to enter into the labyrinth of all desolation from whence they are neuer able to depart And quite contrary are thy aduersities for so much as if a man doe resist theÌ„ patiently flying greedy couetousnes disordinate ambition he is lifted out of this vilde place into perpetuall glory Notwithstanding I beeing most vnfortunate could not chuse this good seeing that if all the world were mine and should bee taken from me by thee yet hauing only the good grace of my Mistris it should be sufficient to make me as mighty as the greatest monark the which I also lacking how is it possible for me in any sort to liue Therefore in fauour and recompence of my loyalty I beseech thee not to giue mee a languishing death but if thou art appointed to ende my dayes doe it without delay taking compassion of him whose longer life thou art ignorant how irkesome it is This sayd hee fell downe backward vpon the grasse and was as silent as if he had beene in a swound Then within a while after hee cryed Ah louely Oriana you haue wounded me deadly in banishing me discurteously for I will neuer transgresse your coÌ„mandements what danger soeuer may happen mee seeing that if therein I failed my life also were thereby finished notwithstanding for as much as I wrongfully receiue my death the more extream is my dolor But seeing that with my end you shall rest satisfied I neuer esteemed my life at so high a price but I wold if it were possible change it into a thousand deaths to afford you neuer so little pleasure In like sort since it liketh you to execute your anger against me I am very well content if for my affliction you may hence-forth liue at your ease for whether soeuer my Soule flyeth it shall receiue most quiet when it shal know that you remaine contented And vntill mine innocencie shall bee known vnto you I will endeauor to finish the rest of my sorrowfull daies in all bitternesse and displeasure and being dead my spirit shal lament the griefe which wil happen vnto you for the wrong which you haue done to me specialy wanting power to succour you O king Perion my Lord and father how little occasion shall you haue to bewaile my death when you shall neither know the same nor the cause thereof But because that knowing the same it would bee to you a griefe intollerable and yet it could be no mittigation of my torment I pray that my misfortune may to you neuer be manifest least the same should abridge the remainder of your dayes which yet are not determined Then after a small pause he cryed O my second father Galuanes truely I do greatly grieue that my aduerse Fortune doth not permit me to discharge that great bond in which to you I am bound for if my father gaue me life you preserued the same in deliuering me from the danger of the Sea being launched forth into his mercilesse waues euen when I had but newly left my mothers womb and afterwardes I was by you as carefully cherished as if I had beene your deerest childe I am assured good King Arban that you will greatly bewaile my sorrowfull â—nd yet valiant Angriotta d'Estauaux Guillan and a number of my other friends shall assist you to bemone his death who euer loued and held you deere Ah good cosin Mabila what haue I deserued of you or of the Damosel of Denmark that by you I am abandoned when I haue most neede of your ayde Haue you so many times preserued my life doe you now without desert make me pay tribute for my receiued pleasure in consenting to my miserable death Beleeue mee if need were deare friends for your sakes would I bee sacrificed and yet you make no conscience to forsake mee which maketh mee verily to beleeue that you haue denied mee your coÌ„fort heauen and earth haue desired my confusion which shall the lesse grieue me in that I see no remedy Gandalin and Durin hearing these lamentations of Amadis the were so much agrieued therewith that they wept as bitterly as hee yet durst they not shew themselues because hee had so straitly charged them not to follow him But Amadis ceased not his mone vntill hee heard a knight who passed hard by him singing this song LOue sacred Loue 〈…〉 I remaine To thee for 〈◊〉 exceeding bounteous grace On earth what Gentleman may 〈◊〉 like game Beloued thou makest me in euery place Happy such â—aâ— when loue â—…pect me Nâ—…d I Ladâ—… me To witnesse 〈…〉 Sweet Sard 〈…〉 Whom 〈…〉 Anâ— sort 〈…〉 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 〈…〉 retire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daugâ—ter of a 〈…〉 Whom 〈…〉 My 〈◊〉 is great 〈…〉 But to enioy 〈…〉 Hauing
Durin I see my misfortune so strange and my sorrow so intollerable as of force I must die which God grant it may be without delay for death onely will giue rest and ease to this torture which vexeth mee Salute from me the Princesse Mabila and thy good sister the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom thou mayst declare my cruel death which I suffer with as great wrōg as euer any knight suffered Before the which I would to God I had the meanes to doe them any seruice in recompence of the duty I doe owe them for all the good they haue done and the fauours they haue purchased for mee Then hee beganne his moane weeping so bitterly as Durin therewith had his heart so stopped with woe that hee was not able to answer one word Wherfore Amadis embraced him and committed him to God At that instant began the day to appeare when Amadis perceiuing that Gandalin followed him hee sayd vnto him if thou determinest to come with me take heede vpon thy life that thou turne me not from any thing which I shall say or doe otherwise I pray thee forthwith to turne another way that I may see thee no more Beleeue me Sir sayd Gandalin I wil do whatsoeuer shal please you Then Amadis deliuered him his armor to bear cōmanding him to pul the sword forth of his shield to cary it to the amorous knight CHAP. V. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him SEeing that it falleth out so fit I will declare vnto you before I passe any further the estate of the amorous Knight of whom wee spake euen now You must knowe that hee was called Patin brother to Don Sidon the Emperor of Rome and hee was the best knight that was to be found in all Romania By meanes whereof he was feared and famous through all the Empire chiefly because hee was to succeed in his brothers dignitie for there was none more neare the same then hee and the Emperour was already so olde that hee neuer hoped to haue any heire Now this Patin was one day talking with the Queene of Sardinia named Sardamira one of the fairest Ladies in the world whom hee loued extreamely And as hee gaue her to vnderstand what feruency and torment hee endured in ouer-louing her she answered him My Lord I assuredly beleeue that which you tell mee and the better to witnesse the same I let you know that there is no prince liuing for whō I would do more then for you nor whom I would more willingly take for husband because I know your good parts and the high knight-hood where withall you are so famoused These speeches bred so great presumption in the heart of Patin as besides that hee was by nature one of the proudest Gentlemen in the world hee entred into such glory that he answered her Madame I haue heard that King Lisuart hath a daughter esteemed the fairest Princesse in the worlde but for the loue of you I will goe into Great Brittaine there to mainteine against all men that her beauty is not cōparable to yours the which I alone will prooue in combate against two of the best knights that dare say the contrary whom if I cannot ouercome I will that King Lisuart doe cause my head to bee cut off In good faith my Lord answered the Queene I am of a contrary opinion for if the Princesse haue any beauty in her it nothing impaireth that which God hath bestowed vpon mee if any beauty there bee and me thinks that you haue other means more fit to make known your prowesse in all places Hap what may hap answered hee I will doe it for your loue to the end that euery one may knowe that as you are the fairest Lady in the world so you are beloued of the valiantest Knight aliue Hereupon continuing in this minde within a while after hee tooke leaue of the Queene and passed into Great Brittaine accompanied onely with two Esquires Then hee enquired where he might find King Lisuart vnto whose Court he shortly after came and because hee was more richly armed then wandering knights were accustomed to bee the King thought him to be some great personage For this cause hee receiued him most honourably appointing him into a chamber to shift himselfe When he was vnarmed hee returned to the King who stayed for him marching with such grauity as those that beheld seeing his comely stature iudged him to bee of great courage But the King tooke him by the hand and conferring together hee sayde vnto him gentle friend I pray you thinke it not strange if I desire to know who you are because I may the more honor you in my Court It may please your Maiesty answered Patin I am not come into this countrey to hide mee but rather to make my selfe knowne as well vnto your Highnesse as vnto all others I am that Patin brother to the Emperour which humbly beseecheth you to enquire no further of my affaire vntill I haue seen my Lady Oriana your daughter When the King heard that he embraced him and in excusing his ignorance he sayd to him My good Cosen I am maruailous glad of the honour that you haue done me In cōming thus to visit me in my owne countrey assuring you that since you are desirous to see my daughter she shall not onely be shewed vnto you but likewise the Queene and all her trayne And so long they continued their talke vntill they had couered for supper Then the King caused him to sit next vnto him where hee found himselfe compassed with so great a number of knights as hee much marualled thereat and began to despise the Court of the Emperour his brother as also of all other Princes in respect of this which hee saw After the tables were taken vp it being time to goe to rest the King cōmanded Don Grumedan to bring Patin to his lodging and to shew him all the honor and good entertainment hee could So for that night they departed vntill the next morning that hee came and found the King hearing diuine seruice after the which hee was conducted to the Ladies who receiued him curteously for at his comming the Queen took him by the hand praying him to sit betweene her her daughter Oriana whom at that instant he beheld with such an eye as the loue which before he did beare vnto the Queene Sardamira was wholly changed vnto her beeing captiuated with her excellent beauty and goodly grace You may iudge then how he would haue esteemed her if he had seene her in the time of her perfect health which was now much decaied by reason of this new iealousie which she had conceiued against Amadis which made her looke leane pale and wan but these defaults could nothing quench the heate of the fire already kindled in the heart of Patin who was so far beside him-selfe that hee determined to beseech the king to bestow her vpon him in
ended the which Isania performed For the day following when the Lords were ready to sit downe at the Table they perceiued that Amadis was absent and enquiring for him Isania told them that they should know after dinner where hee was become Thereupon they sat down thinking that he was gone somwhether for his pleasure After the Tables were taken vp Isania said vnto theÌ„ My lords the misfortune of my Lord Amadis is far worse then you thinke it is as I shall presently declare vnto you Then he recited in what order he deparded from theÌ„ the great sorrow wherein hee was and what he had commanded him to say vnto them especially how he had disposed of the Island and he earnestly intreated theÌ„ not to follow him seeing that he hoped for no remedy of his misery For his death was not to bee preuented When they heard these pittifull news there was not any of them whose eyes were not filled with teares and they began to make a most sorrowfull lamentation But Galaor made the greatest moane of all saying If I may releeue him from distresse the best knight in the world shall not in this sort die Although he hath commanded vs to stay yet shall he not be obeyed for me at this time but I will seeke vntil I shal haue found him wil know who hath wronged him that I may eyther reuenge it or die in the quarell Beleeue me answered Agraies we will not be far behinde you and if we cannot remedy his misfortune by force of courage or counsell yet at the least we will altogether die with him for company Moreouer said Isania he desireth you my Lord Galaor to make Gandalin a knight and take Ardan his dwarff into your seruice whom he recommendeth vnto you Then Galaor called the Dwarff and said vnto him Ardan thy master hath forsaken vs and willed that thou shouldst be mine assure thee that so long as I line I will not leaue thee for his sake How answered the Dwarffe is my Lord dead then So saying he fel down where he stood and began to teare his haires making so great sorrow as it was wonderfull said I might well be couÌ„ted a traytor to liue after my Master wherwithal he had slain himself if they had not takeÌ„ heed vnto him Florestan his heart was so ouercharged with griefe that he could neyther weep nor speak but sit leâ—iâ—g as if he had been in a traunce And when he recouered his speech he said vnto his fellowes my Lords it is no time for vs to weepe nor lament when we should rather indeuour to succour my Lord Amadis let women waile but let manly mindes conioyne together deuise how we may prouide a remedy for so great a mischiefe As for me I thinke that without longer delay we should all to horseback making as great speede as we may to finde him then we may know if there be any meanes to cure his malady for the time passeth his sorrow increaseth and he still goeth farther from vs. The Lord Isania as he saith hath brought him some part of his way he may shew vs then which path he hath taken but if we shall longer tarry wee may lose him without hope euer to see him againe Therefore my Lords I pray you let vs make hast to follow him Vnto the which they all agreed caused their horses to be presently brought Then Isania conducted them to the place where Amadis had left him and from thence they rode till they came whereas Patin lay wounded whom they beheld lying vpon the ground whilest his two esquires did cut down boughs and poles to make him a litter for he was so feeble with the losse of his blood that he could not sit on horseback nor answere one onely word vnto the knights who saluted him and enquired of him what he was that had done him such out-rage but he made a signe that his Squires should tell them Where-upon Galaor came and demanded the matter of them they answered him that he had iousted against a knight which came from the Firme Island by whom hee was ouer-throwne at the first encounter and how that afterwards thinking to reuenge him with his Sworde he sped so illas they might perâ—… by his hurt What is become of the knight said Galaor By our faith answered the squires we know not for we were not present at the coÌ„bat Notwithstanding we do think that we did meete him in our comming hither and he did ride ouer the forrest so fast as his horse could run hauing none following him but one Squire who wept bitterly carrying after him his Armour and shield vpon the which were 2. Lyons sables in a field Ore In faith said Florestan it is he whom we doe seeke Shew vs therefore what way he tooke the which they did Then the knights went after him and so long they rode vntill they came to a crosse way where they staid to aduise what was best to be done for there was not any body that might tell them any newes of that which they sought and therefore they determined to separate them-selues promising one vnto another to meete at the Court of king Lisuart vpon S. Iohns day next ensuing but if by that time they heard no news of Amadis then they would determine further what to do in the matter thus taking leaue of each other they departed with weeping and afterward they did what they might but it was all in vaine although they had ridden through many strange countries in which they found many great accidents perilous aduentures But you must know that so soone as Amadis had sent Durin away he set spurres vnto his horse neyther caring nor determining what way he should take he went euen as fortune guided him in the end hee came to the bottom of an obscure valley ful of vnderwood bushâ—s which place he thought most commodious to hide himselfe from being found out of any that might follow him Here did he alight letting his horse goe where hee would but vnbridled him not then he sate down by the side of a brook which descended from the mountaine and tooke a little water to refresh him withall By this time Gandalin had ouertaken him who had stayed behinde to deliuer Patin his Sword who finding Amadis laid all along vpon the grasse so still that he heard not one word to proceede from him hee durst not say any thing to him but sate downe hard by him and within a while after Amadis rose vp and beholding Gandalin laide vpon the ground by him hee pushed him with his foote saying sleepest thou Gandalin By my faith sir no answered he for instead of sleeping I thought vpon two things which concerne you greatly the which if it please you I will declare if not I will hold my peace Go to rise said Amadis and take our horses for I will get me gone because I should be very sory to be found of those who it may
the habit and estate whereunto I am called such speeches as these become me not at all neuerthelesse knowing that it is for your good I am sure that I doe not amisse in this counselling a person so comfortlesse as you are Here-with all the Faire Forlorne fell vpon the ground to kisse his feete reioysing that he had happened into the company of a person so holy that knew how to comfort him so well in his aduersity desiring very heartily that whatsoeuer the holy man had told him might so come to passe and he said vnto the Hermit my Father seeing it hath pleased you to do me so much good as to expound this dreame I pray you likewise to tell me the meaning of one other which I dreamed the night before I came from the firm-Island Then did hee recite it word by word vnto him Whereupon the aged man answered him My son by this you may plainely see that which already is happened vnto you for I assure you that the place ouer shaddowed with trees where you thought that you were the great nūber of people which at the first made such great ioy about you signifieth the firm Island which you haue conquered to the great pleasure of al the inhabitants thereof But the man which came vnto you with a boxe full of bitternes is the messenger of the Lady that gaue you the letter and your selfe doth know better then any other whether he brought you bitternesse or no by the discourse which he had with you The sorrow which afterwards you did behold in the persons which before were so ioyfull are they of the Isle who at this present are very heauy for your absence The apparell which you threw off are the teares which you haue shed The stony place wherin you entred inuironed with water this rock witnesseth to you what it is The religious mā that did speake vnto you in an vnknown lāguage is my selfe who do instruct you in holy writ which you neither vnderstand nor can comprehend Father answered the Fair-Forlorn I know verily that you say the truth which giueth me great hope of that which you haue declared of the other but the continuall griefe and melancholie wherein I liue hath already ouer-mastered mee that I beleeue if the good which you promise vnto me do not the sooner case my care death will first seize vpon my sorrowfull corps Notwithstanding the Hermit knew how to perswade him so wel that from thenceforth he shewed a little merrier countenance then before he had done and began to turne his sorrow to some solace vsing to angle for fish with two Nephwes of the olde man that kept him company Neuerthelesse the most part of the time he with-drew himselfe into a secret place hard by the sea side which was ouer-shadowed with diuerse sorts of trees and there oftentimes he cast his sight vnto the Firme-Island which put him in remembrance of those fauours whereunto fortune had called him the wrong that Oriana did vnto him hee hauing neuer offended Alas saide he haue I deserued this entertainment to be banished without hauing offended so much as in thought Truely deere friend if my death were agrieable vnto you you haue meane enough to giue it me more speedily without making mee thus to liue in languishing The onely deniall of your good grace the very first day that you accepted me for your knight had beene sufficient at that time to haue made me die a thousand deathes Many other lamentations did the Faire Forlorne euery day make in this solitary place wherein he tooke so great pleasure that oftentimes hee there passed away both the day and the night so as one time finding himselfe more frollick in his minde then of a long time he had beene hee made this song following Sith that the victory of right deserued 〈◊〉 they do withhold for which I serued Now 〈◊〉 my glory thus hath had a fall 〈◊〉 it is to end my life withall By 〈…〉 is my death likewise my woes release My 〈…〉 loue doth cease But euer 〈…〉 my during paine For 〈…〉 my glory and my gaine My selfe haue 〈◊〉 and my glory slaine Thus the Faire Forlorne passed away the time waiting vntill fate or better fortune should bring him forth of this miserie But it happened that one night lying vnder the trees as hee was accustomed about the breake of day hee heard very nigh him the sound of a most sweete instrument wherein he tooke so great pleasure that he gaue attentiue eare thereunto a good while amazed notwithstanding from whence it might proceede Knowing the place to bee solitary that no other there remained but the hermit his two Nephewes and himselfe wherefore he rose vp without making any noyse at all and approched more neere to see what it might be Then he beheld two young Gentlewomen sitting by a fountaine who tuning their voyses to the sound of a lute did sing a most pleasant song neuerthelesse fearing to trouble their mirth hee stood still a great while without being by them perceiued Afterwards he came forth and disclosed himselfe saying vnto them Truely Gentlewomen your musicke hath made me this day to loose Matins for the which I am very sorry When these women heard him speake hauing not seen him at all vntill that time they were much afraide Norwithstanding one of them more bold then her fellow answered him My friend we did not thinke to offend you with this our mirth but seeing we haue so luckily found you tell vs if it please you who you are and how this desert place is called In truth faire Gentlewomen saide the Faire Forlorne this place is called the poore Rock wherein there liueth an Hermit vpon the top thereof in his little hermitage As for me I am a poore man that keep him company doing great and hard penance for the sin and wickednesse which I haue committed Gentle friend answered they may we finde in this place for two or three dayes onely any house wherein we may place at ease a Lady both rich mighty so tormented with loue that she is euen at deaths dore therewith Trust me said he there is no other lodging in this Rock but the little cabinet wherein the Hermit doth lie and one other that I do sleepe in some-time but if the Hermit will lend you mine I am content to do you a pleasure to lie in the meane time abroad in the fields as I commonly vse to do The Gentlewoman gaue him hearty thankes and bidding him good morrow they departed towards a Pauilion within the which the Faire Forlorne beheld a most beautifull Lady vpon a bed Wherupon he knew that the same was shee of whom they told him But looking farder off he did see foure armed men walking by the Sea side who scouted abroad whilest fiue others did take their rest and he also perceiued a shippe at Anchor well appointed The Sun was already vp when he heard the Hermitage bell to ring which
doe your best to reforme the Monestary which I haue caused to be builded in the Firme-Island as heere tofore I haue tolde you the which the holy man promised to accomplish and with the teares in his eyes blessed the Faire Forlorne who without longer stay went aboord with the Damosell of Denmarke The sailes were no sooner horsed and the ship lanched out into the main but they had so stiffe a gale in their poupe that within a fewe daies after they arriued in a port of great Brittaine he not being as yet knowne by any other but the Damosell Then came they on shoare and tooke their ready way towardes Mirefleur where Oriana stayed their comming being well aduised to amend the fault that she had made And the Damosell in riding together with the Faire Forâ—â—rne sayd What ioy will my Ladie receiue when she shall beholde you belecue mee that neuer woman was in a more desperate case then she when she â—…stood by 〈◊〉 the â—…t at you had in 〈◊〉 her Lettâ—r 〈◊〉 assure you that shee was 〈◊〉 haue 〈◊〉 I doe greatly wonder how â—â—ee hath beene abâ—… vntill this time to suppâ—… the 〈◊〉 which â—he yet possesseth And you neede not to doubt but that Mabila and I were greatly troubled for none of vs did know that my hrother was sent vnto you and my Lady had expresly charged him that in no sort hee should tell vs thereof which had like vâ—to haue beene the cause of 〈◊〉 â—â—ischiefe then is yet happened Beleeue me said the Faire Forâ—â—â—ne I was neuer in greater danger 〈◊〉 death and I doe maruell whereâ—… 〈◊〉 framed this imagination that shee hath conceiued against me seeing that I neuer thought to doe any thing which might displease her and although I should haue so faâ—…e forgotten my selfe yet did I not deserue such a cruell Letter as shee did write vnto mee For although I make not those bragges hipocrisies that a number can doe yet doe not I forget to measure the fauours and graces which I haue receiued at her â—â—nd and were not this thought 〈◊〉 in bad ground I am sure she would not be suspicious of the fruit thereof seeing that both the one and the other are wholly dedicated to serue and obey her Alas when Corisanda arriued in our Hermitage I did then verily think that my ende was come the good Lady bewailed her passion which she indured in louing my brother Plo restan too vehemently and I died with displeasure to bee so wrongfully banished by Oriana Hâ—â— many paâ—â—es what 〈◊〉 what intollerable torments haue I suffered in the poore Rocke without receiuing consolation from any liuing creature but the good Hermit who perswaded mee to patiâ—… Alas what hâ—…d pâ—…â—â—ne I indured for her whâ—…m I neuer offended beleeue me Damo 〈◊〉 I was so exceeâ—… troubled that euery houre I dâ—…red death and as often did I feare to lose my life But I pray you imagine the despaire wheren I remayned when I shewed vnto the Gentlewomen of Corisanda the song that I made in my greatest tribulation And as hee would haue proceeded in discoursing his dolours the Damosell of Denmarke sayd vnto him in good faith so farre as I perceiue you haue both indured much sorrow one for another and therefore you must forget what is past and amend what is to come With these and such like discourses thy arriued neere vnto a Nunnery which was in the midst of the forrest foure dayes iourney from London Doe 〈◊〉 know sayd the Damosell what I have thought vpon I thinke it for the best you doe tarry heere to rest your selfe and I will go vnto my Lady to tell her of your arriuall which done I will send Durin backe againe to let you know what you are to do Not withstanding I thinke it best that Enil should not yet know who you are no more then he now doth that hee should tarry heere with you to serue you but Durin already vnderstandeth somewhat of the affaires betwixt Oriana you wherefore you neede not feare to disclose your selfe vnto him Here-upon they called him and the Damosell of Denmarke sayd vnto him Brother you were partly cause of the losse of Amadis by the Letter which you carried to him and yet so farre as I perceiue you haue not hither to knowne him but doe you thinke it possible that this Hermite may be my Lord Amadis and neuerthelesse it is he without doubt but take heede vpon your life that he be not disclosed by you neither to Enil nor any other when Durin knew that his sister sayde true neuer was man more amazed then hee in the meane while they entered into the Nunnery where the Damosell called Enil and sayd vnto him Enil I pray thee tarry with this knight vntill hee haue a little recouered his strength and in the meane season my brother and I will depart about certaine busines that wee haue to doe By Saint Mary answered Enil I will obey whatsoeuer you shall commaund mee Then they departed and the Faire Forlorne remayned in the Nunnerie for the occasion aboue rehearsed CHAP. XI How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadis of whome they could heare no tydings at all where-upon they all returned vnto the Court of King Lisuart IT hath beene heretofore tolde you that Golaor Florestan and Agraies departed froÌ„ the Firme-Iland to begin the search of Amadis who was secretly departed from them You must now vnderstand that after they had trauayled thorough many strange countries wherein they performed many worthy deedes of armes and perillous aduentures without hearing any newes of Amadis seeing that their time approached wherein they promised one another to meete in the Court of King Lisuart they determined to returne thither and they all did meete euen vpon Saint Iohns day earely in the morning at an Hermitage hard by London according as they had appointed And the first that came thither was Galaor Agraies next and shortly after Florestan accompanied with Gandalin Glad were they all to see each other in health but so sorrowfull for the little good that they had done in this enterprise as the teares fell from their eyes Where-upon Gandalin shewing the dutie of a good and faithfull seruant said vnto them Beleeue me Lords all your teares cannot bring him whoÌ„ you desire to finde except it be by another diligent search which you may a fresh vndertake And allthough that you haue already done your best endeauour yet ought you not to thinke much of your labour but seeke him better then euer you did seeing that you are assured thoroughly what hee would haue done for euery one of you particularly if fortune had offered any occasion Now then if behooueth you to doe the like for him for if you doe lose him in this sort it shall not onely bee the losse of the most gentle knight in the world but of the neerest kinsman that you haue and ouer and besides it will be vnto you
I adore When the Faire Forlorne heard him hee presently knewe that it was Famongomad who was wont to cut off the heads of all those that hee might take and to shed their blood before an Idoll that hee had in the burning lake by whose counsell hee was gouerned in all his affaires although hee then had no desire to fight as well because he would not faile to be at Mirefleur according as Oriana had willed him as also because he was wearie and tyred with the encounter that he had had against the ten knights yet knowing the persons that were in the cart amongst whom was Leonor the Kings daughter her Gentlewomen and the ten knights that hee had ouerthrowne hee determined either to die or deliuer theÌ„ knowing what grief the losse of her sister would be vnto Oriana whom Famongomad and his sonne did take at vnawares and all the rest of her traine in a manner as soone as the Faire Forlorne had left them and in this sort they had bound and fettered them in the cart that they might afterwards most cruelly put them to death For this cause hee willed Enil to giue him his armes My Lord sayd he doe you not see these diuels that are comming towards vs For Gods sake let vs begone and hide vs from them then may you arme your selfe at ease for I would not tarry their comming for all the wealth in London I will doe better if I may sayd the Faire Forlorne I will first try my fortune and although thou doest thinke them diuels thou shalt see them slaine by one onely knight for their life is so odious before God that hee will giue mee the strength to reuenge as I hope all those miserable cruelties which they from day to day doe commit Alas my Lord sayde Enil you will wilfully lose your selfe seeing that if twenty of King Lisuart his best Knights had vnder-taken that which you alone thinke to doe yet might they hardly escape with honor Care not thou for that answered hee if I should let such an aduenture passe before mine eyes and not bee an actor therein I were vnworthy euer to come into the company of good and vertuous men and therefore whatsoeuer may chance thereof I care not This said he left Enil weeping and went vnto that side where he might easily beholde Mirefleur because the remembrance of Oaiana was still present before him and he bagan to say O my Lady and onely hope neuer did I enterprise any aduenture the which I haue not by your means atchiued and now that I knowe you are so neere vnto mee and that it is for a thing that so much importeth you forsake mee not I pray you in this extreamity Herewithall he imagined that his strength was redoubbled and setting apart all feare hee went toward the cart and said vnto the Dwarffes stay you base slaues for you shall all die and your maisters also When the Gyant heard these threats hee entred into such fury that the smoke proceeded from his eyes in such sort as it seemed they had beene on a fire and hee did shake his bore-speare with such force that he almost doubled both ends together Then hee answered the Faire Forlorne Vnhappy and vnfortunate wretch how durst thou bee so bold to come before me Yet hee made as though he heard him not but couched his Launce and setting spurres to his horse he smote the Gyant a little beneth the wast with such strength as pearcing the ioynts of his harnesse the Launce entred into his tripes with such exceeding force that passing quite through it hit against the hinder part of the saddie and broke the giâ—â—s of the horse ouerthrowing both 〈◊〉 and saddle euen in a momentâ—… uerthelesse before the Gyants â—allâ— he couched his bore speare thinking to haue hit the Faire Forlorne but it missed him stroke thorow his horses flankes wherefore he feeling that hee was wounded to death did very himbly alight downe and although that Famongomad was in like sort deadly wouÌ„ded with the great rage that hee felt hee rose vp and with both his hands hee pulled forth the trounchon of the Launce that stucke in his body and threw it at the Faire-Forlorne with such extreame fury that hee thought to haue ouer-throwne him and so greatly did he straine himselfe to hurle the same that the tripes came out of his belly and he tumbled ouer and ouer Therewithall he cried Basigant my deere son reuenge the death of thy sorrowfull Father if thou canst At this crye Basigant approched holding a weighty bill wherewithall hee thought to haue strooken the Faire Forlorne but he stepped aside and the blow passed by so forcibly that if it had hit him it had clouen him quite asunder Then the Faire Forlorne being very ready and expert stretched forth his arme and stroke the Gyant so great a blowe that hee cut the one halfe of his legge away although that with the great fury wherein hee remained hee could not as then feele it but lifted vp his bill the which turned in his fist which was a happy chance for the Faire Forlorne who receiued the blowe vpon his Shielde within the which it entered so farre that the Gyant could not pull it forth And as hee striued to get it out hee raised him vpon his stirrops to haue the more strength By the meanes where of the sinues of his legge which were cut a sunder fayled him wherewithal he felt such great greefe that not being able to keep his sadle he kissed the ground with his nose and in falling the Faire Forlorne stroke him another blow vpon his right arme so that he was forced to forsake his bill and leaue it in the power of his enemy Notwithstanding his hart was so great that hee rose vp againe and drew forth his sword that was maruailous long with the which he layed at the Faire Forlorne with all his strength and hee strained himselfe so much that the blood issued froÌ„ his wounds in such great aboundance that all his strength fayled him and he fel down together with his blow which lighted vpon the stones wherewith the sword brake in two pieces The which the Faire Forlorne perceiuing hee stepped aside and set his hands vnto the bill in such sort that by force hee pulled it out of his shield wherewith he stroke so great a blow vpon the Giants helmet that he made it flie from his head but the Giant with that little remainder of his sword that hee yet helde pared away the top of his helmet together with a little of the skin and haire of his head the which blow if he had stroken somewhat lower hee had cut his head off Therewithal they that were in the cart thought that the Faier Forlorne had beene wounded to death and himselfe was so astonished that hee thought his dayes to bee ended wherefore desiring to bee reuenged hee gaue him such another great blowe with the bill that hee cut off his eare
with halfe of his face with the which he yeelded vp the ghost During all this combate the Princesse Leonor and all her company were deuoutly praying for the good successe of the Faire Forlorne who seeing that he was dispatched of Basigant turned vnto Famongâ—mad who had behelde the death of his sonne for whome hee made so great mone that he was likely to haue gone mad And although that hee was likewise at the point of death yet notwithstanding hee had throwne his helmet from his head holding both his hands before his wound to keepe in his blood that thereby he might prolong his life the more to blaspheme God and his saints not being sorry for his death as he said but because that he had not in his life time destroyed al the churches wherein he had neuer entred And he cryed as loud as he could Ah thou God of the christians it is thon alone that hast wrought the meanes that both I and my sonne who were mighty inough to ouer-throwe one hundred of the best knights in the world are slaine by the hand of a most wretched and feeble villaine And as hee would haue proceeded in his his blasphemy the Faire Forlorne stroke off his head from his shoulders saying Receiue thy reward for all thy cruelties which thou hast committed against a number of people And spurning him vpon the belly with his foote hee said Now get thee vnto all the Deuils who haue long expected thy comming Then he tooke vp Basigant his Helmet and threw downe his owne which was broken Enil in like sort brought vnto him Famongâ—mad his horse vpon the which he mounted and came both to vnbinde the prisoners and to doe his duty vnto the Princesse Leonor who gaue him great thankes for his good helpe In like sort so did all the rest of the company Now had the Giants tyed all their horses at the tayle of the Cart wherefore the faire Forlorne went to seeke out the Princesse her Palfrey the which he brought and mounted her vpon the same commanding all the rest to take euery one their owne horse and to get them to London and to carrie vnto king Lisuart the bodies of the two Giants and Basigant his horse which will serue him well in the battaile against king Cildadan But the Knights answered him sir who shall wee say hath done this good for vs you shall tell the king said he that it is a strange knight who is called the faire Forlorne and you may both declare vnto him at large the cause of the combat that I had with the Giants as also the great desire that I haue to doe his Maiesty all the seruice I may whether it be against king Cildadan or any other herewithall they layed both the bodies in the Cart but they were so great that their legs trayled along vpon the ground more then six foote and taking leaue of the faire Forlorne they went towardes London praising God and the good knight that preserued them from death But by the way Leonor and the yong Gentlewomen that were with her forgeting their passed perill made them garlands of flours which they set vpon their heads in entring into the Citty theÌ„ the people wondring to see the Giants followed the Cart euen vnto the castle to vnderstand who had done such valiant deedes of armes The king did already know that his daughter was arriued and how shee brought with her two dead Giants wherefore he went downe into the Court with the Queen and many knights Ladies and Gentlewomen with them to see what the matter was the which the Princesse Leonor recited vnto him together with all that you haue already heard whereat euery one wondred And euen as shee had ended her discourse in came Don Quedragans who yeelded him prisoner into the kings hands as being sent thither by the faire Forlorne the which increased in all the assistants farther desire to know him that lately had done so many knightly deeds And the king said in good faith I doe greatly meruaile what he may be but is there none of you that doe know him And it was answered him no saying that Corisanda Lady and friend to Don Florestan had found in the poore Rock as heretofore she had declared vnto many a sick knight that was named the faire Forlorne I would said the king that he were in this company beleeue mee that he should not depart from vs for any thing that hee would demand of me CHAP. XIIII How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his aduenture hee went vnto the Fountaine of the three Chanels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom hee remained eight daies together and at the same time there arriued in the Court of King Lisuart an ancient Gentleman bringing with him two lewels of singular vertue whereby the faithfull louer from the fayned might be tried the which Amadis and Oriana determined to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neyther be knowne of the king nor any other AFter that the Princesse Leonor and her trayne had taken their leaue of the Faire Forlorne he returned towards the Gentlewomen whom hee had found hard by the fountaine who hauing seene the victory which hee had atchieued had already forsaken the bushes came to meete him Then he commanded Enil to get him to London vnto Gandalin and that during his abode there he should cause such another armor as that of his owne was to be made for him because they were all to broken and battered with the blowes that he had receiued in the former combats moreouer that he should not faile to returne vnto the fountaine of the three chanels vpon the eight day following Thus Enil departed from him and on the other side the Faire Forlorne hauing taken his leaue of the GentlewomeÌ„ rode through the Forrest and they tooke their right way to Mireflure where being arriued they declared to Oriana and Mabila the dangerous combat and glorious victory that was performed in their presence by a knight called the Faire Forlorne When Oriana knew for truth that he was so neere vnto her castle ioy and extreame pleasure accompanied with a most feruent desire entred into her immagination in such sort that vntil she had him in her armes she neuer lost sight of the high way that led from the Forrest by the which he was to come By this time was the Faire Forlorne alighted from his horse hard by a little Riuer staying vntill it were night for he would not be seene by any at his entring into Mireflure Then hee put off his Helmet and laide him downe vpon the grasse and there-withall hee began to thinke vpon the instabilitie of Fortune and vpon the miserable despaire wherein not long before he remained when with his owne hands he was ready to haue effected his death and also how he was not only now restored to his former felicitie but also aduanced to greater honour glory
and contentment then before knowing that he was so neere that ioy which hee should receiue with his Lady Oriana In this cogitation remained the Faire Forlorne vntill after sun set when hee mounted on horseback and came vnto the place that Durin had assigned him where he fouÌ„d him together with Gandalin who stayed there for him to take his horse TheÌ„ he alighted down demanded of them what the ladies were doing my Lord answered Gandalin they are on the other side in the gardeÌ„ where they haue already staied for you more then foure houres Help me then to get vp The which they did and hee being vpon the wall beholding Oriana and Mibila on the other side hauing not so much patience as to stay for their helpe he leaped from the top of the wall downe to the ground and as hee would haue kneeled to haue done his dutie the Princesse ran to embrace him and in kissing him she was like to haue fallen in a swound betweene his armes But who could imagine the pleasure that they yeelded the one vnto the other Amadis hee trembled like a leafe not being able to speake one Word holding his mouth close vnto Orianaâ—s who as it were in an extasie did behold him with such an eye that it made them both twaine to liue and die together In this sort they remained more then a good quarter of an houre and euen vntill that Mabila smiling said vnto Oriana Madam I pray you at the least before my cosin do die let vs haue a sight of him if it please you Soft and faire answered Oriana let mee a while alone with him and then you shall after-wards haue him at your pleasure Herewithall Amadis saluting Mabila said vnto her My good Cosin this is not the first day that you haue knowne how much I am yours I beleeue you well sir but my Lady would haue you wholly to her selfe Alas said she haue I not reason seeing that I alone was likely by my fault to haue beene the causer of his losse Beleeue me deere friend the griefe which you felt and the teeres that you haue shed by the fault that I committed shall be now both acknowledged and thorowly recompenced Madam said Amadis you haue neuer been at any time but the procurer of all my happinesse and fauor and if I haue felt any tribulation I and not you haue been the causer thereof therefore haue I iustly sustained whatsoeuer sorrow I haue suffered Alas sweete loue answered Oriana when I thinke vpon the estate wherein Corisanda and the Damosell of Denmarke did finde you and the abundance of teares and lamentations that continually distilled from your eyes as they haue told me I assure you that yet my mind is troubled therwith Madam said hee the teares wherof you speake were no teares for long before the comming of Corisanda to the poore Rock the spring whereof was dried vp but it was an humor proceeding from my heart the which did so continually burne in your loue that being constrained by the force of the flame it did draw vp to the eyes that moysture which nature had placed about the heart to preserue it and to giue it life and I beeleue that if the Damosell of Denmarke had stayed from bringing me that reliefe which I receiued of her in steede of teares which distilled from mine eyes the soule it selfe had departed Sweete loue said the Princesse I know well that I committed a great errour in writing that letter which Durin did bring to you but you should then haue remembred how that all women are weake and very light of beleefe especially in things wherein they are affectioned and wherein by too extreame loue they are often times carried away made suspitious euen as I haue beene against you wherefore the greater that mine offence is the greater praise shall you win in pardoning me the which I beseech you to do being ready to receiue such punishment therefore as it shall please you to giue vnto me and to satisfie you at your owne discretion Alas Madam said Amadis it is I that should demand pardon of you for if I should die for your loue most pleasant would that death be vnto me But this much I assure you that I had neuer beene able to haue resisted this great sorrow that I haue suffered had it not beene that my martiredome was eased knowing the pleasure which you would receiue in the same that it tooke such force vnto it as death was not of sufficient power in any sort to bring it to an end Let vs leaue off this talke for this time said Mabila you haue both suffered wrong determine therefore henceforth how it may be recompensed and now to eschue the vapours of the night which may be vnto you somewhat hurtfull let vs retire vnto some couert I like your counsell well answered Oriana Therewithall Amadis was brought into her chamber and presently Mabila and the Damosel of Denmarke knowing that they should do them a pleasure to leaue them alone went forth faining to goe about some other affaires Then the princesse requested Amadis to sit downe in a chayre couered with veluet which stood in a corner of the chamber and she stood leaning vpon him that shee might at more ease kisse him and hang about his necke whereupon he being ouercome with an extream amorous passion left off his wonted modesty thrusting one of his hands into Oriana her prettie breasts and the other towards the place by him most affected where-with Oriana halfe ashamed in stretching her selfe along because she would not looke in his face saide vnto him My deere loue I beleeue that the hermit of the poore Rock taught you not this lesson Madame answered hee I beseech you to pardon my rashnesse takeing pitty of me and seeing that both time and place is so fauourable vnto vs be not you more contrary vnto me then they but suffer mee to continue that fauour wherof by your good grace I haue taken possession when I deliuered you from the handes of Arcalaus My ioy answered Oriana you know that I am so wholly yours that you cannot dispose of your selfe more then of me neuerthelesse how may I possibly at this time satisfie your desire seeing that your Cosin and the Damosel of Denmarke are so neere vnto vs Alas said he they haue hitherto been the cause of my life and now since they haue farther assisted me do you thinke that they will desire my death Assure you Madam that they are already so well acquainted with our affections especially the Damosell of Denmarke that although they haue not seen them effected yet it mny be they haue presumed as much and more therfore I beseech you in acquiting you of your promise to succour me Which said hee gaue such large scope vnto his passions that notwithstanding all the faint resistance that Oriana could make against him hee had that of her which he most desired tasting together of the sweete fruit which
this battaile for because I would be partaker of all the good honor or hurt that may happen vnto those which shall accōpany me Greatly did Galaor like of the kings magnanimous determinations and answered him beleeue me it is not for nothing that your Maiesty is estemed the most vertuous and valiantest Prince of the world and if all kings could as well represse the counsell of those who disswade them from their haughtie enterprises none durst be once so bold as to say any thing vnto them but that which should bee for their honour and glory but now your Maiesty may bee pleased to see what Vrganda hath written vnto me Herewithall he began to reade his Letter wherein was contained this which ensueth Vnto you Don Galaor of Gaule most valiant and hardie Knight I Vrganda the Vnknowne doe send all hearty salutations as she who both loueth and esteemeth you I will that you should vnderstand that which must happen vnto you in this cruell battell betweene the two kings Lisuart and Cildadan If you be there be you sure that in the end thereof your large and strong members shall want power to assist your inuincible heart at the departure from the Combat your head shall bee in his power who with the three blowes that he shall strike shall remaine conqueror In faith said the king if the contents of the Letter be true and that you bee in this conflict you see your death prepared which should bee a great losse considering your valiant beginning in deeds of armes therefore I shall so order the matter as at this time you shall be excused from thence It may please your Maiesty answered Galaor I now do very wel perceiue that the counsell which euen now I deliuered vnto you hath displeased your Maiesty when seeing mee sound and able of body you would perswade me to a matter so greatly to my dishonour God forbid that I should herein obey you Gentle friend said the king you speake both vertuously and valiantly for the which I thanke you and for this time let vs leaue off this talke and my aduice is that none do see our Letters for it may bee they may cause some feare astonishment euen in the hearts of those that doe thinke themselues to bee most hardy and valiant By this time they were come so neere vnto the Citty that they entred vnder the gate thereof as the king looked behinde he beheld two knights armed at all points whose horses were ouer-trauelled weary and their armour all to broken in such sort that it was very easy to be perceiued that they had been at some bickering One was Brunco de Bon ' Mer and the other Branfil his brother who came of purpose vnto king Lisuart to be of the number of those hundred knights which should bee in the battaile if it pleased him to accept of them But by the way Brunco had beene aduertised how the aduenture of the Sword was atchieued where-with he was meruailous displeased that he came no sooner because hee would haue tried his fortune therein as he had done vnder the Arch of loyall louers the which he had passed and for the firm and constant loue that he did beare vnto Melicia sister vnto Amadis hee did verily beleeue that no such like aduenture might escape him these two knights being come neer did their dutie vnto the king who receiued thē very courteously Then said Brunco it may please your Maiesty we haue beene aduertised of a battell which you haue agreed to be executed by a few knights so much the rather ought they to be selected and chosen men For this cause if it would please your highnesse to doe vs this honor that we might be of the same number your Maiesty may bee assured that wee would bee very desirous to serue you The King who had many times beene aduertised of the prowesse of these twaine especially of the valour of Don Brunco who for a yong knight was as much esteemed as any other that might be found accepted of them very willingly and thanked them for their good will Now did not Brunco as yet know Galaor but at the same instant they entred into such acquaintance and familiarity together that vntill the Battell was finished they parted not asunder And as the king entred into his lodging Enil came before him with the head of Lindoraq which did hang by the hayre at the paitrill of his horse and he had in his hand the shield and fingers of Arcalaus the Enchanter by meanes whereof before he was come neer the Palace a great number of people did follow him to know what newes he did bring Afterwards being come into the kinges presence hee declared vnto him the message that the faire Forlorne had sent by him wherewith he was no lesse glad then amased at so many good and blessed chanses that euery day happened and proceeded from this strange knight and hee remained a great while praising extolling him without ceasing In like sort Filipinel who had been to giue defiance vnto the Giants at the same instant approched he recited the names and sirnames of those which were appointed to be in the battell of king Cildadan amongst whom there were found many strong Giants and other knights of great worth who were all embarked already and how before that foure dayes were past they would all take landing in the bay of Vega where the battell was to be foughten then hee told the king how he had found at the burning Lake which stands in the Isle of Mongasa king Arban of North Wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux prisoners vnto Grumadaca wife vnto Famongomad who caused them to suffer infinit miseries and calamities whipping them euery day most cruelly so that their bodies were wounded all ouer and they wrote a letter vnto the king which Filipinel deliuered vnto him the tenure whereof ensueth Vnto the most high and mighty Prince Lisuart king of great Brittaine and to all our Friends and Allies within his Dominions We Arban once king of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux now detained in dolorous prison doe let you know that our misfortune more cruell then death it selfe hath brought vs into the power of the most pittilesse Grumadaca wife to Famongomad who in reuenge of the death of her Husband and Sonne doth daily cause vs to bee tortured with so many and strange torments that it is impossible to bee imagined so as euery houre wee desire the abridging of our daies that thereby we might bee released of our dolors But this mischieuous womā the more to lengthen our paine deferreth our death as much as she may the which with our owne hands we had effected but that the feare of the losse of our soules withheld vs. And for as much as we are at this present so extreamely wounded that wee are no longer able to resist our deaths we send you this Letter written with our blood by the which wee beseech
that I doe manifestly perceiue that fortune is wholly determined to aduance him as the the force which hee did shew in this last battaile can sufficiently witnesse the honour whereof ought wholly to bee yeelded vnto him and to no other For this cause it may please your Maiesty seeing my Lord Amadis is heere present that first you will discharge mee of that which I haue promised vnto him vnder a contrary name and as for him I remit all the euill will that I did beare vnto him for the death of my late deceased brother king Abies and I doe further intreate him to accept mee for his companion and perpetuall friend Sir Quedragant answered the King you speake like a prudent and wise knight for what prowesse or courage soeuer a Gentleman hath if hee bee not gouerned by counsell reason he is not worthy that any man should make account of him You are sufficiently knowne for one of the best knights in the world yet you may be assured that the fellowship which you demand of Amadis shal in no sort deminish your praise renowne you two continuing in mutuall amity together and you may beleeue that hee will bee very glad to accept of the offer which you doe make vnto him Is it not true gentle friend sayd the King vnto Amadis If it like your Maiesty answered he Quedragant is so worthy a knight-that his fame is spread abroad in many places and seeing that it pleaseth him to chuse mee for his consort I doe thankefully accept his kind offer Herewithall they embraced and so long did their friendshippe thenceforth continue that it was neuer seperated but by death At the same time was Florestan Landin before the King purchasing their leaue to enter into the field according to their appointed agreement a good while before in maintenance of Amadis his quarrell against Quedragant but when they saw them friends their combate was finished and their hatred conuerted into amity wherewith Landin was exceeding glad for hee had already proued Florestan in the iourney against king Cildadan and seene his valour and prowesse Thus were these quarrels ended how much the Court had here-tofore been troubled by so much was the ioy and pastime thereof increased neuerthelesse the King hauing not forgotten the miserie wherein king Arban of Northwales and Angriota de Estrauaux remayned after he had some few dayes stayed with the Ladies he vndertooke their deliuerance and the better to effect the same hee determined to passe into the Isle of Mongaza to set them at liberty wherewith hee made his knights acquainted Then Amadis answered him your Maiesty doth know that my brother Galaor hath beene lost in your seruice therefore I beseech you to excuse mee from accompaning your grace in this voyage for if God please my cosins and I will goe seeke him as it is reason and so soone as we haue found him I assure your Maiesty that incontinently wee will follow vnto that place where wee shall heare your grace abideth Friend Amadis answered the King I promise you of my faith that I my selfe would willingly accompany you so sorry am I for Galaor but you know the present affaires that I haue whereby I am in truth to bee excused yet neuerthelesse I am well pleased with your departure both when you list and with such companie as you like Here-withall there rose vp more then a hundred of the most approoued knights who did all sweare the search of Galaor For saide they hardly may we vndertake a worthier or more strange aduenture they preuailed with the King so much that they got leaue to depart the next morning CHAP. XVIII How the euening ensuing the King being risen from the table walking about the galleries of his Pallace he beheld two great fires vpon the Sea that came directly towards the Cittie NOw it happened the same day after the King had supped as hee walked along a gallerie being almost bed-time hee beheld two strange fires vpon the Sea which came with great swiftnesse directly towards the Cittie Wherewith he was greatly amased because hee thought it very difficult that water and fire should continue together especially when hee beheld in the midst of these fires a galley at the mast whereof were many great burning torches so that one would haue iudged the vessell had beene all on fire This wonder did astonish the people so much that in a manner they came all forth of the Cittie presuming that seeing the Sea was not able to quench this fire it was impossible to defend the Cittie from being burnt to ashes if the same once tooke hold thereof wherefore the King as fearfull as the rest mounted vpon his horse and came forth with them vpon the sands And as hee came neere the water side he did see that the most part of all the knights were already arriued and amongst the rest was Amadis Euil and Guillan who were at that time so neere the galley which was hard at shore that he thought it impossible for them to escape from the fire thereof Hereupon he set spurres to his horse because hee tooke on exceedingly with the noyse that was made and whether hee would or no hee brought him close to the galley side vpon the which shortly after he saw a cloth lifted vp which couered it and a Damosell appeared clothed in white silke that held a small Cofer of gold in her hand which she opened then shee tooke out of it a burning taper which she cast into the Sea and presently the two great fires vanished away so suddenly that it was not perceiued what was become of them Wherwith all the people were maruailous glad seeing that they were out of danger for there remained no more light then that of the torches which burned vpon the mas◠of the galley with the brightnesse whereof all the shoare receiued light Then the galley was plainly perceiued which was decked with many garlands of floures instrumēts began to sound very sweetly Herewithal there apeared vpō the poupe twelue Damosels richly apparelled euery one of thē hauing a chaplet of roses vpon their head and a rod of gold in their hands And she marched forth first of all that had throwne the taper into the Sea who comming a shoare did her duty vnto the King and he receiued her very kindely saying vnto her Madame in satisfaction of the feare wherewith your fire affrighted vs tell vs if you please who you are although wee alreadie surmise that we know you well enough Your Maiestie answered she is of such a valiant courage that it is impossible to terrifie you with so small a thing yet the fires which you haue seene were ordayned to no other ende but for the safety of my women and me when we are determined to goe by Sea For the rest if you thinke mee to bee Vrganda the vnknowne your thought is true and I am expresly come into these parts to visit you as the best Prince in
in recompence thereof that I had seene you both twaine hanged Saying so she departed and got into her ship very ioyful of the Sword which she had â—…e which so soone as shee was returned back vnto Ardan shee presented vnto him letting him know and Mâ—… also 〈◊〉 Amadis had consented vnto the combat which she had demanded of him Is it true answered Ardan let me neuer bee accounted a knight of any worth if I doe not then bring back againe my Lady to her honour and reputation deliuering henceforth her countrey from the attempts of king Lisuart and if I take not the head of Amadii from off his shoulders in lesse time then the best footeman in the world may haue run halfe a league I am content said he vnto Madasima not to deserue your loue so long as I liue But shee hearing him speake so rashly held her peace and although she greately desired to be reuenged of him for the death of her Father and brother whom Amadis had slaine yet did she so extreamely abhorre Ardan that shee a great deale rather wished his death then his life because hee pretended to marry her For she was exceeding faire and be a deformed villaine and voide of all humanity and this combat was not practised by her meanes but by the perswasion of her Mother who had sent for him for the defence of her Countrie vpon this condition that if he reuenged the death of her husband and sonne she would giue it vnto him and her daughter Madasima in marriage for hee was so feared and had in such reputation that shee thought she could not bestow her daughter better And to let you know his manners and perfections hee was descended from the race of giants borne in a Prouince called Canila the which was in a manner wholly inhabited by such kinde of people notwithstanding hee was somewhat lesse of body then they but not in strength his shoulders were narrow his necke and brest vnreasonable thicke his hands and thighes large his legs long and crooked his eyes holow flat nosed like an Ape his nostrels wide and lothsome his lips great his haire red and thicke bristelled in that sort as very hardly might it be cuâ—led To conclude he was so beset with freckles and blacke spots that his face seemed as though it had been of sundry sorts of flesh hee was of the age of thirty yeeres or thereabout bold and expert in armes furious spitefull and as vncourteous as might bee And yet since hee was twenty and fiue yeeres of age he neuer fought with any Giant or other knight eyther a foote a horseback or at wrestling that was able to resist him whom he did easily not ouercom such was the beauty fashion and gentle behauiour of Ardan Canila When the iniurious Damosell heard Ardan make such large promises vnto Madasima perceiued that shee made no account thereof she tooke vpon her to speake in her behalfe me thinks my Lord that you should thinke the victory very sure on your side seeing that Fortune is so fauourable vnto you and so contrary vnto your enemy as you may well perceiue in that shee hath caused him to lose the best part of his armes And this shee said in respect of the sword which she had stolne By my Gods said Ardan I am more glad of his displeasure for the want thereof then for any good that I hope to receiue thereby for although Amadis had the force of three such as hee is yet were hee not able to withstand the strength of my arme accustomed to tame his betters The next morning very early hee departed accompanied with Madasima and and the rest which should be deliuered vp as hostages according to the promise that the Damosell had made vnto king Lisuart before the Combat was agreed vpon and Canila did assuredly hope that he should easily obtaine the victory By meanes whereof hee departed with great ioy saying vnto those that were with him Amadis is famoused for one of the best knights in the world neuerthelesse I will haue his head if he dare enter into the lists against me and by that meanes my glory shal be the more increased in the ouercomming of him my Lady shall rest well reuenged and I remaine her husband and louer And because he would know before hee entred into the court whether Amadis had repented him or not hee sent the iniurious Damosell before to aduertise the King of their comming and in the meane season hee caused his tents to be set vp somewhat neere the Cittie where King Lisuart did remaine But you must know that incontinently after the Damosell was departed from Amadis his lodging Enil told him thereof therefore because he would prouide all things necessary for his enterprise hee withdrew him vnto his chamber accompanied with some of his most priuat friends and in like sort there came at that instant vnto him Florestan Agraies Galuanes without land and Guillan the pensiue who were altogether ignorant of the enterprise of this new combate But when they were aduertised thereof thinking that it should haue beene performed with a greater number of knights ther was not any of theÌ„ who were not displeased with Amadis in that he had not choseÌ„ theÌ„ to assist him therein especially Guillan who greatly desired to proue his man-hood against ArdaÌ„ Canila for he had heard that he was esteemed for one of the strongest Knights in all the West And as he was about to reprou Amadis in forgetting him FlorestaÌ„ preueÌ„ted him saying vnto his brother So God helpe me my Lord I now doe very wel perceiue the little loue and the small account that you doe make of me in that you would not send for me to be with you in this combate In faith answered Agraies if hee had thought mee any thing worth he would not haue left mee behinde and what of me said Galuanes My Lords answered Amadis I beseech you all to holde mee excused and not to bee displeased with mee assuring you that if it had beene in my choyse to haue elected a companion â—â—ssist mee in this encounter seeing the great prowesse wherewith you are all endued I could not tell which of you to chuse But Ardan desired to fight with mee alone for the hate hee beareth vnto mee and the loue he hath to Madasima and seeing that hee hath so required it I neither could nor ought to refuse it without shewing my selfe to be a recreant and a coward nor I could not make any other answere then that which was agreeable to his demand And when he should haue comprised any more Knights with him where doe you thinke I would haue sought for aâ—d and succour but with you beeing my friends seeing you know how my strength is redoubled when we are together In this sort did Amadis excuse himselfe praying theÌ„ all to beare him company the next day â—o go meete Madasima both to receiue her shew her as much honor as they might
breadth And as hee striued to pull it forth Amadis thrust the head of the truncheon through his arme wherewith hee felt such extreme grief that he forsooke the sword which hee held on the which Amadis presently fastened his hand pulled it forth thanking God for ading him in his greatest need When Mabila beheld the case thus altered shee called Oriana who hauing seen her friend in such extreamity was newly layd downe vpon a bed studying with her selfe what death she might chuse for the speediest if Amadis were vanquished And Mabila sayd vnto her Madame come see how God hath holpeÌ„ vs Ardan without doubt is ouer-come The great ioy which Oriana receiued at these newes made her suddenly to start vp and looking out of the window shee perceiued how Amadis had stroken his enemy 〈◊〉 mighty a blow vpon the shâ—…der that hee separated it from 〈◊〉 necke wherewith he felt sucâ—…guish that hee turned his bâ—… but hee ran not farre before â—…dis stroke him againe and he pursued him so sharpely as that hee made him recoyle backe euen to the top of a Rocke against the which the Sea did beat so that he could goe no farther Then was Ardan Canila brought between two extreamities for on the one side the deepe and vnmericifull waues set before his eyes his vnhappy end on the other side hee perceiued the sharpe sword of his enemy which did no lesse terrifie him Who pursued him so close that he pulled his helmet from his head and lifting vp his arme hee wounded him most cruelly so that hee fell from the top of the Rocke downe into the Sea and was neuer after seene For the which many praised God especiall king Arban of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux because they had seen Amadis in such daunger that they greatly stood in feare of his safety Heerewithall Amadis wiping his sword did put it vp into his scabbard and came whereas the King and the other knights were who in great triumph brought him into his lodging and the more to honour him hee was led between those whom hee had deliuered froÌ„ cruell prison that is to say by Arban King of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux And because they were leane pale and almost spent as well with the euill vsage which they had receiued during their imprisonement as also with the griefe and melancholly that they had taken Amadis was desirous that they should lodge in his chamber where they were so well tended and dyeted by the aid of expert Physitions and cunning Surgeons that they did shortly after recouer their health as by the sequell of our History you may vnderstand CHAP. XX. How Bruneo de Bonne Mer did fight with Madamaine the ambitious brother to the Damosell iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause hee and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court. THe next day after the combate was ended between Amadis and Ardan as hath beene related heretofore the iniurious Damosell came and presented herselfe before the king beseeching his Maiesty to send him that should fight with her brother whom according vnto promise shee had caused to come thither For sayd the Damosell although my brother be conquerour and cannot take that reuenge of his enemies as the friends of Ardan may rest satisfied for his death yet will it bee some small comforth vnto them notwithstanding Now Brunco was there present who without making stay answered to the resh speeches of the foolish woman said vnto the the King If it like your Maiesty I am the man she speaketh of and seeing that her brother is come hither as shee saith if it be your pleasure and his will wee shall quickly know if hee be such a gallant as hee vaunteth Vnto the which the King condiscended Wherefore they both went immediatly to arme them and anon after they entred into the field whither they were accompanied with certaine knights their friends They beeing then in the place assigned for that purpose the Trumpets sounded to warne them to begin the combate Forthwith they charged their Launces and setting spurres to their horses they ranne the one against the other such force that their Launces flew into shiuers encountring each other with their shieldes and bodies Madamain lost his stirrops and was vnhorsed Bruneo wounded in the left side Notwithstanding so soone as hee had finished his carreer hee turned himselfe to his enemy and saw that he had already recouered his feet and held his sword in his hand in a readines to defend himselfe but as Bruneo drew neere to charge him he sayd to him Sir knight alight or else assure you that I will kill your horse Truely sayd Bruneo at your choyce bee it for it is all one to me to ouercome you on foote or on horsebacke When Madamain saw that his wish came to a good end being as he thouhgt stronger then his enemy who was but little and himselfe in a manner a Gyant he was most glad thereof and sayd to Bruneo It were better for you to alight and then you should soon make profe whether you were able to effect that which you make brags of well quoth Brunco so withdrawing himselfe he alighted left his horse then he tooke his shield set hand to his sword approaching vnto Madamain who like a valiant stout knight receiued him coragiously They began to lay on load the one at the other both of theÌ„ pretending to get the victory which was the cause that neither shield nor armour of how good temper soeuer was able to withstand their blowes for they hacked them to peeces so that the field in many places was couered with peeces of their shields Now if the knights did assaile one another with great hardinesse their horses did no lesse for they set vppon one another and with their feete and teeth fighting together they did ioyne in such sort that the most part of the lookers on were more intentiue to the combate of the beasts then the fight of the knights Notwithstanding Madamain his horse in the ende had the worse being constrained to leape ouer the barriers and to run away This gaue a great presumption to euery man to imagine that Bruneo should obtaine the victory and so it fell out for hee pursued Madamain so neere and brought him to that extreamity that being almost out of breath he sayd vnto Bruneo I doe beleeue considering the rage thou art in that thou imaginest the day will not bee long enough to end our quarrell Howbeit if thou doest consider that thy armour is almost vnriuited thou shalt finde that it were better for thee to rest thy selfe then to assaile mee so vndiscreetly as thou doest and therefore I being vnwilling to vse thee so rigourously as thou deseruest I am content to giue thee leaue to take breath that we may afterwards begin the fight more hotly then before
Bruneo answered thou declarest in plaine tearmes that which is needfull for thy selfe Wherefore I pray thee as lustie as thou art not to spare mee a whit Art thou ignorant of the occasion of our combate Knowest thou not that either thy head or mine must cease this strife I doe assure thee that I am no more determined to listen vnto thy preaching wherefore if thou determine not to dy presently looke to thine owne defence better then thou hast done here-tofore Immediately without any further disputations hee assailed Madamain afresh but hee was already so weake as not being able so much as to defend Bruneo his blowes hee drew himselfe by little and little to the top of a Rock euen to the place where Amadis had cast the body of Ardan into the Sea And there Bruneo thrust him so rudely downe that he sent him to be buried in the Sea but before hee came to the bottome his body was torne in twenty seuerall peeces Which the iniurious Damosell perceiuing she entred into such fury and dispaire that as a mad woman shee ranne vnto the place where Ardan and Madamain were throwne downe headlond where finding Madamain his sword she set it to her breast crying so loud that all the companie heard her Seeing that Ardan the flower of chiualrie my brother haue chosen their graue in this raging Sea I will beare them companiâ—… And so casting herselfe downe headlong she was immediately couered with the water Then Bruneo mounting on horsâ—backe againe was conducted by the King and many other knights to the lodging of Amadis where hee desired to keep him company in whose honour hee had vndertaken the combate And because that the Queene Briolania perceiued that Amadis was not like to be cured in a short space nor to accompany her as hee had promised she tooke her leaue of him to goâ— see the singularities of the Firme Island wherefore Amadis commanded Enil to conduct her and to desire Isania the Gouernor thereof to doe her all the honour and giue her the best entertainement hee could deuise So Briolania departed bidding Oriana farewell assuring her that she should be aduertised what happened vnto her in trying the aduentures of the Island but shee was no sooner gone from the Court when it seemed that Fortune endeauoured the ruine of the kingdom of great Brittaine which had so long time liued in happinesse Yea euen king Lisuart himselfe who forgetting not onely the seruices hee had receiued of Amadis of his kindred and friends but especially the aduice and counsell of Vrganda listened to flatterers two ancient knights of his house to whom vnder the colour of the long education they had receiued as well of the King Falangris his eldest brother as of himselfe hee gaue credit beleeuing their vntrothes which he ought not to haue done as you shall presently vnderstand These two of whom I speake as wel by reason of their ancient age as of a kinde of hypocrisie cloaked with wisedome tooke more paines to seeme good and vertuous then to bee so in deede by meanes whereof they entred into great authority and were often-times called and made priuie to the most secret affaires of their Lord one of them was named Brocadan and the other Gandandell This Gandandell had two sonnes who before the comming of Amadis and of his followers into great Brittaine were esteemed two of the most hardiest knights in all the countrey notwithstanding the prowesse and dexteritie of the other did abate the renowne of those whom I speake of Whereat their father was so displeased that forgetting the feare of God the faith which hee ought to his Prince and the honour which all men of honesty ought to be endued withall determined not onely to accuse Amadis but likewise all those whom hee esteemed as his friends and did conuerse withall hoping to build his treason in such sort that by the ruine of so many good knights he would worke his owne his friends profit Wherefore finding the King on a time at leasure hee vsed speeches of like substance vnto him It may please your Maiesty I haue all my life long desired to bee faithfull vnto you as to my King and naturall Lord euen as my duty bindeth mee and will yet continue if it please God for besides the oath of fidelity which I haue sworne vnto you you haue of your gracious fauour heaped so many benefiâ—â— a vpon mee that if I should not counsell you in that which did concerne your royall Maiesty I should commit a great fault both towardes God and men In consideration whereof if it like your Maiesty after I had long weighed with my selfe that which I will declare vnto you I haue often repented that I deferred the matter so long not for any malice I beare vnto any man as God is my witnesse but onely for the damage which I see ready to ensue if your Maiesty do not speedily and wisely seeke remedy to preuent it Your Maiesty knoweth that of long time there hath beene great controuersie betweene the kingdomes of Gaule and great Brittaine because that the Kings your predecessors haue alwaies pretended title of soueraigntie thereunto And albeit that for some time this quarrell hath line dead notwithstanding it is likely that those of that Countrey calling to minde the warres and domages they haue endured by your subiects haue secretly determined to take reuenge thereof And in my opinion Amanis who is chiefe and principall amongst them all is not come into this Countrey but to practise and gaine your people who ioyned with the forces which he may easily land heere will so trouble you that it will be hard for you to resist them And I beseech you to consider whither the likelyhood there-of bee not already very apparent Moreouer your Maiestie may bee pleased to consider that he of whoÌ„ I speake and those of his aliance likewise haue done mee so much honour and pleasure that both I and my children are greatly bounden vnto them and were it not that you are my soueraigne Lord I would in no wise pleake against Amadis but in those things which concerne your person let mee rather receiue death then that I spare any man liuing were he mine own sonne You haue receiued Amadis with so great number of his parents and other strangers into your Court like a good and liberall Prince as you are that in the end their traine will become greater then your owne wherefore if it like your Maiesty it were good to fore-see this matter before the fire bee kindled any further When the King heard Gandandel speake in this sort he became very pensiue and afterwards answered him In faith louing friend I beleeue that you aduertise mee as a good and faithfull subject neuerthelesse seeing the seruices that they of whom you speake haue done vnto me I cannot be perswaded in my mind that they would procure or imagine any treason against me May it please your Maiesty answered he that is
and wealthy full of faire women store of forrests and many riuers fit for hauking furthermore diuers as well of our acquaintance as of strangers wil come and visit vs besides in our neede if we shall want any aide and that king Lisuart will attempt any enterprise against vs we shall bee supported by my father from the Countrey of little Brittaine and from Scotland especially from the Realm of Sobradisa the which the Queene Briolania will wholly yeelde into our hands at all times when wee shall please Seeing that you are in these tearmes answered Quedragant now may you know those which do loue your coÌ„pany from those which doe not By my faith said Amadis I am of the opinion if any loue his owne particular profit that hee should not forsake so good a Master yet those which will follow mee shall neither fare better nor worse then mine owne selfe And as they thus consulted in the meddow the king happened to come by them accompanied with Gandandell and many other knights and seeing them together he did passe on making as though he saw them not Then caused he a cast of Iackes or Hobbies to be let flie at a Larke and after hee had a while solaced himselfe with this pastime hee returned backe vnto the Citty without speaking eyther to Amedis or any other in his companie CHAP. XXI How Amadis with many others his confederats for sooke the seruice of King Lisuart and went as well to proue the aduentures of the Arch of loyall Louers as also of the forbidden chamber WHen Amadis did see that the king perseuered still in the euill opinion which he had conceiued against him and his according to his former determination at his coming forth of the meddow he went vnto the court and he found the king ready to sit downe to dinner Then approching vnto him he said may it please your Maiesty if in any thing I haue offended your grace God and your selfe can witnesse assuring you that although the seruices which I haue done vnto you haue beene very small yet the will which I haue had to acknowledge the benefits and honour which it hath pleased you to bestow vpon mee hath beene exceeding great You tell me that I should seeke abroad for one that would better requite me then you giuing me therby to vnderstand the small desire you haue that I should obey you not that I will depart from you as my liege Lord and Soueraign for I was neuer subiect to you nor any other Prince God only excepted but I take leaue of you as of him who hath done me great good and honour and vnto whom I doe be are affectionate loue and desire of seruice Scant had hee spoke this word when suddenly these in like sort did take their leaues viz. Galuanes Agraies Dragonis Palomir Bruneo de Bon'Mer Branfill his brother Angriotta d'Estrauaux Grindonan his brother Pinores his Cosin and Don Quedragant who stepped before all the rest saying vnto the King Your Maiesty knoweth that I neuer had come nor remayned in your Court but at the instance and request of Amadis willing and desirous to bee his friend for euer and seeing that by his occasion I became yours by the like reason will I now leaue your seruice and hereafter forsake you for what hope may I haue that my small seruices shall bee regarded when his being so many and great are so badly requited without remembrance how greately you are indebted vnto him in deliuering you from the handes of Mandafabull and for the victory also which you haue obtained of king Cildadan with the price of his blood and other of his kindred I could well remember you of the good turne which he did vnto you when hee deliuered you and your daughter Oriana as I haue many times heard it said from the hands of Arcalaâ—s and now of late my Lady Leonor whom Famangomad and Basigant his sonne the crullest giants in the world had taken prisoner with intent to put her to death for which cause the ingratitude which now you shew vnto him is so great that it quite depriueth you from all knowledge of the truth And therefore he ought to make no lesse account of this his short farewell then of the slow reward hee hath receiued for the seruices past As for me I am determined to follow him and to forsake your court togither with him Whereunto the king replied Don Quedragant your tongue doth well declare the little loue you beare vnto me yet notwithstanding mee thinks you are not so tied nor alied vnto Amadis as in accusing me you should excuse him as you do but your thought is otherwise you say more then you thinke Your Maiesty may speake what you please said Quedragant like a mighty Lord as you are neuerthelesse you much mistake mee in thinking me to be a dissembler or a counterfeiter of leasings as a number of others about you are by whom I am sure that in the end you shall finde your selfe but badly serued Moreouer before many dayes be past you shall perceiue who are the friends of Amadis Which said hee retired and Landin stepped forth saying to the king may it please your Maiestie I haue not found one in all your court that was able to giue any ayde or comfort to my wrongs but onely my Lord Amadis whom I now do see ready to depart from your seruice for the wrong that you haue done vnto him for which cause not desiring to forsake him nor my Vncle Don Quedragant also I do take my leaue of you Truly Landin answered the king so far as I perceiue wee are assured that henceforth you haue no desire to remaine with vs. Beleeue mee if it like your Maiesty said he looke what they are so will I bee for during my life will I obey them At that instant there stood in a corner of the hall whispering together Don Brian of Moniasta a most renowned knight sonne to King Ladasan and to one of the sisters to king Perion of Gaule Vrlandin son to the Earle of Orlanda Grandores and Madansill of Pont d'argent Listoran of the white Tower Ledaâ— of Fryarqua Tantilies the haughty and Don Grauat de Val Craintif All these came vnto the king and said Your Maiesty may be pleased to vnderstand that the occasion of our comming hither was to see Amadis and his brethren and to be their friends if it were possible And euen as they were cause of the seruice that you haue receiued of vs they also shall bee the meanes that we will forsake you and we do take leaue of your grace to keepe them company When the king perceiued that hee was so suddenely forsaken of such a great number of good knights hee was highly displeas'd for very spight he would not permit Amadis to goe take his leaue of the Queene who as much as in her lay did wholy oppose her selfe against the counsell of Gandandell and his companion And therefore Amadis intreated
and I see my face already waxen leane Madame sayde the Damosell of Denmarke it is an easie matter to preuent an inconuenience when it is foreseene before it happen I will tell you answered the Princesse whereupon I haue bethought mee It is necessarie that you Damosell doe hazard your life for the sauing of my honour You see that I doe put more trust in you then in any other person that liueth Madame sayde shee you knowe or at the least you should know mee so well that I haue neither life nor honour named Sarquiles Cosen vnto Angrietta de Estranaux being in louâ— with one of the Neeces of Broquadan was by chance hidden behind the Tapestrie of the same chamber staying for some signe or watch word which was to be giuen vnto him by his louing Mistresse hee I say heard all their counsaile whereat hee was wonderfull abashed For which cause incontinently after the traytours were departed hee came foorth from his place where hee had almost all that day beene hidden and the next morning hee armed him and as if he had beene come some farre iourney he entred into the Pallace where the king was vnto whom he came and sayd If it may please your Maiesty I am none of your subiect nor liege man but in requitall of the bringing vp and education that I haue had in your Court I am bound to preserue and defend the honoâ—â— of your Maiesty Wherefore your highnesse may be pleased to bee aduertised that within these three dayes I was in such a place where I heard that Broquadan and Gandandel did not only then conspire but already had committed against God and your grace the greatest treason that might be imagined It is sure that they determined to counsell perswade you to put Madasima and her gentlewomen to death and for the rest I hope if it like your Maiesty before ten dayes be past that their wickednes shal be wholy laid open proued vnto you And because that in maintayning such traitors you haue of late banished my Lord Amadis and many other good knights from your coÌ„pany I am not determined to stay any longer with you and therefore I take my leaue of your grace to goe seeke out my Vncle Angriotta whom if God please you shall see in these parts and I with him determined to auouch by force of armes against these two traytors their vniust conspiracies God be with you answered the king seeing that you haue so great haste Herewithall Sarquiles rose vp leauing the king alone very pensiue for the wordes which hee had said vnto him and some few dayes after he arriued in the Firme-Island as Amadis Angriotta Bruneo and others were walking by the Sea side causing certaine ships to be prepared and rigged to passe into Gaule where king Perion had sent vnto Amadis that he should come for certaine affaires which were lately happened vnto him When Angriotta beheld his Nephew Sarquiles he wondred thereat inquiring of him why hee had left king Lisuart My Lord answered Sarquiles it is for a matter whereat you all this coÌ„panie wil greatly admire Hereupon hee recited vnto them the whole discourse of the practises and counsailes that Broquadan and Gandandel had held vpon the accusation of Amadis his companions Well answered Angriotta I did alwaies thinke so of them And you my Lord said hee vnto Amadis doe now finde that to be true which I haue here-tofore told you But seeing it is so I protest they shall repent their treacherie for I will depart hence tomorrowe morning to goe and fight with them and make them acknowledge their villany Gentle friend answered Amadis the matter being so certaine as it is you haue no reason to deferre the execution of your enterprise and if you had any sooner performed that which you now determine it had beene perchance with lesse assurance then you now haue And after many other discourses they went vnto their lodging vntill the next morning that Angriotta took his leaue of Amadis and accompanied with his Nephew Sarquiles tooke the right way towards great Brittaine where within few dayes after he arriued Now you must vnderstand that euer since the departure of Amadis king Lisuart was so melancholly as no man could be more and hee spent all the day long in studying with himselfe whereof one time aboue all the rest Broquadan and Gandandel seeing him alone very pensiue came vnto him and sayd May it please your Maiesty it seemeth vnto vs that the ouer great care which you take in these your affaires depriueth you of your wonted manner of life and you take matters more to heart then you neede It may wel be answered the king but what meane you to tell me so Is it if it like your Maiesty sayd they for doubt of those that come from the Firme-Island in the defence of Madasima and her Damosels by the faith wee owe vnto God if it please your grace to credit our counsell you and your estate shall be henceforth in greater security then euer yet it hath beene And to bring that to passe commaund the heades of those pledges which you haue this day to bee smitten off Then afterwardes send vnto Galuanes and the rest of his compapanie your enemies that vpon their liues they be not once so hardy as to enter into your countries and if by chance they be already arriued command them foorth-with to depart or otherwise you will cause them to bee cut in peeces When the King heard this wicked speech and vngodly counsaile of theirs hee remembred that which Sarquiles had tolde vnto him therwithall he knew that without doubt these two traytors did with wrong procure the death of these Damosels notwithstanding because he would not at that time amase them hee onely answered this You counsaile mee to things farre vnfitting my estate the one that I should without processe or order of Iustice put Madasima and her Damosels to death and the other that I should forbid froÌ„ my Court those knights that are minded to come thither But if I should doe this which you say I might bee grieuously reproued for it before God who hath by his great bounty and mercy instituted mee King to administer Iustice vnto euery one alike therefore the counsell which you doe giue vnto mee is wicked and vnworthy to be receiued Let it suffice you therefore that I haue already listned vnto you in the accusation which you haue contriued against Amadis whereof I doe greatly repent mee for I neuer receiued of him nor any of his but all honor pleasure seruice wherefore I charge you vpon your liues that you mooue me no more thereof Saying so he rose vp shewing by his countenance that hee was very angry whereat Gandandel and Broquadan were greatly abashed and they were constrained to departe vnto their lodging to determine what was best for theÌ„ to be done seeing that already fortune had maruailously crossed them they came not in the
the death You haue heard what Imosel and his fellowes haue saide vnto mee which I doe thinke to be good right wherefore it is time that you determine what to do For by the faith that I owe vnto God I will not permit that any other of my knights shall fight with them if you look not vnto it you shall bee answerable for all and the Damosels deliuered If it please your Maiesty answered they to morrow we will be ready to maintain what-soeuer we haue saide And for that time they departed to their lodging greatly troubled for that which they were to do Neuerthelesse seeing that now there was no remedy they determined to perseuer in their daurned opinion by argument of words onely without putting themselues or their children in danger knowing assuredly that they were not able to resist any of those that were come from the Firme-Island But it happened out so well for them as the very same night newes came vnto the King that Grumedaâ—a the olde Giantesse was dead and that a little before her death shee had yeelded vp her strong places into the hands of the kings people beseeching him to haue pitty vpon her daughter Madasima Whereupon the next morning at their returne from church hee caused the twelue knights of the Firme-Island to bee called vnto whom he said My friends you may carry away with you the Damosels which you demand when it shall please you for I set them at liberty because that this night the Earle Latin hath written vnto me that he hath the Isle of Mongaza in his hands and that the olde Giantesse is deceased If any were glad here-of you may beleeue that the two traitors Broquadan and Gandandel were nothing sorry for as much as they did perceiue that if this had not happened their treason had bid discouered TheÌ„ Imosel answered the king If your Maiestie doe but Madasima right shee must not remaine poor nor disinherited seeing your grace knoweth that children are bound to obey their parents as shee hath done more by feare then free will And so if it please your Maiesty vsing your accustomed liberality you should shewe her some grace and fauour shewing thereby an example to all other vertuous and couragious Princes to do the like Imosel sayde the king let it suffice you that the Damosels are at liberty for I cannot reuoke the gift which I haue made to my daughter Leonor of the land which you demand I most humbly beseech your Maiestie answered Galuanes to haue pitty vpon her and mee who at this preseÌ„t ought to hold the place descended froÌ„ her ancestors of whom shee is the lawfull inheretrix especially of the land which you doe take from her and if it please your highnesse in remembrance of the seruices which I haue done vnto you you may restore them vnto vs to hold them of your grace by fealty and homage I haue said enough my Lord Galuanes answered the king that which is done cannot be vndone Trust me answered he seeing I can neither haue right nor reason of you I will trie if I may get it some other way Doe what you can said the king I am in good hope seeing I haue won if froÌ„ greater then you to desend it against those that are lesse theÌ„ they Sir answered Galuanes he which got it for you hath bin very badly recoÌ„pensed therefore Care not you for that saide the King if he of whom you speake dare but aduenture to aide you I dare bee so bolde as to withstand him and to make him beshrew himselfe Agraies hearing these threats was exceeding angry and in great choller answered Sir although my Lord Amadis was neuer other theÌ„ a waÌ„dring knight yet did he that good for you which as yet you neuer recompensed for he hath many times defended you and deliuered you from death Florestan did well perceine that Agraies entred into farther tearmes then was fit hee should for which cause he a little pulled him back and said vnto the king Sir although you be a king and a great Lord yet it may be you shall finde somewhat to do to vse my Lord Amadis in such sort as you threaten him By my faith said Brian Amadis hath done you too many seruices to be thus badly requited especially he being sonne vnto a Prince as worthy as your selfe Soft and faire Don Brian saide the king we know wel enough that you are one of his friends I am and so ought to be said Brian for euery one knoweth that I am his cosin german and therefore it were a shame not to succour him in his neede Truely answered the King for the same cause doe I hold you excused And as they were in these tearmes Angriotta de Estrauaux Sarquiles his Nephew came before the King who beeing armed at all points did their duty vnto his Maiestie but when the knights of the Firme-Island did beholde them they greatly wondred for they knew nothing at al of this their enterprise Then Angriotta with a loud voice began his speech in this manner May it please your Maiestie my Nephew and I heere preseÌ„t do beseech your grace to cause two traitors that are in your Court Broquadan and Gandandel to appeare before your Maiestie vnto whom I will declare the treason which they haue done against you Much affrighted was Broquadan and his companion hearing Angriotta speake after this manner who continuing his speech saide If it like your highnesse these two wicked persons of whom I speake without respect or feare of God or men haue falsly accused my Lord Amadis other of a matter wherein they neuer so much as in thoght offended By means whereof I dare well say that you haue banished from you the best Knights that euer entered into Great Brittaine therefore if those traitours dare maintaine that they be not such as I tearme them I alone by the help of God and the edge of my sword will make them confesse it And if they ought to bee excused by reason of their age there is neither of them both which hath not a sonne of long time bearing armes and well enough esteemed of amongst the Knights of your court against whom I will fight if they will maintain the quarrell of their wicked fathers Most mighty soueraigne answered Gandandel doth not your grace see the boldnes of this proud iniurious fellow who is come into this countrey to no other end but onely to shame the Gentlemen of your court By my faith if your Maiestie would haue beleeued me long agoe so soone as hee had entred into your Realme hee should haue bin hanged vp vpon the first tree that he had come vnto but seeing that your grace doth suffer him you must not hereafter be abashed if Amadis in his owne person doe come euen hither to iniurie your owne selfe Notwithstanding thus much I protest that by the liuing God if I were as young now as when I began to enter into the seruice
thing as I guesse but that the displeasure of a weake woman had brought him to this extremity he would haue tried to colour his fault by the examples of the strong and valiant Hercules Sampson the wise Salomon Virgill and an infinit number of other great and vertuous personages which haue all faln into the like misery being no more able to resist the same then he And Amadis would haue thought their misfortunes sufficient to shaddow his miserie and yet it is quite contrary for their example might haue warned him to haue shunned the like folly Was it likely then that Fortune would bring him out of his calamity he being thus ouercome for so small a cause and to bestow vpon him afterwards more fauours and victories then euer she had done before me thinketh that she should not neither yet had she done it if those things by her executed against him had not turned to the profit of the persons whom she would fauour whose liues depended vpon Amadis his safety whom she tormented in such sort as it seemed she had more compassion vpon them then care of him as your selfe may iudge Because that Amadis being as it were brought vnto the period of his life when he least hoped of remedie euen then was he restored vnto his former estate by such meanes as shal be hereafter recited vnto you But to the end that we stray not too farre from the order of our history you must first vnderstand that which happened to Gandalin after he awaked and found neither Amadis nor his horse who rising vp in a fright misdoubted that which was happened and looked in all places thereabout notwithstanding he could see nothing but Trees and Bushes By meanes whereof he began to cry and call yet no body answered him but the Eccho which resounded thorow the valley whereby he knew well that Amadis was departed For this cause he began to make a most sorrowfull lamentations determining to follow him and to doe what he could to find him againe which that he might the better accomplish hee returned where hee had left his horse the which hee found hauing neither saddle nor bridle vpon him which made him almost beside himselfe But as hee fretted and sought from one place to another in the middest of the bushes hee espied the harnesse of his horse which he sought wherefore incontinently he sadled him and mounted vpon him gallopping through the forrest not knowing which way to take and in this frensie he rode fiue daies together without any stay at all but at the side of the villages where he onely taried to enquire after Amadis Notwithstanding he could heare no newes of him till the sixt day that he entred into a meddow wherein was a fountaine hard by the which Amadis had left his armour There he beheld a Pauillion set vp and two Gentlewomen vnto whom hee came asking them if they had seene a knight passe by bearing in his shield two Lions sables in a field Or. Wee haue not seene the knight which you demand after answered they but we did finde his shield and the rest of his armour vpon the brinke of this fountaine When Gandalin heard this hee cryed out mainely and bearing his haire he said weeping Ay me is he dead Alas what mis-fortune is hapned the best knight in the world is he lost heerewithall did hee encrease his laments so strangely as both the Gentlewomen had great compassion vpon his miserie Alas my Lord sayde hee how badly haue I kept you truely I am worthy to bee accounted the most wicked esquire that liueth on the earth hauing so lewdly forsaken you and you who were wont to be the defence and refuge of all distressed persons haue now nor coūcel nor cōfort of any liuing wight no not of me caitife as I am that through my great fault and sluggishnesse haue left you in your greatest neede euen when I ought best to haue serued you No soner had he said these words but that hee fell downe in a swound which when the Gentlewomen behelde they cryed Alas this esquire is dead and therewithall they ran vnto him but hee moued not in any sort Neuerthelesse they bestirred them so well as they brought him againe to himselfe afterwards they sayd vnto him my friend you are to blame thus to despaire for a thing whereof you are yet vncertaine It were more conuenient for you to goe seeke your maister seeing that the vertuous as you ought to bee do encrease their strength euen when aduersitie most assaileth them Gandalin knew that they sayde true and for the same cause he determined following their counsell to trauaile so long from place to place vntill he had newes of Amadis But I pray you Gentlewomen answered hee tell me where you haue found his armour That will wee willingly said they Wee were of late in the company of Don Guillan the pensiue who within these few dayes past deliuered vs from the prison of Gandinas the malicious with more then twentie other Ladies and Gentlewomen behauing him-selfe so valliantly that he hath broken the wicked custome of the Castle and constrained the Lord thereof to sweare neuer more to maintaine the same And because euerie one had liberty to goe whether they would my fellow and I haue followed him vnto this place and wee haue already stayed here this foure daies because that when we came hither first Guillan knew the armour of him whom you enquire after which were left vpon the side of the fountaine And I promise you that neuer knight was more sorrowful then he for as soon as he beheld them hee alighted from his horse saying Beleeue me this place is farre vnworthy to hold the shield of the best Knight in the world Then did hee take it vp from the ground and hanged it vpon this Tree Which done hee mounted againe vpon his horse commanding vs expressely that we should keepe it vntill hee had found the Knight to whom it appertained And to that end we did set vp these Pauilions which you see Notwithstanding after we had kept the same three whole dayes he returned and arriued but yesterday very late hauing no news of him at all and very early this morning he commanded his Esquires to take the rest of his Armour which were here found and he tooke off his owne shield to hang about his necke the other which we did keepe In the doing whereof he wept bitterly and said Truly shield thou makest a bad exchange of thy Master for me afterwards he told vs that he went to the Court of king Lisuart to present those spoyles vnto Queene Brisena being assured that shee would be no lesse sorrowfull then he for the sad mischance and wee likewise do follow after him to thanke the Queene for the good which Guillan hath done for vs for her sake as he hath commanded vs to do Then Gandalin bid them farewell assuring them that hee would finde him vpon whom his death or life
depended or else hee would end his daies in the seeking of him CHAP. VII How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom he declared the sorrowfull news of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his despaire DVrin hauing left Patin in the forrest as you haue heard made such great hast to returne vnto Oriana to let her know what he had seen of Amadis as the tenth day following he arriued in the Citty of London But so soone as Oriana perceiued him her heart throbbed in such sort as she was faine to goe into her chamber lay her down vpon her bed before shee would speake vnto Durin and shortly after shee commanded the Damosell of Denmarke to cause him to come in and to see that while she talked with him no other should come where she was Then Durin beeing on his knees before her shee said vnto him Durin my friend by the faith thou owest vnto mee tell mee in what estate thou diddest finde Amadis what was his countenance whilest hee red my Letter and what thou thinkest of the Queene Briolania Madam answered he by my faith I wil tell you the very truth although I am sure that vnto you and others it will seeme in a manner incredible At my departure from hence as it pleased you to command mee I went without any stay vnto the Citty of Sobradisa where I found the Queene Briolania who in my opinion next vnto you is the fayrest princesse of the world and of the best grace There I heard news that my Lord Amadis and his fellows were departed to returne vnto this Court but vpon the way they did meete with a Gentlewoman who carried them vnto the firme-Island to proue the strange aduentures thereof whereupon incontinently I tooke my way thither and there I arriued euen as my Lord Amadis passed the Arch of Loyall-Louers vnder the which none might passe that had in any sort falsified his first Loue. How said she hath he so rashly enterprised such an aduenture hauing his disloyalty so fresh before his eyes I know not Madam answered Durin how you beleeue it but sure I am that it hapned better vnto him then you thinke for seeing that he hath gotten more honour then euer any loyall Knight receiued as many can witnesse by the signes which then appeared And although at that instant Oriana would haue seemed for to dissemble the pleasure which she conceiued of these news yet could she not so cunningly do the same but that with extreame ioy her sudden blushing did increase her beautie for the assurance shee had in the loyaltie of Amadis But Durin continuing his discourse said vnto her Madam he hath yet done greater things for after hee had finished this so strange aduenture he heard news that my Lords Galaor Florestan and Agraies thinking to winne the forbidden Chamber were so rudely repulsed from the marble Pillar that their liues were in great perill by meanes whereof my Lord Amadis desirous to reuenge their wrongs with an inuincible courage he passed through all the garded places and maugre all the inchantments hee entred into the Chamber yet was it not without great danger and trauaile Thus did he win the Signory of the firm Island and al the inhabitants there-of haue already sworne vnto him homage and fealty according to the custome of the Country which is one of the fairest and strongest places in the world And I assure you Madame that it is more then an hundred yeeres since any liuing creature hath passed the pillars but onely my Lord Amadis by whose force and strength we haue seene all the singular things and riches of the pallace of Apolidon and the aduentrous Chamber which is renowned thorow all the parts of the Earth During this discourse of his Oriana was almost rauished with the great ease and pleasure that she conceiued in the hope that one day she should bee Lady and owner of such singuler things to her owne and her louers contentment and said vnto Durin Truly Durin fortune hath beene very fauourable vnto him Ah Madame answered he nay rather too rigorous so as I would to God some other had carried him that vnhappy Letter which you writ I deliuered how said Oriana I pray thee tell me what countenance he shewed in reading it Madame I wil tel you since it pleaseth you answered he although I am sure that you will bee very sort when you shal vnderstand what consequence it turned vnto and the mischiefe it brought vnto the best and faithfullest knight in the world In what sort said she You are the cause of his death answered Durin Out Alas said Oriana what is it thou tellest mee You haue forged the sword that hath wounded him to death and I carried it to him so as we are both his murtherers Then declared hee the whole circumstance and manner how he deliuered the letter and the despaire hee entred into after he had read it so as said Durin he did shortly after that secretly departe from the Pallace of Apolidon with Gandalin Isania the Gouernour of the Isle and me and we brought him vnto an hermitage where hee charged vs steightly to follow him no further then hee mounted on horse-back and taking with him neither Helmet Shield nor Lance he fled ouer a mountaine like vnto a mad man Afterward hee rehersed vnto her all the talke which particularly he had vsed vnto them in taking his leaue of them and Durin made this discourse with so many teares as it was very hard to iudge whether hee or Oriana had the more sorrowfull heart And know you Madame saide hee that after his departure notwithstanding his command to the contrary Gandalin and I followed him and found him asleepe by the side of a fountaine yet his sleepe was not long for suddainly hee awaked and raising himselfe vp he began to make the greatest lamentation in the world bewaling King Perion his father then Mabila and others his friends All this while Gandalin and I had our selues for feare of his furie by meanes whereof without any impeachment of vs he passed the most part of the night in the like lamentations vntill about the breake of day that there chaunced a knight to come singing a song which he had made for the loue of you the which Durin recited vnto her as also that which happened vnto Patin which so ouer-charged the heart of Oriana that she remained in a swound looking like one that were dead The which Durin fearing he called the Princesse Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke vnto whom he saide Goe helpe my Lady who is in a greate perplexitie for a thing which is now too late to be remedied and if shee hath mis-done the punishment is of due vnto her Herewithall he departed leauing the women much amazed for they knew not the cause of this inconuenience much lesse how they might remethe same neuerthelesse they vsed her in such sort that shee came againe
God both to grant you the victory against these traitors that haue in such inhumane sort tormented vs and also that he will bée pleased to haue mercy vpon our soules Great sorrow and compassion had the King for the losse of these 2. knights neuerthelesse seeing that for the present hee could in no sort remedie their misfortun he dissembled his griefe shewing as good a countenance as hee could because he would in no sort discourage the other Gentlemen there present he set before their eyes the accidents whereinto many others had fallen for the maintenance of their Honour of Knighthood from the which many times they haue with great glory and honour escaped But assure you my friends said the King that if wee doe gaine the Battaile I will take such reuenge hereof that the rumor thereof shall fill the eares of all the people in the World Therefore they who are appointed to goe with mee let them bee ready to morrow for I will depart to goe meete mine enemies And according as it was appointed so was all performed CHAP. XVI How that after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana back againe to Mirefleur he departed that he might be in the battel with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him THree dayes did the faire Forlorne remain with Oriana after the gayning of the sword and Kerchiefe and the fourth day following about midnight hee tooke his leaue of her and being armed at all points he rode all the night long Now had hee commanded Enil to goe and stay for him at a Castle scituated at the foote of a Hill neere vnto the which the Battaile was to be foughten and it belonged vnto an ancient knight named Abradan for in his house were all aduentrous knights often-times honoured and serued when they came thither to lodge And the same night did the faire Forlorne passe hard by king Lisuart his Campe not being perceiued at all afterwards hee rode so long that vpon the 5. day following he came vnto Abradan his house where he found Enil which was there ariued but a little before greatly was the faire Forlorne feasted by his Host and as they were talking together there entred in two of his nepheus that were returned from the place where the combat should be who assured them that already King Cildadan and his troop were there arriued and had set vp their Tents and Pauillions hard by the sea side In like sort Don Grumeda and Giontes Nephew to king Lisuart were there come with whom a Truce was concluded vpon eyther part to bee holden vntill the day of the battaile and that neyther of the two Princes should enter into the Combat with any more then one hundred knights in his company according as it was promised and sworne by them Nephewes said the host what do you thinke of the Irish-men whom God confound Vncle answered one of them they haue with them so many Giants that if God doe not miraculously assist our good king beleeue me it is impossible for him to withstand them Herewithall the teares fell from their Vncles eies and he said I hope that God will protect the best and iustest king in the world from falling into the hands of such wicked people Mine host answered the faire Forlorne be not afraid as yet for it happeneth out very often that courage and equity ouerthroweth the pride and presumption of the strongest But I pray you goe vnto the king and tell him that there is lodged in your house a knight called the Faire Forlorne and that hee desireth his Maiesty to send word by you when the day of the battaile shall be What sayd the olde man are you hee that of late did send Don Quedragant vnto his Court and slew Famongomad and his son when they had taken my Lady Lenor and her knights beleeue mee Sir if euer I did any pleasure vnto aduenturous knights I doe euen at this present acknowledge me throughly to be recompenced my house beeing now honoured with your presence and I will not faile to accomplish that which it hath pleased you to command me Then he mounted vpon his horse and tooke with him his two Nephewes and rode vntill hee came where king Lisuart was encamped within halfe a league of his enemies vnto whom he declared the message of the Faire Forlorne at the which all the company did greatly reioyce And the King answered seeing that we haue the Faire Forlorne on our side I doe also hope that wee shall haue the honor of the our enterprise And now see the number of one hundred knights very well furnished had wee but one knight more It may please your Maiesty said Grumedan you now haue the aduantage for the Faire Forlorne is well worth fiue This speech did nothing at all please Galaor Florestan nor Agraies for they hated the Faire Forlorne vnto death for the wrong which they thought he did vnto Amadis neuerthelesse they held their peace and Abradan hauing receiued his answere of the King returned to his guest vnto whom he recited the pleasure that euery one receiued at the newes that he brought from him and of the hundred knights there was no more then one missing but that they were all assembled The which beeing vnderstood by Enil hee did so much that he found his Master apart and falling downe vpon his knees he sayd vnto him My Lord although my seruice vnto you hath not beene such as it should and therefore haue I nothing at all deserued yet am I so bolde at this time to request one gift of you which I beseech you most humbly to graunt vnto mee Demand it sayd hee and rise vp My Lord sayd Enil I pray you thē make mee knight to the end that I may goe vnto the King to entreat his Maiesty that hee will bee pleased to accept of mee for the last knight of his number Friend Enil sayd the Faire Forlorne me thinkes that thou shouldst beginne to try thy prowesse in a place lesse dangerous then this battaile will bee not because I would deferre to make thee knight but in that I know it is too waighty a charge for thee My Lord sayde Enil I knowe that in all my life I cannot haue a better meanes to gaine honour for if I die amongst so many men of worth my reputation shall bee thereby encreased and if I may escape my renowne shall be perpetuall hauing been one in number with a hundred of the best knights in the world The Faire Forlorne hearing Enil speake so vertuously with a kind pittie that he had of him he ruminated these words to himselfe Thou dost well shew thy selfe to bee a kinsman vnto the good knight Gandales my second father Then hee answered Enil if thou haue so great a desire to proue thy self such a one as thou sayest I will no longer disswade thee And therewithall he presently went vnto his host and entreated him to giue him an armour for his Esquire who desired to bee made a knight