then any of your owne motion Brian Brian saide the King I am well assured that if you had beleeued your father you would neither haue departed from my seruice as you haue done neither would you in this sort haue helde argument against mee The argument which I do hold against your Maiestie said Brian is not for any il will or that I would not performe any dutifull seruice for your grace for I know well that in time you will acknowledge that which I say true And where your Maiestie doth tell me that if I had beleeued my father I would not haue forsaken you sauing thereuerence of your Maiestie I did ne-uer forsake you for I neuer did belong vnto you but I onely came into your house to seeke my cosin Amadis who so long as hee was yours so long had I a desire to serue you and neuer did I whilst I there remained offend you Well well answered the King wee will debate of this another time more at large Which said he bad them good night and departed for it was already somewhat late Heeretofore you haue heard how the King had the day before after dinner taken vp Gandandel and Broquadan who beeing very heauie did consult a great while how they might with honour finish theyt wicked enterprise for the next morning the twelue Knights of the Firme-Island met the King at Church who after seruice was ended called Broquadan and Gandandel vnto whom he said You haue of long time counsailed me to put Madasima and her Damosels to death beeing our prisoners and that in their behalfe I should heare no iustification whatsoeuer Therefore you must now make answere vnto that which these 12 Knights will maintaine Then Imosell of Burgoine stepped forth saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie I and my fellowes are come into your Court to beseech you most humble that you would extend your iustice and mercy to Madasima and her Damosels Whereupon Gandandel stepped forth and answered My Lord Imosel you request that iustice should bee extended to Madasima and so farre as I perceiue you twelue wil maintaine that they ought to be heard in their iustifications but by the faith that I owe vnto the King if he consent thereunto he doth amisse considering vnder what condition they are entred into his prison Beleeue me Gandandel said Imosel had you held your peace you had done but your duty for the king hath not yet commanded you to speak also because you know that by the custome of great Brittaine no woman ought to suffer death except it bee in two cases the one for Leze maiestie the other for treason But there is not any in this company who knoweth not how these poore women were brought into the king his hands more by compulsion then their owne consent Therefore we beseech your Maiesty and you my Lords all to consider of the matter for reason and pittie are most fit to be vsed therein You are to blame answered Gandandel to request a thing so vnreasonable and seeing it hath pleased the king to heare vs both let him order the matter as to his maiesty shall seem most conuenient Then the king caused euery one to depart called some of the most principall of the realme vnto him and amongst others his Vncle the Earle Argamont an auncient most vertuous Prince vnto whom he said Good Vncle I pray you and all the rest also to counsell me vpon this controuersie But there was not any that would speake their opinion before they had heard the king Seeing it is so sayde the king you shal presently know mine opinion It seemeth vnto me Imosel of Burgondie hath both reasonable and wisely spoken and that the Damosels ought to be heard what they they can say in their own defence Truely if it like your Maiesty sayd the old Earle you speak like a vertuous king and it is not possible to giue a righter iudgement of which opinion they were all Wherefore he commanded Gandandel Broquadan to bee sent for and in the presence of the knights of the Firme-Island hee gaue the same sentence for the which they humbly thanked his maiesty beseeching him that Madastma her women might be set at liberty For we hope said they to haue them acquited either by reason or arms It is well saide answered the king who sent for the Damosels to come vnto him and afterward said vnto them Looke vp Ladies behold these Gentlemen which will defend your right will you be cōtent to put your quarrell and aduenture your liues vpō their force Alas if it like your Maiesty answered Madasima seeing it pleaseth them to affoord vs this good wee doe put our liues into their hands and your good mercy Trust mee Madame saide Imosel If there bee any heere which will gainesay that you are not deliuered and set at liberty behold me ready to proue the contrarie if there be twelue together of the like opinion wee are twelue likewise that wil hazard our liues for yours Therewithall the king did cast his eyes vpon Gādandel and Broquadan and he perceiued that they hanged downe their heads looking vpon the ground so much amased that they were not able to answer one word wherefore the king saide vnto the knights of the Isle My Lords I pray you to withdraw your selues for this day and to morrow you shall haue answere of those with whom you are to deale Where-upon they all departed and presently after the king called apart Broquadan Gandandel vnto whō he said come hither you knowe that many times you haue solicited me to put these poore Damosels to death perswading mee that it was iust and reason so to doe and that if need were you your sons would maintain this counsaile vnto 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 Grumedaca 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
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 recouÌ„ted 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 hersinguler 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 Bâ—…e little Galaor being two yeeâ—… 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 〈…〉 she loued as her owne life â—…s extreame dollour she 〈…〉 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 pâ—…ce 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 she 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 young 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 kept a 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 embatqued to exccute 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 shlat thou see quoth she
euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowne to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode backe the same way she came and the King into the Citie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to keepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honour and happie comming there were Knightly Tourneys daily vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Gyant had carryed away his brother Galaor wherefore hee determined happen what might to goe seeke him and if possible hee could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he entreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemies that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittaine because he was loath to remaine idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Queen yet by opportunitie hee obtained permission for his Voyage nor could they all haue power to with hold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Herevpon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarqing himselfe at the neerest Port of the Sea where by good happe he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittaine landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient City of that Countrey where hee heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obey sance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demanded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marry is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any shipping there for my speedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither sayd Amadis In sooth replyed the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whom King Perion not long since had knowne to bee his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruaile hereat for hee thought these newes had not been so farre spread abroad wherefore hee demaunded how she heard thereof I know it qouth she from her to whom the most secret things of all are manifest for she knew Amadis before he knew himselfe or that his Father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what shee is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowne She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which shee now standeth in feare to loose Beleeue me Damosell answered Amadis seeing she who may command euery one doth now please to employ Amadis I assure ye it is needlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seek and therefore let vs goe whither you thinke conuenient What sayd the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct yee where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII How the Gyant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dubbe him Knight mette with his brother Amadis by whose hand hee would bee Knighted and no other THe Gyant of whom sundry times we haue spoken heereto-fore causing yong Galaor to bee instructed in managing horses all other exercises beseeming a Knight found him so capeable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeere hee was growne meruailous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whom hee most willingly would receiue his order of Knight-hood Notwith-standing before the Gyant mooued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this maner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would bee so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my son answerd the Gyant you haue reasō for your words yet tell me by whō you would receiue your Order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if so it like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Wel haue you aduised sayd the Gyant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire and strong Castle named Bradoid seated on the toppe of a mountaine enuironed about with Fennes and Marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the Marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long Causey being so broad that two Chariots might well meet together on it and at the entrance of the Causey was a draw-bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Heere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly Elme trees where-under the Gyant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shield two Lyons rampant and because the bridge was drawne vp hee could passe no further but called with a loude voyce to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing sayd to the Gyant My Lord if it please you I would grady see what this Knight will doe here Soone after they espyed at the further end of the Causey by the Castle side two other Armed Knights accompanied with tenne Halberders who came and demaunded of the knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not sticke for that answered hee that would enter cause you the bridge to bee let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twaine more hasty then his companion aduanced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carreer against the knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both Horse and man to the ground The friend to the dismounted knight thinking to reuenge his iniury gaue forth to meete him and failing in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountered with their bodies as the knight of the Castle fell into the water
It may 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 shee turned bridle and rode away but Galaor entred the castle 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 the 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 good knight 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 company of her mother with diuerse Gentlewomen heere disporting mauger them all forcibly hee tooke her away before wee could fall the bridge to succor 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 other knights to which wordes he thus answered By heauen I see you loue me now for ere 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 bee 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 he ere beholde Thus vnprouided of defence likewise suddenly and most villainously was this good knight slain and yet the blody traytour not farisfied 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 with-out 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 pastà ge for knights errant said the olde man to try if any would be so honourably prouoked as to reuenge an act of such shame and tontempt 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 deâ—…d is nor amisse 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 Galaoe 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
bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extreamity her latest houer must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewes with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend himselfe which the Duke perceiuing hee left his Nephew with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slaine him Agraies stepped betweene theÌ„ hauing dispatched his enemie of his head and hindred the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tel which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ranne flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his necke was broken with dragging along Hereupon Agraies left him returning to his vncleto know how he fared Very well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it grieueth mee that Oliuas is dead for hee lieth still and moueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these words wherefore commanding the Duke and his Nephewes bodyes to be throwne foorth of the field they came both to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his wounds not to be mortall they bound them vp so well as they could saying Friend Oliuas be of good cheeâ—e for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt wee not of your health because wee finde little danger in your hurts Alas my Lords quoth Oliuas my heart fainteth and albeit I haue beene heereâ—ofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to knowe whether hee were dead or no and when it was tolde him how hee wanted nothing but speedy cure hee commanded him to bee honourably caryed into the Citie and his own cirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which he did promising to deliuer him well againe within few daies Thus euery one returned disputing diuersly on the end of the Combat and according to their particular affections so that soone after the Queeene who was one of the best Ladies in the world was aduised to send for the wife to the deceased Duke that in the Court shee might weare away the cause of her melancholly and to dispatch this businesse shee sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Neece Aldena with her whereof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the friend and beloued of the Dutchesse Not long after she and her Neece arriued at the Court where they were right nobly feasted and entertayned Thus the King spent the time in the Citty of London accompanied with many great Lords knights and Ladies because the fame was blazed throught the world of his honourable courtesie to strange Knights which drew an exceeding number to his court whom he rewarded very bountifully hoping by their meanes not onely to confirme his Realme in peace but likewise to conquere other which some-time had beene subiect and tributary to his Crown yet through the pusillanimity and negligence of the Kinges his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEretofore it hath beene declared how Amadis being with Briolania promised to reuenge the King her Fathers death against Abiseos and his two Sonnes which in one year after he should performe being accompanied with two other Knights Also how when he tooke his leaue of her shee gaue him a Sword because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Sword was afterward broken at the Ladies Castle who was the beloued of Angriote d'Estranans when he combatted with Gasinan and commanded Gandalin to bring away the peeces thereof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault of him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his master loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered himselfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of theÌ„ both Loue who often-times prouoketh his Subiects would no longer continue them in so great ease but rayse some cinders of diuision wherby they might receiue discontentment For this cause he made Amadis remember his promise to Briolania that he should combat Abiseos within one yeare the end whereof was now at hand and being loth to faile therein he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sort Briolania was disinherited of her fathers kingdom such were his discourses on her behalf that although Oriana was loth to grant what hee demanded or to permit his absence from her yet being ouer-come with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow said Deere friend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you do me aloweth no excuse Yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine own pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content seeing there is no other remedy though my consent be with greater griefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischiefe will happen to me by this voyage Madam answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wish neuer to haue beene borne Let Briolania then pardon my tarrying for I hold my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agreeable to you Not so sweete friend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall go but make a speedy returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this separation sealed and shee desired him to acquaint the Queene there with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commandement which he did and on the morrow departed with Gâ—laâ—r and Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a Mile but he asked Gandalin if hee had brought with him the peeces of the Sword that Briolania gaue him when hee left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what speede thou canst to ouertake vs. Alas had he but misdoubted the mishap followed hereon hee neuer would haue sent such
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 PalaSpan◠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 ne-uer 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 flint 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 she 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 carry away your friend Presently came out of a valley a knight brauely prauncing well
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 cafe 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 stained 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 weaping he burst out into these words Alas fortune too inconstant fickle 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 tormēts 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 intisemēts thou vtterly ouerthrowest them in the end compellest them to enter into the labytinth 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 thē 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 with-out 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 cōmandements 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 end yet valiant Angriotta d Estrauaux 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 cōfort 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 they 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 most bounden I remaine To thee for thy exceeding bounteous grace On earth what Gentleman may vaunt like gaine Beloued thou makest me in euery place Happy such hap when loue doth so respect me Ne're seru'd I Lady but she did affect me To witnesse this a Princesse word I haue Sweet Sardamira she I know will vow it Whom I in heart a supream◠honour
but hee was already so weake as not being able so much as to defend Brunco 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 Brunco 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 companie And so casting herselfe downe headlong she was immediately couered with the water Then Brunco mounting on horse-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 goe 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 bad 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 Wheâ—s at 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 endâ—…ed withall determined not onely to accuse Amadis but likewise all those whom hee esteemed aâ— 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 â—ath of fidelity which I haue swerne unto you you haue of your gracious fauour heaped so many beâ—… vpon mee that it I should not counsell you in that which did concerneâ—y our 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 linedead 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 subiect 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 it which deceiueth you for if they had heretofore offended you you would haue beene ware of them as of your enemies but they can wisely cloake their pretended treason colouring it with an humble speech accompanied with some small seruices wherein they haue employed themselues watching a time of more fit opertunity The King turned his head on the one side without answering any farther because there came some Gentlemen vnto him neuerthelesse Gandandel being as yet ignorant how the King had taken his aduertisement he practised with Brocadan and drew him
to seeke other twaine because I meane to bring them with mee yea such as shall well defend the right of this Lady and reuenge the treason done the king her Father These words he spake in respect he hoped ere then to find his brother Galaor and intended to bring his Cozin Agraies with him by whose assistance he doubted not to finish the enterprize Right humbly the Ladies thanked him for his good will and because quoth they they whom you must deale withall are valiant rough expert in Arms as any the circle of the world enioyeth wee request your choice may be made of such Knights as shall be able to run through this worke Beleeue me Ladies answered Amadis if I had found one I am in search of I would not stand long studying for the third were our enemies Diuels and no Men. Tell vs then gentle Sir said the Lady if you please of what Countrey you are and where we may finde you in time of our need Madame quoth he I am of King Lisuarts Court Knight and seruant to his Queene Brisana By this time was supper ready and the tables couered wherefore they brake off talke and went into a very faire Hall where such good cheere and honour was made him as might be deuised euen vntill the houre of rest came The good night being giuen on all sides by the Damosell that let loose the Lyons hee was conducted to his chamber where she kepâ— him company aâ— indifferent while and among other speeches she vttâ—â—â—d this You haue her neere you my Lord who succoured you this day more then you imagine Wherein faire Lady answered Amadis My selfe quoth she by commandement of the young Princesse she pittying your perill and the wroâ—â— offered you was charged to let loose the Lions from their Deene I neuer saw replied Amadis 〈◊〉 more wise and discreete Lady of her yeares In sooth said the Damosel if she liue she shal be endued with two extremities the one in beauty and the other in wisedome I desire ye quoth Amadis to thanke her most humbly on my behalfe and how in acknowledging the good she did me henceforth I will remayne her Knight I am wel content my Lord answered the Damosell to carry her this message because I know it will bee most wel-come to her so bidding him good night she departed the chamber Now was Gandalin and the Dwarâ—â— lodged in the next roome where they heard what had passed betweene Amadis and the Damosell and because the Dwarsse knew nothing as yet of his Maisters loue to Oriana he imagined some new affection was kindled betweene the young Princesse and him in respect of the offer he made to bee her Knight And to such end did he retaine this opinion as wofull Amadis after-ward had smâ—ll joy thereof for hereby he thought to receiue a cruell death as in continuance of this History shall be declared The night being spent bright day appearing Amadis came to bid the Ladies farewell requesting to know their names against whom he should combat The Father quoth the Lady is named Abiseos his eldest sonne Darrison and the other Dramis all 3. most valiant Gentlemen atarms excelling al other in that countrey which like wise is commonly called Sabradisâ— consining on the Kingdome of Serolys Very well replied Amadis by Gods leaue we shall one day see what they can do When he was armed as he mounted on a lusty courser the ancient Lady had giuen him the young Princesse presented him a goodly Sword which sometime belonged to the King her Father saying Sir Knight I pray ye henceforth for my sake to weare this Sword so long as it will last and I shall prâ—y it may be helpefull to you in all your affaires I assure ye faire Ladie answered Amadis for your sake will I carefully keepe it and thaâ—ke you therefore with all my heare here of like wise ye may be perswaded that I remaine to obey you and shal aide you in all things concerning your estate and honour Well might it be discerned in the Lady how these humble thankes and his former offer pleased her not a little wherefore the Dwarffe who noted the gestures on eyther side softly said to her Madame you haue this day made no small conquest hauing so good a knight at your commandement CHAP. XXIII How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castle and of the matters which were occurrent to him by the way AMadis being gone from the Ladies Castle rode on with-out finding any aduenture till he entered the Forrest of Angaduze and the Dwarffe riding somewhat before saw a farre off a Knight and a Damosel coÌ„ming toward them When the Knight came right against the Dwarffe hee drew his sword to offer him outrage but he started aside so that the blow lighted on his shoulders wherewith he was in such feare as he fell downe from his horse crying out for help to his Maister who seeing when he smote him made hast for his defence thus speaking to the Knight What mooues you Sir to wrong my Dwarffe without cause now trust mee it is but simple man-hood to lay hand on such an excrement of nature as hath no defence of himselfe but being in my guard the presumtion is great I am sory sir answered the Knight to giue you any displeasure but I must needes take his head from his shoulders because it is my gift to this Damosel Sooner said Amadis shalt thou loose thine own So encouÌ„tred they together with such force as they were both cast beside their horseâ—… yet â—…y recouering themsâ—… they began a most sharpe and cruell combate with their Swords Now were they in greater danger of their persons then euer they had beene before for their Shields being 〈◊〉 in peeces their â—…ds coloured with their blood their Aâ—… broken their helmetâ— battered and them-selues so â—ore laboured as they were constrained to draw back a while to take breath when the knight that conducted be Damosell thus spake to Amadis My frend you may iudge the danger wherein we both may fall if longer we continue the Combat therefore I pray ye let mee haue my will on the Dwarffe and I will amend the offence afterward if it may bee tearmed an offence to you What said Amadis doe you thinke me of such slender stomacke as that I will suffer any thing of mine to bee wronged in my presence not so I must and will defend him to the vtter-most And I must needes haue his head answered the Knight By Heauen quoth Amadis one of ours shall first acquit him and that immediately Here with they charged each other againe with such wonderfull courage appearing in eyther as seuerall desire to gaine the honor of the combat made them shew extream violence one against another so that the best resolued of them both thought to die by aboundance of blood which issued from infinite wounds on his body especially the Damosels champion who thought he felt himselfe greatly impairing yet made he
determined to passe further on our way yet for your sake we are content to stay with you this night Then the knight conducted Galaor into a faire Chamber leauing the Damosell among the other Ladies and after the Prince was vnarmed the knight spake to him in this manner Here Sir may you rest and take your ease calling for any thing you stand in neede of for God knows I haue vsed such entertainement not onely to you but to all knights errant that passed this way because some time I haue beene as now you are Yet hath nature giuen mee two Sonnes whose onely delight is in search of aduentures but now they lie sicke in their beds beeing cruelly wounded by a Knight who with one Launce cast them both from their Saddles But they were so ashamed at this foyle as they mounted againe and purfued the knight ouertaking him as hee entred a Barque to passe the water where my Sonnes said to him that in respect he had iousted so well they would trie his fortune in combat with the Sword but the knight made answere he could not now intend it yet would they needes presse him so farre as to hinder his entrance into the Barque Where-upon a Lady being in his company said they wronged her ouer-much to stay her Knight but they were not to depart til he had combated with them at the Sword Seeing it will be no otherwise replied the Lady he shall enter fight with the better of you both on condition that if he be conqueror the other do forbeare the Combat They answered if the one were vanquished the other would reuenge his foyle which when the Knight heard he was so angry as he bad them both come together in respect they were importunate and would not rest contented In the triall one of my sons sustained the worst wherefore his brother seeing him in such perill stroue to reskue him from death yet all was in vaine for the knight handled them so roughly as he left them like dead men in the field and afterward passed away in the Barque No sooner heard I of this mishap but I sent for my Sonnes home were they brought in this daungerous plight but that you may giue credit to my words behold here their Armour cut and mangled as I thinke the like stroakes neuer came from any mans hand Galaor maruailing at this discourse demanded what Armes the conquering knight bare when he was answered his Shield to be of vermilion colour with two black Lions figured therein By these tokens Galaor knew him that it was the same man he trauailed to finde which made him demand of his friendly host if he had no further knowledge of the Knight No verily Sir quoth the auncient Gentleman For this night answered Galaor let vs take our rest and to morrow I intend to seeke the man you talke of For already I haue trauiled foure daies in his search but if I meete with him I hope to reuenge the iniuries of your Sonnes and oâ—… likeâ—… whom he hath offended or else 〈…〉 will cost the price of my life 〈…〉 could rather wish said the Knight that leauing this perillous enter prise you would take some other course seeing my two Sonnes haue beene so hardly intreated their own wilfull folly being cause thereof So breaking off talke Galaor took hir rest till the next morning when taking leaue of the ancient knight he rode away with the Damosell who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque where crossing the water to the other side they came to a very beautifull Castle whither the Damosel rode before aduising the Prince to stay her returne She taryed not long but comming back againe brought another Damosel with her of excellent beauty and ten men beside all on horse-back after the faire Gentlewoman had saluted Galaor she said Sir this Damosell that came in your company telleth me how you seeke a knight who beareth two black Lyons in a vermillion shield and are desirous to know his name this is very certaine that you nor any other can finde him for three yeeres space but onely by force of armes a matter not so easie to be accomplished by you for perswade your selfe his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine Lady quoth Galaor yet will I not giue ouer his search although hee conceale him selfe in this sort and if I meete with him it shall like mee better to combate with him then to know my demand by any other way Seeing then answered the Damosell your desire is such I will shew you him within three dayes ensuing for this Gentlewomans sake being my cosin who according to her promise hath earnestly entreated me Galaor requited her with many thankes and so they trauailed on arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea where they found a Barque ready for passage to a liule Island and certaine mariners in it who made them all sweare if they had any more then one knight in their coÌ„pany No credit me replied the Damosell hereupon they set sayle and away Then Galaor demanded of the Damosell the reason why they tooke such an oath Because quoth she the Lady of the Isle whither we goe hath so ordained it that they shall let passe but one knight at one time and no other must they bring till his returne or credible intelligence of his death What is hee saide Galaor that vanquisheth or killeth them The selfe same knight you seeke answered the Damosell whom the Lady hath kept with her more then halfe a yeere intirely louing him and the cause of this affection proceedeth from a Tourney which not long since hee maintained in this countrey for the loue of her and another faire Lady whom the knight being a stanger here conquered defending her cause with whome he now is and euer since shee bare him such affection as without grant of his loue she wold haue dyed Sometime hee is desirous to seeke after strange aduentures but then the Lady to detaine him still in this place causeth such knights as come hither to passe one after another against whom he combateth and not one hath yet returned vnuanquished such as die in fight are there interred and the foyled sent back againe despoyled of their horse and armes which the knight presenteth to his Lady shee being one of the fairest creatures in the world named Corisanda and the Isle Brauisande Know you not the cause said Galaor wherefore the knight went not many dayes since to a Forrest where I found him and kept the passage there fifteene dayes together against all such as trauailed that way Yes mary quoth the Damosel he promised a boone to a Lady before he came hither wherfore she intreated him to keep the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes yet hardly hee got licence of his faire Mistresse who allowed him but a moneth to stay and returne By this time they were landed and come before a goodly Castle where stood a
to staggering by the mighty blowes of his monstrous enemy yet at length the Prince smote at him so furiously as he was faine to lie along vpon his horse neck when redoubling his stroake betweene the helmet and the brigandine he parted his head from his shoulders Being thus cōqueror of all the Damofells and they not a little meruailing at this strange victory the Knight who had beene their host the night before spake to Florestan My Lord this Damosell haue I long time loued and she me with like affection but for the space of this yeare more the great knight whom last you slue hath forcibly detained her yet beeing now recouered by your worthy prowesse I beseech ye Sir I may enioy her againe If it be so as you say answered Florestan my pains haue stood you in some steede at this time but against her will neither you or any other can get her from me Alas my Lord quoth the Damosell no one but he hath right to my loue then sunder not them that should liue together Nor will I said Florestan you are Lady at your owne liberty and may depart with your friend when you please They both required him with manifold thanks then taking leaue of Galaor Florestan the knight rides home ioyfully with his new conquered Lady The other two Damosells desired the Princes to accompany thē to their Ants house which was not far off Galaor questioning with thē by the way why they were kept in such sort at the Fountaine where-to one of the Damosells thus replied Vnderstand my Lord that the great Knight who was shine in the combat loued the Lady which your host carried away with him but she despised him aboue all other fancying no other then him who now enioys her But in respect this knight was so puissant as none in this country durst contend with him he kept her violently whether she would or no yet offering her no iniury because he loued her decrely and one day among other he thus spake to her faire Mistresse to the end I may compasse your gentle affection and be esteemed of you the only knight in the world listen what I will do for your sake There is a Knight named Amadis of Gaule accounted the onely man for valour this day liuing who slew a Cozin of mine in the Court of king Lisuart a knight of great fame called Dardan the proud him for your sake will I seeke and by cutting off his head conuert all his glory to mine owne commendation But till I compasse what I haue said these two Ladies meaning vs and these two knights of my linage shall attend on you and each day conduct you to the fountaine of Oliues which is the only passage for knights errant through this Countrey if any dare be so bold to cary you thence there shall you see many braue combats what the honor of your loue can make me do to cause the like opinion in you towards me as your diuine prfections haue wrought in me to you Thus were wee taken and giuen to the two Knights who were first dismounted and with them we haue abode the space of one whole yere in which time many combats they fought for vs yet neuer conquered till this present In sooth Lady answered Galaor the knights intent was too high for him to accomplish because he could not deale with Amadis and escape the Fortune now fallen vpon him but how was he named He called himselfe Alimias quoth she and had not ouer-weening ptide too much ruled him he was a most gentle courteous Knight By this time were they come to their Aunts Castle where Galaor and Florestan found gracious entertainement the old Lady being very glad to see her Neeces as also to vnderstand the death of Alimias After they had taken leaue of the friendly Ladies they iourney toward the Realme of Sobradisa where they heard before they entred the Citty how Amadis and Agraies had slaine Abiseos and his Sonnes by meanes whereof Briolania ruled as a peaceable Queene which news highly contented them made them reioyce for their happy fortune To the palace they come vnknown of any till they were brought to Amadis Agraies whose wounds were already indifferently recured and they deuising with the Queene at her arriuall Here you must note how the Damosell that conducted Galaor to finde Florestan left them after the combat and comming before to her Mistresse told her and Amadis how Galaor and Florestan knew each other and what issue their combat had which made Amadis very kindely to embrace them both and Florestan offered on his knee to kisse his hand which Amadis would not permit but causing him to arise sate downe communed of their aduentures past But one day among other the new enstalled Queen Briolania after many honerable feastings she had made thē seeing these foure knights determined to depart considering the good she had receiued by Amadis and Agraies that she being before a disinherited Princesse was by their meanes restored to her Kingdome beholding likewise the wheele of fortune turned and how such personages were not alone to aide and defend her Countrey but puissant enough of themselues to be Kings and mighty Lords falling on her knees before them first rendring thankes to God who had done her such grace as to regard her in pitty continuing her discourse she said Thinke my Lords these mutations are the meruailes of the Almighty which are admirable to vs held of great accoūt but to him they are in manner nothing Let vs see if it be good then to shun Signories riches which to obtaine we take such paine and trauaile and to keepe endure innumerable anguishes and distresse as superfluous therefore vtterly to deiect them because they are torments of body soule vncertaine and haue no permanence As for my selfe I say no but affirme that they being lawfully begotten modestly vsed according to Gods appointment they are in this world rest pleasure and ioy and the way to bring vs to eternall glory The End of the first Booke A Table for the ready finding of the Chapters Contayned in this Booke directing by the Number to euery seuerall Leafe CHAPTER 1. OF whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were the Combat betweene Perion and two Knights as also how hee fought with a Lion that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following thereon Fol. 1. Chap. 2. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the chamber where King Perion was lodged Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauailed on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griefe and melancholy Fol. 12. Chap. 4. How King Languines carried away with him the Gentle-man of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales Fol. 19. Chap. 5. How King Lisuart sayling by the Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained Fol. 24. Chap. 6. How Vrganda the Vnknowne
Patrone Your Honours euer to be commanded A. M. THE SECOND BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE CHAP. I. The Description of the firme Island Who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were found in the same THere was a King in Greece who was married vnto the Emperours daughter of CoÌ„stantinople by whom hee had two sonnes excelliâ—… in all perfection both of body and minde Especially the eldest named Apolidon who was so well brought vp and conditioned that hee found not his equall in any vertuous quality wherein he exercised himselfe This Apolidon studied all sciences wherein he profited so much that hee was not onely counted one of the best knights in the world but also surpassed all men of his time for wisedome excelling them in learning as farre as the moone exceedeth the starres in light and chiefly in the art of Nigromancy by the which he brought to passe many great matters which seemed beyond the capacity of men Now was the King father of these two young Princes most mighty in lands and wealthy in treasure but very weake in body by reason of his age Wherefore knowing the end of his daies to approach he would before his death make partition of all his goods vnto his children because no contention or debate should happen betweene them after his decease And for that end he appointed the kingdome to Apolidon being his eldest sonne and heire the other he inuested with all his riches and moneable goods among which there was many excellent bookes of inestimable value Yet the youngest nothing liking this partition beway led his estate vnto the King beseeching him most humbly to consider that his patrimony being so small hee was not onely left poore but in a manner disinherited Then the aged father perceiuing the discontentment of his sonne being the thing hee most feared was exceeding sorrowfull but yet would he not alter that which hee had done without the consent of Apolidon who beeing aduertifed thereof came vnto him and in the presence of his brother saide thus It may please your Maiestie I heard within these few dayes that my brother is not content with that portion which it hath pleased you to appoint vnto him and therefore because I knowe how grieuous the same is vnto you seeing the brotherly loue betwixt him and mee likely to be broken I most humbly beseech your highnesse to take all that againe which it hath pleased you to giue vnto mee and dispose therof as it shal seeme best to your owne minde for I shall thinke my selfe thrise fortunate to doe any thing that may breede your soules felicity and very well apaid with that which to him was appointed When the King behelde the bounty of his sonne Apolidon and the obedience hee shewed vnto him hee was therewithall so pleased and exceeding ioyfull that his soule knowing it could not leaue his body in greater contentment fled vp into heauen leauing his two sonnes in such friendship as he desired Notwithstanding after the body was buried and all accustomed funerall rights ended Apolidon caused certaine shippes to he rigged and furnished for the sea wherein being embarked with diuerse Gentlemen of his friends seeing the winde and weather fauour them he commanded the ankers to bee waied and the sailes to be let fall the which were incontinently filled with so stiffe a gale as in lesse then one houre they were past the countrey of Greece And yet Apolidon had not dertermined to bond his course vnto any certaine coast but following his fortune driuen by the winde he discouered the Countrey of Italie whereunto approching he landed in a certaine port thereof The Emperour Sindan beeing â—…sed of his landing sent many great Lords vnto him to request him to come to Rome where hee should be as royally entertained as might be deuised To which request Apolidon willingly condiscended and beeing there already arriued the Emperour receiued him with honor yet although at his comming hee determined to soiouâ—â—e no more then eight daies with him hee changed his purpose and remained there a longer season in which time he accomplished such haughty deedes of armes and behaued himselfe so worthily that amongst the Romans he gained the reputation of the best knight in the world and obtained the loue of a young Princesse the oneâ—â—e sister to the Emperour named Grimâ—â—sa the fairest Lady then liâ—ing And although that their loue was alike yet was this faire Lady so streightly looked vnto that neither could her affection bee satisfied nor the common desire of them both bee performed Wherefore one day consulting more priuatly then they euer yet before had done loue wrought such a consent in them as they agreede to depart vnto such a place where they might without controle enioy the fulnesse of their content so as what they secretly intended they as suddenly executed For euen as they had appointed it so the faire Grimanesa came forth one night to meete her loue Apolidon who stayed for her at the water-side hauing prepared shippes ready for their flight and wherein they presently embarqued themselues Then by force of the winde they were in few dayes driuen to arriue at the foote of the Firme-Island which was then inhabited by a mighty Giant whereof Apolidon and those in the ship were ignorant Where-upon thinking they were in a place of safety came on shoare and â—ents and Pauilions were set vp wherein they might refresh them for Grimanesa who was not vsed to trauaile by sea was as wearie as might be But at that instant when they thought themselues most secure the Giant which had discouered them took them so suddainly that Apolidon had scant so much leisure as to arme himselfe where-with Grimanesa was so amazed that she was ready to die for feare for the Giant taking her by the hand said vnto Apolidon Base slaue although I am not accustomed to be kind vnto any yet am I content for this once to suffer thee to fight against me alone on this condition that if thou be ouercome this faire Lady shall be mine and then afterwards I shall cause thee to bee hanged vpon the pole of this tent When Apolidon heard that by fighting with such a monster he might both saue himselfe his mistresse his hart was so great as he thought it a very easie matter to ouercome him and esteemed himselfe happy that fortune had offered him so fit an occasion as to make known vnto Grimaâ—esa how much was his courage and how great was his Knight-hood Wherefore with-out longer delay the combate began betweene them the which lasted but a while for the Giant was pursued so valiantly as hee fell downe back-ward Then Apolidon streight stepped ouer him and cut off his head Which the inhabitants of the Isle vnderstanding they all came and offered them-selues vnto him becheeching him to remaine with them and to bee their Lord and protector Vnto this their request he condiscended wherefore they conducted him with great triumph to the cheefe
to rest him and vnarmed himselfe herewithall he beheld a very aged man clothed with a religious habit who tooke him by the hand as if he had pittied his trauaile spake to him certain words in a strange language which he did not vnderstand being in this trouble he awaked Vpon this dreame Amadis mused a great while thinking that oftentimes they foreshow some thing that followeth because he did see part of that which hee had dreamed to fall out Thus hee came to the gate where Gandalin and Isania stayed his with furniture there armed himselfe afterwards he mounted vpon his horse keeping neither way nor path vntill he came neere vnt an Hermitage then he demanded of Isania what place that was My Lord answered hee this Chappel is dedicated to the Virgin Marie wherein oftentimes are diuerse strange miracles wrought For which cause Amadis allighted from his horse entred into the Church and kneeling downe with great deuotion hee made his prayers to God The which being ended hee rose vp called Gandalin to him whom he held a long time embraced in his armes not being able to speake one word yet in the end he thus said vnto him My deere Gandalin thou and I haue beene fostered vp with one milke and alwaies brought vp together and I neuer felt any paine or sorrow wherein thou hast not had thy part Thy father tok me vp in the sea whē I was yet but a small thing beeing but newly borne the very night before afterward he caused thy mother to cherish mee as tenderly as if I had their deeriest childe Now haue I oftentimes tried thy loyalty knowing very wel what seruice thou hast done for me the which I did hope in time with the fauour of God to haue recompensed but this great mis-fortune is fallen vpon me the which I feele more sharpe and cruell then death it selfe especially seeing I am constrained to forsake thee hauing no other thing to bestow vpon thee but the Isle which I haue newly conquered which I do giue thee commanding Isania with my other subiects vpon that faith and homage which they haue sworne vnto me to receiue thee as their Lord so soone as they shall be assured of my death Yet is it my wil that thy father and mother shal enioy the same during their liues and afterwards it shall remaine vnto thee which is in recompence of the good I haue receiued of thē whom I thought to haue better rewarded according to their deserts and my desire And as for you Lord Isania I pray you that of the fruits and reuenues of this Isle which of long time you haue had in your keeping you should build here in this place a Monestarie in the honor of the virgin Mary and to endow it with so much liuing as thirtie religious men may hence-forth liue vpon the same Ah my Lord said Gandalin I neuer forsooke you for any trauaile or perill which hitherto you haue suffered neither yet will I leaue you if God be pleased and if you dye I will not liue after you neither for all the world will I lose you Therefore you may if it please you bestowe this gift vpon my Lords your brethren seeing I will not haue it neither do I desire it in any sort Holde thy peace said Amadis let me heare these words no more vnlesse thou desirest to displease me but do as I would haue thee for my bretheren may prouide far greater liuings for thē and their friends then this small thing which I doe giue vnto thee But touching you my deer◠friend Isania it very greatly grieueth me that I haue not the means to gratulate you according to your deserts notwithstanding I leaue you amongst so many of my good friends as they shall supply that which I cannot I pray you my Lord answered hee suffer mee onely to accompany you that I may be partaker of any wealth or woe that shall happen to you Wherein you shall fully shew mee your loue and I rest satisfied to my liking My deere friend saide Amadis I doubt not but that you would follow with a good will notwithstanding my miserie is so excessiue as besides my maker none can ease it whome onely I humbly beseech to bee my conductour for I will haue no other companion And therefore Gandalin if thou desirest Knight-hood holde take it presently with my armour which I doe giue thee for since thou hast heeretofore so well kept them it is reason they should now serue thee considering how little I shall hereafter need them if not thou maiest receiue this honour of my brother Galaor vnto whom my Lord Isania here shall in my behalfe make request to the same ende and I entreate thee to serue him euen as faithfully as thou hast serued mee For my loue vnto him is so great as amongst all my most afflictions I shall bewaile his absence because I haue euermore foūd him an hūble obedient a louing brother You shall further request him to take into his seruice Ardan my Dwarffe whom I recommend vnto him to the Dwarffe say that I will him to serue my brother dilligently This sayd both hee and those to whom he spake burst forth into aboundance of teares comming vnto them he embraced them saying Now my friends seeing I ne-uer hope to see you any more I entreate you to pray to God for mee and vpon your liues I charge you that none of you doe follow mee Then hee got vpon his horse set spurres to his sides and galloped from them remembring not at his departure to take either Launce shield or helmet with him Thus he entred into a desert place at the foot of a mountaine taking no other way but whither his horse would carry him and so long hee rode vntill the most parte of the night was now spent when the horse entred into a little brook enuironed with many trees where he would haue drunken But as hee passed on further Amadis was strucken on the face with certaine branches of trees so rudely as it wakened him out of his study and therewithall looking vp hee perceiued that hee was in a couert and solitary place beset with store of thick bushes which greatly reioyced him because hee thought hee should very hardly bee found out in this thicket There he alighted tyed his horse and sate him downe vpon the grasse the better to meditate vpon his melancholy but hee had wept so long and his braines were so light that at the last hee fell asleepe CHAP. IIII. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which he had left behinde then found him sleeping how he fought against a Knight whom he did ouercome AMadis beeing departed Gandalin who remayned in the Hermitage with Isania Durin as you haue heard began to make the greatest lamentation in the world and said Although he hath forbidden mee to follow him yet will I not stay
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 dâ—…ly praying for the good successe of the Faire Forlorne who seeing that he was dispatched of Basigaâ—t turned vnto Famâ—ngomad who had behelde the death of his sonne for whome hee made so great moâ—e 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 thâ—n 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 crâ—elties 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 Famongomad his horse vpon the which he mounted and came both to vnbinde the prisoners and to doe his duty vnto the Princesse Leonâ—r 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 sixfoore and taking leaue of the faire Forlorne they went towardes London praising God and the good knight that preferued 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 vallant deedeâ— of armes The â—ing did already know that his daughter was arriued and how shee brought with her two dead Giants whereford 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 Quedragant 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 larely 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 adututure hee went 〈◊〉 the Fountaine of the three Chanels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom bee remained eight daies together and at the same time there arriurd in the Court of King Lisuart as ancient Gentleman bringing with him two lewels of singular vertur 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 Leouor 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 Euil 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 moteouer 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 ne-uer lost fight 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 〈◊〉 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
shal lay vpon me for in him only remaineth the disposition of things to come for which cause my good friend I assure you that I will bee present in 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 the 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 wise 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
Lisuart and if I take not the head of Amadii from off his shoulders in lesse time then the best fooreman 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 Arden that shee a great deale rather wished his death then his life because hee pretended to marry her For she was exceeding faire and he 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 curled 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 ouercome such was the beauty fashion and gentle behauiour of Arden 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 thinks the victory very sure on your side seeing that Fortune is so faauourable 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 came 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 Agrates 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 thē who were not displeased with Amadis in that he had not chosē thē to assist him therein especially Guillan who greatly desired to proue his man-hood against Ardā Canila for h ehad 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 Florestā preuēted 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 to assist 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 aid and succour but with you beeing my friends seeing you know how my strength is redoubled when we are together In this sortdid Amadis excuse himselfe praying thē all to beare him company the next day to go meete Madasima both to receiue her shew her as much honor as they might deuise Wherunto they all agreed so that the day following knowing that she was neere at hand Amadis accompanied with eight of the best knights in King Lisuarts Court mounted on Horse-backe in very good order But they had not long ridden when they did behold her a farre off comming with Ardan Canila who did lead her she was apparrelled all in black mourning as yet for the death of her father whō Amadis had slain This sad apparrell did so much grace her that although of her selfe without any other helpe she was esteemed one of the fairest
that might be seen yet was her beauty much more encreased by this mourning weede with the which the liuely whitenesse of her face was the more manifested by the grace which this blacke colour added thereunto and her two cheeks seemed like two white roses beautified with a naturall rednesse so as euen then those which had conceiued a mortall hate against her for the mischiefe which she procured vnto Amadis were now forced to loue her Behinde her marched the twelue gentlewomen apparrelled with the like attire After them came the old giant and his son followed with nine knights which all came as pledges Great was the entertainement that Amadis shewed vnto her and the rest of her traine and shee in like sort saluted them most courteously Then Amadis approching more neere said vnto her I promise you Madame that if you bee accounted faire and of good behauiour it is not without great cause seeing that I am now my self an eye witnesse of the truth thereof and truly that man ought to thinke himselfe happy whose seruice it shal please you to like of assuring you that I am willing to do you any pleasure and ready to obey your commandements when Ardan Canila heard him speake so courteously although hee was smally fauoured by Madasima hee was ouercome with iealousie and answered Amadis knight stand back and speake not so priuately vnto her whom you know not Sir said Amadis the cause of my comming hither is not onely to be acquainted with her but also to offer vnto her my person and my goods You are no doubt answered he some good fellow and worthy to be by her greatly imployed neuerthelesse faire sir get you gone from her otherwise I will make you know that it is not for so base a companion as you to vse so great familiarity with a woman of so high worth as she is Whatsoeuer I am answered Amadis yet do I desire to serue her notwithstanding your threats for although I am not of that worth as I would be yet shall nor the affection that I beare vnto her bee abated by thy malapert boldnesse But sir you that are so lusty who would make me know my duty depart from her for whom willingly I would employ my best meanes tell mee what you are Ardan Canila exceeding angry beholding Amadis with a sterne and scornefull countenance answered him I am Ardan who am better able to increase her welfare and honour in one day then thou canst with the best meanes thou hast doe her seruice in all thy life It may very well be said Amadis notwithstanding I know that this whereof thou vantest shall neuer by thee bee executed so indiscreete and spightfull art thou And because that thou greatly desirest to know whether I am a sufficient man or nor know thou that my name is Amadis of Gaule against whom thou desirest to fight and if this Lady be displeased with ought that I haue said vnto her I wil make her such amends therefore as shee shall please to command at my hands By my Gods answered Ardan Canila if thou tarriest the combat the satisfactiō which she shall take shall be thy head That would displease me meruailously said Amadis but I will giue her a head that shall bee more welcom to her if she please breaking the marriage of you two being so far vnfit one for another for she is faire wise and of courteous behauiour thou deformed foolish churlish Hereat Madasima the Gentlewomen began all to laugh Ardan to be extreamely angry that to behold his countenance and the rage wherein hee was one might easily haue iudged the little good that hee wished to Amadis vnto whom hee answered not one word more yet he ceased not grumbling and gnashing his teeth vntill hee came before the king Then very indiscreetely he began to say King Lisuart behold here the knights that must now enter into your prison according to the promise which yesterday a gentlewoman made vnto you in my behalfe Wherefore if Amadis dare be so bold to do as he hath boasted I am here ready to breake his head What will you doe answered Amadis Thinkest thou my heart so weake or my right so small that I cannot abate the pride of a man so audacious as Ardan is I assure thee that although I had not vndertaken it yet would I combat thee onely to hinder the marriage betweene thee and Madasima And therefore deferre not to deliuer vp these hostages which thou doest brag off for I verily hope to reuenge the good and valiant King Arban Angriotta for the great wrong they haue receiued during their imprisōment I haue brought them along with me said Ardan knowing that you would demand them but I am in good hope to restore them againe into the power of the faire Madasima and to giue her therewithall the mold of thy cap to testifie that it becommeth not such a gallant as thou art to vse mee with such proude and spightfull tearmes and that in the executing therof she may receiue the greater pleasure it may please your king to appoint that she may be set in a place hard at hand to the end that she may both plainely see the reuenge that I shall take of thee and also the cruell death wherewith thou shalt die At the same instant the pledges were brought and the faire Madasima together with her twelue Gentle-women came to doe their humble duties vnto the Queene and by her fide was the old Giant his two sons and the nine knights who all fell vpon their knees before the King At the same time euery one did attentiuely beholde the faire Madasima who shewed such an humble countenance that she was greatly esteemed yet could not Oriana cast one good looke vpon her thinking that shee of her owne will did procure the ruine of Amadis for the which none was more sorrowfull then shee But Mabila who was in like sort neerely touched with the matter put her in hope that God would ayde him and that her Cosin might at easily ouerthrow and vanquish Ardan Canila as hee did the prowde Dardan and many other knights both valiant and stout The pledges then being receiued as the custom was both the knights retired each of them to the place appointed for them staying vntill the time that they should enter into the field the which the king had commanded to bee closed in with pales Then Gandalin went to seek his masters Armour And as hee would haue taken it downe he perceiued that some one had stoln his good sword forth of the scabberd which had almost made him die for anger seeing the fault that hee had done vnto Amadis towardes whom he ranne and as one beside himself he cryed My Lord I haue so much so grieuously offended you that you haue great reason to kill me forthwith Why answered Amadis art thou foolish or mad My Lord said Gandalin it had beene better for you that I had died ten
were displeased with this sight yet all the rest of the Court there present tooke pleasure to behold it for the loue which they did beare vnto Amadis his friends And more gladder yet were they when they saw them brought to the extreamity of their vnhappy end For scant had the King turned his head froÌ„ the window but that Angriotta did hit Corian so forcible a blow that hee quite cut off all his right shoulder with the extreame griefe whereof giuing a signe of his death he fell downe kissing the ground with his nose after whom Tarin staied not long before he did as much Thus were the sons of these traitors slaine for the which Madasima Oriana and many others did greatly reioyce Then Angriotta his Nephewes tooke the bodies of the vanquished and dragged them forth of the fields afterwards they demaunded of the Iudges if they had performed as much as was requisite who answered that they had Whereupon they both retyred in great triumph accompanied with their friends they came vnto the tents of their fellowes coÌ„ducting with them Madasima and her women because they knew assuredly that King Lisuart was very angry for the good fortune which had hapned vnto theÌ„ so much hurt did he wish vnto Amadis notwithstaÌ„ding that he wel perceiued how his affairs prospered very badly euer since he had driuen him away the FreÌ„ch knights of his coÌ„pany The end of the Second Booke A Table of the Chapters contained in this Second Booke CHAPTER 1. THe description of the Firme-Island Who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were found in the same Fol. 1. Chap. 2. How Amadis Galaor Florestan and Agraies hauing taken leaue of the faire Briolania to returne vnto King Lisuart were carried into the Firme-Island to prooue the arch of Loyall louers and the other aduentures in the same Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How Durin departed to goe towards Amadis vnto whom he deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt hapned thereby F. 14. Chap. 4. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which hee had left behinde then found him sleeping and how he fought against a Knight whoÌ„ hee did ouer come Fol. 18. Chap. 5. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him Fol. 23. Chap. 6. How Don Galaor Florestan and Agraies vndertooke the search of Amadis who hauing left his armour changed his name and withdrew himselfe to an Hermitage in the company of a very olde Hermite There to liue solitary F. 27. Chap. 7. How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom hee declared the sorrowfull newes of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his dispaire Fol. 35. Chap. 8. How Don Guillan the Pensiue did bring vnto the Court of King Lisuart the shield armour and sword of Amadis which hee had found lying by the fountaine of the plaine field Fol. 39. Chap. 9. How the Faire Forlorne beeing in the Rocke with the Hermite there arriued a ship in the which was Corisanda who sought for her friend Florestan and of that which happened vnto them Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentlewoman of Denmarke going in search of Amanis after long trauaile coasting along many strange Islands by chance she arriued in the poore Rocke where Amadis was who was called the Faire Forlorne whom shew knew how they returned together towards Oriana Fol. 53. Chap. 11. How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadis of whom they could heare no tydings at all whereupon they al returned vnto the Court of King Lisuart Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How King Lisuart being set at the Table there came before him a strange Knight armed at all points who defied him The conference that Florestan had with him and how Oriana was comforted with the good news that she receiued from Amadis Fol. 71. Chap. 13. How the Faire Forlorne sent Enil his Esquire vnto London to cause a new armour to be made for him what aduenture chanced vnto him in going to Mireâ—â—eur Fol. 78. Chap. 14. How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his aduenture he went vnto the fountaine of the three Channels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom he remained eight dayes together and at the same time there arriued in the Court of King Lisuart an auncient Gentleman bringing with him two Iewels of singular vertue whereby the faithfull louer from the fained might be tryed the which Amadis Oriana determine to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neither be knowne of the King nor any other Fol. 90. Chap. 15. How the Damosell of Denmarke was sent vnto London to know what answer Enil had receiued from the King touching the safe conduct which was demanded by the Faire Forlorne who did afterwards bring Oriana thither to proue the strange Iewels Fol. 99. Chap. 16. How after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana backe againe to Mirefluer he departed that he might be in the battell with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him Fol. 110. Chap. 17. How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to them-selues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower enuironed with the Sea and the other in a Garden enclosed with high walles where they thought they had beene in prison of that which happened there vnto them Fol. 120. Chap. 18 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 Citie Fol. 130. Chap. 19. How after the departure of Vrganda the King beeing readie to mount on horsebacke to execute the enterprise which he had determined to make vpon the burning Lake there came before him a Damsel Gyantesse to vnderstand whether his Maiesty would bee pleased to referre the quarrell that hee pretended in his voyage vpon the combate betwixt Ardan Canila and Amadis of Gaule with such conditions as shall be declared vnto you Fol. 137. Chap. 20. How Bruneo de bonne Mer did fight with Madamine the ambitious brother to the Damosel iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause he and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court Fol. 151. Chap. 21. How Amadis with many others his confederates 〈◊〉 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 Fol. 163. Chap. 22. How Oriana remained in great perplexitie not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she felt herselfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels Fol. 173. FINIS