killedst as thou vauntest in combate hand to hand In sooth what I euer doubted is now come to passe why doost thou not attēd this Knight who looketh for thée if there be any manlye hart or spirit in thée shewe it now in néed when thy life dependes theron At these woords Galaor looked more aside and espyed Palingues well armed who was opening the doore of a Tower to saue him selfe wherfore he stepped to him saying Beléeue me Knight this flying will little aduantage thée and lesse the strong hold thou wouldst enter into for thou must answer the life of good Anthebon whose death thou didst compasse by monstrous villanye Palingues séeing there was no other remedie turned and fiercely smote at Galaor his swoord entring so farre into the Princes sheelde as he was not able to pull it out againe by meanes whereof Galaor reached him such a blow that there-with his right arme was cut quite from his body the gréefe wherof so pained him as he ranne into the chamber where the Lady was thinking by this poore shift to defend his life But Galaor getting holde on his legges dregged him along on his backe out againe and with his Swoord smote his head from his shoulders This is quoth he the reward of thy trecheries doone to Anthebon and paiment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this déede hauing heard Galaor often name her Father fell on her knées before him with these woordes Alas my Lord you haue bound me in such duety to you as neuer shall I be able to requite your paines my selfe béeing of such simple and slender habilitie but the good will I haue to recompence this benefite hath imprinted dayelye prayers in my hart to God for you hauing to iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traitour Galaor courteouslye taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire fréend he were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are séeing you much better deserue to be loued and serued then with gréefe or fauour to be offended but tel me haue you any more enemies in this Castell No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doo you honor and obeysaunce Let vs goe then quoth he to let in two Damoselles who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand she commaunded the gate to be opened and the two Damoselles entred leading Galaors horsse but when they sawe their young Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demaunding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth she I thanke God and this Knight who hath doone that many other could not doo It was now the vehement hotte time of the day wherfore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refreshe him selfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to be touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnes she began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honourable Lord and freend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as wel in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceassed Fathers sake he and I beeing borne in one Countrey Maye if it please ye Sir saide she to tell me your name Such as are acquainted with me answered the Prince tearme me Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth she often haue I heard my father speak of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sonnes to the King of Gaule his liege Lord and soueraigne As thus they deuised they entred alone into a chamber while the Damosells with the rest were prouiding viands wherfore Galaor seeing time and place so cōmodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindely she beeing a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta him selfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard he had great reason for it knowing you to be such a one as I sée you are for my self who haue so little acquaintaunce with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happie if you graunted me the fauour I desire accepting me as your fréend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde ye my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therfore you may be certainly assured how my desire is to please you in all thinges what-soeuer During these speeches Galaor still helde his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden wherto Brandueta yéelded with greater contentment then all her former resistaunces to Palingues from whome she kept her virginitie so long that she was now content to bestowe it on the French Prince and he hauing a good stomach to such daintye diet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many imbracinges and amourous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Fortresse of loue the Damoselles came to tell thē that dinner was ready wherfore though loth they were forced to leaue off accompanying the Damoselles to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallarie enuironed with trees As they sat at the table and discoursed of many matters among other thinges Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so stronglye considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and King Perions subiect the sooner would they assaye to woorke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she he allowed no other entraunce then by the basket into this Castell where I haue liued in meruaylous greef and sorrow as neuer shall I desire to tarry heere longer therfore right gentle Lord and freend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not be a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and though it were late yet got they to horsse-back departing from the Castell but for all their haste they were two houres benighted which brake no square in respect of the good newes the good Lady with all her familie ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could be deuised beside the comforted widowe cast her selfe at his feete vsing these speeches Woorthye Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition what-soeuer we enioy because you are the restorer and confirmer of all I thanke you Madame answered Galaor for your freendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater parte of
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
very slender for the bountie of the one diminisheth no iote of the other The Knights perceiuing he spake the truth ended their strife demaunding of Amadis if he knew the Knight in King Lisuarts Court who combatted for the iniuried widdow whereby the good Knight Dardan was slaine Why aske ye quoth Amadis Because said the Knights we would gladly meet with him I knowe not answered Amadis whether your meaning be good or bad yet is it not long since I sawe him in the Court of King Lisuart Hauing so said he rode on his way when the three Knights hauing conferred a little together they began to gallop after him and he no sooner heard them but turned againe then doubting they intended some harme to him he clasped on his Helmet and his Sheeld yet had he no Launce nor they likewise Alas my Lord quoth the Dwarffe what will ye do consider you not they be three and you alone What matters that answered Amadis if they assayle me without reason why by good right I must assay for mine owne defence On these spéeches they came to him in this maner Sir Knight we would demaund one thing of you which we desire yee not to deny otherwise you may not so easily escape vs. The sooner shall I graunt it quoth Amadis if it be reasonable Tell vs then as you are a loyall Gentleman where you imagine we may find him that slew Dardan He who could doo no lesse then speake the truth thus replied I am he albeit I would haue you thinke that I doo not so soone fullfill your request in respect of adding any praise to my selfe When the Knights heard him they cryed altogether Ah traytour thou dyest and drawing their Swords set violently vpon him Amadis offended to sée himselfe thus assailed by them whom ere-while he had so freendly pacified resisted them with such resolute courage as at the first stroke he smote one of their armes frō the body the griefe whereof made him likewise fall beside his horsse the second also felt his Sword so peazantly that he cleft his head to the very téeth and sent him to kéepe his fellow company When the third beheld their bad successe he put y e spurres to his horsse and got him away but Amadis being not so well mounted let him escape returning to Gandalin the Dwarffe who thus spake Credit me my Lord hencefoorth will I trust better to your words then I did let vs now therefore make haste hence if you please So riding along at length the Dwarffe shewed him in a pleasant valley two high Pine trées neere which was a Knight mounted on a lustie Courser and two other whome not long before he had vanquished they running to catch their horsses there strayed about the feeld And looking againe he espied an other Knight lay leaning on his helmet hauing his Shéeld by him and twentie Launces reared against the Pines with two spare horsses likewise readie furnished My Lord quoth the Dwarffe do you see the Gentleman that leaneth on his helmet What then said Amadis He is replied the Dwarffe the good Knight I promised to shew you Knowest thou his name quoth Amadis He nameth himself answered the Dwarffe Angriote destrauaus and is the best Knight that I haue heard report of Tell me then said Amadis why he keepeth there so many Launces I can therein answered the Dwarffe full well resolue ye listen then awhile He loueth a Lady of this countrey who hateth him aboue all other neuerthelesse he hath preuailed so much by fight as her Parents were constrained to giue him her After he had gotten her into his power he thought himselfe the happyest man in the world but she told him he should wade into no such fond opinion because he tooke a young Lady against her will And albeit quoth she perforce you haue enioyed me yet while I liue neuer shall I loue ye if you do not perfourme one thing for me What Lady answered Angriote it is within compasse of my puissance That is it said she Commaund then swéete Madame replied Angriote for I will accomplish it euen to the death The Lady whose euill will was toward him exceeding great thinking to appoint him a place most conuenient for his death or else to get him there so many enemyes as her Parents might enioy better assistance to take her from him intreated him and his brother to guard this vale of Pines against all Knights errant that should passe this way causing them by force of armes to take an oath how they should afterward trauaile to King Lisuarts Court there to confesse her more beautiful then the Ladies they loued And if it so fell out that the brother to Angriote whome you see on horsseback were vanquished and could endure the combate no further then Angriote should keepe this passage alone during the space of one whole yeere For this cause they depart not hence all y e day time and at night returne to a Castell on the Mountaine you see at hand hauing alreadie mainteined their enterprise thrée moneths in all which time Angriote neuer set hand to sword against any Knight because his brother hath still beene conquerour Trust me said Amadis I beleeue thou sayest true and so I heard in the Court of King Lisuart where not long since a Knight arriued who confessed Angriotes Lady to be more faire then his freend and me thought he called her name Grouenesa Uery true quoth the Dwarffe but now seeing you are resolued remember your promise to me and beare me company as you said you would With right good will answered Amadis which is the way Euen ouer this vale replyed the Dwarffe but because of this hinderance as yet I thinke we shall verie hardly passe Care not thou for that said Amadis so giuing his horsse the spurres he rode on and soone after he met a Squire who thus spake to him Goe no further Gentleman if you will not graunt the Knights Lady vnder the Pine to be more beautifull then your Mistresse Neuer will I yéeld to such a slaunder replyed Amadis without force or extreame constraint Returne then sayd the Squire otherwise you must combate with thē twaine you see before If they assaile me quoth Amadis I must defend my selfe so well as I can so vsing no more words he rode on forward CHAP. XIX ¶ How Amadis combatted against Angriote his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choise WHen Angriotes brother saw him cōming he took vp his weapons and met him saying Beléeue me Knight you haue committed great folly in not graunting what our Squire gaue you warning off you must therfore enter combat with me As for the combat answered Amadis I like it much better then to confesse the greatest lye in the worlde I know well saide the Knight you must doo it with disaduantage in an other place And trust me quoth Amadis I
this will not helpe thee therfore defend thy self So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their sheeldes as the shiuers flew vp into the aire and with such violence met their horsses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose and with their swoordes began a bloodie combate wherin desire of victorie and hautie resolution of vnconquerable courage made them continue a long time till Arcalaus retyring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thée I may yet commend thy boldenes in entring héere My death answered Amadis is in y e hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thée and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischéefs as a present perishing of soule and all together But seeing thou wouldst so gladlye know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Quéene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting Arcalaus auauncing his shéeld came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full wel how to welcome him and such eager stroks past on either side as their shéeldes were scattered in péeces about them and likewise very many plates of their armour Now was it about the thirde hower when Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his blood was forced to seud vp and down before his enemye and séeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that parte of the Castell where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuite stil continued his feare wherupon he stept into a chamber at the door wherof stood a Lady be holding the combate and he was no sooner entred the roome but he caught vp another swoord turning his face to Amadis saying Enter this chamber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Arcalaus for thy pleasure What said Amadis thinkest thou so silly to escape so placing his sheeld before he entred the chāber but as he lifted vp his swoord to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that he fell to the ground as he had been dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thée dye as I desired sléepe then till I wake thee Now say you Lady quoth he to her that stood by am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indéed saide she he is now altogether at your commaundement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not féeling any thing was doone to him afterward Arcalaus put on him selfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perrill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his bodye then he intended to iourney to the court where ech one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slayne him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prison made such mone as would haue melted a hart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenaunce was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus saw the Lady lament he said Dame séeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardie champion These woords made Gandalin in such dispaire as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldly combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaunded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady séeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her greefe and withall Ah God quoth she how irkesome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcalaus calling his wife saide So soone as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will goe to the Court of Ling Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenaunt that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fiftéen dayes following to publishe his victorie openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shall quarrell with me about his death and I shall obtaine the greatest glory in the worlde hauing ouer-come him that conquered euery one Then went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commaunding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indéed would not goe with him desiring some one to kill him and to enforce Arcalaus doo him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traytour and villaine hauing slaine the most loyall Knight in the worlde Arcalaus made no account of his woordes but because he would not goe willingly he dregged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungion saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldst endure no more paine but heere shalt thou suffer wursse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horsse of Amadis and accompanied with thrée Squires rode toward the Courte of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. ¶ How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamentations for him as euery one pittied her she thus speaking to the Wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladyes behold yee not the beautie of this braue Gentleman who in so young yeeres was the only Knight in the world mishap attend on such who by enchauntment iniurie men of vertue D soueraigne creator why doost thou suffer so bad-minded people to liue The Wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addicted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to behold his dealings and continually prayed for his amendment comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they sawe two other Ladyes enter the chamber eche of thē bringing in her hād good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the Wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stir him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little Casket she caryed a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times an other voice answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voices were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came an other Booke flying into the chamber séeming as if the winde caryed it and fell downe at her féet that read she pulling it in foure parts burned it at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand sayd Lord Amadis arise you haue
well as she hath recouered what was taken from her and behold where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heate was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the aire when the Damosell immediatly knew him for it was she that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrganda the vnknowne whē by chiualrie he deliuered her fréend at the Castell of Pradoid which made her remember him so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced eche other the like curtesie he shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dremed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith saide Amadis the help you gaue me within these three dayes may not be compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greter exextremity then you but how could you possibly vnderstand therof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when he was enchaunted mine Aunte Vrganda sent me to the Castell of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen sheelde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many wayes bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damoselles the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing els wherin to commaund me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and we will return from whence we came Farwell swéet Uirgins replyed Amadis remember my humble dutie to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this mander rode the Damoselles one way and Amadis another wherfore we must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castell of Valderin CHAP. XXI ¶ How Arcalaus brought newes to the Courte of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freendes to make manifolde lamentations and regrets especiallye the Princesse Oriana SUch spéede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchaunted he béeing as I haue saide clad in his armour and mounted on his horsse that the tenth day following he arriued néer the Court of King Lisuart who was riding abroad in the feeldes to take the aire accōpanied with his Lords along the Forrest side They séeing Arcalaus come a farre of hauing on the Armour of Amadis imagining it was he indeed diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found them-selues deceiued by reason Arcalaus had his head and handes vnarmed wherfore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these woordes Sir I come to accquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battell that some time bare these Armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne praise which were more honourable for me béeing reported by an other in mine absence yet am I constrained to doo no lesse séeing the couenant was such betweene me and him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should despoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full lothe was I to be so cruell because he tolde me he was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so he named him self whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in trueth that I was Arcalaus whome Fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this Armour and horsse which as a testimony of my victorie I brought with me Ah God saide the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight of the worlde dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue a course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares bothe in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning him selfe likewise very sad and greeued but you must think he went not without great store of cursses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and spéedy death which with their Swoordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him them-selues but that they heard how Amadis was slaine by an accorded battell The King being ouercome with pensiuenes and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Quéene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures into mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noise she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Ladie too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came wéeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady be too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she said Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true Madame answered the Damosell but what remedie you must not likewise dye for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought she had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Help Madame my Mistresse dyeth She being come sawe that she neither mooued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indéede wherefore she commaunded the Damosell to shut the door to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not break foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more liberty as also bathing her temples and pulses with Uiniger and colde water she recouered again when deliuering a fainte sigh with a feeble voice she thus spake Ah swéet freendes hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God finde him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole worlde who is replete with greefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse meruaylous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the worlde behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that reconing thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining héere alone after thée can giue but wounding and vnthankfull spéeches Ah cruell death suffised it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered stéele but thou must kill him out-right
the olde man heauen graunt the finishing therof to your honor then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed wheron 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 kéepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or freend in this countrey who will doo so much for me because my Lord was a straunger yet while he liued euery one shewed great fréendship in lookes but now their kindenesse is colde enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrey my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said y e Lady the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule whome my deceassed Lord often tolde me was in King Lisuartes Courte 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 maye finde him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perrill you will mislike the enterprise as many other haue doone who were heer-tofore accompanyed thither Heerin Mad Madame saide Galaor is the difference betweene good and bad yet if you will allow me so much as you did them that made refusall happily I may spéed better then they did The Lady noting his honourable disposition called two of her Damoselles commaunding thē to conduct Galaor to the Knight that helde her daughter perforce In sooth Madame saide the Prince little credit shall you haue by sending me on foote my owne horsse I lost not long since in the wood by hard fortune I pray ye then let me haue another on this condition that if I reuenge not your cause I maye stand bound to deliuer him againe You shall haue one Sir answered the Lady for I hope by your prowesse not only our possessions shall remaine at your disposing but our selues likewise your obedient seruantes CHAP. XXVI ¶ How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree THus departed Galaor in conduct of the two Damoselles who leading him the néerest way thorow a Forrest at the further side therof shewed him a Castell beeing the place whether they were commaunded to bring him where-upon they thus spake to the Prince Beholde my Lord at this Fortresse you may reuenge the murdered Knightes death Tell me his name replyed Galaor He is called Palingues answered the Damoselles Being now come hard by the Castell they sawe the gate was fast which made Galaor call out aloud wherat an armed Knight came on the battlements demaunding what he sought fo I would enter the Castell answered Galaor This gate quoth he is appointed to no other end but for the comming foorth of such as remaine heere within Which way shall I enter then said Galaor I will shewe you quoth the Knight But I doubt I shal trauaile in vaine and that you dare not come to vs. Now trust me replyed Galaor I would faine haue béen within long since We shall quickly sée that said the Knight if your hardines be such as you make shewe of alight from your horsse and come néere the Castell wall Which Galaor did and giuing his horsse to the Damosells went to the place where he was appointed Then came the Knight again and another with him seeming of greater stature then his companion they two winding a winche about ouer the wall let downe a basket with a corde saying to the Prince If you wil enter héere the passage by the basket is this high way But if I put my selfe therein answered Galaor will ye promise to draw me vp in safetie Yea truely quoth they albeit after ward we will not warrant ye Crediting their woordes he entred the basket saying Drawe me vp for on your honest promise I aduenture Heer-with they began to winde vp the basket which the Damoselles séeing meruailing not a little at Galaors hardines said Ah good Knight God shéeld thée from treason for doubtlesse thou she west a gentle and valiant hart By this time the Knightes had drawen him vp taking him and the basket in at the top afterward the Knightes thus began with him Gentleman it is necessary you sweare to aide the Lord of this Castell against such as would quarrell with him for the death of Anthebon otherwise you neuer shall departe hence What said Galaor did one of you twaine kill him Why demaund you replyed the other Because quoth he I am come to let the murderer know how he hath committed a déede of monstrous treason Come ye for that intent said they now surely you might haue béene a great deale better aduised darest thou threatten vs and art in custody alas we must haue another manner of account at thy handes and we must chastice the folly wher-with thy braine is troubled then drawing their Swoordes they laid vpon him very furiously When Galaor saw him selfe thus wronged both in woordes and déedes he entred into such choller as quicklye he made thē féele y e edge of his swoord so that the Damoselles might easily heare the clanching of the strokes on the Armour for the two Knightes were strong and vigorous and Galaor wel moued with hot displeasure Ah God quoth one of the Damoselles hark how the woorthy Knight dealeth with the traitours let vs not departe hence till we sée some end therof All this while Galaor so laboured his enemies with such sharpe charges as their harts began somewhat to dispaire for to one of them he gaue such a blowe on the helmet as his swoord entred thrée fingers déepe into his head afterward he buffeted him with the hiltes of his Swoord that he made him fall on his knées to the ground In meane space the other spared not Galaor but layd loade on him to reuenge his companion whose head the Prince had now seuered from his shoulders and comming to the other the coward began to turne his back running downe the staires faster then euer he came vp but Galaor followed so nimbly that laying holde on him he made him sure for euer letting downe the basket againe to draw vp any more Knightes on the walles Now because the Prince knew not Palingues and doubting one of these twaine to be he he threwe them ouer the battlements to the Ladies bidding them to looke on them and afterward to resolue him but they answered they were so mangled as they could not iudge of them and they were perswaded that Palingues was neither of these twain Wher upon Galaor went downe into the Castell and as he looked euery where about him he espied a faire yong Lady who cryed alowd Palingues Palingues is this the great chiualrie for which thou wouldst be renowned now thou flyest like a cowardly and faint harted knight yet sayest thou wert a better man at armes then my murdered Father whom thou
me saide the King séeing you repose such confidence in me assure your selfe to haue what-soeuer you request or else they shalbe restored againe It suffiseth quoth the Knight then turning to the Lordes he thus procéeded Woorthy Lordes you haue all heard what the King hath promised me that he wil restore the Mantle and y e Crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me what-soeuer I shall demaund So much his Maiesty hath saide replyed the Lordes and we are witnesses therof Adiew then answered the auncient Knight for perfocre I must return to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But héere you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knightes which conducted the olde man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his Helmet open and séemed a young man the other held downe his head as lothe to be knowen béeing of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kinges Court might be equalled with him So departed they againe all thrée together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kinges custodye CHAP. XXXI ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Courte of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays béeing all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Courte of King Lisuart where they were welcommed with excéeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowen but by renowne of his famous chiualrie Beside eche one reioyced to sée Amadis who by y e false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the villainous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their combate together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Quéene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgement remembring that when long absent louers méete lookes sighes and teares are familiarly entercoursed béeing the only means to conteÌ„t ech others hart Yet Amadis thought it not best to staÌ„d still thus musing least euery eye should growe cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Quéene saying Madame according to your charge at my departure from the Courte I haue brought this Knight whom I present as only yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Madame said the King you doo me wrong if you take them both Amadis already is yours me thinkes you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for me You aske no small matter answered the Quéene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine not-with-standing séeing you are the best King that euer reigned heer so good a Knight is wel bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ye then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinkes that any thing so great a Prince demaundeth should be graunted if it were possible heere am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like therof because he hath greatest authoritie ouer me It contents me very well saide the Quéene that you should doo as your brother commaundeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeed Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellowe seruant to the Queene With all my hart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen me to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thank you Sir quoth the Quéene now may I boldelye giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a freend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this Knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreat him according to his desertes which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madame answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and estéeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues wherby to induce me which none can valewe or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladly would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him self that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers deserte or any other what-soeuer So remained Galaor in the Kinges seruice from which he could not be seperated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as we shall haue occasion to declare héereafter All this while Oriana Mabila and Oliuia had withdrawen themselues from the other Ladyes likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus graciously entertained by the King and Quéene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray yée cause the Knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to sée him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if he thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would fayne speake with you and desire you to come a little more néere them which he presently did But Mabila being wise and discreet not ignorant what medicines should be applyed to passionate mindes after they all thrée had saluted them Mabila tooke Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit betwéene Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure fréends whome I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present busâ—nes else-where as I must of necessitie leaue you awhile Thus deuised she to bring the loouers together and by a pretty wyle gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughtes with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conferre with his Lady and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreame loue tooke from him the facilitie of spéeche yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplyed the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My Lord and fréend what dolour greefe did the traytour procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore mayden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustaine such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other
and mooued not Now grew the Lady and her Knights into such anger with Amadis as presently they would haue slaine him and he had not escaped but that an auncient Knight stepped before him with his Sword drawen vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe foorth of the Pauillion yet coulde hee not defende him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder then stepped the auncient Knight to Madasima with these words By God Madame you deale like a very vnreasonable woman causing your people in your presence to murder two Knights after they haue yeelded themselues your prisoners Why Sir quote she did you not see their presumptuous boldnes especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replyed Galaor we rather chuse to dye then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and curteous and we as prisoners will shew obeysaunce to you Seeing you saya so answered Madasima I will binde you my self heereupon she bound their hands w t strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor béeing set on horsses without Saddles and led along by two Sergeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foote hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile all night through the Forrest But Amadis was weery of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull pacience but for the matter Madasima would enforce them to the refusall whereof gaue hope of no better vsage at her hand but for euer to be depriued of his faire Oriana And contrarywise if he consented he should in like manner be banished from her presence being compelled to serue King Lisuart no longer these two extremities troubled his thoughts which the auncient Knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was mooued to pittie him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of y e best Knights in the world Héere you must obserue how the Damosell was the auncient Knights Daughter and repented her treason in deceiuing them séeing how discourteously they were intreated which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safetie for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pittie then good father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Galaor who slewe the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full well â—new the Knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittyed their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to sheeld them from death which was néere at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good chéere Sir Knight for I hope by the help of God ere long to deliuer you from this cruell Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so freendly knowing likewise it was the man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him he thus answered Father I haue no wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she that brought vs hither by y e falsest treacherie in the world I knowe very well said the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you wéene which makes me the more carefull in séeking your good therefore I shall giue you profitable councell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should dye without any remedy because nothing might serue else to expiate her wrath beléeue then what I say and put it in practise You are faire young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the world whereby she conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting she would accept you as her husband or perpetuall freend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doo doo quickly because at y t place whether we are now going she intends to send one of her seruaÌ„ts to King Lisuarts Court whose errand is only to enquire your names for she that conducted you hither perceiuing you should assuredly dye if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so with her as she said she forgot to aske your names only thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the world The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more if you doo it not wursse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so deerely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartely for your great kindnes but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to procéed so farre though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so déeply yet libertie nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wunder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale héerein with my brother he is a Knight more braue and beautifull then I am happily he will consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her fréend my companion and I were for euer at your commaund Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her I hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor he went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to break with her Madame you carrye two prisoners with you but you doo not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the Knight is esteemed y e best Knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed againste you but onlye through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sorte then you began considering if he conceiued liking
more offended then before which made him shortly thus to answere Knight what promise I made thee I intend to keepe although the Crowne and mantle be both lost to my no little greef as well for thy sake as mine owne Heere-at the Knight gaue a loud shrieke saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now commes my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must finish mine age in the cruellest death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which mooued the most constant to pitty his greefe and the King himselfe ouercome with compassion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speed any thing the wursse for my losse you must be satisfyed whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfully promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demaund what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I knowe my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnes I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to be deliuered if I had I would acquite you of the griefe I know you will endure graunting me the thing I must of necessitie demaund but now it may not be otherwise except you infrindge your faith and loyaltie Rather will I loose my Kingdome replyed the King then make a promise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy mind I thanke your Maiestie quoth the Knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perfourmed or I satisfyed hauing a reward now and taken from me annon Great reason sayd the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the Knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughter Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewels or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her as I sustaine harme by your vnhappy losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmure against the Knight perswading the King to deny his word but he rather desired death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere he made them Be not offended my good fréends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiudiciall to me as the breache of my promise for if the one bée enuious the other is iniurious and to be shunned euery way The proofe is ready if subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care wil they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this Knight therefore must haue my Daughter and I wil deliuer her according to my promise Héereupon he sent for her but the Quéene béeing present all this while little thought the King would so forget his fatherly loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter she good Lady fell at the Kings féete when wéeping as a mother for the losse of her child she said What will yée doo my Lord will ye be more inhumane to your owne blood then the brute Beasts are to their contraryes Notwithstāding all their brutish quallities yet be they neuer so vnnaturall to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledge thereof to commit so great wrong not only against your selfe impitious father or me a wofull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the Knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agréeued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladyes wherefore the King commaunded them to their chambers The Quéene séeing she might not preuayle fell in a swoune but by her Ladyes she was conuayed thence the King giuing charge on payne of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My Daughter quoth he I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can helpe it By this time the newes came to Oriana how her Father had consented to her departure wherat she fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladyes reputing her dead indéed thought best to acquainte the King ther-with yet by forced remedies shée reuiued againe breathing foorth manye dollorous sighes Now the most of the women seuered them-selues some néere and some further from her because she should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony hart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speeche and faintely vttered these regrets Full well quoth she doo I now beholde mine owne ruine Ah swéete fréend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my hart fore-told me euen at the very hower of thy departure Ah curssed be that hower because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these tidinges I feare béeing vnable to endure them thou wilt dye immediatly yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the only refuge to the vnfortunate séest thou not mee formost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumphe ouer thée in dealing so extreamely as she can with me albeit I know thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therfore and let her not get such preeminence on me in despight as it were of thy authoritie Adiew then swéete fréend for neuer shall we sée eche other more in this life at these woordes she fell in a swoune againe When the King sawe she tarryed so long he sent to commaund her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadlye agonye and staying till she was recouered againe as she began to renew her mones he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When she heard this message she arose hauing her hart so sealed vp with griefe as it séemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke she came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete said My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with me Faire daughter quoth he I must accomplishe my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King
greeuing to beholde the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the Knight Sée my fréend héere is the gifte you demaund and the only thing in the worlde I moste loue but intend you to carrye her hence alone My Lord saide the Knight she shall be accompanyed with the two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my companye when you made me this promise at Windsore and more may I not allow vntill he haue her to whome I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell said the King for it were vnséemely she should be alone among so many men Well quoth the Knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes she béeing scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horsse-back and caused a Squire to sit behinde her on the horsse who might holde her fast least she should fall and very sad counâ—enaunce shewed the Knight saying there was none in the Courte more sorrwofull then him selfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter what-soeuer happened while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking wofully about her a tall Knight well armed came among theÌ„ who not taking off his helmet or saluting the companye tooke Orianaes horsse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchaunter and came in this sort least he should be knowen soone after he commaunded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and séeing there was no other remeeye deliuering a sigh as if her hart would haue split she saide Ah my deer fréend in a haplesse hower for you was the boone graunted because it will be bothe your death and mine Heerin she meant Amadis whome she gaue leaue to departe with the Damosell yet the standers by vnderstood it of her Father and her selfe Thus departed Oriana with them that conducted her who rode apace till they were entred the Forrest néere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horsseback to conduct his Daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any reskewe from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a window to see this sad and pensiue seperation could come no néerer to Oriana her heart was so surprized with gréefe yet by hap she espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making spéede after the Princesse on horsseback when calling him to her she said Dardan if thou loue thy maister stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishap if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessitie By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence perfourme my dutie So giuing the spurres to his horsse he gallopped the same way his Maister rode with y e Damsell But leaue we him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanyed his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the hower of this trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a Swoord hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after she had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God encrease your ioy make you willing to perfourme what you promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy Knights At these words the King knewe her remembring it was she that said how she would prooue the vertue of his heart wherevpon he thus answered In good faith Damosell I haue now more néede of ioy then euer I had notwithstanding I am readie to accomplish any thing I promised you It is the only thing my Lord quoth she of my returne to you beeing the moste loyall King in the worlde wherefore humbly I intreat ye presently to reuenge my cause on a Knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my Father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content therewith the villaine violently tooke me away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is he enchaunted as he can not be done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of great Brittayne giue him a wound with this Launce and an other with this Sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Lady of whome he had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for she hateth him aboue all other for which cause she gaue me this Swoord and Launce whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it be done but by you only who are the cheefe and most vertuous man in this Countrey wherefore as you promised me before so many valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often told him that by this day I would be prouided of a Knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending only for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for he little thinketh that I haue the Sword and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agréement together if he remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniurie but if he be vanquished he must doo what I commaund him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when he had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels Sword about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company he rode on with her she carying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge Knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayd My Lord take your helmet for this is hée you must deale withall which the King quickly did and approching néere the Knight sayde Proud Traytour defende thy selfe and thy lawlesse lust So coutching their Launces they encountred together when y e King perceiued how his paynted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his Swoord to charge the Knight but at the first stroke the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hée imagined him-selfe betrayed for the Knight did what hée pleased to him But as hée would haue killed his Horsse the King béeing quick and nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such sort they strugled together as they bothe fell to the ground the Knight vndernethe and the King vppon him by meanes whereof he got his Swoord from him and vnlacing his Helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shée coulde Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cozin quicklye or else hée dyes When the King heard her name Arcalaus hée looked vp and sawe tenne braue Knightes come running