cast anker and going on land staied till day appeared CHAP. XXXIII How Esplandian and his company went vp vnto the broken pallace of the Enchaunteresse and of the straunge thinges they found there ESplandian and his company being on land not knowing the place where they were arriued caused a great fire to bee made about the which they thought to lie downe and sléepe but they heard such a noise from the top of the rocke that they were all abashed with that the winde began to cease and the sea to waxe calme the skie shewing full of starres and withall the mone shone so bright that it séemed as light as if it had ben day wherefore Esplandian desirous to know what the noise might bee determined to mount vp the rocke but he was counselled by his company to stay till the next day in the morning When Esplandian knew it certainely to be the rocke of the Enchauntresse and saied vnto the king of Denmarke In good truth I thinke I haue beene here before and take it to be the place whether the great Serpent brought me the same day I receaued the order of knighthood which putteth mee in better hope of our voiage then I had before which he saied remembring the scroll with the prophesie that he found in the lions paw Then he told the king of Denmarke how he conquered the sword he bare the death of the serpent all that he had séene vpon the rocke it is called said he the rock of the Enchauntresse By God said Gandalin you say trew for I remember that pursuing after a knight that led a Gentlewoman away I found your father king Amadis Grandasor here the knight likewise that I sought that had hiddeÌ„ himself in the old pallace vpoÌ„ this rock theÌ„ he told theÌ„ froÌ„ point to point what had happened vnto him the great loue the knight bare vnto the gentilwomaÌ„ he had carried away by force but said he before we departed she agréed with him they promised mariage to ech other although before the time shée hated him most deadly neuertheles vnderstanding that the force he vsed vnto her was only done for the loue he bare her she clean forgot her former hatred chaÌ„ging it to a most excéeding loue In good faith saied Carmelle as farre as I perceiue no man ought to dispaire of any thing hée taketh in hand no more will I during my life which shee said in respect of Esplandian who in time as shée thought might loue her whollie forget the Princes Leonorine And so long they talked that day began to apear theÌ„ Esplandian said to the king of Denmark CoÌ„panion I pray you stay here forme while I goe vp for I wil haue no body with me but Gandalin Enil they shal go with me not that I fear any danger that may happeÌ„ vnto me but only because they may help me to lift vp the tomb wherof I told you eueÌ„ now My lord said the king I pray you offer me not so much iniury for I will not leaue you though it cost mee my life especially in this place where I haue most great desire to sée that I neuer saw before Séeing it is your pleasure said Esplandian let vs go let our squires bring some victuals with them if we néed to eat before we come backe againe which the squires did wherwith they began to mount vp the rock and trauelled so long that about sunne setting they came vnto the hermitage where the great image was erected wherof you heard before where they stayed all night the next day they trauelled again came vnto the lake that ran before the old pallace because it began to be dark they determined not to trauel any further for the time to say the truth they were weary but all night the serpeÌ„ts the issued out of their holes to drink of the water ceased not to hisse and passe before about them to assaile them which they had not failed to doe had it not beene for the vertue of Esplandians sword wherevnto no venomous thinges might once approch or come néer Neuerthelesse they rested not but as soon as they might sée rose vp went on their way and passing by the ruinated monumeÌ„ts they came vnto the pallace of the enchantresse where they found the gates shut wherat Esplandian gaue so great a blow with his foot that they opened they entred into the place where the shining tombe stood with the lion vpon it Then Esplandian said vnto the thrée knights In good faith when I was here before I could not lift vp this plate I pray you each man prooue what you can do then I wil sée if I be grown stronger in the back theÌ„ I was at that time wherwith the king of Denmark assailed to doe it but what strength so euer hée vsed it was impossible for him the like did Gandalin Enil but they sped no better then the king wherat Esplandian began to laugh taking it by the two ends lifted it vp so easily as if it had been a péece of dry wood yet was it a péece of christall of thrée fingers thick about ten or twelue foote long vnder it they found an azure stone the fairest most orient color that euer was séene the couered a Ceader chest which smelt as swéet as any balme the chest being shut with a locâ—â—â— emerald stone hauing a key of diamoÌ„ds that hong by it at a chaâ—â— of fine gold al most artificially coÌ„posed the stone takeÌ„ vp the chest opened they found the image of Iupiter lying therein all of massy gold garnished with many pearles rubies other inestimable rich iewels especially a crown that he ware on his head about that which were placed certain Carboncles inform of Gréeke letters with these words Iupiter is great god of all gods in his right hand he bare a table coÌ„taining this prophesie WheÌ„ time shal come that my art knowledge shal faile the hart of the Hind inclosed herein life restored by theÌ„ that were the cause of death the Grecian sheep long time norished in plesant pastures shal be coÌ„strained to feed on a herb bitterer theÌ„ gal by means of the extremity the huÌ„gry sea wolues shal put theÌ„ vnto whose number shall be so great that they shall couer the sea in diuers places in such wise that the poore sheep inclosed in their great forrest diuers of their lambes being dead and torn in peeces their sheepheard hauing in a maner lost all hope of restoring theÌ„ againe with anguish of heart and mind in abundance of teares shall lament their great misfortune Then shall come the braue Lions whelpe by whose meanes that great troope of wolues shall be driuen away and destroyed Neuerthelesse hee shall take from the sheepeheard his great power and the best beloued of his sheepe wherevpon he shal seaze in such sort that his strong teeth and sharpe clawes shall enter into her
giuen vnto king Amadis hauing vanquished me by force which I certainely know to be wholly subiect to fortune but the imprisonment wherof 〈◊〉 complain is the wherin my hart hath inclosed it self hath the only mouing by the sole beauty fauor I haue found in the new most happy emperor estéeming my selfe to be such that I haued leauing my law to accept of yours to haue had him for my lord and husband although my hope by little and little began to deminish when I perceiued the Princes Leonorine to bee more recommended in all perfections then any that euer I heard of or euer haue séene so that speaking against my selfe it had béene impossible to finde a more equall match nor more conformable one vnto the other then the marriage of them together which maketh me beléeue that fortune extendeth wholy to eternise this my passion wherein I will if I can so much impeach her that forgetting my first affection and if it wil please him to giue me another husband worthy my estate I will accept it willingly together with baptisme and the law of Christ which you doe hold When the Emperour Esplandian saw her good pretence he began to comfort her in the best manner hee could and calling Talanque a faire lusty and wel disposed Gentleman hee saied vnto the Quéene Madame this Gentleman I offer vnto you is my cousin and son vnto King Galaor one of the best knights as I thinke liuing in the world I pray you at my request refuse him not for your lord and husband assuring you that I knowe no Princesse how great soeuer she be liuing in the world but might content her selfe with him The Quéene beheld him with so good affection that shee easily beléeued Esplandian and saied vnto him Vpon your word my lord I wil accept of him and from this time forward yéeld my selfe to bée his wife and will for his sake doe so much that the Island wherin I and others my predecessors would not suffer a man to liue shal from henceforth be gouerned by him as other countries are by their Kings and Princes And because her sister Liâ—â—e was not at that assembly but with her ships lying in the straights as Quéen Calafre had commaunded her as you heard before shee desired the Emperour to send for her who presently sent the admirall Tartarie to fetch her she being come and hauing heard her sisters mind easily agréed thereto and by the same meanes was married to Manely the wise both espoused at one time and being baptised caused all their armie to do the like which done not long after those newe married couples taking their leaues of the Kings Princes Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Court they imbarked themselues Manely hauing with him the vessels wherein Childadan his father arriued in the east and Talanque those of king Galaor which they caused to bee sraighted laden with all things necessary for so strange a country And setting saile for Californie not without great trouble which in the end they ouercame they arriued in safety where afterward they had many battels with their neighbors bordering about them whom they ouercame augmenting their dominions with many great lands territories But because the subiect of our history is not further to intreat of them we will for this present leaue theÌ„ to goe on with that which afterward was done in the city of Constantinople You heard before of the loue of Norandel and quéen Minoresse that daily increased in theÌ„ more more which the Empresse knowing ful well caused them to be married together the emperor giuing to Norandel the castle La montaigne defendu with the townes of Alfarin Galatia for the which he recompenced Frandalo with the rich fertile and well peopled isle's of Galatines Mean time the Emperor Esplandian not forgetting the imprisonment of Vrganda one day among the rest not long before the princes of the West imbarked theÌ„selues to return into their countries hee shewed theÌ„ in what sort Melie had taken her away by inchantment caried her to the great citty of Tesifant where she held her prisoner in a great tower desiring them most earnestly to giue him counsel what he might do therin Son said king Amadis it were good you sent vnto Armato to offer him for her the souldan of Liquie that is your prisoner if he refuse you so to doe we will enter into his country and fetch her thence by force Wherevnto they all agréed so that without longer delay Carmelle was sent to Tesifant imbarking her self with four squires thrée gentlewomeÌ„ with a good wind arriued at the castle La montaigne defendu where she remained certain daies staying for king Armatos pasport which by one of her womeÌ„ she sent to fetch who fouâ—â— Armato as melancholy as might be féeling as yet his fortune past specially the death of his son Alphorax which without ceasing he coÌ„tinually lamented With that the gentlewoman gaue him to vnderstand the cause of her arriual wherwith he was so wel pleased that presently hee caused Carmelles safe conduct to bee made and giuing it to the messenger said vnto her My friend returne vnto your mistresse and assure her from mee that shée may come vnto my court as often as it pleaseth her remembring well the pleasures she shewed vnto me during my imprisonment The gentlewomaÌ„ thanked him most hartily and returned to Carmelle who within few daies after went to Tesifant to Armato where shee declared at large the effect of her embassage which heard by king Armato and considring with himself that for Vrganda hée might recouer one of his greatest friends therby cause the Christian Princes for a time to refrain the ouerrunning of his country sent presently for Melie desiring her in all affection for his sake to grant to his desire the pleasure of the Christians considring the offer made by theÌ„ was both aduantage vnto him his Melie desirous to please Armato brake her inchantments without delay Vrganda was deliuered vnto Carmelle vpon condition that shee being arriued in the city of Constantinople should likewise set the Souldan of Liquie at liberty which she swore and promised to do which done taking their leaue of Armato they trauelled so long that they came vnto the castle La montaigne defendu where Vrganda caused theÌ„ to leaue Carmelles ship to enter into the great serpent that as yet she found there which presently of it selfe began to saile as it had alwaies done before Vrganda was in prison in such manner that without impeachment they arriued in the Hauen of Constantinople where the Princes and lords being on shoare descended to the water side to receiue Vrganda And thinking to bring her to the pallace she desired the to stay there til a prophesie were accoÌ„plished that should be done before the sun went down which they agréed vnto not onely to please her mind but likewise desiring to sée what it should be
fountaine not farre from thence and was passing by when the knight spake vnto him saying Father God saue you which when the good man heard he was in so great a mase that for feare his pitcher fell out of his hand and brake in péeces Neuerthelesse by little and little he came to himselfe againe and perceiuing him that spake vnto him answered and said My sonne it is now twenty years past fithence I left the pleasures of this world and forseek my natiue soile to obtaine the grace of God and that which most abasheth mée is that since the time whereof I speake I neuer found man that as yet saluted mee in this manner and I thinke verely you are a stranger in these countries or els your spéech and apparell disguiseth you much Father said the knight true it is I am a stranger brought hether by such meanes that I neither know the country where I am nor any man or womā inhabiting therin for you are the first creature that I met since I arriued here of whom I might enquire assuring you that when I perceiued this crosse it reioiced my heart for it is the armes of the maister that I serue What saied the Hermit doe you then know the vertue thereof I answered the knight that I doe being well assured that vpon the like crosse our Redéemer whereof I speak suffered death and passion Alas saied the holy man you say true praised be his holy name that once before I die he hath giuen me the grace to let me sée a man on this side the sea that beléeueth in him assuring you sir knight that you and I are onely the two creatures in this country that are Christians for all the restare Pagans and idolaters And as he would haue procéeded further his spéech failed him doubting that hee to whom hee spake was but a fantasie or shadow of a man but at the last he waxt bolder and in maner of coniuration asked him if he were a mortall man or not Mortall answered the knight that I am for certain and withall a sinner which displeaseth mee much and if it abasheth you at this present to sée mee here I am my selfe no lesse abashed to sée you for without doubt the manner of my arriuall in this countrey hath béen such and so strange that I can render you no reason thereof but if you know the countrey where in wée are I beséech you good Father tell it me to put me out of doubt Gladly said the Hermite and with that he tooke him by the hand led him to his Hermitage and there sitting downe together vpon a log of wood the old man began to speake in this maner and said Now sir knight tell mee I pray you what countryman you are Father said he Great Brittaine is the countrey where in my youth I was borne and bred I know not if euer you were acquainted therewith How long is it said the Hermite since you came from thence It is fiftéene daies more since I was there said the knight did you neuer know king Lisuart saied the Hermite that in my time raigned therin Yes truly said the knight for I haue séene him many times how did hee when you came from thence said the Hermite That can I not certainely shew said the knight for hée was lost and led away from thence but by whom or in what manner no man cantell notwithstanding the great paine and diligence diuers of his knights haue vsed to find him out When the Hermite heard that he séemed very pensiue which the knight perceiuing thought in his mind that hee could tell him some newes where vpon he began to behold him well in the face to sée if hée changed colour with that the Hermite that well perceiued the Knights meaning said vnto him Truly Sir Knight not without cause haue I enquired so much touching King Lisuart but before I will shew you my reason why you shal vnderstand that I am of great Brittaine as well as you where as yet the greatest part of my kindred are liuing whome I forsooke at the same time that a Gyant lord of this country married with a lady who as then I serued and with her passed the sea not only hoping to reape some reward for my former seruice but as yong men are moued with a great desire to sée strange countries but it fortuned that my mistresse being forsaken of God as soone as shee arriued in this countrey left his holy law to receiue the law of her husband wherefore considering with my self that by reason as wel of my natural weakenesse as by often frequenting the company of these countrymen I might fal into some error I determined to withdraw my selfe into this place wherein I haue endured much paine and misery to the great daunger of my life by reason of the controuersie betwéene the law of Iesus Christ which I hold and the law of the Pagans that séeke daily to destroy it that without the fauour of my mistresse that would not suffer them to displease me I had not liued so long as I haue done among them but when it pleaseth God I wil depart hence and returne again into mine own country now you haue heard how I haue hetherto liued I pray you sir knight said hee shew mee your aduentures and who hath brought you into this place from whence very hardly you will euer be able to returne again but rather are in danger of most cruell death or to indure the most horrible imprisonmēt that euer was heard of which would gréeue me much not only for the great beauty and young yeares that I perceiue to be in you but for that you are my natiue countryman Father answered the knight you haue done mee great pleasure to shew me the manner of your life and bringing vp neuerthelesse before I satisfie your request tell mee if it pleaseth you wherfore when you spake of king Lisuart you séemed so sad which made mee coniecture that you know some thing touching him Sonne said the Hermit you shall vnderstand that a doughter of mine seruant to the lady whereof I spake not long since came hether to sée me and told mee that hee mistresse returning from great Brittaine whether shee went to deliuer a brother of hers out of prison brought with her very secretly a knight of great estimation as shee said neuerthelesse I cannot assure you who it is but as I haue learned since they say the two Giants sonnes were much pleased therewith which maketh mee doubt considering the newes you haue shewed mee touching king Luisart that he is most likely to be the man for shée is so well séene in the art of Nigromancy and Magicke that oftentimes shee procureth mischief vnto those that neuer offended her And in what countrey are wee now said the knight You are betwéene the marches of Turky and Gréece said the Hermite for this mountaine parteth both the countries but it is so strong not onely by
that my soule sustained I haue to the contrary aduanced mine owne shame and vtter ruine iustly receiuing the reward that belongeth vnto such as refusing the better part thinke to remedy one mischiefe by procuring a worse vpon themselues Madame said the Giant if at this present you haue receiued great losse by the death of some of your friends neuerthelesse you ought not to take it so offensiuely séeing they haue ended their daies in honourable combate as behooueth all worthy knights such as they were And as for me think you that for feare of death I will refuse to doe that whereunto by knighthood I am bound No no likewise what reason or what excuse should moue me being as I am both fresh and wel disposed to refuse the combat alone against one simple knight I deny not madame but confesse that affection causeth you to vse these words and shew the nature of a woman but you must conceiue think with your selfe that I answere you as it becommeth me preferring mine honour before your teares wherefore I beséech you suffer mee to take the small vengeance I can vpon the villaine that hath so much offended mee Matroco saied the knight thou reckonest before thine host I would not for all the gold in the world lose such an occasion offered as I now haue both for mine honour and aduantage Beléeue mee that neither thy mothers teares nor the duty thou owest vnto her as being her child can by any meanes prolong the end of thée or me if without dissimulation thou doest not by oath promise and assure mée to liue in as good sort from this time fâ—rwards as in times past thou hast liued wickedly Wherefore it were better for thée to make mee know by effect the Prowesse thou vauntest thy selfe to haue and for me to let thée sée the curtesie which it may bee thou shalt find at my hands if I ouercome thée When the lady perceiued that her prayers could take no place she left them and the two knights began to runne one vpon the other so brauely and with such fury that king Luisart beholding them thought he neuer saw so cruel a battell the which abashed him more was that hee could not presume how or in what manner the blacke Knight had found him in so strange a place and yet he knew him not sometime hee thought him to be Amadis but when he remembred the loue he bare vnto the lady Oriana that hee had newly married hee was otherwise persuaded and likewise hee remembred very well the combates hee had séene Amadis de Gaule make at Windsore against Dardan le Superbe and after that with Ardan Canile wherein hee vsed all his forces yet were they not comparable to those of the blacke knights who as then found himselfe as fresh and wel disposed to fight as if hee had not fought all the day before Againe when he thought it to be his nephew Esplandian for that Vrganda had foreshewed many wonderfull things of him he was soone dissuaded from that opinion by reason hée left him with the quéen his mother not once séeking to receiue the order of knighthood and although that since his departure out of Brittaine he might haue obtained that honour yet did hee estéeme it impossible for Esplandian to doe so valiantly at the first Further Vrganda had alwaies prophesied of him that the first valiant acts he should atchieue should be renowned and spoken of by his strange fearefull nauigation in the great serpent wherein he should be imbarked and for the blacke knight he knew he arriued there in a little barke vnfurnished whereby he estéemed it vnlikely to be his nephew Esplandian But hée thought hee neuer had séene so valiant and hardy a knight for the longer he fought the more he wearied and laboured Matroco Neuerthelesse hee continued fighting for the space of two hours together before it could be iudged who should haue the victory but in the end the Giant féeling himselfe wounded in so many places his armour altogether broken and his shield halfe clouen in two began to mistrust his owne force Wherefore stepping backe he staied his hand and saied Knight I pray thée let vs breath our selues a while and hear what I wil offer thée which cannot bee other then to thy honour and aduantage With that the knight stood still and Matroco began to speake saying I wonder sir knight what mooued thée to venture in this manner vpon this rocke wherein neuer any but thy selfe durst enterprise to come during my fathers life neither yet sithence that by his death I haue ben lord therof and besides this thy enterprise wherein thou hast done the thing that all others feared to doe before thée thoâ—â—â—st also slaine thrée of my friends whereof two of them as I thinke were the best knights in their time liuing on the earth whereby I haue iust cause to hate thee more then any man liuing But when I call to minde that thou hast done therein like a valiant and hardy knight I haue some reason to pardon thée and to estéem thee for one of the valiantest champions that euer I saw in all my life although I haue both prooued and vanquished many others longer practised in armes stronger then thy selfe Wherfore if the onely cause of thy arriuall in this place was to deliuer the king that looketh on vs I am content thou take and lead him hence in safety and for the same cause likewise I quite thée of the combate vpon condition that without long soiourning here thou shalt presentlie depart out of this castle that belongeth vnto mee When the blacke knight had heard him hée answered him and saied Giant as farre as I perceiue thou estéemest it a great enterprise that I haue done to come hether and find thée here within thy castle where by mee those that thou so much lamentest haue ben slaine but if thou knewest the maister that I serue to whom as duty bindeth mée I am obedient thou shouldest presently perceiue and plainely sée this enterprise by thée estéemed much to bee nothing in comparison of that hee is able to doe and bring to passe for that from him onely and none other procéedeth all whatsoeuer I haue done whereby of good right the glory belongeth vnto him and to the contrary you that are idolaters serue those that are accustomed to rocke and lul you asléepe in all kind of vices cruelties outrages thefts murthers and infinite other wickednesse which for a time doe prosper with you whereby you liue in honour riches and all worldly pleasures and so are nulled in all filthinesse but surely such manner of life may well bee compared to buildings erected vpon the sands that cannot â—ontinue long but are most sure to haue an euil end euen then â—hen they are estéemed to bee at the top of all their worldly felicity Like as it happened vnto Lucifer and his fellswes whereof it may be thou hast heard spoken Neuerthelesse if thou wilt
neuer since they durst approch so néere although wee haue giuen them diuers skirmishes but for the space of eight daies we neuer issued foorth by reason as you know if wee should often issue foorth it is impossible but some of our men must of force bee slaine and the death of one of ours would be more losse vnto vs then the slaying of a hundreth of their men would profite vs. You haue done well said Esplandian for all wise captaines ought to content themselues with the sure defending of a hold committed vnto them not hazarding themselues to losse as long as possible they may But for the further safetie of this castle I thinke it good wee take counsell what were best to bee done least wee bee surprised Wherewith they went into the chamber where Matroco died where they met together and among diuers things propounded it was concluded that the next night they would issue forth to slay the enemies watch which would easily bee done séeing they had not any alarme in long time before Wherefore euery man went to refresh himself till about eleuen of the clocke at night when Frandalo and the rest armed themselues And as they were all assembled in the court Esplandian standing in the middle spake vnto them and saied My good friendes wee are not now among the combates of great Brittaigne where combates are fought more for fantasie or vaine glory then vpon any iust occasion But this warre wee make against the proper enemies of our faith summoneth vs not onely to doe our indeuours but also to defend the honour and liberty of the name of Christians Wherefore my good companions I beséech you let euery man cast feare aside preferring vertue before any inconuenience whatsoeuer Assuring you if wee doe so that before it be day king Armato and his army shall well find we are not so fainthearted as he estéemeth vs. Then calling Norandel vnto him he said Vncle you Manely and the king of Denmarke with a hundred men shall issue first to flay the Sentinels and if you could doe the like vnto their watch our enterprise would bee brought to passe as wee desire But whatsoeuer chanceth set you vpon them and feare not the repulse for Gandalin and Lazinde shall second you with two hundreth more by which meanes you may easily retire if you be constrained therevnto Neuerthelesse let no man stirre from hence till Frandalo and I be first gone out for that wée two alone will goe into their campe to sée what countenance they make and as fortune fauoureth vs we will presently ioine with you With that hee sent for two gownes of cloth of gold and two Turkish caps whereof he gaue one vnto Frandalo and kept the other for himselfe and being armed vnder their apparrell were set downe by the ladder of oords on the sea side fainting to be some of the sea captaines went straight vnto the campe where they were staied by the Sentinels but Frandalo speaking the Arabian tongue could so well dissemble that hee made them beléeue they went to aduertise the great Turke of a thing of great importance whereby they let them passe Meane time Armato king of Turky sate deuising in his tent with his familiar friendes touching the losse of ships whereof not aboue an hower before he had receiued news by one of his marriners that saued himselfe in a small Frigate but the Turke could not by any meanes imagine how it came to passe séeing his spies that were newly returned from Constantinople had brought him newes that the Emperour stirred not neither made any preparation to assaile him And as Frandalo Esplandian entred the tent they heard the marriner tell how that cruell ouerthrow happened by meanes of a monster of the sea that came with the enemies fléet That saied hee put vs in such fear with casting fire out of his mouth nose and eies that thereby the most part of our men were burnt to ashes By all my gods said Armato it is some diuell that enuieth my prosperitie And it pleaseth your grace said one of his Bassaes that had sailed in the mediteranian seas and heard speaking of the great Serpent there is nothing but art Magicke vsed therein whereof I am most sure as hauing diuers times ben certefied thereof Wherewith they heard a great alarum for Norandel and his company had issued out of the castle with white scarffes about their heads for to bee knowne and had so well surprised the watch about the base court that they had slaine them all whereof Armato had intelligence as also that the enemies had gotten the issue of the Portall wherewith hee was so moued that in a great rage with very small company he went thether himselfe Esplandian Frandalo following after as if they had been of his company But before their arriuall Norandel had recouered the pallasadoes of the fortresse and there sustained the whole Turkish forces staying Gandalins comming Now the entry of the court was so narow that more then thrée men could not passe through it at once wherby those of the castle had in manner as much aduantage as their enemies Which Ambor Talanque Gandalin and Libee made them well féele comming likewise vpon them for as the king arriued they thrust them cleane out of the place whereby they fled in great hast till the Turke himselfe caused them to stay and séeing him they tooke courage turning their faces whereby the skirmish began much whotter then before Armato himselfe shewing great Prowesse when Esplandian that was stil behind him tooke him by the middle and in dispight of them all carried him vnto the wals of che castle crying with a lowd voice Bee of good cheare my companions wee haue taken the king At the which crie the Turkes set so fiercely on them that had it not ben for Frandalo who as yet had not shewed himselfe they had recouered him againe but he ioyned himselfe with Manely Norandel and the rest that sustained the force of all the enemies so valiantly that Esplandian had meanes to put Armato in sure kéeping and to returne againe vnto the battaile before it was ended But it continued not long after for that newes was presently carried to the campe that the king was prisoner with two of his chiefe captaines taken by Gandalin and the king of Denmarke wherewith they were so much abashed that by little and little they began to retire the like did they of the castle contenting themselues with the booty they had gotten CHAP. XXVII How Armato king of Turkie was committed vnto the custody of Gandalin and what conference he had with Frandalo THose of the castle retired as you heard before Esplandian called Gandalin and Libee praying them to looke vnto king Armato as also to the two Turkish captaines and appointing the watch as time required went and laied him downe vpon his bed not ceasing all the night to thinke on the spéech Carmelle vsed vnto him touching the Princesse Leonorine whereby
whereto Frandalo would not giue consent shewing what great paine and trauaile both they and their horses haue endured all that day as also the great number of their enemies in regard of them in such sort said he that if we take vpon vs for to fight with them I am in doubt that thinking to winne honour we shall be counted rash and presumptuous fooles What then said Esplandian will you endure the shame to flie away In good truth said he for my part I had rather endure the hazzard of life or death what euer shall happen Then we will doe thus said Frandalo my squire shall runne vnto Galatia to aduertise Talanque and the rest how we staied behind Meane time I know a bridge not farre from hence whether wée will goe and defend the same till our aid shall come where we cannot be assailed by them all at once otherwise thinke with your selfe what meanes we haue to resist so many men both on horse and foot that come purposely to assaile vs. Let vs goe then said Esplandian wherewith leauing the way on the right hand they turned to the left as Frandalo ledde them and they had not ridden very farre but they came vnto a little riuer somewhat déepe ouer the which there stoode a bridge where they had no sooner arriued but they were presently charged by their enemies especially by one of the Turkes that was most braue and sumptuous and best mounted of them all as béeing their captaine who bearing a great launce in his hand began to crie most vehemently in the Arabian tongue vnto Esplandian and his companions saying You dogges you flye away but by our gods it shall cost you all your liues wherewith Enil that heard his threatnings better than the rest turned his face and set spurres to his horse the Turke and hée méeting so fiercely togither that Enil was hurt in the right arme and the Turke thrust cleane through the body wherewith hee fell presently starke dead vnto the ground Which set his companions in such a rage to sée their champion thus suddainly slaine that they thought to inclose Enil but he found means to recouer the bridge surely whosoeuer had séen the great prowesse of those four champions might with good reason estéeme them as they were specially Esplandian that stroke not one blowe in vaine And although they were but fewe in comparison of their enemies yet they did twice or thrice ouerthrow diuers of the Turkes that séemed boldest to aduenture forward in such sort that had it not béene for the footemen that came vpon them the horsemen had but little preuailed whereat it is not to be maruailed because the greatest part of them were citizens altogither vnexpert in armes and fitter to banket at a table than to guide a horse or breake a lance whereby in lesse than a quarter of an houre the foure knightes had done them great hurt and so much that neither the horsemen nor footmen durst once set forward to enter vpon the bridge till one of them determined to make proofe thereby if it were possible to inclose them round about This Turkes name was Tluacam a valiant and hardy knight as he well shewed before the combat ended for although the water was déepe and the other side hard to clime vp yet he waded through and at diuers times bare eight more of his companions ouer which Frandalo and the rest perceiuing they were constrained to deuide themselues Esplandian and Enil staying at the end of the Bridge where the combat first began Frandalo and Gandalin standing at the other and God knowes what trouble they had for Tluacam desirous to winne honour or to loose his life with his lance in hand charged Gandalin in such sort that both man and horse had like to fallen to the ground and withall he brake his speare wherfore taking his sword in hand striking on both sides and thinking to be seconded by his fellowes put his horse in such a fury that whether he would or not he bare him to the middle of the bridge where thinking to stay the horses féet slid from him whereby both hée and his master fell into the riuer and were drowned whereat the Turkes gaue so great a crie that they séemed madde and bowing downe their heads thinking to acquite their losse vsed all the force they could on both sides the bridge to enter vpon the foure knightes who susteined their assault so brauely that the Turkes at last were forced to recule wherof nine were thrown into the water but Esplandian and his company were so weary that in a manner they could fight no longer With that they perceiued their aid in all hast comming towards them the occasion why they stayed so long was because Frenace Frandalos squire that went to séeke Manely and the rest thinking to find his master where he left him had led them thither but not finding them there supposed them to be gone vnto the bridge and to say truth they arriued in very good time for that Esplandian and his thrée companions were almost cleane out of breath but when they perceiued their aide neuer did poore prisoners that were set at libertie more reioyce nor were better pleased and the Turkes on the contrary side neuer more astonished yet they held close togither determining rather to reuenge their deathes than once to yéeld vnto their enemies so that before the Knightes of Galatia could enter in among them they gaue them much to do although in the end they ouercame them whereby not one escaped aliue to carry newes vnto their friends Enil at the first onset had béen sore wounded as you heard before wherefore hée caused his wounds to be searched the like did the rest of the hurt knights Which done they set forward to Galatia contenting themselues for that day with the victory it had pleased God to send them And comming to the gate they found Vrganda readie to receiue them who knowing how all had past and the daunger wherein Esplandian had béen iestingly saide vnto him In faith my Lord said shée if I were afraid of death when I fell into Melies hands I beléeue you were not in much better case since that I saw you last as I vnderstand by those that know what dommage you were in Madame said he I know I am a mortall man and that my life and death are in the hands of God as it pleaseth him to dispose and I confesse vnto you if wée had not béene succoured that in the end we could not haue endured yet am I well assured that before it had come to passe we had laid so many enemies on the ground that the rest should haue had greater cause to lament their losse than boast of their conquest Vrganda perceiued by Esplandians words that he liked not her spéech whereupon shee said vnto him My Lord pardon me I beséech you and excuse the indiscretion of a woman specially in mée who at this present had forgotten my selfe Madame
women to return to sea kéeping apart from all the Pagans without once stirring from thence for any thing whatsoeuer should fall till shée receiued further newes from her which was partly the cause of the enemies ouerthrow for they doubting some treason being separated in that sort from that time forward were in some feare and in greater suspition than before and not without cause for that if Lyote had aided king Armato both by sea and land as shée might haue done if her sister had not forbidden her it is likely her esquadron of women being twentie thousand strong and somewhat more had done great mischiefe to the Christians but God of his goodnes prouided better for them CHAP. LIIII How after the Pagans were driuen out of Thrace the Emperour of Constantinople renouncing his Empire inuested Esplandian therwith marrying him to his doughter the princesse Leonorine THe obsequies and funerals of the Kinges Princes Lords and others that died in the battell being finished the wounded cured and all things set at rest the Emperour of Constantinople knowing that Amadis and those that were come with him from the Westerne parts would retourne againe into their countries desired them to assemble shewing them that his meaning was to let them know what hée determined to doe before they went from thence The next day in the morning they all met in the emperors great hall and he standing in the middest spake vnto them and said My brethren lords and good friends the bond wherein I stand bounden vnto you is so great that although it hath pleased God to make me Emperour of all Grecia yet am I well assured it is far beyond my poore hability to satisfie you for the same estéeming the honour and riches that I now haue next vnder God be it little or much to procéed from you I am now thréescore yeares of age wholly aged decrepit by reason of the paines that in my youthfull yeares I haue continually taken in following armes so it is I haue but one child which is a daughter the onely staffe hope of my old yeares whome I haue determined if you thinke good to giue in marriage vnto the valiant knight Esplandian and with her likewise to inuest him with the Empire and gouernement of all my countries And the better to liue solitarily and to seperate my selfe from worldly company I haue determined to goe with the Empresse my wife into the monastery that I caused to bee made there to liue religiously calling vpon God and doing pennance for the euils I haue committed heretofore Wherefore my good lords and friendes I pray you if this my determination like you well let euery man giue consent and you first saied hee vnto king Amadis to whom the matter toucheth néerer then to any of the rest as being father and sonne My lord said he my sonne shal doe as you command him I will tell you said the Emperour I remember that among other Prophesies which ought to happen in this our time there is one that maketh me as I think agrée with you in one consent Esplandian hath vpon his body as I haue vnderstood certaine carracters which shew his name and others that in no wise can be read but only by the woman that is ordained to be his wife let vs now sée if it be my daughter or not with that he sent for the Princesse Leonorine who being brought thether by the Empresse and diuers other ladies the Emperour desired Esplandian to open his doublet and shew them the letters hée had borne vpon his body from his mothers wombe which hée refused not but before them all shewed them openly where euerye man might easily perceiue the white carracters containing this word Esplandian but they could not know the red wherefore the Emperour caused his daughter to come néere asking her what she could doe therein My lord said she not long before Melie betraied Vrganda she and I being alone in my chamber she sent to fetch one of the bookes that had ben taken from her couered with gold whereon the Enchauntresse was ingrauen and I remember that I saw therein the like carracters that Esplandian beareth on his body and ouer them their signification which is nothing else but his name and mine Daughter said the Emperor if you haue the booke still cause it to be brought hether wherevnto shée obaied The booke being brought shee shewed him the place that Melie had read vnto her containing that which followeth The happy knight that shall conquer the sword the great treasure inchaunted by me shall from his mothers wombe bear his name in white carracters and the name of her that shall be his wife in red carracters vpon his body which red carracters shal be so difficult to vnderstand that no man liuing in that time how wife or learned soeuer he be shall expresse the same without he sée this booke which wil teach him what the seuen carracters do signifie representing the seuen words that follow Leonorine daughter of the Emperour of Greece In good faith saied the Emperour here is a strange case and sheweth well that the Enchantresse lady had more knowledge in art Magicke then any that liued in her time and séeing my daughter hath so wel deuined I am determined that you said he vnto the archbishop of Thrace do grant vnto Esplandian that which nature before his birth had promised vnto him which is my daughter Leonorine By which meanes the marriage was solemnised and finished the same day with no great ceremonies the Court being as yet troubled for the death of so many Princes and great lords that were slaine in the battaile but let it suffice to knowe that those two louers enioyed the thing which they so long desired Esplandian the same day being proclaimed Emperor of Gréece according to the commandement of his father in lawe who within two months after with the Empresse his wife went vnto a monastery place of deuotion And because quéene Calafre had alwaies pretended to marry with Esplandian perceauing her intent frustrated she could not refrain to speak in presence of theÌ„ all said vnto them My lords I beséech you giue me leaue to declare my mind It is certain said she that those which know me are not ignorant that I am one of the greatest most puissant princesse in all the cast parts by reason of the great quantity of golde and precious stones that are within my countries As touching my linage I am daughter of a quéene of ancient race and as noble as any that euer was in the world so it is that fortune brought me into these marches promising me shortly to returne laden with great number of flaâ—es abundance of treasure but to the contrary I that pretended sought the captiuity of others and my selfe takeÌ„ better holden prisoner theÌ„ they ytâ—â— in their mortal enemies hands This imprisonmeÌ„t wherof I speak is not that whervnto I am bouÌ„d by the faith I haue
to shew the cause thereof which at the first she could not doe her heart was so full of gréete Neuerthelesse in the 〈◊〉 shee tooâ—◠〈◊〉 againe and saied vnto them My good friends 〈…〉 of almighty God al things haue 〈…〉 teÌ„poral things should passe away by death haue an end according to the qualities of his creatures Which diuers great persons considering with themselues haue trauailed during their liues in many sorts after their deaths to leaue some memorie of them not minding to bury their renowme togither with their bodies Now I know for certaine that the end of your daies is néere wherefore it is most requisite that you bée constant and shew your selues to be the same you were at the beginning Neuerthelesse before that death shall seaze vpon you I will shew the loue that I haue alwaies borne vnto you and with the helpe of God will doe so much that without death you shall remaine asléepe vntill the time that one descended of your race shall deliuer you froÌ„ thence and after that shall bée in as good case and raigne againe within your countries as you did before otherwise assure your selues that before sixe moneths do come vnto an end not one of you shall be aliue but all buried in the earth Wherefore let euery man shew me his opinion and for the rest said shee let me prouide Surely that spéech and newes of death was so harde for them to endure that not one of them but changed colour their hearts béeing seazed with an extreme sorow And as they beheld ech other king Amadis séeming least astonished answered vnto Vrganda and said Madame we know for certaine that not one of vs nor any other liuing creature can perfectly knowe what is necessarie for vs but only you alone wherefore doe with vs as you thinke good and wée will all obey you that is sufficient said Vrganda therefore let euery man put on his armour in the same maner hée vseth when hée goeth to the fielde and each man hold his sword naked in his hand that done she caused them to goe into the forbidden chamber setting them in their roiall seates with all their wiues by them which done Vrgandas two cousens Iuliande and Solisde in two basons of gold brought a certaine composition wherewith shée desired them to wash their faces which they did Whereby it happened that on a suddaine Beautie which Age and Time had decaied in them began againe to appeare within their faces in as great perfection aâ— euen it had done which aduenture pleaseâ— the Ladies so â—â—ll that they began to behold ech other and their husbands thereat to be much abashed Then Vrganda called master Elizabeth taking him by the hand led him into the next chamber where she caused him to sit downe putting the booke that he had brought into her hands she made signes to Gandalin and the gentlewoman of Denmark that they should follow her and passing through the Arke of faithfull louers they entred into the garden where the images of Apolidon and Grimanaise were placed ouer the which she set them and Ardan the dwarfe hard by them wherwith she said vnto them My friends the true and faithfull louers haue béen worthy to sée these images before the Arke sometime inchanted so you deserue this place for the faith and true and affection that you haue alwaies borne to your masters Wherefore vpon your liues sée you depart not hence whatsoeuer you shall heare or sée that done she went vnto the chamber where shée left the Emperour and taking Carmelle by the hand before them all she said vnto her Carmelle you were but of meane parentage but the vertue and great curtesie of your heart hath so much inabled you that you shall bée placed at the Emperors féet to fulfill the promise made vnto him which was neuer to forsake him while you liued With that she spake vnto king Amadis and all the other princes praying them not to flie till shée returned againe and going vp into one of the towers of the pallace shée tooke with her the best of Medeas bookes which Melie had that sometime belonged to the Enchantresse lady and being in the tower shée vncouered her head with that she began to read certaine coniuâ—â—ations and looking into all the foure quarters of the earth making signes and tokens with her fingers her face became so redde â—hat it séemed fire had issued out of her eyes Whereupon there â—appened such an earthquake so great tempests of lightning and â—hunder as though the Elements had fought togither This tempest continuing for the space of thrée quarters of an houre those whome she had caused to sit downe as you heard before remained in a trance without all knowledge as if they had béene dead and with that there appeared a cloud so obscure and thicke which inuironed the place that neuer after it could be séen till Luisart of Gréece sonne to Esplandian brought that enchantment to an end by meanes of a sword which he conquered as it shall be declared to you in the sixt Booke wherein is described one of the most pleasant and delectable histories that euer was read At which time all the Princes and the rest were reuiued againe and not before The Emperor Esplandian at that time had a sonne after his grandfathers name called Luisart as then about the age of eight yéeres King Amadis a sonne and a daughter the sonne named Perion and the daughter Brisene that married the eldest sonne of the Emperour of Rome King Galaor two sonnes the one named Perion the other Garinter of whome I haue shewed you before Florestan the King of Sardaigne two sonnes the one named Florestan after his father that raigned after him and the other Palmindan of Almaine after his grandfather Agrayes Earle of Salandrie two sonnes the one called Languines the other Galmenes King Bruneau one sonne named Vallade and a daughter named Helisenne that married Quedragants sonne and bare his fathers name King Childadan two sonnes the eldest called Abies of Ireland after his grandfather whome Amadis slewe the first day hée entred into Knighthood And although these princes left such heires as you heard before yet would they not during their fathers absence take on them the names or titles of Kings hoping by Gods helpe that they should once returne as well as euer they were For the which cause they hauing â—â—â—tained to the age and strength to bear armes passed 〈◊〉 â—reland there to bée made knights by King Childâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 very weake and withered with age 〈…〉 followed strange aduentures doing many 〈…〉 feates of armes which are at large declared in the bookes that followe which in time may come vnto your handes when it pleaseth God FINIS