Combate Then he that first spake rehearsed all the wordes of their Sister according as hath béen already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villainie disguised in such sorte for she hath doone farre otherwise as you may vnderstand by her Husband him selfe who being neere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at hand Seeing it hath so fallen out saide the three Bretheren dispose of vs as they that remaine at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines and there before him recite all that hath happened saying withall how you were therto constrained by a young Knight that sent ye thither and who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this misdeed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to perfourme wherfore commending thē to God he roade away leauing them together CHAP VI. ¶ How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knightes the Gentleman of the Sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not riddē long till they saw two Damoselles come toward them by two sundrye waies who addressed themselues to meete together which when they had doon they entred into cōmunication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and when they were come to the Prince she with the Launce auaunced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three daies it will stand ye in so good stéed as therwith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these woordes thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shalbe quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first wherof shall be When one of your best freendes shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue wherby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath doone these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doo my fréend Full well I know quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you may note was Vrganda the vnknowen When the other Damosell who heard the woordes saw her forsake her companie she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doo wherfore she saide My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conuenient I would gladly for a while abide with y◠deferring a iourney that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demaund of whence she was wherto she replied that she was of Denmarke And that him selfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assuraunce therof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country spéech wherupon he saide If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tel me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I sée her till now I met her on the way and then she saide to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I in not knowing her if I forbeare now presently to follow her you must think Lady the cause is that I cānot finde her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the darke euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chaunced that they met with a Squire who demaunded where they intended to finde lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith saide the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you can not long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct ye to a Castell belonging to my Father who shall doo you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosell thinking this councell good desired the Prince to accept therof which he did therfore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them directly foorth of the way because he had neuer séene the combates of Knightes errant and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought them to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could y e Prince take no rest all y e night for thinking on y e Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gon and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire saide he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage therto but ouer a long drawe-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence therof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needes passe thether by y e bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsuall passage Marche on then saide the Prince wherwith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the Sea remaining behinde entred into such a thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well néere forgotten him selfe but at length he heard the noyse of fire Halberders armed with Corslettes and Helmettes who at the entraunce of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oathe that she should neuer beare loue to her freend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland againste King Perion which she refusing cryed to the Prince for his assistaunce This clamour made him forget his musing when addressing him selfe to the Palliardes he saide Trayterous villaynes who commaunded you to lay handes on this Lady being in my charge In speaking these woordes he came to the chéefest of the sixe from whom right soone he caught his hatchet and gaue him such a stroke therwith as he fell to the ground All the other together presentlye set vpon him but one of them he sliced to the verye téethe and soone after an other bare him companye with the losse of his arme When the thrée that were left sawe their companions so handled they took
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
them selues to flight and the Prince followed them so néere as one of them left his legge behinde him the other twaine he let go returning where he left the Damosell to whom he saide Now boldely goe on and like euill fortune may they haue that encourage any villaine to lay forcible hand on Lady or Damosell She béeing assured by these woordes went on with the Prince and his Squires but ere they had gon any thing farre they heard a great noyse and tumult within the Castell Me thinkes Sir said the Damosell I heare a meruaylous murmuring within this Fortresse therfore I would aduise ye to take the rest of your Armour Goe on quoth the Prince and feare not for where Ladyes are euill intreated who ought euery where to goe in safety there hardly abideth any man of valewe In sooth said she if you doo not what I haue desired I will not passe any further and so much she perswaded him that at length he laced on his Helmet afterward he went into the Castell at the entraunce wherof he met a Squire wéeping who saide Ah God why will they murder without cause the best Knight in the worlde alas they would enforce him to promise what is impossible for him to accomplishe These woordes of the Squire could not stay the Prince for he saw King Perion who had so lately Knighted him very hardly vsed by two Knights who with the help of ten armed Halberders had round beset him saying Swear if not thou dyest Greatly did it gréeue the Prince to sée such outrage offered to King Perion wherfore he thus called to them Trayterous villaines what mooues ye to misuse the best Knight in the world by heauen you shall all dye for him At these woords one of the Knightes left the King and taking fiue Halberders with him came to the Prince saying It likewise behooueth you to sweare if not you can escape no better then an other What quoth he shall I then sweare against my will by Gods leaue it shall not be so Then they of the Castell cryed to the Porter that he should shut the gate wherfore the Prince now saw he must stand vpon his defence wher-upon he ran fiercelye against the Knight charging him in such sorte as he fell downe dead ouer the crupper of his horsse for in the fall he brake his neck Which the prince beholding not tarying any longer with the Halberders came to the other Knight that combated with King Perion piercing his Launce quite through his body so that he accompanied the first in fortune King 〈◊〉 séeing him self thus succoured so cheered vp his hart as he did much better then before against his enemies causing them by sharpe strokes of his Swoord to retire in meane while the Gentleman of the Sea being on Horsse-backe ranne among them and scattered them tumbling one downe héere and another there so that at length by the aide of the King they were all slaine except certaine that fled away on the top of the walles But the prince alighted and followed them wherat they were so affrighted as they cast themselues downe headlong from the walles only two got them into a Chamber where they thought to remaine in safetie notwithstanding he pursued them so néere as he buckled pel mel with them But within the Chamber on a bed lay an ancient Knight whose vnweldie age had taken from him the vse of his legges to them that came in he vsed these spéeches Cowardly villaines from whom run ye so shamefully From a Knight aunswered one of them who hath plaide the Deuill in your Castell for he hath slaine your two Nephewes and all our companions As thus he spake the prince caught him by the head saying Tell me villaine where is the Lord of this place or else thou diest The poore man seeing him selfe in such perill shewed him y e olde Knight lying on the bed but when the prince sawe him so olde and decrepite he blamed him in this manner Thou wretched olde man hath death already seazed on thy bones and yet doost thou cause such a wicked custome to be maintained héer Well dooth thine age excuse thée from bearing Armes yet shall I giue thée the desert belonging to such villainie With these woords he made offer to smite off his head Wherfore the affrighted olde man cryed Alas my Lord for Gods sake mercie None at all quoth the prince thou art dead if thou swearest not to me y t while thou liuest such like treason shall be no more maintained in this place wherto y e olde Knight right gladly tooke his oathe Now tell me said the prince wherfore hast thou héertofore kept this custome héere For the loue of King Abies of Ireland answered the Knight who is mine Nephewe and because I can not ayde him with my person in his warre I was desirous to succour him with such Knightes errant as passed this way False villaine answered the prince what haue Knightes errant to doo with thy desire so spurning the bed with his foote threw it downe and the olde Knight vnder it where commending him to all the Deuilles he lefte him and comming downe into the Courte took a Horsse which was one of the slaine Knightes and bringing it to y e King saide Mount your selfe my Lord for it little likes me to stay any longer héere where such bad people haue their habitation The King presentlye went to horseback and so they rode together out of the Castell but the prince fearing least the King should know him would by no meanes take off his Helmet notwithstanding as they rode along the King thus spake to him I pray ye sir Knight tell me of whence you are that haue succoured me when I was so néere my death warranting me also héereafter from the enemies of this place and shewing your selfe a good fréend to Ladies and Knightes errant As for me I am the same man against whom they kept this straite passage importing the cruell oathe for which you combatted My Lord answered the prince I am a Knight desirous to doo you any seruice Beléeue me quoth y e King that haue I already well perceiued for hardly should I haue found so good a fréend to helpe me yet will I not giue ouer till I know ye Alas my Lord saide he that will little profit ye Notwithstanding quoth the King I pray ye take off your Helmet which he would not doo but put downe his Beuer a little When the King saw that his intreatie would not preuaile he desired the Damosell to obtaine so much for him wherto the condiscending tooke the prince by the hand saying I beséech ye Sir graunt the King what he hath requested He séeing her importunate took off his Helmet when presently the King knewe him that it was the same man hee had Knighted at the Ladies motion wherfore embracing him he saide Right glad am I to know so déere a fréend My Lord quoth the prince I knew you so soone as I came
saying Ah gentle Knight how highlye am I indebted to you you are to this place the most welcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue we this talke saide y e Prince and saye where I may quicklye finde some remedye for my woundes In my house answered the Knight abideth a Niece of mine who shall heale your hurtes better then any other So riding on they arriued at the Castell where being dismounted they walked into the great Hall the Knight reporting by the way how Galpan had kept him from bearing Armes one whole yeere a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call him self while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he séeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterward he caused the prince to be vnarmed and laide in a sumptuous bed where his woundes were dilligentlye attended by the Ladye who assured him in shorte time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfullye to doo CHAP VIII ¶ How the third daye after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the Courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince left y e Court of King Languines where he receiued the order of Knighthood the thrée Knightes came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath béen already recited At their arriuall they presented him before the King letting him vnderstand the cause of their comming and deliuering their prisoner on the newe Knightes behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King meruaile at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednes could haue harboured in her notwithstanding he thanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any bodye else knewe that the Gentleman of the Sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was he aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought he was gone to visite his father Gandales then the King turning to the Knight in the Litter saide Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithfull as your wife hath béene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doo therin as it shall like your maiestie as for me I will neuer consent that y e thing I moste loue should dye This said the knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with them their Brother in the Litter leauing their Sister to receiue Iustice by the Kings appointmēt who after their departure called for her and saide Woman thy mallice hath béene too great in respect of thy Husbands kindenes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they héerafter offend not in the like and so he commaunded her to be burned aliue The execution béeing doone the King was in greater pensiuenes then before because he knew not who the new Knight should be that parted so suddenly from his Courte but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the Sea and afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherfore he said to the King It may be my Lord a young Knight with whome the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when we came hither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord said the Squire but he is both yong and very beautifull beside I saw him doo such rare chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if he liue he will proue one of the best Knightes in the worlde Then discoursed he at large euerye action as also how he deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his tale his desire to know him encreased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happilye can tell ye more tidinges of him for it was my chaunce to meete them together Of what Damosell speakest thou saide the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittayne to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and he demaunded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Wherupon she declared so much as she knew chéeflye the occasion wherfore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the only Knight in the world But in sooth quoth she I knowe not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God saide the King who may it be Now was Oriana voide of all doubting for she wel knew it was her Gentleman of the Sea but she was so gréeued with the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as well she knew not whome she might complaine to for the King her Father sent her woord how she should prepare her selfe in readines to come to him so soone as his Ambassadours should be sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Countrye then there whether she should now goe against her minde not only in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by béeing farre thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardlye afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easilye compasse it In these melancholly thoughts was the amourous Princesse and the King on the other side in dayly musing what he might be that sent the foure Knightes with the wicked woman whom the fire had consumed But fiue or sixe dayes after these matters were thus passed as the King was conferring w t his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the King his Unckle there entred a Damosell who falling on her knee before all the assembly framed her speeches to Agraies in this manner May it please ye my Lord that in the presence of his highnes and this assemblye I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus procéeded This Helmet thus broken and battered as ye see I present ye in place of Galpans head as a token to you from a new Knight to whom in my iudgement it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why he sendes it to you is for that Galpan villainously abused a damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand of one man beléeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Woorthy Lord answered she he only of whom I speake hath doone him to death after he had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reuenge their foyle him selfe combatted hand to hand with y
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
worne and dispoiled her garments as the naked flesh appeared in many places and when she beheld that Amadis pittied her she thus spake Although my Lord I am at this present sequestred from all my liuelood yet time hath béene when I was the wealthie daughter to a King and for a King you finde me in this miserie Lady quoth Amadis it behooueth you to embrace pacience these are but the mutabilities of fortune which no one is able to preuent or escape and if the man for whome you haue thus suffered be of any account or loueth you I am sure he will conuert right soone this poore estate into rich aboundance and remunerate your long sorrowes with ioy and gladnes So he caused the chayne to be taken from her neck commaunding garments to be brought to put about her wherefore he that brought the lights ran for a scarlet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the Iaylor and cast it about the Ladyes shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her foorth of the darke prison saying she should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the Iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many wounds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers other in this Castell without desert although your bodies at this instant cannot receiue condigne vengeance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame said Amadis while I goe to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the Port-cullis he met the Souldiour that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demaundeth where the Knight is which entred héere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torche before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fall which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Uillaine fearest thou being in my guard goe on Then ascending the staires they came into the open court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cléere and the weather faire but the Lady féeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knées before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almightie protect thée and requite the good I haue receiued by thée deliuering me from comfortlesse darknesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not feared he had lost him wherefore he said If the best Squire in the world be dead I shall take such reuenge for his death may I but méet his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouercome with griefe he heard one crye wherefore he ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great péece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthie stincking sauours and néere him he espyed Gandalin tyed to a tree toward whome he was going to vnbind him but he saw the Dwarffe had greatest néede of helpe wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his féete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer intreated thée thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming foorth of the Castell as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he stayed till day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanyed with two of the Souldiours the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place wher-into he saw a horsse led which Amadis being desirous to sée came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it flye open finding the horsse there readie sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castell by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarfe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demaunding what the King was she loued so déerely and for whom she had sustained such iniurie Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whome I loue so loyally this deuillish enchaunter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presence imagining the griefe heereof would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succour by reason of the traitours villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke clowd enuironed me which hindered them from following me to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought me foorth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue and my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my Loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you speake of It is King Arban of Norgalles answered the Lady whome it may be you know I knowe him right well replied Amadis for he is one whome I deerely loue and now doo I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appéered when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a windowe who thus demaunded Art thou he that didst kill my Iaylor and my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so trecherously putteth Knights to death abusing likewise both Ladies and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard off As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldenes in asking me what I can doo whether it be wrong or right Heer-with he went from y e window and not long after came downe into the courte beeing well armed and mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knightes in the world yet no Giant wherfore when Amadis behelde him of such stature he doubted not of his great force strength Arcalaus perceiuing he eyed him so much demaunded what mooued him so to doo I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldst be a man of exquisite chiualrie but thy peruerse and inhumaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me said Arcalaus I thinke my self highly beholding to Fortune who hath brought thée hether to make me such a smoothe sermon but all
if the traitour Arcalaus woorke no newe villainie by his enchauntments but as concerning my happye deliueraunce I like well that my Quéen should vnderstand therof Wher-upon Ladasin called a Squire whom the King presentlye sent to the Courte as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the King communing with the Nephewe of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinseman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to bée King of great Brittayne Héere-upon the King concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of Landon IF you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poore labouring men not knowing the King and Oriana séeing how iniuriouslye they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide themselues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were King Lisuarts his daughters Where-upon so soone as the two Knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring thorough the Cittie especially among the Knights as they presently Armed them-selues and mounted on horsseback in such troupes that the féelds were quickly couered with men and horsses At this time was King Arban of Norgalles talking with the Quéene little thinking on any such misfortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayd My Lord you tary héere trifling too long arme your selfe quickly and follow the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Cittie how certaine villaines haue caryed the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed King Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Quéene heard these vnhappie tidings not able to vnder-goe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but King Arban hauing more mind on the King left her in her Ladyes armes hasting with all spéed he could to horsseback When he was setting foote in stirrop he heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castell whereby hée gathered they were betrayed wherefore hée caused the Quéenes lodging to bée guarded and returning to the Cittie sawe euery one readie in Armes when choosing so many as he pleased as also two hundred well approoued Knights he sent two of the chéefest to the Tower of London to vnderstand the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his trayne killing and casting ouer the walles all that he met Héerein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the Knights and men of account were gone to succour the King Highly displeased was King Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the King had béene betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences as might happen he dorayned his men in battayle placing good watch about the Quéenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take her as he had done the Tower but he met with stronger resist then he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan tooke a prisoner by whome he was aduertised how King Arban would withstand him euen to the death Now began he to deuise how by faire spéech and falshood he might take the King crauing a parle with him whereto King Arban willingly agréed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought till now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised Knightes in the worlde but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I thinke withall that what you doo is for safetie of your honor Heerin you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will be but the losse of you and your men in respect King Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proof wherof euen he that slewe him will ere long send me his head Sith Fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this Countrey dare you deny to make me King Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall intreate you so well as any Prince in my Realme suffering you still to enioy the Countrey of Norgalles and particulerlye beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered King Arban full well doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy trecherye in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue me become a traytour to his freendes as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doo the wurst thou canst thy villainie only will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put therto What saide Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as King in London Neuer shall traitour replyed Arban be King of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable King of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue saide I finde my selfe deceiued wherfore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despight of thee I will reign King in great Brittaine Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will kéep thee from such climbing as if the King my Maister were héere personallye present Then began the assault afresh King Arban withdrawing him selfe to harden his men beeing meruailously offended at Barsinans woordes Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood he brauelye on his defence many beeing slaine and sore wounded neuer-thelesse he was euer-more formoste in the fight and last at the retreit which was caused by the night ensuing Nor néede we doubt considering the puissaunce of Barsinan and the fewe on the contrary side but King Arban would take his aduauntage in resistaunce by compelling them to the narrowe stréetes where foure on a side could hardly deale together which turned to the great disaduauntage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with freshe supply still encouraged his men The retreit being sounded either side with-drawen King Arban séeing his Souldiours sore wearied by the hot skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indéed he came and comforted them in this manner My louing companyons and fréends this day haue you so woorthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will procéede better and better Remember the cause of your fight
ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he saide within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best knightes in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their King had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Uenison laide on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Quéene was immediatly aduertised of King Perions arriuall and therfore made speedy prouision of all thinges necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their comming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences doon on all sides the two Kinges sat downe so did the Quéene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had Loue secretly ambushed him selfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quicke and thence forward holde a sure conquest of her The like in King Perion who thought of nothing but a fréendlye entertainement yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena and she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearring regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesie but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong King and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that power he had his hart francke and frée without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner time they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with-drawen when the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherfore Elisena arose to followe her but as she stepped forward she let fall a King which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her think on other matters Now was king Perion some what néer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes méete together as the King had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her King Wherupon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a swéet regarde humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doo you for my whole life time shalbe imployed to obey you Constrained was Elisena without answering him to followe the Queene her mother so surprized and altered as very néere she had forgotten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden and vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguishe she went and discouered the same to a faithfull Damsell of hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councell her how she might safely know if King Perion had not else-where placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showen her might procéed from force of that impression which had so lately seaâ—ed on her hart The Damosell mernailing at this so sudden mutation and in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her pitteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherwith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye hee hath lefte no place in your iudgemente where counsell or reason may be entertayned and therfore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obay you I shall doo what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretion and the great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garmentes for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I perfourme this seruice and you gentle Squire maye goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Cuntry made no deniall but willinglye suffered her to take the Garments wherupon she entred the Chamber where the found the King laide on his bed who séeing her enter and knowing wel it was she whom he had séene to conferre with Elisena most priuatelye and in whom aboue all other she put chéefest trust he thought that she would not come in that sorte to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he saide Faire fréend what demaund ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I saide the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left naked and despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this Country I was frée from all passions and doubled nothing but of aduentures that might happen to knightes errant but now I know not in what sorte entring this Courte by some one of your Ladies haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell knowe how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my self happy by dooing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you will promise me saide the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say holdâ—â—â— your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my fréende quoth he I giue ye to vnderstand that at what time I behelde the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamelye tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I finde not remedy for my greefe the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the minde of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answere My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other thinges ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to Wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shalbe satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dollour then your are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you doo not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke
bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires thē prompt at armes and Knightly chiualrie béeing called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the King of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North partes And albeit she had béene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not cōsent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one him self and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in his gentle hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittayne knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeede in the Realme for he béeing in a strange Countrey where by his hautye déedes and chiualrie he was maried in so good a place therfore they dispatched their Ambassadours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and Subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest him selfe therin CHAP V. ¶ How King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his subiectes desire for his short return prouided his equipage by Sea béeing aided and assisted by the King of Denmarke his Father in Law and afterward set saile toward great Brittain And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new King of great Brittaine accompanied with the Quéene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yéeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therfore during the time of her abode in Denmarke she was commonlye called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana beeing not vsed to the trauaile on the Sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her Father fearing a woorsse mishap intreated the King of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did King Languines and his Quéen accept this charge wherfore King Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to Sea where weighing Anckers hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where béeing arriued before he could abide in quiet asin such occasions it often falleth out certaine Rebelles were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so spéedilye send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the Author leaueth the newe King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the Sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yéeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and and for his good grace both of the Quéene and the other Ladyes was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath béene already declared the young Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart was lefte with the Quéene of Scottes to refreshe her selfe till the King her Father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies coulde be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame hencefoorth so please you shall the Gentleman of the Sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherfore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindenesse in his spirite as during life he meant to serue nor loue any other and therfore foreeuer bequeathed to her his hart but so wel it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betwéene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge therof thought him self vnwoorthy so great good reputing it a very bolde enterprise to thinke theron which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblaunce The yong Princesse who was of the same minde and also in like payne forbare to talke more with him then an other therby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers dooing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which moste they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting eche other with this amorous affection Soone after this yong vnknown prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes and receiue the order of knighthood he saide to himselfe If once I were a knight I would doo such exploytes as should deserue the fauour of my Ladye or dye in the attempte And in this desire one day finding King Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these spéeches My Lord might it stand with your plesure I gladly would receiue my knighthood When the King heard him séeing his young yéeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the Sea Doo you thinke your selfe already strong enoughe for such a weightie charge in sooth it is an easie thing to receiue honor but to maintaine it as behooueth it may be is more hard then you estéeme so that oftentimes a a right good hart is troubled therwith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doo more better is death to him then a shamefull life therfore by mine aduise I would haue you yet a while to forbeare The prince not contented with this answere replyed I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doo all that appertayneth to chiualrie I would not haue beene so bolde to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue been hetherto nourished most humbly I beséech ye to graunt me this peticion that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to séeke else where for obtaining my sute The king highly estéeming the courage of y e youth and doubting least he would departe indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentleman that I will doo it when I sée it necessarye for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what els belongeth Yet tel me faire Sir to whom if I refused would you goe for your order To King Perion saide y e Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Quéene who maketh me beleeue that he wil not deny me when I shall let him vnderstand how she hath nourished me and that I am her seruant It is true quoth the King but for this present haue a little pacience and when time serueth you shalbe honourablye Knighted in meane while he gaue charge that all his néedful accoustrements for the cause should be prouided Now did the King aduertise Gandales héerof who was so contented therwith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Swoord the King and the letter couered with ware which he found in the Chest he tooke out of the Sea Such spéed made the Damosell
he was vnséene of any espied a goodly troupe of Lords and Ladies comming toward them whereof he made haste to aduertise the Prince but he was so perplexed as he could not answere wherefore Gandalin tooke him by the arme saying My Lord sée you not what a great traine maketh toward vs At these words he came to himselfe beginning to sigh and lifting his eies to heauen said Gandalin if in this loue I were maister of my strength as I am in diuers other actions neither shouldest thou haue neede to aduertise me nor my selfe be without councell so much as I am But I feele my selfe so oppressed as all the enemyes in the world can not bring me to such extremitie as this ouer-ruling passion doth therefore I pray thée talke to me of the felicitie a man shall enioy in death for other may I not taste and practise no meanes of my life seeing the contrary doth surmount it What my Lord answered Gandalin estéeme you the victorie ouer your selfe so difficult after so many conquests of stout and bold Strangers Why do you not thinke that peraduenture she loueth you as well for whome you endure such assaults and happily by as great reason as you loue her your personage prowesse beawtie and nobilitie of linage can they deserue lesse then the good grace of the most rare and excellent Lady in the world let these humours my Lord repell your desperations Further he would haue proceeded but Amadis brake him off in anger saying Wretch darest thou blaspheme so much as to say that he who hath merited no condition in the world may be equalled with so perfect a thing as is my Lady enter no more into such tearmes if thou wilt not haue me thine enemy and so lose my conuersation Well well said Gandalin I pray ye wipe your eyes least those that come hitherward perceiue you haue wept What aunswered Amadis commes there any body Yea marie quoth Gandalin and now they be at hand héerewith he shewed him y e Knights and the Ladies who were hard by them by time Amadis was mounted Then as though he had stayed for their company he saluted them and riding among the trayne he beheld a Lady very comely and beawtifull who wept verie grieuously whereupon he left the rest and rode with her saying Madame God comfort ye and giue you ioy In sooth answered the Lady and thereof haue I néede in that as now it is very farre from me which except heauen fauour me with better grace I am vtterly out of hope euer to sée againe And so high a Maiestie said Amadis can prouide therefore when he pleaseth notwithstanding if you were so contented I gladly would knowe the cause of your sadnes Beleeue me my friend quoth she all that euer I enioy in this world consisteth in the triall of a Combat By these words he knew this to be the Lady of whom the Damosels had told him before wherefore he enquired further if as yet she had found a Knight on her behalfe No truely said the Lady and which gréeueth me most of all to morrow must my delay be exterminate What will ye then do answered Amadis What would you that I should do quoth she but lament and loose all vnlesse by hap I finde one in the Kings Court who mooued thereto by charitable compassion will courteously defend the right of a desolate widdow Such fortune said Amadis shall I pray may befall ye for I should not be a little glad thereof as well for your owne sake as also because I neuer thought well of your aduersarie I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth she to God I commit the reuenge of my wrong So passed on the Lady and Amadis turning bridle rode back to the Pauillion where he found the Damosels who were already returned from the Towne and presently they told him how Dardan was come into the feeld with full resolution to do his deuoire And trust me said Amadis it was my hap to méete the distressed Lady euen the same whome the case concerneth héerewith he declared all the talke they had together But now is the hower of quiet come and eche one went to rest till the point of day when the Damosels being risen came to tell Amadis how they would goe before to the Towne and send him word when Dardan was readie Not so quoth Amadis I will not be farre behinde ye but let one ride before to aduertise me when Dardan shewes himselfe in the féeld After he was armed they went all to horsseback and being come to the issue of the Forrest he said to the Damosels Now may you goe if you please for I will not depart this place til I heare some newes from you Away they went when Amadis alighting tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe No sooner did the Sunne appeare in the East but the King came to the place appointed for the Combat which was without the Towne hard by the walles where Dardan not long after shewed himselfe in such manner and equipage as an ambitious man vseth to gaine goods and honor also like an amourous Champion to maintaine the quarrell of his beloued who to countenance him with the greater fauour was queintly led by the raynes of his palfray then presenting himselfe before the King on his knees he said My Lord according to the ordenance by you appointed this Lady and I humbly beséech ye that the goods may be deliuered her as is no more then reason for if any Knight oppose himselfe against her héere am I readie for the Combat The King then called for the other Ladyes defendant but she poore soule appeared alone Why Lady quoth the King are you vnprouided of a Champion that you come without any one to sustaine your right So help me God answered she wéeping I am my Lord forsaken of all except you graunt me mercie Great compassion had the King on her for he knew her to be very vertuous but he could not together order reason and the lawe In meane while Dardan who thought no resistance would come sate downe in the middest of y e féeld attending the third hower which was the time according to the custome when the King should pronounce sentence to the conquerour but one of the Damosels seeing now the noedfull time made haste to let Amadis vnderstand what want of his presence was in the féeld For this cause he immediatly mounted on horsseback being armed as appertained commaunded the Damosell and his Squire to goe some other way for he would not be seene by any from whence he came assuring them that if he were victor he would returne againe to the Tent. So departed Amadis alone riding on a braue white Courser as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke in Gaule and arriued at the place where Dardan held the world in wunder of him The King and his Nobles séeing him come from the Forrest stoode somewhat in doubt of him for he caryed such a gallant Knightly countenance as
was but also stood amazed at y e sight of his Mistresse Which when Dardan beheld he tooke hart afreshe and charged his enemie so brauely that if he had longer continued he would haue gone away conquerour but the Damosell of Denmarke noting this change spake out aloud In an vnhappy hower did the Knight behold any Lady in this company whereby he hath lost what he wun of Dardan it is no time now for his heart to faint These words confounded Amadis with shame that gladly could he haue giuen entertainement to death fearing least his Lady would suspect cowardise in him For this cause lifting vp his Sword he gaue Dardan such a stroke on the Helmet as made him set both his hands to the ground then falling vpon him he rent the Helmet from off his head and trampled in such sort on him with his féet as he fell downe like one depriued of his sences Afterward taking him by the locks of his haire he beat him on the face with the pommell of his Sword saying Thou dyest Dardan if thou confesse not the Lady free When Dardan sawe himselfe in such estate he replied Ah gentle Knight for Gods sake mercie kill me not I acquite her Now approched the King and the other Lords to heare what he said and while they stoode conferring with him Amadis as yet ashamed of his fault committed drew back through the throng and seeing he had gotten behinde them all so couertly as he could he ran toward the Forrest leauing them all musing at Dardan who filled the emptie aire with his complaints In meane while his beautifull friend came to him who in sted of giuing comfort for the foile he sustained through her began to detest and despise him saying Dardan heereafter seeke thée some other fréend then me for while I liue will I neither loue thée or any other then the good Knight who valiantly ouercame thée How now Lady quoth he is this the reward of my honor and life aduentured for you you then are not the fréend to Dardan but to fortune who is no sooner contrary to me but presently you are mine enemie Haue I then escaped death by the mercie of my foe to endure wursse then death by the crueltie of my friend Heauen suffereth me to liue and yet you repine at my infortunate life now shall I make knowen to all women by your example that ingratitude is no lesse hurtfull to such as exercise it then to any one offended therewith Héere-upon he tooke his Sword and before it could be imagined what he meant to do he smote her head quite from her shoulders then as a man transported with madnes staring euery where roâ—â—d about him declared by his angry countenance that high and not vulgare was the enterprise he embraced in such an extremitie The King sent his Archers to conuay him thence but ere they came to him he strooke him-selfe so violently to y e heart as the bloud spouted in the Archers faces and then he cryed out saying Now friend art thou reuenged by my vengeance and thine enemie satisfyed with the despised life thou leftst me So falling downe deliuered the last signe of his death where-at each one was confounded with meruaile as well for the noueltie of the case as pittying the verie latest words he breathed but when they remembred his passed life wholly addicted to ouer-wéening folly they reputed this vnfortunate end happened to him not so much by accident as the diuine ordenance which made them sorrow no more but conuerted their thoughts to commend the conquerour CHAP. XV. ¶ How King Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and knowen AFter the vnfortunate end of these ill aduised louers the King in memorie of this strange accident commaunded that in the feeld where they lay dead should be erected a sumptuous Sepulchre of black Marble stone fashioned like a Romaine Obelisque and thereon was engrauen in the Brittayne language an Epitaph declaring the whole matter as it happened And when he had knowledge of the conquerour as héereafter the manner how is declared his name was placed thereon and foure great Lyons at the foure corners of the Sepulchre importing the deuise which Amadis bare in his Sheeld But now the rumour being appeased and they returned to the Pallace he called for the Stranger that wun the honor of the day but after long enquirie no one could certainly tell what was become of him albeit certaine comming from the wood reported how they saw a Knight returne from the féeld thither-ward being alone and making great haste He that is worthy said the King to beare him company may imagine himselfe happy enough for séeing he hath shewed himselfe so braue a Combatant it is impossible but he should be a wise and vertuous Knight And for no lesse ech one reputed him who vnderstood the iniuries of Dardan vsed to him and sawe how he requited them with gentlenes and courtesie albeit I make no doubt but he knew right wel that if Dardan had got y e better he would not haue pardoned him Such as you haue heard were the words of King Lisuart but Oriana who day by day expected the arriuall of Amadis séeing the incomparable valour of him that fought against Dardan began to suspect that it was he for quoth she to the Damsell of Denmarke I am sure he would not send me a fabulous message and this is the iust time he assured you of his comming In good sooth Madame answered the Damsell you say very true and which makes me conceiue the better hope is that he promised me to ride on a white Courser with the like Armes he had when he Combated against King Abies and I remember how the Knight who ouercame Dardan had the like horsse But did you quoth Oriana take no regard of his Armes Yes marie did I replyed the Damosell albeit the cruell strokes receiued thereon made me hardly perceiue what deuise was there figured yet me thought the ground was a golden feeld and the like I told ye he bare in Gaule with two azured Lyons rampant portrayed therein which being battered all in pieces he presently made him such an other assuring me to weare no other when he came into this countrey and therefore I will doubt no further but it is he Swéete fréend said Oriana if it be he either he will shortly come or send into the Towne therefore you must be watchfull and diligent to heare thereof Madame quoth the Damosell refere these matters to my charge This conference caused Oriana to remaine verie pensiue and breathing foorth many bitter sighes she said Ah gracious heauens what fauour haue you done me if this be Amadis now shall I compasse the meanes better then euer I could to speake with him So attended the Princesse for tidings from her friend who returned as he promised to the
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
with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone sée reason proceed from her that did thée wrong who being the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equal loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together we likewise might haue enioyed one sepulchre After these woordes she swouned againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenaunce as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes béeing discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the bodye Mabila dispairing of any life left in her was so surprised with gréef that she was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the Princesse and walking some-what aside by her selfe thus lamented Incomprehensible wisdome let me not liue to endure these trauailes seeing thou hast taken these two frō me whom I loued as my life But when the Damosell of Denmarke saw her selfe thus alone betweene two extreames she was meruailouslye abashed yet as one wise and well gouerned she spake in this manner to the Princesse Mabila Why Madame when were you wunt to abuse your honourable vertues is it now time to forget your selfe will you thus consent to the death of my Lady you rather ought to aide and comfort her then thus to forsake her and procure her further daunger if she reuiue againe Come I pray ye succour her for now is the time of greatest need and let these lamentations be referred till an other time Mabila perceiued the Damosell said true wherfore she came to Oriana and feeling by her warmenes some hope of life to be expected they lifted her vpon the bed whē soone after her sprites returned to their office and to quallifie this agonie they could deuise no better meanes then to busie her eares with some or other spéeches Why Madame quoth one will ye leaue vs at least yet speak to vs. Madame said the other your Amadis is yet aliue and wel At the name of Amadis she opened her eyes turning her head héere and there as if she looked for him which good humour Mabila desirous to continue proceeded thus Amadis commeth Madame and shortly you shall see him Oriana giuing a great sighe started vp saying Alas sweete freend where is he We vnderstand quoth she that he is in very good health and how the Knight who brought these bad tidings is wunt to vaunt of him selfe without cause feeding him selfe with false praise of deceiuing Knightes Why said Oriana haue I not heard that he brought his horsse and Armour A matter of nothing answered Mabila they may as well be borrowed or stolne or he happily sent with that false allarme to trye our constancie then finding vs thus weakly disposed he should haue had the thing he desired I would not haue you think so simply Madame that Amadis could be ouercome by one no better a Knight then he nor were it reason to credit a commender of him selfe bringing his owne glory for testimony and no other approbation I am assured that Amadis will come ere long and if he find you not only dead in a manner but thus giuen ouer to greefe it will cost his life so shall you deliuer vnhappy proofe what wicked feigning by mallice can doo and thus you bothe shall dye one for another Whē Oriana remembred how by this meane she might be the death of her freende if by good hap he yet enioyed life and imagined likewise that Mabila spake the trueth she tooke courage casting her eye on the windowe where many times Amadis and she had amourously conferred when first he arriued at her Fathers Courte and intercepting a number of forced sighes thus spake Ah windowe the witnes of my abandoned pleasures how piercing is the doubt of him whome thou causest me remember and by whose gracious woordes both thou and I were made happie of this I am certaine that neuer canst thou endure so long as two so loyall louers might by thee enioy such delight as he and I haue doone which fayling me now giueth me strange and insupportable tormentes to be my companions and hence-foorth shall my sad spirit remayne in bitter sadnes vntill the comming of him or my death Mabila perceiuing the cheefest danger was past laboured to confirme her opinion more strongly then she had doon in this manner Why Madame think you if I helde these babling newes for trueth I could haue the power to comfort you in this sorte the loue I beare to my Cozin is not so little but rather I should incite al the world to wéep then want consolation for you who stand in such néed therof But I sée so slender appearaunce of beléefe as I wil not before time require repute you infortunate because discōforting our selues without assuraunce the euill héereby may be amended and the good made much more wursse especially it will be the meane of discouering what hath so long time béen shaddowed in secret Alas quoth Oriana if he be dead I care not though our loue were openly known for all our mishaps in respect of it are nothing Thus debating and deuising together the two Ladyes all that day kept their chamber not suffering any other to come in for when the Damosell of Denmarke who passed often in and out was demaunded for Oriana she answered that she accompanyed Mabila whome she would not suffer to part from her by reason of her gréefe for her Cozin Amadis Thus was the Princesses secret sadnes couered all night she being vnable to take any rest such were her assaults betwéene doubt and despaire not forgetting any thing that past betweene her and Amadis since their younger yeeres But on the morrow about dinner time Brandoyuas entred the Pallace leading Grindaloya in his hand which gaue great ioy to such as knew thē for of long time they could not imagine what was become of them they falling on their knées before the King were quickly called to remembrance his Maiestie thus speaking Sir Brandoyuas how chaunce you haue taryed so long from vs Alas my Lord quoth he imprisonment hath béene the cause where-out had not the good Knight Amadis of Gaule giuen libertie to me this Lady many more by such deeds of armes as are vnspeakable we could neuer haue beene deliuered Yet was he once in daunger of tarying there himselfe by the villainous coniurations and sorceries of Arcalaus but he was succoured by two Damsels who deliuered him from all the exorcismes When the King heard him name Amadis whome he verily thought to be dead What my fréend quoth he by the faith thou owest vnto God and me is Amadis liuing Yea my good Lord answered Brandoyuas it is not ten dayes since I left him in good disposition but may it like you to tell me why you demaund such a question Because said the King
skilled in Chirurgerie Now did they imploy their vttermost cunning to recompence Amadis for his woorthy paines in restoring their Unckle from the slauerie of Arcalaus so that within few dayes they felt themselues indifferently amended and almost able to beare their Armour as they did before Héereupon Amadis communing w t his brother Galaor declared how to séeke him he departed from the Court of King Lisuart promising not to returne without his company wherefore he intreated him to yéeld no denyall in respect no Princes Court was better frequented with chiualrie nor could he finde more honor in any other place My Lord quoth Galaor I intend to accomplish what you please to commaund me albeit I desire not as yet to be knowen among men of account first would I haue my deedes giue some witnes how desirous I am to imitate your proceedings or else to dye in this religious affection Certes brother answered Amadis for this matter you néede not abandon the place séeing your renowme is alreadie greater then mine if so be I haue any at all yea it is darkened by the illustrate splendour of your chiualrie Ah my Lord replyed Galaor neuer disguise matters in this order with me seeing not in déedes no not so much as in thought am I able to reach the height of such honor Leaue we then this talke said Amadis for our Kingly Father maketh no difference of vertue betwéene vs but will ye know what I haue presently deuised I sée well we must stay héere longer for our health then otherwise we would for which cause I intend if you think good to send my Dwarffe before to King Lisuarts Court that he may aduertise the Queene of our stay and so soone as we are able to trauaile we meane not to tarry long from her Do as you please answered Galaor Presently was the Dwarffe dispatched thence who made such good speede in his iourney as within fewe dayes he arriued at Windsore where King Lisuart was then accompanyed with many good Knights CHAP. XXIIII ¶ How King Lisuart being in the chace saw a farre off three Knightes armed comming toward him what followed ther-upon IT chaunced on a certaine day that King Lisuart summoned a méeting in Windsore Forrest which was well stored with red Deere and all other game néedefull for hunting And as he was in chase of a Hart he espied a good distaunce from him thrée armed Knightes to crosse the way wherfore he sent a Squire to them with request that they would come vnto him vpon this message they immediatly obeyed returning with the Squire to the King and when they drew néere him he quickly knewe Galuanes because he had séene him many times before when embracing him the King bad him hartely welcome and the rest in his company likewise for he was a Prince y e most graciously entertained all Kniggts especially strangers then he demaunded what the other were My Lord quoth Galuanes this young Prince is my Nephewe Agraies Sonne to the King of Scottes and one of the best Knights in the world I dare assure ye the other is Oliuas whome your maiesty hath well knowen héer-to-fore The King embraced them very louingly saying to Agraies Faire Cozin I must needs take this gentlenes very kindely that you would vouchsafe to sée me As for you sir Oliuas I thought you had forgotten vs considering y e long time since you were héere and in sooth it is a matter very displeasant to me when so good a Knight as you are would so absent him selfe Dread Lord answered Oliuas my earnest affaires kepte me hence against my will which hath made me the more negligent in your seruice and yet I am not frée from them as if you please I shall let ye vnderstand Then he reported how Galuanes and Agraies came to his Castell by meanes of the Damosell that conducted them thither whome they very woorthely deliuered from death likewise how the Duke of Bristoya trecherouslye slew his Cozin for which he humbly craued iustice with free libertie to combate before his Maiesty where he doubted not to make him confesse his treason After the King had well pondered his discourse and vnderstood the hard dealing of the Duke he was highlye discontented for he knew Oliuas Cozin to be a good Knight wher-upon he thus answered Beléeue me seeing y e Duke hath committed such a faulte you request iustice of me assure your selfe to obtaine it and I will send for him to come iustifie it in person Presently the King gaue ouer hunting returning with the three Knightes to his Court conferring on many matters by the waye among which the King demaunded of Galuanes why the Duke of Bristoya would haue burned the Damosell whom they reskewed Because Sir quoth he she brought a Knight named Galaor into his pallace and as we vnderstand it was in the night time and no other reason had he to alleadge Why saide the King Amadis is gone to seek Galaor but since his departure we were put in a terrible feare by Arcalaus who saide he had slaine him But are you certaine Sir answered Agraies that he liueth yea indéed quoth the King Brandoyuas and Grindaloya came hither since then and they gaue vs such credible testimonye of his welfare as I may ful wel assure ye therof for lothe am I to offend any other because no one can desire his good and honor more then I doo It is the argument of your good nature replyed Agraies likewise in respect of his bountye and valour he deserueth to be loued of you euen with like affection as good men wish to their like By this time are they come to the Courte where these newes were quickly brought to the Queene which reioyced very many especially faire Oliuia who loued Agraies deerer then her selfe and the Princesse Mabila his Sister was not sorry for as she came from the Quéenes chamber she met Oliuia who thus spake to her You cannot chuse Madame but be well pleased with your Brothers comming Uery true quoth Mabila for I loue him as mine owne hart Desire then I pray ye the Quéene said Oliuia to send for him to her Chamber to the end we may haue the meane to conferre with him together so shall the pleasure of you both be fully satis-fied That shall I doo answered Mabila so going to the Quéenes Chamber she thus spake to her Maiestie It were good Madame you should sée my brother and mine Uncle Galuanes in respect they are come hither to honor you with their seruice Swéet freend said the Quéen I take it very gently that you haue so wel aduised me for I promise ye I am very desirous to see thē wher-with she sent one of her Ladies to the King desiring him that they might come to her which he liking very well saide Gentlemen my Quéene is desirous to see you all thrée let me then request your consent héerein You must iudge if Agraies liked this motiō because he certainly knew
her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her ancient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Quéen and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertained him meruailous kindly as well for Amadis sake whome he loued as also the courtesie he shewed her in Scotland when King Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cozin we haue dayly desired your presence heere especially your Sister who not many dayes since was in great greefe by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truely you would haue wundered thereat Good reason had she Madame quoth Agraies to be sorowfull and not she alone but all the rest of his lignage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cozin dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue béen auenged and accompanyed with many other Ah said she the villaine Arcalaus shrewdly affrighted vs and euill death betide him for troubling this royall Court in such sort By this time the King was readie to the table wherefore he sent for the thrée Knights from the Queene commaunding them to sit by him in company of many great Lords Barons And as the seruice came in two Knights entred the hall who falling on their knées before the King the first of them thus spake God prosper your Maiestie with increase of ioy and honor most humbly I desire to knowe if Amadis of Gaule be in this Court. Not at this present answered the King but we could wish he were héere Right glad would I be said the Knight to find him because by his meanes I hope to recouer what I am now farre from Tell vs my fréend quoth the King if you please who you are My Lord replyed the Stranger I am a sad Knight named Angriote d'Estrauaus and this other is my brother when King Arban of Norgalles who was there present heard him speake of Angriote he started from the table stepping to the King said Dooth not your Maiestie knowe Sir Angriote such as haue dealt with him will say he is one of the best Knights in your Kingdom My fréend quoth the King to Angriote I pray you arise and pardon me if I haue not honored you according to your deserts for the fault was only committed through ignorance but be sure you are welcome and that with hart but say I desire ye how came you acquainted with Amadis My Lord replyed Angriote I haue knowen him no long time and my first acquaintance was very deerely bought for I neuer thought to dye till I was wounded but he that did me the harme promised afterward to giue me help which is very néedfull now to cure me héereto he added y e whole accident as you heard it before In sooth said the King I would be glad these matters should haue a good end but now come sit downe with vs to dinner afterward we will consider thereon as we may Next to King Arban was Angriote placed and as they were about to rise from the table Dardan the Dwarffe to Amadis entred the Hall whome Angriote knowing called him demaunding where he had left his Maister because he sawe him last in his company Sir quoth the Dwarffe where soeuer I haue left him he maketh good account of you then falling on his knée before the King he thus began Amadis my Lord humbly saluteth your Maiestie and all the rest of his fréends in this Court Dwarffe said the King where didst thou leaue him In such a place my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe where he is of good chéere but if you would know any more it must be in the presence of the Quéene With right good will answered the King and héereupon sent presently for the Queene she quickly comming being attended on by diuers beautifull Ladyes the most part of them the amourous fréends to the Knights then wayting on the King whereby they purchased leaue during the Dwarffes discourse to deuise with them at better leysure then long time before they could but the Dwarffe beholding the Quéene present thus procéeded Madame my Lord and maister Amadis in all humble reuerence saluteth your excellencie commaunding me to tell ye that he hath found Prince Galaor his brother he sought for Now trust me said The Quéene I am hartely glad thereof But on my credit Madame quoth the Dwarffe neuer was heard of such a perillous méeting of two brethren for if God had not the better prouided both the one and the other had neuer béene séene againe so néere were they both at the pointe of death but by hap a good Knight arriued there who names him selfe Balays and he found y e meanes to agree them Then tolde he all the whole accident how Balays slew the Damosell that procured their quarrell for which Balays was highlye commended of them all But where hast thou left them replyed the Quéene At the Castell of Carsanta Madame saide the Dwarffe where Balays dwelleth from whence I was dispatched hither with this message But tell me Dwarffe quoth the Quéene what thinkest thou of Galaor I thinke Madame answered the Dwarffe that he is one of the goodlyest Knightes in the worlde carying a resolution not one iotte inferiour to the best and did you sée him in company of my Lord you could make little difference betweene them I meruaile saide the Queene that they come not hither Assure your selfe replyed the Dwarffe no sooner shall they recouer health but they will be heere with you for so they expresselye commaunded me to tell ye So ioyfull was the King héer-of that he minded to keep open Court after they were come commaunding his Lordes and Barons not to departe his courte wher-to they all willingly condiscended He likewise desired the Queen to send for all the cheef Ladies in the Realme For y e more honourably quoth he you are attended on by Ladyes the more Knightes shall they finde heere to deserue their loue on whome I wil bestowe many rich giftes and presentes CHAP. XXV ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them SO long soiourned Amadis and Galaor at the Castell of Balays of Carsanta as their wounds being thorowly healed they intended to returne to King Lisuarts Courte before they would enterprise any other aduenturs Balays who desired to beare thē company for the familiar acquaintaunce he had now with thē intreated them to affoord him so much fauour wher-with they were very well contented Departing thence they ride toward Windsore and after they had iournied fiue dayes they came into a foure cornered way in the midst wherof stood a trée and vnder it a dead Knight lay on a rich bed with great waxe tapers standing burning at the boulster and
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
as he could when Gasinan thus spake to him Knight thou séeste thy death at hand if thou graunt not the Damosell to be mine Nor will I yéeld thereto said Amadis vnlesse her selfe doo first consent Thou shalt see quoth Gasinan how déere this foolish humour will cost thée With these words he deliuered him many sharpe strokes but Amadis awarded them very cunningly so that the most of theÌ„ were bestowed in vaine rather wearying his enemy then dooing him any harme And so long endured the combate as the beholders were not a little amazed thereat wundring that Gasinan got not the victorie all the while considering what aduantage he had of the Prince but Amadis concluded with himselfe béeing thus extreamely handled to hazard rather a speedie conquest then a lingering shame and therefore ran violently vpon Gasinan getting fast hold about his body so suddenly as he had scant leisure to lift his armes for resistance but was constrained to let fall his Sword and struggle with Amadis who griped him terribly so stroue they to ouerthrow eche other But Amadis threw him with such might against the Marble piller that he was not able to stirre hand or foote afterward taking vp Gasinans sword brake the buckles of his helmet then catching him by the head he said Knight thou hast offered me great wrong since my Sword brake but now shall I be reuenged on thée then made he a proffer to smite off his head which Grouenesa séeing cryed Ah gentle Knight haue pittie on him and me together With aboundance of teares trickling downe her cheekes she came and fell at the feete of Amadis shewing the affection of her request and her inward gréefe to behold her Unckles death all which Amadis well noting feigned himselfe more willing to kill him then before saying If your sute were reasonable I would consent thereto but he hath so wronged me and without occasion as I cannot be satisfied but with the losse of his head Alas my Lord quoth she for Gods sake demaund some other satisfaction for I will doo whatsoeuer you please to redéeme his life Lady answered Amadis there be but two things which may saue his life first the deliuerance of the Damosell againe to me secondly that you sweare to me as a loyall Lady to meet me at the first open Court held by King Lisuart and there to graunt a boone I shall desire of you Gasinan beholding the danger of his life said to her Faire Niece suffer me not through your default to dye but take compassion on me and promise the Knight faithfully what he shall demaund which she presently did wherefore Amadis permitted him to arise and said to the Lady I assure ye Madame y e sute I must obtaine of you gain-sayeth nothing of my promise concerning Amadis for I will accomplish it to my vttermost see then no default be made on your behalfe In sooth my Lord quoth she I will perfourme my duty effectually knowing wel such men ought 〈◊〉 be honored for vertue in whome so singuler prowesse is apparent much lesse then neede any doubt be made of any thing preiudiciall to my vnstained report Be bold thereof said Amadis then was the Damosell sent for and she being come Amadis demaunded if she would accompany him any further Woorthy Sir answered the Damosell I will doo what you please to commaund me in respect I haue beene so painefull to you as while I liue I am yours in all obedience But were it to your liking considering the affectioÌ„ Gasinan beares me as he would rather hazard y e coÌ„bat then deliuer me albeit by trechery he caried me away I gladly could affoord to stay with him By heauen faire Damosell replyed Gasinan most true and sincere is my affection toward you and as I request ye not to forsake me so doo I desire your good opinion You haue chosen Damosell one of the best Knightes in the world said Amadis and séeing you like eche other so well with all my hart I leaue ye together They both thanked him very humbly intreating he would rest him selfe there certaine dayes but he would returne to his brother Galaor whome he left vnder the tree by the dead Knight by meanes wherof he excused his departure and mounting on horsse-back commaunded Gandalin to carry the broken péeces of his swoord with him By hap Gasinan ouer-heard him wherfore he presented him with his swoord which he accepted and a Launce that Grouenesa gaue him then leauing the Castell he took the way againe toward the trée where he hoped to finde Galaor and Balays CHAP. XXIX ¶ How Balays behaued him selfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor loose his horsse BAlays of Carsanta offended as you haue heard with the Knightes iniurious pranckes to Galaors horsse followed him so fast as possible he could but the other had gotten so farre before as Balays heard no tydings of him neuer-thelesse he rode on till about midnight when he heard a voice a long by a Riuers side And shaping his course thither he found there fiue théeues well armed with Corselettes and hatchets who villainously would force a Damosell one of them dragging her by the haire of the head in a straite waye on the mountaine and the other beating her forward with great staues Balays seeing them vilely abuse her entred among them saying Trayterous murdererers dare you so boldly lay holde on a Damosell let her alone else shall you dye according to your deserts Then running fiercely at one of them his Launce passed quite through his body so that he fell downe dead without any more moouing Wher-upon the other foure would reuenge their companyons death and altogether enuironed Balays with such sharpe assaults as one of them smote down his horsse vnder him yet Bâ—lays dismayed nothing therat but béeing couragiouslye resolued quickly recouered footing and drawing his swoord layde so fiercely about him that another of them fell down head-lesse at his féete In bréefe two more of them accompanyed their fellowes in like fortune when the last seeing he could not preuent like doome fel on his knées before Balays saying Good my Lord haue compassion on me for if I dye in this wicked life I haue so long time vsed vndoubtedly both body and soule will perrishe together Since thou doost answered Balays so willingly acknowledge thy faulte thy life I giue thée to the end thy repentaunce héerafter may make amendes for all and faithfullye he kept promise with Balays for soone after he became a religious Hermite spending the rest of his dayes in great deuotion But now returneth Balays to the Damosell who béeing not a little glad she was so happily deliuered gaue him thankes for the succour she found in such necessitie and he requesting to know how she happened into this daunger she thus begun Hauing occasion Sir to trauaile in these partes in the narrowe way on the mountaine they stayed me it béeing the common place for their théeuish assaults and after they
least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attired entred the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demaunding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiestie himself the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well doo you séeme a King by your porte and countenance yet may it be doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you sée and heereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Me thinks my Lord answered the Damsell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doo desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make me such a liberall offer I hope one day to trye the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must be assembled many valiant men who shall knowe by the promise you haue made me how woorthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualrie is honored by you Damosell sayd the King so much as effects may better my words so much the more will it glad me to sée good store of hardie Knights there present My Lord quoth she if effects answere your woords I shall haue great reason to be contented So tooke she leaue of him returning the same way she came where-at euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimitie as whatsoeuer happened he would not be reprooued with cowardise and so déerely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deathes then to sée him suffer any mishap or iniurie Whereupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuenience to alter the promise he had so lightly made shewing it was not beséeming his Maiestie to deale with affayres of Knights and Gentlemen hee béeing placed in authoritye ouer them While they stoode on these tearmes there entred three Knights two of them beeing very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for he was a man of auncient yeares as séemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull couller then commonly hath béene noted in a man of his age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This Knight caryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demaunding for the King the Gentlemen shewed where he sate making him way to his Maiestie before whome he fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is King Lisuart for within these fewe dayes he hath made the most woorthye promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me Knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to bée perfourmed but I would fayne knowe your meaning héerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the Knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honor a matter wherein now adayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Héerein you were tolde trueth sayd the King and you may bée well assured that I will doo my vttermost to aduaunce the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the Knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your Countrey to bee readye at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you héere a thing with me which such a King as you are ought most royally to receyue Then opening the Cofer he tooke foorth a Crowne of golde so sumptuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and precious Stones as neuer was séene a more costlyer Iewell euery one béeing of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mightye Lord. When the King had long and earnestly beheld it hée was verye desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the Knight perceiuing sayde This Crowne my Lorde is of such workemanship as no Ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be estéemed for the King that kéepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the King who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no King but you that euer sawe it but if you like it so well I will make yee a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some daunger to loose All this whyle was the Quéene in place earnestly wishing that the King her husband might haue it where-upon she said to the King Me thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demaundeth Madame quoth the Knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buye it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was séene for beside the precious stones wherwith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sortes of beastes and birdes which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rare and curious piece of woorke not wrought as I thinke by humane capacitie You say true Madame replyed the Knight for the like heereof is not to be found yet may not the riches compare with the propertie and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maryed Ladies then any other because she that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of chéefe regarde answered the Quéen if it haue any such indéed I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the Knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grewe she meruaylous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betwéene the King and her wherfore she said to the Knight Say Sir how doo you estimate this Mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseeche you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the handes of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of gréefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedie while I liue and because I know not well the valewe of these Iewelles I will leaue them in your custodye vntill the day you holde open Courte at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demaund In mean while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue saide you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust
so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
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
whose power they reputed able to ouer-throwe an Armie As he continued the combate with them the Damosell of Denmarke seeing the freendes of Arcalaus fight so timorously him selfe lye still as one in a traunce she saide to Oriana Madame beholde how your Amadis honoreth your loue see you not how he hath vsed Arcalaus and our hoste in sooth we are alreadye succoured for these other villaines can holde out no longer Ah happie Amadis quoth Oriana the mirrour of all vertue and chiualrye heauen giue thee grace to finishe our deliueraunce with victorie ouer these malicious traitours When the Squire who had the charge of Oriana as you haue heard vnderstood that she named Amadis he was in such feare as presently he leaped from y e horsse saying By my faith I might full well be reputed a foole to tarry for such blowes as my companyons haue and with these woordes he ran away so fast that he neuer looked behinde if any pursued him In this time Amadis had dispatched thrée of the Knights and the fourth misdoubting like lot would fall to him trusted to his horsse legges for safetie of him selfe but as Amadis followed him he heard the Princesse giue a lowde crye when looking back he saw that Arcalaus had got her with him on horsse-back and gallopped away so fast as he could Héer-upon he let goe the Knight to helpe Oriana ouer-taking Arcalaus ere he got much ground and lifting his swoord to strike at him he doubted least he should hurt the Princesse but turning on the other side he gaue him such a wound on the shoulder as he was glad to let fall Oriana that him-self might escape away more lightly for he knew if Amadis laid holde on him all the treasure in the world could not saue his life When Amadis saw him selfe sure of his Lady he still pursued the cowardlye run-away saying Tary Arcalaus tary and thou shalt sée if Amadis be dead according as thou lyedst not long agoe But Arcalaus had no leysure to answere he rather tooke his Shéeld from his neck and threwe it to the ground because nothing might hinder his horsse in running At length as Amadis strook at him the blowe fell shorte on the horsse buttocke and the beast féeling him selfe wounded made greater haste away then he did before leauing Amadis very farre behinde who earnestly desired the death of Arcalaus but séeing all his labour was in vaine and doubting least some harme might happen to his mistresse to loose her againe by negligence hauing by hardy valour so well recouered her he turned back againe and attaining the place where she stayed for him he alighted from his horsse then falling on his knée humbly kissed her hand saying Madame heauen hath affoorded me more grace in strengthening me to succour you then euer it did to any other Knight for I was out of hope to sée you againe But she good Lady remayned still so passionate in respect of her vngentle vsage as also affrighted with feare when Arcalaus let her fall that she could returne no answere but gaue him thankes by many kinde embracinges By this time the Damosell of Denmarke came to them and by the way found the swoord of Arcalaus which she bringing to Amadis thus spake Sée heere my Lord a very faire swoord Right soone did Amadis know it to be the same was found with him on the Sea which Arcalaus tooke from him when he laye enchaunted béeing not a little glad he had recouered it While many affable spéeches passed betwéene them Amadis still comforting his dismayed mistresse and shée reioycing in her louely fréend Gandalin arriued who had sought his maister all that night and happily found him there with his Lady Now minded they to tary no longer in this place wherefore making choise of the Knights Horsses to their owne liking they all amounted Amadis leading Orianaes Palfray by the bridle and she rehearsing to him by the way what iniurie the dead Knights had doone her as in her life-time shée neuer endured the like Madame answered Amadis much greater gréefe haue I suffered by a liuing creature yet lesse to be feared then the dead who can doo no harme but beautie only hath hazarded my life Albeit Oriana well knew his meaning yet she demaunded who was the cause thereof Euen you Madame quoth he who holde me in a life more yrksome then death My Lord sayd the Princesse neuer with my consent did you sustayne any harme and very sory would I be you should thinke me so vnkind for rather could I affoord to ease your greefe were it in my power to compasse the meane Ah Madame replyed Amadis as by you only I tooke my hurt so from you only must I haue my help and reason reputes it a matter of great inconuenience that such rare perfections should cause so rough passions But if you be endued with such pittie as the rest of your excellencies doo plainly promise you will not behold that in me which you greeue to sée in your chéefest enemyes euen death gentle Princesse who in my torments awayteth on me forbearing to strike béeing conquered with this hope that did oportunitie and place serue your passed promise should ease your thoughts deliuer me from this weightie oppression But see how sweet occasion fauoureth vs and fortune stands aloofe from hindering our content doo not you then good Madame let slip this gracious offer when time and place challenge it at your hand considering the argument is vrgent and being now loytered may hardly be againe so well recouered Oriana not so much for these reasons as because her payne was equall with his and had not he begun the motion her selfe would haue sollicited the same thus answered Great is the force of your perswasions but greater the vnfained loue I beare you which hath such authoritie ouer me as when you shall haue least occasion to demaund I am content and constrained to obey yea to repose such a thing in your trust as very hardly can I hold fast in my thoughts Yet I desire you albeit you sée me not stored with prouidence that you will carefully manage our enterprise by warie kéeping it from knowledge or suspect rather submitting our selues to the highest displeasure then common reproofe which is containd within no limits Sufficient protestations made Amadis héereof but little batterie néeded when the hold was woon and riding through a very thick wood the Princesse became desirous of sleepe because the night before she enioyed no rest whereupon she acquainted Amadis therewith saying she must néeds sleepe ere she went any further He being no vnprofitable counceller and séeing a daintie plot by a riuer side shaddowed with boughes from the heate of the Sunne aduised her to rest there awhile and dismounting from their horsses he thus spake So please you Madame in this place we may stay till the heate be gone and you rest in tarying for the cold euening in meane space I will send Gandalin to the
preuented him in this manner Thou foolish Knight of King Lisuarts Court hardly can I endure thy iniurious woords to my father in my presence but I am content to deferre them till we proceede to the effect of thy demaund then shall I take such vengeance for them as I desire for when thy heart shall faint in time of need weening to saue thy life by flight if thou make not good haste I will so chastise thee as eche one shall pittie thy miserable estate This is too long a processe said Agraies to defend thy fathers treason withall goe arme thy selfe and come to the combate as thou didst promise then shalt thou sée if fortune be so fauourable to giue thee the victorie which thou reckonest assured if she doo otherwise perswade thy selfe â—oth thou and thine shall haue the meed of your wicked deseruing Say what thou wilt answered Darison ere long thy imurious tongue puld from thy head shall be sent to the Court of thy maister King Lisuart that such as behold thy worthy punishment may be afraid to hazard the like by their liberall language So calling for their Armour the King and his two Sonnes were quickly Armed then mounting on horsseback they went to the place appointed for Combats Where-upon Amadis and Agraies lacing their Helmets tooke their Shéelds and Launces and afterwarde entred the féelde Then Dramis who was the yongest brother yet a Knight so valiant as two of the best in that Countrey durste not deale with him in combate saide to his Father My Lord where your Maiestie and my Brother are present well may I be excused from spéeche but now effectes must shew it otherwise by such strength as heauen hath enabled me withall therfore I desire to trye my fortune with the Knight who hath so wronged you and if I kill him not at the firste tainte of the Launce neuer shall Armour come on my back againe but if I méet him not so right as I desire he shall haue but little respite of life for at the firste stroke of my swoord I will dispatche him Many heard the woords of yong Dramis and estéemed highly of his enterprise nor did they greatly doubt the perfourmaunce considering what déedes of armes they had séene him accomplish Now place they their Launces in their rests and Dramis prepared him selfe against Amadis who met him so full in the carrire as his hart brake in his belly and he fel to y e ground so waightely as if it had beene the fall of an Ore Get thee to all the Deuilles saide Dardan the Dwarffe my maister is very wel rid of thee but me thinks his threatning hath lighted on him selfe which commonly falles out so with such great crakers Agraies and Darison brake their Launces in the encounter but no other harme happened betwéene them as yet When Abiseos saw his sonne Dramis was dead he was meruailously displeased and intended to reuenge his death on Amadis wher-upon he gaue foorth to méete him and piercing his Launce thorowe the Princes sheelde gaue him a sore hurt on the arme which made the beholders doubt that Amadis could holde out no longer If then the young Princesse Briolania was dismaide it were in vain to demaund the question for now her hart dreaded further mishap but he who could not be daunted with common woundes drew the Swoord which he recouered from Arcalâ—us giuing Abiseos such a sound greeting ther-with on the head as made him coutche his neck to his shoulders and the Swoord sliding downe vpon his right arme gaue him a wound to the very bone by meanes wherof Abiseos found him selfe so distressed and amazed that he fell downe from his horsse as it were in a traunce Now did the people meruaile not a little to sée Amadis at two strokes ouerthrowe two such puissant Knights esteemed among them the best in the world but Amadis beholding no other resistance returned to Darison who fought with Agraies they behauing themselues so manfully against eche other as the people thought they neuer sawe a brauer combate At length Abiseos recouered againe and seeing his Sonne Darison in danger of his life came to assist him giuing Agraies such a wound in the throat as his Cozin thought he had beene slaine out-right but soone did he requite Abiseos for it by seperating his wounded arme from his body euen the same arme where-with he killed the King his brother which made him fall downe dead to the ground where-upon Amadis called to him saying Abiseos this is punishment in member whereby thou didst thrust thy selfe into the Crowne and now hast receiued death according to thy desert Then he turned about to helpe Agraies but he met him with the head of Darison in his hand wherat all the people gaue a great shoute and humbled them-selues to Briolania as their lawfull Queen This was the end of the wretched Father and his sonnes seruing at this day for an example to such as shamefullye vsurpe the right of others which though they enioy for a small season yet when the God of power letteth loose his arrowes against them they fall into open and detested ruine Let euery man therfore set before his eyes that no euill remaineth vnpunished and the end concludeth these two principles the eternall beatitude of y e celestiall soules and the mercilesse excruciamentes of miserable damned creatures Thus see you what lot fell to Abiseos and his children vsurping the Kingdome by homicide and tiranny euen by the death of his owne naturall Brother therfore heauen repaied him with a miserable end by the conquering Swoord of Amadis and Agraies who dragged them along out of the feelde demaunding if any other would with-stand the right of Briolania By one of the cheefest Lordes in the countrynamed Goman they were answered she had no more enemies to gain-say her which he testified with an hundred Knights of his owne kinred all the people béeing there ready to receiue their Quéen Briolania and doo her homahe as beseemed faithfull subiectes Héer-upon Amadis and Agraies conducted the newe Quéene to the Pallace royall where they were presently vnarmed and Chirurgions coÌ„maunded to attend their wounds in mean while Briolania was confirmed in the regiment by a generall oath of the subiects taken to their Soueraigne with such ioy as neuer was the like in Sobradisa But because the two Knightes were very sore wounned and their hurtes found to be some-what dangerous all sports and pastimes accustomed at such solemnitie were referred till the time of their recouerie which to compasse the sooner their lodginges were appointed in seuerall chambers that none might trouble them with tedious talking least a continuall feuer should come vpon them Not-with-standing Briolania as one not ingratefull for the good she receiued by them would not departe from them either day or night but only at the time of repast so that by her kinde and dilligent attendance the danger of their sicknesse was expelled the sooner Sée héere the true and certaine
to the two Knightes who were first dismounted and with them we haue abode y e space of one whole yéere in which time many combates they fought for vs yet neuer conquered till this present In sooth Lady answered Galaor the Knightes intent was too high for him to accomplish because he could not deale with Amadis and escape the fortune now fallen vpon him but how was he named He called himselfe Alimias quoth ashe nd had not ouer-wéening pride too much ruled him he was a most gentle and courteous Knight By this time were they come to their Auntes Castell where Galaor and Florestan found gracious entertainment the olde Lady being very glad to see her Nieces as also to vnderstand the death of Alimias After they had taken leaue of the fréendly Ladyes they iourney toward the Realm of Sobradisa where they heard before they entred the Cittie how Amadis and Agraies had slaine Abiseos and his sonnes by meanes wherof Briolania ruled as a peaceable Quéen which newes highly contented them and made them reioyce for their happie fortune To the Pallace they come vnknowne of any till they were brought to Amadis and Agraies whose wounds were already indifferently recured and they deuising with the Queene at their arriuall Heer you must note how the Damosell that conducted Galaor to finde Florestan left them after the Combate and comming before to her Mistresse tolde her and Amadis how Galaor and Florestan knew eche other and what issue their combate had which made Amadis very kindely to embrace them bothe and Florestan offered on his knee to kisse his hand which Amadis would not permit but causing him to arise sat down and communed of their aduentures yast But one day among other the new enstalled Quéene Briolania after many honourable feastinges she had made them séeing these foure Knightes determined to departe considering the good she had receiued by Amadis and Agraies and that she being before a disinherited Princesse was by their meanes restored to her Kingdome beholding likewise the whéele of Fortune turned how such personages were not alone to aid and defend her countrey but puissant enough of them-selues to be Kinges and mighty Lordes falling on her knees before them first rendering thankes to God who had doone her such grace as to regarde her in pittie continuing her discourse she saide Think my Lordes these mutations are the meruailes of the Almightye which are admirable to vs and helde of great account but to him they are in manner nothing Let vs see if it be good then to shunne Signories and riches which to obtaine we take such paine and trauaile and to keepe endure innumerable anguishes and distresse as superfluous therfore vtterly to deiect theÌ„ because they are torments of bodie and soule vncertaine and haue no permanence As for my selfe I say no but affirme that they beeing lawfully gotten modestly vsed and according to Gods appointment they are in this worlde rest pleasure and ioy and the way to bring vs to eternall glory To the Gentlemen Readers THus Gentlemen is the first Book of Amadis finished how rudely and vnlearnedlye you may perceiue yet truely set down according to the French historye but if it be not so eloquently handled as you expected you must beare with the bad conceit which neâ—er was capable of any such cunning Good will is the line wherby I leuell my woorkes and freendlye acceptation the greatest grace in gentle minds which is able to shaddowe all imperfections what-soeuer and to let that passe for currant which else were counterfeit In this hope I present you with my labour of Amadis and my poore good will being requited with your kinde accepting shall encourage me to aduenture on the second Book of this history which by the fauour of the firste wil come the sooner Long may I not stand pleading for so slender a reward the good will think the best their courtesie I require the bad not borne to say well I care not for their freendship An. Monday Honos alit Artes. FINIS A Table for the readie finding of the Chapters contayned in this Booke directing by the number to euerie seuerall leafe OF whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knightes as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following ther-on Chapter I. Folio 1. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the chamber where King Perion was lodged chapter II. Folio 5. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauayled on his iourney hauing his hart filled with greefe and melanchollie chapter III. Fol. 10. How King Languines caried away with him the Gentleman of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales chapter IIII. Fol. 15. Howe King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertayned chapter V. Fol. 19. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea chapter VI. Fol. 26. How the Gentleman of the Sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his Bretheren and in the end with Galpan him-selfe chapt VII Fol. 31. How the third day after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife chap. VIII Fol. 34. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the court of King Languines who sent her accompanyed with the Princesse Mabila his only daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen chap. IX Fol. 36. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule chapter X. Fol. 43. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother chapter XI Fol. 47. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be knighted and by no other chapter XII Fol. 52. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres chapter XIII Fol. 58. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the vnknowen he arriued at a castell where it chaunced to him as you shall reade in the discourse chapter XIIII Fol. 64. How king Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after hee was found and knowen chapter XV. Fol. 72. How Amadis made him-selfe knowen to king Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his court of whome hee was honorably receiued feasted chap. XVI Fol. 79. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis chapter XVII Fol. 85. How Amadis tarying with his good will in the courte of king Lisuart heard tidings of his brother
eyes and all together praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to méete with his Parents being all this while vnknowen to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demaunded of him if he had no other name then that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three dayes past since I knew thereof for as I came from the Combate against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in ware when I was found in the Sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and héere-withall he shewed the Letter to the Quéene which she full well knewe so soone as she sawe it Beleeue me sayd the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the Sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis of Gaule It was not long before the bruite héereof was spread through the Cittie that the good and famous Knight was Sonne to King Perion and the Queene Elisena wherefore if euery one reioysed you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sory for they were found to be Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge heer-of wherefore considering what comfort this would be to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to returne toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whome aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to hir Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you cannot so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shead so many teares These words caused the teares to tricle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the heauens may safely conduct ye yet let me intreate your friendly remembrance commaunding the vttermost of my endeuours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so indebted to my gracious mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuer-the-lesse you may say to her that right soone shall I come to shewe my obedience and in like armour will I be clad as when you sawe me Combat with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily knowe me if I can not compasse the meane to spake with you and in this manner departed the Damosell of Denmarke On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside said Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate hart will allowe me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to commaund me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonor she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speede and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the only cause of my parting with you Now must you note heerewithall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the King of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this young Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tell ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without land because all the portion his father left him was only a poore Castell for the rest he had spent in following Armes and entertaining Gentlemen whereupon he had the Sir-name of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whome he requested to knowe where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visit the Court of King Lisuart where I haue heard chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honor then in the Kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may commaund me in their seruice euen as your selfe or any other as well in respect of our alliaunce together as also for the gracious entertainement I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies tooke his leaue being honorably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the feelds he sawe a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his horsse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell sometime said vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she said true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whome thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the flower of Ireland and such a one as that countrey shall neuer haue his like vntill time the good brother of the Lady must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countreys and he must dye by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the only thing of the world which most he loueth And so it happened by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that countrey whome Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demaunded of King Marke of Cornewall his Unckle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the only thing of the world that he most loued Now must thou be mindfull héereof said the Damosell to the King for Vrganda my mistresse so commaundeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whome she gaue the Launce commendeth himselfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should