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 meete with his Parents being all this while vnknowne to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demanded of him if hee had no other name theÌ„ that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three daies past since I knew there-of for as I came from the Combat against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in waxe when I was found in the sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and here-with all he shewed the letter to the Queene which she full well knew so soone as she saw it Beleeue me said 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 de Gaule It was not long before the bruite hereof was spread through the city that the good famous knight was sonne to King Perion and the Queen Elisena wherefore if euery one reioyced you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sorry for they were found to bee Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge here-of wherefore considering what comfort this would bee to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to return toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good Newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whom â—…ue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to her Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you can not 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 shedde so many teares These wordes caused the teares to trickle 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 mee entreat your friendly remembrance commanding the vttermost of my endeauours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so endebted to my gracious Mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuerthelesse you may say to her that right soon shall I come to shew my obedience and in like Armor will I be clad as when you saw me combate with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily know me if I cannot compasse the meane to speake with you in this manner departed the Damosel of Denmark On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside sayd 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 heart will allow me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to command 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 dishonour she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speed and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the onely cause of my parting with you Now must you note heere-withall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the king of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this yong Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Olinia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tel ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without lâ—d because al the portioÌ„ his father left him was onely a poore Castle for the rest he had spent in following armes entertaining Gentle-men whereupon he had the Sirname of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whoÌ„ he requested to know where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visite the Court of king Lasuart where I haue heard Chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honour 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 command mein their seruice eueÌ„ as your self or any other as well in respect of our alliance together as also for the gracious entertainment I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies took his leaue beeing Honourably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the fields he saw a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his Horse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell some-time sayd vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she sayd true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whom 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 Ladie must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countryes and he must die by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the onely thing of the world which most he loueth And so it hapned by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that Countrey whom Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demanded of King Marke of Corne-wall his Vncle which Tristan after-ward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the onely thing of the world that hee most loued Now must thou be mindefull hereof sayd the Damsel to the King for Vrganda my Mistresse so coÌ„mandeth 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 whom she gaue the Launce commendeth him-selfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should deliuer the house from whence I first discended and
Patrone Your Honours euer to be commanded A. M. THE SECOND BOOKE OF AMADIS DE GAVLE CHAP. I. The Description of the firme Island Who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were found in the same THere was a King in Greece who was married vnto the Emperours daughter of CoÌ„stantinople by whom hee had two sonnes excelliâ—… in all perfection both of body and minde Especially the eldest named Apolidon who was so well brought vp and conditioned that hee found not his equall in any vertuous quality wherein he exercised himselfe This Apolidon studied all sciences wherein he profited so much that hee was not onely counted one of the best knights in the world but also surpassed all men of his time for wisedome excelling them in learning as farre as the moone exceedeth the starres in light and chiefly in the art of Nigromancy by the which he brought to passe many great matters which seemed beyond the capacity of men Now was the King father of these two young Princes most mighty in lands and wealthy in treasure but very weake in body by reason of his age Wherefore knowing the end of his daies to approach he would before his death make partition of all his goods vnto his children because no contention or debate should happen betweene them after his decease And for that end he appointed the kingdome to Apolidon being his eldest sonne and heire the other he inuested with all his riches and moneable goods among which there was many excellent bookes of inestimable value Yet the youngest nothing liking this partition beway led his estate vnto the King beseeching him most humbly to consider that his patrimony being so small hee was not onely left poore but in a manner disinherited Then the aged father perceiuing the discontentment of his sonne being the thing hee most feared was exceeding sorrowfull but yet would he not alter that which hee had done without the consent of Apolidon who beeing aduertifed thereof came vnto him and in the presence of his brother saide thus It may please your Maiestie I heard within these few dayes that my brother is not content with that portion which it hath pleased you to appoint vnto him and therefore because I knowe how grieuous the same is vnto you seeing the brotherly loue betwixt him and mee likely to be broken I most humbly beseech your highnesse to take all that againe which it hath pleased you to giue vnto mee and dispose therof as it shal seeme best to your owne minde for I shall thinke my selfe thrise fortunate to doe any thing that may breede your soules felicity and very well apaid with that which to him was appointed When the King behelde the bounty of his sonne Apolidon and the obedience hee shewed vnto him hee was therewithall so pleased and exceeding ioyfull that his soule knowing it could not leaue his body in greater contentment fled vp into heauen leauing his two sonnes in such friendship as he desired Notwithstanding after the body was buried and all accustomed funerall rights ended Apolidon caused certaine shippes to he rigged and furnished for the sea wherein being embarked with diuerse Gentlemen of his friends seeing the winde and weather fauour them he commanded the ankers to bee waied and the sailes to be let fall the which were incontinently filled with so stiffe a gale as in lesse then one houre they were past the countrey of Greece And yet Apolidon had not dertermined to bond his course vnto any certaine coast but following his fortune driuen by the winde he discouered the Countrey of Italie whereunto approching he landed in a certaine port thereof The Emperour Sindan beeing â—…sed of his landing sent many great Lords vnto him to request him to come to Rome where hee should be as royally entertained as might be deuised To which request Apolidon willingly condiscended and beeing there already arriued the Emperour receiued him with honor yet although at his comming hee determined to soiouâ—â—e no more then eight daies with him hee changed his purpose and remained there a longer season in which time he accomplished such haughty deedes of armes and behaued himselfe so worthily that amongst the Romans he gained the reputation of the best knight in the world and obtained the loue of a young Princesse the oneâ—â—e sister to the Emperour named Grimâ—â—sa the fairest Lady then liâ—ing And although that their loue was alike yet was this faire Lady so streightly looked vnto that neither could her affection bee satisfied nor the common desire of them both bee performed Wherefore one day consulting more priuatly then they euer yet before had done loue wrought such a consent in them as they agreede to depart vnto such a place where they might without controle enioy the fulnesse of their content so as what they secretly intended they as suddenly executed For euen as they had appointed it so the faire Grimanesa came forth one night to meete her loue Apolidon who stayed for her at the water-side hauing prepared shippes ready for their flight and wherein they presently embarqued themselues Then by force of the winde they were in few dayes driuen to arriue at the foote of the Firme-Island which was then inhabited by a mighty Giant whereof Apolidon and those in the ship were ignorant Where-upon thinking they were in a place of safety came on shoare and â—ents and Pauilions were set vp wherein they might refresh them for Grimanesa who was not vsed to trauaile by sea was as wearie as might be But at that instant when they thought themselues most secure the Giant which had discouered them took them so suddainly that Apolidon had scant so much leisure as to arme himselfe where-with Grimanesa was so amazed that she was ready to die for feare for the Giant taking her by the hand said vnto Apolidon Base slaue although I am not accustomed to be kind vnto any yet am I content for this once to suffer thee to fight against me alone on this condition that if thou be ouercome this faire Lady shall be mine and then afterwards I shall cause thee to bee hanged vpon the pole of this tent When Apolidon heard that by fighting with such a monster he might both saue himselfe his mistresse his hart was so great as he thought it a very easie matter to ouercome him and esteemed himselfe happy that fortune had offered him so fit an occasion as to make known vnto Grimaâ—esa how much was his courage and how great was his Knight-hood Wherefore with-out longer delay the combate began betweene them the which lasted but a while for the Giant was pursued so valiantly as hee fell downe back-ward Then Apolidon streight stepped ouer him and cut off his head Which the inhabitants of the Isle vnderstanding they all came and offered them-selues vnto him becheeching him to remaine with them and to bee their Lord and protector Vnto this their request he condiscended wherefore they conducted him with great triumph to the cheefe
to whom he seemed no lesse beautyfull then he did to the Queene wherefore he commanded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine one Son In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet to yong to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who said Faire Child will ye go with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarry here with-out him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if you take the one you must needes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him said My Son I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I do their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My childe that so soone beginnest to proue fortunate now I see thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thee if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for suffer that the words of Vrganda the vnknowne spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to see the time of those great meruailes promised thee in Armes The King who noted Gandales seeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beleeue me I neuer thought you had bene such a foole as to weepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you thinke for and if it please you to know the truth I will presently tell ye heere before your Queene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the sea and in what equipage and he had proceeded with that which Vrganda foretold him but that he remembred the oath he tooke Now my Lord said Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage Whē the King heard this he esteemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the child he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing god hath done so much for him as to preserue him frō so great a danger that now we be diligent inhis education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Queene so please you he shal be mine during his young yeeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on the next morning the King would set forward wherefore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the sea whom she commanded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a cheerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now doth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion his new freind Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard being in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosphers the exposition of his dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing thereof As he thus sadly spent his dayes it chanced that another Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to know that King Garinter her Father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pitty her in that the King of Scots would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garinter was Perion somewhat sorrowfull but yet he comforted himselfe by thinking he should goe to see his friend towards whom he had not diminished one iot of his affection wherefore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your Mistresse that without staying one whole day I shall be in short time with her The Damosell well pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so speedily as he ariued in little Brittaine where he heard newes that king Languines had already gotten all the cheefe of the Country except those Cities which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed himselfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgments and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming feasting of one another the King told her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kindred and Subiects which she did with all diligence could be deuised as also with so great contentation as her heart might desire for herein only consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scots and how to accomplish this King Perion was already arriued with his Sister he sent immediatly for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in doing honor and wel-come to the King his brother At his comming he was gratiously receiued by King Perion and after by embracings they had saluted each other and the nuptials likewise thorowly ended the kings derermined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauailing toward Gaule with his Queene Elisena somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh himselfe along by a Riuer side while the tentes were erecting he rode softly alone by the waterbancke imagining how he might know the truth whether Elisena had a child according as his Philosophertold him in expounding his dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without any regarde he came to an Hermitage which was neere at hand wherefore finding him-selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horse to a tree that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very antient religious man who comming to meete him said Knight is it true that king Perion is marryed to our kings daughter yea verily answered the king Praised be God said the good Hermit for I know certainly that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replied the king Euen from her owne mouth said the good olde man The king then hoping he shoud heare of him the thing which he most desired to know said I pray ye Father tell me what you
It may be Lady you can tell me who hath caryed away the dead knight that lay vnder the tree not farre hence If you wil promise me quoth she to reuenge his death which is an exceeding great griefe to many I will resolue you therein I will not stick for that answered Galaor for it seemeth by your words it is an act of iustice to do it Very true said the Damosell mount vp before me on my Palfary and I shall direct ye to your desire WheÌ„ they had ridden about two miles shee shewed him a maruailous faire castle and alighting at the gate she bad him enter But remember quoth she what you haue promised And because I haue solicited you heereto I pray yee let me vnderstand your name I am called Galaor quoth hee and thinke you shall heereafter finde mee in king Lisuarts Court then any where else I am satisfied said the Damosell to God I commend yee then shee turned bridle and rode away but Galaor entred the castle where he found the dead laid in the middest of the Court by him stood many making great lamentation Neuerthelesse Galaor approching neere and stepping to an anciant knight demanded of him what the dead knight was Sir answered the olde man while hee liued hee was such a one as all the world may bemone his mis-fortune Do you know his name saide Galaor He is called Anthebon replied the other one of the most vertuous Gentlemen that euer liued in Gaul When Galaor heard he was a subiect to king Perion his father his heart began to storme and as hee pittied him the more so his desire encreased to reuenge his death whereupon hee entreated the knight to acquaint him with the truth of this tragicall accident Sir quoth he this infortunate Gentleman which you see was in respect of his bounty and vertue maryed to a wife who now lamenteth for him she being the Lady of this Castle In time they had a very faire daughter and she growing in yeeres was beloued by a knight our too neere neighbour but the young Damosell euer hated him and aboue all other could not abide him Where-of the getting intelligence determined by some meane or other to steale her hence and being so resolued forgetting God as also his owne honour watched when this good knight as customely he vsed should goe to the cornered street there to sucour such as often were distressed because it is the most dangerous place in this countrey Knowing him thus to bee from home the disloyall wretch entred this Castle and finding the maiden in company of her mother with diuerse Gentlewomen heere disporting mauger them all forcibly hee tooke her away before wee could fall the bridge to succor her Hereupon as wee afterward vnderstood shee did nothing day and dight but grieuously mourne despising all the inticing blandishments the knight vsed to her which in the end displeased him so much as hee began in this sort to reprooue her Lady you know that I loue yee with all my heart desiring onely to haue the like of you meaning no otherwise then honorably to make you my wife but you scornefully disdaine me albeit I am discended of a more noble house then your father is which maketh mee maruell very much what should moue you thus to bee mine enemy In good faith I will tell yee quoth shee I heretofore made promise to my mother and such is still my deliberation that I would neuer match with any husband if hee were not so good a knight and comparable with my father in chiualry for which shee made choyce of him among all other knights to which wordes he thus answered By heauen I see you loue me now for ere it bee long I will make sufficient proofe that I am a better man at armes then he Within a while after hee left his Castle beeing well mounted and armed placing himselfe vnder the tree where you sawe this knight dead to what intent I cannot tell but vnhappily the Lord of this Castle came that way hauing left his horse and Armour because bee onely intended to take the ayre The cowardly wretch seeing what aduantage hee had of him and remembring the promise hee made his Lady thought it place commodious to get him reputation and no witnesses by to report the contrary so without giuing him warning or speaking one word to him stealing behinde him smote his Launce thorough his necke as you he ere beholde Thus vnprouided of defence likewise suddenly and most villainously was this good knight slain and yet the blody traytour not farisfied alighting from his horse gaue him many needlesse cruell woundes with his sworde and so despitefully left him there In good faith answered Galaor the deede is monstrous vnable to passe with-out common reprehension but seeing you haue vouchsafed mee this fauour I pray ye tell me why was he afterwarde laide on such a costly bed vnder the tree Because it being a continuall pastà ge for knights errant said the olde man to try if any would be so honourably prouoked as to reuenge an act of such shame and tontempt after wee had acquainted them with this sad discouse I found him alone at the tree replyed Galaor what was the cause then you left him so Your deâ—…d is nor amisse quoth the olde man for foure Squires were euer wont to guarde him but because the knight who did the murther came and threatened to kill them we were coÌ„strained to bring away the body hither I maruell sayde Galaor that I heard not the noyse it may well bee sayd I slept soundly Are you he replyed the old man whom we found leaning asleep on your helmet The very same man answered Galaor Why did you rest so homely there quoth the old man To reuenge his death sayd Galaor if by reason I might doe so much Ah worthy Sir answered the old man heauen grant the finishing thereof to your honour then taking him by the hand he brought him to the bed whereon the dead man lay thus speaking to the sorrowfull Lady Madame this knight saith to his power he will reuenge the death of your Lord. Alas gentle knight quoth she the God of heauen keepe you in that good minde for I can finde no kinred or friend in this countrey who will doe so much for me because my Lord was a stranger yet whlie he liuid euery one shewed great friendship in lookes but now their kindnes is cold enough Lady answered Galaor in respect both he and I were borne in one countrie my desire is the greater to reuenge his death Are you said the Lady the sonne to King Perion of Galaoe whom my deceased Lord often told me was in king Lisuarts Court Neuer came I there Madame replyed Galaor in all my life but tell me what he is that did this treason and in what place I may find him Gentle Lord quoth she you shall be conducted thither if you please neuerthelesse I stand in doubt considering the perill you will
bedewed with whole fountaines of teares and wofull Oliuia seemed rather dead then liuing But had he long continued in this extreamity her latest houer must needes haue ensued yet at length he recouered him-selfe charging the Duke and his Nephewes with such puissant strokes as well declared his hardy courage Oliuas all this while was in such case by reason of the sore wound the Duke gaue him that he could hardly defend himselfe which the Duke perceiuing hee left his Nephew with Agraies and assailing Oliuas very roughly made him fall downe in a great astonishment But as he would haue slaine him Agraies stepped betweene theÌ„ hauing dispatched his enemie of his head and hindred the Duke from his determination wounding him in many places on his body that he could scant tel which way to turne him Don Galuanes likewise hauing slaine the other Nephew came to assist Agraies against the Duke who seeing his life at the latest exigent turned his horse to escape away but Agraies gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee fell beside his saddle with one of his feete hanging in the stirrop when the horse being at libertie feeling his burthen hang on the one side ranne flinging vp and downe none being able to reskew the Duke till his necke was broken with dragging along Hereupon Agraies left him returning to his vncleto know how he fared Very well I thanke God answered Galuanes but it grieueth mee that Oliuas is dead for hee lieth still and moueth not Right sorry likewise was Agraies to heare these words wherefore commanding the Duke and his Nephewes bodyes to be throwne foorth of the field they came both to Oliuas and finding him aliue as also his wounds not to be mortall they bound them vp so well as they could saying Friend Oliuas be of good cheeâ—e for though you haue lost very much blood yet doubt wee not of your health because wee finde little danger in your hurts Alas my Lords quoth Oliuas my heart fainteth and albeit I haue beene heereâ—ofore wounded yet neuer was I in such debilitie Then the King desired to knowe whether hee were dead or no and when it was tolde him how hee wanted nothing but speedy cure hee commanded him to bee honourably caryed into the Citie and his own cirurgions to attend on his health euen as it were his owne person which he did promising to deliuer him well againe within few daies Thus euery one returned disputing diuersly on the end of the Combat and according to their particular affections so that soone after the Queeene who was one of the best Ladies in the world was aduised to send for the wife to the deceased Duke that in the Court shee might weare away the cause of her melancholly and to dispatch this businesse shee sent Don Grumedan to her requesting she would bring her Neece Aldena with her whereof Galuanes was not a little glad especially Don Guilan who was the friend and beloued of the Dutchesse Not long after she and her Neece arriued at the Court where they were right nobly feasted and entertayned Thus the King spent the time in the Citty of London accompanied with many great Lords knights and Ladies because the fame was blazed throught the world of his honourable courtesie to strange Knights which drew an exceeding number to his court whom he rewarded very bountifully hoping by their meanes not onely to confirme his Realme in peace but likewise to conquere other which some-time had beene subiect and tributary to his Crown yet through the pusillanimity and negligence of the Kinges his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEretofore it hath beene declared how Amadis being with Briolania promised to reuenge the King her Fathers death against Abiseos and his two Sonnes which in one year after he should performe being accompanied with two other Knights Also how when he tooke his leaue of her shee gaue him a Sword because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Sword was afterward broken at the Ladies Castle who was the beloued of Angriote d'Estranans when he combatted with Gasinan and commanded Gandalin to bring away the peeces thereof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault of him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his master loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered himselfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of theÌ„ both Loue who often-times prouoketh his Subiects would no longer continue them in so great ease but rayse some cinders of diuision wherby they might receiue discontentment For this cause he made Amadis remember his promise to Briolania that he should combat Abiseos within one yeare the end whereof was now at hand and being loth to faile therein he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sort Briolania was disinherited of her fathers kingdom such were his discourses on her behalf that although Oriana was loth to grant what hee demanded or to permit his absence from her yet being ouer-come with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow said Deere friend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you do me aloweth no excuse Yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine own pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content seeing there is no other remedy though my consent be with greater griefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischiefe will happen to me by this voyage Madam answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wish neuer to haue beene borne Let Briolania then pardon my tarrying for I hold my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agreeable to you Not so sweete friend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall go but make a speedy returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this separation sealed and shee desired him to acquaint the Queene there with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commandement which he did and on the morrow departed with Gâ—laâ—r and Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a Mile but he asked Gandalin if hee had brought with him the peeces of the Sword that Briolania gaue him when hee left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what speede thou canst to ouertake vs. Alas had he but misdoubted the mishap followed hereon hee neuer would haue sent such
but Amadis beholding no other resistance returned to Darison who fought with Agraies they behauing themselues so manfully against each other as the people thought they neuer saw a brauer combat At length Abiseos recouered againe and seeing his Sonne Darison in danger of his life came to assist him giuing Agraies such a wound in the throate as his Cozin thought he had beene slayne outright But soone did hee requite Abiseos for it by seperating his wounded Arme from his body euen the same Arme wherewith he killed the King his Brother which made him fall downe dead to the ground whereupon Amadis called to him saying Abiseos this is punishment in member whereby thou didst thrust thy selfe into the Crowne and now hast receiued death according to thy desert Then hee turned about to helpe Agraies but he met him with the head of Darison in his hand whereat all the people gaue a great shoute and humbled themselues to Briolania as their lawfull Queen This was the end of the wretched Father and his Sonnes seruing at this day for an example to such as shamefully vsurpe the right of others which though they enioy for a small season yet when the God of power letteth loose his arrows against them they fall into open and detested ruine Let euery man therfore set before his eys that no euill remaineth vnpunished and the end concludeth these two principles the eternall beatitude of the celestiall Soules and the mercilesse excruciaments of miserable damned creatures Thus see you what lot fell to Abiseos and his children vsurping the kingdome by homicide and tyrany euen by the death of his own naturall brother therefore heauen repayed him with a miserable end by the conquering Sword of Amadis and Agraies who dragged them along out of the field demanding if any other would withstand the right of Briolania By one of the chiefest Lords in the Country named Goman they were answered she had no more enimies to gaine-say her which he testified with an hundred knights of his owne kinred All the people being there ready to receiue their Queen Briolania and do her homage as beseemed faithfull Subiects Here-upon Amadis and Agraies conducted the new Queene to the PalaSpan◠Royall where they were presently vnarmed and Chirurgeons commanded to attend their wounds in meane while Briolania was confirmed in the regiment by a generall oath of the Subiects taken to their Soueraigne with such ioy as ne-uer was the like in Sobradisa But because the two knights were very sore wounded and their hurts found to be somewhat dangerous all sports and pastims accustomed at such solemnity were referred til the time of their recouery which to compasse the sooner their lodgings were appointed in seuerall chambers that none might trouble them with tedious talking lest a continuall feuer should come vpon them Notwithstanding Briolania as one not ingratefull for the good she receiued by them would not depart from them eyther day or night but onely at the time of repast so that by her kinde and diligent attendance the danger of their sicknesse was expelled the sooner See here the true and certaine history for what is said more concerning the loue of Amadis this Princesse hath been inuented and falsely faigned according as I haue said before therefore we will cease seeing here it goes no further vntill the contrary may apparantly be knowne as in the History following is declared CHAP. XLIIII How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damosels at the Fountaine of Oliues GAlaor and Florestan being at the Castle of Corisanda as you haue heard they soiourned there til their wounds were healed afterward they concluded on their departure to seek Amadis in the realme of Sobradisa desiring they might come thither before the beginning of the cōbat to haue part of the perill in fight and glory in conquest But when Florestan should take leaue of his Lady her griefe and teares vnspeakable able to mooue ruth in a heart of flint although Florestan assured her of his speedy returne Notwithstanding all these mones forward they set to the Realme of Sobradisa Florestan crauing a boon of his brother by the way to wit that he would not combate on the way for any thing which might happen vntill he were able to hold out no longer With much a doe he obtained his request so rode they on foure dayes together not meeting with any aduenture worthy the rehearsall but toward Sun setting they met a knight hard by a Tower who intreated them earnestly to lodge there that night which gentle offer they accepted and entring with the knight they conferred on many matters till supper was ready The knight was of comely stature well spoken but his countenance was so sad melancholly as Galaor began thus to question with him Me thinkes Sir you are not so merry as you should be but if wee may any way help your pensiuenesse tell vs and you shall finde vs willing to performe it I beleeue assuredly quoth their host that like good knights you would doe as you say but my sadnesse is caused through extream loue a matter not to be reuealed and therefore the rather to be pardoned So sate they downe to supper which beeing ended Galaor and his brother were condcted to their chamber where they reposed themselues till the next morning when mounting on horse-backe their host would accompany them a little on the way and calling for his Iennet but putting on no Armour hee rideth with them this did hee to see what should happen to them because in the way hee guided them he hoped to see some proofe of their manhood when if they were vanquished or slaine he might the more easily escape from them Not farre had they trauelled but they came to a place called the fountaine of Oliues because in the midst of the water grew three high Oliue trees Heereby they espyed three beautifull Damosels and a Dwarffe sitting aloft in one of the trees whereupon Florestan saluted them very curteously as one not to learne his behauior toward Ladies then one of the Damosels requiting his salutation sayd Sir knight if heauen haue endued you with as great bounty as comely perfection no doubt but you are sufficiently enriched Faire Damosell answered Florestan if my outward appearance doth please you my inward vertue you may try if you haue any need You speake so kindely quoth she that I will presently make proofe of your valour to see if you can carry mee hence from this place In sooth Lady replyed Florestan if of your selfe you be willing to goe I know no reason to the contrary why you should not Herewith he commanded the squire to set her on a palfray which was tied ready furnished at one of the oliue trees but whē the dwarfe behelde it hee cryed out aloude Come forth sir knight come forth for here is one will carry away your friend Presently came out of a valley a knight brauely prauncing well
astonished that hee thought his dayes to bee ended wherefore desiring to bee reuenged hee gaue him such another great blowe with the bill that hee cut off his eare with halfe of his face with the which he yeelded vp the ghost During all this combate the Princesse Leonor and all her company were dâ—…ly praying for the good successe of the Faire Forlorne who seeing that he was dispatched of Basigaâ—t turned vnto Famâ—ngomad who had behelde the death of his sonne for whome hee made so great moâ—e that he was likely to haue gone mad And although that hee was likewise at the point of death yet notwithstanding hee had throwne his helmet from his head holding both his hands before his wound to keepe in his blood that thereby he might prolong his life the more to blaspheme God and his saints not being sorry for his death as he said but because that he had not in his life time destroyed al the churches wherein he had neuer entred And he cryed as loud as he could Ah thou God of the christians it is thâ—n alone that hast wrought the meanes that both I and my sonne who were mighty inough to ouer-throwe one hundred of the best knights in the world are slaine by the hand of a most wretched and feeble villaine And as hee would haue proceeded in his his blasphemy the Faire Forlorne stroke off his head from his shoulders saying Receiue thy reward for all thy crâ—elties which thou hast committed against a number of people And spurning him vpon the belly with his foote hee said Now get thee vnto all the Deuils who haue long expected thy comming Then he tooke vp Basigant his Helmet and threw downe his owne which was broken Enil in like sort brought vnto him Famongomad his horse vpon the which he mounted and came both to vnbinde the prisoners and to doe his duty vnto the Princesse Leonâ—r who gaue him great thankes for his good helpe In like sort so did all the rest of the company Now had the Giants tyed all their horses at the tayle of the Cart wherefore the faire Forlorne went to seeke out the Princesse her Palfrey the which he brought and mounted her vpon the same commanding all the rest to take euery one their owne horse and to get them to London and to carrie vnto king Lisuart the bodies of the two Giants and Basigant his horse which will serue him well in the battaile against king Cildadan But the Knights answered him sir who shall wee say hath done this good for vs you shall tell the king said he that it is a strange knight who is called the faire Forlorne and you may both declare vnto him at large the cause of the combat that I had with the Giants as also the great desire that I haue to doe his Maiesty all the seruice I may whether it be against king Cildadan or any other herewithall they layed both the bodies in the Cart but they were so great that their legs trayled along vpon the ground more then sixfoore and taking leaue of the faire Forlorne they went towardes London praising God and the good knight that preferued them from death But by the way Leonor and the yong Gentlewomen that were with her forgeting their passed perill made them garlands of flours which they set vpon their heads in entring into the Citty theÌ„ the people wondring to see the Giants followed the Cart euen vnto the castle to vnderstand who had done such vallant deedeâ— of armes The â—ing did already know that his daughter was arriued and how shee brought with her two dead Giants whereford he went downe into the Court with the Queen and many knights Ladies and Gentlewomen with them to see what the matter was the which the Princesse Leonor recited vnto him together with all that you haue already heard whereat euery one wondred And euen as shee had ended her discourse in came Don Quedragant who yeelded him prisoner into the kings hands as being sent thither by the faire Forlorne the which increased in all the assistants farther desire to know him that larely had done so many knightly deeds And the king said in good faith I doe greatly meruaile what he may be but is there none of you that doe know him And it was answered him no saying that Corisanda Lady and friend to Don Florestan had found in the poore Rock as heretofore she had declared vnto many a sick knight that was named the faire Forlorne I would said the king that he were in this company beleeue mee that he should not depart from vs for any thing that hee would demand of me CHAP. XIIII How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his adututure hee went 〈◊〉 the Fountaine of the three Chanels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom bee remained eight daies together and at the same time there arriurd in the Court of King Lisuart as ancient Gentleman bringing with him two lewels of singular vertur whereby the faithfull louer from the fayned might be tried the which Amadis and Oriana determined to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neyther be knowne of the king nor any other AFter that the Princesse Leouor and her trayne had taken their leaue of the Faire Forlorne he returned towards the Gentlewomen whom hee had found hard by the fountaine who hauing seene the victory which hee had atchieued had already forsaken the bushes came to meete him Then he commanded Euil to get him to London vnto Gandalin and that during his abode there he should cause such another armor as that of his owne was to be made for him because they were all to broken and battered with the blowes that he had receiued in the former combats moteouer that he should not faile to returne vnto the fountaine of the three chanels vpon the eight day following Thus Enil departed from him and on the other side the Faire Forlorne hauing taken his leaue of the GentlewomeÌ„ rode through the Forrest and they tooke their right way to Mireflure where being arriued they declared to Oriana and Mabila the dangerous combat and glorious victory that was performed in their presence by a knight called the Faire Forlorne When Oriana knew for truth that he was so neere vnto her castle ioy and extreame pleasure accompanied with a most feruent desire entred into her immagination in such sort that vntil she had him in her armes she ne-uer lost fight of the high way that led from the Forrest by the which he was to come By this time was the Faire Forlorne alighted from his horse hard by a little Riuer staying vntill it were night for he would not be seene by any at his entring into Mireflure Then 〈◊〉 put off his Helmet and laide him downe vpon the grasse and there-withall hee began to thinke vpon the instabilitie of Fortune and vpon the miserable despaire wherein not long before he remained when with his
shal lay vpon me for in him only remaineth the disposition of things to come for which cause my good friend I assure you that I will bee present in this battaile for because I would be partaker of all the good honor or hurt that may happen vnto those which shall accōpany me Greatly did Galaor like of the kings magnanimous determinations and answered him beleeue me it is not for nothing that your Maiesty is estemed the most vertuous and valiantest Prince of the world and if all kings could as well represse the counsell of those who disswade them from their haughtie enterprises none durst be once so bold as to say any thing vnto them but that which should bee for their honour and glory but now your Maiesty may bee pleased to see what Vrganda hath written vnto me Herewithall he began to reade his Letter wherein was contained this which ensueth Vnto you Don Galaor of Gaule most valiant and hardie Knight I Vrganda the Vnknowne doe send all hearty salutations as she who both loueth and esteemeth you I will that you should vnderstand that which must happen vnto you in this cruell battell betweene the two kings Lisuart and Cildadan If you be there be you sure that in the end thereof your large and strong members shall want power to assist your inuincible heart at the departure from the Combat your head shall bee in his power who with the three blowes that he shall strike shall remaine conqueror In faith said the king if the contents of the Letter be true and that you bee in this conflict you see your death prepared which should bee a great losse considering your valiant beginning in deeds of armes therefore I shall so order the matter as at this time you shall be excused from thence It may please your Maiesty answered Galaor I now do very wel perceiue that the counsell which euen now I deliuered vnto you hath displeased your Maiesty when seeing mee sound and able of body you would perswade me to a matter so greatly to my dishonour God forbid that I should herein obey you Gentle friend said the king you speake both vertuously and valiantly for the which I thanke you and for this time let vs leaue off this talke and my aduice is that none do see our Letters for it may bee they may cause some feare astonishment euen in the hearts of those that doe thinke themselues to bee most hardy and valiant By this time they were come so neere vnto the Citty that they entred vnder the gate thereof as the king looked behinde he beheld two knights armed at all points whose horses were ouer-trauelled weary and their armour all to broken in such sort that it was very easy to be perceiued that they had been at some bickering One was Brunco de Bon'Mer and the other Branfil his brother who came of purpose vnto king Lisuart to be of the number of those hundred knights which should bee in the battaile if it pleased him to accept of them But by the way Brunco had beene aduertised how the aduenture of the Sword was atchieued where-with he was meruailous displeased that he came no sooner because hee would haue tried his fortune therein as he had done vnder the Arch of loyall louers the which he had passed and for the firm and constant loue that he did beare vnto Melicia sister vnto Amadis hee did verily beleeue that no such like aduenture might escape him these two knights being come neer did their dutie vnto the king who receiued the very courteously Then said Brunco it may please your Maiesty we haue beene aduertised of a battell which you haue agreed to be executed by a few knights so much the rather ought they to be selected and chosen men For this cause if it would please your highnesse to doe vs this honor that we might be of the same number your Maiesty may bee assured that wee would bee very desirous to serue you The King who had many times beene aduertised of the prowesse of these twaine especially of the valour of Don Brunco who for a yong knight was as much esteemed as any other that might be found accepted of them very willingly and thanked them for their good will Now did not Brunco as yet know Galaor but at the same instant they entred into such acquaintance and familiarity together that vntill the Battell was finished they parted not asunder And as the king entred into his lodging Enil came before him with the head of Lindoraq which did hang by the hayre at the paitrill of his horse and he had in his hand the shield and fingers of Arcalaus the Enchanter by meanes whereof before he was come neer the Palace a great number of people did follow him to know what newes he did bring Afterwards being come into the kinges presence hee declared vnto him the message that the faire Forlorne had sent by him wherewith he was no lesse glad then amased at so many good and blessed chanses that euery day happened and proceeded from this strange knight and hee remained a great while praising extolling him without ceasing In like sort Filipinel who had been to giue defiance vnto the Giants at the same instant approched he recited the names and sirnames of those which were appointed to be in the battell of king Cildadan amongst whom there were found many strong Giants and other knights of great worth who were all embarked already and how before that foure dayes were past they would all take landing in the bay of Vega where the battell was to be foughten then hee told the king how he had found at the burning Lake which stands in the Isle of Mongasa king Arban of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux prisoners vnto Grumadaca wise vnto Famongomad who caused them to suffer infinit miseries and calamities whipping them euery day most cruelly so that their bodies were wounded all ouer and they wrote a letter vnto the king which Filipinel deliuered vnto him the tenure whereof ensueth Vnto the most high and mighty Prince Lisuart king of great Brittaine and to all our Friends and Allies within his Dominions We Arban once king of North wales and Angriotta d'Estrauaux now detained in dolorous prison doe let you know that our misfortune more cruell then death it selfe hath brought vs into the power of the most pittilesse Grumadaca wife to Famongomad who in reuenge of the death of her Husband and Sonne doth daily cause vs to bee tortured with so many and strange torments that it is impossible to bee imagined so as euery houre wee desire the abridging of our daies that thereby we might bee released of our dolors But this mischieuous womā the more to lengthen our paine deferreth our death as much as she may the which with our owne hands we had effected but that the feare of the losse of our soules withheld vs. And for as much as we are at this
Lisuart and if I take not the head of Amadii from off his shoulders in lesse time then the best fooreman in the world may haue run halfe a league I am content said he vnto Madasima not to deserue your loue so long as I liue But shee hearing him speake so rashly held her peace and although she greately desired to be reuenged of him for the death of her Father and brother whom Amadis had slaine yet did she so extreamely abhorre Arden that shee a great deale rather wished his death then his life because hee pretended to marry her For she was exceeding faire and he a deformed villaine and voide of all humanity and this combat was not practised by her meanes but by the perswasion of her Mother who had sent for him for the defence of her Countrie vpon this condition that if he reuenged the death of her husband and sonne she would giue it vnto him and her daughter Madasima in marriage for hee was so feared and had in such reputation that shee thought she could not bestow her daughter better And to let you know his manners and perfections hee was descended from the race of giants borne in a Prouince called Canila the which was in a manner wholly inhabited by such kinde of people notwithstanding hee was somewhat lesse of body then they but not in strength his shoulders were narrow his necke and brest vnreasonable thicke his hands and thighes large his legs long and crooked his eyes holow flat nosed like an Ape his nostrels wide and lothsome his lips great his haire red and thicke bristelled in that sort as very hardly might it be curled To conclude he was so beset with freckles and blacke spots that his face seemed as though it had been of sundry sorts of flesh hee was of the age of thirty yeeres or thereabout bold and expert in armes furious spitefull and as vncourteous as might bee And yet since hee was twenty and fiue yeeres of age he neuer fought with any Giant or other knight eyther a foote a horseback or at wrestling that was able to resist him whom he did easily not ouercome such was the beauty fashion and gentle behauiour of Arden Canila When the iniurious Damosell heard Ardan make such large promises vnto Madasima perceiued that shee made no account thereof she tooke vpon her to speake in her behalfe me thinks my Lord that you should thinks the victory very sure on your side seeing that Fortune is so faauourable vnto you and so contrary vnto your enemy as you may well perceiue in that shee hath caused him to lose the best part of his armes And this shee said in respect of the sword which she had stolne By my Gods said Ardan I am more glad of his displeasure for the want thereof then for any good that I hope to receiue thereby for although Amadis had the force of three such as hee is yet were hee not able to withstand the strength of my arme accustomed to came his betters The next morning very early hee departed accompanied with Madasima and and the rest which should be deliuered vp as hostages according to the promise that the Damosell had made vnto king Lisuart before the Combat was agreed vpon and Canila did assuredly hope that he should easily obtaine the victory By meanes whereof hee departed with great ioy saying vnto those that were with him Amadis is famoused for one of the best knights in the world neuerthelesse I will haue his head if he dare enter into the lists against me and by that meanes my glory shal be the more increased in the ouercomming of him my Lady shall rest well reuenged and I remaine her husband and louer And because he would know before hee entred into the court whether Amadis had repented him or not hee sent the iniurious Damosell before to aduertise the King of their comming and in the meane season hee caused his tents to be set vp somewhat neere the Cittie where King Lisuart did remaine But you must know that incontinently after the Damosell was departed from Amadis his lodging Enil told him thereof therefore because he would prouide all things necessary for his enterprise hee withdrew him vnto his chamber accompanied with some of his most priuat friends and in like sort there came at that instant vnto him Florestan Agrates Galuanes without land and Guillan the pensiue who were altogether ignorant of the enterprise of this new combate But when they were aduertised thereof thinking that it should haue beene performed with a greater number of knights ther was not any of thē who were not displeased with Amadis in that he had not chosē thē to assist him therein especially Guillan who greatly desired to proue his man-hood against Ardā Canila for h ehad heard that he was esteemed for one of the strongest Knights in all the West And as he was about to reprou Amadis in forgetting him Florestā preuēted him saying vnto his brother So God helpe me my Lord I now doe very wel perceiue the little loue and the small account that you doe make of me in that you would not send for me to be with you in this combate In faith answered Agraies if hee had thought mee any thing worth he would not haue left mee behinde and what of me said Galuanes My Lords answered Amadis I beseech you all to holde mee excused and not to bee displeased with mee assuring you that if it had beene in my choyse to haue elected a companion to assist mee in this encounter seeing the great prowesse wherewith you are all endued I could not tell which of you to chuse But Ardan desired to fight with mee alone for the hate hee beareth vnto mee and the loue he hath to Madasima and seeing that hee hath so required it I neither could nor ought to refuse it without shewing my selfe to be a recreant and a coward nor I could not make any other answere then that which was agreeable to his demand And when he should haue comprised any more Knights with him where doe you thinke I would haue sought for aid and succour but with you beeing my friends seeing you know how my strength is redoubled when we are together In this sortdid Amadis excuse himselfe praying thē all to beare him company the next day to go meete Madasima both to receiue her shew her as much honor as they might deuise Wherunto they all agreed so that the day following knowing that she was neere at hand Amadis accompanied with eight of the best knights in King Lisuarts Court mounted on Horse-backe in very good order But they had not long ridden when they did behold her a farre off comming with Ardan Canila who did lead her she was apparrelled all in black mourning as yet for the death of her father whō Amadis had slain This sad apparrell did so much grace her that although of her selfe without any other helpe she was esteemed one of the fairest
that might be seen yet was her beauty much more encreased by this mourning weede with the which the liuely whitenesse of her face was the more manifested by the grace which this blacke colour added thereunto and her two cheeks seemed like two white roses beautified with a naturall rednesse so as euen then those which had conceiued a mortall hate against her for the mischiefe which she procured vnto Amadis were now forced to loue her Behinde her marched the twelue gentlewomen apparrelled with the like attire After them came the old giant and his son followed with nine knights which all came as pledges Great was the entertainement that Amadis shewed vnto her and the rest of her traine and shee in like sort saluted them most courteously Then Amadis approching more neere said vnto her I promise you Madame that if you bee accounted faire and of good behauiour it is not without great cause seeing that I am now my self an eye witnesse of the truth thereof and truly that man ought to thinke himselfe happy whose seruice it shal please you to like of assuring you that I am willing to do you any pleasure and ready to obey your commandements when Ardan Canila heard him speake so courteously although hee was smally fauoured by Madasima hee was ouercome with iealousie and answered Amadis knight stand back and speake not so priuately vnto her whom you know not Sir said Amadis the cause of my comming hither is not onely to be acquainted with her but also to offer vnto her my person and my goods You are no doubt answered he some good fellow and worthy to be by her greatly imployed neuerthelesse faire sir get you gone from her otherwise I will make you know that it is not for so base a companion as you to vse so great familiarity with a woman of so high worth as she is Whatsoeuer I am answered Amadis yet do I desire to serue her notwithstanding your threats for although I am not of that worth as I would be yet shall nor the affection that I beare vnto her bee abated by thy malapert boldnesse But sir you that are so lusty who would make me know my duty depart from her for whom willingly I would employ my best meanes tell mee what you are Ardan Canila exceeding angry beholding Amadis with a sterne and scornefull countenance answered him I am Ardan who am better able to increase her welfare and honour in one day then thou canst with the best meanes thou hast doe her seruice in all thy life It may very well be said Amadis notwithstanding I know that this whereof thou vantest shall neuer by thee bee executed so indiscreete and spightfull art thou And because that thou greatly desirest to know whether I am a sufficient man or nor know thou that my name is Amadis of Gaule against whom thou desirest to fight and if this Lady be displeased with ought that I haue said vnto her I wil make her such amends therefore as shee shall please to command at my hands By my Gods answered Ardan Canila if thou tarriest the combat the satisfactiō which she shall take shall be thy head That would displease me meruailously said Amadis but I will giue her a head that shall bee more welcom to her if she please breaking the marriage of you two being so far vnfit one for another for she is faire wise and of courteous behauiour thou deformed foolish churlish Hereat Madasima the Gentlewomen began all to laugh Ardan to be extreamely angry that to behold his countenance and the rage wherein hee was one might easily haue iudged the little good that hee wished to Amadis vnto whom hee answered not one word more yet he ceased not grumbling and gnashing his teeth vntill hee came before the king Then very indiscreetely he began to say King Lisuart behold here the knights that must now enter into your prison according to the promise which yesterday a gentlewoman made vnto you in my behalfe Wherefore if Amadis dare be so bold to do as he hath boasted I am here ready to breake his head What will you doe answered Amadis Thinkest thou my heart so weake or my right so small that I cannot abate the pride of a man so audacious as Ardan is I assure thee that although I had not vndertaken it yet would I combat thee onely to hinder the marriage betweene thee and Madasima And therefore deferre not to deliuer vp these hostages which thou doest brag off for I verily hope to reuenge the good and valiant King Arban Angriotta for the great wrong they haue receiued during their imprisōment I haue brought them along with me said Ardan knowing that you would demand them but I am in good hope to restore them againe into the power of the faire Madasima and to giue her therewithall the mold of thy cap to testifie that it becommeth not such a gallant as thou art to vse mee with such proude and spightfull tearmes and that in the executing therof she may receiue the greater pleasure it may please your king to appoint that she may be set in a place hard at hand to the end that she may both plainely see the reuenge that I shall take of thee and also the cruell death wherewith thou shalt die At the same instant the pledges were brought and the faire Madasima together with her twelue Gentle-women came to doe their humble duties vnto the Queene and by her fide was the old Giant his two sons and the nine knights who all fell vpon their knees before the King At the same time euery one did attentiuely beholde the faire Madasima who shewed such an humble countenance that she was greatly esteemed yet could not Oriana cast one good looke vpon her thinking that shee of her owne will did procure the ruine of Amadis for the which none was more sorrowfull then shee But Mabila who was in like sort neerely touched with the matter put her in hope that God would ayde him and that her Cosin might at easily ouerthrow and vanquish Ardan Canila as hee did the prowde Dardan and many other knights both valiant and stout The pledges then being receiued as the custom was both the knights retired each of them to the place appointed for them staying vntill the time that they should enter into the field the which the king had commanded to bee closed in with pales Then Gandalin went to seek his masters Armour And as hee would haue taken it downe he perceiued that some one had stoln his good sword forth of the scabberd which had almost made him die for anger seeing the fault that hee had done vnto Amadis towardes whom he ranne and as one beside himself he cryed My Lord I haue so much so grieuously offended you that you haue great reason to kill me forthwith Why answered Amadis art thou foolish or mad My Lord said Gandalin it had beene better for you that I had died ten
then any of your owne motion Brian Brian saide the King I am well assured that if you had beleeued your father you would neither haue departed from my seruice as you haue done neither would you in this sort haue helde argument against mee The argument which I do hold against your Maiestie said Brian is not for any il will or that I would not performe any dutifull seruice for your grace for I know well that in time you will acknowledge that which I say true And where your Maiestie doth tell me that if I had beleeued my father I would not haue forsaken you sauing thereuerence of your Maiestie I did ne-uer forsake you for I neuer did belong vnto you but I onely came into your house to seeke my cosin Amadis who so long as hee was yours so long had I a desire to serue you and neuer did I whilst I there remained offend you Well well answered the King wee will debate of this another time more at large Which said he bad them good night and departed for it was already somewhat late Heeretofore you haue heard how the King had the day before after dinner taken vp Gandandel and Broquadan who beeing very heauie did consult a great while how they might with honour finish theyt wicked enterprise for the next morning the twelue Knights of the Firme-Island met the King at Church who after seruice was ended called Broquadan and Gandandel vnto whom he said You haue of long time counsailed me to put Madasima and her Damosels to death beeing our prisoners and that in their behalfe I should heare no iustification whatsoeuer Therefore you must now make answere vnto that which these 12 Knights will maintaine Then Imosell of Burgoine stepped forth saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie I and my fellowes are come into your Court to beseech you most humble that you would extend your iustice and mercy to Madasima and her Damosels Whereupon Gandandel stepped forth and answered My Lord Imosel you request that iustice should bee extended to Madasima and so farre as I perceiue you twelue wil maintaine that they ought to be heard in their iustifications but by the faith that I owe vnto the King if he consent thereunto he doth amisse considering vnder what condition they are entred into his prison Beleeue me Gandandel said Imosel had you held your peace you had done but your duty for the king hath not yet commanded you to speak also because you know that by the custome of great Brittaine no woman ought to suffer death except it bee in two cases the one for Leze maiestie the other for treason But there is not any in this company who knoweth not how these poore women were brought into the king his hands more by compulsion then their owne consent Therefore we beseech your Maiesty and you my Lords all to consider of the matter for reason and pittie are most fit to be vsed therein You are to blame answered Gandandel to request a thing so vnreasonable and seeing it hath pleased the king to heare vs both let him order the matter as to his maiesty shall seem most conuenient Then the king caused euery one to depart called some of the most principall of the realme vnto him and amongst others his Vncle the Earle Argamont an auncient most vertuous Prince vnto whom he said Good Vncle I pray you and all the rest also to counsell me vpon this controuersie But there was not any that would speake their opinion before they had heard the king Seeing it is so sayde the king you shal presently know mine opinion It seemeth vnto me Imosel of Burgondie hath both reasonable and wisely spoken and that the Damosels ought to be heard what they they can say in their own defence Truely if it like your Maiesty sayd the old Earle you speak like a vertuous king and it is not possible to giue a righter iudgement of which opinion they were all Wherefore he commanded Gandandel Broquadan to bee sent for and in the presence of the knights of the Firme-Island hee gaue the same sentence for the which they humbly thanked his maiesty beseeching him that Madastma her women might be set at liberty For we hope said they to haue them acquited either by reason or arms It is well saide answered the king who sent for the Damosels to come vnto him and afterward said vnto them Looke vp Ladies behold these Gentlemen which will defend your right will you be cōtent to put your quarrell and aduenture your liues vpō their force Alas if it like your Maiesty answered Madasima seeing it pleaseth them to affoord vs this good wee doe put our liues into their hands and your good mercy Trust mee Madame saide Imosel If there bee any heere which will gainesay that you are not deliuered and set at liberty behold me ready to proue the contrarie if there be twelue together of the like opinion wee are twelue likewise that wil hazard our liues for yours Therewithall the king did cast his eyes vpon Gādandel and Broquadan and he perceiued that they hanged downe their heads looking vpon the ground so much amased that they were not able to answer one word wherefore the king saide vnto the knights of the Isle My Lords I pray you to withdraw your selues for this day and to morrow you shall haue answere of those with whom you are to deale Where-upon they all departed and presently after the king called apart Broquadan Gandandel vnto whō he said come hither you knowe that many times you haue solicited me to put these poore Damosels to death perswading mee that it was iust and reason so to doe and that if need were you your sons would maintain this counsaile vnto the death You haue heard what Imosel and his fellowes haue saide vnto mee which I doe thinke to be good right wherefore it is time that you determine what to do For by the faith that I owe vnto God I will not permit that any other of my knights shall fight with them if you look not vnto it you shall bee answerable for all and the Damosels deliuered If it please your Maiesty answered they to morrow we will be ready to maintain what-soeuer we haue saide And for that time they departed to their lodging greatly troubled for that which they were to do Neuerthelesse seeing that now there was no remedy they determined to perseuer in their daurned opinion by argument of words onely without putting themselues or their children in danger knowing assuredly that they were not able to resist any of those that were come from the Firme-Island But it happened out so well for them as the very same night newes came vnto the King that Grumedaca the olde Giantesse was dead and that a little before her death shee had yeelded vp her strong places into the hands of the kings people beseeching him to haue pitty vpon her daughter Madasima Whereupon the
were displeased with this sight yet all the rest of the Court there present tooke pleasure to behold it for the loue which they did beare vnto Amadis his friends And more gladder yet were they when they saw them brought to the extreamity of their vnhappy end For scant had the King turned his head froÌ„ the window but that Angriotta did hit Corian so forcible a blow that hee quite cut off all his right shoulder with the extreame griefe whereof giuing a signe of his death he fell downe kissing the ground with his nose after whom Tarin staied not long before he did as much Thus were the sons of these traitors slaine for the which Madasima Oriana and many others did greatly reioyce Then Angriotta his Nephewes tooke the bodies of the vanquished and dragged them forth of the fields afterwards they demaunded of the Iudges if they had performed as much as was requisite who answered that they had Whereupon they both retyred in great triumph accompanied with their friends they came vnto the tents of their fellowes coÌ„ducting with them Madasima and her women because they knew assuredly that King Lisuart was very angry for the good fortune which had hapned vnto theÌ„ so much hurt did he wish vnto Amadis notwithstaÌ„ding that he wel perceiued how his affairs prospered very badly euer since he had driuen him away the FreÌ„ch knights of his coÌ„pany The end of the Second Booke A Table of the Chapters contained in this Second Booke CHAPTER 1. THe description of the Firme-Island Who made the inchantments and placed those great riches which were found in the same Fol. 1. Chap. 2. How Amadis Galaor Florestan and Agraies hauing taken leaue of the faire Briolania to returne vnto King Lisuart were carried into the Firme-Island to prooue the arch of Loyall louers and the other aduentures in the same Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How Durin departed to goe towards Amadis vnto whom he deliuered the Letters from Oriana and what hurt hapned thereby F. 14. Chap. 4. How Gandalin and Durin followed the same way that Amadis had taken brought the rest of his armour which hee had left behinde then found him sleeping and how he fought against a Knight whoÌ„ hee did ouer come Fol. 18. Chap. 5. Who was the Knight vanquished by Amadis and what happened vnto him before he fought with him Fol. 23. Chap. 6. How Don Galaor Florestan and Agraies vndertooke the search of Amadis who hauing left his armour changed his name and withdrew himselfe to an Hermitage in the company of a very olde Hermite There to liue solitary F. 27. Chap. 7. How Durin returned vnto the Princesse Oriana vnto whom hee declared the sorrowfull newes of Amadis and of the great sorrow which she made after she vnderstood of his dispaire Fol. 35. Chap. 8. How Don Guillan the Pensiue did bring vnto the Court of King Lisuart the shield armour and sword of Amadis which hee had found lying by the fountaine of the plaine field Fol. 39. Chap. 9. How the Faire Forlorne beeing in the Rocke with the Hermite there arriued a ship in the which was Corisanda who sought for her friend Florestan and of that which happened vnto them Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentlewoman of Denmarke going in search of Amanis after long trauaile coasting along many strange Islands by chance she arriued in the poore Rocke where Amadis was who was called the Faire Forlorne whom shew knew how they returned together towards Oriana Fol. 53. Chap. 11. How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadis of whom they could heare no tydings at all whereupon they al returned vnto the Court of King Lisuart Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How King Lisuart being set at the Table there came before him a strange Knight armed at all points who defied him The conference that Florestan had with him and how Oriana was comforted with the good news that she receiued from Amadis Fol. 71. Chap. 13. How the Faire Forlorne sent Enil his Esquire vnto London to cause a new armour to be made for him what aduenture chanced vnto him in going to Mireâ—â—eur Fol. 78. Chap. 14. How that after the Faire Forlorne had ended his aduenture he went vnto the fountaine of the three Channels from thence he tooke his way to Mirefleur where he found Oriana with whom he remained eight dayes together and at the same time there arriued in the Court of King Lisuart an auncient Gentleman bringing with him two Iewels of singular vertue whereby the faithfull louer from the fained might be tryed the which Amadis Oriana determine to make proofe of in such secret manner that they would neither be knowne of the King nor any other Fol. 90. Chap. 15. How the Damosell of Denmarke was sent vnto London to know what answer Enil had receiued from the King touching the safe conduct which was demanded by the Faire Forlorne who did afterwards bring Oriana thither to proue the strange Iewels Fol. 99. Chap. 16. How after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana backe againe to Mirefluer he departed that he might be in the battell with King Lisuart and what happened vnto him Fol. 110. Chap. 17. How King Cildadan and Galaor were vnawares to them-selues carried away by twelue Damosels and one of them was put into a strong Tower enuironed with the Sea and the other in a Garden enclosed with high walles where they thought they had beene in prison of that which happened there vnto them Fol. 120. Chap. 18 How the euening ensuing the King being risen from the Table walking about the galleries of his Pallace he beheld two great fires vpon the Sea that came directly towards the Citie Fol. 130. Chap. 19. How after the departure of Vrganda the King beeing readie to mount on horsebacke to execute the enterprise which he had determined to make vpon the burning Lake there came before him a Damsel Gyantesse to vnderstand whether his Maiesty would bee pleased to referre the quarrell that hee pretended in his voyage vpon the combate betwixt Ardan Canila and Amadis of Gaule with such conditions as shall be declared vnto you Fol. 137. Chap. 20. How Bruneo de bonne Mer did fight with Madamine the ambitious brother to the Damosel iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause he and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court Fol. 151. Chap. 21. How Amadis with many others his confederates 〈◊〉 the seruice of King Lisuart and went as well to proue the aduentures of the Arch of loyall louers as also of the forbidden chamber Fol. 163. Chap. 22. How Oriana remained in great perplexitie not onely for the departure of Amadis but also because she felt herselfe great with childe and of that which happened to the twelue Knights that were departed from the Firme-Island to deliuer Madasima and her Damosels Fol. 173. FINIS
Prince by whom thâ—… night you shall receiue such pleasure You say true answered Elisena but what thinke you not that fortune is as fauourable to me as to him for if I be faire is not he one of the most perfect men that hath beene heard of either in personage good grace or hardines assure thy selfe Darioletta my friend that I imagine my selfe so happy as I thinke it is impossible for me to be more therfore let vs make hast I praye thee These words she vttered with such affection that she trembled like the little leafe on the high tree and as she ended those speeches they arriued at the Chamber doore where King Perion was lodged who for the strangnes of this new amorous flame as also the hope he had in Darioletta had not as yet taken any rest Neuerthelesse beeing as then wearye with trauaile ouercome with sleepe began euen as they opened the doore to slumber and dreamed that one entred his chamber at a false dore without knowledge who it should be but he thought that he thrust his hands into his sides and rent forth his hart afterward he saw him throw it into the Riuer when the king saide Wherfore commitye such cruelty This is nothing at all answered hee that did this ourtage for with you shall remaine another hart which I must take from ye against my wil. In great feare he suddenly awaked making the signe of the Crosse commended himselfe to God Now had the Ladyes opened the dore entred the Chamber wherfore he hering the noyse suspected some treasoâ— especially by reason of his feareful dreame lifting vp his head beheld thorow the curtans the dore open wherof he knew nothing and afterward by the light of the Moone he saw the shadowe of the Ladyes that were entred For this cause in feare he started out of bed tooke his Sword and went to the place where he had seene them but when Darioletta saw him so affrighted she spake to him in this manner What shal be done here Do you draw armes against vs that come to you with so slender defence the king who quickly knew them especially Elisena whom hee so much desired threw his Sword to the ground and casting a mantle about him which lay neere at hand in great affection hee came to her whom he loued better then him-selfe kissing embracing shewing the best countenance could be deuised which Darioletta seeing as one iealous and enuious of such fauour said to Elisena Now are you somewhat better contented for in my iudgement although till this time you defended your selfe from many And he likewise hath withstood sundry assaultes notwith-standing at this present neither the one or other of you hath force or meane which way any longer to warrant or defend your selues As thus she spake she looked where the king had throwen his Sword which she took vp as a witnesse of the oath and promise he 〈◊〉 her concerning the future mariage of Elisena and himselfe then shutting the dore after her she went into the Garden and so the king remained alone with his faire freind whom after many amourous embracings infinite kissings and execution of delights he behelde verily perswading himselfe that all the beauty of the world was in her reputing himselfe much more then happy that the heauens had allowed him so good an aduenture See now how it chaunced to this Princesse that for so long time in the cheefest flower of her youth beeing requested by so many mighty Princes and great Lordes she had withstood all to remaine in the liberty of a Maiden now won in lesse space then one day and at such time as her fancie in her one thinking was farthest off from such matters Thus Loue breaking the strong bandes of her holye and chast life caused a sudden alteration of her purpose making her soone after of a faire virgen a faire woman seruing for example to many other who assaying to withdraw their thoughtes from worldly things despising the great beauty wherwith nature hath endowed them tender youth which maketh them ignorant of the plesures delights in their Fathers Courts whereof sometime they might haue tasted yeelde themselues for saluation of their soules in poore and religious houses thereto in offering their free will vowing themselues to the subiectioÌ„ of others hoping to passe their time without any renowne or glory of this world Certes such Ladyes ought with great sollicitude to stop their eares close their eyes and giue themselues to continuall deuoute contemplatioÌ„s prayers accepting them as their true and singular pastimes as to such they are and aboue all they should exempt themselues from sight of Parents neighbours and freinds because oftentimes the talk and frequenting of such procureth a change of their holy chast will and not without cause haue I made this little discourse for it is to the end that it happen not to them as it did vnto the faire Princesse Elisena who so long labored in thought to preserue her selfe yet notwith-standing in one only moment seeing the beauty and good grace of King Perion changed her will in such sorte as without the aduise discretioÌ„ of Darioletta who would couer the honor of hir Mistresse vnder the mantle of mariage you may see she was at the poynt to fal into the very lowest parte of all dishonor As it hath happened to many other of whom hath commonly beene heard speech who not keeping them selues from what I haue saide before haue beene taken bad enough and taken will be if they admit no better foresight Now then are these two louers in their solace Elisena demanding of the king if his departure should be shortly or no. Wherfore Madame do you aske said king Perion Because quoth she this happy fortune that with so great delight hath giuen ease to our affectionate desires doth threaten me already with extreame anguish sorrow which by your absence I shall receiue and feare it will rather cause my sudden death then long life Haue no doubt thereof saide the king for although my body is seperated from your presence my hare for euer shal remain with ye which shall giue strength to vs both to you to suffer and to me by my speedye returne These two contented louers are thus deuising when she that had bin the cause of their meeting seeing it was time to call her mistresse who by this pleasure forgot her selfe in her louers armes entred the Chamber speaking somewhat loude saide Madme I know that heretofore you thought my company more agreeable then you doe at this present but it is needfull that you arise and let vs goe for the time calleth vs. When the King heard her knowing that perforce it must be so he prayed Darioletta to walke into the Garden and to bring him word in what corner the winde sat in meane while he tooke his amourous conge with such reciprocall pleasure as you that loue may easily iudge then sweetly
she This shal be to serue vs saide the Damosell when we haue need Beleeue me answerd Elisena weeping but little doe I care for any thing that may happen for I feele my selfe too neere the losse of my good and all my ioy Very soone after the Princesse felt the anguish of traualle which was to her very strange troublesome oppressing her hart with sundry bitter passiōs yet notwithstanding al her yrksome plunges poore soule she durst not but be silent greatly fearing least she should be heard Her agonies thus redoubling the most mighty with-out danger of her person gaue her in deliuerance a faire Son which the Damosell receiued and as she held it it seemed to her of wonderfull feature and happy would she haue reputed him had he not bene borne to hard fortune where-to Darioletta was constrained to send him for the redemption of the sorrowfull mother and therefore she deferred it not But euen as before was concluded she wrapped the infant in riche clothes and after-ward brought it with the Cofer to Elisena which when the good Lady sawe she demanded what she would do therewith Madame quoth she herein shall your little Sonne be put then will I send it forth on the water and if it please God he may escape and liue Alas my sweete infant saide Elisena how full of danger is thy destiny In meane while Darioletta tooke inke and parchment and writ therein these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King by these words without time she meant that she thought his death to be neere at hand and the name of Amadis was of great reuerence in that Country because of a Saint there so ca◅ to whom this little infant was recōmended The letter beeing written and sealed was couered and wrapped in silke then with a little golden Chaine fastened about the Childes necke with the Ring that King Perion sent Elisena at his departure Each thing thus appointed Darioletta came to the wofull mother and in her sight put the Childe into the Chest laying by him the King his Fathers Sword which he threw on the ground the first night he came to Elisena and this is the cause wherefore the Damosell had so well kept it then after the Mother had kist her Sonne as her last farewell the Cofer was made fast very arteficially and Darioletta opening the iron dore commending the babe to the heauenly protection she set it on the water the course whereof beeing very speedy full soone caried the Cofer into the Sea which was lesse then halfe a mile from the place Now began the breake of day to appeare and the little infant followed his fortune now throwne heere then there according as the boystrous waues pleased but by the will of the highest who when he pleaseth makes impossibilities easie caused it so to fall out that at the same time as this was done a Scottishe Ship sayled on the Sea wherein was a Gentleman named Gandales who from little Brittaine sailed with his wife into Scotland she hauing beene lately deliuered of a sonne called Gandalin The morning was both calme cleere wherefore Gandales might easilye perceiue the Chest floting on the waues which he presently sent out for thinking it to be some matter of great value then the Mariners casting forth a Skiffe made toward the Cofer and tooke vp when they had brought it to Gandales he got open the couer and beholding the goodly infant within as also the rich clothes wherein it was wrapped he suspected that it came from no meane place as he gathered by the ring the good Sword So taking it in his armes he was filled with such compassion as he began to cursse the mother thereof who through feare had forsaken so cruelly such a beautifull creature and carefully did he cause al things to be kept which he found in the Cofer desiring his wife that this infant might be nourished as his owne Sonne She was heerewith very wel contented and so the two children were equally fostered together for neuer had yong Amadis suckt the teat but so soone as it was giuen him by his new nursse he made no refusall thereof but being very thirstie sucked very hartily whereat Gandales and his wife were exceeding glad Now had they the time so fauourable as shortly they landed in Scotland neere to a Citie named Antallia and soone after they came to their owne Country where little Gandalin and the Childe found in the sea were nourished together And because Gandales forbad his seruāts to vse any speech of his good hap requesting the like of the Mariners to whom the ship belonged and were to saile els where the two children were esteemed bretheren by such as were ignorant of their fortune CHAP. III. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauelled on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griefe and melancholie KIng Perion being on his way toward Gaule as already hath beene recited entred into a marueilous melancholy as well for the greefe wherein he had left his Elisena to whom in his hart he wished well as also for his doubtfull dreame being in such sorte as you haue heard So long rode he in this heauines till he ariued in his country and soone after he sent for all his great Lords as also the Prelates of his Realme giuing them expresse charge to bring with them the most learned Clarks in their Countryes and this he did to the end they might expound his dreame When his vassailes had made knowne his will not only those he sent for but many other came to the court shewing the desire they had to see him their readines to obey his command for they did so loue and reuerence him as oftentimes being fearefull to loose him they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow thinking on the dangerous perils that in chiualry to win honor he hazarded himselfe so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them which could not be because his hart was discontented til by armes he had brought the greatest aduentures to end The Lordes and Princes thus assembled the King conferred with them on the estate and affairs of the Realme but it was with so sad countenance as could be for the occasion of his dreame made him so pensiue as his Subiectes being abashed thereat were in meruailous doubtes notwithstanding after he had giuen them to vnderstand his will and appointed all requisite matters in order he gaue them leaue to departe sending each one home to his house only staying with him three Astrologers reputed the most skilfull in those actions and therefore he made choise of them These men he called into his chappell there causing them solemnely to sweare promise that with-out feare of any thing how dangerous soeuer it were they should interprete to their vttermost and truely expresse what he would declare to them whereupon he told them his dream as hath bin already before rehearsed then one of them being named
haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man herein shall I greatly fault and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But seeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye know what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise said to me at the time you came first into this country yet spake she to me so darkely as I neuer knew well how to comprehend her words for she said That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should hold their gouernment in Gaule and their hearts in great Brittaine and from thence they should go to deuoure the beastes of other Countryes but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these words I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification hereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the king hauing commended the holy man to God returned to his tents where he saluted his Queene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his mind was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracings the king by an apt meane recouÌ„ted to her what his Astrologers had said on his dreame earnestly desiring her to tel him whether she had any Child by him or no. When the good Lady heard this she was surprised with shame in such sorte as willingly she could haue wished her selfe dead and therefore altogether denied the truth so that at this time the king might not know what he desired On the morrow they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queen was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath bene heretofore rehearsed the king bare hersinguler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realme then he was wont to doe so that not long after the Queene brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia Bâ—…e little Galaor being two yeeâ—… and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the king his father soiourning not farre from the sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a window toward the Garden where was then the Queene with her son Ladies sporting there entred at a postern dore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge mighty Mace When the company of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whom he tooke in his armes and in a laughter said By my faith the Damosell said true So without any thing else taking away the Child returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowfull Queene who saw her son caryed away Forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but when she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguish she was for her Sonne in crying said Ah helpe me mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she tooke it to see him caried away 〈…〉 she loued as her owne life â—…s extreame dollour she 〈…〉 her other Sonne throwne into the sea wherefore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who saw all this in the pâ—…ce where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Son at last came to the Queene finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the most grieuous mone in the world regreeting this new losse by whom she before hoped to vnderstand of the first and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that beheld her All this while the king laboured to perswade her whereby at last she reobtained the reason that before was absent whereupon the king said Madame we must thank God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidently see hath happened the effect of my dreame whereof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Henceforth therefore feare not to declare what is become of the first for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these words the mournefull mother forgetting none of the fault committed told him the mis-fortune of her first borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it throw feare of death according as was the law of the Country In good faith Madame answered the king well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therefore I pray ye take their desteny so secretly as you may for I trust in God that seeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to afforde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that we shall heare good tidings of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the young Prince was of the Country of Leonois Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherein he had two strong places He was not a bloudy man as many other were but of a gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doe great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the wind as he arriued in his country which he had caused to be peopled with Christians there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whom he went saying Father take this child and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a knight for I assure ye he is the son of a king and a Queene Ah said the Hermet why haue you doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who most vnhappily killed my father as you know and at this present forcibly holds from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me being thus embatqued to exccute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who said Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be done by the son to king Perion of Gaul who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demanded by her faith whether she told me true or no. That shlat thou see quoth she
deseruing toward you that I account my selfe vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should thinke I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to cōmand me What said shee haue you so base a mind such smal estimatiō of your selfe Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replied the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the king your father left you in this Country if you remember and when the Queene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours onely I reputed my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes said Oriana you tooke her words to better end then at that time she meant them which I take in good part and am content it shall be so No sooner had she thus said but the Prince was ouercome with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew thereof but said she would goe to the queene to doe what he had desired and returned soone after telling him that her griefe was for the Queene of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would go succor her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death said he for without your gracious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these words Oriana smiled saying Seeing then you are mine I grant you to be my Knight and you shall aide the Queenes sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thanks telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose hands so pleased you to intreate it I would more willingly receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that said she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner grant it So presently she went to her and told what she and the Gentleman of the sea had concluded to attaine his Knight-hood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistance in the sute Mabila who loued the Prince very well thus answered I assure ye sister there shal be no want in me for so well doth the Gentleman deserue as would make one do much more then this for him wherefore let him be ready this night in the Queens Chappell then when time shall serue we will go with our women to accompany him and I will send for the King mine Vncle which shall be somewhat before the breake of day that he may come see me and he being come to vs you and I will moue him in the matter which I hope he will grant vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherefore they sent for the Prince and tolde him al the platforme they had laid who humbly thanking them wold prouide all things ready for him-selfe and therefore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine armour so closely as you can into the Queenes Chappell because I hope this night to receiue mine order and for I must right soone depart hence I would know if you haue any will to beare me company Beleeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I depart from ye Of these words was the Prince so glad that the teares stood in his eyes with ioy Well said he prouide all things ready as I told ye wherein Gandalin failed not for ere supper he tooke such order as all was done vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretly into the Chappell where he armed himselfe except the head hands So staying there for the Ladies King Perion he fel on his knees before the Alter desiring God to be his aide not onely in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortal passiōs The night being come the Queen with-drawne the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their womē came to the chappel where the Gentlemā of the sea attended Mabila hauing sent for K. Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My L. seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hither I pray you grant Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be loath saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thanke him whom whē he beheld so faire he thought all the world could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame doth it please you to command me any thing Not cōmand my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of knight-hood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altar When the king saw him he wondred at his goodly stature and said to him My friend would you receiue the order of Knight-hood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it done said the King who giue you grace so well to proceede therein as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spur and dubbing him with his Sword thus spake Now haue ye the Order appertaining to a Knight but I would oppertunity had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor notwith-standing according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renowne shall supply what wanteth here in performance Afterward King Perion took leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him then set on his way toward Gaule cōmending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimony of these louers sweete desires If it seeme to the Reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answer that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which thinke themselues most expert in those pleasing and amorous actions haue beene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not only he depriued them of speech but of iudgment also it is necessary for such persons to vse greater words
came to the chiefest of the sixe from whom right-soone he caught his hatchet and gaue him such a stroke therewith as he fell to the ground All the other together presently set vpon him but one of thē he sliced to the very teeth and soone after another bare him company with the losse of his arme When the three that were left saw their companions so handled they tooke themselues to flight and the Prince followed them so neere as one of them left his legge behinde him the other twaine he let go returning where he left the Damosel to whom he said Now boldly go on and like euill fortune may they haue that encourage any villany to lay forsible hand on Lady or Damosell She being assured by these words went on with the Prince and his Squires but ere they had gone any thing far they heard a great noyse tumult within the Castell Me thinkes Sir said the Damosel I heare a meruailous murmuring within this Fortresse therefore I would aduise ye to take the rest of your armour Goe on quoth the Prince and feare not for where Ladies are euill entreated who ought euery where to goe in safety there hardly abideth any man of valew In sooth said she if you doe not what I haue desired I will not passe any further and so much shee perswaded him that at length he laced on his Helmet afterward he went into the Castell at the entrance whereof he met a squire weeping who said Ah God why will they murder without cause the best knight in the world aias they wold inforce him to promise what is impossible for him to accomplish These words 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 helpe of ten armed Halberders had round beset him saying sweare if not thou diest Greatly did it grieue the Prince to see such out-rage offered to King Perion wherefore he thus called to them Traiterous villaines what moues you to misuse the best Knight in the world by heauen you shall all die for him At these words one of the Knights left the King and taking fiue Halberders with him came to the Prince saying It likewise behoueth you to sweare if not you can escape no better then an other What quoth he shal 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 wherefore the Prince now saw he must stand vpon his defence whereupon hee ran fiercely against the Knight charging him in such sorte as he fell downe dead ouer the crupper of his Horse for in the fall he brake his necke Which the Prince beholding not tarring any longer with the Halberders came to the other knight that combated with K. Perion piercing his Launce quite through his body so that he accompanied the first in fortune King Perion seeing himselfe thus succoured so cheered vp his hart as he did much better then before against his enemies causing them by sharpe strokes of his Sword to retire in meane while the Gentle-man of the sea being on Horsebaeke ranne among them and scattered them tumbling one downe heere and another there so that at length by the aid 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 whereat they were so affrighted as they cast themselues downe headlong frō the wals only two got them into a Chamber where they thought to remaine in safetie notwithstanding he pursued them so neer as he buckled pel mel with them But within the Chamber on a bed lay an ancient knight whose vnweldy age had taken from him the vse of his legges to them that came in he vsed these speeches Cowardly villaines frō whom run ye so shamefully From a knight answered one of them who hath plaide the Diuell 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 himselfe in such perill shewed him the old knight lying on the bed but when the Prince saw him so old 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 heere Well dooth thine age excuse thee from bearing Armes yet shall I giue thee thy desert belonging to such a villaine With these words he made offer to smite off his head Wherefore the affrighted olde man cried Alas my Lord for Gods sake mercy None at all quoth the Prince thou art dead if thou swearest not to me that while thou liuest such like treason shall be no more maintained in this place whereto the olde knight right gladly tooke his oath Now tell mee saide the Prince wherefore hast thou heeretofore kept this custome heere For the loue of King Abies of Ireland answered the Knight who is mine Nephew and because I cannot aid him with my person in his warre I was desirous to succour him with such Knights errand as pasfed this way False villaine answered the Prince what haue Knights errand to do 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 Diuels he left him and comming downe into the Court tooke a Horse which was one of the slaine Knights and bringing it to the King said Mount your selfe my Lord for it little likes me to stay any longer here where such bad people haue their habitation The king presently went to Horse bake 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 neere my death warranting me also hereafter frō the enimies of this place shewing your selfe a good friend to Ladies and knights errand As for me I am the same man against whom they kept this straight passage importing the cruell oath for which you combated My Lord answered the Prince I am a knight desirous to do you any seruice Beleeue me quoth the king that haue I already well perceiued for hardly should I haue found so good a friend to helpe me yet will I not giue ouer till I know ye Alas my Lord said he that will little profit ye Notwithstanding quoth the King I pray ye take off your Helmet which he would not do but put downe his Beuer a little Whē the king saw that his intreatie would not preuaile he desired the Damosell to obtaine so much for him whereto she condiscended tooke the Prince
mary Sir replied the Prince he is now become more patient for hee hath endured the losse of his head When the Knight heard of Galpans death he presently alighted froâ—… his Horse and ran to kisse the Princes feete but he would not suffer him yet could he not hold him from embracing his Sheeld saying Ah Gentle Knight how highly am I indebted to you you are to this place the most wellcome man in the world for by your meanes haue I thorowly recouered mine honor Leaue wee this talke said the Prince say where I may quickly finde some remedy for my wounds In my house answered the knight abideth a Neece of mine who shal heale your hurts better then any other So riding on they arriued at the castle 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 and a halfe compelling him to change his name and sweare to call himselfe while he liued the conquered by Galpan but now quoth he seeing he is dead mine honor is restored me againe Afterwarde he caused the Prince to be vnarmed and laid in a sumptuous bed where his wounds were dilligently attended by the Lady who assur him in short time to make him well againe if he would be aduised by her councell which he promised faithfully to do CHAP. VIII How the third day after the Gentleman of the sea departed from king Languines the three Knights came to the Court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife ON the third day after the Prince lest the Court of King Languines where hee receiued the order of Knight-hood the three Knights came thither with their wounded brother and his trothlesse wife of whom the discourse hath beene 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 new Knights behalfe to deale with her as he should thinke conuenient Greatly did the King 〈◊〉 at the womans disloyaltie not imagining such wickednâ—â— could haue â—…boured in her notwithstanding herthanked the Knight that had sent them to his Courte yet could he not guesse who it was for he nor any body else knew that the Gentlman of the sea was Knighted but the Princesse Oriana and the Ladies which accompanied her in the Chappell Full soone was hee aduertised of his absence from the Courte but he thought hee was gone to visite his father Candales theÌ„ the King turning to the knight in the Litter said Me thinkes that a woman so vnfaithful as your wife hath beene deserueth not to liue My Lord quoth the Knight doe therein as it shal like your maistey as for me I will neuer consent that the thing I most loue should die This said the Knights tooke their leaue of the King carying backe againe with the their brother in the Litter leauing their sister to receiue iustice by the Kings appoint meÌ„t who after their departure called for her said WomaÌ„ thy malice hath bene too great in respect of thy husbands kindnes but thou shalt be made an example to all other that they heereafter offend not in the like and so he commanded her to be burned aliue The execution being doone the King was in greater pensiuenesse then before because he knew not who the new knight should be that parting so suddenly from his Court but the Squire standing by which lodged the Gentleman of the sea afterward conducted him to the Castell where he deliuered King Perion from death began to imagine that it was his guest wherefore he said to the King It may be my Lord a yong Knight with whom the Damosell of Denmarke and my selfe were certaine daies and then we left him when wee came thither Knowest thou his name quoth the King No my Lord quoth the Squire but hee is both yong and very beautyfull beside I saw him do such rare deeds of Chiualrie in so little time as in mine opinion if I liue he will proue one of the best Knights in the world Then discoursed he at large euery action as also how hee deliuered King Perion in the time of great danger When the King had noted well his taile his desire to know him increased now more and more My Lord quoth the Squire the Damosell that came hether with me happily can tel ye more tydings of him for it was my chance to meet them together Of what Damosell speakest thou said the King Of her answered the Squire that lately came from great Brittaine to Madame Oriana Presently was she sent for and hee demanded what the Knight was of whom there went such reporte Whereupon she declared so much as she knew cheefely the occasion wherefore she rode with him and in what manner the Launce was giuen him by Vrganda as to the onely Knight in the world but in sooth quoth shee I know not his name for neuer could I learne it of him Ah God said the King how may it be Now was Oriana voyde of all doubting for shee well knew it was her Gentleman of the sea but shee was so grieued with the news which the Damosell of Denmarke had brought her as shee well knew not whom she might coÌ„plaine to for the king her father sent her word how she should prepare her self in readinesse to come to him so soon as his Ambassadours should bee sent for her into Scotland But much more willingly could she affoord to stay in that Country then there whether she should now goe against her mind not onely in respect of her gentle vsage there but because she imagined by being far thence she should be further from him that had the prime of her affection beside she might there hardly afterward heare any newes of him but continuing in Scotland she could easily 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 Knights 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 with his Sonne Agraies who now stood vpon departing toward Gaule to succour the king his Vncâ—…le there entred a Domosell 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 assembly I deliuer a message of importance to ye then taking the Helmet from her Squire she thus proceeded 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 iudgment it better belongeth to beare Armes then any other and the cause why hee sends it you is for that Galpans vilainously abused a Damosell that came to you on vrgent affaires What quoth the King is Galpan ouercome by the hand
iniury they may carry me into my Country and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councel for my ouer burdened Soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thee who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiance of so gentle a Knight as thou art but withall my hart pardon thee my death wishing thou mayest continue honotable and yet hereafter to remember me When the Prince saw him in such debilitie he was exceeding sorowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combate he would haue dealth much worse with him During these speeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commanded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was gâ—for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to the Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the fielde into the Citie euen with such triumphant glory as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not onely ouercome their enemies but restore the Country that is well neere ruinated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combate the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at king Perions Courte and-before shee would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward seeing him returne with so honorable a victory she shewed her selfe and taking him aside said Knight may it please you to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie neere concerneye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and keeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is onely yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall finde your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whom only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosel said hauing taken the Letter he â—et it fall being readie himselfe to â—eare it companie which the Damosell seeing shee tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that beheld him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former Traunce thus speaking What now my Lord Take you the Message in so ill part that comes from the onely Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to find you Ah Ladie quoth he on my faith I knew not what you sayd to me for euen as you began to speak I felt the paine to renewe in mee which heretofore you haue seene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is needlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer from me for I know more of your affayres and my Ladies then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you neede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittaine appointing all things in such order as at your arriual you may remaine there in the Court vntill more a mply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainly knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then shee thinkes you will be and seeing being ignorant of your Linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your Nobilitie you should labour to increase your Fame if you can And then againe shee gaue him the Letter saying Take here the Letter wherein your Name is written and which you had hanging about your necke at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast beene kept by her who hath my heart in her custodie and for whom I haue so often assayed to die yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I seeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender value is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauor the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deaths which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefite O highest God when shall I see the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agreeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his Name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir when I had done my Message to returne with all speed to her that sent me to you therefore be-thinke your selfe if you will command me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with mee two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct you whither you please In obeying you sayd the Damosell I trust I doe seruice to my Ladie Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him him at the entrance of the Citie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the streetes Then came the Queene with her Ladyes Gentle-women to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrkesom to behold yet were they to bee healed without any great daunger of his person For this night the king desired that he and Agraies would supp with him but the Prince making his excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosel to whom he did all the honour that could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good Newes shee brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euety one but most with her whom he caused to stay attending his dispositioÌ„ till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a strange occasion which was cause of his longer abode in Gaule then hee expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you hereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by
euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowne to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode backe the same way she came and the King into the Citie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to keepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honour and happie comming there were Knightly Tourneys daily vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Gyant had carryed away his brother Galaor wherefore hee determined happen what might to goe seeke him and if possible hee could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he entreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemies that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittaine because he was loath to remaine idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Queen yet by opportunitie hee obtained permission for his Voyage nor could they all haue power to with hold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Herevpon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarqing himselfe at the neerest Port of the Sea where by good happe he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittaine landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient City of that Countrey where hee heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obey sance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demanded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marry is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any shipping there for my speedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither sayd Amadis In sooth replyed the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whom King Perion not long since had knowne to bee his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruaile hereat for hee thought these newes had not been so farre spread abroad wherefore hee demaunded how she heard thereof I know it qouth she from her to whom the most secret things of all are manifest for she knew Amadis before he knew himselfe or that his Father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what shee is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowne She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which shee now standeth in feare to loose Beleeue me Damosell answered Amadis seeing she who may command euery one doth now please to employ Amadis I assure ye it is needlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seek and therefore let vs goe whither you thinke conuenient What sayd the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct yee where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII How the Gyant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dubbe him Knight mette with his brother Amadis by whose hand hee would bee Knighted and no other THe Gyant of whom sundry times we haue spoken heereto-fore causing yong Galaor to bee instructed in managing horses all other exercises beseeming a Knight found him so capeable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeere hee was growne meruailous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whom hee most willingly would receiue his order of Knight-hood Notwith-standing before the Gyant mooued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this maner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would bee so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my son answerd the Gyant you haue reasō for your words yet tell me by whō you would receiue your Order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if so it like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Wel haue you aduised sayd the Gyant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire and strong Castle named Bradoid seated on the toppe of a mountaine enuironed about with Fennes and Marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the Marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long Causey being so broad that two Chariots might well meet together on it and at the entrance of the Causey was a draw-bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Heere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly Elme trees where-under the Gyant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shield two Lyons rampant and because the bridge was drawne vp hee could passe no further but called with a loude voyce to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing sayd to the Gyant My Lord if it please you I would grady see what this Knight will doe here Soone after they espyed at the further end of the Causey by the Castle side two other Armed Knights accompanied with tenne Halberders who came and demaunded of the knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not sticke for that answered hee that would enter cause you the bridge to bee let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twaine more hasty then his companion aduanced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carreer against the knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both Horse and man to the ground The friend to the dismounted knight thinking to reuenge his iniury gaue forth to meete him and failing in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountered with their bodies as the knight of the Castle fell into the water
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 cowardize 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 trampled in such sort on him with his feet as he fell downe like one depriued of his sences Afterward taking him by the locks of his haire he beate him on the face with the pummell of his Sword saying Thou dyest Dardan if thou confesse not the Lady free When Dardan saw himselfe in such estate he replied Ah gentle Knight for Gods sake mercy kill me not I will acquit her Now approched the King and the other Lords to heare what hee said and while they stood conferring with him Amadis as yet ashamed of his fault committed drew backe through the throng and seeing hee had gotten behinde them all so couertly as he could he ran toward the Forrest leaning them al musing at Dardan who filled the empty arie with his complaints In meane while his beautifull friend came to him who in sted of giuing comfort for the â—oile he sustained through her began â—o deâ—est and despise him saying Dardan hereafter seeke thee some other friend then me for while I liue will I neither loue thee or any other then the good Knight who valiantly ouercame thee How now Lady quoth he is this the reward of my honor life aduentured for you you then are not the friend to Dardan but to fortune who is no sooner contrary to me but presently â—ou are mine enemy Hauâ— I then escaped death by the mercy of my foe to endure worsse then death by the cruelty of my friend Heauen suffereth me to liue and yet you repine at my infortunate life now shal I make knowâ—e â—o all women by your example that ingratitude is no lesse hurtfull to such as exercise it then to any one offended therewith Hereupon he tooke his sword and before it could bee imagined what he meant to do he smoâ—e her head quite from her shoulders then as a man transported with madnes staring euery where round about him declared by his angry countenance that high and not vulgare was the enterprise he imbraced in such an extreamity The King sent his archers to conuay him thence but ere they came to him he stroke himselfe so violently to the heart as the bloud spouted in the archers faces and then he cryed out â—aying Now friend art thou reuenged by my vengeance and thine enemy satisfied with the despised life thou leftst me So falling downe he deliuered the last signe of his death whereat each one was confounded with maruaile as well for the noâ—elty of the case as pitting the very last words he breathed but wheÌ„ they remembred his passed life wholly addicted to ouer-weening folly they repuâ—ed this vnfortunate end happened to him not so much by accident as the deuine ordenance which made them sorrow no more but couerted their thoughts to commend the conquerour CHAP. XV. How King Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitâ—… in rememberance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and kâ—owne AFâ—… the vnfortunate end of these ill aduised Louers the King in memory of this strange accident coÌ„manded that in the fielde where they lay dead should be erected a sumptious Sepulchre of blacke Marble stone fashioned like a Romaine Obelisque and thereon was engraâ—eâ— in the Britâ—aine language an Epitaph declaring the whole matter as it happened And when he had knowledge of the conquerour as hereafter the manner how is declared his name was placed thereon and foure great Lyons at the foure corners of the sepulchre importing the de uise which Amadis bare in his Shield But now the rumour being appeased and they teturned to the Pallace he called for the stranger that won the honor of the day but after long enquiry no one could certainly tell what was become of him albeit certaine comming froÌ„ the wood reported how they saw a Knight returne from the field thither-ward being alone and making great hast He that is worthy saide the King to beare him company may imagine himselfe happy enough for seeing he hath shewed himselfe so braue a combatant it is impossible but he should be a wise and vertuous Knight And for no lesse each one reputed him who vnderstood the imuries of Dardan vsed to him and saw how he requited them with gentlenes and courtesie albeit I make no doubt but he knew right well that if Dardan had got the 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 seeing the incomparible valour of him that fought against Dardan began to suspect that it was he for quoth she to the Damosell of Denmarke I am sure hee would not send me a fabulous message and this is the iust time he assured you of his coÌ„ming In good sooth Madame answered the Damosell you say very true which maks 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 horse But did you quoth Oriana take no regard of his Armes Yea mary did I replied 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 field and the like I told ye he bare in Gaule with two azured Lions rampant portrayed therein which being battered all in pieces he presently made him such another assuring me to weare no other when hee came into this country and therefore I will doubt no further but it is he Sweete friend said Oriana if it be he either he will shortly come or fend into the Towne therefore you must be watchfull diligent to heare thereof Madame quoth the Damosell reserre these matters to my charge This conference caused Oriana to remaine very pensiue and breathing forth many bitter sighs she saide Ah gratious heauens what fauour haue you done me if this be Amadis now shall I compasse thâ— meanes better then euer I coulâ—… to speake with him So attended the Princesse for tidings from her friend who returned as he promised to the Damosels Tent yet was it somewhat late ere he came thither finding them ready to sit downe to supper After he had vnarmed himselfe they told him the misfortune of Dardan and his friend as also the whole circumstance of their deaths hâ—… at he was very much abashed then falling to their cheer they begiled the time
intended Heere paused the Author on this matter to tell ye what happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne frō the waries in Gaules CHAP. XVII What were the adpenturs of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amadis had vanquished king Abies of Ireland and was knowne to his father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where he hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the sea side on a sudden hee had a Hart in chase which when he had some prittie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily deserne the raging bellowes of the sea Suddenly arose an exceeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violedce as if heauen and the neather religion would haue met together At length he espied a ship tossed in the tempest veterly destitute of any safety and which was worse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfertlesse night insuing wherewith he being moued to pittie commanded his Squires as a signall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the ship might chuse their best lāding place with-out perishing in the darke him-selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the helpe of God and dilligence of the mariners as the ship tooke safe harbour nere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly affrighted with the maruailous tempast thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most courteous Princes in the world seeing them so well landed and free from danger sent one of his Squires to will them come and refresh themselues in his pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was loth to be troublesome to them knowing they had now neede of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to see them keeping himselfe close in his chāber The Ladyes being seperated to their owne cōtentmēt the mariners made great fiers on the shoare to dry their garmēts and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then to remoue his affection from where it was setlaed priuily pried in to behold their countenances they being round set about a fiere reciting to each other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affectiō to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome therewith as being no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed forth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this cry especially Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commanded her women to open the dore which presently they did when Agraies told one of thē who he was that shee might secretly imparte the same to her mistresse the news whereof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commanded him to enter Then were embracings kissings freely entercoursed with al other gracious fauours so kind louers could deuise euen the very point wherein loue triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a maiden with like contentmēt as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there six dayes together beguiling the time with riciprocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her Damosels perceiued Meane while the sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calm which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whither the King her father had sent her to be nourished by the Queene Brisena Which being vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney hee gaue her assurāce that very shortly he would come to her as well to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to seeke his cosin Amadis in king Lisuarts Court according as hee made him promise wherewith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tary long frō her Thus courteously taking leaue of each other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in fewe dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his Court both by him the Queene Oriana and all the other Ladyes was the Princesse and her trayne graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her father as also in respect of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the sea shore giuing many a long look after the ship which caried away the iewell of his heart and hauing lost the fight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his father soiourned and his Vncle Galuanes Without land in whose company he intended shortly to visit King Lisuarts Court For there quoth hee to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King Christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderly follow Armes This Galuanes was of gentle heart and a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their horse armour ech one likewise a Squire attēding on him Hauing wind at wil in short time they landed at Bristow where they made no long aboad but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demāded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thither To see if I can finde the good Knight sayd shee who knoweth how to remedy a griefe I endure at this presēt You abuse your selfe Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demanded you shal finde no other Knight then the great Gyant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorow he wil quickly double it on your own head If you knew so much as I doe quoth the Damosell you would not imagine me to be abused because the Knight I aske for hath vanquished the Gyant and killed him in battaile hand to hand Beleeue me virgin replied Galu anes you tell vs matter of great maruaile in respect neuer any Knight dealt alone with a Giant vnlesse it was King Abies of Ireland who combated with one himselfe being armed and the Giant naked which was the cause of his death
of helping thee and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischiefes as a present perishing of soule and altogether But seeing thou wouldest so gladly know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Queene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting Arcalaus aduancing his Shield came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full well how to welcome him and such eager strokes past on either side as their shields were scattered in pieces about them likewise many plates of their Armour Now was it about the third houre wheÌ„ Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his bloud was forced to send vp and down before his enemy and seeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that part of the Castle where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuit still continued his feare whereupon he stept into a chamber at the dore whereof stood a Lady beholding the combate and he was no sooner entred the roome but he caught vp another swotd turning his face to Amadis saying Enter this chaÌ„ber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Aroâ—laus for thy pleasure What saide Amadis thinkest thou so slily to escape so placing his shield before he entred the chamber but as hee lifted vp his sword to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that hee fell to the ground as he had beene dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thee dye as I desired sleepe then till I wake thee How say you Lady quoth he to her that stoodby am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indeed saide she he is now altogether at your commandement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not feeling any thing was done to him afterward Arcalaus put on himselfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his body then hee intended to iourney to the court where each one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slaine him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prisoÌ„ made such mone as would haue melted a heart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenance was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus sawe the Lady lament he sayde Dame seeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardy Chamhion These wordes made Gandalin in such despare as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldely combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaÌ„ded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady seeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her griefe and withall Ah God quoth she how yrksome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcalaus calling his wife sayde So so oue as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will go to the Court of King Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenant that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fifteene daies following to publish his victory openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shal quarrel with me about his death and I shall obtain the greatest glory in the world hauing ouercome him that conquered euery one TheÌ„ went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commanding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indeede would not goe with him desiring some one to 〈◊〉 him and to enforce Arcalaus doe him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traitour villaine hauing slaine the most loyall knight in the world Arcalaus made no account of his words but beacause he would not goe willingly he dragged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungeon saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldest endure no more paine but heere thou shalt suffer worse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horse of Amadis and accoÌ„panied with three Squires rode toward the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. How Amadis was â—â—t baunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward escaped the enchantments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamentations for him as euery one pittied her shee thus speaking to the wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladies beholde yee not the beauty of this braue Gentle-man who in so young yeeres was the onely Knight in the world mis-hap attend on such who by enchantment in iurie men of vertue O soueraigne creator why doost thou suffet so bad minded people to liue The wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addieted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to beholde his dealings and continually praied for his amendmeÌ„t comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they saw two other Ladyes enter the chamber each one bringing in her hand good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stirre him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little casket she carried a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times another voyse answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voyces were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came another book flying into the chamber seeming as if the winde caryed it and seeming downe at her feete that 〈◊〉 she pulling it in foure parts burned he at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand said Lord Amadis arise you haue slept too long vneasily 〈◊〉 Immediately Amadis awaked and vising vp thus spake Alas where am I I maruaile that I am aliue Beleeue me Sir answered the Lady such a one as you are must not dye in this sorts rather wil the heauens 〈◊〉 that they who haue deserued it shall â—y by your hand Herewith the two strange Ladyes not saying any more returned the same way they came leauing Amadis much amazed at this aduenture and looking about for Arcalaus but he was aduertised by Grindaloya how he was gone to the court of King Lisuart clad in his Armour and mounted on his horse to reporte that he had staine him in combate Indeede I felt quoth Amadis when he vnarmed me but on my faith me thought I dreamed and seeing he is gone with my 〈◊〉 I will
but how could you possibly vnderstand thereof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when hee was enchanted mine Aunt Vrganda sent me to the Castle of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen shielde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many waies bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damosels the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing else wherein to coÌ„mand me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and wee wil returne from whence we came Fare well sweet Virgins replied Amadis remember my humble duty to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this manner rode the Damozels one way and Amadis another wherefore wee must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castle of Valderin CHAP. XXI How Arcalaus brought newes to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regreets especially the Princesse Oriana SVch speede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchanted hee being as I haue saide clad in his armor and mounted on his horse that the tenth day following hee arriued neer the court of king Lisuart who was riding abroade in the fields to take the aire accoÌ„panied with his Lords along the forrest side They seeing Arcalaus come a far off hauing on the armor of Amadis imagining it was hee indeede diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found theÌ„selues deceiued by reasoÌ„ Arcalaus had his head and hands vnarmed wherefore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these words Sir I come to acquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battaile that some-time bare these armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne prayse which were more honorable for me being reported by another in mine absence yet am I constrained to do no lesse seeing the couenant was betweene me him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should dispoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full loth was I to be so cruell because hee tolde mee hee was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so hee named himselfe whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in truth that I was Arcalaus whom fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this armour and horse which as a testimony of my victory I brought with mee Ah God sayde the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight in the world dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue to course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares both in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning himselfe likewise very sad and grieued but you must thinke he went not with-out great store of curses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and speedy death which with their Swordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him themselues but that they heard howe Amedis was slaine by an accorded battaile The King being ouercome with pensiuenesse and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Queene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures in to mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noyse she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Lady too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came weeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady bee too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the â—cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she sayde Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true madame answered the Damosell but what remedy you must not likewise dy for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought shee had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Helpe Madame my mistresse dyeth She being come saw that shee neither moued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indeed wherefore she commanded the Damosell to shut the dore to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not breake foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more libertie as also bathing her temples and pulses with vineger cold water she recouered againe when deliring a faint sigh with a feeble voise she thus spake Ah sweete friends hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God find him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole world who is repletâ— with griefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse maruailous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the world behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that rekoning thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining heere alone after thee can giue but wounding and vnthankfull speeches Ah cruell death sufficed it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered steele but thou must kill him out-right with thy curelesse stroke well in respect it is so offend not thy selfe my loue for thou shalt soone see reason proceede froÌ„ her that did thee wrong who beeing the cause will beare thee company in death And I may iustly challenge him of wrong seeing equall loue had vnited our willes to seperate our persons in this sorte where hauing affoorded our ending together wee likewise might haue inioyed one sepulchre After these words she swounded againe in Mabilaes armes and in such manner altered her countenance as they reputed her verily dead her faire and golden lockes being discheueled her armes and legges depriued of vitall motion euen as when the soule hath taken his flight from the body Mabila desparing of any life left in her was so surprised with griefe that shee was constrained to leaue the Damosell alone with the
to seeke other twaine because I meane to bring them with mee yea such as shall well defend the right of this Lady and reuenge the treason done the king her Father These words he spake in respect he hoped ere then to find his brother Galaor and intended to bring his Cozin Agraies with him by whose assistance he doubted not to finish the enterprize Right humbly the Ladies thanked him for his good will and because quoth they they whom you must deale withall are valiant rough expert in Arms as any the circle of the world enioyeth wee request your choice may be made of such Knights as shall be able to run through this worke Beleeue me Ladies answered Amadis if I had found one I am in search of I would not stand long studying for the third were our enemies Diuels and no Men. Tell vs then gentle Sir said the Lady if you please of what Countrey you are and where we may finde you in time of our need Madame quoth he I am of King Lisuarts Court Knight and seruant to his Queene Brisana By this time was supper ready and the tables couered wherefore they brake off talke and went into a very faire Hall where such good cheere and honour was made him as might be deuised euen vntill the houre of rest came The good night being giuen on all sides by the Damosell that let loose the Lyons hee was conducted to his chamber where she kepâ— him company aâ— indifferent while and among other speeches she vttâ—â—â—d this You haue her neere you my Lord who succoured you this day more then you imagine Wherein faire Lady answered Amadis My selfe quoth she by commandement of the young Princesse she pittying your perill and the wroâ—â— offered you was charged to let loose the Lions from their Deene I neuer saw replied Amadis 〈◊〉 more wise and discreete Lady of her yeares In sooth said the Damosel if she liue she shal be endued with two extremities the one in beauty and the other in wisedome I desire ye quoth Amadis to thanke her most humbly on my behalfe and how in acknowledging the good she did me henceforth I will remayne her Knight I am wel content my Lord answered the Damosell to carry her this message because I know it will bee most wel-come to her so bidding him good night she departed the chamber Now was Gandalin and the Dwarâ—â— lodged in the next roome where they heard what had passed betweene Amadis and the Damosell and because the Dwarsse knew nothing as yet of his Maisters loue to Oriana he imagined some new affection was kindled betweene the young Princesse and him in respect of the offer he made to bee her Knight And to such end did he retaine this opinion as wofull Amadis after-ward had smâ—ll joy thereof for hereby he thought to receiue a cruell death as in continuance of this History shall be declared The night being spent bright day appearing Amadis came to bid the Ladies farewell requesting to know their names against whom he should combat The Father quoth the Lady is named Abiseos his eldest sonne Darrison and the other Dramis all 3. most valiant Gentlemen atarms excelling al other in that countrey which like wise is commonly called Sabradisâ— consining on the Kingdome of Serolys Very well replied Amadis by Gods leaue we shall one day see what they can do When he was armed as he mounted on a lusty courser the ancient Lady had giuen him the young Princesse presented him a goodly Sword which sometime belonged to the King her Father saying Sir Knight I pray ye henceforth for my sake to weare this Sword so long as it will last and I shall prâ—y it may be helpefull to you in all your affaires I assure ye faire Ladie answered Amadis for your sake will I carefully keepe it and thaâ—ke you therefore with all my heare here of like wise ye may be perswaded that I remaine to obey you and shal aide you in all things concerning your estate and honour Well might it be discerned in the Lady how these humble thankes and his former offer pleased her not a little wherefore the Dwarffe who noted the gestures on eyther side softly said to her Madame you haue this day made no small conquest hauing so good a knight at your commandement CHAP. XXIII How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castle and of the matters which were occurrent to him by the way AMadis being gone from the Ladies Castle rode on with-out finding any aduenture till he entered the Forrest of Angaduze and the Dwarffe riding somewhat before saw a farre off a Knight and a Damosel coÌ„ming toward them When the Knight came right against the Dwarffe hee drew his sword to offer him outrage but he started aside so that the blow lighted on his shoulders wherewith he was in such feare as he fell downe from his horse crying out for help to his Maister who seeing when he smote him made hast for his defence thus speaking to the Knight What mooues you Sir to wrong my Dwarffe without cause now trust mee it is but simple man-hood to lay hand on such an excrement of nature as hath no defence of himselfe but being in my guard the presumtion is great I am sory sir answered the Knight to giue you any displeasure but I must needes take his head from his shoulders because it is my gift to this Damosel Sooner said Amadis shalt thou loose thine own So encouÌ„tred they together with such force as they were both cast beside their horseâ—… yet â—…y recouering themsâ—… they began a most sharpe and cruell combate with their Swords Now were they in greater danger of their persons then euer they had beene before for their Shields being 〈◊〉 in peeces their â—…ds coloured with their blood their Aâ—… broken their helmetâ— battered and them-selues so â—ore laboured as they were constrained to draw back a while to take breath when the knight that conducted be Damosell thus spake to Amadis My frend you may iudge the danger wherein we both may fall if longer we continue the Combat therefore I pray ye let mee haue my will on the Dwarffe and I will amend the offence afterward if it may bee tearmed an offence to you What said Amadis doe you thinke me of such slender stomacke as that I will suffer any thing of mine to bee wronged in my presence not so I must and will defend him to the vtter-most And I must needes haue his head answered the Knight By Heauen quoth Amadis one of ours shall first acquit him and that immediately Here with they charged each other againe with such wonderfull courage appearing in eyther as seuerall desire to gaine the honor of the combat made them shew extream violence one against another so that the best resolued of them both thought to die by aboundance of blood which issued from infinite wounds on his body especially the Damosels champion who thought he felt himselfe greatly impairing yet made he
somwhat noted yet imagined his Sister Mabila was the cause and that he was desirous to talke with her wherefore she thus spake to him My Lord Agraies will ye not see your sister whom you loue so deerly Yes Madam quoth he so it please you to giue me leaue Here-with he arose and came to Mabila who stepping forward to meet him you must think Oliuia was not one iote behinde her but welcoÌ„med him both with semblable reuerence But Oliuia louing him as you haue heard ouermastring her will with reason as a most wise well aduised Princesse gaue little in outward shew till after sundry amiable speeches passing betweene them three they had some leysure to stand a while asunder from all the rest Yet did Agraies keep neere his Mistresse taking her by the hand and playing with her fingers often sent her a sweete kisse in imagination so that by intire regarding her he was transported with such singuler delight as he neither heard or made any answere to his sister She being ignorant as yet of his disease knew not well what to thinke for notwithstanding all her courteous speeches his minde was otherwise busied then on her yet in the end she discouered the cause of this suddaine mutation perceiuing that Oliuia and her brother were surprized with each others loue Whereupon she thought it best to fauor them with more libery seigning a desire to speake with her Vnckle Galuanes which she prettily coloured in this manner Brother quoth she I pray ye intreate the Queene that my Vnckle may come hither because it is long time since I saw him and I haue somewhat to acquaint him with all secretly I hope to obtaine so much of her answered Agraies whereupon he went to the Queene thus spake Madam if you could spare mine vnckle a little you might doe his Neece a very great pleasure for she is desirous to talke with him And reason good said the Queene at which words Galuanes went with him which Mabila seeing she humbly met him making great reuerence when Galuanes vsing the like to her began in this manner Fayre Neece I am glad to see you in such good disposition but tell me I pray ye do you like Scotland or this Countrey better We shall confer quoth she more conueniently at the window because I haue many things to tell ye which were needelesse for my brother to vnderstand nor shall he they being of such importance as they are These words shee vttered smiling and with a marueilous good grace cheefely because her brother might court his friend alone And well said Neece answered Galuanes our secrets are so great as they must needes bee kept from him So taking her by the hand they went aside to one of the windowes by meanes whereof Agraies and Oliuia were left alone When the Prince perceiuing hee had liberty to speake trembling in aboundance of affection he began thus Madam to accomplish your commandement when you parted from mee as also to satisfie my heart which neuer enioyeth rest but in the gratious contentment conueyed thereto through mine eyes by your presence I am come hither to serue and obey you assuring you on my Faith that being neere your person my spirits seek themselues viuified in such sort as they suffer with great strength the anguishes of continuall affection which makes them dead in time of your absence Therefore I desire ye if it bee your pleasure to limit mee some better hap hereafter in place where I may often see and doe you seruice And as hee would haue proceeded further Oliuia interrupted him in this manner Alas my Lord I am so assured of the loue you beare me and also of the griefe you endure we being absent one from another as no other proofe is required then what mine owne heart doth plainely testifie smothering a displeasure worse then death it selfe whereto oftentimes I could very gladly submit my selfe did not a cheerefull hope rebacke this despaire how one day our loue shall meet together with happy contentation And perswade your selfe that I daily trauaile in remeÌ„brance of our mutuall loue meane while sweere friend remporize and dismay not Mistresse sayde Agraies you haue already so bouÌ„d me to you as I must in duty temporize till time you please but I desire yee to consider how I haue no forces but such as you must fortifie mee withall so that if you couâ—…y your graces to me as you haue begâ—… I shall haue strength to sorue according to your deserts While I liue my Lord quoth she neuer will I faile yee be you then so well aduised as euery one may loue and esteeme yet whereby I may striue to loue you more then any other can in respect you are none of theirs or your owne but mine onely And if it happen some to speake of you you must thinke I receiue incomprehensible ioy therein for it cannot bee without recital of your haughty courage chiualry yet my heart dreading the dangerous occurrences which may ensue by ouer bold venturing accompanieth the former pleasure with as great a paine Agraies abashed to heare himselfe so praised vayled his lookes and shee loath to offend him altred her speech demanding what hee was determined to doe On my faith Madam quoth he I wil do nothing but what you please to comand me I will then sayd Oliuia that hence-forth you keep company with your Cosen Amadis for I knowe hee loueth you intirely and if he counsell you to bee one of this â—ouâ—â— deny it not Beleeue me Madam answered Agrayes both you and such good counselling will I obey for setting your diuine selfe aside there is no man liuing whom I wil more credite with mine affaires then my honourable Cosen Amadis At these words the Queene called him and Galuanes likewise hauing hnowledge of him in her fathers kingdome of Denmark where hee performed many braue deedes of armes and likewise in Norway so that fame reported him a right good Knight They being with her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her auncient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Queene and setled himselfe to conferre with Orianaâ— who entertayned him maruailous kindely as well for Amadis sake whom hee loued as also the curtesie hee shewed her for Scotland when king Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse speaking to Agraies Cosen we haue daily desired your presence I heere 〈…〉 your sister who nor many dayes since was in great grief by 〈◊〉 newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truly you would haue wondered 〈…〉 Good reason had she Madam quoth Agraies to be sorrowful and nor she alone but all the rest of his â—â—â—age were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cosen dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of 〈…〉 yâ—â— the best 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 mour on his body and you must thinke his death
his sworde smote his head from his shoulders This is quoth hee the rewarde of thy treacheries done to Anthebon and payment for thy treason in the action of his death The daughter of Anthebon being present at this deede hauing heard Galaor often name her father fell on her knees before him with these words Alas my Lord you haue bouÌ„d me in such duty to you as neuer shall I be able to require your paines my selfe being of such simple and slender ability but the good will I haue to recompence this benefit hath imprinted daily prayers in my heart to God for you hauing so iustly reuenged the death of my father and the wrongfull forcing of this traytour Galaor curteously taking her vp embracing her in his armes thus answered On my faith faire friend hee were a man of little sence that would offer displeasure to such a one as you are seeing you much bettet deserue to be loued and serued then with griefe or fauour to bee offended but tell mee haue you any more enemies in this Castle No Sir replyed the Damosell those which remaine are to doe you honour and obeysance Let vs goe then quoth hee to let in two Damosels who were my guides hither from your Lady mother So taking him by the hand shee commanded the gate to bee opened the two Damosels entered leading Galaors horse but when they sawe their yong Mistresse they humbly made her reuerence demanding if her fathers death were reuenged to her desire Yea verily quoth shee I thanke God and this knight who hath done that many other could not doe It was now the vehement hot time of the day wherefore Galaor tooke off his helmet to refresh him selfe when the Lady seeing him so young and beautifull as also so valiant in deedes of armes began to bee touched with loue and setting aside both feare and bashfulnesse shee began to imbrace and kisse him saying My honorable Lord friend more cause haue I to loue you then any other creature liuing In good faith quoth he and I loue you likewise as well in respect of your beauty and good grace as also for your deceased fathers sake he and I being borne in one Countrie May if it please ye Sir sayde shee to tell mee your name Such as are acquainted with mee answered the Prince tearme mee Galaor In sooth my Lord quoth shee often haue I heard my father speake of Sir Amadis your brother and of you likewise saying you were the sons to the King of Gaul his liege Lord and Soueraigne At thus they deuised they entered alone into a chamber while the Damosels with the rest were pouiding viands wherefore Galaor seeing time and place so commodious to request the loue of her that vsed him so kindly shee being a Lady young fresh and faire named Brandueta himselfe likewise actiue and desirous of such sweete baytes thus spake Madame if Palingues loued you as I haue heard hee had great reason for it knowing you to bee such a one as I see you are for my selfe who haue so little acquaintance with you am already so deepe in deuotion to your gracious nature as I would repute my selfe happy if you granted me the fauour I desire accepting mee as your friend and seruant The Lady not one iot behinde him in amorous affection shaped him this answere I haue tolde yee my Lord that I loue you more then any other liuing creature therefore you may be certainely assured how my desire is to please you in all things whatsoeuer During these speeches Galaor still held his loue in his armes kissing and toying with her so pleasantly as Diana soone after lost her interest in the maiden whereto Brandueta yeelded with greater contentment then all her former resistances to Palingues from whom shee kept her virginity so long that shee was now content to bestow it on the French Prince and hee hauing a good stomacke to such dainty dyet made her loue him the better for it while she liued But see an vnhappy inconuenience after many â—mbracings and amorous conferences as they would once more haue besieged the Fortresse of loue the Damosels came to tell them that dinner was ready wherefore though loath they were forced to leaue off accompanying the Damosels to the place where the tables were couered which was vnder a Gallery inuironed with trees As they sate at the table and discoursed of many matters among other things Brandueta declared to him how Palingues standing in feare of him and his brother Amadis caused this Castle to be kept so strongly considering that her Father Anthebon was of Gaule and king Perions subiect the sooner would they assay to worke reuenge for his death For this reason quoth she hee allowed no other entrance then by the basket into this Castle where I haue liued in maruailous griefe and sorrowe as neuer shall I desire to tarry here longer therefore right gentle Lord and friend might it so like you without any longer stay I would gladly see my mother who will not bee a little glad of my returne and yours likewise Galaor was very well contented and though it were late yet got they to horse-backe departing from the Castle 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 family ioyfully receiuing them with all honourable meanes could bee deuised beside the comforted widow cast herselfe at his feete vsing these speeches Worthy Lord both I and mine are bound to you for euer referring to your disposition whatsoeuer wee enioy because you are the restorer confirmer of all I thank you Madame answered Galaor for your friendly offers but where no desert is the requitall must of force be farre more easie Now the greater part of the night beeing spent they brake off talke and bequeathed themselues to rest and Galaor being alone in his chamber remembred his louely breakefast before dinner with his new friend who likewise was so deepe in consideration thereof that shee could wish such another ere supper and whether she did or no iudge you For no sooner knew she euery one to bee in bedde but secretly shee came to Galaors chamber where shee had no churlish speeches to driue her away but most dainty sweete and gracious entertainement what else they did I know not but shee tarryed there till morning and then returned vnseene of any CHAP. XXVII How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosel met another Knight with whom he combated and what happened to him afterward YOu haue heard what hasle Amadis made after the Damosell whom the knight led away perforce beating and misusing her very cruelly but hee happened to meet with another Knight who demanded of him why he rid so fast What haue you to do answered Amadis whether it be my pleasure to ride fast or soft In good faith said the knight Ispeake it as one willing to helpe you if you be offered wrong by
contented So tooke shee leaue of him returning the same way shee came whereat 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 magnanimity as whatsoeuer happened hee would not be reprooued with cowardice and so dearely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deaths then to see him suffer any mishap or iniury Wherupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuerience to alter the promise hee had so lightly made shewing it was not beseeming his Maiesty to deale with faires of knights and Gentlemen he being placed in authoritie ouer them While they stood on these tâ—…mes there entred three knights two of them being very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour as all for hee was a man of ancient yeares as seemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull colour then commonly hath been noted in a man of age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This knight carryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demanding for the King the Gentle-men shewed where hee sate making him way to his Maiesty before whom hee fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is king Lisuart for within these few dayes hee hath made the most worthy 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 be performed but I would faine knowe your meaning heerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honour a matter wherein now a dayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Heerein you were tolde truth sayde the King and you may bee well assured that I will doe my vttermost to aduance 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 countrie to be ready at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you heere a thing with mee which such a king as you are ought most royally to receiue Then opening the Cofer hee took forth a Crowne of gold so sumâ—â—ously embelished with Orientall Pearles and pretious stones as neuer was seene a more costlier Iewell euery one being of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especially mighty Lord. When the king had long and earnestly beheld it he was very desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the knight perceiuing saide This Crowne my Lord 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 esteemed for the king that keepeth 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 saw it but if you like it so well I will make ye a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some danger to lose All this while was the Queene in place earnestly wishing that the king her husband might haue it where-upon she saide 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 demandeth Madame quoth the knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buy it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was seene for beside the precious stones wherewith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sorts of beasts and birds which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rate and eurious piece of worke not wrought as I thinke by humaine capacity You say true Madame replied the knight for the like hereof is not to bee found yet may not the riches compare with the property and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maried Ladies then any other because shee that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of cheef regard answered the Queen if it haue any such indeede I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grew she marueilous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betweene the king and her wherefore she sayde to the knight Say Sir how do you estimate this mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseech you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the hands of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of griefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedy while I liue and because I know not well the valew of these iewels I will 〈◊〉 them in your costody vntill the day you holde open Court at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demand In meane while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue sayd you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust me sayd the king seeing you repose such confidence in mee assure your selfe to haue whatsoeuer you request or else they shall bee restored againe It suffiseth quoth the knight the â—…ning to the Lords he thus proceeded Worthy Lords you haue all heard what the king hath promised me that he will restore the mantle the crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me whatsoeuer I shall demâ—d So much his Maiesty hath said replied the Lords we are witnesses thereof Adiew then answered the ancient Knight for perforce I must returne to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But here you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knights which conducted the old man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his helmet open and seemed a young man the other held downe his head as loth to bee knowne being of so tall and mighty stature at no Knight in the Kings Court might bee equalled with him So departed they againe all three together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kings custody CHAP. XXXI How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays being all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Court of King Lisuart where they were wel-commed with exceeding my because Galaor was neuer there
before nor knowne but by renowne of his famous Chiualry Beside echone reioyced to see Amadis who by the false report of Arâ—…s was thought to bedead and graciously did the King encertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming she vilanous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damofell that caused their Combat together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Queene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galâ—…er and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on hi I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgment remembring that when long absent louers meete lookes sighs and teares are familiarly entercoursed being the only meanes to content ech others heart Yet Amadis thought it not best to stand still thus musing lest euerie eye should grow cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he sell on his knee before the Queen saying Madam according to your charge at my departure from the Court I haue brought this Knight whom I present as onelie yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Maddam said the King you doe me wrong if you take them both Amadis alreadie is yours me thinks you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for mee You aske no small matter answered the Queene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albert such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine Notwith-standing seeing you are the bâ—… King that euer raigned here so good a Knight is well bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will yet then be his Madame quoth Galator me thinks that any thing so great a prince demandeth should be granted if it were possible here am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like thereof because he hath greatest authority ouer me It contents me very well said the Queene that you should doe as your brother commandeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeede Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellow seruant to the Queene With all my heart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen mee to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thanke you sir quoth the Queene now may I boldly giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a friend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreate him according to his deserts which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madam answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and esteeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues whereby to induce me which none can value or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladlie would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him-selfe that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers desert or any other whatsoeuer So remained Galaor in the Kings seruice from which he could not be separated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as wee shall haue occasion to declare hereafter All this while Oriana Mabila Oliuia had withdrawne themselues from the other Ladies likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus gratiously entertained by the King and Queene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray ye cause the knight to come hither that standeth with you consenting because we are desirous to see him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if hee thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlemen would saine speake with you and desire you to come a little more neere the 〈◊〉 which he presentlie did But Mabila being wise and discreete not ignorant what medicines should be applied to passion are minde after they all three had saluted them Mabila took Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit between Oriana and how leauing Agraies to court him Oliuia they being set she merily 〈◊〉 began Although I am now among those foure friends whom I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present businesse else where as I must of necessity leaue you a while Thus deuised she bring the louers together and by a pretty wile gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughts with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conser with his Ladie and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreme loue took him froÌ„ the facultie of speech yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplied the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle and wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My lord and friend what dolour and griefe did the traytor procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore maiden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustain such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other so hath my fortune graciously fauoured mee that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Here-with Amadis cast downe his lookes as hashfull to heare himself so praised by her to whom all commendation was due and feeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words died in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to proceede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer saw you do highly loue honor and esteeme you and I being shee whom you affect most decrely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madam answered Amadis your sweete and gentle words are sufficient to make mee die a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time onely to excuse my extremity with pitty enduring worse then death by louing you too vehemently for if I had died as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quier if I had not known you before And albeit the houre of your acquaintance is my intire felicity yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griese without the pleasure it receiueth in doing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessity constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value onely to increase my hability in seruing
you which if you grant me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanied with such aboundance of teares as was no small griefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought there of is insupportable to mee for should you die I were vnable to liue one houre after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine owne case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griese more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeauour can compasse no meane to yeelde vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen bee it hate of Father Mother Kinred Friends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weighty burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martyrdome of our hearts may easily bee discouered No doubt these wordes were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such cheerefull life to his hope that hee was rauished with inwarde conceit thereof when shee seeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Diseomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Queen must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honour the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Queene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladies to censure on the brethren but they resembled each other so like as little difference could bee discerned betweene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect amongst all Knights both in beauty noblenesse bounty and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexiion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispt and faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go see her daughter and the other Ladies when he regarding the excellent beauty of Oriana imagined such another was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of colour he suspected her to be the onely cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was hee welcommed among the Ladies and diuerse familiar speeches passed betweene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his vnckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath been declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittaine soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falaugris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countries to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might bee named Knights of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunate king forgot the author of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happy Realme fell into persecution and the illustrous state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might know how he onely is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall here vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing cōcluded to hold the most royal and stately Court that euer king did in the Realme of great Brittayne commanded that on the 5. day following all the Lords of his Kingdom should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honour might be deuised But in the selfe same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yelde him obeysance began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his estate and person in danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to keepe his Court at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendance especially so many young Gentlewomen beeing there present some to regard the magnificeuce of the Court other to do seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewist for greater maiestie of his Court ordained that none of this assembly should lodge in the Cittie but to erect their Pauillions in the fields and meddowes along the banckes that hemmed in the faire riuer of Thames least the extreame heate might be hurtfull to them all which being done according to appointment the fields seemed as a most royall Camp or as if the greater part of the world were there assembled But because the king arriued there two or three daies before the feast he went to his Pallace accompanied onely with his Queene Amadis Galaor Agraies Don Galuanes and certaine other his most fauoured the rest kept themselues in their tents according as the herbingers had in quarters limited them With sundry sorts of pastimes was the King entertained which continued till fortune enuying his felicitie changed them into griefe tears by the meanes of a Lord no subject to the King but his neerer neighbour then friend named Barsinan a man opulent in riches and endued with few vertues as may be gathered by the matter ensuing This Barsinan was Lord of a Countrey called Sansuegua and very familiar with Arcalans the enchanter who not long before came to him and conferred with him in this manner My Lord quoth hee the great desire I haue to doe you seruice hath made me inuent the meane if you like thereof to deliuer in short time the Realme of great Brittaine quietly into your hands without much hazarding your person or any great expence When Barsinan who was a very ambitious man heard the wordes of Arcalaus who promised to make him King if he would he thus replied In good faith my deere friend Arcalaus if thou canst performe the thing thou vauntest of no feare shall hinder me to hazard my person much lesse will I reckon of expence if I see any likely-hood in the compassing It is a thing saide Arealaus very easie to bee done and presently shall you vnderstand by what meanes prouided that you sweare to me after you are seated in the
and likewise would vse them with gracious behauiour as they might be termed Lords both in heart and hand the only meane that made them be serued with fedelity Therefore my good friends I desire you all euen in the most intire affection I can vse that you assist me to your vttermost in recouery of good Knights either of our owne or strangers promising you by the faith and word of a king so honorably to entreate and esteeme of them as both they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my noble friends that the better we bee accompanied the more we shall be feared of our enemies our state in greater safety and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new friends cannot make vs forgetfull of our olde let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yeelde and consent thereto Againe I entreat ye and expressely command that each of you presently name such to me as you know happely they being yet vnknowne to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may bee the better affected to our seruice likewise we entreat them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire withdrawing him-selfe into the appointed Hal◠where many Tables were prouided which he commanded to bee well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawne againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good friends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must grant me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particularly know the seruice you haue done me and you tast such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Hereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the kings request except Amadis because he was the Queenes knight and al this while was she present at these matters wherefore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord seeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honour your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doe the like to the Ladies and Gentle-women of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentle-men after you shall not deny mee considering that in semblable company good things deserue to bee demanded and granted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answer my friends shall we make the Queene shall we agree to her demand Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a princesse so vertuous Seeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine whatsoeuer she asketh At these words the Queene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hence-forth you would doe such honour to Ladies and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrells against all such as would molest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some suite to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most neede to be holpen This granted hereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wont to do them iniurie meeting them in the fields and knowing they haue such knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gaine-say it wee will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a law inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damofell came to the Court cloa hed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuort in a cause whereby she bad beene wronged MEane while this honorable company thus continued free from all danger and mis-hap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delights there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knees before the King thus spake My Lord ech one is merry but my poore selfe who am so crossed with griefe and sorrow as death were the best friend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These wordes were dipt in such aboundance of teares as the King being moued therewith to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to relieue your sadnesse but tell me who is the cause thereof Dread Lord quoth she my Father and Vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whom they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him said the King Because he vanted replied the Damosel that he alone would combat with them and so proud he grew in speeches as at length he defied them Not long after they meeting one day together the knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and vncle could not indure the iniurie but falling to the combat the knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she said procured his comming to maintain a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers being her great enemy wherfore seeing him dead she caused the conquerors to be taken put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my father and vncle often told her that they would performe for her what the knight should haue done But she answered how shee well knew they were not sufficient for the cause therefore should neuer be released vntill they deliuered her two knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whō they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doe Know you not Damosell said the King against whom they shoulde combat or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue seene my father and vncle eruelly put in prison where their friends cā compas no meanes to see them Herewith she began again to weep that euery one pittied to behold her which made the king aske her if the place were far off In fiue daies my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone returned Now trust me said the king you shall not want your ioy for two knights wherefore looke among al these gallants and chuse such as you best fancy My Lord replied the Damosell I am a stranger and know not
you not depart this night These words she spake because she intended to scale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to another whither soone after Madasima repaired she being young beautifull and aduenturously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling-ladders to the walls quickly got possession of the Forte And so well liked shee these amorous skirmishes as afterward she reported in many places how she ne-uer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did shee but in hope of his speedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honour she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis and Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as hereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were friendly entertained in an hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rashly and vnadaisedly FOure dayes after Amadis Galaor departed from the Court the ancient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Queene as you haue heard when falling on his knee before the King he began in this manner I maruell my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not the Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning aâ—…yet to proue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like theÌ„ not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue granted my demand and happely it would proue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beseech ye my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer here At which words the King seemed much offended and not being able any longer time to conceale his hidden anger earnestly fixing his eyes vpon him which were then ouer clouded with a discontented brow he brake forth into these following speeches Know knight that whatsoeuer promises I haue made to thee are like those decrees which stand registred in the booke of Fate immutable and thou shalt finde that I will keepe them inuiolable Although I must confesse for the which I am heartily sorry not so much for my selfe who am a partner with thee in the losse as for thy sake who committed them to my trust that both the Crowne and Mantle are vtterly lost how or by what meanes I cannot relate would heauens would please to be so propitious as to bring to light this deede of darkenesse then should my now troubled heart finde comfort and you your wished desire Which till then cannot rest contented my much perplexed minde would then bee at peace which now is at ciuill Warres and intestine contention within me At which words not being able any further by his tongue the hearts best interpreter both for ioy and griefe to expresse himselfe he abruptly paused partlie moued thereunto by the knight who gaue a loud shrike saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now comes the time I so much feared bringing with it my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must after all those miseries finish mine olde age in the most sore cruell death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which moued the most constant to pitty his griefe and the King himself ouercom with coÌ„passion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speede any thing the worse for my losse you must be satisfied whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfuly promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demand what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I know my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and Mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnesse I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to bee deliuered if I had I would acquit you of the griefe I know you will endure granting me the thing I must of necessitie demand but now it may not be otherwise except you infringe your faith loyaltie Rather will I lose my Kingdome replied the King then make apromise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy minde I thanke your Maiesty quoth the knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perform'd or I satisfied hauing a reward now and taken from me anon Great reason said the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my Mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughte Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewells or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her 〈…〉 sustaine harme by your vnhappie losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmur against the knight perswading the king to deny his word but he rather 〈…〉 death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere hee made them Be not offended my good friends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiâ—diciall to me as the breach of my promise for if the one be enuious the other is iniurious and to be â—…ned euery way The proofe is ready if Subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care will they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this knight therefore must haue my daughter and I will deliuer her according to my promise Hereupon he sent for her but the Queene being present all this while little thought the king would so forget his fatherlie loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter shee good Lady fell at the kings feete when weeping as a Mother for the losse of her Childe she said What will ye doe my My Lord will ye bee more inhumane to your owne blood then the bruite Beasts are to their contraries Notwithstanding all their
brutish qualities yet be they neuer so vnnatural to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledg there-of to commit so great wrong not onely against your selfe impitious father or mee a woefull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agrieued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladies wherefore the King commanded them to their chambers The Queene seeing she might not preuaile fell in a swoune but by her Ladies she was conueighed thence the King giuing charge on paine of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My daughter quoth hee I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can help it By this time the newes came to Oriana how her Father had consented to her departure whereat shee fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladies reputing her dead indeede thought best to acquaint the King therewith yet by forced remedies shee reuiued againe breathing forth many dolorous sighes Now the most of the women seuered themselues some neare and some further from her because shee should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony heart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speech and faintly vttered these regreets Full wel quoth shee doe I well beholde mine owne ruine Ah sweete friend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my heart foretolde mee euen at the very houre of thy departure Ah cursed bee that houre because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these tydings I feare being vnable to endure them thou wilt die immediately yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the onely refuge to the vnfortunate seest thou not me foremost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumph ouer thee in dealing so extreamely as shee can with me albeit I knowe thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therefore and let her not get such preeminence on mee in despight as it were of thy authority Adiew then sweete friend for neuer shall wee see each other more in this life at these wordes shee fell in a swoune againe When the King saw shee tarryed so long hee sent to cōmand her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadly agony and staying till she was recouered againe as shee began to renew her moanes he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When shee heard this message shee arose hauing her heare so sealed vp with griefe as it seemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke shee came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete sayde My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with mee Faire Daughter quoth her I must accomplish my promise These speeches prouoked her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the King grieuing to behold the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the knight See my friend here is the gift you demand and the onely thing in the world I most loue but intend you to carry her hence alone My Lord sayd the knight she shall be accompanied with two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my company when you made mee this promise at Windsore more may I not allowe vntill hee haue her vnto whom I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell saide the King for it were vnseemely she should bee alone among so many men Well quoth the knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes shee being scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horse-backe caused a Squire to sit behind her on the horse who might hold her fast lest she should fall and a very sad countenance shewed the knight saying there was none in the Court more sorrowfull then himselfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter whatsoeuer happened And while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking woefully about her a tall knight well armed came among them who not taking off his helmet or saluting the company tooke Orianaes horse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchanter and came in this sort lest he should bee knowen soone after he commanded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and seeing there was no other remedy deliuering a sigh as if her heart would haue split shee sayde Ah my deere friend in a happlesse houre for you was the boone granted because it will bee both your death and mine Herein shee meant Amadis whom shee gaue leaue to depart 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 neere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horse-backe to conduct his daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any rescue from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a windowe to see this sad and pensiue separation could come no nearer to Oriana her heart was so surprised with griefe yet by hap shee espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making speed after the Princesse on horse-backe when calling him to her she saide Dardan if thou loue thy Master stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishappe if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessity By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence performe my duty So giuing the spurres to his horse hee galloped the same way his Master rode with the Damosell But leaue wee him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanied his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the houre of his trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a sworde hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after shee had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God increase your ioy and make you willing to performe what you haue promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy knights At these wordes the King knew her remembring it was she that sayde how she would prooue the vertue of his heart whereupon hee thus answered In good
not on the time how day wasted night ensued whether Gandalin were returned or the Damosell awake all these things were now cast into obliuion They imaginâ—â— to haue viands good store being thâ—â— delighted the one with the other which seemed more delicious to them then all the Nectar or Ambrasia of Iupiter Yet at length they remembred themselues somewhat better when hearing the Damosell and Gandalin so neare them their pastime ended and taking each other by the hand walked among the trees to take the ayreâ— in the meane while Gandalin and the Damosell spread a cloath on the grasse and set thereon such victuals as they had Now though there wanted rich cup-boords of plaâ—◠〈◊〉 were in the houses of King Lisuart and Perion as also the solemnity of great seruices yet the fortunate entertaynement at this time was held by them of higher estimation During their repast as they â—…garded the woods and fountaines they began to esteem it no strange matter why the Gods sometime forsooke the heauens to dwell in groues and delightful Forrests Iupiter they imagined wise when he followed Europa 〈◊〉 and his other friends Beside Apollo had reason to become a Shepheard for the loue of Daphne and the daughter of Admetus They being willing to imitate their example wished continually to tarry there without returning to the Pallace and royaâ—… pompe reputing the Nymphes of the woods most happy Goddesses excelling such as remayned in the walled Cities Pitty were it to trouble these louers in their amorous deuises wherefore wee will leaue them and see what happened to Galaor following the search of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXVII How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison GAlaor parting from his brother Amadis in such sort as you heard followed the way whereby the King was led prisoner and making great haste in respect of his earnest desire to ouer-take him had minde of nothing else hee met by the way As thus hee continued gallopping hee saw a Knight well armed come riding towarde him who maruelling why the Prince vsed such extreame diligence when hee came neare him sayd Stay a while knight and tell mee what affaires cause you make such speed Forbeare Sir I pray yee answered Galaor for by my tarrying may happen too great an inconuenience By God sayde the knight you must not so escape for you shall tell mee whether you will or no. I may not trifle the time quoth Galaor and so rode on still without any tariance Nay Gallant replyed the knight I will bee resolued in my demaund though to your cost Hereupon hee posted after Galaor still exclaiming on him with hard words weening he fled away for feare of him and often-times hee thought to smite him with his Launce but the Prince euermore eâ—caped his attempt yet his horse beeing â—ore wearied hindered him very much when the knight ouer-taking him thus spake Infamous palliard and without heart of these three things chuse the best either to combate returne or answere my demaund Now trust me sayd Galaor the easiest of these three is hard to mee wherein you make no shew of curtesie for returne I may not and if I combate it must be against my will But if you desire to know the cause of my haste followe me and you shall see for I should â—arry too long in telling it and happely you would scant beleeue mee so horrible and disloyall is the deed which compelleth me to this impatience Beleeue mee quoth the knight I will follow thee three whole dayes onely to see whether thou lyâ—st or no. Thus Galaos held on his way the knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile wheÌ„ they espied two other knights the one being on foote running to catch his horse and the other gallopping away so fast as hee could Hee on foot was Cosen germaine to the knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other knight had beene dismounted knowing his kinsman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistance in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the knight you see before three dayes together hereto hee added all the speeches betweene Galaor and him In sooth replied his Cosen hee should seeme by your wordes the greatest coward in the world else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therefore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniury and beare you company to the ende I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten knights that conducted the King they riding vppe a narrow straite â—iue before him fiuâ—…hinde Now did he fully resolue to die or purchase his deliuerance for hee was so offended to see the King bound with chaines as hee imagined himselfe able to conquer them all as many more if they had been there whereupon he thus cryed to them Traytours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the world With these wordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his body hee fell downe dead beside his horse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the for most fiue to guard the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found themselues very much deceiued for though the Princes horse by reason of his sore trauell often stumbled and thereby put him in danger of falling yet laide hee such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanied the first and the other twaine were brought into hard extreamity Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kings together entring couragiously among the thickest shewing most rare and haughty chiualry When the two Cosens that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with maruell the one sayd to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for hee is the most hardy knight that euer I saw except the world shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him die in this extreamity lest the beauty of chiualry bee gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantly thrust themselues into the skirmish deliuering such friendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt himselfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispersed and hee had leasure to take a little breathing but wondering whence this aide should proceed hee fell to worke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cosen to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded hee purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horse got one of the slaine knightes swordes where-with hee resisted his enemies brauely As the cosin to Arcalaus followed his intent
the king gaue his horse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp hee fell downe back-ward yet the Knight recouered himselfe and Galaor seeing one fight with the king came to assist him when snatching off his helmet hee would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the king would not suffer him saying hee should liue and dye a theefe The two cosins who were named Don Guilan and Ladasin pursued another knight whome they slew and returning backe againe they knew the king which stroke them into no little maruaile because they heard nothing of his mis-fortune then alighting from their horses they took off their helmets and did him reuerence when hee knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My friends you haue succoured me in a needefull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to each other I lost you both especially you Lord Guilan your minde being else-where made you forget me These words caused a modest blush in Don Guilan beause the king disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainment she gaue him tasting together the fruit of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and dayly conceiued such strange suspition thereof as it procured the iniurie was done to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the garden at his returne from faire Aldena whereby the Damosell was in danger of burning as the history here-tofore hath declared to you But while the king thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had got the Nephew of Arcalaus beside his horse and tyed the chaine about his neck the king was bound withall then taking the best horses belonged to the dead knights they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the king how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the king to requite him with many thankes that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessity But my Lord quoth Don Guilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who oftentimes makes mee to forget my selfe a knight encountred with mee and by force of his Lance cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the king I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladies yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are the greatest muser I euer heard o◅ As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladasin which was not farre thence whither soon after came Galaors squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the king how his brother Amadis was gone to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mis-hap being published in the Cittie might raise some cōmotion amōg the people Credit me quoth the king seeing Amadis vndertooke to follow my daughter I will not as yet account her lost if the traytor Arcalaus worke no new villany by his enchantments but as concerning my happy deliuerance I like well that my Queen should vnderstand thereof Whereupon Ladasin called a Squire whom the king presently sent to the Court 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 cōmuning with the Nephew of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinsman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to be king of Great Brittain Hereupon the king concluded to make the more hast◅ thinking to finde Barsinan as yet as 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 City of London I If you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poor labouring men not knowing the king Oriana seeing how iniuriously they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide them-selues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were king Lisuarts and his daughters Whereupon so soone as the two knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring through the Citty especially among the knights as they presently armed themselues and mounted on horse backe in such troupes as the fields were quickly couered with men horses At this time was king Arban of Norwales talking with the Queene little thinking on any mis-fortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayde My Lord you tarry heere trifling too long arme your selfe quickely followe 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 Citie how certaine villaines haue carried the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed king Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Queene heard these vnhappy tydings not able to vndergoe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but king Arban hauing more minde on the King left her in her Ladies armes hasting with all speed hee could to horse-backe When he was setting foot in stirrop hee heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castle whereby hee gathered they were betraied wherefore hee caused the Queenes lodging to bee guarded and returning to the Citie sawe euery one ready in Armes when chusing so many as hee pleased as also two hundred well approoued knights hee sent two of the cheefest to the Tower of London to vnderstād the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his traine killing and casting ouer the walls al that he met Herein 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 been betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences that might happen he ordained his men in battaile placing good watch about the Queenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take the Queen as hee had done the tower but he met with stronger resist thē he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan took a prisoner by whō he was aduertised how king Arbā wold with-stand him euen to the death Now began hee to deuise how by faire speech and falshood he might take the king crauing a
parle with him whereto king Arban willingly agreed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought til now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised knights in the world but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I think withall that what you doe is for the safetie of your honor Herein you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will bee but the losse of you and your men in respect king Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proofe whereof euen he that slew 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 denie to make me king Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall entreate you so well as any Prince in my Realm suffering you still to enioy the countrey of Norwales and particularly beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered king Arban full wel doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy treacherie in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue mee become a traitour to his friends as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doe the worst thou canst thy villainie onely will tâ—â—e vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put thereto What said Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me froÌ„ sitting as king in London Neuer shall traitour replied Arban bee king of London by Gods leaâ—e 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 said I finde my selfe deceiued wherefore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despite of thee I will reigne king in great Brittain Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will keepe thee froÌ„ such climbing as if the king my maister were here personally present Then began the assault afresh king Arban with-drawing himselfe to harden his men being maruailously offended at Barsinans words Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood hee brauely on his defence many being slaine and sore wounded neuerthelesse he was euer-more formost in the fight and last in the retreits which was caused by the night ensuing Nor neede wee doubt considering the puissance of Barsinan and they fewe on the contrary side but king Arban would take his aduantage in resistance by compelling them to narrow streets where foure on a side could hardly deal together which turned to the great disaduantage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with fresh supply still encouraged his men The retreit being founded and either side with-drawne King Arban seeing his souldiers sore wearied by the hotte skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indeede hee came and comforted them in this manner My louing companions and friends this day haue you worthily 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 proceede better and better Remember the cause of your fight not onely to maintaine your good king but your owne liberty against a tirant traitour and what worse who would buy his vsurping in this Kingdome with the blood of you your wiues and children Saw you not how he vsed them hee tooke in the Tower Beholde you not the end of his purpose which is to ruinate this noble Realme that hath by diuine prouidence beene so long time preserued and euer-more continued in reputation flourishing with loyal subiects to their Prince Heard you not the flattering perswasions which the Rebell vsed before the assault thinking to coÌ„quervs by his golden tongue In vaine is his labour I am right well assured that no one of you but will die a thousand deathes before he shall conceiue any other minde in you I see by your resolued countenances if I should thinke or say otherwise I were a monstrous offender for if he haue more men then wee wee haue more hearts of courage then he which forbiddeth all accasions of dismaying setting before your eyes the famous account you shal liue in hereafter By their looks you might diserne at their retire how vnwillingly they wil be to trie you againe and respect not the traiterous words of Barsinan our king liueth and will right speedily come to succour vs. In meane while I intreat as my friendly companions let nothing dismay your hope but continue as you haue begun with famous resolutioÌ„ that is more honourable to die for liberty then to enioy a life by thraldome and slauerie vnder a wicked iniurous and traiterous Prince When the king had ended his oration there was no one in the company how sore hurt soeuer he was but would couragiously encounter Barsinans power and bid him brauely good-morrow next day in the Tower wherewith the king not a little contented returned to the Queenes lodging his face couered with sweate and his armour all bloody by reason of fiue woundes he receiued in fight The Ladyes seeing him in such pittious plight were maruailously abashed especially the Queene who well neere dead with griefe and fear together then as a woman in middest of despaire she said Alas deer Nephew what shall wee doe wee are all but dead Madame answered king Arban all will go well if God be pleased in vaine doe you thus discomfort your selfe for I hope to heare good tydings of the King and his traytours that seeke to vsurpe the kingdome by your good and loyall subiects shall receiue deserued punishment God grant it quoth she but you are so wounded as I thinke it impossible for you to bee at the battell if Barsinan come tomorrow againe nor can our men doe any thing without you Be not you troubled therewith Madame replyed king Arban for while my soule sucks her spirit from the ayre I will not forsake my charge So bidding her good night hee went to haue his wounds dressed and afterward turned to his souldiers merrily passing the night among them Barsinan on the other side got into the Tower of London which he had wonne and numbring his men found that his power was greatly weakened yet would hee make no shew thereof for dismaying the rest but shewing a dissembling countenance thus spake to them My friends it sufficeth that I haue shewen mine enemies what you are and they if I think good to stand at my mercy wherfore I am determined without any further losse of you to rest our selues fiue or sixe dayes till Arcalaus send me the head of king Lisuart and then the sight therof wil make theÌ„ not dare to resist mee any longer but in hope of fauour will yeeld themselues Each of you therefore reioyce and be of good cheere for when I
am King right richly will I reward you all So went they to rest till the next morning when Barsinan being armed mounted on horse-backe with twenty knights in his company and came to a Port which one of king Arbans knights kept who seeing this troupe presently sounded an allarme But Barsinan sent him word how hee came to parle onely and desired truce beside for six houres whereof king Arban was immediatly aduertised who granted the truce Barsinan requited likewise for fiue dayes Conditionally that he should offer no violence to any house in the City or practise any entrance during the limited time beside if the King returned in that space the difference should bee left to his disposition Barsinan was contented with these conditions because hee accounted king Lisuarts death certaine whereupon hee saide to Arban I hope this little truce will be an entrance into a perpetuall peace betweene vs for I dare assure yee king Lisuart is dead and his daughter must be my wife as within these fiue dayes ensuing you shall euidently see What quoth king Arban thou hast then put him to death and couldst thou deale so treaterously with him that gaue tâ—…e such honourable entertainement in his Court rather will I presently die then continue one houre of peace with thee get thee gone therefore quickly or I will send thee hence in peeces Is it true quoth Barsinan well mayest thou threaten me but it is in me to make thee repent it Thus returned hee to his souldiers acquainting them with his honest offers to king Arban and the audacious answere he returned for them CHAP. XXXIX How Amadis came to the succour of the City of London when it was in this distresse NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood familiarly deuising with the Princesse Oriana thinking on nothing but their sweete contentation and among other discourse Amadis intreated her to tell him what speeches Arcalaus had with her by the way On my faith Sir quoth she he confounded my senses with perswading mee to reioyce saying Before fiue dayes were expired I should raigne as Queene in Great Brittaine enioying Barsinan to my husband him-selfe likewise should be chiefe Gouernour and Maister of his house in recompence of the seruices hee did for him in giuing him my fathers head and mee to be his wife Ah heauens sayde Amadis what treason is this in Barsinan who shewed himselfe such a friend to the king God shield hee doe no wrong to the Queene In sooth I greatly doubt it replyed Oriana it were good therefore wee hasted to see With all my heart quoth Amadis so mounting on horse-backe they rode toward London meeting many knights by the way that followed the King whom still hee directed in their course certifying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search Within a while after Oriana espied Don Grumedan an auncient knight of honour to the Queene and twenty knights more with him who all that night had searched the Forrest for the king but when hee sawe her the teares stoode in his eyes with ioy desiring to heare some newes of the King her father Credit mee Sir quoth shee not farre from the Citie were we sundered when God ordayned so well for me that Amadis deliuered me froÌ„ the villaines and ransomed mee with the price of their liues They were vnwise to resist saide Grumedan when you had so good a Champion but I pray you my Lord what is become of your brother Euen in the same place answered Amadis where they separated the father from the daughter we seuered our selues hee posting after the King and I followed Arcalaus who led away Madame Oriana The better hope haue I of his succour quoth Grumedan seeing so good a knight hath taken it in hand Hereupon Amadis tolde him the horrible treason of Arcalaus and Barsinan Let me therefore intreate yee quoth hee to conduct the Princesse leasurably after while I make haste before least the Queen be distressed because I doubt the traytor will her offer iniury I think it likewise expedient that you cause all the knights to returne you meete withall for if the King should bee reskewed by multitude of men there is enow before already and more then needs So leauing his Lady with Don Grumedan hee made all the haste hee could towarde London â—uerâ—aking the Squire by the way that came from the king who told him all the newes of his deliuerance which was no little ioy to Amadis hearing the fortunate successe of his brother Galaor There met hee with another likewise who made report of Barsinans dealings at London wherefore entring the Citie so couertly as hee might the first hee met withall was king Arban of whom hee was louingly embraced and welcommed with request of what newes he brought None but good answered Amadis and such as you are desirous to heare but because I doubt the Queene is scant merry let vs goe see her for happely shee will bee glad of our comming So rode they to the Court together Amadis still keeping the Squire with him that came from the king and when they entered the Queenes presence Amadis falling on his knee beganne in this manner Madame this Gentleman left the King well this morning and at liberty whereof his Maiesty certifieth you by him my selfe likewise not long since left your daughter with Don Grumedan and very shortly they will be with you But because I vnderstand that Barsinan molesteth you with trechery suffer vs I pray you to goe see what hee can doe When the Queen heard these ioyfull tydings her inwarde content tooke away the liberty of of her speech nor could she doe any thing but lift her hands eyes to heauen applauding his name from whence this good proceeded and by gestures deliuering some signe of thankes to Amadis At length hauing ouercome this delightfull passion and intending to question further concerning these newes the allarme was sounded wherefore king Arban and Amadis hyed to the barres where they found Barsinans men giuing an eager charge as hoping to conquer the contrarie part But Amadis thrusting himselfe for-most caused the bars to be taken down and accompanied with king Arban brake in couragiously vpon the enemy a noble president to their souldiers who beeing cheered by this onset tooke heart and followed Now wexed the skirmish to be hot indeed so that on both sides very many were slaine which Barsinan perceiuing trusting in his multitude to suppresse the weaker part came formost himselfe in person thinking now hee saw the barres open to driue his aduersaries backe againe into the Citie When Amadis noted his forwardnesse he stepped backe changed his Creast and Shield with a simple mercinary souldier yet reseruing his Launce which with a strong carreer pierced thorough his Armour and wounding Barsinan brake in peeces in his flesh Then drawing his sword he gaue him such a stroke on the helmet as hee was astonied therewith and redoubling his blowe cut his right arme quite
determined to passe further on our way yet for your sake we are content to stay with you this night Then the knight conducted Galaor into a faire Chamber leauing the Damosell among the other Ladies and after the Prince was vnarmed the knight spake to him in this manner Here Sir may you rest and take your ease calling for any thing you stand in neede of for God knows I haue vsed such entertainement not onely to you but to all knights errant that passed this way because some time I haue beene as now you are Yet hath nature giuen mee two Sonnes whose onely delight is in search of aduentures but now they lie sicke in their beds beeing cruelly wounded by a Knight who with one Launce cast them both from their Saddles But they were so ashamed at this foyle as they mounted againe and purfued the knight ouertaking him as hee entred a Barque to passe the water where my Sonnes said to him that in respect he had iousted so well they would trie his fortune in combat with the Sword but the knight made answere he could not now intend it yet would they needes presse him so farre as to hinder his entrance into the Barque Where-upon a Lady being in his company said they wronged her ouer-much to stay her Knight but they were not to depart til he had combated with them at the Sword Seeing it will be no otherwise replied the Lady he shall enter fight with the better of you both on condition that if he be conqueror the other do forbeare the Combat They answered if the one were vanquished the other would reuenge his foyle which when the Knight heard he was so angry as he bad them both come together in respect they were importunate and would not rest contented In the triall one of my sons sustained the worst wherefore his brother seeing him in such perill stroue to reskue him from death yet all was in vaine for the knight handled them so roughly as he left them like dead men in the field and afterward passed away in the Barque No sooner heard I of this mishap but I sent for my Sonnes home were they brought in this daungerous plight but that you may giue credit to my words behold here their Armour cut and mangled as I thinke the like stroakes neuer came from any mans hand Galaor maruailing at this discourse demanded what Armes the conquering knight bare when he was answered his Shield to be of vermilion colour with two black Lions figured therein By these tokens Galaor knew him that it was the same man he trauailed to finde which made him demand of his friendly host if he had no further knowledge of the Knight No verily Sir quoth the auncient Gentleman For this night answered Galaor let vs take our rest and to morrow I intend to seeke the man you talke of For already I haue trauiled foure daies in his search but if I meete with him I hope to reuenge the iniuries of your Sonnes and oâ—… likeâ—… whom he hath offended or else 〈…〉 will cost the price of my life 〈…〉 could rather wish said the Knight that leauing this perillous enter prise you would take some other course seeing my two Sonnes haue beene so hardly intreated their own wilfull folly being cause thereof So breaking off talke Galaor took hir rest till the next morning when taking leaue of the ancient knight he rode away with the Damosell who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque where crossing the water to the other side they came to a very beautifull Castle whither the Damosel rode before aduising the Prince to stay her returne She taryed not long but comming back againe brought another Damosel with her of excellent beauty and ten men beside all on horse-back after the faire Gentlewoman had saluted Galaor she said Sir this Damosell that came in your company telleth me how you seeke a knight who beareth two black Lyons in a vermillion shield and are desirous to know his name this is very certaine that you nor any other can finde him for three yeeres space but onely by force of armes a matter not so easie to be accomplished by you for perswade your selfe his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine Lady quoth Galaor yet will I not giue ouer his search although hee conceale him selfe in this sort and if I meete with him it shall like mee better to combate with him then to know my demand by any other way Seeing then answered the Damosell your desire is such I will shew you him within three dayes ensuing for this Gentlewomans sake being my cosin who according to her promise hath earnestly entreated me Galaor requited her with many thankes and so they trauailed on arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea where they found a Barque ready for passage to a liule Island and certaine mariners in it who made them all sweare if they had any more then one knight in their coÌ„pany No credit me replied the Damosell hereupon they set sayle and away Then Galaor demanded of the Damosell the reason why they tooke such an oath Because quoth she the Lady of the Isle whither we goe hath so ordained it that they shall let passe but one knight at one time and no other must they bring till his returne or credible intelligence of his death What is hee saide Galaor that vanquisheth or killeth them The selfe same knight you seeke answered the Damosell whom the Lady hath kept with her more then halfe a yeere intirely louing him and the cause of this affection proceedeth from a Tourney which not long since hee maintained in this countrey for the loue of her and another faire Lady whom the knight being a stanger here conquered defending her cause with whome he now is and euer since shee bare him such affection as without grant of his loue she wold haue dyed Sometime hee is desirous to seeke after strange aduentures but then the Lady to detaine him still in this place causeth such knights as come hither to passe one after another against whom he combateth and not one hath yet returned vnuanquished such as die in fight are there interred and the foyled sent back againe despoyled of their horse and armes which the knight presenteth to his Lady shee being one of the fairest creatures in the world named Corisanda and the Isle Brauisande Know you not the cause said Galaor wherefore the knight went not many dayes since to a Forrest where I found him and kept the passage there fifteene dayes together against all such as trauailed that way Yes mary quoth the Damosel he promised a boone to a Lady before he came hither wherfore she intreated him to keep the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes yet hardly hee got licence of his faire Mistresse who allowed him but a moneth to stay and returne By this time they were landed and come before a goodly Castle where stood a
him so sore wounded doubting least his life was in great danger but when the Lady saw them so good friends and the enmity conuerted into such Humility as one right glad thereof shee said to Galaor Worthy Sir though first you gaue me occasion of great heauinesse yet now with sufficient ioy you haue recompeâ—â—ed me So taking each of them by the hand she walked with them into the Castle where they being lodged in two sumptuous beds her selfe skilfull in Chirurgerie cured their wounds Thus remained the two brethren with the rich and beautifull Lady Corisanda who desired their health as her owne wel-fare CHAP. XLIII How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countie of Zealand AT what time King Perion sought after strange Aduentures he ariued in the countrey of Almaigne where he soiourned the space of two yeares accomplishing many braue deedes of Armes the renowne whereof continueth to this day And as he returned toward Gaule hee lodged in the Counties house of Zealand where he was entertained very royally as well in respect of his owne reputation as also because the County himselfe had sometime beene a Knight errant which made him loue all such as followed Armes After supper the King was conducted to his Chamber where being in bed and somewhat wearie with trauaile he fell a sleepe soundly but to shake off this heauinesse he felt himselfe embraced and kissed he knew not by whom when starting vp to arise he was so held down that he could not Why Sir quoth she that thus mastred him take you no pleasure in me who am alone with you the king looking on her by meanes of the light which still burned in his Chamber he discerned her to be a most beautifull Lady wherefore he thus answered I pray you faire friend tell me what you are What soeuer I am quoth she I loue you exceedingly as one that freely giues her selfe to you In sooth replyed the King I very gladly would know your name You trouble me said the Lady with this importunity yet can I vse no other continence theÌ„ you see but it were necessary quoth the king I should know your name if you meane to be my friend Seeing you constraine me thereto answered the Lady know that I am the Counties Daughter who hath so friendly entertained you Now trust me Madam replyed the King you must hold me excused for I had rather die then abuse the man I am so much beholding to Will you then refuse me quoth she well may you bee tearmed the worst nurtured Prince in the world in denying the conquest which all your life time you might haue fayled of You may speake your pleasure answered the King but I will do what is conuenient for your honour and mine and not offend in so foule a manner I shall quoth she cause my Father to thinke himselfe more iniuried by you then if you grant what I desire So starting from the bed she tooke the Kings Sword euen the same which was afterward found with Amadis when he was taken vp on the Sea and drawing it forth she set the point against her heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortned by my death whereof you are the onely cause As she vttered these words she offered to stab her selfe with the Sword when the king suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impatient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madam for I am content to satisfie your will Hereupon hee kindely embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallified and at that instant she conceiued with childe the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all speede he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her of fence determined to goe visit an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thitheâ— for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as shee rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfrey she being soon after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her seeing what had happened bringing the childe to the mother said Madam as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some pre-present remedy while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horseback she rode apace to her Ladies Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to be very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speede wherein the Lady and her childe were brought to her Castle secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knew his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custody where he was nourished till the age of eighteene yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who daily instructed him in managing Armes and all braue qualities beseeming a man of value He being growne of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to the Countie his Grand-father who gaue him his knight-hood not knowing what he was returning againe with his motherly Nurse by the way she brake with him in this manner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parenatge but credit my words you are the son to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his daughtr that gaue you your order of knight-hood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed knights in the world Madam quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great same of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his son wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull nurse that I will trauaile to fiude my father and not make my selfe known to any one till my deedes declare me worthy to be his son Not long after hee departed from the olde Ladie and accompanied with two squires iournied to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres performing such haughty deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best knight in all those parts When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowne to the king his father but comming into great Brittaine hee heard the fame of Amadis to be maruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by armes as his bretheren had done whom he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the forrest as you heard and afterward combated with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castle of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who staied with faire Briolania fiue daies together
preparing their armour and euery thing in order which being done they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunt certaine waiting Gentlewomen and squires to doe them seruice by the way When they drew neere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castle of an ancient Lady named Galumba who sometime liued in Briolanias fathers Court and there they were welcomed very honouarbly yet whether Briolania trauailed thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but maruaile which made her request tobe satisfied therein Briolanias Aunt tolde her how Amadis was one of the best knights in the world and had promised to reuenge the murthered kings death likewise how hee discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and after-ward ouercame the rest in the Castle at what time the Lions escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make report his companion must needes be of some estimation and well may they bring your enterprise to end considering the truth and iustice of the cause but take heede least the traiterous king worke some treason against them That is the chcefest pointe of my fear i answered Briolania wherfore wee came to craue your aduise herein Heereupon shee wrote a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then caling a Damosell after shee had giuen her instructions she bad her make hast in deliuering the letter Presently went the Damosell to horse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos and his Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these three must the Combat be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and held more by tyranny then any consent in the Subiects The Damosell entred the Palace on hors-back when diuerse knights came to her requesting her to alight but she made answere she would not til she saw the king and that hee commanded her to leaue her Palfrey Soone after came the king accompanied with his two Sonnes and many great Lords and after shee had saluted him hee boldly bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your command on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crowne said the king I warrant your safety whereupon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you greetes you with this letter which may openly bee read before this royall company and I afterward receiue answere for my discharge whē the king heard openly the nāe of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong hee did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damosells words The most of the Lords there present who sometime were subiects to the slaughtered king seeing the messenger of their lawfull Queene indeede pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited and in their hearts desired of God to plague the treason done to her Father Proceede Damosell quoth the king and let vs heare your message My Lord said she by treason you murdred my Ladies Father and vniustly keepe her from her inheritance wherefore according to your former promise which you haue not once but often times made that you with your two Sons would maintaine by Armes the right you pretend to haue in this Realme shee sends you word by me if still you stand vpon such triall shee will bring two knights hither who shal in combat maintaine her cause making you know your disloyalty and treason committed Darison eldest Sonne to the king hearing his Father menaced in this sort grew into great choller and as one moued with despight he arose when without the kings consent hee thus spake Damosell if your Mistresse Briolania haue two knights with her men resolued to fight on her behalfe here do I accept the combat for my father and Brother and if I faile I promise in the presence of all these Lords to send hee my head in requitall of her fathers whose death was not accomplished without great reason In sooth Sir Darison answered the Damosell you speake as a knight of haughtie mind yet may I doubt these words to proceed from choller because I discerne an alteration in your countenance but if you will request the king to confirme your speeches I shall thinke your proffer came from a heart of courage This answere Damosell quoth he may you boldly make her that sent you hither Cause then his Maiesty said the Damosell to giue my Ladies knights assurance that for any mishap you may receiue in the Combat they shall sustaine no iniurie nor be medled withall but by you three And if you purchase them such a safe conduct they shall bee here within three dayes at the vttermost Darison falling on his knee before the King said You heare my Lord the Damosells demaund and the promise I haue made before your Maiesly in the presence of all these great Princes and Lords humbly therefore I beseech you seeing my honor is yours that both you and all the rest will confirme her request otherwise to our great disaduantage the presuming knights who dare aduenture in the cause of foolish Briolania will imagine themselues conquerors and vs dismaide faint-hearted Cowards hauing openly published that if any one will touch your illustrious renowne for matters past by the combat of vs three you intend to be purged And albeit you would make them no such promise yet ought not we to refuse them for as I vnderstand they be some foolish knights of King Lisuarts Court who by their ouer-weening and aspiring thoughts make high acompt of their owne deedes in the contempt of others The King who loued Darison as himselfe though the death of his brother condemned him culpable and thereby made him feare the combat granted them safe conduit according as the Damosell requested for the two knights and such as came in their company Here is to be considered that the period of this traitours Fortune was now limited and the iustauenger of all wrongs pointed out rewarde for the treason of him and his Sonnes as in this discourse may bee euidently seene The Damosel seeing her message had taken such effect as shee desired said vnto them Make your selues ready for to morrow with-out fayle shall this difference bee desided So mounting on her Palfrey she returned to the Castle of Galumba where being arriued before the knights and Ladies she reported her answere but when she told them that Darison reputed them foolish knights of king Lisuarts Court they were so offended as Amadis entred into these speeches By God there are such in company of that good king as can easily abate the pride of Darison and humble his head so low as they list but I thinke his choller ouer-mastred him when he vttered words of such great indiscretion Trust
to staggering by the mighty blowes of his monstrous enemy yet at length the Prince smote at him so furiously as he was faine to lie along vpon his horse neck when redoubling his stroake betweene the helmet and the brigandine he parted his head from his shoulders Being thus cōqueror of all the Damofells and they not a little meruailing at this strange victory the Knight who had beene their host the night before spake to Florestan My Lord this Damosell haue I long time loued and she me with like affection but for the space of this yeare more the great knight whom last you slue hath forcibly detained her yet beeing now recouered by your worthy prowesse I beseech ye Sir I may enioy her againe If it be so as you say answered Florestan my pains haue stood you in some steede at this time but against her will neither you or any other can get her from me Alas my Lord quoth the Damosell no one but he hath right to my loue then sunder not them that should liue together Nor will I said Florestan you are Lady at your owne liberty and may depart with your friend when you please They both required him with manifold thanks then taking leaue of Galaor Florestan the knight rides home ioyfully with his new conquered Lady The other two Damosells desired the Princes to accompany thē to their Ants house which was not far off Galaor questioning with thē by the way why they were kept in such sort at the Fountaine where-to one of the Damosells thus replied Vnderstand my Lord that the great Knight who was shine in the combat loued the Lady which your host carried away with him but she despised him aboue all other fancying no other then him who now enioys her But in respect this knight was so puissant as none in this country durst contend with him he kept her violently whether she would or no yet offering her no iniury because he loued her decrely and one day among other he thus spake to her faire Mistresse to the end I may compasse your gentle affection and be esteemed of you the only knight in the world listen what I will do for your sake There is a Knight named Amadis of Gaule accounted the onely man for valour this day liuing who slew a Cozin of mine in the Court of king Lisuart a knight of great fame called Dardan the proud him for your sake will I seeke and by cutting off his head conuert all his glory to mine owne commendation But till I compasse what I haue said these two Ladies meaning vs and these two knights of my linage shall attend on you and each day conduct you to the fountaine of Oliues which is the only passage for knights errant through this Countrey if any dare be so bold to cary you thence there shall you see many braue combats what the honor of your loue can make me do to cause the like opinion in you towards me as your diuine prfections haue wrought in me to you Thus were wee taken and giuen to the two Knights who were first dismounted and with them we haue abode the space of one whole yere in which time many combats they fought for vs yet neuer conquered till this present In sooth Lady answered Galaor the knights intent was too high for him to accomplish because he could not deale with Amadis and escape the Fortune now fallen vpon him but how was he named He called himselfe Alimias quoth she and had not ouer-weening ptide too much ruled him he was a most gentle courteous Knight By this time were they come to their Aunts Castle where Galaor and Florestan found gracious entertainement the old Lady being very glad to see her Neeces as also to vnderstand the death of Alimias After they had taken leaue of the friendly Ladies they iourney toward the Realme of Sobradisa where they heard before they entred the Citty how Amadis and Agraies had slaine Abiseos and his Sonnes by meanes whereof Briolania ruled as a peaceable Queene which news highly contented them made them reioyce for their happy fortune To the palace they come vnknown of any till they were brought to Amadis Agraies whose wounds were already indifferently recured and they deuising with the Queene at her arriuall Here you must note how the Damosell that conducted Galaor to finde Florestan left them after the combat and comming before to her Mistresse told her and Amadis how Galaor and Florestan knew each other and what issue their combat had which made Amadis very kindely to embrace them both and Florestan offered on his knee to kisse his hand which Amadis would not permit but causing him to arise sate downe communed of their aduentures past But one day among other the new enstalled Queen Briolania after many honerable feastings she had made thē seeing these foure knights determined to depart considering the good she had receiued by Amadis and Agraies that she being before a disinherited Princesse was by their meanes restored to her Kingdome beholding likewise the wheele of fortune turned and how such personages were not alone to aide and defend her Countrey but puissant enough of themselues to be Kings and mighty Lords falling on her knees before them first rendring thankes to God who had done her such grace as to regard her in pitty continuing her discourse she said Thinke my Lords these mutations are the meruailes of the Almighty which are admirable to vs held of great accoūt but to him they are in manner nothing Let vs see if it be good then to shun Signories riches which to obtaine we take such paine and trauaile and to keepe endure innumerable anguishes and distresse as superfluous therefore vtterly to deiect them because they are torments of body soule vncertaine and haue no permanence As for my selfe I say no but affirme that they being lawfully begotten modestly vsed according to Gods appointment they are in this world rest pleasure and ioy and the way to bring vs to eternall glory The End of the first Booke A Table for the ready finding of the Chapters Contayned in this Booke directing by the Number to euery seuerall Leafe CHAPTER 1. OF whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were the Combat betweene Perion and two Knights as also how hee fought with a Lion that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following thereon Fol. 1. Chap. 2. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the chamber where King Perion was lodged Fol. 6. Chap. 3. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauailed on his iourney hauing his heart filled with griefe and melancholy Fol. 12. Chap. 4. How King Languines carried away with him the Gentle-man of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales Fol. 19. Chap. 5. How King Lisuart sayling by the Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained Fol. 24. Chap. 6. How Vrganda the Vnknowne
brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea Fol. 33. Chap. 7. How the Gentleman of the Sea combatted with the guarders of Galpans Castle and after-ward with his Brethren and in the end with Galpan himselfe Fol. 39. Chap. 8. How the third day after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knights came to the court bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife Fol. 43. Chap. 9. 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 accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen Fol. 46. Chap. 10. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combat with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule Fol. 55. Chap. 11. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisona his Mother Fol. 60. Chap. 12. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him knight met with his brother Ama. by whose hād he would be knighted and by no other Fol. 66. Chap. 13. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Fol. 76. Chap. 14. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the Vnknowne he arriued at a Castle where it chanced to him as you shall reade in the discourse Fol. 81. Chap. 15. How King Lisuart caused asepulchre 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 knowne Fol. 91. Chap. 16. How Amadis made himselfe knowne to King Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his Court of whom he was honorably receiued and feasted Fol. 100. Chap 17. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis Fol. 108 Chap. 18. How Amadis tarrying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidings of his brother Galaor Fol. 206. Chap. 19. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferior in beauty to Angriotes choyce F. 122 Chap. 20. How Amadis was inchanted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how after-ward he escaped the inchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda Fol. 131 Chap. 21. How Arcalaus brought news to the Court of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his friends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana Fol. 136. Chap. 22. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monastery where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him F. 141 Chap. 23. How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castle and of the matters which were occurrent to him by the way Fol. 150. Chap. 24. How King Lisuart being in the chase saw a farre off three knights armed comming toward him and what followed thereupon F. 154. Chap. 25 How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them Fol. 159. Chap. 26. How Galaor reuenged the death of the Knight whom hee found slaine on the bed vnder the Tree Fol. 164. Chap. 27 How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whom he combatted and what happened to him afterward Fol. 168 Chap. 28. How Amadis combatted with the Knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him Fol. 174. Chap. 29. How Balays behaued himselfe in his enterprise pursuing the Knight that made Galaor loose his Horse Fol. 176. Chap. 30. How King Lisuart held open Court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time Fol. 179. Chap. 31. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Court of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward Fol. 182 Chap. 32. How King Lisuart departed from Windsore to the good Citty of London there to hold open and royall Court Fol. 185. Chap. 33. How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie F. 191 Chap. 34. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to Court cloathed in mourning requesting ayde of King Lisuart in a cause whereby shee had beene wronged Fol. 195. Chap. 35. How King Lisuart was in danger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly Fol. 201. Chap. 36. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners wherefore they made hast to giue them succour Fol. 209. Chap. 37. How Galaor rescued King Lisuart from the ten Knights that led him to prison Fol. 216. Chap. 38. How news came to the Queene that the King was taken and how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained long time after-ward Fol. 227. Ch. 41. How Amadis determined to goe combat with Abiseos and his two Sons to reuenge the kings death who was father to the faire Briolania and of that which followed Fol. 230. Chap. 42. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the Knight that dismounted him and his companions in the Forrest whom when hee found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest point of their combat they knew each other Fol. 235 Chap. 43. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Petion on the faire Daughter to the County of Zealand Fol. 240. Chap. 44. How Galaor and Florestan riding towards the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damosels at the Fountaine of Oliues Fol. 248. FINIS THE SECOND BOOKE Of Amadis de Gaule CONTAINING THE DESCRIPtion Wonders and Conquests of the Inclosed or Firme-Island As also the triumphes and troubles of Amadis in the pursuit of his fayrest Fortunes Moreouer the manifold Victories hee obtained and admirable seruices by him performed for King Lisuart And his notorious ingratitude towards him which was the first occasion of the broyles and fatall warres that no small time continued betweene him and Amadis Translated out of French by A. M. TAM ROBVR TAM ROBOR NI-COLIS ARBOR IOVIS 1610. LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES dwelling in Foster-lane 1619. TO THE RIGHT HONORAble Sir Phillip Herbert Earle of Mountgomerie And Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter AMadis in his first Booke kissing your noble hand the second followeth to finde the like fauour encouraged thereto by your euer knowne most honourable nature and affable graces affoorded to the very meanest deseruers The third and fourth Bookes successiuely ensue to make vp the first volume of so famous an history till foure more may in the like manner be finished to present themselues to you their gracious
for any thing behinde him at least I will carry him his armour I will gladly beare you companie for this night sayd Durin I would to God we might finde him in better cafe then hee was at his departure Then they tooke their leaue of Isania and getting to horse-backe they followed the same way that Amadis had tooke coasting heere and there about the wood so long till fortune brought them where hee lay When his horse sented their horses hee began to neigh whereby Gandalin knew his Master was not farre off wherefore the more secretly to behold his countenance hee allighted comming so neere vnto him as he might easily behold where he slept hard by the riuer side whereupon he stood close watching when he should awake he had not stained long before his slumber left him Then he suddenly started vp as if hee had been frighted At that instant was the Moon withdrawne by the daies approach yet sate hee still on the grasse beginning his moane in a most strange and pittifull manner and bitterly weaping he burst out into these words Alas fortune too inconstant fickle why hast thou first aduanced mee and afterwards ouerthrowne me Now I well perceiue thou canst doe more hurt in one houre then thou wilt do good in a thousand yeares for if heretofore thou haste giuen me any pleasure or ioy thou hast now in a moment cruelly robbed me of all leauing me in bitter tormēts far worse then death and seeing thou wast minded so to serue mee why hast thou not at the least made the one equal with the other because thou knowest that if heeretofore thou didst bestow vpon me any contentment yet was it euermore mingled with great sorrowe In like sort shouldst thou reserue for me some sparke of hope with this cruelty wherewith thou now tormentest me executing vpon me an incomprehensible thing in the thought of those whom thou fauourest who because they feele not this mischiefe doe thinke those riches glories and honours which vnto them thou lendest to bee euerlasting But they forget that besides the troublesom trauels which their bodies doe suffer for the keeping thereof how their soules are in danger to perish therefore For by thy flatteries wanton intisemēts thou vtterly ouerthrowest them in the end compellest them to enter into the labytinth of all desolation from whence they are neuer able to depart And quite contrary are thy aduersities for so much as if a man doe resist thē patiently flying greedy couetousnes disordinate ambition he is lifted out of this vilde place into perpetuall glory Notwithstanding I beeing most vnfortunate could not chuse this good seeing that if all the world were mine and should bee taken from me by thee yet hauing only the good grace of my Mistris it should be sufficient to make me as mighty as the greatest monark the which I also lacking how is it possible for me in any sort to liue Therefore in fauour and recompence of my loyalty I beseech thee not to giue mee a languishing death but if thou art appointed to ende my dayes doe it with-out delay taking compassion of him whose longer life thou art ignorant how irkesome it is This sayd hee fell downe backward vpon the grasse and was as silent as if he had beene in a swound Then within a while after hee cryed Ah louely Oriana you haue wounded me deadly in banishing me discurteously for I will neuer transgresse your cōmandements what danger soeuer may happen mee seeing that if therein I failed my life also were thereby finished notwithstanding for as much as I wrongfully receiue my death the more extream is my dolor But seeing that with my end you shall rest satisfied I neuer esteemed my life at so high a price but I wold if it were possible change it into a thousand deaths to afford you neuer so little pleasure In like sort since it liketh you to execute your anger against me I am very well content if for my affliction you may hence-forth liue at your ease for whether soeuer my Soule flyeth it shall receiue most quiet when it shal know that you remaine contented And vntill mine innocencie shall bee known vnto you I will endeauor to finish the rest of my sorrowfull daies in all bitternesse and displeasure and being dead my spirit shal lament the griefe which wil happen vnto you for the wrong which you haue done to me specialy wanting power to succour you O king Perion my Lord and father how little occasion shall you haue to bewaile my death when you shall neither know the same nor the cause thereof But because that knowing the same it would bee to you a griefe intollerable and yet it could be no mittigation of my torment I pray that my misfortune may to you neuer be manifest least the same should abridge the remainder of your dayes which yet are not determined Then after a small pause he cryed O my second father Galuanes truely I do greatly grieue that my aduerse Fortune doth not permit me to discharge that great bond in which to you I am bound for if my father gaue me life you preserued the same in deliuering me from the danger of the Sea being launched forth into his mercilesse waues euen when I had but newly left my mothers womb and afterwardes I was by you as carefully cherished as if I had beene your deerest childe I am assured good King Arban that you will greatly bewaile my sorrowfull end yet valiant Angriotta d Estrauaux Guillan and a number of my other friends shall assist you to bemone his death who euer loued and held you deere Ah good cosin Mabila what haue I deserued of you or of the Damosel of Denmark that by you I am abandoned when I haue most neede of your ayde Haue you so many times preserued my life doe you now without desert make me pay tribute for my receiued pleasure in consenting to my miserable death Beleeue mee if need were deare friends for your sakes would I bee sacrificed and yet you make no conscience to forsake mee which maketh mee verily to beleeue that you haue denied mee your cōfort heauen and earth haue desired my confusion which shall the lesse grieue me in that I see no remedy Gandalin and Durin hearing these lamentations of Amadis they were so much agrieued therewith that they wept as bitterly as hee yet durst they not shew themselues because hee had so straitly charged them not to follow him But Amadis ceased not his mone vntill hee heard a knight who passed hard by him singing this song LOue sacred Loue most bounden I remaine To thee for thy exceeding bounteous grace On earth what Gentleman may vaunt like gaine Beloued thou makest me in euery place Happy such hap when loue doth so respect me Ne're seru'd I Lady but she did affect me To witnesse this a Princesse word I haue Sweet Sardamira she I know will vow it Whom I in heart a supream◠honour
before the King and deliuered vnto him a Letter sealed with fiue seales hee said vnto him It may please your Maiesty to command this Letter to be read that you may vnderstand the cause of my comming vnto you Then the king tooke the Letter and read it and because it referred to the knights report he answered him thus Friend you may performe your charge when it shall please you Hereupon the knight rose vp and said aloude King Lesuart I defiâ— thee and all thy allies in the behalfe of the mighty Princes Famangomad Giant of the burning Lake Cartadaque his Nephew Giant of the inuincible Mountaine Mandafabull his brother in Law Gaint of the vermillian Tower Don Quedragant brother to the late deceassed King of Abies of Ireland and Arcalaus the enchaunter who doe all send thee word by me that they haue sworne the death of thee and thine And the better to accomplish this their enterprise they will all come in the aid of king Cildadan be of the number of his hundred knights who will assuredly destory thee Notwithstanding if thou wilt giue thy daughter and heire Oriana vnto the faire Madasima daughter to the most redoubted Pamaâ—gomad to serue her for her Gentlewoman they will let thee liue in peace and be thy friends for they will marry her with the Prince Bafigant who doth well deserue to be Lord both of thy Land and Daughter also Therefore King Lisuart chuse thee of these two conditions the best either peace which I aduise thee to except or the most cruell warre that may happen vnto thee hauing to doe with such mighty and redoubted Princes When the King had long giuen eare vnto him to shew that he made small account of such threats he smiling thereat answered him Trust mee Knight they that gaue thee this commission doe thinke farre amisse of me for I haue all my life time thought a dangerous warre better then a shamefull peace because I were worthy of great reprehension both of God and man being King ouer such a mighty nation if I should now through base cowardise suffer them to bee afflicted with cruelty Wherefore returne and tell them that I had rather desire all the daies of my life that warre which they do threaten me withall and in the end to die in battaile then to accord vnto a peace so much to my dishonor And because that I desire to know their mind at large I will send a Knight of mine owne with you who shall in like sort declare vnto them my whole intention and yet I know not if by their lawes all Embassadors or messengers are as free from danger with them as they are with Christian Princes If it please your Maiestie said the knight that he shal go with me I will bee his warrant and will coÌ„duct him vnto the burning lake which is in the Isle of Mongaza where they are assembled with the rest of the hundred to come and meet with you assuring you that wheresoeuer Don Quedragant abideth he will neuer suffer wrong to be done vnto any Truely answered the King hee sheweth himselfe therein to bee a noble Prince but tell mee if it please you what your name is Sir answered hee I am called Landin Nephew to Don Quedragant who am come with him to reuenge the death of King Abies of Ireland mine vnckle neuerthelesse wee could neuer yet meete with him that did slay him and further we doe not well know whether hee bee dead or not I beleeue you well answered the king and I would you did certainely know him to be liuing and that he were here for all the rest would go forward well enough I know well said Landin wherefore your grace saith so you esteeme him to be the best knight in the world neuethelesse I hope to bee in the battaile which is prepared for you and there to performe such worthy deedes of armes to your disaduantage that it may be you will change your opinion By our Lady answered the King I am sorry for that I had a great deale rather that you had a desire to remaine in my seruice notwithstanding this much I tell you that there you shall finde those that can tell how to answere you well enough And you sayde the Knight many other that will pursue you euen vnto shamefull death Wheâ— Florestan heard him speake so boldly and to the preuidence of Amadis his coller was mooued therewithall and hee saide vnto Landin Knight I am a stranger in this Countrey and none of the Kings subiects so that for any thing which you haue saide vnto him I haue no occasion to answer you chiefely because that here are present so many Knights my betters ouer whome I will not in any sort insult Neuerthelesse seeing that you cannot finde Amadis which is as I think for your great profit I am ready to fight with you and will in his stead defend the quarrel that you haue against him And to the end that you may the better know me I am his brother Florestan who doe offer vnto you the combat vpon this condition that if I can ouercome you shall be bound to giue ouer the quarrel that you haue against him and if you ouercome mee reuenge part of your anger on moe Yet thus much by the way you must not thinke it strange that I haue beene so forward in the matter for I haue no lesse cause to sustaine his quarrell against you he being absent then you haue to maintaine that of King Abies whose nephew you are being very well assured that my Lord Amadis is of power sufficient to reuenge me if Fortune permit you to haue the aduantage ouer me My Lord Florestan answered Landin so farre as I perceiue you haue a desire to fight but I cannot satisfie you at this time being in no sort at mine owne disposition as well for the affaires which by another I am appointed to discharge as also for that I did promise before my departure from those Lordes thaâ— haue called me into their company not to enterprize any matter before the Battaile that might hinder me to assist and do my best endeuour therein and therefore at this present hold me excused vntill the battaile be ended then I promise you to accept the combat which you demand and sooner I cannot intend it Beleeue me said Florestan you speake like a worthy Knight for those that haue the like charge that you now haue ought to forget and denie the fulfilling of their owne will to satisfie those from whom they are sent otherwise they might bee blamed seeing that although you should get the victory of this combat to your honour yet it might be that their be foreslowed thorow your stay and hinderance because they doe all repose themselues vpon your charge therefore I am content to defer it vntill the time that you require and because you shall not afterwards faile behold here is my gage At the same instant he threw downe his gloue and Landin
Ioust The which Enil perceiuing hee sayde vnto him my Lord I beleeue that you will combate this Diuell Hee is no Diuell answered the Faire Forlorne but one of the strongest knights I knowe of whom I haue heretofore heard great commendation Then Quedragant drew neere and sayde vnto him Knight you must tell me whether you belong vnto King Lisuart or not Why so sayd the Faire Forlorne Because sayde he that I am mortall enemy to him and all his and when I shall either knowe or meete with any of thē I will cause them to die an euill death if I may The Faire Forlorne was so greatly enflamed with rage to heare him thus to menace especially the King and all his Knights that hee answered Quedragant You then are one of them that haue defied that good King I am euen the same sayde hee that will doe all the iniurie that possibly may bee done both to him and his And how are you called answered the Faire Forlorne Don Quedragant sayde hee Trust me Don Quedragant answered the Fair Forlorne although you are a valiant Knight and descended of a Royall linnage yet haue you enterprised an exceeding great folly in defying thus the most mighty and best King in the worlde for euery discreete knight ought to attempt no more then hee may well effect seeing that they who doe once passe the bonds of their ability and power are to bee accounted more haire-braind then hardy and more vaine-glorious then valiant the which is no better then folly As for mee I am no subiect but rather a straunger vnto the King against whom your quarrell is yet haue I alwaies had a desire to doe him what seruice I could and therefore you may account mee of the number of those whom you doe defie and combate with mee if you list otherwise followe on your way Beleeue mee sayde Quedragant I thinke the little experience you haue of mee maketh you to vtter these braues notwithstanding I would very willingly know your name I am called answered hee the Faire Forlorne but I thinke for the small renowne that yet is blased abroade of mee you doe now knowe mee as well as you did before And although I am a straunger yet haue I heard that you doe seeke Amadis of Gaule neuerthelesse I beleeue it were most for your profit not to meete with him considering but what I haue heard reported of him What sayd Quedragant dost thou thinke better of him vnto whom I doe wish so much hurt then of mee Trust mee thou shalt repent it therefore defend thee if thy heart will suffer thee Although answered the Faire Forlorne that against another I would haue bin content for this time to haue excused mee from the combate yet will I very gladly vndertake it against you for the threatnings presumptions that you doe offer vnto me This sayd they ran one against the other with so great force that the horse of the Faire Forlorne was likely to haue kist the groūd with his nose himselfe was wounded in the right breast with the shiuer of a Launce and Don Quedragant vnhorsed and wounded betweene the ribbes Yet hee rose vp againe lightly and drew his sword running against the Faire Forlorne whom hee tooke vpon a sudden whilest that hee was busie in mending and setting his helmet right and before that hee was aware Quedragant slew his horse vnder him but the Faire Forlorne feeling him to founder alighted downe Then hee being exceedingly vexed for so vilde a part hee sayd vnto Quedragant knight it seemeth that you haue neuer done any valiant deeds of armes in that you haue so villainously slaine my horse it might haue sufficed you to haue wreaked your anger on mee and not vpon a poore beast Neuerthelesse I am in good hope that the wrong which you haue done both to him and mee shall redound vpon your owne head Don Quedragant answered him not one word but couering him with his shield he came and layd at the Faire Forlorne who in a short time made him feele how well hee could repay whatsoeuer was lent vnto him and to heare them fight one would haue iudged that more then tenne knights had been fighting together Then ioyned they so close that they left their weapons and fell to wrastling endeauouring to throw one another downe but that was impossible for them wherefore they let goe their holde and with-out any breathing they betooke them againe to their blades and layd loade one vpon the other so couragiously that their Esquires beholding that cruell combate did thinke it impossible but that they should both twaine die by the hands of each other And thus they continued from three of the clocke in the afternoone vntill it grewe towardes night without either resting them or speaking together but euen at the same instant Don Quedragant was so wearie and faint that his heart failed him and he fell downe in this place By meanes where-of the Faire Forlorne stepped vnto him as hee pulled off his helme to strike off his head Quedragant taking ayre beganne to breath the which the Faire Forlorne perceiuing although hee was ready to performe with his arme the reuenge that he meant to take of his enemy hee stayed his blow the sworde being ready to lop off any limme vpon the which falling downe it might chaunce to light and hee sayde vnto Quedragant it is hight time for thee to think vpon the health of thy soule for thou art but a dead man Whē Quedragant perceiued that he was in such daunger hee was so astonished that hee answered vnto the Faire Forlorne Alas if I must die yet at the least let mee first be confessed If thou wilt liue any longer said the Faire Forlorne yeelde thy selfe vanquished and promise to performe all that I shall commaund thee I will willingly fulfill what-soeuer shall please you answered Don Quedragant although I am not vanquished for hee is not ouercome that without shewing one iot of cowardise hath defended his quarrell euen with the losse of his breath and vntill that he did fall at his enemies feet but he onely is ouercome that for want of heart feareth to doe what he may Truely said the Faire Forlorne you speake the very truth and I am very glad that I haue learned so much of you Goe to sweare to me thē to obey my cōmandement The which Quedragant did But the Faire Forlorne called his Esquires to witnesse and then sayd I will that at your departure from hence you goe vnto the Court of king Lisuart from whence you shal not depart vntill the same Amadis that you seeke bee there arriued Then you shall yeelde your selfe vnto his mercy pardoning him for the death of your brother King Abies of Ireland for that as I haue heard they both of their owne free will challenged each other and had Combate together so as this reuenge ought not to bee pursued Moreouer I will that you giue ouer the challenge that you haue made against
together with the Queen in the church and so soone as seruice was ended the King came vato Vrganda and bid her good morrow and shee after her duty done vnto his Maiestie saide that if it were his pleasure to cause the Knights and Ladies in his Court to assemble together that before her departure which should bee very shortly shee would declare something before them that shold happen vnto him heereupon the King appointed a large hall to bee made ready in the which the next morning a great number of Lords and Ladies were come Then Vrganda beeing in the midst of them all addressing her speech vnto the King shee saide vnto him Seeing that your Maiestie hath kept the letters which I did write vnto you and Galaor presently after the Fair Forlorne had obtained the burning sword and the Damosell she kencheife with flowres it may please you now to cause them to be read that euery one may plainely know that I am not ignorant of things before they happen Heereupon hee sent for them and they were read before al the assistance whereby it plainely appeared that shee had wholly foretold the manner of the battaile euen as it happened out and they all greatly wondred thereat especially at the stout heart of the King that would be in a battaile so dangerous when hee was before hand threantned so rigorously by his letter In like sort was it certainly known that the Faire Forlorne had been the cause of the victory by the three blowes that hee gaue The first when he cast King Cildadan at Galaors feet the second in killing Sarmadan the Leonnois and the third when hee succoured the king whom the stout Mandafabul of the virmillion tower did carry vnto his ships whose arme hee cut off close by the elbow which was the cause of his present death And in like sort that which she had said of Galaor was come to passe for his head was certainly at the mercy of the Faire Forlorue at that time when the Damosels demanded to carry him away But now said Vrganda I will tell you in order that which must happen great contention shall arise between the mighty serpent the strong Lion which shall be aided by many cruell beasts they shall come with such fury that a great numder of them shall suffer most cruel death The subtill Roman foxe shall bee wounded with the clawes of the strong Lyon and his skin shall be cruelly torne wherewith the mighty serpent shall bee brought into wonderfull perplexitie In this time the meâ—ke sheepe couered with blacke wooll shall come into the midst of them who by his great humilitie and pittifull bleatings shal pacifie the pride and fiercenesse of their courages causing them to depart one from the other but presently the starued wolues shall discend from the steepe mountaines against the mighty serpent who being by them put to fight with a great part of his traine shall bee closed vp in one of his dens The tender licorne putting his mouth to the eare of the fierce Lion shall awake him out of his sound sleepe with his loud crye making him afterwards to take part of his beasts with the which hee shall speedily goe to the succour of the mighty serpent whom they shall finde so bitten and wounded by these starued wolues that his blood shall bee aboundantly shed vpon the earth at the same time shall he be deliuered from the teeth of the wolues and they be cut in pieces Then the life of the mighty serpent being restored leauing within his den all the poyson of his entrails he shall bee contented to put him-selfe betweene the clawes of the strong Lyon and the white hind who in the dreadfull Forrest did lift vp her greeues to Heauen shall bee taken from thence and called home againe Wherefore noble King may it please your Maiestie to cause this to bee written which before all this company I haue vttered for there is no doubt but all this shall come to passe I will so doe answered hee seeing it pleaseth you but I beleeue there is not any of vs that at the present vnderstands this prophesie Assure you saide shee that a time will come when it shall be manifested vnto all of you So saying she cast her eies vpon Amadis whom she perceiued to be maruailous pensiue and said vnto him My Lord Amadis you muse vpon that which cannot auaile you wherefore expel this fancy from your minde and harken vnto a match that you shall make wherein you shall get little gaine At such time as you shal be wounded to death in the defence of anothers life the smart being yours and the profit his the recompence that you shall reape thereby shall be a wonderfull discontent and a banishnsent from that whereunto you shall most desire to approach Then shall your good rich and sharpe Sword so bruise your bones and in so many places wound your flesh that with the losse of your blood you shall become very feeble and moreouer you shall bee so sharpely pursued that if halfe the world were yours you would giue it that your sword were cast into the bottom of some deepe lake from whence it could neuer be taken forth againe therefore bethinke you of your destiny which shall be such as I haue foretold you Amadis seeing that euery one had their eyes fixed vpon him looked vp with a Imiling countenance and answered Vrganda Madame by the things that are already come to passe wherof you foretold vs we may wel credit and beleeue that which now you tell vs and knowing that I am mortal I am very sure that my life shall not be prolonged one minute longer then it pleaseth God and therfore whilst I may I will endeauour to gaine some reputation rather then seeke to conserue my life Notwithstanding if any perill were to be doubted I should haue more occasion to feare those that doe hourely happen vnto mee then such as are hidden yet to come I know well said Vrganda that it is more easie to draw the Sea drie then afright your vndaunted and magnanimious courage with any further dread of danger And because if it please your Maiesty said shee to the king that I must presently take my leaue of you remember I beseech you what I haue aduertised you of before this great and honourable company as shee that desireth the honour and profit of your Maiesty and stop your eares henceforth from those whose words you shall know to be vniust and peruerse Herewith all she arose from her place and al the company in like fort and shortly after she tooke leaue of the King and of the rest of his court which done she returned into her galley accompanied onely with the foure knights that had conducted her to the Court who hauing seene her embarked returned backe to the Citty but they had no sooner turned their backs when a thicke and great Cloude so ouershaddowed the ship that presently they lost the sight
Mabila sayd vnto her Madame come see how God hath holpē vs Ardan without doubt is ouer-come The great ioy which Oriana receiued at these newes made her suddenly to start vp and looking out of the window shee perceiued how Amadis had stroken his enemy so mighty a blow vpon the shoulder that hee separated it from his necke wherewith he felt such anguish that hee turned his backe but hee ran not farre before Amadis stroke him againe and he pursued him so sharpely as that hee made him recoyle backe euen to the top of a Rocke against the which the Sea did beat so that he could goe no farther Then was Ardā Canila brought between two extreamities for on the one side the deepe and vnmercifull waues set before his eyes his vnhappy end on the other side hee perceiued the sharpe sword of his enemy which did no lesse terrifie him Who pursued him so close that he pulled his helmet from his head and lifting vp his arme hee wounded him most cruelly so that hee fell from the top of the Rocke downe into the Sea and was ne-uer after seene For the which many praised God especiall king Arban of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux because they had seen Amadis in such daunger that they greatly stood in feare of his safety Heerewithall Amadis wiping his sword did put it vp into his scabbard and came whereas the King and the other knights were who in great triumph brought him into his lodging and the more to honour him hee was led between those whom hee had deliuered frō cruell prison that is to say by Arban King of Northwales and Angriotta de Estrauaux And because they were leane pale and almost spent as well with the euill vsage which they had receiued during their imprisonment as also with the griefe and melancholly that they had taken Amadis was desirous that they should lodge in his chamber where they were so well tended and dyeted by the aid of expert Physitions and cunning Surgeons that they did shortly after recouer their health as by the sequell of our History you may vnderstand CHAP. XX. How Brunco de Bonne Mer did fight with Madamaine the ambitions brother to the Damosell iniurious and of the accusations that were made by some of the enemies of Amadis vnto the King for which cause hee and many others that were desirous to follow him departed from the Court. THe next day after the combate was ended between Amadis and Ardan as hath beene related heretofore the iniurious Damosell came and presented herselfe before the king beseeching his Maiesty to send him that should fight with her brother whom according vnto promise shee had caused to come thither For sayd the Damosell although my brother be conquerour and cannot take that reuenge of his enemies as the friends of Ardan may rest satisfied for his death yet will it bee some small comforth vnto them notwithstanding Now Brunco was there present who without making stay answered to the rash speeches of the foolish woman said vnto the the King If it like your Maiesty I am the man she speaketh of and seeing that her brother is come hither as shee saith if it be your pleasure and his will wee shall quickly know if hee be such a gallant as hee vaunteth Vnto the which the King condiscended Wherefore they both went immediatly to arme them and anon after they entred into the field whither they were accompanied with certaine knights their friends They beeing then in the place assigned for that purpose the Trumpets sounded to warne them to begin the combate Forthwith they charged their Launces and setting spurres to their horses they ranne the one against the other such force that their Launces flew into shiuers encountring each other with their shieldes and bodies Madamain lost his stirrops and was vnhorsed Brunco wounded in the left side Notwithstanding so soone as hee had finished his carreer hee turned himselfe to his enemy and saw that he had already recouered his feet and held his sword in his hand in a readines to defend himselfe but as Brunco drew neere to charge him he sayd to him Sir knight alight or else assure you that I will kill your horse Truely sayd Brunco at your choyce bee it for it is all one to me to ouercome you on foote or on horsebacke When Madamain saw that his wish came to a good end being as he thouhgt stronger then his enemy who was but little and himselfe in a manner a Gyant he was most glad thereof and sayd to Brunco It were better for you to alight and then you should soon make profe whether you were able to effect that which you make brags of well quoth Brunco so withdrawing himselfe he alighted left his horse then he tooke his shield set hand to his sword approaching vnto Madamain who like a valiant stout knight receiued him coragiously They began to lay on load the one at the other both of thē pretending to get the victory which was the cause that neither shield nor armour of how good temper soeuer was able to withstand their blowes for they hacked them to peeces so that the field in many places was couered with peeces of their shields Now if the knights did assaile one another with great hardinesse their horses did no lesse for they set vppon one another and with their feete and teeth fighting together they did ioyne in such sort that the most part of the lookers on were more intentiue to the combate of the beasts then the fight of the knights Notwithstanding Madamain his horse in the ende had the worse being constrained to leape ouer the barriers and to run away This gaue a great presumption to euery man to imagine that Brunco should obtaine the victory and so it fell out for hee pursued Madamain so neere and brought him to that extreamity that being almost out of breath he sayd vnto Brunco I doe beleeue considering the rage thou art in that thou imaginest the day will not bee long enough to end our quarrell Howbeit if thou doest consider that thy armour is almost vnriuited thou shalt finde that it were better for thee to rest thy selfe then to assaile mee so vndiscreetly as thou doest and therefore I being vnwilling to vse thee so rigourously as thou deseruest I am content to giue thee leaue to take breath that we may afterwards begin the fight more hotly then before Brunco answered thou declarest in plaine tearmes that which is needfull for thy selfe Wherefore I pray thee as lustie as thou art not to spare mee a whit Art thou ignorant of the occasion of our combate Knowest thou not that either thy head or mine must cease this strife I doe assure thee that I am no more determined to listen vnto thy preaching wherefore if thou determine not to dy presently looke to thine owne defence better then thou hast done here-tofore Immediately without any further disputations hee assailed Madamain afresh
but hee was already so weake as not being able so much as to defend Brunco his blowes hee drew himselfe by little and little to the top of a Rock euen to the place where Amadis had cast the body of Ardan into the Sea And there Brunco thrust him so rudely downe that he sent him to be buried in the Sea but before hee came to the bottome his body was torne in twenty seuerall peeces Which the iniurious Damosell perceiuing she entred into such fury and dispaire that as a mad woman shee ranne vnto the place where Ardan and Madamain were throwne downe headlond where finding Madamain his sword she set it to her breast crying so loud that all the companie heard her Seeing that Ardan the flower of chiualrie my brother haue chosen their graue in this raging Sea I will beare them companie And so casting herselfe downe headlong she was immediately couered with the water Then Brunco mounting on horse-backe againe was conducted by the King and many other knights to the lodging of Amadis where hee desired to keep him company in whose honour hee had vndertaken the combate And because that the Queene Briolania perceiued that Amadis was not like to be cured in a short space nor to accompany her as hee had promised she tooke her leaue of him to goe see the singularities of the Firme-Island wherefore Amadis commanded Enil to conduct her and to desire Isania the Gouernor thereof to doe her all the honour and giue her the best entertainement hee could deuise So Briolania departed bidding Oriana farewell assuring her that she should be aduertised what happened vnto her in trying the aduentures of the Island but shee was no sooner gone from the Court when it seemed that Fortune endeauoured the ruine of the kingdom of great Brittaine which bad so long time liued in happinesse Yea euen king Lisuart himselfe who forgetting not onely the seruices hee had receiued of Amadis of his kindred and friends but especially the aduice and counsell of Vrganda listened to flatterers two ancient knights of his house to whom vnder the colour of the long education they had receiued as well of the King Falangris his eldest brother as of himselfe hee gaue credit beleeuing their vntrothes which he ought not to haue done as you shall presently vnderstand These two of whom I speake as wel by reason of their ancient age as of a kinde of hypocrisie cloaked with wisedome tooke more paines to seeme good and vertuous then to bee so in deede by meanes whereof they entred into great authority and were often-times called and made priuie to the most secret affaires of their Lord one of them was named Brocadan and the other Gandandell This Gandandell had two sonnes who before the comming of Amadis and of his followers into great Brittaine were esteemed two of the most hardiest knights in all the countrey notwithstanding the prowesse and dexteritie of the other did abate the renowne of those whom I speake of Wheâ—s at their father was so displeased that forgetting the feare of God the faith which hee ought to his Prince and the honour which all men of honesty ought to be endâ—…ed withall determined not onely to accuse Amadis but likewise all those whom hee esteemed aâ— his friends and did conuerse withall hoping to build his treason in such sort that by the ruine of so many good knights he would worke his owne his friends profit Wherefore finding the King on a time at leasure hee vsed speeches of like substance vnto him It may please your Maiesty I haue all my life long desired to bee faithfull vnto you as to my King and naturall Lord euen as my duty bindeth mee and will yet continue if it please God for besides the â—ath of fidelity which I haue swerne unto you you haue of your gracious fauour heaped so many beâ—… vpon mee that it I should not counsell you in that which did concerneâ—y our royall Maiesty I should commit a great fault both towardes God and men In consideration whereof if it like your Maiesty after I had long weighed with my selfe that which I will declare vnto you I haue often repented that I deferred the matter so long not for any malice I beare vnto any man as God is my witnesse but onely for the damage which I see ready to ensue if your Maiesty do not speedily and wisely seeke remedy to preuent it Your Maiesty knoweth that of long time there hath beene great controuersie betweene the kingdomes of Gaule and great Brittaine because that the Kings your predecessors haue alwaies pretended title of soueraigntie thereunto And albeit that for some time this quarrell hath linedead notwithstanding it is likely that those of that Countrey calling to minde the warres and domages they haue endured by your subiects haue secretly determined to take reuenge thereof And in my opinion Amanis who is chiefe and principall amongst them all is not come into this Countrey but to practise and gaine your people who ioyned with the forces which he may easily land heere will so trouble you that it will be hard for you to resist them And I beseech you to consider whither the likelyhood there-of bee not already very apparent Moreouer your Maiestie may bee pleased to consider that he of whoÌ„ I speake and those of his aliance likewise haue done mee so much honour and pleasure that both I and my children are greatly bounden vnto them and were it not that you are my soueraigne Lord. I would in no wise pleake against Amadis but in those things which concerne your person let mee rather receiue death then that I spare any man liuing were he mine own sonne You haue receiued Amadis with so great number of his parents and other strangers into your Court like a good and liberall Prince as you are that in the end their traine will become greater then your owne wherefore if it like your Maiesty it were good to fore-see this matter before the fire bee kindled any further When the King heard Gandandel speake in this sort he became very pensiue and afterwards answered him In faith louing friend I beleeue that you aduertise mee as a good and faithfull subiect neuerthelesse seeing the seruices that they of whom you speake haue done vnto me I cannot be perswaded in my mind that they would procure or imagine any treason against me May it please your Maiesty answered he that is it which deceiueth you for if they had heretofore offended you you would haue beene ware of them as of your enemies but they can wisely cloake their pretended treason colouring it with an humble speech accompanied with some small seruices wherein they haue employed themselues watching a time of more fit opertunity The King turned his head on the one side without answering any farther because there came some Gentlemen vnto him neuerthelesse Gandandel being as yet ignorant how the King had taken his aduertisement he practised with Brocadan and drew him
vnto his league declaring vnto him the whole discourse which he had with the King assuring him that if they might banish Amadis and his alies that from thenceforth they two alone should gouerne the king and his Realme peacebly Brocadan receiuing this counsell for good did afterwards imprint in the King his minde so great iealosie and surpition against Amadis and his fellowes as from that day hee hated them in so strange a sort that hee could not in a manner abide to see them forgetting the great seruices performed by them as well when he and Oriana were deliuered from the hands of Arcalaus as afterwards in the battaile against King Cildadan and in many other places heretofore recited Truely if this King had well remembred the counsell and aduise which hee had receiued of Vrganda hee had not so farre digressed from the bounds of reason although that the like malady doth often haunt al Princes when they take not heed of falling into the like accidents and danger as King Lisuart did Who giuing credit to the deceitfull words of these traitors did ne-uer afterwards visit as hee was accustomed Amadis and the others that were wounded whereat they were not a little abashed but to doe them the more dispite he sent for Madasima and other pledges vnto whom he sayde that if within eight dayes the Isle of Mongaza were not yeelded vnto him according to their promise that then hee would suddainly cause their heads to be smitten off When Madasima heard this rigorous constraint neuer was woman more afraid considering that in performing the will of the King shee should remaine poore and vtterly dishereted and on the other side denying to satisfie his behest shee did see her death prepared so that she was in such perplexitie as not being able to answere him she had recourse vnto her teares Wherefore Andangell the old Gyant answered the King saying If it please your Maiestie I will go with those whom you shall appoint to send vnto the mother of Madasima and I will deale with her in that sort as shee shall accomplish your will yeelding the Countrey and places which you demand otherwise your Maiestie may doe your pleasure with vs. This the King liked well of and euen that day he sent him with the Earle Latin and caused Madasima and her women to bee carryed back to their accustomed prison whether they were brought by diuers Gentlemen Whom she moued greatly to pittie her estate by the complaints and sorrowfull lamentation that she made vnto them praying euery one of them particularly to labour in her behalfe vnto the King so that there was not one amongst them all who promised not to doe for her as much as possibly they could especially Don Galuanes who at that time held her by the arme beholding her with such an eye as hee became of her enamoured and said vnto her Madame I am sure that if it would please you to accept mee for your husband the King would freely bestow vpon vs all the right that he pretendeth in your Countrey I beleeue also that you are not ignorant of my nobility being brother to the King of Scotland and that by me your authoritie shall not be deminished For the rest assure your selfe that I will vse you as you are worthy Now Madasima had known him of long time she was assured that he was one of the best Knights in the world Wherefore accepting the offers of Galuanes shee fell downe at his feete most humbly thanking him for the good and honour which he did offer vnto her and euen then was the marriage betweene them agreed vpon the which afterward Galuanes laboured to effect to his vttermost power And the better to accomplish it some few dayes after he came vnto Amadis and Agraies making them acquainted with that which you haue heard and Agraies said vnto him Vnkle I know very well that loue hath no respect of persons sparing neither young nor olde and seeing that you are become one of his subiects we will beseech the King so much in your behalfe that you shall enioy your desired loue therefore determine to behaue your selfe like a lusty champion for Madasima is a woman not likely to bee pleased with a kisse onely By my faith answered Amadis my Lord Galuanes the King in my opinion will not refuse vs and I promise you that so soone as I am able to walke your Nephew and I will goe vnto his Maiesty to entreat that which you demand But you must vnderstand that whilest these things were in doing Gādandell the better to couer dissemble the treason which he had conspired did goe oftentimes to see and visit Amadis so that one time amongst the rest hee sayd to him my Lord it is long since you saw the King What is the cause there-of answered Amadis Because saide Gandandel by his countenance it seemeth hee beareth you no great good will I know not answered Amadis yet to my knowledge I neuer offended him For this time they passed no farther vntill at another instant this traytour came againe to see him shewing vnto him a better countenance then he was accustomed saying my Lord I told you the other day that I thought by the speeches which I heard the King speake of you that his friendship was not so firme vnto you as it was wont to be and because that I and mine are so greatly bound vnto you for the pleasures which you haue done vnto vs I will truly let you vnderstand how the King hath a very bad opinion of you and therefore looke vnto it So many times did hee repeat this and the like matter vnto Amadis that hee began to suspect least hee had layd some snare to entrap him in whereby the King might conceiue some euill opinion of him And therefore one day when Gandandel perseuered in his aduertisements Amadis being very angry answered him My Lord Gandandel I doe greatly wonder what mooueth you to vse this speech so often vnto me seeing that I did neuer thinke vpon any thing but onely wherein I might doe the King seruice And I cannot beleeue that a Prince so vertuous as hee is would euer suspect mee for a thing which I neuer committed Wherefore neuer breake my head more with such follies for I take no pleasure therein For this cause Gandandel durst neuer after that speake any more thereof vnto him vntill that Amadis beeing healed went vnto the Court but so soone as the King beheld him hee turned his head from him his fellowes not vouchsafing so much as once to looke vpon them Then Gandandel who was hard by them seeing the Kings countenance came to embrace Amadis saying vnto him that hee was glad of his recouery But by my faith sayd he I am very sory that the king vseth you no better notwithstanding now you may know whether the aduertisements that I gaue you were false or nor Amadis answered him not one word but came vnto Angriota Brunco who
seen these wonders but shee would yet see the Arch of loyall Louers and the chamber so renowned and in the meane season she desired him to tell her what was meant by the Hart Serpent Dogs and Lions Madame answered Isania I know no other thing thereof but that euery day at those houres and places that you did see them the combats of the beasts are made and the Hart doth alwaies leape downe from the window and the Dogs after who pursue him into a Lake not far from hence where they are hidden and seene no more vntill the next day and houre that the chase beginneth againe as you haue seene it this night past But thus much you shall know that if you were one whole yeere in this Island yet should you not haue time enough to see all the wonderfull things which there are For this cause my Lady and her company mounted on horseback and we came vnto the Palace of Apolidon to see the arch of loyall Louers and the forbidden Chamber Whereunto my Lady was no sooner come but she alighted and approched vnto the Image of copper as she that had neuer falsified her loue and passing vnder there was heard the most sweete and melodious tune in all the world and the Queene passed through euen vnto the place where the portraitures of Apolidon and Grimanesa were which seemed vnto her as though they had been aliue And from thence shee came vnto the piller of Iasper where she saw written these wordes Briolania the daughter to Tagadan king of Sobradisa is the third Damosell that did euer enter into this place But as my Ladylooked roūd about her in all places she was afraid seeing that she was alone therefore with-out long tarrying there she returned vnto vs that stayed for her and for this time shee would make no farther proofe vntill the 5. day following that shee did put on the richest and costliest apparrell that in al her life she had euer worne letting her hayre hang downe which were the fayrest that euer nature framed shee had vpon her head no more then a border of Gold garnished with many pretious stones the which did become her so well and made her seeme so saire that as well her owne followers as strangers did plainly say that without doubt shee would finish the aduentures of the Isle her eupon recommending her selfe vnto God she entred vpon the forbidden path and passing the brasse piller she came close vnto the other of Marble where she red the Letters that were grauen thereupon afterwards she marched on farther so that euery one did then iudge that shee would enter into the chamber without any difficultie When Oriana heard that Briolania had passed so far she began to blush and change her naturall colour in such sort that one might easily haue knowne the great alteration of her minde fearing that Briolania had passed no farther thereby ending the aduenture of the forbidden chamber But the Damosell proceeding forward in her discourse said you must know that so soone as the Queene came within three paces of the chamber she was taken so rudely by her fair and golden haires that without all respect of pitty shee was throwne out with such force beyond the pillar that she remained in aswond a long time as many others had done before her whereupon wee suddainly tooke her vp and carried her vnto her chamber where shortly after she recouered and she determined the next morning to depart from thence The which she did taking the way to Sobradisa Neuerthelesse shee had before commanded me to come vnto this Court to aduertise you of that which I haue declared Truly Damosell said Oriana the Queene your Mistresse hath done much for me Madam said the Damosell she hath expressely charged me to returne vnto her incontinently wherefore it may please you to giue me leaue to depart Faire Damofel said Oriana you shall see the Queene then to morrow morning you shall depart Well Madame said she I am content to obey you Now about this time Amadis and his fellowes arriued at the Firme-Island where they were most royally entertayned and receiued by all those of the country who were exceeding glad for the recouerie of their new lord whom they had thought to hauebeen lost And after that these knights who had followed Amadis had well viewed the Isle and seene the fertility and the inuincible scituation thereof they iudged that king Lisuart nor any other prince could be of power sufficient as once to dare come and assaile them For besides the force of the country it was furnished with many citties towns and beautified with foure Castles the most sumptuous and magnificent that were in all the world beside In one of them might a man beholde the sport of the Hart chased by the Dogs in the other the Combat betweene the Lions and the Serpent then in the third the tower which made the turning pauillion for foure times a day it turned so fast that those which were therein did thinke that it would sinke Lastly in the sourth was the pastime of the baited Bul who comming foorth of an olde ditch passed ouer the people that stood in his way and did come running with his hornes against a gate of iron with such force that hee ouerthrew it and opened a Tower from whence there came forth an old Ape so wrinkled that his skinne hanged downe on all parts of him the which held a whip wherwith he nimbly chased the Bull euen vnto the ditch from whence he came forth In all these foure Castles did Amadis and his fellowes oftentimes take their pastime for the strange sights that there they sawe And in this sort did these knights passe the time away staying vntill fortune did offer them some new occasion to arme themselues the which shortly after she did for Balais Carsanta whom Amadis had heretofore deliuered from the prisons of Arcalaus came vnto him from the Court of Kings Lisuart who after hee had declared vnto them many nouels hee tolde them how king Lisuart was preparing an armie to passe into the Isle of Mongaza for Grumedaca had made answere vnto the Earle Latin who was sent with the olde Gyant and his sonnes to take possession of the countrey that shee would sooner consent vnto the death of her selfe and all the world before she would yeeld vp the Burning lake and the three strong Castles which shee held and that they should doe with her Daughter Madasima and the other Damosels what they would I pray you saide Agraics tell vs what countenance the King shewed hearing such an answere By my faith answered Balais he is determined to put all to fire and sword if hee be resisted and within a moneth after to cause the heads of the pledges which hee holdeth to be smitten off Truely said Amadis hee may doe what he please but if hee vsed more curtesie it were perchance better for him When Galuanes whom I haue said Cupid had depriued
tell her that you are with childe praying her earnestly to keepe your counsaile as secret as shee would doe her owne and that she would doe you that good as to finde out some woman to nurse the fruite that God shall send you the which you shall cause to bee layd within the entry of her Church porch as a thing found by chance I am sure that shee loueth you as much as any woman liuing and shee will willingly doe this good turne for you By this meanes shall my honour be saued and yours little or nothing the worse Repose your selfe vpon me sayde the Damosell I will play this part well enough and therefore bee you merry In the meane season do you purchase leaue for your departure and follow me These and such like were the consultations of these three Damosels whom wee will for the present leaue to returne vnto king Lisuart who after that the Earle Latin was returned backe againe and that he had declared vnto him how Grumadaca the old Gyantesse was not determined to yeelde the Castle of the burning Lake nor the three strong places whereof we haue spoken he by the counsaile of Broquadan and Gandandel sent for Madasima to come vnto him vnto whom he said Damosel you knowe how you and your women are entred into my prisons vpon this condition that if your mother did nor yeeld into my hands the Isle of Mongaza with the burning Lake the other places therunto belonging your heads should answer me for it And because I haue beene of late certified by those which I sent thither of the refusall which she hath made I will make you an example of it that euery one thereby may see what a matter of importance it is not to keepe promise with a King for you shall all die When the poore Lady heard this conclusion so rigorous the faire vermilion colour of her face was sodainely changed into a pale and deadly hew and falling at the king his feete shee answered him If it like your Maiesty the death which you threaten vnto me doth so much trouble my spirits that I haue no meanes nor power to make you an answere But if there be any in this companie that taketh pittie vpon twelue poore distressed Damosels I doe most humbly beseech him to take our quarrell in hand for if I haue entred into your prison I did it by the cōmandement of my mother and they by my perswasions did the like And although that by reason euery Gentleman bearing armes is bound to maintaine the right of afflicted women if by misfortune wee cannot finde any that taketh compassion of our miserie yet it may please your Maiesty mittigating the rigour of your lawes to extend your mercy and to heare vs in our iustifications as reason and equity willeth When Gandandel heard Madasima speake so boldly hee suddenly answered saying vnto the King if it please your Maiesty there is no reason that these women should bee suffered thus to pleade for if you cause them not to die euery one will doe as they doe neuer performing any thing that they do promise vnto you They are come hither as pledges nothing ignorant of the conditions wherefore then shall there bee any wrong done vnto them to cut off their heads for not yeelding that which they haue promised My Lord Gandandell answered the good knight Grumedan if it please the King his Maiesty shall not doe as you counsaile him for mercy is more commendable in a King then cruelty which he may vse when it pleaseth him You know that these women more by the cōmandemēt of a mother and the obedience of a childe then by any their owne wils haue beene constrained to yeelde themselues prisoners as they are and euen as God loueth those that are humble and dutiful so also the King who is his minister ought not to despise them Moreouer I haue beene aduertised that certaine knights are already departed from the Firme-Island to maintaine their quarrell against you and the right which they haue and therefore my Lord Gandandel if you or your sonnes dare maintaine this counsell which you doe giue vnto the King for good it may bee you may finde that you or they which shall haue to doe with them shall not be all at their best ease Gandandel hearing Grumedan to speake so vertuously could willingly haue wished the words vnspoken which he vttered so lightly but now it was too late to remedy that which was past helpe wherefore to saue his honour he answered Dan Grumedan you seeke to purchase me displeasure and yet haue I not any way deserued it of you As touching my sonnes there is not any in this company who knoweth them not for valiant and bolde knights and such as will maintaine before all and against all men that this which I haue sayde vnto the King is according to right and equity Wee shall shortly see what they will doe sayd Grumedan but vpon mine honour I speake not this in that I wish you any hurt but onely because it seemeth vnto me that you counsaile the King amisse Now did the King certainly know that against all right and without any cause at all hee had banished Amadis notwithstanding his ancient vertue could not banish this new passion but hearing Grumedan speake so wisely hee willingly gaue eare vnto him and after-ward demanded of him who were the knights that came for Madasima Grumedan named them all vnto him one after another Truely sayd the King for so small a number they are men of worth and valiant knights Gandandel did now very well perceiue that his affaires were like to prosper worse and worse knowing his two sonnes to be no such men as to match or compare with Don Florestan Agraies Brian or Garnet of the fearefull valley Wherefore so soone as the King had sent the Damosels backe againe to prison he went to seeke out Brocadan vnto whom he wholy recited all that which Grumedan had sayde vnto the king in his presence at which hee was no lesse amased then hee whereupon they both retyred into a chamber that they might more priuately conferre together And as they were in this consultation that Brocadan reprooued Gandandel cursing the houre that euer he was aduised by him to bring Amadis into these tearmes a yong knight named Sarquiles Cosen vnto Angriotta de Estranaux being in loue with one of the Neeces of Broquadan was by chance hidden behind the Tapestrie of the same chamber staying for some signe or watch word which was to be giuen vnto him by his louing Mistresse hee I say heard all their counsaile whereat hee was wonderfull abashed For which cause incontinently after the traytours were departed hee came foorth from his place where hee had almost all that day beene hidden and the next morning hee armed him and as if he had beene come some farre iourney he entred into the Pallace where the king was vnto whom he came and sayd If it may please
your Maiesty I am none of your subiect nor liege man but in requitall of the bringing vp and education that I haue had in your Court I am bound to preserue and defend the honour of your Maiesty Wherefore your highnesse may be pleased to bee aduertised that within these three dayes I was in such a place where I heard that Broquadan and Gandandel did not only then conspire but already had committed against God and your grace the greatest treason that might be imagined It is sure that they determined to counsell perswade you to put Madasima and her gentlewomen to death and for the rest I hope if it like your Maiesty before ten dayes be past that their wickednes shal be wholy laid open proued vnto you And because that in maintayning such traitors you haue of late banished my Lord Amadis and many other good knights from your cōpany I am not determined to stay any longer with you and therefore I take my leaue of your grace to goe seeke out my Vncle Angriotta whom if God please you shall see in these parts and I with him determined to auouch by force of armes against these two traytors their vniust conspiracies God be with you answered the king seeing that you haue so great haste Herewithall Sarquiles rose vp leauing the king alone very pensiue for the wordes which hee had said vnto him and some few dayes after he arriued in the Firme-Island as Amadis Angriotta Bruneo and others were walking by the Sea side causing certaine ships to be prepared and rigged to passe into Gaule where king Perion had sent vnto Amadis that he should come for certaine affaires which were lately happened vnto him When Angriotta beheld his Nephew Sarquiles he wondred thereat inquiring of him why hee had left king Lisuart My Lord answered Sarquiles it is for a matter whereat you all this cōpanie wil greatly admire Hereupon hee recived vnto them the whole discourse of the practises and counsailes that Broquadan and Gandandel had held vpon the accusation of Amadis his companions Well answered Angriotta I did alwaies thinke so of them And you my Lord said hee vnto Amadis doe now finde that to be true which I haue here-tofore told you But seeing it is so I protest they shall repent their treacherie for I will depart hence tomorrowe morning to goe and fight with them and make them acknowledge their villany Gentle friend answered Amadis the matter being so certaine as it is you haue no reason to deferre the execution of your enterprise and if you had any sooner performed that which you now determine it had beene perchance with lesse assurance then you now haue And after many other discourses they went vnto their lodging vntill the next morning that Angriotta took his leaue of Amadis and accompanied with his Nephew Sarquiles tooke the right way towards great Brittaine where within few dayes after he arriued Now you must vnderstand that euer since the departure of Amadis king Lisuart was so melancholly as no man could be more and hee spent all the day long in studying with himselfe whereof one time aboue all the rest Broquadan and Gandandel seeing him alone very pensiue came vnto him and sayd May it please your Maiesty it seemeth vnto vs that the ouer great care which you take in these your affaires depriueth you of your wonted manner of life and you take matters more to heart then you neede It may wel be answered the king but what meane you to tell me so Is it if it like your Maiesty sayd they for doubt of those that come from the Firme-Island in the defence of Madasima and her Damosels by the faith wee owe vnto God if it please your grace to credit our counsell you and your estate shall be henceforth in greater security then euer yet it hath beene And to bring that to passe commaund the heades of those pledges which you haue this day to bee smitten off Then afterwardes send vnto Galuanes and the rest of his compapanie your enemies that vpon their liues they be not once so hardy as to enter into your countries and if by chance they be already arriued command them foorth-with to depart or otherwise you will cause them to bee cut in peeces When the King heard this wicked speech and vngodly counsaile of theirs hee remembred that which Sarquiles had tolde vnto him therwithall he knew that without doubt these two traytors did with wrong procure the death of these Damosels notwithstanding because he would not at that time amase them hee onely answered this You counsaile mee to things farre vnfitting my estate the one that I should with-out processe or order of Iustice put Madasima and her Damosels to death and the other that I should forbid frō my Court those knights that are minded to come thither But if I should doe this which you say I might bee grieuously reproued for it before God who hath by his great bounty and mercy instituted mee King to administer Iustice vnto euery one alike therefore the counsell which you doe giue vnto mee is wicked and vnworthy to be receiued Let it suffice you therefore that I haue already listned vnto you in the accusation which you haue contriued against Amadis whereof I doe greatly repent mee for I ne-uer receiued of him nor any of his but all honor pleasure seruice wherefore I charge you vpon your liues that you mooue me no more thereof Saying so he rose vp shewing by his countenance that hee was very angry whereat Gandandel and Broquadan were greatly abashed and they were constrained to departe vnto their lodging to determine what was best for thē to be done seeing that already fortune had maruailously crossed them they came not in the King his presence all that day after vntill the next morning when they attended vpon him as hee rode into the fields The King beeing halfe a league from the Cittie he behelde comming toward him the knights of the Firme-Island for the deliuery of Madasima and her Damosels being come somewhat neere they all did their duties to his Maiestie Then Galuanes who marched for-most took vpon him to speake for all his fellowes saying vnto the King If it like your Maiestie wee being all of vs well assured of your accustomed vertue are come to demand iustice of your grace for Madasima and her Damosels and to defend their right if by force of armes it is defensible My friends answered hee seeing that you haue already set vp your Tents in this place if you thinke good you may heere abide for this day and to morrow you may come vnto mee to aduise vpon that which shall be reasonable to bee done If it please your highnesse said Brian of Moniasta wee all are assured that accorto your ancient royall behauiour iustice shall not bee denied vnto vs and if wee finde it otherwise it is rather by the counsaile of some wicked traitors that are about you
of one man beleeue me Damosell you tell vs meruailes Worthy Lord answered she he onely of whom I speake hath done him to death after hee had slaine all the other that resisted him in Galpans Castell and he thinking to reueng their foile himselfe combated hand to hand with the Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonor hee lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Court yet doubting the corrupt fauour thereof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victory this Helmet may suffiise Vndoubtedly said the king to al there present â—t it the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs. My Lord quoth she I obtained it by exceeding importunity for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the King to rid vs of all other doubles He nameth himselfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the sea When the King heard this he was greatly abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus speake By my faith I am assuredly perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him needs not be ashamed thereof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I needed not to haue done seeing Chiualry is in him already so well accomplished Then Araies taking occasion to speake demanded of the Damosell where he might meet with his gentle friend My Lord quoth she he humbly commendeth him-selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thether Good newes faire Damosell said Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may find him there with my good will shall I ne-uer leaue his company You haue reason so to do answered the Damosel for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must thinke it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertly as the watchfullest eye could not desceme it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was Knighted when at length he was aduertised that the Ladyes attending on the Queene could tell better then anybody els which with much a do he obtained of them Then may the Gentle-man of the sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtisie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too yong for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteously wellcomed the Damosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him letters from a Lady that deerely loued him of whome the History hereafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Army trauailing toward Gaule to his Vnckle King Perion CHAP. IX How King Lisuare sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Court of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his onely daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladyes and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers court with his troup three Ships of great Brittaine tooke port in Scotland wherein as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred knights of king Lisuarts as also many Ladyes and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Being arriued at the Court of king Languines they were very graciously entertained especially Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardy knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his Ambassadge which was harty thanks froÌ„ king Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreatance of the Princesse his daughter he requested now to haue her home Mabila his daughter with her to whom he would do all the honor could be deuised Right thankfully did king Languines accept this offer and was content that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine dayes soiourned Galdar and his traine in Scotland during which time they were most honorably feasted and in this while the king prepared other Ships to accompany the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherefore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewels the waxe which she had taken from the Gentleman of the sea This gaue her such a remembrance of him as the teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her hands so that the waxe which shee held in them suddenly brake she espied the letter enclosed therein which so soone as she vnfolded she found there writteÌ„ these words This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes shee conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenance and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was esteemed at the most but the son of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therefore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her on whom she intirely trusted thus spake My good friend I will declare one thing to ye which no oâ—…er then mine owne hart and you â—…all know therefore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madam answered the Damosell seeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willingly shall I dye theÌ„ faile therein wel may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to mee shal be altogether kept secret executed to my power TheÌ„ so it is deere friend said Oriana that you must needs go seek the Gentle-man of the sea whom you shall find at the warres in Gaule and if you chance to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall find his name therein writteÌ„ on the day that he was cast into the sea whereby I know him to be the son of a king which ought inspire him with higher courage hardines to encrease the fame hee hath already so well begun You shall likewise tel him how the king my father sent for me and therefore I am gone toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquaint him withall and when hee returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limittingâ—… things in such sorte as he may liue in my fathers Court vntill he receiue other commandemeÌ„t of me Such was the speedy dispatch of the
faith Damosel I haue now more neede 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 being the most loyall King in the world wherefore humbly I intreate yee presently to reuenge my cause on a knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content there-with the villaine violently tooke mee away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is hee enchanted as hee cannot bee done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of Great Brittaine giue him a wound with this Launce and another with this sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Ladie of whom hee had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for shee hateth him aboue all others for which cause she gaue mee this sword and Lance whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it bee done but by you onely who are the chiefe and most vertuous man in this countrey wherefore as you promised mee before so valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often tolde him that by this day I would bee prouided of a knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending onely for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for hee little thinketh that I haue the Sworde and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agreement together if hee remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniury but if he be vanquished hee must doe what I command him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when hee had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels sworde about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company hee rode on with her shee carrying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayde My Lord take your helmet for this is he you must deale withall which the King quickly did approaching neare the knight sayd Proud Traytour defend thy selfe and thy lawlesse Iust So couching their Launces they encountred together where the King perceiued how his painted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his sword to charge the knight but at the first strok the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hee imagined himself betraied for the knight did what he pleased to him But as hee would haue killed his horse the King being quick nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such â—ore they strugled together as they both fell to the ground the knight vnderneath and the King vpon him by meanes whereof hee got his sword from him and vnlacing his helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shee could Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cosen quickely or else hee dies When the King heard her name Arcalaus hee looked vp and sawe ten braue knights come running vnto him the one of them vsing these wordes King Lisuart spare the knight otherwise thou shalt not reigne one houre If I die answered the King so shall you all for mee like traytours as you are Then one of them gaue him such a blowe with his Launce as not onely sore hurt him but made him fall on his face to the ground yet did hee recouer himselfe very quickely like one resolued to defend his life albeit hee sawe death present before his eyes But being vnable to resist so many at length they got sure holde on him when renting off his helmet his shield they bound him fast with a double chaine Afterward they set him on a simple horse two knights still holding the ends of the chain and so leading him along sought where they might finde Arcalaus Oriana and the Damosell of Denmark but the knight against whom the King first fought rode before apace and wauing his gauntlet aloft to Arcalaus sayde Beholde Cosen kin Lisuart is ours A very good priâ—e answered Arcalaus henceforth shall his enemies haue no cause to dread him Villaine quoth the King well know I thou wast neuer other then a traytour and though I am wounded yet will I maintayne my words if thou darest combate with me By God sayde Arcalaus neuer should I make reckoning of my selfe to vanquish such a Lord as thou art Thus contending as they rode they came to a double way where Arcalaus stayed thus speaking to his Page Sirra ride with all speed to London and say to Lord Barsinan that hee must execute what I willed him for I haue begunne indifferently if hee can make an end as well Gone is the Page toward the Citie in meane while Arcalaus deuised to send the King one way and Oriana another wherefore hee sayde to his Cosen Take tenne knights with you and conduct Lisuart to my prison at Daguanell these other foure shall keepe mee companie for I will leade Oriana to mount Alâ—iâ— where I will shew her strange and wonderfull things This mount Aldin was the place of his most vsuall aboade beeing one of the strongest and fairest in the worlde thus the ten knights carryed away the King and Arcalaus with the rest had charge of the Princesse But certainely if heere wee consider the properties of fortune we may easily repute her as mutable or rather more towardes great Princes and Lords then the meaner sort as well shee witnessed by king Lisuart euen in the time when hee intended most honourably to bee twharted with such a contrary chance For at one instant hee sawe himselfe in the hands of his greatest enemies his Daughter and heire to his kingdome taken from him and all his estate in danger of ruine Hee that was wont to be honored of all was now iniuriously despised bound and led as a theefe by a villainous enchanter a meane Gentleman and out of any other hope then death Is not this then a faire example for such as at this day are called to the greatest honours in the world wherewith oftentimes they are so blinded that they forget both God and themselues King Lisuart was a right good vertuous and wife Prince yet the diuine ordenance suffred him to fall in these dangers to the end hoâ— might remember how al creatures remaine at his heauenly disposition This lesson he taught him for in short time hee was brought so lowe as might be and afterwarde restored againe as you shall presently vnderstand CHAP. XXXVI How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that King Lisuart and his Daughter were carried away prisoners
wherefore they made haste to giue them succour WE haue before declared by what meanes Amadis and Galaor escaped from Madasima the Lady of Gantasi who would haue put them to death if shee had knowne their names likewise how they tooke their way toward London as men right ioyful of their good successe But by the way they met Dardan the Dwarffe so fast as horse could gallop whereupon Amadis thus spake to Galaor Brother me thinks my seruant Dardan commeth toward vs and doubtlesse about some matter of importance for do you not see what speed he maketh By this time Dardan brake off their talke rehearsing euery thing that happened since their departure but when hee tolde how the Princesse Oriana was carried from the Court against her will and what sorowfull lamentations she madâ— Amadis entered into 〈◊〉 despairing fury demanding which 〈◊〉 they went that had her in charged 〈◊〉 sooth my Lord answered Dardan they rode thorough the Forrest which lieth on the otherside of the City Without more words Amadis gaue the spurres to his horse galloping amaine toward London so confounded with the terrour of these newes as he could not speake to his brother Galaor who left hâ—… not but followed at hand Thorow the City they ride not making any stay enquiring which way they took that led away the Princesse euery one shewed it him very readily As Gandalin came posting after his Lord it was his hap to passe by the Queenes lodging where shee standing at a window ouer-come with griefe espied Gandalin whom she called to her and asked where he left his Master Madame quoth he he is gone after the thâ—â— haue away the Princesse Stay a little I pray thee said the Queen theÌ„ sent she for the Kings sword which was accounted one of the best in the world saying I desire thee carrie this sword to Amadis and tell him the King forsooke it this morning he being gone with a Damosell to combate for her she hath giuen him another sword as yet we heare no tydings of him either when he wil returne 〈◊〉 whither he is gone Gandalin hauing receiued the sword 〈◊〉 away with speed after his maister whose impatience vrging him to more hast then care of his iourney made him ride so farre into a foule slough as he was faine to alight ere hee could get foorth againe And leading his horse by the bridle to escape the mire Galaor Gandalin ouer-took him acquainting him with the Queenes message and deliuering the sword she sent him When hee heard how the King was likewise gone his desire of speede encreased to giue him succour but his horse was so wearied with striuing in the bogge as hee was constrained to take Gandalins which trauailed much worse then his owne yet with the helpe of his spurres he made him goe At length they found the tracke of horses and by good hap met with certaine poore labouring men whom they asked if they met not any by the way Yes my Lord quoth one of them wee met certaine men leading a knight and two Ladyes albeit wee durst not shew our selues but kept vs hidden in the thickest of the wood for doubtlesse they be some bad people hereto they added such a description of the prisoners as they easily gathered them to be the King and Oriana betraied But tell me good friends saide Amadis know you none of the other for the prisoners are the King and his daughter In sooth replied the poore man wee are altogether ignorant what they are yet we heard one that led the horse of the fairer Lady oftentimes name Arcalaus Now trust 〈◊〉 quoth Amadis to his brother it is the villaine that enchanted me Oh that it might be my hap to finde him Gentle-men said the man ten of them went this way on the right hand with the Knight prisoner and fiue more this way on the left hand with the Ladyes Brother quoth Amadis to Galaor I beseech ye to follow the King least worse be fall him then we can remedy and I will after the Princesse Oriana So shaking hands in equall resolution they parted the seuerall waies but Amadis found his horse so ouer labored as he was able to hold out no longer Being thus hindered by chance he looked aside and sawe where a Knight lay slaine with a Squire standing by holding his horse whereupon Amadis stepped to him demanding who committed that murther A traitour hath done it answered the Squire who is not yet gone very farre and leadeth with him the fairest Lady in the world no other reason had he for my maisters death but because he asked what the Lady was What wilâ— thou do sayd Amadis tarrying heere I stay Sir quoth he till some one come who may helpe me with my maisters body to some buriall and afterward I intend to seeke my fortune If thou ansâ—red Amadis wilt giue me the horse thou holdest I wil leaue thee mine and my Squire to helpe thee and one day will I giue thee two better beside The squire was coÌ„tent wheÌ„ Amadis mounting on the horse commanded Gandalin to help him bury his maisters body and after-ward to follow him the same way he rode Thus Amadis hies so fast as horse can run and espying an hermitage went to see if any body were within at his call the hermit caâ—…â—…f of whom he asked if he 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 Knights passe by leading two Ladyes No verily answered the olde father but do you not enquire for a Castle which is not far from this place Why aske yet such a question quoth Amadis Because a Nephew of mine tolde mee saide the Hermit how Arcalaus the enchanter is going thither and two Ladies with him whom hee carryeth perforce Ah Father replyed Amadis you name the traytour I looke for Trust me Sir quoth the Hermit hee hath done many mischieues in this countrey would God wee were either rid of him or else his life amended but haue you no bodie to helpe you No body but God and my selfe answered Amadis Why Sir sayd the Hermit you tell mee they bee fiue in company and you but one beside Arcalans is counted one of the best knights in the world and with whom few or none dare meddle Whatsoeuer hee bee quoth Amadis I am certaine hee is a disloyall traytour and they no lesse that keep him company what lesse cause then haue I to feare him for God is iust in whom is onely my confidence I pray you Sir replyed the Hermite knowe you of whence the Ladies be One of them said Amadis is the Princesse Oriana daughter and heire to the vertuous king Lisuart the other is a Lady attending on her The God of heauen answered the Hermite further your intent that so good a Princesse may not be long in such a wretches custody If you haue any prouender Father quoth Amadis I desire you giue my horse a little The Hermit brought forth such as hee hee had and while the horse fed Amadis demaunded to whom the