this will not helpe thee therfore defend thy self So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their sheeldes as the shiuers flew vp into the aire and with such violence met their horsses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose and with their swoordes began a bloodie combate wherin desire of victorie and hautie resolution of vnconquerable courage made them continue a long time till Arcalaus retyring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thée I may yet commend thy boldenes in entring héere My death answered Amadis is in y e hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thée and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischéefs as a present perishing of soule and all together But seeing thou wouldst so gladlye know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Quéene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting Arcalaus auauncing his shéeld came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full wel how to welcome him and such eager stroks past on either side as their shéeldes were scattered in péeces about them and likewise very many plates of their armour Now was it about the thirde hower when Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his blood was forced to seud vp and down before his enemye and séeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that parte of the Castell where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuite stil continued his feare wherupon he stept into a chamber at the door wherof stood a Lady be holding the combate and he was no sooner entred the roome but he caught vp another swoord turning his face to Amadis saying Enter this chamber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Arcalaus for thy pleasure What said Amadis thinkest thou so silly to escape so placing his sheeld before he entred the chāber but as he lifted vp his swoord to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that he fell to the ground as he had been dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thée dye as I desired sléepe then till I wake thee Now say you Lady quoth he to her that stood by am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indéed saide she he is now altogether at your commaundement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not féeling any thing was doone to him afterward Arcalaus put on him selfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perrill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his bodye then he intended to iourney to the court where ech one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slayne him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prison made such mone as would haue melted a hart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenaunce was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus saw the Lady lament he said Dame séeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardie champion These woords made Gandalin in such dispaire as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldly combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaunded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady séeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her greefe and withall Ah God quoth she how irkesome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcalaus calling his wife saide So soone as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will goe to the Court of Ling Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenaunt that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fiftéen dayes following to publishe his victorie openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shall quarrell with me about his death and I shall obtaine the greatest glory in the worlde hauing ouer-come him that conquered euery one Then went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commaunding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indéed would not goe with him desiring some one to kill him and to enforce Arcalaus doo him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traytour and villaine hauing slaine the most loyall Knight in the worlde Arcalaus made no account of his woordes but because he would not goe willingly he dregged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungion saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldst endure no more paine but heere shalt thou suffer wursse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horsse of Amadis and accompanied with thrée Squires rode toward the Courte of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. ¶ How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamentations for him as euery one pittied her she thus speaking to the Wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladyes behold yee not the beautie of this braue Gentleman who in so young yeeres was the only Knight in the world mishap attend on such who by enchauntment iniurie men of vertue D soueraigne creator why doost thou suffer so bad-minded people to liue The Wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addicted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to behold his dealings and continually prayed for his amendment comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they sawe two other Ladyes enter the chamber eche of thē bringing in her hād good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the Wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stir him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little Casket she caryed a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times an other voice answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voices were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came an other Booke flying into the chamber séeming as if the winde caryed it and fell downe at her féet that read she pulling it in foure parts burned it at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand sayd Lord Amadis arise you haue
was but also stood amazed at y e sight of his Mistresse Which when Dardan beheld he tooke hart afreshe and charged his enemie so brauely that if he had longer continued he would haue gone away conquerour but the Damosell of Denmarke noting this change spake out aloud In an vnhappy hower did the Knight behold any Lady in this company whereby he hath lost what he wun of Dardan it is no time now for his heart to faint These words confounded Amadis with shame that gladly could he haue giuen entertainement to death fearing least his Lady would suspect cowardise in him For this cause lifting vp his Sword he gaue Dardan such a stroke on the Helmet as made him set both his hands to the ground then falling vpon him he rent the Helmet from off his head and trampled in such sort on him with his féet as he fell downe like one depriued of his sences Afterward taking him by the locks of his haire he beat him on the face with the pommell of his Sword saying Thou dyest Dardan if thou confesse not the Lady free When Dardan sawe himselfe in such estate he replied Ah gentle Knight for Gods sake mercie kill me not I acquite her Now approched the King and the other Lords to heare what he said and while they stoode conferring with him Amadis as yet ashamed of his fault committed drew back through the throng and seeing he had gotten behinde them all so couertly as he could he ran toward the Forrest leauing them all musing at Dardan who filled the emptie aire with his complaints In meane while his beautifull friend came to him who in sted of giuing comfort for the foile he sustained through her began to detest and despise him saying Dardan heereafter seeke thée some other fréend then me for while I liue will I neither loue thée or any other then the good Knight who valiantly ouercame thée How now Lady quoth he is this the reward of my honor and life aduentured for you you then are not the fréend to Dardan but to fortune who is no sooner contrary to me but presently you are mine enemie Haue I then escaped death by the mercie of my foe to endure wursse then death by the crueltie of my friend Heauen suffereth me to liue and yet you repine at my infortunate life now shall I make knowen to all women by your example that ingratitude is no lesse hurtfull to such as exercise it then to any one offended therewith Héere-upon he tooke his Sword and before it could be imagined what he meant to do he smote her head quite from her shoulders then as a man transported with madnes staring euery where roâ—â—d about him declared by his angry countenance that high and not vulgare was the enterprise he embraced in such an extremitie The King sent his Archers to conuay him thence but ere they came to him he strooke him-selfe so violently to y e heart as the bloud spouted in the Archers faces and then he cryed out saying Now friend art thou reuenged by my vengeance and thine enemie satisfyed with the despised life thou leftst me So falling downe deliuered the last signe of his death where-at each one was confounded with meruaile as well for the noueltie of the case as pittying the verie latest words he breathed but when they remembred his passed life wholly addicted to ouer-wéening folly they reputed this vnfortunate end happened to him not so much by accident as the diuine ordenance which made them sorrow no more but conuerted their thoughts to commend the conquerour CHAP. XV. ¶ How King Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after he was found and knowen AFter the vnfortunate end of these ill aduised louers the King in memorie of this strange accident commaunded that in the feeld where they lay dead should be erected a sumptuous Sepulchre of black Marble stone fashioned like a Romaine Obelisque and thereon was engrauen in the Brittayne language an Epitaph declaring the whole matter as it happened And when he had knowledge of the conquerour as héereafter the manner how is declared his name was placed thereon and foure great Lyons at the foure corners of the Sepulchre importing the deuise which Amadis bare in his Sheeld But now the rumour being appeased and they returned to the Pallace he called for the Stranger that wun the honor of the day but after long enquirie no one could certainly tell what was become of him albeit certaine comming from the wood reported how they saw a Knight returne from the féeld thither-ward being alone and making great haste He that is worthy said the King to beare him company may imagine himselfe happy enough for séeing he hath shewed himselfe so braue a Combatant it is impossible but he should be a wise and vertuous Knight And for no lesse ech one reputed him who vnderstood the iniuries of Dardan vsed to him and sawe how he requited them with gentlenes and courtesie albeit I make no doubt but he knew right wel that if Dardan had got y e better he would not haue pardoned him Such as you haue heard were the words of King Lisuart but Oriana who day by day expected the arriuall of Amadis séeing the incomparable valour of him that fought against Dardan began to suspect that it was he for quoth she to the Damsell of Denmarke I am sure he would not send me a fabulous message and this is the iust time he assured you of his comming In good sooth Madame answered the Damsell you say very true and which makes me conceiue the better hope is that he promised me to ride on a white Courser with the like Armes he had when he Combated against King Abies and I remember how the Knight who ouercame Dardan had the like horsse But did you quoth Oriana take no regard of his Armes Yes marie did I replyed the Damosell albeit the cruell strokes receiued thereon made me hardly perceiue what deuise was there figured yet me thought the ground was a golden feeld and the like I told ye he bare in Gaule with two azured Lyons rampant portrayed therein which being battered all in pieces he presently made him such an other assuring me to weare no other when he came into this countrey and therefore I will doubt no further but it is he Swéete fréend said Oriana if it be he either he will shortly come or send into the Towne therefore you must be watchfull and diligent to heare thereof Madame quoth the Damosell refere these matters to my charge This conference caused Oriana to remaine verie pensiue and breathing foorth many bitter sighes she said Ah gracious heauens what fauour haue you done me if this be Amadis now shall I compasse the meanes better then euer I could to speake with him So attended the Princesse for tidings from her friend who returned as he promised to the
graunt me one boone soone shall I bring ye together againe Galaor being very desirous heereof agreed to any thing she would demaund Follow me then quoth she so turning her horsse rode the same way she came keeping company awhile together but the Damosell being better mounted then he left him behinde with his Squire and rid before so fast that they had lost the sight of her trauailing the space of thrée miles without any news of her but at last on a great plaine they sawe her returne againe Héere you must note that the cause of her riding thus before was to aduertise the other Knight being her déere fréend of their comming and he had expressely sent her to fetch Galaor to deceiue him of the rest of his Armour which he imagined easily to doo without daunger seeing he had gotten the chiefest thing of his defence and afterward he intended to kill him or put him to some notorious shame For this cause he taryed in a Pauillion erected by him on the plaine and no sooner came she to Galaor but thus she spake Gentleman to the end I might not faile in my promise I forsooke your companie awhile only to see if the man you looke for were in the place where I left him or no there haue I found him little thinking on your comming and in yonder Pauillion may you speake with him at pleasure As thus they deuised together they came to the Tent wherefore Galaor alighted to enter but the Knight méeting him at the doore said Sir Knight what mooueth thee to come in heer without licence trust me it is but little for thy profit because thou must héere leaue the rest of thine Armour or dye presently Thou mayst be therein deceiued answered Galaor and the words of such a wretch as thou art can not feare me This reply very angerly incensed the Knight lifting vp his Sword to smite the Prince on the head but Galaor runningly escaped y e blowe giuing his enemy such a stroke on the top of his helmet as made him set one knée to the ground then quickly laying holde on him got the helmet beside his head spurning him to strongly with his féet that therwith he fell on his face to the earth When the Knight beheld himselfe in such danger he called with a loud voice to the Damosell for succour wher-upon she stepped to Galaor saying that he should hold his hand for this was the boone he promised to giue her But he being in extreame choller gaue no eare to her spéeches bringing the Knight into such estate as he left no vitall motion in him whereat the Damosell being ready to despaire breathed foorth many gréeuous lamentations saying Alas wretch that I am too long haue I trifled time for in séeking to beguile an other my selfe am worthily requited with deceit And thou traytour quoth she to Galaor who hast thus cruelly put him to death heauen send thée a more wursse and haplesse end for by thée haue I lost my only felicitie in this world for which be well assured it shall cost thée thy life because thou hast broken promise with me and in such a place will I demaund reuenge on thée as nothing but thy death shall expiate my anger wert thou a Knight of greater hardines then thou art if then thou make refusall there I shall haue more then iust occasion to publish in all places the pusillanimitie of thy faint harted courage Faire Damosell answered Galaor if I had thought his death would haue been so greeuous to you I could haue spared part of my displeasure though iustly he deserued no lesse but you spake when it was too late The wursse for thee replyed the Damosell because thy death shall recompence his Galaor seeing she continued her threatning speeches without any other answere left her lacing on his helmet mounting on the horsse the dead Knight tooke from him and hauing ridden a pretty while he looked back to see if the Damosell followed him when perceiuing her hard at his horsse heeles demaunded of her whether she trauailed With thee answered the Damosell and neuer will I leaue thee till I haue found opportunitie to request the boone thou didst promise me which shall be the losse of thy head by some euill death Me thinks it were better said Galaor for you to take some other satisfaction of me and happily might be more pleasing to you Not any thing else quoth she thy soule shall accompany his whome thou hast slaine else neuer shalt thou accomplish what thou hast promised me Well well answered Galaor I must stand to the hazard of that as I may thus quarrelling they rode on thrée dayes together and entred the Forrest of Angaduze an aduenture there happening to them whereof the Author héereafter maketh mention But now he returneth againe to Amadis who taking his leaue of Vrgandaes Damoselles as you haue heard before recited rode on till about noone time when issuing foorth of a Forrest he saw on a plaine a very faire Castell wher-out came a goodly Chariot to brauely equipped as euer be behelde any it béeing drawen by two braue redde steedes which were couered with imbroydered crimosin sattin as it made a very daintye and séemely shewe The Chariot was guarded by eight armed Knightes yet Amadis beeing desirous to see who was in it drewe some-what neere to lift vp the rich couering but one of the Knightes came to him with these rough woordes Kéepe back Sir Knight and be not so bold to come thus neere What I doo answered Amadis is for no harme Whatsoeuer it be replied the other trouble your selfe no further in respect you are not worthy to see what is heere couered for if you enterprise the like againe it will vallewe your life because thou must deale with all in this troupe and some such one is among vs as is able alone to get the maistrye of thée more easily then may we altogether vse thee as we list I know not saide Amadis the Knightes valour you speak of but hap good or bad I will see what is in the Chariot Heere with he tooke his Armes which the two Knightes seeing that rode formost they ran bothe against him the one breaking his Launce and the other missing but Amadis sped other-wise for the first very easily he cast from his saddle and the other he threw both horsse and man to the ground Then Amadis went toward the Chariot yet was he staied by two other Knightes one of them beeing likewise dismounted and with his swoord he gaue the other such a welcome on the pate as he was glad to kéep him selfe from falling by catching fast holde about his horse neck when the other foure sawe their companions so vsed by one Knight they meruailed not a little and beeing willing to reuenge their iniurie altogether fiercely charged Amadis With this last assaulte he found him selfe sore combred for one of them tainted him in the sheeld and another in his armour as he escaped hardlye
so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
more offended then before which made him shortly thus to answere Knight what promise I made thee I intend to keepe although the Crowne and mantle be both lost to my no little greef as well for thy sake as mine owne Heere-at the Knight gaue a loud shrieke saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now commes my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must finish mine age in the cruellest death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which mooued the most constant to pitty his greefe and the King himselfe ouercome with compassion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speed any thing the wursse for my losse you must be satisfyed whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfully promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demaund what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I knowe my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnes I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to be deliuered if I had I would acquite you of the griefe I know you will endure graunting me the thing I must of necessitie demaund but now it may not be otherwise except you infrindge your faith and loyaltie Rather will I loose my Kingdome replyed the King then make a promise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy mind I thanke your Maiestie quoth the Knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perfourmed or I satisfyed hauing a reward now and taken from me annon Great reason sayd the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the Knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughter Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewels or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her as I sustaine harme by your vnhappy losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmure against the Knight perswading the King to deny his word but he rather desired death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere he made them Be not offended my good fréends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiudiciall to me as the breache of my promise for if the one bée enuious the other is iniurious and to be shunned euery way The proofe is ready if subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care wil they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this Knight therefore must haue my Daughter and I wil deliuer her according to my promise Héereupon he sent for her but the Quéene béeing present all this while little thought the King would so forget his fatherly loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter she good Lady fell at the Kings féete when wéeping as a mother for the losse of her child she said What will yée doo my Lord will ye be more inhumane to your owne blood then the brute Beasts are to their contraryes Notwithstāding all their brutish quallities yet be they neuer so vnnaturall to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledge thereof to commit so great wrong not only against your selfe impitious father or me a wofull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the Knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agréeued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladyes wherefore the King commaunded them to their chambers The Quéene séeing she might not preuayle fell in a swoune but by her Ladyes she was conuayed thence the King giuing charge on payne of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My Daughter quoth he I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can helpe it By this time the newes came to Oriana how her Father had consented to her departure wherat she fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladyes reputing her dead indéed thought best to acquainte the King ther-with yet by forced remedies shée reuiued againe breathing foorth manye dollorous sighes Now the most of the women seuered them-selues some néere and some further from her because she should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony hart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speeche and faintely vttered these regrets Full well quoth she doo I now beholde mine owne ruine Ah swéete fréend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my hart fore-told me euen at the very hower of thy departure Ah curssed be that hower because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these tidinges I feare béeing vnable to endure them thou wilt dye immediatly yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the only refuge to the vnfortunate séest thou not mee formost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumphe ouer thée in dealing so extreamely as she can with me albeit I know thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therfore and let her not get such preeminence on me in despight as it were of thy authoritie Adiew then swéete fréend for neuer shall we sée eche other more in this life at these woordes she fell in a swoune againe When the King sawe she tarryed so long he sent to commaund her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadlye agonye and staying till she was recouered againe as she began to renew her mones he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When she heard this message she arose hauing her hart so sealed vp with griefe as it séemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke she came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete said My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with me Faire daughter quoth he I must accomplishe my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end 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 Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull 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 eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because 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 entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes 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 thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes 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 y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone 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 gon 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 mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost
she haue reputed him had he not beene borne to hard fortune where-to Darioletta was constrained to send him for the redemption of the sorrowfull mother and therfore she deferred it not But euen as before was concluded she wrapped the infant in riche clothes and afterward brought it with the Cofer to Elisena which when the good Lady sawe she demaunded what she would doo therwith Madame quoth she héerein shall your little Sonne be put then will I send it foorth on the water and if it please God he may escape and liue Alas my swéete infant saide Elisena how full of danger is thy destiniâ— In meane while Darioletta tooke incke and parchement and writ therin these woords This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King by these woordes without time she meant that she thought his death to be néere at hand and the name of Amadis was of great reuerence in that Country because of a Sainte there so called to whom this little infant was recommended The letter béeing written and sealed was couered and wrapped in waxe and then with a little golden Chayne fastened about the Childes necke with the Ring that King Perion sent Elisena at his departure Eache 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 Swoord which he threw on the ground the first night he came to Elisena and this the cause wherfore the Damosell had so well kept it then after the Mother had kist her Sonne as her last farwell the Cofer was made fast very arteficiallye and Darioletta opening the yron doore commending the babe to the heauenlye protection she set it on the Water the course wherof béeing very spéedy full soone caried the Cofer into the Sea which was lesse then halfe a mile from the place Now began the break of day to appéere and the little infant followed his fortune now throwne héere 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 doone a Scottishe Ship sayled on the Sea wherin was a Gentleman named Gandales who from little Brittaine sailed with his wife into Scotland she hauing béene lately deliuered of a Sonne called Gandalin The morning was both calme and cléere wherfore Gandales might easilye perceiue the Chest floting on the waues which he presently sent out for thinking it to be â—ome matter of great value then the Mariners casting foorth a Skiffe made toward the Cofer and tooke it vp when they had brought it to Gandales he got opeÌ„ the couer and beholding y e goodly Infant within as also the rich clothes wherin it was wrapped he suspected that it came from no meane place as he gathered by the King and the good Swoord So taking it in his armes he was filled with such compassion as he began to cursse the mother therof who through feare had forsaken so cruellye such a beautifull creature and carefully did he cause all things to be kept which he found in the Cofer desiring his Wife that this infant might be nourished as his own Sonne She was heerewith very wel contented so the two children were equally fostered together for neuer had young Amadis suckte the teat but to soone as it was giuen him by his new Nursse he made no refusall therof but beeing very thirstie sucked hartely wherat Gandales and his wife were excéeding glad Now had they the time so fauourable as shortlye they landed in Scotland néere to a Citie named Antailia and soone after they came to their owne Country where little Gandalin and the Childe found in y e sea were nourished together And because Gandales forbad his seruaÌ„ts to vse any speech of his good hap requesting the like of the Mariners to whom y e ship belonged and were to saile els where the two children were estéemed bretheren by such as were ignoraÌ„t of their fortune CHAP III. ¶ How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauayled on his iourney hauing his hart filled with greefe and melanchollie KIng Perion being on his way toward Gaule as already hath béene recited entred into marueilous melancholly as well for the gréefe wherein he had left his Elisena to whome in his hart he wished well as also for his doubtfull dreame beeing in such sort as you haue heard So long rode he in this heauines til he ariued in his country and soone after he sent for all his great Lordes as also the Prelates of his Realme giuing them expresse charge to bring with them the most learned Clarkes in their Countryes and this he did to the ende they might expounde his Dreame When his vassailes had made knowen his will not only those he sent for but many other came to the court shewing the desire they had to sée him and their readines to obey his commaund for they did so loue and reuerence him as oftentimes béeing fearefull to loose him they were for him in very great greefe and sorrow thinking on the dangerous perilles that in chiualrie to win honor he hazarded him selfe so that they would more gladly haue had him dayly with them which could not be because his hart was discontented till 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 affaires of the Realme but it was with so sad countenaunce as could be for the occasion of his Dreame made him so pensiue as his Subiectes being abashed therat 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 eche one home agâ—â—â—â— to his house only staying with him thrée Astrologers â—eâ—â—ted the most skilfull in those actions and therfore he made choyce of them These men he called into his Chappell there causing them sollemnely to sweare and promise that without â—â—â—e of any thing how daungerous soeuer it were they should interprete to their vttermoste and truelye expresse what he would declare to them wherupon he told them his dreame as hath béen aleady before rehearsed then one of them being named Vngan the Piccard the most experte of them all thus answered My Lord dreames are vaine thinges and for such ought to be estéemed notwithstanding seeing it is your pleasure that some account should be made of yours giue vs some time to consider theron It liketh me wel said the King within twelue daies looke that you make me answere But to the ende they should not disguise or conceale the trueth from him he caused them to be seperated so that during the time agréed vpon they might neither sée or speak together wherfore to their vttermoste they trauailed in what they had promised the King so that the daye beeing come when they should render an account of their labour he first
comprehend her woordes for she saide That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should holde their gouernement in Gaule and their hartes in great Brittaine and from thence they should goe to deuoure the beastes of other Countries 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 woordes I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification heereof 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 holye man to God returned to his Tentes where he saluted his Quéene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his minde was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracinges the King by an apte meane recounted to her what his Astrologers had saide on his dreame earnestlye desiring her to tell him whether she had any Childe by him or no. When the good Ladye heard this she was surprised with shame in such sort as willingly she could haue wished her self dead and therfore altogether denyed the trueth so that at this time the King might not knowe what hee desired On the morrowe they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queene was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath béene héeretofore rehearsed the King bare her singuler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realm then he was wunt to doo so that not long after the Quéen brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia But the little Galaor being two yeeres 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 windowe toward the Garden where was theÌ„ the Queene with her Sonne and Ladyes sporting there entred at a posterne doore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge and mighty Mace When the companye 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 whome he tooke in his armes and in a laughter saide By my faith the Damosell saide true So without dooing any thing els taking away the Childe returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowful Queene who sawe her sonne caryed away forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but wheÌ„ she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguishe she was for her Sonne in crying saide Ah help me Mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she took it to see him caried away whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred her other Sonne throwen into the Sea wherfore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who sawe all this in the place where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Sonne at last came to y â— Queen finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the moste greeuous moue in the Worlde regreting this newe losse by whome she before hoped to vnderstand of her firste and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that behelde her All this while the King laboured to perswade her wherby at last she reobtained the reason y t before was absent wherupon the King saide Madame we must thanke God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidentlye sée hath happened the effecte of my Dreame wherof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Hencefoorth therfore feare not to declare what is become of the firste for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these woordes the mournefull Mother forgetting none of the faulte committed tolde him the mis-fortune of her firste borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it thorowe feare of death according as was the lawe of the Countrey 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 therfore I pray ye to take their desteny so discreetly as you may for I trust in God that séeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to affoorde 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 wee shall heare good tidinges of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the yong Prince was of the Countreye of Leonâ—â— Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherin he had two strong places He was not a bloodye man as manye other were but of gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doo great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the Winde as hee arriued in his Countrey which hee had caused â—o be peopled with Christians and there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whome he went saying Father take this Childe and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a Knight for I assure ye he is the Sonne of a King and a Quéene Ah saide the Hermite why haue ye doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who moste vnhappilye killed my Father as you knowe and at this present forcibly holdes from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me beeing thus embarqued to execute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who saide Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be doone by the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demaunded by her faith whether she tolde me true or no. That shalt thou sée quoth she At what time the two braunches of one tree shalbe ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should finde him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these means remained little Galaor in the holy mans charge and there he staide so long till he was of yéers to receiue the order of Knighthood as héerafter shalbe recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a King named Falangris who dying without Children left one of his
Combate Then he that first spake rehearsed all the wordes of their Sister according as hath béen already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villainie disguised in such sorte for she hath doone farre otherwise as you may vnderstand by her Husband him selfe who being neere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at hand Seeing it hath so fallen out saide the three Bretheren dispose of vs as they that remaine at your mercy And mercy shall ye haue answered the Prince if first ye will loyally sweare to me that you will cary this woman and her husband to the Court of King Languines and there before him recite all that hath happened saying withall how you were therto constrained by a young Knight that sent ye thither and who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this misdeed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to perfourme wherfore commending thē to God he roade away leauing them together CHAP VI. ¶ How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knightes the Gentleman of the Sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not riddē long till they saw two Damoselles come toward them by two sundrye waies who addressed themselues to meete together which when they had doon they entred into cōmunication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and when they were come to the Prince she with the Launce auaunced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three daies it will stand ye in so good stéed as therwith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these woordes thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shalbe quoth she euen so as I haue said and this present I was desirous to bring ye as a beginning of recompence for two fauours I hope to receiue by you the first wherof shall be When one of your best freendes shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue wherby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath doone these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doo my fréend Full well I know quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you may note was Vrganda the vnknowen When the other Damosell who heard the woordes saw her forsake her companie she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doo wherfore she saide My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conuenient I would gladly for a while abide with y◠deferring a iourney that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demaund of whence she was wherto she replied that she was of Denmarke And that him selfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assuraunce therof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country spéech wherupon he saide If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tel me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I sée her till now I met her on the way and then she saide to me that the Launce she caried she would giue to the best Knight in the world desiring me withall to let you vnderstand after her departure that she bare you great affection and how she was named Vrganda the vnknowne Ah God quoth he how infortunate am I in not knowing her if I forbeare now presently to follow her you must think Lady the cause is that I cānot finde her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the darke euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chaunced that they met with a Squire who demaunded where they intended to finde lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith saide the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you can not long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct ye to a Castell belonging to my Father who shall doo you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosell thinking this councell good desired the Prince to accept therof which he did therfore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them directly foorth of the way because he had neuer séene the combates of Knightes errant and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought them to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could y e Prince take no rest all y e night for thinking on y e Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gon and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire saide he would bring them againe into their way acquainting the Prince as he rode with the custome of the Castell which being very neere at hand he shewed them the Castell standing very strong and pleasantly for before it ran a huge swift Riuer and no passage therto but ouer a long drawe-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence therof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needes passe thether by y e bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsuall passage Marche on then saide the Prince wherwith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the Sea remaining behinde entred into such a thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well néere forgotten him selfe but at length he heard the noyse of fire Halberders armed with Corslettes and Helmettes who at the entraunce of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oathe that she should neuer beare loue to her freend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland againste King Perion which she refusing cryed to the Prince for his assistaunce This clamour made him forget his musing when addressing him selfe to the Palliardes he saide Trayterous villaynes who commaunded you to lay handes on this Lady being in my charge In speaking these woordes he came to the chéefest of the sixe from whom right soone he caught his hatchet and gaue him such a stroke therwith as he fell to the ground All the other together presentlye set vpon him but one of them he sliced to the verye téethe and soone after an other bare him companye with the losse of his arme When the thrée that were left sawe their companions so handled they took
Damosels Tent yet was it somewhat late ere he came thither finding them readie to sit downe to supper After he had vnarmed him-selfe they tolde him the misfortune of Dardan and his friend as also the whole circumstance of their deathes heereat he was very much abashed then falling to their chéere they beguiled the time with sundrie pleasant deuises yet Amadis could thinke of nothing else but how he might make his arriuall knowen to Oriana wherefore they were no sooner risen from the table but he tooke Gandalin aside and thus began My friend thou must of necessitie goe to the Court and labour secretly to finde the Damosell of Denmarke to whome thou shalt report that I am héere attending to heare from her what I shall do Gandalin with all possible speed departed and the better to execute his enterprise he went on foote when being come to the Pallace not long had he stayd till he sawe her he looked for who was as busie as he in the selfe-same cause yet at the first she knewe him not but quickly remembred she had seene him in Gaule with Amadis and embracing him demaunded where his maister was Why Lady quoth Gandalin did not you see him to day it was he that vanquished prowd Dardan and hath withdrawen himselfe to the Forrest to heare from his Mistresse desiring you by me to let him vnderstand what he must do Right welcome said the Damosell is he into this countrey being the man desired aboue all other but my Lady must néedes see thée therefore follow me If any one aske who thou art say thou bringest letters to Oriana from the Quéene of Scots and likewise thou art come to looke for Amadis who is ariued héere as thou hast heard by these meanes thou mayst heereafter come to her without suspition Thus was Gandalin conducted into the Quéenes chamber where the Princesse Oriana was to whome the Damosell of Denmarke came and speaking somewhat loud said Madame héere is a Squire sent to you from the Quéene of Scots Oriana wéening she had said true arose to welcome him but when she knew Gandalin the vermillion couller arose in her chéekes and was so ouercome with ioy as she knew not well what countenance to vse yet Gandalin as well aduised set his knée to the ground saying Madame the Quéene my mistresse hartely saluteth you as the Lady whome she loueth and esteemeth aboue all other of her kinred desiring to heare some newes from you for héere she gréetes you with all that she doth know Then gaue he her a Letter which he had feigned hauing nothing written therein but the superscription on the out side whereupon she went aside with Gandalin to one of the windowes making shewe to heare the rest of his charge but she demaunded where he had left his Maister Madame answered Gandalin he withdrew himselfe into the Forrest so soone as he had conquered Dardan Good freend said Oriana tell me by the faith thou bearest to him how he fareth Euen so faire Princesse quoth Gandalin as the man that is altogether yours he loueth only y e remembrance of you and yet suffereth such anguish in his soule as neuer Knight endured by the only feare he sustaineth least he should not be yours mistrusting his owne deserts for so high a seruice His greatest hope is in your princely kindnes and knowing him so long as also what he is that you will not forget him Wherefore I beseech ye Madame take compassion on him appoint a méeting together then resolue him make me a happie messenger and discharge your selfe of your deuoir for hitherto hath he endured such sorrow as no man is able to suffer the like Often haue I séene him thinking on you so farre beyond himselfe as he hath fallen downe dead in a manner before me so that I haue imagined noting the abundance of his teares his poore hart to be distilled into water through the conduits of his eyes If he should dye you offered him great wrong for he is yours and easily can ye not finde another so worthie of you Nor néede you doubt but if you graunt the hower of lengthening his life he will surpasse in chiualrie the best Knight that euer bare Armes wherein if he be happie by his vertue yet hath he mishap to counterpoise the same only through the passions he endureth for you If now you will not deigne to affoord him remedie much better had it beene for him that fortune had let him perish in the Sea to the mercie whereof in his cradle coffin he was commited then after his preseruation by such strange meanes to suffer him dye by a worsse shipwrack then the other But if his dismall starres will not diuert this daunger happie might he haue accounted himselfe if he had neuer come to the knowledge of his parents whose griefe likewise he greatly encreaseth to see him so consume dye before his day being vnable to diuine or vnderstand the cause thereof Gandalin all this while accompanyed his words with such teares and often among breathed foorth so many mournefull sighes as would haue enforced the verie rocks to rueth but perceiuing Oriana was touched to the quick he began againe in this manner Ah gentle Madame consent not to the death of such a seruant of yours and so good a maister of mine for beside the common losse which will be great in you alone shall consist the fault moreouer you shall maculate that perfect beautie with the high condemned staine of crueltie and ingratitude Héere did he knit vp his perswasion attending an answere from the Princesse but she was not able to deliuer one word so vehemently was her heart surprised and ouercome and holding downe her head let fall wonderfull streames of teares adowne her daintie chéekes which enforced her to turne on the other side least she should be descried then when as Gandalin would haue begun againe she stayed him with a piercing sigh saying Ah my freend I pray thée say no more vnlesse thou be willing to sée me dye héere presently Now stoode she silent a prettie while often wringing and strayning her fingers with griefe then setting apart all dissimulation she softly thus spake The assurance thou giuest me of thy maisters loue is highly pleasing and agréeable to me but the passion thou sayest he endureth tormenteth me to the verie death so that I féele both his payne and mine owne Ah God let not me be the occasion of death to a man so high and precious of desert as he is rather let me worke mine owne death for if he dye I may not liue one hower Thou art come to tell me his painefull trauayle and now thou mayest goe to let him vnderstand mine which if thou knewest so well as thou doest thy maisters in stead of blaming me with crueltie thou wouldest rather iudge me vnfortunate and if I vse any crueltie it is against my selfe whome I haue depriued of rest pleasure and well-neere life it selfe The lesse succour
the night béeing spent they brake of talke and bequeathed them-selues to rest and Galaor being alone in his chamber remembred his louely break-fast before dinner with his new fréende who likewise was so déepe in consideration therof that she could wish such another ere supper and whether she did or no iudge you For no sooner knewe she euerye one to be in bed but secretlye she came to Galaors chamber where she had no churlishe spéeches to driue her awaye but moste daintye swéete and gracious entertainemente what else they did I knowe not but she taryed there till morning and then returned vnséene of any CHAP. XXVII ¶ How Amadis pursuing the Knight that misused the Damosell met another Knight with whome he combated and what happened to him afterward YOu haue heard what haste Amadis made after the Damosell whom the Knight led awaye perforce beating and misusing her very cruelly but he happened to méet with another Knight who demaunded of him why he ride so fast What haue you to doo answered Amadis whether it be my pleasure to ride fast or softe In good faith said the Knight I speake it as one willing to helpe you if you be offered wrong by any that you may goe in better assuraunce if you be affraid Truely you may spare this labour replyed Amadis for at this time I haue no neede of your helpe When the other heard this answere he imagined that Amadis mocked him which made him come and lay hold on the bridle of his horsse saying By God Sir you shall answere my demaund otherwise I meane to breake your pate I know not what thou canst doo quoth Amadis but I will dispatch my selfe of thée by combate and that way resolue thée in thy request for rashe mindes must haue rough medicines and such as seek to knowe more then they neede often feele more then they would So fetching their carrire they encountred together the Knight shiuiring his Launce in péeces but Amadis sent both horsse and man to the ground and with such violence as the Knights legge was broken in the fall and Amadis had leysure to followe his iourney this was the same man you heard of before that made Galaors Squire goe looke his maisters horsse But now to procéede with Amadis who tarryed not to helpe the Knight vp againe such spéed made he after his intent as at length he ouer-took him that led awaye the Damosell and comming neere him thus spake Forbeare Sir I pray ye and wrong the Lady no more What wrōg haue I doone her answered the Knight The most shamefullest saide Amadis could be deuised What quoth the Knight you would then chastise me Sir no answered Amadis but aduise ye by reason for your owne benefit I heare ye well enough saide the Knight but you may returne as wise as you came Is it true quoth Amadis then stepping to the Squire that led the Damoselles palfray he stearnely saide Uillaine let the woman alone or thou dyest the death The Squire being affraide fled away which the Knight seeing and being very angry therat he came to Amadis with these woordes Beléeue me Sir you commaund very audaciously but if I know not how to charm such brauers let Armour neuer come on my back againe So placing their Launces in their rests they brak their staues in the encounter but the Knight was cast headlong out of his saddle and before he could recouer him selfe againe Amadis stood ready with his swoord to take his life which he perceiuing and that he must be forced to beg his pardon thus spake Gentle Sir take pittie on me and looke what offence I haue committed by any hard deling shall be amended by better vsage Sweare then said Amadis neuer to wrong Lady or Damosell heer-after against her will With all my hart replyed the Knight and as Amadis was comming to receiue his othe the villaine thrust his swoord into the Princes horsse belly which made him presentlye fall downe dead and Amadis vnderneath in very great daunger so that before he could get vp againe the Knight deliuered him many cruell strokes saying By God Sir now shall I déerely teach ye how you enterprise another time to correct your better At length Amadis recouered footing and gaue his enemy such a blowe through the sight of his Helmet as cut the one side of his face clean away wher-with he was so astonnied that he fell to the ground when Amadis setting his foot on him quicklye seperated his head from his shoulders The night enduring all this while yet comfortably lightned by faire Cynthia wherby the Damosell saw the death of her aduersarye which made her fall at the Princes féete with these woords Alas woorthy Knight the God of heauen not I must requite this honourable kindenes for without your helpe much better had death béene to me then life yet let me request this further curtesie no more but your companye to a Castell not farre hence where I shalbe in safetie to mine owne desire and to trauaile alone thither will be daungerous for me Nor shall you faire Damosell saide Amadis be in such feare for I will not leaue ye till you be where you would so he willed Gandalin to bring him the knights horsse and to helpe the Damosell vp on her palfray afterward they rode as she conducted them Of many matters they conferred by the way she acquainting him with the whole historye of the dead Knight whose death you haue heard how Galaor reuenged And comming into a meddowe by a riuers side they alighted from their horsses betaking them-selues to sleep a little because it was night she lying on a mantle that Gandalin spread for her and Amadis leaning on his helmet as his best pillow But as they all thus slept it chaunced a Knight came riding by who saw them and without making any noyse with the great end of his Launce he iogged the Damosell till she awaked When she behelde him on horsse-back thinking it was Amadis that conducted her she started vp as one half a sleepe demaunding if it pleased him to departe Yea marry quoth the Knight and taking her by the hand mounted her vp behinde him Why doo you so saide the Damosell your Squire might helpe me to mine own horsse with-out troubling you in this manner It were néedlesse answered the Knight for séeing a bootie is so wel offered I mean to haue the cariage of it my selfe These woordes made the Damosell suspect her selfe deceiued and looking back she behelde where Amadis lay still fast a sleepe wherfore she cryed out to him so loud as she could Ah helpe me Sir quoth she for héer is one I know not will forcibly carry me away When the Knight heard what a noyse she made he gaue y e spurres to his horsse riding away in a maine gallop but Amadis awaking and not seing the Damosell was greatly displeased hastelye calling Gandalin to bring him his horsse afterward he posted the same way the Knight had taken At