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
wrong in succouring the husband to this traiterous woman whom cruelly she hath caused to dy When the three Knights heard that they were very much abashed and then thought they had bene abused by their sister wherefore they thus replied In sooth my Lord so please you to assure vs we will shew on what occasion we assailed you You shall haue good assurance so to doe said the Prince yet will I not acquit ye from the combate Then he that first spake rehersed all the words of their sister according as hath beene already declared In good sooth quoth the Prince neuer was villanie disguised in such sorte for she hath done far otherwise as you may vnderstand by her husband himselfe who being nere his death I conuaied to an Hermitage hard at band Seeing it hath so fallen out said the three bretheren dispose of vs as they that remain 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 there before him recite al that hath happened saying withall how you were thereto constrained by a yong Knight that sent ye thether who this day departed from his Court desiring him to censure on this mis-deed as he shall thinke good All this they promised and swore to performe wherefore commending them to God he rode away leauing them together CHAP. VI. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentle-man of the sea THis quarrell thus ended with the three Knights the Gentle-man of the sea tooke the way which before he had left but they had not ridden long till they saw two Damosels come toward them by two sundry waies who addressed them-selues to meete together which when they had done they entred into communication One of them bare a Launce in her hand and wheÌ„ they were come to the Prince she with the Launce aduanced her selfe to him saying My Lord take this Launce which I giue ye because I can assure ye that within three dayes it will stand ye in good steed as therewith you shall deliuer from death the house from whence ye are discended The Prince amazed at these words thus answered How can it be Lady that a house should liue or dye It shal be 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 whereof shall be When one of your best friends shall by you haue one of the greatest honors that euer he can receiue whereby he shall fall into the deepest danger that any Knight hath done these ten yeeres space Beleeue me Lady answered the Prince such honor if God please I will not doe my friend Full well I know quoth the Damosell that so it shall come to passe then putting on her Palfray departed this Damosell you must note was Vrganda the vnknowne When the other Damosell who heard the words saw her forsake her company she determined for certaine daies to stay with the Prince to see what he should doe wherefore she said My Lord although I am a stranger if you thinke it conueneient I would gladly for a while abide with ye deferring a iourny that I haue to my mistresse The Prince well perceiued she was a stranger which made him to demand of whence she was where-to she replied that she was of Denmarke And that himselfe could not gain-say because her language gaue assurance thereof for hauing heard his Lady Oriana at her first comming into Scotland it made him the better remember that Country speech whereupon he said If you please faire Damosell to goe with me I will defend ye to my power but I pray ye tell me if you know the other Lady that euen now gaue me this Launce Truely Sir quoth she neuer did I see her till now I met her on the way and then she said 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 〈◊〉 not knowing her if I forbare now presently to follow her you must thinke Lady the cause is that I cannot find her against her will and thus deuising they rode on vntill the dark euening ouer-tooke them At this time it so chanced that they met with a Squire who demanded where they intended to find lodging trauailing so late Where we can answered the Prince In good faith said the Squire if you meane to haue lodging you must leaue the way which now you take for you cannot long time come to any that way but if you will follow me I will conduct you to a Castle belonging to my father who shall do you all the honor and good entertainment may be deuised The Damosel thinking this councel good desired the Prince to accept there-of which he did therefore the Squire rode before them as their guide leading them derectly forth of the way because he had neuer seene the combates of Knights errand and hoping to conduct them the day following to a Castell where such pastime was vsed but that night he brought theÌ„ to their lodging feasting and entertaining them very sumptuously yet could the Prince take no rest all the night for thinking on the Lady that brought him the Launce On the morrow very early they would be gone and taking leaue of their hoste the Squire said 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 thereto but ouer a long draw-bridge hauing at the end a faire Tower for defence thereof When the Prince beheld it he thought he must needs passe thether by the bridge yet he asked the Squire if there were any other way No my Lord quoth he for this is the vsaull passage March on then said the Prince wherewith the Squire the Damosell and their company set forward but the Gentleman of the sea remaining behind entred into such a thought of his Lady Oriana as he had well neere forgotten himselfe but at length he heard the noyse of sixe Halberders armed with Corslets and Helmets who at the entrance of the bridge had arrested the Damosell and there would force her to take an oath that she should neuer beare loue to hir friend if he would not promise her to aide King Abies of Ireland against King Perion which she refusing cried to the Prince for his assistance This clamour made him forget his musing when adressing himselfe to the Palâ—â—ardes he said Traiterous villaines who commanded you to lay hands on this Lady being in my charge In speaking these words he
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
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
with sundry pleasane deuises yet Amadis could thinke of nothing else but how he might make his arriuall knowne to Oriana wherefore they were no sooner risen from the table but he tooke Gandalin aside and thus began My friend thou must of necessity goe to the Court and labour secretly to finde the Damosel of Denmarke to whom thou shalt report that I am here 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 hee stayed till he saw her he looked for who was as busie as he in the selfe-same cause yet at the first she knew him not but quickly remembred she had seene him in Gaule with Amadis and embracing him demanded where his Maister was Why Lady quoth Gandalin did not you see him to day it was hee that vanquished proud Dardan and hath with-drawne 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 Country being the man desired aboue all othes but my Lady must needes see thee therefore follow me If any one aske who thou art say thou bringest letters to Oriana from the Queen of Scots and likewise thou art come to look for Amadis who is arriued heere as thou hast heard by these meanes thou mayest come to her without heere-after suspition Thus was Gandalin conducted into the Queenes chamber where the Princesse Oriana was to whom the Damosell of Denmarke came and speaking some-what loude sayd Madame heere is a Squire sent to you from the Queene of Scots Oriana weening she had said true arose to wel-come him but when she knew Gandalin the vermillion collour arose in her cheeks and was so ouer-come with ioy as shee knew not well what countenance to vse yet Gandalin as well aduised set his knee to the ground saying Madame the Queene my Mistresse heartily saluteth you as the Lady she loueth and esteemeth aboue all other of her Kinred desiring to heare some newes from you for here she greetes 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 where-upon 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 master Madame answered Gandalin he with-drew himselfe into the Forrest so soone as he had conquered Dardā Good friend 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 liueth onely by remembrance of you and yet suffereth such anquish in his soule as neuer Knight endured by the onely feare he susteineth least hee should not be yours mistrusting his owne deserts for so high a seruice His greatest hope is in your princely kindnesse and knowing him so long as alsowhat he is that you will not forget him Wherefore I beseech yee Madame take compassion on him appoint a meeting together then resolue him make me a happie messenger and discharge your selfe of your deuoire for hitherto hath hee endured such sorrow as no man is able to suffer the like Often haue I seene him thinking on you so farre beyond himselfe as he hath fallen downe dead in a manner before mee so that I haue imagined noting the abundance of his teares his poore heart to be distilled into water through the conduits of his eyes If he should die ye offered him great wrong for he is yours easily can ye not finde another so worthy of you Nor need you doubt but if you graunt the houre of lengthning his life he will surpasse in Chiualrie the best Knight that euer bare Armes wherein if he be happy by his vertue yet hath he mishap to counterpoise the same onely through the passions he endureth for you If now you will not deigne to afford him remedy much better had it beene for him that fortune had let him preish in the sea to the mercy whereof in his cradle coffin he was commited then after his preseruation by such strange meanes to suffer him dye by a worse shipwrack then the other But if his dismall starres wil not diuert this danger happy might he haue accounted himselfe if he had neuer come to the knowledge of his parents whose griefe likewise he greatly increaseth to see him so consume dye before his day being vnable to diuine or vnderstand the cause thereof Gandalin all this while accompained his words with such teares and often among breathed foorth so many mournefull sighes as would haue enforced the very Rocks to rueth but perceiuing Oriana was touched to the quicke 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 more-ouer you shall maculate that perfect beautie with the high condemned staine of crueltie and ingratitude Here did he knit vp his perswasion attending an answere from the Princesse but shee was not able to deliuer one word so vehemently was her heart surprized and ouer-come and holding downe her head let fall wonderfull streames of teares downe her daintie cheekes which enforced her to turne on the other side least she should be discried then when as Gandalin would haue begun againe she stayed him with a piercing sigh saying Ah my friend I pray thee say no more vnlesse thou be willing to see me die here presently Now stood shee silent a prettie while often wringing and straining her fingers with griefe then setting apart all dissimulation she softly thus spake The assurance thou giuest me of thy masters loue is highly pleasing and agreeable to me but the passion thou sayest he endureth tormenteth me to the very death so that I feele both his paine mine owne Ah God let me not be the occasion of death to a man so high and precious of desert as hee is rather let me worke mine owne death for if he die I may not liue one houre Thou art come to tell me his painefull trauaile now thou mayest goe to let him vnderstand mine which if thou knewest so wel as thou doest thy maisters instead of blaming me with crueltie thou wouldst rather iudge me vnfortunate and if I vse any crueltie it is against my selfe whom I haue depriued of rest pleasure and well-neere life it selfe The lesse succour can I giue to mine owne destresse because as it often happeneth to our sects when thinking to draw neere such as we desire we are furthest off and seeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with mee by thy maister whom fortune hath euer kept mee furthest from but God knowes my
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
any that you may goe in better asurance if you bee 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 answer hee imagined that Amadis mocked him which made him come and lay holde on the bridle of his horse saying By God Sir you shall answere my demand otherwise I meane to breake your pace I know not what thou canst doe quoth Amadis but I will dispatch my selfe of thee by combate and that way resolue thee in thy request for rash mindes must haue rough medicines and such as seeke to knowe more then they neede often feele more then they would So fetching their carrire the Knight shiuering his Launce in pieces but Amadis sent both horse and man to the ground and with such violence as the Knights legge was broken in the fall and Amadis had leasure to follow his iourney this was the man you heard of before that made Galaors Squire goe looke his maisters horse But now to proceede with Amadis who tarryed not to helpe the Knight vp againe such speed made he after his intent as at length hee ouer-tooke him that led away the Damosell comming neere him thus spake Forbeare Sir I pray ye and wrong the Ladie no more What wrong haue I done her answered the Knight The most shamefullest savde Amadis could be deuised What quoth the Knight you would then chastise me No Sir answered Amadis but aduise ye by reason for your owne benefit I heare yee well enough said the Knight but you may returne as wife as you came It is true quoth Amadis then stepping to the Squire that led the Damosels Palfray he stearnely sayd Villaine let the woman alone or thou dyest the death The Squire being affraid fled away which the knight seeing and being very angry thereat hee came to Amadis with these words Beleeue me Sir you command very audatiously but if I know not how to charme such brauers let armour neuer come on my backe againe So placing their Launces in their rests they brake their staues in the encounter but the knight was cast headlong out of his faddle and before he could recouer him selfe againe Amadis stood ready with his sword to take his life which he perceiuing and that he must bee forced to beg his pardon thus spake Goode Sir take pittie on mee and looke what offence I haue committed by any hard dealing shall be amended by better vsage Sâ—… then sayd Amadis neuer to wrong Lady or Damosell against hes will With all my heart replied the Knight and as Amadis was comming to receiue his oath the 〈…〉 his sword into his horse 〈◊〉 which made him presently fall downe dead and Amadis vnderneath in very great danger so that before he could get vp againe the knight deliuered him many cruell strokes saying By God Sir now shall I decrely teach ye how you enterprise another time to correct your better At length Amadis recouered footing and 〈…〉 my such a blow through the â—ight of his helmes 〈◊〉 cut the 〈…〉 of his face cleane away wherewith he was so 〈…〉 the ground whâ—â— Amadis setting his foote on him 〈◊〉 â—…ted his heade from his shoulders The night induring all this while yet comfortably lightned by faire Cynthia whereby the Damosell sawe the death of her aduersary which made her fall at the princes feete with these wordes Alas worthy knight the God of heauen not I must requite this honourable kindnesse for without your helpe much better had death beene to mee then life yet let mee request this further curtesie no more but your company to a Castle not far hence where I shall be in safety to my owne desire and to trauell alone thither will be dangerous for mee Nor shall you faire Damosell sayd Amadis be in such feare for I will not leaue yee till you be where you would so hee willed Gandalin to bring him the knights horse and to helpe the Damosell on her palfray afterward they rode as shee conducted them Of many matters they conferred by the way shee acquainting him with the whole history 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 horses betaking themselues to sleepe a little because it was night shee lying on a mantle that Gandalin spread for her and Amadis leaning on his helmet as his best pillowe But as they all thus slept it chanced a knight came riding by who sawe them and without making any noyse with the great and of his Launce hee iâ—gged the Damosell all she awaked When shee 〈◊〉 him on horse-backe â—…ging it was Amadis that conducted her shee started vp as one halfe asleepe demanding if it pleased him to departe Yea marry quoth the knight and taking her by the hand mounted her vp behinde him Why doe ye so said the Damosell your Squire might helpe mee to mine owne horse without troubling you in this maÌ„ner It were needlesse answered the knight for seeing a booty is so well offered I meane to haue the carriage of it my selfe These wordes made the Damosell suspect her selfe deceiued and looking backe shee behelde where Amadis lay fast asleepe wherefore she cryed out so loud as she could Ah helpe me Sir quoth shee for heere is one I knowe not will forcibly carry mee away When the knight heard what a noyse shee made hee gaue the spurres to his horse riding away in a maine gallop but Amadis awaking and not seeing the Damosell was greatly displeased hastily calling Gandalin to bring him his horse afterward hee posted the same way the knight had taken At length hee got a sight of them marking their entrance into a thicket of trees where he mistooke his way in such sort as hee knew not which side of the woode to take when though hee was one of the most patient men in the world he conceiued this griefe marueilous vnkindly saying to himselfe Now may the Damosel well report that I haue done her as much shame as succour for if I defended her from one forcer by my sloathfulnesse I haue left her in the power of one worse then he Thus riding in and out among the brambles offering much iniurie to his horse at length he heard the winding of a horne which made him follow the sound there-of imagining the knight did it for his pleasure Soone after hee espied a strong Castle on the top of a mountayne and approaching neere perceiued it was begirt with a high wall whereon were many great Towers and the gate made sure with mighty barres As hee was seeking some place of enterance the watch discrying him said What man at so late an houre commeth armed so neere I am a strange knight answered Amadis What would you haue sayde the watch I seeke for one quoth Amadis who not long since tooke a Damosell from mee Wee sawe none such answered the watch Hereupon Amadis passed further and discerned
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
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
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
he was come to seek Amadis but shee tolde him that now two whole dayes were passed since hee and his fellowes were departed towards Great Brittaine since which time she heard that they had taken their way vnto the Firme-Island Whereupon Durin without any longer stay tooke leaue of her and rode so long that he arriued in the Island the same houre that Amadis entred vnder the arch of Loyall louers where hee beheld how the Image had done more for him then for any other knight that euer entered the same before as it was tolde him Now as Amadis together with Agraies returned to the succour of his brethren Durin thought to haue spoken with him but Gandalin entreated him to stay vntill he had tred the perill of the forbiden chamber beeing assured that he brought Letters to him froÌ„ Oriana the which perchance might haue been a meane as he thought to cause him either to forslow or to faile in the achieuing of so great an enterprise for Amadis was so subiect to the Princesse as hee would not only haue left off conquest of the Firme-Island but also of the whole world beside if she had coÌ„manded Wherefore after hee had finished al the strange aduentures and the inhabitants of the Isle had receiued him for their Lord Durin came before him Then Amadis demanded of him what newes was in the Court of King Lisuart My Lord answered Durin I left it euen in the same estate that it was in at your departure And as he would haue proceeded in his speech Amadis tooke him by the hand and went with him alone into a very pleasant Orchard where they walked together then he demanded how he came to the Firme-Island My Lord said he my Lady Oriana sent me vnto you for such affaires as in this letter you shal vnderstaÌ„d the which he gaue vnto him Amadis tooke it and without changing his cheere he turned his face from Durin because hee should not beholde his colour alter for his heart began to leap with great ioy so as he knew not wel how to set his coutenance But this sudden mutation was as soone changed into a great despare because that reading these rigorous lines which pronounced his banishment it stroke so great sorrow to his heart as hee was no longer able to dissemble his griefe but burst out into such vehement weeping that hee was all drowned in teares Then Durin repented that euer hee was the bringer of such heauie letters for although the conteÌ„ts thereof were vnknown vnto him yet because he knew not how to remedy it hee durst not come neere Amadis who was so confounded as hee fell prostrate on the ground and in falling the letters which hee helde did fall foorth of his hand Notwithstanding he presently tooke them vp and began to reade them againe for the beginning had so greatly troubled him that he had not yet seene the end But casting his eye vpon the superscriptioÌ„ which contained these words She who forceth not to die but onely because thou art her murtherer Hee then fetched so deepe a sigh as if his soule had parted from his body and there withall fell downe back-ward Where-with Durin was greatly amazed ran speedily to helpe him but hee found him to moue no more then a dead man Wherefore fearing some greate inconuenience hee thought to haue called Galaor or some other yet fearing that thereby he might be blamed he staed comming vnto Amadis lifted him vp who cryed Oh heauens why do you thus suffer mee to die and haue not deserued it Alas Loyaltie what recompence doost thou offer those that neuer offended thee now I see my selfe forsaken of her for whose sake I would rather suffer a thousand deathes then one of her commandements by mee should be disobeied Then pittifully looking vpon the letter which he had in his hand he sayde Ah happy letter because thou wert written by the excellenâ—est personage this day liuing and yet most vnhappy in that thou procurest the cruell death of the truest louer that euer serued Lady which death that it may bee the sooner I will neuer forsake thee but will place thee in the neerest deerest place that I haue So hee put it in his bosome and asked Durin if hee had ought else to say No answered he Well then saide Amadis thou shalt presently returne with my answere In good sooth my Lord answered Durin shee hath expresly forbidden me to receiue any And what did not Mabila nor thy sister wil thee to say any thing to me No my Lord answered he for they knew not of my departure because my Lady strictly charged mee to acquaint no body therewith Ah God sayd Amadis I see well now that my misery is voyd of remedy Then he rose vp and went to a riuer which passed along by the garden where hee washed his eyes which done he willed Durin to call Gandalin and that hee should come back againe with him alone which hee did but at their returne they found him in a swound againe yet recouering incontinent and seeing Gandalin he said Friend I am vndone therefore go seeke out Isania the Gouernour of this Isle bring him hither alone Then Gandalin ran for him and staied not long vntill they returned together who being come Amadis said vnto him Isania you know the oath you haue sworne vnto me the duty wherein you are vnto mee bound notwithstanding I pray you yet to promise me as you are true knight to keep secret whatsoeuer you shal see me doe vntill to morrow morning after my brethren haue heard diuine seruice and then secretly goe thou and cause the gate of this Castle to be opened which being done let GaÌ„dalin bring thither my horse armour but take heed that none perceiue it and I will follow straight after thee they were no sooner departed from him but he began to remeÌ„ber a dream which he had the night before wherein he thought that being armed and set vpon his horse hee was on the highest part of a peece of land enuironed with diuerse sorts of trees and that round about him were many persons making the greatest ioy in the world then one of them presented him with a box saying Sir taste of that which is herein which he did and hee thought hee did eate of a most bitter meat And as hee cast it from him the raines of his horse did breake whereupon the horse ran vp and downe so that he was not in any sort able for to stay him When he saw he was so farre from this merry company he looked backe and hee thought that hee beheld their great mirth changed into such exceeding mone as it greatly pitttied him willingly would he haue returned backe to assawage their sorrow if hee could haue mastered his horse who at that instant entred into a tuft of trees where hee found a rocke enuironed with water against the which the horse stayed Then hee alighted for the great desire he had
remaine voyde of all hope In the end he concluded that it were lesse hurtfull for him to die then his Ladie should be displeased therefore hee determined for resolution not to manifest himselfe in any sort vnto the Damosell of Denmarke who sayd vnto him My friend I haue been enformed by the Hermit that you are a knight and because all Gentlewomen are greatly bound vnto good knights for the benefits and pleasures that they commonly receiue at their hands in defending them and deliuering them from many and great dangers I had a great desire before I departed to see you to giue vnto you such prouisions as are in my ship that shall be necessarie for your health Notwithstanding he answered her nothing neither did hee any other thing but lament and sigh and because that in that little Cell wherein hee remayned there was little light the Gentlewoman did not know whether hee were a dying or no. Whereupon she was ware of a window which she opened by the light whereof shee might behold him more at ease but all the while that she beheld him hee neuer cast his eyes off from her neuerthelesse hee spake not one word but sighed without ceasing like vnto a wight whose heart was ouercharged with woe which moued the Damosel to exceeding pittie And comforting him in the best sorte she could by chance shee espied a scarre which he had vpon his face with a blow that Arcalaus the Enchanter had giuen him when hee rescued Oriana as hath beene recited in the first Booke Wherefore shee thought in her minde that without doubt this was Amadis whom shee sought and at the instant shee did know that he was euen the same for the same cause shee being grealy amased cryed out Alas what do I see My Lord you are he that hath made me haue many a weary iourney to find you this sayd she embraced him Alas my Lord sayd shee it is now high time to extend both pitty and pardon vnto her who procured thereunto by some sinister report hath brought you to this great extreamitie beleeue me doth now iustly endure a life worse then death then did she deliuer him the Letter that Oriana had written vnto him Hold sayd she your Lady sendeth you this and commandeth you by me that if you be the same Amadis that you were wont to be and hee whō she so much loueth that forgetting all passed faults you come vnto her to the Castle of Mirefleur where a full satisfaction shall bee made vnto you for the sorrowes and anguishes which you haue suffered for your ouer feruent loue Herewithall was the Faire Forlorne so greatly rauished that it was a long time before hee could answer one word but hee tooke the Letter which hee kissed without ceasing and afterwards put it next vnto his heart saying O poore heart so long time passioned that hardly hast thou beene able to resist such a tempest notwithstanding the abundance of teares which thou so continually hast distilled that it hath almost brought thee euen to the point of death receiue now this medicine the which only is conuenient for thy health and come forth of this darknes which so long hath blinded thee taking thy strength againe vnto thee to serue her that of her owne free grace causeth thee to reuiue Then opened hee the Letter which contayned The Letter of Oriana to Amadis IF great faults committed by enmitie acknowledged afterwards by humility are worthy of pardon what ought those to bee which are caused by too much abundance of loue Neuerthelesse my loyall friend I will not deny but that I haue deserued exceeding punishment for I ought to haue considered that at such times when any are in the greatest prosperity and mirth then forture commeth and ouerthroweth them into sorrow and misery furthermore I ought to haue remembred me of your exceeding vertue and honesty which was neuer yet found faulty and most of all though I had died yet should I not haue forgotten the great seruitude of my pensiue heart which proceedeth from no other cause but onely from the same wherein your owne is tyed being certaine that so soone as any flame had beene therein quenched mine had as suddenly beene there-withall acquainted in such sort as the care which it hath had to aswage the mortall desires thereof hath been the onely cause to encrease the same But I haue done amisse like vnto them who being in the top of their felicity and most assured of the loue of those by whom they are beloued not being able to comprehend in them so much good become iealous and suspicions more by their owne imagination then by any reason ouershadowing this bright happinesse with tha cloud of impatience beleeuing the report of some men it may bee wicked slanderers of small credit and vitious sooner then the witnesse of their owne conscience and certaine experience Therefore my constant friend I beseech you bartely to receiue this Damosell as beeing sent from her who acknowledgeth in all humility the great fault which she hath committed against you who shall better then my letter acquaint you with the extremitie of my life whereof you ought to haue pittie not for any of mine own desert but for your owne reputation who are neither accounted cruell nor desirous of reuenge where you finde repentance and submition especially seeing that no penance may proceede from you more rigorous then that which I my selfe haue ordained for me and the which I doe bare patiently hoping that you will release it restoring vnto me your good fauour and my life together which thereupon dependeth Herewithall a new ioy possessed the minde of the Faire Forlorne and hee quite banished the continuall melancholy which had so long tormented him neuerthelesse the perplexity wherein Oriana remained in expecting newes from him with-held part of pleasure wherefore he praied the Damosell of Denmarke to aduise her selfe what she had to do for I feele my selfe said he so farre beside my selfe that I can thinke vpon no other thing but vpon the new restitution of my life which I haue receiued by your meanes I am of the opinion answered the Damosell seeing that these in my company do not know you to tell them that for pittie sake I will cary you to the Firme Island only to see if by changing the aire you may also change your malady the which was accordingly performed Notwith-standing the Faire Forlorne before his departure declared vnto the Hermit how the Gentlewoman had so long sought for him that now they were heere casually met together onely by meere chance and the storme which had brought her vnto the poore Rock And for this cause my father saide he I am constrained to leaue you and to follow her assuring you that so long as I liue I shall neuer forget the good which you haue done for mee for without your good help I had perished both body and soule And seeing that by your deuout praires as I beleeue I haue beene
preserued hitherto I most humbly beseech you to haue your poore guest still in remembrance And moreouer to do so much for me that hereafter you would doe your best to reforme the Monestary which I haue caused to be builded in the Firme-Island as heeretofore I haue tolde you the which the holy man promised to accomplish and with the teares in his eyes blessed the Faire Forlorne who without longer stay went aboord with the Damosell of Denmarke The sailes were no sooner hoised and the ship lanched out into the main but they had so stiffe a gale in their poupe that within a fewe daies after they arriued in a port of great Brittaine he not being as yet knowne by any other but the Damosell Then came they on shoare and tooke their ready way towardes Mirefleur where Oriana stayed their comming being well aduised to amend the fault that she had made And the Damosell in riding together with the Faire Forlorne sayd What ioy will my Ladie receiue when she shall beholde you beleeue mee that neuer woman was in a more desperate case then she when she vnderstood by Durin the sorrowe that you had in receiuing her Letter I assure you that shee was like to haue died I doe greatly wonder how shee hath beene able vntill this time to support the passion which she yet possesseth And you neede not to doubt but that Mabila and I were greatly troubled for none of vs did know that my brother was sent vnto you and my Lady had expresly charged him that in no sort hee should tell vs thereof which had likely to haue beene the cause of worse mischiefe then is yet happened Beleeue me said the Faire Forlorne I was neuer in greater danger of death and I doe maruell where-upon she framed this imagination that shee hath conceiued against me seeing that I neuer thought to doe any thing which might displease her and although I should haue so farre forgotten my selfe yet did I not deserue such a cruell Letter as shee did write vnto mee For although I make not those bragges hipocrisies that a number can doe yet doe not I forget to measure the fauours and graces which I haue receiued at her hands and were not this thought sowen in bad ground I am sure she would not be suspicious of the fruit thereof seeing that both the one and the other are wholly dedicated to serue and obey her Alas when Corisanda arriued in our Hermitage I did then verily think that my ende was come the good Lady bewailed her passion which she indured in louing my brother Florestan too vehemently and I died with displeasure to bee so wrongfully banished by Oriana How many paines what trauailes what intollerable torments haue I suffered in the poore Rocke without receiuing consolation from any liuing creature but the good Hermit who perswaded mee to patience Alas what hard penance haue I indured for her whom I ne-uer offended beleeue me Damosell I was so exceedingly troubled that euery houre I desired death and as often did I feare to lose my life But I pray you imagine the despaire wheren I remayned when I shewed vnto the Gentlewomen of Corisanda the song that I made in my greatest tribulation And as hee would haue proceeded in discoursing his â—â—lourâ— the Damosell of Denmarke sayd vnto him in good â—aith so farre as I perceiue you haue both indured much sorrow one for another and therefore you must forget what is past and amend what is to come With these and such like discourses thy arriued neere vnto a Nunnery which was in the midst of the forrest foure dayes iourney from London Doe you know sayd the Damosell what I haue thought vpon I thinke it for the best you doe tarry heere to rest your selfe and I will go vnto my Lady to tell her of your arriuall which done I will send Durin backe againe to let you know what you are to do Notwithstanding I thinke it best that Enil should not yet know who you are no more then he now doth that hee should tarry heere with you to serue you but Durin already vnderstandeth somewhat of the affaires betwixt Oriana you wherefore you neede not feare to disclose your selfe vnto him Here-upon they called him and the Damosell of Denmarke sayd vnto him Brother you were partly cause of the losse of Amadis by the Letter which you carried to him and yet so farre as I perceiue you haue not hitherto knowne him but doe you thinke it possible that this Hermite may be my Lord Amadis and ne-uerthelesse it is he without doubt but take heede vpon your life that he be not disclosed by you neither to Euil nor any other when Durin knew that his sister sayde true ne-uer was man more amazed then hee in the meane while they entered into the Nunnery where the Damosell called Enil and sayd vnto him Enil I pray thee tarry with this knight vntill hee haue a little recouered his strength and in the meane season my brother and I will depart about certaine busines that wee haue to doe By Saint Mary answered Enil I will obey whatsoeuer you shall commaund mee Then they departed and the Faire Forlorne remayned in the Nunnerie for the occasion aboue rehearsed CHAP. XI How Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed from the Firme-Island to goe seeke Amadia of whom they could heare no tydings at all where-upon they all returned vnto the Court of King Lisuart IT hath beene heretofore tolde you that Galaor Florestan and Agraies departed froÌ„ the Firme-Iland to being the search of Amadis who was secretly departed from them You must now vnderstand that after they had trauayled thorough many strange countries wherein they performed many worthy deedes of armes and perillous aduentures without hearing any newes of Amadis seeiug that their time approached wherein they promised one another to meete in the Court of King Lisuart they determined to returne thither and they all did meete euen vpon Saint Iohns day carely in the morning at an Hermitage hard by London according as they had appointed And the first that came thither was Galaor Agraies next and shortly after Florestan accompanied with Gandalin Glad were they 〈◊〉 to see each other in health but â—…orrowfull for the little good that they had done in this enterprise as the teares fell from their eyes Where-upon Gandalin shewing the dutie of a good and faithfull seruant said vnto them Beleeue me Lords all your teares cannot bring him whoÌ„ you desire to finde except it be by another diligent search which you may a fresh vndertake And allthough that you haue already done your best endeauour yet ought you not to thinke much of your labour but seeke him better then euer you did seeing that you are assured thoroughly what hee would haue done for euery one of you particularly if fortune had offered any occasion Now then if behooueth you to doe the like for him for if you doe lose him in this sort it shall not onely
any amongst theÌ„ that was not content to obey him seeing his necessity so great although that thereby the quest of Amadis was delaied and at the same instant they promised not to forsake him During this coÌ„ference Mabila sent to seeke Gandalin for shee would speake with him before shee went to Mirefleur who came vnto her and as soone as hee did see her he could not possibly refraine from weeping nor she likewise After-wards hauing some-what eased their hearts with their exceeding teares Gandalin spake first saying vnto Mabila Alas Madame what wrong hath Oriana offered not onely to you â—ut vnto all your lignage together causing you to lose the best Knight in the world Ah how ingratefull hath she shewed her selfe vnto you for the seruice which you haue done vnto her and that which is yet worst of all she hath wronged him that ne-uer offended her either in word or thought wherefore I may well say that God hath very ill bestowed vpon her that great beauty and other excellent gifts where-with he hath endued her seeing they are gouerned and ouer-ruled with so great treason and yet I am well assured that none hath lost more then she Gandalin my friend answered Mabila I pray thee put that thought forth of thy minde for thou art ouer-much deceiued seeing that all which my Lady Oriana hath done hath beene for the griefe and displeasure that she coÌ„ceiUed for one word which was ouer-lightly reported vnto her through which she hath conceiued some occasion of iâ—louâ—ie imagining that thy maister had forgotten her and that the affection which he did bearE vnto her was turned and bestowed vpon another Notwithstanding she did ne-Uer imagine that her letter written in choller should haue beene of such consequence nor that so much hurt should haue proceeded thereof but shee committed this fault as one that was caryed away with too extreame loue which fault is the more pardonable in her for the repentance which she hath endured euer since Ay mâ—â— saide Gandalin how was the discreete vnderstanding of my Lady and you abused at that time imagining that my maister could only but thinke to commit so haâ—â—ous a fault against her whom before hee should haue offended hee would haue suffered himselfe to be buried quick vnder the ground and I pray you Madam tel me if it please you the roote of this mischiefe and what was that vnhappy worde which so troubled the vertue spirit of you both to cause the death of the most perfect Knight that euer was borne Ardâ—â— the Dwarffe answered Mabila thinking to speake for the aduantage of Amadis was the occasion of all this mischiefe Then she recited vnto him at large the whole discourse of the three peeces of the sword as you haue heard in the first booke And assure thee Gandalin said she that neither the Damosell of Denmarke nor I were euer able to driue it from the fantasie of Oriana but that she was forsaken by him so as shee still perceiuing that shee was coÌ„traried by the Damosell of Denmarke and me did hide her selfe from vs and vnawares to vs both she wrot vnto him that vnhappy letter which Durin did bring him by the which is sprung the whole sourse of this mischiefe Whereof shee hath since that time often enough repented her for from the first houre that she did heare of Amadis his losse shee hath receiued so great sorrow and griefe that it is impossible to receiue any more and neuerthelesse we haue been in a manner very glad of her punishment seeing that she hath not yet feared to procure his displeasure that of her hath so well deserued All this discourse did Oriana heare who was in her wardrobe and perceiuing that they had changed their talke shee came forth as if she had heard nothing at all And as shee would haue spoken vnto Gandalin the teares distilled from her eyes and she began to tremble so extreamely that she fell downe all along vpon the floore crying Gentle Gandalin if thou art the same that thou shouldest be vnto thy maister reuenge vpoÌ„ me forth-with the greate miserie which vniustly he endureth Madam answered hee what would you haue mee to do I pray thee said she kill me and since I haue most iniuriously caused his death thou oughtest not in reason to defer the reuenge thereof for I am sure he wold haue done more for thee Saying so her speech failed and shee swouned as though she had bin departed But Mabila accustomed to such qualms did releeue her with a present and fit remedy that when she came to her selfe againe she cried wringing her hands Ah Gandalin thou doest â—ee great wrong thus long to defer my end I would to God that thy father were in thy place I am sure that hee would bestir himselfe better theÌ„ thou doâ—… Madame answered Gandalin God defend me from such disloyalty I should truely play the part of the notablest villaine in the world if I should but onely thinke such a thought much more if I should commit two so great treasons one against you and the other against my Lord who cannot liue one only houre after you And I would neuer haue thought that so wicked couÌ„sell should haue had any place within your spirit for the incertainty that you haue of my maister his death who could haue hardly endured this wrong which you now in these words haue offered him without endangering his life for death commeth not but at the will and pleasure of God who hath not bestowed these fauours vpon him euer since his life that for any iniurie that you haue done vnto him he will permit that he should yet die Many other reasons and perswasions did Gandalin vse to Oriana which gaue great ease to her maâ—irdom by means where-of she said vnto him Gandalin my friend I am determined to morrow morning to depart vnto Mirefleur to expect either lifn or death according to the newes which the Damosell of Denmarke shall bring vnto me And because I shall remaine there some long time I pray thee vnder the colour of seeing Mabila to come and visit vs often-times for me thinkes my sorrow decreaseth when I doe see thee Madame answered Gandalin I am ready to obey you in whatsoeuer it shall please you to command mee This said he tooke his leaue of her and as he departed from thence he passed by where the Queene was who caused him to be called and then shee saide vnto him Gandalin my friend wherfore didst thou forsake thy maister Madame answered he it was sore against my will and to my great griefe Then hee rehersed the manner how hee departed from the hermitage and the complaints and lamentations that he made especially he declared what his manner and behauiour was when he found him in the bottom of the valley which moued the Queene vnto such pittie that shee shed luke warme teares thereat Whereunto Gandalin taking good heed said vnto her Madam your highnesse hath reason
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
grieued with this warre that my father hath vndertaken the successe whereof I doe exceedingly feare by reason of thy Master his absence Madame answered Gandalin 〈◊〉 shall not now bee any where so secret but that hee shall haue newes thereof and I am very sure that notwithstanding all the disgraces and disfauours that you haue done vnto him by discharging him from your presence yet will hee not faile to be there knowing that it is a thing of great importance both vnto the King you not that hee will presume to come before you but hee will make himselfe knowne in place where hee may doe you seruice in hope that you will pardon him for the fault that he neuer did nor euer thought to doe God grant sayd Oriana that thy words proue true And as they were in these discourses there came a Gentlewoman who told Oriana that the Damosel of Denmarke was ariued and shee hath brought vnto you many faire presents Then feare hope seased vpon the Princesse heart in such sort that without power to answer one worde shee began to tremble the which Mabila perceiuing she answered the Gentlewoman friend will her to come in hither all alone The gentlewoman returned to performe her charge but in the meane time beleeue mee neither Mabila nor Gandalin knew how to behaue thēselues beeing either hopelesse of the good or fearefull of the bad newes that the Damosell of Denmarke might bring Who shortly after entered in with the countenance of a person more pleasant then pensiue and after her duty done vnto Oriana shee presented her with a Letter from Amadis saying vnto her Madame my Lord Amadis recommendeth him must hūbly vnto your good grace whom I haue found as this Letter written with his owne hand will assure you Oriana receiued the Letter and as she thought to haue opened it her spirit was so rauished with exceeding ioy as all the parts of her body remained with-out any power or ability once to moue or stirre because they would supply no other office but to participate in this most happy newes so that Oriana therewithall fell down in the place where she stood But very suddenly shee was raised vp againe she opened the Letter wherein shee found the ring that she sent vnto Amadis by Gandalin at the same time that hee fought with Dardan at Winsore which she presently knew Wherefore in kissing it shee sayd so loud that she might easily be heard O ring diuinely kept blessed be hee that euer did make thee so fortunate giuing from hand to hand all the pleasure that may bee desired then put she it vpon her finger and beganne to reade the Letter And when she beheld the sweet words that Amadis vsed the the thanks that he did yeeld vnto her for the careful remembrance that she had of him by the which he was raised from death to life there was neuer any woman more ioyfull and casting her eyes vp to heauen shee said O God of heauen and earth creator of all things praised be thy holy name because thou hast vouchsafed in mercy to looke vppon mee by the diligence of this Gentlewoman Herewithall shee withdrew her selfe apart and tooke the Damosell of Denmarke by the hand saying vnto her I pray you faire Lady tel me how you did find him how long you haue bin together and the place where you haue left him By my faith Madam answered the Damosell after my departure from you I ariued in Scotland where I remained certaine dayes without hearing any news of him by meanes whereof beeing as it were voide of hope to satisfie your desire I tooke shipping intending to returne vnto you but wee had so sore a tempest vpon the Sea that mauger all our Mariners the ship was driuen vnto the poore Rocke where my Lord Amadis thē remained Whom at the first fight we did not know for he was changed in name habite and countenance and hee was likely to haue died in our presence when in a manner hee was not succoured by any of vs. Notwithstanding in the end I was ware of a wound that he had vpon the face the which was heretofore giuen vnto him by Arcalaus wherby I still suspected that it should be he and in the end hee manifested himselfe vnto me And continuing her discourse shee recited wholly all that which you haue heard in the beginning of this History Then loue pitty assailed the heart of the Princesse in so strange a manner that she entreared the Gentlewoman to speake no more of the troubles of Amadis but onely to tell her how hee did at that present Madame answered shee I haue left him in the Forrest staying to heare some newes from you And how may wee secretly send vnto him saide Oriana for if you returne vnto him so suddainly there might some matter bee suspected For the same occasion answered the damosel I haue brought with me Durin whome I will send back when it shall please you faining that I haue forgot parte of the presents that I brought vnto Mabila It is very well aduised said the Princesse Afterwards shee declared vnto her how Corisanda gaue vnto them the first hope that Amadis was not dead and that hee it was that named himselfe the Faire Forlorne It is true answered the Damosell and hee is yet so called neither is hee determined to change his name vntill hee haue first seene you except you command him the contrary That shall then be very shortly saide Oriana for his cosin and I haue taken such order that hee may come hither when it shal please him and not be perceiued by any body We haue the key of this gardē by the which the way shal be easie and secret for him the which wee will send vnto him by Durin therefore call him vnto vs to tell him what Amadis must doe at his hither arriuall Hereupon Durin came vnto them Oriana shewing him the garden said vnto him Durin doest thou see this orchard Amadis must enter into it ouer the corner of this wall when hee is once in heere are the keyes of the dore thorow which he must come vnto vs the which thou shalt carry vnto him and shall further aduertise him whatsoeuer thy sister shall tell thee in my behalfe Which said she departed leauing them together and as soone as she was entred into a great Hall shee forthwith sent vnto the Damosell willing her to bring those presents which the Scottish Queene had sent vnto her Mabila the which she did But as shee vnfolded the cloh wherein they were wrapped as if shee had suddainly bethought her selfe she cried Alas Madam I haue left the tokens that were sent vnto Mabila there as we did lie the last night and if Durin do not speedily returne they may be in dangar to be lost now Durin knew the matter well enough and therefore hee made as though hee were vnwilling and on the other side Mabila faining to be very angry
present so extreamely wounded that wee are no longer able to resist our deaths we send you this Letter written with our blood by the which wee beseech God both to grant you the victory against these traitors that haue in such inhumane sort tormented vs and also that he will bee pleased to haue mercy vpon our soules Great sorrow and compassion had the King for the losse of these 2. knights ne-uerthelesse seeing that for the present hee could in no sort remedie their misfortun he dissembled his griefe shewing as good a countenance as hee could because he would in no sort discourage the other Gentlemen there present he set before their eyes the accidents whereinto many others had fallen for the maintenance of their Honour of Knighthood from the which many times they haue with great glory and honour escaped But assure you my friends said the King that if wee doe gaine the Battaile I will take such reuenge hereof that the rumor thereof shall fill the eares of all the people in the World Therefore they who are appointed to goe wâ—… mee let them bee ready to 〈◊〉 row for I will depart to goe meete mine enemies And according as it was appointed so was all performed CHAP. XVI How that after the Faire Forlorne had brought Oriana back againe to Mirefleur he departed that he might be in the battel with King Lifuart and what happened vnto him THree dayes did the faire Forlorne remain with Oriana after the gayning of the sword and Kerchiefe and the fourth day following about midnight hee tooke his leaue of her and being armed at all points he rode all the might long Now had hee commanded Enil to goe and stay for him at a Castle scituated at the foote of a Hill neere vnto the which the Battaile was to be foughten and it belonged vnto an ancient knight named Abradan for in his house were all aduentrous knights often-times honoured and serued when they came thither to lodge And the same night did the faire Forlorne passe hard by king Lisuart his Campe not being perceiued at all afterwards hee rode so long that vpon the 5. day following he came vnto Abradan his house where he found Enil which was there ariued but a little before greatly was the faire Forlorne feasted by his Host and as they were talking together there entred in two of his nepheus that were returned from the place where the combat should be who assured them that already King Cildadan and his troop were there arriued and had set vp their Tenâ—… and Pauillions hard by the sea side In like sort Don Grameda and Giâ—…tes Nephew to king Lisuart were there come with whom a Truce was concluded vpon eyther part to bee holden vntill the day of the battaile and that neyther of the two Princes should enter into the Combat with any more then one hundred knights in his company according as it was promised and sworne by them Nephewes said the host what do you thinke of the Irish-men whom God confound Vncle answered one of them they haue with them so many Giants that if God doe not miraculously assist our good king beleeue me it is impossible for him to withstand them Herewithall the teares sell from their Vncles eies and he said I hope that God will protect the best and iustest king in the world from falling into the hands of such wicked people Mine host answered the faire Forlorne be not afraid as yet for it happeneth out very often that courage and equity ouerthroweth the pride and presumption of the strongest But I pray you goe vnto the king and tell him that there is lodged in your house a knight called the Faire Forlorne and that hee desireth his Maiesty to send word by you when the day of the battaile shall be What sayd the olde man are you hee that of late did send Don Quedragant vnto his Court and slew Famongomad and his son when they had taken my Lady Lenor and her knights beleeue mee Sir if euer I did any pleasure vnto aduenturous knights I doe enen at this present acknowledge me throughly to be recompenced my house beeing now honoured with your presence and I will not faile to accomplish that which it hath pleased you to command me Then he mounted vpon his horse and tooke with him his two Nephewes and rode vntill hee came where king Lisuart was encamped within halfe a lengue of his enemies vnto whom he declared the message of the Faire Forlorne at the which all the company did greatly reioyce And the King answered seeing that we haue the Faire Forlorne on our side I doe also hope that wee shall haue the honor of the our enterprise And now see the number of one hundred knights very well furnished had wee but one knight more It may please your Maiesty said Grumedan you now haue the aduantage for the Faire Forlorne is well worth fiue This speech did nothing at all please Galaor Florestan not Agraies for they hated the Faire Forlorne vnto death for the wrong which they thought he did vnto Amadis neuerthelesse they held their peace and Abradan hauing receiued his answere of the King returned to his guest vnto whom he recited the pleasure that euery one receiued at the newes that he brought from him and of the hundred knights there was no more then one missing but that they were all assembled The which beeing vnderstood by Enil hee did so much that he found his Master apart and falling downe vpon his knees he sayd vnto him My Lord although my seruice vnto you hath not beene such as it should and therefore haue I nothing at all deserued yet am I so bolde at this time to request one gift of you which I beseech you most humbly to graunt vnto mee Demand it sayd hee and rise vp My Lord sayd Enil I pray you the make mee knight to the end that I may goe vnto the King to entreat his Maiesty that hee will bee pleased to accept of mee for the last knight of his number Friend Enil sayd the Faire Forlorne me thinkes that thou shouldst beginne to try thy prowesse in a place lesse dangerous then this battaile will bee not because I would deferre to make thee knight but in that I know it is too waighty a charge for thee My Lord sayde Enil I knowe that in all my life I cannot haue a better meanes to gaine honour for if I die amongst so many men of worth my reputation shall bee there by encreased and if I may escape my renowne shall be perpetuall hauing been one in number with a hundred of the best knights in the world The Faire Forlorne hearing Enil speake so vertuously with a kind pittie that he had of him he ruminated these words to himselfe Thou dost well shew thy selfe to bee a kinsman vnto the good knight Gandales my second father Then hee answered Enil if thou haue so great a desire to proue thy self snch a one as thou sayest I will no