well as she hath recouered what was taken from her and behold where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heate was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the aire when the Damosell immediatly knew him for it was she that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrganda the vnknowne whē by chiualrie he deliuered her fréend at the Castell of Pradoid which made her remember him so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced eche other the like curtesie he shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dremed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith saide Amadis the help you gaue me within these three dayes may not be compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greter exextremity then you but how could you possibly vnderstand therof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when he was enchaunted mine Aunte Vrganda sent me to the Castell of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen sheelde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many wayes bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damoselles the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing els wherin to commaund me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and we will return from whence we came Farwell swéet Uirgins replyed Amadis remember my humble dutie to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this mander rode the Damoselles one way and Amadis another wherfore we must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castell of Valderin CHAP. XXI ¶ How Arcalaus brought newes to the Courte of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freendes to make manifolde lamentations and regrets especiallye the Princesse Oriana SUch spéede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchaunted he béeing as I haue saide clad in his armour and mounted on his horsse that the tenth day following he arriued néer the Court of King Lisuart who was riding abroad in the feeldes to take the aire accōpanied with his Lords along the Forrest side They séeing Arcalaus come a farre of hauing on the Armour of Amadis imagining it was he indeed diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found them-selues deceiued by reason Arcalaus had his head and handes vnarmed wherfore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these woordes Sir I come to accquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battell that some time bare these Armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne praise which were more honourable for me béeing reported by an other in mine absence yet am I constrained to doo no lesse séeing the couenant was such betweene me and him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should despoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full lothe was I to be so cruell because he tolde me he was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so he named him self whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in trueth that I was Arcalaus whome Fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this Armour and horsse which as a testimony of my victorie I brought with me Ah God saide the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight of the worlde dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue a course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares bothe in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning him selfe likewise very sad and greeued but you must think he went not without great store of cursses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and spéedy death which with their Swoordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him them-selues but that they heard how Amadis was slaine by an accorded battell The King being ouercome with pensiuenes and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Quéene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures into mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noise she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Ladie too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came wéeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady be too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she said Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true Madame answered the Damosell but what remedie you must not likewise dye for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought she had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Help Madame my Mistresse dyeth She being come sawe that she neither mooued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indéede wherefore she commaunded the Damosell to shut the door to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not break foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more liberty as also bathing her temples and pulses with Uiniger and colde water she recouered again when deliuering a fainte sigh with a feeble voice she thus spake Ah swéet freendes hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God finde him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole worlde who is replete with greefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse meruaylous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the worlde behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that reconing thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining héere alone after thée can giue but wounding and vnthankfull spéeches Ah cruell death suffised it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered stéele but thou must kill him out-right
you must vnderstand how she was the same that saide to King Perion that when he recouered his losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower yet notwithstanding he was farre from y t matter because he knew not wherof she spake and therfore thus replyed For Gods sake damosell I pray ye tell me on what occasion you vse these spéeches Beleeue me Gandales quoth she I haue told thée nothing but trueth At these woordes she departed from him leauing him very sad pensiue yet long he did not continue in these thoughts but he saw her returne againe in great haste thus crying and calling Ah Gandâ—lâ—s for Gods sake succour me then Gandales turning about beheld a Knight follow her with his Swoord drawen wherfore he gaue his horsse the spurres to meete him and placed him selfe for defence of the Damosell then comming to him y t pursued her he said Stay thou bad aduised Knight what moueth thee thus trecherously to outrage Ladyes What now answered y t other doost thou hope to saue her who by trumpery hath made me loose both bodye and soule That meddle not I withall saide Gandales but I will defende her to my power well knewing that Ladyes ought not to be corrected in this manner albeit they did deserue it We shall presently see that answered the Knight and so gallopped to y e place from whence he came which was a little thicket of trees where stayed a very beautifull Lady who when she saw him returne came foorth bringing him a Shéelde and a strong Launce which he tooke and without longer tariaunce returned to his enemye Gandales being a stearne Knight would not refuse him wherupon they met together in such sorte as their Launces were broken on their Sheeldes and they with their Horses cast to the ground yet quickly did they recouer footing when began betweene them a meruailous combate which woorsse would haue beene but that she which desired succour of Gandales stepped betweene them saying Stay Gentlemen fight no more At these woordes the Knight who before pursued her went backe then saide the Damosell to him Come now and aske pardon of me Most willingly answered y e Knight theÌ„ throwing his Swoord and Shéeld down came and humbled him self on both his knees befoâ—e her wherat Gandales was greatly amazed afterward the Damosel said to y e knight Goe commaund the Lady vnder the trees that she get her away immediatly vnlesse thoâ— halt take her head from her shoulders To this charge the Knight yeelded him selfe obedient and to her whoÌ„ he loued more then him selfe by sudden change from loue to hatred became and angerly saide Traiterous woman I know not how I shall defend my selfe from killing thée presently Well perceiued the poore Lady that her fréend was enchaunted and that contestation would nothing at all profit her wherfore incontinent she mounted on her Palfray and rode away making the most gréeuous sorrow that euer was heard and there remained she whom Gandales had defended speaking to him in this manner You haue Sir doone so much for me as I shall be beholding to you while I liue and now you may departe at your pleasure for if the Knight offended me I haue pardoned him w t all my hart As touching your pardon answered Gandales I haue nothing to doo therwith for my selfe I will end the Combate or he shall holde him selfe vanquished It behooueth that you acquite him saide the Damosell séeing that if you were the best Knight in the world easily can I make him ouercome ye Doo therin what you can replyed Gandales but I will not acquite him except you firste declare to me wherfore euen now you saide that I kept the death of many people in my house Then will I rather tell ye quoth she because I loue you both he as mine own Soule you as my defender albeit constraint cannot make me doo it so taking him aside she saide You shall sweare to me as a loyall Knight that no other shall know it by you vntill such time as I commaund it heereof he made her faithfull promise Know then saide the Damosell that he whom you found in the Sea shall one day be the flower of chiualrie and shall cause the very strongest to stoope he shall enterprise and with honor finishe what other shall faile off and such déeds of armes shall he doo as no one thinkes can be begun or ended by the strength of one man The proud shall he make humble and gracious being cruell to the pittilesse as also benigne and amiable to the debonaire this Knight most loyally will maintaine loue and shall affect in place answerable to his magnanimitie Moreouer I assure thée Gandales that he is the Sonne of a King and without doubt all this will happen which I haue told thée but if thou kéep it not secret it maye returne thée more harme then good Madame answered Gandales I praye yee tell me where I may meete with you heerafter to conferre with you on the affaires of this infant That must you not knowe by me saide the Damosell or any other Yet tell me your name quoth Gandales if so it be your pleasure By the faith you beare to the thing you most loue in the world replyed she you coniure me so as you shall knowe it albeit the thing that moste I loue is he that wisheth me least good and would you know what he is it is the Knight against whom ere while you combated notwithstanding I will not leaue to intreat him at my pleasure without he being able to remedy him selfe My name is Vrganda the vnknowne and to the end you may remember me an other time beholde me well at this present At that instant she who shewed her selfe to Gandales faire yong and fresh as one of eightéene yéeres became so olde and ouer spent as he meruailed how she could sit on her horsse if then he was stricken into admiration you may iudge But when she had beene a prettie while in that state she tooke out of a little bottell which she caryed a certaine vnguent wherwith she rubbed her face and right soone recouered her former countenaunce saying to Gandales What iudge ye now Sir thinke ye to finde me heerafter against my will vsing all the dilligence you can deuise neuer therfore put your self to such paine for when all liuing creatures goe about it if I list they shall loose their labour In good faith Madame answered Gandales I now make no doubt therof yet I beséeche ye to be mindefull of the Gentleman who is forsaken of all but my selfe Doo not you trouble your selfe therewith saide Vrganda this forsaking will be a recouering of much more My loue to him is greater then you can imagine being she that shortly intendes to receiue by him two aydes which no other can giue me In recompence wherof I will giue him two likewise wherwith he shall thinke him self highly satisfied Let this suffise ye for this time because of
he was vnséene of any espied a goodly troupe of Lords and Ladies comming toward them whereof he made haste to aduertise the Prince but he was so perplexed as he could not answere wherefore Gandalin tooke him by the arme saying My Lord sée you not what a great traine maketh toward vs At these words he came to himselfe beginning to sigh and lifting his eies to heauen said Gandalin if in this loue I were maister of my strength as I am in diuers other actions neither shouldest thou haue neede to aduertise me nor my selfe be without councell so much as I am But I feele my selfe so oppressed as all the enemyes in the world can not bring me to such extremitie as this ouer-ruling passion doth therefore I pray thée talke to me of the felicitie a man shall enioy in death for other may I not taste and practise no meanes of my life seeing the contrary doth surmount it What my Lord answered Gandalin estéeme you the victorie ouer your selfe so difficult after so many conquests of stout and bold Strangers Why do you not thinke that peraduenture she loueth you as well for whome you endure such assaults and happily by as great reason as you loue her your personage prowesse beawtie and nobilitie of linage can they deserue lesse then the good grace of the most rare and excellent Lady in the world let these humours my Lord repell your desperations Further he would haue proceeded but Amadis brake him off in anger saying Wretch darest thou blaspheme so much as to say that he who hath merited no condition in the world may be equalled with so perfect a thing as is my Lady enter no more into such tearmes if thou wilt not haue me thine enemy and so lose my conuersation Well well said Gandalin I pray ye wipe your eyes least those that come hitherward perceiue you haue wept What aunswered Amadis commes there any body Yea marie quoth Gandalin and now they be at hand héerewith he shewed him y e Knights and the Ladies who were hard by them by time Amadis was mounted Then as though he had stayed for their company he saluted them and riding among the trayne he beheld a Lady very comely and beawtifull who wept verie grieuously whereupon he left the rest and rode with her saying Madame God comfort ye and giue you ioy In sooth answered the Lady and thereof haue I néede in that as now it is very farre from me which except heauen fauour me with better grace I am vtterly out of hope euer to sée againe And so high a Maiestie said Amadis can prouide therefore when he pleaseth notwithstanding if you were so contented I gladly would knowe the cause of your sadnes Beleeue me my friend quoth she all that euer I enioy in this world consisteth in the triall of a Combat By these words he knew this to be the Lady of whom the Damosels had told him before wherefore he enquired further if as yet she had found a Knight on her behalfe No truely said the Lady and which gréeueth me most of all to morrow must my delay be exterminate What will ye then do answered Amadis What would you that I should do quoth she but lament and loose all vnlesse by hap I finde one in the Kings Court who mooued thereto by charitable compassion will courteously defend the right of a desolate widdow Such fortune said Amadis shall I pray may befall ye for I should not be a little glad thereof as well for your owne sake as also because I neuer thought well of your aduersarie I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth she to God I commit the reuenge of my wrong So passed on the Lady and Amadis turning bridle rode back to the Pauillion where he found the Damosels who were already returned from the Towne and presently they told him how Dardan was come into the feeld with full resolution to do his deuoire And trust me said Amadis it was my hap to méete the distressed Lady euen the same whome the case concerneth héerewith he declared all the talke they had together But now is the hower of quiet come and eche one went to rest till the point of day when the Damosels being risen came to tell Amadis how they would goe before to the Towne and send him word when Dardan was readie Not so quoth Amadis I will not be farre behinde ye but let one ride before to aduertise me when Dardan shewes himselfe in the féeld After he was armed they went all to horsseback and being come to the issue of the Forrest he said to the Damosels Now may you goe if you please for I will not depart this place til I heare some newes from you Away they went when Amadis alighting tooke off his helmet to refresh himselfe No sooner did the Sunne appeare in the East but the King came to the place appointed for the Combat which was without the Towne hard by the walles where Dardan not long after shewed himselfe in such manner and equipage as an ambitious man vseth to gaine goods and honor also like an amourous Champion to maintaine the quarrell of his beloued who to countenance him with the greater fauour was queintly led by the raynes of his palfray then presenting himselfe before the King on his knees he said My Lord according to the ordenance by you appointed this Lady and I humbly beséech ye that the goods may be deliuered her as is no more then reason for if any Knight oppose himselfe against her héere am I readie for the Combat The King then called for the other Ladyes defendant but she poore soule appeared alone Why Lady quoth the King are you vnprouided of a Champion that you come without any one to sustaine your right So help me God answered she wéeping I am my Lord forsaken of all except you graunt me mercie Great compassion had the King on her for he knew her to be very vertuous but he could not together order reason and the lawe In meane while Dardan who thought no resistance would come sate downe in the middest of y e féeld attending the third hower which was the time according to the custome when the King should pronounce sentence to the conquerour but one of the Damosels seeing now the noedfull time made haste to let Amadis vnderstand what want of his presence was in the féeld For this cause he immediatly mounted on horsseback being armed as appertained commaunded the Damosell and his Squire to goe some other way for he would not be seene by any from whence he came assuring them that if he were victor he would returne againe to the Tent. So departed Amadis alone riding on a braue white Courser as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke in Gaule and arriued at the place where Dardan held the world in wunder of him The King and his Nobles séeing him come from the Forrest stoode somewhat in doubt of him for he caryed such a gallant Knightly countenance as
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
worne and dispoiled her garments as the naked flesh appeared in many places and when she beheld that Amadis pittied her she thus spake Although my Lord I am at this present sequestred from all my liuelood yet time hath béene when I was the wealthie daughter to a King and for a King you finde me in this miserie Lady quoth Amadis it behooueth you to embrace pacience these are but the mutabilities of fortune which no one is able to preuent or escape and if the man for whome you haue thus suffered be of any account or loueth you I am sure he will conuert right soone this poore estate into rich aboundance and remunerate your long sorrowes with ioy and gladnes So he caused the chayne to be taken from her neck commaunding garments to be brought to put about her wherefore he that brought the lights ran for a scarlet mantle which Arcalaus not long before gaue the Iaylor and cast it about the Ladyes shoulders This being done Amadis tooke her by the hand conducting her foorth of the darke prison saying she should neuer returne thither againe but he would loose his life before and passing by where the Iaylor and the other lay slaine the Lady began thus to complaine Ah cruell hands how many wounds and torments haue you giuen me and diuers other in this Castell without desert although your bodies at this instant cannot receiue condigne vengeance your damned soules may euermore abide in sufferance Madame said Amadis while I goe to deliuer the rest of the prisoners I leaue ye in my Squires custody so passing on to the Port-cullis he met the Souldiour that brought the lights saying Sir Arcalaus demaundeth where the Knight is which entred héere whether he be dead or taken He who caryed the torche before the Prince was so affraid at these words that he let it fall which Amadis made him take vp againe thus speaking to him Uillaine fearest thou being in my guard goe on Then ascending the staires they came into the open court where they sawe the greater part of the night was spent the Moone shining cléere and the weather faire but the Lady féeling the aire and beholding the heauens was so repleat with ioy that she fell on her knées before Amadis saying Ah gentle Knight the Almightie protect thée and requite the good I haue receiued by thée deliuering me from comfortlesse darknesse Amadis looking round about for Gandalin and finding him not feared he had lost him wherefore he said If the best Squire in the world be dead I shall take such reuenge for his death may I but méet his murderer as neuer was the like heard before Being thus ouercome with griefe he heard one crye wherefore he ran which way he thought best and found the Dwarffe that parted from him the night before hanging by one leg on high at a great péece of wood hauing a fire vnderneath him full of filthie stincking sauours and néere him he espyed Gandalin tyed to a tree toward whome he was going to vnbind him but he saw the Dwarffe had greatest néede of helpe wherefore he cut the cords in twaine that held him vp catching him in his armes to set him on his féete afterward he vnloosed Gandalin saying In sooth my friend whosoeuer intreated thée thus made little reckoning of thy good deserts Now because he would deliuer the other prisoners he met the Lady comming foorth of the Castell as he returned back againe but going on he found the gates fast shut against him whereupon he stayed till day light in a corner of the Court sitting downe by the Lady accompanyed with two of the Souldiours the Dwarffe and Gandalin And as they communed together Gandalin shewed the Prince a place wher-into he saw a horsse led which Amadis being desirous to sée came to the dore and found it shut but he ran so strongly against it with his foote that he made it flye open finding the horsse there readie sadled and bridled whereon he mounted attending the day and sight of Arcalaus who he knew was already arriued at the Castell by matters he heard of Gandalin and the Dwarfe In meane while he conferred with the Lady demaunding what the King was she loued so déerely and for whom she had sustained such iniurie Worthy Lord quoth she Arcalaus getting intelligence of the Princes affection toward me whome I loue so loyally this deuillish enchaunter being his mortall enemy thought he could be no better reuenged on him then by depriuing me of his presence imagining the griefe heereof would be greater to him then any other Being thus perswaded he stole me away at what time I was with many great personages who were not able to giue me any succour by reason of the traitours villainous sorceries for they could not deuise what was become of me because a wonderfull darke clowd enuironed me which hindered them from following me to this place since when I neuer saw light till now you brought me foorth The disloyall wretch said by the way as he brought me that he would be reuenged on my loue and my selfe by these meanes I poore soule enduring the torments and my Loue the griefe of my absence yet ignorant where Madame said Amadis I pray ye name the man you speake of It is King Arban of Norgalles answered the Lady whome it may be you know I knowe him right well replied Amadis for he is one whome I deerely loue and now doo I lesse pitty your sufferings then before because they haue bin for one of the best men in the world who will so well recompence them as by rendring you incomparable ioy your loue and honor shall both be satisfied While thus they communed together faire day appéered when Amadis saw a Knight leaning in a windowe who thus demaunded Art thou he that didst kill my Iaylor and my seruants Art thou he answered Amadis that so trecherously putteth Knights to death abusing likewise both Ladies and Gentlewomen by heauen thou art one of the vilest villaines that euer I heard off As yet thou knowest not said Arcalaus the vttermost of my power but soone shalt thou haue experience thereof to rid thee of such boldenes in asking me what I can doo whether it be wrong or right Heer-with he went from y e window and not long after came downe into the courte beeing well armed and mounted on a lusty bay courser Now you must note that this Arcalaus was one of the mightyest Knightes in the world yet no Giant wherfore when Amadis behelde him of such stature he doubted not of his great force strength Arcalaus perceiuing he eyed him so much demaunded what mooued him so to doo I imagine answered Amadis that according to thy large proportion thou shouldst be a man of exquisite chiualrie but thy peruerse and inhumaine actions are a foule blemish thereto Now trust me said Arcalaus I thinke my self highly beholding to Fortune who hath brought thée hether to make me such a smoothe sermon but all
this will not helpe thee therfore defend thy self So charging their Launces they brake so brauely on their sheeldes as the shiuers flew vp into the aire and with such violence met their horsses and bodies that they were both laide along on the ground Quickly they arose and with their swoordes began a bloodie combate wherin desire of victorie and hautie resolution of vnconquerable courage made them continue a long time till Arcalaus retyring aside thus spake to Amadis Knight thou art in danger of death and because I know not who thou art tell me that when I haue slaine thée I may yet commend thy boldenes in entring héere My death answered Amadis is in y e hand of God whom I reuerence and thine in the power of the Deuill who is weary of helping thée and bequeatheth thy body to so innumerable mischéefs as a present perishing of soule and all together But seeing thou wouldst so gladlye know my name I am commonly called Amadis of Gaule Knight to the Quéene Brisana let vs now then chat no longer but fall to the combate for on my parte I promise no more resting Arcalaus auauncing his shéeld came with foming fury against Amadis who knew full wel how to welcome him and such eager stroks past on either side as their shéeldes were scattered in péeces about them and likewise very many plates of their armour Now was it about the thirde hower when Arcalaus hauing sustained great losse of his blood was forced to seud vp and down before his enemye and séeing the imminent death before his eyes fled to that parte of the Castell where he came out yet Amadis by close pursuite stil continued his feare wherupon he stept into a chamber at the door wherof stood a Lady be holding the combate and he was no sooner entred the roome but he caught vp another swoord turning his face to Amadis saying Enter this chamber to make an end of our combate The open Court answered Amadis is more spacious and conuenient I will not come foorth quoth Arcalaus for thy pleasure What said Amadis thinkest thou so silly to escape so placing his sheeld before he entred the chāber but as he lifted vp his swoord to strike he was depriued of strength and the vse of his members so that he fell to the ground as he had been dead Yea mary said Arcalaus this is the way to make thée dye as I desired sléepe then till I wake thee Now say you Lady quoth he to her that stood by am I not in your opinion well reuenged on him Indéed saide she he is now altogether at your commaundement Presently he vnarmed him Amadis not féeling any thing was doone to him afterward Arcalaus put on him selfe the Princes Armour thus speaking to the Lady Madame looke on perrill of your life that no one remoue him hence vntill his soule haue forsaken his bodye then he intended to iourney to the court where ech one seeing him in the Armour of Amadis might thinke he had slayne him But now the sorrowfull Lady so lately deliuered from prison made such mone as would haue melted a hart of Adamant and what Gandalins countenaunce was you may easily iudge when Arcalaus saw the Lady lament he said Dame séeke some other to deliuer you from prison for I haue dispatched your hardie champion These woords made Gandalin in such dispaire as he fell downe like one sencelesse and Arcalaus called the Lady to him in this manner Come hither mistresse and you shall see him dead that durst so boldly combate with me When he had shewed him to her he demaunded if he were not now quiet enough The comfortlesse Lady séeing him in such estate wanted no teares to expresse the aboundance of her greefe and withall Ah God quoth she how irkesome will the reporte of his death be to many then Arcalaus calling his wife saide So soone as this wretch is dead imprison this Lady where she was before for I will goe to the Court of Ling Lisuart and there declare how I combated with Amadis by couenaunt that the conquerour should cut off the head of the vanquished and within fiftéen dayes following to publishe his victorie openly in great Brittaine By these meanes none shall quarrell with me about his death and I shall obtaine the greatest glory in the worlde hauing ouer-come him that conquered euery one Then went he where he left Gandalin and the Dwarffe commaunding them to be locked vp in a prison but Gandalin who wished death thinking his maister was dead indéed would not goe with him desiring some one to kill him and to enforce Arcalaus doo him so much fauour reuiled him with names of traytour and villaine hauing slaine the most loyall Knight in the worlde Arcalaus made no account of his woordes but because he would not goe willingly he dregged him by the eares and thrust him into the dungion saying If I presently kill thee thou shouldst endure no more paine but heere shalt thou suffer wursse then death So mounted Arcalaus on the horsse of Amadis and accompanied with thrée Squires rode toward the Courte of King Lisuart CHAP. XX. ¶ How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda GRindaloya the Lady deliuered by Amadis from prison made such excessiue lamentations for him as euery one pittied her she thus speaking to the Wife of Arcalaus and the rest in the company Ah faire Ladyes behold yee not the beautie of this braue Gentleman who in so young yeeres was the only Knight in the world mishap attend on such who by enchauntment iniurie men of vertue D soueraigne creator why doost thou suffer so bad-minded people to liue The Wife of Arcalaus who though her husband was addicted to shamelesse crueltie yet she being of gracious and pittifull disposition grieued in her very soule to behold his dealings and continually prayed for his amendment comforting the wofull Lady so well as she could As thus they were deuising together they sawe two other Ladyes enter the chamber eche of thē bringing in her hād good store of candles lighted which they set round about on the cantons of the chamber finding Amadis thus lying before the Wife of Arcalaus and the rest they being not able to lift or stir him Then one of the Ladyes so lately there arriued tooke out of a little Casket she caryed a Booke whereon she began to reade and diuers times an other voice answered her As thus she continued her lecture many other voices were heard as they imagined them more then an hundred then came an other Booke flying into the chamber séeming as if the winde caryed it and fell downe at her féet that read she pulling it in foure parts burned it at the foure corners of the chamber where the candles stood This done she returned to Amadis and taking him by the right hand sayd Lord Amadis arise you haue
graunt me one boone soone shall I bring ye together againe Galaor being very desirous heereof agreed to any thing she would demaund Follow me then quoth she so turning her horsse rode the same way she came keeping company awhile together but the Damosell being better mounted then he left him behinde with his Squire and rid before so fast that they had lost the sight of her trauailing the space of thrée miles without any news of her but at last on a great plaine they sawe her returne againe Héere you must note that the cause of her riding thus before was to aduertise the other Knight being her déere fréend of their comming and he had expressely sent her to fetch Galaor to deceiue him of the rest of his Armour which he imagined easily to doo without daunger seeing he had gotten the chiefest thing of his defence and afterward he intended to kill him or put him to some notorious shame For this cause he taryed in a Pauillion erected by him on the plaine and no sooner came she to Galaor but thus she spake Gentleman to the end I might not faile in my promise I forsooke your companie awhile only to see if the man you looke for were in the place where I left him or no there haue I found him little thinking on your comming and in yonder Pauillion may you speake with him at pleasure As thus they deuised together they came to the Tent wherefore Galaor alighted to enter but the Knight méeting him at the doore said Sir Knight what mooueth thee to come in heer without licence trust me it is but little for thy profit because thou must héere leaue the rest of thine Armour or dye presently Thou mayst be therein deceiued answered Galaor and the words of such a wretch as thou art can not feare me This reply very angerly incensed the Knight lifting vp his Sword to smite the Prince on the head but Galaor runningly escaped y e blowe giuing his enemy such a stroke on the top of his helmet as made him set one knée to the ground then quickly laying holde on him got the helmet beside his head spurning him to strongly with his féet that therwith he fell on his face to the earth When the Knight beheld himselfe in such danger he called with a loud voice to the Damosell for succour wher-upon she stepped to Galaor saying that he should hold his hand for this was the boone he promised to giue her But he being in extreame choller gaue no eare to her spéeches bringing the Knight into such estate as he left no vitall motion in him whereat the Damosell being ready to despaire breathed foorth many gréeuous lamentations saying Alas wretch that I am too long haue I trifled time for in séeking to beguile an other my selfe am worthily requited with deceit And thou traytour quoth she to Galaor who hast thus cruelly put him to death heauen send thée a more wursse and haplesse end for by thée haue I lost my only felicitie in this world for which be well assured it shall cost thée thy life because thou hast broken promise with me and in such a place will I demaund reuenge on thée as nothing but thy death shall expiate my anger wert thou a Knight of greater hardines then thou art if then thou make refusall there I shall haue more then iust occasion to publish in all places the pusillanimitie of thy faint harted courage Faire Damosell answered Galaor if I had thought his death would haue been so greeuous to you I could haue spared part of my displeasure though iustly he deserued no lesse but you spake when it was too late The wursse for thee replyed the Damosell because thy death shall recompence his Galaor seeing she continued her threatning speeches without any other answere left her lacing on his helmet mounting on the horsse the dead Knight tooke from him and hauing ridden a pretty while he looked back to see if the Damosell followed him when perceiuing her hard at his horsse heeles demaunded of her whether she trauailed With thee answered the Damosell and neuer will I leaue thee till I haue found opportunitie to request the boone thou didst promise me which shall be the losse of thy head by some euill death Me thinks it were better said Galaor for you to take some other satisfaction of me and happily might be more pleasing to you Not any thing else quoth she thy soule shall accompany his whome thou hast slaine else neuer shalt thou accomplish what thou hast promised me Well well answered Galaor I must stand to the hazard of that as I may thus quarrelling they rode on thrée dayes together and entred the Forrest of Angaduze an aduenture there happening to them whereof the Author héereafter maketh mention But now he returneth againe to Amadis who taking his leaue of Vrgandaes Damoselles as you haue heard before recited rode on till about noone time when issuing foorth of a Forrest he saw on a plaine a very faire Castell wher-out came a goodly Chariot to brauely equipped as euer be behelde any it béeing drawen by two braue redde steedes which were couered with imbroydered crimosin sattin as it made a very daintye and séemely shewe The Chariot was guarded by eight armed Knightes yet Amadis beeing desirous to see who was in it drewe some-what neere to lift vp the rich couering but one of the Knightes came to him with these rough woordes Kéepe back Sir Knight and be not so bold to come thus neere What I doo answered Amadis is for no harme Whatsoeuer it be replied the other trouble your selfe no further in respect you are not worthy to see what is heere couered for if you enterprise the like againe it will vallewe your life because thou must deale with all in this troupe and some such one is among vs as is able alone to get the maistrye of thée more easily then may we altogether vse thee as we list I know not saide Amadis the Knightes valour you speak of but hap good or bad I will see what is in the Chariot Heere with he tooke his Armes which the two Knightes seeing that rode formost they ran bothe against him the one breaking his Launce and the other missing but Amadis sped other-wise for the first very easily he cast from his saddle and the other he threw both horsse and man to the ground Then Amadis went toward the Chariot yet was he staied by two other Knightes one of them beeing likewise dismounted and with his swoord he gaue the other such a welcome on the pate as he was glad to kéep him selfe from falling by catching fast holde about his horse neck when the other foure sawe their companions so vsed by one Knight they meruailed not a little and beeing willing to reuenge their iniurie altogether fiercely charged Amadis With this last assaulte he found him selfe sore combred for one of them tainted him in the sheeld and another in his armour as he escaped hardlye
and mooued not Now grew the Lady and her Knights into such anger with Amadis as presently they would haue slaine him and he had not escaped but that an auncient Knight stepped before him with his Sword drawen vsing such threatnings and other behauiour as he caused them all to goe foorth of the Pauillion yet coulde hee not defende him so well but Amadis was wounded on the right shoulder then stepped the auncient Knight to Madasima with these words By God Madame you deale like a very vnreasonable woman causing your people in your presence to murder two Knights after they haue yeelded themselues your prisoners Why Sir quote she did you not see their presumptuous boldnes especially this varlet who before my face hath so vsed this man as he is not able to rise againe Madame replyed Galaor we rather chuse to dye then any other but your selfe shall binde vs for you by nature are gentle and curteous and we as prisoners will shew obeysaunce to you Seeing you saya so answered Madasima I will binde you my self heereupon she bound their hands w t strong cords and presently taking downe the Tents they departed thence Amadis and Galaor béeing set on horsses without Saddles and led along by two Sergeants as for Gandalin and Galaors Squire they followed on foote hauing their hands bound behinde them in manner as if they had gone to hanging and thus were they constrained to trauaile all night through the Forrest But Amadis was weery of his life not so much for his hard vsage in respect he could gouerne himselfe with wonderfull pacience but for the matter Madasima would enforce them to the refusall whereof gaue hope of no better vsage at her hand but for euer to be depriued of his faire Oriana And contrarywise if he consented he should in like manner be banished from her presence being compelled to serue King Lisuart no longer these two extremities troubled his thoughts which the auncient Knight well perceiued that saued their liues yet he imagined the cause to proceede from his hurt and was mooued to pittie him for the Damosell had told him that he was one of y e best Knights in the world Héere you must obserue how the Damosell was the auncient Knights Daughter and repented her treason in deceiuing them séeing how discourteously they were intreated which made her earnestly to perswade her father to practise some meane for their safetie for quoth she if they be put to death perpetuall shame will attend on my life Haue pittie then good father on them and me in respect the one is famous Amadis of Gaule and the other his brother Galaor who slewe the Giant at the Rock of Galteres Full well â—new the Knight the cause why his Daughter brought them and therefore pittyed their vsage the more deuising how he might compasse the meanes to sheeld them from death which was néere at hand so comming to Amadis he thus spake Be of good chéere Sir Knight for I hope by the help of God ere long to deliuer you from this cruell Lady and if your wound offend ye I will perswade her to let you haue some cure When Amadis heard him speake so freendly knowing likewise it was the man who deliuered him from them that would haue slaine him he thus answered Father I haue no wound which greatly annoyeth me but I haue more cause to complaine of the Damosell she that brought vs hither by y e falsest treacherie in the world I knowe very well said the Knight you haue beene deceiued and can tell what you are better then you wéene which makes me the more carefull in séeking your good therefore I shall giue you profitable councell if you will accept it But did the Lady know you you should dye without any remedy because nothing might serue else to expiate her wrath beléeue then what I say and put it in practise You are faire young and of gallant stature beside Madasima hath beene told how you are one of the best Knights in the world whereby she conceiueth good opinion of you now must you cunningly close with her requesting she would accept you as her husband or perpetuall freend for she is a woman not to refuse you if you can neuer so little dissemble with her But what you doo doo quickly because at y t place whether we are now going she intends to send one of her seruaÌ„ts to King Lisuarts Court whose errand is only to enquire your names for she that conducted you hither perceiuing you should assuredly dye if her mistresse knew the names of you both disguised the matter so with her as she said she forgot to aske your names only thus perswading her that you were two of the very best Knights in the world The daunger thorowly considered I sweare to you by the faith of a Christian that I can deuise no better meane for your deliuerance then this I haue told ye and shall I say more if you doo it not wursse will come to you then you suspect But Amadis loued the Princesse Oriana so deerely as he rather desired death then to hazard himselfe in such a composition whereupon he thus replyed I thanke you Sir hartely for your great kindnes but I haue no such authoritie ouer my selfe as will permit me to procéed so farre though your Lady her selfe intreated neuer so déeply yet libertie nor life can perswade me Alas Sir answered the Knight I wunder you will not consider how neere your death is It is all one to me quoth Amadis but if you will deale héerein with my brother he is a Knight more braue and beautifull then I am happily he will consent to follow your deuise Presently he left Amadis and comming to Galaor deliuered the whole discourse he did to his brother which he liking very well made this reply Good Father if you could bring it to passe that the Lady would accept me as her fréend my companion and I were for euer at your commaund Referre the matter to me quoth the Knight immediatly will I goe to her I hope to strike it dead on her behalfe So departing from Galaor he went to Madasima who rode formost and thus began to break with her Madame you carrye two prisoners with you but you doo not know what they are Why aske you me such a question answered Madasima Because the one of them quoth the Knight is esteemed y e best Knight that euer bare Armes and the most accomplished in all other good gifts Is he not then named Amadis said she whose death I haue so long desired No Madame answered the Knight I speake of him which rideth next vs whose youth and beauty had you well regarded your selfe would say you haue been too outragious in iniurie What though he be your prisoner it is not for any offence committed againste you but onlye through the hatred you beare to another all which you may yet redresse in much better sorte then you began considering if he conceiued liking
other For the prisoners are the King and his daughter In sooth replyed the poore man we are altogether ignorant what they are yet we heard one that led the horsse of the fayrer Lady often times name Arcalaus Now trust me quoth Amadis to his brother it is the villain which enchaunted me Oh that it might be my hap to finde him Gentlemen saide the man ten of them went this way on the right hand with the knight prisoner and fiue more this way on the left hand with the Ladies Brother quoth Amadis to Galaor I beseeche ye to follow the King least wursse befall him then we can remedie and I will after the Princesse Oriana So shaking handes in equall resolution they parted the seuerall wayes but Amadis found his horsse so ouer-laboured as he was able to holde out no longer Being thus hindered by chaunce he looked aside and sawe where a Knight lay slaine with a Squire standing by holding his horsse wher-upon Amadis stepped to him demaunding who committed that murder A traitour hath doone it answered the Squire who is not yet gon very farre and leadeth with him the fairest Lady in y e worlde no other reason had he for my maisters death but because he asked what the Lady was What wilt thou doo said Amadis tarrying heer I stay sir quoth he til some one come who may helpe me with my maisters bodye to some buriall and afterward I intend to séeke my fortune If thou answered Amadis wilt giue me the horsse thou holdest I will leaue thee mine and my Squire to helpe thee and one day will giue thee two better beside The Squire was content when Amadis mounting on the horsse commaunded Gandalin to helpe him burye his maisters bodye and afterward to follow him the same way he rode Thus Amadis hyes so fast as horsse can run and espying an Hermitage went to sée if any body were within at his call the Hermit came foorth of whome he asked if he saw not fiue Knightes passe by leading two Ladies No verily answered the olde father but doo you not enquire for a Castell which is not farre from this place Why aske ye such a question quoth Amadis Because a Nephewe of mine tolde me saide the Hermit how Arcalaus the enchaunter is going thither two Ladyes with him whom he carieth perforce Ah father replyed Amadis you name the traitour I looke for Trust me Sir quoth the Hermit he hath doone many mischéefes in this country would God we were either rid of him or his life amended but haue you no body to help you No-body but God and my self answered Amadis Why Sir said the Hermit you tell me they be fiue in companye and you but one beside Arcalaus is counted one of the best Knightes in the worlde and with whome fewe or none dare meddle What-soeuer he be quoth Amadis I am certaine he is a disloyall traitour and they no lesse that keep him company what lesse cause then haue I to feare him for God is iust in whome is onlye my confidence I pray you Sir replyed the Hermit know you of whence the Ladies be One of them said Amadis is the Princesse Oriana daughter and heire to the vertuous King Lisuart the other is a Lady attending on her The God of heauen answered the Hermit further your intent that so good a Princesse may not be long in such a wretches custodye If you haue any prouender father quoth Amadis I desire you giue my horsse a little The Hermit brought foorth such as he had and while the horsse fed Amadis demaunded to whom the Castell belonged To a Knight called Grumen saide the Hermite Cozin germaine to proud Dardan who was slaine at the Courte of King Lisuart which makes me the rather coniecture that he will lodge such as are enemies to so good a Prince Good father replyed Amadis I beséeche you haue minde of me in your prayers and now shew me the neerest way to the Castell Which the Hermit did when Amadis mounting on horsse-back tooke his leaue following the way he was directed Not long after he got a sight of the Castell which was compassed with strong Towers and high walles wherfore so closely as he could he approched néere it where he heard what ioy they made for the arriuall of Arcalaus when marking how many gates of issue it had he found there was no more but one wherfore tying his horsse where he might not be séen he hid himselfe so cōueniently as none could passe in and out but he must needs see them thus was he glad to watche there all this night At the breake of daye doubting least the watche of the Castell should descrye him he entred a little thicket where long he had not staid but he saw a Knight come foorth on a little hill before the Castell looking all about if he could discerne any ambushe which doone he went in againe and very soone after Arcalaus with his foure companions issued foorth well armed conducting the two Ladies whome Amadis well knew so soone as he sawe them Héer-upon he fell downe on his knee praied that God would strengthen him in this enterprise then looking to the well guirding of his horsse and y t euery part of his armour were as it ought to be taking his Launce he mounted tarying till they passed by him But because this place was vnfit for the combate he intended to suffer them enter on a playne néere at hand still keeping him self hid in the thicket and so néer did Arcalaus with his company passe by Amadis as he heard the Princesse Oriana thus complaine Alas sweete fréend quoth she great reason haue you to bid me adiew when I would permit you to goe succour her that séemed the most wofull woman in the world for I feare this shall be our latest conge and neuer may you sée me againe because death giueth such due attendaunce as it is impossible for me to escape These woordes were of such vertue that albeit Amadis could not refraine from teares yet did they so liuely enflame his hart as ouer-reaching them ere they knew any thing he thus spake to them You lye false traitours for these Ladyes shall passe no further The voice of Amadis was quickly knowen by Oriana and the Damosell of Denmarke when imagining them-selues alreadye reskewed their mindes were ioyfully cheered especiallye to sée their conductours so suddenly amated But Arcalaus perceiuing how Amadis outraged his fréendes approched more neere him and Amadis well knowing him from the rest met him so brauely as he sent him head-long to the ground then entring among the other foure he gaue such a charge to Grumen the Lord of the Castel where they lodged that his Launce passed quite through his bodye and breaking therin he fell downe dead from his horsse Now drew he the Swoord the Queene sent him wher-with he laide so valiantly about him as his enemies were cleane dismaied in their hope when they beheld Arcalaus not yet recouered
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because the King disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the King how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the King to requite him with many thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone after came Galaors Squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the King how his brother Amadis was gon to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost
was blazed through the worlde of his honorable curtesie to strange Knightes which drewe an exceeding number to his Courte whom he rewarded very bountifullye hoping by their meanes not only to confirme his Realm in peace but likewise to conquer other which sometime had beene subiect and tributarie to his Crowne yet through the pusillanimitie and negligence of the Kings his predecessors were lost and discontinued their former obedience CHAP. XLI ¶ How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the Kings death who was Father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed HEeretofore it hath beene declared how Amadis being with Briolania promised to reuenge the King her Fathers death against Abiseos and his two Sonnes which in one yéere after he should perfourme being accompanyed with two other Knights Also how when hée tooke his leaue of her she gaue him a Swoord because his owne was broken desiring him to weare it for her sake which Swoord was afterwarde broken at the Ladyes Castell who was the beloued of Angriote d' Estrauaus when he combatted with Gasinan and commaunded Gandalin to bring away the pieces therof which occasioned great harme not long after not by any fault in him but by the indiscretion of Dardan the Dwarffe who imagined his maister loued the faire Briolania in respect he offered him-selfe to be her Knight One day therefore Amadis being with King Lisuart euermore delighting with his Lady Oriana to the no little contentation of them bothe Loue who often-times prouoketh his subiects would no longer continue them in so great ease but rayse some cinders of diuision wherby they might receiue discontentment For this cause he made Amadis remember his promise to Briolania that he should combate against Abiseos within one yéere the end wherof was now at hand béeing lothe to faile therin he sought all conuenient meanes to take his leaue of the Princesse Oriana determining to acquaint her with the whole cause in what sorte Briolania was disinherited of her Fathers Kingdome Such were his discourses on her behalfe that although Oriana was loth to graunt what he demaunded or to permit his absence from her yet beeing ouer-come with compassion she restrained her will and in middest of her sorrow saide Deere fréend I know well that your speeches are reasonable but the wrong you doo me alloweth no excuse yet in respect I loue ye as you are well assured it is conuenient I should preferre your honor before mine owne pleasure You haue promised as you tell me to succour a disinherited Lady I am content séeing there is no other remedie though my consent be with greater greefe then you weene for my minde is perswaded some mischéefe will happen to me by this voiage Madame answered Amadis vnwilling am I to giue you any occasion of dislike or to attempt any thing against your minde rather could I wishe neuer to haue béene borne let Briolania then pardon my tarying for I holde my selfe sufficiently excused seeing my departure is not agréeable to you Not so sweete freend replyed Oriana I am willing you shall goe but make a spéedye returne I pray you With twenty kisses was this seperation sealed and she desired him to acquaint the Quéene ther-with that this iourney might be shaddowed vnder her commaundement which he did and on the morrow departed with Galaor Agraies when they had not ridden past halfe a mile but he asked Gandalin if he had brought with him the pieces of y e swoord that Briolania gaue him when he left her No my Lord answered Gandalin Returne then quoth Amadis to the Dwarffe and when thou hast them make what spéed thou canst to ouer-take vs. Alas had he but misdoubted the mishap followed heeron he neuer would haue sent such a messenger for by his rechlesse speeches he endaungered the liues of Amadis and Oriana together as shall heerafter be largely described Gon is the Dwarffe to his Maisters lodging and finding the pieces of the Swoord in the place where Gandalin had directed him returned hastily toward his Maister but passing by the Quéens lodging he heard one call him when looking about he espied the Princesses Oriana and Mabila who demaunded wherfore he had left Amadis Madame quoth he I haue not beene so long from him but I can quickly ouer-take him for this which I carye will let him make no great haste till I come What is it saide Oriana What answered the Dwarffe I can assure ye Madame he prizeth them more then they be woorth for her sake that gaue him the Swoord What is she quoth Oriana The Lady replyed the Dwarffe for whom he now vndertakes the combate And though you be daughter to the best King in the worlde as also fairer in mine opinion then any other yet rather should you haue gained her conquest then all the wealth in this kingdome I know not what thou meanest saide Oriana vnlesse thy maister haue giuen him selfe to her You haue guessed right Madame answered the Dwarffe he is altogether at her commaundement thinking him selfe happie to be her Knight So taking his leaue he posted to ouer-take his maister who little thought on these slaunderous reportes but Oriana entred into such a iealouzie as without regarde of any thing what-soeuer she would haue cast her selfe foorth at the windowe had not Mabila and the Damosell of Denmarke stayed her Now riseth frowning anger in her browes and she to misconceiue of the man whose only desire was to doo her seruice With often wringing her handes she calleth to remembraunce in what earnest affection he desired leaue for this voyage which augmented her suspition of the Dwarffes woordes and in such sort was her hart shut vp as no teare might fall from her eyes because those vapours were withdrawen to the most woorthie place in her Heereupon her torments redoubled in extreames as Dido for the tromperie of Aeneas or sad Medea seeing her selfe forsaken of her freend Iason neuer felt like anguish and in fatall fortune she would haue succeeded them but that she was hindered by them about her who found the meanes to defend her from such mishap By this time the Dwarffe ouer-tooke Amadis and the rest when they began to ride some-what faster Amadis not requiring any thing of him nor he reciting what he tolde the Princesse but shewed him the pieces of the Swoord he brought Nor farre had they ridden but they met a Damsell who after she had saluted them demaunded whether they trauailed saying she would aduise them to forsake that way Wherefore answered Amadis Because quoth she for the space of fiftéene dayes no Knight errant passed this way but he hath béene either wounded or slaine And who hath doone them such displeasure said Amadis A Knight answered the Damosell the most valiant man at Armes that euer was seene I pray yée Damosell quoth Agraies bring vs where we may see him You cannot ride farre in this Forrest said she but he will quickly shewe
other course séeing my two sonnes haue béene so hardly intreated their own wilfull follye béeing cause therof So breaking off talke Galaor tooke his rest till the next morning when taking leaue of the auncient Knight he rode away with the Damosell who brought him to the place of passage in the Barque where crossing the water to the other side they came to a very beautifull Castell whether the Damsell rode before aduising the Prince to stay her returne She taryed not long but comming back againe brought another Damosell with her of excellent beautye and ten men beside all on horsse-back after the faire Gentle-woman had saluted Galaor she said Sir this Damsell that came in your company telleth me how you séek a Knight who beareth two black Lyons in a vermillion Sheelde and are desirous to know his name this is very certaine that you nor any other can finde him for thrée yéeres space but only by force of Armes a matter not so easie to be accomplished by you for perswade your selfe his like is not to be found in all the Isles of great Brittaine Lady quoth Galaor yet wil I not giue ouer his searche although he conceale him selfe in this sorte and if I méete with him it shall like me beter to combate with him then to knowe my demaund by any other way Séeing then answered the Damosell your desire is such I will shew you him within thrée daies ensuing for this Gentle-womans sake béeing my Cozin who according to her promise hath earnestly intreated me Galaor requited her with many thankes and so they trauailed on arriuing in the euening at an arme of the Sea where they found a Barque ready for passage to a little Iland and certaine Mariners in it who made them all sweare if they had any more then one knight in their company No credit me replyed the Damosell heer-upon they set sayle and away Then Galaor demaunded of the Damosell the reason why they tooke such an oath Because quoth she the Lady of the Isle whether we goe hath so ordained it that they shal let passe but one Knight at one time and no other must they bring till his returne or credible intelligence of his death What is he saide Galaor that vanquisheth or killeth them The selfe-same Knight you séek answered the Damosell whom the Lady hath kept with her more then halfe a yéere intirely louing him and the cause of this affection procéeded from a Tourney which not long since he maintained in this countrey for the loue of her and another faire Lady whom the Knight being a straunger héere conquered defending her cause with whom he now is and euer since she bare him such affection as without graunt of his loue she would haue dyed Sometime he is desirous to séeke after strange aduentures but then the Lady to detain him still in this place causeth such Knights as come hither to passe one after another against whome he combatteth and not one hath yet returned vn-vanquished such as dye in fight are there interred and the foyled sent back againe despoyled of their horsse and Armes which the Knight presenteth to his Lady she beeing one of the fairest creatures in the worlde named Corisanda and the Isle Brauisande Know you not the cause â—aide Galaor wherfore the Knight went not many dayes since to a Forrest where I found him and kept the passage there fifteene dayes together against all such as trauayled that way Yes mary quoth the Damosell he promised a boone to a Lady before he came hither wehrfore she intreated him to kéepe the Forrest for the space of fifteene dayes yet hardly he got licence of his faire Mistresse who allowed him but a moneth to stay and returne By this time they were landed and come before a goodly Castell where stood a piller of marble with a horne hanging on it which the Damsell bad him winde the Knight would come foorth at the sound therof After he had giuen a good blast certaine Pages came foorth of the Castell who set vp a Pauillion in the middest of the feelde and sixe Ladies soone after came walking foorth one of them séeming by her gesture and countenaunce to be commaunder of the rest taking her place accordingly in the Tent. I meruaile saide Galaor the Knight taryeth so long I desire one of you to will the Lady send for him because busines else where of great importance forbiddeth me to trifle time heere in vaine One of the Damoselles fulfilled his request What answered Corisanda maketh he so small account of our Knight thinketh he so easily to escape from him hath he such minde of other affaires before he sée the end of this attempt indeed I thinke he shall returne sooner then he expecteth but with slender aduauntage for him to bragge of then calling a Page she said Goe and bid y e strange Knight come foorth The Page quickly did his message and soone after the Knight came foorth one foote being all armed except with his helmet which was brought after him with his Launce and another Page leading his Courser when he came before his Lady she saide Beholde Sir heere is a braue Knight who thinketh lightly to ouer-come you and accounteth him selfe assured of the victorie I pray you let him know the price of his folly After these woordes she kissed and embraced him but Galaor noting all these misteries thought he taryed too long from y e combate at length the Knight béeing mounted they prepared them-selues to the carrire and breaking their Launces in the encounter were bothe wounded Galaor presently drew his Swoord but the Knight intreated him to ioust once more With all my hart replyed Galaor yet I am sory my horsse is not so good as yours for if it were I could be content not to giue ouer till one of vs lay along on the ground or all these Launces broken in peeces The Knight made him no answere but commaunded a Squire to bring them other staues and méeting together Galaors horsse was almoste downe the Knight likewise lost his stirrops being glad to catche hold by the maine of his horsse wherat as one somewhat ashamed he said to Galaor You are desirous to combate with the swoord which I haue deferred not for any doubt of my self but only to spare you not-with-standing we must néeds now trye y e issue therof Doo what you can answered Galaor I meane to be reuenged for your kindenes in the Forrest These woordes made the Knight soone to remember him saying You must doo no more then you can and happily before you departe hence you may sustayn a foyle wursse then the first Heer-upon they fel to the combate which began and continued with such furye as the Ladyes were driuen into wonderfull amazement yea them-selues were abashed that they held out so long hauing their Armour mangled their sheeldes defaced their bodyes sore wounded and the blood streaming downe vpon their horsses Galaor neuer beeing in such daunger of his life but
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell