wherfore if you dare make hazard of your manhoode and vanquish him you shall enioy your earnest desire This only occasion incited Gasquilan to vndertake those two voyages which hee made into Great Brittaine presuming so much vpon his valour that hee should haue the vpper hand of Amadis The Trompet beeing come backe to Gasquilan declared vnto him the whole answer of his message wherat Gasquilan was so ioyfull that he deliuered these wordes so lowde as all by might easily heare him Before God Trompet I would not now wish to be master of the fairest Citie in Gaule in exchange of this long looked for happinesse for I hope to make it apparantly known that I am a little more worthie then hee So imagining the time too ouer-long the next morning by breake of day hee put on a gray Armour couered with golden Griffons holding a bleeding hart in their tallons as testimony of the torments he endured in loue Then comming before the Emperor and King Lisuart hee earnestly entreated them to come see how he could abate the glory of Amadis And if quoth hee I vn-horse him not at the first encounter I am content to beare no Armes for a whole year together But the Emperour who had sufficient experience of Amadis was of another minde and therfore ordered the greater part of his power in forme of battaile as well for his owne security as doubting some sudden surprisall vnder the colour of this particuler Combate and the like did Agraies on the other side The two auantguards being thus each before other Amadis hauing put on a green Armour thickely powdred with Lions of gold euen such another as he wore when hee came to his Oriana at Mirefleure at his returne from the poore Rocke when hee slew the two Giants Famongomad and Basigant his sonne called for Gandalin and saide vnto him Gandalin seeing thou wilt not haue thy knighthood from a Kings hand goe Arme thy selfe and before I enter into this Combate I will perform what I haue promised thee So Gandalin departed and soon after returned againe to Amadis who attended there for him and taking him by the hand conducted him to King Perion speaking thus Sir heere is Gandalin who desires to haue his order of knighthood wherefore most humbly I desire you in regarde hee will needs receiue it of me you would be pleased to gird on his sword that hee may remember so long as hee liues the honour you gaue him With these wordes hee presented him one of those Swordes which Queen Menoressa had giuen him at Constintinople and had remained in the custody of Durin brother to the Damosell of Denmarke Then giuing him the accolade and putting on his right spurre the King next came and girded on his Sword so he receiued this high honour by the hands of the two best Knights in the world At which time likewise Bruneo did as much for Lasinde whose Sword was girded on by Agraies This being thus done Amadis went forth of his troupes because Gasquilan was attending for him vpon the plaine and each of them hauing a mighty strong launce placed in his rest gaue the spurre to their horses and met together with such violence that their staues flew in shiâ—ers and their heads and bodies encountred so mainely as Gasquilan was throwen forth of his saddle lying along on the ground entraunced with the paine hee felt of his left arme which was quite broken by his fall And albeit Amadis was shrewdly shaken in the shock his horse shouldred yet hee made meanes to allight before his fall drawing forth his Sword marched therewith against Gasquilan who continued as yet so amazed as he appeared not to moue a ioynt Hereupon the Emperour misdoubting that hee would haue smitten off his head caused 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Harquebuziers to be dischaâ—ged at him and two bold horsemen issued forth with intent to surprise him which Agraies well obseruing suddenly rushed forth of his troupe followed by diuerse of his friends and while a little skirmish lasted found meanes to remount Amadis againe Then it fell to them that could doe best on both sides for the vaunâ—guards marched against each other the great Ordenance played without any intermission In the meane space Amadis hastened on the maine battaile and the rereguarde and caused Bruneo to issue forth with three hundred horse to charge a troupe of the Romaines who defended six great Culuerins which King Lisuart had placed neer at hand and did much harme to the foot-men But hee carried himselfe with such vndaunted courage that hauing put the enemy in route he became Master of that Artillery By this time the two Armies had paced very neere and beeing vpon the point of sight Drummes and Trumpets sounded cheerfully and the foot-men performing their office of seruice marched on with their Pikes crossed to resist the horse-mens entrance while the Harquebuziers and Archers made two sharpe charges wherein Quedragant was wounded in the left arme But comming all to ioyne the noyse exceeded admiration to heare the breaking of Launces Pikes and Halbardes sounding like a great tempest of haile falling on a house couered with tile or smooth slate There might you haue seene many braue men ouerthrowen on the ground some deadly wounded others wallowing in their blood dismembred of legges and armes the fight continued long in this dreadfull manner before it could any way be discerned whether side had the better or worse for Floran rushing in vpon the Gaules made such a slaughter among them as he let not a stroake fall but valued a life While this bloody fury endured Amadis and his troupes charged the Emperours vauntguard and when it came to the Launces breaking Gandalin who was one of the formost met the brother to Arquisill and brake their Launces each on other but the Romane was dismounted Now they entred pell mell and they that had seen Agraies follow his businesse would haue thought him to bee one of the best Knights in the worlde for before hee lost his Launce hee vnhorsed foure of the Emperors best knights And here was the fierce heat of the conflict because the Emperours Harquebuziers who were conducted by Arquisill thwarted the horse-men of Amadis and but for Branful and Tiron who came and accosted them with their light horse they had done them much more harme than they did But they brake so violently vppon them as they could no way charge them but fell into disorder albeeit Arquisill fouÌ„d meanes to rallie them againe in good manner Agraies Landin Angriote d'Estreueus being ioyned together resisted the Romanes with wonderfull boldnes each man pretending victory to his side and Amadis with some other Gaules entred the midst of the presse making such hauocke among them as no man durst abide before them There they met with â—…an bastard brother to the Queene Sarâ—amira and Constant de Râ—quâ— who hauing yet their Lances whoâ—e and â—ound encountred Amadis and Landin but Landin was vn-horsed by Constant
the victory hee would write to them concerning his owne good health and their other friends Wisely did the Squires fulfill the charge committed to their trust so that on the third day following the first returned to them and reported that the Army of the seauen Kings was very great and strong by reason of infinit numbers of strangers who were lately there arriued and that they layed sharpe siege to a Castell which was said to belong to certain Ladies And albeit it was very strong and almost impregnable by power of Armes yet they were in great danger of yeelding it because food and sustenance greatly fayled therein And further quoth the Squire as I crossed thorow the Campe I heard Archalaus the Enchanter conferre with two of the Kings saying as hee walked along with them that within sixe dayes they would bid theÌ„ battel because no further order should bee taken for bringing them in any victuals by Sea and that their munition began to fayle them also Yet all goes well answered Amadis in the meane while we shall haue good leisure to refresh and recreate our selues The very same day the other Squire sent to the Campe of King Lisuart returned likewise who declared that he met with Galaor and what countenance hee shewed in reading the Letter And trust mee quoth he very hardly could he refraine from teares when he vnderstood that you were all three in Gaule for he made a setled assurance of the victory if the King could haue enioyed yee in his company Moreouer he sends ye word by me that if hee escape with life from the field he wil forthwith make haste to see ye But what quoth Amadis is thine opinion of their Army Trust me my Lord answered the Squire so few fighting men as they be yet are they al marshalled in exceeding good order and diuers worthy knights are said to be among them but they are all ouer few in regard of the others mighty multitude Notwithstanding King Lisuart is not daunted a iote but intendeth as I heard it credibly reported within two dayes to meete them or else the Castell of Ladies will be constrayned to yeeld it selfe hauing no supply of men nor meate Well said Amadis we shall see what will ensue on this busines Thus they continued in the Forrest vntill such time as they had intelligence that the two Armies prepared to ioyne whereupon they dislodged and drew neerer to the Campe of King Lisuart which was seated on the ridge of an hill and so neere to the enemy that but a little Riuer diuided them running thorow the plaine where King Aranigne earnestly desirous of fight had passed his men This King last mentioned to ye was chosen the chïefe and Coronall of the whole Army belonging to the seauen Kings and to him all the principall Captaines of the band had made solemne oath and promise the day before to obey him without any contradiction For he desired nothing else as he said neither could haue any iote more but onely the honour of the enterprise referring all the spoyle and booty to his companions the common Souldiers And that he might the better accoÌ„plish his intent he ordained nine battalions in each of which hee appointed twelue thousand knights reseruing to his owne charge fifteen hundred and more commaunding on the morrow by breake of day the Trumpets Clarions to giue summons for all to set themselues in order and bee in readinesse Before he would dislodge seeing his men forward to their deuoire for their encouragement he thus spake What need it Gentlemen that I should vse any great perswasion for your bold fighting considering you are the only authors of this war and wherein you haue elected mee for your chiefe conducter And that is the only reasoÌ„ mouing me to speak to the end you may the more heedfully fixe before your eyes the cause why you are assembled in so great a multitude Resolue your selus that it is not to defend your Country your liberty your wiues children nor your goods But it is to conquer and subdue a nation the most proud and arrogant people this day liuing who make of vs dwelling somewhat farre from them so small esteeme as of nothing lesse Neuerthelesse as neere as they are I hardly thinke that they dare abide vs for though they carry a kinde of fury in their marching yet if you note well their lookes there appeares an apparant testimony of doubt and difficulty in dealing with vs which may moue giue ye more heart to fight then all the words of â—â—â—ng men can do yea althougâ— ye were then ill ordered hâ—lâ—e tired We are heere the very stoure ful strength of most part of the Ocean Islands in such a gallant number that it were almost a sin to make any doubt of our certain victore And for our further assurance let vs remember that wee are in a strange Country a large long distance from our own not among our louers and friends but euen in the very midst of our enemies that euery houre expect our ruine death A matter which we cannot auoid if we be once broken disseuered For they haue worthy horse-men by whom we are certain to be pursued without any meanes oâ—retâ—â—ing to our ships wherefore we must resolue to conquer or dye because the necessity wherein wee are is much rather to be feared then their power Let each man therfore do his duty and I make no doubt but before darke night do check our forwardnesse we shall be Lords and Maisters of the whole Country and thereby be held dreadfull in other parts of the world King Aranigne hauing thus encouraged his Souldiers hee caused them to march in good order toward their enemies who likewise marched in maine battell on the hill top making such a glittering radiance with their Armes that it was a most goodly sight to behold And they were diuided into fiue squadrons the first being guided by Brian de Moniaste with a thousand knights of Spaine The second by King Cildadan with the like number of knights The third by Galuanes The fourth by Giontes And the 〈◊〉 by King Lisuart accompanied with Galaor and two thousand 〈◊〉 knights who seeing so great a 〈◊〉 titude come marching against him began to be very doubtful of the victory Neuerthelesse like a pâ—…nt and magnanimious Prince he went from battation to battalion to perswade his Cheualiers to fight brauely And for their better encitation thereto be gaue them to vnderstand that with great shame he was thus assayled by these enemies without any quarrell at all against them but onely through the perswasion and procurement of Archalaus the most disloyall traytour and villaine that euer liued they were thus entred his Country with an absolute hope of conquest And therfore my louing friends quoth he right being on our side God who is most iust in whose hand are all victories wil vndoubtedly assist vs. If they say that they war thus vpon
and would make vse of him in our hunting When the reuerent man heard him speake so confidently he grew as resolute in perswasion and going neerer to Esplandian saw him kisse the Lyonnesse euen as familiarly as shee had bin a Spaniell Heereupon the Hermite said vnto him Sonne would you giue her somewhat to eate Yea Father answered Esplandian if I had any thing to giue her With that the Hermit tooke out of his Scrip the legge of a Deere which a Hunter had bestowed on him and giuing it to the Lad he threw it to the Lyonnesse saying Heere Dogge eate this The Lyonnesse tooke it and while shee was feeding on it Esplandian played with her eares pawes and taile euen as familiarly as himselfe pleased the beast offering him no other dislyking then if hee had bin one of her whelpes Such perfect knowledge did she take of him and euen by naturall instinct loued him so dearely as she followed him thence to the Hermitage and from that time forward would neuer willingly leaue his company except when she went to seeke some prey which she would also bring home with her euen as if she had beene a houshold seruant And both the Laddes grew into such familiarity with her that they would leade her oftentimes in a Leasse on hunting with them as if she had bin a Greyhound for game Which Nascian well noting prouided them Bowes fit fot their strēgth wherewith they continually vsed to kill Harts Hindes Roe-bucks and such like sending still the Lyonnesse after such game as they had wounded But heere wee purpose now to leaue them for a while returning to Amadis who being departed from Gaule entred the Country of Alemaigne where he perfourmed such rare actions of Chiualry that euery tongue talked onely of him and there he was commonly called the knight with the greene Sword or the knight of the Dwarfe because Ardan still attended on him and there he spent foure whole yeares before he returned to the Enclosed Island not hearing any tydings from his Oriana which was his very greatest affliction because hee found no pains labor or ill successe any way comparable to the want of her presence So long he trauailed from one part to another that about the beginning of the Spring-time he arriued in Bohemia neere to King Tafinor on whom Patin the Emperour of Rome made sharpe warre who hated Amadis more then any man else for the reason formerly declared in the second Booke Hee ryding purposely toward the camp King Tafinor who for a time had taken truce with his enemy was then flying his Gerfaulcon at a Heron which fell at the horse feete of Amadis Now because none of the horse-men could come at her in regard of the moist and marshie ground hindering them the knight of the greene Sword alighted and tooke her vp demaunding the Falconers if they were displeased thereat And they answered no. Soon after came the King who had coasted all along the Riuer for passage and seeing the knight so compleatly armed stood in some suspition of himself till he further noted the greene scabberd of his Sword being the same which he had in lone of the ancient knight as hath bin formerly declared The King had many times heard much fame of his prowesse and was so well pleased with his happy arriuall that he entreated his company to the City which Amadis denied him not but ryding along with him the King thus spake Sir I haue a long while desired that I might be but worthy of such a companion as you seeme to be My Lord answered Amadis the liberal renown of you and your bounty which makes you famous in many kingdomes drewe me hither onely to offer you my seruice if any way it may be acceptable to yee because I haue heard that you are warred on by a potent Prince that giues ye no meane molestation You say very true replied the King but I trust in heauen and by the meanes of your helpe to see a short issue out of these troubles Fortune hauing so conueniently guided you hither By this time they were arriued at the Palace where the King commanded he should be lodged and Grasandor his Sonne to keepe him company Now in regard that the truce taken betweene the two Armies was vpon the point of ending each side stood on their best defence and the seuerall Campes prepared for all attempts whatsoeuer King Tafinor walking one day abroade to vnderstand some tydings from the enemy hee beheld afarre off twelue knights come riding towards him and as they drew neerer he knew the Shield of Garadan borne by his Squire himselfe being a neere kinsman to the Emperour and they came not to fight but to parlee The King bare little affection to this Garadan because hee procured and raised this warre and well he knew that his comming was but to occasion some fresh grieuance which made stearne anger mount vp into his face so that hee could not forbeare but said Ah trecherous villaine thou hast already done me so many mischiefes that I haue iust occasion to hate thee so long as I liue Sir answered the Knight of the greene Sword it may be he commeth to yee for some good end therefore it shall well become ye now to dissemble all passion entertayning them with good lookes not taking offence at any thing they say in regard they come to yee as Ambassadours from the Emperour their Maister Kinde friend quoth the King I allow of your good aduice and wil be directed thereby though it is no meane griefe to me to haue so great an enemy neere me Scarcely were these words ended but Garadan and his troupe saluted the King who gaue them kinde welcome desiring them that before any speeches passed they would goe along with him to him to his Palace But Garadan made refusall shewing himselfe as brauely proud and presumptuous as formerly he was wont to do speaking thus King Tafinor thou must vnderstand the occasion of our comming to thee and before thou partest from this place thou must make vs answere such as shall seeme best to thy selfe without aduice or consulting with any one but thy selfe For in thee onely lyeth the conclusion of two things wherewith I am to acquaint thee from the Emperour otherwise assure thy self before three dayes can be passed ouer the battel will fall out to be so cruell and bloody as it exceedeth all possibility but thou and thy Country will bee vtterly lost With these wordes he deliuered him a Missiue of credence for further confirmation of his speeches Beleeue me Lord Garadan answered the King I hope that the Emperour and you wil be more kinde to me then appeareth by your message wherefore deferre no further time but deliuer the remainder of your Commission that I may yeeld you satisfaction to my power Garadan hearing the King to answere so mildely began somewhat to qualifie his owne choller replyed thus King Tafinor the Emperour my Maister hauing power sufficiently to
declared such manly deeds of Armes as the Duke of Bristoye Barsinan were much impeached in their hopes On the other side King Cildadan Arquisill Flamian and Norandell who seemed to keep sure the nearest Cantons founde Arauigne that held them besieged such hotte worke as but for sixe Knights of the Isle Sagittarie hee had neuer gone any further For the women and children of the Citie were alost in the windowes hurling downe boyling Lead Oyle and water as much perplexed him and them in their passage Now did Norandell and such as were with him fully perswade them-selues there to end their liues yet not as cowards and recreants but like true borne bolde and couragious Knights And hereupon king Cildadan stepping to one of them of the Sagittarte Isle ran his Sword vp to the hilts in his bodie that downe he fell dead to the ground The sight heereof was so dreadfull to the other fiue that they beganne to retire and king Cildadan with them of his troupe pursued them very stoutly till king Arauignes forces came vppe to releeue them and there the day had beene vtterly lost but for the fresh supply of Amadis who was not a little dismayed at his ariuall to see the enemie haue such aduantage of King Lisuart whom hee greatly feared to be either slaine or taken Wherfore vowing a mercilesse reuenge he commanded all his horsemen to alight and entring in vpon them pell mell to cry aloud Gaule Gaule When the other heard such a sudden tumultuous noyse and found themselues so sharpely charged in the rere they plainely perceiued that their attempt had failed and all their hues to be in very great danger So that King Arauigne wholly discouraged fied with Archalaus into a house hoping there to strengthen themselues and rather to die there then yeeld to mercy But they had not long staied there before King Lisuart came thither and set vpon them so sternely that after some slender resistance they yeelded themselues to be prisoners At the very same instant Amadis met with the other fiue Knights of the Isle Sagittarie who fought against his people very boldly but hee making against them accompanied with Florestan and Angriote at length surprised them and commanded them to safe custodie Passing on further they met with Barsinan and the Duke of Bristoye fighting manfully yet they no sooner saw Amadis but they threw them-selues at his feete defiring mercie which hee would not denie them and so committed them to Florestan Now because a great parte of King Arauignes Armie had saued themselues by flight into the neighbouring mountaines and he found no further resistance in the Citie hee returned forth of the same gate whereat hee entred and meeting with Gandalin said Go I pray thee and will Quedragant to retreate our people for I would not be known to King Lisuart and I meane to stay for him halfe a mile hence Gandalin rode away presently finding Quedragant did his message to him who without any longer delay caused retreat to bee sounded rallying all his troupes together As thus they retired king Lisuart could not presume how or whence hee had receiued this high fauour and therefore demanded of Guillan le Pensif if hee knewe any thing in the case Before God Sir quoth he he must needs be a deafe man that could not hear Gaul Gaul cried so many times this day which may well assure you that Amaedis and no other hath done you this vnexpected kindnesse I pray thee said the King doe so much for me as to finde and stay him if it bee possible that I may haue some conference with him So departed Guillan who knew before that Amadis was already gone wherfore galloping the same way which he had takē at last he ouertook him deliuered the Kings message to him aduising him to returne backe againe with him Amadis perceiuing that hee could not honestly gaine-say him rode backe with him to King Lisuart and alighting from his horse did him most humble reuerence but the King imbracing him declared manifest signes of great loue to him At which instant King Cildadan came to them and many other Knights with Florestan and Angriote who were so louingly welcommed by king Lisuart as it was impossible to be bettered And as he was speaking vnto them Brandoyuas came to tell him that the inhabitants of the Citie made such slaughter of king Arauignes people as they would not admit any one man to mercie But beleeue it Sir quoth hee it wery good to cease this cruelty for if their leaders haue not deserued death their followers in seruice should not bee worse entreated Sir said Amadis giue order quickly to stay this proceeding and content your selfe with the victory gotten against thē Then the King called Norandell and gaue him charge to command a retreate that shedding of blood might be spared and the rest to be taken prisoners At that very time an Esquire ariued there from king Perion to aduertise Amadis that he was hard at hand with the rest of the Armie to giue him succour if neede re-required Not now answered Amadis thankes be to heauen And therefore Sir quoth hee to King Lisuart you may well giue vs leaue to depart to the end that without any further trauaile king Perion may send vs home againe Before God replied the King although you haue been hitherto alwaies inuincible yet shall you now bee so farre constrained by me as to abide here for his comming hither because hee must needs partake in the ioy which wee haue receiued by your meanes and succour Then looking vpon king Cildadan hee said Helpe mee I pray you with your entreatie and trie whether your request can more preuaile with him then mine Beleeue me Lord Amadis answered king Cildadan you may not deny the King considering he mooues the matter to you so earnestly Nor will I said hee if my companions thinke it conuenient What say you to it Lord Quedragant you ought to obey the King quoth hee and seeing you haue done so much for him doe more for him yet if it bee in your power So was Amadis stayed there and in this time of conference king Arban and Grumedan returned from their imprisonement hauing escaped thence with their hands bound hehinde them with strong cordes for their guardes seeing what supplie Amadis had brought with him betooke themselues to flight and so left them at their owne liberty When king Lisuart saw them neuer was man in greater ioy because hee was formerly perswaded that either they were slaine or eise worse wounded then they were wherefore with open armes he went and embraced them And while he was busied in these kindnesses they espied a farre off the Armie of king Perion come marching towards them which Grumedan shewed to king Lisuart saying Sir as I imagine here is some new succour comming to you but if the first of Lord Amadis had tarried so long wee might haue shut the stable doore after the Steed was gone according to