Isle of Calafre that by force would have taken two Gentlewomen from him And although Garlante be estéemed a hardy and valiant knight yet did the king bring him in such case that unless he had craved mercy the king would have stricken off his head which he spared upon condition that during his life he should never after injure any knight which Garlante sware and vowed in my presence for that by chance arriving there during their combate I heard what passed betwéen them And because I perceived the King to be in danger of his person by reason of the great number of wounds he had upon his body I would not leave him but caused him to enter into my ship and layed him in the best bed where now he is almoâ—â— healed Ha said Esplandian what good news are these of my faith I thought verily he had bin dead wherefore madam I pray you for Gods cause let me crave the means to sée him with that Urganda led him where he lay but when they saw each other Esplandian could not refrain wéeping with the great pleasure he took to sée the King Nevertheless for the time they had no great spéech together neither would Urganda permit them to do it doubting lest the King being yet out weak and feable might thereby be hindered of his health Wherefore she caused Espâ—andian to go forth and entring with her into the boaâ— they rowed to the shoar from whence they led Urganda 〈◊〉 best lodging in the town with as much honor as they câ—uld have done to the Quéens Brisenne or Oriane if any of them had bin there in presence The next day Esplandian pitying the great number of women and little children that had bin kept within the town from the time that it was taken said to his companions that it would be better to give them leave to depart from thence then to hold them still for that the longer they continued in the town the more charge they put them to and to kéep them prisoners said he or in longer servitude God may possible be offended with us Wherefore if you will believe me using rather mercy then rigour towards them I am of opinion that we send them al to Tesifant to the Princess Heliaxe who wil thank us for it and so shall we be rid of so much charge To this all the knights agréed Carmelle was appointed to execute the message and he that had séen the great number of people that were about her especially women weeping most bitterly to behold themselves banished driven from their own houses surely he could not chuse unless he were hard-hearted but have pittied their estate But let them go let us hear what danger fell unto Urganda that next day after who being welcome to the knights took great pleasure to hear them shew of the adventures they had found in the Turkish country since the taking of Alfarin And each man after the other discoursing what they knew Esplandian remembred the old woman they saw among the rocks where she continued wherat he could not chuse but smile which Urganda espying sked him the cause Madam said he I thought upon the beauty of a yong maid that I some of our company chanced to sée not far hence being the best furnished of all things for to beautifie her that might be found and the better to describe her unto you I can assure you upon Belleris word that it is at the least eight or nine score years since she first could go and speak yet hath she so fresh and gallant a colour that to behold her well I cannot compare her better then unto the bark of those great Elms we commonly find along the high ways as we ride in great Brittain her hair is as white as Snow and for want of combing all knotted together which setteth her out so well that to behold it spread abroad upon a bears skin which she weareth for a gown there is not any man living that would not be surprised with a sudden and vehement love in the beholding of her Urganda that had heard of her before and above all things was much desirous to sée her because of her great skill said unto Esplandian In good faith I know her better then you think I do and am well assured that in her yong years she hath bin one of the goodliest Ladies that ever you saw For she is both daughter sister and aunt unto a King and is called Melie who for to learn the perfect art and science of Nigromancy hath so much condemned the world that for her inheritance she hath chosen a Rock wherein she hath caused a cave to be digged where she now remaineth and liveth in great misery and I swear unto you of my faith that it is above twenty years and more since I determined to come and sée her but other affairs that touched me néerer have still hindered my desire Madam said Esplandian séeing you are so néer you may do it now and all we will be your guides I pray you let it be so said she and let us go as soon as we have dined which done and the tables uncovered every man made preparation to go with Urganda to behold that sight but Esplandian would have but threescore with him who being well horsed and armed at all points issued out of Galatia Urganda on her palfrey riding among them Belleris was their guide and when they came neer unto the cave where they had found Melie they espyed her set cross legged upon the point of a Rock with that Urganda prayed them to stay that she alone might speak secretly unto her which the Knights agreed unto Wherewith she rode forwards and being neer unto her she said Madam I pray youâ—ve not offended that I come to see you and offer you my service Who are you said she I am said she Urganda le Discogneve that have always had a great desire to see you Ha Urganda the wisest Lady among all others said Melie your coming hither pleaseth me right well light down I pray you that you and I may talk of such things as we have taken great pains to learn and understand for although you have been the onely occasion of the Christians arrival here whereby our poor country indureth so much woe yet I cannot but excuse you knowing the faith duty you are bound to shew to your religion Wherefore I pray you come neer and sit down by me Urganda perceivrng her to be old and feeble did as she required hoping by force to stay her there whether she would or no till her company were come thither minding to give her unto them to bring her to Galatia but she met with as crafty a mate as her self for the old woman perceiving Urganda to be neer her went unto the mouth of her Cave and said unto her Urganda It would grief me that these Knights should hear our talk wherefore let us go in Whereat
thee therefore I am content to do thy will but we have no light to see Care you not for that said he for I will provide you light and with that he pulled of the taffata that covered the scabberd of his Sword whereby there was so great a brightness in the place as if the Sun had shone therein Then they descended into a Cave where the Knight perceived King Lisuart lie upon a couch of straw with a great collar of Iron about his neck and fetters on his legs whereby he indured no little pain whereat he was so grieved that for sorrow the tears ran down his eyes yet would he not disclose himself unto him neither once utter what he thought but without making himself known said unto him Noble King you have been overlong within this filthy place rise up I pray you and follow me When the King heard him speak in that manner he made no other account but to end his days at that time wherewith he could not refrain to weep and speaking unto the old Lady asked her if she knew him For said he since I entred into this place I never saw any Knight nor any one that spake unto me but that little sustenance I had was let down at a hole from the top of this dungeon Then she answered him and in great despite said Thou accursed King if I had not known thee I would never have taken pains to fetch thee so far from hence as I have done cursed be the time when first I took it upon me for thou onely art the cause of my great sorrow and the sole instrument of my bereaved joys In faith Lady said the King I know not what you mean am very sorry for your heaviness for I never sought but to do honor and pleasure unto all Ladies and Gentlewomen that desired the same and for them have I oftentimes enterprised many dangerous adventures to the great peril and hazard of my life and if it hath happened otherwise unto you it is altogether unknown to me and wholly against my will wherefore I beseech you be not offended with me but tell me where I am and in whose power I now remain a prisoner in so great misery for by my soul I know it not neither can I so much as conceive which way I came into this place onely I remember that to second a Gentlewoman that a villain would have forced I entered into a tent but what happened unto me after that I know not but that now I finde my self lying on straw like a thief with Irons on my legs King said she the short time of thy continuance in this darkness hath not satisfied as I well hoped it would the great mischief I do wish thée and that for good cause séeing that by thée onely I have indured so much sorrow that if the heart and bowels were taken out of my body they would be found as burning hot as flaming fire and especially for the new displeasure I have now conceived to sée thée so soon delivered out of my hands being in good hope by thy long imprisonment to satisfie my losses past but yet I am deceived for that fortune hath now made me pay the usury of my forepassed joys having given thée into my hands from wheâ—ce by the exquisite force of this devil incarnate thou arâ— now delivered who having put to death the Guardians of this Castle and slain mine own Son hath constrained me to bring him unto thée which I never thought he could have done much less that ever I should have yielded unto his request knowing the wrath of a woman not to have any bridle or means of mittigation until her desired revenge hath wrought the effect and so had it happened unto thée without the force of this my enemy but in despight both of him and thée with mine own hands I will slay my self if my accursed fortune bereave me not the sooner of my wretched days Cursed be both thou and thy King thou now hast found said she unto the Knight Now take him and do thy pleasure with him I pray you then Lady said he unlose his Irons and help me to lead him up with that she took the keys out of her pocket and opened the locks of his chains whereby the King rose up upon his féet and embracing the Knight said unto him What great good or pleasure sir Knight did I ever do you whereby you should purchase this liberty unto me By my soul I swear that besides the honor you have obtained in this place you have so much bound me unto you that during my life I shall never forget your courtesie wherefore if you love me let me know your name Noble King said the Knight whosoever I am I account my self happy if in any sort I may be able to do you service as for the rest pardon me if it pleaseth you and let us go out of this Cave thanking God that oftentimes sendeth scourges unto those he loveth as in his heavenly wisdom he thinketh convenient thereby to kéep them in obedience unto him The King perceiving well by the Knights words that he desired not to be known and for the same cause kept his Helmit on his head therefore he determined not to move him any more but with that they went all thrée out of the Cave and came into a goodly hall when the Sun began to go down CHAP. V. How that after King Luisart was delivered out of prison Matroco Frerions elder brother with his Ships arrived at the foot of the Rock called The Defended Rock and of the Battel between the said Matroco and the black Knight KIng Luisart the black Knight and the Lady being entred into the hall as they looked out at the windows into the Sea there entred a Gentlewoman and doing reverence unto the Lady she said Madam your Son Matroco with his Ships is even now arrived at the foot of the Kock and with him great numbers of other vessels that he hath taken upon the Seas What is your pleasure to say unto him When the Lady heard her she waxed pale and with tears in her eyes answered her and said I would to God he were as far from hence as he is néer for my heart giveth me he will spéed in the like manner that others have done before him And as she spake King Luisart and the Knight looked into the sea and perceiving the Giants Fléet surging on the shoar out of wind and weather among the which they knew Elizabeth Libee his nephew and divers others that were bound in Chains making great sorrow but none of Mattocos men durst set foot on land having already béen advertised by some of the Castle of the great misfortune happened therein and for the same cause stayed so long without till the Giant espyed at the windows the Knight and the King looking upon them wherewith in a great rage he cryed unto the black Knight whom he perceived all armed and said
Of the great displeasure King Luisart took for the departure of the black Knight and what conference he had with Arcabonna Mother to Matroco touching her unfortunate life THe black Knight being departed out of the Castle he had newly conquered and the prisoners entred therein among the rest King Luisart knew master Elizabeth wherefore he rose up sitting by Arcabonna Matrocos Mother who as then leaned on her lap and went to imbrace him asking him what fortune had brought him thither at that time to save the Giants life being in so great extremity And it pleaseth your Grace said he once this day I did not think he would have had so much néed of my help as he now hath But as I understand by a Knight that I méet going down the hill he is in great danger of his life Nevertheless for the honor of him that commanded me to help him I will do the best I can I pray you do so said the King Then master Elizabeth caused Matroco to be softly layed upon his bed and being unarmed searched his wounds and perceiving them to be deadly would not for that time do any thing unto them but stanch their bléeding leaving the rest till he had slept wherein he was newly fallen In the mean time King Luisart not forgetting what master Elizabeth at his coming in had said unto him asked him what was become of the black Knight and it pleaseth your Grace said he as we entred into the Castle I met him going secretly from hence and not minding to return again By Saint Mary said the King have I received so great aid at his hands and am I so unfortunate that he should depart from hence without knowing him Truly I am sorry I stayed here to sée what would become of Matroco if I had not I would surely have followed him and with much importunity have craved his name Master Elizabeth said he will you upon your faith tell me truly whether you know him or not If it be so if you will do me any pleasure hide it no longer from me for I never had so great desire to know any Knight not onely for the aid he hath done me but for the valiant enterprise at this present atchieved by him Your grace shal pardon me if it pleaseth you said master Elizabeth for it is true that I know him wel but if I tell you any more I should do him wrong for he hath expressely forbidden me to do it I sée well said the King you will but increase the desire I have to know him that is worse by the same means bereave me of all hope ever to sée him again With that they entred into the Hal where they méet Arcabonne half dead with sorrow whom the King in courteous manner prayed to stay a while asking her how her son did He doth said she as one in whom I have as little hope of life as of the other that lyeth dead in the court to say the truth it séemeth that fortune hath wholly bent her self against me not ceasing continually to heap sorrow upon sorrow to make me desperate Notwithstanding I know full well how to be revenged and that is in dispight of her and her cruelties to bereave my self of life whereof she shall lose her power which by good reason I cannot well prolong séeing she hath not spared me one hour of rest since she first began still playing her part in tormenting me but of all other my misfortunes none hath grieved me so much as the force of this Knight by whose power said she unto the King I sée thée now delivered out of my hands and from the cruel torments I had prepared for thée if accursed fortune had not withstood them Madam said the King I pray you declare unto me the cause of this your great malice towards me and whether at any time I have done you wrong or injury whereby I should deserve it that will I shew thée said Arbaconne not therein to do thée pleasure but rather to grieve thée more when thou shalt know and understand that I was born and bred in the same country wherein to my great despight thou hast raigned overlong for there I and Arcalaus my brother by father and mother were doth begotten and brought up in the art of Nigromancy which oftentimes we have practised and put in effect therewith to torment divers persons that never did offend us In the which art as age and knowledge increased I growing very expert in the end became acquainted with Cartadaque as then Lord of this Castle and with him I grew in so great familiarity that he married me and with him ever sithence have dwelt here in this Castle where not long after I was delivered of a Son called Lindoraque after that of another named Matroco that now lyeth in this bed and lastly of the third called Frerion whom thou hast slain and my brother also that went to help Argantes the Porter of this Castle And being thus married unto such a husband as Cartadaque was so much feared and redoubted in all places and having thrée of the most valiant and worthy knights to my sons that ever lived I was so elevated in pride and so little estéemed of cruel fortune that I thought it unpossible for her to work me any woe But by tract of time I found it otherwise for by little and little she hath wholly changed my joy into most grievous sorrow and wilt thou know how Then I think thou doest yet remember the discord that long sithence happened betwéen thée and Childadan King of Ireland and of the battel wherein thou overcamest him where my deceased husband minding to be present expresly departed from hence thither and as accursed fortune would took my son Lindoraque with him and having travelled many countries at the last arrived at the place where my brother stayed for them travelling all thrée together with full purpose and intent to do thée all the injury they could and they had scarce entered into a forrest not far from London but they méet a Knight as then surnamed Le Beautenebreux riding in company of a Gentlewoman that ware on her head a Call all set with strange flowers whom my Son as accursed fortune would liked so well that with a great desire to have her to present unto the Lady Madasine his love commanded one of his Squires to go fetch her to him which the Knight called Le Beautenebreux whereof I speak would not permit but sent the messenger back again well beaten wherewith my Son being moved thought to have her by force but it fell out otherwise for him for at the first encounter the Knight with one blow with his Sword thrust him into the body whereof he died and as much had chanced to his Vncle Arcalaus if his horse had not saved him by running away having first lost four of his fingers on the right hand Yet fortune not contenting her self with this mischief
prepared me a wose for my husband who for his valour and prowess was feared and redoubted throughout all Asia and Europe was cruelly slain by the same murtherer of Lindoraque upon the same day the battel was fought if thou canst remember it whereby ever sithence I remained a widdow with my other Sons as then very young and tender of age with whom I have passed the greatest part of my days most extreamly wéeping and lamenting with continual sadness which had been more grievous unto me had it not béen for the hope I conceived of their valour and prowess But to come to the point of my discourse time and reason having in a manner suppressed my forepassed sorrows news was brought me of the last victory thou didst obtain by the prowess of the Knight named Le Beautenebreux now as it is said called Amadis de Gaule likewise of my brothers imprisonment wherewith I was so grieved that respecting not my old years I took upon me to travel into Britain hoping by some means to get him out of thy hands But before I arrived there I had certain news of his delivery nevertheless considering with my self the fore-passed injuries I have received by thy kinsmen namely by that wicked wretch Amadis De Gaule I determined before my return hither to finde the means to make him know that small good will I bear him But having imployed all my art and finding it in vain to work any further therein against him by reason of a ring he beareth daily on his finger given him by that wicked enchantress Urganda I determined to prove my skill which could not take effect in him against thee being advertised of thy often riding to hunt with very few in thy company where I made thée sée one of my Gentlewomen and a villain that would deflower her whom thou thoughtest to succour and if thou now remembrest me I am the very same thou foundest in the pavillion following after him that fled before thee and there thou remainedst inchanted from whence we carryed thee into our Barque and without knowledge unto any but mine own servants thou wast brought hither by Sea with full deliberation to cause thée languish in prison in the mean time with the help of my allies and friends thy country should be invaded but I find my self deceived For that this place which never was conquered by any power whatsoever the Kings of Turky or the Emperors of Constantinople could ever bring against it in less then one day is both conquered and taken by one simple Knight with the loss of my two Sons and others esteemed Paragons among the best Knights in the world whereby it may clearly be perceived that by means of thy captivity there is much more mischief happened unto me then sorrow to thy person While Arcabonne made this long discourse the King that still beheld her in the face remembred well it was she to whom he spake in the pavillion wherefore he said unto her In good faith Madam I now believe you better then at the first yet me thinketh you do me wrong to make me bear the burthen of another mans offence Thinkest thou so said she No truly for thy imprisonment onely had wrought great damage unto divers men but to me and mine great profit and advantage It might be so answered the King notwithstanding I will not cease to do you all the favor and pleasure that I can In the mean time I pray you take your adversity with as great constancy as you may By my soul said she thou speakest at thy pleasure and therewith in a great fury she went into Matroco's Chamber leaving the King that had not eaten all that day wherefore he called master Elizabeth and the other company that mean time had prepared his meat and sitting down to supper they discoursed of the talk he and Arcabonne had together till it was time to go to rest when the King went to bed leaving Libee to guard the Castle CHAP. VII How the Giant Matroco died whereat Arcabonne was in such a fury that having failed to kill King Luisart she threw her self headlong out of a window into the sea KIng Luisart was not fully asléep but he was forced to awake by means of a cry of a woman that he heard making great lamentation wherefore starting up and calling master Elizabeth and the rest of his company he took a Hatchet which he had layed under the bolster of his Bed and went to sée what it meant and as he passed through the Hall he perceived Arcabonne coming towards him covered onely with a Mantle wringing her hands and tearing of her hair making great sorrow Wherewith the King went to her asking her what she meant Alas said she that which I most feared and ever sithence yesterday most assuredly expected is fallen out and as she uttered those words she pulled out a naked sword that she bare under her arm wherewith she meant to kill the King But as fortune would he perceived the blow coming and stepped aside and with the force of the blow the sword hitting upon the pavement fell out of the old womans hands wherewith the King stepped upon it and when he stooped to take up Arcabonne perceiving the chamber door where master Elizabeth was to be open she ran thither and threw her self out of a window into the sea the King followed her not but went into the chamber where Matroco lay and perceiving him to be dead came forth again into the Hall where he met master Elizabeth that told him news of Arcabonnes death In good truth said he there is no extremity like to that of a woman behold I pray you with what fury she was possessed for as I issued out of the Chamber I met her and thinking with fair spéeches and good perswasions to comfort her she failed not much to kill me with this sword that I have in my hand and as they beheld it the King knew it to be the same he wore when he was inchanted which pleased him so well that he said Ha good sword the best and faithfullest companion that ever man had how many victories have I had by thy means and what combates and adventures have I brought to an end by thy help And by great misfortune having lost thée thou knewest me for being in a mad womans hands that with thée would have slain me thou hast not onely denied her that favor but hast fallen out of her hands to return again unto him that never while his arm is able to wield thée will forsake thée Now said he to Libee if we chance to be assaulted we have wherewith to defend us Truly said master Elizabeth I believe all those that could hurt us in this place are either dead or fled away wherefore I am of opinion in the morning to bury them that are slain mean time expecting some means whereby we may return into your Graces country we will enquire what is become of the black
back again towards the Castle and without being once perceived entred at a postern door whereof she had the key and so went up into her chamber departing from the hermitage not long before her Father and the dumb man returned from the barque and found the Knight sleeping who presently awaked and missing his Sword asked them if they had taken it away No truly said the Hermit for we came but now from the Sea side Wherewith Esplandian esteeming it lost made account that as he had conquered it after a strange manner so he had lost it by a stranger means but the Hermit and the dumb man sought it about the house and could not finde it CHAP. X. How King Luisart being advertised by Carmelle where the Black Knight was departed with her alone to finde him out CArmelle returned to the Castle as it is said before went to the King who at the same time was talking with master Elizabeth touching the wrong he thought the black Knight did him in departing thence without being known séeking by that means if it were possible to draw from him what he knew as touching the Knight but all in vain for the King was not so subtile to undermine him but master Elizabeth was as crafty to prevent him not intending to falsifie the trust reposed in him and although the Gentlewoman had determined to shew the king what she had learned of the Knight hoping thereby to obtain her purpose Nevertheless séeing master Elizabeth in presence she held her peace till he went away and perceiving the King alone said unto him My Lord if it pleaseth your Grace to shew me so much favor as to assist me in a thing that importeth me as much my life in the behalf of the Knight that you so much desire to sée before to morrow at night I will shew him unto you if you think good in such a place where you may easily speak with him and to the end you shall not suspect me of untruth I will shew you a certain token that when you sée it I am assured you will easily believe me Gentlewoman said the King if you do so I will not fail if it be possible to satisfie your request I beseech your Grace said she when you are both together it would please you to be a mean unto him in my behalf to grant me a gift that I shall ask him By the faith of a Prince said he I will not fail to do it nor a greater matter than that if it lieth in my power Then follow me said the Gentlewoman bringing him where she had laid the sword and shewing it unto â—im asked if he had never séen it That I have said the King and I would to God the Knight that knoweth so well how to handle it were as near unto me as it is You shall sée him in the morning said she if it pleaseth you to follow me That will I do said the King armed or unarmed I estéem not whether so I may sée him Then be you ready said she when I shall call and let no man go with you Content said the King wherewith he went out of the Chamber and passing through the Court he met Libee and others to whom he said that in the morning he meant to walk along the Rock because master Elizabeth had certified him it was so goodly a Countrey and that none but Carmelle should bear him company and falling into other speeches they passed the time till they went to rest but the King could not sléep for the great desire he had to sée the Knight whereby he was hardly fallen asléep when Carmelle came to awake him saying My Lord may it please your Grace to remember your promise Let us go said he and therewith making himself ready commanded two horses to be sadled one for himself the other for Carmelle and issuing out of the Castle rode toward the Hermitage And they had not travelled far but they perceived a man coming towards them in great haste and as he came near the Gentlewoman knew him asking him what he meant to make such haste and whither he rode I ride to the Castle said be to fetch Matroco and his brother Frerion with all spéed to help their Vncle Lindoraque who coming to sée them hath met with two Knights armed all in white that have slain his men and as I think I left him in as great danger as possibly may be When the king heard him he thought him to be of the black knights company and said unto the Gentlewoman I pray you stay here with this man and I will ride to see them and with that he set spurs to his Horse and taking the same way the other came he perceived afar off the two knights fighting with the Giant that defended himself most valiantly with his Mace forcing them oftentimes to recoil but the two knights as bold as nimble handled him in such sort that he knew not how to defend himself and if he had not slain one of their horses it had gone worse with him Neverthless the knight on horse-back seeking to revenge his companion was nothing abashed but when the other rose up set more fierce upon the Giant then before in such maner that they closed and striving together sought by all means to unhorse each other Mean time the knight on foot went unto the Giant and taking him by the left leg pulled him by such force that both he and the other knight fell off their horses and holding each other fast the Giant fell under with his face upwards wherewith the knight that threw him down thrust him into the face that he was constrained to let go his hold nevertheless rising up again with great force and laying hold upon the knight that had so wounded him he threw him on the ground mean time the other gave the Giant such a blow upon the head that he began to réel and therewith stretching out his legs yielded up the ghost With that the king rode somewhat nearer and perceived the two knights to bear black Crosses that shewed them to be Christians wherefore riding boldly unto them he went so near that they knew him whereupon they went to do him honor much abashed to sée him But the King perceiving the honor they did him was no less abashed and said unto them My good friends I know you not I pray you put off your Helmets that I may see your faces which they did whereby he knew the one to be Talanque son of Galaor the other Ambor de Gadel son of Angriote de Stravaulx whom he friendly embraced and said unto them In faith my good friends it is not without cause if it liketh you well to sée me here for all my life have I desired the companies of your fathers the like do I of their children wherefore for the love of God I pray you shew me what strange adventure hath brought you into this Countrey And it pleaseth your Grace said
thought to do it she was so overcome with love that during her life she determined not to love any other which the Princess Leonorine that already pretended part in him had not forgotten but returned with Carmelle into her Chamber with a smiling countenance she said unto her Is it possible Gentlewoman said she you loving the knight with the black arms so well as you report that you could leave his company so soon Madam said she I was presently given to understand he loveth another wherewith I comforted my self judging his heart like unto mine own that he could not chuse but sometimes féel the like swéet passion he caused me indure What hope then resteth said the Princess unto you The same said she I know to be far different betwéen him and me for when I am in presence beholding the excellency of his person I then receive some comfort which to him is utterly denied séeing that already he endureth for her sake that as yet he never saw and that Madam said she is your own person as I said before Surely said the Princess his love is very strange the foundation whereof I cannot well conceive Madam said Carmelle I fear e're it be long he will not be able to indure the great extreamity wherein he now is fallen onely for your sake especially if at his arrival here he finde himself rejected of your Grace having no desire but to fulfil your pleasure whereby he may account himself your own estéeming it the greatest favor that ever he can have In good faith said she I will not refuse him so small a thing nor a greater as occasion serves but I pray you tell me why he calleth himself the black Knight That can I not well do said Carmelle onely that upon a night as king Luisart he Talanque and Ambor were all asléep in one chamber they heard so pleasant a sound of musick from the sea that they rose out of their beds to hear it and it was so dark they could not sée but when day appeared they espyed the great Serpent at the Haven whereat they were so glad that descending down the hill they went unto the shoar where they perceived a Gentlewoman in a little boat coming to land bearing in her arms a pack covered with blew Taffata which from her mistriss Urganda she presented to Esplandian saying unto him Sir Knight my mistriss sendeth you these arms and willeth you by me to leave the same she gave you when you were in sadness and to arm your self with these that bear the devise of her which at this day is the beautifullest creature living in the world as Amadis your Father well did witness when he set the Crown upon her head And for the love of her your power and courage shall so much increase that your renown shall spread throughout the world your mind moved with so amorous a passion that many times you shall desire death And opening the packet she took forth a white armor all set with Crowns of gold inriched with Pearls and Diamonds most sumptuous to behold which Esplandian with hearty thanks unto Urganda and the messenger received willingly This as I think madam said Carmelle is the cause why he hath bin called the black knight but I suppose séeing he hath changed his devise he will likewise change his name The Princess Leonorine knew thereby that all these things were said as touching her wherewith she felt an alteration in her mind for that love by little and little began to burn her heart which she had willingly covered but Carmelle by the changing of her colour which sometimes waxed pale and sometimes red the sundry motions wherewith swéet love did prick her tender heart perceived it full well in such manner that being no longer able to abstain from sighing as if he had spoken to her self she said I pray God this beginning may prove a happy end Wherewith Carmelle perceiving her masters sute to prosper with effect the better to increase the desire of the Lady she said unto her Madam he hath commanded me not to stay long here for till my return he doth continue in excéeding pain and never shall be frée if he receive no comfortable answer from your Grace Gentlewoman said the Princess I were the most ungrateful Princess living on the earth if I should do so but tell him I pray you from me that I give him hearty thanks for the courtesies he offereth me by you and when he once arriveth here he shall soon know the great good will I bear him As also that I hold him for my knight for proof whereof you shall on my behalf present him with this hair lace as being the first present that Grimanaise my grandmother gave to his Appolidon being but her lover Wherewith taking a cloth of tissue from her hand she unbound her hair and delivered the hair lace unto her and sending for a gown imbrodered all with Crowns of Gold gave it her likewise But said she because the two Knights have promised the Emperor not to depart from hence till eight days are past you shall stay for them and all together return unto the Castle called the defended mountain which she willingly granted CHAP. XXIII How news was brought unto the Emperor that Armato King of Turky had besieged the Castle of the defended Mountain and of the charge he gave Frandalo with Manley and the King of Denmark to go succor it IN manner as you heard before the two Knights of the Ferm Isle and Carmelle stayed at Constantinople where there arrived a certaine Ship that brought a Squire on message from Talanque and Ambor to certifie the Emperor that Armato King of Turky advertised of the death of Matroco had besieged the Castle the defended mountain both by land and Sea desiring him to send some aid otherwise they should be constrained to yield the same not having victuals nor men for to defend it The Emperor hearing those news and considering the truce betwéen him and the King of Turkes as also that he had not any men prepared for to send neither Gally Galliace Ship nor Brigandine ready for the Sea stood somewhat in amaze But considering with himself of what importance that Frontier Castle might be unto him if the enemy should obtain it he determined by all means to hinder him from the same Wherefore calling for Frandalo and taking him aside he said unto him Well Frandalo you are now my prisoner and it lieth in me either to hang you like a thief or deliver you with greater riches then ever you possessed which I promise you to do if from this time forwards you swear to be my loyal subject and faithfully to serve me when you are imployed My Lord said he I beséech you Grace wholly to forget the faults by me committed to your Majesty swearing of my faith if it pleaseth you to pardon my offence you shall from henceforth finde a servant of me that in time will make you
submit your self unto her mercy In faith said Gandalin my companion and I were determined not to leave your company so soon but séeing it is your pleasure we are content to do it You and he said Esplandian shall kéep me company till you mean to travel further the rest shall do as I required them Sir Knight said he that shewed him the prison they shall finde within the house all the furnitures and other things that were taken from them shew them where they be said Esplandian Whereunto he willingly obeyed which done they all left the Giants house the prisoners taking the way towards Constantinople and Esplandian with Gandalin and Lazinde armed at all points went towards master Elizabeth that stayed for them in the great Serpent and as they were about half a mile from the Giants house they met a knight all armed with two squires attending on him who in courteous manner saluting Esplandian and his company asking them what country men they were Sir knight said Esplandian we are all of great Britain Alas said he can you tell me any news touching a thing that hath grieved me full sore What is that said Esplandian can you tell me said he what is become of King Luisart For I have bin certified of a truth that he is lost not knowing where how nor for what cause And for my part I swear unto yâ—u I have already sought for him in divers countries and can hear no news at all and I am determined never so leave travelling before he be found again if it be pâ—ssible for mortal man to do it You are bound thereunto said Esplandian séeing he deserveth it as you know right well Nevertheless if it pleaseth you to put off your Helmet and make you known unto us that have bin bred and nourished in his house I assure you we will satisfie your mind so well as touching him that we cannot chuse but like it My Lords said he putting off his helmet I am Norandel his son When Esplandian and the rest perceived that they made themselves known unto him imbracing each other most courteously Ha my lord said Norandel I pray you for Gods cause if you know any thing touching the king hide it not from me Vncle said Esplandian about a moneth hence I left him at Mirefleur in good health God be thanked making good chear shewing him in what maner he had delivered him out of prison with all that passed touching the same I marvel then â—aid Norandel what adventure brought you hither By my soul said Esplandian that can I not well tell onely that I was brought hither by the great Serpent which I left at the Sea-side wherein master Elizabeth stayeth for me Then he shewed him how he departed from the Court his arrival in the Ferm Isle his imbarquing to take Sea and what time they were at sea before they discovered any land till in the end said he we espyed this country where Sergil and I took land in good time for Grandalin and Lazinde as hereafter they may shew you But you said he to Norandel tel me of your faith how was it your chance in so good time to méet with us In truth said Norandel the peace made betwéen Amadis and the king I departed from the Court to séek some strange adventures that commonly are found in this country of Almaigne where I had no sooner arrived but I had certain news of my fathers absence whereat I was so grieved that to find him out I have travelled the countries of Denmark Poland Russia Swethland Hungary and all this country even unto this place where it is said there dwells two Giants who as they are all of one nature exercise innumerable cruelties against those they méet the yonger of them waiting continually about this place for such as pass this way And therefore when I saw you first I thought one of you thrée to be the Giant thinking to fight with him or lose my life therefore which I wil yet do if you let me pass By God said Gandalin you lost your labor séeking for the King so shall you likewise do if you take this enterprise in hand Wherefore said Norandel Because said he you sée him here in presence that easeth you of that burthen With that he shewed him in what manner Esplandian had fought with the Giants and how he Lazinde and diverse others were prisoners in their house from whence Esplandian had delivered them Before God said Norandel the news liketh me well for I never thought in long time any such adventure would have happened unto him not knowing he had received the order of Knighthood You sée it so said Esplandian and master Elizabeth can tell you more if it pleaseth you to go with us Let us go then said Norandel for I would gladly sée him With that they rode towards the Sea till they espied the great Serpent wherein they imbarqued themselves where Norandel Grandalin and Lazinde understood by master Elizabeth what had happened to Esplandian from the day he received the order of knighthood And although Norandel determined with all spéed to return into great Britain yet he changed his mind when he heard so strange and marvellous news of his Nephew Esplandian to whom he said My Lord séeing fortune hath brought us so well together I pray you let me not leave your company till some occasion be ministred unto us Vncle said Esplandian I am content and I pray you let it be so In that manner they passed the rest of the day in the great Serpent minding the next day because she stirred not to take land again to sée if they could find any more adventures And they had scarce fallen asléep but the Serpent began of it self to sayl forward so swiftly that by sun rising they had lost the sight of any land not ceasing for to sayl six days together before they espyed land the seventh day when the Sun began to shine it stayed at the Isle Saint Mary which master Elizabeth presently knew having bin there before with Amadis de Gaule when he fought with Landriaque wherefore he said unto the Knights In good faith I remember that once as I travelled on the Sea with my lord Amadis we were cast upon this Island by so great a tempest that we thought verily to have béen drowned And if then at sea we had great fear of death being landed our fear did more increase and that with so good cause that I cannot chuse but tremble to remember it What said Esplandian Can a danger so long time past bréed so great a fear as you séem to have Sir said master Elizabeth some men to hide the truth make a great matter of a small but if you had séen as much as I then saw and that which as yet you may behold if it pleaseth you to go where I was once you shall find that I have no less occasion and there is Grandalin that can witness it as well as I. I
I most entirely love so néer unto me and at one instant so suddenly to depart that it is uncertain whither he is gone Ha cruel torment that still increaseth in me so covertly is it possible that from henceforth I can so well dissemble as yet I have done Truly no for if in time past I inforced my self to estéem the desire I had a singular pleasure unto me now séeing I well perceive my accursed fortune to approach and my joy to fade in manner as soon as it was conceived I desire nought but death which to me would be more acceptable then live in so great pain not hoping any ease And leaving so she gave so great a sigh that Quéen Minoresse heard it Who fearing she had been sick opened the chamber door asking her how she did Wherewith the Princess perceiving that discovery to excuse her self the best she could she told the Queen she dreamed Madam said the Queen it is not long since the Emperess sent to see what you were doing Is it not your pleasure to rise and go unto her Let us go said she In the mean time Esplandian with his companions sayled so long that within two days after they perceived the Rock of the defended Mountain and not far from them the Vessels and Men of War Frandalo had assembled that stayed for a wind to surprize the Turkish Army on the Sea who perceiving the great Serpent making toward them began to arm themselves thinking it had béen some Monster that came to devour them But Manely and the King of Denmark that had séen it oftentimes before were very glad giving them to understand what succor they might have thereby whereat they all rejoyced especially when they perceived Esplandian Gandalin and the rest that Manely and the King of Denmark knew wherefore causing a boat to be made ready they with Frandalo Argenton the king of Denmarks squire a very good mariner entred into it and rowing to the great Serpent Esplandian received them with great joy asking Manely what fortune had brought them thither In faith said he it is not long since we departed from the City of Constantinople to discover and to hinder the passage of victuals that are daily brought by sea from the town of Notolia to Armato king of Turks who not long since hath besieged the Castle of the defended mountain expecting daily the coming of the Emperor with a great Army to drive the Turk from thence But we have had so contrary a wind that it hath bin impossible for us to effect our charge In good truth said Esplandian I would never have sought you in these Countreys neither do I know what became of you after we fell asléep in this Vessel I pray you tell it us Then Manely began to shew how he and the king of Denmark when they awaked found themselves in a barque upon the coast of Italy where taking land they found Urganda and after that by cruel tempests they arrived in an Isle where a Bear assailed them in which Isle they saw two great Apes that shewed them much sport But said he we thought to have starved therein for want of meat for our victuals were clean consumed when by fortune Frandalo arrived in the same Isle with whom I fought and overcame him And because our barque was cast away we entred into his wherein we found a Gentlewoman that told us news of you whom for your sake we conducted unto Constantinople and from thence have brought her back again As far as I understand said Esplandian you have not always slept and I believe that never any Knight had so strange adventures at their first entring into Arms unless it were my lord Amadis my father which I would hardly have believed had it not béen for the signs and evident tokens that we saw in the Isle Saint Mary What were they said the king of Denmark We saw the Image of Landriaque said Esplandian with whom he had so long and perillous a combate It is true said Argenton that such combates against monsters do oftentimes strike the hardiest Knights with fear and the Combate of our Apes made sorrowful knights reâ—orce In good faith said Esplandian thou hast reason and I like thée well for thy mirth but I pray thée heartily return again and fetch the Gentlewoman that is in thy masters Ship and bring her hither that I may speak with her which he presently did and as she entred into the great Serpent Esplandian embracing her asked if if the had séen the Emperor and the beautiful Princess Leonorine his daughter I my lord said she both of them desiring your arrival in that country especially the Princess Leonorine with all the Ladies and Gentlewomen being fully determined not to pardon the great fault you have committed in their behalfs to have deferred off so long before you come to serve them according to the promise made by Amadis your father as I assured them yet I think their displeasure is not sâ— great but you may well find means to pacifie the same My good friend said Esplandian you are heartily welcome we will talk together when better leisure serveth Which he said fearing she should have prâ—céeded further wherewith the standers by might have intelligence of the love he bare unto the Princess wherefore leaving the Gentlewoman and turning to Manley he said In faith I cannot well excuse my self but that I do them wrong for the first commandement my father gave me at such time I received the Order of Knighthood was that in his place I should go and serve them to quit the promise he had made Nevertheless fâ—rtune hath ever since given me so many crosses thereby to hinder my intent that I could neither fulfil his wil nor satisfie their expectations While they were thus devising two of Frandalos Brigantines that by him were sent to espy the enemies navy brought news they had séen great numbers of their Foistes and Gallies sayling to the East to fetch Victuals for the Navy and that the rest that remained behinde would easily be overcome if it pleased them to set upon them which the knights understanding were of opinion that without longer delay they would assail them and presently therewith hoised up their ankers making as secretly as they could towards Armatos Fléet â—et they determined not to set upon them before the break of day hoping to take them sléeping which in truth fell out The first that set upon them was the great Serpent that at her arrival entring among the enemies cast fire so fiercely at her mouth and nostrils that when they awaked it put them in such fear that â— sing courage without strâ—ke given they all began to flie Nevertheless it could not save their lives but that the greatest part of their vessels were drowned by means of a contrary winde that rose so suddenly on the sea whereby it raged in such sort that neither Mast Sayl Bâ—ard nor Oar could hold but were broken
knight at the last Tourney that I ran a lord of greater power hath intertained me into his service whom I wil serve during my mortal lose seeing it hath pleased him to shew me so great favor being wel assured that when you know him as I do you wil esteem me happy how cowardly or villainous soever you account me now What is he said she tell me of your faith it is Iesus Christ said Frandalo yet will I never faile to do you all the honor and service that I can as also now at this time so my companion be content for without him I cannot do it Frandalo said Esplandian you may command me for I am ready to do what pleaseth you Wherefore delay not to do all the pleasure service you can unto this lady if it be your will Wherewith Frandalo thanked him most heartily and said to Heliaxe Madam seeing he will have it so I pray you from henceforth put all your trust in me and I will not faile to be careful for you Mean time I pray you get upon your palfry that I may bring you to a place where you may see far better tourneys then any at your wedding afterward if it pleaseth God to favor us you shall easily perceive how much I esteem and have in remembrance the favors you have heretofore shewed unto me being but a simple knight and you a great Princes to command far better then my self for never was Princess more honored and esteemed among her own subjects then you shall be of them to whom I mean to bring you which may be an example unto Kings and mighty Princes to whom God hath given power and authority who being advertised of the honorable and good intertainment made to you by us they may be moved hereafter to take pleasure in entertaining the meaner as well as the greater considring the mutability of fortune as by your self it well appeareth Frandalo said she you may make as many excuses and fair promises as you list yet can you not deny but you have done me wrong yet in doing as you say you will your reputation will be better to the world although your faith hath fayled to our goods wherefore let us go where it pleaseth you With that she got upon her palfrey and Frandalo bare headed leading her horse till they came neer unto the town where they heard a great noise that made the two knights think either their enterprise to be discovered or that their Souldiers assailed the Town And fearing they had bin repulsed began to repent themselves of their long staying with the Princess to whom Frandalo in most courteous maner said Madam Is it not your pleasure mean time that I and my companion go unto the town to stay here for us with this Gentlewoman and my cousin Foron I truly said Heliaxa and I will not depart from hence before I hear of you again With that Frandalo and Esplandian ran in great haste towards the Town where they found their companions fighting with those of Alfarin among the which were Talanque Ambor the King of Denmark Gandalin Lazinde that had given the town a hard skirmish on that side thinking to give them so much to do that in the mean time the army by sea might assayl the water gate but they were too soon discovered whereby they found great resistance on all sides Nevertheless Norandel and Belleris had gotten the Barriers and repulsed the enemies unto the pallisadoes Which Esplandian and Frandalo perceiving they lighted on foot and being covered with their shields their swords in their hands passed through the prease and with bold courage went so far that they slew great number of the enemies for the Alfarins to defend their city issued out of the gates and the Christians to win it did most valiantly but the place was so narrow they could not hurt their enemies so much as in the oopen field Whereby it happened that Frandalo and Esplandian minding either to win or loose stepped so far forward that the Alfarins flying into the town and they after found themselves alone within the same among their enemies and that so far that had it not bin for Frandalo Esplandian that took no care but only to kill and overthrow the enemy had ben inclosed by them put he pulled him back Whereby the two Knights perceived the danger they were in wherefore by little and little they got unto the steps that went upon the wall where they sustained many hard assaults without being hurt although the enemy ceased not to throw Launces Stones Darts and all other weapons at them they could find none of them daring come to handle strokes for if any advanced himself to shew his prowess it cost him his life or else was thrown down headlong Mean time Norandel and his company that had séen Frandalo and Esplandian shut into the town sought by all means to scale the walls or else to break the gates but all in vain for they within defended it so with Oyl scalding Water Logs and Stones that divers of them were overthrown and ended their lives most miserably And fighting in that sort a knight all armed came from the Haven crying with loud voice and said Be of good courage my children be of good courage defend this quarter well for our enemies on the sea-side have not as yet found means to set one man on land and yet have lost above two hundred of their men By God said one of them I sée not one that standeth idle yet can we not overcome these two knights Why so said the other They are said he entring in among us and we have bin these two hours fighting with them but all in vain for the youngest of them fighteth so valiantly that we dare not approach them And which is more he and his companion in despight of us all have gotten those stairs where they now defend themselves and that so wel that we can find no means to drive them thence although many of our men have béen slain by them others cruelly wounded I am of opinion said the knight that we receive them unto mercy for it may be they are such men that for to have them again the enemy will be glad to give king Armato in change and return again into their country Whereunto they all agréed and therewith the Knight that had given them that counsel made signs unto Esplandian that they would parley with them whereby the assault ceased for a time and the knight spake unto them in this maner Sir knights you sée it is impossible for you to escape from hence and it were great pity that two so valiant knights should die so young now in the flower of your ages But this we will do yield your selves and we will save your lives Sir knight said Esplandian if we die at this time we are quit for ever after but so much there wanteth thereof and we have so good hearts and so sure a confidence in
Faiarque Listoran de la tour Blanche Trion cousin to quéen Briolanie Tentilles le Superbe Guil le bein esteme Grodonan brother to Angriote destravaux and the two sons of Isamie Governor of the Firm Isle with many others that had imbarqued themselves in great Brittain to go to aid Esplandian and coming to the Castle of the defended Mountain they had intelligence by the fishermen at sea of the overthrow of Armatos navy his captivity and the taking of the City of Alfarin whereat they much rejoyced especially when they knew by Gastilles soldiers that not any of their companions were slain in the assault They being arrived at the Town as they began to land Esplandian with divers others went thither to receive them where betwéen them were many salutations and welcomes given which done Esplandian led them to his lodging where they refreshed themselves about two hours before they went to visit Frandalo of whom Esplandian gave such commendations that they desired him to bring them where he lay which he presently did but when Frandalo knew who they were being ashamed to sée them use such courtesie to him could not well tell what to say and as he entertained them Palomir spake unto him and said Sir knight I and my company have heard so great commendation of your valor that there is not one of us but would be ready to obey and serve you as our Chief Commander wherefore we beséech you use all diligence you may to be healed of your wounds that we may presently go into the field under your conduction My Lords said Frandalo I pray you pardon me I am well assured that my valor is none such as you report whereby I deserve not the praise you give me neither did I ever any thing worthy commendation but only by my Lord Esplandians means Nevertheless I hope if God spareth me life and health so to behave my self that all men shall know the desire I have to do service unto Christendom and particularly unto every one of you Companion said Esplandian I pray you take care to be cured of your grief that done we will take order for the rest and for that these Knights are weary with their long travel on the Sea I pray you give them leave for to depart and in the morning we will visit you again Which he said fearing lest too much talk might cause him fall into a fever for Gastilles before that had béen devising with him above two hours together touching the conference betwéen him and Esplandian as concerning his return unto the Emperor With that the Knights bad him farewel and went out of the chamber on the other side Gastilles made all haste he could to depart from thence the next day in the morning and taking leave of all his friends the same night he entred into his ship when day began to appear he set sayl with so good winde that within eight days he discovered the city of Constantinople entring into the haven which the Emperor understanding went to receive him going with him to the palace asked him what he had done in his voyage whether Armato were retired from the siege or not My lord said he The good knight Esplandian his company most humbly commend themselves unto your Grace especially Frandalo whom I can assure you to be one of the best servants that ever you had With that the Empress accompanied with the Princess Leonorine Quéen Minoresse divers other Ladies and Gentlewoman came thither to whom Gastilles doing humble reverence they bad him welcome and because he stayed to do Esplandians commendations to the Princess Leonorine the Emperor said unto him Truly nephew you shall make an end to shew us what hath happened in your voyage then if it please you you may court ladies Wherefore I pray you tel from the beginning what you have done My Lord said he at our departure from hence we had so good a winde that without any let we arrived at the castle the defended mountain yet could we not make such haste but that Esplandian with his great serpent and Frandalos ships had already drowned and overthrown certain of the enemies ships and made the rest to flie and the next day after king Armato was taken prisoner his army overthrown and put to flight but the sport was when I saluted the Turk and that he knew me then he told the great rage the Turk was in the threatnings and spéeches he used unto him the overthrow of the twenty knights at the adventurous fountain the skirmishes and assaults at the town of Alfarin the danger wherein Esplandian and Frandalo found themselves the taking of the town and of Heliaxe her delivery with the peoples that fled to the temple of Jupiter and how that before he imbarqued himself to return a great ship arrived there from Great Britain with divers Knights therein whose names and sirnames he rehearsed as having séen them with King Amadis Further my lord said he the good Knight Esplandian willed me to shew you that he kéepeth King Armato till your Grace shall dispose of him as also the City of Alfarin but for the Castle the defended mountain he saith he mindeth not to yield the same to any other then to the Princess Leonorine in whose name he hath conquered it hoping as her servant and no other to defend the same When will he be here said the Emperor With all the spéed he may said Gastilles as he hath promised me In good faith said the Emperor I would it were this day before to morrow I have so great desire to know him by reason of the great chivalry that daily increaseth in him in such manner that if heretofore the Knight with the Gréen Sword hath béen estéemed the best in all the world now his son diminisheth a great part of his glory And all being well considered I think that Amadis hath not done more in ten years time then Esplandian hath accomplished in the space of ten wéeks But touching Frandalo is he so well disposed to our service as you make report My Lord said Gastilles It is not possible to do better then he hath done wherefore my Lord Esplandian willed me to shew you that for the better entertaining him in his procéedings he is of advise that your Grace should give him the City of Alfarin not knowing any man worthier then he to kéep it In good truth said the Emperor Esplandian and his companions have had the pains to conquer it wherefore I am content they have the disposing thereof Nevertheless if they rest upon my consent therein I am well content it shall be so and I will not cease to shew him greater favor if he persevere as he hath began And you Daughter said he to the Princess Leonorine what say you to this that my cousin Gastilles hath told you touching Esplandian that sayeth he kéepeth the Castle the defended mountain for you onely My Lord said she I know not how you and
that séemed necessary to be done and to avoid all suspition sent Gandalin and Enil before unto the ships and went unto the Emperor whom she found walking in the gallery who no sooner perceived her but he asked if the Present that Esplandian sent unto his daughter were yet in her ship No my Lord said she I caused it yesternight to be carried into her chamber as I promised you and have left it all with her onely that which was given me for my part What is that said the Emperor The Cedar Chest said she wherein if it pleaseth God I will cause the body of Matroco to be buried that as yet lieth in my fathers Hermitage But my lord because as this morning I determined to sayl unto the Castle the defended mountain to him that sent me hither I pray you give me leave to depart Gentlewoman said the Emperor when you were last here I sent him word by you what joy and great pleasure it would be unto me for to sée him here I pray you once again shew him what I said Assuring him that being here he shall have of me all honor and good entertainment we can devise My Lord said Carmelle God preserve your Grace and send you life And therewith taking her leave she returned into her ship where Esplandian and his company stayed for her CHAP. XXXVII How Esplandian put to Sea thinking to arrive at the Castle the defended Mountain and of the great adventures he found ESplandian entred into his ship and Carmelle being returned as it is said before they determined not to stay longer fearing to be discovered wherefore they caused ankers to be hoised and setting sayl made towards the Castle the defended mountain but fortune by a great storm and contrary wind carried them another way driving them along the coast of Alfarin where the wind ceased they sayling almost hard by the shore and at the same instant when they espyed among the Rockes certain horse and footmen fighting together whereat Esplandian marvelled and said unto Gandalin and Enil I pray you séeing we are arrived here at this instant let us go sée from whence the occasion of their combate procéedeth and if we may help them that have the justest quarrel Let us go said the two Knights wherewith they presently landed and mounting on their horses commanded the sailers to stay for them and in great haste ran unto the place where the combate was and apprâ—aching the same they knew their companions by the white crosses they bare upon their armor and séeing them in danger and inclosed on all sides by great number of Turks Esplandian spurred his horse over the stones and entered into the prease but not very far by reason the Turks kept a strait place where he must pass from whence at the first he was repulsed Nevertheless in the end Gandalin and Enil seconded him so well with the help of those that fought on the other side that notwithstanding the great resistance the Turks made they inclosed them on all sides and beat them down yet some of them by the swiftness of their horses saved themselves whereby the Christians remained victors not losing one man The knights that had béen aided in the manner could not imagine which way the other thrée knights came but when they knew them never were men gladder praising God of his great mercy shewed unto them Wherewith Esplandian asked them how they came thither My lord said Elian le delibere I and my companions had so much intreated Belleris to lead us into the country that all this night he hath ben our guide we being issued out of Alfarin thinking to surprise the town of Galatia that lieth upon the sea-side not far from hence and to the same end we stayed in ambush but perceiving our enterprise to be discovered thinking by little and little to retire we were inclosed in such manner that if God had not helpen us by your means without doubt we had al béen overthrown and destroyed By the faith of a knight said Esplandian if you had considered the country where we are and that the loss of one of our men is greater to us then a thousand others if we were in Christendom you would not have hazarded your selves so much but what is past cannot be undone And to the end we spéed no worse let us enter into my ship that stayeth for me My Lord Esplandian said Belleris Occasion is offered now unto us and let him go that refuseth it when time serveth You sée the overthrow of the Turkes which is such that I certainly believe there is not one man left within the Town Wherefore I am of opinion that we ride thither in as secret manner as we may then if we sée occasion we will set upon the gates and it may be shall enter the Town without resistance mean time send one of your Squires to certifie your saylers that they sayl unto Alfarin or else that they stir not from thence before they hear news of us This counsel liked them well and they all agreed unto it with that Belleris marched on before Esplandian and the rest following after riding close together upon a Causie where not far from thence they espyed one sitting upon a sharp Rock most hideous to behold whereat they spurred their horses thither to see what it might be where they saw a woman so old impotent and withered that her breasts hung down beneath her navil apparelled in a Bears skin whereon hung her long white and knotted hair where she had lived among those Rockes in all tempests and stormy weathers for the space of six score years together By which means her naked body shewed like the bark of an Elm trée or some ancient Oke whereby not one of them but began to laugh asking Belleris if he had heard of her before I truly said he for she is so near of linage to King Armato that she was his great Grandfathers Sister And although that in her yong years she hath béen indued with all the gifts of nature yet would she never marry what means soever her friends could use but gave her self continually to study the Art of Magick in such short that none could surpass her in the same whereby she hath foreshown long time since that before she died the land of Turky should be overthrown and brought in subjection unto strangers And for this cause she hath caused this Rock to be hewen wherein she hath made two chambers where continually she abideth apparrelled in the same manner you now behold her and as it is commonly reported she is very near ninescore years of age and that you may know her better it is she that caused the gilt pillars with the Tables hanging at them to be set up at the adventurous fountain which you my Lord Esplandian said he might peradventure sée when you found the Princess Heliaxe and overthrew her guard in that place Truly said Esplandian I would gladly know how
shall full well perceive how much I estéem their vertues and favors they have shown unto me Carmelle said Alphorax have they willed you to deliver no message unto me No my Lord said she but I tell you plain they are determined very shortly to come and visit you in such manner as will not greatly like you By all my gods said Alphorax I will ease them of that burthen if they make not the more haste for I have so many men preparing that I mean to go in person to Constantinople to destroy the wicked Emperor and all the Christians Then shall my wife have means if she think good to acknowledge the favors towards them which they have shown unto her as she saith My Lord said Carmelle Mens enterprises do oftentimes fall out contrary to their expectations and God that is in Heaven above commandeth and disposeth of all things as it pleaseth him and not as we would have it Now Madam said she to Heliaxe I have done the commandment of those that sent me hither wherefore I beséech you let me be safely conducted to the place from whence I came My Lord said the Princess to Alphorax I pray you shew her so much favor for it would grieve me much that she should receive the least injury in the world which he granted unto her and withal Heliaxe gave her for her pains one of the richest Gowns she had Wherewith she caused her to be conducted by twenty knights unto the Town of Galatia where being arrived she shewed them what she had done as also what spéeches the prince Alphorax used unto her which Urganda marked well saying unto the knights In faith my good friends as touching Alphorax high words they are the fruits of his nature being altogether proud and arrogant Nevertheless I can assure you that fortune promiseth him great matters And because it will not be long before they do happen I will now use no words of them praying some of you to shew me so much favor to return again unto Melies Cave to fetch her Books that we left behinde us Which being in my possession it may be they will serve hereafter to do both you and many others pleasure Esplandian hearing Urganda speak with such affection and knowing the desire she had to have the Books answered her and said Madam before I stéep I will sée if I can fulfil your pleasure And without longer staying he desired Enil Frandalo and Gandalin to bear him company who presently armed themselves and being on horseback without any other company then their own Squires issued out of the Town leaving Urganda with Norandel that was newly come from the City of Alfarin The four Knights rode so long till they came unto Melies rock where not far from thence they found thrée Giants and twelve Knights that with a loud voice stood at the mouth of the Cave calling Melie for the shepheards kéeping shéep in the fields having séen her led unto Galatia ran to tell them news and to know the truth they were expresly come thither Esplandian and his company knew them well to be their enemies wherfore they determin'd to give them battel although their number was far greater wherefore being covered with their shields and their swords ready in their hands they entred among them Esplandian met the first Giant Frandalo the second and Gandalin and Enil the third and Esplandian gave his giant so great a blow that therewith he made him take so great a leap that both master and horse lay upon the ground not once removing hand or foot but it fell out otherwise with the rest for they having broken their spears upon Frandalo Gandalin and Enil their horses being loosely bridled bare them at least a mile from thence before they could make them stay With that the four Christian Knights were inclosed by twelve Turks whereof thrée of them at the first charge were stricken dead unto the ground wherewith the fight began to be most perillous and fierce in such sort that before the two Giants could return again five other of the Turks were in such case that the best of them was hurt to death so there rested but four which Esplandian and Frandalo left fighting with Gandalin and Enil to méet the two Giants that in great haste came towards them to help their companions and as they met together never was there braver fight for Esplandian thinking upon the Princess Leonorine gave not one blow but he made the blood to follow on him that had the stroke whereby the rock became all bloody yet he found his enemy no less able to require his blows so that in short space his shield was so hewed and cut in pieces that there rested nothing but the leathers in his hands whereat he was in such a rage that rising in his stirrâ—ps he gave his enemy so great a blow upon the coife of stéell that he strake it off wherwith the Giants eyes started in his head which made him bâ—w his neck upon the horses main and withal let fall his Sword With that Esplandian strake him such another blow betwéen the neck and shoulders that he cut off his head wherewith the horse ran up and down the fields with his dead Giant on his back mean time Frandalo handled the other Giant in such sort that he had put him out of breath Gandalin and Enil for their parts doing no less for they two fighting against four behaved themselves so couragiâ—usly that they slew two of their hardiest enemies yet the other two would never yield although they were still ready to flie especially when they perceived Esplandian coming towards them And to say truth it was not possible for them to make any resistance yet he stayed a while because he perceived some of them that were stricken down to rise again and take their Swords in hand whereat he turned about but it chanced that his horses foot lighting betwéen a cliff stuck fast and was forced to fall down whereby Esplandian was in the greatest danger of death that ever he had by reason that his enemies were on all sides about him ready to thrust their Swords into his belly a thing very easie to be done if God had not provided for him and given strength and agility to his horse to rise again with his master on his back who perceiving himself at liberty and having his Sword in hand made such execution on the Turks that he left not one alive wherewith those two that fought with Gandalin and Enil fled along the mountain as if all the devils in hell had béen behind them and not being pursued saved themselves leaving the Giant behind them for a pawn to whom Frandalo granted life not onely because he asked mercy but for that he was in a manner dead CHAP. XLI How Esplandian entred into Melies Cave to fetch her books and of an assault made upon him Frandalo Enil and Gandalin as they thought to return again unto Galatia THe
days after the great Serpent arrived within half a mile of Constantinople where she stayed Then Urganda caused her Knights to be armed with the armor she had brought which were white with a red cross both before and behind most comely to behold They were in all forty Knights whose names are as followeth Esplandian Frandalo Norandel Talanque Manley the wise Ambor of Gandel Grauate of the fearful valley Gandalin Enil Trian cousin to Quéen Briolany Bravor son to the Giant Balan Belleris Elion le Delibere Licoran of the white Tower Listoran of the silver bridge Landin of Sariaque Imosil of Burgondy Ledadrin of Ferraque Sarquiles cousin to Angriotes Palomir Branfil Tantiles the proud Galbron Son of Isamel Carpin his Brother Carin of Carante Attalion Son of Olivas Bracele Son of Bandoyvas Garamante Son of Norgalles Amphinio of Almain Brandony of France Penatry of Spain Flamene his brother Culspicio of Bohemia Amandario of little Brittain Silvester of Hungaria Manley of Swethland Galfary of Italy Galiot of Scotland Amandaly his brother and Calfeur the glorious Being arrived the ship was presently espyed by the Citizens which they knew having séen it before when it put them in such fear as you have heard but hoping for him that used ordinarily to sayl therein they all ran unto the walls and along the shore to sée him land wherewith the noise and rumor was so great that the Emperor had news thereof being as then talking with the Ladies Those news pleased the Princess Leonorine so well that she no sooner heard the great Serpent named but she rose up and went unto the windows to see if she could espy her love Esplandian but the ship was somewhat too far off neither did it move from the place whereas it lay Wherefore fearing to be deceived as she had béen before she began to change colour which Quéen Minoresse perceived and jesting said unto her Madam do you make this pitiful countenance to dissemble the joy you have conceived or for fear I should beguile you of him that cometh to sée you How now cousin said she how long have you learned to mock In faith I never thought upon the first of those two points and much less am I in doubt of the second for you know as much as my self and yet I am not ignorant that when the great Serpent was there where I now behold it he whom we expect came not hither wherefore I fear and with good reason that we shall now be served in like sort and as she ended her spéech the ship came within a bow shot of the haven where they might perceive one of her sides to open from whence they put out a boat and not long after they saw Carmelle and two other gentlewomen come forth the two Gentlewomen playing most swéetly upon two instruments which they did till they arrived at the shore from whence they went unto the Emperor who knowing Carmelle had better hope to sée Esplandian than ever he had before going unto her to ask what news she made no more reverence unto him than she used at other times to do saying unto him My lord Esplandian my master that you so much desire to sée is now arrived before the town in the great Serpent with divers other Knights his friends and allies and Urganda la Discogneve desiring you to shew them the favor to stay in your Pallace where they mean to come and visit your Grace Truly Carmelle said the Emperor I never heard message in all my life that pleased me so well I am content to do as they desire although I was determined to méet them and to give them that entertainment they deserve But séeing they will have it otherwise I will satisfie their desires That is sufficient said Carmelle we will then return to thom again to certifie your Graces answer Go said the Emperor and tell them from me that they shall he most heartily welcome With that Carmelle with the two Gentlewomen departed towards the Haven mean time whosoever had beheld the Princess Leonorine might easily have judged the alteration of her heart it was so full of joy that without Quéen Minoresse that caused her to refrain she would peradventure have done something whereby her honor had béen blemished minding to leave the Empress her mother and go to méet Esplandian whose absence had procured so great sorrow in her mind But the Quéen as a wise and discréet lady perswaded her so much that she stayed at the window whereby her alteration might not be perceived Carmelle stayed not long but went into the boat rowing to the great Serpent where being entred there were presently two boats more put forth that brought horses to land which done they returned again to fetch the knights and those that would went forth and among them six gentlewomen thrée of them sounding the recorders then ceasing the other thrée played on the Lute and Vials in that manner being landed and mounted on their horses they entred into the City the six Gentlewomen marching first after them the two Turkish Captains that were taken at the siege of the Castle the defended mountain then the Captain of Tesifant next followed Armato and with him the Princess Melie apparrelled in the bear-skin as she had béen taken then followed the forty Knights two in a rank armed horse and man in one sort of armor in the middest of them road Urganda talking to Esplandian and the King of Denmark And as they approached the Pallace the Emperor the Empress and the Ladies met them where the Emperor coming to Urganda did her as much honor as if she had bin the greatest Quéen in the world Mean time the Knights being among the Ladies gave occasion to be found no less courteous then prompt and valiant in arms especially Esplandian who coming to the Princess Leonorine knéeled on the ground to kiss her hands but she refused it making the whole company believe she was offended with him for delaying the time to come unto the court as he had promised Which the Emperor perceiving could not refrain to smile and said unto her How now daughter Is this the good entertainment you shew unto your knight and the thanks you give him for coming expresly hither to serve you I pray you call to mind that he deserveth a better countenance were it onely for his fathers sake to whom you are so much beholding My lord said she that is the cause I am so much offended with him for if he resembled the knight with the gréen Sword as much in courtesie as in countenance he had not stayed so long to obay his fathers will and to satisfie the requests that you and I have made unto him by Carmelle and others as your Grace knoweth Before God said the Emperor and say true yet I could never have bin perswaded you would conceive displeasure so long time considering what he hath done and the rich presents he sent to you My Lord said
she if he hath done any thing for me it was without my commandment I had rather he had done less in those things and that he had bin more obedient to his fathers will and mine Madam said the Emperor to Urganda you sée in my daughter how great the choler of an angry woman is My Lord said she she hath reason so to do for that Esplandian obaying his father ought to confirm himself both to her will and yours And having failed therein all he saith that he hath done for her sake may be accounted nothing although I am assured that the remembrance of my Lady your daughter hath made him being in fight enter into such danger that it was most strange how he could escape Wherefore Madam said she to Leonorine he deserveth pardon for the same and so I pray you grant him While Urganda spake the Princess beheld Esplandian with so great affection that in a manner she lived and died in him and he for his part by her felt in what sort love useth those he holds in his power Whereby she continued a time without answering Urganda not for any evil will to her in using of thâ—se spéeches but rather féeling such alteration in her mind that she trembled like a leaf But in the end she remembred her self and said unto her Madam séeing it is your pleasure that I remit his offence I am content to do it upon condition that if he forget himself as he hath done heretofore you shall bear the punishment for him With that she took him by the hand and made him rise up changing spéech because the Empress that in the mean time talked with the King of Denmark came thither whereby Esplandian was constrained to leave the Princess and salute her The Emperor all that while had given no entertainment to King Armato as knowing him not but when they shewed him which was he he imbraced him and said My Lord and brother I beséech you pardon my ignorance in not entertaining you before this time as not knowing you but I will amend the fault when you think good My Lord said Armato I am now as it pleaseth fortune in place where you may command me yet I pray you call to mind who I was and what I may be and do for me as you would I should do for you if your case were mine Considering with your self that the like hard fortune may fall on you and that it is no less vertue to intertain the vanquished courteously then to overthrow the puissant enemy With that the Emperor led him into his pallace the rest following after him and when they were in the Hall he left them with the Empress to speak unto Frandalo and taking him aside said unto him Frannalo to let you know how well I do account of the great good service you have done for me I will that from henceforth you shal be my chief Standard Bearer in which place I now estaplish you For the which Frandalo thanked him most humbly accounting himself most happy to have so great authority CHAP. XLIII How Norandel and Queen Minoresse fell in love one of the other and what conference they had together THe Emperor being among his Knights making them all the charge and honor that he could devise It happened that the princess Leonorine and Quéen Minoresse séeing the King of Denmark and Norandel together called Carmelle and asked her who they were My Ladies said she you have séen him that hath the least beard here before which is the King of Denmark for he came hither with Frandalo the other is Norandel king Luisarts Son estéemed for one of the hardiest Knights living on the earth I pray you said the Princess desire them to come hither that we may speak with them With that Carmelle called them unto her and as they were before the two Princesses the more they beheld the excellency of their beauties the more they marvelled at it and not without cause for next unto Leonorine there could hardly be found in all Greece one that matched Queen Minoresse especially in comeliness and good behavior but if she had some perfection in her nature had not forgotten her self in forming the two Knights especially Norandel who till that time had never felt the stings of love no more had Quéen Minoresse Nevertheless that little thief surprised them so covertly that he bound them both making them captives one to the other in such manner that after many Questions and Answers propounded they drew themselves apart leading the King of Denmark talking with the Princess Leonorine the Queen asking Norandal what he thought of the Princese Madam said he although I have heard her estéemed for one of the goodliest Ladies in the world yet did I never think her beauty had béen such as now I sée it is althought you are little behind her in that respect whereby I might estéem my self most happy if I had bin asléep that day I enterprised to take my journey hither Wherefore said the Quéen have you had so ill entertainment in this Court No Madam said he but there is one hath stollen that from me which I have most carefully kept during my life The Quéen not knowing what he meant was thereat abashed asking him what it was and whither he knew the thief I Madam said he and it resteth in you to do me justice if it be your pleasure for you and none other have that whereof I speak In good faith said the Quéen you shall pardon me for I have nothing of yours that I can remember Madam said Norandel since the time I first did know what belonged to a man I kept my liberty not alienating it to any one But coming hither I had no sooner set mine eye on you but I found my self of a fréeman a bondslaue and captive to your Ladyships good favor which I beséech you afford me in recompence of the liberty you now have taken from me Truly fix knight said she you have at this present run too far astray for if you beheld me as you should you had not found me such a one as you say and would have bin twice advised to use such spéeches as you do Nevertheless I will not take them at your hands being a stranger in so evil part as mine honor doth require and I think likewise you speak far otherwise then you mean which she said to undermine him Thereby to sée if Norandels words were spoken from the heart who hearing that overthwart answer was much astonished but being moved with love answered her and said Madam pardon my boldness I beséech you but I swear unto you by the faith of a Knight that I have discovered the secret of my heart and if you will not believe me at this time I hope in time to come to do so much that you shall well perceive what great desire I have to be your Knight if it will please you to grant me so much favor to accept me for the
the Gentlewomen of whom they hoped to hear such news as they desired And in effect after they had somewhat assured them ther asked them what news of king Armato and whether he were still prisoner My Lords said the eldest Gentlewoman it is not long since he escaped out of the Christians hands and is returned to Tesifant with Melie that hath shut Urganda in a Tower from whence she shall never depart without her leave That is good news for us then said Belleris and what hath king Armato done since his return Doth he not said he mean to be revenged on them that kept him prisoner so long I truly said she for all the Kings Souldans Cailiffs and Admirals of the Pagan Law have promised him to arrive at Constantinople and to destroy all Christendom And as it is said the most part of them are already arrived in the Isle of Tenedos In good faith said Belleris to his companions considering the spéeches of these gentlewomen I am of this opinion that we meddle no longer with them but return unto our hold Whereunto they both agréed and letting the Gentlewoman depart made so great haste that about two hours after sun-setting they arrived at the Castle of the defended mountain where they shewed their companions what adventures they sound in the adventurous Fountain And at our departure said they we found ten men on horseback leading two Gentlewomen by whom we have for certain understood that Urganda is straightly shut-up in one of the Towers of Tesifant and so inchanted therein by Melies conjurations that she is like never to come forth as also that the Pagan Kings assemble themselves together in the Isle of Tenedos to over-run the Emperor of Constantinople and all the Christians country CHAP. XLVI How the Pirate Crescelin nephew to the admiral Tartary brought certain news to Esplandian of the great Army that the Lords of the East parts prepared to come unto Constantinople THe report that Belleris Talanque and Manley used to their companions as touching the great preparation the Pagans made to invade the Empire of Constantinople and all the Christendom caused them to think thereon in such sort that they took counsel to determine among themselves whether it were better for them to augument the Garisons of the Castle of the defended mountain Alfarin and Galatia or go to Constantinople to aid the Emperor And as they were in debating of the matter Crescelin nephew to the Admiral of Greece that not long before had stollen ten Gallies from the Emperor to rove upon the Sea came to advertise the Knights that as he sailed into Phrigia he had discovered in the Isle of Tenedos so many Gallies Foistes and other vessels of the enemies that the Sea séemed covered therewith who without doubt assembled to over-run the Emperor and destroy all Christendom wherefore said he I thought to let you understand the same not onely because you might provide for them but also to desire your favors to entreat the Emperor in my behalf assuring you that if he pardon the offence I have committed against his Majesty I will from henceforth do him so good service that he shall like it well My Lord Crescelin said Esplandian I have always heard the Emperor reported to be one of the best Princes living in the world and most easie to be appeased when with reason men reconcile themselves unto him wherefore I am assured that if he know you mean faithfully to serve him as you protest that he will not onely forget your fault but do you much more good then to others of his men and the better to incite him thereunto I am of this opinion that with your ships you presently return to the Gulfe Propontide and there if it be possible shall find the means to take some Turkish gally thereby to know the truth of their intent and if you will Belleris shall go with you and according to your reports we will determine what were best for us to do whereunto the Pirate willingly condescended so that the same day he put to Sea and with Belleris they coasted the country of Thrace unto Solombre where staying secretly at the entry of the Gulfe they continued certain days to bring their enterprise to pass mean time Esplandian not being idle and thinking upon the news that Crescelin brought was of advise that Frandalo and all the other Knights of Great Brittain should return to Constantinople to aid the Emperor which he desired them to do and I said he with the King of Denmark Gandalin and Enil with the garrison of this place will stay the return of those that are gone to Tenedos and having spoken with them either we will remain here still or presently follow you Estéem I pray you if this opinion of Esplandian were liked of by Norandel for that from the day he left quéen Minoresse he had not shewen a pleasant countenance but was so melancholly that every man wondred thereat and although the rest were not infected with the like disease yet was there none that started back but all agréed to Esplandians mind wherupon without long delay they imbarqued themselves with so good a wind that the seventh day after they arrived at Constantinople whereof the Emperor being advertised was excéeding glad going to méet them at the haven and having imbraced them one by one not séeing Esplandian in their company he asked where they left him with that the Knights told him what intelligence they had received by Crescelins means from out of Asia the great danger prepared against him by the Kings of the Cast how he and Belleris were returned to sée the countenance of the enemy and to know more certain news and lastly what the occasion was why Esplandian stayed behind in the castle of the defended mountain with the king of Denmark Gandalin and Enil The Emperor hearing these news was much abashed yet like a stout and valiant Prince dissembled what he thought and not long after minding to prevent all inconveniences in all haste caused Constantinople and his other towns places and havens of the Sea to be provided of victuals and munition as he thought méetest for them mean time sending forth his captains throughout all his Empire to assemble men in all places that might be ready when occasion served Thus did the Emperor take care to provide for his affairs wherein Norandel mean time to govern Minoresse who minding to try him like gold within the fornace one day among the rest shewed him a harder countenance than usually she did faining she had received news that he loved a lady in great Brittain wherein Norandel by all means sought to excuse himself but the more he séemed constant so much more did the Quéen make him believe she thought the worse of him wherewith he was in such perplexity that he could not choose but say In faith madam as far as I perceive you mean to end my days for the wrong you do me is so great that
the end that being united together they may the better preserve both your life and mine And taking a Bracelet of Gold that from her infancy she had always kept she tied it about his right arm And this circle said she being round as you behold it shall without ceasing be witness of our loves serving as a Rampart to this Army which if it pleaseth God in defending it shall so well defend his master that he shall return in as good health as I desire he should Norandel thanked her most heartily mean time Leonorine entertained Talanque Manley and the rest to whom she said My friends I hope the Lord will shew you so much grace that the Victory shall be yours for the Combate you take in hand is not for to defend the honor of a Gentlewoman but the glorious Faith of Christ If therefore it be so the strength procéedeth from him be you then well assured that he will impart so much to you as you shall want Madam said Talanque at other times we have béen at the like feast from whence we have returned to the great expence of those that called us thither as if it be Gods will we hope this day to do the like Wherewith taking their leaves of her they went to finde their horses and being mounted the Emperor with great number of Knights and Gentlewomen brought them to the gate And committing them to God the ten Knights marched bravely to the place of Combat where the Souldan with a great number of his friends met them asking them whom the Emperor had appointed Iudge on their side Souldan said Norandel we desire no other Iudge then your self that are accounted a courteous and most faithful Prince By all my gods said he I had rather die a thousand deaths then you should endure the least injury in the world we believe it well said all the knights With that he caused them to enter into the Lists at one end and the ten Pagans at the other but before they entred into fight he called Norandel and his companions and said unto them My friends I pray you let me shew you what the custom of my Countrey is in such affairs then if you think good you may observe it if not my knights shall kéep your custom if it be indifferent Shew us then said Norandel what it is and if the same be reasonable we will not refuse it You shall understand said he that all knights justle one against one to the end that all men may know the excellency of the Victor And if any one be overthrown he that is on the horse back shall not assail the other before their companions have run out their course Then he that is on horseback shall a light and shall fight it out by dint of sword with him that before was overthrown Because it chanceth oftentimes that the best knights that are fall into such inconvenience onely by the fault and means of bad horses which cause them divers times either to fail in striking of their enemy or else not to run their right course which cannot be excused in thâ—se that are on foot to whom it is permitted to succor each other if néed require Truly said Norandel that custom is well ordained and I and my companions wil observe the same wherewith the Souldan went out of the Lists causing his Heralds to proclaim the fight With that a Pagan stepped forth against Norandel that refused him not but covering himself with his shield they met so fiercely that their spears were broken to their wrests méeting body to body with so great strength that the Pagan fell over his horse tail lying flat upon the ground but Norandel had no hurt onely that his horses shoulder was thrust out of joint so that he lighted off staying till the rest had run their courses as he had promised Then Garvate du Val Craintif ran against one of the other and they charged each other in such sort that their féet failing in their stirrops they were both cast out of their saddles Then Talanque ran against the third Pagan to whom fortune was more favorable then to any of the rest for they ran so well that neither of them once started aside or moved in their saddles and yet brake their spears in many pieces The like chanced to Manley and Ambor but not to Bravor the son of Balan for he hit him that ran against him right in the breast and threw him from his horse And presently therewith Imosil of Burgundy had so great a stroke with a launce that his eyes started in his head and was therewith so much astonished that his horse bare him to the side of the barriers where he fell down flat Elian le delibere and he that ran against him were constrained to hold by their horses mains Listoran of the bridge missed his stroke and his enemy likewise the like happened to Trion and the last that ran with him That done all they that were on horse back lighted down to fight with swords and there began betwéen them such a fight as the like had not béen séen of so few Knights together maintaining themselves so brabely one against the other that the strongest of them was so weary and out of breath that they were constrained to rest And as Norandel leaned upon his Sword which he rested on the ground the bracelet that Minoresse gave him fell downward upon his arm which put him in so good remembrance of her that clean forgetting all the travel he had taken before he spake so loud that every man might hear and said By God sir Knight this rest doth not beséem us many men will from henceforth be in doubt of the great glory that now we mean to win Wherefore let every man shew forth what we can do and let no man spare Wherewith taking the little piece of his shield that rested in his hand and lifting up his arm he gave so great a blow unto his enemy that he made him réel therewith and doubling it strake him so surely on the helmet that with the blow the Turk was forced to knéel down and let his sword fall out of his hand which Norandel seized upon being ready to strike off his head if he had not cried him mercy which Talanque and Manley perceiving imployed their forces in such manner that it might easily be judged they would soon obtain the victory As for Bravor he had already stricken his knight down wherefore he ran to help the rest and Norandel likewise With the which help it soon appeared that they which rested yet to overcome would not long resist for in short space they found themselves in such extremity that unless the Souldan of Liquie had desired the Christian Knights to stay a while they had all died but calling Norandel unto him he said I pray you said qe procéed no further in this combate and content your selves that I account my Knights for vanquished as in truth they are