Burning Sword might easily without much more Labour have put an end to his defence yet he drew a step or two back and leaning on the Pommel of his Sword as if he would take breath began to say Frandalo thou canst not but certainly know that thy death is near if thou contendest any longer against me yield then I pray thee good Sir and I will save thy Life so good an Opinion have I of thy Person I had rather answer'd he dy a thousand Deaths together than do any thing that should in the least blemish my honour You may perhaps kill my Body but as to my Intention none but our Lord in whom I put my Trust can change it Compleat then thy Victory without expecting any thing else from me since I am resolv'd to end my Days that I may perpetuate my Renown keeping the Faith I ow to GOD and my Prince as well knowing how great an Honour it will be to me hereafter that I have with so much glory paid the Debt to which I was oblig'd from the first moment of my Birth and which we all ow to our Soveraign that has created us and plac'd us on the Earth So well was the Knight of the Burning Sword satisfy'd with this Remonstrance that he said withâ—n himself I should indeed be very much to blame should I endeavour any farther to force him who being depriv'd of all Strength has already vanquisht himself so as rather to choose Death than never so little to prejudice his Loyalty and Virtue And certainly it would be no other than Treason to perseâ—ute any more so Noble Faithful and Magnanimous an Heart as his and therefoâ—e I will leave off Scarce had he finisht this discourse in his mind when Frandalo fainting fell down to the Ground without stirring either foot or hand At which the Knight of the Burning Sword being much griev'd ran hastily to untie his Helmet to give him breath Nevertheless the King of Jerusalem thought he would cut off his head wherefore he cry'd out with a mournful Voice Ah! Knight I request you by the Virtue that is in you to spare him At this cry the other left Frandalo and taking off his Helmet addrest himself to the King kneeling down before him to kiss his hands but the King embrac'd him saying Indeed I do not know that ever I have seen you before Therefore pray do me the favour to tell me what knowledge you have of me and who you are Sir answer'd he be pleas'd to command some one from within to bind up the Wounds of these Knights before they dye for it would discontent me seeing their Prowess that any of them should perish for want of help This done I will answer you the best I can to what you please to know of me Indeed said the King there is not any one here that understands how to dress the Wounded but below at the Monastery there is Then he call d a Servant whom he sent to fetch one of the Religious that was skill'd in Chirurgery In the mean time he gave Order for disarming Frandalo and the Gyant Frandalon who were carry'd and laid in the best Chamber of the Castle And the Knight of the Burning Sword desiring to know who the first was that assaulted him at the Entrance of the Castle they told him he was nam'd Belleris a courteous Personage and Nephew to the Admiral Frandalo As God shall help me said he it will be then a great Loss if he be dead Go see for him and if he be living let him be put with his Uncle Then some ran thither and finding him come to himself out of his Swound took him up gently and laid him in another Bed near Frandalo Then the Knight of the Burning Sword retir'd into another Chamber and put himself between the Sheets that the Monk might apply some Remedies to the Wounds he had Receiv'd Presently after entred Yneril who having heard how all had pass'd was unspeakably glad especially after he had spoken with the Religious man who assur'd him that all the danger was over And indeed he so dextrously dress'd the wounded Applying to them proper Remedies that their Pains being mitigated they all slept quietly till the morrow morning which was an Apparent sign of speedy Cure CHAP. VIII Of the Discourse the King of Ierusalem had with the Knight of the Burning-Sword concerning his Liberty and afterward with Frandalo and Belleris THe next day after these things had thus faln out the King of Jerusalem went to visit the Knight of the Burning Sword whom he found walking about his Chamber for none of his Wounds were such as to oblige him to keep his Bed And therefore seeing the King enter he went to receive him and with great Reverence besought him to sit down in a Velvet Chair and placing himself near him began his discourse in this manner Alas Sir how shall I ever be able to acknowledge the Honour your Majesty is pleas'd to do me who am but a simple Knight and as yet unknown And nevertheless you take the pains to come and visit me who have never done you any service My Friend answer'd the King he that can deliver Kings out of Prison deserves well to be honour'd by the greatest Lords in the World and for ever to be thanked by them Is it not then reasonable that I whose Liberty you have so valiantly obtain'd should offer my self to you and continue all my life your Oblig'd Pardon me Sir reply'd the Knight 't is a small matter to pay an Obligation due by necessity Now there is nothing more certain than that such as Your Majesty are born into this World to be Reverenc'd and serv'd by all all being naturally oblig'd so to do but that Obligation brings along with it this Benefit that whoever satisfies it is thereby honour'd for as much as the Honour he pays his Superior or any other is of such a Nature that it returns to the place whence it proceeded as the Rivers and Streams do into the Sea out of which they came So that Sir you do me wrong to thank me so much since it is abundantly sufficient to commend him who does well without giving him thanks For if he did otherwise than well he would not in reason deserve to be call'd a Man but a brute and senseless Beast The King hearing this goung Victorious Knight speak so wisely and with so good a Grace made him only this Answer My great Friend I see in you so much good Wit that 't would be a Folly for me to think of vanquishing you either in word or effect setting aside therefore this Contest I desire you only to give me your Advice how we shall henceforward govern our selves here where there is not one in whom you trust but your Esquire and my self And I much fear that some or other is fled to King Norandel with News of the Conquest you have gain'd over Frandalo Now he is so near us that
thing at which you will sufficiently wonder Then Florindo having made such an Oath as he desir'd First said Lucencio you must never speak to any person of the Beast we found neither is she indeed a Beast but a wise and discreet Woman Then discoursing to him from point to point all that you have heard they came out of the Wood. Ah! Ah! said Florindo I beseech you at least let me always continue in your Company and make use of me as your Esquire for I shall think my self happy if I can come to such honour This Lucencio easily granted him and coupling their Dogs they return'd into the Town CHAP. X. How Lucencio and Florindo fled secretly from Filina to Constantinople where Lucencio receiv'd Knighthood at the hands of his Uncle the Emperor Esplandian THe discourse which the Damsel of the Forrest had with Lucencio so rais'd his Heart that he rested not an hour after without thinking how he might attain to be a Knight Sometimes he determin'd to speak of it to his Nursing Mother Florisma then all on a suddain he chang'd his Opinion so that having debated all things in his Interiour he resolv'd as the best to go to Constantinople and there humbly to supplicate the Emperor Esplandian of whom he had many times heard speak that he would give him the Order with Horse and Arms hoping seeing the Reputation he had to be the most affable and courteous Prince in the world that he would not refuse him The Emperor was at the time of their Arrival in the great Hall of his Palace attended by many Valiant Knights all clad in mourning for the Death of the Old Emperor and his Wife deceas'd not long before Close by him was the Empress Leonorina and her Daughter Luciana being then about twelve Years of Age and so fair withal and well behav'd that she was a Pearl amongst the Grecian Ladies And tho' Lucencio had been all his life time bred up amongst Shepherds and other Mechanical People yet was he not amaz'd at the sight of so great an Assembly but getting near the Emperor and making him a very low Reverence with an assured Countenance he set knee to ground and spake to him in this manner Most Potent Prince the Fame of your Goodness which fills the whole World has emboldned me to come to your Court that I might beseech you to give me the Order of Knighthood with Horses and Furniture necessary for tho' my whole Estate at present is no more than what you may see about me yet dare I assure your Majesty that I am descended leneally of great Lords nay even of Kings as I have been told But Fortune who will not make all equal has plac'd me in so poor a Condition that I have not so much as to procure me an Horse unless your Majesty please to bestow one on me The Emperor seeing him so fair young and wel-demean'd lookt on him with such an Eye that he was mov'd to pity and answer'd him Truly my Friend I will do what you desire me for I believe as far as I can guess by your Person that Knighthood will not be ill imploy'd in you And turning to the Marquess Saluder he said to him My Lord Marquess I give you this Gentleman for a Guest take him with you and furnish him with all that shall be necessary for himself and an Esquire Lucencio rose up and having made his Reverence to thank the Emperor went along with the Marquess who the same day provided him a Suit of rich white Armor such as was usually worn by new Knights And altho' he had never before been so accoutred yâ—t was it so fit for him and did so wâ—ll become him that he seem'd to have been altogether born for it That night he watcht in the Chappel with Florindo and on the morrow the Emperor accompany'd by the Ladies after Divine Service was over gave him the Order the Infanta Luciana to do him the more honour girding on his Sword Then taking him by the hand she led him into the Hall where the Tables were cover'd for Dinner But scarce were they entred when there presented her self a beautiful Lady clad in Cloth of Gold having â—er Hair which was fairer than the Sun spread upon her Shoulders and on her Head a Gaâ—land set with an infinite Number of pâ—ecious Stones She caâ—ry'd in a Scarf a Sword and Shield so richly adorn'd with Gold and Pearls that it was wonderful to behold and was led under the Arms by two Knights so old and feeble that each of them seem'd above an Hundred Years of Age. By her went a Gentleman between sixteen and seventeen years old very fair and so excellently shap'd that he seem'd a Master-piece of Nature A little behind came two other Knights compleatly arm'd except the Hands and the Head with four Damsels in very good Equiâ—age Then she who appear'd to be the Lady of this Company humbly saluted the Emperor and making him a Reverence endeavour'd to kiss his hands as the Gentleman also did but he graciously lifted them up asking them if they had any Business with him Sir answer'd she Your Majesty will be pleas'd to understand that I am Dutchess of Savoy nam'd Grimarta and as to this Gentleman neither You nor any other can know his Name before that be accomplish'd for which we are come forth of our Country and with which I am now going to acquaint you Your Majesty then may understand that the Duke my Father dying without any Heirs but my self I was incontinently crown'd in the City of Chambery where this Gentleman was then newly arriv'd who vanquisht with Love of me had lest his own Countrey hoping after he should have seen me so to employ himself in serving me that his Travel and Good Will should be in such manner acknowledg'd by me as he might attain to the end of his Desires And indeed if my Fame had caus'd in him any Affection for me 't was little in respect of the Ardor he found in himself as soon as his Eye had given him the enjoyment of my Presence Which Zeal was yet much more augmented after he had begun familiarly to discourse with me It hapned then that one day amongst the rest the Fire of this Love encreasing by little and little as we were a hunting with a good Company of Gentlemen Ladies and Damsels dispers'd about the Woods some this way others that way I was at a certain Stand accompany'd only by four of my Women and two Knights with this Gentleman Now so it was that a chafed Bear came running so furiously towards us with open Mouth that the two Knights in whom lay the Safety of our Persons were so srighted that they fled with all their might thro' the Forest Your Majesty will easily believe the Fright I was then in But this Gentleman alighting from his horse shew'd himself so valiant that at the approach of the Bear who thought to lay hold of him he gave
have we esteem'd you even to the day of your Absence during which your Prowess and high Feats have been publisht in all places so that you are and will be an Admiration not only to the present but future Ages which makes me devoutly thank our Gods for having granted me the Favor to be born during the Age wherein I might see you and which is one of the greatest Felicities I could obtain of their Divinity have the hopes sometime to try my self against you who are the Miror of all Chivalry with whom I desire to combat not for any Glory I expect by it except in being able to vaunt my having been so far honor'd that the Flower of all Goodness has vouchsafe'd to sâ—t his Hand to Arms and exercise his Valor against me Nevertheless kâ—owing the Time to be now so little fit I shall put it off to some other when we shall mâ—â—â— postponing all Danger that may befal me by it For otherwise had I ended the strangest Adventures without having Combated you I should think my self not to have finisht but only to have begun what might turn to my Praise since the End and Beginning of Knighthood is in you and by you must be terminated so â—hat whatever good Countenance Fortune hath hitherto shewn me yet have I great Reason to blame her since she has call'd me upon the Consummation and End of the Height to which Arms can ascend you having left nothing behind to illustrate those who came after you obscuring by the Sun-beams of your Prowess what ever can for the future be attempted Whilst he was making this Harangue Lisvart view'd him as one whom Nature would have taught him to know for the Father was speaking to the Son and the Son to the Father and yet both the one and the other was Ignorant of this Proviâ—ity of their Blood They had indeed a certain Instinct which caus'd them to bear each other a more than common Love and Respect Nevertheless when Lisvart who was a no less discreet than stout and valiant Knight heard himself at the same time both prais'd and challeng'd to Fight desiring to satisfy him that speak to him with as much Magnanimity as Courtesy he made him this Answer Knight I thank you for the good Testimony you give me yet will all these Praises return to your Glory by the Combat you so much desire to have with me when a convenient Opportunity shall offer which if you think fit shall not be any farther delayed provided I can recover Arms and Equipage necessary or if you will put it off to another time let it be as you please For I accept and grant it you at the day and hour you shall assign and of this present you my Pledge Then he threw down a Glove he had in his hand and the Knight of the Burning Sword stept forward to take it up But King Alpatracy caught him hold by the Arm saying to him My dear Friend I beseech you that in this time of Pleasure there be no mention of any thing which may cause our Discontent You will hereafter find a fitter opportunity in the mean time I entreat you both for my sake to defer it Let it be as you please Sir answer'd the Knight of the Burning Sword Then they both without shewing any Alteration obey'd the Kings Pleasure not without good hopes when Conveniency should serve to let each other know by experience the Prowess that was in them turning themselves at that time to other Discourses and to behold the Singularities of the Chamber out of which at last they went And they were no sooner forth but the Doors shut of themselves not being open'd of a long time but so Transparent indeed and Diaphanous that whatever was within might be seen thro' them Thence they went down to the Perron which when they had view'd and read the Inscriptions that were there Alpatracy who had yet Lisvarts Sword presented it to him who was not a little glad of it for he thought it had been lost The King then told him how he found it and before their Departure thence they all related what had befaln them even to Lucella her self In good faith said Lisvart then to the King if I have heretofore done you any service in delivering you from the Conjurations of Medea my Lady your Daughter has so well recompensed me that I shall be her Servant as long as I live Now so long did they amuse themselves in comtemplating the Particularities of the Place that the Dawning of the Day began to appear wherefore they went down into the Chamber in which the King had slept where they found some of the Castle whom the Fright had awaked when the forementioned Images sounded their Trumpets amongst which a Servant stepping forward told the Knight of the Burning Sword that Gradamart he whom he had fought with at the last Tower desir'd to see him before he dy'd For said the Servant he is very weak by reason of the blood he lost last night and has so great an esteem for you that he will think his soul much at ease if you do him the favour to visit him Gradafilea hearing the Name of Gradamart and doubting as the Truth was that it was her Brother of whom the Messenger speak cry'd out pituously O Iupiter what can this be Is it the Son to the King of the Giants Island whom this Misfortune has befallen Yes Madam answer'd the Servant 't is the same Alas said she I well know that Fortune is not yet weary of tormenting me Alas it is then mine own Brother who as you say lies a dying For Gods sake Friend conduct me where he is and perhaps his Death and mine will without delay accompany each other Let us all go said the King be deserves we should do him honour Then went they all to him whom they found lying on a Bed having a great many Wounds but all small ones except that in his Leg which could not be stanâ—â—â— wherefore Gradafilea more dead than living fell down between his Arms where she continu'd a long time without being able to utter one word so much was her heart opprest But if she were thus troubled Gradamart was not less comforted and so well pleas'd that notwithstanding his Pain and Weakness he rais'd himself up a little and kissing and embracing his Sister began to say to her Ah! my dear Sister How oft have you been desired by me In Truth my Heart which was ready to dye feels it self in a manner reviv'd seeing you so near your Brother who so dearly loves you O immortal gods your great Names be prais'd for it has pleas'd you to permit me before I leave the World this day to embrace her whom if I dye I more regret than mine Life Gradafilea hearing her Brother still speak with so much strength took heart again and having recover'd her Speech made him this Answer My dearest Brother your Life and Death are at their Disposal
vast Number of Towers and Turrets along which were many guilded Pipes receiving the Waters from four great Parts of the House in a Square the Walls of which within and without were enricht with the most curious work that Apelles ever wrought either in Imagery or Painting To this Palace was adjoyning a Park containing in compass six great Leagues full of so many Curiosities that I know not whether the Palace of Apolidon could shew any thing beyond them For Zirfea had employ'd all her Skill to render it perfectly curious having beautifyâ—d with whatever Art or Nature could afford as you shall hereafter understand And tho' the two wounded Knights were in so much Pain that Rest was much more convenient for them than their Amusing themselves either in beholding or discoursing about Buildings yet having heard the Damsels by the way relate the Perfection of the Place they took so great Pleasure in viewing its Out-side that they scarce thought of entring in when Axiana inform'd of their Arrival by a Page came to receive them with such a Countenance as shew'd her more content and satisfy'd than if she had regain'd her Castle and Chamber of Treasure she had lost Which the Knight of the Burning Sword perceiving said to her Madam you have been so mindful of our Healths that should we dye a thousand times in your service yet can we never recompence favour we receive from you But the as the Sun is natually bright and cannot be otherwise so you being descended of the house you are and so well educated cannot shew your self other than wise prudent fair and vertuous using Sweetness and Courtesy as that with which you are born and which naturally accompanies you to render you the most accomplisht of Ladies Sir Knight answer'd she you give me great and undeserv'd Praises for that which I could not have omitted without offending against the three principal Points requisit to a Person of my Condition The first of which is to acknowledge in time of Adversity the Pleasure one has receiv'd from ones Enemy letting every one know that he who when afflicted can requite a Favor has also the Means to avenge himself of the Injuries suffer'd during his Misfortune The second to shew ones self at all times civil and compassionate as occasion requires And the third never so to trouble ones Mind for any Discontents or Crosses which may happen but that Reason and Discretion still keep the upper hand And these three Points are evidently necessary to all generous Persons for the preserving their Greatness always firm and unchangeable For undecaying Virtue renders a person much more noble and exalted than all the corruptible Goods of Fortune which are always subject to her Passions and Inconstancy and but too often bestow'd on such as never deserv'd them But 't is quite otherwise with Virtue for he alone obtains it who does Acts worthy the gaining it And for it alone ought men to be esteem'd and honour'd yea and reputed Richer than if they possess'd all the Treasures of the word Because the true and never fading Riches is the Renown of good and heroick Actions perform'd by the vertuous Person The Knight of the Burning Sword hearing her speak with such a Grace conceiv'd a very great Esteem for her But she was Daughter of one of the discreetest Ladies in Asia and of Prince Olorius of Spain a most wise and prudent Knight from whom it would have been difficult for her to have degenerated And to speak true when we consider the tenderness of her Age joyn'd with her Discretion Nature shew'd in her a Master-piece admirably well deserving the highest Commendations Wherefore he resol'd to do her all the Honor he could and she very courteously embrac'd him Then were he and Gradamart brought into a fair Chamber where being laid in two several Beds they were visited by the old Knight whom we formerly mention'd who thro' his great skill and long Experience sav'd their Lives as he had done of many other valiant men who held themselves therefore very much oblig'd to him CHAP. XXXI How the Knight of the Burning Sword caus'd Axiana's Castle to be restored to her and the Discourse the King of Sicily and she had together FOur whole days did the Knight of the burning Sword and Gradamart continue under the Old Mans Hand without any discerning of Amendment in them till towards the end of the Week when the Feavor left them and their Wounds began to Heal. Axiana in the mean time treated them in the best manner she could imagin and sent to desire the King of Sicily that he would come and visit them Which he very readily did Gradafilea also bearing him Company They then being come to the Infanta's House whilst Gradafilea was entertaining her Brother Gradamart the King of Sicily discours'd with the Knight of the burning Sword who falling from one matter to another the Knight began to say to him Sir tho' the little Service I have hitherto done you is so far from deserving any Recompence that it merits not the least Thanks nevertheless considering your Goodness Liberality and courteous Disposition as you also I believe have already some Assurance how much I am yours and into what danger I would put my Person for any thing that might redound to your Service I have taken the boldness to make you the Request you will hear You know Sir in what manner the Chamber of Treasure was Conquer'd and the Guards slain at which as 't is to be thought the Infanta Axiana receiv'd a double Discontent And nevertheless for my desisting at her Request from the Combat against her Knight Lucencio which was as great a Benefit to my self as to him she has taken such care of my Health that laying aside all the ill Will she might reasonably bear me she has so preferr'd Virtue that 't were impossible for the greatest Prince in the World to be more honour'd or better treated Which has constrain'd me Sir humbly to beseech you that you will be pleas'd to give me what we have won from her to the end I may make her a Present of it acknowledging in some manner the great Civility she has shewn me The King who desir'd nothing more than to please and satisfy him being very glad of this Overture thus answer'd him My dear Friend I could wish you had askt also of me the three best Citys of my Kingdoms that I might have had an Opportunity of shewing you how sensible I am of the Obligations you have laid on me who owe you even my Life as for what you now request of me you alone have the Absolute Right to dispose of it at your pleasure having purchas'd it with your blood it seems therefore injurious to me to ask me that which is already your own and in which I have no part but if you please to accept of any thing that belongs to me you shall freely have it how dear soever it is to me The Knight of
of the burning sword askt her why she lamented in that manner Alas Sir answer'd the if there is in you any goodness for GOD's sake succor this good Knight who has for my right undertaken this hard Combat against the most cruel and traitorous Giant that ever was born of Woman who violating his Faith and Promise thus disloyally causes King Amadis to be assaulted whom you may see in the danger he is for my sake When the Knight of the Burning Sword heard the Damsel say that he who fought against so many was the King of Great Britain he greatly wondred and spake thus to Gradamart Indeed I believe that whatever Fame has heretofore publisht of him is true and yet it is nothing in respect of what I see with my two Eyes Wherefore I will never consent to his being thus outrag'd by these Villains but will help him to my power tho' I am sure he hates me more than any man living And nevertheless I think my self happy that I am come in time to let him know that setting hatred aside I am more a Lover of Vertue than Enmity It being a more commendable thing to vanquish ones self than all others Therefore my Companion I beseech you let us chastise these Traitors For Knight-hood is principally ordain'd for such occasions Then they went upon the Sand and Embracing their Shields fiercely Assailed those who held the King thus besieged the Knight of the burning Sword crying Be gone Villains be gone you shall all dye for having thus laid hands on the best King in the World And at the same time he gave such a Blow with his Sword to the first he met that he cleft his Iron Cap and his Head even to the Shoulders Then thrusting himself into the Croud he struck on the right and left with such force that whom he firmly hit had no need of a Chirurgion Gradamart on the other side did not much less as who was of a Giantly Rare an hardy and valiant Knight and he would gladly let King Amadis know that for sake of Lisvart of Greece with whom his Sister was so much in Love he willingly employ'd his Person in his Service Now Amadis was at that time very much wounded nevertheless finding himself assisted and by such gallant men had his Heart so rais'd that he recover'd new strength and smote Mascaron so home that he separated his head from his shoulders crying with a loud voice This day Traitor thy Life and thy great Disloyalties shall come to an end together In the mean time Gradamart was fighting with the other Giant who perceiving his Cosin Mascaron in so piteous a condition began to lose heart and recoile bark step by step that he might escape being kill'd but the Knight of the burning Sword finding him in his way gave him so great a blow on the Shoulder that he cut off his right Arm in such manner as one might see his Liver whereon he fell immediately dead The rest of the Assailants were so terrify'd at this that they betook themselves to their heels flying as fast as they could towards the Fortress Which profited them little for at last they lost their Lives some few being excepted who yielded to Mercy Then the Giantess Malfadea knowing the Victory to be turn'd in her favour seeing the Head of her Enemy on the Field ran to take it and began to tear it with her Teeth as the hungry Woolf does the tender Lamb that he has stoln from the Shepherd At which the King began to laugh saying he never thought there could have been so great an Heart in a Womans Body Sir answer'd the Knight of the Burning Sword she will compleat her Vengeance and shew by effect that such Constraints are often familiar to her and such as she Truly said the King you may well name it Extremity But my Friends I beseech you take off your Hâ—lmets that I may know you For you have done so much for me that I hold my Life only from you Sir answer'd the Knight of the burning Sword it will please you to give us leave because we can make no longer stay with you Ah! ah my Friends said the King embracing them Will you leave me then so soon without telling me your Names By all that I hold of GOD it will be a very great Displeasure to me Sir answer'd the Knight of the burning Sword to obey you you shall see us bare-fac'd tho' you will know as little as before Nor did I think to do you service in this place but our Minds change with the time and the gods often dispose quite otherwise than Men propose For the rest I assure you that thy longer stay here would be damageable to several Therefore you will at this time excuse us if you please King Amdais who during these Discourses beheld them attentively had his Heart wholly mov'd For he began to think his Grand â—on Lisvart whom he resembled and suspected immediately by the Marks which had been given him that 't was undoubtedly he who had conquer'd the Defended Mountain and fought in his Presence with the Dutchess of Savoy's Knight Wherefore having more Desire to know the Truth he said to him Knight I heartily thank you for the Benefit I have receiv'd by you and the more because the Enmity which you say you bare me did not divert you from doing so good an Act. As for me if you are he whom I imagine and whom I have hated more than all the men in the world I will now swear to you that for the Esteem I have of your Person the Ill Will is wholly forgotten on my Side which you shall see by experience when you please Sir Answer'd the Knight of the burning Sword I know not whether I am he whom you presume but I should think my self very happy to be the Friend and Servant of so good a Prince as your Majesty for Testimony whereof and in assurance that we will continue yours you shall presently know who we are and some News which will give you yet more Desire to wish us well My Companion is Gradamart Son to the King of the Giants Island and I am a poor Souldier call'd the Knight of the burning Sword to tell you more of my being I cannot for I know it not my self The News I have to tell you is that your Children Perion of Gaul and Lisvart of Greece are hard by with the Emperor of Trebisond where we left them in a Ship near which you pass'd last night and we came after you thinking by the Moans of this Damsel that you carry'd her away by force against her Will. The King who thought his Children dead hearing that they were in good health and so near him was surpriz'd with such extream Pleasure that lifting up his lands to Heaven he cast himself on his knees and cry'd out O Soveraign God! how great and admirable are your Judgments and what assistance do you send those who unfeignedly
what Fortune had separated her from the Emperor Alas alas Sir answered she You may well name it Fortune the strangest and most wretched that ever befell poor desolate woman For she has thrown me from the high Estate in which you had placed me to the lowest she could leaving me without Husband Children or any VVealth whatever Alas the Traitorous Duke of Buillon has cruelly slain Arquisil and his Son and my daughter and I flying the Fury found means to steal away and get a little Boat into which we entred without any other guide but GOD's Mercy whom it pleased to try as I believe my Patience to let us fall into the Hands of these Tâ—â—evâ—sh Pirates who cunningly and without my perceiving it with so sound a sleep was I opprest have stoln away Esclariana and carried her I know not whither Alas was this alone left for my Comfort And it is Indeed a Wonder I have been able to live all this time For the Villains were calling Lots to dishonour 〈…〉 Course 〈◊〉 arriâ—ed with his Company who vigâ—rously 〈…〉 them 〈◊〉 Nevertheless I douâ—t they would have had enough to do with 〈◊〉 your happy Arrival And this Sir is the Condition in which you find your daughter full of aâ—l Soâ—row and Discontent Thâ—â— she begin to shed Tears and sigh so bitterly that she would have 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 heart in â—â—e World to pitty 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 againâ—◠〈◊〉 King knowing 't was not then 〈…〉 what he 〈◊〉 fall 〈◊〉 her Daughter You have Reason to grieve tho' you cannot by your Tears recall what is done On â—â—â—lly Point is now lâ—â—t you that is the Punishment of the Traitor which cannot be so grievous but his Treasâ—n has been greater Nevertheless will thâ— suâ—h manner set my self about it that it shall be remembred whilst the World shall last And as for your Daughter I hope in our Lord that he will not forsake her no more than he has done you and that you shall one day see her in good Health without having suffered Shame or Outrage Comfort your self therefore and take to you a Man's Heâ—rt tho' you are but a Woman shewing the House of which you are descended being Daughter to a King of Gaul which is indeed the most constant and generous Nation at this day on the Earth So many other Reasons did Amadis alledge that she was in some measure comforted And the King disarming himself turned to Gandalin for whom that he might change the Discourse complaining of the great Blow with the Sword he had received he said in sport How Count Do you thus Caress your Friends In good faith I could never have thought that you would in such earnest have tried the Goodness of my Armor nevertheless I heartily pardon you On my Soul Sir answered he shaking his head if all your Servants received the Marks of your Favour in such Money as you lately chang'd with me you would find but a few that would long keep you Company and you have Reason to pardon me for 't is thus that the Beaten makes the satisfaction Now it was already latâ— and they had not eaten all day Wherefore the Cloth was laid and as they were Dining and Discoursing the King askt in what Sea they then were Sir answered the Marriners We are not far from Sicily So much the better said he Then he commanded to go ashore at Naples and send from thence into Spain to King Brian and his other Friends and Allies to ask Assistance for the revenging his Daughters Injury For he was resolved not to return into Great Britain till he had performed it And for this cause having taken Port at Salern where King Adariel honourably received him he dispatched Messengers into all Parts And he Writ at length to Queen Oriana acquainting her with the Seate of his Health and Cause of his Stay Whilâ—â— he was thus preparing for War against the Duke of Buillon he one day enquired of Gandalin what had passed in his Countrey during his Absence who told him the occasion for which the Queen had sent him withall that he knew of the Knight of the Burning Sword who had sent to London Gandalfes head of which the King was very Glad for the sake of Galeotes and Madasima And I am sorry said he that I was not there to entertain the Emperor of Trebisond and the King of Sicily but it shall be for another time So it is that I esteem my Journey well employed for I have restored a poor Damsel to her Countrey that was taken from her and saved the Queen of Saba's Honour who was Accused of Adultery Then he related particularly to him all the Traverses he had made and the Fruit that was come of them CHAP. LII How the Emperor of Trebisond the King of Sicily and others who expected the Return of King Amadis to London seeing his Stay took leave of the Queen and departed YOu have been told in the foregoing Chapters that the Emperor of Trebisond and the King of Sicily promised Queen Oriana to stay two whole months for King Amadis But at the end of that time seeing that he did not return they resolved to depart to wit the Emperor into Trebisond and King Alpatracy into Gaul hoping to recover his Kingdom of Metz Wherefore the Queen knowing that she should do them wrong to stay them any longer would no farther importune them save that for desired the King of Sicily to leave with her whilst his War lasted the Queen and her Daughter which he liked very well as did the Ladies also For this Request came in part from them And of this Lucella had been the Mover that she might stay for the Knight of the Burning Sword as she had sent him word by Macetta These Princes then being upon their Embarkment Lisvart and â—â—â—ion who thought long till they saw their Mistresses would 〈…〉 â—he Emperor and Olorius would willingly have born them 〈…〉 he had promised the King of Sicily to help him during his Affairs 〈◊〉 likewise had Florelus putting off his Marriage with the Dutchess 〈…〉 oâ— till his Return Now Gradafilea had long desired to know the Princess Onoloria for the sake of Lisvart And for this cause she so importun'd him that he yielded to take her with him into Trebisond of which nevertheless he would willingly have excused himself if he could And thus they entred into Alquifa's Ship who with her Damsels which she had brought into the Isle of Argenes undertook to Conduct them into Asia So after many thâ—nks on all sides and leave taken they set Sail. And the King of Sicily did the same on the other side They were no sooner removed but two young Princesses arrived at London to be bred up with the Queen The one Daughter to King Galaor named Galercia and the other to Dom Bruneo called Altimonea both fair in perfection and who took so great Lode to the Infanta Lucella that they could not be one without the other At which
closely imprison'd to my great Regret Let us go Sir answered Birmartes Then accompany'd by many gallant Knights they went into the Hall where Onorias Prison was as you have heard Now the Heat of the day was so excessive that Birmartes took off his Helmet and delivered it to one of his Attendants having an unusual colour in his face when the King presented him to his fair Daughter who having already understood by her Damsels the Issue of his fight with Branzahar whom she mortally hated was the Ioyfullest Woman in the world And this pleasure render'd her Countenance so gay that join'd with the Excellence of her Beauty it made her come very near Lucellas Perfection this her Cheerfulness having given her a Grace more Divine than Humane Then the King said to his Daughter Child look on this Knight who has for your sake done this day incredible Feats of Arms and will I believe soon give you the opportunity of going forth from this Place wherefore 't is my Opinion and Request that you treat him with Respect In good Faith Sir answered she I should be very ungrateful should I fail to do it seeing the Obligation I have to him who has already done so much for me Saying this she stretcht forth her Arm thro' the Grate to lift him up for he was on his Knees as surpriz'd with her Love and that with such vehemence that forgetting the Affection he had to that time born to her for whom he had Travers'd so many Seas the word Branzahar had said to him was found true in him which he remembred very well and therefore took her gently by the hand and kissing it said Madam the Prince did as he ought in keeping you from being seen since your gracious look is capable to kill men without Remedy Onoria blusht a little at this praise but not for any Displeasure she had at it for Birmartes seem'd to her so accomplisht a Knight that she was exceedingly taken with him And as she was going to answer him the King interrupted their Discourse and shewing Birmartes the Image and Writing fastned to the Pillar said to him My dear Friend you have already done so much that you may be stiled the best Knight in the world yet there is more to be done if you will finish this Adventure See here the condition establisht by the Prince of Clarence which I believe will give you more trouble than the combat of the three Giants Then Birmartes dâ—ew near and read the Writing at which he was no way amaz'd but thought that if he could perform it besides the Honour he should get by it he might also gain the Heart and Love of the fair one Wherefore he ansâ—ered the King Sir I know not why you think this Enterprise so difficult since no Knight how little Valiant soever need fear going thro' the World to maintain my Lady your Daughters beauty for she is such that if the Victory in Fight follows Reason 't is certain he cannot be vanquisht but shall be Victorious in all places And to shew you that this is true I accept from this time this office trusting that where Prowess shall be wanting Reason and Justice shall supply it In good faith said the King I am more secure of your Courage than of my Daughters Beauty And affectionatly thank you for the Honour and Good you desire me But let us go to my Palace where you shall be well lookt to for I am sure you are Wounded in several places Nevertheless Birmartes would first take leave of Onoria who had heard all he said of her the Promise he made to defend her Beauty throughout the World Which caus'd in her such a Regard for him that beholding him with her gracious Eye she humbly entreated him that he would after he was Cur'd come again to her before his Departure This request he willingly granted and bowing very low went his way leaving her no less desirous of him than he was ready to serve her all his life For Love at that instant seiz'd of their Hearts mutually transferring them by his Divine Power into each others body without their having any Perception or Sentinent of it but by the heat of the lasting fire which he then kindled in them Thus Birmartes followed the King who as they went along askt him his Name and Quallity but he besought him to excuse him for the present telling him that he should at another time understand it all VVherefore the King seeing him desirous to conceal himself would no farther importune him Discoursing then of other matters they came to the Palace where Birmartes was very kindly welcomed by the Queen and the Ladies who conducted him into a richly furnisht Chamber and to do him the greater Honour disarm'd him with their own Hands and put him to Bed Then came Chyrurgions to visit his wounds of which they promis'd him a speedy Cure desiring every one to retire and let him sleep But when he was alone he began instead of resting to meditate on the Beauty of his new Mistress no longer complaining of Lucella who had been the cause of his coming into these Parts where he had seen what gave him so much Torment Onoria for whom he was tormented suffering no less But Birmartes not able to keep this fire any long time smothering within his breast discover'd some few days after his thoughts to his two Companions Esquinel and Meander who comforted him in the best manner they could giving him hopes that he being return'd and having finisht what he promised the King of Appollonia would think himself happy to give him his Daughter to Wife CHAP. LVI How Birmartes being cur'd departed from the King of Appollonia and Onoria to begin his Enterprise and the success of it THE Desire Birmartes had to accomplish his Promise made to maintain Onorias Beauty in all places very much forwarded the Cure of his wounds which being perfected he caus'd his Ships to be put in such Equipage as the Knight of the burning sword found them in when they fought Then the day of his Embarking being come he address'd himself to the King and said to him Sir forasmuch as I resolve to set forth presently to Sea I humbly desire of you that I may see my Lady your Daughter before my Departure to the end she may in your presence and with your leave grant me a gift that I will ask of her Well then answered the King let us go thither So the King brought him to the Tower whither being come after Salutations on both sides Birmartes set knee to the ground and addressing himfelf to Onoria said to her Madam I am according to your command come to take leave of you for to accomplish what I have wilingly oblig'd my self to hoping with Just Reason not to fall into any danger that can hurt me being accompany'd by your good wishes with which I beseech you to favour me as also with the Honour of stiling my self henceforth
sent them what secur'd thâ—m for 't is certain that had it not been for the goodness of their Harness they had been â—oth slain But they could not draw any blood but only bruise one another by tâ—e Blows they mutually interchang'd To return then to our Knights Birmartes hearing with whom he had to do his heart so swell'd that he thus answer'd the Knight of the Burning Sword by my head 't is a great Pleasure to me to know who thou art that I may have more occasion to abate thy Arrogance nor do thou think that thou hast any Advantage over me For before the Game is ended thou shalt find that I am better able to revenge my self than thou to threaten Having said this word he rusht upon the other and struck him so fiercely on the top of his Helmet that he constrain'd him to put his knee to the ground but he soon got up again and in revenge gave his Adversary such a blow in the same place that his two hands serv'd him for a support on the Grass tho' he made there no long stay but resettling his Helmet they began again better than before not but there was always discern'd some little Advantage on the side of the Knight of the burning sword And indeed he was descended of the most illustrious and glorious blood at that day on the Earth having to his great Grand father King Amadis who considering that if he let them Fight any longer the Death of the other was near said to the three Kings which were sitting by him that 't was better to go and pray them to part seeing the great Loss there would be in losing them Which they approv'd and going down from their Scaffolds went to the two Knights who at their coming drew back and King Amadis and the King of Sicily address'd themselves to the Knight of the burning sword to whom they said Knight be pleas'd to do so much for our sakes as to proceed no farther in this Combat for 't is not reasonable that two such gallant men as you are should dye on so small an occasion He who presently thought that by refusing so courteous a Request made him by such Persons as they were particularly by the Father of her whom he lov'd better than his own soul he might be blam'd thus answered them For certain my Lords 't is grievous for me to retire thus nevertheless desiring to obey you in all things let us know what mine Enemy thinks of it against whom I am the most unfortunate Knight that ever was for this is now the second time that he has escap'd from me with more honour than I desire I assure you said King Amadis that he will do what he shall be requested to by the Kings of Naples and Sardinia Who in the mean time was perswading Birmartes to consent to the same To which he willingly gave ear knowing he had the worst altho' he bravely conceal'd what he thought of it And for this Cause he said to them My Lords the Quarrel beâ—ween this Knight and me is such that I should rather choose to lose my Life than leave this Combat but for your sake whom I desire to please I will obey your Command So they led him into his Pavilion leaving the King of great Britain and Alpatracy with the other whom Amadis indeed thought to be the Knight of the Burning Sword and had already acquainted the King of Sicily with his Suspicion of which that he might know the Truth he made Alpatracy a sign with his Eye to ask him who therefore thus spake to the Knight I desire you Sir of Courtesy to tell me your Name For I suspect you to be a Gentleman whom I greatly love and esteem And if you are the same you would be to â—â—ame to conceal your self especially from King Amadis who has done that in Saba for him whom I take you to be that he will be for ever oblig'd to him This he said to draw the sooner from the Knight of the burning Sword what he desir'd who was at first so astonisht at this News that he was a long time without answering and would willingly have discover'd himself had it not been for the Desire he had to be reveng'd of Birmartes whereever he could find him thinking that he lov'd Lucella Wherefore he thus answered the King Sir I know not what Love you bear me nor whom you think me to be but if you wish me any Good 't is not altogether without Reason since I have all my Life desired to do Service to You and such as You are You will therefore be pleas'd to name to me him for whom you take me that I may better know who he is In good faith said the King he is nam'd the Knight of the burning Sword and I well believe that you are none of he For he would never concel himself from me Certainly Sir answer'd he 't is not long since I left him and I am so much his Friend that I desire you for his sake to tell me what it is that King Amadis has done for him in Saba to the end that if I find him again he may have News of it Then Alpatracy related to him at large how Queen Buruca had been accus'd and what became of it Ah! said the Knight of the burning Sword in the mean time within himself Traytor Maudan the Gods have had too much pity of you for without toiling such a Prince you deserv'd an Halter Nevertheless he gave no knowledge of this Fault and less of his Person but thus answer'd King Alpatracy Sir I am very glad for the sake of the Knight of the burning Sword of such good News with which I will assuredly acquaint him and that before it is long Wherefore your Majesty will be pleas'd to give me leave assuring you if I can meet him that we will bear you Company in the VVar you undertake whether against the Emperor or the King of Metz. In the mean time be pleas'd to pardon me if I conceal from you at present who I am For I resolve not to discover my self before I have put an End to an Affair which highly concerns my Honor. In this manner did he stop the Mouths of these two Princes who afterward importun'd him no farther tho' they had still a Fancy that 't was he himself Nevertheless not willing to constrain him any farther they thank'd him however for the Succor he promis'd them And forasmuch as it began apace to grow dark and Night was driving away the Day they seeing the Kings of Saâ—dinia and Naples return from Birmartes's Pavilion gave him the good night to go and join themselves with the two others And they four together took their Way to the Town and the Knight of the burning Sword went to the Place whence he parted in the Morning CHAP. LXI How the Knight of the Burning Sword arriv'd in his Tent where he had left Alquif's Damsel by whom he sent a Letter
LITTLE GENTLEMAN about THREE Years old of a singular Perfection in Beauty Having accoâ—ding to their manner done their Reverence to Magadan one of them spake thus Sir the two Brethren that slew Your Cosen prostrate themselves in all humility at Your Majesty's Feet beseeching You to accept of this Child who besidâ—s â—he excellency of his Person has brought from his Mothers Womb a marvellous 〈◊〉 This said slipping off a little yellow Taffery Coat he had on they shew'd before â—ll that were present a Sword as red as Fire the Pommel proceeding from his left Knée and the Point terminating near his Nipple It had on it certain white Characters which were then unknown to any even to Mandaiar himself tho' there were in that Age few who equall'd him in Learning The King extreamly pleas'd with so Fair a Present and much more wondering at the Natural Sword the Child had on his Body would have him call'd the Gentleman of the Burning Sword giving him at that very moment to his Son Fulurtin who thenceforward so greatly affected him that he made him his second self so that one of them could not live without the other ordinarily exercising themselves in all Virtuous Pastimes Now before I pass any farther 't is fit you understand that this Gentleman was that very Child whom as you find it Recorded in the sixth Book of Amadis of Gaul Garinda one of Onoloria's Women left on the bank of the River as she was carrying him to the Port of Filina to Nurse whence being taken away by these Corsairs into their Vessel he was brought up by them till they presented him to King Magadan who on this occasion not only forgave them his Cosens death for which they were fled but also bestow'd on them many great Benefits so agreeable to him was the Gentleman of the Burning Sword who growing up became so fair and goodly of Stature that at Eight Years of Age he was taken to be above Twelve so conforming himself withal to the Humour of Prince Fulurtin that he could not be without him They were both Instructed in all good Literature as also in Wrestling Managing the great Horse Casting the Bar Fencing and 〈◊〉 other Exercises fitting for Gentlemen of their high Qualities And tho' the Gentleman of the Burning Sword became so expert in all these things that he had not his Equal yet so great was the Honour and Reverence he bare his Prince Fulurtin that he would never contend with him by which he so highly gainâ—d Magadans Affection that he ordinarily took him to all places of Pleasure whether it were to Hunt the Stag or other Diversion whatever CHAP. II. How King Magadan being a Hunting was Assaulted by a great Bear and deliver'd from Death by the Gentleman of the Burning Sword SOme Years after the King of Saba having caus'd the Toils to be spread in the next Forrest as he stood watching for a stout Bore in the midst of a great Path having a sharp Bore-Spear in his hand there rusht out of a Thicket a Bear who frighted with the barking of the Hounds and sound of the Trumpets sought which way to save himself Now Magadan was at that time accompany'd only by the Gentleman of the Burning Sword who held in a slip a Greyhound wâ—ich spying the Bear got his head out of the Collar and ran to assault him but the Bear struck him so furiously with one of his Fore-feet that he brake his Iaws and immediately turn'd against the King who defended himself with his Bore-Spear But the Bear so fiercely charg'd the King that having got the Spear out of his hands he clos'd with him and threw him on the ground The Gentleman seeing this ran speedily to help the King and drawing out a Wood-Knife wâ—ich hung at his Girdle gave the Beast so great a blow that he almost cut off â—is Leg. The Bear finding himself wounded let go his hold and with open mouth ran upon the Gentleman who undauntedly lifting up his Arm struck him with so great foâ—ce between the Ears that he split his Head asunder This done as he return'd to help up the King he perceiv'd coming towards him a great Lion crown'd and bearing between his Teeth a Child about two Years old who cry'd with a loud voice Alas Gentleman of the Burning Sword pray help me which your Father would not refuse to do were he here in your place The Gentleman was no less astonisht to hear these Words than to see him that spake them towards whom he diligently hastned to free him from the Danger he was in The Lion no sooner saw him approach but letting go the Child he went to deâ—our the Gentleman who stepping aside gave the Lion so great a stroke with his Knife that he separated his leg from his Body Yet the chafed Beast lifting up his other Paw with his sharp claws tare part of the Gentlemans Garment pulling him also to him with so much violence that he threw him on the grounds The Gentleman notwithstanding got quickly up again and recharging the Lion wounded him with a back-blow so deep into the Reins that one might have seen his Entrals the Beast immediately falling dead on the Grass The Gentleman then lookt about to see what was become of the Child he had succour'd and spying him run away along a Path made after him that he might get him to declare what knowledge he had of him Having then overtaken the Child he very affectionately askt him how he fell into that danger and whether he had heretofore seen him For you ere while affirm'd said the Gentleman that had my Father been present he would no more have fail'd to assist you than I have done The young Child hearing him speak thus smilingly return'd him this Answer Indeed Gentleman you are Son to such a Father that it will cost you no small pa ns to resemble him tho you are Born to receive greater Honour for your Hâ—gh â—rowess and Chivalry than any one who has Preceded you for the rest trouble not your self to make any father Enquiry since you will but lose your labour This said he immediately vanisht out of sight leavâ—ng the Gentleman no less amaz'd than if he had newly risen out of a dream yet withal not a little rejoâ—cing at what hâ— had heard Being now moâ—e desirous than before to know of whom he was Descended â—he turn'd back to the King whom finding sorely bruis'd and wounded in his Thigh and other Parts of his Body by the Outrage of the Bear he with Tears in his Eyes askt him how he did Magadan who had curiously observ'd what befel the Gentleman as well in his Combat with the Bear as with the Lion graciously answer'd him Indeed my Friend I am much better than I lately expected Thanks to our Gods and You So that never was Education better bestow'd than that I have given you seeing the Hazard you have put your self in to preserve me which makes me throughly sensible
Religious Persons such as I am to contribuâ—â— in any manner whatsoever to the death of any one Since it is so answer'd the Knight do as you please I will then find it by some other means This said he and Yneril went out of the Church taking theâ—r way along a little Path and seeming very joyful that they had found an occasion of acquiring Honour by doing Service to their false Gods They had not Travell'd long before they met a Man dâ—iving two Mules laden with barrels of Water of whom they askt the way to the Castle which the honest Country Man willingly shew'd them Then they began to ascend the Mountain not without great Pain And because Yneril appear d more pensive than ordinary the Knight of the Burning Sword askt him on what he mus'd on so much Certainly answer'd he were I not afraid of displeasing you I should willingly tell you for the Love I bear you accompany'd with the desire I have to serve you Friend reply'd the Knight thou canst not say any thing that will be disagreable to me since in all things the Intention is more to be regarded than the Effect which proceeds of it And moreover since the Counsel of an Enemy is sometimes good that of a Friend as you are to me ought well to be esteem'd wholsome and salutary Speak therefore boldly and if thy Advice be reasonable assure thy self that I will follow it for I will not imitate many obstinate Persons who knowing themselves to be in Fault do yet disdain the counsel of others committing therein two Offences the one thro' their little sense the other thro' their want of knowledge Truly Sir said Yneril your Arguments are so prevalent that I will freely lay open my Thoughts not concealing from you any thing I have in my mind You are not ignorant that you were found by the Sea-side neither your self 〈◊〉 I believe nor they who bred you up knowing whether the Country whence 〈◊〉 â—ere taken be Christian or Pagan wherefore methinks you are much to blaâ—e in what you undertake since peradventure you are son to some Christian â—ho ' at present you profess another Religion And then if it be so are not you oâ—ligâ—d to follow the way of your Parents Yes indeed are you and you ought to hearâ—en to the counsel of this poor Sancto till you know better what you are than as yet you do for the hands often act wrong tho' the intention be right Now Yneril said this because himself was descended of Christian Parentâ—gâ— tho' he were then a Pagan but his heart perpetually earn'd to return to the Faith of his Ancestors and he would willingly have diverted his Master from passing any farther as well for the fear he had of his Person as for the Evil which might follow if this Country where GOD was so devoutly serv'd should bâ— conquer'd by him and reduc'd to its first Error The Knight of the Burning Sword hearing Yneril speak with such Affectionâ— could not forbear smiling but said to him Indeed Yneril I may as you say be descended of some Christian but I doubt it whereas I am certain that the King Educated me in the Pagan Law and in doubtful things we must follow the most apparent Now I have always liv'd amongst those of Saba and receiv'd Knighthood according to their Faith in which I will persevere to my death except my Judgment alter otherwise I should properly resemble him who having his s ght perfect knowingly makes himself blind or to say better leaving the High-way known to all I should take the Path that will lead me to Perdition Believe me that Wise men advance only with the Time and follow their good Fortune when it presents it self and to these two Time and Fortune are all Persons naturally subject Put case therefore that my Parents were Christians or still are so it is nevertheless for me to choose that Religion which shall seem best to me and not to imitate them knowing that they Err. For this cause have the Gods made men differ from Beasts giving them Reason to choose the Good and Avoid the Evil. Wherefore I am resolv'd till such time I am otherwise inspir'd to endeavour by all means the Augmentation of the Pagan Religion and the Destruction of its contrary were I therefore to dye a Thousand Deaths for such Death ought properly to be nam'd the beginning of Life And moreover it is probable that our Gods have cast us upon these Coasts and deliver'd us out of danger expresly to force us to do them some agreeable service here in destroying this Rabble which has so long resided in this place And as to what you have laid before me saying that I am bound to follow my Parents to this I answer that I am yet more oblig'd to them to whom I ow my Education as I will presently prove by an Example which was on a time amongst other things told me by Mandaiar who was my Instructer whilst I liv'd with Magadan There was and still is at Sobradise a King nam'd Don Galaor who being a Knight errant was entertain'd in the House of a Prince which then Reign'd in great Britain call'd Lisvart Now it happen'd that a certain Difference arose between this Lisvart and Amadis Brother of Galaor touching the Isle of Mongaza for defence of which Amadis with his Father the King of Gaul another Brother of his nam'd Don Florestan and many of their Kindred Friends and Allies went into it and to such an height grew this Quarrel that there follow'd many fierce and cruel Battels in which Galaor was always found on the side of the King by whom he had been entertain'd giving by his Prowess a certain Testimony of his acknowledgment for the great Benefits and Favors he had receiv'd of him preferring the Amity and service he bare him before all Right of Affinity and Parentage tho' it were against his own Father And by this thou may'st judge that every Personage of noble Spirit is more indebted to his Honour and Reason by which he ought to govern himself than to Father Friends Kinsfolks or even his own self Discoursing in this manner they came to the Bridge adjoyning to the Fortress which they were a pretty while in Viewing and there the Knight took his Helmet and Shield commanding Yneril to stay there for him and not to pass any farther which was very grievous to him Then he marcht bravely on till he came near the first Tower at the Window of which he perceiv'd two Knights playing at Chess the one bigger than the other each of them about Fifty Years of Age and both clad in Black The lesser had his Hair exceeding long and his Beard below his Girdle twisted with Threads of Gold which made the Knight certainly believe him to be as indeed he was the King of Jerusalem But when the greater descryd the Knight of the Burning Sword compleatly Arm'd ready for Fight and climbing up the Steps cut in the
out that he accorded him both his Name and his Shield since Fortune had so disfavour'd him through the fault of his Steed Then there came Servants and Squires who freed him out of this little ease and he stood by with a great deal of Confusion expecting what would befall his Compaâ—â—on Who seeing the Dutchesses Knight in the lists and with a new Lance ran against him both gallantly breaking their Spears but their Meeting was such that the Dutchesses Knight lost one of his Stirrups being ready to fall had he not caught hold of his Horses Mane The others luck was yet worse for he and his Steed were in one moment overthrown so that they were both thought to have broken their Necks which gave the Dutchesses Knight great occasion to alight and see how it was Yet could he not make so much hast but that his Adversary was got on his Feet and with his Sword in hand and Shield before him fully determin'd to Revenge the Injury he had suffer'd Then they charg'd one another so furiously for three quarters of an hour together that it could not be known which of them had the Advantage Nevertheless they were fain in the end to rest tho' this Repose lasted but a little e'er they began again their Dispute with greater fierceness than before whence there proceeded such Execution that their Arms were batter'd and unrivetted and their Flesh in many places dy'd with Blood altho' neither the one nor the other made for all this the least shew of fear but kept up yet a long hour still persisting to do better and better But the Spectators were all amaz'd seeing the Knight of the Forrest as he was giving a step aside fall in a Swound to the ground at which his Companion who beheld him being exceedingly discontented as thinking him to be dead made the greatest mean imaginable and throwing his Helmet far from him on the ground cry'd out so loud that every one heard him Alas our foolish Presumption has well deceiv'd us and yet better chastis'd us for we ought to consider that this is the best Knight in the World and yet we were so temerarious as unfortunately to set our selves against him Then were they known the one to be Orizenes and the other Bravartus who the better to make tryal of their Persons against the Dutchesses Friend had thus disguis'd themselves and that to their Dammage for they were both in danger to lose their Lives especially Bravartus who was incontinently disarm'd and so well lookt after that he began to grow better than 't was expected Yet was not King Amadis pleas'd with their Folly but privately remonstrated to them that they ought to have so born this Enterprize considering the Experience they had seen of the strange Knight who was no leâ—s glad of his Victory than the others were sorry for being vanquisht tho' he were constrain'd to keep his Bed as well as Bravartus and Orizenes And in the mean while the Dutchess who bare him Company askt him from time to time how he did Madam answer'd he the Joy I have in beholding continually your excellent Beauty so much eases my Illness that I feel no Pain in any wound how dangerous soever especially since they were gain'd in your Service Alas my Friend said she you do so much for me that I ought not a little to rejoyce at it since there is not in the World any Princess so great but would esteem her self hapâ—y to have you for hers considering the Goodness and high Chivalry with which you are endow'd How then shall I who am but little in respect of an Infinity of other greater Ladies presume in my Person to merit you Certaâ—nly there is not any thing else but the extream Love I bear you which promises me that I ought before all to have the first Place in your Favour the which I humbly beseech you to grant me You shall make me answer'd he what you please and I well know that none can better judge than my self of how great worth you are in your own person setting aside your Quality and the House of which you are descended insomuch that neither Lisvart of Greece esteem'd the Flower of Knighthood nor all those who are reckon'd at this day amongst the Valiantest Men on Earth are worthy to give so much as one Glance of the Eye on the least of your Perfections And I who am in comparison of them but a Dream how much am I render'd yours by the Favours you do me For by them has that Successfulness in Feats of Arms for which you give me so much Praise been known to be in me with all the rest of that Goodness if I am indu'd with any I will therefore dye but I will obtain the Rich Helmet with the Sword and Shield of value which you promise to the best Combatant well knowing that letting them be lost I shall lose your Love without ever daring to appear before you In good faith my great Friend said she you do me wrong to doubt thus of my Constancy since there is not any thing either in Heaven or Earth that can efface out of my mind the Good I desire you And should we happen by Fortune or otherwise to be separated one from the other believe me I would at the same time separate my Life from my Body which is and shall be yours to the end In this manner did the Dutchess content her passionate Heart expecting the Recovery of her Knight whom the King visited almost every day Now Orizenes and Bravartus found themselves some time after strong enough to Travel Wherefore they humbly besought Amadis to give them leave to go in quest of Perion of Gaul and Lifvart of Greece which he willingly granted them And for this cause taking leave of the Court they Embarkt in the Ship in which they came and hoising up Sail Lancht forth into the open Sea very much displeas'd at the Fortune they had in their beginning to bear Arms nevertheless considering the Valour of him who had the Advantage over them they bore this Trouble the best they could But forasmuch as we have too long left behind us the Knight of the Burning Sword we will return to speak of him and in the mean time Amadis shall remain at the Kay with the Dutchess and her Knight CHAP. XIX How the King of Sicily and the Knight of the Burning Sword Arriv'd in the Isle of Silanchy where they fought Frandalon the Ciclops and his Son THe King of Sicily and the Knight of the Burning Sword being departed from the Place where they had fought the Dutchesses Friend rode on with â—randamella till they came where they had left their Ships Having caus'd their Wounds to be carefully lookt into they commanded their Marriners to steer as directly as possibly they could to the Isle of Silanchy but they were scarce got a League from Shore when Frandamella addressing her self to the Knight of the Burning Sword presented
thus order'd all these things being surpriz'd with the Pangs of Child-birth she brought forth a Daughter of an exquisite Beauty whom she nam'd Axiana This Daughter being arriv'd at the Age to be lov'd and serv'd as well for the great Gifts with which Nature had imbellisht her as for the good behaviour and gentle Education with which she was endow'd Zirfea caus'd her to embark teaching her the means to recover Lucencio whom she brought with her for the Reason we shall tell you in one of our following Chapters At Axiana's Return Zirfea left her the Government of the whole Island to go after an Affair which imported her and where she was to make a long Abode which being afterwards come to the knowledge of the Sage Alquif and Urganda the Unknown from whom no earthly thing could be conceal'd they seeing the Knight of the Burning Sword and Lucella in the Isle of Silanchy with the perfection of their mutual Love believ'd there could be no better Time to disenchant the Emperor of Trebisond and the others that were so much Regretted And for this purpose they made the Enchantment of the two Old Persons wrestling on the Rock which sank into the Sea as Alpatracy and his Company were then Sailing by who were afterwards by the Storm and Tempest driven into the Isle of Argenes where the things we have told you were already accomplish'd when the fair Axiana with her Company came back from Hunting as you shall understand CHAP. XXVI How the Emperor of Trebisond Lisvart Perion Olorius and Gradafilea being out of the Enchantment in which they had been held so many Years had several Discourses with Alpatracy and the Knight of the Burning Sword LAzarus coming forth of the Grave whence he was rais'd by JESUS CHRIST was not more amaz'd to see himself again liâ—ing in the World than was the Emperor of Trebisond and the three Knights who had so long been Enchanted with him in the Chamber of Treasure and that without one's knowing any thing of the other so that for some time they look'd upon each other without being able to utter the least word till at length the Emperor lifting up his Hands and Eyes to Heaven began to say aloud O Soveraign GOD who by your infinite goodness have created all things of nothing and who at no time forget those that are yours not having regard to the Merits of their Works but extending over them your ineffable Bounty and Compassion and that principally to the end We poor Sinners may know the great Power of your Divine Majesty How can we ever give you thanks for so great Mercy as you have shewn us unless you O Lord enable us to do it O Emperor of Trebisond thou oughtst certainly to esteem the long Abode thou hast made in this place well employ'd and no way to complain of Fortune since she has given thee such noble Company Then embracing now Lisvart anon Perion and now again Olorius he said to them Ah! my dear Friends The love you have hitherto born me is at present well manifested since you have not in this miserable Prison ever abandon'd me Assure your selves that as long as my Soul shall remain in this old Body I shall hold my self greatly oblig'd and indebted to you Sir answer'd Lisvart I know not who laid us in so sound asleep but on my Faith I no more remember the time we have been here than if it had never been and we must say that she who took us in Trebisond desir'd to make us take along Repose thinking I believe that we were yet weary and toil'd with the past Wars But he it as it may let us if you please go thank these Knights for our liberty Then he cast his Eye upon Lucella whose Beauty caus'd in him a Remembrance of the Princess Onoloria so that his Heart began to beat when presently he knew Gradafilea but not the King or Queen at the first sight He did indeed think he had seen them but could not tell when or where no more than could any of the rest towards whom the King with his Company advanc'd knowing that they were a little astonished at their so suddain and wondrous waking But Gradafilea whom Love in that respect commanded more than any of the rest being assur'd by the Emperors Discourse that Lisvart whom she had so long sought and expected was indeed there came to him and casting her self at his Feet said Ah! my only Lord and Friend if you were thro' my means sometime in Prison I have since over paid the use of it having endur'd the most strange and unhappy life that ever poor Gentlewoman suffer'd even to this very day when by the means of this fair Princess I see the thing I most desire in the world which is your Person so much regretted by great and little and which being so accomplisht in all Vertue you will I hope have compassion of me and no more fail me than I did you when you had most need of my assistance Lisvart who knew the danger she had put her self in to save his life and how much he was on that occasion oblig'd to her tho' he had suffer'd more than ever any Knight did thro' the false Report made of him and her to the Infanta of Trebisond answer'd her without thinking on the Mark at which she aim'd My dear Friend I am so many ways indebted to you that I would gladly employ my self in the things which concern you as if it were for mine own person else I might with reason be nam'd the most ingrâ—teful man that ever was born of a Woman And I assure you that the Prison in which you have as you say been detain'd and the pain you have endur'd is as grievous to me as if my self had undergone it Whilst they were in these Terms the Emperor and the rest took Acquaintance of one another and the Knight of the burning Sword said to the Emperor Sir altho' I am not of your Religion I shall not however forbear to assure you that in what place soever I am you shall have in me an affectionate Servant for the Good I have often heard of you In good faith Knight answer'd he seeing the Beauty and Goodness that is in you and the Offers you make me I cannot choose but be sorry that you are not a Christian for the salvation of your soul we being all so much bound to you that we ought in reason to love and honour you for ever Sir said the King of Sicily you are indeed more bound to him than you think for Certainly I believe it answer'd the Emperor Embracing him and Kissing his Cheek Then the Knight of the burning Sword seeing Lisvart leave Gradafilea with whom he had been long discoursing and by whom he knew who he was went to salute him saying to him To you Sir Knight more than to any other is due all the Honour that can be given to the bravest man on Earth for such
to whom he said Hearken Balan I leave thee at Liberty to go where thou list and receive Knighthood swearing to thee by the great God Iupiter that I will stay for thee and fight with thee as soon as thou shalt Return And that thou mayest have more Reason to make hast there shall not by my Fathers soul pass a day but these whom thou hast seen so well scourged shall be yet more severely handled in despight of thee and thy King Amadis that he and all others may know that I can chastise such fools as believe in any Gods but mine Then he commanded a Bark to be provided into which Balan entred very glad of the means he had to prosecute his Revenge but no less discontented for the Torment in which he left Galeotes and Madasima To remedy which he Sailed straight into great Britain and landed at the Port next to the Kay where King Amadis was daily beholding the great Actions done by the Dutchess of Savoys Knight Balan acquainted the King with all that had befallen Galeotes who was much troubled at it but to comfort him said that by the Grace of GOD he would provide to remedy it Thus eight Days pass'd during which the Dutchesses Knight behaved himself so valiantly that Balan besought the King he might receive from him the Order of Knighthood This so pleas'd Amadis that before the end of the Week the Dutchesses Knight gave Balan the Order tho' not though in white Harness according to the Custom but in black Armor with the Shield before described to you signifying the Loss of his Countrey and the Imprisonment of his Parents The new Knight then having thank'd the King and him from whom he receiv'd that Honour entred into his Bark hoping in a little time to see and fight his Enemy But it fell out quite contrary to his expectations for the second day after there arose such a Tempest that from time to and time he expected the loss of himself and his Vessel together which being driven to fro was at last cast upon the Isle of Argenes where he went ashore And to know what Country it was he took Horse and riding towards the Castle where was then the Emperor of Trebisâ—nd as you have been told he was met by six of Axianas Knights who assail'd him to take him and imprison him according to the Custom But he so gallantly defended himself that the Event was such as you have heard CHAP. XXX How the Infanta Axiana being arriv'd at her House of Pleasure sent to fetch the Knight of the Burning Sword and Gradamart that they might be better lookt to than where they were having no Chirurgion to dress their Wounds TO continue then the Discourse of our History you shall understand that on the morrow Balan recited at large the state of his affairs to Perion and Lisvart At which every one was grratly mov'd to compassion promising him Aid and Succoâ— principally the Knight of the burning Sword who desir'd to be his Friend and Companion So that they pass'd afterwards many Fortunes together as you shall understand in the sequal of this Discourse Now it hapned that the next day as the Emperor with the Ladies and the rest of the Knights were walking upon the Bridge near the first Tower they perceiv'd coming towards them two Damsels in very good Equipage accompanying a Litter cover'd with Velvet carry'd by two ambling Mules Being come a little nearer the Knights they stopt to ask which amongst them was the Emperor of Trebisond Damsels answer'd the Emperor I am he What is your Pleasure Sir said one of the Damsels the Infanta Axiana my Mistress intreats you to send her in this Litter the Knight that fought yesterday assuring you that he shall be every way better treated than he can be in this place where amongst other Remedies there wants a Chirurgion as she very well knows And this Courtesy she will do him in acknowledgment of that he shew'd her yesterday And doubt not Sir of his being very kindly entertain'd For my Lady determins to honor him for his Virtue Therefore consider what Answer to make Damsel reply'd the Emperor I should be greatly satisfy'd to serve your Mistress But as to the Request she makes me I assure you I have no farther Power over the Knight than what himself will give to my Entreaty I shall indeed and willingly perswade him to obay her and if you will go along with me you shall hear what I will say to him Sir said Balan not to give you that trouble I will if you please do the message And I believe he will readily hearken to it seeing the Condition he is in Go then answer'd the Emperor and bring us Word assoon as possibly you can Then Balan departed and went to the Knight of the Burning Sword who was in his Bed by Gradamart Gradafilea bearing them company and entirely related to him Axiana's Message telling him the Desire she had to treat him and that two of her Damsels had brought him a Litter in very good Equipage My dear Friend answer'd he Axiana does so much for me that I know not how during my whole life I may be able to acknowledge this her Favour yet will I not forsake my Companion Gradamart So that if she will have one she must have both together Well then said Balan I will go and give them this Answer and return to acquaint you with their Reply Then going forth of the Chamber he came to the Place where the Emperor expecting his Return was discoursing with the Damsels to whom Balan declar'd the Intention of the Knight of the burning Sowrd Which when they had heard they answer'd that Axiana had in like manner commanded them to make the same Request to Gradamart if he were living For she lov'd him and much doubted of his being in a worse Condition When Lucella understood that her Friend was to remove she chang'd her Colour above ten times in less than a moments space one while pale presently red now pensive then inconstant dissembling nevertheless as much as was possiible the amorous Passion which caus'd such an Alteration in her And with the best assurance she could she return'd to accompany the Queen and the Damsels into the Chamber of the wounded Knights who were without delay carry'd by four Servants and put into the Litter Now the Messengers had not yet taken notice of Lucella's Beauty which they no sooner beheld but they durst to affirm that Nature had never produc'd any thing more excellent or more worthy of Admiration And immediatly they took their Leave of the Company the two Knights promising the Ladies to make a speedy Return if it pleas'd Heaven to be assisting to their Cure Removing then they went gently on for fear of disturbing the Wounds of the Knights yet nevertheless they came before Sun-set to Axiana's Palace which was wonderfully built For the whole Building was of Iasper Porphiry white gray and black Marble with a
without Delay into this Ship since 't is requisit you be henceforth seen by those who have desir'd you and are in very great Pain for your Absence Therefore consider if you will believe their Counsel for they love you and desire your profit as you have often enough experimented The Emperor who had been of Opinion he should never see the Day or Means to return into Trebisond considering that Alquif and Urganda sent them not such a Message without occasion answer'd before them all My great Friend I think that none of us would disobey Persons to whom we are so much bound As for me I am ready without returning to the Place from whence we departed this Morning As much said the others Now Lucencio very well remembred the Promise he had made to the wild woman whom he found in the Forrest when he was hunting as you were told in the beginning of this Volume nevertheless he would not at that time speak of it to Lisvart or Perion hoping that the Queen of Argenes being retunr'd he should get from her and go to find them in Trebisond whence he would bring them to her who askt so much after them And on this Point the Emperor and the other Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen took leave of Axiana offering her whatsoever was in their Power For which she heartily thank'd them and she recommending them to the Protection of her Gods they entred into Alquifa's Vessel which a little after put off from Land the Emperor thinking to go strait to Trebisond But he was for this time mistaken as you shall understand in the persuit of our History CHAP. XXXIV How Malfadea Daughter to the Giant of the great Siclades came to ask help of King Amadis who went with her to revenge her of the Giant Masearon IN the beginning of this History you have been told how King Amadis took a singular Delight in seeing the Feats of Arms every day perform'd by the Dutchess of Savoys Knight who kept the Kay whether he had caus'd his Tents and Pavilions to be brought so that he stay'd there four whole Months during which 't is incredible what a Number of Shields were lost by several gallant Men according to the Custom establisht at the Passage At which the King conceived such a Love for the Knight that to draw him to his Service and continual Residence about his Person he shew'd him great Honour and Sign of Love Now it hapned one day amongst others that his Huntsmen brought him Word of a great Wild Boar which they had found in a Thicket near the Sea-side The King who lov'd Hunting commanded presently the Toils to be spread and with his Grey-hounds Hounds and other great Dogs brought him to a Bay and at last kill'd him with a Bore-Spear And because he found himself weary he went to refresh himself on the Sand where he had not been long when he saw a Boat brought to the Shore by two Mariners and with them a Damsel carrying on her Shoulders two Giants Heads one a Mans the other a Womans She of whom I speak to you shew'd so much sorrow that a pityless heart would have been mov'd to compassion The King and those who were with him drew near to hear the Cause of this Sorrow and what Adventure brought this Woman thither But she prevented them asking them with Tears in her Eyes if they could direct her to King Amadis the Rampart and Refuge of such desolate Persons as she was The King hearing that she desir'd to speak with him answer'd mildly Damsel I am he what would you have with me At this word the Giantess prostrated her self at his Feet and increasing her tears and sighs said to him Alas if in the time when you were a Knight Errant you sought strange Adventures to repair Wrongs and Outrages especially such as were done to Widows and Orphans now that you are King Reason obliges you not to leave this so good holy and just Custom For GOD bestows not his Favours and great Benefits on such as you are but for the Preservation of Justice and Assistance of the Poor who are all stript of Relief as I am My Friend answer'd the King you say true and certainly I will do so if I can whenever I shall have Opportunity Wherefore delay not to acquaint me with your Grief assuring you that I will remedy it as far as I am able O good Prince said she with this hope I am come to you and most humbly beseech you to grant me a gift which 't is necessary you should do if you intend to revenge me of the wrong that is done me I grant it you answer'd the King Understand Sir said she that the Gift you have given me is that you alone being Arm'd enter presently into my Boat to the end you may revenge me of the wicked Person that has slain my Father and Mother whose Heads these are and the Remainder Sir I will tell you at leisure as we are sailing In good faith answer'd the King it shall not be my fault if your Will is not executed for I will follow you where-ever you desire Certainly said the Damsel this Confidence I have always had in your Vertue and Goodness therefore send for your Arms and let us go The King call'd the Count Gandalin and commanded him to fetch them with out saying a word to the Queen or any other till such time as he was departed The Count obey'd his Command tho' very unwillingly but knowing his Masters disposition who would rather dye than break his word he went on Nor was it long e're he return'd and the King arm'd himself bidding King Arban acquaint the Queen with what he had seen and desire her in his Name not to be troubled for him Then he went into the Boat and without knowing whether he went began to Sail leaving his People in a wonderful fear of losing him And because you may Readers think it strange that this good King who was fourscore years old could yet undertake the Execution of such an Adventure you must understand that in his time the most magnanimous Knight and of the greatest Courage that could be found Nor were the days of Men so short then as they are now for they liv'd some Two Hundred nay some Three Hundred Years and longer And which is more the Vertue of the Water wherewith Urganda the Unknown washt him in the Palace of Apolidon when she enchanted him was very Advantageous to him in this Affair But to return to our Story King Arban having follow'd King Amadis with his Eye till he was out of sight came to the Queen and acquainted her with the King's Command at which she became so troubled that fetching a deep sigh she began to say Good GOD the King 's great Heart is an Enemy to his Person and to me seeing the Dangers it exposes him to at every turn Alas is it not time for him now to rest and leave such youthful matters to be
call on you to the end your ineffable Greatness may be known in all places I give you Praise O Lord all possible Praise and Thanks For 't is not long since I thought my self at the end of my life and having deliver'd me from death by the hand of him I hated most in the world have also by the same Person immediatly let me know the best News that can befall me Then he arose up again stretching forth his Arms went to embrace the Knight of the burning Sword saying to him Ah! my Child certainly I cannot call you otherwise seeing Reason obliges me to love and esteem you more than any Knight living I beseech you to pardon me the little Reception I have hitherto given you For your Vertue deserves well that you be honor'd amongst all the worthy men I know I beseech Almighty GOD to grant me the favour that I may one day acknowledge to you this so great Good you have done me and you will yet if you please do me another Courtesy VVhich is that these Seaman shall return to the Emperor and my Children to acquaint them with what is befaln me and in the mean time you shall bear me Company For I believe that when they shall understand the wounds I have receiv'd make it impossible for me to câ—me to them they will not fail to set sail this way Sir answer ' the Knight of the burning Sword I my self will be the Messenger of such good News and will bring them more easily than those whom you will send VVell said the King go then in the Protection of our Lord whom I beseech to be your Guide and I will retire into this Place till your Return Then Malfeada drew near all bloody with the Caress she had made her Enemies Head who thanking the Knights with great Affection for their good Assistance caus'd King Amadis to be brought into her Castle where she Visited his Wounds applying to them such Ointments and Remedies as were necessary For she was well skil'd in that Art And on this Point Gradamart and his Companion having Leave of the King return'd into their Ship hoping soon to see him againâ— CHAP. XXXVIII How the Knight of the Burning Sword and Gradamart sailing on the Sea arriv'd by Fortune in the Isle of the Vermilion Tower where Gandalfe was combated and defeated and Galeotes and Madafima the Father and Mother of Balan deliver'd out of Prison AFter the Knight of the burning Sword and Gradamart had taken leave of King Amadis and were return'd to Sea they commanded their Mariners to steer their Course to the Place where they had left their Company And this they did hoping to be quickly there and relate to them what they knew of King Amadis who expected them as you have been told But no more finding either the Ship or any Man of whom they might enquire what was become of it the Knight of the burning Sword was ready to dye for displeasure tho' Gradamart comforted him as much as possibly he could knowing whence this his Discontent proceeded They resolv'd then as hast to return to King Amadis and take their way together to Great Britain where perhaps they might have News of what they so much desir'd For said Gradamart 't would be difficult for such Persons as the Emperor and the King of Sicily to be long conceal'd without being discover'd For this cause they acquainted the Seamen with their Intention who resitting their Vessel began to Sail with a favourable Wind which lasted but a little while for there arose suddainly such a Tempest that they were often in Danger of being Cast away and were sorc'd to abandon their Sails and Oars to the good Pleasure of Fortune which drove them four whole days without sight of Land or of any thing that might give them the least hopes in the World to Escape But on the fifth morning their Bark came to the shore of an Island into which they made a Descent giving thanks to their gods for this Relief tho' they knew not the Countrey where they perceiv'd not far from them a Castle built of stone as red as Blood and presently the Knight of the Burning Sword call'd to mind that Balan hear such an one for his Device wherefore he said to Gradamart Never trust me dear Friend if we are not arriv'd in the Island of the Vermilion Tower and if this Place is not the Castle where the Father and Mother of Balan are detain'd Prisoners which greatly moves me to go see Gandalfe and desire him for courtesy to deliver them and the Land also to whom it belongs These aâ—e words answer'd Gradamart I have heard Gandalfe so much blam'd that Vertue has no part in him Nor will he do any thing but by force And as they were thus Discoursing they saw come towards them an Esquire riding on a Nag who without saluting them said to them Knights Gandalfe King of the Sagittary Island greatly wonders what has mov'd you to set Foot in this Countrey which is his without acquainting him and sends you word by me that you come willingly to his Prisons otherwise he will put you to the cruelst Death he can imagine however if perhaps Balan Son of Galeotes is one of you he would have him understand that he is very glad of it not for any Good he desires him but in hopes to take off his Head and send it with his Fathers and Mabalimas to that wicked King Amadis with whom he so braggingly threaten'd him But he thinks that the person I speak of has no leisure to return for fear such an Happiness should befall him seeing 't is so long since he promis'd to come back and fight him The Knight of the burning Sword was exceedingly mov'd at the hearing himself threatned with a Prison and angrily answer'd the Esquire Friend return to thy Master and tell him that he shews himself by thy Message a more foolish and proud King than we are rash for having entred into the Countrey which he shall shortly lose and where we know that he has nothing of right Tell him also that the coming of Balan will make him as sorry as he brags he should be glad And for to give him certain assurance of it I am Balan who could come no sooner to fight him not for any fear of him but for want of Time and Opportunity convenient And therefore let him perform to me what he is oblig'd to and I will likewise on my part keep my promise with him which is to present his Head to King Amadis a Prince more Vertuous and Debonnair than he is Traitorous and wicked The Esquire having heard him began to shake his head and smiling to say to him in mockery In good saith I well know now that your Brain is weaker and more disturb'd than I thought for Nevertheless your being a Fool is no Argument to hinder your being chastis'd as you deserve But stay I am going to fetch one that will teach
Certainly said the Queen I did not think he would ever have done me so great a Favour In good faith Madam answered Alquifa he is so vertuous and so good conditioned that nothing but happiness is to be expected from him And will he not come to see us said the Queen No Madam answer'd Alquifa for he was separated from us by a strange Adventure Ah GOD replyed the Queen how am I displeas'd at it For though at first he gave us much trouble yet will I not fail to honour him since he has done what you assure us Madam said Alquifa you will as I think soon have the others here among whom is the King of Sicilys daughter who is the fairest and discreetest Princess you ever saw and by whom these Enchantments were in part brought to an End Madam said King Arban it is then my opinion that I go if you please to them to morrow and intreat them in your Name to come to London for I am sure the King would be much displeased if the Emperor and the King of Sicily should not be received as the greatness of their Quality deserves I beseech you do so answer'd the Queen and take with you such persons from hence as you shall think good Tell them from me that the Kings Absence shall not hinder me from giving them the best Reception I can and recommend me affectionately to their good Graces especially to the Queen of Sicily and the Infanta her Daughter Tell my Children also that they by no means delay to come and see me and bring all the rest with them King Arban then parted the next day and with a good Company of Knights and Esquires went to the Kay where he found the Emperor with the rest hearing Mass to whom he related the Queens Message inviting and requesting them in the best manner he could Certainly said the Emperor we would in no wise fail so good a Princess but I doubt our Sick Men will not be able to remove they are so exceedingly wounded but let us go see them and we shall know their Opinion Then they went into the Pavilion where Perion and Florelus were Perion who presently knew King Arban stretching forth his Arms embrac'd him and ask'd him whether the King and Queen were in good Health My Lord answered he I can give you no account of the King who is absent but the Queen desires you and Lisvart to come and see her as soon as possible you can and to bring with you these Lords and Ladies To day said Perion it cannot be but to morrow it may and in the mean time I will cause a Litter to be made to carry this wounded Knight and me You will therefore return to her with our Excuses and Recommendations to her good Grace Therefore King Arban after he had discours'd some time with him and taking leave of the Emperor return'd back to London where he acquainted the Queen with the Answer of these Lords that they would be with her the next day at Dinner And for this cause she commanded her richest Hangings to be put up and her Palace to be adorn'd in the most Magnificent manner possible CHAP. XLII How the Emperor of Trebisond and his Company came to London to visit Queen Oriana and of the Discourse they had together AFter King Arban had left the Emperor and the rest at the Kay the Dutchess of Savoy knowing that they were all to part for London gave Order for the making a Litter to carry Florelus and Perion So they pass'd the Remainder of that day in all pleasure and the next day every one of them took Horse except the two wounded Men who were carry'd in Mens Arms that they might not be too much shockt by the way And behind them came the Dutchess of Savoy in a great Chariot cover'd with Cloth of Gold At her Neck hung the rich Sword and Shield and round about her were the Shields of the vanquisht Knights and their Names underneath for a Testimony of Florelus's Victory and Triumph which so pleased Perion that he sent her his praying her to put it in the rank with the others or else he should be displeased She who durst not refuse it took it and said to the Esquire that brought it My Friend tell my Lord Perion that I will obey him since 't is his pleasure but I will put it in the place it deserves Then she askt for a Lance to the Head of which she caus'd the Shield to be fastned and raised it up to the top of the Chariot sending her own rich one with the Sword to hang at Perions Litter who would not at first permit it and in such Equipage they entred into the City of London there going forth to meet them King â—rban Angriote d' Estravaux with several Dukes Earls Barens Knights and Esquires Great was the Reception they gave each other and the Honour that was done them at their Entrance into the Town The Emperor led the Queen of Sicily Olorius of Spain the Infanta Lucella and Lisvart Gradafilea with which she was more content than if Great Britain it self had faln to her by Succession Balan entertain'd the Dutchess of Austria but he was so melancholly that he thought on nothing but having his leave to go and fight King Gandalfe and in such order they alighted at the Palace where the King of Sicily took the Dutchess of Savoy under the Arms for the sake of Florelus whom he lov'd and greatly esteem'd from the day they try'd themselves together every one of the others led his as you have been told Then came the Queen Oriana clad in black Cloth for the Absence of King Amadis and at the Entrance of the Hall gave them a very great and sumptuous Reception With her were so many fair Ladies and Damsels and so richly adorn'd that they seemed rather Goddesses descended on the Earth than Mortal Women The Reverences then Welcoms Kisses and Embraces on the one side and the other being thus begun and ended Queen Oriana addressed her self to the Infanta Lucella and said to her Madam as I have been given to understand I have at this day by your Means my two Sons You are more than welcome Madam answer'd she your Majesty is to give thanks only to one who is at this time absent from this Company Seeing the Goodness and high Prowess that is in him was the Cause of their being disenchanted GOD said the Queen grant me the Favor that I may one day see him in the Presence of the King For I am sure he will honor him as he deserves And as for me I shall all my Life be thankful to you both for what you have done During this Discourse Oriana took such Delight in beholding the very great beauty of Lucella that she could not take her Eye from off her when Lisvart came to pay her his Respects presenting to her Gradafilea whom she had formerly seen at Constantinople 'T would be little to the
Because they had nâ—t fought long before he struck Azaruc on the Top of his Helmet which with great foâ—ce he foâ—â—atter'd into â—is Brains that he fell dead in the Place That Maudan thâ—n wisâ—t himself far from thence I can assure you in his behalf For his Heart began to fail him so that he visibly lost all Countenance wherefore Amadis cry'd to him Now Traytor shall thy Baseness be manifested and thou shalt receive the Reward of the Affronts thou didst me in the Kings Presence Maudan more amaz'd than can he imagin'd answer'd not a word and without either defending himself or resisting did nothing but fly to and fro But Amadis taking him by the Straps of his Shield pluckt him so roughly that he brought him with his Nose to the Ground and fell to caressing him so tenderly with the Pommel of his Sword that Maudans Helmet coming off from his Head the Vermilion Knight immediatly sat his Foot on his Throat and lifting up his Arm made an Offer to kill him when Maudâ—n cry'd out Ah ah Vermilion Knight have pity on me and spare my Life Rascal answer'd he if there were any hopes of Amendment in thee I would do it But thou being a Traitor as thou art 't would be a wrong to shew thee Compassion Nevertheless if thou wilt confess to me before the King and the Princess of his Court the Truth of the matter I will pass no further Maudan fearful of Death and regardless of Honor promis'd to do it And for this Cause Amadis call'd the Iudges to whom he declar'd what you have heard desiring them to send for the King and the other Lords of Saba Which they went immediatly to tell Magadan who came down from his Theatre attended by Fulurtin and many gallant Men before whom the Queen being present Maudan fell on his knees begging Mercy with lifted up hands and to obtain it address'd his Discourse to the King saying to him Sir you may see in me how Fortune triumphs over such wicked persons as I am Nor has it indeed been ever known but one sin draws on another and a second many more till at length they so blind those who commit them that thinking to go the high way they fall into the Ditch which themselves have digg'd whence they cannot afterwards get out This is at present manifest in me who envying the Honor you did the Knight of the Burning Sword invented what I told you of him and the Queen to drive him from your Court and get into his Place Then he related all the Particulars of his Treason not omitting the least Circumstance after which he thus went on Now I have been the Cause of much Mischief and well know that I deserve to be exemplarily punisht Nevertheless I beseech Your Majesty that preferring Pity and Mercy before the Rigour of your Justice You will be pleas'd to pardon me letting every one thereby know that if my Sin is heinous your Clemency and Goodness is no less extraordinary Which as it will greatly redound to Your Majesty's Honor so also shall I and mine ever remain more bound to serve you than any other of your Subjects you having thus pardon'd and remitted my most grievous Offence Whilst the Traytor was making this fair Harangue the King of Saba was so perplext that he could not utter a word considering the wrong and Injury he had done the Queen thro his over Lightness in believing for which he should be eternally blam'd Nevertheless before he retir'd â—e counnanted the Traytor to be thrown into the Fire and by a perpetual Edict vanishâ—t all hiâ— Kindred who for this cause departed the very same day Then the King return'd into his Place whither Queen Buruca was brought with as great Triumph as if she had made a Second Entry And being come before the King she threw her self at his Feét sayiâ—g to him Sir since my Innocence iâ— manifested I beseech you to receive me into your Favor as before and remember another time not to bâ—lieve so easily nor to use your Power over the Accus'd till his Defence has first been heard Considering how you have proceeded rigorously not only against my Chastity but also against my Honor and that of the House from which I am descended The King who was then besieg'd with a great Remorse of Conscience rais'd her up kissing her with Tears in his Eyes answered her Madam I well know that I cannot indeed excuse my Offence for which I beseech you to pardon me and to forget it swearing to you by my Crown that I will satisfy you and yours for it as you shall think fit Ah ah Sir said she had it not been for the good Vermilion Knight my Affairs had gone ill For GOD's sake honor him and let this if you please be the first satisfaction you shall make me And as she finisht this Discourse her two Vncles brought Amadis who entring into the Hall Magadan and Buruca went to receive him and embracing him the Queen said to him Certainly good Knight I know not how I shall ever be able to acknowledge what you have done for me having giving me both Life and Honor. Madam answer'd he the good Right you have appears manifestly For GOD who is just never permits injustice without Vengeance tho' it be sometimes long in coming Thus you being innocent had not I undertaken the Combat against the Traytors some other would have come and done what I have perform'd My great Friend said the King had I known you as well yesterday as I do at present I should have given you more Respect But the Trouble I was in at the wicked Words I heard spoken of the Queen made me forget all Courtesy and even my own natural Disposition which is to receive graciously all strangers that come to my Court. Therefore I beseech you not to take in ill part this my Fault but to excuse it on Condition I shall hence forth endeavor to amend it Ah Sir answer'd Amadis You do me Wrong I am a simple Knight who should think himself happy if he were able to do any Service to so great a King as you are No no said Magadan if you will stay with me there is not any thing in my Power that shall be refus'd you King Amadis very humbly thankt him And because the King thought he was much wounded he gave his Son Fulurtin to bear him Company and conduct him into one of the best Chambers of the Palace where he disarm'd himself And altho ' he was old as you may well believe yet did the Water with which Urganda washt him in the Castle of Apolidon keep him so fresh that he seem'd not to be above fourty And he so much resembled the Knight of the burning Sword that Fulurtin could not forbear having his Eye on him who was so like the Person whose Absence he hourly more and more regretted Amadis then being disarm'd without any wound constraining him to keep his Chamber
Parts of Gaul by whom eight or ten dayes after the Fight between the two good Knights Birmartes and Amadis of Greece surnamed formerly the Knight of the burning Sword he was advertiz'd that the Vsurper of the Empire with his Forces was to come and joyn the King of Metz in the plain of Verona and there to expect King Amadis and his Army Now the Duke of Lorrain was ally'd to King Amadis and with all his might supported the Party of the Empress his Daughter so that with six thousand fighting Men he hindred as much as possibly he could the King of Metz who intended to pass thro' the Marches of Suitzerland from executing his Designs For he always coasted him often constraining him to stay longer in a place than he desired This was in part the Cause that the Army of these Kings assembled at Naples went to look for them in Germany and there to give them Battle For which purpose 't was proclaim'd in their Camp that every one should make himself ready to remove the eighth day following During this Time there arriv'd from Spain seven thousand good Souldiers and Knights which King Brian sent by the Duke of Merida to their Assistance of whom Olorius had the Command They then being assembled Amadis seeing he had no News of the Army he had sent to raise in Great Britain resolved notwithstanding to march with his Forces strait to Aquileja and thence to Marcadi Ancona coasting always the Venetian Sea for the greater Convenience in having Provisions till he came to Verona where he had Advice that the King of Metz was marching into Germany for to get into Lombardy and would there entrench himself expecting the Emperors Forces Then these Lords assembled in Counsel and resolved to go and meet him before the Emperor was got to him Wherefore they remov'd on the morrow by break of day and made such hast that they got into the Mountains before the King of Metz was aware of it and surpriz'd him so short that they presented him the Battle as it were on the sudden Now he had with him a good Body of Horse and a great Number of Foot which the Count of Armignac and the Dukes of Normandy and Brabant had brought thither with some Germans out of Order The Skirmish was on both sides very fair and the Fight at last so fierce that by the help of Birmartes Florelus and Amadis of Greece who came thither unknown the King of Metz was discomfited himself and the Ea l Armignac slain together with the Duke of Savona and his Son So that had it not been for the favor of the Night which separated them the Duke of Normandy and the rest flying into the thickest part of a great Forest there had not a Man of them escap'd Then were Amadis's People constrain'd to retire for the Darkness and lodg'd in their Enemies Camp keeping a good Watch for they were told that the Duke of Normandy was rallying to come and find them again the next day Neverthelâ—ss it hapned otherwise For the Duke who was a discreet and prudent â—rince considering the Wrong which the deceased King had done the King of Sicily in Vsurping the Countrey that belong'd to Queen Miramynia his Wife call'd the other Princes and Captains who were retir'd with him and remonstrated to them that 't would be best for them to send to Alpatracy and beseech him that forgetting the Injury they had done him he would be pleas'd to receive them into his Favor And doing this those of the Kingdom of Metz would take an Oath of Fidelity to him remaining for ever his humble and obedient Subjects and Vassals And I said he and my Companions will be Friends Allies and Confederates serving and favoring him against all especially against the Emperor who seeing the Treason he has committed against his rightful Prince and Lord cannot continue long without falling to ruine There was not any one in the Company who did not willingly give Ear to this Counsel and the Duke himself was chosen by all to go to the King of Sicilies Camp and carry him this Message By Means whereof assoon as the Dawning of the Day began to appear he took Horse and accompany'd by the Principal Persons of the Kingdom of Metz came to the Kings Tent whither they were conducted by those of the Watch who found him as he was arming himself And already were the Souldiers putting themselves in Battalla to go and prosecute their foregoing Victory But all was stay'd vy the coming of this new Ambassy which being heard by Alpatracy and the other Princes and Lords of the Army the Offers they presented were accepted the Accord concluded and Peace secur'd And before Dinner Alpatracy was thro' all the Army proclaim'd King of Metz and Sicily The Emperor who was that day come to the City of Constance with his Army was soon advertiz'd of this wherefore he made hast to hinder the Enemy from passing any farther But they met the eighth day after in the Evening and the Skirmish began in a Village where each of the two Armies design'd to take up their Quarters There many good Knights on both sides ended their dayes and had not the Night at that time favor'd the King of Sicilies Party the Germans had gotten the Victory But fortune turn'd the next day For Birmartes Amadis of Greece Olorious Don Florelus Orizenes and Bravatus Sons to the Queens Calafia and Pintequinestra drew up and being accompany'd with many good Knights and Souldiers assoon as they could see whom to strike fiercely set upon their Enemies Now whilst they were in the Head of the Fight there came an Express to the Emperour which brought him News that the City of Mentz was taken by assault the Garrison put to the Sword and the Widow of the deceas'd Emperor taken out of the Prison to which she had been confin'd And believe it Sir said the Messenger that all this has been done by the Earl of Flanders For I saw him there accompany'd by above two thousand Knights This News indeed did not much please the Emperor nor those that heard it and the Rumor of it ran so thro' all the Camp that many even the most part loâ—t their hearts and without being pursu'd fled strait to the City of Constance Nevertheless the Emperor ceas'd not to make head against King Amadis and the Fight on both sides was so fierce that the Emperor himself was slain on the Place together with the Duke of Saxony the Earl of Merida his Son and several Lords and Princes with so many other People of all sorts that the Horses were in blood above the Pasters But the Emperors Death struck such a Terror into his Army that they were immediatly discomfited and turning their backs fled with all speed towards Constance where they inclos'd themselves leaving behind them above ten thousand dead in the Field And that very night was the City besieg'd which being briskly assaulted the next day and
as well defended could not be taken till the fourth Assault when it was Seal'd and Amadis's Troops got into it by force putting all they found in it to the Sword without sparing any living soul These Germans being thus vanquisht and defeated King Amadis return'd to the Field where the Battle had been the day befoâ—e and there caus'd the Bodies of the Vsurper and his Kinsmen to be sought for and being found to be hangâ—d by the necks and then burnt by a gentle Fire in punishment of the Treason he had committed on the Person of the Emperor his Brother-in-law and his Son in law Dinerpius Which he immediatly wâ—it to Queen Oriana assuring her that he would return to her as soon as he had restor'd the Empress to her Liberty and setled her in the full Possessions of her Estate CHAP. LXIII How the City of Mentz was taken by Assault and by whom YOV have been told if you remember how Guillan Duke of Bristow and Angriote d' Estravaux great Master of the Realm of Great Britain accompany'd by the Duke of Cornwal and a great Number of Warriers Knights Esquires and Soldiers embarkt near London and following the Command of the King their Master made strait towards Naples where he was getting together a great Army for to recover the State of the Empire and revenge the Death of the murther'd Emperor and his Son-in-law Dinerpius They had a very fair wind for four days together but on the fifth there arose such a Tempest that there was left them neither Mast Sail nor Rope they could make use of So that whether they would or no they were driven on the Coast of Flanders where they took Port as well for the repairing of their Vessels as to rest themselves a little after the Toil they had suffer'd Of which the Earl of Flanders having notice and having a Desire to shew himself the Friend and good Ally of King Amadis came to receive them and so perswaded them to enter into Germany that they resolv'd to go strait to the City of Mentz and take it by Assault whilst the Emperor was busied in getting ready his Army to go against the Princes assembled at Naples So well did they execute their Resolution and kept themselves so secret and conceal'd that they were as soon at the Gates of the Town as they within had News of their Design Nevertheless the Alarm grew hot and those within found means to let down their Port-cullices so that the Resistancâ— was strong and dangerous But if the Defence was vigorous the Assault was no less so for the second time the Knights of great Britain bowing down their Heads break into their Enemies of whom they made such a furious Slaughter that few or none escap'd Then they went to the Tower where the Bodies of the Emperoâ— and Dinerpius were hanging which they carry'd ceremoniously into the principal Church and there burry'd them with great Magnificence Then they set the Empress at liberty and brought her very honourably to the Palace where she was acquainted with the Execution and Slaughter made of the Traitors at which she was a little comforted incessently regretting the Deatâ— of her Husband and Children and the loss of her other Friends But they assur'd her 〈◊〉 the Princess her Sons Wife and her Daughter were with her Brother-in-law King Amadis besides that GOD would not forsake her seeing the good beginning of Victory they had obtain'd And because they were advertis'd that the Emperor was marching in great hast to meet King Amadis and his Forces they would not stay above two days at Mentz where they left a good Garrison And going strait towards Constance they had News of the Emperors Defeat the night before their coming which gave them such a Desire to visit their Friendâ— that they got to them early the next day Now the most part of the Princes kept their Beds for some Wounds they had receiv'd but the coming of these Lords from Great Britain gave them such Ioy that they were in a short time cur'd The Empress also came thither and was receiv'd by them all as the Greatness of her Majesty requir'd not without many tears shed and several Regrets of the Loss she had suffer'd which increas'd much more when she saw her Daughter in-law Brifenna whom Amadis and Candalin had recover'd out of the Pirates Hands as you have been told Thus some days pass'd during which the Kings provided for the most necessary Affairs of the Empire and Birmartes took leave of them to finish his Enterprise according to the Promise he had sworn to Onoria Daughter to the King of Apolonia Wherefore we will in this place put an End to our Discourse leaâ—ing the Remainder to a Second Part which we shall soon bring to light if we receive Encouragement by your favourable Acceptance of this THE END