old Knight travelleth taking pains to please you she cannot do it for a greater Prince nor one that more deserveth it and so hath she given mée in charge to shew you which having done I am presently to return back again unto her Wherefore my Lord having fulfilled her commandment it may please you to give mée leave I am well content said the Emperor My friend said the Empresse you shall commend mée heartily unto her and shall give her certain small presents which I will send her and to her two kinswomen Then she commanded a little coffer of Cedar to be brought full of exquisite things which the old Knight having received and his leave taken both of the Emperor and all the rest he returned the same way he came leaving the Court very joyful and contented with the good news he had delivered them kéeping on his way as best pleased him And now let us sée in the mean time what Sergil being embarked for England on message to King Amadis doth to whom Wind and Fortune was so prosperous that having sailed the Italian Seas and Ports of Spain passed the straights entring into the Ocean Seas sailed so well that within two daies after he departed he arrived at Winsore where he met with Angerote de Stravanx whom he knew very well of whom he asked where King Amadis lay for that séing the town so bare of Gentlemen and Knights he thought that the King had not as then béen lodged there Angerot bade him welcome and therewith lead him unto the Court to the Kings presence of whom being welcomed hée said In Gods name Sergil what is the cause you do return so soon again from Constantinople How doth my Son My Lord said Sergil and it like your Grace your Son is well and in good health commending him unto you and therewith kissing the Letter he presented it unto him Which the King having read said It certifieth us of some news at hand Such news and it like your Grace answered Sergil were good to be certified unto all your councel Then the King commanded to send for King Arban of North Wales Listoran de la tour Blanch Grindolan Brother unto Angerote Saquilles his Nephew Lazadin Lescrimeur the Earl Durdalin and divers other before the which assembly Sergil turning himself toward the King began to recite what had happened unto them after his departure from Brittain what a great tempest he was in in what danger they were the battel betwéen the Sarazens Ships and theirs the imprisonment of Cosdroel and lastly the determination and pretence of the Pagan Kings moved thereunto by the Children of Arcalaus and others as mischievous as they whereof the Emperor my Master hath thought good to advertise your Grace to the end you may provide for them that you be not taken upon the suddain And to the same end prayeth you to send for all your Captains and Souldiers Friends and Allies together with the Emperor of Rome all which being assembled and your Ports well furnished in Warlike manner he hopeth this great and huge Army of Enemies can nothing at all hurt you but that all will turn unto their own confusion and overthrow And for his part assure your self my Lord he sléepeth not but determineth if they enterprize against him so to receive and entertain them that he hopeth to give them cause never to be so bold again as to visit him in such sort Truly said the King these hell-hounds have still a quarrel against mée yet have they at other times sufficiently found and assayed what I can do But if God will they shall féel once again this voyage what slaughter I can make of them for if they once set foot on land be it in great Brittain or in any other place where I command whatsoever falleth out I will give them battel My Lord said King Arban things done deliberately and by counsel have commonly good successe If they come to visit you as they brag they will time and season will give you means to resist them then as you shall find convenient In the mean time according to the Emperor your Sons counsel you shall if it please you make the matter known unto the Emperor of Rome and the rest of your friends by whom you may be ayded giving order likewise that your Ports be well furnished and all your ships rigged and prepared to set sail when it pleaseth you So will I do answered the King and therefore good cousin I pray you let mée have your counsel therein Séeing it is your will my Lord said Arban that I do it I will take what pains I can therein But who will you send in Embassage unto Rome Marry you my Lord Lazadin said the king taking him by the Arm shall take that charge upon you You have heard what Sergil hath declared unto us from my Sonne the same shall you declare unto the Emperour and that I desire him to have his men in a readinesse promising him that if the cloud falleth in Italy presently to aid him there and that whensoever it falleth here about that he will aid mée in like case as I doubt not but he will My Lord said Lazadin your pleasure shall bee fulfilled And I pray God give mée grace there and in other places to do you any service I may Prepare your self then said the King and take what company you think good with you That done the Counsel brake up every one repairing to his lodging The King and Arban together devising what order were best to bée taken for the Country In the mean time Lazadin having Vessels and men prepared with a prosperous Winde set sail unto Ostie where being arrived he Landed and from thence took his journey unto Rome being there hée presented himself before the Emperor of whom he was first most courteously entertained and then demanded the cause of his repair thither And if it please your Grace answered Lazadin King Amadis my Master recommendeth himself most affectionately unto you and hath written you a Letter wherewith he presented the same unto the Emperor wherein was nothing specified but onely a credit for the Messenger and that he could at large dilate the matter unto him Wherewith the Emperor prayed Lazadin to delare the same which he did from point to point as ye heard before desiring him at the end in his Masters behalf to prepare a puissant Army ready to resist the Pagans power wheresoever they should Land were it in Italy or great Brittain assuring your Grace said he to the Emperor and so hath the King my Master given me in charge to declare unto you that if the cloud fall in your countrey he will aid you with so great a force that you shall know what desire he hath to do you pleasure and if it falleth in his Countries that it will please you to succour him in like manner for that he saith your two forces being united together with your Friends and Allies all the Princes
shed in such sort as I have declared unto you And for that wée are diverse of this one opinion and intent we therefore have made a league and promise to yeild and all with one consent have required aid and succour of all the Pagan Kings our friends who to that end have already begun to assemble men from all parts and that in so great number that they being altogether and once entered into great Brittain it shall be impossible that the King raigning therein should resist us neither whole Christendome although they were altogether assembled and would undertake the same But what Kings and Lords said Norandel dare so much presume séeing that those which in times past assayed the like have sped so ill that the greatest part of them have left their lives remaining so well chastised for their presumptions that this country whereof you speak hath béen their Sepulchre and that therein as yet are living the same Knights which in those times both overcame and vanquished them Ha answered Cosdroel assure your self as I said before unto you that their number is now so great and they mean to descend in so many places of the Land that the small number of those valiant Knights you praise so much will be estéemed as nothing in that behalf and which is more we are well advertised that within this little time Knighthood is rusted among them that in a manner there is not any more talke ministred of wandring Knights but all like carpet Knights in stead of following Arms as in times past men were accustomed to do study onely to fit by the fire and court fair Ladies which maketh them so much the worse estéemed of I pray you then shew mée saith the King who are these Pagan Kings whereof so much you vaunt VVho answered the King first the Soldan of Liquie the Admiral of the great Turke the King of Licom son of King Ataligo the King of Libia the King of Persia the King of Media the King of the Isles of Colcos the Children of Arcala most strong and valiant in arms with all those of the Isle of Caville kinsmen and friends unto the Children of Dardan le Superbe the Gyant Dramiron of Aucone bastard Son of Bonterbo a far better knight then ever was his Father and bringeth with him above ten thousand fighting men the Gyant Gromolias the son of Panorente Brucalan le Brave Manibuenca le Dissemblalle the Duke of the Desart the Signeur of the Brave Rothe both Gyants and the Gyant Almandragro Nicrofero son of the Gyant Bultrase and divers other valiant personages And now I came from the great Turk himself having béen with him to desire his aid therein who of his great liberality and vertue hath made mée answer that of his own power he will cause so many men to enter into Britain and France that hée himself will onely overthrow them meaning in the mean time to send so puissant an army against the Emperor and thereby give him so much to do that he shall not by any means be able to aid or assist King Amadis or any other his friends These things are not so easie saith the King to be atchieved and gone thorow withal as they are begun by reason the first point is easie but the second much more hard and to prove it to be so assure your self that in all the countries by you named they shall find such and so many good and valiant Knights and Souldiers that never in their lives it may be they found themselves so hardly matched and their proud enterprises as I hope shall remain as much voyd and frustrate of all means as they to the contrary think it strong fortified and Iust Iuster then it is can it not be answered Cosdroel for that some of them come to revenge the deaths of their Parents and kindred other their own injuries and the most part for to recover their lands and possessions lost VVho are they said the King Who answered he I will shew you that is Cosdroel of Aucone to recover the Isle desart that was his Fathers the Children of Arcalaus the Castles and places of the Isle that Dragonis holdeth Barsman the Seignior of Sansuegne wherein at this present Don Quedragant remaineth the Kingdome of Aravigne that King Brundo holdeth which most assuredly was the said Kings whose sonne not long since hath béen elected and crowned King of Licome and a thousand other which I could name unto you To which King Norandel for that time would make him no further answer meaning thereby not to give him any intelligence or perseverance of the desire he had to understand further of the matter but onely demanded of him in what time hée thought they would be assembled and joyned together In good faith answered Cosdroel the greater part of them are already prepared to embark themselves and attend onely the comming of the Turks Army that they may set sail all together and you for your part sir Knight said the King what shall become of you Are you in hope to be there in person Yea truely said he if your vertue be such that setting apart the revenge you might well take of so poor a Prisoner and a stranger as I am you will discharge him of imprisonment and give him liberty to accomplish his message he hath promised to make unto those Lords to whom hée was travelling at such time as you stayed him which done look whether it will please you I shall return I promise you of my faith so to do without failing in any point Touching your liberty can I not dispose said the King for that concerneth the Emperour himself but I will declare the whole discourse unto him and therein will use my self so well in your behalf that I doubt not but according unto his accustomed clemency and Princely magnanimity you shall obtain whatsoever you request at his hands therewith bidding him farewel he took his leave and departed CHAP. III. How the Emperor understood of the Pagan King's enterprize and of the Turkish Prisoners deliverance KIng Norandel thus departed from Cosdroel went presently unto the Emperour whom onely being accompanied with Don Flores he said may it please your Grace my Lord I have this morning béen to visit our Turkish prisoner but as far as I can perceive and learn by him your Grace hath more cause to assemble men of War and prepare your Armors then either to dance or use any other pleasure Why said the Emperor what saith he Then King Norandel began from point to point to declare unto him the whole discourse which you heard before as touching the great assembly of men made by the Pagan Princes not onely to assail great Brittain but also the whole Land of Christendome and the City of Constantinople it self And as he continued on his discourse not omitting any thing thereof the Emperour both wise and well advised in the mean time pondered in his mind the dangers and accidents that might happen thereby
wherewith he found himself in a great perplexity neverthelesse with the best and chearfullest countenance he could shew he made King Norandel answer saying Cousen the King my Father is not a learner to prove the force of these Pagans neither yet am I. Divers and sundry times have they assailed to land in great Brittain as also in my countries but God be thanked they never wan any thing therein but death or their confusions and as much shall now happen unto them neverthelesse we must advertise the King together with all other Christian Princes to the end they may be prepared for them especially the Kings Agraies and Grasandor The Kings of Scots of Sardignia and Sobradise my Vnkles as also the Prince Florizando all which together are strong and puissant enough to withstand and resist these brave Giants and others their assistants in the East Countries and if they make way hither believe mee they shall find with the aid of my Son Luisart and others our friends but a hard morsel for them to chaw So may it bée I beséech God said the King but yet am I in great fear as touching the Country of great Brittain for as Cosdroel hath very well noted unto mée Arms are therein of late time so much left off and unfrequented that at this present there is not a wandring Knight to bée found therein as was accustomed to be neither yet any other doing that whereby in times past they were so much estéemed of more then in any country of the World Truely said Don Flores then thereat am I much abashed and truely I made my account that you my Lord turning unto the Emperor would have given me leave to travel thither there to receive the order of Knighthood therein to prove my force and valour in such manner as you Luisart my Brother and other kings our predecessours have done in times past but by your sayings I perceive I must be forced to take another course The occasions of trying your manhood are sufficiently at this present offered in our own countrey said the Emperor and here shall you finde from henceforth wherein to employ your strength and exercise Arms being knighted without séeking any further at the least if all be true that Cosdroel saith In good faith my Lord saith the K. and so I think he doth but in the mean time what is your gracious pleasure that I shall do with him he would gladly it might please your grace to give him liberty that he might go and perform his voyage upon condition to return and yeild himself my prisoner again as now he is and so hath he desired mée most earnestly to crave the same at your hands but I made him answer that it lay not in mée to do but rested onely upon your Graces Will and Commandement and that I would move it unto you I am very well content said the Emperor that he shall not onely have liberty to do as he requireth but also that he shall go whither it pleaseth him letting him well understand both to him and his that we fear them but a little and that we care not for their enterprizes Truely said King Norandel your Grace speaketh like a great and couragious Prince and you cannot better do for therby and as also by him they may well perceive that you are not so easie to be feared as they think neither yet Christendom so lightly to be won as they account VVell then said the Emperor go and carry him these news and let him depart hence as soon as it pleaseth him Then King Norandel went presently unto Cosdroel and finding him up out of his bed began to speak unto him saying Sir knight the Emperor hath by mée understood all that you declared unto mée this morning and because he estéemeth you for such a person as I have told him and what you are he giveth you not onely liberty to accomplish your Ambassage but also to go whither it pleaseth you and so you may do as soon as your health will permit It shall then be presently answered Cosdroel and after diverse congratulations and thanks with other spéeches that they had together whereupon I mean not to stay taking leave one of the other they departed Crosdroel entring into a ship by him prepared and Norandel returning unto the Emperors palace CHAP. IV. How the Emperour Esplandran sent Sergil into great Brittain to King Amadis to certifie unto him the news hee had received and of a strange adventure happened unto Don Flores THe matter by King Norandel declared the morning before did not cease to trouble the Emperors minde and more did it move him the night following till the next morning so that he being up hee called his counsel together to whom hée declared all the discourse before rehearsed desiring them as much as such a Prince as hée was might do or require at the hands of his Lords Friends Servants and Subjects to give him as spéedy good and faithful counsel as they might the matter being of so great importance as it was Where many points were discoursed some left off and others agréed upon in the end they determined that the Emperor should dispatch Sergil of an Ambassage into great Brittain to certifie King Amadis of the great preparations made against him unto whom instructions being given there was a letter delivered which the Emperor wrote unto the King his Father wherewith the Messenger had charge to signifie to him that all the Pagan Kings perswaded thereunto by the Children of Arcalaus and others which hée named prepared divers Armies for to invade his Land and therefore hée wished him to prepare all his Haven Towns to fortifie his Frontiers and to assemble from all parts his friends allies vassals and subjects because the descending of those Armies were uncertain and that the Emperor could never have any intelligence thereof but only by Cosdroel Yet did hée estéem it for most certain and true remitting the rest unto Sergils consideration whom he estéemed wise enough to deliver the same as having heard it likewise from the mouth of King Norandel himself Hée being then dispatched away having wind and shipping ready imbarked himself and being at Sea leaving Thrace and sailed towards Italy and from thence passing the straights entred into the Ocean Seas making towards Brittain but wee will leave him on his voyage for this time that Don Flores complain not of us to have forgotten him Hée being pricked forward with the spéeches of his Father thought hee did him wrong to delay his taking the order of Knighthood until the coming of the Turks wherewith hée found himself not greatly pleased but tossing and revolving in his minde on the same had no other thought but only to find the means how without his Fathers leave or his knowledge hée might attain unto his purpose but by no means could hée devise the same for first hee had heard King Norandel blame the over great sluggishnesse of the Brittish Knights for being
THE Most Excellent History OF The valiant and Renowned Knight DON FLORES OF GREECE Knight of the Swans Second Sonne to Esplandran Emperour of Constantinople Being A supplement to Amadis de Gaule Written by Mounsieur De Essule Nicholas de Hereby Commissary Ordinary of the French Kings Artillery Translated into English by W. P. The Third Edition London Printed for R. I and to be sold next doore to the Black-spread Eagle and Sun in the Old-Baley 1664. TO The Reader Courteous Reader FInding by experience what good acceptation Histories of this nature have found that have spoke our English tongue out of Franch and Italian as Valentine and Orson Sons of the Emperour of Greece Primaleon of Greece Don Bellianis of Greece and the Destruction of Troy c. Now this Treatise being no lesse then of the Son of that right valiant and victorious Emperour Esplandron Emperour of Constantinople And First writ in French by no mean person but by one that was Commissary Ordinary of the French Kings Artillery by name Mounsieur Des Essule Nicholas de Hereby And Translated into English by one W. P. A lover of History who willing that his Countrey-men should partake of his pains and recreation hath left it as a pattern for our English Gentry to imitate To put themselves forth in Acts of Chivalry rather then courting Ladies and becomming Effeminate for want of manly exercises It is above a hundred years since this took the English dresse on it And being almost forgotten I have adventure once again to revive it for the benefit of such as delight in discourses of this nature It being no lesse pleasant either for expressions or examples then the fore-mentioned Histories being refined from its old tone of almost forgotten words So not doubting of thy candid acceptation of my cost in re-printing it I take leave to subscribe my self thy Loving Friend R. I. Thou shalt shortly God willing have the no lesse rare then excellent History of Palmerin of England and his Brother Florian Du Desart Containing the manner of their Births in the Forrest of great Brittain and their Knightly adventures THE Most Excellent History OF The Valiant and Renowned Knight DON FLORES of GREECE Knight of the Swans CHAP. I. How the Emperour Esplandran embarking himself in great Britain to sail unto Constantinople departed from thence and what happened unto him in his voyage THe Emperour Esplandran having long time continued in great Britain with his Father King Amadis at last determined to return into his own Country and being prepared in readinesse to depart took leave of his Father and accompanied with the Empresse King Norandel and divers noble-men embarking themselves set sail for Constantinople but they had not past the pillars of Hercules entring the Mediterranean Seas coasting along the Affrican shore leaving Majorque and passing the Gulf of Cicilia but they were by force of weather driven from Candie and by a contrary winde cast betwéen Rodes and Cipres which winde blew so terribly and the Sea therewith began to swell so high and roare with so horrible a noyse that it was heard above seaven miles within the Land a thing not a little fearful for the time unto those that found themselves within the danger and mercy of the same especially the Empresse and her Ladies and Gentlewomen as also the most hardy and assured Knights among them and not without cause for during this storm it séemed the furious Waves mounted to the Skies and the Clouds again flying about made semblance to menace the overthrow and subvertion of the earth the Sun being so dark and the Sky so obscure and thick that the least relief and comfort this sorrowful and distressed Fléet might hope and expect was their prompt and spéedy sepulchre within the bowels of some gréedy Monster of the Sea which in such sort astonished the beautiful Ladies and Gentlewomen that they séeming although in good health to dye for very fear and distresse I cannot imagine that any Villain how hard hearted and cruel soever he were hearing their pittiful cryes and lamentations but would have inclined himself to favour aid and assist them Presume then in what vexation and grief the Emperor Esplandran found himself to be when he being in his time a man that no man could surpasse for valiant and haughty courage knew not by what means to help himself but in a manner wholly despairing of all aid and relief oftentimes closed his eyes that he might not sée the Lightnings Thunders Rain Hail Wind and Waves that the Tempest wrought for no sooner fell a flash of Lightning but thrée or four horrible and fearful claps of Thunder followed as if the whole World should end and have consumed with fire In that sort floating and traversing the raging Seas their Ships full of water sterns poops rudders masts sails and cables broken the Sea séeming an innumerable flock of shéep féeding upon the mountains of Arcadia whereon the Ships sailing with such pittiful distresse scattered some backwards and some forwards they knew not where to finde each other neither yet could once perceive any fixed Star whereby they might return into their course and to their greater torment when night came on the Seas began much more to rage and swell wherewith the masters Pylots and Marriners were so much abashed although not unacquainted with the same that committing themselves to the only mercy of God got them under hatches where leaning their heads on their knées as if one had béen ready with a Sword to give them their last and mortal stroke attending only a most dolorous and desperate end But when all hope of aid relief or comfort séemed wholly to be voyd God of his goodnesse on whom they ceased not continually to call heard their woful cryes so that about the break of day the signs of calm weather Castor and Pollux began upon the top of a cloud to appear and by little and little the weather clearing the Wind ceasing and the VVaves lessening their surety and delivery from danger at that time séemed most certain whereat they all were of good courage being neverthelesse not little abashed to find themselves so scattered from each other and in a Sea unknown not onely out of their right course but also out of all company of their Ships for that the Ship wherein the Emperour sailed had no other company then of one wherein King Norandel was which two being together about the break of day discovered two great Foysts or Turkish Galleys that having béen tossed and tormented by the tempest were in no lesse distresse then the Emperors fléet neverthelesse neither the one nor the other perceiving any means to avoid the fight prepared themselves to battel in such sort that having saluted each other with Canon shot they approached so near that coming to the push of Pike wild-fire stroke of sword and other weapons there began betwéen them a fight so terrible and fierce that divers of them were sent into
become too idle and slacker in arms then the honor and duty of Knighthood did require and yet had he not any acquaintance elsewhere Neverthelesse his age greatnesse and force together with his courage willed him to forget that effeminate and courtly life and from thenceforth to employ himself unto works of vertue worthy of great dignity and praise wherewith his minde being both night and day perplexed and troubled that he could not kéep the matter so secret but that of force he must use some spéech thereof to Lipsan of Moniaste Son unto Brian King of Spain whom he loved affected and was private withall more than any other that attended on his person so that one day among the rest they walking together in an Arbor and being out of all company he began to discourse unto him the secrets of his heart without omitting any point thereof desiring his opinion therein Sir answered he my advise is that in all things you ought to follow the will and pleasure of the Emperor for you must think that whether it bée in this or any other thing that toucheth your honor hée is more careful for you than your self You say so said Don Flores and yet you know well enough at what bay hée holdeth mée and the prolongation he useth against my desire wherefore I am determined whatsoever happeneth thereof to depart from hence whether I hope not to return again until such time that by my valiant enterprises in Arms I may bée estéemed worthy the linage whereof I am descended for that accursed is the Son that resembleth the Father no more but only in being his Childe and not in his vertues and good conditions You know my Lord said Lipsan that I will never disobey you but will bear you company not only in this enterprise but in all others it shall please you to undertake as hée that most desireth to do you service Of my faith my good friend said Don Flores I assure my self thereof likewise do I love and estéem you more than any kinsman or friend I have and because I perceive King Norandel coming towards us let us leave off our discourse for this time and the next day when we ride on hunting we will conclude whereas we may with more privity and leisure devise thereof So it is best answered Lipsan whereupon King Norandel approached to whom they went telling him that they determined the next day to hunt so to passe the time Of my faith said the King such pleasure is fit for young Princes and great Lords at the least said Lipsan if we cannot prove our force against wandring Knights wée will exercise the same upon all kinde of Beasts wée finde Being in this discourse they entred into the Palace where they met Falangris Abris de Sausirege and other Gentlemen unto whom the enterprise of their hunting was made known to the end that each of them might bée ready the next day Next morning the hunters went abroad very early into the Forrest to make preparation before the Princes coming thither but scarse had they entred therein but that all the young Gentlemen were at their héels The wood was very full of Harts Hindes Does Wolves Bears Lions and other kinde of Beasts giving sufficient cause of recreation as also a place very fit to bring them up for besides the largenesse and thicknesse thereof it was at the end closed with the Sea and on the sides with Rocks and Caves where they were not long time séeking game but Don Flores alwaies accompanied by Lipsan began to say unto him I pray you my good friend let us go aside and there make an end of our devise yesterday begun which to do as then was not very difficult for that some were busied in setting up of nets others in loosing of Hounds and other Dogs after their Game and the most part in beating the bushes and séeking who should first finde some kind of beast or other lying at rest whereby these two young Princes had means to follow their pretended deliberation and without any thing perceived by Don Falangris who the Emperor had expressely sent thither to attend upon his son They entred into the thicknesse of the Wood wherein they had not ridden long but issuing out of a bushy path way entred into a pleasant meadow in the midst whereof sprang one of the most fairest and clearest fountains of water that could be séen at the brink whereof they alighted for that already the Sun begun to be somewhat high and the air to be hot and unbridling their Horses giving them liberty to féed sate them down under a great Palm-Trée where Don Flores returning unto his matter the day before begun let his Friend understand that his mind was fully resolved not to return any more unto the Court but to depart thence séeking his adventures until such time as he might obtain the order of Knighthood for believe mée saith hée my good friend it is small honor for mée being the Son of such a Father as I am and Nephew unto the great King Amadis to dwell so long time among Ladies and to bée their minion continuing an effeminate and idle life I had rather chuse not to have any other riches in this World then only a good Harnesse a strong Spear and a gallant Horse to ride on wherewith I assure my self and my heart so giveth mée that I shall win Renown and may attain unto that degrée of honour which so many good knights heretofore have obtained Lipsan hearing him speak with so great an affection and considering that very hardly should hée break off or disswade him from that which he so resolutely had concluded in his mind answered him saying My Lord I find your devise good but yet it séemeth unto mée very hard for us to escape out of this Countrey in such secret manner as you desire either by Land or Sea Did you never hear said Don Flores that to the thing a man pretendeth and purposely goeth about nothing is hard or difficult God hath likewise created him above all the beasts most singular and incomparable Wherefore let us boldly enter into our journey and you shall sée that aid will not be wanting and if the worst fall let us enter disguised among others into the first Bark that setteth sail yet were it better answered Lipsan to take the Bark wherein I came hither and with my men sail whither Fortune shall lead us It is well said answered Don Flores and for the rest let mée alone We will depart by night and I will take so much money with mée that we will have sufficient to furnish our selves both of Horses and Armors And being in this discourse they heard the bushes and hedges shake and therewith a great noyse as it were rushing through the thickets of some thing that séemed to make towards them and presently they perceived a great and fierce Lyon with most fiery eyes issuing forth of the Wood which being oppressed with
over great thirst ran with open throat right forward unto the Fountan where they as then sate talking together Neverthelesse for all this furious encounter neither of them was once abashed but Lipsan rising up began to speak unto the Lyon by the Gods fair beast you are but evil taught to come so boldly to councel before you are called at the least if thirst constrained you thereunto you ought to have come in better sort without fearing of our Horses as you have done This Lyon had béen chased and hardly pursued by the hunters and running that way to refresh himself perceiving Lipsan to resist him in great fury and rage made towards him which Don Flores perceiving not being as yet risen started presently up and taking a Hunting Glave that hung by his side steppedback and therewith gave the Lyon such a blow on the hinder loyns that he cut off one of his legs and wounded the other wherewith the Lyon felt so great pain that with his cry all the Forrest rang and yet with that little force he had left he fiercely made towards Don Flores who redoubling his blow strake him on the head wherewith he cut off one of his ears yet did not the Lyon cease but ramping up bit him in such manner through the Arm that he made his téeth méet together and had it not béen for the pangs of death wherewith he was oppressed assure your self he had done him greater hurt but therewith he fell down dead upon the ground Ha said Lipsan to Don Flores as far as I can perceive you are wounded and yet hath he paid well for his boldnesse I have no harme God be thanked said Don Flores that is dangerous and shewing him his naked arm they saw that it would be easily healed By my soul said Lipsan laughing the fault was mine and the pain yours but because he thought he could not obtain any great honour against mée although I had angred him he had rather leave mée and his injury unrevenged to die with more honour by your hands Then began they to behold the force and greatnesse of the beast and not without great admiration and astonishment for that two of the best knights in all Greece had found themselves sufficient work to overcome the same And so leaving the Beast stretched along the grasse sate them down again by the Water side the heat of the day more and more encreasing and hunger likewise beginning to approach for that they had not eaten all the day being separated from their company as they were Whereupon they determined to set forwards séeking where they might finde redresse when as they perceived making towards them two Gentlewomen each of them mounted upon a fair Palfrey richly trapped and they themselves most bravely apparelled but as it séemed unto them strangers Wherefore Lipsan said if wée were wandring knights this fountain would not leave us without some adventures as far as I perceive yet this that now offereth and secondeth is not so dangerous as the first Whereunto Don Flores beginning to answer the two young Gentlewomen came to salute them which in most courteous manner they did for first lighting on foot and as if they had known Don Flores long time before began to honour him and do him great reverence Wherefore he received them in the most courteous manner he could saying Gentlewomen if it please you to request any thing at our hands assure your selves it shall not be refused God reward you said they both for at such a mans hands as you are there is no other to be looked for and thus much we will assure you that if you desire to do us pleasure we have no lesse will to do you service and for the same cause are we come out of far Countries unto you thereby to ease our hearts and likewise satisfie your desires In good faith Gentlewomen said Don Flores I thank you as much as possible I may and I hope one day to make this your gentle offer better known and requited when opportunity shall be offered and you desirous to employ mée But I pray you fair Ladies tell us if it pleaseth you the occasion of your comming hither My Lord said one of them we are nourished and live with a Lady an Aunt of ours that wisheth you great good and much honor for the love she beareth unto King Amadis your Granfather and to the Emperor your Father which Lady knowing your desire as also your resolution together with the small means that resteth unto you for the satisfaction of the same hath commanded us that with all spéed wée should come at this time right into this place where shée told us wée should finde you as now we do How is it possible said Don Flores that your Aunt should know that which very hardly I my self do know Shée did truely said she for shée told us for certain that we should finde you by this Fountain where you should have slain this horrible beast which here we sée lye dead before us and that by the same you should be Wounded but not much as also that your meaning was to depart from the Court and secretly to withdraw your self into some other Countrey unknown there to be made Knight that afterward you might séek some strange adventures And because the Lady whereof I shew you cannot forget the great favours and courtesies by her received of your friends shée is desirous to do you this pleasure wherewith you shall finde your heart at ease and your mind content Thereat was Don Flores more astonished then before for he never thought that ever any other then Lipsan had had so great a part within the secrets of his thoughts and perceiving these two Gentlewomen to declare unto him so much thereof namely of that which happened unto him at the Fountain Hée found himself much troubled in his mind in such manner that he could not refrain to say unto them Truely Gentlewomen you tell mée so much of that which I meant to kéep most secret that I can very hardly be perswaded that ever I thought it This is but a small matter answered the first in respect of that which our Aunt can do and that which she hath heretofore made known unto King Amadis and to your Father at such time as he received the order of Knighthood in the firm Isle and since that time unto the Emperor your Brother At that instant Don Flores called to mind that he had heard speaking of Vrganda la Descogneve and of the marvails shée had wrought whereupon he gave more credit unto the Damosels words then before he did and so much that thereupon hée said I pray God Gentlewoman that hée will grant mée time one day to acknowledge the good will and favour your Aunt wisheth unto mée for considering the pleasures and services shée hath alwaies done unto my kindred it were more than reason that so long as breath is in my body I should love honour and estéem her
whither I bare her company hoping of good entertainment and some reward for my service hée began to do her all the mischiefs he could devise and such that where I made account to live in joy and pleasure you sée mée now apparelled in this sort and bearing a countenance that witnesseth my sorrow and grief But let mée shew you the cause so it was that scarce had King Rowland entred into his Countrey but that he found divers of his men revolted saying that it appertained not to Christian Kings to Raign over a Pagan Countrey Which known by a great number that followed him in the conquest of Denmark they shewed openly that which until then they had kept secret and unknown and renouncing the faith and baptism they had received with their Master forsook him to turn against him with his enemies His Enemies I say for so he called them yea he himself no better séeing he had agréed with you to forsake his own Laws not for any good he hoped for by ours but onely to enjoy the Lady for whom his heart burned so much in Love which being cooled and his desire satisfied hath again received his Pagan Laws and séeketh by all means to force the Lady Sabine unto the same which she would never consent unto although he hath tormented her and yet to this present day holdeth her in a strong and cruel prison threatning her that presently upon her deliverance of the childe wherewith she goeth to make her dye and evil death which I poor soul considering went unto her Father to carry him those pittiful news and found him in his countrey whither not long before he was returned comming from the succour of the Isle Montgaza and from great Brittain namely from King Amadis and his great friend the Emperor of Constantinople being newly dis-enchanted assuring you that such his absence made King Rowland enterprise all the mischief unto you rehearsed and worse than these for hee is entred into the Country of Denmark and with a great Army destroyeth pilleth and putteth to fire and sword all he findeth before him thereby utterly to overthrow and impoverish his Father in law who being weaker of men then hée and older in years then willingly he would hath commanded mée to séek you out and in his behalf to desire you that séeing that once you have re-established the Realm and Country of Denmark into his hands yeilding the same peaceable unto him it would please you once again to aid him against that cruel King so wickedly falsifying his faith and promise which to you hee had made then when in your presence and by your perswasion he gave him his Daughter in marriage If this will not move you unto pitty and that for your ease or other causes to your self known you will not undertake this voyage for the delivery of this sorrowful afflicted King I beséech you for the honour of God and Knighthood said she wéeping most bitterly do it for the love of my poor Mistris left by me in great extremity which you ought not to suffer being born as you are unto vertue and to maintain the honour of Ladies that in adversity have recourse unto you for aid succour and relief Florisando having known King Rowland more amorous of Sabine then ever he had séen any as hée thought travelled by love with compassion moved at her tale answered unto the Gentlewoman And beleive mée Gentlewoman it grieveth mée much to think upon the pains and travel you have taken as also of the grief you now sustain but much more for the troubles of your Mistresse to whom after you shall have somewhat refreshed your self here in the Court you shall return assuring King Garinter that I will follow presentlie after you to aid him as he hath desired me O my Lord said the Gentle woman God forbid that I should take rest either of body or in minde so long as I know her that hath nourished and brought me up to be in sorrow and pain and that Traitor King Rowland living and persisting in his wickednesse without receiving due reward for his desert Then the two new Knights stepped forward promising Florisando to conduct her into Denmark where said they wée will aid the King staying till you come for the which hée heartily thanked them and presently taking their leaves of the Emperor and the Empresse and the Damosel likewise of Florisando they departed from Rome entring into the ship that Vrganda had given them wherewith they sailed so far that for the space of five daies they were without the sight of any land until the sixth day that they entred into a straight where certainly they were in great danger to be lost yet by the grace of God their vessel took land in a place better then they thought it had béen wherefore the Knight of the Swans commanded the Marriners to cast Anchor and go a shore whereunto they obeyed so that the two Knights with the Damosels and their Horses being landed they willed the Pilot and them of the Ship to depart from thence unto the Island non Trovee and being there arrived willed them to thank Urganda in their behalf for the great curtesies favours and pleasures she had shewed unto them which done they departed the same way they came and on the other side Don Flores Lipsan and their company mounting on their Horses travelled along by the shore side till such time they came unto the head of a causey where the Esquire Urgandin said I know not in what Country we are but sure if we follow on this way it will lead us unto some Village where we shall know what we desire And going forward they travelled so far that at length they perceived the glistring of a Castle which in their sights séemed of white Marble it shined so bright the situation being on the top of a Hill under the which ran a great and déep River over the same having a great Bridge of stone built with arches very fair at the end thereof stood a Tower with a watch therein that none might passe the same without knowing who he were Neverthelesse neither the Knight of the Swans nor the Knight of the Burning Flames did once stay until such time as a villain came unto them who at the entring of the bridge holding a staff in his hands said with a churlish voice What now you strangers think you to have the passage so easie at your commandments and that without giving us your names no no look first what these letters contain then hée shewed them a Iasper stone which he bade them read at their pleasures which having well understood said he do as you think good At these words the two Knights approached near the Bridge where the Knight of the Swans perceived a great Ivory Horn fairly guilt hanging at a great chain likewise guilt with a writing which contained as followeth Let all Knights understand that not one whatsoever he be that shall blow this Horn
but he shall bee sure of a Combat wherein if he be vanquished he must leave both Arms Horse and Gentlewomen if any he have with him but if he be of the Country of great Brittain or any of King Amadis friends he shall be worse used for either shall he be cast in prison or gain a dolorous and horrible death I know not said Don Flores who this brave and glorious Knight is nor for what cause he beareth so great hatred unto the best King now living in the world but were he a Devil inchained or loofe I will prove what he can do Then setting the Horn unto his mouth blew it so loud that all the place sounded therewith It is néedlesse said the villain that had stayed them for the Lord of the Castle will not come forth before to morrow in the morning neither to fight nor yet to parley in any sort Wherefore go forward on your way if you think good or else stay my Lords leisure without any more blowing of the Horn. That will I not do answered the Knight of the Swans for rather will I stay here a whole Wéek together then I will depart without battel you heap the like evil fortune upon your self said the villain that divers others have done that in like sort found themselves discontented herewith wherefore I counsel you to passe on your way and that quietly without so much chafing and vexing of your self When I ask counsel of thée said the Knight give it me if thou canst in the mean time get thée gone and take thy rest for as for me I mean not whatsoever may befall to depart hence until such time I have séen and spoken with thy glorious Master therewith going to the Gentlewomen that stayed for him they all together alighted off their Horses in a fair Meddow full of trées casting a great shadow where they lodged and refreshed themselves for as then the Sun was very high and the daies were long and excéeding hot CHAP. X. How the Knight of the Swans fought with the Lord of the Castle and overcame him IN such sort the Knights and Gentlewomen passed away the night until the next morning that the Knight of the Swans awaked about break of the day when he called Urgandin his Esquire to bring his Armour and saddle his Horse In the mean time Lipsan and the rest of the company awaked to whom he said that time drew on to prove their new adventure When you will answered Lipsan his Esquire Filedrino having already brought him his Horse wherefore Arming himself in all haste they took their way towards the Castle leaving the Gentlewomen attending the event of their fortunes The Knight of the Swans was no sooner come unto the stone but as he did the day before he set the Horn to his mouth and blew so loud that well it might be heard two miles about insomuch that the Lord of the Castle and the Watch start up at the sound thereof as it were in a maze and he that had the entry of the Bridge especially in charge looking out at a Window spake as followeth Trust me Gentleman you are over hasty to séek your own misfortunes whereof peradventure you may repent at leisure Thou saiest well answered the Knight of the Swans but thinkest thou wée have nothing else to do tell thy Master honest fellovv that hée is to blame to play so much the Coward within his Castle let him come forth into the fields where we have stayed for him are you at that point said the other you think then you have to do with some foolish Coward but truely I hope to sée you both before noon brought into such perplexity that I think you will be better contented with a little rest than desirous to travel any further on adventures and that you may prove it to be true blow the Horn the second time that your evil fortune and mischief may fall upon you all at once Then the Knight of the Swans blew the Horn again louder than before in such sort that presently after hée perceived the Gates of the Fortresse opened and a great Knight issuing forth mounted upon a Horse so high that hée séemed a Tower shaken with the Wind the Knight armed in all points bore a Shield half parted Or and as hée approached near unto the Knight of the Swans hee said Perdy Sir Knight you have béen overbold with my Horn for the which you shall spéed never the better séeing without cause or reason you have waked mée out of the sound sléep I was in I know not answered the Knight of the Swans to whom the evil fortune shall happen but this know peradventure you had been better in your Bed than here fighting with us kéeping and defending the passage without cause against all men and as I have heard by one of your men as also perceived by the stone threatning wrongly and without cause the Knights of great Brittain What said the other are you then of King Amadis house I would willingly bée one of his house said the Knight of the Swans being well assured that none but honest men and of honourable houses are received there yea and the best Knights in the Land so wise a Prince is hée Of his vertues said the other I never heard in all my life but sufficiently of his folly and more then néedeth both for him and his and so much that I have fully determined if any of them fall into my hands to prove if I can heal the light head of their King by the sorrow I will cause them to indure That is not so said the Knight of the Swans for I beleive that if any of them that you threaten passed this way he would heal you of the pride and rashnesse that maketh your head so out of temper and to make you know that I speak not without reason I will first begin and therefore beware of mée for I assure you without doubt I am both his kinsman friend and servant to the death and you are but a fool so to estéem of your self Ah said the other never in all my life was I better pleased then now to have found so good opportunity to revenge upon thée and thy companion the death of my good Father long since dead a man of himself more worthy estimation then thy kinsman Amadis and all the rest of his lineage together and to the end thou mayest try my force come thou and thy companion together against mée alone and when I have vanquished you both yet shall I in a manner be nothing moved therewith The Knights of King Amadis's Court answered the Knight of the Swans are not accustomed to fight against others with advantage And séeing thou hast had this conference with mée alone with mée onely thou must wilt thou or not have now to do my companion being such and so valiant a man that be it against thée or any other as great a Lubber as thou art hée néedeth not