Faiarque Listoran de la tour Blanche Trion cousin to quéen Briolanie Tentilles le Superbe Guil le bein esteme Grodonan brother to Angriote destravaux and the two sons of Isamie Governor of the Firm Isle with many others that had imbarqued themselves in great Brittain to go to aid Esplandian and coming to the Castle of the defended Mountain they had intelligence by the fishermen at sea of the overthrow of Armatos navy his captivity and the taking of the City of Alfarin whereat they much rejoyced especially when they knew by Gastilles soldiers that not any of their companions were slain in the assault They being arrived at the Town as they began to land Esplandian with divers others went thither to receive them where betwéen them were many salutations and welcomes given which done Esplandian led them to his lodging where they refreshed themselves about two hours before they went to visit Frandalo of whom Esplandian gave such commendations that they desired him to bring them where he lay which he presently did but when Frandalo knew who they were being ashamed to sée them use such courtesie to him could not well tell what to say and as he entertained them Palomir spake unto him and said Sir knight I and my company have heard so great commendation of your valor that there is not one of us but would be ready to obey and serve you as our Chief Commander wherefore we beséech you use all diligence you may to be healed of your wounds that we may presently go into the field under your conduction My Lords said Frandalo I pray you pardon me I am well assured that my valor is none such as you report whereby I deserve not the praise you give me neither did I ever any thing worthy commendation but only by my Lord Esplandians means Nevertheless I hope if God spareth me life and health so to behave my self that all men shall know the desire I have to do service unto Christendom and particularly unto every one of you Companion said Esplandian I pray you take care to be cured of your grief that done we will take order for the rest and for that these Knights are weary with their long travel on the Sea I pray you give them leave for to depart and in the morning we will visit you again Which he said fearing lest too much talk might cause him fall into a fever for Gastilles before that had béen devising with him above two hours together touching the conference betwéen him and Esplandian as concerning his return unto the Emperor With that the Knights bad him farewel and went out of the chamber on the other side Gastilles made all haste he could to depart from thence the next day in the morning and taking leave of all his friends the same night he entred into his ship when day began to appear he set sayl with so good winde that within eight days he discovered the city of Constantinople entring into the haven which the Emperor understanding went to receive him going with him to the palace asked him what he had done in his voyage whether Armato were retired from the siege or not My lord said he The good knight Esplandian his company most humbly commend themselves unto your Grace especially Frandalo whom I can assure you to be one of the best servants that ever you had With that the Empress accompanied with the Princess Leonorine Quéen Minoresse divers other Ladies and Gentlewoman came thither to whom Gastilles doing humble reverence they bad him welcome and because he stayed to do Esplandians commendations to the Princess Leonorine the Emperor said unto him Truly nephew you shall make an end to shew us what hath happened in your voyage then if it please you you may court ladies Wherefore I pray you tel from the beginning what you have done My Lord said he at our departure from hence we had so good a winde that without any let we arrived at the castle the defended mountain yet could we not make such haste but that Esplandian with his great serpent and Frandalos ships had already drowned and overthrown certain of the enemies ships and made the rest to flie and the next day after king Armato was taken prisoner his army overthrown and put to flight but the sport was when I saluted the Turk and that he knew me then he told the great rage the Turk was in the threatnings and spéeches he used unto him the overthrow of the twenty knights at the adventurous fountain the skirmishes and assaults at the town of Alfarin the danger wherein Esplandian and Frandalo found themselves the taking of the town and of Heliaxe her delivery with the peoples that fled to the temple of Jupiter and how that before he imbarqued himself to return a great ship arrived there from Great Britain with divers Knights therein whose names and sirnames he rehearsed as having séen them with King Amadis Further my lord said he the good Knight Esplandian willed me to shew you that he kéepeth King Armato till your Grace shall dispose of him as also the City of Alfarin but for the Castle the defended mountain he saith he mindeth not to yield the same to any other then to the Princess Leonorine in whose name he hath conquered it hoping as her servant and no other to defend the same When will he be here said the Emperor With all the spéed he may said Gastilles as he hath promised me In good faith said the Emperor I would it were this day before to morrow I have so great desire to know him by reason of the great chivalry that daily increaseth in him in such manner that if heretofore the Knight with the Gréen Sword hath béen estéemed the best in all the world now his son diminisheth a great part of his glory And all being well considered I think that Amadis hath not done more in ten years time then Esplandian hath accomplished in the space of ten wéeks But touching Frandalo is he so well disposed to our service as you make report My Lord said Gastilles It is not possible to do better then he hath done wherefore my Lord Esplandian willed me to shew you that for the better entertaining him in his procéedings he is of advise that your Grace should give him the City of Alfarin not knowing any man worthier then he to kéep it In good truth said the Emperor Esplandian and his companions have had the pains to conquer it wherefore I am content they have the disposing thereof Nevertheless if they rest upon my consent therein I am well content it shall be so and I will not cease to shew him greater favor if he persevere as he hath began And you Daughter said he to the Princess Leonorine what say you to this that my cousin Gastilles hath told you touching Esplandian that sayeth he kéepeth the Castle the defended mountain for you onely My Lord said she I know not how you and
fairer strokes given with a launce the rest I will leave to consider of till I know those that ran against him Let us sée the end said the king and calling a Squire he sent his launce unto Esplandian for as then the third kinght prepared himself to run and spurring their horses set forwards so fiercely that breaking their launces they met so strongly body and shields and heads together that Esplandian had much ado to sit upon his horse and the other had such a fall that he lay still upon the ground Whereat the fourth knight being abashed said unto himself Truly both the king and Urganda have good reason as they do to assure the valor and prowess of this knight séeing it it much more then they warrant it to be Nevertheless I must of force try him otherwise I should do both my self and him wrong And with that he called Esplandian and said Knight although I well know the small courtesie that I and my companions have shewed unto you yet I must not refuse to do the same that they have done before me wherefore I pray you send to some of your company for another launce that we may sée who shall bear the honor of this enterprise I will do it said he séeing you constrain me thereunto upon condition that if I can I will serve you in the like sort I have done your companions With that Gransador that heard them speak gave him his launce which he presently charging they met together with such force that their launces brake close unto their hands neither of them removing out his saddle wherefore the Knight of the forrest turned to Esplandian and said Sir Knight let us yet try one blow more and I will quire you for this time You might content your self said he with that is done but séeing you are so void of reason I am content to try it with you till one of us be beaten off his horse Then he sent Sergil to fetch another launce and he brought him one somewhat bigger and shorter then those he had before wherewith he stroke the Knight of the forrest so valiantly that he overthrew him himself being constrained to imbrace his horse about the neck or else he had fallen as the other did that lay on the ground yet he rose before Esplandian had run out his course and as he returned back he stayed him by the armor and said unto him Before God sir Knight you have sufficiently shewed that in valor and prowess you are second to none but to your self but he answered not a word but holding down his head ashamed of that had happened unto him passed forth With that the King came thither to know what Knights they were that had béen overthrown amongt the which he knew Galaor for he had put off his Helmet to do him honor when he saw him come whereat the King was so well pleased that he alighted off his horse and ran to imbrace him the like did Amadis saâ—ing unto him with a smiling countenance How now brother Galaor how long have you used to be a kéeper of the high ways You sée said he that I and my companions have sought to try whether this Knight be of such force as we have found him and what hath happened you may well judge When Esplandian understood his uncle Galador fearing to have offended he lighted off his horse and knéeling down before him asked pardon for his fault Nephew said he it is I that have done the wrong and therefore I told the king that you are a better knight then I and marvel not if I sought to prove it because I thought to do it with mine honor but I found the contrary which from henceforth shall make me think the things foreshewed of you will be accomplished so well that the glory of your father and the reputation by many knights in times past obtained shall from henceforth be extinguished you having so easily overthrown thrée of the best knights in Great Brittain and my self the fourth What are they said the king My Lord said Galaor the first that ran was Sendale of Gonaste the second Galuanes the third Angriote d'estrauaulx and my self hath done worse then they Whereat the king and all the company began to laugh and embracing them caused them to mount on horseback riding towards London where in the way the king prayed them to tell him how this enterprize was devised My Lord said Galaor having understood by the Danish Gentlewoman that my Lady Oriane not long since sent unto the Queen to bring her news of your return and what had happened unto you during your imprisonment the valiant acts by you declared of my Nephew Esplandain we conceived such a jealousie against him estéeming the honor you did him thereby to procéed rather of fatherly love then otherwise that we determined secretly to depart ouâ— of London to prove his force as now you have well séen and to move him thereunto we sent the Gentlewoman with the message you have heard Of my faith said the king the device was good and hath fallen out well In this maner devising of sundry things he came to Mirefleur where the Quéen met him praising God for his unexpected return and considering his trouble past with the grief she had for his long absence séeing him there safe and in good health she thought her self well recompenced with his presence The next day in the morning they set forwards towards London where the people wept for joy to sée him for there was never Prince better loved of his subjects than he Being there Esplandian began to be weary of the place longing to hear news of Carmelle that he had sent to Constantinople as you have heard before And therefore every day he devised means to get licence to depart from thence pretending a cause of returning to the Castle called the defended mountain shewing the king what promise he had made to his Companions which if he did not perform they should have cause to complain of him but the king would not in any sort grant to his request yet in the end overcome with much importunity he was content wherewith he took his leave of all the Court and upon a munday in the morning taking horse accompanied onely of master Elizabeth and Sergil his Squire he took his way towards the Ferme Isle hoping to finde the great Serpent there wherein they might imbarque themselves CHAP. XV. How Esplandian riding towards the Ferm Isle was assayled by a strange Knight that watched him in the Forrest ESplandian departed from the King and having taken his leave of all the Court as you heard before took the crookeddest way he could through woods and forrests towards the Ferm Isle thinking not to be perceived of any that might hinder his enterprize And having ridden thrée miles he entred into a Forrest which having almost passed he came unto a great river whereupon the king had built a house called Bellerose where
the order of Knighthood my companion and I were never in any place where we have had any great occasion to try our forces You lie fasely said he that accused them I know you better then you think I do and to justifie the same said he to Frandalo the Gentlewoman that you now hold prisoner will satisfie you more By my great God said Frandalo you shall then dearly buy it You will do no more then you can said Manely and for my part I assure you I am well content séeing you will have it to be so that you say we have slain your cousin although it be not so Nevertheless the glory thereof will redound to us in your behalf and it may be death to you said Frandalo And therewith caused the Gentlewoman to be called up who perceiving the Knights armed in like arms Talanque and Ambor had said Alas what may this mean these arms belâ—nged to two Knights great friends unto my lord and master For Gods sake Gentlemen I pray you tell me said she how you came by them for if they of whom I speak were here they would not leave me long in this captivity Gentlewoman said the King if it pleaseth you to name them and that in any sort we are acquainted with them whereby the bond of amity may bind us for their sakes assure your self we will not fail to do for you the best that possibly we may The one said she is called Talanque and the other Ambor companions to the Knight which I serve Manely hearing that answered her presently and said Gentlewoman tell us I pray you when we depart from hence where we may finde them My lords said she if you can do so much with this Giant that he grant me liberty I will conduct you thither and shew you strange adventures they have done which I am sure if they be your friends will like you well With that Manely desired the Giant Frandalo to give the Gentlewoman liberty but he séeing him so earnestly intreat began to laugh and said unto him Before you escape out of my hands it may be her intreaty for you will much more avail with me then yours for her shall do In the mean time I will provide you both of an honorable estate within my Gallies making you Knights of the order of mine eares with divers others that have béen there long time You speak at your ease said Manely being in a place for your advantage so do not we that expect not any favor either on land or sea having neither boat nor victuals to receive us but if you be the man you boast your self to be either come out to fight with us or else send us a boat and which of us two you chose shall come and heal you of the pride that maketh you so hardly know your self Vpon condition nevertheless that you alone shall fight with him and as fortune favoreth the combattants the gentlewoman shall go with him that remaineth victor Content said Frandalo although I know full well I shall win but little honor to fight against such lacquies as you are which he said in respect the eldest of the two Knights had not above seventéen years of age wherewith he cal'd for his shield and entring into the Barque he took from the Gentlewoman went on land where calling the two Knights unto him he said Children pity your own yong years and rather yield your selves unto me otherwise you are both dead without all remedy Thou art mad said Manely we are yet strong and in good health and how estéemest thou us to be dead that were never sick In good truth I hope before the cake be parted to make thée King of the unhappy wretches Wherefore choose either me or my companion to fight with thée mean time the other shall enter into thy Barque to kéep the gentlewoman thou hast refused me Alas poor man said Frandalo it appeareth well thou knowest not what is good for thée for if two of the best Knights in all Asia had undertaken this combate against me I would make no more account of them then a wolf doth of the shéep By reason then you that are such beardless boys what can you look for at my hands We look to break thy idly head said Manely Truly said Frandalo séeing thou hast so good a courage I will give thée the honor to fight with me for the last that ever thou shalt have And if thou thinkest good send thy companion to entertain the Gentlewoman for as I suppose he is better made for such a matter With that Manely took the King of Denmark aside and said unto him You have heard Frandalos words I pray you grant me the combate and go you into the ship and as it pleaseth God to prosper me do after what you shall think convenient The king of Denmark perceiving it in vain to strive entring presently into the boat wherewith the Giant landed and with the same boarded the ship wherein the Gentlewoman was With that the two knights prepared themselves to fight but before any blows striken Manely said to Frandalo Giant I pray thée leave us the Gentlewoman her Barque and before thou spéedest worse we give thée leave to sayl where thou thinkest good Art thou afraid already said Frandalo Ask me mercy and I will save thy life otherwise be thou assured I wil hang both thée and thy companion upon the top of these high trées Defend thy self then said Manely wherewith they covered themselves with their shields and began the combate though as it séemed far unequal for that Frandalo on his mothers side issued from the strongest race of Giants in all Turky of his father of the valiantest knights in all the world And Manley yong unexpert in arms having never béen in fight but when he succored Urganda yet the valiant blood of Childadan king of Ireland his father wrought such force in him that he had rather die then indure the least spot of dishonor and well perceived Frandalo he had not to deal with a childe as he estéemed but rather a Knight hardy as a Lion and one that used him in such manner that his shield being hewed and his armor all unbuckled at every stroke he drew blood from his body in such abundance that the grass was died therewith whereat those in the ship were much abashed especially the king of Denmark that never thought to finde such prowess in his friend Manely but the Gentlewoman that knew Esplandians force as likewise their 's she left in the castle on the mountain séeing Manely and his companion armed in the like arms made her full account if they were of the Ferm Isle Frandalo could not long resist Wherefore she said to the King of Denmark In good faith sir knight I am well assured it will not be long before I be delivered for Frandalo waxeth very weak sée you not how he beginneth to recoil You poor slaves said she what think you
pray you bring us thither said Esplandian with that they caused the horses to be unshipt and going to land they mounted up the Island til they came to the castle where Amadis stayed certain days to be healed of his wounds where they found a knight that kept it for the Emperor who being advertised by master Elizabeth what knights they were he had brought thither bad them heartily welcome offering them all the pleasure he could shew but they staying not there went forwards to the place where Amadis fought with Landriaque where the Emperor had erected both their Images so like unto them that there wanted only life to express the same Which master Elizabeth shewed unto the knights and to the end said he you believe me better another time I pray you behold well the form of this great devil who before my lord Amadis arrived had utterly destroyed this most fertile Island And therewith he shewed them from point to point what had passed touching the same as you have heard at large set down in the third book of this our History whereat they were all abashed especially to think how Landriaque could be slain or overcome by one knight alone For although this image were but a senceless thing yet it made them abashed which having long time beheld and visiting other places worthy memory they returned to the great Serpent which presently departed from the Isle and with a good winde in five days after arrived within half a mile of Constantinople where it began to cast forth fire in so furious manner that the sailers and others that perceived it flew all away doubting the fury of that monster wherewith the Citizens were in such a fear that news was brought unto the Emperor who as then was talking with the Ladies whom he led unto the towers of his pallace to sée what it might be when they perceived the great Serpent and the Sea raging so sore about it that it séemed a gulf of fire wherewith they were in such a fear and the Emperor likewise that he commanded all men to be armed fearing it would come into the Town and so destroy them all But Gastilles that had séen it oftentimes assured the Emperor that it was the Ship of the knight Esplandian which Urganda brought first into great Britain And to the end my Lord said he you shall not doubt thereof if it pleaseth you I will go sée if the son of Amadis be there and bring him unto you Do so I pray you said the Emperor With that Gastilles went unto the Haven entring into a Gally that he found ready to put to sea commanding the master thereof to row unto the great Serpent but whatsoever he could say the master would not stir one foot till such time he threatned him with fear of being hanged Wherefore hâ—ising up his anker the company began to row forward but it was impossible for them to come near the Serpent by a good bow shot and withal the sea it was so high that the waves cast them back again into the Haven with so great a force that the Gally was in danger to be cast away Which the Princess Leonorine perceiving who till then thought assuredly Esplandian had expresly come thither for to sée her began to despair of her good hope and making her complaint said unto her self Alas Monster Ship Galley or what vessel soever thou art wherefore art thou now so cruel unto me in not suffering him that is within thee to land at this our Haven to the end mine eyes might enjoy his presence but rather as if thou haddest conceived a jealousie rewards us thou usest all means possible to hinder the ship wherein my cousin Gastilles saileth not to approach near thee that he might bring him hither or at the least that we might hear some news of him But in faith all well weighed considered I think thee rather to have reasâ—n and my self without consideration for that so excellent a thing ought not to be so lightly set at liberty Therefore it is no marvel if thou refuse him unto us fearing lest thou shouldest loose him séeing thou maist well vaunt that in thée there resteth so valâ—rous knight as in regard of him all others may be nought esteemed I would to God that we being both together might never depart out of thy body for being with him his onely presence would bréed in me so much contentment that I should think my self to have attained unto the top of all felicity and if his love be such as Carmelle hath assured me it cannot be but that he suffereth the like passion I now endure by overmuch desire to see his person Wherewith she remained in such an extasie that by the changing of her colour it might easily be judged her heart was not at ease which in the end compelled her to sigh and at the same instant to repent the speeches she had used unto Carmelle as also of the rich gown that she gave unto her For said she unto her self what know I if my sweet friend seeing her apparelled therein would imbrace her not for the love of her but for the Gown that once belonged unto me And if it be so it is not to be doubted but she will by all means seek to joyn her lips to his yea and her body likewise which would be worse seeing she is neither so evil favored nor of so bad behavior but it may be in a heat he would both forget himself and me But â—ut alas what said I Truly I do him wrong to be so jealous of him considering the chaste love that is between them both and therefore if it so fall out that in respect of me he shall imbrace her body beholding her apparelled in a thing that sometimes served me it will be much more glory unto me till I my self may once embrace his body as in time I doubt not but I shall But if Leonorine were in pain Esplandian had no less both solicited with like jealousie for the great distrust of their not méeting at that time and gladly would have approached néerer to each other had it not béen that the one was on land under the government of another man the other at sea within a bessel which he could not command In the mean time the great Serpent setting forwards made such spéed that in very short space it passed the Straights of Bosphore Wherewith the Princess Leonorine was like to swoon but she refrain'd it as much as possible she might fearing to manifest that she most desired to kéep secret Whereby she withdrew her self half dead into her Chamber and making as if she desired to sléep threw her self on her bed commanding her Gentlewomen to depart the chamber they being gone she began again to renew her sorrow and almost drowned in tears said unto her self Alas now I surely sée and well perceive my grief to be wholly without remedy having séen the thing that in all the world
beginner in arms for that like a valiant and hardy knight he entred among the Christians and being seconded by his men did most valiantly defend themselves and assailed the enemy although at their first encounter ten of their bravest soldiers were unhorsed and overthrown And as Eiraca entered into the prease Norandel and he met together with such force that Norandel was wounded in the left shoulder but not sore hurt and the Captain of Tesifant loosing his stirrops was thrown over his horse with so great strength that with the fall he was forced to lie upon the ground and could remove neither hand nor foot which the Lurks perceiving to relieve their Captain did so valiantly that they overthrew four of the Brittish Knights who nevertheless rose presently again and with their swords in hand thrust so many of the Turks horses into the sides and flancks that in short space more than twenty of the Turks were overthrown likewise and many slain outright at that charge Enil and Gavarte were hurt and the rest so bardly handled that without Frandalos company that came to succor them they had all béen overthrown and in truth they had almost strayed too long but the squire that Belleris sent unto them could not overtake them before they were in the valley where they should have met And although they had heard the sound of their blowes yet did they not suspect any such peril until the squire had done his message wherewith they ranne with all the spéed they could unto the place where Belleris and his companions being out of breath did nothing but recâ—il and defend themselves against their enemies blows that had slain divers of them but that the captain of Tesifant would have them to be taken and presented to the Prince Alphorax Nevertheless Frandalo Esplandian and the rest of their company made them change opinion for when they perceived their companions so hardly matched by the enemy they entered among them with such fury that had it not béen for Eiraca who at that time behaved himself most valiantly they had overthrown the Turks at their first on-set but by reason of the great resistance he made they continued fighting half an hour after wherein he maintained himself so well that Esplandian could never take him before he had overthrown him and pulled off his Helmet wherewith he yielded mean time Frandalo and his companions being in the midst of their enemies laid so well about them staying horses pulling away shields and doing so valiantly that wonder it was to behold them yet did not the Turks once séem abashed but still fought most couragiously until such time they perceived their Captain taken prisoner which caused them to flie and turn their backs but not all of them for there lay more then one hundred and fifty of them dead upon the ground the rest saved themselves by means of the dark night It was then about an hour before day and Frandalo fearing that those of Tesifant hearing of the overthrow would issue forth to cut off their passage presently caused Captain Eiraca to be remounted and all the Christians that wanted horses and with all spéed rode back again to Alfarin not the same way they came but another way somewhat farther about wherein they travelled so long that about Sun-rising they entred into a great wood where they alighted to refresh both themselves and their horses and staying not long there lest they should be surprized they made such spéed that about sun-setting they arrived in the town mean time news came to Tesifant of the overthrow of their men wherewith Alphorax was in such a rage that in a manner he séemed desperate But for this time we have sufficiently discoursed of Martial affairs now me mean to bring Love in place who desiring to minister some comfort to the Princess Leonorine that lived in great pain expecting the arrival of her friend Esplandian caused him to depart from Alfarin to visit her in the City of Constantinople as in the Chapters following you shall hear CHAP. XXXIII Of the great grief Esplandian had understanding by the messenger that Gastilles sent unto him what displeasure the Princess Leonorine had conceived against him YOu heard before how Gastilles shewed the Emperor what Esplandian had done and what message he sent unto him and to the Princess Leonorine as also what answer she made which Gastilles by his Squire writ and sent unto him having charge from the Emperor so to do thereby to procure his spéedier Arrival in Constantinople The Squire with his Letter made such haste that he arrived at Alfarin about five days after the taking of Eiraca and méeting Carmelle at the gate asked her if he might find Esplandian at convenient leisure to deliver him a Letter from Gastilles but Carmelle being subtil suspecting it to be some news from the Princess Leonorine that might move Esplandian who as then séemed discontent answered him said My good friend you can hardly speak with him at this time but fâ—llow me and give me the letter and I will present it unto him and cause him to return you an answer The Squire did as she willed him and followed her to Esplandians lodging where entring into his chamber she found him sitting on his bed talking with the king of Denmark and delivered him Gastilles letter which when he read the tears ran out of his eyes and therewith cast forth a great sigh saying O Lord but Carmelle that beheld him doubting the cause to be as she suspected asked him if he were ill at ease Ill said he I that I am and so ill that I would to God I were dead and look I pray you said he whether I have cause or not wherewith stretching forth his hand he gave Carmelle the letter and turning his face began to make the greatest sorrow in the world but when she had read the contents she estéemed not thereof but said unto Esplandian What my Lord are you abashed at so small a matter By my soul I now perceive very well that the affections and loves of men are far different and much unlike the passions that we simple women endure when we fall into the like extremities and know you how you men do most commonly take pleasure to manifest and make known your love either by word of mouth or outward shews and many times dissemble more than you mean to do and which is worse how much the more the Lady or Gentlewoman you love is of great desert or high linage so much more glory do you take to make it known not onely that you bear her affection but that you are beloved and favored of her above all others which is clean contrary to the nature of women I mean such as may be tearmed wise and of good understanding for how much the greater their parentage is so much more fear they have to manifest their amorous passions in such manner that most commonly hath in word gesture and countenance they outwardly
deny that which they have most deeply engraved in their hearts and mindes and not without good cause for that the thing which redoundeth to your praise and commendations as you think which is the manifesting of your love bréedeth to them a certain spot in their honor which oftentimes they can not easily deface Wherefore it is more than expedient to observe this modesty and constancy in us not that I mean to restrain my self unto this law séeing that all my glory and felicity dependeth upon you in such manner that I desire no greater happiness in this world then that the love and dutiful obedience I bear unto you should be published and made known unto the world to the end that all those that shall hear of your great valor and my mean estate may know my great good fortune to have the mean to serve you as I do Wherefore my lord in my opinion you ought to take the spéeches Gastilles hath written unto you to be used by the Lady Leonorine in good part and greatly to your advantage for I dare warrant you on mine honor that your affections are both alike and to say the truth she hath behaved her self most wisely to dissemble the matter so well as she hath done in the Emperors presence I deny not but she hath some cause to be impatient considering the message I delivered unto her in your behalf but that is easie to be cured and although the love she hath born you so long time should be wholly extinguished which I can hardly believe even as a bâ—ne that is broken in two pieces and set together again is stronger in that place than in any other part so being there and in her company shall win that you finde broken and by that means make it stronger than ever it was before Therefore I am of advice that fulfilling her desire you go unto her and that as soon as possibly you may Alas Carmelle said Esplandian what good or what service did I ever do unto her thereby to have deserved at her hands the least favor among an infinite number I have received from her Especially by the report of your own mouth If therefore she hath just occasion to be offended with me having offended her so much can I hope for any other at her hands than méer disdain and mortal hatred My Lord said Carmelle I am a woman and know the nature of women better than you do or then all the men in the world besides I pray you therefore believe me and go and sée her and if so be she entertain you not according to your desire then never give credit to my words again In faith my good companion said the King of Denmark Carmelle giveth you so good and wise counsel that either you ought to give credit to her spéech or else wholly drive this fantasie out of your minde considering as is most true that sometimes and very often how much the more fervent and extream the love of a woman is so much the sooner is it dead and wholly extinguished for that their inconstancy is such and so great that for the least occasion in the world they are over ready to love and much more inconsiderately do they forget the same again not that I accuse the Princess Leonorine of so great lightness but to say the truth as commonly we finde and for my part I know not upon what occasion you ground your love whereby you should make so much account of her séeing that she never saw you nor you her but are only content to conceive well of each other upon a certain ronown that hath spred abroad set forth the great perfections that are reported to be in you both which in truth may be compared to a fire made of straw that is no sooner kindled but presently consumed wherefore be not then so much abashed if the Princes Leonorine shew her self at this present so smally affected towards you for those that love most déerly do oftentimes fall into discourtesses and coldness of affection that they disdain or at the least in the twinkling of an eye wholly forget those that for a long time they have loved most intirely and that for their sakes shall have hazarded their lives in most dangerous adventures Did you never hear how Brisarde behaved her self in regard of Troilus after the destruction of Troy she loved him so well that she would néeds die in his arms when she was constrained to forsake him the Gréeks thinking verily she would have slain her self and yet was she scarse issued out of Troy but she wholly forgot her love Troilus and transported that vehement love she had born him all her life to Diomedes King of Thrace O God What inconstancy what lightness what foundation upon a sandy ground was that This unconstant woman among other precious ornaments given her by Troilus her friend had a pair of perfumed gloves which within one hour after her captivity she gave unto her new friend Diomedes in token of the love and amity she bare unto him What had Troilus said then if he had bin present would he have believed her I think not And what a point of honesty I pray you did Cliteninestra shew unto her husband when in steed of welcoming him home at his coming from the siege of Troy where he had remained ten years together she caused him cruelly to be murdered by Egistus her ruffian But will you hear more examples of the like matter and as he began to procéed Esplandian said unto him My good friend I pray you do not this wrong unto my lady Leonorine but let me here your counsel how I may from henceforth govern my self to satisfie her desire Go and sée her said the king and if you think good I will bear your company Shall we go and leave our companions said Esplandian that will I never do wherefore said the King are not Frandalo Manley and the rest of their company strong enough to defend the town in your absence I am of advise that you send presently for them give them to understand that by reason of certain news you have of late received you must be constrained to leave them for the space of eight or fiftéen days and in like sort dispatch Gastilles squire and write unto his master that you thank him heartily for the good remembrance he hath had of you and that with all spéed you will send a messenger expresly unto the Emperor with an answer to that it hath pleased him to command to be written unto you in the mean time I will take order to prepare a ship to bring us to the castle the defended mountain where we will imbarque our selves in the great Serpent that will not faile as I think to bring us unto Constantinople and determine with your self what company you mean to take with you My good friend said Esplandian do as you think good I am content to hazard my life in your hands It
able to resolve his doubt then Urganda was caused her to go into the closet where the Emperess with the Princess Leonorine Quéen Minoresse and no more stayed for her they five being together the Emperor caused the Image of Jupiter to be brought thither which done he said unto Urganda Madam I pray you do me so much pleasure as to declare if it be possible what are the meaning of the Letters that this Image holdeth With that Urganda read it and having considered thereof she said unto the Emperor My Lord the great knowledge and skill that this Idol hath foreshowen shall in time to come be lost is already happened for as you know the power of Jupiter and of other gods hath béen suppressed and abolished by the coming of Iesus Christ and as touching these words The bondslave of the bond of slavery shall be burried here and life restored by him that suffered death These are hard and obscure tearmes yet will I declare them to your Grace as well as possibly I may With that Leonorine and Quéen Minoresse thought she would have spoken of the Knight Esplandian that had béen put into a Cedar Chest as you heard before wherewith they being surprised with a deadly fear began to behold each other in most pitiful manner which Urganda well perceiving intending to ease their mindes continued her discourse in this manner My Lord said she this Prophecy was written concerning Matroco Lord of the Castle of the defended mountain who as you know was always a Pagan till his latter day that he became a Christian whereby long time he continued a bond-slave of the bond of slavery for such ought the Sect of Idolatry to be named but Esplandian perceiving his repentance suffered him to be buried in the hermitage where as yet Carmelles father doth remain who since that time hath so much honored the Giants body that she hath buried his bones within the Cedar Chest that you Madam said she to Leonorine if you do remember gave unto her And touching these lines which contain these words That life shall be restored by him that suffered death that is likewise to be understood of him for that loosing this transitory life he hath obtained the eternal in Abrahams bosom so great grace hath he receiv'd at the hands of God by the merit of his Sons passion in whom he did believe as I said before and so my Lord said she you have heard what I can say as touching this strange Prophecy Ey but said the Emperor what means the rest My Lord said she I can tell you no more of it than can my Lady your daughter or Quéen Minoresse but so much I can assure you that in short time you shall sée it come to pass and if in any point it concerneth you the best is it will all fall out to greater good of your soul than to any power or worldly glory wherewith for this present I pray you content your self I truly said the Emperor and so will I always do for so my soul be well I estéem not the misery or torments of my body And with that he left Urganda with the Empress went into the Hall where great number of Knights and Gentlemen stayed for him with whom he passed the rest of the day in all pleasant delights mean time fortune by little and little began to play her part and to spread the nets wherewith she meant to inclose that troop thereby to work the envy and great tribulations that afterward fell upon them the beginning whereof was such as you shall hear About a mile without the City the Emperor had built a sumptuous Palace called Vaelbeniatnof as like to that of Apollidon in the Firm Isle as well could be devised which place was compassed with a Park furnished with all things requisite for mans delight whither he meant to lead the Ladies with Esplandian and his company as also king Armato to feast them in the same and for that purpose within thrée days after their arrival they departed from the City of Constantinople and went to Vaelbeniatnof going into the park wherein they found the hunters and at their first entrance a great Hart was singled out which in the end after long chace was killed almost before the Ladies and going further they espyed a Bore so fiercely hunted by dogs that they made him turn and with his Tusks stroke the dogs that none durst set upon him but at the last one of the hunters strake him in the throat and so he died so long this sport endured that supper time drew on wherefore the Lords and Ladies entring into the pallace found the tables covered and sitting down were served in most sumptuous manner and having supped they began to dance which continued till midnight minding the next day to begin their sport again but fortune minding to bear a part did so trouble the feast that she gave them well to understand how she can work in all things at her pleasure for the next day about evening the Knights and Ladies being in the Park some talking with those to whom they bare affections and contenting their mind with such devises as love to pass the time in pleasure put into their heads others running about and taking pleasure to gather flowers and do as most delighted them Melie from whom till then they could not hear one word went unto Urganda and before them all spake unto her and said Madam I marvel if it be so that your learning and skill be such as is reported why you make no sport unto this company Melie said Urganda where you are present I will not undertake to do it before you but you should rather do it being well assured that the Emperor would be thankful for the same If it pleaseth him said she I am content upon condition that after me you do the like or better if you can Truly said the Emperor it is but reason and I pray you both to do it My Lord said Melie then command Urganda to lend me a book that I was wont to have whereon the picture of Medea and her name written over it doth stand then shall you behold some of mine art and if Urganda never knew it before she may learn it now of me In good faith said Urganda that will I not deny you with that she called one of her Gentlewomen willing her to fetch the book mean time Melie took King Armato by the hand and making as though she would speak a word with him they walked a while together then they sat them down hard by the place where the Empress and the Ladies were talking with each other and staying till the thing Melie had requested were brought unto her she having it in her hand opened the book and then began to read making certain signs with her eyes lifted up to heaven and calling Urganda prayed her to come thither saying she should sée that she never had séen before Urganda not
the end that being united together they may the better preserve both your life and mine And taking a Bracelet of Gold that from her infancy she had always kept she tied it about his right arm And this circle said she being round as you behold it shall without ceasing be witness of our loves serving as a Rampart to this Army which if it pleaseth God in defending it shall so well defend his master that he shall return in as good health as I desire he should Norandel thanked her most heartily mean time Leonorine entertained Talanque Manley and the rest to whom she said My friends I hope the Lord will shew you so much grace that the Victory shall be yours for the Combate you take in hand is not for to defend the honor of a Gentlewoman but the glorious Faith of Christ If therefore it be so the strength procéedeth from him be you then well assured that he will impart so much to you as you shall want Madam said Talanque at other times we have béen at the like feast from whence we have returned to the great expence of those that called us thither as if it be Gods will we hope this day to do the like Wherewith taking their leaves of her they went to finde their horses and being mounted the Emperor with great number of Knights and Gentlewomen brought them to the gate And committing them to God the ten Knights marched bravely to the place of Combat where the Souldan with a great number of his friends met them asking them whom the Emperor had appointed Iudge on their side Souldan said Norandel we desire no other Iudge then your self that are accounted a courteous and most faithful Prince By all my gods said he I had rather die a thousand deaths then you should endure the least injury in the world we believe it well said all the knights With that he caused them to enter into the Lists at one end and the ten Pagans at the other but before they entred into fight he called Norandel and his companions and said unto them My friends I pray you let me shew you what the custom of my Countrey is in such affairs then if you think good you may observe it if not my knights shall kéep your custom if it be indifferent Shew us then said Norandel what it is and if the same be reasonable we will not refuse it You shall understand said he that all knights justle one against one to the end that all men may know the excellency of the Victor And if any one be overthrown he that is on the horse back shall not assail the other before their companions have run out their course Then he that is on horseback shall a light and shall fight it out by dint of sword with him that before was overthrown Because it chanceth oftentimes that the best knights that are fall into such inconvenience onely by the fault and means of bad horses which cause them divers times either to fail in striking of their enemy or else not to run their right course which cannot be excused in thâ—se that are on foot to whom it is permitted to succor each other if néed require Truly said Norandel that custom is well ordained and I and my companions wil observe the same wherewith the Souldan went out of the Lists causing his Heralds to proclaim the fight With that a Pagan stepped forth against Norandel that refused him not but covering himself with his shield they met so fiercely that their spears were broken to their wrests méeting body to body with so great strength that the Pagan fell over his horse tail lying flat upon the ground but Norandel had no hurt onely that his horses shoulder was thrust out of joint so that he lighted off staying till the rest had run their courses as he had promised Then Garvate du Val Craintif ran against one of the other and they charged each other in such sort that their féet failing in their stirrops they were both cast out of their saddles Then Talanque ran against the third Pagan to whom fortune was more favorable then to any of the rest for they ran so well that neither of them once started aside or moved in their saddles and yet brake their spears in many pieces The like chanced to Manley and Ambor but not to Bravor the son of Balan for he hit him that ran against him right in the breast and threw him from his horse And presently therewith Imosil of Burgundy had so great a stroke with a launce that his eyes started in his head and was therewith so much astonished that his horse bare him to the side of the barriers where he fell down flat Elian le delibere and he that ran against him were constrained to hold by their horses mains Listoran of the bridge missed his stroke and his enemy likewise the like happened to Trion and the last that ran with him That done all they that were on horse back lighted down to fight with swords and there began betwéen them such a fight as the like had not béen séen of so few Knights together maintaining themselves so brabely one against the other that the strongest of them was so weary and out of breath that they were constrained to rest And as Norandel leaned upon his Sword which he rested on the ground the bracelet that Minoresse gave him fell downward upon his arm which put him in so good remembrance of her that clean forgetting all the travel he had taken before he spake so loud that every man might hear and said By God sir Knight this rest doth not beséem us many men will from henceforth be in doubt of the great glory that now we mean to win Wherefore let every man shew forth what we can do and let no man spare Wherewith taking the little piece of his shield that rested in his hand and lifting up his arm he gave so great a blow unto his enemy that he made him réel therewith and doubling it strake him so surely on the helmet that with the blow the Turk was forced to knéel down and let his sword fall out of his hand which Norandel seized upon being ready to strike off his head if he had not cried him mercy which Talanque and Manley perceiving imployed their forces in such manner that it might easily be judged they would soon obtain the victory As for Bravor he had already stricken his knight down wherefore he ran to help the rest and Norandel likewise With the which help it soon appeared that they which rested yet to overcome would not long resist for in short space they found themselves in such extremity that unless the Souldan of Liquie had desired the Christian Knights to stay a while they had all died but calling Norandel unto him he said I pray you said qe procéed no further in this combate and content your selves that I account my Knights for vanquished as in truth they are
in the army Whereof the Souldan and Quéen Calafie being advertised determined together to write unto them the contents whereof do follow Rodrigue Souldan of Liquie mortal enemy to the enemies of our gods and Calafre Queen of Califorine a country most rich and abundant in Gold and precious Stones give you Amadis de Gaule King of Great Brittain and your son Knight of the great Serpent to understand that the occasion of our arrival in these countries hath been for these two causes The one in hope to destroy all Christendom and the other to prove if we may 〈◊〉 from you the renown that is spread abroad of you to be the two best Knights living in the world for we account our selves for such as that if you will accept the combate of your persons against ours we will evidently make it known that our valor is no less then yours And to the end the glory of the victors may be known the vanquished shall remain in their powers to dispose of them as they shall think convenient Advise your selves therefore to answer us herein by this our messenger to whom we have given charge to declare unto you if you refuse this combate that from henceforth we shall have just occasion to attribute to our selves the advantage of the praises and endless glories that fortune heretofore hath given you and to esteem of you as meanly in time to come as you have been highly renowned heretofore This Letter given to the Gentlewoman that bare the first to Norandel she went unto the Christians camp and being advertised which was Amadis tent entered therein as he sat talking with king Luisart Esplandian and other good knights Where knéeling on the ground she asked which of them was the knight of the great Serpent and his father Amadis spake unto her and said Gentlewoman I am the one and this is my Son Is it your pleasure to speak with us The gentle woman casting her eye upon Esplandian marvelling at his great beauty spake said In good faith king Amadis I verily believe that this is he for I have heard him in divers places esteemed for the same that now I do behold in him Gentlewoman said Amadis if you came into our camp onely to sée him you now have your desire That hath not bin only the cause said she but to bring this letter which the Souldan of Liquie and quéen Calafre send unto you both wherefore having read it I pray you return an answer With that Amadis having taken it in his hand the Gentlewoman departed out of the rent attending their resolution King Amadis having read it shewed it to King Luisart and the rest that were in presence wherewith there a rose great controversie among them concerning the refusal or acceptation of the combate for that the most part of them were of advise it should not be accepted shewing divers great and evident reasons to confirm the same as the greater number of enemies they had before them ready to give them battel and if it happen said they that fortune should be contrary to King Amadis and Esplandian in whom partly consisteth our hope such hard chance would bréed great fear in divers men that are now very willing and ready to do the best they can Others held the contrary saying that it would be shame unto them all for that refusal onely would much incourage the enemy but they were of this opinion that it might well be required that the number of the combatants might be greater In good truth said Amadis be it of two against two twenty against twenty or of greater number the victory is in the hands of God Wherefore in refusing thereof I should do my self wrong and cause a great blemish to all Christendom that would not be defaced in long time after Besides I have great hope of Gods help herein for whose faith and honor I have undertaken this voyage When Esplandian heard his fathers mind he spake boldier and said That he would take that combate upon himself alone not onely against the Souldan and the Quéen but against two others more with them rather then it so should be refused whereupon it was concluded that Amadis and he would fight and sending for the messenger into the tent Amadis said unto her Gentlewoman you shall tell the Souldan and the Quéen that I and my son are content to do as they require wherefore set them chuse what arms they will and for the place it shall be betwéen their camp and ours assuring them on the faith of a King that not one of our soldiers shall once remove how soever we spéed which we desire likewise at their hands and if it be their desire to have the combate fought this day we are content to do it With that the Gentlewoman returned and coming to the Souldans tent she declared her message unto them being such as you have heard whereof the Souldan was glad but especially the Quéen for the great desire she had to sée Esplandian whereof she asked the Gentlewomen what she thought of him Madam said she I have in my life time seen many men and women that nature had indued with great beauty but by the gods I confess it is all but painting in regard of that I have found in him for he is so fair and beautiful that the more I think thereon so much the more it maketh me conceive such beauty to be rather divine them humane That is much said the Queen I know not said the Gentlewoman what you mean by that word Much but I am well assured if you had seen him as I did that you would say as much as I do and it may be more Truly said the Queen before I enter in combate with him I will first see him unarmed and speak with him not as an enemy to an enemy but as friends commonly do one unto the other Madam said the Souldan seeing it is your desire it were good our Gentlewoman went again unto them to desire them to give you leave to come and visit them in their camp not to procure them any cause of envy but to do them honor and for that cause to desire their safe conduct This counsel seemed good unto the Queen and without longer staying she sent the Gentlewoman back again unto Amadis and Esplandian whom she found yet in the Tent whereas she left them With that she told them what her message was and the great desire the Queen had to see them before they entred into combate King Amadis could not refrain laughing to hear the Gentlewoman express the affection her mistress had asking king Luisart what he thought therein Son said he deny not her request for I assure you since our coming hither I have heard the Queen to be esteemed a wise and beautiful Princess You hear our answer said Amadis to the Gentlewoman let the Queen come hither when she thinketh good for she shall be heartily welcome With that the Gentlewoman returned to the