bretheren his heire no lesse prudent in all affaires thē prompt at armes and Knightly chiualrie béeing called Lisuart who maried not long before with Brisana daughter to the King of Denmarke the fairest Lady that then was to be found in all the North partes And albeit she had béene requested in mariage by great Princes of the country notwithstanding for feare of some the father durst not cōsent to the other for which he would prouide by choosing one him self and so maried her to the yong Prince Lisuart who for loue serued him nor was he ignorant of the vertues harbouring in his gentle hart Now after the death of Falangris the Princes of great Brittayne knowing the right of Lisuart sent for him to succeede in the Realme for he béeing in a strange Countrey where by his hautye déedes and chiualrie he was maried in so good a place therfore they dispatched their Ambassadours to him intreating him to accept the Realme and Subiects of great Brittaine and to come to inuest him selfe therin CHAP V. ¶ How King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertained PRince Lisuart vnderstanding his subiectes desire for his short return prouided his equipage by Sea béeing aided and assisted by the King of Denmarke his Father in Law and afterward set saile toward great Brittain And because he coasted along Scotland he tooke landing there whereof Languines being aduertised came and receiued him very royally Now was this new King of great Brittaine accompanied with the Quéene his wife and a faire Princesse their daughter aged as is thought about ten yéeres named Oriana one of the fairest creatures that euer was seene and therfore during the time of her abode in Denmarke she was commonlye called The only because her paragon was not to be found in beauty This yong Lady Oriana beeing not vsed to the trauaile on the Sea found her selfe somewhat weary and her Father fearing a woorsse mishap intreated the King of Scotland she might stay with him till he sent for her Right gladly did King Languines and his Quéen accept this charge wherfore King Lisuart without longer stay in Scotland went to Sea where weighing Anckers hoising sailes in short time landed in his owne Country where béeing arriued before he could abide in quiet asin such occasions it often falleth out certaine Rebelles were found whom in time he ouer-maistred which was the cause he could not so spéedilye send for his daughter that he left in Scotland In this place the Author leaueth the newe King peaceably ruling in great Brittaine and returneth to the Gentleman of the Sea who by this time hath attained the age of twelue yéeres albeit in stature he seemed past fifteene and and for his good grace both of the Quéene and the other Ladyes was loued and esteemed more then any other Now according as hath béene already declared the young Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart was lefte with the Quéene of Scottes to refreshe her selfe till the King her Father should send for her and to her did the Queene vse all the gracious curtesies coulde be deuised saying to her withall Faire Madame hencefoorth so please you shall the Gentleman of the Sea serue you and be yours Which the Princesse Oriana willingly accepted wherfore the yong Prince made such an impression of this kindenesse in his spirite as during life he meant to serue nor loue any other and therfore foreeuer bequeathed to her his hart but so wel it came to passe that this loue was mutuall and equall betwéene them both Notwithstanding the Prince for a while hauing no knowledge therof thought him self vnwoorthy so great good reputing it a very bolde enterprise to thinke theron which was the cause he durst not speake but shew his good will in outward semblaunce The yong Princesse who was of the same minde and also in like payne forbare to talke more with him then an other therby to auoyde all suspition but the eyes of the two louers dooing their deuoire and office entercoursed the thing which moste they esteemed and thus couertly they liued without acquainting eche other with this amorous affection Soone after this yong vnknown prince seeing that to attaine the good grace of the Lady he loued it was necessary he should take Armes and receiue the order of knighthood he saide to himselfe If once I were a knight I would doo such exploytes as should deserue the fauour of my Ladye or dye in the attempte And in this desire one day finding King Languines at leysure for his request and comming to him in the garden where he walked he fell on his knee vsing these spéeches My Lord might it stand with your plesure I gladly would receiue my knighthood When the King heard him séeing his young yéeres he was greatly abashed and thus answered How now Gentleman of the Sea Doo you thinke your selfe already strong enoughe for such a weightie charge in sooth it is an easie thing to receiue honor but to maintaine it as behooueth it may be is more hard then you estéeme so that oftentimes a a right good hart is troubled therwith For if through feare or cowardise he forsake what he ought to doo more better is death to him then a shamefull life therfore by mine aduise I would haue you yet a while to forbeare The prince not contented with this answere replyed I will not forgoe honor my Lord through any such feare as it pleaseth you to alleadge for if I had not the desire to doo all that appertayneth to chiualrie I would not haue beene so bolde to make this request but seeing by your gracious fauour I haue been hetherto nourished most humbly I beséech ye to graunt me this peticion that I may receiue no occasion of loosing your seruice to séeke else where for obtaining my sute The king highly estéeming the courage of y e youth and doubting least he would departe indeed answered Assure your selfe Gentleman that I will doo it when I sée it necessarye for ye in meane while prouide your Armes and what els belongeth Yet tel me faire Sir to whom if I refused would you goe for your order To King Perion saide y e Prince who is reputed a good and hardie Knight for he hath maried the Sister to your Quéene who maketh me beleeue that he wil not deny me when I shall let him vnderstand how she hath nourished me and that I am her seruant It is true quoth the King but for this present haue a little pacience and when time serueth you shalbe honourablye Knighted in meane while he gaue charge that all his néedful accoustrements for the cause should be prouided Now did the King aduertise Gandales héerof who was so contented therwith as he soone dispatched a Damosell toward the yong Prince by whome he sent the Swoord the King and the letter couered with ware which he found in the Chest he tooke out of the Sea Such spéed made the Damosell
to the Castell to be the man that gaue me mine order of Knighthood wherwith so please if God I meane to serue you while your warre continueth in Gaule and willingly I would not be knowne by any one till your troubles be finished You haue already said the King doone so much for me as I rest bounden to you while I liue allowing you to dispose of me and mine and if as you say you come into Gaule you shall augment with aduauntage the honor due to you then iustly may I tearme the hower happie that it was my fortune to make so good a Knight Such like woordes vsed King Perion little thinking how néere they were allied together and thus they rode deuising till at length they came to a double way when he demaunded of the King which of those waies pleased him to take This on the left hand answered the King because it guideth directly to my Countrye God haue you then in his kéeping saide the Prince for I must néedes ride this other waye I praye ye quoth the King remember your comming into Gáule as you promised me for the hope I haue in you hath abridged parte of my sorrowe and giueth me assuraunce withall that by your meanes I shall recouer my losse So tooke they leaue of eche other the King toward Gaule and the Prince in companye with the Damosell and Gandalin but because she had now seen what she desired namely the proofe of the Launce which Vrganda gaue him she would trauaile no further out of her way but turning to the Prince said I haue hetherto my Lord with right good will kept ye company because y e Lady that gaue ye the Launce saide she brought it to the best Knight in the world and surely I haue seen so much as I stand in no doubt of her spéeches wherfore I shall now shape my course to finde her I am sent to as before I tolde ye I pray ye Lady quoth he tell me what she is It is saide she the Princesse Oriana Daughter to King Lisuart of great Brittaine When he heard her named whom he loued so déerly his hart began to tremble in such sort as he had fallen beside his horsse but that Gandalin stayed him yet fetching a great sigh said Ah God my hart faileth me The Damosell thinking some suddē sicknes was cause therof would haue had him vnarmed but he tolde her it was néedelesse for he was oftentimes want to feele such passions The Squire who all this while had beene their guide tooke leaue of the Prince asking the Damosell if her way lay toward the Courte of King Languines which she affirming he saide he would accompanye her thither because he had busines of some importance there So hauing courteouslye saluted eche other they returned the same way they came and the Prince rode on with Gandalin to séeke aduentures Héere leaueth the Author to tell ye what happened to Galaor whome the Giant caried away and gaue in kéeping to the aged Hermite as already you haue heard By this time had Galaor attained the age of sixtéene yéeres meruaylouslye encreasing in stature and comely perfection hauing no other exercise then reading on a Booke which the olde man lent him discoursing the déeds of Armes of sundry auncient Knightes Héerin he tooke so great pleasure as on this occasion as also by a naturall instinct he was desirous to be Knighted neuerthelesse he knew not whether by right such honor appertained to him Uerye earnestlye he questioned theron with the Hermite but the holy man who knew right well that so soone as he receiued the order he should combat against the giant Albadan his eyes being filled with teares he thus answered My Sonne much better were it for you to labour in the safetie of your soule then to aduenture on the order of Knighthood which is to be maintained with wunderous trauaile Father quoth Galaor verye hardlye shall I follow the calling which I take against my will but in that wherof my hart hath made choise if God graunt me good successe will I aduaunce his seruice for ther-out may I not be during life The good Hermite who then well perceiued his grounded resolution replied Certes my Sonne seeing you are determined to follow Armes I can well assure ye that through faulte of high linage you neede not dispaire of good hap in respect you are Sonne to a King and Quéene but kéepe that to your selfe and let not the Giant know how I tolde ye so much When Galaor heard this he was excéedingly contented saying to the Hermit In sooth Father the care I haue had all my life time to be a Knight hath béene very great but now I thank God and you I am rid therof for by that you haue tolde me I can not misse of it The Hermit noting his earnest affection doubted least soon after he would be gon wherfore he gaue the Giant to knowe his Schollers for wardnes as also how his constitution did now very wel serue him being wonderful desirous of his knighthood and therfore he should now deale in the cause as best him selfe pleased No sooner was the Giant enfourmed heerof but presently he got him to horse-back and rode to the Hermit with whom he found Galaor of more large stature then his yéeres expressed very comely and beautifull in euery parte wherupon he thus spake to him I vnderstand Sonne that you would be a Knight to follow Armes truely you shall prepare your self to goe with me when time serueth and your desire shalbe honourablye satisfied Father answered Galaor héer in consisteth the summe of mine affection so not long after the Giant departed from the Hermit taking Galaor with him who falling on his knée before the reuerend olde man desired that as he had fatherlye nourished him so still he would remember him in his deuoute orisons The holy man with the teares trickling downe his chéekes kissed and blessed him thē mounted Galaor on horseback and followed the Giant who brought him home to his Castell where for certayne time he practised to combate at Armes as also brauely to manage horsses hauing all things conuenient for the same and two maisters very expert therin When he had continued a yéere at these exercises the Giant seeing him woorthye to receiue honor and strong enough to endure chiualrie disposed theron as you shall read héerafter Now againe dooth the Author leaue him and discourseth of that which chaunced to the Gentleman of the Sea who after he departed from King Perion and the Damosell rode two dayes together without any aduenture and on the third about mid-day he ariued at a verye goodlye Fortresse that appertained to a Gentleman named Galpan This Galpan was then the most valiant Knight in all that Countrey and therfore was greatly feared of all his Neighbours yet did he there maintain an abhominable and wicked custome forgetting God who was chéefly to be honoured bequeathed his endeuours to the seruice of the Deuill For he
in full course againste him breaking their Launces in peeces on his Shéelde but the Prince méeting him that had the foyle in the Forrest threw him againe from his saddle so roughly as in the fall he brake his arme the gréef wherof made him lye still as if he had béene dead When he perceiued he was so well rid of one he drew his Swoord and came to the other giuing him such a stroke on his Helmet as the Swoord entring in he pulde it back with such force that the laces brake wherby he brought it quite from his head vpon his swoord then he lifted vp his arme to haue smitten him but the Knight quickly clapt his Shéelde before In meane while the Prince got his Swoord into his lefte hand which he could doo verye hardlye and with his right hand tooke holde on his enemies Sheeld renting it violently from about his neck and afterward gaue him such a blowe on the head as in great amazemente he fell to the ground Thus did he leaue him there with his companion and rode with the Damosell to the Tentes of Agraies who hauing seene the conclusion of this quarrell meruailed what he was that had so soone ouercome two knights therfore wheÌ„ he came towards him he went forth to meete him and so soone as they knew eche other you need make no doubt of their kinde salutations Soone after the Prince alighted and by Agraies was conducted into his Tent to be vnarmed but firste he gaue commaundement that the Knightes dismounted in the feeld should be brought thither where they were no sooner arriued but Agraies thus spake to them Beléeue me my fréendes you attempted great folly to meddle with this knight You say true my Lord answered he whose arme was broken yet once to daye I saw him in such plight as I little thought of any such resistance Afterward he declared all y e happened in the Forrest and the communication they had together yet he omitted the Princes complaintes because he stood in feare to displease him During the repetition of these matters the pacience of the one and boldenes of the other was entercoursed among them and all that day they soiourned there but on the morrow morning they mounted on horsse-back shaping their course to Palingues a right good Cittie on the frontiers and the vtmoste parte of Scotland where they found Shipping and embarqued themselues toward Gaule The winde seruing according to their desire in fewe dayes they landed in the hauen of Galfrin and marching thence in séemely order without any hinderaunce they came to the Castell of Baldain where King Perion was besieged hauing already lost great number of his people When he was aduertised of this succour you must imagine him comforted therby and their welcome to be good and gracious chéefely by the Quéene Elisena who hauing knowledge of their arriâ—all sent to intreat her Nephew Agraies to come visit her which he did béeing accompanied with the King and the Gentleman of the Sea and two other knightes of good account But you must note that king Perion knew not the Prince at the first sight yet at the length he called him to remeÌ„braunce that it was the same man whom he had Knighted and after-ward saued his life at the Castell wherfore thus he spake By déere fréend on my faith I had forgotten ye you are most welcome to this place for your presence giueth me assurance that I néed feare this warre no further hauing the only Knight of the world so néere me Dread Lord answered the Prince God giue me grace to serue you accordingly for perswade your selfe that while these troubles endure I will make no spare of my person As thus they deuised they entred the Queens Chamber when the King taking the Prince by the hand presented him to her saying Madame this is the good knight of whom here-tofore I tolde ye he defended me from the greatest daunger that euer I was in and therfore I pray ye let no spare of curtesie be made to him héere but giue him the best entertainement the time will affoorde The Queene auaunced her selfe to embrace him but he fell on his knée with these woordes I am seruant Madame to the Quéen your sister and from her I come to serue you with like obedience as to her owne person Right graciously did the good Lady giue him thankes yet little thought she that he was her sonne for she imagined the Sea had deuoured him yet was the Princes presence at that very instant so pleasing to her as her eyes could not be satisfied with beholding him and through a secret moouing of nature she wished more good to him theÌ„ any in the troupe At this time likewise was her remembraunce sollicited with the former losse of her two Children whose yéeres she thought would haue equalled the Princes if God had preserued theÌ„ and these occasions vrged the teares into her eyes Thus wept she for hâ—m that nature touched her withall yet vnknowen was in her presence but when the Prince behelde her so sorrowfull he reputed it to the reason of the warre begun wherfore he saide Madame I hope with the aide of God your King and the fresh supply we haue brought in short time to recouer your ioye and for mine owne parte trust me I will make no spare Heauen prosper ye answered the Quéene with happy successe and for you are the Quéene my sisters knight I will that ye prouide no other lodging but abide heere with vs and all thinges shall be appointed for ye to your owne contentment Such was their conference together vntill Agraies would goe refreshe him selfe wherfore taking leaue for y e night he went to his lodging where it was prouided and gladly would the Prince haue followed him but the Queene with-helde him by such importunitie as he was constrained now to remaine in his vnknowne mothers custodie Right soon was the newes of this fresh succour brought to King Abies of Ireland and Daganel his Cozin who made verye small account therof because in those times was king Abies accounted for one of the best knightes that euer was heard of and in respect of his hotte desire to the fight determined séeing new aide was come to his enemy very quickly to bid him battaile and for this cause he said before all his people there present If King Perion were so gentle a companion as to come sée vs I had rather he would doo it to day then to morrow Assure your selfe answered Daganel he is nothing so hastie as I thinke for he feareth you too much albeit he maketh little shewe therof Know you saide Gallin Duke of Normandie by what meanes we may therto constraine him First let vs make an ambushe of the greater parte of our Armie which shall remaine with the King in this Forrest of Baldain theÌ„ you Lord Daganel and my selfe will goe with the rest to present our selues at break of daye before the Cittie and I am certain
for God is our defender At these words the most dishartened tooke courage concluding to stay and fight manly with their enemyes who soone after in great fury set vppon them Now did King Abies make known his magnanimity and hardly could Prince Agraies men endure the assault nor the squadron that King Perion brought for King Abies maimed some other he ouerthrew and while his Launce held he dismounted euery Knight that met with him Afterward he layd hand to Sword wherewith he caryed himselfe so valiantly as the hardyest were amazed thereat for he made way where euer he came so that King Perions men not able longer to hold out began to retire so fast as they could toward the Citie When the Gentleman of the Sea sawe that fortune was so contrary to thē in great despight he entred the throng and fought so fiercely as the most part of the Irish-men were glad to stay while the Gaules without disorder retired toward the Castell then turning his horsse he followed them To defend this brunt there was also King Perion and the Prince Agraies who deliuered testimonie to their enemyes by the kéene edge of their Swords how well they knewe to gouerne themselues in such extremities notwithstanding the Irish-men séeing they had the better still pursued them with eager courage driuing them confusedly into the Citie hoping that now would be the end of their warre Such was the retire of the Gaules still more and more pressed by their enemyes as doubtlesse the Irish had entred the Cittie after them but that they were hindered by King Perion Agraies and the Prince who wholly did repulse the throng till their people by them were gotten in But now was tidings brought to King Abies that his Cozin Daganel and Gallin Duke of Normandye were slaine whereat he wexed verie displeasant and séeing King Perion with his people were enclosed in the Cittie he resolued to take leysure for his reuenge wherein he was deceiued for soone after he was very strongly repulsed which made him almost mad with anger And as he thus raged vp and downe one of his Knights shewed him the Prince saying My Lord he whome you see mounted on the white Horsse is the man that slew Prince Daganel and the Duke of Normandye with many other the best in your Army When King Abies heard that he rode to the Prince with these words Knight thou hast slaine the man whome most I loued in the world but if thou wilt combat I hope to be reuēged so well as I shall haue cause to be quit with thée Your men answered y e Prince are too little trauailed to meddle with ours notwithstanding if thou wilt as a Knight reuenge him thou louedst and declare the great hardines for which thou art renowmed chuse of thy men such as thou shalt like and I if it please the King will do as much of mine for being equall in number thou shalt gaine more honor then with so great an Armie which thou hast brought into this countrey without iust occasion Beléeue me quoth the King thou talkest well go to chuse thou thy selfe the number of men how many or fewe thou thinkest good Séeing you leaue it in my choise replyed the Prince I will make an other offer which it may be you will account more conuenient You are mine enemy for that which I haue done and I yours for the wrong you haue done to this Realme so for our seuerall cause of anger it is not reasonable any other then our selues should suffer let then the battaile be betweene you and me only and presently if you wil without longer dallying yet shall you assure me from your men as I will do you frō mine so y ◠none shall moue whether the one or the other be vanquished Right well said King Abies do I allow of thy offer whereupon he chose ten Knights on his part to gard the féeld And as the Prince laboured to gaine the like of the King with his consent he found King Perion and Agraies somewhat loath to graunt the Combate as well for the consequence that might ensue as also because the Prince was much wearyed and sore wounded beside wherefore they intreated him to deferre the matter till the day following But the desirous affection he had to be conquerour as also to make a finall conclusion of the warre that he might returne vnder her obeysaunce from whome he came to serue King Perion would not suffer him to make any longer delay of the glory and honor which he sawe so néere at hand For this cause he vsed so many perswasions to the King as in the ende he was graunted the Combate and on his side likewise were ten Knightes appointed for his guard and safetie in the féeld CHAP. X. ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the Combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule YOu haue heard in what manner the Combate was accorded betwéene King Abies and the Gentleman of the Sea and now alreadie is the greatest part of y e day spent wherefore it was agréed by the Lords on either side very much against the willes of the two Combatants that all should be deferred till the morrow morning as well that they might refresh themselues and repaire their battered Armour as also for regarding such woundes as they had receiued in the passed encounters Heereupon the two Kings withdrewe themselues the one to his Campe and the other to his Castell But such is the bruite spred through the Citty what worthie exploits the Gentleman of the Sea had done as he could not passe by them but thus they spake with generall voyce Ah famous Knight God giue thée grace to procéed as thou hast begun impossible is it to finde a Gentleman so accomplished with beautie and chiualrie as he is for our eyes are iudges of the one and our enemyes full well haue felt the other But you must note that in the morning when they went to the féeld the King had giuen the Queen in charge that so soone as the Prince returned from the warre she should send one of her Ladyes to him requesting him not to be vnarmed in any other place then in her Chamber wherefore as he went néere the Kings lodging the Lady came vnto him saying Sir Knight the Queene desires you not to be els-where vnarmed but in her Chamber where she stayeth your comming In sooth saide the King you must néedes graunt this request and I desire it may be so The Prince condiscending went where the Quéene stayed with her Ladyes and no sooner was he entred but presently the Ladyes holpe to vnarme him yet the Quéene her selfe tooke the greatest paine of all and as she had off his coate of Mayle she perceiued he was sore wounded which she shewing to the King he said I meruaile Gentleman séeing you are so hurt that you tooke no longer time for your Combate It had béene needlesse answered the Prince for I haue no wound
is so well effected will ye graunt me one request What said Galaor am I to deny you any thing except you would with-hold me from séeking honor My Sonne answered the Giant I rather desire thy happy proceeding therein that which I would haue appertaineth thereto Demaund then what you will said Galaor for I graunt it Fair Sonne quoth the Giant héeretofore you haue heard me cōplaine of the Giant Albadan who by treason slew my father and yet forcibly detaineth from me the Rock of Galteres which iustly doth belong to me I pray ye to take reuenge on my behalfe for no other then you may do it remember how well I haue nourished and vsed you as also my true and vnfained loue which is such as I will yéeld my person euen to the death for safetie of yours This matter said Galaor you néede not request but commaund me to do it as for my selfe I desire ye to rest content till with Albadan I haue tryed this difference séeing it concerneth you so néere Beside héereof you may be perswaded that if I escape with life I shall continue euermore in readines to accomplish any thing else for your honor and profit in which deuoire the whole circuit of my time is bound as witnesse of the dutie I owe to you therefore without any longer trifling let vs set forward to him with whome I must try my fortune So tooke they the way to the Rock of Galteres but before they had trauayled farre Vrganda ouertooke them and being acquainted with eche other she said to Galaor Knowe ye gentle Sir who hath this day made you Knight That do I Madame answered Galaor euen the best Knight that euer I heard of It is very true quoth she yet is he of greater estéeme then you thinke but I would haue you to know his name then called she Gandalaz the Giant saying Gandalaz doest not thou know that this Knight whome thou hast nourished is Sonne to King Perion and his Quéene Elisena and how by such like words I bad thee take him since which time thou hast béene his foster father It is very true answered the Giant Now then Galaor my friend said Vrganda the man that made thée Knight is thy brother and elder then thou by two yéeres wherefore when thou séest him giue him honor and labour to resemble him in hardines and kindship May it be possible replyed Galaor that King Perion is my father and Quéene Elisena my mother and I the brother to so good a Knight Doubt not thereof quoth she for it is so Praised be God said Galaor now may I assure ye that I am in greater care then before nor will I make any spare of my life seeing it is necessary I should resemble him you talke of Thus returned Vrganda the same way she came and the Giant with Galaor rode on as they purposed the Prince demaunding of the Giant what the Lady was that had communed with them It is quoth he Vrganda the vnknowne as she nameth her selfe because she often trans-formeth and maketh her selfe vnknowen As thus they deuised together they came to a riuer side where they would refresh themselues and by reason the heate of the day was very vehement they caused a Tent to be erected where long they had not sitten but they beheld two Damsels comming toward them by two seuerall wayes and met together directly before the pauillion So soone as they espied the Giant they would haue fled but Galaor came to assure them and courteously caused them to returne demaunding afterward whether they trauailed I go quoth one of them by the commaundement of my mistresse to see a straunge fight which one onely Knight hath enterprised in combate against the strong Giant at the Rock of Galteres to the end I may bring her true tidings thereof When the other Damosell heard her say so she thus replied I am amazed at your spéeches is there any Knight in the world dare venter on such folly Certes sayd the first it is most true Beleeue me answered the other although my occasions be else-where I am content to stay and goe with you to sée a matter so incredible Héereupon they would haue taken leaue of Galaor but he said to them Make no haste faire Damosels but tarry if you please and we will beare ye company whereto they condiscended as well for the good grace they noted in this new Knight as also in respect of his amiable countenance which made them take great pleasure in beholding him then Galaor walking with the Giant aside said Father I could wish that you would goe no further with vs but let me goe with these Damosels to accomplish what I haue promised this he spake because he would not be knowen what he was or that his enterprise should be suspected by them whereto the Giant vnwillingly did accord So rode Galaor with the Damosels and thrée Squires the Giant left him to beare his Armour making such spéede in their iourney that they arriued within two miles of the Rock of Galteres where they lodged in the little cottage of an Hermite to whome Galaor imparted some of his secret thoughts but when he reuealed that he came for the combate the good Hermit abashed thereat discoursed with him in this manner My Sonne who hath aduised thée to this boldnes seeing there is not in all this countrey ten such Knights as dare assayle the Giant so fearefull and monstrous is he to behold and you being but young to hazard your selfe in this daunger aduenture the losse both of bodie and soule because such as wilfully seeke their own death are very homicides of them-selues Father answered Galaor God worke his will with me for by no meanes may I let passe mine enterprise Greatly was the good man mooued to compassion so that the teares bedewed his milke-white beard being able to make no other answere but thus If not my Sonne I desire God to assist ye séeing you will giue no better credit to me Good Father quoth Galaor be mindfull of me in your deuout praiers and thus till next morning they spent the night Galaor hauing armed himselfe went to the Rock which was not farre frō the Hermitage for there might be easily discerned the fortresse and great towers which deliuered good marke of a most strong Castell When one of y e Damsels saw they approched so néere she demaunded of Galaor if he knew the Knight that should performe the Combat I thinke quoth he I haue séene him sometime but tell me I pray ye from what place are you come to behold this pastime and what is the Lady that sent you None must knowe so much said the Damosell but the Knight himselfe which dealeth in the Combate Thus continued their talke till they arriued at the Castell of Albadan the gate whereof they found fast shut but Galaor stepping thereto called the Porter at which noise two men shewed themselues ouer the porche demaunding of him what he would
Brittayne By this time sundrie spéeches past betweene him and the King where-among he dissembled his spéedie departure to prouoke a desire in him to stay him and thus spake Amadis Dread Lord seeing the Lady is frée I desire leaue for my returne againe but if in ought I may do your Maiestie any seruice I am the man readie to be commanded and you the Prince whome most I desire to honor Good fréend quoth the King your departure must not be so soone except you delight to displease me God forbid answered Amadis in respect my endeuour is altogether to obey you Do you thinke sayd the King it is any obedience if I may not intreate a longer stay In sooth my Lord quoth Amadis you may and shall commaund for in greater matters then this I will not offend ye Goe then and vnarme you replied the King and speaking these woordes him selfe took him by the hand conducting him to a sumptuous Chamber where he left him to take some refection with Arban King of Norgalles and the Duke of Glocester whome he commaunded to kéepe him company for King Lisuart was a Prince that especially fauoured and honored strange Knightes Hauing left Amadis thus woorthely accompanied he went to the Quéene and tolde her in what manner he had staied the good Knight who ouercame Dardan But doo ye my Lord quoth she know his name No verily answered the King for in respect of the promise I made him I durst not demaund that question of him It may be saide the Quéene he is the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule I would it might fall out so well answered the King Doo you know quoth the Quéene who may put vs out of this doubt euen the Squire that talked with Mabtla who came to search him in your Courte and saide how he was aduertised of his arriuall in this Countrye long before Immediatly the King caused Gandalin to be called and without declaring any thing to him thus spake Follow me for I must shew a Knight to thée that I may be resolued if thou know him or no. Gandalin attended on the King entring the Chamber where Amadis was and Gandalin viewing him very earnestly feigned to haue seene him long time since then setting his knee to the ground saide Ah my Lord great trauaile haue I endured to finde you since I departed from the Scottish Court Gandalin my good freend right hartely art thou welcome to me what newes doost thou bring None but good my Lord answered Gandalin all your noble freendes are in perfect health commending them-selues to your excellencie but hence-foorth Sir you must conceale your selfe no longer then turning to the King he thus procéeded Mighty King he that hath beene so long time vnknowne is this braue Prince the famous Amadis Sonne to the inuincible King Perion of Gaule and then came his Father to vnderstand so much when he slewe in combate the puissant King Abies of Ireland by meanes wherof he recouered his Realme which was well néere lost By these deuises was Amadis discouered and better welcommed then before for til then he was not knowen but through his famous déedes the renowne wherof was euery where blazed abroad and now was he so well honoured for his vertue as his noblenes required So spent they the whole day in honorable feasting vntill such time as eche one withdrew him self when King Lisuart commaunded the King of Norgalles that he should lodge in Amadis ChaÌ„ber afterward wheÌ„ they were alone to sound his minde and vnderstand by all meanes possible if he would consent to remain in his seruice Thus leauing them together he returned to the Quéene and to her thus spake Madame hardly shall I cause Amadis to stay as mine nor can I tell which way to compasse it albeit I neuer had greater desire to any Gentleman of long time for the high account is helde of him would cause mée to be much more feared and redoubted My Lord quoth the Quéene graunt him any thing he shall demaund and doo your selfe present him what you imagine will best please him He requesteth nothing of me replied the King for if he did I would consent therto more willingly theÌ„ he could desire Me thinkes it were good saide the Quéen to intreat him first by some other of our Courte and if they cannot preuaile will him to come sée me your Daughter and our Cozin Mabila they likewise shall sollicite the matter for they knew him when he serued them as a Squire Then shall we let him vnderstand how all the Knightes héer are yours and none but thinkes him selfe honored therby him will we desire to be one of the company that you may enioy his seruice when need shall require This will be a good meane answered the King to procure his stay and if he will not be wonne by you we may well iudge him of lesse ciuilitie then Chiualrie Now because it wexed somewhat late the King bad his Quéene good night and went to his Chamber On the other side the King of Norgalles perswaded his new come guest that he would abide in the Court of King Lisuart but Amadis could so cunningly dissemble that he altogether disguised the chéefe poynt of his desire and might not by all these intreties be wun When he perceiued he laboured in vaine on the morrow morning he brought him to the King of whome Amadis made offer to take his leaue but the King answered him in this manner My good fréend you should haue doone me pleasure not to departe so soone yet can I not constraine ye to tarye against your will but my Queene would gladly sée you before your departure Nor will I goe my Lord answered Amadis before I haue doone my dutye to her wherupon taking him by the hand he brought him into her chamber and thus spake to her Sée héere Madame King Perions sonne of Gaule who is come to salute you before his departure In sooth my Lord answered the Queene he dooth me great honor and he is very hartely welcome hither Then Amadis stepping to her fell on his knée to kisse her hand but she caused him to rise and sit downe by her when the King perceiuing they would enter into further talke with-drew himselfe to discourse with his Knights while they conferred together In meane while the Queene â—â—urteously entertained Amadis but the other Ladyes and Gentlewomen who had heard such fame of his beautie and excellent perfections began to eye him very diligently meruailing that nature had so enriched him with the only thing they most desired Now knew Amadis by their countenances what iudgement they held of him yet durst he net turne his head aside fearing least seeing his Oriana by some sudden mutation he might reueale what carefully he coueted to hide And as he continued in this perplexitie the Princesse Mabila came and did him reuerence wherevpon the Quéene the better to compasse her intent called her Daughter who dissembled as if she scant knewe him and
thus she spake to her Faire Daughter remember you not the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who serued you well while he was your Squire yet may do if it please him now he is a Knight in sooth you must all assist me in desiring him to graunt me one request And know ye what it is quoth she to Amadis the King earnestly intreateth you to remaine in his Court and yet as I vnderstand you haue no will to affoord him so small a fauour We shall see anon if Ladyes hold greater priuiledge in Knights then men do therefore we all ioyne together in one sute that you would be Knight to my Daughter and my selfe and likewise to them whome you sée in this faire company And if you will do so much for vs you shall deliuer vs from séeking support in any other who happily cannot be to agréeable so vs for well we know if you be our Knight we shall surpasse all them that attend on the King The Ladyes were before aduertised what they should do in this case wherefore they flocked about him altogether and with signes of earnest supplication confirmed the Quéenes request especially Oriana who gaue him a signe that he should consent but he very wisely dissembled it although he had no other desire in the world wherefore the Quéene séeing him so slowe in answering as if she would haue pressed him thereto said Well Sir Amadis what shall we be denied Madame replied Amadis what is he that dare do otherwise then graunt your will and these Ladies present séeing you are the most honorable Quéene of the world and they likewise deserue the highest point of seruice therefore Madame by your commaundement and the Princesse Oriana as also these other Ladyes who are loth to be denied I am content to tarry with you yet vnder this condition that I will do nothing but for you only and if I accomplish any seruice for the King it shall be yours and none of his Then as our Champion answered the Queene all we accept you and these glad tidings she soone sent to the King who was so highly pleased therewith that he commaunded the King of Norgaâ—les to goâ— and beare him company and himselfe for ioy went presently to him when taking him in his armes he said Gentle Knight right glad am I of your consent to the Queene and for my part be you well assured that my desire is to intreate ye according to your deserts Amadis on his knee humbly thanked him albeit he only stayd by the commandement of Oriana and no such other matter as he feigned to the Quéene For this time the Author leaueth Amadis returning where he left the Prince Galaor who being departed from the Duke of Brystoyaes Castell where the villainous Dwarffe vnhappily discouered him all that day he wandered in the Forrest of Arinida not meeting any one to direct him a more ready way yet toward euening he sawe a Squire come toward him mounted on a right good Courser Now had Galaor receiued a certaine wound by one of the thrée Knights that assailed him as you haue heard which by reason of dallying with his new fréend the night past began to fester and ranckle verie much and féeling himselfe not halfe currant he said to the Squire My fréend knowest thou where I may finde cure for a small wound I haue What if I do answered the Squire yet will I not company any such coward as thou art because it were to my shame and discredit if I should Enough of that said Galaor tell me where I may find helpe for my wound Rather quoth the Squire would I séeke one to giue thée another Shew me the way answered Galaor and I will aduenture what thou fearest me withall I may chuse said the Squire except I list Day thou shalt do it quoth Galaor by fréendship or force By force replyed the Squire thinkest thou I will do any thing for so bad and false a Knight as thou art When Galaor heard him speak so imperiously he drew his Sword making shew as if he would smite off his head saying Uillaine thou shalt conduct me else will I send thy soule to all the Deuils The Squire being affrayd thus answered Séeing thou enforcest me I will bring thée to a place where thy folly shall be chastised and my outrage reuenged Heerewith he rode before leauing the right way Galaor following some distance behinde im and by tune they had ridden the length of a mile they came to a Fortresse seated in a pleasant valley brauely enuironed about with trees the Squire then pointing him to the place said Now mayst thou let me goe for heere I hope will be reuenged the iniurie thou hast done me Goe thy way to all the Deuils replyed Galaor for I haue enough of thy company Scant wilt thou like my conducting said the Squire before thou departest from this Castell wherewith he turned bridle and away but Galaor followed the path that guided to the Castell which in his iudgement was but newly edified and being come to the Gate he sawe within a Knight armed mounted on horsseback attended on by fiue Halberders prouided to forbid entraunce into the Castell who comming to him demaunded if he were the man that abused their Squire I know not answered Galaor whether he be your Squire or no but hither am I come by the conduct of a varlet the most audacious Roge that euer I knewe It may be so replyed the Knight of the Castell but what would you haue in this place Sir quoth Galaor I am fore wounded and seeke for one to giue me helpe Enter then said the Knight Galaor rode in but presently the Knight and his Souldiours very fiercely assailed him yet the first that came before him thinking to strike at his head with his Halberd was followed so néere as Galaor snatched his weapon out of his hand giuing the Knight such a wound therewith that he fell downe dead Then entring among the other he gaue them so many rough and sharpe charges as in the end thrée of them were slaine outright the other two fled so fast as they could into the Castell and Galaor would haue pursued them but that his Squire cryed to him My Lord take your Armes for within me thinks I heare a great rumour of people my self 〈◊〉 take this hatcheâ— to assist ye if you stand in neede and although I am vnworthie the order of â—hwalrâ—e yet will defend my Lord to my vttermost habilitie so threwe he downe the hatchet taking vp a Halberd and a Sheeld belonging to one of them that were slaine Assure thy selfe answered Galaor so soone as I finde him that gaue me Knighthood thou shalt for thy forwardnes likewise haue â—â—iâ—e So passing further they sawe two other armed Knights come foorth and ten Souldiours with them who were brought out at the gate by the other that fled away Now was the Squire that conducted Galaor to this Castell standing shewing him selfe at
rode together to Windesore where they had good hope to finde King Lisuart CHAP. XVIII ¶ How Amadis tarying with his good will in the Court of King Lisuart heard tidinges of his brother Galaor BY the discourse past you haue vnderstood how Amadis after he had in open feelde foyled and ouer-come the audacious proud Dardan was stayed in King Lisuarts Courte by the Ladies request expressely to be the Queenes Knight his entertainement by the King fauour and manifolde other curtesies you haue likewise heard It now came so to passe that as he was one day deuising among the Ladyes a Damosell entred the Quéenes chamber who falling on her knées before the Queene said Madame is not a Knight héere that beareth azured Lyons in his armes The Quéene perceiuing she meant Amadis answered Damosell what would you with him Madame quoth she I haue brought him tidings of a new Knight who hath begun in déedes of Armes so rarely as euer did any You speake very much answered the Quéene but you perhaps being acquainted with none but him thinke therefore he is beyond all other It may be so replyed the Damosell yet when you vnderstand what he hath accomplished I thinke your selfe will agrée to my saying I pray ye then quoth the Quéene tell vs what he is When I see the good Knight answered the Damosell he who caryeth such estimation from all other I will tell him in your presence and other newes which I am charged to acquaint him withall The Quéene was now more desirous to know him then before wherefore shewing her Amadis she said Sée héere Damosell the man you aske for Madame quoth she in respect you speake it I beléeue it for a Quéene of such state as you are is frée from beguiling then comming to Amadis she thus procéeded My Lord the young Gentleman whome not long since you Knighted before the Castell of Bradoid when you vanquished the two Knights on the bridge and the other on the cawsey where you tooke the Maister thereof prisoner and deliuered by force of armes the freend to Vrganda most humbly saluteth you by me being the man whome he reputeth as his Lord and giueth you to knowe how he endeuoureth to reach the height of honor which he will attaine or dye in the attempt likewise when he shall perfourme some-what worthie the name of Chiualrie he will acquaint you with more then yet you knowe vntill which time he shrowdes it in silence Amadis soone remembred â—he spake of his brother wherefore with ioy the teares dewed his chéekes and the Ladyes well noting this alteration meruailed thereat especially Oriana who as you haue heard heeretofore was grounded in such affection toward him as she was well néere depriued of power to dissemble it In meane while the Quéene desirous to heare what déedes of prowesse the new Knight had perfourmed said to the Damosell I pray ye continue your message and tell vs the braue beginning of chiualrie you spake of Madame quoth she the first place where he made proofe of himselfe was at the Rock of Galteres where he combatted with the great and terrible Giant Albadan whome in open feeld hand to hand he ouercame and slew héereto she added the manner of the fight assuring her that she had seene the same Greatly were all the hearers abashed at these newes but aboue all the rest the Quéene who demaunded of the Damosell if she knewe whether he trauailed from thence Madame quoth she I parted from him soone after leauing him in the company of a Damosell who came from her Mistresse to séeke him because she was desirous to knowe him at which time he went with her and since I neuer sawe him What thinke you héere-of Sir Amadis said the Quéene do not you know of whence he is Yes truely Madame answered Amadis although I can say but little héerein I thinke he be mine owne brother for so Vrganda not long since assured me Doubtlesse quoth the Quéene the fortune of you both is admirable and I meruaile how you could come to the knowledge of your Parents or they of you yet would I be glad to sée that Knight in the Kings seruice While these spéeches endured Oriana who sate farre from the Quéene and heard none of these newes was in such griefe to sée Amadis shead teares as being vnable to conceale the same she said to Mabila I pray ye faire friend call your Cozin Amadis that we may knowe what hath happened to cause him mourne Mabila made a signe to Amadis to come and when he was with them Oriana shewing her selfe some-what grieued thus began Sir Amadis it may full well be said that by some Lady you are now mooued to pittie I pray ye tell vs what she is and from whence this Damosell brought you these tidings Amadis quickly perceiued his Mistresses disease wherefore he declared all that the Damosell tolde the Queene which appeased the iealouzie of this hot louer made her shew more amiable countenance thus speaking to Amadis Alas my Lord I must intreat ye to pardon the fault raysed only by fond suspition against you I promise ye Madame quoth he there is no cause of pardon nor did my heart euer thinke amisse against you but could you like thereof that I should go séeke him the Damosell departed from and bring him hither with me to serue you for this I am assured if I bring him not it will be very hard to get him hither Beléeue me answered Oriana I could gladly with so good a Knight in this companie and therefore I thinke you shall do well to go seeke him yet before you depart acquaint y e Queene heerewith that she may imagine how by her commaundement only you enterprise this iourney Humbly did Amadis regratiate his Mistresse and according to her councell he went to the Queene to whome he began in this manner It were good in mine opinion Madame that the King had this Knight likewise to attend on his seruice Certes quoth she I would it might be so if it were possible If you will graunt me leaue said Amadis to goe find him I haue no doubt of bringing him hither otherwise I knowe you shall hardly see him till he haue made himselfe knowne in many other places You doo very much for the King quoth she if he doo come neuerthelesse I referre it to your owne discretion Thus Amadis obtained licence to depart which he did very early the next morning hauing no other company then Gandalin and spending most part of the day riding through a Forrest he sawe a Lady come toward him accompanyed with two Damosels and foure Squires who weeping very greeuously conducted a Knight in a Litter whereat Amadis being abashed demaunded what mooued them to be so sorrowfull and what he was they had in the Litter He is quoth the Lady the only cause of my care and pensiuenes my Lord and husband who is wounded in such sort as I feare his death Amadis
auaunced himselfe to behold the man and lifting vp the couerture of the Litter sawe a Knight lye there of goodly personage but of his face he could make no iudgement by reason it was cruelly cut and mangled whereupon he called to him saying My fréend who hath thus wronged thée yet did the Knight make no aunswere which made him goe to the Lady againe and aske her the question Gentle Sir quoth she a Knight that keepeth a bridge not farre hence did it who as we passed by said to my Lord how he must sweare whether he were of King Lisuarts Court or no which made my husband demaund why he would know Because said the Knight no freend of his shall passe héere but I will kill him What is the occasion of your hatred replyed my husband I wish so much ill quoth the Knight to that vngracious King as I would gladly haue him in my power to take vengeance on him at mine owne pleasure and in despight of him hence-foorth shall I sley all such as are belonging to him because he keepeth a Knight that killed the valiant Dardan for whose sake I meane to deale in such sort as the King and his wel-willers shall receiue by me infinite displeasures dishonors When my Husband heard him as one agréeued at his villainous spéeches he answered Know thou that I am one of his Court and his vowed seruant who neither for thée or any other will deny him Highly displeased was the Knight of the bridge with this answere and without any more words charged my husband so that betwéene them grewe a cruell combate but in the end my Lord was brought into this hard extremitie and farre more wursse in the Knights opinion for he reputed him to be slaine out-right commaunding vs within thrée dayes to cary him before King Lisuart to despight him withall Lady quoth Amadis I pray ye lend me one of your Squires who can shew me the Knight when I come where he is for séeing your husband hath been so wronged for my sake it behooueth me more then any other to reuenge the same What said the Lady are you he for whose cause he so hateth the King Yea verily answered Amadis and if my hap prooue so good he shall neuer héere after abuse any other Ah gentle Knight quoth she I will pray for your prosperous successe Afterward she gaue him one of her Squires and committing him to God rode on with her husband and Amadis neuer stayed till he came to the bridge where he sawe the Knight playing at the Tables with an other but quickly leauing his pastime being ready armed he mounted on horsseback calling to Amadis in this manner Holla holla Sirra I forbid ye to passe any further till you haue sworne What shall I sweare answered Amadis Whether thou be of King Lisuarts Court or no said the Knight for if thou belong to him heere must thou leaue thy head behinde thee It is a question quoth Amadis if thou canst doo so much but I assure thee I belong to the Quéene his wife euer since not long agoe Since when replyed the Knight Since a disinherited Lady said Amadis came thither for her right But thou art not he quoth the Knight that foughtest the Combat for her I am the man answered Amadis who wun her her peace By my head said the Knight now shalt thou loose thine if I can for thou didst kill the only honor of my linage I killed him not replied Amadis but made him discharge her of his outragious demaund and afterward he became a murderer of himselfe All this can not profit thee quoth the Knight for by thée and no other he dyed now for his sake shalt thou likewise loose thy life Héereupon they gaue the spurres to their horsses and breaking their Launces brauely met so furiously with their bodies as the Knight of the bridge was throwne to the ground whereof he was not a little ashamed but by reason the helmet of Amadis was vnlaced in the running while he amended it the Knight had leysure to mount himselfe againe and to giue his enemy two or thrée strokes with the sword before he had time to drawe foorth his All which afterward he very well requited for striking full at his head he brake away the skirts of his helmet and redoubling his blowe met so directly with his neck as his head hung downe behinde his shoulders his soule passing to the Author of his pride crueltie When his gardants of the bridge sawe him thus slaine they trusted to their héeles yet Amadis would not follow thē but returned to the Squire that cōducted him thither willing him to make haste to his Lady and let her vnderstand how he had reuenged her husbands iniurie which he immediatly did not sparing the worthy attaints at Sword Launce which he had séene Amadis bestowe on the Knight of the bridge Amadis hauing there no more to doo issuing foorth of the Forrest entred on a large and goodly plaine brauely beautified with Uiolets swéete hearbs and all other deuises of natures tapistrie which presently prouoked the remembrance of his Oriana riding on in diuers amorous thoughts he sawe come toward him an euill fauoured Dwarffe on a simple Palfray whome he called to knowe from whence he came My Lord quoth the Dwarffe I come from the house of the Countie of Claire Hast thou not seene a young Knight said Amadis named Galaor No truely answered the Dwarffe but I know where within thrée dayes I can shew you the best Knight that euer bare Armes in these parts When Amadis heard this thinking he had meant his brother he said I pray thee my freend conduct me to the place where I may see him With all my heart replied the Dwarffe on condition you will graunt me one request and goe with me whether I shall guide ye The great desire he had to finde his brother made him soone consent Come with me then quoth the Dwarffe and I will bring ye where you shall behold y e good Knight So rode they on till darke night ouertooke them which the Dwarffe perceiuing he said to Amadis My Lord hard by is a Castell where we may lodge this night for there is a Lady who will freendly welcome vs. Thither they rode and had kinde entertainement when supper being ended Amadis was brought to lodge in a sumptuous bed but he could take no rest his thoughts so hammered on the perfections of his Mistresse And taking leaue the next morning of their freendly Hostesse continued on their iourney till about mid-day when they sawe two Knights fighting against one then Amadis approching to thē said Gentlemen may it please ye to pause awhile and tell me on what occasion your quarrell ariseth At these words they ceassed and one of the two thus replied It is because this Knight maintaineth that he alone is as able as we two together to bring a hautie enterprise to end In sooth said Amadis your difference is
slept too long vneasily Immediatly Amadis awaked and rising vp thus spake Alas where am I I meruayle that I am aliue Beléeue me Sir answered the Lady such a one as you are must not dye in this sort rather will the heauens permit that they who haue deserued it shall dye by your hand Héere-with the two strange Ladyes not saying any more returned the same way they came leauing Amadis much amazed at this aduenture and looking about for Arcalaus but he was aduertised by Grindaloya how he was gon to the Court of King Lisuart clad in his Armour and mounted on his horsse to report that he had slaine him in combat In déede I felt quoth Amadis when he vnarmed me but on my faith me thought I dreamed and seeing he is gone with my Armour I will make his to serue me at this time Hauing put on the Armour of Arcalaus he demaunded of Grindaloya what was become of Gandalin the Dwarffe she told him they were imprisoned Euill befall the villaine that so hardly vsed them said Amadis and Lady quoth he to Arcalaus Wife vpon your life looke to the safetie of this noble woman till I returne Comming foorth into the court it was a pastime to sée how Arcalaus seruants fled his sight but Amadis let them run and went to the darke vncomfortable prisons which were filled with captiues Now to tell ye in what distressed manner they were you must note the place was a vault of an hundred toyses long yet no more then one foote and a halfe in breadth without aire or light and which was wurst of all so full of prisoners as they could scantly stand one by an other Amadis called Gandalin who being in a manner dead hearing his maisters voice begā to trēble yet thinking it was not he because he verily imagined him to be dead entred into diuers doubts of himselfe whether he dreamed or was enchaunted All this while Amadis greatly greeued because Gandalin made no answere wherefore he called aloud againe Gandalin where art thou why doost thou make me trauell so much speake I pray thee When he sawe for all this Gandalin answered not he asked the other prisoners if a Squire so lately brought in there was dead or aliue but the Dwarffe remembring the voyce of Amadis cryed out Alas my Lord we are both héere together aliue as yet albeit we haue often enough wished for death Then Amadis caused candles to be lighted at the Lampe which hung at the entrance of the dungion commaunding them all to come foorth to their no little ioy and comfort séeing themselues deliuered from such miserable seruitude and when they came into the open court they fell on their knées before the Prince thanking God and him for this happy benefit Amadis beholding their faces so pale wan and ouer-spent séeming rather blood-lesse ghostes then liuing creatures was mooued to excéeding compassion especially they being an hundred and fiftie prisoners in all thirty of them were Knights at Armes as he cast his eye euery where among them he made more account of one then all the rest who notwithstanding his sicknes and debilitie séemed of braue and comely constitution and he perceiuing that Amadis noted him so much stepped to him in this manner Who shall we say my Lord hath done vs this grace by deliuering vs from so long wretched thraldome Such as know me answered the Prince doo call me Amadis of Gaule Sonne to King Perion Knight to the Quéene Brisana and domesticall seruant to King Lisuart her husband in search of a Knight I was brought hither by this Dwarffe to whome I made promise in a sute he had In sooth my Lord replyed the other I am a Knight likewise and seruant to the same King who knoweth me full well as likewise the most in his Court doo with whome I haue baene seene in greater honor then now I am because euer since my departure from the Court I haue liued in the miserie from which you redéemed me How may I call your name said Amadis Brandoyuas answered the Knight Full well did the Prince remember that he had heard report of him in the Court wherefore courteously embracing him he said Right glad am I my Starres so fauoured me to deliuer you and these other from such a hellish place and though I neuer sawe you till this present yet oft have I heard the King and his Barons talke of your chiualrie your long absence being no little griefe to them The rest of the prisoners confessed their bounden dutie to him desiring him to appoint them what they should doo he willing them to shape their course whether they thought best My Lord quoth they albeit we know not what seuerall Countreys may harbour vs yet will we still continue your deuoted seruants to attend on you when and where-soeuer néede shall require So each one kissing his hand they tooke their leaue limitting their iourneys as they thought good not any of them tarying with Amadis but Brandoyuas Now goe they to the wife of Arcalaus Amadis thus speking to her Lady for your sake and these other Gentlewomen I for-beare from setting this Castel on fier albeit the euill behauiour of your husband is sufficient warrant therfore but in regarde of the curtesie Knightes owe to Ladies I am content to remit all at this time Alas my Lord quoth she heauen beareth record of the gréefe my soule hath endured through the behauiour of Arcalaus my husband yet could I doo nothing but shewe obedience as beséemed a wife to her wedded Lord with intercession for his change notwithstanding I remaine at your disposition What I will doo answered Amadis I haue already tolde ye it now remaineth that at my request you giue this Lady Grindaloya honorable attirements because her birth and behauiour deserueth no lesse in like manner I woold haue an Armour for this Knight to requite his own which was taken from him and a horsse as beséemeth one of his profession If you mislike of my demaund doo more or lesse as you thinke good but for mine owne parte I will haue hence the Armour of Arcalaus in liew of mine and his horsse by reason mine owne was better yet must I tell ye withall that he hath taken a swoord from me more woorth then all the rest Sir answered the Lady your request is so reasonable that beyond the power you alone haue heer I stand bound in duetye to fulfill your commaundement Then sent she for the self-same Armour belonged to Brandoyuas and caused a horsse to be deliuerd him as for the Lady she brought her into her chamber where she clothed her in most sumptuous accoustrements and returning to Amadis desired him to eate somewhat before he departed wherto he willingly condiscended Now was the best viandes brought foorth so short warning might affoord but Grindaloya was in such haste to be gon as she was lothe to be troubled with any whereat Amadis and Brandoyuas merily smiled especially at the Dwarff
published abroad how such as will reproue their dealings must come in this sorte In sooth Madame answered Amadis great reason haue you to seeke meanes of reuenge for the most famous iniurie that euer I heard of and he who hath doon it cannot long endure with-out shame and mis-fortune because heauen scorneth such monstrous actions but if you can bring it to passe that one after another they will come to the combate by the helpe of God I shall dispatche them Ah Sir quoth she they will neuer consent héereto What would you haue me doo then replyed Amadis Mary if it stand with your liking said the Lady a yéere hence to repaire hither againe if you liue so long you shall finde some other heere for by that time I hope to get two Knights more and you the third to maintaine this quarrell I promise ye saide Amadis not to faile in this request therfore neuer trouble your selfe to séeke other twaine because I meane to bring them with me yea such as shall well defend the right of this Lady and reuenge the treason doone to the King her Father These woordes he spake in respect he hoped ere then to finde his brother Galaor and intended likewise to bring his Cozin Agraies with him by whose assistaunce he doubted not to finishe the enterprise Right humbly the Ladies thanked him for his good will and because quoth they they whome you must deale withall are valiiant rough and expert in Armes as any the circle of the worlde enioyeth we request your choice may be made of such Knights as shall be able to run thorow this woork Beléeue me Ladyes answered Amadis if I had found one I am in search off I would not stand long studying for the third were our enemies Deuilles and no men Tell vs then gentle Sir said the Lady if you please of what countrey you are and where we may finde ye in tune of our need Madame quoth he I am of King Lisuartes Courte Knight and seruant to his Queene Brisana By this time was supper ready and the tables couered wherfore they brake off talke and went into a very faire hall where such good chéere and honor was made him as might be deuised euen vntill the hower of rest came The good night béeing giuen on all sides by the Damosell that let loose the Lyons he was conducted to his chamber where she kept him company an indifferent while and among other spéeches she vttered this You haue her néere you my Lord who succoured you this day more then you imagine Wherein faire Lady aunswered Amadis My selfe quoth she by commaundement of the young Princesse she pittying your perrill and the wrong offered you was charged to let loose the Lyons from their denne I neuer saw replyed Amadis a more wise and discreete Lady of her yéeres Insooth saide the Damosell if she liue she shall be endued with two extremities the one in beautye and the other in wisdome I desire ye quoth Amadis to thank her moste humblye on my behalfe and how in acknowledging the good she did me hence-foorth I will remaine her Knight I am wel content my Lord answered the Damosell to carry her this message because I know it will be most welcome to her so bidding him good night she departed the chamber Now was Gandalin and the Dwarffe lodged in the next roome where they heard what had passed betweene Amadis and the Damosell and because the Dwarffe knew nothing as yet of his Maisters loue to Oriana he imagined some newe affection was kindled betwéene the young Princesse and him in respect of the offer he made to be her Knight And to such end did he retaine this opinion as wofull Amadis after-ward had small ioy therof for héereby he thought to receiue a cruell death as in continuaunce of this historye shalbe declared The night being spent and bright day appearing Amadis came to bid the Ladies farwell requesting to know their names against whom he should combate The Father quoth the Lady is named Abiseos his eldest Sonne Darrison and the other Dramis all three most valiant Gentlemen at Armes excelling all other in that countrey which likewise is commonly called Sobradisa confining on the Kingdome of Serolys Uery well replied Amadis by Gods leaue we shal one day see what they can doo Whē he was armed as he mounted on a lusty courser the auncient Lady had giuen him the yong Princesse presented him a goodly swoord which sometime belonged to the King her Father saying Sir Knight I pray ye hence-foorth for my sake to weare this swoord so long as it will last and I shall pray it may be helpefull to you in all your affaires I assure ye fair Lady answered Amadis for your sake will I carefully kéep it and thank you therfore with all my hart héereof likewise you may be perswaded that I remaine to obey you and shall aide you in all things concerning your estate and honor Well might it be discerned in the Lady how these humble thankes and his former offer pleased her not a little wherfore the Dwarffe who noted the gestures on either side softly saide to her Madame you haue this day made no small conquest hauing so good a Knight at your commaundement CHAP. XXIII ¶ How Amadis departed from the Ladies Castell and of the matters which were occurent to him by the way AMadis being gone from the Ladyes Castell rode on without finding any aduenture til he entred the Forrest of Angaduze and the Dwarffe riding some-what before saw a far off a Knight and a Damosell comming toward them When y e Knight came right against the Dwarffe he drew his sword to offer him outrage but he started aside so that the blow lighted on his shoulders wher-with he was in such feare as he fell down from his horsse crying out for help to his maister who séeing whē he smote him made hast for his defence thus speaking to the Knight What mooues you Sir to wrong my Dwarff without cause now trust me it is but simple man-hood to lay hand on such an excrement of nature as hath no defence of him selfe but beeing in my guard the presumption is great I am sory Sir answered the Knight to giue you any displeasure but I must needes take his head from his shoulders because it is my gift to this Damosell Sooner saide Amadis shalt thou loose thine owne So encountred they together with such force as they were both cast beside their horsses yet quickly recouering themselues they began a most sharp and cruell combate with their swords Now were they in greater danger of their persons then euer they had beene before for their Sheelds being sliced in pieces their swords coulloured with their blood their Armour broken their helmets battered themselues so sore laboured as they were constrained to drawe back awhile to take breath when the Knight that conducted the Damsell thus spake to Amadis My fréend you may iudge the daunger wherein we both
her the Queene remembred Galuanes of her ancient acquaintance at which instant the Princesse Oriana came to them wherefore Agraies arose to salute her leauing Galuanes with the Quéen and setled himselfe to conferre with Oriana who entertained him meruailous kindly as well for Amadis sake whome he loued as also the courtesie he shewed her in Scotland when King Lisuart left her there at his returne from Denmarke as you haue heard before declared the Princesse thus speaking to Agraies Cozin we haue dayly desired your presence heere especially your Sister who not many dayes since was in great greefe by false newes that came hither of Amadis death your kinseman as truely you would haue wundered thereat Good reason had she Madame quoth Agraies to be sorowfull and not she alone but all the rest of his lignage were bound to no lesse knowing when our Cozin dyeth the chiefe and most excellent of vs all dyeth yea the best Knight that euer bare Armour on his body and you must thinke his death would haue béen auenged and accompanyed with many other Ah said she the villaine Arcalaus shrewdly affrighted vs and euill death betide him for troubling this royall Court in such sort By this time the King was readie to the table wherefore he sent for the thrée Knights from the Queene commaunding them to sit by him in company of many great Lords Barons And as the seruice came in two Knights entred the hall who falling on their knées before the King the first of them thus spake God prosper your Maiestie with increase of ioy and honor most humbly I desire to knowe if Amadis of Gaule be in this Court. Not at this present answered the King but we could wish he were héere Right glad would I be said the Knight to find him because by his meanes I hope to recouer what I am now farre from Tell vs my fréend quoth the King if you please who you are My Lord replyed the Stranger I am a sad Knight named Angriote d'Estrauaus and this other is my brother when King Arban of Norgalles who was there present heard him speake of Angriote he started from the table stepping to the King said Dooth not your Maiestie knowe Sir Angriote such as haue dealt with him will say he is one of the best Knights in your Kingdom My fréend quoth the King to Angriote I pray you arise and pardon me if I haue not honored you according to your deserts for the fault was only committed through ignorance but be sure you are welcome and that with hart but say I desire ye how came you acquainted with Amadis My Lord replyed Angriote I haue knowen him no long time and my first acquaintance was very deerely bought for I neuer thought to dye till I was wounded but he that did me the harme promised afterward to giue me help which is very néedfull now to cure me héereto he added y e whole accident as you heard it before In sooth said the King I would be glad these matters should haue a good end but now come sit downe with vs to dinner afterward we will consider thereon as we may Next to King Arban was Angriote placed and as they were about to rise from the table Dardan the Dwarffe to Amadis entred the Hall whome Angriote knowing called him demaunding where he had left his Maister because he sawe him last in his company Sir quoth the Dwarffe where soeuer I haue left him he maketh good account of you then falling on his knée before the King he thus began Amadis my Lord humbly saluteth your Maiestie and all the rest of his fréends in this Court Dwarffe said the King where didst thou leaue him In such a place my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe where he is of good chéere but if you would know any more it must be in the presence of the Quéene With right good will answered the King and héereupon sent presently for the Queene she quickly comming being attended on by diuers beautifull Ladyes the most part of them the amourous fréends to the Knights then wayting on the King whereby they purchased leaue during the Dwarffes discourse to deuise with them at better leysure then long time before they could but the Dwarffe beholding the Quéene present thus procéeded Madame my Lord and maister Amadis in all humble reuerence saluteth your excellencie commaunding me to tell ye that he hath found Prince Galaor his brother he sought for Now trust me said The Quéene I am hartely glad thereof But on my credit Madame quoth the Dwarffe neuer was heard of such a perillous méeting of two brethren for if God had not the better prouided both the one and the other had neuer béene séene againe so néere were they both at the pointe of death but by hap a good Knight arriued there who names him selfe Balays and he found y e meanes to agree them Then tolde he all the whole accident how Balays slew the Damosell that procured their quarrell for which Balays was highlye commended of them all But where hast thou left them replyed the Quéene At the Castell of Carsanta Madame saide the Dwarffe where Balays dwelleth from whence I was dispatched hither with this message But tell me Dwarffe quoth the Quéene what thinkest thou of Galaor I thinke Madame answered the Dwarffe that he is one of the goodlyest Knightes in the worlde carying a resolution not one iotte inferiour to the best and did you sée him in company of my Lord you could make little difference betweene them I meruaile saide the Queene that they come not hither Assure your selfe replyed the Dwarffe no sooner shall they recouer health but they will be heere with you for so they expresselye commaunded me to tell ye So ioyfull was the King héer-of that he minded to keep open Court after they were come commaunding his Lordes and Barons not to departe his courte wher-to they all willingly condiscended He likewise desired the Queen to send for all the cheef Ladies in the Realme For y e more honourably quoth he you are attended on by Ladyes the more Knightes shall they finde heere to deserue their loue on whome I wil bestowe many rich giftes and presentes CHAP. XXV ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauaile to King Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them SO long soiourned Amadis and Galaor at the Castell of Balays of Carsanta as their wounds being thorowly healed they intended to returne to King Lisuarts Courte before they would enterprise any other aduenturs Balays who desired to beare thē company for the familiar acquaintaunce he had now with thē intreated them to affoord him so much fauour wher-with they were very well contented Departing thence they ride toward Windsore and after they had iournied fiue dayes they came into a foure cornered way in the midst wherof stood a trée and vnder it a dead Knight lay on a rich bed with great waxe tapers standing burning at the boulster and
me saide the King séeing you repose such confidence in me assure your selfe to haue what-soeuer you request or else they shalbe restored againe It suffiseth quoth the Knight then turning to the Lordes he thus procéeded Woorthy Lordes you haue all heard what the King hath promised me that he wil restore the Mantle and y e Crown which I leaue in your presence or giue me what-soeuer I shall demaund So much his Maiesty hath saide replyed the Lordes and we are witnesses therof Adiew then answered the auncient Knight for perfocre I must return to the most cruell prison that euer poore Knight was enclosed in But héere you must note how during the time of this conference the two armed Knightes which conducted the olde man was still in presence the one of them hauing the beuer of his Helmet open and séemed a young man the other held downe his head as lothe to be knowen béeing of so tall and mighty stature as no Knight in the Kinges Court might be equalled with him So departed they againe all thrée together leauing the Mantle and the Crowne in the Kinges custodye CHAP. XXXI ¶ How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the Courte of King Lisuart and what happened to them afterward AMadis Galaor and Balays béeing all happily met together rode on without any occasion to trouble them vntill they came to the Courte of King Lisuart where they were welcommed with excéeding ioy because Galaor was neuer there before nor knowen but by renowne of his famous chiualrie Beside eche one reioyced to sée Amadis who by y e false report of Arcalaus was thought to be dead and graciously did the King entertain them all conducting them to a chamber where they were vnarmed blaming the villainous inuention of Arcalaus and the Damosell that caused their combate together practising the death of two so noble Princes who were but euen now in the prime and flower of their youth Right soone did the King aduertise the Quéene of their arriuall when accompanied with Agraies Galuanes and King Arban he went with them among the Ladies but Amadis casting his eye on Oriana and she on him I leaue their ioyfull passions to your iudgement remembring that when long absent louers méete lookes sighes and teares are familiarly entercoursed béeing the only means to conteÌ„t ech others hart Yet Amadis thought it not best to staÌ„d still thus musing least euery eye should growe cunning in coniecturing the cause which to auoide he fell on his knee before the Quéene saying Madame according to your charge at my departure from the Courte I haue brought this Knight whom I present as only yours I thanke ye Sir Amadis quoth the Queene both he and you are welcome to our presence In good faith Madame said the King you doo me wrong if you take them both Amadis already is yours me thinkes you should be content with him and leaue Lord Galaor for me You aske no small matter answered the Quéene but if he be so pleased I am not against it albeit such a present was neuer giuen in great Brittaine not-with-standing séeing you are the best King that euer reigned heer so good a Knight is wel bestowed on you But what say you Lord Galaor the King is desirous to haue you will ye then be his Madame quoth Galaor me thinkes that any thing so great a Prince demaundeth should be graunted if it were possible heere am I to obey you in euery respect so please my Lord and brother to like therof because he hath greatest authoritie ouer me It contents me very well saide the Quéene that you should doo as your brother commaundeth for through him shall I haue title in you by reason he is mine I am yours indeed Madame answered Amadis and brother you must be my fellowe seruant to the Queene With all my hart replyed Galaor I am content and seeing you haue giuen me to her seruice for euer I shall remaine at her disposition I thank you Sir quoth the Quéene now may I boldelye giue you to the King for I see he would be glad of so good a freend then stepping to the King she said My Lord you are desirous of this Knight I giue him you on this condition that you loue and intreat him according to his desertes which may not be valued at any meane rate Beleeue me Madame answered the King I take this gift most kindely at your hand assuring you he shall soone perceiue how I loue and estéeme him nor can I be so affectionate to him as he hath noble vertues wherby to induce me which none can valewe or compare withall But if Amadis durst haue spoken he gladly would haue maintained the contrary for he perswaded him self that he loued his Oriana beyond his brothers deserte or any other what-soeuer So remained Galaor in the Kinges seruice from which he could not be seperated for any quarrell concerning Amadis as we shall haue occasion to declare héereafter All this while Oriana Mabila and Oliuia had withdrawen themselues from the other Ladyes likewise Agraies and Amadis were talking together when Galaor was thus graciously entertained by the King and Quéene wherefore Mabila called her brother saying I pray yée cause the Knight to come hither that standeth with you conferring because we are desirous to sée him Agraies returned where he left Amadis who dissembled as if he thought not on the Ladies till the Prince thus spake My Lord these Gentlewomen would fayne speake with you and desire you to come a little more néere them which he presently did But Mabila being wise and discreet not ignorant what medicines should be applyed to passionate mindes after they all thrée had saluted them Mabila tooke Amadis by the hand desiring him to sit betwéene Oriana and her leauing Agraies to court his Oliuia they being set she merily thus began Although I am now among those foure fréends whome I haue most cause to loue and regard yet haue I such present busâ—nes else-where as I must of necessitie leaue you awhile Thus deuised she to bring the loouers together and by a pretty wyle gaue them oportunitie to content their thoughtes with secret communication Now beginneth Amadis to conferre with his Lady and thinking to declare the great affection which vnder good hope gaue him life and essence extreame loue tooke from him the facilitie of spéeche yet his eyes not vnmindfull of their office supplyed the defect of the tongue deliuering testimony to their diuine obiect how farre the sad and languishing heart was transported by ease and pleasure Which Oriana perceiuing she secretly tooke his hand vnder her mantle wringing him by the fingers sighing thus spake My Lord and fréend what dolour greefe did the traytour procure in me who brought hither tidings of your death neuer was poore mayden in greater perill and not without cause for neuer did woman sustaine such a losse as I should haue done in loosing you And as I am better loued then any other
his Quéene Amadis Galaor Agraies Don Galuanes and certaine other his most fauoured the rest kept themselues in their Tentes according as the Herbingers had in quarters limitted them With sundry sortes of pastimes was the King entertained which continued till Fortune enuying his felicitie chaunged them into gréefe and teares by the meanes of a Lord no subiect to y e King but his néerer neighbour then fréend named Barsinan a man opulent in riches and endued with fewe vertues as may be gathered by the matter ensuing This Barsinan was Lord of a countrey called Sansuegua and very familiar with Arcalaus the enchaunter who not long before came to him and cōferred with him in this manner My Lord quoth he the great desire I haue to doo you seruice hath made me inuent the meane if you like therof to deliuer in short time the Realme of great Brittayne quietlye into your handes without much hazarding your person or any great expence When Barsinan who was a very ambitious man heard the woordes of Arcalaus who promised to make him King if he would he thus replyed In good faith my deere freend Arcalaus if thou canst perfourme the thing thou vauntest of no feare shall hinder me to hazard my person much lesse will I reckon of expence if I sée any likely-hood in the compassing It is a thing saide Arcalaus very easie to be doone and presently shall you vnderstand by what meanes prouided that you sweare to me after you are seated in the regiment to make me super-intendent and cheefe maister of your housholde That will I answered Barsinan with any thing else thou shalt desire Marke then the platfourme quoth Arcalaus You know how King Lisuart hath openlye published this feaste of September to holde open Courte whether you must goe well accompanied with Knightes then shall I order the matter in such sorte that I will cary away the King prisoner no man aliue beeing able to succour him in like manner will I cary thence his daughter whom you shall take to wife and afterward will I send ye the Kinges head Thus in respect the Princesse is right heire to the crowne and you enioying her in marriage beeing well accompanied with Knightes as I tolde ye easily may you make seazure on the Realme nor shall you finde any to speake against it In sooth answered Barsinan if such an enterprise might sorte to effect I would make thée more riche and mighty then euer were any of thy linage as also the chéefe commaunder in my house It suffiseth saide Arcalaus your selfe shall soone perceiue that sildome I enterprise any thing but it comes to passe then fayle not to be present in the assembly at London So came the traytour Barsinan to king Lisuart feigning his intent to doo him honour wherfore the King sent many of his Knightes entertaining him as a most noble fréend appointing his lodging and all thinges else necessary for him and being with the King in his Pallace he entred into these spéeches My Lord vnderstanding what royall magnificence you meane to keepe in your Courte as also the good Knightes and braue men were heer to be seen this day I intended to honor you w t my person not as your vassaile or subiect holding my Countreye of God and by the swoord but as your good neighbour and freend if you please Trust me quoth the King you doo me very great pleasure and honor and I thanke you for this gentle paines that you would be seen in so good companye assuring you Lord Barsinan and my fréend this courtesie shall be remembred in what I maye for I make very especiall account of you Your Maiesty dealeth very kindely with me replyed Barsinan and I protest on my faith to be readye in councelling your affaires for the best according as I haue a long time desired Sée how the traytour lyed in euerye woord but the good King misdoubting nothing requited his offer w t many thanks and to doo him the greater honor appointed his lodging in his owne Pallace him selfe and his Quéene going foorth of the Cittie with their Tentes and pauillions imagining he could not doo too much for the traitour And firste he acquainted him with his whole enterprise and wherfore he caused this great assembly declaring the meanes and Sirnames of the best cōmended Knightes their hautie prowesse and resolutions among whom he forgot not Amadis and Galaor whose hardines was impossible to be equalled they two being accomplished with all the vertues required in chiualrie When the King was with-drawen to his Tentes and Barsinan to the Pallace he began to consider on the strength of his Maiestie as also the loue and obeysaūce so many great Princes shewed him which made him vnable to enioy any rest and often-times he repented his foolish enterprise seeing how hard it would proue in execution Now he minded to alter his determinatiō when suddenly another opinion entred his braine so that wauering vp down in his thoughts he could not resolue on any certaintie On the next morning he came to y e King who was now clothed in his royall ornaments because it was y e first day of open Court and be commaunded one to goe to the Quéene willing her to send him the Crowne he had of the Knight and she to clothe her selfe in y e sumptuous mantle Heereupon she presently sent for the Cofer and opening it found nothing therein whereat she was greatly amazed considering she trusted no body with the keye thereof but her owne selfe and euermore caryed it about her But knowing not how to remedie this mishap she acquainted the King therewith who in great displeasure came to her saying I meruayle Madame you haue kept so badly the Iewell which would haue so greatly honored this time considering vnder what condition it was left with vs. On my faith my Lord quoth she I knowe not what to say I found the Cofer fast lockt and none but my selfe hath kept the keye of it But in a dreame this last night me thought a Damosell willed me to shew it her which I did afterward she demaunded the keye and I gaue it her when opening the Cofer she tooke foorth the mantle and the Crowne locking it againe and laying the keye where I tooke it This done she put the mantle about her and the Crowne on her head they beseeming her so well as I receiued great pleasure in beholding her and thus she spake That her selfe or she from whome she came before fiue dayes should rule in the countrey of a mightie King who at this time laboured to defend it and to conquer it from other Heereupon I demaunded what she was and she answered You shall knowe at the time I haue spoken of So she vanished frō me with the Crowne and the mantle but on my faith I knowe not if this vision came to me sleeping or whether it be of truth The King was now in greter meruaile then before willing her to dissemble the matter and not
to reueale it to any body then taking her by the hand they left the chamber comming among the Knights and Ladyes in the place appointed for the ceremonyes of the day where sitting downe in two chayres of state the King called his Knights about him the Queene her Ladyes with whome she communed Now had his Maiestie giuen order that néerest his person should be Amadis Galaor Agraies and Don Galuanes and at his back King Arban of Norgalles well armed holding his Swoord readye drawen and two hundred Knights for his guard then by a Herald he commaunded silence But as the King began to speake there entred a most beautifull Lady very richly attired and with her twelue other Damosels in like brauerie For in those dayes the great Lords and Ladyes were wunt to bring their people to such assemblies clothed according to their owne persons without any difference at all betwéene them this faire Lady addressed her spéeches to the King deliuering them in fourme following My Lord most humbly I beséeche yée to graunt me audience and giue me reason in a matter of difference which I haue against the Knight that standeth by your Maiestie meaning Amadis Long time haue I béene requested by Angriote d' Estrauaus to be his Wife who I am assured is in this royall presence héereto she added how euery thing happened the cause why he kept y e vale of the Pines how Amadis trauailing that way made him perforce to abādon Armes Neuerthelesse quoth she they departed fréends and Amadis sollemnely promised Angriote that he should enioy me as his Wife whereof when I attained knowledge I withdrew my selfe to a Castell of mine where I kept such a strong guard and custome as it was thought impossible for any strange Knight to enter there without licence but that Knight comming thither vanquished my gardants and hath vtterly abollished the drift I intended Yet afterward of his owne good will he promised me to cause Amadis recall his offer to Angriote then chaunced an vnhappie combate betwéene him and this Knight mine Unckle who being at the latest extremitie of his life at my request he was spared on this condition that on the first day your Maiestie held open Court I should héere present my selfe to graunt a request he must demaund of me To satisfye my promise I am come hither and desire to knowe what he will commaund me at which words Amadis stepped forward saying My Lord the Lady hath told ye nothing but truth concerning the seuerall promises at the combates therefore am I ready héere to accomplish that Amadis shall call back his word to Angriote prouided she perfourme her owne promise On my conscience quoth she if you effect what you haue said you pleasure me more then you can imagine and to let you knowe I am ready to fulfill my offer demaund what you please for if it be in my power you shall preuaile I request nothing else answered Amadis but that you would accept Angriote as your husband he louing you so déerely as he doth Out alas cryed the Lady what manner of demaund is this I wish Madame said Amadis that you would mary with such a one as is well woorthy to haue so faire a Lady In sooth Knight quoth she this is not according to the promise you made me I promised nothing replyed Amadis but I will perfourme it for if I stand bound to you to cause Amadis discharge his word to Angriote héerein I accomplish it I am Amadis and I reuoke the promise I made him wherein you must néedes confesse your selfe satisfyed he gladly would enioy you as his Wife and I ioyne with him in the same request thus stand I free discharged to you both May it be possible quoth she that you are the man so highly renowmed Credit me Lady answered the King this is Amadis Ah wretch that I am said she now doo I well perceiue that art nor cunning can preuent what God hath appointed for I haue doone my vttermost to escape Angriote not only for the euill I wish him disdaining his good and vertuous deserts but carying this resolution that keeping my selfe chaste and single I would not bring my libertie into subiection and now when I thought to be furthest from him I am come néerer then euer I intended Lady quoth the King you haue great occasion to reioyce for you being faire and riche he is a young and braue disposed Knight as you are riche in goods and possessions euen so is he in bountie and vertue not only in déedes of Armes but in all other good quallities beséeming a Knight therefore your mariage together is very requisite and I thinke all in this presence are of mine opinion heere-upon she stepped to the Quéene saying Madame you are estéemed one of the most vertuous Princesses in the world most humbly I desire your councell what I shall doo Faire fréend answered the Queene according to the reputation Angriote hath gotten among the good he well deserueth not only to be aboundant in riches but to be loued of any Lady he shall chuse Why Lady said Amadis thinke not that by accident or affection my promise was made to Angriote for had he compelled me to one of these twaine then might you well haue condemned me of folly but making triall of his valour and hardines yea to mine owne cost I dare assure ye and knowing likewise his earnest loue to you me thinks the iustice of the cause commaunds that not only my self but all such as are acquainted with him ought to labour in seeking remedie for you both in him the extreame passions he endureth through your loue in you by making his restlesse greefes knowen to you Now trust me Sir quoth she such praise haue I heard of your vsage to euery one as I imagine you would not say before such an assembly otherwise then trueth wherefore following your councell as also the pleasure of the King and Queene I will forget my former stubborne opinion and am ready to accomplish what you shall commaund me Then Amadis taking her by the hand called Angriote and presenting him his loue said Sir Angriote I promised to doo my vttermost in this matter say now is this the Lady you would haue Euen she quoth Angriote is the life and essence of my soule and I am deuoted to none but her Then heere I giue her you replyed Amadis on this condition that you shall be foorthwith maryed together and continue in honorable loue to her as she deserueth I thanke you my Lord quoth he with all my heart and will obserue your gentle commaundement Presently the King called for the Bishop of Saleme wha◠conducted them to the Church where they were espoused in the presence of many great Lords Afterward they returned to the Cittie and there the wedding was sollemnized with great ioy and Triumphes wherefore we may well say that not men but God appointeth mariage who perceiued the honest and continent loue which
Angriote euer-more bare to this selfe-willed Lady For albeit hée had her in his custodye neuer did he meane dishonorably against her but by vertuous cogitations brideled vnlawfull desire onely to expresse how intirely he loued her and by obeying her seuere charge lost his life wel-néere when he combatted with Amadis CHAP. XXXIII ¶ How King Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of Chiualrie AFter the end of this mariage which by diuersitie of opinions caused much talke as commonly it happeneth in such cases the King commaunded silence againe by his Herald when euery one being attentiue to heare what he would say he thus began My freends no one of you is ignorant of the heauenly fauour toward me by appointing me the greatest earthlye Lord that liueth this day in all the Isles of the Occean wherfore I thinke it conuenient that as we in this countrey are y e chéefe so should we be second to no other prince in rendring immortall thankes by good vertuous woorks wheron we are now minded to determine In this respect I intreate and commaund albeit Kinges are the heads of their Monarchies and you the members that you would altogether take aduise and giue me councell euen from your consciences what you thinke most expedient for me to doo as well for the benefite of my Subiectes as also for our estate And this I assure ye I am fully minded to beleeue your opinions as procéeding from loyall and faithfull subiectes wherfore againe I desire ye that without feare eche one would in particular and generallye aduise what we ought to doo as matter most commendable Héere-with he held his peace and Barsinan Lord of Sansuegua was intreated by all the assistantes to speake his opinion which they did for no other reason but because the King would haue euery one honor him wher-upon after many excuses on his owne behalfe he arose from his seate and making humble reuerence thus spake Séeing it liketh you I should firste declare my censure I desire the King and this company to pardon my ignorance béeing vnwoorthy of this honourable and gracious fauour But me thinkes vnder submission to his pleasure and better aduise of all you my Lords that we should with-draw our selues a while from the presence of his Maiestie where we may more fréelye conceiue our seuerall humours This answere was generally well liked wherfore the King and Quéene lefte them together walking into an other of their Pauillions then Seroloys the Fleming Countie of Clare began in this manner You haue all heard my Lordes the good zeale the King hath to the gouernement not only of the common wealth in his Realm but perticularly to the honourable encrease of chiualrie which he desireth to continue in greater preminence then euer it hath béene And therefore my Lords humbling my selfe to better opinion I think it good to supply the intent of our King y t we all ought to councell him to strengthen him selfe with men and mony for they are the sinnewes of warre and peace whereby all Kings on the earth are maintained in their puissant authoritie For it is most certaine that treasure is for Souldiers and men at Armes by whome Kinges reigne nor ought it for any cause to be else where dispended without committing of true sacrilidge for these affaires are tearmed holye causing the state to liue in tranquilitie and win glorious conquestes of such as séeke to inuade them Beside to attayne the better héerto his Maiestie must séeke meanes to get all the good Knightes he can heare of as well strangers as other intreating them with liberality to send his renown on winges through the world which will fetche from the furthest partes men to his seruice in hope of condigne recompence to their labour By their aid he may easily make him selfe Monarche of all the Princes by East and West for it hath neuer â—éen read or heard that any Prince could make him selfe great except by the assistaunce of valiant and hardye Knights hauing bought their valour in braue attempts I tearm it bought by fauouring honouring and distributing their treasure among them that they may receiue no occasion of dislike but with vnconquerable resolution to pursue victorie As he would haue procéeded in further perswasion the greater parte of the Lordes séemed to allowe of his opinion affirming that better councell could not be giuen which when Barsinan heard he requested audience for him selfe and hauing graunt therof he intended to reuerse this firste aduise because he might verye hardly else goe forward with his secret purpose theÌ„ silence béeing made Barsinan thus beginnes It seemeth by your countenaunces my Lordes that the Countie of Clares opinion is a grounded trueth for I sée the most parte of you auerre the same not hauing heard any thing to the contrary they and you shall remaine contented Nor are you ignorant my noble fréends that the better we be accompanyed the more we shall be feared of our enemyes our state in greater safetie and your selues more securely defended and loued If then any vertue at all abide in vs you may easily iudge how new fréends cannot make vs forgetfull of our old let none then differ from the request I haue made but rather yéeld and consent thereto Againe I intreat ye and expressely commaund that eche of you presently name such to me as you knowe happily they being yet vnknowen to me to the end if any be in this Court they may receiue such fauour of vs as the absent may be the better affected to our seruice likewise we intreate them not to depart our company without giuing vs some aduertisement All which was presently done many openly called and their names set downe but because the tables were couered for dinner the King arose from his chaire with-drawing himselfe into the appointed Hall where many Tables were prouided which he commaunded to be well furnished with Knights You may easily coniecture that during the seruice they diuersly communed together some on the Kings deliberation and other of his magnificence vntill the Tables were with-drawen againe when the King caused them all to be called and thus spake You see my good fréends how earnestly I loue and desire your company wherefore you must graunt me one request not to depart this Court without my leaue for I would particulerly knowe the seruice you haue doone me and you taste such reward of my treasure as may continue your loue to me Héereupon they were seuerally called by name againe and euery one confirmed the Kings request except Amadis because he was the Quéens Knight and all this while was she present at these matters wherfore after the noise was somewhat appeased she framed her speeches to the King in this manner My Lord séeing it hath pleased you so to fauour and honor your Knights me thinks it were reasonable that I should doo the like to the Ladyes and Gentlewomen
of what part soeuer they be Wherefore I humbly desire one boone with assurance likewise if you consent these Gentlemen after you shall not deny me considering that in semblable company good things deserue to be demaunded and graunted Then the King looked on all the assistants saying What answere my fréends shall we make the Queene shall we agrée to her demaund Yea Sir if it be your pleasure answered they What said Galaor were it possible to deny a Princesse so vertuous Séeing you are all so well content quoth the King she shall obtaine what-so-euer she asketh At these words the Quéene arose and thanking her Lord said Seeing it pleaseth you to giue place and fauour to my request I desire hencefoorth you would doo such honor to Ladyes and Gentlewomen as to take them into your protection and defence maintayning their quarrels against all such as would mollest them any manner of way Beside if you haue made promise of some sute to a man and the like to any Lady or Gentlewoman you first shall accomplish the womans request as being the weakest person and who hath most néede to be holpen This graunted héereafter they shall be better fauoured and defended then euer they were for villaynes that are wunt to doo them iniurie méeting them in the féelds and knowing they haue such Knights as you are for their protectours dare no way wrong them In sooth Madame said the King your request is reasonable and I thinke none will gainesay it we will haue it therefore registred and set downe as a lawe inuiolable CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How while this great and ioyful assembly endured a Damosell came to the Courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of King Lisuart in a cause whereby she had bine wronged MEane while this honourable companye thus continued frée from all danger and mishap thinking on nothing but pleasure and delightes there entred a Damosell clad in mourning who falling on her knées before the King thus spake My Lord eche one is merrye but my poore selfe who am so crossed with gréefe and sorrow as death were the best fréend could come to me yet would your Maiestie take compassion on me I easily might recouer my ioy againe These woordes were dipte in such aboundance of teares as the King beeing moued ther-with to pittie thus answered Lady I would be very glad to releeue your sadnes but tell me who is the cause therof Dread Lord quoth she my father and vncle are detained prisoners by a Lady who hath vowed neuer to release them vntill they deliuer her two so good knights as one was whome they killed in fight On what occasion did they kill him saide the King Because he vaunted replyed the Damosell that he alone would combate with them and so proud he grew in spéeches as at length he defied them Not long after they méeting one day together the Knight vsed such reproouing tearmes of cowardise as my Father and Uncle could not endure the iniurie but falling to the combate the Knight was slaine in the presence of a Lady named Galdenda who as she saide procured his comming to maintaine a difference which she had with a neighbour of hers beeing her great enemy Wherefore seeing him dead she caused the conquerours to be taken and put them into the most miserable prison in the world albeit my Father and Unckle often told her that they would perfourme for her what the Knight should haue done But she answered how she well knewe they were not sufficient for the cause and therefore should neuer be releassed vntill they deliuered her two Knights of like account each of them valuing him in strength whome they had slaine to finish the attempt himselfe was able to doo Knowe you not Damosell said the King against whome they should combate or the place where it is appointed No truely Sir answered the Damosell but I haue séene my Father and Unckle cruelly put in prison where their freends can compasse no meanes to see them Héerewith she began againe to weepe that euery one pittyed to behold her which made the King aske her if the place were farre off In fiue dayes my Lord quoth she it may easily be gone and returned Now trust me said the King you shall not want your ioy for two Knights wherfore looke among all these gallants and chuse such as you best fancie My Lord replyed the Damosell I am a stranger and knowe not any one in this Court but if you please I will intreat the Quéene to doo me so much grace as to appoint me twaine after her owne minde Doo so said the King if you thinke good then came the Damosell and falling at the Queenes feete proceeded thus Madame you are said to be one of the wisest and most vertuous Dames in the world you vnderstand the cause of my mourning and the gracious offer the King hath made me most humbly I beseech ye then for the honor of God to take compassion on a poore Gentlewoman and councell me which two Knights I shall chuse that are best able to supply my want Beleeue me Damosell answered the Queen you demaund a matter of great importance yet in such sort doo I pittie your cause as I am the more willing to giue you aduise albeit I would be loth to forgoe them twaine whom I could name in this companye Then she shewed her Amadis saying This is my Knight And poynting to Galaor saide This other is the Kings yet be they bothe bretheren and the best Knightes as I haue heard this day liuing I desire your Maiestie quoth the Damosell to tell me their names The one saide the Queene is called Amadis and the other Galaor But by your fauour replyed the Damosell is this Amadis the Knight so much renowmed I am very certaine Madame so soone as he and his brother shall ariue where I can bring them my cause will be sufficiently executed therfore I desire you to obtaine me their company Héer-upon y e Quéene called them saying I beséeche ye bothe to succour this woman who standeth in need of your assistaunce Amadis was some-what flowe in answering for he cast his eye on the Princesse Oriana to note if she would like of his departure and she who likewise pittied the womans cause let fall her Gloues which was an appointed signall betweene them and therby he was certified of her consent wherfore he thus spake to the Queene I am at your disposition Madame to doo what-soeuer you shall commaund me Goe then in Gods name quoth she and returne againe with all possible spéede without tarring for any thing that may happen Héer-to they willingly condiscended and taking leaue of her Amadis fained he would speake to Mabila when comming néere her and Oriana he saide to his Goddesse Madame well may I say that the fairest Lady in the worlde sendes me to succour the most woful woman I euer did beholde Swéete fréend quoth Oriana I repent that I gaue you so much libertie because my
of you you may therby easily induce him to loue vnder that cerimonye draw him to doo what your selfe shall desire In sooth replyed Madasima I will assay to know if he be such a one as you report him to be Doo Madame quoth he and you shall finde him one of the fairest Knightes that euer you behelde Héer you must note that the Knight no sooner left Galaor when he went to the Lady but he tooke occasion thus to talke with his brother You see my Lord the estate wherin we are which requireth some notable dissimulation at our handes I beseech ye therfore moderate your anger because alreadie it endangereth our liues and for a while follow my direction By heauen brother answered Amadis death had béen very welcome to me but since you wish me to be gouerned by you I am content desiring the conseruation of our honors which beeing lost we are vnworthye to liue Further they could not proceed because Madasima came and interrupted them when calling him aside and faire day was displayed on the earth his beautye and good grace so especially contented her as she became surprised with his loue which she shaddowed vnder demaunding how he fared Madame saide Galaor I fare wursse then you should were you in my power as I am in yours for I would doo you what seruice and pleasure possible I could and you vse the contrarye to me I hauing giuen no occasion of offence reason willeth I should rather be your Knight to loue and honor you then your prisoner thus vnkindely bound as I am And surely I cannot but meruaile heerat considering the simple conquest you haue therby vse then such rigour to vs as women so diuinely adorned are wunt to doo Madasima hearing his gentle language was more and more enflamed with his loue yet striung to dissemble it she merily said Tell me faire Sir if I chuse you as my fréend and deliuer you from prison will you for my sake leaue the seruice of King Lisuart and afterward tel him how you did it by my meanes With all my hart Lady answered Galaor and to perfourm it you shal haue what oathe you please both of me and my companyon for he will doo no more thē I request him Credit me quoth Madasima if before this companye you will promise to obey me presently you shal enioy your liberty Beholde me ready replyed Galaor Yet is not this enough answered Madasima for you shall sweare it in the presence of a Ladye where I am intended to lodge this night in meane while you must assure me not to departe my companye We will not on my faith Madame quoth Galaor and calling Amadis caused him to affirme as much wher-upon they were vnbound and set at libertie their Squires likewise as fréendly vsed and mounting on their owne horsses rode at their ease as they did before But Madasima Galaor still continued their amorous discourses till they arriued at a Castle named Albies the Lady wherof receiued them very honourably in respect of great fréendship betweene Madasima and her Néedlesse were it to tell ye of their good cheere it could not but be answerable to the time and company but after supper Madasima demaunded of Galaor if he meant to keepe his promise he made her by the way What else Madame quoth he prouided you be so good as your woord to me Make no doubt ther-of replyed Madasima then framing her spéeches to the Lady of the Castell and also to two Knightes that were her Sonnes she proceeded in this manner My good fréends I pray you hear a couenaunt betwéen me these two Gentlemen because heer-after you maye be my witnesses They are my prisoners and vnder these conditions I haue released them that one of them shall continue my freend and bothe of them forsake the seruice of King Lisuart telling him how for my sake and in despight of him they haue doone it Heer-upon I intreate this fauour at your handes as to meete me at the Courte of that wretched King on the day they must declare this message to see how contentedly he will take it but if they fulfill not their promise hence-foorth you shall publishe in all places the heinous offence by them committed and ten daies I giue them to execute this charge I am wel pleased said the Lady of the Castell to doo a greater matter for you then this if they as willinglye consent therto We praye you quoth Galaor not to faile héerin for we haue promised and will performe it Receiue then your libertie answered Madasima yet must you not departe this night these woordes she spake because she intended to seale the bargaine with Galaor When the time came that summoned them to rest Amadis was conducted to one chamber and Galaor to an other whether soone after Madasima repaired she beeing young beautifull aduenterously giuen Galaor likewise a man forward to such fortunes when Loue had erected his scaling ladders to the walles quicklye got possession of the Forte And so well liked she these amorous skirmiges as afterward she reported in many places how she neuer tasted a more pleasant night and had she not promised him departure hardly would she haue let him goe so soone nor did she but in hope of his spéedie returne Thus was she enclined to voluptuous desire as without care of her honor she often fell in this sort By these meanes escaped Amadis Galaor vnder the conditions you haue heard which they hoped to preuent without impeach as héereafter shall be declared vnto you All that day they rode not hindered by any thing and at night were fréendly entertained in an Hermitage setting forward the next morning to the Court of King Lisuart CHAP. XXXV ¶ How King Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly FOure dayes after Amadis and Galaor departed from the Court the auncient Knight came to the Cittie of London who left the Crowne and the mantle with the Quéene as you haue heard when falling on his knée before the King he began in this manner I meruaile my Lord that in a time of such honor you weare not y e Crowne I left with you And you Madame quoth he to the Queene is it possible you should make so slender account of the sumptuous mantle I gaue you in charge not deigning as yet to prooue it or how it will become ye When the King heard his words knowing they were lost he sate a good while without any answere which made the Knight thus begin againe On my faith I am glad you like them not for had you pleased to keepe them you must likewise haue graunted my demaund and happily it would prooue greater then you expect otherwise in falsifying your promise you might procure the losse of my head Most humbly therefore I beséeche yée my Lord to will them be deliuered me againe because I may tarry no longer héere Now was the King
greeuing to beholde the sight therof turned his head aside saying to the Knight Sée my fréend héere is the gifte you demaund and the only thing in the worlde I moste loue but intend you to carrye her hence alone My Lord saide the Knight she shall be accompanyed with the two Gentlemen and their Squires which were in my companye when you made me this promise at Windsore and more may I not allow vntill he haue her to whome I am constrained to deliuer her Yet let her haue the company of this Damosell said the King for it were vnséemely she should be alone among so many men Well quoth the Knight for one woman it matters not So taking the Princesse in his armes she béeing scant reuiued from her swoune he set her vp on horsse-back and caused a Squire to sit behinde her on the horsse who might holde her fast least she should fall and very sad counâ—enaunce shewed the Knight saying there was none in the Courte more sorrwofull then him selfe After the Damosell of Denmarke was mounted the King intreated her not to leaue his daughter what-soeuer happened while they were thus preparing the Princesse looking wofully about her a tall Knight well armed came among theÌ„ who not taking off his helmet or saluting the companye tooke Orianaes horsse by the bridle This was Arcalaus the enchaunter and came in this sort least he should be knowen soone after he commaunded the Squire to ride away with her which the Princesse perceiuing and séeing there was no other remeeye deliuering a sigh as if her hart would haue split she saide Ah my deer fréend in a haplesse hower for you was the boone graunted because it will be bothe your death and mine Heerin she meant Amadis whome she gaue leaue to departe with the Damosell yet the standers by vnderstood it of her Father and her selfe Thus departed Oriana with them that conducted her who rode apace till they were entred the Forrest néere at hand and the King himselfe was mounted on horsseback to conduct his Daughter somewhat on the way as also to forbid any reskewe from following according to his former promise But the Princesse Mabila standing at a window to see this sad and pensiue seperation could come no néerer to Oriana her heart was so surprized with gréefe yet by hap she espyed Dardan the Dwarffe that serued Amadis making spéede after the Princesse on horsseback when calling him to her she said Dardan if thou loue thy maister stay not any where till thou acquaint him with this mishap if now thou faile him it may returne to thine owne daunger for this is the time of greatest necessitie By God Madame answered the Dwarffe I will with all diligence perfourme my dutie So giuing the spurres to his horsse he gallopped the same way his Maister rode with y e Damsell But leaue we him posting and tell what now happened to King Lisuart who accompanyed his Daughter to the entrance of the Forrest causing all such to returne as followed him Euen in the hower of this trouble a Damosell came to him mounted on a swift Palfray with a Swoord hanging about her neck and a Launce richly painted hauing the point gilded ouer after she had saluted him she thus spake My Lord God encrease your ioy make you willing to perfourme what you promised me at Windsore in the presence of all your worthy Knights At these words the King knewe her remembring it was she that said how she would prooue the vertue of his heart wherevpon he thus answered In good faith Damosell I haue now more néede of ioy then euer I had notwithstanding I am readie to accomplish any thing I promised you It is the only thing my Lord quoth she of my returne to you beeing the moste loyall King in the worlde wherefore humbly I intreat ye presently to reuenge my cause on a Knight that passed through this Forrest who not long since slew my Father by the most horrible treason that euer was heard of yet not content therewith the villaine violently tooke me away and perforce made me yeeld to his vnlawfull will But in such sort is he enchaunted as he can not be done to death except the most vertuous man in the Realme of great Brittayne giue him a wound with this Launce and an other with this Sword both which he gaue in keeping to a Lady of whome he had good hope to be loued yet therein he was deceiued for she hateth him aboue all other for which cause she gaue me this Swoord and Launce whereby we might both be reuenged on him Nor can it be done but by you only who are the cheefe and most vertuous man in this Countrey wherefore as you promised me before so many valiant men may it please ye to execute this iust action of vengeance And because I haue often told him that by this day I would be prouided of a Knight to combate with him he is come alone into this Forrest attending only for my Champion It is likewise ordered how you must haue no company but my selfe for he little thinketh that I haue the Sword and Launce so hurtfull to him and this is our agréement together if he remaine conquerour I must pardon him mine iniurie but if he be vanquished he must doo what I commaund him Presently the King sent a Gentleman for his Armour which when he had put on he mounted on a braue Courser girding the Damosels Sword about him leauing his owne that was one of the best in the world then without any other company he rode on with her she carying his helmet Not farre had they ridden but she caused him to forsake the high beaten way conducting him by a little path among the shrubs where not long before they had past that led away Oriana then the Damosell shewed him a huge Knight armed mounted on a black Courser whereupon she sayd My Lord take your helmet for this is hée you must deale withall which the King quickly did and approching néere the Knight sayde Proud Traytour defende thy selfe and thy lawlesse lust So coutching their Launces they encountred together when y e King perceiued how his paynted Launce brake like a stalke of hempe hauing no strength at all in it which made him drawe his Swoord to charge the Knight but at the first stroke the blade broke close to the hilt whereby hée imagined him-selfe betrayed for the Knight did what hée pleased to him But as hée would haue killed his Horsse the King béeing quick and nimble caught holde by his gorget and in such sort they strugled together as they bothe fell to the ground the Knight vndernethe and the King vppon him by meanes whereof he got his Swoord from him and vnlacing his Helmet to smite off his head the Damosell cryed out so loude as shée coulde Sir Arcalaus helpe your Cozin quicklye or else hée dyes When the King heard her name Arcalaus hée looked vp and sawe tenne braue Knightes come running
not onely to maintaine your good King but your owne liberty against a tirant a traitour and what worsse who would buy his vsurping in this Kingdome with the blood of you your wiues and children Sawe you not how he vsed them he tooke in the Tower Beholde you not the end of his purpose which is to ruinate this noble Realme that hath by diuine prouidence beene so long time preserued and euermore continued in reputation floorishing with loyall subiectes to their Prince Heard you not the flattering perswasions which the Rebell vsed before the assaulte thinking to conquer vs by his golden tongue In vaine is his labour I am right well assured that no one of you but wil dye a thousand deathes before he shall conceiue any other minde in you I sée by your resolued countenaunces if I should thinke or say otherwise I were a monstrous offendour for if he haue more men then we we haue more hartes of courage then he which forbiddeth all occasions of dismaying setting before your eyes the famous account you shall liue in héer-after By their lookes you might discearne at their retire how vnwilling they will be to trye you againe and respect not the traiterous woordes of Barsinan our King liueth and will right spéedily come to succour vs. In meane while I intreat as my fréendly companyons let nothing dismay your hope but continue as you gaue begun with this famous resolution that it is more honourable to dye for libertie then to enioy a life by thraldome and slauerie vnder a wicked iniurious and trayterous Prince When the King had ended his oration there was no one in the company how sore hurt soeuer he was but would couragiouslye encounter Barsinans power and bid him brauely good morrow the next day in the Tower where-with the King not a little contented returned to the Queenes lodging his face couered with sweat and his Armour all bloodye by reason of fiue wounds he receiued in fight The Ladies seeing him in such pittious plight were meruaylouslye abashed especiallye the Queene who well-neere dead with greefe and feare together then as a woman in middest of dispaire she saide Alas deere Nephewe what shall we doo we are all but dead Madame answered King Arban all will goe well if God be pleased in vaine doo you thus discomfort your selfe for I hope to heare good tidinges of the King and the traitours that seeke to vsurpe his Kingdome by your good and loyall subiectes shall receiue deserued punishment God graunt it quoth she but you are so wounded as I think it impossible for you to be at the battell if Barsinan come to morrow againe nor can our men doo any thing without you Be not you troubled ther-with Madame replyed King Arban for while my soule suckes her spirit from the ayre I will not for-sake my charge So bidding her good night he went to haue his woundes dressed and after-ward turned to his Souldiours merilye passing the night among them Barsinan on the other side got into the Tower of London which he had wun and numbring his men found that his power was greatly weakened yet would he make no shew thereof for dismaying the rest but shewing a dissembling countenaunce thus spake to them My fréendes it suffiseth that I haue showen mine enemies what you are and they if I thinke good to stand at my mercie wherefore I am determined without any further losse of you to rest our selues fiue or sixe dayes till Arcalaus send me the head of King Lisuart and then the sight thereof will make them not dare to resist me any longer but in hope of fauour will yéeld them-selues Eache of you therefore reioyce and be of good chéere for when I am King right richly will I reward you all So went they to rest till the next morning when Barsinan being armed mounted on horsseback with twentie Knightes in his companye and came to a Port which one of King Arbans Knights kept who seeing this troupe presently sounded an allarme But Barsinan sent him woord how he came to parle only and desired truce beside for sixe houres whereof King Arban was immediatly aduertised who graunted the truce Barsinan required and likewise for fiue dayes Conditionally that he should offer no violence to any house in the Cittie or practise any entraunce during the limitted time beside if the King returned in that space the difference should bée left to his disposition Barsinan was contented with these conditions because he accounted King Lisuarts death certaine where-upon he said to Arban I hope this little truce will be an entrance into a perpetuall peace betwéene vs for I dare assure yee King Lisuart is dead and his Daughter must be my Wife as within these fiue dayes ensuing you shall euidently sée What quoth King Arban thou hast then put him to death and couldst thou deale so traiterously with him that gaue thée such honorable entertainement in his Court rather will I presently dye then continue one hower of peace with thee get thée gone therefore quickly or I will send thee hence in pieces Is it true quoth Barsinan well mayst thou threaten me but it is in me to make thee repent it Thus returned he to his Souldiours acquainting them with his honest offers to King Arban and the audacious answere he returned for them CHAP. XXXIX ¶ How Amadis came to the succour of the Cittie of London when it was in this distresse NOt long agoe we left Amadis in the wood familiarly deuising with the Princesse Oriana thinking on nothing but their swéete contentation and among other discourse Amadis intreated her to tel him what spéeches Arcalaus had with her by the way On my faith Sir quoth she he confounded my senses with perswading me to reioyce saying Before fiue dayes were expired I should reigne as Quéene in great Brittayne enioying Barsinan to my husband him-selfe likewise should be chéef gouernour and maister of his house in recompence of the seruices he did for him in giuing him my fathers head and me to be his wife Ah heauens said Amadis what treason is this in Barsinan who shewed him-selfe such a fréend to the King God shield he doo no wrong to the Quéene In sooth I greatly doubt it replyed Oriana it were good therefore we hasted to sée With all my heart quoth Amadis so mounting on horsseback they rode toward London méeting many Knights by the way that followed the King whome still he directed in their course certifying them that Galaor was gone likewise in his search Within a while after Oriana espyed Don Grumedan an auncient Knight of honor to the Quéen and twentie Knights more with him who all that night had searched the Forrest for the King but when he sawe her the teares stood in his eyes with ioy desiring to heare some newes of the King her father Credit me Sir quoth she not farre from the Cittie were we sundered when God ordained so well for me that Amadis deliuered me from the
villaines and ransomed me with the price of their liues They were vnwise to resist said Grumedan when you had so good a champion but I pray you my Lord what is become of your brother Euen in the same place answered Amadis where they seperated the father from the daughter we seuered our selues he posting after the King and I followed Arcalaus who led away Madame Oriana The better hope haue I of his succour quoth Grumedan seeing so good a Knight hath taken it in hand Héerevpon Amadis told him the horrible treason of Arcalaus and Barsinan Let me therefore intreat ye quoth he to conduct the Princesse leasurably after while I make hast before least the Queene be distressed because I doubt the traitour will offer her iniurie I thinke it likewise expedient that you cause all the Knights to returne you meete withall for if the King should be reskewed by multitude of men there is enow before alreadie and more then néedes So leauing his Lady with Don Grumedan he made all the haste he could toward London ouertaking the Squire by the way that came from the King who told him all the newes of his deliuerance which was no little ioy to Amadis hearing the fortunate successe of his brother Galaor There met he with an other likewise who made report of Barsinans dealings at London wherefore entring y e Cittie so couertly as he might the first he met withall was King Arban of whome he was louingly embraced and welcommed with request of what newes he brought None but good answered Amadis and such as you are desirous to heare but because I doubt the Queene is scant mery let vs goe sée her for happily she will be glad of our comming So rode they to the Court together Amadis still kéeping the Squire with him that came from the King and when they entred the Quéenes presence Amadis falling on his knée began in this manner Madame this Gentleman left the King well this morning and at libertie whereof his Maiestie certifieth you by him my selfe likewise not long since left your Daughter with Don Grumedan and very shortly they will be with you But because I vnderstand that Barsinan mollesteth you with trecherie suffer vs I pray you to go sée what he can doo When the Quéene heard these ioyfull tidings her inward content tooke away the libertie of her speeche nor could she doo any thing but lift her hands and eyes to heauen applauding his name from whome this good proceeded and by gestures deliuering some signe of thanks to Amadis At length hauing ouercome this delightfull passion and intending to question further concerning these newes the allarme was sounded wherefore King Arban Amadis hyed to the barres where they found Barsinans men giuing an eager charge as hoping to conquer the contrary part But Amadis thrusting him-selfe formost caused the barres to bée taken downe and accompanyed with King Arban brake in couragiously vpon the enemy a noble president to their Souldyours who being chéered by this onset tooke hart and followed Now wexed the skirmish to be hot indéed so that on both sides very many were slaine which Barsinan perceiuing and trusting in his multitude to suppresse the weaker part came formost him-selfe in person thinking now he sawe the barres open to driue his aduersaryes back againe into the Cittie When Amadis noted his forwardnes he stepped back and chaunged his Creast and Shéeld with a simple mercenarie Soldiour yet reseruing his Launce which with a strong carrire pierced through his Armour and wounding Barsinan brake in pieces in his flesh Then drawing his Swoord he gaue him such a stroke on the Helmet as he was astonnied there-with and redoubling his blowe cut his right arme quite from his shoulder when Barsinan féeling him so wounded would haue retyred back to saue him-selfe by the spéed of his horsse but he fell to the ground as depriued of his sences Wherefore Amadis left him and set vpon the rest who being vnable to endure these hot assaults likewise beholding their Lord dismounted tooke themselues to flight for safetie of their liues yet were they so closely followed as the most part of them were slaine in the feeld and some fewe of them escaped into the Tower causing the bridge to be quickly drawen vp after them Heere-upon Amadis returned where he left Barsinan and because he was not yet dead commaunded he should be caryed to the Quéenes lodging there to be kept till the Kings returne and as he would haue put vp his Swoord he sawe it soyled with blood wherefore in wiping it he said Thou trustie Sword in a happy houre was the Knight borne to whome thou belongest and as thou art one of the best in the world so is thy Maister the most vertuous Prince liuing He vsed these words because it appertayned to King Lisuart and was sent him from the Quéene by Gandalin as you heard before but now returnes he with King Arban to the Quéenes lodging to comfort her with newes of this happie victorie All this while the King is hasting toward London giuing order to returne al the Knights he met by the way among whome were Agraies Galuanes Soliuan Galdan Dinadaus and Bernas all which were highly in the Kings fauour as men of vertue and no small deseruing and his Maiestie hauing embraced them said My noble good freends you had almost lost me but God be thanked you haue recouered me againe by the help of these thrée woorthie Knightes Galaor Guilan and Ladasin In sooth my Lord answered Dinadaus so soone as your mishap was knowen in the Cittie eche one prepared to bring you succour I knowe my good Nephewe quoth the King that I am greatly beholding to you all but I pray you take good store of these Knights and post with spéede to assist the Quéene for I doubt she is in no little daunger This Dinadaus was one of the best Knightes of the Kings linage and well estéemed among men of account as well in respect of his vertues as also his braue behauiour in chiualrie so according to the Kinges commaund he rode away presently very brauelye accompanied The King likewise followed an indifferent pace least his Nephewe should stand in need of helpe and by the way he ouer-tooke Don Grumedan with his daughter Oriana how ioyfull his méeting was you may easily conceiue that the seperation was not so greeuous but this was as gladsome Grumedan told his Maiestie how Amadis left the Princesse with him while he rode before to assist the Quéen thus with repetition of many matters they beguiled y e time till they arriued at London where he vnderstood the successe of Barsinans enterprise and how valiantly King Arban had resisted him not forgetting the woorthye behauiour of Amadis in taking him prisoner and discomfiting his men except a few that saued them-selues in the Tower Héere would it aske a worlde of time to reporte the ioye pleasure and contentment betwéene the King and Quéene at their meeting
likewise the Mothers comfort hauing recouered her Daughter againe but as your iudgementes can better conceiue then I set down matter aboue the reache of common capacitie so doo I leaue it to you and proceede to the King Who to terrifie the traitours thus gotten into hold besieged them seuerelly and to disharten them the more brought Barsinan Arcalaus Nephewe before the walles where before all the people they confessed their treason Which beeing doone a great fier was made wherin they were aliue consumed but when they in the Tower beheld this spectackle and that they were in great want of victualles they yéelded them-selues to the Kinges mercye the most parte of them béeing for examples sake hanged on the battlements and the rest set at libertie vpon humble submission Yet this matter bred great trouble afterward betwéene them of great Brittaine and Sansuegua for the Sonne of Barsinan beeing a good Knight vexed King Lisuart with contagious warre as the Historye heere-after at large is mentioned After the King had escaped these mis-fortunes the former ioyes and pastimes began again during which time the Lady and her two Sonnes the messengers of Madasima who were witnesses when Galaor and Amadis promised to forsake King Lisuarts seruice arriued at y e Court When the two Princes were aduertised therof they went and freendly entertained her she saying Gentlemen you know the cause of my comming are you determined to kéep your promise We are quoth they and will not breake our couenaunt with Madasima but presently will perfourm it before the King Entring the great hall the Lady fell on her knees before his Maiestie deliuering these speeches My Lord I am come to your Courte to see if these two Knightes will obserue a couenaunt which in my presence they made to a Lady What was it answered the King A matter that will scant like you quoth the Lady or any such as beare you affection and therto she added y e whole circumstance Wherat the King wexing some what offended tolde Galaor that he had very much wronged him My Lord replyed Galaor it was better to doo so then be trecherously slaine for had we beene knowen neither you or all the worlde could haue saued our liues but let not your Maiestie be offended for the remedie shall be more readye then you expect In accomplishing my promise to Madasima of Gantasi my Lord I take my leaue of you departing altogether from your seruice certifying you that it is her wil to doo you this displeasure and wursse if she could compasse it for the extreame mallice she beareth to you Amadis affirmed what his brother had doone then Galaor turning to the Lady and her two Sonnes said Haue we not now accomplished our promise Yes truely quoth the Lady we must néedes auouch so much You may then return when you please answered Galaor but tell Madasima she did not so much as she wéened as you may perceiue by the present effect Now my Lord quoth he to the King we haue fulfilled our promise to Madasima and because in graunting her earnest desire the time was not limitted how long we should leaue your seruice we may enter ther-into againe when you please to commaund so that we are yours as faithfull as before When the King and all that were present heard what had past they reioyced exceedingly esteeming Galaor and Amadis well aduised héerin wher-upon the King thus spake to the Lady According to her great treason vnder shaddow of good meaning they are bound to no more then they haue accomplished for to deceiue the deceiuer is no deceit And say to Madasima séeing she hateth me so vnreasonably she once had them in her power who might haue greeued me all my life time but God hauing in other places deliuered me from many perilles will not suffer me to perish by so bad a woman as she is I desire ye my Lord quoth she to tell me their names The one is Amadis answered the King and the other his brother Galaor May it be possible said the Lady that Madasima had Amadis in her power Credit me quoth the King I haue tolde ye trueth Their fortune was good replyed the Lady for they might not haue escaped if she had knowne them and in sooth the deed might be reckoned ominous if two such woorthye persons had perished Yet when she shall know heereof saide the King I thinke she will forbeare to wrong me any further With that the Lady tooke her leaue shaping her course the same way she came CHAP. XL. ¶ How King Lisuart helde open Courte in the Cittie of London many dayes in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater parte wherof remained there long time afterward TWelue dayes together after these mishaps did King Lisuart continue his Courte in all magnificence many noble personages béeing there assembled as well strangers as other hoping now to make little stay but to returne home to their owne houses yet the greater parte of them aboad with the King in like maner did sundry woorthy Ladyes accompany the Quéene Among other Knightes attending on the King were Don Guilan the pensiue and his Cozin Ladasin who as I haue saide were very good Knightes but Guilan was the better of the twaine for very few were found in the Realme of great Brittaine that caryed more account for déedes of Armes and all other graces beseeming a Knight setting aside his musing and melancholye By means wherof few or none could be pleasant with him or haue any woordes from him in companie but loue procured these extreames busying his thoughtes in such sorte with his Lady as he had minde of none but her And she of whome we speake was endued with singuler beautye béeing named Brandalisia sister to the Kinges wife of Sobradisa and ioyned in mariage with the Duke of Bristoya who now was ariued at the Courte to answere the accusation Oliuas laide against him The King gaue him very gentle welcome and béeing in the presence of many great Lordes the Duke began in this manner Sir you haue commaunded my appearance héere this day to iustifie my selfe before your Maiestie concerning a crime Oliuas chargeth me withall wherof I hope sufficiently to cléere my selfe by the rightfull iudgemēt your selfe shall giue he rest condemned like a varlet as he is for héer am I ready to approue against him or any other he shall bring that I neuer committed treason or so foule a deede At these woords Oliuas arose with him a great number of Knightes errant all resolued to maintaine this quarrell against the Duke when the King behelde them in such a mutinie he meruailed whence the cause should proceed when Grumedan speaking for all the rest saide My Lord because the Duke of Bristoya hath threatned and defied all Knightes errant we are ready to answere his challenge In good faith answered the King if it be so he hath attempted an ouer-fond warre for I think there is no King
to the two Knightes who were first dismounted and with them we haue abode y e space of one whole yéere in which time many combates they fought for vs yet neuer conquered till this present In sooth Lady answered Galaor the Knightes intent was too high for him to accomplish because he could not deale with Amadis and escape the fortune now fallen vpon him but how was he named He called himselfe Alimias quoth ashe nd had not ouer-wéening pride too much ruled him he was a most gentle and courteous Knight By this time were they come to their Auntes Castell where Galaor and Florestan found gracious entertainment the olde Lady being very glad to see her Nieces as also to vnderstand the death of Alimias After they had taken leaue of the fréendly Ladyes they iourney toward the Realm of Sobradisa where they heard before they entred the Cittie how Amadis and Agraies had slaine Abiseos and his sonnes by meanes wherof Briolania ruled as a peaceable Quéen which newes highly contented them and made them reioyce for their happie fortune To the Pallace they come vnknowne of any till they were brought to Amadis and Agraies whose wounds were already indifferently recured and they deuising with the Queene at their arriuall Heer you must note how the Damosell that conducted Galaor to finde Florestan left them after the Combate and comming before to her Mistresse tolde her and Amadis how Galaor and Florestan knew eche other and what issue their combate had which made Amadis very kindely to embrace them bothe and Florestan offered on his knee to kisse his hand which Amadis would not permit but causing him to arise sat down and communed of their aduentures yast But one day among other the new enstalled Quéene Briolania after many honourable feastinges she had made them séeing these foure Knightes determined to departe considering the good she had receiued by Amadis and Agraies and that she being before a disinherited Princesse was by their meanes restored to her Kingdome beholding likewise the whéele of Fortune turned how such personages were not alone to aid and defend her countrey but puissant enough of them-selues to be Kinges and mighty Lordes falling on her knees before them first rendering thankes to God who had doone her such grace as to regarde her in pittie continuing her discourse she saide Think my Lordes these mutations are the meruailes of the Almightye which are admirable to vs and helde of great account but to him they are in manner nothing Let vs see if it be good then to shunne Signories and riches which to obtaine we take such paine and trauaile and to keepe endure innumerable anguishes and distresse as superfluous therfore vtterly to deiect theÌ„ because they are torments of bodie and soule vncertaine and haue no permanence As for my selfe I say no but affirme that they beeing lawfully gotten modestly vsed and according to Gods appointment they are in this worlde rest pleasure and ioy and the way to bring vs to eternall glory To the Gentlemen Readers THus Gentlemen is the first Book of Amadis finished how rudely and vnlearnedlye you may perceiue yet truely set down according to the French historye but if it be not so eloquently handled as you expected you must beare with the bad conceit which neâ—er was capable of any such cunning Good will is the line wherby I leuell my woorkes and freendlye acceptation the greatest grace in gentle minds which is able to shaddowe all imperfections what-soeuer and to let that passe for currant which else were counterfeit In this hope I present you with my labour of Amadis and my poore good will being requited with your kinde accepting shall encourage me to aduenture on the second Book of this history which by the fauour of the firste wil come the sooner Long may I not stand pleading for so slender a reward the good will think the best their courtesie I require the bad not borne to say well I care not for their freendship An. Monday Honos alit Artes. FINIS A Table for the readie finding of the Chapters contayned in this Booke directing by the number to euerie seuerall leafe OF whence the Kings Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knightes as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following ther-on Chapter I. Folio 1. How the Princesse Elisena and her Damosell Darioletta went to the chamber where King Perion was lodged chapter II. Folio 5. How King Perion parting from little Brittaine trauayled on his iourney hauing his hart filled with greefe and melanchollie chapter III. Fol. 10. How King Languines caried away with him the Gentleman of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales chapter IIII. Fol. 15. Howe King Lisuart sayling by Sea landed in Scotland where he was greatly honoured and well entertayned chapter V. Fol. 19. How Vrganda the vnknowne brought a Launce to the Gentleman of the Sea chapter VI. Fol. 26. How the Gentleman of the Sea combated with the guarders of Galpans Castell and afterward with his Bretheren and in the end with Galpan him-selfe chapt VII Fol. 31. How the third day after the Gentleman of the Sea departed from King Languines the three Knightes came to the courte bringing with them the wounded Knight in a Litter and his disloyall wife chap. VIII Fol. 34. How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the court of King Languines who sent her accompanyed with the Princesse Mabila his only daughter as also a noble traine of Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen chap. IX Fol. 36. How the Gentleman of the Sea fought the combate with King Abies on difference of the warre he made in Gaule chapter X. Fol. 43. How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother chapter XI Fol. 47. How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that hee might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be knighted and by no other chapter XII Fol. 52. How Galaor vanquished the Giant at the Rock of Galteres chapter XIII Fol. 58. How after Amadis departed from Vrganda the vnknowen he arriued at a castell where it chaunced to him as you shall reade in the discourse chapter XIIII Fol. 64. How king Lisuart caused a Sepulchre to be made for Dardan and his friend with an Epitaph in remembrance of their death and the honor he did to Amadis after hee was found and knowen chapter XV. Fol. 72. How Amadis made him-selfe knowen to king Lisuart as also the Princes and Lords of his court of whome hee was honorably receiued feasted chap. XVI Fol. 79. What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amadis chapter XVII Fol. 85. How Amadis tarying with his good will in the courte of king Lisuart heard tidings of his brother
Galaor chapter XVIII Fol. 92. How Amadis combatted against Angriote and his brother who guarded the passage of the valley against such as would not confesse that their Ladies were inferiour in beauty to Angriotes choyse chapter XIX Fol. 97. How Amadis was enchaunted by Arcalaus when he would haue deliuered the Lady Grindaloya and other from prison and how afterward he escaped the enchauntments by the ayde of Vrganda chapter XX. Fol. 104. How Arcalaus brought newes to the court of king Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freends to make manifold lamentations and regrets especially the Princesse Oriana chapter XXI Fol. 108. How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him chapter XXII Fol. 112. How Amadis departed from the Ladies castell and of the matters whiche were occurrent to him by the waye chapter XXIII Fol. 119. How king Lisuart being in the chace sawe a farre off three Knights armed comming toward him and what followed there-upon chapter XXIIII Fol. 122. How Amadis Galaor and Balays determined to trauayle to king Lisuart and what aduentures happened by the way betweene them chapter XXV Fol. 127. How Galaor reuenged the death of the knight whome he found slaine on the bed vnder the tree chapter XXVI Folio 131 How Amadis pursuing the knight that misused the Damosell met another knight with whome he combatted and what happened to him afterward chapt XXVII Folio 134 How Amadis combatted with the knight that did steale the Damosell from him when he slept and vanquished him chapter XXVIII 138. How Balays behaued him-selfe in his enterprise pursuing the knight that made Galaor loose his horsse chapter XXIX Folio 140. How King Lisuart held open court most royally and of that which happened in the meane time chap. XXX Folio 142. How Amadis Galaor and Balays arriued at the courte of king Lisuart and what happened to them afterward chapter XXXI Fol. 145. How king Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good cittie of London there to hold open and royall court chapter XXXII Folio 148. How king Lisuart would haue the aduise of his Princes and Lords as concerning his former determination for the high exalting and entertaining of chiualrie chapter XXXIII Folio 152. How while this great and ioyfull assembly endured a Damosell came to courte clothed in mourning requesting aide of king Lisuart in a cause whereby she had beene wronged chapter XXXIIII Folio 155. How king Lisuart was in daunger of his person and his state by the vnlawfull promises he made too rash and vnaduisedly chapter XXXV Folio 161. How Amadis and Galaor vnderstood that king Lisuart and his daughter were caryed away prisoners wherefore they made haste to giue them succour chapter XXXVI Folio 166. How Galaor rescued king Lisuart from the ten knights that led him to prison chapter XXXVII Folio 172. How newes came to the Queene that the king was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the citty of London chapter XXXVIII Folio 174. How Amadis came to the succour of the cittie of London when it was in this distresse chapter XXXIX Fol. 177. How king Lisuart helde open courte in the cittie of London many daies in which time sundry great personages were there feasted the greater part whereof remained there long time afterward chapter XL. Folio 181. How Amadis determined to goe combate with Abiseos and his two Sonnes to reuenge the kings death who was father to the fayre Briolania and of that which followed chapter XLI Folio 183. How Galaor went with the Damosell after the knight that dismounted him and his companyons in the forrest whome when he found they combatted together and afterward in the sharpest poynt of their combate they knewe eche other chapter XLII Folio 187. How Don Florestan was begotten by King Perion on the faire Daughter to the Countye of Zealand chapter XLIII folio 191. How Galaor and Florestan riding toward the Realme of Sobradisa met with three Damoselles at the Fountayne of Oliues chapter XLIIII folio 197. FINIS
Mellin de Sainct Gelays au Seigneur des Essars N. de Herberay traducteur du present liure d'Amadis de Gaule Au grand desir à l'instante requeste De tant d'amys dont tu peux disposer Vouldrois tu bien o amy t'opposer Par vn reffus de chose treshoneste Chascun te prie ie t'en admoneste Que l' Amadis qu'il t' a pleu exposer Vueilles permettre au monde exposer Car par tes faitz gloire honneur acqueste Estimes tu que Caesar ou Camille Doibuent le cours de leuâ—r claire memoire Au marbre au fer à cyseau ou enclume Toute statue ou medaille est fragile Au fil des ans mais la durable gloire Vient de main docte bien disante plume Antoine Macault Secretaire vallet de chambre du Roy Aux Lecteurs Diuins espritz Françoys de hault scauoir comblez Qui par viue vertu merite louable En bien escripuant ceulx qui bien font ressemblez Prenez exemple icy certain honorable Que loz immortel vient d'oeuure non paroissable Comme est le present liure Et vous oisifz cessarts Suyuez ce translateur qui des branchuz Essars Du parler Espaignol en essartant deffriche Nostre Amadis de Gaule le rend par ses artz En son premier Françoys doulx orne propre riche THE FIRST BOOK OF Amadis of Gaule Discoursing the Aduentures and Loue of many Knightes and Ladies as well of the Realme of great Brittayne as sundry other Countries c. CHAP. 1. Of whence the Kinges Garinter and Perion were and the Combate betweene Perion and two Knightes as also how he fought with a Lyon that deuoured a Hart in their presence with the successe following theron SOone after the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ there reigned in little Brittaine a king named Garinter enstructed in the lawe of veritie and highlye adorned with many laudable vertues hauing a Noble Ladye to his Wife by whom he had two beautifull Daughters The eldest béeing maried with Languines King of Scottes was commonly called the Lady of the Garland because the King her Husband taking great pleasure to beholde the golden tresses of her haire would haue them no otherwise couered then with a faire circle or chaplet of Flowers Languines enioying by his Quéene Agraies and Mabila of whom this present History often maketh mention The other yongest Daughter to this King Garinter was named Elisena very much excelling the eldest in beauty and though she had beene oftentimes desired in mariage by sundry Princes and great Lordes yet as then she had no will therto but for her solitarye and holy life was commonly called of euery one the lost Virgin in Deuotion considering that in a person of such estate endued with such excellent beauty and solicited by so many great Princes this strickt religion was not conuenient King Garinter béeing somwhat in yéeres for recreation tooke pleasure in Hunting when at one time among other it happened that hauing appointed a méeting néere one of his Cities called Alyma a Hart was put foorth in pursuite whereof him selfe wandred very farre wherfore séeing he had lost both his people and game commending him selfe to God he began to make somewhat the more haste til hauing trauersed first one way and then another at the very entraunce into a Wood he saw two Knightes fighting against one Soone had he knowledge of the twaine in y t they were his own Subiectes of whom he had heard sundrye complaintes but slender order was taken in the cause by reason of the great alliance they had in the Cuntrye as also for that they kept themselues still in this great Forrest Who the third should be he meruailed and for that time he so well liked the valour of the one Knight as he feared not what might happen to the other twaine wherfore he withdrew him selfe a little further into the Forrest because he might the better beholde the issue of the fight which sorted to such effect as by the strength of the one Knight both the other were vauquished and slaine The King beholding what had happened came foorth of the Wood when the Knight seeing one so néer him aboâ—e thus demaunded Gentle Sir what Câ—â—try is this where Knightes errant are thus assayled by robbers théeues Let this be no wonder to you Sir answered the King for this Cuntry yéeldes as other doo both good and bad As for them that thus assaulted you they haue done diuers and villainous outrages not onlye in this Wood which hath been their accustomed receptacle but like wise in many other places and chéefely against their Lord and King who could not execute iustice on them in that they were allyed to the best houses in this Realm And where may I finde the King you speake off said the Knight for I am come to séeke him to bring him newes from a great fréend of his Happen what shall answered Garinter I will tell ye so much as I knowe vnderstand then for a trueth that I am the man you aske for At these woordes the Knight took of his Helmet and throwing downe his Shéeld ran to embrace him saying that he was the King Perion of Gaule who of long time had been destrous to know him Greatly were these Kinges contented that their méeting was in such fortunate manner and conferring togeather on many matters they tooke the waye through the Wood toward the Citie where they thought to finde the Hunters but suddenly a Hart ranne before them which with some danger had escaped the toyles wherfore the Princes gallopped after the Déere hoping to kill it ere they gaue ouer But it fell out otherwise for in the pursuite as they came into the thickest of the wood a chafed Lyon ran before them which in their sight seayed on the Hart and hauing with his strong pawes torn it in péeces turned againe when running furiouslye against the two Princes he watched his aduauntage as if they had angred him which the King Perion perceiuing in laughter saide You shal not be such a glutton maister Lyon but you shall leaue vs parte of the game And héerwith presently he alighted because his Horsse would not come néer the beast so drawing his Swoord and clasping his shéeld on his arme not regarding y e cryes of King Garinter who laboured to disswade him froÌ„ the attempt he marched to the Lyon who for defence of his pray can eagerly against the King and so betwéene them began a new warre But the Lyon being quick and nimble did so much as he got his enemye vnder him yet was the Kinges hart so good that albeit he was in verye great perill of his person he was not abashed one iotte but turned him selfe in suche sorte as he thrust his Swoord into the belly of the beast which at that instant fell downe dead before him The King séeing what had happened was so
ouercome with meruailing at this deed as he saide within him selfe In sooth it is no shame to renowne one of the best knightes in the worlde In this meane while the rest of the traine came thether who for to finde their King had searched long time vp and downe the Forrest Then was their pray and Uenison laide on two horses and caryed to the Citie where the Quéene was immediatly aduertised of King Perions arriuall and therfore made speedy prouision of all thinges necessarye to welcome and feaste so great a Prince At their comming they found Dinner ready and the tables couered wherfore after the welcomes and reuerences doon on all sides the two Kinges sat downe so did the Quéene and faire Elisena her Daughter Now had Loue secretly ambushed him selfe because he had long time assayled this yong Princesse without any power to ouercome her but now he saw her so vnprouided as at this instant hower he might touch her to the quicke and thence forward holde a sure conquest of her The like in King Perion who thought of nothing but a fréendlye entertainement yet when he cast his eye on the Lady Elisena and she in like sorte vpon him by vertue of this pearring regarde her wonted chaste and holye life had no longer power to priuiledge this Princesie but she was wonderfully thralled in extreame loue to this yong King and he in selfe same manner to her albeit till that power he had his hart francke and frée without subiection in any other place In this sorte during dinner time they found themselues for each other in a strange opinion till the tables were with-drawen when the Queene would departe to her Chamber wherfore Elisena arose to followe her but as she stepped forward she let fall a King which she had put in her bosome when she washt her handes and so had forgot it by reason of this new loue that made her think on other matters Now was king Perion some what néer her and desirous to let her know how willingly he would be hers stooped downe as soone as she to take it vp and so right did their handes méete together as the King had the meane to close her fingers yet feigning to take vp her King Wherupon this amourous Lady began to change collour and notwithstanding by a swéet regarde humbly thanked him Ah Madame quoth he this shall not be the last seruice I hope to doo you for my whole life time shalbe imployed to obey you Constrained was Elisena without answering him to followe the Queene her mother so surprized and altered as very néere she had forgotten her selfe so that not able to endure this new fire of loue which so sudden and vehemently had conquered her wonted chaste and choice determination with the teares in her eyes and her hart full of anguishe she went and discouered the same to a faithfull Damsell of hers named Darioletta praying her most instantly to councell her how she might safely know if King Perion had not else-where placed his loue and whether the affectionate semblaunce he had showen her might procéed from force of that impression which had so lately seaâ—ed on her hart The Damosell mernailing at this so sudden mutation and in a person thought so farre from any such matter taking neuerthelesse compassion on her pitteous teares thus answered I see well Madame that according to the extreame passion wherwith the tirant Loue hath tormented ye hee hath lefte no place in your iudgemente where counsell or reason may be entertayned and therfore following not what I ought for your seruice but the will I haue to obay you I shall doo what you haue commaunded me by the most honest meanes that my little discretion and the great desire I haue to please ye will permit me So without any more woords Darioletta went to the Chamber where King Perion was and at the doore she found his Squire who brought other garmentes for his Lord to weare which the Damosell tooke of him For quoth she it is necessary that I perfourme this seruice and you gentle Squire maye goe if you please about your other affaires The Squire thinking it was the custome of the Cuntry made no deniall but willinglye suffered her to take the Garments wherupon she entred the Chamber where the found the King laide on his bed who séeing her enter and knowing wel it was she whom he had séene to conferre with Elisena most priuatelye and in whom aboue all other she put chéefest trust he thought that she would not come in that sorte to him without bringing him some remedy for his mortall passions for which cause all in trembling he saide Faire fréend what demaund ye If it may so like you my Lord quoth she I haue brought other garments for ye Much rather would I saide the King that you had brought some comfort to my hart which at this present is left naked and despoyled of all pleasure As how my good Lord answered the Damosell Thus quoth he When first I arriued in this Country I was frée from all passions and doubled nothing but of aduentures that might happen to knightes errant but now I know not in what sorte entring this Courte by some one of your Ladies haue I receiued a deadly wound for which if you faire Damosell knowe how to giue me any remedy your recompence shall be so good as you shall repute your selfe beholding to me Certes quoth she I should imagine my self happy by dooing seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are if I could tell wherein If you will promise me saide the King as you are a loyall Damosell not to discouer me but where it is requisite I shall tell ye Say holdâ—â—â— your pleasure answered Darioletta for by me without your liking it shall not be knowen to any Damosell and my fréende quoth he I giue ye to vnderstand that at what time I behelde the excellent beauty of Elisena your Mistresse I became extreamelye tormented with her loue and in such sorte as I cannot excuse my selfe from death if I finde not remedy for my greefe the sooner Darioletta who knew thorowly the minde of the Princesse hearing what the King had saide returned him this answere My Lord if you will assure me by the faith of a King which before all other thinges ought to be kept as a person most bounden to vertue and as a loyall Knight who ought as is saide to suffer much for maintenance of right and equitie that you will take to Wife my Lady Elisena when time shall serue right soone will I bring ye to the place where not only your hart shalbe satisfied but hers likewise who it may be is in as much or more thought and dollour then your are by reason of the new anguish that toucheth her thorow the selfe same meanes But if you doo not my Lord what I haue said you shall not there recouer her nor shall I haue other cause then to thinke
necessitie I must be gon aduising ye that you shall see me againe sooner then you thinke for At these woordes the Damosell departed and Gandales who had not all this while regarded the Knight against whome hee fought seeing him now bare headed reputed him one of the goodlyest Gentlemen that euer he had seene who after he had taken vp his Sheeld and laced on his helmet followed the Damosell wherfore for this time we will let them goe continuing what happened to Gandales Vrganda being departed he returned toward his Castel méeting by the waye with the Ladye whome Vrganda had caused to be rhased from her fréend and this sorrowfulâ— woman was hard by a Fountaine where she wept and lamented very bitterly when she espied him that came toward her she easily knew him wherfore she thus spake Is it possible Sir Knight that the wicked creature whom you succoured hath doon so much as to let you liue Wicked she is not answered Gandales but wise and vertuous and if you be otherwise I will make ye deny these foolish woords Ah God saide the Lady how can the villaine deceiue euery one How hath she deceiued you replied Gandales Alas quoth the Lady she hath taken from me y e faire Knight that should be mine and so may I wel say seeing he woulde bee more content to be with me then with her This is meere folly answered Gandales for in mine opinion both you and she do loue without reason Howe euer it be said the Lady if I can I will be auenged You trauaile in vaine quoth he thinking to iniurie her that knowes it not onely before you execute it but when you imagine it In sooth answered the Lady this afternoone ye may be gone when you please and neuertheles it often happeneth that those which thinke they know most by presumption fall into the greatest dangers Gandales seeing her so impacient commending her to God followed his waie thinking more of the young Gentlemans affaires then what the Ladie had spoken to him Beeing come to his Castell and seeing the little boy come running towards him he tooke him vp in his armes and louingly embracing him remembred what Vrganda had saide to him which made the teares stand in his eyes with ioy saying within him selfe Faire Childe I pray God I maye liue so long as to sée thée such a one as I hope for At this time the young Prince was about thrée yeeres olde who seeing his Lord weepe as one mooued with compassion â—â— wiped his eyes which made Gandales imagine great hâ—manity in him and y t as the childe grewe in age and strength â—â—wered he in will the better to helpe him if he had 〈◊〉 Wherfore thence forward he was very carefull of him â—â—uising all meanes for his best education and compaying continually with his play-fellowe Gandalin he tooke very great delight in Shooting He béeing come to the age of sixe yéeres King Laâ—guines and his Queene riding through the Countrey came to Gandales Castell where they were royallye feasted but before they there ariued Gandales being aduertised of their comming caused the yong Prince and his companions to be hid in a backe Chamber fearing that in respecte of his beautye and good grace the King would be desirous to take him away with him or else that the Children would be troublesome to the house But it fortuned that the Quéene beeing lodged in one of the highest roomes in the Castell as she looked foorth at a windowe which was on that side where the Children were she espied the yong Prince and his play-fellowes drawing their bowes and marking him verye well she liked him aboue all the other taking great plesure to beholde his countenance thinking he was Sonne to the Lord of the house yet beeing doubtfull and not seeing anye of whome she might aske the question she thus called to her Ladyes Come and beholde the fairest young creature that euer was séene At these woordes they all came running and soone after the childe being drye left his bow by his companyons going to drinke at a conduit pipe which was hard by in meane while one of them that was bigger then y e Prince tooke vp his bowe to draw it but Gandalin would not suffer him wherupon a great strife fell betwéene them and Gandalin being the weakest cryed out Gentleman of the Sea come helpe me When the Prince heard him he lefte his draught and ran to him that misused his brother taking his vow froÌ„ him giuing him therwith a great strok ouer y e head saying In all euill hower varlet doost thou outrage my brother The other not content therwith came to y e Prince and they fought together yet he that began the noyse was glad to run thence and by the way met their Gouernour who saide Whether runnest thou Maister quoth he the Gentleman of the Sea will beate me then the Gouernour comming to the Prince rigourously threatned him saying What are you already so bolde to beate your companions you shalbe talked withall by and by for it When y e Prince heard his threatning he fell downe on his knées saying If you will appoint that I shall be beaten more gladlye will I take it then suffer my brother to be wronged in my presence With these woordes the teares trickled downe his chéekes which mooued pitie in the Gouernour wherfore he thus answered If euer you doo so againe I will make ye wéepe in an other sorte The Quéene who had heard and séene all the debate was greatly abashed wherfore they called the little boy the Gentleman of the Sea CHAP. IIII. ¶ How King Languines caried away with him the Gentleman of the Sea and Gandalin the Sonne of Gandales WHile the Quéen thus beheld the Gentleman of the Sea the King entred her Chamber accompanied with Gandales of whom she presently demaunded if that faire young Sonne were his Ye Madame answered Gandales And quoth she why suffer you him to be called the Gentleman of the Sea Because Madame said he that at returne of my last voyage into little Brittayne he was borne vpon the sea Truely quoth she he resembles you but little and this was her opinion because the Prince was excellent faire Gandales somewhat hard fauoured yet a most gentle companion It chaunced during these speeches that y e King cast his eye on the little Prince to whom he séemed no lesse beautifull then he did to the Queene wherfore he commaunded Gandales to fetch him for when I goe hence quoth he I will take him with me and haue him brought vp with mine owne Sonne In sooth my Lord answered Gandales he is yet too young to leaue his Mother but hauing brought him presented him to the King who saide Faire Childe will ye goe with me to the Court My Lord answered the Childe I will goe whether you please if my brother shall goe with me And I quoth Gandalin will not tarye héere without him I perceiue my Lord said Gandales that if
you take the one you must néedes haue the other for they will not be seperated I am the better pleased answered the King then calling Agraies to him saide My Sonne I will that you loue these two Gentlemen as I doo their Father When Gandales saw that the King would haue them away in good earnest with the teares in his eyes he thus spake in his hart My Childe that so soone beginnest to proue Fortune now sée I thee in the seruice of them who one day may happily serue thée if it please God to guide and protect thee as I shall humbly pray for and suffer that the woords of Vrganda the vnknowen spoken to me may proue true making me so happy as to liue to sée the time of those great meruailes promised thée in Armes The King who noted Gandales séeing that his eyes were filled with teares came to comfort him saying Beléeue me I neuer thought you had béene such a foole as to wéepe for a Childe Ah my Lord answered Gandales it may be vpon greater occasion then you think for and if it please ye to know the trueth I will presently tell ye héere before your Quéene So he tolde the whole discourse how he found the Gentleman of the Sea and in what equipage and he had procéeded with that which Vrganda foretolde him but that he remembred the oathe he tooke Now my Lord saide Gandales deale for him as you shall please for so God helpe me according to his beginning I thinke him to be issued of great linage When the King heard this he estéemed much the better of him that he had so carefully nourished the childe he found and thus answered It is great reason seeing God hath doone so much for him as to preserue him from so great a daÌ„ger that now we be diligent in his education and endowe him with habilities when time shall serue In good faith my Lord said the Quéene so please you hee shall be mine during his young yéeres and when he comes to mans estate I will deliuer him to serue you Well Madame quoth the King I giue him you Now early on y e next morning the King would set forward wherfore the Queene not hauing forgot the gift of her Lord tooke with her Gandalin and the young Gentleman of the Sea whom she commaunded to be so carefully attended as her owne Sonne for she tooke such pleasure in beholding him that dayly she would haue him neere her owne person because he had such a chéerefull spirit and so well gouerned withall as he was well liked of euery one so that whatsoeuer he did passed with generall allowance and no other pastime had he but in shooting and cherishing dogges for the chase Now dooth the Authour leaue this matter returning to that which happened to King Perion and his newe freende Elisena King Perion as you haue already heard beeing in Gaule where he vnderstood by his Philosophers the exposition of his Dreame as also what the Damosell had told him That when he recouered his loste the Kingdome of Ireland should lose her flower he became more pensiue then before yet could he vnderstand nothing therof As he thus sadlye spent his dayes it chaunced that an other Damosell entred his Pallace who brought him a letter from Elisena whereby she gaue him to knowe that King Garinter her father was dead and she remained alone and for this cause he should pittie her in that the King of Scottes would take her Kingdome from her For the death of King Garanter was Perion somewhat sorrowful but yet he comforted himself by thinking he should goe to see his freend towards whome he had not diminished one iotte of his affection wherfore he quickly dispatched the Damosell saying to her Returne and say to your mistresse that without staying one whole day I shalbe in short time with her The Damosell wel pleased with this answere returned and after the King had set his affaires in order he parted in good equipage to see his Elisena and iournied so spéedily as he ariued in little Brittayne where he heard newes that King Languines had alreadye gotten all the chéefe of the Country except those Citties which Garinter gaue to Elisena who now abode as he vnderstood at a place named Arcate whether he addressed him selfe If he were there well receiued I leaue to your iudgementes and she likewise of him whom she loued so much After the welcomming and feasting of one an other the King tolde her that he would now marry her and for that cause she aduertised her kinred and Subiectes which she did with all dilligence coulde be deuised as also with so great contentation as her hart might desire for héerin onlye consisted the summe of her affections Which being heard by the King of Scottes and how to accomplishe this King Perion was already ariued with his Sister he sent immediatlye for all the noble men of his Realme to beare him company in dooing honor and welcome to the King his brother At his comming he was graciously receiued by King Perion and after by embracâ—uis they hadsaluted eche other and the nuptialles likewise thorowlye ended the Kinges determined to returne home into their owne Countryes King Perion trauayling toward Gaule with his Quéene Elisena and somewhat weary with tediousnesse of the way he would refresh him selfe along by a Riuer side and while the tentes were erecting he rode softlye alone by the water bancke imagining how hee might knowe the trueth whether Elisena had a Childe according as his Philosopher told him in expounding his Dreame But so long continued he in this thought that riding on without anye regarde he came to an Hermitage which was néere at hand wherfore finding him selfe at a place of deuotion he alighted tying his Horsse to a trée that he might goe in to say his prayers And entring the Church he found there a very auncient religious man who comming to méete him saide Knight is it true that King Perion is maryed to our Kinges daughter Yea verily answered the King Praised be God saide the good Hermite for I knowe certainlye that she loueth him with all her hart How can you tell that replyed the King Euen from her owne mouth saide the good olde man The King then hoping he shoulde heare of him the thing which he moste desired to knowe said I praye ye Father tell me what you haue vnderstood of her and me for I am King Perion Truely Sir answered the wise man héerein should I greatly faulte and iustly might she repute me an heretique if I should manifest what she hath told me vnder confession suffise your selfe with that I haue declared namely the true and sincere loue she beareth you But séeing I haue met ye in a place so conuenient I will that ye knowe what a Damosell in mine opinion very wise saide to me at the time you came firste into this Countrey yet spake she to me so darkelye as I neuer knewe well how to
comprehend her woordes for she saide That from little Brittaine should come two great Dragons that should holde their gouernement in Gaule and their hartes in great Brittaine and from thence they should goe to deuoure the beastes of other Countries but against some they should be braue and cruell and against other some humble and gracious as though they had neither nayles or hart At these woordes I became very pensiue nor could I euer since learne the signification heereof Nor did the King at this instant vnderstand them but was in no lesse meruaile then the Hermite notwithstanding no long time after he found this prophesie to be true Now the King hauing commended the holye man to God returned to his Tentes where he saluted his Quéene yet would he not tell her as then any thing of that wherewith his minde was troubled but dissembled the same till they were in bed and after their accustomed embracinges the King by an apte meane recounted to her what his Astrologers had saide on his dreame earnestlye desiring her to tell him whether she had any Childe by him or no. When the good Ladye heard this she was surprised with shame in such sort as willingly she could haue wished her self dead and therfore altogether denyed the trueth so that at this time the King might not knowe what hee desired On the morrowe they departed thence and arriued in Gaule where this noble Queene was generally receiued with great ioy And because that as it hath béene héeretofore rehearsed the King bare her singuler affection he did for her sake stay more in his Realm then he was wunt to doo so that not long after the Quéen brought him a Sonne who was named Galaor and next a daughter called Melicia But the little Galaor being two yeeres and a halfe olde it chaunced that one day the King his Father soiourning not farre from the Sea side in one of his Cities named Orangill standing at a windowe toward the Garden where was theÌ„ the Queene with her Sonne and Ladyes sporting there entred at a posterne doore such a horrible Giant as no man that euer saw him but was exceedingly affraide bearing on his neck a huge and mighty Mace When the companye of women espied him some fled among the trees and other not to see him fell on the ground but the Giant made no reckoning of them only he came to little Galaor whome he tooke in his armes and in a laughter saide By my faith the Damosell saide true So without dooing any thing els taking away the Childe returned the same way he came and entring a Brigandine that there stayed for him departed vnder saile In meane while the sorrowful Queene who sawe her sonne caryed away forgetting through motherly loue the feare of the Giant followed him very neere hoping to recouer her little Galaor but wheÌ„ she saw him enter the Brigandine God knowes in what anguishe she was for her Sonne in crying saide Ah help me Mother Alas she could not and more strange then death she took it to see him caried away whom she loued as her owne life and in this extreame dollour she remembred her other Sonne throwen into the Sea wherfore the wofull mother fell downe in a swoune King Perion her husband who sawe all this in the place where he stood from whence he could not quickly come to aide the Queene or her Sonne at last came to y â— Queen finding her in that case and did so much as he recouered her againe Then began she to make the moste greeuous moue in the Worlde regreting this newe losse by whome she before hoped to vnderstand of her firste and dispayring euer to heare any newes of comfort moued great compassion in all that behelde her All this while the King laboured to perswade her wherby at last she reobtained the reason y t before was absent wherupon the King saide Madame we must thanke God for all and cheefely in this case for now I euidentlye sée hath happened the effecte of my Dreame wherof sometime I tolde ye thus is little Galaor the last hart that must be taken from vs against our will Hencefoorth therfore feare not to declare what is become of the firste for considering the estate you then were in you ought not in reason to be blamed At these woordes the mournefull Mother forgetting none of the faulte committed tolde him the mis-fortune of her firste borne Sonne entreating him to pardon her seeing she did it thorowe feare of death according as was the lawe of the Countrey In good faith Madame answered the King well may ye assure your selfe that while I liue I will not be offended with ye on your behalfe therfore I pray ye to take their desteny so discreetly as you may for I trust in God that séeing it hath pleased him at our beginning to affoorde vs so little ioy and comforte by our children in time to come he will recompence vs with better successe and it may be yet one day that wee shall heare good tidinges of them Now leauing this ye must note that the Giant who bare away the yong Prince was of the Countreye of Leonâ—â— Lord of an Isle named Gandalan wherin he had two strong places He was not a bloodye man as manye other were but of gentle and peaceable conuersation except when he was offended for in his fury he would doo great cruelties At one instant was the little barque so caried by the Winde as hee arriued in his Countrey which hee had caused â—o be peopled with Christians and there he kept a Hermite of most holy life to whome he went saying Father take this Childe and nourish him for me teaching him all that is conuenient in a Knight for I assure ye he is the Sonne of a King and a Quéene Ah saide the Hermite why haue ye doone such a cruell deede I will tell ye answered the Giant Being minded to go combate with the Giant Albadan who moste vnhappilye killed my Father as you knowe and at this present forcibly holdes from me the Rocke of Galteres which by right appertaineth to me beeing thus embarqued to execute mine intent there came a Damosell to me who saide Thou abusest thy selfe for what thou goest about must be doone by the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule who is much more strong and hardy then thou art I demaunded by her faith whether she tolde me true or no. That shalt thou sée quoth she At what time the two braunches of one tree shalbe ioyned which at this instant are seuered then did she tell me where I should finde him of whome she spake and this is he I giue you in guard euen as you loue me By these means remained little Galaor in the holy mans charge and there he staide so long till he was of yéers to receiue the order of Knighthood as héerafter shalbe recited to you At this time reigned in great Brittaine a King named Falangris who dying without Children left one of his
as she came to the prince at what time he was sporting with Oriana and the other Ladyes while the Queene slepte At that instant was he in such a sollemne thought of Oriana as not daring to lift vp his eyes to beholde her said within him selfe Ah God why hast thou endued this Lady with such excellent beauty that vnhappy I should suffer so extreame passions by louing her Ah mine eyes too high did ye looke when ye behelde her of whome you are not woorthy but if the woorst happen death shall satisfie this â—imeritie wherto my hart for her is humbled In this thought he was like to fall downe so had he forgotten and ouergone him selfe when a Page came to him saying Gentleman there is a strange Damosell attending without who hath brought ye certaine presents would speak with ye When she who loued him heard this message her hart began to tremble in such sorte as béeing not able to endure this new â—ame she called to the Prince saying I pray ye stay heere and let the Damosell come in that we may haue the sight of what she hath brought which he did and the Damosell being entred thus spake to him My Lord your good fréend Gandales saluteth you as the man whom he only loueth and hath sent ye this King this ware and this Swoord which he desireth ye for his sake to kéepe while you liue The Prince hauing receiued the presents â—aid the King and waâ— aside to beholde the Swoord which being without a sheath was wrapped in a fine linnen cloth wherat he greatly meruayled and while he was musing theron Oriana tooke the ware thinking it to be some other thing and said Beléeue me Gentleman for my parte I would haue this ware You may haue it if you please Madame quoth he but me thinks this faire King were better for ye I will haue nothing but this ware said Oriana and so tooke it During these discourses the King came who saide to the Prince What think ye of that Swoord My Lord quoth he I finde it a very faire one but I meruaile wherfore it hath no scabbard It is saide the King very néere fiftéene yéers since it had one and hauing so saide he laide it aside proceeding thus You would be a Knight and know not whether you ought be one or no therfore it is necessary y t you vnderstand what you are and I to tell you so much as I know Héerupon he declared how he was found in a Chest on the Sea with the Swoord and the King as you haue alreadye heard I beléeue my Lord quoth the Prince that for your pleasure you vse this inuention because the Damosell when she entred saide that my good fréend Gandales sent me these presents but I think she fayled in her woordes and would haue said my Father Gandales Notwithstanding my Lord if it be so as you haue rehearsed I am not displeased therat except in not knowing of whence I am nor they me yet doo I thinke my selfe a Gentleman for my hart perswades me of no lesse Now therfore it is more necessary that I be Knighted then before to the end I may labour to become such a one as may acquire honor and reputation séeing I haue no parents by whom I may be named not knowing what I am When the King heard him speak so vertuouslye he estéemed much better of him then before thinking him selfe that he could not but be a man of calling and hardie As thus they were deuising a Gentleman came to the King and said My Lord King Perion your brother is come to the Court The King very glad therof departed to receiue his Brother and embracing him thus spake I sée my good Brother you meant to take me vnprouided for little did I thinke of your so sudden arriuall in this Country Noble brother answered King Perion I come to request y e ayd of my fréendes because I haue more néede of them at this time then euer I had for Abies King of Ireland threatneth me with strong warre and is with great puissaunce entred my Kingdome so that he and Dagauel his Cozin haue laide very seuere siedge to me And which is woorst of all Fortune hath so hardly dealt with me that certaine whom I trusted haue forsaken me and the greatest part of my other fréends are ouerthrowen in the skirmishes we haue had together so that now I come to requeste your succour in this extreame need Truely Brother answered Languines you may be sure therof and your misâ—fortune gréeueth me not a little but I will prouide therfore so well as I can Agraies who was newly Knighted being hotte and ready to Armes hauing heard the request of his Unckle and the graunt the King his Father had made him of assistaunce came and â—â—ll on his knée before him saying I beséeche ye Father let me obtayne one boone at your handes The King who loued him as him selfe answered Demaund what thou wilt for it shall not be denyed thee I desire your sufferance quoth Agraies that I may goe to Gaule to aide the Quéen mine Aunte In good faith said the King well content am I and in good equipage shalt thou goe and stronglye accompanied When the Gentleman of the Sea heard this determination he was more earnest to compasse his enterprise then before and seeing King Perion was present he could not glut his eyes with beholding him only for the good reporte he had heard of him for he thought not theÌ„ of any affinitie or parentage but would rather be Knighted by his hand then any other in respect of his high and hautie déedes of Armes And to attaine his purpose he thought best to intreat the Quéen hoping that if she would doo so much for him as to mooue the King her brother therin she should not be gain-said for he saw her so sad that he durst not speake to her he boldely went to Oriana and setting his knee to the ground saide I pray ye Madame tell me what causeth the Quéene to be so pensiue Oriana beholding the man before her whom she loued in her very soule albeit neither he or any other knew it was surprized with such vehemencye of loue as she could hardly tell how to dissemble it yet thus she answered Gentleman of the Sea and my fréend I will take paine to know then shall I tell ye with all my hart seeing it is the firste request that euer ye made to me Madame quoth he I know in my selfe so small deseruing toward you that I account myself vnworthy to request any thing of you but I should think I were happy if I had the meane to obey you or that it would please you to commaund me What said she haue you so base a minde such small estimatioÌ„ of your self Madame answered he in what sort soeuer it be I haue no forces at all but such as haue left me in great desire to serue you for my hart is altogether yours
and can receiue nothing but from you Mine quoth Oriana and since when Since the time it pleased you Madame replyed the Prince And when was it quoth she that it pleased me At that time answered the Prince when the King your Father left you in this Country if you remember and when y e Quéene presented me to you saying I giue you this Gentleman to serue you and at that time you accepted me as yours when you answered that you were well contented Then was I giuen to you and yours only I repute my selfe so that I haue no authoritie ouer my selfe Certes saide Oriana you tooke her woords to better end then at that time she meante them which I take in good parte and am content it shalbe so No sooner had she thus saide but the Prince was ouer come with such ioy as he had no power to answer Oriana perceiuing it made no shew therof but saide she would goe to the Quéene to doo what he had desired and returned soon after telling him that her greef was for the Quéen of Gaule her sister because the King of Ireland so oppressed her country So please you Madame answered the Prince if I were Knighted I gladly would goe succour her with your leaue And without my leaue quoth Oriana will ye not goe Not for death saide he for without your graious fauour my conquered hart can haue no force or vertue in any perill At these woords Oriana smiled saying Séeing theÌ„ you are mine I graunt you to be my Knight and you shall aide y e Quéens Sister Most humbly did the Prince giue her thankes telling her how the King thought it not good to giue him the order of Knighthood but had denied him yet quoth he is King Perion heere as you know at whose handes so pleased you to intreate it I would more willinglye receiue it then of any other Nor will I let for that saide she and the better to compasse your desire I will cause the Princesse Mabila to beare me company for whose sake he will the sooner graunt it So presently she went to her and tolde what she and the Gentleman of the Sea had concluded to attaine his Knighthood and how faine he would haue it at King Perions hand for which cause she intreated her assistaunce in y e sute Mabila who loued the Prince vary well thus answered I assure ye Sister there shalbe no want in me for so well dooth the Gentleman deserue as would make one doo much more then this for him wherfore let him be ready this night in the Quéens Chappell then when time shall serue we will goe with our women to accompanie him and I will send for the King mine Uncle which shalbe somewhat before the break of day that he may come sée me and he being come to vs you and I will mooue him in the matter which I hope he will graunt vs considering he is a very gracious and affable Prince This is very well appointed answered Oriana wherfore they sent for the Prince and told him all the platforme they had laide who humbly thanking them would prouide all thinges ready for him selfe and therfore departed Then went he to finde Gandalin making him acquainted with the whole saying I pray ye brother conuay mine Armour so closely as you can into the Quéenes Chappell because I hope this might to receiue mine order and for I must right soone departe hence I would knowe if you haue any will to beare me company Beléeue me quoth Gandalin neuer with my will shall I departe from ye Of these woords was the Prince so glad that the teares flood in his eyes with ioy Well saide he prouide all thinges ready as I tolde ye wherin Gandalin faâ—led not for ere supper he took such order as all was doone vnseene of any and the Prince got him secretlye into the Chappell where he armed him selfe except the head and handes So staying there for the Ladyes and King Perion he fell on his knees before the Aultar desiring God to be his aide not only in conquering such as he should deale withall in Armes but also in obtaining her who caused him to endure so many mortall passions The night being come and the Queene withdrawen the Princesses Oriana and Mabila with their women came to the Chappell where the Gentleman of the Sea attended and Mabila hauing sent for King Perion he was no sooner entred but she thus began My Lord seeing you haue taken so much paines for me as to come hether I pray you graunt Madame Oriana daughter to King Lisuart a small request she will make to ye I would be lothe saide the King to deny her as well for her Fathers honor as her own sake Oriana arose to thank him whom when he behelde so faire he thought all the worlde could not match her in beauty thus speaking to her Madame dooth it please ye to commaund me any thing Not commaund my Lord quoth she but intreat ye to giue my Gentleman the order of Knighthood this said she pointing to him as he kneeled before the Altare When the King saw him he wondered at his goodly stature and said to him My freend would you receiue the order of Knighthood Yea my good Lord answered the Prince may it please you to giue it me In Gods name be it doone saide the King who giue you grace so well to proceed therin as he hath bestowed seemely perfection on you Then putting on his right spurre and dubbing him with the Swoord thus spake Now haue ye the order appertaining to a Knight but I would opportunitie had serued me to haue giuen it you with greater honor not withstanding according to mine opinion of you I hope you will proue such as your renown shall supply what wanteth heere in perfourmaunce Afterward King Perion tooke leaue of the Ladies who highly thanked him and then set on his way toward Gaule commending the new Knight to the heauenly protection this was the first act that might beare testimonie of these Louers sweet desires If it seeme to the reader that their purpose was not according to affection but simple in respect of their vehement passions I answere that they ought to excuse their age likewise it often commeth to passe that they which think them selues most expert in those pleasing and amourous amoris haue béene by this God so strongly bound and liuely attainted as not onlye he dâ—priued them of speech but of iudgement also and it is necessary for such persons to vse greater woordes then these two who as yet had not learned them But this new Knight béeing throughly furnished and ready to his iourney by his Ladies consent would in thanking y e companie take a more secret conge of Oriana And she who for this sudden parting felte new passions in her hart yet neuerthelesse dissembling theÌ„ took him by the hand and walking aside thus spake Gentleman of the Sea you will be gon then but first I pray ye tell me
e Knight but such was his bad successe as there with dishonour he lost his head which I would gladly haue brought to this Courte yet doubting the corrupt sauour therof and being otherwise aduised by him that sent me to my Lord Agraies as testimony of his victorie this Helmet may suffise Undoubtedly said the King to all there present it is the same Knight of whose name we are ignorant how say you Lady cannot you resolue vs My Lord quoth she I obtained it by excéeding importunitie for otherwise he would neuer haue told me Say then good maiden replied the king to ridde vs of all other doubts He nameth him selfe said the Damosell the Gentleman of the Sea When the king heard this he was greatlye abashed and so were all the other likewise afterward he thus spake By my faythe I am assuredlye perswaded that whosoeuer Knighted him néede not to be ashamed therof seeing so long time he requested it of me and I deferred it for occasions which I néeded not haue doon seeing Chiualrye is in him alreadye so well accomplished Then Agraies taking occasion to speake demaunded of the Damosell where he might méete with his gentle freend My Lord quoth she he humblye commendeth him selfe to your good grace giuing you to vnderstand by me that you shall finde him at the warres in Gaule if you come thither Good newes faire Damosell saide Agraies haue you brought me now am I more desirous to be gone then before I was and if I may finde him there with my good will shall I neuer leaue his companye You haue reason so to doo answered the Damosell for he loueth you as becommeth a Gentleman Great was the ioy for these good newes of the Gentleman of the Sea and if any one receiued displeasure you must think it was Oriana aboue all the rest yet was it handled so couertlye as the watchfullest eye could not discerne it Now in meane while the king enquired by diuers meanes how and by whom the Prince was knighted when at length he was aduertised y t the Ladies attending on the Quéen could tell better thē any body els which with much a doo he obtained of them Then may the Gentleman of the Sea quoth he vaunte that he hath found more curtesie in you then in me but the cause why I prolonged the time of his honor was that he seemed too young for so great a charge In this time Agraies courteouslye welcommed the Dammosell who beside the Helmet deliuered him Letters from a Ladye that déerelye loued him of whome the Historye héerafter maketh mention But now for this present occasion the Reader must imagine that Agraies without longer tarying in Scotland is departed with his Armye trauailing toward Gaule to his Unckle King Perion CHAP. IX ¶ How King Lisuart sent for his Daughter the Princesse Oriana for that long before he had left her in the Courte of King Languines who sent her accompanied with the Princesse Mabila his only Daughter as also a noble traine of Knightes Ladies and Gentlewomen ABout ten daies after Agraies was departed the King his Fathers Courte with his troupe three Shippes of great Brittain took porte in Scotland wherin as cheefe was Galdar of Rascuit accompanied with an hundred Knightes of King Lisuartes as also many Ladies and Gentlewomen that came for Oriana Béeing arriued at the Courte of King Languines they were very graciouslye entertained especiallye Galdar for he was esteemed a wise and hardie Knight After he had giuen his Maiesty to vnderstand his ambassadge which was harty thankes from King Lisuart his Maister for the gentle entreataunce of y e Princesse his Daughter he requested now to haue her home and Mabila his Daughter with her to whom he would doo all the honor could be deuised Right thankfullye did King Languines accept this offer and was contēt that his daughter should go with Oriana thence-forward to be educated in the Court of King Lisuart Certaine daies soiourned Galdar and his train in Scotland during which time they were most honourably feasted and in this while the King prepared other Shippes to accompanie the voyage When Oriana saw that matters fell out in this sorte she knew well it was impossible longer to dissemble or tarry wherfore as she placed all her little trifles in order she found among her Iewelles the ware which she had taken from the Gentleman of the Sea This gaue her such a remembraunce of him as y e teares entred her eyes and through vehement loue often wringed her handes so that the ware which she helde in them suddenlye brake and she espied the Letter enclosed therin which so soon as she vnfolded she foūd therwrittē these woordes This is Amadis without time Sonne to a King At these newes she conceiued such ioy as quickly she left her former countenaunce and not without cause for she was now assured that he who before was estéemed at the most but the Sonne of a simple Gentleman or it might be of lesse because he was vnknowne both of name and parents the man whom she so faithfully loued was Sonne to a King and named Amadis therfore without longer deferring she called the Damosell of Denmarke to her one whom she intirelye trusted and thus spake By good fréende I will declare one thing to ye which no other then mine owne hart and you shall knowe therfore regarde it as the secret of such a Princesse as I am and of the best Knight in the world beside On my faith Madame answered the Damosell séeing it pleaseth you to honor me so much more willinglye shall I dye then faile therin and well may you be assured that what-soeuer you disclose to me shalbe altogether kept secret and executed to my power Then so it is déere fréend saide Oriana that you must néedes goe séeke the Gentleman of the Sea whome you shall finde at the warres in Gaule and if you chaunce to come thither before him there must ye of necessitie stay for him but so soone as you see him giue him this letter saying he shall finde his name therin written on the day that he was cast into the Sea wherby I know him to be the sonne of a King which ought inspire him with higher courage and hardines to encrease the fame he hath alreadye so well begun You shall likewise tell him how the King my Father sent for me and therfore I am gon toward great Brittaine which I was desirous to acquainte him withall that when he returneth from the warre where he is he should immediatly come to the place of my aboad limitting all thinges in such sorte as he may liue in my Fathers Courte vntill he receiue other commaundement of me Such was the spéedye dispatche of y e Damosell as without longer stay she iournyed toward Gaule and executed her enterprise whereof héerafter you shall vnderstand more But not to discontinewe the purposed voyage of Oriana after that Languines had prouided all things necessary for the same Oriana
Mabila and their companye were embarqued then taking leaue of the King and Quéen at the Sea side they set saile hauing the winde so prosperous as in few daies they landed in great Brittaine where they were all right woorthily welcommed Héere-of dooth the Author at this time make no more mention because he meaneth to tell ye what happened to the Gentleman of the Sea hauing left him at the Knightes Castell that was vanquished by Galpan in the Damoselles charge who attended his woundes which in fiftéene daies were almost thorowly healed Notwithstanding despising rest determined to set on his waye so that on a Sunday morning taking leaue of his hoste and his gentle Chirurgion he mounted on Horsse-back accompanied only with Gandalin who neuer would forsake him and not farre from the Castell they entred a great Forrest It was now about the moneth of Aprill when the Birdes tune their notes most pleasantly and that all Trées Hearbs and Flowers declare the comming of the Spring time this delightsome chaunge made him remember her who aboue all other flowred in excellent beautye and for whome abandoning his libertie Loue had taken him captiue so that in these thoughtes he thus somewhat loud parled with him selfe Ah poore Gentleman of the Sea without parents or landes that thou canst auouch how durst thou lift thy hart so high as to loue her who is beyond all other in beauty bouÌ„ty and birthe Ah wretche as thou art oughtst thou not to consider by the greatnes of these thrée thinges wherin she is most perfect y e best Knight in y e world may not be so hardie as once to think of louing here And thou poore vnknowne art wrapped in a labirinthe of follie loouing and dying not daring to tell it or make shewe therof In this complaint was the Gentleman of the Sea so caryed away as forgetting all other matters he rode crosse the Forrest a long space with his Helmet closed till at length lifting vp his head he behelde a Knight well mounted in the wood by him who long had kept him company to heare his sad discourse When the Knight saw the Prince had descryed him and for that cause helde his peace he approched neerer him with these woordes Beleeue me Knight it séemes you more loue your fréend then she dooth you when in commending her you dispraise your selfe and for ought I vnderstand by your speeches you are no such man as ought to pretend loue therfore it is necessary I should knowe who she is to the ende I may supplye your defect and serue her Sir Knight answered the Prince you haue some reason for these speeches yet hap what shall you can know no more theÌ„ you doo and I can assure ye y t by louing her you can get no aduauntage So doo not I beléeue saide the knight for a man ought to conceiue glorye in trauaile or any danger in the seruice of so faire a Lady seeing that in the end he cannot but gaine his long hoped-for recompence wherfore he y t looueth in so high a place as you doo should not be agréeued at any thing that happeneth When the Prince heard him speake so sensiblye imagining he vsed these woordes to comfort him he was of better chéere and came more néere him to continue this talke but the knight saide Kéepe ye back for either by fréendship or force you must tell me what I haue demaunded Now trust me answered the Prince it shall not be so Goe to then quoth the knight see what will happen theron and defend your selfe With right good will saide the Prince So gan they lace their Helmets taking likewise their Shéelds and Launces but as they seuered themselues for the Ioust a Damosell came that spake in this manner Knightes I pray ye forbeare a while and tel me one thing before the combate if you can for such is my haste as I haue no leysure to tarrye the end of your fight At these woordes they stayed them selues demaunding of her what she desired I would verye faine quoth she heare some newes of a knight called the Gentleman of the Sea And what would you with him said y e Prince I haue brought him tidings answered the Damosell from Agraies Sonne to the King of Scotland Attend a little replied the prince and I will tell ye so much as I know of him All this time was the knight of the Forrest readye for the Ioust and much offended at her that came to staye them wherfore he called to the Prince to garde him-self giuing him such an attainte in the encounter as his Launce flew in péeces but the Prince met him so full as bothe Horsse and Man were throwen to the ground when the Horsse being more nimble then his maister seeing him selfe at libertie ran about the féelde yet the Prince found the meanes to take him againe and bringing him to the dismounted knight saide Héere Sir take your Horsse and hence-foorth desire not to know any thing against a mans will The knight would not refuse his gentlenes for he found himselfe so shaken with his fall as he could hardlye followe to catche him againe and in meane while he assaied to remount on his horsse the Prince left him comming to the Damosell that staied for him demaunding if she knew the man she enquired after No truely quoth she I did neuer sée him but Agraies tolde me that he would pâ—esently make him selfe knowne so soone as I should saye that I came from him He did not deceiue yee therein answered the Prince therefore you must vnderstand I my selfe am the man and with these woordes he vnlaced his Helmet when the Damosell saw his face she said In trueth now doo I verily beleeue it for your beauty I haue heard verye much commended Then tell me quoth the Prince where haue you left Agraies Hard by a Riuer not farre hence saide she where he staieth with his troupe attending a fit winde for passage into Gaule and is very desirous before he goe any further to know if you will beare him companie With all my hart replied the Prince ride then before and conduct me the way So rode he on with the damosell and in some short time after they came neere the place where Agraies and his Armie were encamped but yet before they arriued there they heard behynde them on cry Stay Knight for thou must tell me what I demaunded The Prince turning back behelde the Knight whom he so lately dismounted and an other that bare him company wherfore he stayed to take his Armes Now were they so néere the Prince Agraies Campe and he as they all might see the tourney hauing a farre off noted the Princes comming meruailing what he was that so gallantly managed his Horsse and to saye soothe he was in his time a Knight of the comlyest grace that euer was seene and where he stroue to hide him self he was soonest discouered by reason of his brauerie in horsseman-ship The two Knights ran together
that being discryed by our enemies who imagining our strength is altogether will take hart and not faile to come running foorth vpon vs. When we sée them approche we wil dissemble a timerous feare and take our flight toward the Forrest where shall abide the King with his companie then our enemies pursuing assured victorie in their own conceit will séeke aduantage by our shamefull retire and so be taken themselues in the snare Uerie well haue you aduised answered King Abies do you your selfe worthie Duke giue order that all things be done as you haue appointed Now might yée there behold armed men on horssebacke the Souldiours mustering the Drommes thundering and the Trompets cheerefully sounding as in one instant matters were so well ordered that the Kings commaundement fayled in nothing whereupon the next morning at the breake of day Daganel and the Duke of Normandye shewed themselues with their Squadron before the Towne Little did King Perion at that time thinke of any such enterprise but altogether refreshed his succour and honored the Prince by whome he had found such friendship And to make some shew of his affection toward him in the morning he came with his Queene to the Princes Chamber where they found him washing his hands and perceiuing his eyes red swollen blubbered with teares they easily gathered he had taken no good rest that night and very true it was for continually he thought of her whose loue had depriued him of libertie and likewise compared therewithall the slender meanes he had to attaine so high which made him enter into such profound grief as he expected no other remedie then death The Quéene desirous to knowe the cause of his sadnesse tooke Gandalin aside thus speaking to him My friend your Maisters countenance bewrayeth some inward displeasure hath any one héere offended him in ought No Madame answered Gandalin he hath by your Maiestie receiued great honor but he is wont to be tormented in sléepe as you see During these discourses the Sentinell came to aduertise the King how he had discoucred the ambushe and the enemyes were very néere the Cittie wherefore presently he commaunded to dorayne the Armie Now was eache one readie to horssebacke especially the King and the Prince who went directly to the Cittie gate where they founde Agraies chiding because they would not let him goe foorth thinking he should tarry too long from the fight for he was one of the hardyest Knights and the best to giue assistance in neede that could be found so that if good aduise had béene as readie with him as he was possessed of vnconquerable courage his like might not haue béen found in the world At the Kings comming the gates were suddenly opened and then went foorth the men of Gaule in order who séeing their enemyes to be so great a number albeit the whole Armie was not there the greater part of them was minded to goe no further reputing it ouer-much boldnes to assaile such an vnequall strength and therefore arose among them a murmuring contestation Which Agraies perceiuing without further trifling gaue the spurres to his horsse crying aloud Beshrowe him that taryeth any longer séeing them he is to deale withall shall we not venter So saying he gallopped toward his enemies in like manner did the Gentleman of the Sea and the rest of their traine who without any order of marching ranne among them and were immediately mingled together He whome the Prince first met withall was the Duke of Normandye whome he charged so couragiously as breaking his Launce on him ouerthrewe both man and horsse to the earth and with this rough fall his legge was broken So passed on the Prince setting hand to Sword and as a chased Lion entred the preasse shewing such déedes of Armes as none durst withstand him for he ouerthrewe all that encountred him killing some out-right chyming and dismembring others so that euery one was glad to giue him way When Daganel sawe his men in such disorder by the meanes of one Knight he got the most of them together so well as he could and round about beset the Prince to beat him downe which they had done but that Agraies perceiuing it came with his troupe to reskue him At their arriuall you might behold Launces broken Knights tumbling downe helmets rent Shéelds scattered on the ground making a great conflicte disorder among the Irish-men for King Perion likewise came fresh vpon them with his band Daganel on the contrary side did the best he could to retire backe but the Gentleman of the Sea was among the thickest shewing such chiualrie as he found before him not any resistance each one was so abashed at his behauiour and Agraies aboue the rest shewed that his arme was not benommed for the more to harten and chéere vp his men he cryed aloud to them follow my friends follow the best Knight that euer bare Armes When Daganel saw his side to haue the worst and what great domage he receiued by the Prince he determined to kill his horsse and so to make him fall among the crowde but he was deceiued for the Prince comming to him let fall so mightie a stroke on his Helmet as rent it cleane from off his head and so remayned Daganel vnarmed Which when King Perion espied he reached him such a salutation with his Sword as cleft his head through the verie braines whereupon his men séeing him slaine they that had the best horsses fled away for life and stayed not till they saued themselues where King Abies was ambushed But King Perion still pursuing victorie discouered the rere-guard that came from the Forrest marching in very great haste toward him shewing by their countenance a reuenge of their losse wherefore ioyning together they cryed Set on them men of Ireland see that none of them escapâ—â—â—s but let vs enter pel mel in the field When the Gaules found themselues thus surprized neuer were people more astonished for they imagined the ambush had not béene so great and which most of all affrighted them was that they must now deale with fresh and lustie meÌ„ themselues being sore wearyed their horsses so ouer-laboured as they could hardly endure their burthen Beside they knewe King Abies was there in person being as you heard before accounted one of the best Knights in the world and for this cause the most part of the Gaules began to tremble But the Gentleman of the Sea fore-seeing the disorder was like to ensue came and perswaded them rather to dye then loose one â—ote of their honor and reputation saying My friends and companyons be of good chéere each one make knowne his vertue and remember the esteeme the Gaules haue gotten by Armes We are to deale with people astonned and halfe ouercome let vs not make chaunge with them taking their feare and deliuering our victorie for if they but only behold your resolued countenances I am certain they are not able to endure ye let vs theÌ„ enter among them
I thanke God that can kéepe me from the Combate Right soone were the Chirurgions commaunded to looke thereon and they found it greater in shewe then daunger In the meane while supper was prepared during which time they had much talke of the accidents that day past vntill the houre of rest came when each one departed till the next morning Which being come after they had serued God the King sent a rich and goodly Armour to the Prince of better proofe and strength then that he had on the day before wherewith he armed himselfe and hauing taken leaue of euery one mounted on horsseback in company of the King Who bare his Helmet the Prince Agraies his Sheeld wherein was portrayed two azured Lyons in a golden féeld rampant the one against the other as if they both intended murder and an other Prince carryed his Launce In this equipage he set forward to the féeld where the King of Ireland attended his comming well armed and mounted on a goodly black Courser but because King Abies had in former time fought hand to hand with a Giant and vanquished him with the losse of his head therefore he brought to the Combate the like figure in his Sheeld describing the whole order as the deede was done On either side resorted thither a number of people placing themselues for most conuenient sight of the Combate And now were the Champions entred the lysts each one couragiously resoluing against his enemy wherefore without longer tarying lacing downe the sight of their Helmets and commending themselues to God they gaue the spurres to their horsses meeting together so furiously both with launce bodie and horsse as their staues flew in shiuers yet piercing their Armour and both were laid along in the feeld But heate of hart and desire of conquest made them recouer footing quickly and plucking foorth the spields of their launces wherewith they were wounded set hand to Sword beginning such a strange and cruell fight as each one was amazed to sée them endure so much For this fight was not equally matched in respect the Prince was but young well proportioned and of reasonable height but King Abies was so great as he neuer found any Knight y â— excéeded him a handfull euery way being withall so strongly made that he was rather to be accounted a Giant then a man yet was he highly loued and reuerenced of his subiects for the vertue and prowesse which remained in him albeit he was too much audacious and prowd Now were these Champions so animated against each other as well for honor as the consequence of the Combat that without any stay for breathing they layd on such loade as their strokes resounded the fight of twentie men together And well they witnessed no great good will betwéene them for there might ye sée the earth tainted with their blood the pieces of their Sheelds the plate of their Armour scattered abroade and their Helmets so bruised that by reason their Armes being so squandered they were vnable to hold out their strokes for euery blow caused the blood to gushe out aboundantly yet were they of such inuincible courage as they seemed to féele none of this annoyance Héereupon they mainteined such brauerie the one against the other as it could not be iudged who had the better or worsse notwithstanding about the hour of thrée the Sunne gaue an excéeding warme and violent heate whereby they found themselues so chafed in their Armour as they began to waxe somewhat féeble especially King Abies in so much as he was constrained to retire back thus speaking to the Prince I sée thee very neere falling and my selfe am likewise out of breath if thou thinke it good let vs rest awhile for afterward we may more easily finish our enterprise And thus much I tell thée although I haue no cause or desire to fauour thée that I hold better opinion of thée then any Knight that euer I combatted withall moreouer it displeaseth me that I had any occasion to sée thee and much more that I am so long in conquering thée whereby I might take vengeance for his death whome most I loued in the world as thou didst sie y hym in open battaile so likewise will I ouercome thée in sight of both our Camps King Abies replied the Prince I now perceiue it displeaseth thee that thou canst do me no more harme entring so like a Tirant as thou didst to ruinate this countrey And as it often happeneth that he which delighteth in euill can neuer brooke any other sauour so hope I to reward thee so wel for thy paines as thou shalt confesse thou hast wronged these people Beside thus much I aduise thee before hand that I shall giue thee as little leisure or respite as thou hast giuen theÌ„ who haue tasted thy crueltie therefore stick close to thy tackling and defend thy selfe against the Knight whome thou reputest fayling The King then taking his Sword and what was left of his Shéeld thus answered Well mayst thou cursse the boldnes that made thee enter these Lyâ—tes for hence thou shalt not escape without losse of thy head Do what thou canst sayd the Prince for thou shalt rest no more till thou or thine honor be dead Heerewith more cruelly then before they began againe their combate as if they had but euen then entred the féeld and albeit King Abies was so expert by reason of his long exercise in Armes that he knew right well how to defend and offend neuerthelesse the lightnes hardines and promptitude of the Prince made him in the end forget all his industrie for he was so closely followed at an inche as he lost altogether the rest of his Shéeld by which meanes the Prince could endomage him farre better then before whereof he failed not and in so many places withall that the blood streamed downe his Armour in meruailous aboundance causing him by little and little to loose his strength and being in this agony staggering from one side to another he could not deuise what to do to escape the pursuing sword of his enemy Seeing himselfe now deuoyd of all hope he concluded either soone to dye or haue the victorie and taking his Sword in both hands he ran with all his might against the Prince and pierced it so farre into his Shéeld as he was not able to pull it foorth againe Which when the Prince beheld he gaue him such a furious stroke on the left leg that being quite cut from the rest the King was enforced to fall downe and right soone did the Prince set foote vppon him tearing violently his Helmet from his head saying Thou art dead King Abies if thou doest not yéeld thy selfe vanquished Beleeue me I am dead answered the King not vanquished alone but of both the one and other my ouer-wéening hath beene the only cause Notwithstanding since it is so come to passe I pray thee let assurance be giuen to my Souldiours that without iniurie they may carry me into
my Countrey and dying like a Christian I may pay my debt both to God men Faine would I haue councell for my ouer-burdened soule then afterward shall I render to King Perion what I vsurped from him And as for thée who hast vanquished me I despise not to dye by the valiaunce of so gentle a Knight as thou art but with all my heart pardon thée my death wishing thou mayst continue honorable and yet héereafter to remember me When the Prince sawe him in such debilitie he was excéeding sorrowfull for his death although he knew assuredly that if he had woon the glory of the combat he would haue dealt much worsse with him During these spéeches the Knights appointed on each side came to them wherefore King Abies commaunded his Captaines to render King Perion what he had conquered in Gaule which was accomplished and by these meanes the Irish-men had assurance to carry home their King who dyed soone after order was giuen for their affaires These matters thus ended King Perion Agraies and all the Lords of Gaule came to y e Prince accompanying him with great ioy from the féeld into the Cittie euen with such triumphant glorie as to Conquerours is accustomed who by their prowesse not only ouercome their enemies but restore the countrey that is wel-néere ruynated Now must ye vnderstand that a little before the beginning of the Combat the Damosell of Denmarke who came from faire Oriana to the Prince was arriued at King Perions Court and before she would make her selfe knowne she desired to behold the issue of the fight Afterward hauing séene him she searched was so honorably returned she shewed herselfe and taking him aside said Sir Knight may it please ye to heare a word in secret of such matter as doth verie néere concerne ye Euen what you will answered the Prince with which words he tooke her by the hand and kéeping her from the throng she thus spake The Princesse Oriana who is only yours hath sent me to you and this Letter withall wherein you shall find your name written When he heard her named by the remembrance of whome only he liued he was so perplexed that without vnderstanding what else the Damosell said hauing taken the Letter he let it fall being readie himselfe to beare it companie which the Damosell séeing she tooke vp the Letter and came to him againe Euery one that behelde him in these passions meruayled what newes she brought to procure this alteration but she puld him by the arme so roughly as made him forget his former traunce thus speaking What now my Lord take you the message in so ill part that commes from the only Lady in the world and who aboue all other loueth you for whose sake likewise I haue taken so great paine to finde you Ah Lady quoth he on my faith I knew not what ye sayd to me for euen as you began to speake I felt the paine to renewe in me which héeretofore you haue séene me endure It is true said the Damosell but now it is néedlesse for ye to conceale your selfe any longer frō me for I knowe more of your affaires and my Ladyes then you imagine because her selfe hath bewrayed them to me And if you beare her affection you néede not be ashamed thereof in that she loueth you beyond all other in respect whereof she telleth you by me that she must goe to the King her Father requesting after your departure from this warre you would come see her in great Brittayne appointing all things in such order as at your arriuall you may remayne there in the Court vntill more amply you vnderstand her mind Beside she gaue me charge to tell ye how she certainely knowes you are Sonne to a King wherewith she is no lesse pleased then she thinks you will be and seeing being ignorant of your linage you haue proued so good a Knight now vnderstanding your nobilitie you should labour to encrease your fame if you can And then againe she gaue him the Letter saying Take héere the Letter wherein your name is written and which you had hanging about your neck at such time as you were found in the Sea The Prince tooke the Letter and when he looked on it remembring to what good purpose his Lady had taken it from him fetching a vehement sigh somewhat softly he thus spake Ah happy Letter most diuinely wast thou found in respect thou hast béene kept by her who hath my hart in her custodie and for whome I haue so often assayed to dye yet cannot For thinking on her perfection I séeke to augment it by strength and commendation but of so slender valew is my puissance found that striuing thereby to gaine her fauour the least paine I feele surpasseth a thousand deathes which neuerthelesse are now recompenced by this present benefit O highest God when shall I sée the time wherein I may giue her to vnderstand how great my deuotion is to obey her by some agréeable seruice Hauing finished these words he opened the Letter and saw his name written therein which was Amadis then thus spake the Damosell againe to him I was charged Sir so soone as I had done my message to returne with all spéede to her that sent me to you whereby she might vnderstand some newes of you therefore bethinke your selfe if you will commaund me any thing You shall not depart so please you in such haste answered the Prince but stay with me two or three dayes during which time for what occasion so euer it be you shall not forsake me and then will I conduct ye whether you please In obeying you replyed the Damosell I trust I do seruice to my Lady Oriana Their talke thus breaking off he returned to the King and Agraies who stayed for him at the entrance of the Cittie where the people were wonderfully assembled in the stréetes Then came the Quéene with her Ladyes and Gentlewomen to vnarme him and the Chirurgions to visite his wounds which when they had regarded albeit they were many and yrksome to behold yet were they to be healed without any great danger of his person For this night the King desired that he and Agraies would sup with him but the Prince making excuse by his wounds went to his Chamber willing to haue no other company then the Damosell to whome he did all the honor could be deuised hoping through her to finde remedie for part of his griefes This Damosell soiourned with him certaine time and in respect of the good newes she brought him no wound could hinder him from visiting the great Hall there walking and conferring with euery one but most with her whome he caused to stay attending his disposition till he might beare Armes And betweene them happened a straunge occasion which was cause of his longer aboade in Gaule then he expected so that the Damosell returned to Oriana without him as you heereafter shall vnderstand CHAP. XI ¶ How the Gentleman of the Sea was knowne by King
Perion his Father and by the Queene Elisena his Mother IN the beginning of this Historie it hath béene recited how King Perion gaue his Quéene Elisena being then in little Brittayne a King like another that commonly he wore and these two Kings were of such an vniforme as there was no difference to bee discerned betwéene them Likewise you haue vnderstood how when the young Prince was put vpon the water this King was fastened about his neck which Gardalâ—â— kept till time he sent it by the Damosell a little before he was Knighted with the Sword and the ware Now had the King sundry times demaunded of the Queene for the King who made him diuers doubtfull answers and in the end said she had lost it But it came to passe that as the Prince walked with Orianaes Damosell which commonly he was wont to doo young Melicia daughter to King Perion passed by him weeping when the Prince stayd her saying Faire friend why wéepe ye Ah my Lord quoth the Princesse I haue euen now lost a King which the King my Father gaue me to kéepe while he slept Wéepe not so faire Uirgin answered the Prince you shall haue another of me to giue him so taking his owne King from his finger he gaue it her When she beheld it thinking it was the same she had lost she said A my Lord you haue found it wherewith I am not a little glad for I haue all this while sought it What now quoth the Prince this is not your King In mine opinion it is answered Melicia or the only thing of the world that most resembles it So much the better said the Prince for more easily will it be iudged the same you lost Héerewith went Melicia to the Kings chamber and finding him awake he asked her for his King then gaue she him the same she had of y e Prince which the King put on his finger thinking it was his owne But soone after as he walked through the Gallarie he espied in a corner lying the other King which he gaue his daughter before to keepe and taking it vp he compared them together whereupon he remembred that one of these two was the same he sometime gaue the Quéene so he asked of Melicia where she had the King The young Princesse affrayd of beating durst not lye but thus aunswered My Lord and Father your King I lost and as I searched for it I met with the Gentleman of the Sea who because he sawe me wéepe gaue me one of his which I deliuered you in stead of your owne and if that be not it I knowe not where it is When the King heard this he presently conceiued suspition betweene his Quéene and the Prince imagining in respect of his beautie how she was fallen into some dishonest liking of him and therefore had giuen that token Héereupon he went to the chamber where she was and shutting the dore sate downe by her not speaking one word a good space but silently fixed his eyes on the ground then breathing foorth a passionate sigh he said I will not meruaile any longer Madame why you would neuer make me any certaine answere when I demaunded for the King I gaue ye in little Brittayne you haue lost it in such a place where you would be loth I should knowe of it but hardly can you conceale affection when it procéedeth to such effects The Gentleman of the Sea inconsiderately gaue it to Melicia little thinking that it came at the first from me and thereby do I know what he suspecteth not and your selfe would I should not vnderstand When the Quéene who alreadie by his countenance sawe he was troubled heard what he had said she now determined not to dissemble with him in any thing but summarily made a true discourse of hir child-birth And not without teares she recounted to him how standing in feare of the King her Father as also the seuere lawe vsed in his Kingdome she was constrained to comunt her Sonne to the mercie of the Sea and in his cradle coffin put with him both the King Sword and what else hath béen already declared Confounded was the King with meruaile when he heard the whole trueth and presently imagined that the Prince might be his first Sonne whome God had so miraculously preserued wherefore he sayd to the Quéene According to your circumstances reuealed it may be that he who is vnknowne to vs is our Sonne and the rather I coniecture so by the name he beareth of the Sea Ah God said the Queene may it fall out so happily I beseech ye my Lord send presently for him and we will desire him to tell vs of whence he is Let vs goe then quoth the King to seeke him So went they to his chamber where they found him sléeping wherefore without making any noyse he approching neere the bed espied his Sword which he tooke and after he had well viewed it knew it to be the same he esteemed so much and wherewith he had finished many famous aduentures whereupon he said to the Quéene On my faith this is the Sword I left in the chamber of the King your Father the first night we were acquainted together and now do I the better beleeue what you haue said vnto me Ah God sayd the Quéene let vs suffer him sléepe no longer for my heart cannot endure this weightie burden heerewith she tooke him by the hand and awaked him saying My Lord sléepe no more at this time for other occasions calleth you Easily was the Prince raysed from sléepe but when he behelde the Quéene wéeping as one amazed thereat he said Madame from what occasion procéede these teares is there any thing I may do ye seruice in to remedy them Noble friend quoth the Quéene you only may quallifie my griefs by your words in telling vs whose Sonne you are So God help me Madame answered the Prince I know not for by strange aduenture was I found in the Sea The good Lady was then so ouercome with ioy as not only spéeche but vitall sence was taken from her and she fell downe in a swoune which the Prince perceiuing quickly ran to recouer her saying What ayle ye Madame further could he not imagine on the cause of this alteration Ah my Sonne quoth she now knowe I better then thy selfe who thou art The King likewise was so caryed away with ioy and admiration as he stood not able to speake a word now was it hard to iudge which of these three felt greatest contentation but the mother throwing her armes about the Princes neck said Now may I boldly dare to kisse thée in safetie hauing beene so long depriued of thy sight and knowledge highly am I beholding to the diuine bountie who hath fauoured the offence I committed through feare which was in deliuering thee to the courtesie of the waters and sée heere thy Kingly Father that begot thee With these words the Prince fell at their féete extreame ioy reducing the teares into his
eyes and all together praised God for this good aduenture especially the Prince because he had beene preserued in so great danger and now at length to finde such honor and good hap as to méete with his Parents being all this while vnknowen to them As thus they deuised on the fortunes passed the Queene demaunded of him if he had no other name then that which now he called himselfe by Yes Madame quoth he but it is not fully three dayes past since I knew thereof for as I came from the Combate against King Abies a Damosell brought me a Letter which I haue and as she saith was fastened about my neck being wrapped in ware when I was found in the Sea wherein I finde that my name is Amadis and héere-withall he shewed the Letter to the Quéene which she full well knewe so soone as she sawe it Beleeue me sayd the Queene this truely is the Letter that Darioletta wrote when she made the seperation betweene you and me thus though I was ere while in great griefe and sorrow yet now praised be God I feele as much ioy and pleasure Now seeing assuredly your name is Amadis it is needlesse you should beare any other contrary title so thence forward he was called no more the Gentleman of the Sea but Amadis and sometime Amadis of Gaule It was not long before the bruite héereof was spread through the Cittie that the good and famous Knight was Sonne to King Perion and the Queene Elisena wherefore if euery one reioysed you must thinke the Prince Agraies was not sory for they were found to be Cozin germaines Among the rest the Damosell of Denmarke had knowledge heer-of wherefore considering what comfort this would be to the Princesse Oriana she laboured so much as she could to returne toward her knowing she would giue her friendly countenance bringing her so good newes what gracious fortune had happened to him whome aboue all other she loued For this cause she intreated Amadis to dispatch her returne to hir Mistresse In that I well perceiue quoth she you cannot so speedily depart hence as you would nor were it reasonable but you should giue some contentation to them who for the loue of you haue shead so many teares These words caused the teares to tricle downe his cheekes yet smothering his griefe so well as he could he made this answere to the Damosell Lady I will pray that the heauens may safely conduct ye yet let me intreate your friendly remembrance commaunding the vttermost of my endeuours for without your gentle care my life cannot endure withall I finde my selfe so indebted to my gracious mistresse as I dare not request any thing at her hand Neuer-the-lesse you may say to her that right soone shall I come to shewe my obedience and in like armour will I be clad as when you sawe me Combat with the King of Ireland because both she and you may the more easily knowe me if I can not compasse the meane to spake with you and in this manner departed the Damosell of Denmarke On the other side Agraies seeing his Cozin Amadis was to remaine longer in Gaule determined to take his leaue and calling him aside said Faire Cozin for this time I must be enforced to leaue ye albeit your company is more pleasing to me then any other but my passionate hart will allowe me no quiet vntill I be with her who both farre and neere hath power to commaund me It is Madame Oliuia daughter to the King Vanain of Norway who sent for me by the Damosell that brought me the Helmet of Galpan which you sent me in reuenge of the dishonor she receiued by him that I should come to her with all conuenient speede and therefore I neither may or dare faile which is the only cause of my parting with you Now must you note heerewithall that at the time as Don Galuanes brother to the King of Scotland was in the Realme of Norway with Agraies his Cozin this young Prince became so enamoured of the Lady Oliuia as he concluded neuer to loue any other then her and this made him the more earnest to depart by her commandement And to tell ye what this Galuanes was he had the name of Galuanes without land because all the portion his father left him was only a poore Castell for the rest he had spent in following Armes and entertaining Gentlemen whereupon he had the Sir-name of without land Such as you haue heard were the speeches Agraies had with Amadis of whome he requested to knowe where he should finde him at his returne from Norway Cozin quoth Amadis I hope at my departure hence to visit the Court of King Lisuart where I haue heard chiualrie to be worthily maintained with greater libertie and honor then in the Kingdome of any Emperour or King But seeing it liketh you to take another way I desire when you shall see the King your Father and the Queene to remember my bounden dutie to them both assuring them on my behalfe that they may commaund me in their seruice euen as your selfe or any other as well in respect of our alliaunce together as also for the gracious entertainement I had in my youth being by them most carefully educated and esteemed This done Agraies tooke his leaue being honorably conducted through the Cittie by the King and all the Lords of his Court but so soone as the King entred the feelds he sawe a Damosell comming toward him who boldly laying hold on the raine of his horsse bridle thus spake Remember thy selfe King Perion what a Damosell sometime said vnto thee That when thou didst recouer thy losse the Kingdome of Ireland should loose her flower Thinke now I pray thee whether she said true or no thou hast recouered thy Sonne whome thou reputedst lost and euen by the death of valiant King Abies who was the flower of Ireland and such a one as that countrey shall neuer haue his like vntill time the good brother of the Lady must come who shall by force of Armes cause to be brought thither the tribute of other Countreys and he must dye by the hand of him that shall accomplish for her the only thing of the world which most he loueth And so it happened by Marlot of Ireland brother to the Queene of that countrey whome Tristan of Leonnoys killed on the quarrell of tribute demaunded of King Marke of Cornewall his Unckle which Tristan afterward dyed for the loue he bare to Queene Yseul being the only thing of the world that he most loued Now must thou be mindfull héereof said the Damosell to the King for Vrganda my mistresse so commaundeth thee When Amadis heard her speake of Vrganda he tooke occasion thus to answere Damosell and my friend I pray you say to her who sent you hither that the Knight to whome she gaue the Launce commendeth himselfe to her good grace being now assured in the matter whereof then she spake how with that Launce I should
deliuer the house from whence I first discended and euen so it fell out for I deliuered my Father vnknowen to me being then at the very point of death So without any other reply the Damosell turning bridle rode back the same way she came and the King into the Cittie with Amadis his Sonne so lately recouered for which cause he assembled all the Princes and Lords of his Realme meaning to kéepe a more magnificent Court then euer he had done before to the end that euery one might behold Amadis in regard of whose honor and happy comming there were Knightly Tourneys dayly vsed beside great store of other pastimes and delights During these pleasures Amadis was aduertised in what manner the Giant had caryed away his brother Galaor wherefore he determined happen what might to goe séeke him and if possible he could to recouer him either by force of Armes or otherwise Notwithstanding his heart being dayly mooued to goe see her that hourely expected his presence one day he intreated the King his Father seeing now he had peace with his enemyes that with his leaue he might goe seeke aduentures in great Brittayne because he was lothe to remayne idle But little pleasing was this request to the King and much lesse to the Quéene yet by importunitie he obteined permission for his voyage nor could they all haue power to withhold him by reason of the loue he bare to Oriana which made him obedient to none but her Héereupon being clad in such Armour as he promised the Damosell of Denmarke he set forward on his iourney embarquing himselfe at the néerest Port of the Sea where by good hap he found passage readie Not long was his cut into great Brittayne landing at Bristow a most noble and auncient Cittie of that countrey where he heard that King Lisuart soiourned at Windsore royally accompanyed with Knights and Gentlemen for all the Kings and Princes his neighbours did highly fauour and shew him obeysance which made Amadis shape his course directly to the Court Not long had he ridden on the way but he met with a Damosell who demaunded of him if that were her readie way to Bristow Yea marie is it answered the Prince I pray ye then tell me quoth she if I may finde any Shipping there for my spéedie passage ouer into Gaule What affayres calles you thither said Amadis In sooth replied the Damosell I goe thither to finde a Knight named Amadis whome King Perion not long since hath knowen to be his Sonne Greatly did Amadis meruayle héereat for he thought these newes had not béene so farre spread abroade wherefore he demaunded how she heard thereof I knowe it quoth she from her to whome the most secret things of all are manifest for she knewe Amadis before he knewe himselfe or that his father heard of Amadis and if you would vnderstand what she is her name by common report is Vrganda the vnknowen She hath at this time especiall affayres with him and by no other can she recouer that which she now standeth in feare in loose Beléeue me Damosell answered Amadis séeing she who may commaund euery one doth now please to imploy Amadis I assure ye it is néedlesse for you to trauaile any further for I am the man you are sent to seeke and therefore let vs goe whether you thinke conuenient What said the Damosell are you Amadis Yea verily am I answered the Prince Come then and follow me quoth she and I will conduct ye where my Mistresse is who attendeth your arriuall in good deuotion Heere-with Amadis rode after the Damosell and thus are they gone together in company CHAP. XII ¶ How the Giant bringing Galaor to King Lisuart that he might dub him Knight met with his brother Amadis by whose hand he would be Knighted and no other THe Giant of whome sundry times we haue spoken héeretofore causing young Galaor to be enstructed in managing Horsses and all other exercises beséeming a Knight found him so capable of euery thing as in lesse space then a yeare he was growen meruaylous perfect so that now nothing remained but to know of him by whome he most willingly would receiue his order of Knighthood Notwithstanding before the Giant moued this matter to him one day among other Galaor came to him in this manner Father quoth he you haue dayly promised me that I should be Knighted I desire you would be so good as your word for there is too much time spent since I ought to haue had it In sooth my Sonne answered the Giant you haue reason for your words yet tell me by whome you would receiue your order King Lisuart quoth Galaor is reputed a gentle Prince and a right good Knight wherefore if it so like you I shall be contented to haue it at his hand Well haue you aduised sayd the Giant so presently preparing all things in order they set forward on their iourney About fiue dayes after their departure by good hap they came neere a very faire strong Castell named Bradoid seated on the top of a Mountaine enuironed about with fennes or marishes as also with a salt water that ran before it wondrous swiftly so that without a Barque it was impossible to get thither And because the marish was very long there was to passe ouer it a faire long causey being so broade as two Chariots might well meete together on it and at the entrance of the causey was a drawe bridge where-under the water ran with such a violent fall as no one was able by any meanes to passe it Héere must ye note that equally facing this bridge there grew two goodly high Elme trées where under the Giant and Galaor beheld two Damosels and a Squire with a Knight mounted on a black Courser this Knight was armed bearing figured in his Shéeld two Lions rampant and because the bridge was drawen vp he could passe no further but called with a loud voice to them within that some should come to giue him entrance which Galaor perceiuing said to the Giant My Lord if it please you I would gladly see what this Knight will do héere Soone after they espied at the further end of the causey by the Castell side two other armed Knights accompanyed with ten Halberders who came and demaunded of the Knight what he would Marie enter in answered the Knight It may not be said one of the two Knights except you meane to combate first I will not stick for that answered he that would enter cause you the bridge to be let downe and come to the combate which presently they did But one of the twayne more hastie then his companion auaunced himselfe first and placing his Launce ran with a swift carrire against the Knight who receiued him so brauely as he sent both horsse and man to the ground The fréend to the dismounted Knight thinking to reuenge his iniurie gaue foorth to méete him and fayling in the attaint with their Launces so furiously encountred with their bodyes
blow betwéene the neck and the shoulders which brought off a great many plates of his Armour Now did the run-awayes feare more and more encrease whē he felt his enemy so néere at hand wherefore the better to saue himselfe he cast his Shéeld back ouer his shoulders and fled away faster then he did before which Galaor perceiuing would follow him no longer but hastily returned thinking to take the Dwarffe and binde his legs to a trée from which the Dwarffe kept himselfe well enough for he had gotten more ground in running away then y e other Héere vpon he came to the first that he dismounted who hauing some-what recouered himselfe Galaor thus spake to him In sooth your misfortune grieueth me more then your fellowes doth for like a good Knight you came alone to me albeit I know not on what occasion in respect I neuer offended ye as I remember It is very true answered the Knight notwithstāding you must not◠what the Dwarffe said to vs how you had beaten him slaine his men taken a Lady perforce from him that was in his company Beleeue me quoth Galaor shewing him the Damosell on the other side of the Riuer he falsely lyed and were it that I had brought her away perforce she would not tary for me so willingly as she doth but she vnhappily straying in this Forrest the Dwarffe met with her offering to leade her away against her will and because she would not obey him he gaue her many cruell strokes with a staffe Ah traitour that he is answered the Knight for this villainy shall I reward him if euer we méete againe And because Galaor found the Knight in so good sort he holpe to take his horsse that had escaped desiring him to punish the Dwarffe for his treason This done he entred the boat and past the water afterward he and the Damosell rode on their way she shewing him soone after a Castell néere at hand which stood very brauely on the top of a Mountaine saying Héere will be the best lodging we shall finde this night and alighting from their horsses they were entertained there with meruailous courtesie it being the dwelling of the Damosels mother Soone after was the Prince vnarmed and then the Damosell came to him in this manner To the end my Lord I may kéepe promise with ye if you please to stay héere till I returne which credit me shall be very spéedily I will bring ye newes of her whome you desire to see I am content answered Galaor prouided that you make no tariance because I haue affaires of importance elsewhere Let it suffise replied the Damosell you shall see me againe sooner then you imagine And so she departed vsing such diligence as Galaor was not displeased with her stay At her returne they mounted on horsseback and rode together crosse the Forrest which when they left the night ouertooke them whereupon the Damosell forsaking the out-right way turned aside and by time the greater part of the night was spent they arriued at a verie faire Citie named Grandares where comming to a Castell gate the Damosell said Now let vs alight and follow me for héere will I shew you her I promised but leaue not your weapons and Armour because one can scant tell what may happen The Damosell went before and Galaor followed her till they came néere the wall Get vp héere sayd the Damosell and I will goe on the other side to attend you With much adoo he ascended the wall by reason of his weightie Armor as also being troubled with his Sheeld and Helmet When the Damosell saw he was amounted she entred the Pallace to guide him as she had begun in meane while Galaor was discended and sate hard by a posterne that entred a Garden where he taryed so long till the Damosell came and opened the dore with one of her companyons but ere he entred they thus spake Although you haue attained thus farre yet before you passe any further you must néedes tell vs whose Sonne you are Let that alone answered Galaor for I haue such a Father as till the time of better hap I am content not to name him Neuerthelesse quoth one of thē it is very necessary we should know for it shall not be any way to your hinderance I am answered Galaor Sonne to King Perion of Gaule and the Quéene Elisena and it is not sire dayes past since I could not tell ye so much Stay then said the Damosell so they caused him to be vnarmed casting a mantle about his shoulders and afterward went on the first Damosell going before and the other comming behinde him In this manner they entred the Pallace passing through a chamber where many Ladyes and Gentlewomen were in bed and if any one demaunded who went by so late the Damosels his guides made answere for him Thus not perceiued by any they came to another chamber wherein when Galaor entred he saw sitting on a gorgious bed a most beautifull Lady with an Iuory combe kembing her faire locks but when she espied Galaor she presently cast on her head a chaplet of flowers and came to receiue him whome the Damosels had brought saying My friend you are right hartely welcome being the best Knight in the world that I knowe And you Madame quoth he are most happily found being the fairest Lady that euer I sawe Then the Damosell that had guided him thither thus spake My Lord sée heere my mistresse now am I discharged of the promise I made ye and if you would haue me say any more she is named Aldena daughter to King Serolys and because the wife to the Duke of Bristoya is Sister to her mother she nourisheth her héere as her owne daughter And you Madame quoth she to the young Princesse haue héere present as I can assure ye the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule wherefore you being both the children of Kings excelling in beauty and natures perfections if you loue together no one dare blame ye Héerewith she went presently foorth of the chamber and making fast the dore after her left the two louers alone by which meanes they spent this night so amorously as they that haue tasted like fortune may conceiue and therefore neede I make no further talke thereof But the hower being come when Galaor should depart he was warily aduised thereof by the Damosels who brought him to the place where ouer-night he had left his armour and after he was inuested therein as he ought to be he went along the Garden againe where-through he came in And as neuer any good chaunceth without some mishap attending thereon so now came it to passe for there found he the Dwarffe ambushed that had so misused him before as you haue heard who no sooner espied him but he cryed out Beléeue me Sir Royster vnwise wast thou to enter héere for thou dyest and the traytresse that did conduct thée Come foorth Knights come foorth héere is a man that secretly came from out the Dukes
can I giue to mine owne distresse because as it often happeneth to our sexe when thinking to drawe neere such as we desire we are furthest off and séeking for a harbour of contentment glaunce into a place of torment and vexation so falleth it out with me by thy maister whome fortune hath euer kept me furthest from but God knowes my good will hath alway béene with him and gladly would I prouide for his griefes and mine owne if I were able to compasse the meanes Do then Madame what you may answered Gandalin if you loue him as I am sure he doth you and begin at this instant to let him knowe how he shall behaue himselfe in this Countrey Oriana then shewed him a Garden which was vnder the windowe where they talked saying Returne to thy Maister and tell him that this night he must secretly come to the place thou séest and remember this withall how the Chamber vnder where we stand is the same that Mabila and I lodge in and there is a crosse barred windowe neere the ground where-through wée may easily discerne eache other and talke together for his Cozin is acquaynted with mine affayres nor is it necessarie they shoulde bée concealed from her Then taking a costly Ring off her finger she thus proceeded Deliuer hym this token from me as the only Iewell I most estéeme and ere thou goest thou shalt sée the Princesse Mabila who is so wise and discret as shée will easily vnderstand thée yet thou must say some-what loud to her that thou hast brought her tidings from her Mother Héereupon Oriana called her to talke with the Squire whome the Queene of Scots her Mother had sent to her but when she sawe it was Gandalin she then suspected how matters went wherefore she went to the Quéene leauing them in déepe talke together In meane while the Queene demaunded of her daughter if the Gentleman were to returne shortly or no For quoth she I would send a token to the Quéene of Scots by him Madame answered Oriana the chiefe cause of his comming into this countrey was to seeke for the good Knight Amadis Sonne to the King of Gaule of whome you haue heard such famous report And where is he said the Quéene The Squire saith quoth Oriana it is more then ten moneths since he heard that he was héere and now he meruaileth to misse of him in this Court. Now trust me answered the Quéene right glad would I be to sée so good a Knight in the Kings company for it would be a great comfort to him many wayes hauing to deale with so many countreys wherefore I assure ye if he do come hither he shall finde heere such honorable entertainement as he shall haue no cause to depart in haste Of his prowesse Madame replyed Oriana I knowe little but what common bruite hath blazed abroade but héereof I am certaine how he was one of the most braue young Gentlemen that euer Isawe when in the King of Scots Court he serued Mabila and me All this while Mabila continued with Gandalin enquiring if his Maister were as yet arriued Yea Madame answered Gandalin the same was he that vanquished Dardan and expresse charge he gaue me to salute you on his behalfe The name of heauen be for euer praised quoth she hauing preserued our kinseman from such exceeding daunger and now sent him hither so honorably Ah Madame said Gandalin he were happy indeede if the force of loue made him not in wursse case then dead for Gods sake therefore do you assist him being thus fully perswaded that if he find no ease to cure his afflictions you shall loose the best Knight in the world and the vpholder of your fathers fame He may be well assured answered Mabila how he can not with greater desire imploy me then I haue to do him pleasure and will him not to faile in what the Princesse hath commaunded him as for thy selfe being iudged to come from the Quéene my mother thou mayst come and speake to vs at all times as need shall require Gandalin tooke his leaue for that time returning toward Amadis who attended the answere of life or death and into such debilitie was he brought by these extreames as he had scant force enough to support himselfe for the short sight he had of his Lady at the combate encreased such a desire in him to see at more libertie as euery hower seemed to him longer then a yeare When he sawe that Gandalin was returned in hope of happy newes he came and embraced him not daring to demaund any thing of him fearing least matter should not fall out to his contentation but Gandalin with a cheerefull countenance told him that he brought no bad tidings and rushing into the matter at the first said My Lord God make ye as constant as you haue cause to be content for if you haue that vertue you are the most happy and accomplished Knight in the world Ouerwhelmed with ioy Amadis caught him in his armes demaunding what he had done seene and heard I haue seene and heard answered Gandalin the felicities of Paradise and knowe that they are prouided for you if you hinder it not your selfe Ah Gandalin quoth Amadis iest not with me but tell me the verie truth Then Gandalin declared word by word how euery thing happened first of the counterfeit Letter and next the appointed meeting at the windowe and by the way reported some part of his owne speeches moouing a chaunge of countenance in Oriana then her answere euen to the conclusion before rehearsed likewise how he talked with Mabila and how willing she was to assist him with her vttermost habilitie Amadis was so fed with content by these reports that he made him rehearse one thing ten times and I cannot tell which of them was most affectionate either Gandalin in reporting or Amadis in hearing for both the one and other seemed inâ—atiable in the end Amadis thus spake My faithfull companion I thought my selfe altogether indebted to thy Father who saued me from the daunger of drowning in the Sea but I confesse that dutie belongs more necessarily to thée because by thy dilligence and discretion thou hast giuen me a better life then he preserued But tell me now didst thou take good marke of the place to which she commaunded me Assure your selfe thereof quoth Gandalin for she her selfe shewed it me Ah God said Amadis how shall I deserue the great good she doth for me away from me now all cause of sorrow and complaining Yet this is not all my Lord quoth Gandalin sée héere a token she hath sent ye as a testimonie of her honorable loue to you so he gaue him the King which came from Oriana and after he had long beheld it kissing it a thousand times put it on his finger saying Faire King that hast béene so happie as to be caried and accounted déere by the most accomplished creature in the world albeit thou be now in a place of
to sée me at libertie With all my hart replied Galaor so mounting on horsse-back about Sun setting they arriued at the Monasterie where they were receiued with great ioy especially when the Damosell had declared his woorthy déedes of chiualrie for her and albeit he determined a speedy departure yet at the request of y e faire Sisters he taried there longer then before he intended Héere pauseth the Author on this matter to tell ye what happened to the Prince Agraies since his returne from the warres in Gaule CHAP. XVII ¶ What were the aduentures of the Prince Agraies since his returne from Gaule where he left Amâ—â—â—â— AGraies returned from his enterprise in Gaule after Amaâ—â—â— had vanquished King Agraies of Ireland and was knowen to his Father and mother as you haue heard addressed his iourney toward Norway where he hoped to finde his Lady Oliuia Riding one day along somewhat neere the Sea side on a sudden he had a Hart in chase which when he had some prettie while pursued he gained at length the top of a mountaine from whence he might easily discearne the raging bellowes of the Sea Suddenly arose an excéeding great tempest which with mighty windes so troubled the water and the thunder ratled with such violence as if heauen and the neather region would haue met together At length he espied a Ship tossed in the tempest vtterly destitute of any safetie and which was woorsse subiect to the mercy of a darke comfortlesse night ensuing wherwith he being mooued to pitie commaunded his Squires as asignall to make certaine blazes of fire that they in the Ship might chuse their best landing place without perishing in the darke him selfe minding to stay to see the end which happened so well by the help of God and dilligence of the Mariners as the Ship tooke safe harbour neere where Agraies was when they landed certaine Ladies who were greatly frighted with y e mercilesse tempest thinking they could not haue escaped so long Agraies being one of the most curteous Princes in the wolrde séeâ—â—â— them so well landed and free from danger sent one of â—is Sâ—â—es to will them come and refresh them-selues in â—is Pauillion which gentlenes they refused not and because he was lothe to be troublesome to them knowing they had now néed of nothing more then rest he concluded this night not to sée them keeping him selfe close in his chamber The Ladies beeing seperated to their owne contentement the Mariners made great fiers on the shoare to drye their garments and afterward fell to sleeping that they wakened not till next morning Agraies desirous to see strange women yet more to serue and honor them then remoue his affection from where it was setled priuily pried in to beholde their countenances they béeing round set about a fier reciting to eche other pleasantly their passed danger As thus he listened their discourses among the rest he knew the Princesse Oliuia toward whom he was trauailing by vertue of her message and you must imagine him so intirely addicted to her seruice as also she in affection to him that they might well be tearmed happy in their loue No sooner had Agraies espied her but he was so ouercome ther-with as béeing no longer able to dissemble hauing before his eyes her so late perill of ship-wracke he breathed foorth a vehement sigh saying Ah diuine comfort helpe me When the Ladies heard this crye especiallye Oliuia thinking some one of their company was not well commaunded her women to open the doore which presently they did when Agraies tolde one of them who he was that she might secretly imparte he same to her Mistresse the newes wherof were so welcome to her as immediatly she commaunded him to enter Then were embracinges and kisses fréely entercoursed with all other gracious fauours so kinde louers could deuise euen y e very point wherin loue most triumpheth so that the faire Princesse lost the name of a mayden with like contentmeÌ„t as other who haue assaied and can more then imagine what I meane So pleasing was this happy meeting as they soiourned there sir dayes together beguiling the time with riciprocall courtesies yet so secretly as none in the company except her 〈◊〉 Damoselles perceiued Meane while the Sea became nauigable the weather faire and the waters calme which made the Princesse determine to goe aboord her Ship that she might passe into great Brittaine whether the King her Father had sent her to be nourished by the Quéene Brisana Which béeing vnderstood by Agraies after he had acquainted her with the cause of his iourney he gaue her assuraunce that very shortly he would come to her as wel to shew her his faithfull seruice as also to séeke his Cosin Amadis in King Lisuartes Courte according as he made him promise wherwith she was not a little contented desiring him earnestly not to tarry long from her Thus curteously taking leaue of eche other the Princesse Oliuia departed vnder sayle and in few dayes after they landed in great Brittaine when comming to Windsore where King Lisuart kept his court both by him the Quéene Oriana and all the other Ladies was the Princesse and her traine graciously welcommed as well to honor the King her Father as also in respecte of her excellent beauty Now remained Agraies on the Sea shore giuing many a long looke after the Ship which caried away the iewell of his hart and hauing lost the sight of it he tooke his way to Briantes a right good towne in Scotland where the King his Father soiourned and his Uncle Galuanes without land in whose company he intended shortlye to visite King Lisuartes Courte For there quoth he to Galuanes shall we finde more good Knights then in any other Court of King christian there likewise may we gaine honor and renowne better then in Scotland where we haue none to trye our selues against vnlesse some fewe that slenderlye followe armes This Galuanes was of gentle hart a good Knight desirous among other to reach the top of honor yet of simple habilitie as you haue heard before now the enterprise of these twaine thus concluded after they had obtained licence of the King they went on boord with their Horsse and Armour eche one likewise a Squire attending on him Hauing winde at will in short time they landed at Bristowe where they made no long aboade but riding through a Forrest they met a Damosell who demaunded of them if that way would conduct her to the Rock of Galteres No quoth they but tell vs Damosell why you trauaile thether To see if I can finde the good Knight saide she who knoweth how to remedy a gréefe I endure at this present You abuse your self Damosell answered Agraies for at the Rock you demaund you shall finde no other Knight then the great Giant Albadan to whom if you bring any cause of sorrow he will quickly double it on your owne head If you knew so much as I doo quoth the Damosell you would not
well as she hath recouered what was taken from her and behold where my Squire conducteth her hither-ward Now because the heate was some-what violent Amadis put off his helmet to take the aire when the Damosell immediatly knew him for it was she that at his returne from Gaule conducted him to Vrganda the vnknowne whē by chiualrie he deliuered her fréend at the Castell of Pradoid which made her remember him so did Amadis her when alighting they embraced eche other the like curtesie he shewed to the other Damosell Alas quoth they had we but dremed on such a defender no villain could haue wronged vs halfe so much On my faith saide Amadis the help you gaue me within these three dayes may not be compared with this matter of no validitie for I was in greter exextremity then you but how could you possibly vnderstand therof My Lord quoth she that tooke him by the hand when he was enchaunted mine Aunte Vrganda sent me to the Castell of Arcalaus by whose meanes we came thither and you were recouered Heauen sheelde from euill that good Lady answered Amadis who hath so many wayes bound me her obedient seruant and you faire Damoselles the messengers of this fauour haue you any thing els wherin to commaund me No my Lord said they take you the way you left and we will return from whence we came Farwell swéet Uirgins replyed Amadis remember my humble dutie to the health of your Mistresse telling her she knowes right well I am her Knight In this mander rode the Damoselles one way and Amadis another wherfore we must now tell what happened to Arcalaus since his departure from the Castell of Valderin CHAP. XXI ¶ How Arcalaus brought newes to the Courte of King Lisuart that Amadis was dead which caused his freendes to make manifolde lamentations and regrets especiallye the Princesse Oriana SUch spéede made Arcalaus after his departure from Valderin where he left Amadis enchaunted he béeing as I haue saide clad in his armour and mounted on his horsse that the tenth day following he arriued néer the Court of King Lisuart who was riding abroad in the feeldes to take the aire accōpanied with his Lords along the Forrest side They séeing Arcalaus come a farre of hauing on the Armour of Amadis imagining it was he indeed diuers rode before to welcome him but when they came more neere they found them-selues deceiued by reason Arcalaus had his head and handes vnarmed wherfore without saluting the Gentlemen he stepped to the King with these woordes Sir I come to accquite a promise wherein I stand bound namely to let you vnderstand how I haue slaine a Knight in battell that some time bare these Armes And albeit I must be content to declare mine owne praise which were more honourable for me béeing reported by an other in mine absence yet am I constrained to doo no lesse séeing the couenant was such betweene me and him whom I haue slaine viz. that the conquerour should despoyle the vanquished of his head and present it before you as this day Full lothe was I to be so cruell because he tolde me he was your Queenes Knight commonly called Amadis of Gaule and so he named him self whom I vanquished As for me Sir I tolde him in trueth that I was Arcalaus whome Fortune hath graced with such singuler fauour for I haue slaine the man some-time owner of this Armour and horsse which as a testimony of my victorie I brought with me Ah God saide the King is then the most vertuous and accomplished Knight of the worlde dead you lowring heauens why began ye so braue a course in him and now on such a sudden to cut it off These sorrowfull newes prouoked sighes and teares bothe in the King and his royall company which Arcalaus perceiuing not speaking any thing else returned the same way he came feigning him selfe likewise very sad and greeued but you must think he went not without great store of cursses euery one instantly desiring God to send him an euill and spéedy death which with their Swoordes they could gladly haue bestowed on him them-selues but that they heard how Amadis was slaine by an accorded battell The King being ouercome with pensiuenes and sorrow returned to the Towne where these newes were so opened to euery one that at length the Quéene and her Ladyes heard thereof which presently conuerted their former pleasures into mourning At this time was the Princesse Oriana in her chamber with the Damosell of Denmarke where hearing the sudden clamour and noise she commanded her to goe vnderstand the cause thereof Alas good Ladie too soone was it brought to her for no sooner was she acquainted with the death of Amadis but her immoderate passions expressed the anguish of her heart and more to afflict this gentle Princesse the other Ladyes came wéeping into her chamber saying Ah Madame what tongue can deliuer this wonderfull mishap yet durst she not good Lady be too forward in enquiring the manner thereof least the cinders of her affection might be discouered and as if she had beheld Amadis dead before her she said Alas he is dead it can not be otherwise It is true Madame answered the Damosell but what remedie you must not likewise dye for company These words made Oriana fall into a swoune which the Damosell of Denmarke beholding thought she had too indiscreetly brought her these bad tidings whereupon she called the Princesse Mabila saying Help Madame my Mistresse dyeth She being come sawe that she neither mooued or breathed doubted least life had taken leaue indéede wherefore she commaunded the Damosell to shut the door to the end her loue all this while so well concealed might not break foorth into open suspition Then vnlacing her garments to giue her more liberty as also bathing her temples and pulses with Uiniger and colde water she recouered again when deliuering a fainte sigh with a feeble voice she thus spake Ah swéet freendes hinder me not in the way of death if you desire my rest and would haue God finde him another world who knew not how to liue one day without me Ah flower and mirrour of chiualrie thy death is insupportable not to me alone but to the whole worlde who is replete with greefe for thee because they haue lost him who in bounty prudence hardines and all other vertues did honor them aboue the compasse of all desire And were yet any feeling in thee I am certaine thou wouldst not sorrow for thy lost life but for my loue enduring by thy misse meruaylous afflictions for thou hast left such honor in the worlde behinde thee conquering so incomparable reputation in this short time of thy life that reconing thy merites thou diedst possessed with many yeeres Thus liuest thou in place immortall I remaining héere alone after thée can giue but wounding and vnthankfull spéeches Ah cruell death suffised it not that mighty loue murdered him with his feathered stéele but thou must kill him out-right
Arcalaus yesterday told vs he had slaine him héerewith he declared his spéeches and the manner how What a trayterous villaine is that replied Brandoyuas but wursse is befalne him then he wéeneth as yet héereto he added what passed betwéene Amadis and Arcalaus as already you haue heard whereby eche one forsooke the sorrow of the former false newes the King presently commaunding that Grindaloya should be conducted to the Quéene that she might vnderstand these happy tidings Into the Quéenes chamber is she brought and the Damsell of Denmarke hearing her report ran with all spéed to the Princesse Oriana who hearing by her the truth of all the passage of her spéech was stopt for a long time séeming as one confounded with enchauntment thinking in these newes she gaue her the bag or that she dreamed them but when she recouered the vse of her tongue she thus answered the Damosell Alas my fréend did I raue or toldest thou me that Grindaloya testified to the Quéene how Amadis is not dead In good faith quoth the Damosell I came but euen now from her highnes chamber where Grindaloya declared how Arcalaus had deceiued them Happie be this hower said Oriana but I pray thée goe tell my mother that Mabila intreates her to send the Lady to comfort her which she did returning right soone with Grindaloya to Oriana I leaue you to imagin whether she were well entertained or no with all the modest courtesies so glad tidings deserued likewise whether Oriana and Mabila gaue her audience when she recounted Amadis déedes of armes at Valderin the miserie of her and many other the daunger whereinto he fell afterward by the enchauntments of Arcalaus from which he was deliuered by two strange Damosels The discourse héereof so pleased and contented them that I thinke Grindaloya had an endlesse taske in the reporting for Oriana must heare euery thing often redoubled But repeating the daungers of Amadis and the miserie from which he deliuered the poore captiues caused teares so thick as winters haile to trill downe her chéekes Thus taryed Grindaloya all day with the two Princesses and had not so soone departed but that she was aduertised how that King Arban of Norgalles who loued her déerely expected her returne in the Queenes chamber Good reason had she to take leaue of Oriana and seeke him from whome she suffered such sorrow but when these loyall louers met together eche one was delighted so substantially as Grindaloya thought her griefs well recompenced Now because the Queene vnderstood how she was daughter to King Ardroyd of Seralys and all her miseries had bin for the loue of King Arban with instant intreatie she procured her stay in the Court doing her all the honor fauour could be deuised Grindaloya was not curious in graunting the Queenes request because King Arban was partaker in the same sute by this occasion the Queene was aduertised that she had a meruailous faire Sister named Aldena who was nourished in the Duke of Bristoyaes Castell which made her presently dispatch a Gentleman thither with request that the Duchesse would send her to the Court This Aldena was the freend to Galaor she for him suffered such iniurie by the Dwarffe as you haue heard before discoursed We haue a long time continued with Amadis now let vs returne againe to Galaor leaning King Lisuart in hope to see him soone in his Court whome Arcalaus said he had slaine in combate CHAP. XXII ¶ How Galaor came very sore wounded to a Monasterie where he soiourned fiue dayes attending his health and at his departure thence what happened to him shall be declared in this Chapter FIue dayes together aboad Galaor at the Monasterie whether he was conducted by the Damosell he deliuered from prison attending there the recouerie of his wounds but whē he found himselfe able to weare his Armour he tooke leaue of the Sisters and rode on his iourney euen which way fortune pleased to guide for he had minde to no part more then another About mid-day he arriued in a valley in the middest whereof stood a faire fountaine where he found a Knight armed hauing no horsse Galaor meruailing thereat demaunded if he came thither on foote the Knight returning this answere Beleeue me no but riding through this Forrest to a Castell of mine I met with certaine theeues that slew my horsse thus am I brought into the state you behold me by reason my seruants heare not of my misfortune Why You shall haue my Squires monture answered Galaor I thanke you Sir quoth the Knight yet before we part hence you shall know the great vertue of this fountaine for there is no poyson in the world so strong that hath any force against this water wherefore by reason of so soueraigne a benefit oftentimes enuenomed beastes doo drink héerof and are presently healed beside diuers of this countrey vse to come hither and finde redresse for all their infirmities In sooth you tell me meruailes replied Galaor and séeing I am now so néere it I will alight to drinke thereof as other haue done Good reason you should answered the Knight because you are ignorant of comming this way againe Galaor leaped from his horsse bidding his Squire alight to drinke as he did but while they were drinking the Knight clasped on his owne head Galaors helmet and taking his Launce mounted on his horsse when leauing the Prince drinking he rode away saying Farewell Knight I must be gone tary thou héere to beguile an other as I haue done thée Galaor lifting his head from the water and séeing the Knight make such haste away thus called to him Ah villaine neuer did theefe such a treacherous pranck as thou hast done for thou hast not alone deceiued me but committed an acte of great disloialtie which thou shalt well knowe if euer I méet with thee Yea mary answered the Knight rest your selfe there till you recouer some other meane to combate with me Gone is the Knight so fast as he could gallop leauing Galaor chasing like a mad man but séeing there was no remedie he mounted on his Squires horsse and pursued him till at length he came to a double way when not knowing which of them to take because he had lost the sight of him he stood still in great pensiuenes till at length he sawe a Damosell come riding apace toward him of whome he demaunded if she met not a Knight mounted on a bay Courser bearing in a white Sheeld a vermillion flower What would you with him replyed the Damosell I would quoth he recouer againe my horsse and Armes for they be mine and by false villainies he hath caryed them from me When happened this said the Damosell wherewith Galaor told her all the discourse Well quoth the Damsell what can you doo to him being thus vnarmed for I thinke he tooke them not away to restore them againe I care for nothing else said Galaor but to find him once more Trust me answered the Damosell if you will
skilled in Chirurgerie Now did they imploy their vttermost cunning to recompence Amadis for his woorthy paines in restoring their Unckle from the slauerie of Arcalaus so that within few dayes they felt themselues indifferently amended and almost able to beare their Armour as they did before Héereupon Amadis communing w t his brother Galaor declared how to séeke him he departed from the Court of King Lisuart promising not to returne without his company wherefore he intreated him to yéeld no denyall in respect no Princes Court was better frequented with chiualrie nor could he finde more honor in any other place My Lord quoth Galaor I intend to accomplish what you please to commaund me albeit I desire not as yet to be knowen among men of account first would I haue my deedes giue some witnes how desirous I am to imitate your proceedings or else to dye in this religious affection Certes brother answered Amadis for this matter you néede not abandon the place séeing your renowme is alreadie greater then mine if so be I haue any at all yea it is darkened by the illustrate splendour of your chiualrie Ah my Lord replyed Galaor neuer disguise matters in this order with me seeing not in déedes no not so much as in thought am I able to reach the height of such honor Leaue we then this talke said Amadis for our Kingly Father maketh no difference of vertue betwéene vs but will ye know what I haue presently deuised I sée well we must stay héere longer for our health then otherwise we would for which cause I intend if you think good to send my Dwarffe before to King Lisuarts Court that he may aduertise the Queene of our stay and so soone as we are able to trauaile we meane not to tarry long from her Do as you please answered Galaor Presently was the Dwarffe dispatched thence who made such good speede in his iourney as within fewe dayes he arriued at Windsore where King Lisuart was then accompanyed with many good Knights CHAP. XXIIII ¶ How King Lisuart being in the chace saw a farre off three Knightes armed comming toward him what followed ther-upon IT chaunced on a certaine day that King Lisuart summoned a méeting in Windsore Forrest which was well stored with red Deere and all other game néedefull for hunting And as he was in chase of a Hart he espied a good distaunce from him thrée armed Knightes to crosse the way wherfore he sent a Squire to them with request that they would come vnto him vpon this message they immediatly obeyed returning with the Squire to the King and when they drew néere him he quickly knewe Galuanes because he had séene him many times before when embracing him the King bad him hartely welcome and the rest in his company likewise for he was a Prince y e most graciously entertained all Kniggts especially strangers then he demaunded what the other were My Lord quoth Galuanes this young Prince is my Nephewe Agraies Sonne to the King of Scottes and one of the best Knights in the world I dare assure ye the other is Oliuas whome your maiesty hath well knowen héer-to-fore The King embraced them very louingly saying to Agraies Faire Cozin I must needs take this gentlenes very kindely that you would vouchsafe to sée me As for you sir Oliuas I thought you had forgotten vs considering y e long time since you were héere and in sooth it is a matter very displeasant to me when so good a Knight as you are would so absent him selfe Dread Lord answered Oliuas my earnest affaires kepte me hence against my will which hath made me the more negligent in your seruice and yet I am not frée from them as if you please I shall let ye vnderstand Then he reported how Galuanes and Agraies came to his Castell by meanes of the Damosell that conducted them thither whome they very woorthely deliuered from death likewise how the Duke of Bristoya trecherouslye slew his Cozin for which he humbly craued iustice with free libertie to combate before his Maiesty where he doubted not to make him confesse his treason After the King had well pondered his discourse and vnderstood the hard dealing of the Duke he was highlye discontented for he knew Oliuas Cozin to be a good Knight wher-upon he thus answered Beléeue me seeing y e Duke hath committed such a faulte you request iustice of me assure your selfe to obtaine it and I will send for him to come iustifie it in person Presently the King gaue ouer hunting returning with the three Knightes to his Court conferring on many matters by the waye among which the King demaunded of Galuanes why the Duke of Bristoya would haue burned the Damosell whom they reskewed Because Sir quoth he she brought a Knight named Galaor into his pallace and as we vnderstand it was in the night time and no other reason had he to alleadge Why saide the King Amadis is gone to seek Galaor but since his departure we were put in a terrible feare by Arcalaus who saide he had slaine him But are you certaine Sir answered Agraies that he liueth yea indéed quoth the King Brandoyuas and Grindaloya came hither since then and they gaue vs such credible testimonye of his welfare as I may ful wel assure ye therof for lothe am I to offend any other because no one can desire his good and honor more then I doo It is the argument of your good nature replyed Agraies likewise in respect of his bountye and valour he deserueth to be loued of you euen with like affection as good men wish to their like By this time are they come to the Courte where these newes were quickly brought to the Queene which reioyced very many especially faire Oliuia who loued Agraies deerer then her selfe and the Princesse Mabila his Sister was not sorry for as she came from the Quéenes chamber she met Oliuia who thus spake to her You cannot chuse Madame but be well pleased with your Brothers comming Uery true quoth Mabila for I loue him as mine owne hart Desire then I pray ye the Quéene said Oliuia to send for him to her Chamber to the end we may haue the meane to conferre with him together so shall the pleasure of you both be fully satis-fied That shall I doo answered Mabila so going to the Quéenes Chamber she thus spake to her Maiestie It were good Madame you should sée my brother and mine Uncle Galuanes in respect they are come hither to honor you with their seruice Swéet freend said the Quéen I take it very gently that you haue so wel aduised me for I promise ye I am very desirous to see thē wher-with she sent one of her Ladies to the King desiring him that they might come to her which he liking very well saide Gentlemen my Quéene is desirous to see you all thrée let me then request your consent héerein You must iudge if Agraies liked this motiō because he certainly knew
least they thinke of her variable changings often telleth them that men purpose but she will dispose All this royall company being in ioy and pleasure a Damosell strangely attired entred the Pallace and a Gentleman that bare her company demaunding where the King was whereof being resolued by his Maiestie himself the Damosell thus spake In sooth my Lord well doo you séeme a King by your porte and countenance yet may it be doubted what your heart is Damosell quoth the King you must iudge of what you sée and heereafter knowe the rest when you haue occasion to prooue Me thinks my Lord answered the Damsell you speake according to the magnanimitie of your minde and euen as I my selfe doo desire remember therefore what you haue spoken before so many great persons for seeing you make me such a liberall offer I hope one day to trye the matter I doubted Neuerthelesse I will deferre it till the feast of September because I heare you will then keepe Court at London where must be assembled many valiant men who shall knowe by the promise you haue made me how woorthy you are to gouerne such a noble Realme and how highly Chiualrie is honored by you Damosell sayd the King so much as effects may better my words so much the more will it glad me to sée good store of hardie Knights there present My Lord quoth she if effects answere your woords I shall haue great reason to be contented So tooke she leaue of him returning the same way she came where-at euery one was much abashed and displeased with the Kings rash promise not knowing any reason for it and now they began to misdoubt that the enterprise of this woman would bring the Kings person into some danger But his heart was so addicted to magnanimitie as whatsoeuer happened he would not be reprooued with cowardise and so déerely did his subiects loue him that they rather desired a thousand deathes then to sée him suffer any mishap or iniurie Whereupon the Lords and Barons perswaded him greatly fearing some threatned inconuenience to alter the promise he had so lightly made shewing it was not beséeming his Maiestie to deale with affayres of Knights and Gentlemen hee béeing placed in authoritye ouer them While they stoode on these tearmes there entred three Knights two of them beeing very well armed and the third hauing on no Armour at all for he was a man of auncient yeares as séemed by his white head yet in his countenance appeared a more cheerefull couller then commonly hath béene noted in a man of his age who likewise was of tall and comely stature This Knight caryed in his armes a very costly Cofer and demaunding for the King the Gentlemen shewed where he sate making him way to his Maiestie before whome he fell on his knees thus speaking God blesse so good a Prince as is King Lisuart for within these fewe dayes he hath made the most woorthye promise that euer King did if he intend to keepe it Beleeue me Knight answered the King I neuer promised ought but it was in my power and therefore the easier to bée perfourmed but I would fayne knowe your meaning héerein I vnderstand Sir quoth the Knight that you intend to maintaine chiualrie in the very highest honor a matter wherein now adayes fewe Princes delight therefore are you to bee commended aboue all other Héerein you were tolde trueth sayd the King and you may bée well assured that I will doo my vttermost to aduaunce the cause of vertue while I liue Long may you continue in this minde replyed the Knight and because I haue likewise heard how you haue summoned the Princes and Lords of your Countrey to bee readye at your Court the next feast of September I haue brought you héere a thing with me which such a King as you are ought most royally to receyue Then opening the Cofer he tooke foorth a Crowne of golde so sumptuously embelished with Orientall Pearles and precious Stones as neuer was séene a more costlyer Iewell euery one béeing of the minde that it was to impale the head of some especiall mightye Lord. When the King had long and earnestly beheld it hée was verye desirous to haue it at what price soeuer which the Knight perceiuing sayde This Crowne my Lorde is of such workemanship as no Ieweller in the world can make the like and beside the vnualuable riches thereof it hath a vertue highly to be estéemed for the King that kéepeth it in his power shall encrease in all felicitie and honor So will it happen to the King who must enioy it while he liueth and long time haue I kept it no King but you that euer sawe it but if you like it so well I will make yee a present thereof prouided you helpe to saue my head which I am in some daunger to loose All this whyle was the Quéene in place earnestly wishing that the King her husband might haue it where-upon she said to the King Me thinkes my Lord it would full well become your Maiestie if you may haue it at so easie a rate as he demaundeth Madame quoth the Knight I haue a better thing for you if you please to buye it it is this mantle the richest and fairest that euer was séene for beside the precious stones wherwith it is beautified it is imbroydred with all sortes of beastes and birdes which nature hath giuen life to On my faith answered the Queene it is a most rare and curious piece of woorke not wrought as I thinke by humane capacitie You say true Madame replyed the Knight for the like heereof is not to be found yet may not the riches compare with the propertie and great vertue of this mantle which is such as it rather belongeth to maryed Ladies then any other because she that weareth it shall neuer be offended with her husband A vertue of chéefe regarde answered the Quéen if it haue any such indéed I haue tolde ye true Madame quoth the Knight if you will buy it you may proue Now grewe she meruaylous desirous of it what-soeuer price should be paide for it especially to conserue peace and loue betwéene the King and her wherfore she said to the Knight Say Sir how doo you estimate this Mantle and the Crowne My Lord quoth he and you good Madame I beseeche you to vnderstand my fortune I am but lately escaped the handes of him who long time kept me prisoner on a strange condition which is no little cause of gréefe to me for I am out of all hope to finde remedie while I liue and because I know not well the valewe of these Iewelles I will leaue them in your custodye vntill the day you holde open Courte at London where you shall deliuer them againe to me or giue so much for them as I then demaund In mean while you may make triall of them if you please for hauing experimented what I haue saide you may the more willingly pay well for them Now trust
so hath my fortune graciously fauoured me that it should be by him who is of higher desert then any other Héerewith Amadis cast downe his lookes as bashfull to heare himselfe so praysed by her to whome all commendation was due and féeling his spirits altered stroue to make answere but the words dyed in his mouth which caused Oriana thus to procéede How can it be otherwise my Lord but I must needes loue you aboue all other when they that neuer sawe you doo highly loue honor and estéeme you and I being she whome you affect most déerely haue I not great reason to loue you better then my selfe On my faith Madame answered Amadis your swéete and gentle words are sufficient to make me dye a thousand deaths as many times to reuiue me againe but how I pray you at this time only to excuse my extremity with pittie enduring wursse then death by louing you too vehemētly for if I had dyed as Arcalaus reported euen then had begun my rest and quiet if I had not knowen you before And albeit the hower of your acquaintance is my intire felicitie yet am I assaulted with such violent passions as my heart would altogether consume in griefe without the pleasure it receiueth in dooing you seruice and the good it sustaineth by your remembrance of me But necessitie constraineth me to craue the mercy as yet vndeserued by such intreatance as no desert may value only to encrease my habilitie in seruing you which if you graunt me not a sudden and cruell death will take hold on me These words were accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as was no small greefe to her to behold Alas my Lord quoth she forbeare these often repetitions of your death the thought thereof is insupportable to me for should you dye I were vnable to liue one hower after considering all the pleasure I haue in this world is in the ioy of your health and welfare Nor can I but be assured of your words by reason mine own case is sufficient therein being copartner with you in euery torment but if yours seeme more violent this is the reason my will being equall with yours wanteth the strength you haue in suffering and cannot effect the desire of our hearts which vrgeth loue and griefe more in you then me albeit my share is not one iote the lesse But this I promise you on my faith if fortune or our owne endeuour can compasse no meane to yéeld vs content my selfe will search some way whatsoeuer happen be it hate of father mother kinred and fréends for we may not thus procrastinate our ioy and groane vnder the weightie burden of desire the flame whereof climeth so high as the martirdome of our hearts may easily be discouered No doubt these words were pleasing to Amadis and gaue such chéerefull life to his hope that he was rauished with inward conceit thereof when she séeing him mute trode vpon his foote saying Discomfort not your selfe my Lord for I will not fayle what I haue promised nor shall you depart till you perceiue it and shortly will the King hold open Court when both he and the Quéene must depend on your assistance knowing well that your presence shall honor the company As they would haue continued in longer talke the Quéene called Amadis causing him to sit downe by Galaor for the King was gone to his chamber Then began the Ladyes to censure on the bretheren but they resembled eche other so like as little difference could be discerned betwéene them euery one being of the opinion that these twayne were the most perfect among all Knights both in beautie noblenes bountie and good grace but Galaor was somewhat whiter in complexion and Amadis of bigger bone his locks more crispe faire and hauing a little more red in his face then Galaor had Soone after the Queene willed Galaor to go sée her daughter and the other Ladyes when he regarding the excellent beautie of Oriana imagined such an other was not to be found in the world and by her often sighing with alteration of couller he suspected her to be the only cause that his brother liked so well to stay in King Lisuarts Court Right courteously was he welcommed among the Ladyes and diuers familiar speéeches passed betwéene them till the King being set to meate sent for Amadis and Galaor to beare him company as also Agraies and his Unckle Galuanes CHAP. XXXII ¶ How King Lisuart departed from Windesore to the good Cittie of London there to hold open and royall Court IN the beginning of this book it hath béen declared how the diuine bountie calling Lisuart to the Realme of great Brittayne soone after of a disinherited Prince made him the peaceable King of such a Monarchy by the death of his elder brother Falangris who dyed without any heire of his body begotten Likewise how he was reputed such a great Lord through the world as many Knights came from strange Countryes to serue him not thinking themselues happy except they might be named Knightes of his Court But within a while after whether this fortunat King forgot y e authour of his good or else it happened by diuine permission this happie Realme fell into persecution and the illustrious state of King Lisuart was troubled and obscured that all men might knowe how he only is Lord and King of all liuing creatures who exalteth and abaseth when him pleaseth according as you shall héere vnderstand For King Lisuart hauing concluded to hold the most royall and stately Court that euer King did in the Realme of great Brittayne commaunded that on the fift day following all the Lords of his Kingdome should appeare personally at London there to determine on matters of chiualrie which he intended to maintaine with all honor might be deuised But in the selfe-same place where he thought the greater part of the world should yéeld him obeysaunce began the first mutabilities of Fortune bringing his state and person into danger of vtter ruine according as you shall vnderstand at large King Lisuart departing with all his traine from Windsore to kéepe his Courte at the famous Cittie of London it was wonderfull to beholde the Lordes Ladyes and Gentlewomen that gaue their attendaunce especiallye so many young Gentlemen beeing there present some to regarde the magnificence of the Courte other to doo seruice to their louely mistresses and nothing now generally minded but pastime and pleasure The King likewise for greater maiestie of his Courte ordayned that none of this assemblye should lodge in the Citie but to erect their Pauillions in the feeldes and meddowes along the bancks that hemmed in the faire Riuer of Themes least the extream◠heate might be hurtfull to them all which béeing doone according to appointment the feeldes seemed as a most royall Campe or as if the greater parte of the worlde were there assembled But because the King arriued there two or thrée dayes before the feaste he went to his pallace accompanied only with
more offended then before which made him shortly thus to answere Knight what promise I made thee I intend to keepe although the Crowne and mantle be both lost to my no little greef as well for thy sake as mine owne Heere-at the Knight gaue a loud shrieke saying Ah wretched and miserable old man now commes my latest and vnluckie exigent haue I not long enough endured torments but now must finish mine age in the cruellest death was euer heard of hauing by no offence deserued it While thus he complained the teares aboundantly trickled downe his white beard which mooued the most constant to pitty his greefe and the King himselfe ouercome with compassion returned this answere Feare not Knight to speed any thing the wursse for my losse you must be satisfyed whatsoeuer it cost me according as I faithfully promised At these words the Knight would haue kissed his feete but the King restrained him saying Demaund what thou wilt for thou shalt haue it I knowe my Lord quoth the Knight you remember your promise to deliuer my Crowne and mantle or whatsoeuer I requested for them God is my witnes I intended not to desire what now I must needes by reason I haue no other meane whereby to be deliuered if I had I would acquite you of the griefe I know you will endure graunting me the thing I must of necessitie demaund but now it may not be otherwise except you infrindge your faith and loyaltie Rather will I loose my Kingdome replyed the King then make a promise and not fulfill it say boldly therefore thy mind I thanke your Maiestie quoth the Knight there now remaineth nothing but to haue assurance from the Lords of your Court that they seeke not to take from me the gift you must deliuer otherwise your promise cannot be perfourmed or I satisfyed hauing a reward now and taken from me annon Great reason sayd the King my word shall stand for their warrant Seeing my Lord quoth the Knight Fortune hath so permitted that you haue lost my mantle and the Crowne it is impossible to saue my head except you giue me Madame Oriana your Daughter Be therefore now aduised either restore my Iewels or giue me her albeit I loue the one better then the other for neuer can I haue so much good by her as I sustaine harme by your vnhappy losse Now began all the Lords and Barons to murmure against the Knight perswading the King to deny his word but he rather desired death he was such a good and loyall Prince and this answere he made them Be not offended my good fréends the losse of my Daughter will not be so preiudiciall to me as the breache of my promise for if the one bée enuious the other is iniurious and to be shunned euery way The proofe is ready if subiects finde not their Prince faithfull and his word inuiolable what care wil they haue of the loue and fidelitie they owe to him much better vnborne then any such blemish this Knight therefore must haue my Daughter and I wil deliuer her according to my promise Héereupon he sent for her but the Quéene béeing present all this while little thought the King would so forget his fatherly loue and when she heard this rigorous sentence pronounced against her Daughter she good Lady fell at the Kings féete when wéeping as a mother for the losse of her child she said What will yée doo my Lord will ye be more inhumane to your owne blood then the brute Beasts are to their contraryes Notwithstāding all their brutish quallities yet be they neuer so vnnaturall to shew any violence to their young ones May it then be thought reasonable vnder shaddow of an accorded promise without knowledge thereof to commit so great wrong not only against your selfe impitious father or me a wofull and vnfortunate mother but likewise against the whole common weale of this Realme Alas Sir let my incessant teares perswade you to bethinke some other meane for your discharge and also to content the Knight Madame quoth the King my word is past I pray you talke no more thereof to me Thus speaking the teares streamed downe his cheekes whereat the Lords were not a little agréeued and that which most troubled him was the acclamations of the Ladyes wherefore the King commaunded them to their chambers The Quéene séeing she might not preuayle fell in a swoune but by her Ladyes she was conuayed thence the King giuing charge on payne of death that no one should seeke to alter his promise My Daughter quoth he I commit to the pleasure of God but my promise shall not be broken if I can helpe it By this time the newes came to Oriana how her Father had consented to her departure wherat she fell downe in such a traunce as they neuer expected life in her againe when Mabila and the Ladyes reputing her dead indéed thought best to acquainte the King ther-with yet by forced remedies shée reuiued againe breathing foorth manye dollorous sighes Now the most of the women seuered them-selues some néere and some further from her because she should not heare their complaining and such compassion tooke they on her as would haue conuerted a stony hart into teares especially when the Princesse recouered the power of speeche and faintely vttered these regrets Full well quoth she doo I now beholde mine owne ruine Ah swéete fréend wert thou heere easily wouldst thou deliuer me from this paine but thus much my hart fore-told me euen at the very hower of thy departure Ah curssed be that hower because I consented to it When thou shalt heare of these tidinges I feare béeing vnable to endure them thou wilt dye immediatly yet this is the best hope we shall not be long one after another Ah death the only refuge to the vnfortunate séest thou not mee formost in this ranke why stayest thou Fortune will triumphe ouer thée in dealing so extreamely as she can with me albeit I know thou art able to reuenge thy selfe make haste therfore and let her not get such preeminence on me in despight as it were of thy authoritie Adiew then swéete fréend for neuer shall we sée eche other more in this life at these woordes she fell in a swoune againe When the King sawe she tarryed so long he sent to commaund her make more speed but the messenger found her in the deadlye agonye and staying till she was recouered againe as she began to renew her mones he thus spake to her Madame the King is offended because you come not to him When she heard this message she arose hauing her hart so sealed vp with griefe as it séemed to enable her vitall forces and being followed by none of her women but the Damosell of Denmarke she came before the King and casting her selfe at his feete said My Lord and Father what is your pleasure with me Faire daughter quoth he I must accomplishe my promise These speeches prouoked her former paines when the King
if the traitour Arcalaus woorke no newe villainie by his enchauntments but as concerning my happye deliueraunce I like well that my Quéen should vnderstand therof Wher-upon Ladasin called a Squire whom the King presentlye sent to the Courte as Galaor aduised After they had well refreshed themselues they were conducted to their chambers and on the morrowe set forward on their iourney the King communing with the Nephewe of Arcalaus as concerning the enterprise of his kinseman which made him reueale the whole determination and how Barsinan was in hope to bée King of great Brittayne Héere-upon the King concluded to make the more haste thinking to finde Barsinan as yet at London and to punish him for his audacious presumption CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ How newes came to the Queene that the King was taken And how Barsinan laboured to vsurpe the Citty of Landon IF you haue well noted the former discourse you may easily remember how the poore labouring men not knowing the King and Oriana séeing how iniuriouslye they were intreated by Arcalaus and his complices were glad to hide themselues in the wood in like manner how afterward they vnderstood by Amadis and Galaor that the prisoners were King Lisuarts his daughters Where-upon so soone as the two Knights were parted from them they hasted to report these newes in London which caused such a murmuring thorough the Cittie especially among the Knights as they presently Armed them-selues and mounted on horsseback in such troupes that the féelds were quickly couered with men and horsses At this time was King Arban of Norgalles talking with the Quéene little thinking on any such misfortune when one of his Squires bringing his Armour sayd My Lord you tary héere trifling too long arme your selfe quickly and follow the rest who by this time haue gotten so farre as the Forrest What is the matter answered King Arban Ah my Lord quoth the Squire newes is brought to the Cittie how certaine villaines haue caryed the King away prisoner Prisoner replyed King Arban may it be possible Too true my Lord answered the Squire When the Quéene heard these vnhappie tidings not able to vnder-goe so great an oppression she fell downe in a swoune but King Arban hauing more mind on the King left her in her Ladyes armes hasting with all spéed he could to horsseback When he was setting foote in stirrop he heard the allarme sounded and the assault which Barsinan gaue to the Castell whereby hée gathered they were betrayed wherefore hée caused the Quéenes lodging to bée guarded and returning to the Cittie sawe euery one readie in Armes when choosing so many as he pleased as also two hundred well approoued Knights he sent two of the chéefest to the Tower of London to vnderstand the cause of the allarme To them it was reported how Barsinan had forcibly entred with his trayne killing and casting ouer the walles all that he met Héerein he followed the message of the Page from Arcalaus finding very slender resistance for most part of the Knights and men of account were gone to succour the King Highly displeased was King Arban at these newes perswading himselfe the King had béene betrayed wherefore to preuent such other inconueniences as might happen he dorayned his men in battayle placing good watch about the Quéenes lodging And thither Barsinan now prepared hoping to take her as he had done the Tower but he met with stronger resist then he expected and the skirmishes proceeding on either side Barsinan tooke a prisoner by whome he was aduertised how King Arban would withstand him euen to the death Now began he to deuise how by faire spéech and falshood he might take the King crauing a parle with him whereto King Arban willingly agréed and silence being made on both sides Barsinan began in this manner I euer thought till now my Lord that you were one of the best aduised Knightes in the worlde but by proofe I perceiue a man may finde the contrary yet this I thinke withall that what you doo is for safetie of your honor Heerin you appeare of simple iudgement considering in the end it will be but the losse of you and your men in respect King Lisuart your late Lord is dead for proof wherof euen he that slewe him will ere long send me his head Sith Fortune then hath dealt so hardly with him and I at this instant am the greatest Lord in this Countrey dare you deny to make me King Alas you abuse your selfe the best will be for you to yeelde your selfe louingly and I shall intreate you so well as any Prince in my Realme suffering you still to enioy the Countrey of Norgalles and particulerlye beside will so honor you as you shall haue great reason to be content Auaunt villaine answered King Arban full well doost thou manifest thy horrible treason for beside thy trecherye in compacting the death of my Lord thou wouldest haue me become a traytour to his freendes as thou thy selfe hast prooued Thou art deceiued doo the wurst thou canst thy villainie only will take vengeance on thee according to desert with such good helpe as we will put therto What saide Barsinan think'st thou to hinder me frō sitting as King in London Neuer shall traitour replyed Arban be King of London by Gods leaue while the most honourable King of the world liueth I called for thee quoth Barsinan in respect of thine owne good because I fauoured thee more then any other imagining thou wert of sound discretion but as I haue saide I finde my selfe deceiued wherfore reason requireth that thy ouer-weening should fall and in despight of thee I will reign King in great Brittaine Assure thy selfe answered Arban I will kéep thee from such climbing as if the King my Maister were héere personallye present Then began the assault afresh King Arban withdrawing him selfe to harden his men beeing meruailously offended at Barsinans woordes Now though he were very sharpely assailed yet stood he brauelye on his defence many beeing slaine and sore wounded neuer-thelesse he was euer-more formoste in the fight and last at the retreit which was caused by the night ensuing Nor néede we doubt considering the puissaunce of Barsinan and the fewe on the contrary side but King Arban would take his aduauntage in resistaunce by compelling them to the narrowe stréetes where foure on a side could hardly deale together which turned to the great disaduauntage of Barsinan because Arban well fortified euery place in good order and with freshe supply still encouraged his men The retreit being sounded either side with-drawen King Arban séeing his Souldiours sore wearied by the hot skirmishes they had endured as is the office of a good Captaine indéed he came and comforted them in this manner My louing companyons and fréends this day haue you so woorthily fought as none of you but deserueth estimation among the most forward men in the world and hauing begun so well I hope you will procéede better and better Remember the cause of your fight
heart saying Now shall my Fathers life be shortened by my death whereof you are the only cause As she vttered these woords she offered to stab her selfe with the Swoord when the King suddenly staying her hand and meruailing at her impacient loue thus replyed Hurt not your selfe Madame for I am content to satisfye your will Héereupon he kindly embraced and kissed her passing the night with her in such sort as her hot desire was quallifyed and at that instant she conceiued with child the King little thinking thereon for the next morning he tooke his leaue of her and the Countie returning with all spéed he could into Gaule But the time of deliuerance drawing on and she desirous to couer her offence determined to goe visite an Aunt of hers whose dwelling was not past two or three miles off and many times she resorted thither for her pleasure So taking no other company with her but a Damosell as she rode through the Forrest the payne of trauaile made her alight from her Palfray she being soone after deliuered of a goodly Sonne The Damosell that was with her séeing what had happened bringing the child to the mother said Madame as your heart serued you to commit the offence so must it now practise some present remedie while I returne from your Aunt againe Then getting on horsseback she rode apace to her Ladyes Aunt and acquainted her with the whole matter which caused the old woman to bée very sorrowfull yet she prouided succour for her Niece sending a Litter with all conuenient speed wherein the Lady and her child were brought to her Castell secretly euery thing being so cunningly handled as the Countie neuer knewe his Daughters fault After such time as these matters require the Lady returned home to her Father leauing her Sonne in her Aunts custodie where he was nourished till the age of eighteen yeeres hauing Squires and Gentlemen attending on him who dayly enstructed him in managing Armes and all braue quallities beseeming a man of value He being growen of goodly stature the old Lady brought him one day to y e Countie his Grandfather who gaue him his Knighthood not knowing what he was and returning againe with his motherly Nursse by the way she brake with him in this maner My Sonne I am certaine you are ignorant of your parentage but credit my woords you are the Sonne to King Perion of Gaule begotten on his Daughter that gaue you your order of Knighthood endeuour your selfe therefore to follow your Fathers steps who is one of the most renowmed Knights in the world Madame quoth Florestan oftentimes haue I heard great fame of King Perion but neuer imagined my selfe to be his Sonne wherefore I vow to you being my long and carefull Nursse that I will trauaile to finde my Father and not make my selfe knowen to any one till my deedes declare me woorthy to be his Sonne Not long after he departed from the old Lady and accompanyed with two Squires iournyed to Constantinople which at that time was greatly vexed with warre where he remained the space of foure yeeres perfourming such hautie deedes of Chiualrie as he was counted the best Knight in all those partes When he perceiued himselfe in some account he intended to visit Gaule and make himselfe knowen to the King his Father but comming into great Brittayne he heard the fame of Amadis to be meruailous which was the cause of his stay there to win some report by Armes as his bretheren had done whome he longed to acquaint himselfe withall At length he met with them both in the Forrest as you heard and afterward combatted with his brother Galaor which caused their aboad at the Castell of Corisanda vntill such time as their wounds were healed But now let vs returne to Amadis and Agraies who stayed with faire Briolania fiue dayes together preparing their Armour and euery thing in order which béeing doon they set forward on their way accompanied with Briolania her Aunte certaine waiting Gentle-women and Squires to doo them seruice by the way When they drew néere the Realme of Sobradisa they came to the Castell of an ancient Lady named Galumba who some-tune liued in Briolanias Fathers Courte and there they were welcommed very honourablye yet whether Briolania trauayled thus accompanied the olde Lady Galumba could not chuse but meruaile which made her request to be satisfied therin Briolanias Aunte tolde her how Amadis was one of the best Knightes in the worlde and had promised to reuenge the murdered Kings death likewise how he discomfited them that guarded the Chariot and afterward ouer-came the rest in the Castell at what time the Lyons escaped as you haue heard Galumba wondering at such singuler prowesse answered If he be such a one as you make reporte his companion must néeds be of some estimation and wel may they bring your enterprise to end considering the trueth and iustice of the cause but take héed least the traiterâ—us King woorke some treason against them That is the chéefest pointe of my feare answered Briolania wherfore we came to craue your aduise héerin Héer-upon she wrot a letter and sealed it with the Princesses seale at Armes then calling a Damosell after she had giuen her instructions she bad her make haste in deliuering the letter Presentlye went the Damosell to horsse-back and trauailed so speedily that she arriued at the great Cittie of Sobradisa which the whole Realme tooke this name by There was Abiseos with his two Sonnes Darison and Dramis and these thrée must the combate be waged withall for Abiseos slew the Father of Briolania by couetous desire he had to the Crowne which he euer since vsurped and helde more by tirannie then any consent in the subiectes The Damosell entred the Pallace on horsse-back when diuers Knightes came to her requesting her to alight but she made answer she would not till she saw y e King and that he commaunded her to leaue her palfray Soon after came the King accompanied with his two sonnes and many great Lordes and after she had saluted him he boldely bad her say what she would My Lord quoth she I shall fulfill your commaund on condition I may abide in your protection and receiue no iniurie for any thing I say By my Crown said the King I warrant your safetie wher-upon the Damosell thus began Sir my Lady and Mistresse Briolania disinherited by you gréets you with this letter which may openly be read before this royall company and I after-ward receiue answere for my discharge When the King heard the name of Briolania remorse of conscience touched him with the wrong he did her yet was the letter openly read which was to giue credit to the Damoselles woordes The most of the Lordes there present who sometime were subiectes to the slaughtered King seeing the messenger of their lawfull Quéene indéed pittyed she was so vniustly disinherited in their harts desired of God to plague the treason doone to her Father Proceede Damosell
tarry too long in telling it and happily you would scant beleeue me so horrible and disloyall is the déed which compelleth me to this impacience Beleeue me quoth the Knight I will follow thee three whole daies only to see whether thou lyest or no. Thus Galaor held on his way and the Knight hasting after till hauing ridden the space of a mile when they espied two other Knightes the one béeing on foote running to catche his horsse and the other gallopping away so fast as he could He on foote was Cozin germaine to y e Knight that followed Galaor who in iousting with the other Knight had béen dismounted and knowing his kinseman acquainted him with the whole accident requesting his assistaunce in reuenge of his wrong It may not be now answered the other till I haue followed the Knight you see before thrée dayes together héerto he added all the spéeches betwéene Galaor and him In sooth replyed his Cozin he should seeme by your woordes the greatest coward in the worlde else mindeth he some enterprise of higher consequence therfore I will adiourne the reuenge of mine iniurie and beare you company to the end I may beholde the sum of your attempt While thus they talked Galaor had gotten very farre before which caused them make the more haste after him till at length the Prince espied the ten Knightes that conducted the King they riding vp a narrow strayte fiue before him and fiue behinde Now did he fully resolue to dye or purchase his deliueraunce for he was so offended to sée the King bound with chaines as he imagined him selfe able to conquer them all and as many more if they had béene there wher-upon he thus cryed to them Traitours durst you vnreuerently lay hand on the best King in the worlde with which woordes he met one of them so directly as his Launce passing through his bodye he fell downe dead beside his horsse When the other foure saw their companion slaine they willed the formost fiue to guarde the King for they would reuenge his death sufficiently but they found them-selues very much deceiued for though the Princes horsse by reason of his sore trauaile often sâ—umbled and therby put him in daunger of falling yet laide he such loade vpon his enemies as two more of them accompanyed the firste and the other twaine were brought into hard extremetie Then came the other fiue with a fresh charge vpon him when Galaor perceiuing his owne danger intended to reuenge his death and the Kinges togeather entring couragiouslye among the chickest shewing most rare and hautye chiualrie When the two Cozins that followed him beheld his behauiour confounded with meruaile the one saide to the other By God we did him wrong to tearme him a coward for he is the most hardie Knight that euer I sawe except the worlde shall twit vs with shame let vs not see him dye in this extremetie least the beutie of chiualrie be gone for euer Resolued thus to succour him they valiantlye thrust themselues into the skirmishe deliuering such freendly blowes on euery side that Galaor soone felt him selfe well assisted because his enemies were somewhat more dispearsed and he had leysure to take a little breathing but wundering whence this aide should proceed he fell to woorke againe giuing them good cause to misdoubt their liues When the Cozin to Arcalaus sawe how his side decayed and his Knights dishartened slaine and sore wounded he purposed to kill the King who by this time found the meanes to vnbinde himselfe and alighting from his horsse got one of the slaine Knightes swoordes wher-with he resisted his enemies brauely As the Cozin to Arcalaus followed his intent the King gaue his horsse such a blow ouer the face as by rearing vp he fell downe backward yet the Knight recouered him selfe and Galaor séeing one fight with the King came to assist him when snatching off his Helmet he would haue smitten his head from his shoulders but the King would not suffer him saying he should liue and dye a theefe The two Cozins who were named Don Guilan Ladasin pursued an other Knight whome they slewe returning backe againe they knew y e King which strooke them into no little meruaile because they heard nothing of his mis fortune then alighting from their horsses they tooke off their helmets did him reuerence wheÌ„ he knowing them right well embraced them in his armes saying My fréends you haue succoured me in a néedfull time for which I may liue to requite you with thankes yet haue you wronged me by your absence from the Court and for your loue to eche other I lost you bothe especiallye you Lord Guilan your minde béeing else-where made you forget me These woordes caused a modest blush in Don Guilan because the King disciphered his loue which was the Duchesse of Bristoya who was not one iot behinde him in affection as well witnessed the good entertainement she gaue him tasting together the fruite of their contentment Which the Duke so doubted and daylye conceiued such suspition thereof as it procured the iniurye was doone to Galaor when the Dwarffe espied him in the Garden at his returne from faire Aldena wherby the Damosell was in daunger of burning as the historye héer-tofore hath declared to you But while the King thus communed with Don Guilan Galaor had gotten the Nephewe of Arcalaus beside his horsse and tyed the chayne about his necke the King was bound withall then taking the best horsses belonged to the dead Knightes they rode toward London And by the way Ladasin recounted to the King how he contended with Galaor for riding so fast offering him the combate which he refused because he would delay no time for his succour which caused the King to requite him with many thanks that he could so well forbeare in a case of such necessitie But my Lord quoth Don â—uilan my hap was more hard for by thinking on her who often-times makes me forget my selfe a Knight encountred with me and by force of his Launce cast me from my saddle In sooth answered the King I haue heard talke of many louers and what they enterprise for their Ladyes yet neuer of any folly comparable to yours which giueth me good cause to coniecture that you were not in vaine named Guilan the pensiue for you are y e greatest muser I euer heard of As thus they beguiled the time they ariued at the house of Ladâ—sin which was not far thence whether soone after came Galaors Squire and Dardan the Dwarffe who thought his maister had taken that way Then did Galaor tell the King how his brother Amadis was gon to reskew his daughter and in what manner they heard of their seperation by the poore labourers wherefore he aduised him to send speedily to London least his mishap being published in the Cittie might raise some commotion among the people Credit me quoth the King séeing Amadis vndertooke to followe my daughter I will not as yet account her lost